On August 24, 2018, 9-month-old William Cannon died in his parent's arms at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), just two days after he was found unresponsive at a state-licensed daycare center. It has been about eight months since this tragedy, and his parents still do not know why their son died.
Jenna Keehn, William's mother, hired Rizk Law senior lawyer Richard Rizk to start an investigation to get answers. This comes as a criminal investigation is awaiting a grand jury decision, Oregon's Department of Justice declined a request by the state's House Republican leader for an independent investigation, and Governor Kate Brown has denied accusations that William Cannon's death was covered up.
However, Rizk is not interested in the political aspects of this situation. "We're interested in getting to the bottom of why William died," he said.
Cannon's mother still has no answers about her son's death, which makes her worry constantly about the safety of her newborn daughter.
What Happened at the Daycare Center?
William's mother enrolled him at Little Big Blessings daycare in March 2018. She needed care for her son while she worked. She liked that Little Big Blessings had a great organization.
Little Big Blessings notified the mother promptly when her son suffered minor injuries, such as when he hit his mouth and eye on toys. The provider also told the mother about an inspection in April 2018, when William was propped up on a pillow in a bassinet. Under state rules, daycare centers must allow infants to sleep on flat surfaces to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
These things did not cause Keehn to become overly concerned for her son's safety and she said her son seemed really happy.
On August 22, in the afternoon, William fell asleep with one of the daycare workers, who then left the room for 10 minutes to prepare a bottle for him. When the worker returned, the baby was breathing shallowly and rolled up on his side.
After the worker opened William's airway, he stopped breathing a few minutes later. The worker began CPR, but William only too a few shallow breaths when the worker paused her compressions.
After 30 minutes of CPR by emergency medical personnel, William's blood circulation was restored. However, the next day doctors had declared William brain dead.
William had been diagnosed with severe anemia earlier that month – this condition results in the blood not having enough red blood cells to deliver enough oxygen to organs and tissues. However, doctors at OHSU said this was not a factor in William's death.
The investigation of this tragic death was compromised, according to Rizk.
For example, Oregon's chief medical examiner did not conduct a forensic autopsy, which frustrated the Lane County District Attorney's Office and Detective Cliff Sites, according to reporting from The Oregonian/OregonLive. The medical examiner used information relayed by attending doctors at OHSU.
Even though OHSU conducted an autopsy to give more information to the family, the autopsy was not meant to make a legal determination of the cause of death to assist a criminal investigation of the matter.
While the OHSU autopsy showed damage to the baby's brain and heart consistent with lack of oxygen due to prolonged cardiac arrest, the autopsy report says the cause of cardiac arrest is not apparent.
Questions have also been raised about public disclosure of William Cannon's death, according to reporting by The Register Guard. On Aug. 24, before William died, a spokesperson for the Early Learning Division emailed a spokesperson for the Governor about a draft for a statement to the media. The statement said the division was aware of this tragedy and was working with partner agencies and the provider had surrendered her license one day earlier.
Just a half an hour later, the governor's spokesperson emailed the division spokesperson. The email said a Eugene police detective told them they could not say much about the death. This email string was forwarded to the governor's office and the draft statement was never sent out.
As the criminal investigation into William's death went on for seven months, the state was quiet about the situation.
Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow was unaware if any discussions occurred between her office and the Eugene Police Department about William's death.
Why William's death went unreported?
Why an agency that answers to the governor hid the incident?
What communication was there between the governor's office and state officials who had been notified of the death?
Why the public statement about William's death was never released?
However, last week, Deputy Attorney General Frederick Boss said the department lacks the authority to start an investigation at the request of a state lawmaker. The deputy attorney general also said a review by the department's criminal justice division found that was not a reasonable probability an investigation would uncover evidence of a criminal act by state officials.
As our firm investigates William's death, you can contact us with any information about the situation or Little Big Blessings daycare. We are trying to find out why this happened so this type of tragedy can be prevented from happening again.


