32931 Cocoa Beach │ Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A.
Herbert L. Allen,Jr., P.A. dedicates this website to Florida Construction Law. 32931 Cocoa Beach │ Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A. Attorney Herbert Allen provides attorney legal services for construction law and contractors (residential and commercial) located in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. I also serve 32901 Melbourne │32909, 32905 Palm Bay │ 32955 Rockledge │32937 Satellite Beach │ Indian Harbour Beach │ 32903 Indialantic │32950 Melbourne Beach │ Brevard County │Space Coast. For construction law help, call 321.237.2869.
32931 Cocoa Beach Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A.
1. Demand for Copy of Contract and Documents. This strategic tool provides that at any time, any party to a contract between the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 and the lienor may request a copy of the contract, and also a statement of the amount due or to become due under the contract (Florida Statute 713.16(1). This tool binds the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 or lienor furnishing the statement unless the person furnishing the statement modifies the disclosure and actually notifies the recipient in writing before the recipient acts upon it in good faith. If you suspect that a party to your contract may not be paying everyone, or may be manipulating numbers under the contract, then this tool may help you commit the other party to a written statement you may rely upon. Furthermore, the owner may seek specific information under oath from any lienor: written statement of account showing the labor, materials or services furnished to date and the further labor, materials or services to be furnished (Florida Statute 713.16(2)). Absent timely compliance within 30 days of service, the lienor may lose its lien rights. A copy of the form for the sworn statement of account may be found at Florida Statute 713.16(3). Likewise, any lienor perfecting a Claim of Lien may serve with the Claim of Lien or thereafter a written demand on the owner for a sworn statement for specifics: the amount of the direct contract under which the lien was recorded; the dates and amounts paid under the direct contract for all improvements; the reasonable estimated costs of completing the direct contract; and the actual cost of completion, if known. If the owner fails to comply within 30 days after service, the owner may lose any right to attorney's fees under Florida Statute 713.29.32931 Cocoa Beach │ Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A.
2. Demand for Application of Materials Money. This strategic tool provides that when payment is made to a subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, or materialman, any of them may request that the person making payment to them designate the account and list of items of account to which the payment applies (Florida Statute 713.14(2)). If any subcontractor, sub-subcontractor or materialman seeks to enforce a Claim of Lien for materials furnished, then the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 may defend by proving that (a) the payment to the contractor was actually paid over to the subcontractor, sub-subcontractor or materialman and also (b) that the subcontractor, sub-sub contractor or materialman did not demand a designation of account and of the items to which payment applied, or the recipient did not apply the payment as directed. The law effectively requires the subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, or materialman to be sure that it sends a demand for designation of money applied to materials account as described in the statute above to defend against losing its lien rights.
3. Notice of Contest of Lien. This strategic tool allows the owner to shorten the time for filing suit to foreclose a construction lien. As provided by Florida Statute 713.22, an owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 may shorten the normal one year period from recording to only 60 days from recording to file suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien. Failure to file suit within the 60-day period effectively extinguishes the lien.
4. Direct Payment to Lienors. This strategic tool permits the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 to make direct payment to anyone providing labor, materials or services, lienor listed on the Contractor's Final Payment Affidavit as unpaid, provided that: (a) the owner gives the contractor a 10-day notice of intent to make direct payments, and (2) sufficient funds remain unpaid under the direct contract to make full payment to them and lienors giving notice (Florida Statute 713.06(4)(d)(2)).
5. Repossession of Materials Not Used. This strategic tool permits peaceable repossession of any materials delivered to the job, yet unused and unpaid, and provided those materials have not been incorporated into the work (Florida Statute 713.15). The right to repossess unused and unpaid materials only applies to material whose value does not exceed the total amount of the purchase price for those materials. If the materials have been partially paid, then the delivery person may refund the amount paid and then repossess all the material. This right to repossess and remove is generally not affected by their sale, encumbrance, attachment, or transfer from the job, unless a good faith purchaser has purchased the materials after transfer from the job or as against the interest of a creditor attaching after transfer from the job. 32931 Cocoa Beach │ Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A.
6. Request for List of Subcontractors and Suppliers. This strategic tool permits the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 to request from the contractor a list of all subcontractors and suppliers who have any contract with the contractor to furnish materials or services to improve the owner's property (Florida Statute 713.165). After receipt of the written demand from the owner, the recipient must furnish to the owner a list of the subcontractors and suppliers who have a contract with the contractor as of the date of the request. Failure to provide the list within ten days after receipt of the requests results in the loss of lien rights for the contractor to the extent of prejudice to the owner for the failure to provide a complete and accurate list timely.
7. Transfer of Lien to Security. This strategic tool allows the owner in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 or anyone having an interest in the property subject to the Claim of Lien to transfer a Claim of Lien to other security by either: (a) depositing a sum into the clerk's office; or (2) filing in the clerk's office a bond executed as surety by a surety insurer licensed to do business in Florida (Florida Statute 713.24). The amount of security may be calculated by following the statute, and the procedures described therein.
⟵32951 Melbourne Beach │ Construction Law Attorney │ Herbert L. Allen, Jr., P.A.


Calvin Harris has been teasing his new single "How Deep Is Your Love" on Instagram and Twitter for a while now and today, it finally sees the light of the internet. The reliable producer and DJ scores another anthemic hit with an assist from British electronic trio Disciples. One listen and you can already hear the song is fated to fill floors and Taylor Swift dance parties with Gigi and Karlie.
Listen to "How Deep Is Your Love" above and scoop it up on iTunes and Spotify now.


Fall in love with yourself each day with the help of Love & Light Jewel's "Show Me Love" Oil. This beautiful essential oil blend is a combination of sensual floral notes with a hint of sweet vanilla infused with rose quartz crystals. This limited edition rolling mister bottle gives you two application options, allowing you to either roll on or spray, making it easy to share the love with a friend!


text:
The US is Losing Control of the Internet…Oh, Really?
By Global Research News
Global Research, October 12, 2013
by Duncan Geere
All of the major internet organisations have pledged, at a summit in Uruguay, to free themselves of the influence of the US government.
The directors of ICANN, the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Architecture Board, the World Wide Web Consortium, the Internet Society and all five of the regional Internet address registries have vowed to break their associations with the US government.
In a statement, the group called for "accelerating the globalization of ICANN and IANA functions, towards an environment in which all stakeholders, including all governments, participate on an equal footing".
That's a distinct change from the current situation, where the US department of commerce has oversight of ICANN.
In another part of the statement, the group "expressed strong concern over the undermining of the trust and confidence of Internet users globally due to recent revelations of pervasive monitoring and surveillance".
Meanwhile, it was announced that the next Internet Governance Summit would be held in Brazil, whose president has been extremely critical of the US over web surveillance.
In a statement announcing the location of the summit, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said: "The United States and its allies must urgently end their spying activities once and for all."
The original source of this article is wired.co.uk
Copyright © Global Research News, wired.co.uk, 2013
Articles by: Global Research News

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Schochia veta är en insektsart som beskrevs av Piza Jr. 1958. Schochia veta ingår i släktet Schochia och familjen vårtbitare. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Vårtbitare
veta

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Glen Allen in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Meadow Farm
The Road to Yellow Tavern
By Bernard Fisher, February 2, 2009
1. Meadow Farm Marker
Meadow Farm. The Road to Yellow Tavern. Union Gen. Philip Sheridan used the Mountain Road during his 1864 raid toward Richmond. His lengthy column of 12,000 horsemen passed here on the morning of May 11. The troopers spread out to destroy many miles of railroad track at Ashland, Allen's Station (now known as Glen Allen), and Hungary Station. Shortly after passing here, Sheridan's men encountered J.E.B. Stuart's 3,000-man command blocking their route, which brought on the Battle of Yellow Tavern. . . The Sheppard family lived at Meadow Farm during the Civil War. Dr. John Sheppard, a physician and farmer, his wife and nine children all felt the impact of the war. Alexander Hamilton, Dr. Sheppard's oldest son, was a guard at Libby Prison, a Confederate prison for captured Union soldiers. Since the fall of 1863, the Confederate Government required farmers including Dr. Sheppard to turn over one-tenth of all their crops and meat as a tax in kind "for the common defense and [to] carry on the government of the Confederate states." The loss of needed crops, shortages of basic consumer items and escalating inflation all contributed to the deteriorating quality of southern life. . This historical marker was erected by Virginia Civil War Trails. It is in Glen Allen in Henrico County Virginia
Union Gen. Philip Sheridan used the Mountain Road during his 1864 raid toward Richmond. His lengthy column of 12,000 horsemen passed here on the morning of May 11. The troopers spread out to destroy many miles of railroad track at Ashland, Allen's Station (now known as Glen Allen), and Hungary Station. Shortly after passing here, Sheridan's men encountered J.E.B. Stuart's 3,000-man command blocking their route, which brought on the Battle of Yellow Tavern.
The Sheppard family lived at Meadow Farm during the Civil War. Dr. John Sheppard, a physician and farmer, his wife and nine children all felt the impact of the war. Alexander Hamilton, Dr. Sheppard's oldest son, was a guard at Libby Prison, a Confederate prison for captured Union soldiers. Since the fall of 1863, the Confederate Government required farmers including Dr. Sheppard to turn over one-tenth of all their crops and meat as a tax in kind "for the common defense and [to] carry on the government of the Confederate states." The loss of needed crops, shortages of basic consumer items and escalating inflation all contributed to the deteriorating quality of southern
2. Map of troop movements prior to the Battle of Yellow Tavern.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 37° 40.582′ N, 77° 31.031′ W. Marker is in Glen Allen, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is on Meadow Farm Drive half a mile north of Mountain Road, on the left when traveling north. This marker is located in the parking lot of the Meadow Farm Museum in General Sheppard Crump Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen VA 23060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Meadow Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); Box Car (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courtney Road Service Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Courtney Road Service Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sheppard and Baker's Grant (approx. 0.4 miles away); Caboose (approx. 0.4 miles away); Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); U.S. Railway Post Office Car (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Allen.
More about this marker. On the lower left are photos of Dr. John Sheppard and Mrs. Virginia Sheppard. On the right is a map detailing troop movements on the morning of May 11, 1864 leading to the Battle of Yellow Tavern. The inset shows a sketch of Dismounted troopers retiring from Sheridan's Raid.
Also see . . .
1. CWSAC Battle Summary. Yellow Tavern (Submitted on February 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
2. Henrico County Recreation and Parks
3. Meadow Farm CWT Marker
. Meadow Farm Museum (Submitted on February 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
3. Civil War Traveler. Henrico County (Submitted on February 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
4. Meadow Farm, home of Dr. John Sheppard.
5. Crump Park entrance from Mountain Road.
6. Meadow Farm Historic Site.
More. Search the internet for Meadow Farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,829 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.


