text:
title: Civil Procedure
subtitle: "Final Exam: Answers & Explanations"
author: Prof. Fink
date: Fall 2020

output:
  pdf_document:
    latex_engine: xelatex
    template: default.tex
    path: CivPro2020-FinalExam-StudentMemo.pdf

---

# Question 1

## Issue

- Subject Matter Jurisdiction

## Rule

- Diversity Jurisdiction: sec. 1332
	- Two requirements
		- The plaintiff and defendant must be citizens of different states, and
		- The amount in controversy between the parties must exceed $75,000.

### Citizenship

- Determined at time suit is filed & subsequent changes don't matter
- Individual: Domicile
	- State of residence with intent to remain indefinitely
	- Indicia of intent: voter registration, taxes, etc.
- Corporation: State of incorporation & principal place of business
	- "Nerve center" test for PPB: Where high-level corporate decisions are made
	- If state of incorp. & PPB are different, both count (i.e. neither can match an opposing party's state of citizenship)

### Amount in Controversy

- Determined at the time the complaiint is filed.
	- Doesn't matter if the plaintiff ends up recovering less than the statutory amount.
- May be satisfied either based on the plaintiff's potential recovery or the cost to the defendant of complying with a judgment granting non-monetary relief  (e.g. injunction)
- A single plaintiff may aggregate the value of all claims against the same defendant.
- Damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney's fees will count toward the amount in controversy, as long as the governing law permits their recovery.
- Legal certainty test
	- Court accepts the plaintiff's good faith allegation unless it is certain that the plaintiff could not recover more than $75,000 under the applicable law, e.g. if the law caps possible recovery at a lower amount.
	- Where a party relies on a claim for attorney's fees to reach the jurisdictional amount, the court may assess whether the amount of fees is unduly speculative (Annie's Pooch Pops)

> One or more additional points for explaining why federal question jurisdiction under sec. 1331 and supplemental jurisdiction under sec. 1367 are inapplicable in this case.

## Analysis

### Diversity is the Only Possible Basis for SMJ

- Harold's only claim is based on the Susquehanna Unfair Trade Practices Act (SUTPA).
	- This is a state statute.
	- There is nothing in the facts to suggest that disposition of the claim would involve any issue of federal law, so the _Grable_ test for Federal Question jurisdiction would not apply.
	- Supplemental jurisdiction does not apply where the plaintiff asserts only a single claim against a single defendant.

### Citizenship

- Harold is a citizen of California
	- He's lived there for 25 years and has only returned to Susquehanna twice in the past ten years
	- On these facts, it is evident that Harold does not have any intent to remain in Susquehanna and that he has established domicile in California long before this case arose.
- Whispering Glades is a citizen of Susquehanna
	- Incorporated there
	- Sole place of business there
- Since Harold & Whispering Glades are citizens of different states, the first requirement for diversity jurisdiction is satisfied.

### Amount in Controversy

- Harold's actual monetary loss is $500, i.e. the annual fees he paid for ground cover maintenance over the past five years, during which Whispering Glades did not maintain the ivy.
	- The $5000 he initially paid for the burial plots doesn't count, because his claim only pertains to the annual maintenance, not to the burial plots themselves.
- SUTPA permits the court to award up to three times the plaintiff's actual damages, so Harold could recover $1500 for his $500 monetary loss.
- Harold also seeks damages for mental and emotional distress.
	- It is questionable whether recovery of such damages is allowed under SUTPA
	- The statute permits suits by someone who "suffers any loss of money or property as a result of an unfair or deceptive act or practice" to "recover actual damages or one hundred dollars ($100), whichever is greater".
	- This suggests that the "actual damages" recoverable under the statute are limited to "loss of money or property" and do not include non-economic harms such as mental or emotional distress.
	- Assuming that's correct, than under the "legal certainty" test, Harold could not rely on damages for mental or emotional distress to reach the statutory amount in controversy.
	- Even if damages for mental or emotional distress are allowed undeer the statute, the complaint doesn't really allege sufficient facts to show that Harold suffered such distress as a result of Whispering Glades' actions.
		- The court could take this into account in analyzing whether such damages could count toward the amount in controversy requirement under sec. 1332, i.e. if the claim for emotional distress is legally insufficient, then it is not legally possible for Harold to recover such damages.
- Harold also seeks recovery of attorney's fees
	- SUTPA does permit the court to award a successful plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees in addition to any damages.
	- Assuming that SUTPA does not permit recovery of damages for mental or emotional distress, and assuming the court awards Harold $1500 in damages (i.e. three times his actual monetary loss), the attorney's fees would have to exceed $73,500 to bring the amount in controversy over the $75,000 threshold.
	- The court would likely treat as unduly speculative a claim for attorney's fees that is nearly 50 times as much as the maximum possible damage award. Cf. Annie's Pooch Pops.

## Conclusion

The complete diversity requirement for SMJ under sec. 1332 is satisfied here. But the amount in controversy requirement is most likely not satisfied, unless it would be legally possible for Harold to recover more than $73,500 in damages for mental or emotional distress and/or attorney's fees. Assuming Harold cannot satisfy that requirement, the court lacks SMJ.

## Potential Additional Points

- Explaining the significance and constitutional foundations of SMJ.
- Discussing the rationale behind diversity jurisdiction.
- Explaining that complete diversity is required under sec. 1332 but minimal diversity is enough to satisfy the Constitution, Art. III, sec. 2. .
- Explaing why neither federal question jurisdiction (sec. 1332) nor supplemental jurisdiction (sec. 1367) applies in this case.

# Question 2

## Issue

- Choice of Law

## Rule

- In diversity cases, federal courts must apply state law as the "rules of decision", i.e. the rules governing substantive issues. But federal courts follow federal law on procedural matters.
- There are two approaches to resolving state v. federal choice of law questions in diversity cases
	- The REA/Hanna analysis applies where the FRCP is the source of the federal rule in question
	- The Erie analysis applies where federal common law or judicial custom is the source of the federal rule in question.

### Erie

- The RDA's requirement that federal courts in diversity cases follow state law applies only to substantive rules, i.e. rules that define the rights, duties, and liabilities of the parties. But for rules of procedure, federal courts follow federal law.
- To distinguish between substantive and procedural rules, courts consider whether the difference between the state and federal rules would yield different outcomes, whether the application of federal rather than state rules would implicate the twin concerns of Erie, and whether there is any counterveiling federal interest in following federal rather than state rules.
	- The outcome determinative test asks whether applying the federal rule rather than the state rule would yield a different outcome. If so, the federal court should follow the state rule.
	- Courts apply the outcome determinative test in light of the twin concerns of Erie: (1) discouraging forum shopping, and (2) avoding the inequitable administration of law.
		- The problem that the _Erie_ doctrine seeks to avoid is the inequity that would result from getting different outcomes in otherwise similar cases based on whether they are brought in state or federal court.
		- Because of the limits on diversity jurisdiction, not all parties are able to choose a federal forum in cases where the rights & duties at issue are established by state (substantive) law.
 		- This type of forum shopping produces inequitable administration of law, i.e. inconsistent enforcement of rights and duties created under state law.
		- See _Guaranty Trust v. York_ (holding federal court must apply statute of limitations under state law, not equitable doctrine of laches, where the suit would be dismissed under the former but not the latter)
		- See _Ragan v. Merchants Transfer_ (holding federal court must follow state law requiring both filing of complaint and service of summons before statute of limitations runs out, rather than federal law )
	- Courts may also balance the policy interests behind the state and federal rules.
		- Where there is a significant federal policy interest at stake, the federal court may follow the federal rather than state rule, especially when doing so won't undermine an important state policy interest.
		- See Byrd v. Blue Ridge (holding federal court should follow federal practice of having the jury decide question of employee status, rathn than the judge as in state court, where doing so advances the policy enshrined in the 7th Amendment and would not upset policy interests underlying the state's workers' compensation law).
			- Following the federal rather than state practice here isn't sure to produce different outcomes, where the jury and judge will both be applying the same (substantive) state law standard for employee and employer status under the workers' comp law.

### REA/Hanna

- If the federal rule in question comes from the FRCP, and if there is a true conflict between the federal and state rules, the federal court will follow the federal rule, even if it has some incidental effect on the outcome, as long as it is valid under the REA.
- A true conflict exists where the federal and state rules have inconsistent provisions (i.e. it's not possible to follow both) or where the state rule imposes more stringent requirements. See, e.g. Hanna (state rule required personal service on the defendant; federal rule allowed both personal service on the defendant and service on any competent adult at the defendant's home or place of business)
- To be valid, rules must be adopted in accordance with the REA's process and must "not abridge, enlarge or modify any substantive right".
	- The outcome determinative/forum shopping/inequitable administration test under _Erie_ does not apply to rules adopted under the REA.
	- Instead, the test under _Hanna_ is "whether a rule really regulates procedure". If so, it is valid under the REA, even if it also has some incidental effect on outcomes.

## Analysis

- This question raises a conflict between provisions of the FRCP and state law, so the Hanna analysis applies.
- There is a true conflict between the federal and state rules.
	- State law imposes an extra requirement on plaintiffs at the pleadings stage. Even though including the certification might be _permitted_ under FRCP Rule 8(a), it is a more onerous requirement. Cf. Hanna (where manner of service required under state law is permitted but not required under FRCP, which also permits service by other means, the rules are in conflict)
	- State law and FRCP Rule 35 have different requirements for how and when a plaintiff must produce evidence to substantiate claims.
- FRCP Rules 8 and 35 are valid under the REA.
	- They were presumably adopted under the statutory process.
	- They really regulate procedure.
		- Rule 8(a) governs the manner in which a plaintiff presents claims in a complaint, but does not alter any substantive rights.
		- Rule 35 governs the manner and timing of physical and mental examinations and production of the examining practitioner's report, but does not alter the substantive standard of proof for claims of menal/emotional distress.

