I pride myself on being a Colorado mountain woman. Three days in the Alaska wilderness cured me of that notion.
It was perhaps the most relaxing, enjoyable, remote three days of my life. I took a float plane into otherwise inaccessible Caribou Lodge. They allow a maximum of eight guests, but to my delight, I was just one of three. Three nights to look forward to what Joe and Bonnie could create entirely off the grid in this wilderness wonderland.
I read (on my carefully-managed battery-powered iPad). I hiked, kayaked, "glassed" for hours and hours for wildlife. I was rewarded with naps, a caribou siting, gasp-provoking views, and a sense of peace like no other. I'd hike to the top of Bear Hill and long to be even farther out, more alone. It was incredible.
And through it all I was incredibly conscious of food, shelter, water, and power. The joy of my trip was created by my ability to dress warmly, retreat to shelter, enjoy water traveling to pipes from the spring, and the recharging ability of both solar pads and a generator. My entrance and exit was allowed by an aviation-fuel propelled float plane.
Throughout my life I have flirted with off-the-grid phases inspired by some combination of desire for self-sufficiency, romance for a low impact life, and fear of the zombie apocalypse. The lessons are always stark. Fifteen-years of heating with wood required chain saws (fueled by gas) and wood splitters (powered by electric), caused massive particulate pollution, and ultimately led to a string of family respiratory illnesses. The composting toilet just… well… was gross. And so on and so forth.
I took great comfort when I read Farewell my Subaru, ironically provided by a work colleague who was probably laughing at my travails. In this great book, the author finds that living remotely and naturally requires an awful lot of resources and the support of a manufacturing-driven village.
Which made me thankful for both my remote Alaska wilderness trip, and the resources which make it possible. My two guides and other guests shared many interesting conversations about the real tradeoffs of environmental enjoyment and protection. Without invoking clichés, we covered abundant environmental ground from hunting and trapping, through wildfires and rain, to water and outhouses. We shared a love for the literal ground we were hiking while discussing the resources required and constraints inherent in a remote and rural lifestyle.
We know that dense urban dwelling provides the smallest environmental footprint. Ironically, life in the remote Alaska bush is probably more energy intensive than in an urban flat. Certainly my travels to the bush were incredibly costly in terms of fuel and resources expended.
Yet I left more enamored and committed to wilderness and my engagement with it than ever before. I am amazed at how much my solitary, rural retreat was #BroughtToMeByPetroleum. I'm grateful to have both wild solitude and abundant petroleum resources.
Enjoyed your blog post, we loved having you out here at Caribou Lodge. We hope to see you again soon!


Apparently the first build contained a video not intended for the final game.
Outlast 2 was refused classification in Australia earlier this month due to what the Australian Classification Board deemed "implied sexual violence". A week later, the same board reneged and mysteriously granted it an R18+ rating, saving it from an effective ban in the country. At the time, it appeared that the Classification Board had simply had a change of heart upon re-assessing the game, but the matter was more complicated, it turns out.
In a statement by studio Red Barrels, via its Australian PR company, a full explanation is provided. As it turns out, the first build provided to the board did in fact contain material which the second build did not – though it was never intended to appear in the game, the statement claims.
"The original submission of Outlast 2 sent to the Australian Classification Branch contained the final game code and a video file for reference taken from an Alpha version of the game," the statement reads. "This video file should not have been sent along with the game code, as its content was not representative of the final game."
It continues: "In the second submission, the same game code was submitted, with a video file reflecting the final game content. The game was then approved for release with an R18+ rating. There will be only one version of Outlast 2 available worldwide."
This suggests that the offending video – which contains implied sexual violence and is described in all its gory detail in this Kotaku story – won't appear in the game for anyone, nor was it seemingly meant to. Outlast 2 is scheduled to release April 25.