text:
package org.jboss.migration.core.util.xml;

import javax.xml.namespace.NamespaceContext;
import javax.xml.stream.XMLStreamException;
import javax.xml.stream.XMLStreamWriter;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

/**
 *
 * @author Kabir Khan
 */
public class ElementNode extends Node {

    private final ElementNode parent;
    private final String name;
    private final String namespace;
    private final Map<String, AttributeValue> attributes = new LinkedHashMap<String, AttributeValue>();
    private List<Node> children = new ArrayList<Node>();

    public ElementNode(final ElementNode parent, final String name) {
        this(parent, name, parent.getNamespace());
    }

    public ElementNode(final ElementNode parent, final String name, final String namespace) {
        this.parent = parent;
        this.name = name;
        this.namespace = (namespace != null && !namespace.isEmpty()) ? namespace : null;
    }

    public String getNamespace() {
        return namespace;
    }

    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }

    public void addAttribute(String name, AttributeValue value) {
        attributes.put(name, value);
    }

    public void addChild(Node child) {
        children.add(child);
    }

    public Iterator<Node> getChildren() {
        return children.iterator();
    }

    public ElementNode getParent() {
        return parent;
    }

    public Iterator<Node> iterateChildren(){
        return children.iterator();
    }

    public String getAttributeValue(String name) {
        AttributeValue av = attributes.get(name);
        if (av == null) {
            return null;
        }
        return av.getValue();
    }

    public String getAttributeValue(String name, String defaultValue) {
        String s = getAttributeValue(name);
        if (s == null) {
            return defaultValue;
        }
        return s;
    }

    @Override
    public void marshall(XMLStreamWriter writer) throws XMLStreamException {
//        boolean empty = false;//children.isEmpty()
        boolean empty = isEmpty();
        NamespaceContext context = writer.getNamespaceContext();
        String prefix = writer.getNamespaceContext().getPrefix(namespace);
        if (prefix == null) {
            // Unknown namespace; it becomes default
            writer.setDefaultNamespace(namespace);
            if (empty) {
                writer.writeEmptyElement(name);
            }
            else {
                writer.writeStartElement(name);
            }
            writer.writeNamespace(null, namespace);
        }
        else {
            if (empty) {
                writer.writeEmptyElement(namespace, name);
            }
            else {
                writer.writeStartElement(namespace, name);
            }
        }

        for (Map.Entry<String, AttributeValue> attr : attributes.entrySet()) {
            writer.writeAttribute(attr.getKey(), attr.getValue().getValue());
        }

        for (Node child : children) {
            child.marshall(writer);
        }

        if (!empty) {
            writer.writeEndElement();
        }
    }

    private boolean isEmpty() {
        if (children.isEmpty()) {
            return true;
        }
        for (Node child : children) {
            if (child.hasContent()) {
                return false;
            }
        }
        return true;
    }

    public String toString() {
        return "Element(name=" + name + ",ns=" + namespace + ")";
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


RV was hilarious! Who knew?
Who is the hottest Star Trek babe (movies only)?
What's Your Favourite Live-Action Disney Movie?
Do you think the Avi Arad formula is wearing thin?
FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS LOVE GOODTIME THREAD!


I tell him, "No, this is made by Samsung.".
The Gear S is the most nicely designed smartwatch out of all the latest flagship smartwatches like the Motorola 360, LG G Watch, G R Watch, and Gear Live. It has the world's first curved screen on a smartwatch along with a whopping 2-inch AMOLED screen. The 360×480 resolution is also the highest among them all, making the Gear S the king of smartwatches.
Even without turning on the watch, you can tell the Gear S stands out above the crowd when compared side-by-side. Many smartwatches these days have that same, boring look either rectangle or circle. With the Gear S, you will get a super-sleek and curved screen, something literally out of science fiction. The curved screen makes it possible to wrap around your wrists naturally while extending your display size as big as possible. And I really like the home button. It's like having a mini Note phone on my wrist!
The Gear S's core feature is the large screen, allowing you to easily browse through your home screens, just like a smartphone. You can even easily switch between apps just like your phone. In fact, Gear S isn't a smartwatch, it's a smartwatchphone.
Unlike other smartwatches, the Gear S does not run on Android Wear, it's not an Android Wear watch rather it runs the Tizen OS. I don't think it matters too much what software the watch runs so long as you can connect with an Android device. Of course, Gear S can only be setup with a Samsung Android phone, which I wish worked with any Android smartphone.
Gear S apps? Actually not that bad at all, Samsung Gear store has plenty of apps to kill time, it has just as many apps or maybe more than Android Wear apps. Some of my favorite apps include the compass, calculator, and Voice Memo app, which is awesome as it automatically transcripts and saves your memo as a text file on your phone. I actually used this feature to make the script for this video.
Games are a lot more fun to play on the Gear S as the screen is almost double the size of other smartwatches. Whether you are playing an action game, card game, or simple tic-tac-toe, the Gear S has been designed to run games well period.
Want to type of your watch? Normally I don't like typing on my watch but yes, if you use this as your primary phone device, you can get back to your family and friends without a phone.
Now, I actually don't use it as my primary phone device. The feature is definitely there but I think the main reason why you would buy this watch is the design and the large curved screen that let's you do more than other smartwatches. You can easily pair it up with your bluetooth headset and use it with your phone, you don't need to use the phone feature if you don't want to.
The Gear S also comes with built-in microphone along with a speaker, you can make phone calls or listen to your favorite music all by itself.
Battery life is also excellent. I can get a full day and a half on normal usage and near 3 days of battery life with notifications turned off. Better yet, you can turn on its power-saving mode to get double/triple the battery life by using it in black and white mode. If you don't like charging your smartwatch everyday, the Gear S might just be for you.
So what's missing with Gear S?
To setup the Gear S, you need to have a Samsung phone with the Gear app. Otherwise you are stuck with a brick. Of course, if you own a Samsung phone, this probably isn't a big deal but if you don't, that's the only thing holding you back from getting one. Once it's setup though, the Gear S can be used alone by itself.
Overall, I am not 100% happy that it's not Android Wear but if I had to choose one smartwatch. it would be the Gear S. It looks soooo much better than everything else, and it IS better, makes others like watches from a distant past. And I am one of those guys who would choose Android Wear over Tizen but in this case, Gear S has really done it, it's a beautiful watch regardless of Tizen.
If you are looking for a smartwatch that's got a beastly specs and has the world's first curved screen, Gear S is definitely the way to go. It's gonna turn heads where ever you go and a great way to start conversations. So, save up your money and get THIS, it's worth your money and time, that's my final advice and this is my daily driver.
Thanks for sharing all of this. What is the name of the game you demonstrated with tapping a car, switching lanes? I would like to try that one on my Gear S.
Next story How to Replace Galaxy Note 4 Screen!
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 Thank You For Your Vote | Translate This!
It is this time of the year again; voting has started for the top language blogs over at Lexiophiles. This year, there are several categories: Language Technology; Language Professionals; Language Learning; Language Teaching.
Click on the banner below. This will take you to the voting page where you can vote for Translate This! or any of the nominated blogs.


This month, on behalf of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland, we asked our readers online to participate in a survey that examined a number of areas in relation to PrEP, such as sexual health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), attitudes around HIV, and awareness and use of PrEP amongst the LGBT+ community.
There were 622 respondents to the survey, of which 97% were male. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication shown to dramatically reduce the risk of contracting HIV (over 85%), was made available, on private prescription, through Irish pharmacies last December for the first time.


The figure below shows an example of the PDF plots. The variable of interest is shown in the title, along with the vertical level (if any) and the data source. The red line is the data for the current year and the blue line (if present) is the data for the previous year. The lines and shading follow a progression from bottom to top as the minimum (thin black line), the 10th percentile (light gray shading), 30th percentile (dark gray shading), mean (thick black line), 70th percentile (dark gray shading), 90th percentile (light gray shading), and the maximum (thin black line) over the climatological period. This climatological period always excludes the particular year for which the plot is shown. Each day has its own specific climatological values. A record value is indicated when the red or blue line is located outside one of the thin black lines.