## Potential Additional Points

- Analyzing the question under the _Erie_ approach (instead of or in addition to _Hanna_)

# Question 3: Dimissal for Failure to State a Claim

## Issue: Sufficiency of the Complaint

## Rule

- FRCP 8(a)(2)
	- Short and plain statement showing entitlement to relief
- FRCP 12(b)(6)
	- Insufficient allegations to establish elements, or
	- No such claim is recognized under any facts
- Twombly/Iqbal
	- Interpretation of "showing an entitlement to relief" under Rule 8(a)(2) & standard for dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6)
	- 3 step analysis
		- Distinguish factual allegations from legal conclusions in complaint
			- Legal conclusions merely recite the elements themselves
		- Assume factual allegations are true
		- Factual allegations must plausibly state a claim
	- Plausability
		- Facts must be more than merely consistent with liability
		- They must be sufficient that a jury verdict based solely on the alleged facts (assuming they are supported by evidence) would be legally proper
		- Court assesses plausibility of the claim in light of any alternative interpretation/explanation of the alleged facts under which defendant would not be liable.
		- Court may rely on common sense and experience in making the plausibility determination
	- Inferences
		- Additional facts not expressly alleged but suggested by the factual allegations, i.e. "if these things alleged in the complaint did happen, this other thing must also have happened"
		- Plausibility standard applies to such inferences, as well as to the ultimate inference of liability
- Examples
	- Twombly: Plaintiffs alleged that defendants charged the same prices for the same serives, and refrained from competing in locations already served by competitors. THey also alleged that defendants did so pursuant to an agreement to limit competition.
		- Antitrust liability requires an agreement among competitors to restrain trade
			- Parallel conduct by competitors is not illegal, unless it results from such an agreement
		- Allegation of an agreement was conclusory, and factual allegations of parallel conduct were insufficient (under established antitrust law) to support a plausible inference that it was pursuant to an illegal agreement
			- Alleged facts could just as easily result from market competiton without any agreement
	- Iqbal: Plaintiffs who were detained in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks sued Attorney General and FBI Director for religious and national origin discrimination
		- Complaint alleged that plaintiffs were detained and subject to mistreatment because of their relgion and national origin, pursuant to policy directives by the AG & FBI Director.
		- Under the applicable law, these high-level federal officials could only be liable for their own intentional discrimination.
			- No vicarious liability for conduct of subordinates
			- No liability based on disparate impact, absent showing of intent to discriminate
		- Allegations about the use of a religious/national origin profile to select plaintiffs for detention, and their treatment while in detention, were insufficient to plausibly support an inference that the AG & FBI Director adopted or implemented the detention policy with the intent to discriminate on the basis of religionn or national origin
			- Alternative inference—that profile was used based on information about the 9/11 suspects, to identify others likely to have been involved or have information, and not out of discriminatory animus—was at least equally plausible

## Analysis

- Elements of claim & allegations in complaint
	- Seller advertised goods or services
		- Allegation in ¶ 12 that Whispering Glades advertised the Eternal Rest Assured Plan may be conclusory on its own.
		- But ¶ 7 alleges facts about the plan and Harold's purchase of it. These factual allegations are probably enough to support a plausible inference that Whispering Glades provided some description of the plan before Harold's purchase, which would count as an advertisement under the statute as interpreted by the Susquehanna Supreme Court.
	- With intent not to sell them as advertised
		- Allegation in ¶ 12 that Whispering Glades did not intend to sell the services as advertised is conclusory. Cf. Iqbal.
		- Under the governing law, the defendant must have intended, _at the time they advertised the goods or services_, not to sell them as advertised.
		- ¶¶ 13 & 14 allege facts about Whispering Glades' ultimate failure to maintain the ivy. But this isn't enough to support a plausible inference that they never intended to do so.
			- The fact that they maintained the ivy for the first five years supports the alternative inference that Whispering Glades originally intended to provide the service as advertised, but later changed its mind. Cf. Twombly (allegations of parallel conduct insufficient to support plausible inference of illegal agreement where alternative innocent explanation was at least equally plausible)
			- The statement by Mr. Thanatogenos (that Whispering Glades removed the ivy because "it's gone out of fashion and it's a real nuisance to maintain") is also inconsistent with the inference that Whispering Glades never intended to maintain the ivy as advertised and further supports the alternative inference that they only formed that intent five years later. This isn't included in the complaint, perhaps because Harold's lawyer knew it would hurt rather than help the claim.
	- Seller did not provide goods or services as advertised
		- ¶¶ 9 & 10 allege facts sufficient to show that Whispering Glades ultimately did not provide the services as advertised.
		- But, as noted above, these factual allegations are insufficient to satisfy the intent element.
	- Plaintiff lost money or property as a result
		- ¶¶ 7, 8, & 13 allege facts to show that Harold paid for the services that Whispering Glades failed to provide. This is sufficient to satisfy the monetary loss element.

## Conclusion

- Assuming the allegations in the complaint are sufficient to satisfy the 1st, 3rd, and 4th elements, they are still not sufficient to satisfy the 2nd element. So the complaint should be dismissed for failure to state a claim.

## Potential Additional Points

- Analyzing the claim for mental/emotional distress damages under the Twombly/Iqbal standard (i.e. the complaint lacks sufficient facts to plausibly show that Harold suffered emotional distress as a result of Whispering Glades' failure to maintain the ivy)


