Colgate-Palmolive has grown its dividend by 12.5% annually.
Pepsi has grown its dividend by 13.5% annually.
Exxon has grown its dividend by 8.0% annually.
McCormick has grown its dividend by 11.0% annually.
Coca-Cola has grown its dividend by 10.0% annually.
Disney has grown its dividends by 8.0% annually.
Normally, I talk about these facts in the context of building wealth. But dividend growth also serves another useful function: it preserves wealth. When you have ownership interests in businesses that are raising their cash payouts each year, it allows for you to completely screw up with an investment or two and still do all right for yourself.
When you think about building a portfolio of companies that you truly intend to hold for 20+ year increments, the big fear is that something like General Motors is going to slip in there, go bankrupt, and muck things up.
But here is what makes investing fun: A well-diversified portfolio of dividend growth stocks allows you to use the growth in dividends from the reliable stocks to offset the potential income loss from a bad investment.
What does an average dividend growth portfolio yield these days, something like 3%? Okay, let's use clean numbers and assume you've built up a $100,000 portfolio that is creating $3,000 in income split up into 30 companies each contributing $100 on average to your total. If 28 of those companies grow their dividend by 7.5%, you are going to see your income there grow from $2,800 to $3,010. Basically, you could have two companies eliminate their dividends in a given year, and you'd still come out ahead (although you'd have to adjust for inflation).
That's the secret sauce of the strategy. If you own 1,000 shares of Coca-Cola, you are going to get $1,120 in dividends right off the bat. But here in March, you are going to get a higher dividend as Coca-Cola continues its half-century long tradition of giving you shareholders dividend raises. The quarterly dividend is currently $0.28 per share, and my guess is that it will go up to $0.31 or $0.32 per share. We'll say $0.31. That means Coca-Cola is going to automatically increase your income to $1,240 per year. That $120 increase is a security blanket of sorts that allows you to endure a dividend cut elsewhere and still be in the same position you were in before the cut—it's a great insurance policy against your own mistakes.
And plus, people tend to discount the effect of reinvesting dividends on giving you security. Picture someone with 1,000 shares of BP. The dividend at the start of 2012 was $0.48 per share. Now, as we sit here at the end of 2013, we see a dividend of $0.57. That's pretty awesome dividend growth of 18.74%, and a lot of that is due to BP's increase in the payout ratio as the dividend recovers from its cut after the oil spill.
What the numbers don't reflect, though, is that you would have picked up 94 more shares of BP had you chosen to reinvest your dividends back into the company since the start of 2012. It's just the 18.74% dividend increase that you benefit from, but you also are the sweet beneficiary of a higher ownership stake as well. Instead of seeing your dividend income go from 1,000 shares paying out $1,920 in annual dividends to 1,000 shares paying out $2,280 in dividends, you really got to have 1,094 shares paying out $2,494 in annual cash deposits into your account. Right there before your eyes, BP increased your dividend income by almost 30% since the start of 2012.
The effects are exaggerated because oil stocks pay out high starting yields, the valuation of BP has been low these past two years, and the dividend growth has been nice. But that's the thing about it all: it seems to happen right under our noses. We only see the dividend go up a couple pennies at a time, the stock price seems "stuck" in the $40s perpetually, yet you are making 30% more annual income from BP on December 31st, 2013 than you would have been earning when you woke up on January 1st, 2012.
These reinvested dividends plus dividend growth in part of your portfolio is a great buffer. Seeing those BP dividends go from $1,920 in early 2012 income to $2,494 in end of 2013 annual income would allow you to handle dividend eliminations elsewhere and still be protected. Adjusting for inflation, that $2,494 is really like $2,407. In other words, you could make mistakes that cost you $487 in annual dividend income elsewhere in your portfolio and still be in the same position that you were in on January 1st, 2012.
That's the part about the dividend growth strategy you don't hear about as much. You can bumble around a bit and make some mistakes, and the reinvested dividends and dividend growth can offset them. Some Pepsi, Coca-Cola, McCormick, Disney, and Exxon dividends that have been growing and reinvested can offset some folly elsewhere. If you make a mistake, it's not a big deal. In a lot of cases, you won't have even lost any ground at all.
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Burgeoning recreational marijuana industry is being hit by some of the worst fires in state history.
If you think you're the only one you know lighting up, you probably aren't.
PLEVNA, Kan. State lawmakers in Kansas are considering measures to conduct research into the uses of industrial hemp.
The product comes from a sativa plant, like marijuana, but the hemp plant looks much different and is used to create thousands of products.
Support for legalizing marijuana has reached an all-time high, according to a recent poll conducted by Fox News.


If you are sincerely interested in becoming a good manager, providing regular feedback to your employees is your single-most important managerial task. Master it, and there is a good chance that everything else will fall into place.
My neighbor's 22-year-old son started a job this year at a consumer advocacy group in Chicago. It's his first real job since graduating college. He provides research support for five different senior researchers. His immediate supervisor is one of the administrators of the firm, but he does not work for her.
After about eight weeks on the job, my neighbor's son shared with his parents his concern that he wasn't receiving any feedback about his performance. He was feeling anxious and concerned. He thought he was doing well and meeting everyone's expectations, but he wasn't sure. He said to his parents, "I really need to know how I'm doing, but my boss has very little direct knowledge of my work."
Our surveys over the years have found that only 46% of employees say they receive frequent and ongoing feedback on their performance. Furthermore, only about half say their annual performance reviews are conducted on time, and fewer than half say these reviews are useful.
Feedback is very important to employees, especially younger employees just entering the work world (i.e., the Millennials). Employees need direction and guidance. But more importantly, they thirst for positive feedback, a pat on the back, personal validation, and assurance that they are doing good work. Some desire this feedback because they worry about losing their jobs or want to make sure they receive pay increases or promotions. But most crave feedback so that they know they are on the right path and can feel good about themselves and their work.
Why do managers fail to provide feedback?
1. Make "Provide Ongoing Feedback" your management mantra.
2. Provide constructive, as well as positive, feedback.
There is always room for employees to improve their job performance. Constantly telling someone that he is doing a good job is not enough. Also tell him how he can continue to improve and develop. Be specific so that he can translate your words into specific actions that help him improve.
3. Catch people in the act.
Immediate feedback is much more powerful than after-the-fact feedback. Catch people in the act of doing something either right or wrong and tell them about it then and there.
4. Develop a system that ensures you will provide adequate feedback.
If you supervise a large number of employees, it may be difficult to keep track of whether you are providing an adequate amount of feedback. Implement a system: create a spreadsheet that lists each employee and note each time you provided feedback to each person. Refer to it often to make certain that you pay attention to each employee.
5. Conduct annual performance reviews on time.
It can be insulting to employees when their supervisors delay providing them with their annual performance review. In most organizations, this review is tied to pay increases, so a late performance review translates into a delay in their salary increase.
If supervisors provide ongoing feedback to their employees, the performance review requires a minimum amount of preparation. It is merely a summary of the ongoing conversations that have taken place throughout the year.
6. Recognize that providing regular feedback can have strong organization-wide effects.
Several years ago I conducted an employee survey for a high tech manufacturer that was undergoing major changes. Employee morale was terrible. The CEO told me, "Things are so chaotic here that it will be difficult for us to make many major changes immediately, but one change I insist upon is that we conduct performance reviews on time." I resurveyed employees nine months later and there were dramatic improvements in employee morale and commitment to the organization. The simple act of providing employees with timely feedback dramatically improved how they felt about their jobs, their supervisors, management, and the organization in general.
To continue the story about my neighbor's son: He asked his boss for feedback. She contacted each of the researchers he works with, and then reported to him that he was doing a great job. He felt much better and was looking forward to continuing to impress everyone.
The moral of the story: If you're not getting feedback from your boss, ask for it. If you're a boss, realize that most of your employees are probably starving for feedback. Although it may not be easy, the rewards are many.