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Best Star Wars Games
The release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 may have 'ended' Star Wars as we've known it for the past four-and-a-half decades, but all it really did was tie a bow on the cinematic tales of the Skywalker clan and the nine-film saga which began way back in 1977. After all, Star Wars is never really gone.
Streaming platform Disney+ has all the movies in 4K, plus there are shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan and a deluge of other TV projects in the works, and not forgetting new trilogies, spin-offs movies, games and much more in the pipeline. Yep, that galaxy far, far away will be coming at you across all media for a long time to come.
The franchise has a long and storied history with video games, too, and below we take a look back at every Star Wars game on Nintendo systems, ranked from worst to best. To keep things tidy, in instances where the same game was released on multiple platforms, we've opted to mention the lesser of the two — invariably the portable version — in the other's entry.
So, come with us on a journey to a galaxy fa—oh you know the rest. We begin at the bottom, so beware that the Force is not strong with many of these…
Publisher: LucasArts / Developer: THQ
Release Date: 21st Nov 2003 (USA)
Anyone who's only ever played Star Wars games on a Game Boy deserves your pity. Retro Nintendo portables had a lot of things going for them, but a high midi-chlorian count wasn't one of them.
Flight of the Falcon is the worst Star Wars game ever because it's got Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon on the cover — the two coolest things in the Star Wars universe — and it sullies their good names. As with all terrible Star Wars games, the iconography fools you into thinking 'ah, it can't be that bad!', but our review conclusion sums this up perfectly: "Flight of the Falcon is a very bad game. As such, you should not play it. However cool the screenshots look, however promising the premise sounds, just remember that the Force is not with this one in any way, shape or form."
Han, mah boogie, you deserved better.
Publisher: THQ / Developer: LucasArts
Release Date: Dec 1999 (USA) / 1st Dec 1999 (UK/EU)
You have to remember that while Yoda is a beloved character, this game came before we'd ever seen him wield a lightsaber in what is easily the best scene in Attack of the Clones. Despite the name, in Yoda Stories you control Luke Skywalker in a top-down adventure as he chops snakes in two with his laser sword. How bad can that be?…
Really quite bad, it turns out. 'Sedate' is too generous a word, and whole game is a technical embarrassment. It's tempting to blame the hardware, but then you look at Link's Awakening and see what might have been. Link's Awakening this ain't. Poodoo, plain and simple.
Publisher: THQ / Developer: David A. Palmer Productions
Release Date: May 2002 (USA)
Fittingly, the weakest movie in the saga got one of the weakest Star Wars games ever. Normally we'd caveat a statement like that with 'arguably', but Episode II really is inescapably pants (except for that Yoda bit at the end — we remember quite liking that). The tie-in GBA game is a turgid side-scrolling beat 'em up that lacks the artistic polish even the dullest examples on this list bring to the table. Coarse, rough and irritating, indeed.
Publisher: THQ / Developer: Helixe
Release Date: Nov 2002 (USA)
An isometric platformer that takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, you control the petulant young Skywalker in this stodgy action game. Considering the platform it's on, the game looks and sounds okay. Beyond that, though, it's dull, repetitive and so s-l-o-w. Anakin, you're breaking our heart.
Publisher: THQ / Developer: HotGen
With passable animation and audio (especially considering the system) and boring, finicky platforming, Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles falls into a regretfully familiar pattern of portable Star Wars games. It's not as hateful as some, and it's a little faster paced than New Droid Army, but it's a similar story. Perhaps developer HotGen was trying to faithfully capture the excitement of The Phantom Menace's trade disputes, in which case job done. Some might call the non-canon blue lightsaber wielded by Mace Windu on the cover unforgivable, but we were too bored to care.
Publisher: JVC / Developer: Lucasfilm Games
Release Date: Mar 1992 (USA)
A relatively ho-hum 8-bit platformer where you play as Luke battling through variations of the locations from the movie, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back could not be more average. For kids desperate to play as hero Luke, it was passable filler but no more. A Game Boy version also exists, but if you're gagging to play through the best film of the saga in video game form, you're much better off going with the 16-bit 'Super' iteration. Indeed, LucasArts didn't even bother with an 8-bit Return of the Jedi — the developer simply jumped generations and started afresh with Super Star Wars on the SNES.
Release Date: Nov 2000 (USA) / 8th Dec 2000 (UK/EU)
Another one quick to tick the 'dull' and 'repetitive' boxes, if you think the isometric adventures on the GBA were tough going on the eyes, Obi-Wan's Adventures takes that style of game back a console generation in an 'adventure' set concurrently against the events of Episode 1. It's not awful, just ugly and entirely pedestrian.
Publisher: LucasArts / Developer: LucasArts Singapore
Release Date: 15th Sep 2009 (USA)
A tie-in with the movie and TV shows surrounding the events between Episodes II and III, it was the same old story when it came to this action platformer. Uninspired, unengaging, unexciting — take your pick. At least the bad games are really bad and evoked an emotion other than disappointment. Republic Heroes is just painfully, crushingly average.
We're off to dig out our thesaurus because we're running out of words for 'unremarkable', and we think there are several more to come before we get to the good stuff.
Publisher: JVC / Developer: Beam Software
Another platformer. To be fair, it did a decent job of providing some variety and touching on the main characters and locations of the movie, but it's pretty unmemorable (and unforgiving). The token Game Boy version upped the difficulty as it reduced screen real estate, but possibly the most interesting of the 8-bit versions is the entirely different and earlier Famicom game developed by Namco in 1987. 'Interesting' because it's not afraid of deviating significantly from the source material and having Darth Vader turn into a scorpion, Not 'interesting' because it's any good, sadly.
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft
Release Date: Sep 2004 (USA)
A Ubisoft side-scroller, Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force sure looked impressive. It used the same engine as the console's port of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, with smooth animation and 3D-style character models. Giving players the chance to relive the original trilogy anew, bland gameplay was once again its undoing. Totally vanilla, utterly underwhelming, but could've been worse.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We know how awkward it can be to grow quick, productive and various stage good portable applications. Each stage is exceptional and displays particular elements, conduct and capacities. Cross-stage good applications are need of great importance. A designer needs to discover the answers for make the best applications that function admirably with the vast majority of the cell phones without spending every one of the assets on making applications for only a couple of stages at any given moment. Luckily, a wide assortment of versatile application advancement devices are accessible in the online marketing that can be utilized to accomplish your objectives and goals.
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This C# based web improvement stage bolsters cross-stage portable application advancement for the two iOS and Android gadgets. Xamarin gives engineers the capacity to compose codes in C# and make applications utilizing information system and APIs on particular stages. It underlines execution and local UI instruments as basic for creating applications.
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Why did Norwegians immigrate to Canada?
When did the Norwegians come to Canada?
Why did immigrants come from Norway?
Why did Norwegians want to leave Norway?
Why were immigrants coming to Canada?
What did Norwegians contribute to Canada?
Where did most Norwegian immigrants come from?
Why did so many Norwegians immigrate to Minnesota?
Why did Norwegians immigrate to North Dakota?
Can a Canadian immigrate to Norway?
What is the most common last name in Norway?
What are common Norwegian last names?
Why did Swedes and Norwegians emigrated to the United States?
Where did Canadians immigrate from?
Why did the Ukraine immigrate to Canada?
The major reason for Norwegian migration appears to be one of economics. Farms in Norway were often small and unable to support a family. Added to that was the lack of other employment to augment the family income. Between 1850 and 1910 approximately 681,011 Norwegians made their way to North America.
Leif Eriksson, the son of Erik the Red, is the first known European to reach North America, in the year 1000. Upon his arrival on the coast of Newfoundland, Eriksson established the colony of Wineland. The offer of Canadian land parcels to settlers in the 1890s attracted Norwegians to come to Canada.
Reasons for immigration
Many immigrants during the early 1800s sought religious freedom. From the mid-1800s however, the main reasons for Norwegian immigration to America were agricultural disasters leading to poverty, from the European Potato Failure of the 1840s to Famine of 1866–68.
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One of the most consequential reasons why Norwegians chose to leave was overpopulation. Between 1800 to 1850, the Norwegian population increased by 59%, and in the fifty years following that it increased at the same rapid rate. [1] The Norway's urban population did not substantially increase by comparison.
Many motivations brought immigrants to Canada: greater economic opportunity and improved quality of life, an escape from oppression and persecution, and opportunities and adventures presented to desirable immigrant groups by Canadian immigration agencies.
Norwegians have played important roles in the history of Canada. The very first Europeans to reach North America were in fact Icelandic Norsemen, who made at least one major effort at settlement in what is today the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (L'Anse aux Meadows) around 1000 AD.
The ten most common countries of origin of immigrants residing in Norway are Poland (97,197), Lithuania (37,638), Sweden (36,315), Somalia (28,696), Germany (24,601), Iraq (22,493), Syria (20,823), Philippines (20,537), Pakistan (19,973) and Eritrea (19,957).
The land scarcity and famines that had pushed entire families to leave rural Norway had subsided, and young men from Norway's cities now came in droves to Minnesota seeking better-paying employment. As railroad lines reduced the time needed to travel through the state, homestead properties were quickly snapped up.
Norwegian immigrants began arriving in North Dakota in the 1870s. … Because of the lack of farmland in Norway, the Norwegian immigrants sought the wonderful fertile farmland of North Dakota. Some of the immigrants had spent a few years in other states before they finally arrived in North Dakota.
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In order to apply for a residence permit to Norway from Canada you must either be a citizen of Canada or have a residence permit in Canada. You must have had the residence permit for at least six months before you can apply for a residence permit to Norway.
1 Hansen patronymic
2 Johansen patronymic
3 Olsen patronymic
4 Larsen patronymic
The statistics: Most popular Norwegian surnames
Hansen (53,011)
Johansen (50,088)
Olsen (49,303)
Larsen (37,869)
Andersen (37,025)
Pedersen (35,145)
Nilsen (34,734)
Kristiansen (23,397)
A strong population growth in Sweden increased the pressure on a society that was fundamentally agricultural in nature, and moving to North America provided the Swedish emigrants with economic opportunity not available in the homeland.
Modern Canada was built on the migration and contributions of many immigrant groups, beginning with the first French settlers, through newcomers from the United Kingdom, Central Europe, the Caribbean and Africa, to immigrants from Asia and the Middle East.
Between both world wars some 70,000 Ukrainians immigrated to Canada for political and economic reasons. They included war veterans, intellectuals and professionals, as well as rural farmers. Between 1947 and 1954, some 34,000 Ukrainians, displaced by the Second World War, arrived in Canada.