Note: ANZAC is acronym for Australian & New Zealand Army Corps.
Heat grill. In small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken; blend well.
When ready to barbecue, oil grill rack. Brush chicken with apple mixture; place on gas grill over medium heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is fork tender and juices run clear, turning occasionally and brushing frequently with apple mixture.
Make a pocket in the steak by cutting a deep horizontal slit. Sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon pepper on the cut surfaces of the pocket. Spoon the 4 apricots or peaches and 1 tablespoon almonds into the pocket. If necessary, secure opening of pocket with a wooden toothpick.
Meanwhile, for sauce, in a small saucepan combine the apricot nectar, peach nectar, or orange juice; 4 apricots or peaches green onion; cornstarch; bouillon granules; and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
To serve, cut steak in half. Transfer each half of the steak to an individual plate. Pour sauce over the steak. If desired, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon almonds. Makes 2 servings.
clams are bubbling, about 2 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges. Serves 4 to 6.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the papayas in half lengthwise and seed. Sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon and melted butter over the papaya halves. Place in oven proof dish and bake for 10-12 minutes in center of oven. While the papayas are baking, melt the butter in a sauce pan, then add the brown sugar, juice of one orange and half a lemon.
Cook over low heat until you have a smooth consistency. Add the Grand Marnier and cool to room temperature. When papayas are done, let cool slightly. Place one scoop vanilla ice cream in each half and spoon over sauce. Serves four.
In a small bowl stir together sour cream, dessert topping, liquid sweetener, and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon; cover and chill.
Meanwhile, cut each tortilla into 8 wedges. Arrange wedges on 2 baking sheets. Lightly spray wedges with nonstick coating. In a small bowl stir together sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over tortilla wedges. Bake in a 400 degree F oven about 5 minutes or until crisp. Cool completely on a wire rack.
To serve, place 8 tortilla wedges on each of 6 dessert plates. Top with raspberries and/or blackberries and sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with almonds and grated chocolate. Makes 6 servings.
Place cherries in a greased square-baking dish. Sprinkle a half cup sugar over them followed by the brandy and butter. Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and ¼ cup melted butter and use a fork to form a crumb mixture. Sprinkle over cherries and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool slightly before serving. Goes great with vanilla ice cream.
Using a very sharp chef's knife or the slicing blade of your food processor, slice the cabbage and onion very thinly. You can shred the carrots using the coarse shredding blade of your food processor. Toss together the cabbage, onion, carrots, celery, dill and salt and set aside.
Whisk the mayonnaise until smooth. Slowly whisk in the buttermilk and add the pepper. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly. Chill before serving. Serves 4-6.
Preheat the oven to 325. Grease and flour two 9 x 5 x 3" bread loaf pans. Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger. Set aside. Beat the eggs. Then add the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Add the cantaloupe puree and mix. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Pour into the pans and bake for 1 hour or until a tester comes out clean.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat; add annatto seeds and sauté for 3 minutes. Remove seeds with slotted spoon and discard. Add onion to saucepan; sauté 2 minutes.
Add broth, potato, tomatoes and liquid, and thyme. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Using potato masher or kitchen fork, coarsely mash mixture in pan.
Add peas and flounder; simmer until fish is tender and flakes with a fork, about 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice; season to taste with salt and pepper. 4 servings.
Place chicken in bottom of crock-pot. Combine remaining ingredients (except rice) and add to crock-pot. Cook on high 4 to 5 hours or on low 7-8 hrs. Cook rice according to package directions. Spoon Creole mixture over hot cooked rice.
Pound the chicken breasts until about ¼" thick. Mix the flour with the salt and pepper in a shallow pie plate. Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Working in 2 batches, place half the chicken in the flour mixture and turn to coat on all sides. Shake off the excess flour and add to the skillet. Cook until lightly browned and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate or platter and cover loosely with foil. Repeat with the remaining oil and chicken. Add the butter to the skillet and heat until melted and foamy. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until almost all the liquid that the mushrooms give off has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine, increase the heat to high, and cook, stirring, until almost all the liquid has evaporated. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer, turning often, until the chicken is warmed through and the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Transfer the scaloppini to warm serving plates. Stir the sour cream and chives into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.
hours before serving. Serve chilled topped with sour cream and fresh dill. This soup is nice and cool and very good. You will be surprised at how rich the flavor is with so few ingredients. You can also serve this with some croutons to sprinkle on top of the soup.
comes out with wet crumbs attached, about 50 min. Cool 15 min. Dust with cocoa powder. Spoon into bowls and top with ice cream. Serves 10 to 12.
In a medium bowl, cover the cherries with boiling water to cover. Let sit until plump, about 30 minutes. Drain well.
Beat the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg yolks. Gradually add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream, to the hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Remove from the refrigerator and pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream is nearly completely firm, add the cherries and chopped bittersweet chocolate through the feed tube and process until well incorporated. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until very firm, at least 8 hours.
Line 2 small baking sheets with aluminum foil. Freeze until very cold, at least 2 hours. Remove 1 sheet. Dip a 1-inch (about 1 1/2 teaspoons) scoop into a cup of hot water. Working quickly, scoop the ice cream into 12 balls as round as possible, and release each onto the frozen baking sheet to prevent from melting. Return the sheet to the freezer. Remove the second sheet from the freezer and repeat the process to form 12 more ice cream balls. Return the sheet to the freezer. Wrap the sheets in plastic wrap and stick 1 round toothpick in the center of each ice cream ball. (Reserve the remaining ice cream for another use, or double the chocolate shell recipe and use remaining the ice cream to create a larger number of bonbons.) Freeze the balls until very firm, overnight.
To make the chocolate dip, in the top of a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over barely simmering water, combine 14 ounces of the chocolate and the shortening. Melt over low heat, stirring, until reaches 116 degrees F to 118 degrees F, or feels fairly warm but not hot to the touch. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate reaches 80 degrees F or feels cool to the touch. Return to low heat and cook, stirring, until the temperature rises to 85 to 87 degrees F, or feels barely cool. Remove from the heat.
Remove 1 sheet of ice cream balls from the freezer. Fill a 2-tablespoon measure with melted chocolate. Working quickly, hold 1 ice cream ball by the toothpick over a clean bowl. Pour the chocolate over the ball, turning to coat, catching the excess in the bowl and letting the excess chocolate drip off. Place the coated bonbon on the foil-lined sheet and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Return to the freezer until ready to serve, at least 30 minutes.
Before serving, place in a large, decorative bowl and remove the toothpicks. Serve immediately.
Crush graham crackers and put a little over half of them in the bottom of an oblong glass pan, reserving rest of crumbs to sprinkle on top of finished dessert. Cream butter and powdered sugar together, add beaten egg yolks and 1/2 cup of chocolate syrup, mixing well. Stir in miniature marshmallows and nut meats. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Spread mixture over graham crackers. Whip cream until thick. Spread over chocolate mixture. Drizzle other 1/2 cup of chocolate syrup over above mixture. Sprinkle with reserved graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate overnight.
Drain mandarin oranges and reserve juice. Prepare Jell-O according to directions on the package -- but when it comes time to add cold water, use the reserved juice as part of the water (i.e., if you have 1/2 cup of juice and need 2 cups water, use the juice a 1 1/2 cups water). Set aside to cool. In a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, lay the slices of chocolate cake to cover the bottom. It's okay if you have to cut some to fit -- get them in there nice and snug. Arrange orange slices over the cake. Carefully pour in the Jell-O, so as not to slosh things around, just enough to cover the fruit and cake. Refrigerate until Jell-O is set. Cover the Jell-O with sliced bananas. Mix up the pudding according to package directions. Carefully spread the pudding over the bananas.[ Be sure to USE INSTANT pudding -- hot pudding will brown your bananas and melt your Jell-O. ] Spread whipped topping over the pudding. Sprinkle the whipped topping with mini chocolate chips. Chill until you're ready to serve.
and arrange in a large salad bowl.
Just before serving mix the salad with the Cobb salad dressing.
Blend all ingredients together, except oils. Add olive and salad oils. Mix well. Blend well again before mixing with salad.
Preheat oven to 325F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish or pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream well together the beaten eggs with the brown sugar, buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour, salt, and allspice, beating well together, then stir in the cooked plums and chopped pecans. Pour this batter into the prepared baking dish; spread evenly. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until golden.
Remove and cool completely on wire rack. Cut into about 30 bars and dust well with fine sifted powdered sugar, if desired. Yield: 30 servings.
corn - as fresh as possible.
Cut kernels from ears of corn.
Make corn stock with the cobs by covering with water and simmering for an hour. Strain, saving the stock.
Sauté onion in melted butter until it begins to caramelize. Add corn and enough corn stock to cover the corn. Add cream and simmer until corn is tender. Blend in the blender until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick, thin it down a bit with corn stock. Garnish with a little chopped basil or chopped marjoram.
a cluster of grapes. Serve with remaining grapes and crackers.
Place a sieve over a bowl. Halve the tomatoes and squeeze them into the sieve to remove the seeds and retain the juice. Chop the tomato flesh and add to the juice; set aside.
soup thickens and there is no more raw flout taste, adding more milk as needed. Allow to cool a bit. Puree in the food processor until completely smooth. Return to the pot and add the rest of the milk and/or cream; stir well and heat but do not allow to boil. Tasting all the while, add sugar cautiously, only enough to balance any acidity. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish and serve hot. This soup keeps well refrigerated and reheated; in fact, the flavor develops nicely with overnight storage. Serves 4-6.
Chef Teri Rippeto serves this salad over grilled fish.
Mix bell pepper, fennel, onion, corn, lemon juice, and olive oil, and marinate up to 2 hours. Right before you're ready to serve, add peaches, cucumber and cilantro. Mix and taste for salt and pepper.
temperature for 15 minutes to soften. Unfold each pie crust as directed on package. Remove plastic sheets; press out fold lines. Cut seven 3 1/2-inch circles from each pie crust.
Place about 1 tablespoon chicken mixture in center of each circle. Brush edge of each circle with water; fold circle in half over filling. Press edges with fork to seal. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until light golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 14 servings.
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 17 by 11-inch jellyroll pan, and spread with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the short sides. Grease the paper and set aside.
Into a small bowl, combine the cake flour with the baking powder and salt.
Whip the eggs until foamy, then add the sugar and continue to beat until the eggs are airy and have tripled in volume, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract. Sift about one third of the flour mixture into the batter, folding carefully with a rubber spatula. Sift and fold in the remaining flour in 2 more additions without over mixing.
Gently pour the batter down the center of the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake until the cake springs back when pressed with a finger, 5 to 7 minutes.
Gently lift the cake off of the pan and let rest on a rack for 5 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a sheet of wax paper and slowly pull away the parchment paper.
Spread the softened ice cream in an even layer over the surface of the cake, leaving a 1/2-inch border along the top and bottom. Starting with the end closest to you, begin rolling up tightly. Wrap in the wax paper, then in plastic wrap, and freeze until firm.
Carefully unwrap the cake and set on a serving platter. Drizzle, if desired, with the chocolate sauce and serve.
In a medium heavy saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of the dulce de leche, the cream, milk, and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat.
Beat the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks. Gradually add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream, to the hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the milk begins to get foamy on top, stir to incorporate the foam.
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible"
To cook sweet potatoes, either boil, unpeeled, n a large pot and let them cook over medium heat for 45 minutes, uncovered, until you can put a fork in them easily. Or you can bake the sweet potatoes in a preheated 375 degree F. oven directly on the rack for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Let the cooked potatoes cool and then gently peel them.
Mash the potatoes with the pineapple and spices. Put a 1-quart casserole dish and top with slivered almonds. Bake for 20 minutes until potatoes are lightly browned.
Spread in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool.
Combine the water, parsley, garlic, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the lentils, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered just until the lentils are tender, 15 to 30 minutes. Do not over cook. Drain the lentils, remove and discard the seasonings. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, shallot, salt, and pepper and pour over the lentils.