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Rep. Charles Kennedy
Former Representative for Iowa's 1st District
Kennedy was the representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district and was a Republican. He served from 1915 to 1921.
He was previously the representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district as a Republican from 1907 to 1915.
Contact Rep. Charles Kennedy
I live in Iowa's 1st congressional district.
I want to urge Kennedy to take an action on a bill.
Visit Rep. Charles Kennedy's website »
Look for a contact form on Rep. Charles Kennedy's website to express your opinion.
Visit Kennedy's Website »
Head over to Rep. Charles Kennedy's website. If you are having a problem with a government agency, look for a contact link for casework to submit a request for help. Otherwise, look for a phone number on that website to call his office if you have a question.
Not all Members of Congress will accept messages from non-constituents. You can try your luck by visiting Kennedy's website. Otherwise, try contacting your own representative:
You are currently on the website GovTrack.us, which has no affiliation with Kennedy and is not a government website. Choose from the options above to find the right way to contact Kennedy.
From Dec 1907 to Mar 1921, Kennedy missed 422 of 1,816 roll call votes, which is 23.2%. This is on par with the median of 25.3% among the lifetime records of representatives serving in Mar 1921. The chart below reports missed votes over time.
Dec 1907-May 1908 270 16 5.9% 7th
Dec 1908-Mar 1909 42 2 4.8% 8th
1909 Mar-Aug 36 4 11.1% 31st
Dec 1909-Feb 1910 18 3 16.7% 36th
1910 Mar-May 60 6 10.0% 21st
1910 Jun-Jun 18 1 5.6% 27th
Dec 1910-Mar 1911 68 13 19.1% 44th
1911 Apr-Aug 49 5 10.2% 30th
Dec 1911-Mar 1912 58 9 15.5% 33rd
1912 Apr-Jul 57 13 22.8% 38th
1912 Aug-Aug 30 3 10.0% 24th
1913 Apr-Jul 22 5 22.7% 31st
1913 Aug-Nov 43 0 0.0% 0th
1914 Mar-May 34 1 2.9% 5th
1914 Jun-Aug 62 1 1.6% 3rd
1914 Sep-Oct 29 2 6.9% 20th
Dec 1915-Feb 1916 16 1 6.2% 17th
1916 Mar-May 53 10 18.9% 60th
1916 Jun-Aug 23 2 8.7% 20th
1916 Sep-Sep 3 0 0.0% 0th
Dec 1916-Mar 1917 62 4 6.5% 21st
1917 Apr-Jun 43 18 41.9% 93rd
1917 Jul-Sep 10 2 20.0% 40th
1917 Oct-Oct 4 1 25.0% 40th
1918 Sep-Oct 14 0 0.0% 0th
Dec 1918-Mar 1919 63 14 22.2% 51st
1919 May-Jul 62 16 25.8% 54th
1919 Aug-Oct 52 48 92.3% 97th
1919 Nov-Nov 16 16 100.0% 94th
Dec 1919-Feb 1920 39 22 56.4% 87th
1920 Jun-Jun 8 2 25.0% 56th
Dec 1920-Mar 1921 92 77 83.7% 93rd
Charles Kennedy is pronounced:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Jennifer O'Hara
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: BA.5 omicron variant fueling latest COVID-19 surge
The BA.5 omicron variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S., and it is leading to a new wave of COVID-19 infections. BA.5 was responsible for nearly 54% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and BA.4, a similar variant, accounted for another 17%, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts are concerned because this particular variant appears to be good at evading the immune system.
"This BA.5 variant is hypercontagious, and right behind it, new variants are coming," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "We will continue to generate these variants until people are masked and immunized."
Dr. Poland explains that the transmissibility of BA.5 represents the evolution of the virus to become more contagious and able to evade immune protection from previous infection or vaccination.
"Whether you've been vaccinated, whether you've been previously infected, whether you've been previously infected and vaccinated, you have very little protection against BA.5 in terms of getting infected or having mild to moderate infection," says Dr. Poland. "Thankfully, you still do have good protection against dying, being hospitalized or ending up on a ventilator if you are up to date on your vaccinations."
Due to the consequences of reinfection, including the possibility of long COVID-19, Dr. Poland urges people to continue to take precautions to protect themselves.
"The reality is, it's important to be up to date on the COVID-19 vaccinations that are recommended for your age group, health condition, etc.," says Dr. Poland. "Sometime this fall, we may well have a variant-focused vaccine, so get it when it becomes available. And wear a proper mask properly when you are indoors around people who are not your family or in a crowded outdoor venue."
On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland shares the latest COVID-19 news and answers listener questions.
Watch: Dr. Poland discusses BA.5 variant and the latest COVID-19 news.
Read the full transcript.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.
For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Rising cases of COVID-19 variant, XBB.1.5
Flu cases and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rates are beginning to drop in the U.S.; however, reported cases of COVID-19 are increasing. A new COVID-19 omicron variant, XBB.1.5, is spreading quickly and ...
By Deb Balzer • January 9, 2023
How to prevent flu, RSV and COVID-19 during busy holiday season
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu infection rates across the U.S. continue to be very high. "As we predicted, this flu season has ...
By Deb Balzer • December 19, 2022
Antibiotic shortage – what to know if you can't find amoxicillin
According to the Food and Drug Administration, a national shortage of different medications, including a common antibiotic, is expected to last several months. "The most notable ...
What you need to know about the BA.5 omicron variant
Consumer Health: What is diabetes insipidus?


