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View Nigel Benetton's profile
Beneficiary funds – what planners should know
Keeping control
Beneficiary funds were introduced in January 2009, yet many pension fund trustees and financial advisers remain unaware or confused about their use and advantages. Fairheads Benefit Services believes that all financial advisers, especially those who advise on employer sponsored group life policies, should be aware of this important fiduciary service and investment product.
What is a beneficiary fund?
Explains David Hurford, Head of Sponsored Products, Fairheads Benefit Services, "A beneficiary fund is defined as a pension fund organisation in the Pension Funds Act No.24 of 1956 of South Africa. It is designed to accept and administer lump sum death benefits allocated in its discretion by pension fund trustees to the minor dependents of deceased pension fund members, as set out in section 37C of the Act."
He says minor children stand a better chance of completing their education if their assets are managed in the beneficiary fund vehicle, which is protected and governed under the Pension Funds Act and overseen by a board of trustees.
Employment related unapproved benefits
Since 28th February 2014, with further changes to the Act, beneficiary funds can now receive additional employment benefits - unapproved benefits in addition to approved benefits, as long as they are employment-related.
Many companies, Hurford, have a group life policy, accident cover or other risk benefit cover with a service provider that is separate from the company's retirement fund. These are called 'unapproved benefits' whereas fund credits from a retirement fund are called 'approved benefits'.
Planners need to know that in the event of the death of an employee, the benefit accruing from an employer sponsored group life policy can also be paid to a beneficiary fund.
What are the advantages?
"The advantages of beneficiary funds are that they are cost effective and tax effective," says Hurford, "and offer institutional investment returns. Beneficiary funds are taxed in the same manner as pension funds in South Africa, that is no tax is paid in the fund. Furthermore, any payment out of a beneficiary fund, whether capital or income, is tax free."
In the Budget of 2014, the tax-free threshold for pre-retirement lump-sum benefits (including death benefits) was increased from R315 000 to R500 000. This was good news in particular for the families of blue-collar workers as raising the tax-free limit has ensured a relatively larger pay out to dependents on their death.
Although some beneficiary fund accounts run into millions of rands, the average size is around R100 000 which, if carefully managed, can provide a monthly income and finance a child's entire education through to tertiary level. "When the member turns 18, the account is terminated and the funds paid out, unless the member requests they remain in the beneficiary fund. Note that at the consent/request of the member (the child who has just turned 18) the fund can retain the assets for continued growth until such time that the member instructs the funds to be released.
"This may assist the member to preserve their intended benefits where they may be getting family pressure for money, or do not feel comfortable at that stage in their life to be receiving a large cash payment," he says.
What should clients know?
"As an adviser, you should let your client know about beneficiary funds. The HR departments of employer companies and fund trustees alike need to know about their advantages; they should also educate fund members who should be given the option of including them on their nomination form for trustees to consider their use in the event of their death," says Hurford.
Keith Dorman, an independent financial adviser with Dorman & Associates in Cape Town, says that advisers can play a key role in educating clients and trustees about beneficiary funds. "All planners have clients with employee benefits. If the client dies, how are you as an adviser going to ensure the family's best interests are taken care of? A beneficiary fund for the kids' education may take welcome pressure off the surviving spouse.
"It is important to note that beneficiary funds are not just for the lower income employee. Higher earners who are financially savvy are likely to appreciate the tax advantages afforded by a beneficiary fund. Planners should do their homework and choose the right beneficiary fund as service levels and costs can vary," says Mr Dorman, referring to a recent Comparison Rates model developed by Fairheads Benefit Services to facilitate comparison among service providers.
A last word on umbrella trusts
Umbrella trusts are the predecessor vehicle to the beneficiary fund. They used to receive section 37C death benefits prior to beneficiary funds and most unapproved benefits up until 28 February 2014. Advisers should bear in mind that the umbrella trust still exists and remains a useful tool for estate planning as it can be mentioned in a client's Will as an alternative to a more expensive testamentary trust.
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Artists Richard Hamilton
British Pop collage artist and painter
Movements and Styles: Pop Art, British Pop Art
Born: February 24, 1922 - London, England
Died: September 13, 2011 - London, England
"It's not so easy to create a memorable image. Art is made through the sensibilities of an artist, and the kind of ambitions and intelligence, curiosity and inner direction that role requires."
Summary of Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton was the founder of Pop art and a visionary who outlined its aims and ideals. A lollipop from one of his early collages furnished the movement with its title. His visual juxtapositions from the 1950s were the first to capture the frenetic energy of television, and remind us of how strange the vacuum, tape recorder, and radio must have seemed for the first generations that experienced them. "Pop art" the British artist declared, would be: "Popular, transient, expendable, low-cost, mass-produced, young, witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and Big Business." While less of a household name than Andy Warhol, it was Hamilton who laid the groundwork for Pop art, and first defined its aims and ideals.
Hamilton introduced the idea of the artist as an active consumer and contributor to mass culture. Up until then (especially in Abstract Expressionist circles) the prevailing view was that art should be separate from commerce. Hamilton gave other artists permission to consider all visual sources, especially those generated by the commercial sector. There is no more influential idea in art to this day.
For Hamilton, Pop art was not just a movement, but a way of life. It meant total immersion in popular culture: movies, television, magazines and music. As his alignment with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles (for whom he designed The White Album cover as a limited-edition print) demonstrates, he succeeded in bridging this gap between high art and consumer culture, paving the way for Andy Warhol, Studio 54, and the Velvet Underground.
With uncanny accuracy, his work seems to predict that of nearly every other major Pop artist. Details in "Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?" in particular, read like a crystal ball containing Warhol, Lichtenstein, Wesselmann, and Oldenburg, before these artists' careers had developed. Of course, the reality was that all these artists were looking closely at his work, and used it to come up with their own ideas.
Hamilton reminds us that Pop art originated in England. He was among a group of young British artists, architects and critics who got together in the 1950s to discuss aspects of visual culture that weren't considered part of a traditional artist's training - cowboy movies, science fiction, billboards, and household appliances. Most of these were imports from America, which made them especially fascinating. Before coming up with Pop, the term they used for the movement was "the new brutalism" - more descriptive of the deliberate assault on general art themes and depictions that one finds in Hamilton's imagery.
Richard Hamilton was born into a working class family in Pimlico, London, where his father was a driver at a car dealership. As a child, Hamilton later recalled, "I suppose I was a misfit. I decided I was interested in drawing when I was 10. I saw a notice in the library advertising art classes. The teacher told me that he couldn't take me - these were adult classes, I was too young - but when he saw my drawing he told me that I might as well come back next week." A couple of years later, he remembers, he was producing "big charcoal drawings of the local down and outs." Although he never finished high school, Hamilton began attending evening art classes when he was 12 years old and was encouraged to apply to the Royal Academy. On the merit of these early pieces, he was accepted into the Royal Academy the age of 16. However, in 1940 the school shut because of the outbreak of World War II. Hamilton, too young to be enlisted to fight, spent the War making technical drawings.
Richard Hamilton's childhood, life, career, and various anecdotes Read Richard Hamilton's Biography
And, the artists and movements that built upon Richard Hamilton's art Read Richard Hamilton's Artistic Legacy
Important Art by Richard Hamilton
The below artworks are the most important by Richard Hamilton - that both overview the major creative periods, and highlight the greatest achievements by the artist.
Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? (1956)
Artwork description & Analysis: This collage was created by Hamilton for the catalog of the seminal 1956 exhibition at London's Whitechapel Gallery, "This is Tomorrow." The exhibition is now generally recognized as the genesis of Pop art, and as early as 1965 this particular work was described as "the first genuine work of Pop." Within it are a contemporary Adam and Eve, surrounded by the temptations of the post-War consumer boom. Adam is a muscleman covering his groin with a racket-sized lollipop. Eve perches on the couch wearing a lampshade and pasties.
Hamilton used images cut from American magazines. In England, where much of the middle class was still struggling in a slower post-war economy, this crowded space with its state-of-the-art luxuries was a parody of American materialism. In drawing up a list of the image's components, Hamilton pointed to his inclusion of "comics (picture information), words (textual information) [and] tape recording (aural information)." Hamilton is clearly aware of the work of Dada photomontage art, but he's not making an anti-war statement. The tone of his work is lighter. He is poking fun at the materialist fantasies fueled by modern advertisement. This whole collage anticipates bodies of work by future pop artists. The painting on the back wall is essentially a Lichtenstein. The enlarged lollipop is an Oldenburg. The female nude is a Wesselman. The canned ham is a Warhol.
Collage - Kunsthalle Tübingen, Tübingen
Fun House (1956)
Artwork description & Analysis: Fun House, a collaborative work, was one of the greatest critical successes of the 1956 Whitechapel exhibition, "This is Tomorrow." It is also one of the earliest examples of Pop installation art. The architect John Voelcker created a structure which Hamilton then covered with oversized images from advertising and other popular culture sources. The huge sci-fi robot, with its flashing eyes and grinning switchboard mouth, was taken from a film set. Superimposed on it is the iconic shot of Hollywood film star Marilyn Monroe in a billowing white dress. A large three-dimensional model of a Guinness bottle accompanies these 2-dimensional images. Pop music played loudly from speakers, and a recording of a robotic voice, accompanied the installation, producing an environment of sensory overload, unlike what most of the gallery-going public in England had seen.
Like Hamilton's Just what is it that makes today's homes..., also included in the exhibition, Fun House is an absurd, hedonistic hodgepodge of pop culture sources. Here, however, in place of a domestic cornucopia, an anarchic and potentially sinister mood prevails. Whatever the robot's intentions are for the unconscious woman, they cannot be good. The only quotation from "high art" is a blaring image of sunflowers by Van Gogh, the notoriously mentally unstable genius known for cutting off his own ear.
Multi-media installation
Hommage à Chrysler Corp. (1957)
Artwork description & Analysis: Though Hamilton was a multi-media artist, the elegant lines of this composition remind us that his way into art was through drawing. His command as a draughtsman underlies the complexity of much of his work, including this one, which at first glance appears to be totally abstract. On closer inspection (yet very hard to see), one can make out the form of a woman with large breasts wearing red lipstick and a fashionable bra leaning over the bonnet of a car. The woman and the car are inseparable, woven together in a single form. This is one of a series of works that examine the visual language of the auto industry, in which the bodies of women and cars are frequently compared. Hamilton highlights the fetishization and conflation of these "objects" in the post-War economy. In its abstraction and in the subject itself, it recalls de Kooning's series of women inspired by cigarette advertisements, which shocked audiences of the early 1950s. The ghost-like lines of the female body in contrast with the definitive graphic presence of the mouth anticipates the work of Tom Wesselman. Whether or not such works condemn or celebrate fetishization is beside the point. Hamilton was picking up on a theme that persists today in auto shows and car advertisements, where scantily-dressed temptresses invite us to try the latest sports car.
Oil paint, metal foil and digital print on wood - Tate Modern, London
More Richard Hamilton Artwork and Analysis:
Interactive chart with Richard Hamilton's main influences, and the people and ideas that the artist influenced in turn.
Eduardo Paolozzi
Years Worked: 1950 - 2010
Peter Blake
British Pop Art
Content compiled and written by The Art Story Contributors
Edited and revised, with Synopsis and Key Ideas added by Ruth Epstein
First published on 12 Apr 2016. Updated and modified regularly.
Richard Hamilton Videos