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Q: windows driver load dependencies in INF file My UMDF driver (myUMDF.dll) has dependency on one KMDF driver (someKMDF.sys) which is installed through separate INF file.
In my INF file, I want to set dependencies that myUMDF.dll will ONLY be installed once someKMDF.sys  driver is already installed.
In myUMDF driver INF file, I have mentioned this dependency as

[myUMDF_Driver_Install]
UmdfLibraryVersion=1.11.0
ServiceBinary=%12%\UMDF\myUMDF.dll
Dependencies=someKMDF.sys

But this does not reflect in desired driver load order.
Could anyone suggest, How to mention dependency on some external sys file in driver's INF file?
Thank you.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: Why is Hochschild cohomology $HH^n(A, A)$ not a functor of $A$? Let $k$ be a commutative ring, $A$ a $k$-algebra and $HH^n(A, M)$ the $n$-th Hochschild cohomology of $A$ with coefficients in the $A$-bimodule $M$. In the book Cyclic Homology by Loday the following curious few lines appear on page 40 when talking about the form that the coefficients can take:

For $M=A$ the groups $HH^n(A, A)$ have been extensively studied in the literature because they are related to deformation theory. But one should note that they are not functors of $A$. However if $M = A^* = \mbox{Hom}_k(A, k)$, then the groups $HH^n(A, A^*)$ are indeed functors of $A$.

Now I'm quite confused by this assertion that $HH^n(A, A)$ isn't a functor of $A$, because I know that you can interpret the $n$-th cohomology as the derived functor
$$HH^n(A, M) = \mbox{Ext}_{A^e}^n(A, M)$$
where $A^e = A\otimes_k A^{op}$ is the enveloping algebra of $A$. In fact, it's mentioned on the very next page of the book. So clearly each $HH^n(A, M)$ is a functor if I've understood this correctly. So presumably the important part is that $HH^n(A, A)$ is not a functor "of $A$", but I'm not entirely sure what this means. I'd be grateful if someone could help me understand how it is that $HH^n(A, A)$ isn't a functor of $A$.
Edit:
Thanks to the comments beneath the question (thanks for your help guys, I appreciate it) I think I have a better idea of what's going on. So using the example of $\mbox{Hom}_k(A, A)$, the reason why this isn't a functor of $A$ is because given another $k$-algebra $B$, and a map $f:A\to B$, there is no real way of assigning $f$ to a map
$$\mbox{Hom}_k(A, A)\to\mbox{Hom}_k(B, B)$$
However, now that I understand this, it seems to me $\mbox{Hom}_k(A, A^*)$ suffers from the same issue. So how is it that (as mentioned in the paragraph I cite above) $HH^n(A, A^*)$ is a functor of $A$? Am I just missing some obvious way of assigning $f:A\to B$ to $\mbox{Hom}_k(A, A^*)\to\mbox{Hom}_k(B, B^*)$?

A:
$A$ appears in the formula $\textrm{Ext}^n_{A^e} (A, A)$ several times, but not all with the same variance. So it isn't obviously a functor of $A$.

[...] $\textrm{Hom} (X, Y)$ is contravariant in $X$ and covariant in $Y$. Thus $X$ appears in the expression $\textrm{Hom} (X, X)$ with mixed variance – and this is essentially the reason why $\textrm{End} (X)$ is not a functor of $X$. Hochschild cohomology is just a souped up version of this.

Maybe it's easier to see in the case of $\mathrm{Hom}(X,X)$ in some category, which is basically the same issue. If you want to make this a functor, then given $f:X\to Y$ you have to define a map in one direction or the other between $\mathrm{Hom}(X,X)$ and $\mathrm{Hom}(Y,Y)$, and in general there is no reasonable way to do this.


Add date and time, to bottom nav-bar.
Add this to your "footer-extras.php" it will add the current Month, day and year with an active clock with hours, minutes and seconds.
To place where you want it, play with the panel location 'col-lg-3', or, trying changing navbar-fixed-bottom to navbar-fixed-center or navbar-fixed-top.
What we envision, we make happen.


