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$2 trillion coronavirus deal: Who will get stimulus checks and when?
Most adults would get a one-time direct payment of $1,200. But it may take longer than a couple weeks to get your money.
Published: 4:16 PM CDT March 25, 2020
Updated: 12:52 AM CDT March 26, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday night passed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion relief package that will include checks going directly to most Americans. The bill now heads to the House for its approval. President Donald Trump has said he will sign the legislation when it hits his desk.
The bill comes in response to the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down businesses and crippled economies around the globe. It would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide direct grants and loans to businesses and hospitals.
The Associated Press has been working through the text of the 883-page bill and Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington have been sharing information.
U.S. citizens receiving Social Security as well as retirees are eligible for the money, according to news outlets, including Fox and Fortune.
The massive measure is the third COVID-19 response bill produced by Congress and by far the largest.
Who gets stimulus checks?
The bill would provide one-time direct payments to Americans of $1,200 per individual adults and $2,400 for married couples and an additional $500 for each eligible child.
The full amount will be available for individuals making less than $75,000 and couples making less than $150,000 annually. The amount a person receives will phase out if they earn more, ending for those earning more than $99,000 annually.
Credit: TEGNA
When will stimulus checks go out?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Trump wants to send the payments to people in less than two weeks, by April 6. But experts agree that could be a hard deadline to hit.
During the White House coronavirus task force news conference Wednesday afternoon, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the direct payments are expected to be out within "three weeks." But history shows that's easier said than done.
Democratic aides in the Senate told The New York Times that those with direct-deposit info on-file with the IRS should see payments within a few weeks of the bill becoming law. However, if the IRS doesn't have that info, people may need to wait a lot longer to get a check. Aides told the Times it could be up to four months for a physical check to arrive.
The Tax Policy Center noted that in 2008 there was a gap of about three months between passage of the stimulus legislation and the start-up of payments. Additionally, the IRS had worked for three months before enactment of advance payments of tax rate reductions in 2001 and child tax credits in 2003.
What will furloughed workers get?
Furloughed or unemployed workers would get whatever amount a state usually provides for unemployment, plus a $600 per week add-on, with gig workers like Uber drivers covered for the first time. It includes an extra 13 weeks of coverage for people who have exhausted existing benefits.
Democrats said the package would help replace the salaries of furloughed workers for four months, rather than the three months first proposed.
Paycheck support
The bill provides $562 million to ensure that the Small Business Association has the resources to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to businesses that need financial support during this difficult time. These loans will help businesses keep their doors open and pay their employees. SBA has signed emergency declarations for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, so the EIDL program will be available to assist small businesses across the country that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
This funding is in addition to the significant assistance provided in the Keeping American Workers Employed and Paid Act, which authorizes $350 billion worth of 100% guaranteed SBA loans, a portion of which SBA will forgive based on allowable expenses for the borrower.
This small business package also includes $10 billion in direct grants for businesses that do not qualify for the EIDL program and $17 billion to have SBA step in and make six months of principle and interest payments for all SBA backed business loans. All these measures combined will relieve financial stress from struggling businesses and inject much-needed capital into the economy.
RELATED: These states have issued stay-at-home orders. What does that mean?
RELATED: 'Top Chef Masters' star Floyd Cardoz dies from coronavirus complications
Unemployment expansion
Establishes a new, much more generous unemployment benefit by adding $600 per week to normal state benefits for up to four months and provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits to 39 weeks of regular unemployment insurance through the end of 2020 if someone is sidelined by the outbreak. The coverage would be retroactive to Jan. 27. Extends coverage to "gig" workers and independent contractors.
Emergency funding, public health
The bill includes an additional $242 billion in additional emergency appropriations to fight the virus and shore up for safety net programs. That includes money for food stamps, child nutrition, hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and public health and transportation agencies. The figure has gone significantly higher during talks over the weekend.
The measure includes $15.5 billion for food stamps; $14 billion for supporting farm income and crop prices; $9.5 billion for specific producers including specialty crops, dairy and livestock; $8.8 billion child nutrition. Money for food banks, farmers' markets.
RELATED: Coronavirus closures pushing new US jobless claims sky high
Industry aid
The initial GOP plan called for $208 billion in loans to larger businesses like airlines, which would have to be repaid, and a subsequent; a version released over the weekend called for $500 billion. Leaders are still negotiating the final number and how the money would be provided by the administration and safeguards to prevent abuses. Delays payroll tax payments by employers. They would be able to defer payment of their 2020 payroll taxes until 2021 and 2022.
Republicans and the administration have resisted demands by Democrats and governors for aid to the states, whose governors have requested $150 billion to shore up budgets strained by large new costs and plummeting tax revenues. Negotiations are likely to produce a compromise. The smallest states would get at least $1.5 billion.
RELATED: 'We have a deal': Congressional leaders, White House agree on coronavirus rescue
RELATED: Trump says he intends to reopen country in weeks, not months
Loans and guarantees to businesses, state and local governments: $500 billion. Includes up to $50 billion for passenger airlines, $8 billion for cargo carriers, $17 billion for "businesses critical to maintaining national security." Companies accepting loans may not repurchase outstanding stock; must maintain their employment levels as of March 13, 2020 "to the extent practicable"; and bar raises for two years to executives earning over $425,000 annually.
Includes $350 billion. For companies with 500 employees or fewer, loans that may be forgiven if company retains workers; $17 billion to help small businesses repay existing loans; $10 billion for grants up to $10,000 for small businesses to pay operating costs.