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Stand Up For Change
It is frightening how divisive our country and the world has become. Taking a life is never okay. Let's do our part to support #BlackLivesMatter.
For the month of June, I will match your donation to a fund below with a free 30-minute session or review of your resume or college essay.
Donate however much you can, whether that's $100, $50, or $10 and receive college application assistance. You *must* provide a copy of your donation receipt. Scroll to the bottom for the FAQ section.
Complete the Google form below. You will have an opportunity to upload a copy of the receipt of your donation.
Google Form Here
To ensure that donations are being sent to a verified cause, I will accept receipts only from the following:
The Official George Floyd Memorial Fund: "This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George. A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund."
The Minnesota Freedom Fund: "The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing."
The Bail Project: The Bail Project, Inc,"pay[s] bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. Because bail is returned at the end of a case, donations to The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund can be recycled and reused to pay bail two to three times per year, maximizing the impact of every dollar."
Black Lives Matter: "Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes."
Black Visions Collective Donation: "Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems...BLVC is committed to a long term vision in which ALL Black lives not only matter, but are able to thrive.
If you have a suggestion for where you would like to donate, please email me separately at mycollegelead@gmail.com.
Will this donation matching end after June?
Definitely not! In a country as diverse as the US, there will always be some form of racial injustice and subsequently educational inequality. After June, I will continue to donate a significant portion of College Lead earnings to these causes, #BlackLivesMatter and more. I am still figuring out the details (e.g., which other funds to support) but will certainly keep you updated.
Why should you care about #BlackLivesMatter?
Every life is precious. In our society, African American lives are disproportionately at risk. Let's do our part to support #BlackLivesMatter.
What more can I do to support racial equality?
Donate, engage in conversation, and continue to educate yourself on issues of racial inequality.
The New York Times' podcast The Daily is a great place to start. This episode in particular covers first-hand accounts of the recent protests. NPR's Fresh Air has also covered these recent events.
And here are a few book recommendation:
Amazon affiliate links have been provided, and all earnings will be donated to a fund above.
A People's History of the United States of America
by Howard Zinn
I read this in AP U.S. History. This book is an excellent record of the often untold side of United States history of the marginalized, from America's women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander
This book is on my reading list and is a must-read. You will gain a new perspective and more insight into the U.S. criminal justice system and how it contributes to racial segregation.


Brew up some fun with kitchen chemistry. Got a small scientist living under your roof? Encourage his or her scientific exploration without paying an arm and a leg for a store-bought chemistry set. Instead, create and give them their own kitchen chemistry set for a fraction of the cost. Make a volcano erupt, grow beautiful crystals or even create your own super, high-bounce ball.
Give an imagination station. Any budding fashionista would enjoy her very own dress-up kit replete with handbags and costume jewelry. A quick trip to a thrift store or even your own closet can quickly help you stock it. Raid your recycle bin for various supplies that can be transformed into another purpose. You may not know what, but throw them in a box with some glue, masking tape and string, present it your child and watch the magic, fun and invention begin!
Help them mark and publish their word. An aspiring author will appreciate a notebook and pencil for rough drafts as well as a hardbound composition notebook and a new set of markers for "publishing" their manuscript. Create a pretty book cover by carefully gluing wrapping paper or construction paper to the front of the composition book. Don't forget to proudly display the book's title and author on the front, though!
Brew up some fun for your budding baker. Visit a dollar store for culinary supplies such as a large mixing bowl, plastic measuring cups, spoons and a rolling pin. Package together with an inexpensive cake mix or even just a few containers of Play Doh (for baking "play" outside of the kitchen).
Make marble chute fun without the price or floor space. Skip the hefty price and forget about giving up floor space. If you've got toilet paper, paper towel or empty wrapping paper rolls, then you've got the makings for a great wall-mounted marble chute! Start collecting them now and later package them up with a package of removable adhesive putty and a few marbles. Kids can work to mount the rolls to the wall and, using gravity to their advantage, create a marble chute that can used and redesigned over and over again. Up the fun by encouraging them to decorate their chutes prior to putting them to use!