Q: "My insurer is supposed to take my monthly payment out of my checking account, but didn't do it for three months. Now they want me to pay for three months all at once. Can they do that?"
A: Sorry to tell you, but the short answer is yes, since they provided coverage for those three months. But since they erred by not taking the payments on time, it's worth asking if they'll allow you to pay in installments, so you don't get hit with a triple bill all at once.
When you know that a monthly insurance premium is supposed to come out of your bank account and you notice that it doesn't, don't wait and hope that that means you get free insurance. Call your agent or insurer and find out what's going on.


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17-й чемпионат Европы по водному поло проходил с 4 по 11 августа 1985 года в городе София (Болгария).

Формат турнира
Турнир проходил из двух групп по 8 команд. В каждой группе команды играли друг с другом по разу.

Турнир

1 тур

2 тур

3 тур

4 тур

5 тур

6 тур

7 тур

Итоговое положение

Состав победителя

См. также
 Чемпионат Европы по водному поло среди женщин 1985

Ссылки

Чемпионаты Европы в Болгарии
1985
1985 год в водном поло
Август 1985 года
Чемпионаты Европы в 1985 году
Спорт в Болгарии в 1985 году
Международные спортивные соревнования в Софии
Международные соревнования по водному поло в Болгарии

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This summer coordinated an access to justice booth at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition in partnership with Community Legal Education Ontario, Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Commission of Ontario and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
We shared materials about navigating the legal system and surveyed the public about law in their life. Here's what we learned.
If you were facing a legal issues, where would you go for help?
What are some reasons people might not take action?
How can we make it easier for people to deal with their legal problems?


You will Watch Avenger Penguins Season 2 Episode 5 online for free episodes with HQ / high quality. Stream cartoons Avenger Penguins Episode 18 High Doom. The old Doc relates a tale from the Wild West, where Beauregarde Doom and his gang try and rob a bank and some penguin lawmen try to escape Humungously Big Mad Joe.


Seems that the US is considering trying out some new toys when it decides to invade Iraq. I find it interesting how many articles will appear in the run-up to invasion about new weaponry, whether its designed to kill people or not. Why not a stealth bomber that drops food in the millions of starving in Sudan (Bill Hicks!).


Florida is so zealous in pursuing the war on drugs that its laws classify the possession, sale, and delivery of controlled substances as offenses not requiring the state to prove that the defendant knew he had possessed, sold, or delivered those substances. In the current case, state prosecutors convicted Mackie Shelton of transporting cocaine under one of these "strict liability" statutes, the trial judge having instructed the jury that the state only needed to prove that Shelton delivered a substance and that the substance was cocaine. Shelton successfully challenged the constitutionality of that state law in federal court, where the district judge overturned the conviction and noted that "Florida stands alone in its express elimination of mens rea as an element of a drug offense." Florida appealed that ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Cato has joined the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, ACLU, Drug Policy Alliance, Calvert Institute for Policy Research, and 38 law professors in a brief supporting Shelton's position. The Supreme Court has recognized only limited exceptions to the general rule that criminal culpability requires mens rea (a guilty mind). These "strict liability" crimes fall under the rubric of "public welfare offenses" and are typically what most people would not consider "serious," such as traffic violations and selling alcohol to minors. Policymakers justify dispensing with mens rea requirements in such contexts by citing the need to deter businesses from imposing costs on society at large, or the burden that having to prove mens rea in these sorts of cases would overwhelm courts, or that the penalties are relatively small and carry little social stigma. Florida's legislature, however, went well beyond the normal boundaries of public welfare offenses in imposing strict liability for drug crimes that can carry significant prison terms — and thus violated the due process of law and traditional notions of fundamental fairness. As an alternative argument purporting to save its drug laws, Florida points to the availability of affirmative defenses, that these defenses (e.g., "I didn't know it was cocaine") to a presumption of guilty intent take the statute out of the (constitutionally dubious) strict liability category. But a state may not simply presume the mens rea element of a crime: In Patterson v. New York (1977), for example, the Court held that prosecutors cannot reallocate the burden of proof by forcing a defendant to prove an affirmative defense. In requiring defendants to prove that they are "blameless" in these sorts of drug crimes, Florida's statutes fail constitutional muster. We urge the Eleventh Circuit to affirm the district court and declare the offending state law unconstitutional.