Airlines could get a key part of their request — cash grants from taxpayers — under the massive spending bill. As of Wednesday afternoon, the deal included $25 billion in direct grants and up to another $25 billion in loans or loan guarantees to passenger airlines, according to Forbes. Cargo airlines like FedEx would get $4 billion in grants and up to $4 billion in loans, and airline industry contractors could get $3 billion in grants. It was not immediately clear if these details remained in the final bill.
The bill says grants are exclusively to pay employee wages, salaries and benefits based on how much the airline spent on them from April through September of last year. Loans would carry conditions, including bans on companies buying back their own stock or paying dividends. Airlines would have to avoid layoffs "to the extent practicable," and would be required to keep at least 90% of current employment levels.
The industry will get $150 billion. That includes $100 billion for grants to hospitals, public and nonprofit health organizations and Medicare and Medicaid suppliers.
$45 billion for a disaster relief fund to reimburse state and local governments for medical response, community services and other safety measures. Extends federal deadline for people getting driver's licenses with enhanced security features, called REAL ID, from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021.
RELATED: REAL ID deadline to be pushed back almost a year due to COVID-19
$31 billion. Includes $13.5 billion for states to distribute to local schools and programs, $14 billion to help universities and colleges.
Coronavirus treatments
$27 billion for research and development of vaccines and treatments, stockpiling medical supplies.
Includes $25 billion for public transit systems; $10 billion for publicly owned commercial airports, intended to sustain 430,000 transit jobs; $1 billion for Amtrak.
$20 billion, including $16 billion for treating veterans at VA facilities; $3 billion for temporary and mobile facilities.
$15.5 billion for food stamps; $14 billion for supporting farm income and crop prices; $9.5 billion for specific producers including specialty crops, dairy and livestock; $8.8 billion child nutrition. Money for food banks, farmers' markets.
$10.5 billion for Defense Department, including $1.5 billion to nearly triple the 4,300 beds currently in military hospitals; $1.4 billion for states to deploy up to 20,000 members of National Guard for six months; $1 billion under Defense Production Act to help private industry boost production of medical gear. Money cannot be used to build Trump's proposed wall along the Mexican border.
Includes $3.5 billion in grants for child care and early education programs; $1 billion in grants to help communities address local economic problems; $900 million in heating, cooling aid for low-income families; $750 million for extra staffing for Head Start programs.
Economic aid to communities
$5 billion in Community Development Block Grants to help state and local governments expand health facilities, child care centers, food banks and senior services; $4 billion in assistance for homeless people; $3 billion for low-income renters; $1.5 billion to help communities rebuild local industries including tourism, industry supply chains, business loans; $300 million for fishing industry.
Native American communities
$2 billion for health care, equipment schools and other needs.
$1.1 billion, including $324 million to evacuate Americans and diplomats overseas; $350 million to help refugees; $258 million in international disaster aid; $88 million for the Peace Corps to evacuate its volunteers abroad.
$400 million to help states prepare for 2020 elections with steps including expanded vote by mail, additional polling locations.
$150 million for federal grants to state and local arts and humanities programs; $75 million for Corporation for Public Broadcasting; $25 million for Washington, D.C., Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
$93 million, including $25 million for the House and $10 million for the smaller Senate for teleworking and other costs; $25 million for cleaning the Capitol and congressional office buildings.
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2019, file photo, fight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington. The votes are there. The rules and choreography are set, more or less. And now — hear ye, hear ye — the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is nearly set to begin. Here's what to expect when the Senate puts the impeachment articles against Trump on trial, starting as early as this coming week. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
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First, a disclaimer. I am employed by CMU but these views are mine. This is my perspective as a student, but it is impossible to ignore that I am also an employee.
In 2016, I finally decided to return to get a MS after getting a BS in Information Systems Management on an Information Assurance track in 2007. In December, 2018, I graduated with highest distinction. CMU has a good tuition benefits program and one of my incentives when I accepted employment included the possibility of graduate school.
For various reasons, a distance curriculum was best for me, so I ended up taking the GRE and going to Heinz College to get a MSIT: Information Security & Assurance.
This is the description from CMU's page, "Is MSIT Right For Me?"
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) is a part-time, distance learning program that is ideal for current IT professionals seeking to add business acumen, management, and targeted problem-solving skills to their portfolios. MSIT can also be a great fit for professionals from less technical areas, such as finance and health care, who wish to pivot toward technology-intensive roles and improve their analytical skills.
After completing the program, I would say the description above is fairly accurate and useful. In particular, this degree had a few things that appealed to me.
It was at CMU, my employer, so tuition would be free with the caveat of counting as taxable income.
It is geared towards working students.
The degree offered some flexibility in focus and electives.
The last allowed me to choose the Information Security & Assurance track, plus balance classes between those focused on the business side and technical classes. Since I can take short technical classes as part of professional development at work, I decided it made sense to focus on the business, management, and leadership more while focusing my technical classes in areas where I wanted to improve or get more depth than I would through professional development classes.
There were a couple areas involving technology or math where I knew that the CMU classes would be challenging and cover material I wouldn't normally have time to learn through professional development. Some were full semesters and some were half semester classes, called "minis" by Heinz College.
I focused on a few areas in my technical classes. These were areas where I thought I could use more formal teaching, might be directly related to my work, or in subjects where I thought justifying professional development would be difficult but the classes would still have some application in my career. The highlights that I think were most useful for me included the following.
An object-oriented programming class using Java.
An economic analysis class that started with more general economics then focused on the economics of IT, including implications for management and strategy.