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10 hours ago Family Homes Burned Down
Home Archaeology Grijalva Escapes Prison Time for Excavating a Maya Temple in Belize
Archaeology Belize Court of Appeals Court News Crime Infrastructure Supreme Court of Belize
Grijalva Escapes Prison Time for Excavating a Maya Temple in Belize
Comments Off on Grijalva Escapes Prison Time for Excavating a Maya Temple in Belize
There was debate as to what would be the outcome of the case of Denny Grijalva after he, his wife and foreman of his company, De-Mar Construction were found guilty earlier this week. As we reported, there was public outcry at the local and international level when it was discovered that a large portion of the Noh Mul Mayan Temple was destroyed by Grivjalva's company, De-Mar Construction. The marl from the temple was used to pave roads in a nearby village. Operation ceased when National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) officials learnt of what was taking place. Today, Grivjalva was given the maximum penalty for removal of earth and the actual destruction of Mayan temple. Grivjalva's attorney, Brian Neal spoke of the charges.
"Four of them were charged, the Company De Mar's construction was convicted; Imelda Grijalva the wife of Denny Grijalva and Javier Nunez; they were each fined $1,000 for the removal of earth under section 61 and they were also charged $5,000 each for the destruction of the actual Mayan temple. That's the maximum penalty; in fact, the magistrate made the point that we will set an example so that other people do not transgress our natural patrimony, she would set it at the highest possible and that was the highest possible by law. There was the possibility of a prison sentence of two years but we were able to avert that, thank God."
Grivjalva expressed to his attorney that he is glad the case is over. Neal apologized on the behalf of his client.
"This has been ongoing for some time now, I forgot the date it started and it has been hard on his family, hard on his business, hard on his reputation so naturally as a human being he wants to move on and bring some closure to it. I will say and I have to say that on behalf of my clients as I said in court this morning that we are sincerely sorry and we apologize to the Belizean people, we apologize particularly to the Mayan community and we apologize to anyone internationally because the Mayan heritage is so rich that we as Belizeans owe it to the entire world and so what happened is unfortunate. We are in no way saying that we are not responsible, we are sincerely sorry;I said that to the court and I am saying it again and I will say it a thousand times, we are sorry for what happened."
Grivjalva has the right to appeal the judgment, and his attorney said that is exactly what they are going to do.
"There are certain points of law when you look at the reasons given by the magistrate that I as a lawyer take some issue with. It is not for me to decide whether or not we appeal, it is for the client to decide, he has decided to take a little rest, we have 21 days but we are inclined to appeal so that the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court can look at certain points of law just for the sake of completeness."
Seventy percent of Noh Mul was extracted for paving roads.
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F.U.N Lacquer Reunion is from the LE Christmas 2014 collection. It's a gorgeous multi chrome with a strong and lively shift within blue, teal, purple and magenta shades. This is two easy coats with a coat of Seche Vite.
I really love the shift in this one, do you..?
Aww, I'm pleased to hear it!
That is a real lovely polish!
The shimmer in it is perfectly balanced!
Yes, it makes it so unique!
LOL - they are beautiful - I'm glad you like it!
It has - and I'm so happy to own it!
I love ur pics of all the fun lacquers!! love how you dont photoshop too much over it..they look very real! keep up the real pics coming!!
Oh, thank you so much, your comment made me really happy!


As required by the California Integrated Waste Management Act: The Solid Waste Advisory Task-Force (SWAT) of San Bernardino County will carry out the responsibilities mandated by the State of California through AB 939. SWAT may also consider and make recommendations to the County on such other solid waste related matters as they may deem appropriate. In addition to the SWAT itself, it currently has three committees; Technical, Strategic Planning and Membership. The SWAT and the Technical Committee meet twice annually. The Strategic Planning and Membership Committees meet on an as-needed basis. All meetings are open to the public and publicly noticed.
Meeting information arranged by Meeting Date (yyyy-mm-dd) most recent first.


St. James publishes a newsletter, called The Epistle, which we send electronically near the first of each month. If you'd like to be added to our mailing list, please use this form.
Click below to read The Epistle.


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Home News Employment Ukrainians putting down roots at Limerick jobs fair
Ukrainians putting down roots at Limerick jobs fair
Bernie English
Jobs Fair organiser Anna Mazeika
A JOBS fair for the Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Limerick has produced huge interest in both short-term and long-term employment.
And organiser Anna Mazeika says that the qualifications of the people coming to the area are exceptionally high.
"We have surgeons, psychotherapists, information technology people, and there are plenty of people interested in taking up jobs for however long they are here".
One woman was hired immediately for her skills at translating to English from Ukrainian and Polish.
"The people here are not sitting on their hands waiting for a miracle. They're taking English lessons very seriously. They want to work," Ms Mazeika told the Limerick Post.
Many are paying for English classes such is their desire to have a future here and to support themselves.
The Jobs Fair consisted of an introductory meeting at the City Hotel, Lower Mallow Street and gathered around 70 candidates looking for employment on the Irish job market.
It was led by Ms Mazeika and Damien Bowe, Chief Operations Officer from UniJobs employment agency.
"There are all kinds of roles that people are interested in, some a little more complicated than others. I'm told it can take up to two years for people with medical qualifications to start with the HSE for instance.
"But there are also jobs where it doesn't matter if the employees have English or not".
There has also been interest from other employment agencies and a second jobs fair is now being planned to explain issues such as Irish taxation and how to access childcare for parents who take up work.
All candidates must register at Unijobs.ie to be processed and help will be provided If necessary.
UniJobs assists with creating CVs, job searching and interview preparation. They are the first official agency to offer structured support to refugees in finding employment in the Limerick region.
Ms Mazeika and her sister, Kamila Turzynska, also run a Facebook Page called Ukrainians in Limerick, which provides information about various topics, in line with the Government directives and official publications.
Anna Mazeika
Damien Bowe
jobs fair
Kamila Turzynska
long-term employment
short-term employment
Ukrainian refugees
UniJobs employment agency
Previous articleLimerick Senator wants cost of living pay rises
Next articleGates close on Limerick's much-loved fairy garden
Bernie English has been working as a journalist in national and local media for more than thirty years. She worked as a staff journalist with the Irish Press and Evening Press before moving to Clare. She has worked as a freelance for all of the national newspaper titles and a staff journalist in Limerick, helping to launch the Limerick edition of The Evening Echo. Bernie was involved in the launch of The Clare People where she was responsible for business and industry news.
Limerick refugees spent weeks in tents at recycling centre
Vitalograph to create 200 new jobs in Limerick and Ennis
Hairbrushes and a helping hand for refugees in Limerick
Limerick sends truck loads of support to Ukraine
Bishop says the poor will lose out as war shatters European dream
Flexible working Bill not worth the paper it's written on


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Sorry Lyndsay, back to looping here also.
Not sure if it helps but I was on the words; deshalb, blick, bliebt, and entscheidung.
All I really did was keep trying and eventually it temporarily fixed itself. But now my cards are in the hundreds (not reset) and the number keeps jumping around.
Not sure if I should feel foolish, but after posting this thread the problem fix itself somehow.
I've been practicing German for the last couple of hours intermittently and I haven't been able to progress beyond 29 cards.
I can get new cards but the counter stays at 29 for the most part (occasionally goes to 30, 31, back to 29, was at 70 and 103 at another point then reverted).
The "new" words are the same recycled new words for the day and it does not continue progression if I get those right, rather it just re presents them as new cards again.
I've tried two different browsers (I've previously never had this issue on either browser).