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Retailers join fight against pipeline
Enbridge Line 5 at issue
STEVEN MAIER
Special to the Journal
The controversial Enbridge Line 5 pipeline is seen with the Mackinac Bridge in the background. A group of principally Michigan retailers have joined forces with others calling for the decommissioning of the line, which runs along the lake bottom beneath the Straits of Mackinac. (Journal file photo)
LANSING — The chorus of voices calling for the decommissioning of a twin oil pipeline running across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac has become more diversified.
A network of 18 businesses, all but one based in Michigan, recently announced support for halting use of the controversial pipeline.
The Great Lakes Business Network, formed in December, is supported by the National Wildlife Federation and the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities in Traverse City. It's also collaborating with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Line 5 is a pipeline operated by Enbridge Inc. that runs 645 miles from Wisconsin to Ontario and carries 540,000 barrels of oil per day. The 4.5-mile section that crosses under the Straits spanning the Upper and Lower peninsulas is controversial.
Built in 1953, the pipeline was designed to last 50 years. Critics say that a spill in the Straits would have catastrophic consequences for Great Lakes ecosystems and the businesses that rely on them.
They pose a particular challenge for oil cleanup due to strong currents that sweep through them and reverse frequently, critics say.
Meanwhile, Enbridge cites the importance of Line 5 in supplying propane to the U.P. It supplies 65 percent of propane used in the U.P. and 55 percent statewide, according to the company.
"It's important to keep in mind, especially at this time of year, especially in Michigan, there are a lot of people that rely on what Line 5 supplies," said Enbridge regional communications supervisor Ryan Duffy.
The Groundwork Center has been fighting Line 5 since 2013, said Jim Lively, the group's program director. In a controversy that's been pressed mainly by nonprofit organizations, the new business partnership adds another dimension of pressure on state officials, he said.
Nonprofit groups pressured the state into creating a petroleum pipeline task force, which released a report in July 2015. That report prompted Gov. Rick Snyder to create a Pipeline Safety Advisory Board to implement the task force's recommendations.
The board oversees two studies funded by Enbridge — one assesses risks posed by the pipeline, the other explores alternatives. Those studies are expected to be released this summer.
Duffy said the company is glad the state is conducting the studies and looks forward to the results. Enbridge regularly tests the pipes. It also provides information about Line 5, inspections and monitoring systems on its website.
The company is not assessing alternatives, Duffy said.
And neither is the new Great Lakes Business Network. It calls for Line 5 to be shut down strategically to limit economic disruption, with the process to begin as soon as possible.
Member businesses have varying opinions regarding alternatives, and the network as a whole has no official stance, Lively said.
The focus is on the immediate risk to the Great Lakes, said Dan Sloboda, an environmental coordinator for Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer based in Chicago.
"It's the wrong pipeline, in the wrong place, at the wrong time," Sloboda said.
Many member businesses have called for a shutdown for some time, including Cherry Republic, a gourmet food store based in Glen Arbor.
The company is among those that supported the production of "Great Lakes, Bad Lines," a short documentary released last August that advocates for decommissioning. The film was produced in partnership with FLOW, a nonprofit law and policy center in Traverse City that advocates for the Great Lakes.
Cherry Republic owner Bob Sutherland has been donating to nonprofit groups like FLOW for years. He's a former member of the Groundwork Center and a current member of the League of Conservation Voters.
"In this case, what's best for the environment is also what's best for business," Sutherland said.
FLOW alleges deceit and number-fudging by Enbridge and claims that the company has exaggerated the importance of Line 5's supply of propane to the U.P. According to a study by the organization, Line 5 supplies only 35 to 50 percent of the U.P.'s propane.
That demand could be met each day with five tanker trucks or two rail cars, according to FLOW's analysis. Such transport is usually considered more dangerous than pipelines, but the location of Line 5 justifies an exception, said FLOW executive director Liz Kirkwood.
The organization claims that 90 percent of the oil running through the Straits ends up in Canada and that Line 5 is an unnecessary shortcut.
But Enbridge disagrees. Thirty percent of the oil from the line goes to a Michigan refinery, Duffy said, and outside organizations don't have access to company data on oil delivery.
Sutherland, Kirkwood and Lively each cited Enbridge's track record as a motivator for their opposition. In 2010, Enbridge's Line 6B ruptured, spilling heavy tar sands oil and polluting nearly 40 miles of the Kalamazoo River. Enbridge has put the cost of the resulting cleanup at more than $1 billion.
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Land of peaks and lakes
Outdoor sports and fun
Garda Trentino: on the north bank of the south
Harmonious contrasts: Garda Trentino in all its diversity
Spectacular Mediterranean scenery rises from the waters and up over steep mountain slopes to the blue heavens, all with a promise of the great outdoors. Sporting adventures and pleasurable experiences here vie for the favour of guests, as Bella Italia can always produce culinary delights in villages that bear witness to a lively culture.
Benvenuti nel Garda Trentino.
The scents in Riva del Garda are of olive oil, lemon juice, bay leaves and fine wine, mountain traditions and Mediterranean ease.
Nestling between Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites, Riva del Garda is the very epicentre of Garda Trentino
Picture postcard perfect!
And suddenly the rock faces fall away and reveal the view that stretches way over the blue of Lake Garda. Torbole sul Garda has found its place on the shore, at the foot of Monte Baldo and, now as always, knows how to captivate guests with its charm.
A ruined castle perches on a steep rock directly above the town of Arco, whose historic centre lies like a semicircle around the slopes of the castle mount. Perhaps it was not mere chance that led to its name Arco – "arch" or "bow" in English.
Blue, green, mystical and wild…
Up in the hills high above Riva del Garda, the village of Tenno perches between olive groves, vineyards and alpine rock formations. Facing south and nestling among spectacular plant life, this location always offers clear views as it proudly presents Lake Garda below.
A blend of nature, history and culture
One of the oldest municipalities in the Sarca Valley, Dro, lies between the three enchanting lakes of the Garda Trentino region – Lake Garda, Lake Cavedine and Lake Toblino.
Kulturelles Bergdorf
Just a few kilometres from Lake Garda, above the Sarca Valley, lies the mountain village of Drena. It dates back to a prehistoric settlement and is marked by Roman and medieval influences. On a hill above the hamlet is the landmark of Drena Castle, long owned by the Counts of Arco to keep watch over the Sarca Valley.
Located between the blue of Lake Garda and the green of the Valle del Chiese, the Ledro Valley is a land bound north and south by spectacular peaks that soar to heights of over 2,000 metres. This natural setting holds thirteen villages, each with a bewitching charm. The roofs of the houses rise up between fragrant woods and meadows or give colour to the shores of Lake Ledro, a place where you can inhale the deep bond between humans and nature that goes back over 4,000 years.
Comano offers a placid succession of rural landscapes and the lively gurgling of the thermal spring at the foot of the silently spectacular Brenta Dolomites, an oasis of tranquillity and well-being that invites you to follow the rhythms of nature. Between the alleyways in the village, the paths in the woods, the cultivated fields and along stream courses can be seen the medieval walls of castles, settlements that possess an ancient charm and sites of archaeological interest... A land that is as genuine as its flavours, where stories to be remembered and told all intermingle. The best way to discover Comano? With boots on your feet or in the saddle of a bicycle, naturally!
An open-air sports hall!
Get a close-up experience of the outdoors, whether on the rock, on a trail, on a hiking path, on a picturesque side road or in the cooling waters of a lake: it's not easy just to sit there when the natural world of Garda Trentino offers so many tempting opportunities.
Everything that makes for a wonderful holiday, everything that characterises the South, everything that promises the dolce vita, can be found... in Garda Trentino!
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3M HDCW Wraparound Heat Shrink Cable Repair sleeves are designed to quickly repair damaged cable jacketing. They may also be used to rejacket in-line splices.
Suitable for use with cable joints and as additional corrosion protection on undamaged cables. Quick and easy to apply, provides maximum protection against mechanical stress, even in the most aggressive environments.


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In space, no one can hear you scream (unless you're in a spaceship)
When I reviewed the animated feature Dead Space: Downfall, I started out with some math:
(cartoon + comic + video game) x (sci-fi + horror) = (Final Girl + Dead Space) / love
That formula has not changed a bit in the interim, so I suppose you could say that I was greatly looking forward to the sequel, Dead Space: Aftermath. I suppose you could also say that I should get a haircut and while that may, in fact, be true, it has little to do with the matters at hand so you should just mind your own beeswax! But I know you're right. I do need a haircut. Earlier today I found a split end that was split in a manner that defied the very laws of nature and physics and probably time! It looked not at all unlike this 1896 drawing of a Mantis Shrimp.
By the way, don't mess with the Mantis Shrimp! They will fuck you up.
Sorry, I'm a bit distracted this morning. Umm...Dead Space: Aftermath, yes! As Downfall bridged the gap between the 6-issue comic book miniseries and the Dead Space video game, so Aftermath bridges the gap between the game and its sequel, due to hit on January 25th. For those of you who aren't all ten kinds of Funk & Wagnalls about the Dead Space series, here's a quick rundown:
Downfall: On the planet Aegis VII, an ancient alien artifact is discovered and brought aboard the USG Ishimura. The artifact has hinky powers, though, and causes flip outs of the homicidal variety. Not only that, but it reanimates dead tissue, turning human corpses into necromorphs, hideously deformed monsters who kill kill kill! Shit gets FUBARed on the Ishimura very quickly.
Dead Space: The USG Kellion answers the Ishimura's distress call. Players control Isaac Clarke, the Kellion's engineer, as he tries to...well, survive against a space ship full of necromorphs. At the end of the game, Clarke's fate is unknown.
Aftermath: The USG Bannon has been sent to find out what the frig is going on since contact with the Kellion and Clarke have now been lost. Ship after ship after ship, I swear! As you might guess, things on the Bannon go straight to heck and only four people survive. During Aftermath, we hear their tales, piece together the story, and learn just how heck-y it all got. We also discover what happened to Isaac Clarke to some extent, and the film leads right into Dead Space 2.
PHEW, amiright? Yeah, there's a lot to the Dead Space mythology, for lack of a better word, and I haven't even touched on the religious aspects of it all. If you don't know anything about any of it, you might come into Aftermath and not know what's going on. Well, you might not be completely lost, but you might feel a little out of place. You don't want that, do you? I don't want that for you. I want you to feel loved and cherished and like you belong, so you can be all "necromorph this" and "plasma cutter that". It's because I care!
Whether or not you're a Dead head, Aftermath is a good time. There's not a lot of character depth- we learn just the tiniest bit about the four survivors and their families (for example, one crew member sees the ghost of his dead daughter beckoning him as the artifact messes with his mind), but essentially they only tell the story of the massacre on the Bannon. That's fine by me, as it's an entertaining story...and as the math has proven, I'm a sucker for horror in space.
And this is definitely horror! It may not be quite as gory as Downfall, but the blood certainly flies and there's plenty of violence to be found. If that wasn't a big enough indicator, then all the swearing will let you know that Aftermath is decidedly not for the kiddies. That's right, I said swearing. This movie pulls out all the stops!
Each segment relating a survivor's tale has a different director and therefore a different art style. While they're all anime-esque, there are enough variations that you may end up needing a moment to sort out the characters- a thin, dweeby egghead scientist may appear all jacked up and ready to go on a 'roid rage in the next story. What's more off-putting, however, is the animation in the framing narrative- I don't know who decided cartoonish CGI was a good idea, but I wish they'd reconsidered and gone the traditional animation route for the entire film. Sometimes the CGI is alright; armor and guns, for example, come off looking cel-shaded and pretty cool. At other times, though, this shit looks like a commercial for The General auto insurance. It's an odd choice and I can't say I liked it, but I could deal with it (cue heavy, martyr-ish sigh).
I really like the Dead Space universe, and I dig that the world I discovered in the game is branching out into other media- I do so enjoy a property I can sink my teeth into. I'm a fan of animation and space-based horror, so as far as I'm concerned, these movies can keep on comin'. But then, what do I know? I mean, look at the state of my hair.
TODAY'S VOCAB: hair, reviews, video games
I love name nods in movies. Isaac Clarke.. Bannon
It gives me geek bumps.
Andrei said...
Sounds good! I never imagined that they'd do a sequel after Downfall, but hey, as far as I'm concerned, keep 'em coming!
Dead Space: Downfall was pretty enjoyable and by the looks of this one, it won't be too different.
yeah i thought also that the cgi was crap, a real let down
just hope that the anime parts are better
He just wanted to hang out.
awesome movie poster friday - the VIRAL edition!
In my restless dreams, I see that town.
The Scare-ening...
The Year in Horror: 1986
The Thursday Bee
There are no words.
Daddy's home and boy, is he bland.
Film Club: The Church
awesome movie poster friday - the 1976 edition!
Burnt Offeringzzzzzzzzzzz
In space, no one can hear you scream (unless you'r...
awesome movie poster friday - the RANDOM edition!
This just in (two months ago)!
I don't care...