text:
September 2, 2018 September 14, 2018 Angelica Guerrero
7 Free Events to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
View in National Archives Catalog
Being Colombian, Hispanic Heritage Month is very dear to me. It's an opportunity to re-connect to my roots and celebrate my heritage with a community that shares many of my values. There's also a sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from seeing the figures from the Hispanic community celebrated for their contributions to this country. It inspires me and renews my belief that in spite of the odds, sí se puede!
So from September 15 to October 15, I invite you to celebrate with me the heritage of thousands of people in this city. DC will come alive with music, festivals, and cultural exhibits perfect for Live It Learn It hands-on style activities. These wonderful events will help you learn more about the different cultures that come from the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain.
This year, the national theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Traditions", created by Aissha Hernandez-Ramos from San Juan, Puerto Rico. It speaks to the value in diversity of the cultures and traditions that fall under the Hispanic denomination. In her own words:
"Although Hispanics share so much, we do also have very unique characteristics; and that, enhances us as a group. Our traditions will always be part of who we are. As our history shapes our character; culture defines our beauty; and traditions will enhance our future. History, culture and traditions define us; and we maintain alive because of that. We will keep talking to the world, we will let them know we are here, with our history and culture, as we will keep raising our voice with all we are: a legacy of traditions."
Here's a list of 7 different events you shouldn't miss this month, that showcase some of this diversity.
Fiesta DC Parade of Nations
Date: Saturday, September 15 This event has been moved to Saturday, September 29
Location: Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW
Every year, Fiesta DC kicks off the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Come celebrate Latin traditions with dance, music, and traditional costumes at the Parade of Nations. The starting point will be Constitution Avenue and 7th Street (near the National Archives Building), and the parade will continue east to 14th Street, in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The event stage will be at 10th and Constitution Ave, in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Fiesta DC Festival
Date: Sunday, September 16 This event has been moved to Sunday, September 30
Location: Pennsylvania Ave, between 9th and 14th Streets NW
The second day of Fiesta DC brings a children's festival, a beauty pageant, a science fair, arts and crafts stations, and traditional cuisine. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in some of Latin America's best traditions.
Making History, Sharing Culture
Date: Saturday, September 15 This event has been moved to Saturday, October 6
Time: 11 am – 4:30 pm
Location: National Museum of American History – First Floor
Cost: Free*
On October 6, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the National Museum of American History will kick off their celebrations with a full day of hands-on activities, a cooking demonstration by Mexican-American chef Zarela Martinez, and a performance by Grupo Bella, an all-female mariachi band. You can also learn about animation and storytelling from Coco film co-producer Adrian Molina and animator Alonso Martinez. Stay for a screening of the movie afterward!
* Tickets for the Coco screening are free but are distributed on a first come first served basis.
Portrait Discovery Days
Return to Aztlan by Alfredo Arreguin, on view at the National Portrait Gallery
Date: Saturdays and Sundays
Time: 1 – 4pm
Location: National Portrait Gallery – Education Center
Visitors get the chance to listen to a story and create art inspired by portraits of some of the most prominent Latino figures in US History. There will be 5 sessions showcasing different figures:
September 15 and 16: Dolores Huerta
September 22 and 23: José Limón
Sept. 30: Cesar Chavez
Oct. 6 and 7: Frida Kahlo
Oct. 13 and 14: Sonia Sotomayor
A-Maizing Fun Days
Photo courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian
Date: Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, 2018
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Location: National Museum of the American Indian – Heye Center
Celebrate two of the most important ingredients in Latino American cuisine: Maize and Cacao. Learn about their Mesoamerican origin, as well as their use in Otomi paper figures for harvest celebrations and other Mesoamerican art. You will have the opportunity to create your own Otomi figures, Mayan codex, and Huichol yarn painting, as well as participate in designing and painting a mural with Joaquin Newman. All these while enjoying music performances by Marimba Lira Huehueteca!
Realm of the Jaguar
Date: Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23
Location: National Museum of the American Indian – Potomac
Learn more about the Jaguar, a magnificent feline depicted in Native artistic traditions from the Amazon to the U.S. Mexican border. There will be jaguar dances from Bolivia, Mexico, and Guatemala. You'll also get the chance to learn about the story of the jaguar by exploring mask making by the Mixteca culture and ceramics by the Q'eqchi' Maya culture.
Nuestra Ciudad / Our City Festival
Photo courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery
Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 11:30 am – 3 pm
Location: National Portrait Gallery – Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard
Meet local artists, musicians, and dancers! This festival is held in partnership with Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.
Monthly Theme
experiential education
Angelica Guerrero
Angelica grew up in Bogota, a city nestled in the Andes Mountains of Colombia. She has pursued studies in History, Literature, and Journalism, and holds an M.Ed in Social Studies from the Universidad de Los Andes and a graduate teaching certificate in English as a Second Language from American University. Angelica's journey as an educator began in Colombia and has since brought her to DC, where she's worked with students who, like herself, enjoy making the city a classroom.
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Tag Archives: Pay Policy
WYE WATCH
Wye Oh Why?
Bristol City Council rolls out its annual Pay Policy Statement. Where they announce the ratio of their lowest paid worker to an alleged highest paid worker. Written by one the council's leading retards, HR Director, Mark "Bashar" Williams, it's an eyewatering tissue of lies and bullshit that's dutifully signed off every year by councillors for the wards of Cloud Fairyland on the HR Committee and Full Council.
In 2020 -21, the last year actual, rather than invented, figures are available, the council announced a pay ratio of 9.45:1.Except the lowest paid earned £17,364 while the highest earner, our friend Colin "Head Boy" Molton, trousered about £280k pro rata. A ratio of about 16:1.
Bashar's sums are a little awry aren't they? This year, Bashar calculated a pay ratio of 9.36:1, which has been backed by the new Green Chair of the HR Committee, former
big cheese council boss, Tim "Why-Oh" Wye. Delivering this pile of lying HR wank to Full Council, Why-Oh Wye explained "this [pay] policy is about the council's directly employed staff. Interims are not relevant to this item".
Why the largest salaries paid to workers at Bristol City Council aren't relevant to a
policy about the largest salaries paid to workers at Bristol City Council isn't something
Why-Oh Wye bothered to explain. It just isn't relevant, apparently.
Although what is potentially relevant is that, according to LinkedIn, Why-Oh Wye is a "Self Employed Consultant specialising in Health and Social Care" for local authorities!
Anyone got any ideas why he might be keen to keep consultant and interim fees at a council off the record and unaccountable?
This entry was posted in Bristol City Council, News and tagged Consultants, Green Party, HR Committee, HR Director, Interims, Mark Williams, Pay Policy, Tim Wye on May 25, 2022 by thebristolblogger.
THE EMPEROR'S NEW WAGES
The annual debate at Full Council on the city council's pay policy had a certain fairytale quality to it this year, entirely due to the Reverend's hapless OVERPAID EXECUTIVE ARSEHOLE, Colin "Head Boy" Molton's unorthodox employment and salary arrangements – yet again – taking centre stage.
"The salary for Executive Director roles will range from £135,000 to £165,000 with a mid-point of £150,000," chirped the Reverend's LUDICROUS REPORT prepared by HR committee chair and Labour loyalist councillor John "Smelly" Wellington, entirely overlooking Executive Director, Head Boy's £350K A YEAR PRO RATA HANDOUT.
"The Council's top earner will be on a salary of up to £165,000 and the lowest-paid person will be on a salary of at least £17,364. This means that the Council's top to lowest salary ratio is 9.50:1," Smelly Welly's report SHAMELESSLY continued, entirely overlooking Executive Director, Head Boy's £350K A YEAR PRO RATA HANDOUT.
THIS COMPLETE AND UTTER BOLLOCKS attracted the attention of quite a few opposition councillors and even left many Labour councillors shifting uncomfortably in their seats at the Reverend's latest BRAZEN INSULT to the people of Bristol and their elected representatives.
Although it was Tory Richard "Bunter" Eddy who, perhaps, best summed up the mood. "Since the interim director of growth and regeneration receives £275,000 and this is not reflected in the pay policy table, this makes a COMPLETE MOCKERY of the report," said Bunter.
"This report is utterly bogus and not worth the paper it's printed on," he concluded.
This entry was posted in News and tagged Bristol City Council, Colin Molton, Full Council, Interim Director Growth and Regeneration, John Wellington, Pay Policy, Richard Eddy on July 9, 2019 by thebristolblogger.
BLANK CHEQUE FOR BENT BOSSES?
Soppy flow chart: where does it say what happens if you want to give a failed boss £100k?
While the Reverend Rees and his confused finance apprentice, Craig "Crapita" Cheney, cart their ridiculous Tory cuts bandwagon around the city's neighbourhoods insisting services must be SLASHED to balance the books, their managers seem to have written themselves a BLANK CHEQUE for their excessive redundancy and pay-off expectations.
Figures recently released to the council's Human Resources Committee show that of the 398 redundancies signed off by council Service Directors last year, 56 (15 per cent) of these were for sums in EXCESS of £60k. In total these 56 lucky people received £6,779,990 between them, which is 56 per cent of the total £11,929,765 in redundancy cash paid out by Bristol City Council last year.
Of the 56 lucky recipients of this FABULOUS LARGESSE by us, just SIX earned an average wage or below. The other 50 were on supervisory or managerial grades earning in excess of £30k a year. 21 (five per cent) especially lucky bosses received six figure pay-offs, sharing around £2.5m between them (22 per cent of the total paid out).
How strange this all is if you consult the council's VOLUNTARY SEVERANCE POLICY, which tells us:
"The level of payment will be based upon 'actual earnings' to a maximum of £723 per week. The maximum payment that can be made to any employee is £43,380 which is the equivalent of 60 weeks' pay."
This 'cap' means no member of staff at the council can receive a redundancy payment of more than £43,380 . So what's happened? Why has a democratically agreed policy been IGNORED by council service directors, who – according to the information handed to councillors on the HR committee – signed off these huge amounts of money to their friends and colleagues with no democratic oversight?
This latest OUTRAGE comes just days after Rees and Cheney were forced to admit that the council is now employing 36 more bosses on £50k plus salaries than a year ago at a cost to us of at least £2million a year. So not only have FAILED BOSSES – many of whom were involved in allowing councillors to set an unlawful budget in 2016 – been rewarded with excessive sums of redundancy money they are not entitled to, Rees and Cheney have employed even MORE bosses to replace them at MORE cost.
Why make one lot of bosses redundant at HUGE COST to save money and then employ even MORE? Is this even legal? If the posts are redundant then there should be no need to employ replacements and there should be less bosses and a lower salary bill.
We understand that councillors on the Audit Committee have queried with the HR Committee whether the Council's Voluntary Severance Policy was "CORRECTLY IMPLEMENTED". HR bosses have blandly and evasively brushed this off, responding: "to the best of officers' knowledge, all exits were approved in line with the process set out at Appendix B."
'Appendix B' is reproduced above. It is a soppy little flow chart that conveniently avoids legal and policy matters and neglects to refer in any way to the VOLUNTARY SEVERANCE POLICY and the ceiling on large redundancy payments or to the process for lifting this ceiling. Were these payments just signed off by Service Directors and HR middle managers as their chart suggests? On whose authority?
Oh dear. Do we have another financial scandal engineered by senior council bosses already? Shall we get Bundred back?
This entry was posted in News and tagged Bristol City Council, Craig Cheney, Human Resources Committee, Marvin Rees, Pay Policy, Voluntary Severance Policy on July 31, 2017 by thebristolblogger.