A useful refresher on statistics covering descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and regression analysis, including applying statistical analysis to analyze IT problems. This also was a prerequisite for some other courses.
Exploring and visualizing data was very relevant to my current job and this class was focused primarily on exploring data sets using R. I had used R previously, but this class let me do a lot more and I enjoyed the final project.
Geographic information systems (GIS) was a very fun course, though I'm not sure I will use a lot of the skills directly. It did help me appreciate how much goes into geographic data analysis and information displays and teach me some lessons that apply to information presentation across disciplines.
Privacy in the digital age was a great class focusing on privacy that, "...combines technical, economic, legal,and policy perspectives to present a holistic view of its role and value in the digital age (from the syllabus)." It was a very useful class for anyone in information security given the privacy issues in today's world, many of them having direct impact on how we do our jobs in information security.
I learned a fair amount on strategy development for organizations and businesses, which included useful lessons and the history of creating organizational strategies. It used case studies really well to show the impact that an effective organizational strategy can bring.
Almost anyone will improve by taking a good writing class, so I was happy to take business writing for leaders even though I find writing courses somewhat stressful. I'm used to writing many papers, but writing for a writer, the professor in this case, can be intimidating.
Several courses covering information security management, governance, process, policies, and risk management. Most of these were required as part of the Information Security & Assurance focus.
This doesn't cover all of my classes, which I think ended up being about 16-18 classes total, mixing full semester classes and minis.
Do you need a degree or certification?
Why am I writing about this? Because there is an ongoing discussion through the field of information security ("cybersecurity") about the relevance of degrees, certifications, and other credentials. There are also related questions about how people should enter the career of cybersecurity. My answer to any question about what someone needs will always be situational. Individual circumstances will make a huge difference in any examination of the cost/benefit for a specific degree or certification. Context is the key to answering questions about career transition, degrees, and certifications, because no one answer is correct for everyone.
I work for a university, so graduate degrees are encouraged and valued.
Employee benefits include free tuition at CMU.
The degree was available online, allowing a flexible school schedule.
The degree offered many classes that were useful towards improving myself as a professional.
I saw the potential to make myself more valuable as a mid- to late career professional.
I saw the potential to refresh skills I already have or learn new skills.
It provided a chance to take some longer-running technical classes that allowed more depth than typical professional development.
It took a lot of time out of my life. The recommendation was to budget 12 hours per week per class, and that was fairly accurate. Some classes were a little less, some were much more.
Despite the free tuition, it still cost me money in books, time, and tax liability.
It was very stressful for me, particularly since I wasn't satisfied with simply passing but was trying to excel.
A small number of the classes covered fair chunks of material where I already have extensive experience, making them somewhat less interesting.
Given all this and more, I think it was the right decision for me. I started seeing the benefit of applying some of my learning at my work while still in school and I expect to continue leveraging some of the material going forward. It also made me examine my career and think more about where I want to go in the future. I could have pursued a more purely technical degree or even more on the business side instead of the mixed program, but I think I made the correct choice for my background and future goals.
What should you consider when trying to decide about a degree or certifications? I covered a lot of it in my benefits and costs, including time, cost, personal situation, professional situation, goals, and intangibles. I think certifications are generally a good way for earlier career professionals to boost their credentials a bit and I had a number of them when I first entered IT. Some jobs obviously require certifications, making the decision fairly simple. Some certifications are also more useful than others, so that can enter into the equation. The costs and benefits of a degree are generally both more significant but the basic factors to consider are similar.
For underrepresented groups, degrees and certifications are often much more important because of disparities in opportunities. I got a MCSE, CCNP, and SANS certifications early in my career but was able to get into IT without a degree and without either of those certifications complete. Not everyone, even when they're capable, will get those opportunities.
I started in IT nearly 20 years ago so my analysis entering the field today would also be different. I did three interviews and got three offers when I was looking for my first IT job, but degrees and certifications have become more typical requirements or wants in recent years. None of my old Microsoft and Cisco certifications are current today and it likely has little impact on my credentials given my experience and degrees. It would likely be a different story if I was still early in my career or switching careers.
I will also point out is that I don't see how having a degree or certification should ever count against someone unless it is literally a scam like a diploma mill or something similar. Someone who earnestly gets a well-known and honest certification should not be looked down upon. The MCSE, CCNP, and SANS certifications all taught me a lot and forced me to also teach myself to successfully pass the exams.
One thing we can probably all agree with is that cybersecurity requires constant learning and change to be successful. The IT environment today is drastically different than when I entered the field. While many of the baseline skills remain constant, the evolution of IT, for example from Windows NT to Active Directory to IT infrastructure in the cloud, mean that we better be learning so we adapt to our skills to current environments and technologies. For me, the first step is always self-study, reading, and experimentation, but this is not the only answer for developing skills and expertise.
Since I am done with school, I'll likely be pursing professional development in technical areas to improve the depth of my skills. This will likely include a certification or two as a way to set a goal and timetable for learning specific topics. Examples of general topics like cloud security, cloud architecture, machine learning, security orchestration, edge computing, and mobile computing are all areas that are currently in flux and will require professionals to make changes as the technologies continue maturing. Everyone in cybersecurity needs methods to stay current in the face of changing technology.