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Summer Camps in Urbana, IL
LATEST CAMPS NEWS: Emergency Vet Tech II - Goleta Presbyterian Church
You asked and we responded! Our newest addition…Young Physician II, brings more great projects as young campers delve further into their amazing body systems. Campers will peel back the layers and discover how these complex organs work: learn about disease, how our body fights back, the role of mucus; and digestion, from spit to…. well, you get the idea. They will uncover how the brain works through their own personal webcam, investigate the impact of food, exercise and sleep; and discover how bones and muscles are like cookies and pancakes. They will perform hands-on experiments as they learn about body temperature and fevers, take blood pressures, bandage wounds, and create herbal medicines. Campers will use a microscope, test for germs, map their organs, build a set of teeth, brain and virus models, AND take home their own MD kit. Certificate of Mini-MD given at end of camp! 805-570-1988
G.A.M.E.S.
206 Eng Hall MC-272, Urbana, Illinois 61801
E.S. is an academic residential camp whose purpose is to provide gifted young women with exciting activities within the S.T.E.M. fields. Held on the...
Activities: Academics, Computer, Leadership Development, Recreational Swimming, Team Building
University of Illinois Boys Basketball Camps
, Champaign, Illinois
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded basketball summer camp programs for boys.
University of Illinois Fighting Illini Sport Camps & Clinics
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded summer camp programs for boys and girls....
Activities: Sports Camps: Baseball and Softball
University of Illinois Girls Basketball Camps
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded basketball summer camp programs for girls.
Activities: Sports Camps: Athletic Training
University of Illinois Girls Golf Camp
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of a well-rounded summer camp program.
University of Illinois Girls Track and Field Camp
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of a well-rounded track & field summer camp program....
Activities: Sports Camps: Track and Field
University of Illinois Summer Football Camps
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded football summer camp programs.
University of Illinois Summer Soccer Camps
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded soccer summer camp programs.
University of Illinois Summer Tennis Camps
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded tennis summer camp programs.
University of Illinois Summer Volleyball Camps
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has committed itself to the development of well-rounded volleyball summer camp programs.
Activities: Sports Camps: Volleyball
4-H Memorial Camp
499 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, Illinois 61856
The finest in group camping. Beautiful setting adjacent to Robert Allerton Park. New log cabins. References available
Activities: Archery, Arts and Crafts, Basketball, Boating, Challenge/Rope Courses, Fishing, Hiking,...
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center
20 Timber Pointe Dr, Hudson, Illinois 61748
Beautiful wooded setting on Lake Bloomington offering accessible, challenging & fun outdoor programming.
Activities: Aquatic Activities, Archery, Arts and Crafts, Camping Skills/Outdoor Living, Canoeing,...
Urbana, IL Summer Camps
TheSpot. Teen Camping Trip 2016 - North East, MD
CAMPING!!! If you came last year, you know how much fun we had... so we had to do it again!!! And this year, we are staying for two nights!!! Just a lil over a month away... we'll be starting sign up this Sunday. See Elder Craig Randolph or members of the youth staff for details! COST: $20 (Includes food, tents and activities) PACKING LIST: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7qG5BPb189XT3FvTlpBV1FxVnFPaVdXcWJoNXNqQ2xMLW1V/view?usp=sharing There's swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, basketball, the big swing and more....
4th Annual Send a Kid to Camp Fundraiser - New York, NY
Join us at Up&Down for an open bar, hors d'oeurves, music & mingling -- plus a raffle & silent auction -- in support of a terrific organization and cause. The more the merrier, so please share this event on Facebook and Twitter. We hope you can make it, but please consider a donation if you cannot! Cheers, Hudson Guild Junior Advisory Board _________________________________ About Hudson Guild Hudson Guild's mission is to create and sustain a strong, effective community that acknowledges and responds to the potential, achievements and interdependence of its diverse members. Rooted in and primarily focused on the Chelsea neighborhood, we seek to empower all individuals and families to achieve their highest potential, while maintaining a priority focus on those in economic need. ________________________________ About Send a Kid to Camp Each year Hudson Guild hosts a free summer camp for kids in need at a cost to the organization of roughly $1000 per attendee. The Junior Advisory Board's annual fundraiser plays a big part in sustaining this program which creates lifelong memories and friendships for children in the Chelsea community. Special thanks to our generous sponsors and in-kind donors Amalgamated Bank -- Bottino Restaurant -- Seven Grams Caffe Tickets start at $54.50 (through 5/20) but any donation is welcome....
Kid's Camp: DIY Paper Bowls - Rochester Hills, MI
Paper Source KIDS CAMP WORKSHOPS Est. 1983 *Classes are for ages 8 and up. *Please note length & time for each class. *Crafting can be messy! Please wear clothes that can get dirty. *Any of the kid's camp classes can also be scheduled as a private event for 5 or more. *Sign up for two workshops and get 10% off both seats!
Fall Youth Retreat! - Lansing, IA
A weekend to remember for those in grades 6-12! Bring a friend or your whole youth group - and meet with other students from all over the midwest! Great worship - great speakers - great food - and an amazing weekend! Register online at www.villagecreek.net!
APTC Jr. Tennis Camp - Week 4 (July 11-15) AM - Andulka Park Tennis Center
For Junior tennis players of all ages and playing abilities Drills; Games; Playing Situations; Match Play! FUN, FUN, FUN!! Meeting Dates: Monday - Friday (July 11-15, 2016) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 9 AM - 12 PM: Tennis 8:00 AM drop-off and late pick-up available LOCATION Andulka Park Tennis Center INSTRUCTOR Evan Parry SESSIONS 5
Weber CFC Summer Day Camp -Session 5(July 5-8) - Weber Community Family Center (CFC)
Theme: ??????? No Camp on Monday 7/4/15 Registration Fee $10 Non-Refundable Deposit: $5 (This is part of the weekly fee) Weekly Price Full Price: $120 Voluntary Subsidy: $108 Apply for Financial Assistance: If you choose to apply for assistance, the full cost of the program will be shown at checkout until we have received and processed your full Financial Assistance Application. To complete your registration please pay the $10 registration fee at checkout. Our YMCA offers a voluntary Tiered Pricing System to help all families be able to participate in our programs. Full Cost reflects the full cost of our programs. Voluntary Subsidy is a slightly reduced rate. Financial Assistance is available, but requires an application to be eligible. To select your pricing Tier you must select the matching Customer Type in your account settings. Tiered Pricing is made available through donations and fundraising. All participants receive the same high quality services, regardless of the price they pay. AGE CATEGORY Youth LOCATION Weber Community Family Center ACTIVITY List: Donation The participant will have to select between...
Skyhawks Skateboarding Camp - Olympic Park
Experience basic skateboarding instruction with an emphasis on balance, pushing the board, kick turns, maneuvering, and manual. Campers will progress as they accomplish skills. A liability form must be signed by a parent before participation. Participant-to-coach ratio is approximately 12:1. All campers will receive a t-shirt and a merit award! Participants should bring skateboard, helmet/wrist/elbow pads, appropriate clothing, two snacks, water bottle, running shoes and sunscreen. AGE CATEGORY Youth (6yr+) LOCATION OP Skate Park at Olympic Park
School Age Day Camp ~ Marine World - The Evergreen School
An interesting week of exploring bodies of water. What lives out … who works in it… where theyre located… how big are they… so many questions about seas and oceans. 206-957-1533
New Horizons Day Camp: Week 7, August 8-12 - Cook/Douglass Rec. Center
New Horizons Summer Day Camp is open to ages 5-11 only. Each week will feature team sports, arts and crafts, daily swim lessons, individual sports, fitness activities, a special event and a trip. ALL campers are carefully supervised by Recreation professionals with a ratio of 5:1 or better. Camp meets from 8:30am-4:30pm. Pre-care and after care will be available under separate registration shortly before camp begins. This weeks theme is THE BEST OF THE BEST? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: If cancellation is made prior to April 15, 2016, a full refund, less a $25.00 processing fee, will be made. Cancellations from April 16- July 11, 2016 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations after July 11, 2016 will receive NO refund. LOCATION Cook/Douglass Gym Annex at Cook/Douglass Rec. Center


Manchester Art Gallery houses many of the city's most important fine and decorative art works. The collection covers over six centuries up to the present day, but they are especially renowned for their 19th century British paintings. Visitor favourites include the collection of major Pre-Raphaelite works and the impressionistic paintings of Adolphe Valette.
MHM worked with Manchester Art Gallery to help inform the design, branding and marketing when the gallery re-opened after a major redevelopment. We have been providing rolling visitor research for the gallery since.