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European Alumni Community
Columbia Venture Community (CVC)
CUCL Members on Slack
October Events — Meet the Filmmakers w/ Rachel Nichols CC'03 External Inbox
After an extended absence, we are planning some new events and look forward to seeing people both online and in person. Our goal is to deliver programming that allows everyone to feel safe and included. We have found this challenging over the summer months, but feel as more people are now vaccinated (more than 49 million people have had a first vaccine dose —about 85%) and venues and public spaces are taking precautions, in-person events can resume.
We're starting out with an online event leading into Halloween weekend to embrace the spooky season. We have an exclusive discussion with the filmmakers of Demigod (2021). We'll be joined by Rachel Nichols CC'03 [The Amityville Horror (2005), Star Trek (2009), Continuum (2012–2015)] who plays "Robin" and Miles Doleac [The Historian (2014), The Hollow (2016), The Dinner Party (2020)] the writer and director.
On the 20th of October is the annual Columbia Giving Day (CGD). In 2020, Giving Day raised $24,161,991 from 19,173 gifts—breaking both records from 2019! More importantly, Columbia University Club of London, with 61 gifts, was the International club winner.
Lastly, we are hosting our Open Board meeting in November. This will be followed by our very first in-person event since February 2020. We look forward to seeing everyone again (from a safe and socially distanced space).
We have more to share soon. And are looking forward to more in 2022.
As always, if you need to reach us, you can email us at [email protected] if you need anything.
— Courtney and Stephen
Columbia Giving Day 2021| 20 Oct
It's that time of year again - Giving Day is an opportunity to give through Columbia by supporting the schools, programs, and causes that you care most about. We encourage you to check out the GivingDay2021 website to find your cause. Whether it's supporting current students at the beloved Columbia school you attended, or supporting the Columbia institute you admire for its inspiring work in climate research, neuroscience, or entrepreneurship, there are so many opportunities to make an impact on an area of meaning to you.
During last year's edition, CUCL donated a total of $22,645 and we had an increase of gifts by 112.96% over 2019. This increase in gifts meant our Club had the highest increase in participation amongst all of the International clubs (and won a virtual tour of campus last spring). Rather than focus on donation size, we encourage you to find your cause and help Columbia remain at the forefront of education and research. Thanks in advance for your participation!
Meet the Filmmakers — Demigod (2021) | 28 Oct @ 19:00 BST
Step behind the scenes for an exclusive discussion with the filmmakers of Demigod (2021). You'll learn what it takes to make an independent movie and the challenges of being in production during a pandemic.
Rachel Nichols CC'03 and Miles Doleac will talk about bringing this story of a woman who recently lost her grandfather, only to return to her birthplace in Germany's Black Forest and finds a terrifying secret.
Open to all Columbia Alumni.
Find your time:
7-8pm BST (UK)
8-9 CEST (Europe)
2-3pm EDT (Eastern US)
1-2pm CDT (Central US)
11am-12pm PDT (Pacific US)
Register via Zoom
Open Board | 18 Nov @ 18:30 BST
Want to get involved in planning CUCL events and activities? Join our Open Board Meeting and share your skills and ideas. Government guidelines pending, we hope to offer this meeting in person with the possibility to dial-in for those not based in London or able to attend. No previous experience is required, just a desire to help connect the UK-based Lions. All Columbia school and year graduates are welcome.
Register your interest, and we'll be in touch with more details.
Columbia Connects | 18 Nov @ 19:30 BST
Columbia Connects is an annual tradition that brings alumni together to celebrate their Columbia connection while welcoming any new graduates to the area. Again, pending government guidelines, we look forward to meeting at a local pub following the Open Board meeting. You don't have to attend the Open Board in order to join for a drink and conversation, this will be a casual meetup in person. We look forward to meeting new graduates and seeing friendly member faces again!
Stay posted for details!
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Stephen Elms published this page in News 2021-10-14 17:47:41 +0100
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In 1999 four women recognized a huge gender gap in the competitive cycling scene in the Mid-Atlantic region. Women had minimal opportunities to race and even less support.
Our team is comprised of cyclists who compete in all four disciplines: Road, Track, Mountain and Cyclocross dedicated to providing a positive and safe environment for the development of aspiring cyclists. Our primary goal is to introduce women to the sport by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed, not only to continue and progress in the sport, but also to pay it forward.
Artemis is well-known and respected throughout the cycling community and has been recognized by USA Cycling, our sport's governing body, as Women's Club of the Year and Overall Club of the Year. We have changed the face of women's cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our model and its success have extended to other clubs throughout the region and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the achievements of our team and take great pride in the diversity of our team members. Collectively, our members compete in over 300 cycling races every year and have won numerous races and championships over the years at the regional, national and international level.
Our team is always on the lookout for new members. If you are interested in racing and want to join the team, please get in touch with our team coordinators.


text:
Bevern est une municipalité allemande située dans le land de Basse-Saxe et l'arrondissement de Holzminden.

Géographie

Histoire

Personnalités liées

 August Ferdinand de Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern (1677-1704)
 Ferdinand-Albert II de Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1680-1735)
 Anton Ulrich de Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1714-1766)
 Louis Gerverot (1747-1829)
 Wilhelm Henke (1897-1981)
 Erich Sander (1913-2005)

Notes et références

Commune en Basse-Saxe

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Named Entity Results, Dick Turner
John G. B. Adams, Reminiscences of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment 12 0 Browse Search
John D. Billings, The history of the Tenth Massachusetts battery of light artillery in the war of the rebellion 6 0 Browse Search
The Daily Dispatch: March 31, 1864., [Electronic resource] 2 0 Browse Search
Browsing named entities in The Daily Dispatch: March 31, 1864., [Electronic resource]. You can also browse the collection for Dick Turner or search for Dick Turner in all documents.
Your search returned 1 result in 1 document section:
The Daily Dispatch: March 31, 1864., [Electronic resource], A Yankee Opinion of the treatment of their prisoners by the Confederates. (search)
ers and letter-writers, tend to bring us into ridicule, and interfere materially in the humane efforts sometimes made to mitigate the real evils of the case. Maj. Thos. P. Turner, the commandant of the Libby, was a cadet of West Point for two years preceding the war. He is a very young man, but has the confidence of the Confederate authorities; a strict soldier and a severe disciplinarian, but not entirely unmindful of those virtues by which an enviable reputation is to be attained. Dick Turner, however, the Inspector of the Prison, (who, by the way, is not a relative of the Major,) is of an entirely different mould, yet has some streaks of humanity in his composition; which brighten upon acquaintance. His unexpected kindness to the footsore and weary prisoners he recaptured after their attempt to escape with the famous "one hundred and ten" last month, is very gratefully remembered. Col. Sanderson discredits the statement made by some negroes that a thousand pounds of pow