The Nissen Tube is - to say it shortly - a standard oboe tube, where the cork is removed from the tube, and a plastic part is mounted instead. Rubber rings makes the tube sit firmly in the oboe. The metal tube is unchanged, the plastic part is designed to fit standard brass or nickel silver tubes from makers like Glotin, Pisoni, Lorée, Rieger, Rigotti, Windfield etc. The only new thing is the plastic part. You do not have to change your reed style or technique. The surprising result of this simple procedure is incresed Focus, Clarity and Stability.


text:
Skipper Fined for Dumping Trash at Sea
Posted by Eric Haun October 10, 2016
A barge skipper has been fined £500 and more than £2,000 in costs, after pleading guilty to dumping trash at sea, the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported.
On the morning of May 26 this year, the barge Beta was traveling from Exmouth to Plymouth, where it would be converted into a floating fish restaurant. In charge of the vessel was Mark Tamburrano, a restaurateur from Plymouth.
As the vessel passed close to Torquay Bay, witnesses from the Food Standards Agency and local Environment Health department, who were visiting shell beds nearby, saw items being thrown from the barge, including a number of bin bags with plastic in them, along with gas canisters and a chemical toilet.
The witnesses approached the barge and the dumping stopped.
Tamburrano appeared before Torquay magistrates court October 10 where he pleaded guilty and was fined £500, plus £50 surcharge and full costs of £2291.31.
In summing up, the magistrate said there had been no obvious intent to dump rubbish at sea but it is obvious an offence has been committed. A fine would be imposed because of the material thrown overboard and its environmental impact on local fishing, as well as its proximity to the coast.
"The law is very clear and there for a purpose – the protection of the marine environment," said Tony Heslop, MCA surveyor operations manager. "What makes this case worse is that this was a seafish restaurant owner throwing rubbish overboard so close to the shellfish beds and beaches of Torquay. Such behavior is always unacceptable and it is the duty for those who make their living from the sea to protect it."
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Чэньца́н () — район городского подчинения городского округа Баоцзи провинции Шэньси (КНР).