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Citibank Fined for Interest Rate Manipulation
Citibank will pay a huge fine for manipulating an important interest rate. The bank settled with US attorneys general in 42 states for $100 million. Following an investigation, the states said Citibank manipulated Libor, a benchmark interest rate that helps set lending rates across the world, CNN reported. Citibank made millions of dollars from its "fraudulent conduct," the attorneys general said. "Our office has zero tolerance for fraudulent or manipulative conduct that undermines our financial markets," New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a press statement. "Financial institutions have a basic responsibility to play by the rules—and we will continue to hold those accountable who don't." This is the third bank that settled with state attorneys general for illegally influencing the Libor. Barclays, Deutsche Bank and now Citibank have been fined $420 million collectively. Citibank agreed to comply with ongoing investigations into other banks' Libor cases.


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Speaking on Business: UMFA — Go West! Art of the American Frontier
The "Go West! Art of the American Frontier exhibition" commemorates the critical period of Westward expansion from 1830 to 1930.
Chris Redgrave Nov 17, 2017
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
From 1830 to 1930, the West was a site of exploration and settlement for Euro-Americans and of displacement and adaptation for Native Americans, resulting in societal conflict that influenced creative expression. This critical period in American history has been captured in priceless artwork, and December 3, you'll have the opportunity to see it in Salt Lake City with the opening of the "Go West! Art of the American Frontier" exhibition at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
The "Go West! Art of the American Frontier" exhibition is on loan from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, and commemorates the centennial of Buffalo Bill Cody's passing. It's also the first traveling exhibition at the UMFA since the Museum's newly remodeled galleries opened.
Executive Director Gretchen Dietrich says this exhibition includes 80 artworks with pieces by landscape painters such as Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and Rosa Bonheur, one of the 19th century's best-known female artists. In addition to beautiful landscapes, you'll see works by Plains Indian artists, like an Indian headdress, bear paw necklace, moccasins, and a parfleche bag, used to carry personal items.
Go West! includes a series of free educational programming to encourage critical thinking and accompanies the exhibition, which runs through March 11, 2018.
Check it out at www.umfa.utah.edu.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Speaking on Business: University of Utah Center for Medical Innovation
Speaking on Business: Hale Centre Theatre
Speaking on Business: Zions No. 1 SBA Lender — UT


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Home Article In brief: O&P stakeholders add bill to arsenal, AAH and VGM book keynotes
In brief: O&P stakeholders add bill to arsenal, AAH and VGM book keynotes
Updated Fri April 29, 2016
WASHINGTON - Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., has introduced a bill that would halt CMS's plans to make dramatic changes to coverage for prosthetic devices.
H.R. 5045, the "Preserving Access to Modern Prosthetic Limbs Act of 2016," would "impose a moratorium on the implementation of a proposed Medicare local coverage determination on lower limb prostheses," according to a bulletin from the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association.
The bill would restrict CMS from implementing the proposed LCD until at least June 30, 2017. It would also require the agency and its contractors to remove it from their websites. Private payers like United Healthcare and Cigna have made coverage changes since the proposed LCD was made public in July.
The bi-partisan bill has been co-sponsored by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.
The changes in the proposed LCD include requiring a face-to-face visit and a completed rehab program to receive a prosthetic device.
AAHomecare books Congressional champions for conference
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has lined up Reps.Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.,andRenee Ellmers, R-N.C., to speak at the 2016 Washington Legislative Conference, slated for May 25-26 at the Washington Court Hotel.
Rep. Ellmers introduced a bill this week that would halt CMS's plans to make dramatic changes to coverage for prosthetic devices, while Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced a bill last year that would require prior authorizations for certain high-cost DME, including oxygen.
In addition, a general session on May 25 will feature a panel discussion about issues affecting rural providers. The panel, moderated by John Gallagher, vice president of government relations at VGM, and Rose Schafhauser, executive director of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services, will address the challenges associated with serving patients in rural areas, and how to communicate these issues to patients and policymakers.
"Conference attendees should make a point to attend the rural panel session, whether or not your company is in a rural area," said Karyn Estrella, executive director of the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England, in an AAHomecare bulletin. "Getting first-hand accounts of the challenges these companies face will be important to convey during your Hill visits."
As part of the conference, AAHomecare is coordinating Capitol Hill visits to lobby lawmakers on industry issues, include a bill to delay an upcoming second round of Medicare cuts in non-bid areas.
VGM announces keynote speaker
WATERLOO, Iowa -World-renown memory expert Bob Gray has been tapped to give the keynote speech at the VGM Group's Heartland Conference this year. Gray has taught his memory systems to several Fortune 500 and 100 companies, including Boeing, General Electric, FedEx, and Johnson and Johnson. The premise of his presentation, "Welcome to Your Brain," is based on credibility and relationships, both of which can be greatly enhanced through a trained memory. "The Heartland Conference is all about connecting our members with tools and resources to help them improve their businesses," said Sara Laures, VGM's vice president of special projects and conference chairperson. "Bob's presentation will provide members with a unique way to improve both personally and professionally through memory and recall techniques." The conference is slated for June 13-16 at the Ramada Waterloo Hotel and Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa.
Philips Respironics builds new distribution facility
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Philips Respironicsis working with a developer to build a new 260,000-square-foot distribution center in Westmoreland County, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times. The manufacturer is working with Exel, a division of logistics firm DHL, which started construction on the new facility in February and is expected to finish sometime during the second half of 2016. Once the project is completed, Respironics has indicated that it will lease the complex from Exel.
Data wanted: Audit Key accepting new submissions
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare encourages providers to submit data for the first quarter of 2016 to the HME Audit Key. The HME Audit Key collects summary data on audits and appeals. AAHomecare then uses the data to engage policymakers and government regulators on audit-related issues. The first round of data collection, which ended in February, found that 12% of HME claims for new Medicare patients were denied. Participation is free. Go to hmeauditkey.com.
Compass Health Brands buys pain management product
CLEVELAND - Compass Health Brands has acquired the Strengthtape brand of kinesiology tape, along with other associated assets from the privately held company Endevr of St. George, Utah. "Strengthtape helps to further expand our portfolio of professional and retail pain management products," said Jim Hileman, interim CEO and CFO of Compass Health Brands. "By leveraging our extensive sales and logistics network, we expect to have an immediate impact on the sales of the Strengthtape products." Strengthtape, the official kinesiology tape of the Ironman triathlon, is known for its long-lasting durability and effectiveness on common injuries. The product line includes 35-meter uncut continuous rolls, pre-cut 5-meter rolls, and precut kits. Roscoe Medical, which, along with Carex Health Brands, makes up Compass Health Brands, has had an exclusive distribution agreement with Endevr for more than a year.
REMWorks leverages game-based education
PITTSBURGH - REMWorks has partnered with EdLogics to develop a game-based health education platform that provides incentives to patients to better manage their sleep health and associated costly health conditions. REMWorks is the sleep wellness store opened by health insurer Highmark in December 2014. EdLogics is a health education-based consumer engagement company. The platform, which involves completing activities and games, and learning strategies for better sleep, was launched with Allegheny County of Pennsylvania employees in September. Prior to using the platform, employees scored an average of 67% on the sleep health baseline knowledge assessment. After, they increased their average score to 95%.
Southern Home Medical exec resigns amid merger
GREER, S.C. - Jeffrey Sarvis has resigned from his posts as president and CEO and director of the board of Southern Home Medical. "The merger transaction continues to move forward," he stated in press release. "This requires my resignation." Miguel Dotres will step up as interim president and CEO and director. He will lead the company through this transitional phase. Southern Home Medical did not give details on said merger. In March, the company, which owns and operates ApneaRx, reported $1.14 million in revenues and $60,983 in net income for 2015. "SOHM finished the year poised and financially ready to pursue sale, merger and/or acquisition opportunities and was able to quickly attract interest," it stated in a press release. Southern Home Medical formed in 2007 with an eye toward rolling up HME providers. A year later, it also turned its focus on medical staffing.
Comfort Medical buys resource for wheelchair users
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Comfort Medical, a subsidiary of Liberty Medical, has acquired Wheel:Life, a digital media publication and social community for wheelchair users. Wheel:Life, which has more than 26,000 followers on social media, served more than 100,000 website visitors in 2015. "We are excited to bring the resources and support of Wheel:Life to our customers, as well as provide the opportunity to Wheel:Life to continue expanding the community it serves," stated Ryan Flannery, president of Comfort Medical, in a press release. Lisa Wells, founder and director of Wheel:Life, will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, partner relationships and ongoing events. Comfort Medical is a national mail-order provider of urological and ostomy supplies.
Feds host listening session on sleep apnea proposal
WASHINGTON - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration will hold three public listening sessions in May to gather information on the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among those working in highway and rail transportation, according to a notice in Thursday's Federal Register. The agencies also seek information on the potential costs and benefits from possible regulatory actions that address the safety risks associated with transportation workers who have OSA. The agencies plan to webcast each of the three sessions: May 12 in Washington, D.C., May 17 in Chicago and May 25 in Los Angeles. Previously, the two agencies announced a proposal to require sleep tests for transportation workers on March 8.
Short takes: Invacare, NCART
Invacareis an official supporter of the 2016 Invictus Games, which will be held May 8-12 in Orlando, Fla. The company has also donated sports wheelchairs and handbikes for competitors to use as part of the Games. Competitors will take part in 10 events, including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling and wheelchair rugby�NCART is asking for help on behalf of complex rehab advocate Archer Hadley of Austin, Texas. Hadley, who was a presenter at last year's CRT conference, has been nominated for a 2016 National Philanthropy Day Honors program award. The winner of the award will be determined by online voting. NCART is asking those in the industry to vote* for Hadley at http://nominations.afpresources.org/2016npdvote. Scroll down to the "Carter Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Group" section and check on the box Archer Hadley.
2016 Washington Legislative Conference, aahomecare, HME Audit Key, Prosthetics, R-N.C., Renee Ellmers, VGM Heartland Conference
Remote Captcha 5745 Remote Captcha 5951 Remote Captcha 2795
WASHINGTON – As part of a new national campaign, AAHomecare is asking industry stakeholders to use the recent CPI-U adjustments to the Medicare fee schedule as a talking point with state Medicaid programs to increase their rates. CMS in December published a fee...
ACMESA, AAH push for rate stabilization in VA
RICHMOND, Va. – The Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA), along with AAHomecare, is asking stakeholders in Virginia to contact their lawmakers in the House and Senate to pass a budget amendment that would direct the state Medicaid program, the...
Green Prosthetics sells to Mobility Ideal Health Care
DALLAS – Generational Equity has announced that its client Green Prosthetics and Orthotics has sold to Mobility Ideal Health Care. "This was a deal where all the stars aligned perfectly," Faraaz Ali, senior M&A advisor for Generational Equity. "Our client was...