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Blazewrath Games
by Amparo Ortiz
Pub Date: 06 Oct 2020 | Archive Date: 04 Feb 2021
Anniek V, Reviewer
After reading only three chapters, I already felt so invested in this book and it felt like such a fresh, original story. I couldn't predict where it was going at all. And this rings true for the rest of the book as well - it's such a refreshing read in that sense. Because while I love YA fantasy, I feel like it gets predictable and formulaic at times, and this wasn't at all.
Another reason why it was a breath of fresh air is that this book didn't have a main romance. While I love reading romance, it's a shame to see that almost all YA books focus on romance, and it's delightful to read a book that focuses on dragons instead. I feel like, even though the book doesn't have aspec rep, it will appeal to people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums for that reason! As well as just everyone who sometimes isn't in the mood to read about romance.
But let's get into the book itself. Honestly, it was so full of unexpected twists and turns, backed up by amazing world building and a super interesting magic system, that I feel like you should preferably go in without knowing too much about it. It's about a Puerto Rican-American girl who's always been a massive fan of Blazewrath, a dragon sport, and she wants to compete in the world cup. I loved how international this book was and how much diversity it had: there's so many nationalities and ethnicities featured, and there are several LGBTQ+ side characters as well as a disabled character who's in a wheelchair. I don't really want to tell you anymore about the story, because you should really experience it for yourself, but I can't recommend this book enough!
Krista M, Reviewer
Lana Torres dreams of nothing more than competing in the Blazewrath World Cup as a Runner for her native country, Puerto Rico. So when the opportunity presents itself, she is incredibly eager to sign her name on the dotted line, but both her parents seem skeptical of the circumstances. Nevertheless, Lana is whisked away to Dubai to train so that she can bring home the trophy for her teammates, herself, and her country. But while she's there, Lana is roped into a game far more dangerous to play, and she begins to think there is more at stake to lose than just gold.
All I needed to know before going into this book was that it involved dragons, and it did not disappoint. Each represented country has its own species, equipped with their own capabilities to give them an edge in the games, and there are plenty more species that are un-bonded and kept in sanctuaries under the watchful eyes of people like Lana's father. Before each chapter there are snippets from history books or interviews with characters to give more insight into the world, which added a lot to the story, in my opinion. I thought the concept of the game of Blazewrath was unique and interesting, and definitely wish we could've been better acquainted with all the positions (but since Lana's perspective moved the story forward, it made logical sense to focus mainly on the Runner). Each player and coach (and even the Sol de Noche dragons) had their own unique personality and quirks that made their actions and responses believable, and it was great to see players who did not see eye to eye rise above their differences and reach an understanding towards the end of the novel. I appreciated how a romantic relationship did not develop between Lana and Andrew, as I thought their friendship made the climatic action even more heartbreaking. The twists revealed in the latter portion of the novel also took me by surprise (in a good way), and during a second read-through I was able to pick up on a few clues I had previously missed.
There were some aspects I would have liked to see more of, one in particular being the relationship between Lana and her mother, Leslie. At the beginning of the story, it's understood that Leslie is not a fan of dragons, and Lana is convinced that she would not support her decision to tryout for the Runner position (which is confirmed when she eventually finds out about Lana's plan). After she signs Lana's contract, she asks to be transported away, and Lana does not see her mother or have a legitimate conversation with her until after the climatic action, when we see she's had a change of heart. I wish we could have seen some of that growth on the page. I also didn't fully understand the purpose of Todd as a character, and particularly his interview at the end of the book. He's on a talk show, essentially calling for the highest wizard class (Gold Wands) to eradicate all dragons, bonded or otherwise, saying that people need to wake up and realize the truth. I mean, unless there's going to be a sequel in which Todd becomes the villain (which I would read in a heartbeat, honestly), that scene really confused me.
Overall, I thought the messages in Blazewrath Games were great – it touches on realizing your worth is more than just the weight of your accomplishments, what it feels like to have family members who may not support what you do, and what it means to be proud of your heritage. This contemporary fantasy, in all its dragon glory, stole a little piece of my heart, and I can't wait to see what other people think when it's released in October. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Page Street Kids, for the copy, all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Love the worldbuilding, the diverse characters, the wizards, and of course the dragons.  This is a very entertaining read that would appeal to younger teens.
Elizabeth F, Reviewer
Blazewrath is aptly named! The title of this book hints at the fiery dragons within and these awesome creatures are given pride of place in the story. The dragons hail from different regions and Bond with their riders for life. The protagonist Lana Torres, who hails from Puerto Rico, unexpectedly gains the honour of competing in the Blazewrath World Cup. Lana is full of heart and determination, which, together with her smarts, makes her an unstoppable force. Formidable antagonists add suspense and surprise. The plot did at times feel a bit convoluted, and the pall that hung over the tournament in the latter part of the book took a little away from my enjoyment of it. However, these were minor quibbles. With friendships, magic, plenty of world building and tons of dragons, Blazewrath is both an entertaining and absorbing read, one that should especially appeal to younger teens.
Erika D, Bookseller
Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read Ortiz's Blazewrath Games, which I give a solid 4/5 stars. I knew I had to read this one as soon as I heard it combined dragons and wizards. Given the popularity of both, it surprises me  I can't think of another YA fantasy where both elements have played equally integral parts of the story.
I did find the beginning of Blazewrath a little on the slow side, but with a book this original and inventive, it makes sense that a fair bit of worldbuilding has to be laid down first before things can kick into high gear.  But kick into high gear it does, once Lana becomes both the Runner for Team Puerto Rico as well as a target of the diabolical dragon-in-human-form Sire.
In the end, this was an entertaining read and I look forward to seeing where Lana's adventures take her. One request though, even more dragons next time, please!
Celia M, Reviewer
Dragons, dragons, we got DRAGONS HERE. Oh, not only do we have dragons, we have Latinx protagonists and a contest and a betrayal and holy eff, I am winded. This book was filled to the brim with epic st that I actually went to bed early every night just so I could power on my kindle and continue.
Thank you Netgalley and Page Street for the e-arc.
Lana Torres has dreamed of competing in the Blazewrath World Cup since before she could speak. When her chance to interview for the Puerto-Rican team comes, a surprise accident rocks her world. But that doesn't mean her dreams have come to an end. Chance has it, she's invited to join the team and starts training for the epic games. She soon finds herself involved in a diabolical plan by the Sire, a dragon cursed into human form who broke its bond to its rider and plans to end the games by attacking dragon sanctuaries around the world.
Do you want to know what I loved most about this story? I loved that Lana is not one of the ones bonded to a dragon. She doesn't spend the book with a dragon by her side, she's not a special snowflake. She's just a regular girl who wants to be a Runner in the games. And she works darn hard for it. She's honest, flawed yet strong. Shes; cautious in her relationships and emotional when the time arises. She's a spectacular heroine if I ever saw one. The supporting characters were also really good. They were not flat and they stood out on their own, especially Lana's witch friend, Samira.
The plot is paced at lightning speed with enough plot twists to keep any reader engaged. The games themselves stood out like some old gameshow on Nickolodeon, which I loved and yes, I'm old and I remember when kids' television was good. You can't tell me you didn't like it when those kids tried to scale the Aggro Crag in GUTS. That part of the show was awesome.
I digress, it was so nice to be in a magical world like this. I haven't felt so engrossed in a world since Harry Potter and this book does give it a slight nod. That's okay. A nod toward one of my favorite series all you want and I will buy your books. JS.
Anyhow, I did wish there were more moments with the dragons. I liked that Lana was not a rider, but I did yearn for some tender moments since she does love dragons as a species. I'm thinking we might get a deeper glimpse into that if there's a book two.
In closing, this was the most fun I've had reading a book this year. Give it a go if you love dragons and magical stuff because this book has it.
Adrianna C, Book Trade Professional
An absolutely incredible story! Fast-paced with detailed and amazing world-building, Ortiz presents a book that is perfect for YA readers looking for a story that doesn't center on romance but still accurately portrays the struggles and emotions of the Target age. This title will also appeal to fans of other books which feature magical sports. Highly recommended!
Britt B, Librarian
Lana Torres has long loved the Blazewrath Games, an international tournament that involves, essentially, quidditch with dragons which is followed up by someone doing their best on the Global Guts Aggro Crag.  So, when she saves a store from a rogue Fire Drake and is recruited for the Puerto Rico team, she's ecstatic.  But she soon realizes that she's just a pawn for Sire, a human that was formerly a dragon who is not afraid to kill-torture-maim to get what he wants.
When I read that this book featured loads of representation and a tournament involving dragons, I was like SIGN ME UP!  And you know, those aspects were great.  The different types of dragons and their respective powers were quite creative.  The game, though it needed about 99% more dragon action - there is waaaaaaaaaaaay too much focus on this one random human running a toy up to the top of a mountain (hence the previous Aggro Crag comparison) - was pretty cool.  The representation was fantastic.  The tournament is international, so there are characters from all over the world, and there are many queer characters.   Unfortunately, the characters were very one-dimensional, the plot was saggy in the middle and extremely predictable, and the writing left something to be desired.   Ultimately, it wasn't my favorite.
As it has some cool elements but is burdened by occasionally clunky writing and a predictable plot, this would be a better read for younger teens who just can't get enough of dragons, tournaments or both.  It wasn't for me, but I'll definitely recommend it to burgeoning YA fantasy readers.  2 stars - it was ok.
Thanks to Page Street Kids and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.  Blazewrath Games will be available on 06 October.
Ursula U, Reviewer
Hello Gemmies! I have an exciting book review to share with you today. Please note: I received a digital ARC of this book (via NetGalley) from its publisher in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Blazewrath Games is a new contemporary YA fantasy by Amparo Ortiz. This story is so creative and new, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Let me start with the dragons because they are incredible! I never knew I needed a Puerto Rican Dragon in my life, but now I want nothing more than my very own Sol de Noche. Amparo Ortiz has created a complex magical system complete with a vast array of witches and Dragons that have their own powers and magical abilities. But wait, there's more! This is also an extremely well written character driven story with a diverse cast of characters that I found to be complex, dynamic, and completely relatable. The world building is so vivid you find yourself immediately becoming immersed in the story. There are themes of friendship, betrayal, patriotism, sisterhood, competition, bravery, sacrifice, and the courage to live your truth.
If you are a fan of magic and mayhem, fierce dragons, conspiracies, witchy BFF's, and a kick ass heroine then go read this book! This gem published by Page Street Kids is set to release on October 6, 2020 and is available for pre-order from all major booksellers. I give Blazewrath Games 4 out of 5 gems. I cannot wait for this story to be out in the world for all to read and hope to see more books set in this universe. Happy Reading!