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Album review: Imari Tones "Nabeshima"
Imari Tones gives us Japanese Christian alternative rock on a 24-track double album.
Japan is no stranger to the weird and wonderful, especially in the creative space. Imari Tones is a band that introduces itself like this: "Imari Tones is a Christian heavy metal band from Japan. Yes, you heard it right. Japan, metal, Jesus." Well, religion is not my thing but Japanese weirdness very much is. Musically, there's plenty of Japanese weirdness, a little bit of metal (such as on the track "Screaming Sin"), but Imari Tones is mostly alternative rock. The album contains songs in both Japanese and English and the song material varies quite a bit, both in style and quality. As this is a 24-track double album, it would have benefitted from being scaled down in size. It's better to have a great 12-track album then a double album with too many fillers. "Atomic Jam" is pure weirdness and one of the best tracks on this album. Another weird and wonderful song is "Extravaganza". "Passion" isn't quirky but it's a good song with some metal guitars and "Sakura Day" is a beautiful little track. I dig the quirky side of this band. Next time they should probably stop calling themselves a heavy metal band and instead do a five-track EP filled with quirky and weird Japanese alternative rock. They're good at that.
Imari Tones' double album "Nabeshima" is out now via Sliptrick Records.
www.facebook.com/imaritones
www.imaritones.net
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March 31, 2022 roppongirocks
ビデオインタビュー Part 1:ろざーな・みほ
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← Riley County Health Departmant Public Health Advisory Council, February-April 2016
USD 383 Board of Education, June 1, 2016 →
Riley County Commission Observer Reports, April 28-May 26, 2016
Riley County Commission 4/28/16
Joan Strickler, observer
Commissioners Ben Wilson, and Ron Wells present, Boyd absent.
Human Resource Manager Cindy Volanti discussed a shared leave request from an employee experiencing health issues but with little leave time accumulated. The request would not meet the requirements of established Commission policy. Following discussion it was agreed that, while the policy should be reviewed for possible changes, it would not be wise to agree to the request at this time since it would open the door to new such exceptions.
County Attorney Barry Wilkerson updated the Commission on issues at his office. Questions were raised about a published letter from a local attorney, Joe Knopp, questioning the expense of increasing security measures at the Courthouse. In discussing the issue concerns were expressed about the possibility of knife or other attacks as well as guns. Wilkerson expressed the opinion that people seem to be getting more aggressive in court particularly in cases involving domestic and child custody cases. Family and friends of the accused can present problems as well. It is important not just to protect judges and attorneys but also members of the jury and others in the courthouse. Commissioner Wells agreed that security measures need to be implemented and suggested costs might be less if security firms were hired for protection instead of depending upon Riley County police officers.
County Attorney Clancy Holeman briefly discussed some of the key elements of what constitutes a meeting subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.
City Manager Ron Fehr updated the Commission on the City's activities. Phase two of the addition at the airport is progressing well. The City will be receiving federal pass through funds from the Kansas Department of Transportation to rebuild the infrastructure of the brick street on Juliette Avenue.
Observer: Julie Merklin
All commissioners present
Jayme Morris -Hardeman announced the Summer CASA training in June for 8 sessions, beginning June 6th. For information, contact Jana at jmiller@rileycountyks.gov or call 785-537-6367
You must 21, commit to serve for one year, complete application and background checks and commit to 30 hours of training. You must also have a passion and dedication for making a difference in the life of a child.
Greg McClure reported that the tour of the Riley County Extension wheat variety plot would be on Thurs, May 26. For more information and supper reservations call785/537-6350.
Clancy Holeman presented a draft Public offer of sale Documents for Courthouse-Plaza East. This was a work session and many more details will have to be worked out. Yes, this is the former telephone building where many County offices are now located.
A dozen or so citizens came into the meeting to participate in a discussion of the replacement of the Fancy Creek Bridge which is very deteriorated. The plan is to close it for several months and rebuild. This will require detours of several miles (up to 9 miles) involving some gravel township roads. Several residents spoke of the great inconvenience this will cause to their farming business- some even have land on both sides of the bridge. The commissioners recognized the legitimate concerns of the residents. One possible remedy would be a "shoo-fly" constructed near the bridge but this could cost up to $500,000, half the cost of the bridge. The decision was to proceed, using the detour, with the Commission promising to help the townships with road maintenance.
Julie Merklin, observer
The meeting did not begin until 9 a.m. because of the Good Morning Manhattan meeting from 7:15-8:30 this morning.
Debbie Regester, Register of Deeds reported the ongoing project of redigitization of the records in her department. The records are now in microfiche type format. Previous digitizations have been tried but the process now being used is a great improvement.
Year to date revenues are disappointing. YTD for 2015 was $447,125 and for 2016 it was $319,258 – a shortfall of 127,867.
Bids were opened for the Winkler Mills bridge deck rehabilitation. There were 6 bids ranging from $288,306 to $108,156. Engineers estimate is $245,741. The bids will be evaluated by staff and recommendations brought back to the commission.
The problem of notifying possible users of this bridge about the impending closing and construction was discussed and it was thought best to use an informational warning sign for some period before actually closing for repairs.
Jessica Fiscus presented a Power Point illustrating the Drafted Riley County Health Department Strategic Priorities. These are quite detailed and will be used in the transition to the new head of the Health Department. This person apparently has been hired but not yet announced.
Commissioners Wilson, Boyd and Wells present, Wilson presiding.
In early discussions Commissioner Wells said he had talked with several people concerned about the Commission looking into selling the existing office building without first having a place to move into. He said he could understand their point of view. Other concerns were raised about increased funding for the police department. The increase, however, is to meet new demands, particularly with increased courthouse security.
Jennifer Wilson reported a 12% increase in persons assisted in filling out their tax returns. About 20 volunteers assisted with the program. Wilson said they were grateful to have a Spanish speaking K-State student in accounting participate as a volunteer. She helped Spanish speaking persons with their filings and has also assisted in getting their children involved in 4-H programs. Wilson noted the County is facing an immerging issue as non-English speaking families move into the community.
Monty Wedel, Planning/Special Projects Director, noted the County has retained the services of LSL Planning/SAFEbuilt of Northglenn, Colorado to rewrite the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. Project Manager, Elizabeth Garvin will assist in creating an integrated set of Land Development Regulations for the County. Individuals wishing to receive notifications regarding the project may sign up for the Notify Me on the County's website.
Assistant County Counselor Craig Cox said plans for a tax sale will be announced soon. He added many persons who are tax delinquent over a lengthy time are likely to walk away from the property. Tax sales he added, tend to raise very little money.
Commissioners Wilson and Wells present, Wilson as chair.
Jennifer Green was introduced as the next Health Department Director. Her duties will begin in August.
Kevin Howser, IT/GIS Director, said the 2016 LiDAR flight information is now on the County website. The information is widely used by realtors and police as well as the general public. His office provides apps for entities such as police and fire responders to assist in determining accurate locations in emergencies.
Howser also warned of the expensive amount of malware affecting computers today. He urged staff and public to be extra cautious.
The Director of the Historical Museum, Cheryl Collins, and staff member Alana Parker, described a presentation they gave to 9th graders about life in Manhattan during the Cold War years. They described precautions taken such as the missile silos and bunkers where food and water were stored. They also asked what concerns the students have about safety today.
Craig Cox, Deputy County Counselor, described plans for the real estate tax foreclosure sale. The sale will handle property delinquent from 2007 to 2010 with 196 tracts involved. The sale is scheduled for September 27.
It was mentioned that architect Brent Bowman was involved at an earlier time developing plans for renovations to the current Commissioners office building and the Christian Church property across from the County office building housing Clerk and Treasurer's offices. It was agreed it was time to get Bowman involved once again.
This entry was posted in News and Updates, Riley County Commission, Uncategorized and tagged Joan Strickler, Julie Merklin, LWVMRC, Manhattan Kansas, Manhattan Kansas League, observer reports, Riley County Commission. Bookmark the permalink.