The City of Bellingham's Planning and Community Development Department has released a new story map detailing the housing statistics of Bellingham.
This information-rich story map features interactive maps, graphs and supporting texts that explore housing types, occupancy, tenure, and their distribution across the city's neighborhoods.
Rick Sepler, Planning and Community Development Director, welcomes active conversation in the Bellingham community about housing and encourages residents to review the story map to learn more about current housing.
"A fundamental role of the City is to provide clear and accurate information to our community members so that they can be informed participants in helping to shape the future of Bellingham," Sepler said. "The Bellingham Housing Statistic site does just that."
The Planning and Community Development Department states on the story map page that the best way to solve complex problems is through education, dialog and innovation. The City encourages residents to use the information presented in the story map to educate themselves and others as well as to facilitate community conversations about housing, housing affordability and where Bellingham is headed next.
The data provided in the story map comes from a variety of sources including City of Bellingham building permits as well as Whatcom County Assessor, U.S. Census, Washington Office of Financial Management and Housing and Urban Development data.


I've seen a gob of recipes of pretzels made with beer. But I decided, for this #FoodieExtravaganza party, to make mine with real Cascade hops from my friends Shelby and Dave. I used beer in the sauce...and drank it alongside my pretzel bites.
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve sugar in the warm water and float the Cascade hops in the water. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Let the yeast bloom till frothy, approximately 10 minutes. Some clusters of yeast will remain.
Slowly add 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 C dark rye flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough is thick. Add 1 more cup flour until the dough is no longer sticky. If it's still sticky, add up to 1/2 cup more. Press the dough with your finger. If it bounces back, it's ready to knead.
Turn the dough out onto a floured board. Knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes and re-shape into a ball.
Divide the ball into quarters, then divide each quarter into halves. Roll the dough into a long, even rope. Cut the ropes into bite-sized pieces.
Fill a large souppot with 8 to 9 C of water. Once it comes to a boil, add in the baking soda carefully. It will bubble up, so be careful. Drop the pretzel bites into the water. They will float quickly.
Remove the pretzel bites, drain, and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the pretzels with beaten egg and sprinkle with fleur de sel.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes at 450 degrees F - until the pretzels are a deep chestnut brown color. Transfer the pretzels to a wire rack to cool. Serve with beer-gouda dip.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the flour and cook to make a roux. Continuing cooking till it turns a nice, golden color. Slowly whisk in the beer and continue to cook, whisking frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes. Next, pour in the milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the cheese and allow to cook until the sauce has thickened and the consistency you like. Serve hot...with the rest of your beer. Cheers!
So happy that I found this event. I'm looking forward to participating again in the future.
Mmm... I bet those were a delicious treat!! I've never actually seen real hops before - such a cool idea to incorporate them into the dough!
Love that secret ingredient, Camilla! I don't think I've ever actually seen hops blossoms.
Thanks, Stacy! I love fresh hops as herbs in my dishes.
You are something else Camilla...I have never even heard of hops blossoms. You amaze me.
Thanks, Wendy. I am just grateful to have generous friends with hops plants that they'll share with me.
So cool! I'd love to work with fresh hops in some form (my mom and I were actually daydreaming about owning a hops farm recently). These look fantastic, I bet they were deeeelicious!
You totally should! Fresh hops are hard to come by. I had to beg for these. These were delicious. I haven't posted, but I turned some of the pretzel dough into pretzel dogs. My boys swarmed around the plate like lions at a kill!
Pretzels and beer - a classic combo!
Love what you did here. Hop blossoms are new to me.