On Friday April 6th, the game development club had the opportunity to visit the motion capture stage at Epic Games. Jerry Gilland, motion capture technician, and Jim Lipscomb, motion capture animator were gracious enough to show us their process. Motion capture starts by recording the live actor motion and applying that information to 3D characters in MotionBuilder. Then this information is transformed into skeletal bone animation which is sent directly into their Unreal Engine. We were able to see the live action motion capture motion directly in their engine. We learned a lot about this process and had hands on experience with these tools.
Two of our very own students, Cole Martin and Andy Sublette suited up in the motion capture suits and performed a variety of actions that were recorded for motion capture animations. We have recorded raw animation files that can be used in student led projects. These two actors really enjoyed seeing their motions on 3D characters in the game engine.
Take a look at the pictures below for some of the fun we had at our visit.


text:
Костёл Воздвижения Святого Креста — бывший католический костёл в г. Узда Минской области. Он расположен на Красной площади, в южной части города.

История
Он был построен в 1798 году из дерева генералом Казимиром Завишем, владельцем города.

В школе при церкви учился белорусский поэт Томаш Зан, близкий друг Адама Мицкевича. В костёле был крещен дед Янки Купалы Ануфрий Луцевич, а затем, в 1843 году, его отец Доминик Луцевич .

В 1930-е годы церковь отдали под клуб, с конца 1950-х здание использовалось как районный дом культуры.

В начале 2000 года за храмом была построена новый костёл Воздвижения Святого Креста  .

В 2019 году здание было продано с аукциона местному жителю за 27 000 белорусских рублей . В течение следующих двух лет новый владелец должен провести реконструкцию костёла с сохранением внешнего облика и историко-стилистических особенностей здания  .

Архитектура
Двухэтажный памятник архитектуры классицизма. В начале 20 века была пристроена кирпичная апсида в неоготическом стиле . Храм обнесен кирпичной оградой с воротами.

Литература

 Каталіцкія храмы Беларусі / А. М. Кулагін. — Мінск, 2008.
 Каталіцкія храмы на Беларусі : энцыклапедычны даведнік / А. М. Кулагін. — Мінск, 2000.
 Туристическая энциклопедия Беларуси. — Минск, 2007.

Примечания

Ссылки

 Узда — приход Воздвижения Святого Креста на сайте  Catol.by
Появились в 1798 году
Википедия:Ссылка на Викисклад непосредственно в статье
Страницы с непроверенными переводами
Узда


This is a pair of Hole Shot 2.0 SC 2.2"/3.0" M3 (Soft) Tires (2) for Slash®, Slash® 4x4, SC10, Blitz and Ultima Front or Rear. Short course trucks have become class leaders at many tracks around the nation because it's fun and there's a class for everyone. For those of you that want the most out of your short course truck, you need the new and improved Hole Shot 2.0 SC tires!


Dan is a retired school teacher from New Jersey. Dan is one of my closest confidants and prayer partners. In this picture he was visiting me with his mother, Mary, and sweet "Sister Garnet" from Brooklyn, New York. Garnet has been praying for me every day for many years. Dan drives the gang up here for a time of fellowship.


If you are aiming to work as an animator or motion capture artist in the games, film and TV industries, then this course is for you. It has a clear focus on the creation of 3D computer animation for games, film and TV, and begins with fundamental skills common to all animation roles, in drawing and pre-visualisation, cinematography, asset design and modelling, 2D and 3D key frame animation and simulation.
The inclusion of motion capture and performance modules from the computer games courses make this a distinctive programme, and gives you an opportunity to experience working in a large development team, producing animation within the context of computer games. It equips you with valuable skills in this growing area of animation, which is used in both games and film animation production.
You also gain experience of the wider animation pre-production and production pipeline in team modules shared with the games pathways where you can work as animators or motion capture artists.
We are delighted to announce that this course is accredited by Skillset, the industry body that recognises courses that deliver an education that fulfils professional criteria and best prepares students for the world of work.
You develop your design and drawing styles, essential for the creative development of interesting and innovative visual solutions.
You are guided through a range of techniques and encouraged to push your ideas and designs in alternative directions, expanding your creative thinking and developing your ideas in new ways.
You produce a range of visual images and worksheets to develop your drawing and image-making styles and process. Throughout the module, you are encouraged to experiment with a variety of drawing and mark-making media and techniques.
You are also encouraged to make connections between seemingly unrelated beginnings and outcomes with briefs that allow creative freedom and broad interpretation.
You gain an historical and contextual overview of the history of art, animation, film and games. Aimed at technical, arts, games and animation students, this module equips you with an introductory level of understanding in the context of your chosen field of study.
Through a series of lectures and seminars, you engage in research and discussion based on your chosen areas of art, animation and game history. You learn how to effectively seek out appropriate academic sources on which to base and construct these discussions in seminars and in writing.
In this module you gain confidence in creating rudimentary images using traditional tools such as pencil and charcoal. The teaching enables you to develop your drawing technique and approach, and helps you produce images that effectively communicate simple ideas.
With a range of traditional materials, you are encouraged to experiment with different approaches to drawing. You learn methods and techniques to improve your observational skills in relation to still life drawing. This module also looks at other formal elements including tone, proportion, perspective and basic human anatomy.
You are guided through the production of a small-scale individual project, defined in part by you with guidance from your tutor. The foundation project guides you to a more autonomous working approach developing your project management skills and consolidating other skills already learnt in other modules.
You develop original ideas and concepts for the pre-production of an appropriate project in your chosen field of study. This may take the form of a game design document, modest game prototype, animation or game pre-production, concept art or another appropriate form related to the games, animation and film industries.
You learn some of the basic principles of 3D computer modelling, lighting and texturing. You use 3D software to produce a simple 3D model that will be textured and rendered with basic lighting. Through guided tutorial tasks, you learn some of the first principles of 3D modelling with the view to creating a small collection of elementary assets for computer games and animation. You create simple textures in appropriate software, such as Photoshop, and consider basic CG lighting.
You are introduced to the theory and practice of narrative construction within animation and games. You focus heavily on narrative structure and plot through the group production of a story overview, script and animatic or other appropriate form.
You study the basics of story writing for animation and games including character, story arcs, point of view, creating and formatting scripts, storyboards and animatic, and non-linear stories which may be implemented in software such as Twine.
Through a series of animation exercises, you are provided with an opportunity to learn animation principles in a traditional animation studio setting. This takes place in the first six weeks. The application of animation principles to a short character sequence features in the remainder of the module.
You learn how the basic laws of physics are described through the 12 principles of animation and how they are applied to create convincing movement in 3D.
You are introduced to industry standard 3D software tools and techniques and use supplied character rigs to create a number of short animated sequences.
You complete a series of exercises that are assessed in order to demonstrate your understanding of the principles of animation as applied in 3D.
You are introduced to common dynamic simulation techniques and their implementation in industry-standard software which acts as a supplement to standard key-framed animation techniques.
You implement simple dynamic simulations involving rigid body dynamics (RBD), cloth simulation, particle systems, character hair and fur, and fluid and liquid simulation, designed to augment and improve a character animation scenario.
You develop your abilities to design and create 3D Models, focusing on hard-surface modelling. You consider creative design and development processes for complex objects before evaluating the practicality and deployability of your designs within appropriate 3D scenarios.
You develop the skills to create your designs effectively and efficiently, considering their fitness for purpose as props, animated objects, or supports for other activities such as matte painting. This consideration includes topology, polygon resolution and the object's general aesthetic.
This module develops your visual perception and drawing skills – these are essential for a productive artist to communicate ideas effectively, swiftly and efficiently.
You are guided through a range of drawing exercises including figure drawing, environment drawing, and still life, enabling you to work through a variety of approaches to drawing. These exercises develop your observational and imaginative drawing abilities, and build on your artistic skills and range of techniques, using traditional tools.
Pre-vis (short for pre-visualisation) including storyboarding and cinematography is essential when planning and visualising sequences for animation, live action or a combination of both.
In recent years pre-vis has become increasingly used for both animated and live action films. Some larger post-production companies now have dedicated pre-vis departments and a number of companies now exclusively specialise in pre-visualisation.
You are introduced to the context and art of cinematography and learn about basic film language. You learn the techniques for creating a static and moving storyboard (animatic) with sound, developing your drawing and visualisation skills and applying your knowledge of cinematography to your own work. You are also given an introduction to the 3D pre-vis process.
The skills required to produce creature animation for use in a real-time environment are the main focus in this module. Emphasis will be placed on further developing core animation skills and applying these to non-human animation in a game engine context. You gain the creative and technical skills required to produce non-bipedal animation for use in a real-time environment and the tools available. You are encouraged to practice your observational skills and select appropriate references to develop believable animation.
This module extends your sculpting experience developed at Level four to include significant consideration of organic modelling. You explore the creation of anatomically aware characters and creatures. Consideration is made of the different scenarios, including the creation and sculpting of clothing and props, for which models are created from high end VFX through to matte painting visual aids. You also focus on techniques only deployable in non real-time development such as dynamic subdivision for displacement.
You develop your skills in general CG lighting practice and art direction for VFX and Animation. The module outlines strategies for fast, flexible asset management that will allow models, lighting and camera rigs etc to be deployed efficiently in different lighting, visual style and environment scenarios. You are expected to use this good practice and asset management strategies throughout your university career and beyond. You develop work using a lighting and look development strategy recognisable to the industry.
You are introduced to the skills required for producing animation using motion capture techniques and technologies. Emphasis will be placed on developing technical skills in various motion capture hardware and software tools appropriate to animation production, along with further development of keyframe animation skills. You will be taught how to plan, capture, clean, retarget, loop and blend motion capture data as well as how to layer keyframe adjustments to correct and enhance motion.
You carry out a large scale piece of individual coursework, under the supervision of a project supervisor and a second reader. Your project parameters are agreed by you and your supervisor. You produce a substantial artefact related to your chosen specialism and career aims. You complete a pre-production document, a written reflective report, and a viva to present and defend the artefact.
You develop work-discipline with a professional outlook and you consider legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You analyse, synthesise, and creatively apply what you have studied on the programme.
You develop your practice, innovation and professional skills through practice-based research in your area of computer character animation, computer animation or visual effects. You investigate a topic relevant to your chosen area to explore and expand your practical and theoretical knowledge.
You develop skills in producing dramatic, cinematic animation using motion capture techniques and technologies with a focus on capturing the best possible performance. Emphasis will be placed on developing creative, directorial and cinematic skills using various motion capture hardware and software tools appropriate to animation production, along with further development of motion capture skills. You will be taught how to plan, work with actors, scripts, capture, clean, retarget, and edit motion capture and audio data, and how to present captured performances cinematically.
A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed throughout the programme. The methods adopted reflect active learning using authentic approaches, due to the vocational nature of the course. Team working is featured throughout the course will prepare you for the formal group assessment in years 2 and 3. External guest speakers, seminars and workshops on current research and emerging topics are also a course feature. These will include inquiry-based learning and activities that mirror research process in the discipline. Additionally, they provide you with a bibliography of important and recent academic and professional research publications in the discipline.
A typical offer is 96-112 tariff points including at least two A levels (or equivalent), or 64-80 for entry to Year 0 (Foundation Year). You're required to attend an interview and present a portfolio demonstrating basic skills in drawing and visual invention.
If you're applying for entry to Year 0 (Foundation Year) please use UCAS code I154 BA/CAFY.
You are encouraged to think about your future career from the outset. We have a number of events that develop your employability: our ExpoSeries is integral to your course and is an opportunity for you to interact with employers via ExpoTential at the end of the first year, ExpoTalent at the end of the second year and ExpoTees at the end of the third year. Each event is open to the public and has invited industry guests, ensuring that you have the opportunity to showcase your work to peers, the public and potential future placements or employers at regular intervals throughout each level of your studies. The ExpoSeries underlines the School's commitment to employability by making this integral to your learning journey.
Two Teesside University, School of Computing graduates have beat off international competition to secure places on the graduate trainee scheme of world renowned visual effects company, Double Negative (Dneg).
Animation and Visual Effects students from the School of Computing had the opportunity to exhibit their work at Double Negative's London studios this summer. Staff and students took the renowned ExpoTees brand to the country's capital city to meet some of the industry's leading players.
Gabriella has stayed on at Teesside University to complete an MA.
Lucy's time at Teesside led to her setting up her own business.