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HomeCommunityAt the Lightner: Private Impressionist Edgar Degas
At the Lightner: Private Impressionist Edgar Degas
March 19, 2019 Community 0
A rare look at over fifty original works of pioneering artist Edgar Degas comes to St. Augustine's Lightner Museum on view from April 12th – June 16th. Edgar Degas, one of the leading lights of the 19th century art scene, is best known for his enchanting paintings of ballet dancers on and off the stage.
Little is widely known about the enigmatic artist's life and personality; however, during this exhibition, the Lightner Museum offers unique insights into Degas' inner world and the opportunity to see rarely exhibited works from the private collection of curator Robert Flynn Johnson.
"Through his art, his words, and the circle of his friends represented in the exhibition, the private persona of this elusive artist may emerge," Johnson says.
Historic City News readers will be able to view works on paper by Cassatt and Manet along with etchings and prints by many other famous members of Degas' artistic circle. Works by Jean Leon Gerome, Honore Daumier, Pierre Puvis de Chavanne, Jean Everett Millais, JeanAuguste Dominique Ingres, Alfred Stevens, Camille Pissarro, Gustave Moreau, Paul Cézanne and Eadweard Muybridge offer a fascinating look at the artist's life and times.
The exhibit also features a collection of beautifully colored monotype prints commissioned by Degas' art dealer Ambroise Vollard; never before shown alongside Degas' work. A fully illustrated catalog written by Degas scholar and Curator of the Royal Academy of Art, Ann Dumas, accompanies the exhibit.
About the Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum is housed in the former Alcazar Hotel built in 1888 by Henry Flagler. Today it is home to one of the premier collections of fine and decorative 19th century art in the country. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week and features self-guided tours, tours by reservation for adults and children, and demonstrations of antique mechanical musical instruments. The Lightner Museum is a nonprofit cultural institution sustained by the generous support of individuals, businesses and sponsors.
Photograph Edgar Degas and August Clot (French, active 19th Century), Before the Race, ca. 1895, Color Lithograph
Sea Oats Planting Project at St Augustine Beach
Guest: Who benefits from less drama?