Maddison R, Reviewer
Three out of Five Stars:
I see other people enjoyed this, and hopefully more people will when the book is released, but sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. It could be a personal preference, so please don't let this review discourage anyone from reading this book! There's a lot of positives going for it like diversity, worldbuilding, and the dragons, especially the dragons! Amparo Ortiz put so much heart into creating these dragons, and you could feel her immense love for them through the story. There is so much creativity and thought put into the different breeds of dragons and their magic. These bad boys could teleport, create rings of fire with their siblings, and access this other dimension known as the Island. They sing when they're grieving, have psychic connections with their riders, and some are born with crystal hearts, which grant any wish to anyone who steals the heart. I applaud the author for her beautiful dragons! Alas, I couldn't say the same for the characters, plot, and pacing. I really wanted to like Lana, but she was incredibly hard to connect with. She lacks depth, her POV isn't deep enough for some of the things that happened in the book. Perhaps, she's meant to be emotionally distant but I really couldn't tell since her actions seem to be emotionally driven but her POV is not. She loves Blazewrath, Puerto Rico, and her dad, and that's all I really got from her. The other characters didn't fare much better, except for two, Andrew Galloway and Takeshi Endo. I honestly wished this story had been told from their perspectives since the entire plot centered around these two individuals. Takeshi becomes an undercover bureau agent (this world's magical police), then infiltrates the Dragon Knights (a cult-like group trying to serve the Sire, who was once a dragon and became a human). The Dragon Knights murdered his dragon, Hikaru, so Takeshi does these things for vengeance. Andrew was his former best friend trying to protest the game of Blazewrath because of Hikaru's murder. Another thing I noticed was that there were too many characters. By the time the final act came, I was trying to remember who was who. It seemed like a whirlwind of names, which interfered with my enjoyment of the action.
Before I end this review, I want to point out the creativity behind the Blazewrath game was phenomenal! The blurb has it right with the comparison to quidditch! I only wish the game served a bigger purpose than the summary suggests. By the end, the game is easily dismantled after being active for twenty-something years due to the last five years being nefariously controlled by the Sire, something I realistically think wouldn't happen due to the amount of money poured/made from these games. Protests would probably occur, along with corporations probably buying ownership before it was dismantled to keep their money wheel rolling.
*Thank you NetGalley and PageStreet Publishing for sending me the ARC!
Michelle F, Librarian
A fantastic debut! BLAZEWRATH GAMES tells the story of Lana Torres, a teen girl living in the Puerto Rican diaspora, who gets to realize her dream of representing Puerto Rico in its first appearance at the Blazewrath World Cup. Competing against the world's best athletes (and their dragons!) without her parents' approval would be hard enough if she didn't have to deal with saving the world from a dragon gone rogue. Full of heart and humor, BLAZEWRATH GAMES is impossible to put down until the world and its dragons are safe.
Abbey F, Librarian
Blazewrath Games was a delightful read.  It incorporates magic and fantasy into a contemporary world similar to Harry Potter.  The twist here is that while the Wizarding World of the Potter-verse remains secret to Muggles, the Regulars (equivalent to Muggles in Ortiz's world) are aware of the existence of magic, and, more importantly, the dragons. Witch and wizard individuals and Regulars coexist in a relatively peaceful world.
Ortiz created a wonderful, beautifully crafted heroine in Lana Torres.  She was real enough to me that I would find myself both rooting for her in her most empowered moments and feeling frustrated with her for not standing up to a teammate berating her or her dreadful cousin. She is not the "Chosen One" trope, but rather a strong individual who loves dragons and the Blazewrath Games.  She feels pride for her Puerto Rican heritage yet still struggles with her distance from her island and wondering if she has the right to claim that identity.  Her inner struggles are beautifully illustrated and add a layer of depth to her character that boosts the narrative.  While I enjoyed Lana's character, I do have to admit that I found the other characters on the flat side.  Occasional sparks of development were found in Victoria and Andrew, but aside from them, I found Lana's team and other magical characters to be far less interesting and one-dimensional.  Even though Lana's mother was also under-developed, I found myself overjoyed with how she and Lana reconnect in the final pages of the novel.
In addition to Lana's strength as a character, something that made this novel so enjoyable was the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.  Queer identity is not a struggle for the characters in this novel; these characters are fully accepted and not demonized.  As a queer woman myself, I found this to be a wonderful aspect of this novel. Latinx characters make up the primary cast, making this an essential addition to a library wishing to provide their readers with inclusive fantasy novels.
One thing I wish had been incorporated more was a world-building aspect.  The chapters all conclude with excerpts from magical texts that are part of Lana's world, but it was a little difficult to keep track of elements of the world.  I was desperate for a more solid structure. It did not get in the way of the narrative, but as a fantasy reader, it is something I crave in my books.
Something that frustrated me immensely while reading, though, was the dragons. The book is touted by publishers as a "How to Train Your Dragon" meets "Quidditch." Such a description is what drew me to this novel in the first place. It certainly meets the "Quidditch" mark.  However, "How to Train Your Dragon" is not the feeling I experienced, and that is probably what disappointed me most. I was expecting far more connection with dragons than was presented.  Yes, dragons are throughout the novel.  But when I think "How to Train Your Dragon," I expect a strong connection between the protagonist and dragon, as that is essential for Hiccup and Toothless' story. Dragons do not play a role in Lana's development.  She tells us she loves them, and the games, but I wished she would have spent more time with dragons. I did not necessarily desire Lana to be a rider, but if she'd spent more time with the dragons on her team or even included memories of her and her father that involve the love of dragons, I would have been much more satisfied.
Overall, Lana's story is a satisfying page-turner that will delight readers looking for a magical, inclusive novel desiring to read about a heroine representative of the everything we need in this current period of the world: a resilient, strong, Latinx girl fighting against injustice and to represent her country in a noble way. It's absolutely wonderful.
Kelly M, Media/Journalist
Blazewrath Games is an epic read. A fantastically vivid world with a protagonist you cannot help but become attached to, This book has it all, gutwrenching in parts, funny in others, it doesn't shy away from tough subjects. It's a YA book you need to add to your to read list.
This is very exciting and fast-paced, but some aspects of the world-building left me confused. RTC near release date.
Annie P, Librarian
I'll be honest.  I didn't have high hopes for this book, and it's nothing against this book itself but against the YA genre itself.  I once again have hope that YA isn't completely dull.
Lana is probably the best protagonist I've read in a while.  She's not a chosen one because of mystical abilities or superb skills.  It's not even a matter of "whoops this just happened" without making any sense.  Lana's character arc throughout this story is believable and real--as real as can be in a story with dragons.  I loved her from the beginning, and felt her to be a down-to-earth, relatable character.  She's also incredibly smart and spends a lot of time thinking and pondering over the actions of the villain and other characters.  She doesn't blindly rush into situations without planning ahead and figuring things out.
Samira is the best friend anyone could ever have, and even though she's more of a secondary character (kinda?  She takes a big role later in the book, but this is definitely Lana's story), she's got lots of spunk and sass and is a great asset to Lana's journey.  But even then she has her own journey and grows in this.  She's basically the best, OK.  I love her.
I really don't dislike a single character in this.  Everyone was well-written with unique voices and personalities.  I loved how the author interwove their culture into this story, so it's not just "another" fantasy.  It's a Puerto Rican-centric fantasy, something I've never seen before.  It takes place in our world, but the culture, language, and majority of the characters are Puerto Rican, and it's super refreshing to see something new in this genre.  I've rarely seen Latinex books, so this gives me hope we will see more in the future.
The plot is fastpaced and easy to follow.  I wouldn't say it's the most mysterious of books, but it's definitely got some great plot twists, and the story is solid enough that it doesn't need a shock-and-awe factor.  The sport of Blazewrath is super fleshed out, as is the world as a whole, and it makes sooooo much sense.  I would very happily watch a TV series based on this book and the sport simply because it's that fascinating.
This book doesn't shy away from tough plot points, and has some great gut wrenching moments.
Also, just the icing on the cake, again this is a POC Own Voices novel with ample LGBT+ rep, so there ya go.
Jacob R, Reviewer
What an epic story!!!!!! What can I say about this story? The characters are amazing! Dynamic. Realistic. And relatable. The plot was absolutely amazing! My attention was held the entire time. Twists. Turns. Suspense. I love the entire story!!!! I was sad when I finished. Amparo has an amazing story!!!!
Kirstine C, Reviewer
"Dragons are better company than people. Not that I hate people."
Amparo Ortiz's dragon fantasy is complex, with textured world building, authentic relationships and a killer plot. Themes of death, loyalty, bravery, impossible choices, friendship, competition, patriotism and secrets make this book compelling and fun to read.
Book Trade Professional 592715
If you're looking for all the energy of Harry Potter's  Quidditch World Cup, but set in an inclusive world with spellbinding dragons  and an MC who grabs hold of her life with both hands and shapes it for herself, this is the book for you!
🐉LATINX DRAGONS🐉
I grew up dreaming of unicorns and dragons. They were hands down my two favorite magical creatures, and though I never found books in Spanish about them when I was growing up in Puerto Rico, I was lucky to discover The Enchanted Forest Chronicles in my local volunteer-run library, Bucapla. It quickly became one of my favorite sets of books, and I still own copies at age 31.
And they *are* good books. But how sad is it that they were my only option?
All this to say that Amparo gave me something I never even dared hope for. A book (possibly a series? 😉) that not only described the most amazingly complex dragons I've ever read about, but was driven by a team of athletes who looked and sounded and dreamed like me.
I know I am just rambling over here and not giving a proper review, but I feel so seen I could cry. I loved The Enchanted Forest Chronicles as a kid and I still do. But Blazewrath Games has cemented itself as my new favorite dragon book not just because it's a great story, but because it's one brimming with love for the island that I have spent the majority of my life in.
Please pre-order this book, because all things aside it has:
🏆 A Very Competitive Dangerous Sport
🏆 Dragons With Extremely Cool Abilities
🏆 Epic Battle Scenes
🏆 Blurry Morals/Ethics
🏆 Loving Friendships
🏆 Deep Patrotism
🏆 Magical Law & Order (!!!!!!!!!)
🏆 Latinx & Queer Rep
¡Gracias, Amparo! No sabes el regalo que le has dado a mi pequeño corazón. Te quiero mucho. Is that weird? Ese es el poder de tus palabras.
Andria S, Book Trade Professional
I think pitching a book as quidditch meets how to train your dragon is gutsy and sets the bar pretty high. And the potential was there. I was really interested in this idea of a game designed around dragons that was known about in the "normal" world. I really, really wanted to love this book as it has all sorts of things that I like. Unfortunately, this book suffered from a lack of clarity around world building and the beginning of the book happening incredibly quickly with a lot of info-dumping, little character building, and an overt amount of pop-culture references. I feel like had more time been spent on world building in the beginning, and the pacing in the beginning of the book had been a little slower or more focused, this book would have been stronger. If you are newer to YA fantasy and are not as focused on strong world building, you will probably really like this book.