text:
Mohammed Faris, Mon 6 Dhul Hijjah 1441AH 27-7-2020AD Company News Social Productivity 11 minutes
In the 1950s, the United Nations received a proposal for the adoption of a uniform World Calendar. The World Calendar would be a 12-month calendar with two x 24 hour-waiting days (called "World Days") to ensure the calendar starts on the same day each year, and hence the days of the week would never shift on any particular calendar day. Supporters of the World Calendar argued that this calendar would be accurate, elegant and as their tag line said, "Shouldn't our calendars be as simple as the clock?"
At the outset, this seemed like a harmless proposal that would improve coordination and planning in modern society. You won't have to print new calendars each year. And the school year and other holidays can be fixed on the exact same date each year. However, a more critical review of the proposal would make you realize that the World Calendar (intentionally or unintentionally) would impose homogeneity across cultures feeding global commercial interests that wanted to align consumer behaviors to a single Western Christian calendar.
Thankfully, Muslim nations and other religious groups opposed this proposal, which saw that the 2 x 24-hour World Days would disrupt the 7-day week cycle, thus disrupting Jumuah and other weekly religious holidays. The U.N. dropped the proposal in 1955.
The above is a cautionary tale of the power and importance of calendars in driving economic, political, and social interest. In this article, I want to share why calendars are important, why the Islamic lunar calendar matters (beyond calculating Ramadan, Eid, and Hajj), and how to align your personal and professional life to the Islamic calendar.
We stand to lose much when we neglect the powerful Hijri calendar that's aligned with Divine Order. We need to take responsibility to revive it now. Click the button below to join the #LetsGoHijri campaign!
Join the campaign!
The Blessing of Calendars
For centuries, humans have observed the succession of days and nights, the waxing and waning of the moon, the movement of the sun, and the rhythm of seasons, and they used these cycles to measure time and organize their central activities around them (particularly for agriculture and trade). The Quran highlights this as a sign of Allah and His Divine Order for people to ponder.
هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَاءً وَالْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ ۚ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
"It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases – that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know." [Quran 10:5]
Beyond aligning with the natural Divine order, humans developed calendar systems mainly for economic, political, and religious reasons. It provides a rhythm and pattern for societies to follow in daily life.
Today, the Gregorian calendar is the predominant calendar used globally. However, we should not forget that for fifteen centuries, the Muslim world had an equal powerful time system that was the primary calendar for society from Indonesia to Spain.
Although Muslims worldwide still use the Islamic calendar, however, it's been deregulated as a secondary calendar that we only refer to when we want to know when is Ramadan, Eid, and Hajj.
My argument in this article is that we stand to lose much when we don't make the Islamic calendar the primary calendar to organize our lives, and we need to take responsibility for the revival of this calendar.
'My argument in this article is that we stand to lose much when we don't make the Islamic calendar the primary calendar to organize our lives, and we need to take responsibility for the revival of this calendar.' Mohammed FarisClick To Tweet
The Islamic Calendar: Restoring Divine Order
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. [Quran 9:36]
Before Islam, Pagan Arabs used a lunisolar calendar system to calculate their month and years. The months were calculated according to the lunar cycle; however, they would add 10-11 days to the lunar calendar to align with the solar calendar. Hence, the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar started and ended in the fall of each year.
The pre-Islamic Arabic months' names are the same as the one we use in the Islamic calendar, and some scholars note that the Arabs inherited this calendar system from Prophet Abraham and his son Prophet Ismaeel when they settled in Arabia. The proof for this is that the Arabs had the same four sacred months in their calendar as those in the Islamic calendar with very similar rituals, e.g., Hajj would be in Dhul-Hijja, and fighting was prohibited during the sacred months.
However, the Pagan Arabs manipulated these 12 months and each sacred month's position to align with business and political interests. This manipulation of the months of the year was what Islam referred to as Al-Nasi' (or in English intercalation) and was forbidden in the Quran. Allah says in the Quran:
إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
"Indeed, the (nasi') – postponing [of restriction within sacred months]- is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds, and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." [Quran 9: 37]
According to Tafseer Maududi: "The pagan Arabs practiced nasi' in two ways:
Whenever it suited them, they would declare a sacred month to be an ordinary month in which fighting, robbery, and murder in retaliation were lawful for them. Then they would declare an ordinary month to be a sacred month in order to make up for the missed sacred month.
The other way of nasi' was the addition of a month in order to harmonize the lunar with the solar year so that the Hajj would always fall in the same season and they would be saved from the inconvenience of the shifting Hajj seasons that are experienced by its observance according to the lunar year."
When Islam came, it inherited the Arabic calendar; however, it purified it from the above pagan practices. Prophet Muhammad in his final Hajj, announced the end of "playing" with time through (nasi') intercalation and adopted a strictly lunar calendar (disconnected from the solar calendar) that we still use today. Through his sermon, it became clear that the dates of Hajj have occurred exactly at their natural and proper time after a long period of circulation, and that this will not change from that time onwards.
The practice of nasi' was considered a rebellion against Divine Law and Order – trying to manipulate sacred months or shifting Hajj to suit economic interests. In essence, just like Prophet Muhammad restored the sanctity of the Ka'aba to its original purpose as a House of Worship for Allah , he restored the Islamic calendar to its Divine purpose reconnecting it to the lunar cycle and the perfect balance of the cosmic rhythm.
الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ
"The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation," [Quran 55:5]
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ يُكَوِّرُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۗ أَلَا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ "
He created the heavens and earth for a true purpose; He wraps the night around the day and the day around the night; He has subjected the sun and moon to run their courses for an appointed time; He is truly the Mighty, the Forgiving." [Quran 39: 5]
By removing human manipulation from the calendar system, Prophet Muhammad was sending a powerful message to His community that we need to submit fully to the Will of Allah in all matters including how we organize our day, months, and years and not try to manipulate the calendar for political and economic interests. This purification of the calendar from market interests is why the Islamic lunar calendar survived all these centuries without alterations (compared to the Roman/Christian calendar, which went through various adjustments and changes throughout the centuries).
'Can you see how much we lose when we disregard and forget the Islamic calendar? We genuinely lose on a robust spiritual calendar that would align us to a fitra (natural disposition) lifestyle, one that is aligned with the Divine Order.' Mohammed FarisClick To Tweet
A Civilizational Identity
After the death of Prophet Muhammad and specifically during the time of Caliph Umar Bin Al-Khattab , he assigned a calendar committee on how the new lunar calendar can be used as a unifying calendar for the growing Islamic empire. The committee chose Friday, July 16th, 622 CE, as the evening of the lunar crescent that marked the beginning of the lunar year in which Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, hence the Hijri calendar began.
Although the calendar system was developed for practical reasons to conduct the Islamic caliphate's affairs and correspondence, we cannot underestimate how much the institution of the Islamic calendar was essential in constructing a cultural and civilizational identity over unprecedented distances. One could travel from Morocco to India and find that everyone has Ramadan around the same time (plus or minus a day depending on moon sighting). People would come for Hajj from all over the Islamic lands and arrive in the same month (a miracle, given that this was before satellite communication and TVs).
Moreover, this was a low-maintenance calendar system. By adopting the strictly lunar calendar, any person living in Muslim lands could determine the start and end of each month by looking at the moon or visiting their local mosque. There was no need for complicated adjustments that plagued the solar calendars adopted by different religious and political authorities.
Sacred Time vs. Non-Sacred Time
In a powerful Friday Khutba, Sh. Abdul-Hakim Murad shares the critical importance of the Islamic calendar in today's materialistic society. We live in a world where spirituality is removed from public space and hidden into private corners. Time is governed by clocks and a Gregorian calendar that's devoid of spiritual meaning or significance. The Islamic calendar instead connects us to the spiritual realm through time and helps us organize our time into sacred and non-sacred days and months.
Consider the annual Islamic cycle (See Figure below): You start the year with a sacred month, and the blessed days of Ashura (sacred time), you then enter Safar (non-sacred time), then comes Rabi Al-Awwal which (leaving Mawlid debates aside) is considered a special time for many who commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad , then comes three months of Rabi-II, Jumada I, and Jumada II (non-sacred time), then enters Rajab (sacred time), then Sha'baan – which although is not a sacred month, but the Prophet Muhammad emphasized its importance, then comes the highlight of the year – Ramadan, followed by Eid in Shawwal, then we end the year with the two sacred months of Dhul-Qi' da and Dhul-Hijja, before starting a new lunar year with the sacred month of Muharram.
Moreover, within each month, there's the rhythm of fasting created by the waxing and waning of the moon where we're encouraged to fast on the White Days (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Islamic month) when the moon is full.
The Islamic calendar creates a spiritual rhythm to life through alternating between sacred time and non-sacred time. Moreover, the purpose of sacred time is to prepare us and purify us to be the best version of ourselves during the non-sacred time, just like the five daily prayers are meant to be daily purifiers to help us become better people outside of prayer times.
Compare the above rhythm with the flat, secular, Gregorian calendar of January, February, March, April, etc. which is devoid of any relevant meaning. Unfortunately, global corporations invest in creating special seasons around these months to drive consumer behaviors through seasonal gifts and exclusive' deals.' Hence we have the annual consumer cycle of New Year–> Valentine days–>Mothers day–>Fathers day–>Summer holidays–>Back to school–>Christmas etc.
Can you see how much we lose when we disregard and forget the Islamic calendar? We genuinely lose on a robust spiritual calendar that would align us to a fitra (natural disposition) lifestyle, one that is aligned with the Divine Order.
But isn't it complicated to adopt the Islamic calendar?
Before I delve into the practical ways to align the Islamic calendar to your personal and professional life, I want to address a common argument against adopting the Islamic calendar as a primary calendar in one's life. Mainly, that modern life is built around the Gregorian calendar. And with the challenges of accurately sighting the moon each Islamic month, it would be impractical to adopt the Islamic calendar in our personal and professional life.
There are a number of counter-arguments for this:
Let us firstly accept and submit that this is the calendar that Allah and His Messenger chose for humanity. Therefore it must be the best calendar system to organize our life around.
Early Islamic societies had to deal with the same issues of figuring out how best to align moon sightings across regions, hence the powerful scientific renaissance in Muslim lands, especially in Mathematics, Astronomy, and Geometry. This led to the adoption of a 'civil' Islamic calendar that was calculated astronomically and distributed across the Muslim world and an Islamic religious calendar that remained dependent on local moon sighting. With advances in technology, these two calendar systems have pretty much aligned with each other for most months (minus the annual Ramadan/Eid moon sighting debates).
If, as a community, we uphold the importance of the Islamic calendar in our lives, more serious efforts would be taken by Governments and technology companies to figure out a way to be able to use the Hijri calendar as a real alternative to the Gregorian calendar (already Apple, Google, and Microsoft allow adding the Islamic calendar to one's digital calendar and smartphones).
Although we think that the Gregorian solar calendar is accurate, it's not. Read the history of the Gregorian calendar and how it shifted from the Roman calendar to the Julian calendar and finally to the Gregorian calendar and the scientific, political, and religious alterations it went through. Even today, the fact we have to add an "additional day" every four years, is evidence that the solar calendar is far from accurate.
The Islamic calendar is perhaps the last institution we have as a global Muslim society that gives us a unique civilizational identity. It connects us at a deeper Ummah level – just see how the Ummah comes together during Ramadan and Hajj. This unity can be achieved outside Ramadan/Hajj by integrating our personal lives and institutions with the Islamic calendar.
My contention in this article is that we have much to lose – spiritually, psychologically, and socially – if we don't accept the Divine calendar that Allah chose. Moreover, the pressure for a globalized "World Calendar" is far from over. I won't be surprised if there'll be a renewed effort towards adopting a World Calendar in the not-so-distant future. We need to start taking the revival of the Islamic calendar seriously today.
Conclusion: How to align the Islamic calendar to your personal and professional life?
I want to be clear that I'm not asking you to abandon the Gregorian calendar overnight; this will not be practical nor feasible in our modern life. However, I'm asking you to set your intentions to please Allah by aligning your life primarily to the Islamic calendar in whatever capacity you can. It's about living a Hijri-first lifestyle. Below are a few examples of how you can do this:
If you're a professional, try to organize your vacations around the Islamic calendar.
If you're a stay-at-home parent, organize kids' activities around the Islamic calendar.
If you're a business owner, pay your employees according to the Islamic calendar (your staff would love you since they'll get a bonus pay every two years!).
If you're a school principal, organize your school events around the Islamic calendar.
We can all do our bit, and it starts by setting the right intentions, taking responsibility to revive the Islamic calendar in our lives, and living by example to show others how it can be done.
My challenge to you is for the upcoming year 1442H, try to make the Islamic calendar your primary calendar in as many areas of your life as possible.
We need to start taking the revival of the Islamic calendar seriously today. My challenge to you is for the upcoming year 1442H, try to make the Islamic calendar your primary calendar in as many areas of your life as possible. Mohammed FarisClick To Tweet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Calendar
"By Noon Prayer: The Rhythm of Islam" By Fadwa El Guindi
"The Day Begins at Sunset: Perceptions of Time in the Islamic World" by Barbara Freyer Stowasser
"The Sacred Nature of the Islamic Calendar" by Sh.AbdulHakim Murad.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Quran 9: 37.
Tafsir Maududi, Quran 9: 37.