Add the chopped onion and toss to combine. Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Serves 6 to 8.
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and place green beans in the boiling water and blanch for several minutes. Remove and place in cold water to prevent further cooking. Place mixed greens, in a bowl. Drain cold water from green beans and add them to the mixed greens along with hazelnuts and Feta cheese.
Trim fat from roast; place meat in a heavy plastic bag set in a bowl. Combine the wine or tomato juice, tomato paste, sage, bouillon granules, pepper, and garlic. Pour over meat. Close bag and marinate in refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours, turning occasionally. Remove meat from marinade, reserving marinade.
In a kettle or pot, brown the roast on both sides in hot oil. Drain well. Pour reserved marinade over roast. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Remove a narrow strip of peel from around the center of each new potato. (Or, peel and quarter each medium potato.) Add potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery to meat. Cover and simmer 45 to 60 minutes or until tender, adding some water if necessary. Transfer meat and vegetables to a serving platter; cover to keep warm while preparing gravy.
For gravy, measure pan juices; skim fat. If necessary, add water to equal 1 3/4 cups liquid; return to pan. Combine the 1/2 cup cold water and the flour. Stir into juices. Cook and stir until bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with meat and vegetables. If desired, garnish with additional fresh sage. Makes 8 servings.
Put 1/4 cup sugar in a small heavy saucepan and shake pan so the sugar is in an even layer. Sprinkle it with 1/2 tsp vinegar and 1 tsp. water. Cook over low heat, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium and cook until syrup has taken on a light caramel color, 5 to 6 minutes. Do not stir, but let it bubble for 2 to 3 minutes. When the bubbling stops, stir well. It can be stored at room temperature for several months.
minutes, whisking constantly. Pour into small individual serving bowls. Cover, cool slightly and refrigerate until firm (about 1 1/2 hours). Serve chilled.
Place an 8-inch skillet on low heat and add the butter. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Scrape the seeds out; add the seeds and bean to the butter. When the butter turns a golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes, remove from the heat. Remove the seeds and pod and scrape the butter into a bowl to cool.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10-inch cake pan with nonstick spray, and line it with parchment paper. Grind the hazelnuts with the powdered sugar in a food processor.
Place the ground nuts in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour and stir until well combined.
Beat the egg whites and granulated sugar to stiff peaks using an electric mixer. Fold the whites into the nut mixture. Fold in the room-temperature brown butter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the edge and unmold onto a serving platter. Sprinkle each serving of cake with a little fleur de sel. Accompany with a scoop of caramel ice cream.
Mix cream and sugar; sift into the freezer and add the vanilla seed; freeze smooth. After being frozen, repack into a churn or glass freezer. The cream should stand 5 or 6 hours in a cool room before being used.
We now have plain and fancy ice cream machines that can be used at home with ease, however there is still something memorable about our mouths watering as we wait for our bowl of "Ice". Give these more contemporary recipes a try this year and be sure to invite family and friends of all ages.
In a double boiler, melt candy bars with half the cream. Beat eggs in remaining cream. Whisk into melted chocolate mixture. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Cool. Beat milk and pudding mixes. Fold into chocolate mixture. Chill several hours or overnight. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to instructions. Makes 3 quarts.
To peaches, add 1/2 cup of the sugar and the lemon juice. Set aside. In medium saucepan combine milk, eggs, and remaining sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon, about 15 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla. Chill. Stir peaches in cream mixture and freeze in ice cream maker.
In a large bowl, combine juices, sugar, cream and milk. Mix well. Pour mixture into an ice cream freezer and freeze according to instructions. Serve immediately for a soft consistency or place in freezer. 2 quarts.
In a heavy saucepan, combine milk, 1 cup cream, and honey. Stir over medium-low heat until dissolved. Keep warm over very low heat. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar at high speed until pale in color, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Slowly beat in warm milk mixture at medium speed. Return to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickly coats a wooden spoon. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Pour into bowl. Add 1 cup heavy cream and mix well. Cool in ice water bath, stirring, until cold. Pour into ice cream machine Freeze in machine for about 20-25 minutes following instructions. Cover and place in freezer when finished for at least 4 hours. Makes 5 1/2 cups.
Scoop out mango flesh and chop. Discard peel and seed. Place mango, sugar and juice in food processor until smooth and thick. Pour puree and cream into ice cream canister and freeze according to machine directions. Serves 6.
Heat milk until small bubbles begin to appear; stir in sugar and salt. Stir in some of the hot mixture into the beaten eggs and mix well. Slowly stir eggs into pan and cook over low heat, stirring for about 2 minutes. Do not boil. Stir in cream and let mixture cool; stir in vanilla. Freeze in ice cream machine according to directions. Serves 8.
In a blender, combine the coffee liqueur, vodka, crème de cacao and ice cream. Blend until frothy. Pour into 2 glasses, garnish with the coconut flakes and cocoa and serve immediately.
Grease a griddle or large pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter and heat over medium heat.
Mix all ingredients except pecans in a blender for about 15 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula, and continue mixing for another 15 seconds until well blended.
Pour approximately 16 mini-cakes onto the hot griddle, and sprinkle each with a few pecans. Cook on each side for only a minute or 2. Serve hot with melted butter or top with a dollop of Low Carb Whipped Cream.
Serve over pancakes or waffles.
Major Gray's Mango Chutney and who wants to mess around with perfection? But once we tried this chutney we were hooked. It is very easy and the result is wonderful. You can also alter the ingredients to make it mild or very spicy.
desired. Serves 6 to 8.
Mix drained pineapple, 1 bag of cheese, miracle whip and sugar. Mix well. If dry add miracle whip or reserved syrup from pineapple. If too moist, add more cheese. You can easily adjust this recipe to your taste. Spread on bread to make sandwiches. Quarter sandwiches and arrange on platter. Just sort of taste as you go and add until it suits you. Serves 20-30. This is good on crackers.
Cover potatoes with cold salted water in a 3-quart saucepan, then simmer, covered, until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
While potatoes are cooking, whisk together vinegar, shallot, salt, and pepper in a large serving bowl.
Drain potatoes and halve or quarter if desired. Add to vinegar mixture while warm and toss to coat. Add oil, peas, and mint and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 6 servings.
necessary. Strain gravy and thicken. Simmer a few minutes and pour over meat.
Very good with potato dumplings or parsleyed new potatoes. You brown the meat and simmer for 1 hour and then proceed with directions if you are using the crock pot.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 - 9 inch square baking pans.
In a heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over medium heat; cool slightly.
Preheat oven to moderate (350F).
Combine flour, sugar, butter, milk in mixing bowl; mix well. Spread mixture into 8 Cup baking dish.
Combine all ingredients for sauce in microwave safe jug - bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar.
Pour caramel sauce over the back of a spoon over batter in dish. Bake in moderate oven for about 40 minutes or until cake is cooked. Serve with cream and/or ice cream.
Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add a little more liquid if necessary to make a thick sauce. Set aside. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl, add the oil and seasonings, toss to combine, and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill over hot coals until firm and opaque, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve with the sauce for dipping. Serves 4 to 6.
Place bread cubes in lightly greased 2-quart casserole. In large bowl beat together milk, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, orange peel, and cinnamon. Pour over bread cubes. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Bake in preheated 350F oven until knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes. Serve with cream or milk if desired. (For a puffier pudding, refrigerate several hours or overnight before baking.) Yield: 8 servings.
*To toast almonds, place nuts single layer on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350F oven, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes.
In a 3-1/2-quart electric slow cooker, combine the pork, beans, hot water, tomatoes with their liquid, tomato paste, juice from pineapple chunks, chilies, onion, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder; mix well. Cover and cook on the low heat setting 8-1/2 to 9 hours until the pork and beans are tender, stirring once halfway through the cooking time, if possible. Stir in the pineapple chunks and serve. Serves 4 to 6.
casserole works well). In a medium bowl, combine squash, soup, and onion. Spread 1 1/2 cups stuffing in bottom of baking dish; top with half of squash mixture and a generous amount of black pepper. Sprinkle with half of cheese; repeat layers. Top with remaining stuffing and pour water over all. Dot butter over top and cover tightly. Bake for 75 minutes or until golden brown on the outside and bubbly in the middle.
salt and pepper. Start out with just a little of each and add what you need to create you own perfect succotash recipe.
Makes 6 servings. Pulse mint and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Sprinkle mint sugar over fruit in a large bowl and toss gently to combine. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
griddle in about 3-4 inch rounds, flattening slightly. There will be no expansion, so you can place them close together. Cook on one side until golden brown, about 5 min. Turn and cook other side. Keep warm in 250 degree oven while others cook. Serve warm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs in a large bowl, then add bread crumbs, broth, garlic, salt, mustard, and pepper. Mix in ground beef. Set aside. Sauté onions in butter until tender, then blend cheese, ham and onions in another bowl. Set aside. Divide the meat mixture into two equal parts. Pat one part into a loaf pan to form a layer with an impression in center and meat mixture forming sides to contain cheese mixture. Fill impression with cheese mixture and seal top with remaining meat mixture. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and drain off fat. Top with catsup and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
pan, then thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking according to directions above.
Tapioca pearls are made mostly from tapioca starch, processed from the bitter-cassava plant, sometimes called manioca or yuca in some parts of the world. The bitter-cassava plant is native to South America and was introduced into Asia sometime during the 19th century where it was quickly adopted as a staple food in many different cultures (perhaps explaining why Asians seem to be more favorably disposed to tapioca). The bitter-cassava plant -- and the starch it produces -- has been an all-purpose, all around useful plant. When not being made into tapioca pearls, it is used for other industrial purposes, such as textiles and other manufacturing.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl or large plastic bag and toss to mix the ingredients and thoroughly coat the chicken. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. Grill over hot coals until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Serves 4 to 6.
Husk tomatillos, rinse briefly, and simmer in water to cover over medium high heat until tomatillos are tender and cooked through. Drain, mash, and cool. If using canned tomatillos, simply drain and mash.
Combine with onion, avocado, lemon juice, jalapeno or Tabasco, and salt. Serve immediately.
Combine tomatoes, juice and/or stock in saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches, in blender or food processor.
Return to saucepan and add cream and butter, while stirring, over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread.
Cook onion and celery in a skillet until tender. Add soup, water chestnuts, water, and almonds. Mix together, pour into baking dish, and sprinkle Chinese noodles on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Bake potatoes at 375 degrees for 1 hour. Mix remaining ingredients, but paprika, in a large bowl. Place them on top of stove to melt slightly for a tastier dish. Remove potatoes from oven, when they can be poked easily with a fork. Cut potatoes in half and scoop them into a large bowl with first 6 ingredients. Mash, adding small amount of milk, if necessary. Refill shells and place in a large baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and put them back into oven for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil Add peppers onions, garlic, ginger root, chilies, thyme and oregano and sauté 8 minutes until tender. Add chicken and sauté 5 minutes, sprinkle with flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Add chicken broth and beans to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes until chicken is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with Green Tomato Salsa and sour cream.
Remove and discard husks from green tomatoes; simmer in water to cover in large saucepan 5 to 8 minutes until tender. Cool; drain, reserving liquid.
and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Cool before serving. Your may also wish to garnish with fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or strawberries.
Warm up the steak and spinach in a sauté pan or in the microwave. Place all ingredients, except butter, leftovers and cheese in a blender and process on high speed for about 10 seconds to incorporate air into the mix; the club soda and baking powder will help the omelet to rise. (You may also use a hand-held blender with a deep cup).
Melt the butter in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the egg mixture, and using a rubber spatula, slowly push the cooked egg from 1 side of the bottom of the pan to the other to allow new raw egg to reach the bottom of the pan and cook (this creates height and keeps the bottom from burning).
When the omelet is cooked on the bottom and the top is still runny, you can either flip the omelet in the pan to finish, or to make the "Tallest" omelet possible, place the pan just below the broiler with the oven door open and the handle sticking out (it could melt otherwise) for about 30 seconds until the omelet rises and lightly browns.
Remove from heat, add warmed leftover filling and the cheese, and fold in half. To serve, slice into pieces. If desired, save a little filling and cheese to put on top after folding.