История
В эпоху Чжоу младший брат матери чжоуского Вэнь-вана — Го Чжун (虢仲) — получил в этих местах удел, получивший название Сиго (西虢). В 762 году до н. э. на территории современного уезда Мэйсянь в месте слияния рек Цяньхэ и Вэйхэ была основана столица царства Цинь, получившая название Чэньцан. После того, как земли Сиго вошли в состав царства Цинь, в 714 году до н.э. циньский Сянь-гун, готовясь к военному походу, перенёс столицу из Чэньцана в Пинъян на территории современного района Чэньцан.  В 687 году до н. э. в этих местах был создан уезд Госянь (虢县); восточная часть современного района Чэньцан с 361 года до н. э. входила в состав уезда Чэньцан (陈仓县).

При империи Восточная Хань уезд Госянь был присоединён к уезду Юнсянь (雍县), его бывший административный центр стал посёлком Гочжэнь (虢镇).

При империи Северная Вэй в посёлке Гочжэнь с 437 года разместились власти округа Уду (武都郡). В 526 году на северо-западе современного района Чэньцан были созданы уезды Чаншэ (长蛇县) и Нанью (南由县). При империи Западная Вэй в 538 году уезд Нанью был расформирован, а в 547 году окрестности посёлка Гочжэнь были выделены в уезд Лои (洛邑县). При империи Северная Чжоу в 564 году уезд Нанью был создан вновь.

При империи Суй в 598 году уезд Чаншэ был переименован в Ушань (吴山县), а позднее был расформирован. В 607 году уезд Лои был переименован в Госянь. В 617 году был вновь создан уезд Чаншэ, позднее вновь переименованный в Ушань.

При империи Тан в 634 году уезд Госянь был расформирован, но в 691 году создан вновь. В 657 году уезд Чэньцан был переименован в Баоцзи (宝鸡县). В 808 году уезд Нанью был присоединён к уезду Ушань; его административный центр стал посёлком Нанью (南由镇).

При империи Сун в 969 году окрестности посёлка Нанью были выделены в уезд Лунъань (陇安县). После того, как эти места были захвачены чжурчжэнями, уезд Лунъань был расформирован, но в 1208 году создан вновь. После монгольского завоевания уезд Госянь был в 1264 году присоединён к уезду Баоцзи, а в 1270 году уезды Лунъань и Ушань были присоединены к уезду Циюань (禥源县); в результате основная часть территории современного района Чэньцан оказалась в составе уезда Баоцзи.

Во время гражданской войны эти места были заняты войсками коммунистов в июле 1949 года, и властями коммунистов урбанизированная часть уезда Баоцзи была выделена в город Баоцзи. В 1950 году был создан Специальный район Баоцзи (宝鸡专区), и уезд вошёл в его состав. В 1956 году Специальный район Баоцзи был расформирован, и уезд перешёл в прямое подчинение властям провинции Шэньси. В ноябре 1958 года уезд Баоцзи был расформирован, а его земли вошли в состав города Баоцзи. В 1961 году Специальный район Баоцзи был создан вновь, и уезд Баоцзи был воссоздан. В 1969 году Специальный район Баоцзи был переименован в Округ Баоцзи (宝鸡地区). В 1971 году округ Баоцзи был опять расформирован, и уезд Баоцзи перешёл в подчинение властям города Баоцзи. В 1979 году округ Баоцзи был создан вновь, и уезд перешёл в подчинение властям округа.

В 1980 году были расформированы округ Баоцзи и город Баоцзи, и создан Городской округ Баоцзи; уезд Баоцзи вошёл в состав городского округа. В 2003 году уезд Баоцзи был расформирован, а вместо него образован район Чэньцан.