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Las Vegas | 'Polish Music on Stage': Polish Violin Duo
Young artists - winners of the 1st and 2nd editions of the International Polish Music Competition - will perform on the 10th of December 10, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Charleston Library in Las Vegas during their US tournée. It comes as part of the 'Polish Music on Stage / US edition' project organized by the National Institute of Music and Dance within the Inspiring Culture programme.
Polish Violin Duo consists of two charismatic musicians - Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, whose stage energy is perfectly intertwined with musical sensitivity. Each concert of the duo is unique, it allows you to discover and savor chamber music for two violins - a cast so rarely presented on stages.
During the upcoming concert, they will present the works of Grażyna Bacewicz, Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk, Henryk Wieniawski, Mieczysław Wajnberg, Romuald Twardowski and Henryk Wieniawski.
More: https://nimit.pl/wydarzenia/polish-violin-duo-polish-music-on-stage/
Vienna | Premiere performance of Piotr Tabakiernik's 'Novae Sonatae Rosarii' in Musikverein
On the 7th of December 7, 2022 at 7.30 p.m. in the Magna Auditorium of Vienna's Musikverein, the premiere of two of the four parts of Piotr Tabakiernik's (*1986) Novae Sonatae Rosarii (2020/22) will take place. The compositions will be premiered by: Jolanta Sosnowska (violin), Tomasz Piętak (organ), Jan Krigovsky (double bass and baroque violone), Hubert Hoffmann (theorban and lute); Gregorian antiphons will be performed by Wiener Schola Gregoriana.
Novae Sonatae Rosarii (Polish: New Rosary Sonatas) is a cyclical work composed with the violinist Jolanta Sosnowska in mind, consisting of twenty-one pieces-miniatures. The length of individual compositions varies from a few to several minutes. It is the only work, so far, in the history of violin literature that requires performance on nineteen different instruments, as well as the only 21-movement programatic work written for the violin in the last few hundred years.
Additional information: https://instytutpolski.pl/wien/2022/11/21/novae-sonatae-rosarii-von-piotr-tabakiernik-mit-jolanta-sosnowska/
Read more: Vienna | Premiere performance of Piotr Tabakiernik's 'Novae Sonatae Rosarii' in Musikverein
Premiere of Agata Zubel's work in Donaueschingen
On the 14th of October, 2022, during the Donaueschinger Musiktage - one of the most important festivals of contemporary music in the world - Agata Zubel's piece Out of Time for a hologram soloist and orchestra will be premiered.
In the piece inspired by Marcel Proust, the composer goes beyond the standard notion of a musical work. It will be presented by Agata Zubel's hologram together with SWR Symphonieorchester and SWR Experimentalstudio, which will be hosted by Pascal Rophé.
The concert will be broadcast live on SWR2 on the 14th of October at 20.05.
More: https://www.swr.de/swrclassic/donaueschinger-musiktage/veranstaltung-14-10-2022-20-uhr-3-konzert-100.html
Washington | "Music from the Heart: A Tribute to Ignacy Jan Paderewski"
The gala concert 'Music from the Heart: A Tribute to Ignacy Jan Paderewski' will take place on the 16th of October 2022 at 19.00 in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Under the direction of Kenneth Slowik, the Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra will perform five iconic works by Polish and American composers. Originally planned as a celebration of the foundation of the Second Republic of Poland at the end of World War I, the concert is organized in cooperation with the Andrzej Markowski Foundation.
The programme will begin with the energetic 1948 Concerto for String Orchestra by Grażyna Bacewicz, Poland's best-known female composer, followed by Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, which gained instant fame when Arturo Toscanini led the NBC orchestra in its broadcast premiere. Next up, Mikołaj Gorecki's hauntingly beautiful Concerto-Notturno will feature the young American violinist Lily Honigberg, concluding the first half of the concert. After the intermission, another young American pianist, Avery Gagliano (the only American semi-finalist of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021), will play Ignacy Jan Paderewski's Romanza. The concert will end with a Suite from Aaron Copland's, Appalachian Spring.
More information: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/scms-muzyka-z-serca
Success of the Polish participants of the 3rd International Composition Competition 'Future Symphony' in Vilnius
During the final concert of the 3rd International Composition Competition for Symphony Orchestra on the 9th of September, 2022 in Vilnius, second prizes were awarded ex aequo to composers from Katowice: Przemysław Scheller and Roman Czura.
Two orchestral compositions by Polish composers were performed at the Lithuanian Philharmonic in Vilnius: Beyond the Threshold by Przemysław Scheller and Black is Black by Roman Czura. For Czura, it was a return to the Lithuanian stage after the 3rd prize won in the Competition in 2020. This time, the organizers extended the formula, offering participants to model a symphony orchestra by a possibility of including instruments such as a saxophone, accordion or an electric guitar in the ensemble. There was also an opportunity to write a piece with a narrator - the only such score, Was auch geschieht by Jasper de Bock, won.
The international jury consisted of: Mārtiņš Viļums, Yannis Kyroakides, Justė Janulytė, Modestas Pitrėnas, Gediminas Gelgotas, Ayal Adler.
Congratulations to all Laureates!
More about the competitioin: https://www.futuresymphony.lt/
Bonn and Hamburg | Conference of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC)
Vienna | Premiere of 'The Ancient Night' by Wojciech Chałupka in the Golden Hall of Musikverein
Anna Sowa's stage work at the opening of an Italian opera festival
Prague | 'Made in Poland': Kwartludium concert in Prague