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Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings
Alternative Family
Orphans & Foster Homes
Browse Books: Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings
One Morning in Maine (Paperback)...
By Robert McCloskey
The One and Only Bob (Hardcover)...
By Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao (Illustrator)
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By Ibtihaj Muhammad, Hatem Aly (Illustrator), S. K. Ali (With)
Twins: A Graphic Novel (Twins #1...
By Varian Johnson, Shannon Wright (Illustrator)
Milo Imagines the World (Hardcover...
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Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke (A...
By James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, Adam Rau (Adapted by), Betty Tang (Illustrator)
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The best time to prepare for severe winter weather is now. In order to reduce the risk of weather-related health problems and injuries, take this time to prepare before a winter emergency hits. Here are several winter weather preparedness tips you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.


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Q: Convergence of a matrix product Let $A=o_{a.s.}(1)$; $A:k\times k$ matrix and $Vu=O_p(1)$; $V:k\times k$; $u: k\times 1$.
Specifically, $Vu$ converges in distribution to $\mathcal N(0,I_k)$.
Can we show that $VAu=o_p(1)$ or $\|VAu\|=o_p(1)$?

If $V=O(1)$ and $V^{-1}=O(1)$ then we can show that $VAV^{-1}Vu=o_p(1)$. However, $V^{-1}$ can be unbounded...

Related question:
Can $Vu=O_p(1)$ and $V=O(1)$ imply $u=O_p(1)$?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


There are over 25 Class A bank which are one way or the other internationally linked in service for national and international clients. Banks are open from 8:00 am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening due to availability of morning and evening counters other than that of regular banking hours of 10 am – 4 pm. Evening and morning counters serve bank deposits and withdrawals only. Recently almost all banks operate 365 days a year keeping banks open even on holidays but for couple of hours a day only. 365 days of banking is available only in big cities as Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Only Nepalese currency can be used in local market for purchase of merchandize, goods and services whereas payment of visa fees and air fare can be made in foreign currency as well. Foreign currency is easily exchangeable at the hotel you are residing at or at nearby exchange counters available almost at every corner of Thamel or at A class banks throughout the country. Although currency such as USD, pound, Indian Rupee is accepted at some local hotels, restaurants or department stores, in Kathmandu and Pokhara it is recommended for travelers to exchange the foreign currency to Nepalese Rupee while in the capital city to avoid additional hassles outside the capital city.
Visa and master card is widely accepted over hotels, restaurants, stores and departmental stores in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other major cities. Although visas and master card is accepted it is always good to double check and confirm if it is accepted or not to be on the safer side. If there is no provision of swiping the cards there is always option of withdrawing it from ATM which is open 24/7 365 which are available in major cities. The ATM's in Nepal charge around 3.5% of your withdrawal amount on every withdrawal although the amount charged may vary according to the policies of banks.
If travelling to the wild or trekking to the hills and mountains exchange of foreign currency to Nepalese is recommended in the cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Although some hotels along the trek accept dollars it is not recommended to carry dollar or any other currency over Nepalese currency. In case of exchange of foreign currency while in trek low exchange rate than that of the day's exchange rate is provided which would result in heavy losses for the traveler.
If you made an entrance in Nepal via India and you still possess some Indian rupee on you it can be further used in Nepal in almost every stop until and unless the Indian rupee denotation is less than 1000 and 500. Carrying Indian rupee of denotation 500 and 1000 is illegal in Nepal and may result in confiscation from local authorities.
Money transferring agencies or remittance service is available throughout the country even in the rural except in some districts which would make it easier for any travelers to request help from back home or friends in Nepal in case of emergency. Please carry your passport at all time while doing any transaction related to bank, exchange or remittance as identity is must.