And now from me to all.
First, i want to say thank you for a great year 2011.
Nice to see what we are standing for, namely for Trackmania-RPG driving, helping and creating.
Second, i want to say thank you for the members who help us for our visitors with events, tracks and helpful threads.
Third, i want to say thank you for the members who help us with the donates for our board.
With the donates the community lives and we can give a warranty to see the board in the future.
You can see it here: Donate Coppers??
I hope 2012 we can welcome more fans and have many many fun.
Thank you all for this nice community.
and a happy 2012 !!


text:
Vatican flag. Photo by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, Wikimedia Commons.
Vatican cardinal says lack of shared communion his greatest regret
July 22, 2010 September 27, 2018 Eurasia Review 0 Comments
By Eurasia Review
By Anli Serfontein
"Today, there is a lot of convergence. So, we got closer to each other but we could not achieve the final breakthrough. I regret it very much but you cannot push the issue," said Cardinal Walter Kasper, who retired July 1 as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
"The main thing that I did not achieve is the sharing of Holy Communion," Kasper told ENInews in an interview in Stuttgart, while attending, as a special guest, the July 20-27 assembly of the Lutheran World Federation.
Kasper, now 77, became president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 2001; he had served the previous two years as its secretary. Originally from Germany, Kasper is a former professor of theology in Münster and Tübingen, and was bishop of Stuttgart from 1989 to 1999.
Soon after he became secretary of the Vatican's unity council, Kasper took part in the signing on October 32, 1999, Reformation Day, of the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" between the Roman Catholic Church and the LWF. This aimed to overcome condemnations, dating back to the16th century, between the papacy and reformer Martin Luther and his followers.
However, sharing in the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, the central Christian sacrament that commemorates Jesus' last meal with his disciples, remains ampoint of contention. Catholic teaching prevents Protestants in most situations receiving communion from Catholic priests, and says Catholics should not receive communion in Protestant churches.
"Of course, I regret it very much because I know the concrete problems in families, and between good friends and partners," said Kasper. "I know what these problems are but I cannot jump over the whole existing doctrine. It is a problem that still exists but I think we also achieved some things. Maybe not consensus but convergence."
Kasper's words echoed those of LWF president Mark S. Hanson from the United States, who earlier in the day told a media conference that the Lutheran commitment to ecumenism will not end until Lutherans can share the Eucharist with other churches.
We must continue the dialogue about theological issues that still prevent us from communing together," said Hanson.
The LWF president had been asked if he could envisage a day when a married couple in which one partner was a Catholic and the other a Lutheran could share in communion together with the blessing of both churches. Hanson responded by saying that it is the lay people of the churches who are driving and sustaining these conversations, and he acknowledged the "grassroots ecumenism" that is alive among lay people.
"If Roman Catholics and Lutherans can feed the hungry together, wouldn't it be good if they could be fed at the Lord's Table together?" Hanson said.
Kasper said in an address to LWF assembly delegates, "In the last years, we have been harvesting the fruit of the dialogue. I was more than surprised to see such a rich harvest, and that we have achieved much more than we could even dream before. There has been no ecumenical winter."
Still, he acknowledged that there is an unfinished agenda and that this should be the reason to continue the search for unity. "We can no longer afford to stick to our differences," Kasper told delegates.
In his ENInews interview, the former Vatican official stressed that dialogue and debate should continue. "I think for both sides it is the same thing. You must be patient, and you must be impatient at the same time," he said with a smile.
Kasper explained that he thought it may have been easier for him to engage in ecumenical discussions, since he had experienced division at first hand in the land of the Reformation. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, thus setting in train the breach with the Catholic Church.
"The Reformation started in Germany. We are at the origin of the Reformation, and therefore Reformation and relations with Lutheran Evangelical people are a concern for us because it divided us for many centuries. It still divides families today," Kasper said.
He noted that he had studied and later taught theology at German universities that each had two theological faculties, one for Protestants and the other for Catholics.
"So, ecumenical relations belonged to our life. One has many Protestant friends. I was bishop in this diocese, which is half Protestant and half Catholic," he said. "It is a normal reality for us, and I think this helps us a lot to understand the other angle, and to understand the urgency to work for unity and communion."
In an interview in November 2009 in Wittenberg, where Luther worked and lived, Kasper noted, "We have learned a lot in the last 50 years. At the university, I spent a lot of time teaching about Martin Luther, and I have learned from that experience too."
In his Stuttgart interview, Kasper acknowledged that some sections of the Catholic Church have difficulties with such ecumenical developments but said he had the backing of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Looking back at what has been achieved in terms of ecumenical progress in the last decade, Kasper said it would not have been possible without friendship with his counterparts from other traditions. He said a deep friendship had developed between him and LWF General Secretary Ishmael Noko of Zimbabwean-born.
"Personal friendship and personal relations are fundamental to ecumenical work and for pastoral work because without personal relations, personal friendships and trust you can do nothing; it is the basis of all. Then, when you have friendship, if there is trust you can also speak about the differences and you can also achieve good results," Kasper said.
Introducing Kasper to LWF assembly delegates in Stuttgart, Noko said, "You embody in your soul the spirit of ecumenism. You have been an encourager, when obstacles seemed insurmountable, and a truth teller."
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If you were ever assigned to any battalion of the 14th Field Artillery, we want to talk with you. You are an important part of our history and our future!
Check the "NEWS" page for site update briefs. This is a PROACTIVE site. Changes/additions occur on a daily/weekly basis; keeping the Warbonnets informed!
Everything is better with a Warbonnet on it!
What battalion of the 14th Field Artillery were you with? Welcome to the home of the 14th Field Artillery: Since 1916 when the 14th Field Artillery was born, there have been six battalions that have seen service. Two battalions served in Vietnam; all six battalions have made significant contributions to the Army and to the Nation. All are part of our distinguished history. Please take some time to look through the site. You will find an abundance of information. There are over 250 images/photos throughout the site. Time waits for no one. If you really want to reconnect with those that wore the same crest, act now and join us. You won't regret your decision.
Each battalion of the 14th Field Artillery has a long and distinguished history. Those that served with the 14th have much to be proud of; your contributions have been many. There may be someone on the Warbonnet Roster that you know. If you are in contact with other Warbonnets that are not on our roster, please let them know where to find us.
Our goal is to reunite the Warbonnet Veterans and to contribute to the preservation of the distinguished Warbonnet history. The Fourteenth has served in Europe, Vietnam, Iraq and at various Posts in the United States. Every Fourteenth Artillery Veteran has made a great contribution to the Nation and to the Regiment.
Six battalions of Redlegs. We stand shoulder to shoulder. There are no strangers in the Regiment. Your relationship can be as "up close and personal" as you want it to be. 24/7 we are in the "fire mission" mode. Redlegs take care of Redlegs!
We did our duty as Soldiers in the United States Army and as Redlegs of the 14th Field Artillery. Now it is our duty to preserve and bear testimony to the legacy of this organization, that so many have served with.
Why are we "Warbonnets"? The distinctive unit insignia (unit crest) for the 14th Field Artillery was designed to reflect the American Indian and Chief Satanta, War Chief of the Kiowa. A full description is on the "Crest" page.