Административное деление
Район делится на 3 уличных комитета и 15 посёлков.

Ссылки

Районы Баоцзи

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Writers have such a hard job, and until sitting down and really focusing on my current WIP (like, for real this time, and not a flight of fancy like it was in the past), I never thought about little things like "Voice" and "Perspective" and "Point of View." I always figured they would work themselves out, as I wrote, no problems, since they would be a natural extension of The Story.
Please tell me that you have felt this way, so I feel less crazy. Thank you!
Huzzah, and the Magic of Being in My Pretty Purple Robe!
I wouldn't call this "little". You are absolutely correct – these seemingly small components of writing carry hefty weight. If they don't jive properly with everything else you've got going on, you may as well be sinking in a boat with a slotted spoon to help save you.
Hard, man. Best of luck to you this afternoon!
Although, I am not a writer, I see that you are frustrated. You will find your voice or maybe you have already, just have to put it on paper. I love reading the stuff you write because I know you and I think you are sarcastically funny. Remember those days when we were in Orange Lake? We went to the club, just sat there, looking up the ceiling and each other, and just kept laughing about laughing. It was actually fun. I enjoyed your company and hearing different point of view. You make me think about things I did not think through. Anyway, I went on different tangent but my overall point of this comment is, just write what you know…and pray that that God will give you wisdom in how to organize and write your thoughts and express yourself. Love ya!
I cannot write in a really serious voice. My best friend who's my beta reader has commented more than once that I have a slight dark humourous tone to my writing. I believe that is my "voice" – Whenever I veer away from that, I write crap. Also, I cannot do the omniscient 3rd narrator….that god-like narrator who can describe everything from the history of a town, down to what a squirrel is doing up in a tree. It just feels way too detached to me. In spite of that, I love Stephen King who writes in that POV.
If a book is hard to read/understand/follow then it's not a well written book. A good book doesn't even make you aware of the writer. You just get involved in the story. At least, that's my opinion.
I too started in the first person! I think I was influenced by a LOT of the recent YA books out there, because a majority of them are written in the first person. Definitely better (for me) to write in the third person. Thanks for making me feel better about my decision.
When I first read about point of view (POV) in fiction writing, I researched it on the Internet. It took me a while to understand it. When I actually identified my POV mistakes and corrected them, I was amazed at the difference it made in flow. I sat back and marveled at how a small adjustment could make such a significant improvement. Developing and perfecting voice and perspective also produce unbelievably huge rewards. Thank you for sharing.


Experience the full impact of the artist's expression when you see it up close in the gallery.
Experienced gallery educators ensure that your students are enriched by the art exhibitions. Inquiry and investigation are encouraged to engage students in art-viewing. Tours can be based on the curriculum needs of any school subject. Duration of tour is usually 30-45 minutes, but can be scheduled for longer or shorter periods of time. Tours can be booked for any day of the week and any time of day.
Following the gallery tour, your students may actively participate in an art-making workshop. Gallery educators will guide your students through the exploration of art materials, methods, and concepts related to the art exhibition. The duration of these workshops is usually 30-45 minutes, or more.
School tours are available for both mornings and afternoons.
Art Gallery of Swift Current has two 14-passenger vans to transfer your group to the Gallery and back. City staff are available to drive. Transportation is sponsored by the City of Swift Current. Please request a ride at time of booking.
Qualified, experienced instructors will come to your school to conduct art workshops with your students. You may choose to observe, or participate and learn along with your class. Our workshops are designed to help you fulfill your visual art curriculum needs. If you wish, we can design a series of several workshops.
Hands-on, practical, enlightening, fun projects and methods of art making. Discuss the possibilities with Gallery staff. We supply all materials and equipment.
Grade Level: All grades and abilities. (We appreciate an adult helper with Grades K – 3).
Number of Participants: based on a regular classroom, about 25 participants.
Studio space: based on a regular classroom, if an art room is not available.
For more details and to book a workshop, call 306-778-2736.