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There's Always Plan B
February 28th, 2008 by Shaun Boyd
In high school and college, I had a lot of thought-provoking discussions about the future with my friends. We talked about where we were in our lives, where we were going, or how the path we were currently on didn't really match up with where we wanted to be.
Frequently, these discussions ended up depressing us. We talked openly and honestly to one another about our plans for the future, and suddenly we experienced a daunting feeling of helplessness. As the conversation progressed we identified more and more obstacles blocking our path. What stressed us out even more was the amount of time that was required for overcoming these obstacles.
The conversations never accomplished much. We talked in circles often. We said a lot of things that everyone listening already knew. Ultimately, we arrived at the same, fairly obvious conclusion: Life ain't easy. Once everyone had had their say, we'd sit in silence for a while — practically paralyzed by the overwhelming feelings of fear and uncertainty.
It was during these times that I lightened the mood with my signature one-liner: "Well, there's always Plan B."
Plan B: The "Backup Plan." The thing to do when all else failed. The mere suggestion a hopeful alternative in a long, depressing conversation about the future sparked everyone's interest:
"What's Plan B?" they'd ask.
"I could be a bouncer," I'd say — trying to keep a straight face.
They'd laugh. The idea of Shaun Boyd muscling troublemakers out of a club or bar was simply preposterous. I've never been in a fight in my life: I'm scrawny and non-confrontational. Consequently, I'm an absolute pushover. Anyone who knew me understood that my alleged "Plan B" was a ridiculous idea — which made it funny.
What's even funnier is after years of using this line, always imagining it as an impossibility, I actually worked the door to a bar last night.
To clear up any possible misunderstandings, I'll immediately say: No, this is not my new job. It was a one-time thing that just sort of happened.
The Scenario: Cassie and I were invited by our friend Sarah to a benefit concert. The charitable cause was "Gift of Life," a Michigan-based organ and tissue donation program. Sarah recently lost her older brother Jason — a good guy and registered organ donor. When he passed, some of his organs were used to save the lives of others. Sarah arranged this concert and fund raiser to be held last night — on what would have been Jason's 30th birthday.
We arrived early at Sarah's request. She had been promoting the concert for over a month and was expecting a huge turnout. Consequently, she needed some help with all that needed to be done.
At the time, the bar was relatively tame. A few regulars were at the bar, chatting up the bartender. The first of the three bands was on-stage, setting up their equipment. The caterers were upstairs, setting up the buffet. We spotted Sarah speaking with someone (later identified as the bar owner) and made our presence known.
"What can we do?" Cassie asked.
Cassie was assigned to the merchandise/donation table. Sarah explained that her friend Xania, although not there yet, already claimed the duty of running the 50/50 raffle. She looked at me and asked "Hey Shaun, do you mind running the door?"
She gestured towards the "We I.D." podium. It had been outfitted with a cash box and a homemade sign that read "$7 entry fee – All Proceeds go to the Gift of Life Michigan."
I smiled. A chance to experience the impossible career path I had been joking about since high school had suddenly fallen into my lap. "Sure. I'll run the door," I said. Sarah led me over and quickly explained what I needed to do.
It seemed simple enough. Ask everyone that comes in if they're here for the concert. If they are, then ask if they need tickets. If they already have tickets, let them through. If they need tickets, ask if they have tickets on hold or if they need to buy some. In the cases where someone is not here for the concert, explain that the $7 entry fee is for a fund raiser and invite them inside.
I familiarized myself with how the bills in the cash box were organized, pulled up a chair from a nearby table, and then proceeded to stare out the door while I waited for someone to come through it. While I was waiting, I went over the imaginary "flow chart" that had assembled in my mind and mentally rehearsed the questions I needed to ask.
"Are you here for the concert?" I finally asked an older couple.
"Yes, we're Jay's parents."
Although I had been unprepared for this response, I reacted instinctually.
"I'm really sorry for your loss," I said.
"Thank you," the mother responded as they passed, "and thanks for your help tonight."
The next group was a young couple who immediately drew out their driver's licenses. When I asked if they were here for the concert they said "No." When I explained that a fund raiser was going on and that it cost $7 to enter, they simply turned and left.
The first band kicked off the start of the concert, and for the next hour or more, everybody who entered the bar already had their tickets or had tickets on hold. Finally, someone arrived who answered "No" to my "here for the concert?" question, giving me an opportunity to try a different approach:
"Tonight we're having a fund raiser for Gift of Life, an organ donation program here in Michigan. We've got three bands playing, and there's food being catered upstairs. The food and entertainment is free — but we're asking for a minimum donation of $7 from everyone here tonight."
The man nodded, pulled out his wallet, handed me a $10 bill, and said "Keep the change." I said thank you as I handed him his ticket and directed him towards the information table and encouraged him to help himself to the food upstairs.
Of course, not everyone was as generous as this man. I had one of the bar's regulars try and slip past me, and when I stopped him, he got a bit loud: "I'm a regular here!" he shouted over the music. "Get Jackie, she'll vouch for me!" I didn't even know who Jackie was so I just let him by.
As the night went on the amount of people coming in slowed down. The caterers brought me a plate of food and for the most part, I just sat and people-watched while the bands played their sets. When the 50/50 drawing happened at midnight, the person who won was kind enough to donate their half to the cause.
When the concert was over and everyone had gone home, we pooled our totals from the different tables. The combined amount from the door, the donations/merchandise table, and the raffle totaled nearly $1600. It felt good to participate in a fund raiser for a good cause, and those who were left gave Sarah a round of applause for putting the whole thing together.
During the drive home, I thought about what an unusual role I took on in order to help out. Of course, I wasn't a "bouncer" by definition — but I believe working the door to a bar is the next closest thing. It felt so surreal was because I was doing something that I had long considered impossible. I never expected I would find myself in a position to even attempt such a thing under normal circumstances, and yet there I was. The chance presented itself to me, and I gave it a go despite my lack of experience.
Have you ever done something that was so "out of character" you felt surprised that you did it?
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One Response to "There's Always Plan B"
#1 Bridget on 01, Mar, 2008 at 12:19 pm
What a timely post! I too have taken on a fundraising effort this year for a 60km marathon to raise funds for Breast cancer research here in Alberta, and the part of your post that stood out to me the most was where you changed your approach talking about the fundraising event and people started giving donations rather than walking away! That's a very powerful thing! Having a Plan B is a really valuable thing that can keep you going. Like it's said: if you've tried something a thousand times in efforts to be successful, you haven't failed, you've only discovered a thousand ways that didn't work this time around! Be bold and try new and creative things! Thanx for the reminder!
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World Bank Chief Says China's Actions Delay Zambia Debt Deal
Washington January 25 2023: China's actions in talks among countries that lent money to Zambia are delaying a restructuring of the African nation's debt, and Beijing needs to move on from unfeasible demands, the head of the World Bank said.
"China is asking lots of questions in the creditors committees, and that causes delays, that strings out the process," David Malpass, the president of the Washington-based development lender, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV's Kathleen Hays and Paul Allen.
"It's important for them to be focused on getting to an actual debt restructuring where the burden can be lightened for Zambia," he said, adding that progress may be possible in the next couple of months.
Malpass spoke after meeting last month with officials from China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China, the nation's two largest lenders to poor countries. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the IMF, also visited Zambia this week to try to expedite a deal.
Yellen urged Zambia's creditors to work quickly to restructure the southern Africa nation's debts, and accused China of obstructing a deal. The Chinese Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, responded by urging the US to stop sabotaging unspecified sovereign nations' efforts to solve their debt issues.
Zambia became Africa's first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter in 2020, and since then has been struggling to revamp external debt that topped $17 billion, more than a third of which is held by Chinese creditors.
Beijing wants multilateral development banks to take losses in restructurings, including in Zambia's case, a senior US Treasury official said this week. But forcing lenders such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which offer concessional loans to participate in debt treatments, would undermine their standing and ability to continue their work, the person said.
Malpass echoed those sentiments.
"There's not a mechanism to do that," he said of the lenders taking losses. "That's been discussed actively at the G-20 and rejected as a direction, so I hope they'll move on from that."
The IMF's Georgieva said earlier on Tuesday that the lender of last resort will proceed with its first review of Zambia's financed program this quarter and should be able to make a scheduled second disbursement. She expressed confidence that Zambia's creditor committee, co-chaired by China and France, will be able to sign a restructuring deal with the government by April 1.
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Tags: World Bank
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This recipe for microwave caramels is an impressive treat that's ready in just minutes – top the caramels with a generous sprinkle of sea salt to really make them special!
I am so excited to share this recipe for sea salt microwave caramels with you today! I do not consider myself a candy maker by any means, but in a matter of minutes I was able to whip up these beautiful and delicious treats that look like they came straight from the candy store. All you need is a handful of simple ingredients and you too can have perfect caramels without having to use a candy thermometer or other complicated equipment!
These microwave caramels are made with just 7 ingredients, most of which you likely have in the pantry. The ingredients go into a bowl and get microwaved for 6-7 minutes. Pour the resulting mixture into a greased pan and you've got caramels! I couldn't believe how well this works!
There are a few tricks to ensure that your caramels come out perfectly. First, be sure to use a large bowl, as the caramel mixture will bubble vigorously in the microwave and you don't want it to spill over. In addition, you'll need to stir the mixture every 2 minutes during the cooking process. You'll want to be sure to stir very thoroughly so that the caramels will end up smooth and shiny.
The cook time for this recipe is 6-7 minutes. If you cook your caramels for 6 minutes, they'll be on the softer side, perfect for wrapping in waxed paper. The caramels pictured here were cooked for 7 minutes, they're on the firmer side and can be served as is or coated in chocolate. While the caramels are delicious on their own, there's a special ingredient that takes them over the top: coarse sea salt.
I give my microwave caramels a generous sprinkling of Morton Coarse Sea Salt. This salt has larger crystals that add the perfect finishing touch to so many dishes. I like to add coarse Sea Salt to roasted vegetables, on top of a grilled steak, over avocado toast and on chocolate chip cookies. This salt really enhances the flavor of the caramels by providing a contrast to the sweetness, and I love the added texture from the coarse grains. There are many types of salt that serve different purposes in the kitchen; if you're using standard table salt for all of your cooking then you're missing out on some amazing culinary experiences!
The salt should be sprinkled over the caramels right after they're poured in the pan so that the salt will adhere to the tops. If you're planning to dip your caramels in chocolate, you can simply add the salt immediately after dipping the caramels. I like to do half plain, half dipped in chocolate so that there are options to please everyone.
These microwave sea salt caramels make the perfect holiday gift, and they're a fun and festive addition to any dessert table. Salt is really such a crucial part of cooking, and using the right type of salt can really turn an ordinary dish into something extraordinary.
This recipe for microwave caramels is an impressive treat that's ready in just minutes - top the caramels with a generous sprinkle of sea salt to really make them special!
Place the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk and vanilla in a large microwave safe bowl.
Line an 8 or 9 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and coat the pan with cooking spray.
Microwave for 6-7 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 2 minutes. A 6 minute cook time will produce a softer caramel; 7 minutes will produce a firmer caramel.
Pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the coarse sea salt over the caramel. If you're planning to coat the caramels in chocolate, do not add the salt until later after the caramels have been dipped.
Let the caramel cool until firm. Carefully remove the slab of caramel from the pan and cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.
If desired, dip the caramels in melted chocolate. If you dip the caramels in chocolate, sprinkle the sea salt over the top before the chocolate has set.
This post is sponsored by Morton Salt. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Dinner at the Zoo possible!
This post was originally published on December 21, 2016 and was updated with new content on September 21, 2017.
I have a powerful 1100watt microwave. Should I reduce the power setting to lets say 7 or 8 so that the caramels are not hard? I haven't had much luck with microwave candy in years past because I think my microwave is more powerful than intended in the recipe. What are your thoughts? Thank you!
Yes, I would either reduce the power setting or simply cook the caramels for less time. You could reduce to 7-8 power and cook for the full time, or leave it at full power and cook for 5-6 minutes instead of 6-7 minutes. Hope that helps!
I reduced power to 70 percent and cooked for 6 minutes. Caramels turned out perfectly… wonderful consistency to use for turtles.
So glad to hear they turned out well!!
I've made these lots of times and they always turn out great. Now I want to make them to give as gifts for Christmas. I'm wondering if they'll stay fresh if I make them to ship a few weeks ahead of time? I've never had to worry about how long they'll keep because the never last long in my home!
I would say if you dip them in chocolate it should be fine because the chocolate coating will keep the caramels from getting too sticky. If you're looking to make the caramels without chocolate, maybe try storing them in the fridge in between sheets of parchment paper?
I made these and did exactly like the recipe said. The problem I had was I guess my microwave is too high because when I left them at 7 minutes they were stone hard. Maybe I should try for 5 minutes instead of 7 minutes. Any thoughts?
They shouldn't be that hard, I would try 6 minutes next time! I'm sorry you had issues with the recipe, I will try re-testing and see what I come up with.
Line your pan with pecans and pour caramel on them and let cool. Then you can cut them into squares and dunk into chocolate. Instant turtles!!!
I just made them. They aren't set yet. I just had a misshap. I'm very short. Was trying to put them in the microwave and hit the bottom of the bowl on the microwave. I had caramel all over the stove top. It cleaned up with hot water. Started over and now waiting for it to set.
Mine came out a bit grainy, not sure where I went wrong except the doorbell rang right when I took them out at 7 minutes which delayed my stirring for about a minute?
Is it grainy as in pieces of sugar still in the mixture?
Somehow I managed to mess up such a simple recipe. I've successfully cooked caramels multiple times on the stove top, but I wanted to try these the easy way. Something separated and I ended up with chunky caramel sauce straight from the microwave then chunky caramels. 😜 Any idea what I may have done wrong??
How long did you cook the caramels for? Only think I can think of is maybe it didn't get stirred all the way and there were chunks of sugar left behind?
I made them the other day for 6 min. When I went to cut them they were hard like pesnut briddle Why?
Were they hard at room temperature or from the fridge? Mine are hard from the fridge but soften at room temperature.
Yeah, that pan in the video is very misleading. I used one that looked similar, and I came out with caramel thins. LOL.
I apologize that the video is misleading, I didn't personally make this video so I'm not sure what size that pan was in relation to the caramel mixture!
Just finished making these and they're lovely. If you're in the UK like me use golden syrup instead of corn syrup , it gives a lovely flavour. I would found it handy to be given the microwave strength but I did mine at 6 1/2 minutes in a 900watt and they've come out nicely.
What type of brown sugar dark or light ?
I always use light brown sugar because that's what I have on hand, but either will work!
I made these the other day. A big hit! So easy to make and the sea salt is fantastic. Hubby has requested more so he can share at work. 😁Thanks for a great new recipe.
No comments from people who have made them?
I made them and they're great!! I want to try dipping in chocolate, but I've been told not to melt the chips by themselves, so I'm waiting till I know what to do. I cooked the meal at 6 and a half minutes. Love these!!
I use a loaf pan because you'll end up with thicker caramels that way. I will check with my video person to see what size pan they used for the video, but I recommend the loaf pan.
Can you double the recipe? If so would microwave time be exactly double (14 minutes)?
I'd recommend making two separate batches in this case, I think the caramel would burn if you tried to double the cook time.
Can I add pecans while these are cooking then drop them with a spoon in clusters and dip them in chocolate to make turtles.
Yes that would work! You could just add the pecans at the end of the cook time.
i LOVE CARAMELS AND THESE SOUND DELICIOUS! I love recipes that are easy to make, I'll be trying these out!