When Empire of the Sun launched its first tour, vocalist Luke Steele joked that he wanted to include elephants and tigers in his space-pop live shows. Except he wasn't joking, later admitting that expenses and logistics simply wouldn't allow for a 6,000-12,000 lb pachyderm to venture through a succession of global venues. To compensate, Steele and bandmate Nick Littlemore pack their stage with Flash Gordon-collared, metallic costumes and dancers plucked from a Georges Méliès silent film. Those flourishes meld with a very '80s sense of cinema; Steele pays homage to Daryl Hannah's makeup sensibilities from Blade Runner, and blur your eyes and the stage resembles that scene from The Neverending Story where a pantheon of otherworldly beings debate the end of times right before the horse dies, eternally scarring your childhood. New album Two Vines fits that aesthetic immaculately, with warm analogue synths and reverb-wet snares. Photographer Sarah Midkiff captured the group's immersive pageantry at Terminal 5 in New York City last week. Empire of the Sun is playing select dates in California through the summer.


Students' last day of semester exams will be on Thursday at 9:00 am. The exam will usually consist of an hour to two hours. Please do not schedule pick-ups or transportation trips before 11 am. This semester exam is very crucial to their overall semester grade. Students will not be allowed to leave earlier. All exams are given at a precise day and time. Again, please make sure transportation and pick -ups are scheduled after 11:00 am. All students are to return on January 6th, before 6pm. Please make sure that arrival dates on plane tickets and or bus tickets are before the first day of classes.
All students are to be checked back in to their dorm by 6:00 p.m. on January 6th, 2019.


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Home / games / gaming / gpu / horror games / mac / nightfall / pc / plastation / steam / NightFall: Escape, a games based on the philippines horror stories
NightFall: Escape, a games based on the philippines horror stories
Jon Nava October 16, 2015 games, gaming, gpu, horror games, mac, nightfall, pc, plastation, steam
NIGHTFALL: ESCAPE is a horror games Created by Zeenoh, a Philippine based game designing studio and an all Filipino game designers. NightFall is inspired by horror stories that hits very close to home.indulging you and letting you become more intimate with the game than ever.
The main character is Ara Cruz, an aspiring female journalist who is currently working in a newspaper company. Ara is set to discover the mysteries behind an old and abandoned Spanish Mansion in an obscure town in the north.
During the game, you will be faced with puzzles and challenges, stumbling upon popular mythological monsters like the Aswang, the White Lady, or even the Paring Pugot. As you slowly unravel the story behind the enigma of the mansion, you also take a step forward to meeting stronger and more terrifying characters along the way. Add up the maze-like feel of the mansion, making the game crazier than it was supposed to.
One thing that is very prominent about the game is the fact that the backstory tracks back to the 1800s, when the country was still occupied by Spanish colonies. It is also very enticing, with the element of forbidden love very evident during the retelling of the house's history. A story between a young man and woman, who was torn apart by wealth, status quo, and society's expectation of who they are supposed to love.
Come 2008, Ara Cruz, an aspiring journalist, stumbled upon a mysterious house, which has become well known because of its haunting tale that the locals easily associate it with. According to the accounts that Ara had gathered, people mysteriously disappear whenever they pass by the area. Armed with curiosity and a brave heart, she decided to explore and look closer into what the real score is. Little did she know that she's in it for a crazy and terrifying ride.
Game Graphics
Using 3D graphics to bring the characters to life, Nightfall offers a very promising future in the field of gaming. The team used 3D Blender and Unity5 to create the compelling scenes and provide character details.
The game is compatible for PC, Mac, and Linux, and can be acquired through Steam. In the coming months, they also expect the game to be available for PlayStation and XBox format.
To know more about Nightfall and to get more updates, visit www.nightfallhorror.com and https://www.facebook.com/nightfallhorror. You may also read more about Zeenoh Games' other offerings through their website, www.zeenoh.com.
For more tech news visit us at FB.com/gizmomanila, Twitter.com/GizmoManila and Instagram.com/Gizmo_Manila.
NightFall: Escape, a games based on the philippines horror stories Reviewed by Jon Nava on October 16, 2015 Rating: 5

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Bartosz Bartoszewicz, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, responsible for life quality. Former Councillor of the City of Gdynia, acted also as the Mayor's representative for NGOs. Gained his professional experience through implementation of international new technology projects.
Since 2014 he has been responsible e.g. for Gdynia's education system widely regarded as one of the best in Poland. The above is reflected in students' achievements, including external exam pass rate.
His responsibilities also include supervision and coordination of activities involving the so-called smart city solutions. Today, Gdynia is an extremely rapidly developing city, perceived as the leader setting standards for the smartest cities in Poland and worldwide.


Having been fortunate enough to spend much of the last two years in one of the worlds top Japanese Pro Wrestling dojos, I often get asked about the level in which which we are expected to train at and to give them an idea of what to aim for.
The following is just a rough guide of what you should aim to achieve if you wish to follow a similar path or even if just wish to up your own personal conditioning level.
20 minutes of various stretching, rolling & tumbling to warm up.
Between 30/45 seconds rest between in each set. Ideally train with a partner so you can rest while you alternate, counting for them to keep tempo.


text:
"I am fascinated by how people work, why we do what we do, and why we think what we think," says senior and Marshall Scholar Liang Zhou.
Image: Ian MacLellan
Decoding human cognition
MIT senior and Marshall Scholar Liang Zhou wants to elucidate the neural basis for our thoughts and intuitions.
Fatima Husain | MIT News correspondent
Abby Abazorius
Email: abbya@mit.edu
Halfway through his sophomore year, Liang Zhou made a decision that changed the course of his academic career. The electrical engineering and computer science major enrolled in three classes in brain and cognitive sciences, an area he hadn't studied before. Though he can't pinpoint his exact reasoning for doing so at the time — perhaps it was intuition — he has no regrets.
As he begins his last semester at MIT, Zhou is "really, really glad" he made that choice, and is now completing a double major in electrical engineering and computer science and brain and cognitive sciences.
"I'm interested in studying computer science because of its wealth of applications in other domains," Zhou says. Take neuroscience: "It's about the brain and it's about how we as people fundamentally think about things, so understanding others. It's a way to connect both the very hard science and rigor to something that's very relevant to everybody."
As he prepares to pursue a master's degree in computational neuroscience at the University College London as a Marshall Scholar, the native of Riverside, California, can clearly articulate his research motivation: "I am fascinated by how people work, why we do what we do, and why we think what we think."
For Zhou, his intense introduction to neuroscience marked "a paradigm shift." While he began to study the brain in his classes, Zhou also opted to pursue research in a field where he could apply his coding skills. He found a great fit: the Computational Cognitive Science Laboratory, led by Professor Josh Tenenbaum. The lab group uses a combination of computer modeling and behavioral experiments to understand the basis of human learning.
Under the mentorship of Tobias Gerstenberg, a postdoc in the Tenenbaum lab, Zhou has worked on projects that investigate how people perceive their environments.
Zhou began with a research project that asked subjects to assess the structural stability of a brick tower. Subjects were asked what would happen to the brick tower if certain blocks were removed, and to assess how important single bricks were for the stability of the overall structure. "We calculated responsibilities for different brick configurations and compared them to people's assessments, which gave us a better notion for people's judgements about stability," Zhou says.
What fascinated Zhou most was the disconnect between the subjects' judgements and the ground truth. "What people think will happen is usually not what happens in terms of those bricks, so we created a model … which was better in line with people's predictions and not the ground truth." That model, called the hypothetical simulation model, was detailed in a conference paper for the 39th annual meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, which was held this past July.
That model and the disconnect it details led Zhou to his current research interest: understanding intuitive physics.
"When you take an apple and you drop it, you don't think F=ma, therefore it's going to drop with one Newton and it's going to hit the ground at this time," Zhou says. "You think, 'Oh, it's an apple and it's going to fall.' We have an intuition for how the world works, and we have a mental notion of how one physical event can cause others to happen … but we never explicitly learn this material, and we learn it so readily and so easily."
Zhou wants to investigate how that intuition arises from neurons, and that begins with the dedicated study he plans to do in graduate school: "Computational neuroscience is a lot about modeling the actual neurons themselves. … In the future, I want to do research in cognitive neuroscience. I think it's very important to have a very solid statistical and mathematical background, and I hope that studying computational neuroscience will give me that."
Understanding impacts
In the future, Zhou sees himself continuing his research and sharing its applications.
"There's no better way to actually contribute to this field of research than to be in academia and to do research, but I also realize that research isn't particularly useful if it's not applied to something," Zhou says. "With this line of research, there are so many applications in society. With a better understanding of how we think … we could have a better sense for what it means to understand somebody."
Zhou also cites recent research in behavioral economics that highlights the surprising strength of irrational thinking. "We assume people are rational, and we assume people are logical, but they are really not. And [knowing] that helps you create better models of how people work."
He envisions these types of models informing future education and public policy. "This research isn't going anywhere if we don't actually put it somewhere," Zhou says. To share his vision, Zhou also hopes to become an active voice in science policy and public science advocacy. However, he points out that's far in the future: "For the moment I just want to do a PhD for more in-depth and hands-on research experience, but I'd love to get involved in making this have tangible effects on the world in the future if there's a path there for me."
During his time at MIT, Zhou has also interned in software engineering at NextJump, Lucid Software, and Apple. Zhou served at conference chair for the 2017 EECScon, a U.S. undergraduate-led research conference. In addition to his research in the Tenenbaum group, he also performs computational neuroscience research at Harvard University, and has undertaken research projects in the MIT Media Lab and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Zhou is an active member of the MIT Asian Dance Team, where he has served on the executive board for two years. He has also choreographed hip-hop pieces for MIT DanceTroupe. Additionally, Zhou served as teaching assistant for both undergraduate- and graduate-level machine learning courses for MIT students. This past year, Zhou was awarded the Hans Lukas Teuber Award for Outstanding Academics.
Topics: Profile, Students, Undergraduate, Awards, honors and fellowships, School of Science, Brain and cognitive sciences, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (eecs), Neuroscience, Behavior, Volunteering, outreach, public service
Liang Zhou
Computational Cognitive Science Group
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Three MIT seniors awarded 2018 Marshall Scholarships
Computer systems predict objects' responses to physical forces
Seeking the stories behind the data
Changing lives with heart, humor, and engineering