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Petrol and Diesel Prices Drop: What are the New Rates in Different States?
Check out the new prices of petrol and diesel in different states across India.
Nuzhat Khan
Updated: 07 Nov 2021, 4:12 PM IST
Taking a cue from the Centre, 22 BJP-led states and UTs and Punjab, which is currently ruled by the Congress, have also cut down the sales tax/VAT rates on petrol and diesel.
The Ministry of Finance had reduced the excise duty on petrol by Rs 5 and the excise duty on diesel by Rs 10.
This has been the first cut in Central excise duties in over three years.
Here's a list of states and Union Territories (UTs) that have reduced the fuel prices.
To Be or Not to Be (Triggered)? Petrol Prices, Hunger & Hate Are Also Kaafi Real
The Bihar government reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 3.9 per litre and Rs 3.2 per litre respectively, Indian Express reported.
The petrol price in Bihar came down to Rs 105 from Rs 113, while diesel is at Rs 91.09 per litre, reported Business Standard.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a Rs 7 reduction of VAT on petrol and Rs 2 on diesel, reported The Indian Express.
Petrol stands at Rs 95.30 per litre as against 98.6, and diesel is at Rs 87.27 per litre, as per The Economic Times data.
'Drama', 'Will Increase Again After UP Polls': Oppn Reacts to Fuel Price Cuts
The VAT was reduced by Rs 7 per litre on both petrol and diesel by the Gujarat government. Petrol is Rs 95.01 per litre as compared to Rs 106, and diesel is Rs 89.00 per litre, as per NDTV.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga announced a reduction of Rs 7 per litre on both petrol and diesel. Petrol price came to Rs 94.26 from Rs 107 earlier. Diesel is at Rs 79.33.
'95 Percent People Don't Need Petrol': UP Minister Says in Face of Record Highs
In Karnataka, VAT was reduced by Rs 7 per litre on petrol and diesel by the state government. The price of petrol is at Rs 100.14 as compared to Rs 113.09 previously. Diesel is priced at Rs 84.60.
Orissa government reduced VAT by Rs 3 per litre on petrol and diesel. Price of petrol is at Rs 104.91 in comparison to Rs 108.9 in October. Diesel is at Rs 94.51.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu cut VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 5.5 percent. Price of petrol is Rs 99.4 as compared Rs 104. Diesal is priced at Rs 86.44 per litre.
Petrol & Diesel To Get Cheaper, Excise Duty To Be Cut by Rs 5 & 10 Respectively
In Madhya Pradesh, VAT will be reduced by four percent. The cess on petrol and diesel will be cut by Rs 1.50. Hence, the price of petrol and diesel will come down to Rs 106.86 and Rs 90.95 respectively.
The Nagaland government brought down VAT by Rs 7 per litre for both petrol and diesel. Petrol is at Rs 96, in comparison to Rs 108 previously. Diesel is at Rs 83.68 now.
Fuel Price Rise Continues Unabated, Petrol Over Rs 115 per litre in Mumbai
Chandigarh announced a reduction of Rs 7 per litre on both petrol and diesel. Petrol came down to Rs 94.23 per litre from Rs 105. Diesel is at Rs 80 per litre.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that VAT will be reduced by Rs 2 on petrol and Rs 4.60 on diesel. Petrol is priced at Rs 94.47, which was Rs 106 before. Diesel is Rs 79.36.
Jammu and Kashmir government reduced VAT by Rs 7 per litre on both petrol and diesel. As per a government notification, VAT will now be imposed at 24 percent on petrol and 16 percent on diesel. Petrol is Rs 99.42 per litre as compared to Rs 112. Diesel is at Rs 83.16.
Petrol and Diesel Prices Unchanged on Monday After 4 Consecutive Days of Hike
Uttar Pradesh reduced the petrol and diesel rates by Rs 12/litre. Following this, petrol price in Lucknow is Rs 95.28 per litre and diesel rate is Rs 86.80 per litre.
Assam reduced the petrol and diesel VAT rates by Rs 7/litre. Currently the state's diesel price is at Rs 81.29 per litre.
After the cut, the price of Petrol in Assam stood at Rs 94.58 per litre and diesel cost Rs 81.29.
The Goa government reduced the petrol and diesel VAT rates by Rs 7/litre in the state.
As of 6 November, petrol cost Rs 96.38 per litre in the state and diesel was priced at Rs 87.27 per litre.
The Tripura government reduced VAT rates for both the fuels by Rs 7/litre in the state, which brought petrol prices down at Rs 98.21 and diesel at Rs 85.60 respectively.
The Tripura government reduced the petrol and diesel VAT rates by Rs 7/litre in the state.
After the reductions, the price of petrol in Manipur has come down to Rs 99.38 per litre and that of diesel to Rs 82.51.
The Congress-led Channi government in Punjab lowered the VAT on petrol and diesel on 7 November, Sunday, making them cheaper by Rs 10 per litre and Rs 5 per litre in the state.
The new rates will be effective from midnight. Currently, petrol and diesel rates in Punjab stand at Rs 106.20 and Rs 89.83 per litre respectively.
AINRC-led government announced a reduction of Rs 7 per litre on petrol and diesel. Petrol came down to Rs 94 from Rs 107 earlier and diesel is at Rs 83, as per NDTV data.
States Which Have Not Yet Reduced VAT
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Delhi were some of the states and Union Territories that did not reduce the VAT on petrol and diesel.
A steady increase in crude prices and higher Central excise duty and state taxes were some of the key reasons which increased the price of auto fuel over the pre-Covid retail price levels this year, as per Indian Express.
Earlier, the central government had called on states to "commensurately reduce VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers."
(With inputs from The Indian Express, Livemint, NDTV, Economic Times, and Business Standard)
Edited By :Tania Thomas