Like The Swagger Wagon, but just for Mums (and for Fiat, not Toyota). Good lyrics ("Work versus home is a mental combination, with my elbows deep, in infant defecation"), and good for them for finding someone you don't want to punch. Must have been hard.


Johnson Matthey is an international special chemicals company underpinned by science, technology and its people. A leader in sustainable technologies, many of the group's products enhance the quality of life of millions through their beneficial impact on the environment, human health and wellbeing.
Measures the number of projects or initiatives an organization implements in order to promote environmental responsibility, within or outside the organization.
Measures the amount of paper that is produced from recycled paper, out of the total paper consumption percentage.
Measures the amount of available water in a given region, compared to the size of its population.
According to a short documentary by Seeker Stories, there is a town in Japan that produces no waste.


We wish all our clients and partners a very Happy Christmas, and a prosperous 2012 and thank you for your continued business.
We all await the outcome of the Governments intervention and proposed changes to the planning system to see if it will eventually benefit our clients. My own thoughts are that sadly it will be more about what will be permitted, such as green belt development, rather than the planning process very much as it was the last time the system was revised.
Welcome to the launch of the Setsquare Solutions Limited website. After 10 years of trading we have finally decided to showcase some of the projects we have been part of and to offer our services to anyone looking for Architectural services in the South of England.
Are You Considering Buying a Grade 2* Listed Building?
ANY works that may materially affect to the importance of the listed building requires listed building consent. That means inside and out! If you carry out works that require listed building consent without getting it it is a criminal offence!
We were employed to fit out a Victorian building in Chippenham into a high class health and beauty salon. Setsquare Solutions Limited undertook the design, outline and detailed construction drawings for the project and submitted plans for both planning and building regulations.
The project was to carry out a rear extension to enlarge the kitchen and add a conservatory area and to add a bedroom. Setsquare Solutions Limited designed and submitted the schemes for planning and building regulations.
The project was a garden/pool room and room in the roof over an existing garage in the grounds of a Grade II listed building. Setsquare Solutions Limited designed the building and carried out the building regulations and detail design and construction drawings to satisfy the planning conditions.


text:
import os

# 3p
import simplejson as json

# project
from tests.checks.common import AgentCheckTest, Fixtures
from checks import AgentCheck

class TestCeph(AgentCheckTest):
    """Basic Test for ceph integration."""
    CHECK_NAME = 'ceph'
    FIXTURE_DIR = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'ci')

    def test_simple_metrics(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(Fixtures.read_file('raw.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check_twice(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a',
                         'ceph_mon_state:peon']
        expected_metrics = ['ceph.num_mons', 'ceph.total_objects', 'ceph.pgstate.active_clean']

        for metric in expected_metrics:
            self.assertMetric(metric, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.overall_status', status=AgentCheck.OK)

    def test_warn_health(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('warn.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check_twice(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a',
                         'ceph_mon_state:peon']
        expected_metrics = ['ceph.num_mons', 'ceph.total_objects', 'ceph.pgstate.active_clean']

        for metric in expected_metrics:
            self.assertMetric(metric, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.overall_status', status=AgentCheck.WARNING)

    def test_luminous_warn_health(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('ceph_luminous_warn.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{
                'host': 'foo',
                'collect_service_check_for': ['OSD_NEARFULL', 'OSD_FULL'],
            }]
        }

        self.run_check(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.overall_status', status=AgentCheck.CRITICAL)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.osd_nearfull', status=AgentCheck.WARNING)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.osd_full', status=AgentCheck.CRITICAL)

    def test_luminous_ok_health(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('ceph_luminous_ok.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{
                'host': 'foo',
                'collect_service_check_for': ['OSD_NEARFULL'],
            }]
        }

        self.run_check(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.overall_status', status=AgentCheck.OK)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.osd_nearfull', status=AgentCheck.OK)
        self.assertServiceCheck('ceph.pool_app_not_enabled', count=0)

    def test_luminous_osd_full_metrics(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('ceph_luminous_warn.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_full_osds', value=1)
        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_near_full_osds', value=1)

    def test_tagged_metrics(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('raw.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check_twice(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)
        for osd in ['osd0', 'osd1', 'osd2']:
            expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a',
                             'ceph_mon_state:peon',
                             'ceph_osd:%s' % osd]

            for metric in ['ceph.commit_latency_ms', 'ceph.apply_latency_ms']:
                self.assertMetric(metric, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