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CPDC Developments Newsletter - 03-06-18
Office Sector News
Renovations planned for office portion of Wanamaker building
The landmark Wanamaker building is undergoing a $5 million renovation. Rubenstein Partners and Amerimar Enterprises Inc. are initially focusing on the lobby of the office portion of the 1.4 million-square-foot building, which is occupied by Macy's on three floors and office space on floors six through 12.
Key features of the lobby will be a 350-square-foot video screen at the visitor entry point, a concierge desk and a new security desk on the mezzanine level. Also planned is a new 7,136-square-foot office suite on the 10th floor that will be marketed to tenants.
For more, go to bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/02/21/wanamaker-to-undergo-renovations.html.
1911 Walnut Plans Revised To Add Hotel-Length Stays
Southern Land Co. has revised its plan for a residential tower at 1911 Walnut St. to add short-term stays. The Nashville-based developer will offer hotel-length stays in furnished units within the 48-story tower, dubbed The Laurel, in response to demand for such accommodations in the neighborhood, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The company plans to open a sales office in the coming months to market the 54 units planned on the floors set aside for condominiums. Prices will start at about $2.5 million.
For more, go to philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/philadelphia-walnut-street-high-rise-hotel-apartments-condos-20180223.html.
NYT Examines Philadelphia's Schuylkill Yards Development Project
An article in The New York Times on February 20 discussed the plan to develop a hub for technology and life-sciences companies through the 20-year, $3.5 billion Schuylkill Yardsproject.
"Not only will the project fill in an underused section of real estate, it is also intended to develop business opportunities for research coming out of Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, both just a few blocks away,'" the report noted.
For more, go to nytimes.com/2018/02/20/business/philadelphia-commercial-real-estate.html.
In related news, CBRE has been retained by Schuylkill Yards developer Brandywine Realty Trust to provide retail advisory and transaction services for the project.
For more, go to philadelphia.citybizlist.com/article/467554/cbre-teams-with-brandywine-realty-trust-for-retail-portion-of-35b-schuylkill-yards-development.
Taxpayer Costs Could Rise Under Deal For New Police HQ
A deal to borrow $252.5 million to transform 400 North Broad St. into a new police headquarters could cost taxpayers more than anticipated when City Council approved the agreement last year. The potential cost increase for the project, already the second-priciest historic rehab of its kind in Pennsylvania history, stems from a change to the deal's financing.
Instead of a 19-year loan with a fixed interest rate of 3.75% as discussed last summer, the approved loan will be paid out over the next nine years at a 4.02% interest rate, with an option to refinance when the term ends.
For more, go to planphilly.com/articles/2018/02/26/new-terms-on-city-s-deal-to-buy-inquirer-building-for-new-philly-police-hq-threaten-to-increase-cost-for-taxpayers.
Nightclub Owner Buys Adjacent Lot Where Apartments Were Planned
The owners of a nightclub north of Chinatown have acquired an adjacent parking lot that they've previously discussed as a development site for a 16-story apartment tower. Meritis Group, controlled by the mother-and-son development team Micheline and James De Berardine, paid $2.4 million for the 7,840 square foot lot on the northwest corner of 12th and Vine streets, according to city records.
The developers said in 2016, before opening the NOTO club at 1209 Vine St., that they intended to buy the next-door lot for a 99-unit apartment building. They withdrew their permit application for the planned tower later that year.
For more, go to philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/philadelphia-apartments-noto-nightclub-meritis-group-deberardine-20180227.html.
Blatstein Plans Final Development For Northern Liberties
Tower Investments CEO Bart Blatstein is planning a six-building, mixed-use complex on a 4.4-acre vacant lot he owns adjacent to Schmidt's Commons, formerly the Piazza at Schmidt's, and the Acme-anchored retail building called the Shops at Schmidt's — both of which he developed and later sold.
The complex will contain around 1,200 apartments above 45,000 square feet of ground-floor retail around a public plaza. Blatstein plans to complete the project in phases over five years at a cost of more than $350 million, with groundbreaking by March 2019.
For more, go to philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/blatstein-returns-focus-to-northern-liberties-with-plan-for-remaining-brewery-parcel-20180227.html.
City Asks For Study On Combining Visit Philadelphia, PHLCVB
The Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association will conduct a study, requested by city Commerce Director Harold T. Epps, examining whether to combine destination marketing organizations Visit Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. The request for review comes after the recent announcement that Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Meryl Levitz will step down at the end of 2018.
Visit Philadelphia markets to domestic leisure visitors, and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau is the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. PHLCVB also promotes the city to overseas leisure travelers.
For more, go to bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/02/27/epps-letter-visitphilly-phlcvb-combine-tourism.html.
Eds and Meds News
Jefferson Unveils Plans For Biological Manufacturing Center
Thomas Jefferson University has unveiled plans to establish what it says will be the first education and training center for biological manufacturing in North America. Jefferson has formed a partnership with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), based in Dublin, Ireland, for the project.
The Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing will prepare engineering students and industry professionals for leadership positions in the emerging field of biological manufacturing. Biologic therapies are substances derived from living organisms, or laboratory-produced versions of those substances, and developed to treat a variety of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
For more, go to prnewswire.com/news-releases/thomas-jefferson-university-to-establish-the-first-education-and-training-center-for-biologics-manufacturing-in-north-america-in-partnership-with-global-leader-nibrt-300601623.html.
CHOP Forms Partnership With UAE Children's Hospital
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Al Jalila Children's, the United Arab Emirates' only children's hospital, have entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a dedicated neurology outreach program. A key aspect of the alliance will be the use of telemedicine consultations, where CHOP physicians will assist Al Jalila doctors caring for patients with complex conditions.
Matthew Bayley, CHOP's senior vice president and chief strategy officer, said the Philadelphia-based pediatric hospital is "committed to improving health for children worldwide" and excited to be collaborating with Al Jalila Children's.
For more, go to chop.edu/news/al-jalila-children-s-and-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-align-collaborative-clinical-care.
Peirce College Taps N.J. College Administrator As New President
Peirce College, which largely serves adult learners in Philadelphia, has tapped a New Jersey college administrator as its new president. Mary Ellen Caro currently serves as vice president of enrollment management and learner services at Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J.
Caro is the first female president in the Center City college's 153-year history. She will replace James J. Mergiotti, who is retiring after nine years at the helm.
For more, go to prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-mary-ellen-caro-named-first-woman-president-and-ceo-of-peirce-college-300605113.html.
Residential Market News
Philadelphia Condo Market Ends 2017 With Strong Numbers
Philadelphia's condominium market ended 2017 with its best numbers since the recession. According to a new report by Kevin Gillen for Allan Domb Real Estate, the average price of Philadelphia's condos increased by 1.8% on a quality- and seasonally-adjusted basis in Q4, up from 0.9% in the previous period.
Condo price levels posted their biggest annual gain since the recession, with average prices 8.1% higher than they were one year ago -- the largest year-over-year gain since 2006, right before prices began their decline.
For more, go to allandomb.com/author/kgillen-ad/.
Home Values Continue To Increase In Philadelphia
Philadelphia home values rose 9.1% citywide over the past year, according to real estate services firm Zillow's Home Value Index.
The Philadelphia Business Journal, which examined the city's ZIP codes to compare changes in home value, found the biggest one-year median value increases in University City (19104) and Point Breeze/Graduate Hospital/Grays Ferry (19146), both at 19.2%, followed by South Philadelphia West (19145) at 15.7% and Germantown (19144) at 11.9%. Only three ZIP codes saw slight decreases, each of 1.8% or less: Nicetown/Tioga (19140), West Oak Lane (19138) and North Philadelphia (19132).
For more, go to bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/02/16/philadelphia-where-did-home-values-rise-the-most.html.
Report: Most Philadelphians Want To Buy Homes In City
Nine out of 10 house hunters in Philadelphia looking to buy a new home are keeping their searches within the city, according to a new migration report by real estate website Redfin.
Specifically, 87% of Philadelphia-based homebuyers looked for homes on Redfin within Philadelphia in 2017. The city ranked ninth out of the top 10 cities of users looking to stay put. Boston saw the most loyal homebuyers, with 91.5% looking to buy in their hometown.
For more, go to redfin.com/blog/2018/02/q4-migration-report.html.
CPDC's annual report on housing in Center City will be released shortly.
Former Gallery Mall Office Space Sold To N.Y. Buyer For $41.8M
Thor Equities LLC of New York has purchased 214,000 square feet of office space inside the former Gallery at Market East shopping mall from Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerich. Thor paid $41.8 million for the offices occupied by Health Partners Plans, on top three floors of the 907 Market St. property.
The deal completes efforts by PREIT of Philadelphia and Macerich of Santa Monica, Calif., to sell off the office space at the former Gallery, which they are redeveloping into the Fashion District Philadelphia. Thor owns more than 160 commercial properties valued at $10 billion in markets including New York, Paris and London. The 907 Market St. acquisition is its first Philadelphia asset.
For more, go to prweb.com/releases/2018/02/prweb15241995.htm.
Uber Bus-Like 'Express Pool' Service Arrives In Philadelphia
Uber has expanded its Express Pool service to Philadelphia. The new bus-like offering is up to 75% less expensive than Uber X, the company's standard option. In Philadelphia, some Express Pool trips across Center City could cost less than $2.50, the base fare for SEPTA.
Uber's quest to secure a larger share of the market has already led to intense competition with the city's taxis and with rival ride-share business Lyft. SEPTA has expressed concerns that ride sharing is cutting into bus ridership, and studies indicate that ride-sharing services like Uber are adding to congestion in many large cities.
For more, go to planphilly.com/articles/2018/02/21/uber-bringing-new-bus-like-express-pool-service-to-philly-stepping-up-competition-with-septa.
New CCD, CPDC Report Examines Center City's Congestion Problem
Ride-sharing services like Uber, along with increasing numbers of commercial and delivery vehicles, ongoing construction, and an underfunded and fragmented system of agencies involved in managing the city's streets and sidewalks are among the factors increasing traffic congestion in Center City, according to the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation's new research report, Keep Philadelphia Moving.
This report examines the problems of congestion in Center City and offers recommendations for funding, coordination, infrastructure and technology to enable Philadelphia's 17th-century street grid to adapt to the needs of today.
For more, go to: centercityphila.org/research-reports/transportation.
Traffic Deaths Remain High In Philadelphia And Across The U.S.
Traffic deaths across the U.S. remain stubbornly high, a recent report by the National Safety Council (NSC) has found. An estimated 40,100 Americans were killed last year in traffic accidents, slightly lower than 2016's death toll but 6% higher than in 2015. In Philadelphia last year, there were 99 traffic fatalities, up from 76 in 2016, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
Kelley Yemen, Philadelphia's Director of Complete Streets, said with six deaths per 100,000 residents, Philadelphia's rate is double the annual rate in New York and triple the rate in Boston.
For more, go to planphilly.com/articles/2018/02/19/traffic-deaths-remain-stubbornly-high-in-philly-and-across-the-u-s.
PICA: General Fund Revenue Collections Hit $1.58B In Q2 FY2018
A new PICA analysis of the Quarterly City Managers Report (QCMR) for the second quarter (October 1-December 31, 2017) shows the city's General Fund revenue collections were $1.58 billion, $127.4 million more than the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. General Fund obligations totaled $2.01 billion, an increase of $45.5 million over the second quarter of last year.
The QCMR projects year-end revenues and obligations to increase, by $50.8 million and $28.9 million respectively, compared to the projections found in the City's Revised Five Year Plan. Additionally, the City's year-end fund balance for FY2017 totaled $189.2 million, over $100 million more than projected, thus, the City's projection for FY2018's year-end fund balance has increased to $203.3 million.
For more, go to picapa.org/2018/02/just-released-picas-staff-report-on-citys-second-quarter-city-managers-report/.
Manufacturing, Service Industries Continue Growth in February
Manufacturing improved in the region in February, according to responses to the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, with new orders up for 41.4% of firms, down for 16.9%, and remaining the same for 41.7%. The number of full-time employees increased for 30.3% of the companies, decreased for 5.1%, and was unchanged for 63.9%.
Looking ahead six months, 55.4% of the firms expected conditions to improve, 14.2% anticipated a downturn, and 26.5% predicted no change.
Business activity continued to expand in the region's service sector in February, according to responses to the Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey, with new orders up for 28.9% of firms, down for 12.2%, and remaining the same for 27.5%. The number of full-time employees increased for 26.5% of the companies, decreased for 5.3%, and was unchanged for 60.0%.
For the Manufacturing report, go to philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/regional-economy/business-outlook-survey/2018/bos0218.
For the Nonmanufacturing report, go to philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/regional-economy/nonmanufacturing-business-outlook-survey/2018/nbos0218.
Report: Philadelphia Ranks No. 4 For Women In Tech
Philadelphia is one of the country's best cities for women in the tech industry, according to fintech site Smart Asset's latest rankings. Philadelphia landed at No. 4 on the new "Top 15 Cities for Women in Tech" list -- a considerable jump from 2017, when the city ranked 10th, and 2016, when the city was 15th.
In creating the rankings, SmarTech looked at data for cities with at least 200,000 residents and ranked regions based on four metrics: gender pay gap in tech, income after housing, percentage of women in the tech force, and tech employment growth.
For more, go to smartasset.com/mortgage/best-cities-for-women-in-tech-2018.
Philadelphia Mayor Calls For Tax Hikes To Cover School Deficits
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's budget proposal for Fiscal 2019 calls for increasing property taxes and reducing scheduled business tax reductions. The mayor's plan would send a projected $980 million to the School District of Philadelphia's budget over five years.
The budget plan proposes a 6% property tax increase that would generate $475 million; an increase in the real estate transfer tax to add $66 million; an increase in the city's annual contribution to the School District that would add $100 million over the next five years; a slowdown in planned wage tax reductions that would divert $340 million to the School District.
For more, go to beta.phila.gov/media/20180301094657/FY19-Budget-in-Brief.pdf.
Some city business leaders are expressing concerns about parts of Kenney's proposal, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported. Josh Sevin, an economic development strategist and former acting director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, called the proposed slowdown in reductions to the wage tax "a step backward."
Post Brothers CEO Michael P. Pestronk said instead of slowing down the wage tax reduction, the city should consider changes to its 10-year tax abatement policy. Councilman at-Large Allan Domb questioned why any tax hike is proposed while hundreds of millions of dollars in delinquent taxes have yet to be collected.
For more, go to bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/03/05/perelman-sevin-hornstein-pestronk-kenney-budget.html.