Using the very latest Tier 4 Final JCB EcoMAX engine technology, the 6T site dumper is a high-performance machine with the very distinct swivel skip to cope with different applications.
Permanent four-wheel-drive JCB PowerShuttle transmission makes your dumper very easy to operate, while build quality levels are extremely high in order to withstand the rental market.
Superior comfort, safety, serviceability and ease-of-use are also part of the package, so a JCB 6T site dumper is guaranteed to maximize productivity wherever you deploy it.


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Quarterly Report | Wed Jan 12, 2022
The SA Bullion Gold Report | Fourth Quarter 2021
The SA Bullion Gold Report Fourth Quarter 2021 Analyst: Hilton Davies Date: 10 January 2021 GOLD PRICE ACTION Gold in Dollar had a strong Fourth Quarter of 2021 notwithstanding a spike and reversal in mid-November. Due to Rand weakness in the quarter, Gold in Rand performed very strongly at 7.6%. Gold had … Continued
The SA Bullion Gold Report
Fourth Quarter 2021
Analyst: Hilton Davies
GOLD PRICE ACTION
Gold in Dollar had a strong Fourth Quarter of 2021 notwithstanding a spike and reversal in mid-November. Due to Rand weakness in the quarter, Gold in Rand performed very strongly at 7.6%.
Gold had an unremarkable year in 2021. Over the last three years however, gold performance in every currency has been exceptional. In Dollar a performance in excess of 12% per annum compounded has been massive. In Rand the performance has compounded at an exceptional 16% per annum.
In the 22 years since the turn of the century Dollar Gold has produced a compound return of almost 9% per annum. Rand Gold has produced a compound return of over 13% per annum. Gold-owners have been exceptionally well rewarded.
A FORWARD VIEW OF INVESTMENT MARKETS
Stockmarkets are communicating that inflation is not a risk and that if anything, inflation rates will fall. Should stockmarkets be right, then one could reasonably assume that interest rates are likely to remain at the current extremely low levels and thereby remain highly supportive of the extremely high level of stockmarkets.
Also supportive of stockmarkets are fiscal stimulus and Covid-19 related government support packages.
Companies have been able to pass on sharp increases in prices as supply-chain factors have caused demand to outpace supply while the global economy has been re-opening. When all the numbers have been collated for 2021, we expect that company earnings growth for the year will come in at record numbers.
Notwithstanding the above, we are not convinced that stockmarkets are right about 2022.
Inflation is taking off worldwide. Commodity prices have been rising strongly and wage growth has been strong.
Interest rates (or bond yields) have not been this low in hundreds of years and are generally zero or around zero in real (inflation-adjusted) terms. A simple process of normalization and of re-arming the Federal Reserve/central banks with some interest rate "powder", means rising rates in our future. And of course rising inflation puts further upward pressure on interest rates.
Through the Covid-19 pandemic governments have been generous to the extreme with free money and the money supply has exploded. We seem likely to move into a post-Covid world in 2022 and we therefore do not expect continued loose money to gush through into consumer spending and thereby to support corporate profit growth.
Almost all of the market moving performance of the FTSE World Index in 2021 came from just five stocks: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Tesla. This tech sector is looking decidedly reminiscent of early 2000. Techs are frothy to say the least. And they are over-owned.
Bond markets look appalling. With interest rates essentially around zero, there is little reason to believe that bonds offer upside. The downside risks on the other hand, in the face of rising rates, look ominous. And property is essentially another version of a 40-year bond.
No doubt some equities will do very well irrespective, but these are not likely to be today's darlings. Passive funds are likely to do very poorly as these are heavily weighted towards today's favourites that dominate the indices, particularly the previously mentioned five stocks plus Meta Platforms (Facebook).
Whilst we do not foresee rapidly rising rates, and in fact we see rates being kept low for decades to come, we do expect some upward movement in rates, and some general tightening.
In relative terms 2022 might well be a better year for cash.
One might expect that rising interest rates and strengthening first-world currencies would be poor for gold, but historically gold has shown its best performance in such environments. This is due to its safe-haven appeal in times of difficult markets and due to its uncorrelated nature.
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
For almost 30 years China has been the furiously beating heart of the world's economy. This picture is now changing and the powerhouse is moderating. The country is also confronting some significant issues, not least of which is the potential collapse of China Evergrande Group.
Russia is a small player in the world's economy. The Gross Domestic Product of the country is smaller than that of New York City. But Russia, as driven by its dictator Vladimir Putin, plays an outsized role in global affairs. Putin presently has Europe, NATO and the US having to pay him much attention as he threatens to invade Ukraine with the 100,000 troops that he has amassed on that country's border. An invasion would have massive global implications in every conceivable way.
The US has mid-term elections coming up in November. In these elections it is highly likely that the ruling Democratic Party will lose control of the Senate and maybe the House as well. Such losses would put the brakes on the Biden administration spending plans and have an impact on economic growth, inflation and interest rates. On the political front things are going to get interesting as indictments and criminal prosecutions related to the January 6 Insurrection flow through. It is not entirely inconceivable that leading Trump administration figures could be prosecuted and even jailed, and although the Department of Justice would be very reluctant to go after a former president, it might find no alternative to prosecuting Trump for seditious conspiracy or some similar charge. The implications would be significant.
SA BULLION NEWS
Your gold investment manager and precious metals dealer has big plans for 2022. For many years the firm has been developing as a FinTech company. The company has heavily and persistently invested in technology to enhance and automate the financial services that we deliver.
The past year has seen us take massive steps in database development, as driven by Technology Director Helen Davies. Operational staff have realized efficiencies that have resulted in improved customer support and customer satisfaction. The Dealing Team has realized better inventory management and customer invoicing, and the Finance Team has realized better management accounting and forecasting. Helen has done a wonderful job and this firm is lucky to have her!
We are presently producing explainer videos for our various products and services. These small videos are quick and easy to consume and will be easily distributed by email and Whatsapp and will make use of links to our library of videos on YouTube.
Our secure Online Shop (sabullion.co.za/shop/) has received considerable development and attention this past year. In conjunction with our hedging programme run by Absa Bank, this unit has become quite a powerhouse in our firm.
In this year ahead we intend to roll out our first app. Across our business we have embraced the modern usage of smartphones and we have big aspirations in this area.
Most exciting of all, we have spent two years developing a new service that will complement our present offerings. We expect that our existing gold facility clients will be delighted as we leverage our "bullion bank" role for them, and additionally, we will have something of great interest and value for family and friends. We expect to do a big release this month!
Thank you for your patronage in 2021. We wish you a much better post-Covid year ahead.
Hilton Davies
Download Fourth Quarter 2021 Report


Lindsey Harwath Photography specializes in birth, newborn, and baby photography in Portland, Maine and surrounding areas including but not limited to Brunswick, Augusta and Bangor.
Maine Baby Photographer | Leo's Birthday!
See more from Leo's birth session HERE. See more from Leo's newborn session HERE. Lindsey Harwath Photography specializes in birth, newborn, and baby photography in Portland, Maine and surrounding areas including but not limited to Brunswick, Augusta and Bangor.