        for pool in ['pool0', 'rbd']:
            expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a',
                             'ceph_mon_state:peon',
                             'ceph_pool:%s' % pool]
            for metric in ['ceph.read_bytes', 'ceph.write_bytes', 'ceph.pct_used', 'ceph.num_objects']:
                self.assertMetric(metric, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

    def test_osd_status_metrics(self):
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('ceph_10.2.2.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check_twice(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)

        for osd, pct_used in [('osd1', 94), ('osd2', 95)]:
            expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a','ceph_mon_state:leader',
                             'ceph_osd:%s' % osd]

            for metric in ['ceph.osd.pct_used']:
                self.assertMetric(metric, value=pct_used, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_full_osds', value=1, count=1,
                          tags=['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a', 'ceph_mon_state:leader'])
        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_near_full_osds', value=1, count=1,
                          tags=['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a', 'ceph_mon_state:leader'])

        for pool in ['rbd', 'scbench']:
            expected_tags = ['ceph_fsid:e0efcf84-e8ed-4916-8ce1-9c70242d390a','ceph_mon_state:leader',
                 'ceph_pool:%s' % pool]
            expected_metrics = ['ceph.read_op_per_sec', 'ceph.write_op_per_sec', 'ceph.op_per_sec']
            for metric in expected_metrics:
                self.assertMetric(metric, count=1, tags=expected_tags)

    def test_osd_status_metrics_non_osd_health(self):
        """
        The `detail` key of `health detail` can contain info on the health of non-osd units:
        shouldn't make the check fail
        """
        mocks = {
            '_collect_raw': lambda x,y,z: json.loads(
                Fixtures.read_file('ceph_10.2.2_mon_health.json', sdk_dir=self.FIXTURE_DIR)),
        }
        config = {
            'instances': [{'host': 'foo'}]
        }

        self.run_check_twice(config, mocks=mocks, force_reload=True)

        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_full_osds', value=0, count=1,
                          tags=['ceph_fsid:7d375c2a-902a-4990-93fd-ce21a296f444', 'ceph_mon_state:leader'])
        self.assertMetric('ceph.num_near_full_osds', value=0, count=1,
                          tags=['ceph_fsid:7d375c2a-902a-4990-93fd-ce21a296f444', 'ceph_mon_state:leader'])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The Series 800 was partially modified and the logo on the body was renewed. It is now operated as "Sakura" as well as "Tsubame". Although it is operated to stop at every station, it is furnished with very Japanese interiors. The scale model represents the current unique shape of the shinkansen train with sharp color scheme and "AROUND THE KYUSHU" logo, a representation of the shinkansen it is fun to look upon.


text:
Master Degree, Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bachelor degree, Shannxi Normal University
More than 10 years of Chinese tutoring experience
Julia has more than 10 years international school experience, with 8 years of which in secondary schools, teaching the IB Chinese A and B curriculum. Her passion is to help student from different backgrounds and levels to improve their language proficiency and enjoy the art of Chinese language and culture. Julia is one of the best Chinese tutor, she has taught at Singapore International School and the ESF for many years. Most of her students come from Victoria Shanghai Academy and Chinese International School.
Bachelor degree, Harbin Polytechnic University
More than 8 years of Chinese tutoring experience
Tina is a Chinese teacher who had majored in Teaching Chinese a Foreign Language for her graduate studies in Hong Kong and is most familiar with the language A and B curriculum. Most of her students came from different international schools including those that taught in the IGCSE, GCSE, IB and AP curricula. She has more than 10 years of Chinese tutoring experience and 90% of her students have achieved their learning goal with the right efforts.


When considering a vision correction procedure, financial considerations should not be an obstacle in obtaining the eye care you deserve. Our goal is to make refractive surgery affordable for any budget.
There is an easier way to pay for your vision care. We're pleased to accept the CareCredit credit card, North America's leading patient healthcare financing program. CareCredit lets you begin your procedure immediately — then pay for it over time with monthly payments that fit easily into your monthly budget. Whether you're considering cataract surgery, or it's simply time for new glasses or contacts, CareCredit can help you see clearer, sooner.
All the physicians at Raleigh Ophthalmology are participating physicians with Medicare. We are providers for BC/BS, Aetna, Mamsi, Cigna-Healthsource, United Healthcare, Generations, Partners, Medcost, Health Care Savings.
We are participating with almost all the plans available in the Triangle, but please call or Email us if you do not see your plan listed.
We strive to make the staff knowledgable in all aspects of each plan and will try to answer any questions you may have. While most plans require patients to obtain authorizations from their primary care doctor, we are available to help whenever possible.
Raleigh Ophthalmology, in accordance with the quidelines of the insurance companies, are required to get the appropiate copays at the time of service.
If no insurance is applicable for a particular service, payment is required at the time of service unless other arrangements are made prior to the visit.


text:
Q: Leetcode #179 largest Number printing weird output with my c++ code (it's not about algorithm) So here is my code, I used recursion to compare the digits rather than the whole number
class comparator{
    public:
        bool operator()(int a, int b){
            return cmp(a,b);
        }

        bool cmp(int a,int b){
            if(a == b) return true;
            std::cout << a << " " << b << '\n';
            int res = compare(a,b);
            if(res == 0 || res > 0) return true;
            else return false;
        }

        // this compares digit by digit so 9 > 30 (cause comparing 9 and 3), 4 > 20, 6 > 57 etc
        // for some cases like 3,30 where the first is the same, compare the 3 and 0, so 3 > 30

        int compare(int a,int b){
            if(a == b) return 0;

            // if both numbers are greater than 10, divide them to get to the larger digit
            if(a/10 && b/10){
                int res = compare(a/10,b/10);
                if(res == 0){
                    // if the digit before is the same then compare the current digit to see who is larger
                    int lsta = a%10, lstb = b%10;
                    return lsta-lstb;
                }

                return res;
            }

            if(a/10) {
                int res = compare(a/10,b);
                if(res == 0){
                    // similar to above but here you might have cases like 3,30 where the 3 is the same so you want to compare 3 and 0
                    int lsta = a%10, lstb = b%10;
                    return lsta-lstb;
                }
                return res;
            }

            if(b/10){
                int res = compare(a,b/10);
                if(res == 0){
                    int lsta = a%10, lstb = b%10;
                    return lsta-lstb;
                }
                return res;
            }
            return a-b;
        }
    };

    string largestNumber(vector<int>& nums) {
        sort(nums.begin(),nums.end(),comparator());
        string ans = "";
        for(int i : nums){
            ans += to_string(i);
        }
        return ans;
    }

I know the code is not exactly correct so I'm just going to go over the sequence the functions are called, when the sort function is ran, it will call the operator() function which will call the cmp function, but for the algorithm I wrote I need to know if the numbers are the same so I added another function compare which returns a int, positive for a > b, 0 for the same and negative for a < b.
I got a runtime error for the test case
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]

so I added a cout under cmp which is the function that will be called right after the sort is initiated, interesting thing is I got alot of weird numbers for a and b (the parameter passed in). the output is just the first few as the whole list is very long but it's pretty much the same thing with different large number
117841 0
943141169 0
807416116 0
859060490 0
825308209 0
807418166 0
925906954 0
825635124 0
807417393 0
959789066 0
875574832 0
807415865 0
892483594 0
842543155 0
807418160 0
925906954 0
825766196 0
807417398 0
892483850 0
959852601 0
807416885 0
892483594 0
825570102 0
807416882 0
925906954 0
859255092 0
807416633 0
959789322 0

the input should be only 0 and because the numbers are printed right after it's passed in, it shouldn't have been tampered in any ways, so I'm really confused as to what happened that caused the number to be like that. I thought it could have been some memory leak in the recursion so I added a compare statement before the print statement which will return if the 2 numbers are the same(in this case since the input is all 0 it should return right away without running the recursion compare function)