Princess Leia was a huge part of everyone's childhood. She was especially a big part of mine. That character was important to me like to most people. It was Princess Leia that helped get people interested in Star Wars. Without that character and without Carrie Fisher playing her then Star Wars would have been nothing.
Yeah, Carrie may have been a very liberal woman and she may have been no fan of Donald Trump but hey… everything doesn't always have to be about politics, right? Leave politics out of things for once. Princess Leia was an iconic character. She was somebody we all grew up watching. Princess Leia is still loved by everybody today.
She wasn't just an actress, though, she was also an author who wrote several books over the years and I think I remember reading one of them. I think it was "Wishful Drinking", not sure. She was a great writer. Her writing is pretty interesting. I also followed her twitter page which was also interesting. I received one of her books, "The Princess Diarist" as a Christmas gift from a friend of mine yesterday (pictured above) so I'm looking forward to reading that one too.
Carrie also appeared in many other flicks other than Star Wars for example her hilarious role in "The Blues Brothers" movie (see video below). She also had small roles and cameos in many other films as well such as "The Burbs", "When Harry Met Sally" and many others.
There's no chance of Carrie returning as Leia for Star Wars Episode 8 which is a bummer but I'm sure they'll make her appear as a force ghost somehow. I'm bummed like everybody else. She was a great talent and an interesting lady. Yet, another sad loss in 2016.
Previous PostThe Top 15 Music albums of 2016….Next PostNow that I've seen "The Force Awakens" & "Rogue One", maybe Disney buying Lucasfilm was a good move after all???


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Looking for escape all Summer '18
Georgie Riggs|April 26, 2018
Featured illustration by Julia Poage, staff illustrator
As the hot days of summer start to replace the only-slightly-cooler days of spring, the first thing on most people's minds is probably how to make the most out of our time off from classes. The last thing on Trinikids' heads, however, is how to spend that time in the midst of the heavy San Antonio heat.
But for those lucky few who are preparing to return to the paper thin walls of Witt-Winn — or the even more select few who were able to secure an off-campus apartment — for summer research or internships, the Trinity bubble might just become our home year-round if we don't try hard enough to burst it. I've compiled a few of the best summer attractions for you to spend those stipend dollars that you promised yourself you would put directly into savings — you'll still regret the receipts but hopefully you'll have a good time doing it.
The Paper Tiger continues to bring the goods to our North St. Mary doorstep with shows from Kimbra, Men I Trust, and SALES, amongst others, this summer. You probably already know, but if you're looking for a solid indie show near campus where you can dance with people you know from seeing in class and in Coates regularly but awkwardly have never said more than five words to, this venue is for you.
Paper Tiger is a Trinity staple for a good reason — they consistently book good bands — but if you are looking for a change of pace, and maybe a slightly less familiar crowd, there are plenty of options if you are just willing to look and drive a bit further. The Cold War Kids will be coming to the Rustic in May, along with Fleet Foxes to the Tobin Center in May, and Culture Club to the Tobin Center in July.
For those brave enough to stick it out at a festival, the Float Fest in San Marcos looks promising with acts like Modest Mouse and Snoop Dogg making for an eclectic lineup, though you'd truly have to be brave to float a river with that many people in it and in such close proximity to Texas State. To each their own, I guess.
Going into further uncharted areas for me, the San Antonio Zoo just announced an animatronic dinosaur exhibition called "Zoorassic Park," lasting from the end of May to the end of August. Having never been to the zoo here — out of general fear, trepidation and laziness — I'm not completely sure if this is the perfect place for summer break fun.
But the prospect of seeing "Land Before Time" come to life digitally is enough for even me to feel like breaking out the bucket hat and pocket fan for a day at the zoo. You'll probably end up sweaty, sunburned and broke, but it's gotta be better than that second "Jurassic World," right?
The Witte will also feature a similar exhibition during the summer called "Predators vs Prey: Dinosaurs on the Land Before Texas," though there is probably less of a chance that these dinosaurs will become sentient beings that Jeff Goldblum will have to fight to save his life at this exhibit.
For anyone feeling more adventurous, or maybe just a little stir-crazy, the options for summer road trip destinations are basically endless, though personally, I would avoid the well-worn beaches of Galveston and Port Aransas in favor of some of Texas's many cool parks, like nearby Enchanted Rock or Big Bend.
However, if you are seeking out a beach, maybe try the less hectic, Port Aransas-adjacent Mustang Island State Park. The water will probably still be murky and stagnant, but the chances of spotting a Confederate flag on a car will be lessened by the sheer lack of crowds at these beaches.
As much as I will try to burst the bubble myself, I'm honestly just looking forward to the new movie releases this summer. If, like me, you've been counting down the days until "Oceans 8," than you only have a few weeks more to wait.
If you're less than excited about a woman-led heist film with not only Mindy Kaling, Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulason but also Rihanna, then I guess there is always "Deadpool 2." Again, to each their own.
Harry Styles' Vogue cover is just the start of dismantling gender norms
This past week, Harry Styles made history by being the first man to be featured on the cover of Vogue. However, what has most people talking is what S...
Trinity Music Department plans for virtual holiday performances
Although Trinity University's music ensembles traditionally hold Christmas concerts, this semester has posed many roadblocks in being able to conduc...
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Kobe Patterson releases "We Were Never Meant to Get Here"
The beauty of sampling
Art history professor Yinshi Lerman-Tan talks about the changing art industry
TUPS presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare"