6 inch lift kit for your cummins equipped 1st gen. Since it's a "system" rather than a "kit", it includes rear lift springs to replace the "kit" add-a-leaf and extra lift block in the rear. Includes shocks. Will require a drop pitman separately but we would recommend you combine that with our crossover steering kit. Otherwise extended brake lines are the only other extra option that will make it complete. Based on 89-93. Can be used for earlier trucks with the diesel swap with small mods, mostly spring eye bolt diameter. We have customization tips to make this lift look and perform better than delivered. Just send us an inquiry after purchase.


If you've had a spinal fusion and are still in pain, maybe you're feeling frustrated or defeated. For guidance on how to get active, and take back your body, start here. While my scoliosis is not fused, I've worked with countless clients and Pilates teachers who have had surgery. Through mindful movement, I've helped them find the freedom within their bodies. Whether you yourself made a choice to undergo fusion surgery or a parent made the choice for you, Spiral Spine is here to help you.
The resources below apply to people with a partial fusion of just a few vertebrae, a full fusion of the entire spine (including into the pelvis), and those who have had hardware removed but are technically still fused from bone grafts that have been placed along your vertebrae.
The more knowledge you have about your body, the more you'll be able to help movement and body practitioners help you. Contact your surgeon's office to access your records. You'll want to find out exactly what vertebrae levels have been fused, which method and what type of hardware was used for your surgery and whether any other part of your body was affected (for example, if you had a bone graft taken from your hip). If you can acquire X-rays of your spine and post-op reports, this will be very helpful for both you and any movement practitioners you work with.
If you're not sure what levels of your vertebrae are fused and you cannot locate your records or X-rays, look at your scar. Any area of your spine that falls between the two ends of your scar should be treated as if it is surgically fused.
Stabilize the areas of the spine that are fused and never attempt to move or correct them.
Mobilize, stabilize, and encourage biomechanically correct movements in all joints of the body that aren't fused.
These short videos will introduce you to my method and start you on the journey to owning and understanding your scoliosis. They will also help prepare you to use scoliosis-specific movement strategies.
Please note: since your spine is fused, video 3 will not apply to your body. This video discusses padding, but please do not use padding on your spine. Why? Your spine has been surgically fused in a certain position, and padding could cause an area of your fused spine to shift (which could lead to an injury or even broken hardware).
While this video is aimed at Pilates teachers, you'll learn how to safely move while living with a fusion. Knowledge is power for you, so the more knowledge you have on how to exercise with respect to your fusion, the more confident you'll feel caring for your body.
Movement is important to a healthy body, especially one with scoliosis. Your diagnosis and your spinal fusion don't mean you should sit still for the rest of your life. You no longer need to live in fear that movement will hurt you and make your scoli worse. Start small with a brief daily walk to wake up your muscles and remind your body how good it feels to be active.
Now that you've started moving, you won't want to stop. Look for someone in your town that will listen to you and that you feel comfortable working with. Share your scoliometer app and share the Starting Point Series with them. Ask them to use these to help you feel better. If you are having trouble finding someone locally, I offer virtual lessons and can also help guide you to find a practitioner near you. Feel free to contact my studio to get set up.
This workout can be done at home. It contains movements specifically designed to help get you moving.
Spiral Spine is dedicated to walking alongside those with scoliosis spinal fusions. Stay tuned in the near future for more resources and at-home workouts, all made specifically for people with spinal fusions.
To be notified by email when we've released a new resource, sign up to receive updates from Spiral Spine.


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