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Services and Packages
Surrogacy Georgia
Surrogacy for HIV+
Surrogacy for LGBT
Georgia advantages
Preimplatation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
When the parent(s) are carriers of a genetic condition (unbalanced chromosomal rearrangement or gene mutation), a genetic diagnostic (PGD) can help to determine whether that condition has been transmitted to the embryos.
What is PGT?
PGT- Preimplantation genetic testingdetects and prevents the transmission to offspring of severe hereditary diseases caused by genetic and chromosomal abnormalities of embryos before they are transferred to the uterus. It also prevents the transfer of embryos that cannot lead to pregnancy.
Preimplatation Genetic Screening (PGS)
Even if the parents have no known genetic abnormalities, their embryos can also be screened for chromosomal abnormalities to determine if the embryo has too many or too few chromosomes.
PGD has also been used for the purpose of gender selection
It can be used to detect which embryos are XX or XY. The desired embryos can be placed into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
PGD is the only method for gender selection that is close to 100% accurate.
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BECOME HAPPIER!
Surrogacy with Vita Nova
How does PGT work?
Preimplantation genetic testing is a test that is performed after the completion of IVF, when the eggs are fertilized and the embryos begin to divide.
A genetic test can be performed as soon as the embryo has reached the 8-cell stage (approximately on the 3rd day of development), by removing one cell (blastomere biopsy). Then the embryo returns to the incubator for further growth.
However, it is recommended to perform a biopsy as soon as the embryos turn into blastocysts (day 5-6). By the 5th day of development, the embryos will divide into about 100 cells and form the outer layer, which will eventually become the placenta. At this stage, a trophoblast biopsy can be performed by removing several cells from the outer layer. This procedure does not affect the quality of the embryo or its ability to implant.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.
Lubliana street 2/6, Tbilisi, Georgia
What are the emotional experiences of the couple after the birth of the surrogacy baby
Is the gender selection possible during the IVF?
Success in Surrogacy programs
Surrogate mother
Surrogacy for HIV
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Yesterday and this morning I had a look for newer databases on Ancestry. Among these I noticed 'Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1957'. Not too long ago I had found and published the names of a few people who went from Vancouver, BC to Topolobampo, Mexico in 1894. I thought I'd have a look to see if later they went to the US. And indeed, I may have found one and some relatives of another.
As I often do though, I thought I'd see how many in this database were listed as being born in Canada. I was surprised to see quite a few and even more surprised to see many were shown as born right here in British Columbia.
Very soon, I realized though that someone (or something) has confused "B.C., Mexico" (B.C. being the State of Baja California, Mexico) with "B.C., Canada" (B.C. being British Columbia, Canada).
Oh, dear! This is even sillier than that confusion of the birthplace "SOM" (for Somerset, England) being indexed as Somalia. That got fixed in a hurry as I recall.
I did send a note on to Ancestry, so will watch to see when this gets corrected. It does look to me as if there are more mistakes in this indexing - not all "Que"s mean Quebec, for instance, but - you really just have to laugh...don't you? Que Sera, Sera!


This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Trish Cheak's name.
Trish Cheak was looking at a "picture postcard" day Thursday in Seaside Beach, Florida, where she, her daughter and a friend were vacationing for fall break.
But on Wednesday they had sat inside a shuttered house, taking cover as Hurricane Michael approached shore. They were 10 miles away from the eye as the storm swept through the Florida Panhandle.
Cheak had been in hurricanes before — although now she calls Memphis home, she grew up in South Carolina.
As Michael approached, she made the decision to stay.
"We were looking at it being a Category 3 when it approached shore," she said. "Places were running out of gas."
She said there are only two ways out of the area and not many lanes. Past experience told her the best decision was to stay in place.
While Cheak has been through several hurricanes, she said this one was "unique" as the eye did not collapse when it approached land and stayed intact through parts of Georgia.
"It tried your patience," she said. "It was the slowest hurricane I've ever seen (approach land). We were ready to have it on land so it could start collapsing."
She said as Michael came ashore they could hear the wind and see the rain moving sideways. As the eye approached, it took out many tree limbs.
"You could see the fury of it," Cheak said.
Her daughter and the friend they had brought along had never experienced a hurricane, but were amazed at how quickly it calmed down. They were able to watch the sunset from the beach Wednesday evening.
Despite flooding in the area, Cheak said they are safe and will be able to return home this weekend. They did not lose power, but houses within walking distance did.
The biggest challenge for the group has been finding open places to eat, as restaurants have limited staff and menus.
For now, Cheak aims to enjoy the rest of her trip.
"While it's terrible, it could have been worse with the type of storm it was," she said. "We're extremely blessed the whole area was not more damaged than it was."
The storm was the third-strongest in recorded history to hit the United States mainland, as measured by barometric pressure, after making landfall Wednesday as a Category 4.


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Flooding is the new normal in Miami
By Eileen Mignoni on Feb 2, 2017
In Miami, sea-level rise is not a problem for future generations. It's a present-day reality.
By Eileen Mignoni
In Miami, sea levels are rising, and residents have noticed.
Flooded parking garage after an hour of heavy rain (photo courtesy of Navarrete).
Navarrete: "The water is here. It's not that I'm talking about some sci-fi movie here. No. I live it. I see it, it's tangible."
That's Valerie Navarrete. She's lived in South Beach for more than 20 years.
About seven years ago, sea-level rise, a high tide, and rain combined to cause a major flood.
Navarrete: "I remember was a Friday afternoon and it was raining for about one hour. When we came out our garage had over three feet of water – not inches – feet. So we lost several cars. It's just unbelievable."
Navarrete's garage now floods about once every other month. She often has to wear rainboots just to get to her car.
South Beach resident: 'The water is here. It's not that I'm talking about some sci-fi movie.' Click To Tweet
Navarrete: "And sometimes the water would be higher than that. So I couldn't wear my boots because otherwise I would get the water inside the boots. So then we have to go barefoot, which is disgusting."
And when the moon, earth, and sun align, tides are even higher than usual. They're called king tides, and last for about a week. During king tides, Navarrete's garage floods twice a day.
But Navarrete is determined to stay, even if it means that her rainboots become a permanent fashion statement.
Reporting credit: Rosie Simon/ChavoBart Digital Media.
Filed under: Eileen Mignoni, nuisance flooding, sea level rise
Study confirms human effects on sea-level rise
The king tide is high, but South Florida is holding on
Intensified by climate change, 'king tides' change ways of life in Florida
Armed with maps and photos, local planners talk sea-level rise
What caused this year's bizarre winter and spring weather in the U.S. heartland?
By Peter Sinclair on Jul 12, 2019
By Brooke Bauman on Jul 11, 2019
By Jeff Berardelli on Jul 8, 2019


We all need to take time for ourselves and what's a better way than indulging in all natural, all vegan products. Khroma is a great line that can cover most needs in the health products category.
Welcome to the Khroma All Vegan, All Organic Health Products giveaway. You can read my review here. One winner will receive $100 in Khroma products.


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The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion provides educational and social programs to serve our growing diverse student population while creating an inclusive campus environment and fostering a sense of belonging for all students.
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion oversees diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus; International student support; the Spartan Pantry; and the Office of Spiritual Life, including the Doris and Bernard Gordon Center for Jewish Student Life.
SDI Staff Spiritual Life Gordon Center for Jewish Student Life
All about SDI
The Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion is to maintain justice, civility, integrity, and respect towards all persons. We are here to foster a learning environment throughout the college years and promote learning, development, professionalism, and good citizenship.
Inclusivity at York College
York College of Pennsylvania aims to provide access to high-quality education. To reach our mission, we value bringing different voices together to share their strengths. In this diverse environment, when we create a sense of belonging and equity, we enrich the learning experience and better serve our local and global communities.
As such, York College:
Welcomes and recognizes diversity in all of its forms and expressions.
Encourages civil conversations across our campus to promote understanding.
Stands up against prejudice and injustice in our college community.
Advocates for the well-being and dignity of our community members.
Enables marginalized identities to be their authentic selves.
Anti-Discrimination/Ethnic Intimidation Policy
All students are encouraged to participate in college activities regardless of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, social affiliation, Veteran status, or age. York College does not tolerate and takes a firm position against all forms of discrimination as noted. Discrimination and ethnic intimidation include, but are not limited to: threats or bullying of any kind, physical harm or threats thereof, defacing or destruction of campus property or an individual's personal property. Any student, who feels that they are a victim of discrimination or ethnic intimidation, or any such harassment, may initiate a complaint by submitting a Bias Incident Report.
The SDI Office works to enhance the academic and cultural experience of international students by providing the highest level of knowledge and expertise in advising, immigration regulations, and advocacy.
International students on F-1 visa status are responsible for maintaining their nonimmigrant status while studying in the U.S. Maintaining your status means:
Fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued you your visa.
Following the regulations associated with that purpose.
Your Designated School Official (DSO) is your biggest resource as an F-1 student. DSOs can answer your questions and guide you through the process of studying in the United States and maintaining your status. Speak to your DSO before doing any of the following:
Working in the United States
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a Social Security number
Changing your major, program, or degree level
Transferring to a new school
Traveling outside the United States
Moving to a new address
DSO:
Ines Ramirez
Assistant Director, International Student Support
iramirez@ycp.edu
Spartan Food Pantry
About the Spartan Food Pantry
The Spartan Pantry serves York College students who experience food or basic needs insecurity at any time during their studies by offering non-perishable food items, quick microwaveable meals, personal hygiene products, and school supplies free of charge. The pantry is managed by the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion and supported by generous donations from members of York College and the community. It is located in the lower level of the Student Union, across from the SDI office.
Interested in Donating to the Spartan Food Pantry?
In-person: You may bring your donations to the SDI office, Iosue Student Union, Suite 101 (lower level) during office hours.
Online: You may purchase items online from the Spartan Pantry Amazon Wishlist. These will be delivered directly to the SDI office.
Monetary: You may donate online. Please select OTHER in the gift designation and indicate the Spartan Food Pantry.
Most Needed Items
York College of Pennsylvania strives to educate students who will be future leaders in society, providing them with the ability to engage with the world as citizens who are mindful of the inclusion of others.
We know diversity is needed to achieve excellence, and with this in mind, we are committed to offering a learning environment that reflects the cultures and experiences of all community members. York College of Pennsylvania is dedicated to social justice and upholding the dignity of all people.
Behavior or actions that go against the College's principles of community, or display themes of hate, bigotry, bias, and discrimination, are not welcome at York College of Pennsylvania and will be addressed. Any member of our community who witnesses concerning activity may submit a Bias Incident Report for review by the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion and the Bias Response Team.
National Diversity Council
Pennsylvania Diversity Council
Tri-State Diversity Council (CT, NJ and NY)
USHLI
ACPA
Journal of Underrepresented & Minority Progress
Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
Equal Opportunity Publications
Minority Nurse
Insight Into Diversity
Diversity Employers
Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
Sueño Latino (Hispanic/Latinx)
Owning My Blackness (OMB)
International Student Association (ISA)
Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc.
Chi Upsilon Sigma, Sorority Inc.
Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc.
Iosue Student Union, Room 101
sdi@ycp.edu


Linking up for Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren!
 The best thing to do on a hot day is BBQ and eat lots of Otter Pops.
 The best place to be on a hot day is in or near the water!
 The best thing to eat on a hot day is fruit and Otter Pops.
 Hot days are more than OK with me. The dry heat of the PNW is way more tolerable than the hot and humid Midwest.
 My go to uniform on a warm summer day is a light cotton tank and flowy skirt or a maxi dress. And flippy flops.
 The scent that reminds me of summer is fresh cut grass, charcoal, and sunscreen.
 My favorite thing about summer is how late it stays light. This summer I'm almost always long asleep before it gets dark, but I still love it.
What the heck is an otter pop??
You don't know what an Otter Pop is?! TRAGEDY!