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ETFs to Buy Post Apple's Strong Q2 Result
Sweta Killa May 02, 2018
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ETF News and Commentary
Apple Inc. (
AAPL - Free Report) encouraged investors with robust second-quarter fiscal 2018 results, after the closing bell yesterday. The technology giant topped the earnings and revenue estimates and projected continued sales momentum, easing concerns about weak demand for iPhone that have put shares of AAPL under pressure in recent months.
Additionally, Apple beefed up its plan to return cash to its shareholders through dividend hikes and additional buybacks that will provide further support to its stock price.
Apple Q2 Results in Focus
Earnings per share came in at $2.73, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by four cents and improving 30% from the year-ago earnings. Revenues grew 16% year over year, the fastest growth in more than two years, to $61.1 billion and slightly edged past the estimate of $61 billion. The impressive results were driven primarily by a 14% increase in iPhone revenues and a 31% increase in revenues from the service unit, which includes App Store, AppleCare, Apple Pay and Apple Music.
Apple sold 52.2 million iPhones in the fiscal second quarter, up from 50.8 million units in the year-ago quarter but below our consensus estimate of 52.94 million units. Revenues of iPad and other products, such as Apple TV, Watch and AirPods, increased 6% and 38%, respectively, while Mac revenues growth was flat.
The gadget-maker foresees revenues in the range of $51.5-$53.5 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. This is much above the current Zacks Consensus Estimate of $51.33 billion (see: all the Technology ETFs here).
The company encouraged investors with a big dividend boost and stock buybacks following the tax break that will bring overseas cash back to the United States. It announced an additional massive share buyback program to the tune of $100 million on top of the existing $210 billion to be completed during the fiscal third quarter, and boosted its quarterly dividend by 16% to 73 cents.
Market Impact
Following the results and big capital return program, the stock jumped more than 5% in aftermarket hours on elevated volumes.
Investors should note that Apple stock suffered correction (a decline of at least 10% for the recent peak) two times this year – one in early February and another in late April. Notably, the stock is down 0.1% so far this year. This indicates that this is the time for investors to snap up Apple shares and tap the value that the company has created over time. Though Apple currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), it flaunts a solid Value Score of B (read: Why Value ETFs May Rule in Q2).
ETFs to Buy
Given this, investors seeking to tap the value of this tech titan could consider the following ETFs. These funds have Apple as their top firm with a double-digit allocation and a solid Zacks ETF Rank # 2 (Buy).
iShares Dow Jones US Technology ETF IYW
This ETF provides investors exposure to technology stocks with 16.1% allocation in Apple. The fund has AUM of $4 billion and charges 44 bps in fees and expenses. It has gained 4.8% so far this year.
Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF XLK
This most popular technology ETF has $19.8 billion in AUM and charges 13 bps in fees per year from investors. AAPL makes up for roughly 14.1% of assets. It has added 4% in the same time frame (read: 5 Tech ETFs in Green Despite One-Month Turmoil).
MSCI Information Technology Index ETF FTEC
With AUM of $1.8 billion, the product allocates 13% in Apple. The ETF has 0.08% in expense ratio and has gained 5.3%.
iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Technology ETF TCHF
This ETF targets companies that have the potential to outperform the broad U.S. technology sector. Apple accounts for 12.7% of the portfolio. TCHF charges 35 bps in fees per year and has attracted $7.8 million in its asset base. It has added 2% in the same time frame.
PowerShares QQQ QQQ
This ETF provides exposure to the largest domestic and international nonfinancial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization, with Apple making up for 11.1% share in the basket. It has $60 billion in AUM and charges 20 bps in fees per year. The fund is up 4.7% so far this year (read: Top-Performing ETF Areas of April).
iShares Edge MSCI USA Value Factor ETF VLUE
This fund offers exposure to large and mid-cap U.S. stocks with lower valuations based on fundamentals and Apple accounting for 9.7% of assets. It manages about $3.3 billion in its asset base and has 0.15% in expense ratio. The fund has shed 0.9% in the same time frame.
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF MGK
With AUM of $3.5 billion, this product provides exposure to the largest growth stocks in the U.S. market with Apple making up for 8.6% of assets. It charges 7 bps in fees per year and has added 2.8% so far this year.
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Affected – The Cabin Releases New Teaser Trailer
By Jamie Feltham	 On Dec 12, 2014
Last month VRFocus reported on the launch of a brand new Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for Affected – The Cabin, a sequel to popular virtual reality (VR) horror experience, Affected. The campaign is hoping to raise £18,500 GBP to aid production by 18th December 2014, although is admittedly struggling with just £1,590 raised at the time of writing. In order to help raise the campaign's profile developer Fallen Planet has released a new teaser trailer for the title, which can now be seen below.
Clocking in at just under a minute, the teaser consists entirely of gameplay, giving players an idea of what to expect from this first-person experience. The story sees you investigate the strange disappearance of a group of people sent to a remote cabin in Kern Woods in 1984. Finding a strange cabin, players investigate through one of three different themes, including a war time school, disused manor house and the dank torturer's slaughterhouse.
Those interested can currently pledge £12 to secure a digital copy of the title at its release in Q4 2015. Should the title pass its campaign then it hopes to launch in the final quarter of 2015. VRFocus will continue to follow Affected – The Cabin, reporting back with any further updates on the title.
Affected - The CabinOculus RiftVirtual RealityVRFocus


Holy Cross Closing Celebration 2pm Mass with reception to follow.
Wear your best and brightest orange shirt to show that Every Child Matters.
Come and visit our book fair. We will be having a reading competition, pencil pull and special prize draws. Come and visit us before or after school, or during Parent-Teacher Interview night.
Raffle and Christmas Event. See annoucements for details.
Come to our book fair. Come see our awesome books and help raise money for the library. There will be cool prizes and a special event if we meet our fundraising goal.
Wear your pink shirt and take a stand against bullying!
Thank you for an awesome book fair!
Come to our celebratory dinner and mass for St. Bernadette.


The traditional garden of expansive lawns, lolly-popped shrubs, and sporadic trees is a thing of the past. With California's unprecedented drought, it is time for a beautiful new model. California native plants not only use a fraction of the water that typical gardens do, they are attractive and colorful as well. In this class, designed for native plant novices, we will help you learn 1) how to ditch your lawn, 2) how to select tried and true native plants, 3) how to combine them for maximum effect and 4) how to design your own drought tolerant native garden. With a plan in place, you can landscape your garden in manageable steps. This is a great opportunity to transition from a high care, water indulgent garden into a natural, sustainable low water use, beautiful garden.


Visit us at a Christmas market this year!
Our time at this beautiful event.
Our Christmas Events, Markets and Food Fairs.
We have highlighted some of the amazing Summer events we will be attending over the next few months.
Our time at the Fabulous Places Spring Market.
Exhibiting at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.
The Fabulous Places Summer Market. One of our favourite events.