text:
Appeal following Clapham shooting
Detectives from Trident Crime Command are appealing for information following a shooting in Clapham
Police were called at 21:31hrs on Tuesday, 4 June to Bedford Road at the junction with Fenwick Place, SW9, following reports of a firearms discharge.
Officers attended the scene, but there was no trace of any victims or suspects.
At 21:46hrs officers were alerted to a 24-year-old man who had presented at a south London hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
The victim's injuries were declared not life-threatening.
Detectives have linked this injured person to the above reported shooting.
Officers are also trying to trace two witnesses who were handed two mobile telephones while in Landor Road, SW9 shortly after 21:30 hours.
It is believed one witness was female, the other, male [no further details].
Enquiries into the full circumstances continue.
A shell casing has been recovered.
At this stage there have been no arrests.
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 7863/4 June.
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
ClaphamSouth London


text:
May/Jun 2009
MXL: V67N small-diaphragm mic
Reviewed by Mike Jasper
Since November, I've been working on a huge shootout of small-diaphragm condenser mics; I might have mentioned this in my last review. Frankly, I might mention this in every review forever, since it appears the SDC test will never end. Frankly, there's a part of me that wants to keep it going, since I keep running into some surprising mics even after I think I've heard them all. Most of these mics cost $500 to $1000 or more and sound damn great, but I did manage to find two mics that cost about $100 and sound damn good. And isn't that what we're always looking for? The first one is called the X-M, a small omni mic made by Naiant. At first listen, I didn't care for it much, since it was definitely darker than I like (and I like it pretty dark). But when I started thinking of it as a replacement for a ribbon mic, I started to like it a lot-especially on strummed acoustic guitar and guitar amps. The X-M version I used was the standard active version, free-field, which is darker than Naiant's diffuse-field mic. Both active versions run on 12-48 volt phantom power and don't require a lot of juice from the Millennia preamp, so I could keep the mic about two feet from the guitar and strum like Hamell On Trial (to use a young reference) or Richie Havens (for you boomers out there) and not worry about too much pick noise or overdriving the mic. Nice, dark, driving sound there, and not a lot of electronic noise either. The X-M comes in a transformer-balanced version as well, and that's what creator Jon O'Neil recommends for acoustic guitar. He wasn't kidding. This mic gave me a better high end on the guitar, but was never overly bright or brittle. There's a healthy low-mid response as well, but none of the boominess you get from standard cardioids, thanks to the lack of proximity effect. This works great on steel and nylon-stringed guitars, but requires a lot more juice from the preamp to make it go. Both the active and transformer X-Ms cost $69 straight from Naiant, but by the time this article is published, O'Neil will have a new mic out that lets you switch between free and diffuse fields for an extra ten bucks. In other words, you can make it bright or dark with the flip of a switch, depending on the room (or mood) you're in. The other low-end gem is a bit more expensive, a bit more new, and a bit more surprising-the MXL V67N. It's a transformer version of the 604s and it's got serious mojo. Must be the transformers. Will it replace your Neumann KM 84? Hell, no, but it could definitely replace many other low-end small-diaphragm mics. There was none of the high-end sting from which many low-priced mics suffer-just a consistent presence that cuts through the mix. The low-mid region is where the personality of this mic lives, and it gave some serious meat to the sound of my Collings C10 guitar. While the Naiant excels on strummed guitar, the V67N excels on picked guitar. This is the one you want for your acoustic leads, although it also sounded great strummed. While I wouldn't choose this mic for a solo project, it'll bring the acoustic guitar alive in a rock mix, no doubt. Again, I'm not saying it's time to trade in your Neumanns and Gefells, or even your Avensons and Audio-Technicas. But if you're a hobbyist or young kid starting out and can't spend a lot of money on the big boys, you can make some serious sounds on acoustic guitar with a couple of these mics in your arsenal. (X-M $69 direct, www.naiant.com; V67N $119 street, www.mxlmics.com)
MA-1000 Large-diaphragm Tube Mic
by Geoff Stanfield
I have been a Mojave mic owner since the company released the MA-200 back in 2005. It was David Bianco [Tape Op #104 bonus] who turned me onto Mojave's offerings, saying, "You really...
Pegasus tube mic
As I mentioned in the previous issue's "Gear Geeking" (Tape Op #86), the Pegasus was one the most exciting products to be unveiled at the AES Convention. Unlike most tube mics on the market...
MA-201 fet large-diaphragm condenser mic
by Craig Schumacher
Over the past few years, Mojave Audio has established itself as a manufacturer of quality, affordable microphones with their MA-200 (Tape Op #55) and MA-100 (#62) tube mics. The MA-201 fet is the...
Resonator A & B Dynamic Mics
by Joel Hamilton
When a piece of equipment comes along that challenges the norms of the day, I always take notice. "Normal" is an ever-shifting sandbar in the harbor of consensus, and it never holds still for long in...
MA-50 Microphone
From the moment I started using Mojave's large diaphragm condenser MA-50 mic, it sounded great on everything. There are many budget mics in the $200 to $300 price range, but the MA-50 is certainly...
BH-1 Black Hole condenser mic
by Pete Weiss
JZ Microphones is a new Latvian company started by mic designer Juris Zarins, who at one time worked closely with the company BLUE. JZ's promotional literature touts its old world, no-compromise...
CM251 & CM67se Microphones
by Tony SanFilippo
The Advanced Audio CM251 and CM67se are both large diaphragm tube condenser mics. They come with nine polar pattern power supplies, shock mounts, multi-pin XLR cables, foam windscreens, and a nice...


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together with the odds applicable at the time.
Blackburn ruined Sir Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday with a 3-2 win at Old Trafford at odds of 20.58.
the side most likely to win but a late Grant Hanley goal sealed the points for the visitors.
amazing victory for the Black Cats.
London club succumbed to goals from Stephen Ireland, Stiliyan Petrov and Darren Bent.
Thomas made it 3-0 while a late double from Samir Nasri was no more than a consolation.
battling relegation but a solitary Ben Watson goal won it for the Latics.
victory after Luis Suarez had equalised Shaun Maloney's earlier penalty.
QPR were relegated at the end of 2012-13 but not before this memorable win which dropped in at 11.79. Shaun Wright-Phillips' late goal was enough to separate the sides.
Wigan were at it again in April 2012, effectively ending Arsenal's title challenge. Jordi Gomez scored the winner to deliver a superb profit at 10.99.
The most recent shock came in September 2013 at the start of a barren period for beleaguered United boss David Moyes. Saido Berahino secured West Brom's first win over their opponents for 29 years at great odds of 10.72.
Shocks do happen and opportunities to earn great profits do exist but for be sure to head to a betting exchange such as WBX in order to get the best prices. They offer live betting on over 3000+ soccer markets weekly so you'll never be short on the betting action.
Thanks to Peter Arena for this great article!