Investing is emotional for many people. Those emotional responses have led to detailed studies in the field of behavioral finance. Researchers have now proven that many of our investment decisions are driven by emotion.
But, even in an area where emotions are common, the depth of emotional responses to one asset class stands out. Many investors either love or hate annuities and few have no opinion on the subject. Because emotions run so high, the question of whether or not an annuity is right for you is often clear.
For many, the answer is no. For many others, the answer is yes. The right answer, for everyone, is that it depends on your personal circumstances.
Some sources date this asset class back to ancient Rome. But, the first modern annuity seems to have been developed in France in 1653. That year, a banker named Lorenzo Tonti developed a method for raising money in France called the tontine.
Subscribers purchased shares of the tontine and received a share of the income generated by the underlying investments. This is similar to a modern day mutual fund but with one big difference, as tontine shareholders died off, their income was spread among the surviving investors.
Eventually, the last person alive collected all the benefits. The use of tontines spread to Britain and the United States where governments used them to finance public works projects.
By definition, an annuity is a contract between an investor and an insurance company where the investor agrees to make a payment and the insurance company agrees to provide income for a certain amount of time or for the life of the investor.
That's an annuity in the simplest terms possible. But, there are various options to the contract that make the annuity a slightly more complex instrument. Payments could be in a lump sum or over time. The income could be guaranteed for a minimum amount of time and transferable at death or not.
Income can be protected against inflation, or not. The amount of income could also be fixed or it could vary based upon various factors related to changes in the financial markets. Other variations of the contract exist and, in short, annuities are a complex investment in modern terms.
That complexity accounts for some of the emotional responses to the contracts. Each addition to the contract carries a cost. Those costs can add up quickly and it is possible an investor could pay a large amount of money for a relatively small amount of income in some cases.
However, that complexity allows for many investors to build the product that is exactly right for them. Some investors will find potential tax savings and guaranteed income that is protected against inflation to be important and they understand those benefits carry a cost.
Taxes are another complex and emotional issue for investors and annuities, like other investments, have tax consequences that should be considered by potential investors. There are pros and cons associated with tax issues.
Annuities can grow tax deferred, but there could be tax penalties if the funds are accessed early. This is a situation that requires an investor to honestly appraise their circumstances. If they may need access to cash quickly, an annuity or other tax sheltered plan may not be right for them even though that is an advantage for other investors.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of annuities is the fact that they offer guaranteed income. If your goal is to have income during retirement years, you may focus on investment returns and believe the biggest risk is a market crash. In reality, the biggest risk an investor faces could be longevity risk.
Longevity risk is the risk that an investor outlives their money. As health care advances and helps individuals live longer, longevity risk increases. It's possible, even with a low withdrawal rate, that retirement savings can run out well before an individual quality of life deteriorates.
Annuities can be structured to provide guaranteed income for life, effectively eliminating longevity risk. This is an advantage that is important to consider.
One of the underlying factors for the negative emotional response to annuities is the costs associated with the products. There have been some companies that offered unusually high cost products in the past and there are still some relatively expensive products in the market.
As you can see, the clear disclosure still requires some level of analysis. The lowest cost annuity will not offer some of the benefits in the form of riders that could be attractive to many investors. There could also be annual fees associated with the account no matter which company offers the product.
After doing your research, it could be that an annuity makes sense for you. If that's the case, more research will be needed. Annuities are available for low minimums of just a few hundred dollars. Low cost annuities are also available.
Annuities could be right for you, especially if longevity risk is a primary concern and especially if assured income is a top priority.


The majority of program graduates end up in academia or academic medicine, whereas others have chosen careers in scientific publishing or administration, pharmaceutical research, intellectual property law, and technology consulting. Our curriculum encourages students to explore career options that fit their interests and life goals through instruction in professional skills and by highlighting career opportunities throughout the graduate years.
What Makes Hippocampal Representations Stable?
Does Homosynaptic Depression in Aplysia Neurons Involve Modulation of the Fusion Apparatus?
Direct ventral hippocampal-prefrontal input is required for anxiety-related neural activity and behavior.
Improved mono-synaptic tracing tools for mapping, monitoring, and manipulation of neural circuits.


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Hacksaw Ridge (2016) – Film Review
31st Jan 2020 12th Nov 2020 / Joe Baker Reviews
Serving as both an intense war film as well as the real-life biography of Desmon T. Dos, 'Hacksaw Ridge' is a respected Oscar-nominated film which deserves much of the praise it receives. As through the stand-out performance by Andrew Garfield alongside the attractive cinematography by Simon Duggan and array of tense moments, 'Hacksaw Ridge' soon becomes a very emotional and memorable experience for any viewer, whether overly familiar with the war genre or not.
Plot Summary: Based-on the real-life story of World War II American Army Medic Desmon T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa and refused to kill anyone despite push-back from his superiors. Doss soon became the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a single shot-on the battlefield.
Directed by Mel Gibson (Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto), 'Hacksaw Ridge' is most effective when displaying war at it's most brutal, never turning away from displaying the graphic violence and horrific destruction World War II inflicted on many people's lives, and while the film can sometimes go a little too far when it comes to its gore (feeling a little tasteless and over-the-top at points). I did find 'Hacksaw Ridge' more engaging than many similar films within the war genre, and the grim atmosphere the film presents is sure to keep any audience member constantly on the edge-of-their-seat.
The main cast of Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths and Luke Bracey are all phenomenal, with Andrew Garfield in particular, giving a fantastic performance as Desmon T. Dos. Never failing to portray him as a likeable and brave man thrown-into the dark world of war, despite a huge amount of scenes being left-on the cutting-room floor as a result of time, which I feel is a shame, as the film isn't overly long and could've benefitted from a few more moments of characterisation. However, 'Hacksaw Ridge' also features some extremely peculiar choices when it comes to the supporting cast, as Vince Vaughn and Sam Worthington both portray strict war-camp generals early-on in the story, which in spite of them both giving fairly decent performances within their roles, I couldn't help but feel their characters could've been better cast.
Although the cinematography by Simon Duggan isn't anything overly incredible throughout the runtime, the film does have a number of visually pleasing shots, in addition to the film utilising an array of hand-held shots to further the film's presentation of the uncontrollable chaos of war. Unfortunately, despite not being used very heavily throughout the film, the shots involving CGI that we do see could definitely do with some improvement. As the CG effects for the film's enormous battleships and fiery explosions do look a little unusual when compared to the film's time-period accurate battlefront.
The original score by Rupert Gregson-Williams is one of the stronger elements of the film however, as the soundtrack helps to build tension throughout the story in addition to being surprisingly memorable. Although in my opinion, I always felt the score never quite managed to build tension as well as the score for: 'Dunkirk', or had the huge emotional impact as the original score from one of the definitive war films: 'Saving Private Ryan', which stopped the soundtrack from reaching the heights it truly could. That being said, the late James Horner was initially attached to the film after being the composer for much of Gibson's other work. But after Horner's untimely death, another composer was brought-on before Rupert Gregson-Williams was eventually finalised-on, so the film's soundtrack has been through a very rough-road of development.
One area of the film I feel is fairly underappreciated is the make-up and costume design, as every horrific injury seen throughout the film always appears realistic and looks extremely painful, whilst every costume also feels very accurate to the film's time-period, almost making the film appear as if the production actually took-place during World War II itself. These elements also help make-up for some of the weak writing early-on in the film. As whilst the film's writing isn't awful by any means, a large amount of the dialogue could be seen as a little cheesy/cliché when it comes to developing the film's characters.
'Hacksaw Ridge' is one of those rare films that is both entertaining and distressing, whilst it isn't quite perfect in its execution, mostly due to its few small issues in regards to its writing, excessive violence and supporting cast. I still feel all of these problems are mostly minor when compared to the remainder of the film. As 'Hacksaw Ridge's brilliant war-torn visuals and tense atmosphere on-top of the memorable and charismatic performance by Andrew Garfield, leave 'Hacksaw Ridge' a film I feel many should see at least once, and is a solid 8/10 overall.
Biography, Drama, Film, Film Blog, Film Review, Film Reviews, Films, Hacksaw Ridge, History, Rating: 8/10, Release Year: 2016, Review, Reviews, War
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Steel bladed putter by the Army & Navy Co-operative Stores Ltd. Blade has large P indicating putter. Very long shaft, believe to be greenheart wood. Thick padded sheepskin grip. Shaft stamped ANCSL near grip. Totally playable condition.