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HomeFeatured ArticlesSao Paulo signals
Sao Paulo signals
From 8th to 11th March, the Trans-américa Expo Center, in São Paulo, Brazil hosted Revestir in a new hybrid format: part digital and part in-person exhibition. TSJ offers selected highlights.
Revestir, Latin America's foremost surfaces show, celebrated it's 20 year anniversary in 2022, covering all seven pavilions of the Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo.
This will be the event's final running at this venue, as it moves to São Paulo Expo at Rodovia dos Imigrantes in 2023.
The 2022 event was unique because, in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic, it had a novel hybrid format: part digital and part in-person exhibition.
"The event was an opportunity for the sector to meet again and will certainly be a business driver throughout the year," says Benjamin Ferreira Neto, Chairman of Anfacer. "Over the years, the event has grown and consolidated itself as the most important event in the cover- ings and finishing solutions segment in Latin America, and one of the main events in the world for civil construction," notes Neto.
This year's hybrid format was designed to break boundaries by taking trends and exhibitor releases to the four corners of the world.
"By connecting the physical and digital universes, we increase the reach and business possibilities, in addition to strengthening contact with the market, resellers, specifiers, and everyone who is part of the construction production chain," explains Maurício Borges, CEO of Expo Revestir and FIAC.
2022 saw the exhibition reach the maximum capacity of the Transamerica Expo Center, with an exhibition that combined ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, taps, and brassware, with ornamental stone, mosaics, wood, laminates, and various conglomerate materials. There was also a comprehensive education programme, offering in-depth insights into current trends and innovations.
Hybrid format includes digital
In 2022, FIAC – International Forum of Architecture, Design and Construction – remained virtual, as it was in 2021. In this event, renowned speakers from the world of architecture and design delivered lectures with themes aimed at architects, interior designers, and students.
Together, they presented the current global reality; exploring the challenges of a post-pandemic world, alongside other geo-political influences.
In the wake of the success of the 2021 digital edition, the 20th Expo Revestir simultaneously took place virtually, 24 hours a day, from 8th to 11th March, on the digital platform.
The digital version allowed visitors to save admired products and brands, and check out launches from the in-person event. The platform also hosted FIAC, with presentations from the likes of Dutch designer, Maarten Baas, and the American architect, Charles Renfro.
This platform is designed to provide complete immersion in the trade show: the objective being to offer an authentic Revestir experience to all four corners of the world, at any time, and from any device.
Given the growing importance of sustainability in construction, Anfacer promoted exclusive content related to the topics of quality and sustainability through the Anfacer + Sustainable Marathon programme. Topics included The potential of specification in the digital journey, and Towards a low carbon economy.
Women's Day presented a feminine view of the construction industry, with five women leaders presenting their achievements.
Other talks looked at the universe of lighting in architecture, and façades in commercial buildings by Konigsberger Vannucchi, Aflalo/Gasperini, and DMDV
Interior Designer Day featured both Lissa Carmona and Liliah Angelini. The latter explored the house as sanctuary and the immersion of spaces that coexist in the physical and digital world influenced by the rise of the Metaverse.
Meanwhile Andréa de Paiva investigated the impact of technology on people's minds. Maarten Baas and Omar Fernandes also featured in a star-studded line up.
Beauty, functionality, visual continuity, and different uses for floors, walls, furniture, and worktops were all prominent this year. In the 20th anniversary edition, large formats were centre stage, boosted by high definition digital printing of different colours and textures on porcelain tiles up to 3 metres long.
For sheer exuberance and vitality, few exhibitors could hold a candle to Almma Design. As well as curating and editing wall and floor tiles, the company rightly bills itself as a platform for ideas and inspiration.
Almma believes in "affectionate design, which goes beyond decor: it expresses feelings, values roots, gives meaning and meaning, uniqueness and belonging. The emphasis is on the possibility of materials and visual references that arouse sensations because we expand the concept of reason: we have emotion as an instrument. We want to occupy spaces with affection, joy and creativity. We open space to create and inspire environments whose great strength is creativity and originality." This may all sound a bit vague and woolly, but the concept truly comes to life in ranges like Atelie.
In the Artemix collection from Almma different patterns and prints mix and match in most unexpected ways, in an inspired interplay of imagination, and harmony.
There are many inspirations: from the shapes of cobogós to the power and visual richness of tiles, including psychedelic patterns, cartoons, and geometric combinations. In today's maximalist world, this is a portfolio well worth exploring. www.almma.com.br
Gaudí Porcelanato showcased blue, gold, and white tones across more than 65 tile designs in 600 by 600, 800 by 800, 610 by 1,200, 200 by 1,200, and 1,200 by 1,200mm formats, in polished, satin, and two non-slip finishes. The highlight was Dunne Blue porcelain from the Pallazo range. The polished design, inspired by the oriental Year of the Tiger, has a colour palette that references both water and the big cat itself. https://www.gaudiporcelanato.com.br
Elizabeth Revestimentos' new 1,200 by 1,200mm format included strong designs such as Imperial Branco: a hybrid marble with cement texture. http://www.ceramicaelizabeth.com.br
Villagres' new Atlantis line highlights organic veins on a differentiated bluish background, mixed with reddish features; in a generous 805 by 1,400mm format.
Also new, the Lombardia range delivers brushed and external textures in 1,080 by 1,080mm. https://www.villagres.com.br
One of Brazil's tile giants, Portobello presented novelties that expand the portfolio in different formats, colours, and finishes. The highlight is the new Ms. Barcelona Antracita colour, an intermediate shade between Crystal and Acero. The warmer shade of grey provides cosiness and broadens the options for multiple environments.
With the upgrade of the Via Durini line, this stone-effect has gained a cosmopolitan air with its soft texture and neutral tones. Available in four tones, both in the 900 by 900mm format and in the exclusive 900 by 2,700mm format for walls, Via Durini expresses European elegance. A new 600 by 1,200mm format further expands the possibilities. https://www.portobello.com.br/en
Incenor stood out with products featuring irregular edges that fit perfectly with minimal joints. This makes the pieces appear natural and minimises the perception of grouting. The products offer practicality, durability, good looks, and a great cost/benefit ratio. Stone-effects, in various textures, shapes, and sizes, are the stars of a range that majors on natural design. https://www.incenor.com.br
The most eye-catching design on Helena Porcelanato's stand was the Hope Blue porcelain tile (610 by 1,200mm) from the Marmo range. In all, this factory launched more than 40 designs in satin, satin/glossy, granilla and gloss, polished, relief, relief and gloss, and rustic finishes. The formats range from 820 by 820mm up to 1,200 by 1,200mm, divided between the Marmo, Mineralli, Metropoli, Albero, and Essenziale ranges. Helena is part of Grupo Cedasa. https://www.helenaporcelanato.com.br
Inspired by northwest India, the Jaipur collection, from Lurca Azulejos, is a modern take on this rich culture, known for its colours, flowers, and fabrics. With predominantly warm tones, the range has six designs: Jalis, Sari, Mahal, Mandir, Lotus, and Delhi.
This designer brand also launched Agra and Udaipur Kits. Lurca's tiles are silk-screened and fired at 940oC, resulting in durable, low-maintenance pieces that can be used on indoor and outdoor walls and wet areas. They measure 155 by 155mm, 6mm thick, and have a gloss finish. https://www.lurca.com.br
Karina Revestimentos's Prima Collection features designs in high relief that emphasise the effect of light and shadow. The Fileto line has filleted wood as a source of inspiration and modern 3D relief full of personality. More at https://www.karinarevestimentos.com.br
Itagres presented the Reflexos 2022 collection, with a wide range of bold products designed for different environments and functionalities. Lightness and versatility set the tone for the brand's new collection. The variety presented ranges from inspirations in marble and geometric shapes to artistic prints. Also present in the collection are pieces inspired by macramé patterns, and those that play into the minimalist trend. http://www.itagres.com.br
Colours, textures, and prints characterised Incepa's launches. Balanced tones and a calm atmosphere are the features of the new Nature range, offered in a 300 by 900mm format. Alfama has a more intimate, cottage, feel: such as Alfama Candy, in pastel shades.
Incepa also had SuperFormato pieces, from the Portofino line, inspired by Crema Marfil marble, in 1,200 by 1,200mm, and 1,000 by 2,000mm formats. https://www.incepa.com.br
Another of the big Brazilian brands, Eliane offered products inspired by minimalism and anchored in high technology. The Lumina collection, for example, presented pieces based on the design-wave style, such as Poente (150 by 150mm).
Micron seeks inspiration in natural stone and presents high performance for extreme uses. The collection's wildcard palette, Micron Beige, delivered a surface based on the aesthetics of coloured granites, in a versatile and timeless shade. Eliane is now part of the Mohawk empire. https://www.eliane.com
The idea of immaterial architecture runs through the concept of the launches by Decortiles, which has turned to the senses and new sensibilities. The theme of the new collection is Invisible, which proposes looking at one's own interior, serenity, and materiality. The Maestro collection, for example, is inspired by clear marbles, Calacatta Ouro being one of the highlights. In the large format 1,200 by 1,200mm porcelain tile, the golden and fluid veins of the Italian marble gain life and movement. There is also a 600 by 1,200mm version. Decortiles is part of the Eliane group. https://www.decortiles.com
Lepri, a brand known for its rustic touch and ecological focus, majored on products that simulate bricks in maxi formats. The Maxi Brick line, for example, brings the Maxi Brick Mattone Graffiatto Cappuccino model (90 by 360mm), made from the mud that devastated the city of Mariana, in Minas Gerais. The piece has the grooves often seen in clay and a velvety texture. The Maxi Brick Mattone Chiaro line reproduces the feel of demolition bricks, with a smoother texture. Among the other highlights, there are tiles in different formats, and pieces inspired by aged white bricks. https://lepri.com.br
Carmelo Fior launched the Cristalato line, with products in large formats (750 by 750mm) and polished or satin finishes. The range presents high gloss models with the aesthetic effect of crystal, recalling the veins found in marble. The neutral tones can augment a wide range of environments. Find out more at: https://www.carmelofior.com.br
Biancogres presented porcelain tiles inspired by organic forms in a palette of neutral, earthy, and pastel tones. Highlights include the Botanic and Folhas (both 450 by 900mm), Terrazzo Veneziano Avorio 900 by 900mm, Treviso 600 by 600mm, and Legno Maso 260 by 1,060mm. https://www.biancogres.com.br
The concepts of nature indoors, and care for the environment, ran through Alfagrês' launches. Among light and dark tone options, wood shapes and textures dominate the Carvalho Natural, Ipê Brown and Carmel lines. Another trend was marbles, with clear pieces that fall between sobriety and sophistication such as the Marfil and Marmo Grey ranges. More information at https://alfagres.com/
The Castelli brand presented pieces based on dark marble, which express sophistication and nobility in a unique way. The Castel Belvedere Lux P71005 – Brodick 70706, for example, brings the authenticity of the marble veins for a fluid and organic look. More at: https://castelliporcelanato.com.br
Ceusa's new designs dialogue with contemporary trends in these fields: Passarela, Alegria, Imaginária, Exótica, Cacau, Metal Garden, Miragem and Astro. Among the highlights is Exótica, which seeks inspiration in the natural stone quartzite, with vivid textures and fluid palettes that refer to shades of blue and gray. The pieces are ideal for worktops, tables and panels, with dimensions varying from robust rectangular formats (260 by 1,600mm) to no less significant square pieces (800 by 800mm and 1,000 by 1,000mm). More at: https://www.ceusa.com.br/en
One of Damme Porcelanato's highlights was the Sahara product, inspired by brands such as Dior and Versace, which dared to use distinctive colours (such as neon, yellow, orange, green, and pink) and brought dark tones to the foreground. Sahara highlights earthy tones and is available in the 1,210 by 1,210mm, 1,200 by 1,200mm, 620 by 1,210mm, and 610 by 1,200mm formats. More information at: https://www.dammeporcelanato.com.br
Marbled textures were to the fore in Delta's launches, in a colour palette that highlights the free forms common to marble, with light, dark or chiaroscuro backgrounds that combine sophistication, grandeur and lightness in their surfaces. Integrated to the large formats trend, the pieces vary between 840 by 840mm and 630 by 1,200mm. The high gloss surface finish is impressive. https://www.deltaceramica.com.br
Marble's guaranteed space in architecture and decoration is typified by Topázio Brown from Incopisos: a 560 by 560mm design inspired by brown topaz stone. It has white and beige veins, which give a feeling of amplitude to the ambiance. Sagres Taupe, in a 750 by 750mm format, is versatile and can be used in indoor residential environments: living rooms, dining rooms, and bathrooms. More at: https://www.incopisos.com.br
Pamesa's latest textures and formats were inspired by natural rocks. The pieces stand out for their organic veins and the naturalism of the shapes. The four ranges launched by the brand this year bring this characteristic in a striking way. Bay, for example, presents the sobriety of cobalt blue in an exotic polished marble, which is a key piece for impact compositions, while Bórgia is inspired by the Calacata marble family, with soft grayish veins on a neutral background. The pieces come in 760 by 760mm format. More at: https://www.pamesa.com.br
Pierini's new Ondas Soft line, for example, brings pieces in 200 by 200mm based on the colours and movement of the sea, in soft shades of blue. The Duefratelli Cerâmica lines – Oro Blu, Carvalho, Ravena, and Bávaro Blue – dialogue with the same concept. The result is a union between fluidity, tranquility, and sophistication. https://www.pierini.com.br
The lastra format is the Portinari brand's flagship product. With pieces that reach 3,200mm, Portinari is emphasising amplitude with pieces can be applied on different surfaces, such as floors, walls, façades, furniture, panels, stairs, and worktops. The brand delivered a diversity of surfaces, colours, and shapes. There were product lines inspired by wood, metal, natural stone, and timber, as well as concepts such as minimalism and cosmopolitanism, as in the Moscou collection. Find out more at: https://www.ceramicaportinari.com.br
Ceramica Savane offered10 new ranges with a wide selection of different inspirations. These included Essence and Anticato, both in 900 by900mm, and Artesanale in 570 by 1,150mm.
https://www.savane.com.br
Roca Cerámica launched 22 collections: from superformats to varied prints, indicating that personalizing space is a trend. The lines also feature BioSafe technology, an additive that remains for the entire useful life of the porcelain tile and is capable of eliminating 99% of the virus and bacteria that come into contact with the surface. https://www.rocaceramica.com.br/en
The next edition of Revestir will take place from 14th to 17th March 2023 at São Paulo Expo, Rodovia dos Imigrantes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.


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Engineering > News > Engineering alums team to help kids with math
Alumni team up to help kids with math
Oct 6, 2014• by Rick Skwiot
The serendipitous California convergence of two Engineering alumni is adding up to better math skills for underprivileged Bay Area youth.
Charlie Simmons and Lew Epstein
Lew Epstein directs and Charlie Simmons funds an intensive summer math program aimed at building proficiency and self-esteem in middle schoolers.
Though Epstein and Simmons had never met, they had a lot in common: degrees from Washington University School of Engineering & Applied Science (Epstein earned a master's degree in applied mechanics in 1971; Simmons earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1970), successful Silicon Valley careers behind them, and a passion for mathematics. That led them both to volunteer as math tutors through the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Epstein started tutoring middle school students in East Palo Alto —socioeconomically distant from neighboring high-tech, highly educated Palo Alto. Disparities also existed in education quality.
"I was working with sixth and seventh graders who had second- and third-grade math skills," he says. "To do anything in math you have to have a foundation — adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying. These kids didn't have that."
Epstein wanted to remedy that.
"I saw I could continue tutoring and help one or two kids, or I could get a position where I could help hundreds or thousands," he said.
Luckily, he found the right gig: executive director at The José Valdés Math Institute, which for 25 years has run summer classes focusing on underserved middle school and high school students. Its astonishing results spring from an astonishing regimen, Epstein says.
"We tell the kids, 'We want you to give up your summer, get up at 5:30 every morning and ride a bus to the Stanford campus to spend eight hours a day doing nothing but studying math. By the way, when you go home you have two hours of homework. And we would like you to do this four days a week for seven weeks,'" Epstein says.
"People say, 'That's not going to work.' And at the end of the first week the kids really do hate it, and they hate me. But by the end of the seven-week program the kids are in tears because the program is ending. The first thing they ask me at graduation is, 'Can I come back next year?'
"The success rate is very high. In fact, the Stanford associate dean who heads its diversity program and works with us is a Valdés graduate who started out as a migrant farm worker," Epstein says.
Similarly, Simmons' experiences as a tutor left him frustrated. A high school geometry student had to pull out her calculator to multiply 10 times 12. And he had algebra students who couldn't add fractions.
"I was lamenting this to the head of the Boys & Girls Clubs, who told me about Lew then connected us," Simmons says. "We hit it off, and the rest is history."
That brief history consists of Simmons funding the expansion of the Valdés Institute's reach in the Ravenswood School District. He also helped to establish a STEM coordinator in the district.
"The district superintendent called in the principals to explain the program," Simmons says. "They were not happy, as it meant extra work, and they didn't know anything about the institute. But then one of the principals piped in that she had gone to Valdés and it had changed her life — 'transformational' was the word she used. And you could see the other principals perk up and start to listen."
Simmons, who was in the first class of Langsdorf Scholars in Engineering, now funds two-thirds of the 180 students at the tuition-free institute. Most come from Hispanic families in which parents possess minimal formal education, limiting their ability to help with math homework. That funding pays the salaries of teachers, most of whom teach elsewhere during the school year and return to Valdés summer after summer, Epstein says. Each is supported by two paid college student-assistants in their classrooms, which have 22-24 students
"Last year we took 70 percent of the students up a whole grade level in math," says Simmons, who also funds several scholarships at Washington University.
But the benefits reach beyond math scores, Epstein says.
"Not only do we help these kids out in math, but the kids also develop greater self-confidence and self-esteem because they are starting to enjoy some success in school," he says. "During the following school year they then do better generally, not just in math."
The program was started by math teacher José Valdés in 1988 with the premise that everybody can learn.
"It turns out that the kids from East Palo Alto are just as capable as the kids from Palo Alto," Epstein says. "All they need are the same resources and the same support system."


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Q: How to recognize non-human users? Listing all the users in the system, I noticed that some of them were system users and didn't have e.g. working hours at all. At the moment, I just list them and exclude from my loop my it's a Q&D approach and I prefer to do it right.
I haven't found any specific information on the systemuser entity that'd tell me if a certain one is a real profile (i.e. created in the Office 365 portal) or one that's provided my MS by default.
The Q&D code is as follows.
QueryExpression userQuery = new QueryExpression { EntityName = "systemuser", ... };
IEnumerable<Entity> users = service.RetrieveMultiple(userQuery).Entities;

IEnumerable<String> automatics = new[] { "INTEGRATION", "Support User", "SYSTEM" };
  foreach (Entity user in users.Where(element
    => !automatics.Contains(element.GetAttributeValue<String>("fullname")))) { ... }

Second best solution, if there's no way to determine who's on the automatics list and who's a real dude, is to make an exhaustive comprehensive list of exceptions. Once again, my google-fu failed me, as I haven't found any documentation on the full list of automatically created instances of the entity systemuser.

A: An approach would be checking the CreatedBy field; which is NULL for users SYSTEM and INTEGRATION. This field is also NULL for the CRM administrator user, so you should consider excluding the admin user if it is actively being used by a human.
FilterExpression humanFilter = new FilterExpression();
humanFilter.AddCondition(new ConditionExpression("createdby", ConditionOperator.NotNull));

if (retrieveAdminUser)
{
  humanFilter.FilterOperator = LogicalOperator.Or;
  humanFilter.AddCondition(
    new ConditionExpression("domainname", ConditionOperator.Equal, "admin@crm"));
}

userQuery.Criteria.AddFilter(humanFilter);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Mapzen announced today that they were shutting down at the end of January 2018.
Our hosted APIs and all related support and services will turn off on February 1, 2018. You will not be charged for API usage in December/January. We know this is an inconvenience and have provided a migration guide to similar services for our developer community. Our goal is to help as much as possible to ensure continuity in the services that you have built with us.
Fortunately, the core products of Mapzen are built entirely on open software and data. As a result, there are options to run Mapzen services yourself or to switch to other service providers.
No reason was given for the move.


Shoal draft motor-sailor ideal for the shallows of Belize. Sleeps 6. AC/Genset and very comfortable cruiser. New RIB dinghy with new 20hp 4 stroke outboard.
Belize...warm waters, easy breezes, great islands....paradise!