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Pot board closer to new rules after appointments
Michael Gerstein
Lansing –— Gov. Rick Snyder announced appointments Friday to a board tasked with developing new rules for how the state's medical marijuana industry would be regulated.
Snyder appointed lobbyist Rick Johnson, a GOP former House speaker with ties to the medical marijuana industry, after he was nominated by Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive. He will chair the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board.
In 2005 Johnson joined a Lansing lobbying firm started by Democratic former House Speaker Lew Dodak but sold off his interest recently. He helped craft medical marijuana legislation.
The appointments follow Snyder's 2016 signature on "landmark" marijuana industry overhaul bills that regulate dispensaries and allowed for a 3 percent tax on gross retail receipts at medical marijuana dispensaries. Dispensary purchases are subject to the state's 6 percent sales tax because of the legislation, too.
The board is expected to design Michigan's medical marijuana regulations for an industry that is expected to net up to $64 million a year in state taxes, according to a 2016 Senate agency analysis.
Brandon Dillon, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, suggested that Johnson's appointment is ethically questionable given his ties to the marijuana industry.
"I mean it just smacks of corruption," he said. Dillon said his prior ties and involvement in marijuana regulation "casts a shadow over the legitimacy of the appointment."
A Meekhof spokeswoman said expertise and experience made Johnson a good choice.
"The majority leader nominated Rick Johnson for his varied experience," Amber McCann said in a Friday email. "Mr. Johnson is capable and knowledgeable. He will do well in the position."
The legislation was passed because the voter-approved ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana was vague and prompted several major legal fights. The law now allows licensed dispensaries to operate in communities that allow them, and will license and regulate growers, processers, testing facilities and transporters.
Snyder also appointed people with ties to the pharmaceutical industry, police and business organizations.
Those appointments include Nichole Cover, chairwoman of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy; David Lamontaine, executive board member of the Police Officers' Association of Michigan; David Bailey, a retired state police sergeant who attended the Drug Enforcement Agency's Drug Unit Commanders Academy; and Vivian Pickard, a consultant and former General Motors public policy executive.
Snyder's office says that Cover and Pickard "represent independents," and the other three represent Republicans because "the law calls for no more than three members of the same party to be on the board."
Craig Mauger, director of the watchdog nonprofit Michigan Campaign Finance Network, also questioned the ethics of giving former lobbyists and lawmakers a shot at helming powerful regulatory bodies.
"The regulations these people make are going to have a lot of say over who is going to make money," he said.
The Senate Fiscal Agency in its 2016 analysis estimated a new tax on medical marijuana provisioning centers could pad state coffers by more than $21.3 million a year.
Since medical marijuana dispensary purchases could be subject to the 6 percent sales tax, according to the analysis, the state could reap another $42.7 million annually, although analysts said the sales tax revenue isn't guaranteed.
Two law enforcement officials were appointed after Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and others raised concerns about the regulation legislation.
mgerstein@detroitnews.com


The second pair of test sessions were again split LMPs ahead of GTs, 90 minutes per session.
12 cars ran in the LMP session, the #4 ARC Bratislava Ginetta again the spare car as the team worked to change gear ratios after a last minute regulation change it seems.
Both the #8 Race Performance Oreca and #25 Algarve Pro Ligier Nissan completed an out/ in lap only, the latter effectively as a shakedown after the team's earlier Customs woes left them chasing the clock all day today.
There were a trio of LMP3s in trouble during the session, the #99 WinEurasia Ligier JSP3 off into the gravel and bringing out a brief Red Flag with William Lok towed back to Parc Ferme but the car back out after a clean up.
The #48 PS Racing Adess had a lurid half spin at high speed out of the final turn and ended up kissing the tyre barrier on the inside just before the pit wall, the car essentially undamaged apart from a set of rooted Michelins and some no doubt soiled overalls.
And the #26 Tockwith Ligier was left with a broken gearbox post session, a spare is available and the car will be back tomorrow.
The #69 CN class Ligier was still undergoing a rebuild and clean up, the earlier issue was a broken heat exchanger which failed coating everything with copious quantities of oil and water emulsion.
That spoiled the day for the Yorkshire based team that saw them end on top of the LMP3 order, third fastest overall with a 1:32.236, The #99 WinEurasia car second fastest a tenth and a half back, these two spoiling the early session headlines for Ginetta that saw a pair of G57 P3s tope the times for much of the session with the #69 Aylezo Ecotint Racing car and #67 PRT G57 both in the 1:32.6s, the top four split by less than four tenths.
LMP2 saw the #24 Algarve Pro Ligier Judd out for the whole session and it was the two full session P2s that topped the times with the #35 Jackie Chan DC Racing Oreca again fastest, 1:29.350 just a tenth off the best race lap set here by much the same package back in 2011, and the circuit is, we are told, a lot bumpier nowadays.
The Ligier meanwhile finished the session with a 1:30.791.
The GT Session saw 12 of the 14 runners on track, no dramas for the missing pair, the #2 Audi's drivers know the circuit and the car well and arrive this evening. The #86 OD Racing McLaren 650S GT3 also opted out of the second session.
2.1 seconds separated the best efforts for the other 12 with the top nine separated by less than a single second.
After the first session was dominated at the top of timing by Ferrari session two saw the 488s again running fast. They did not though top the times as the #10 FFF Racing Lamborghini finished the session fastest with a 1:34.165, almost 4 tenths up on the #37 Team BBT Ferrari with Team AAI's #91 McLaren in close company, third fastest with a last lap effort, AAI's #90 BMW M6 GT3 fifth fastest behind the #38 Spirit of Race Ferrari.
Tomorrow sees two Free Practice sessions of 90 minutes apiece at 8 am and 12:30 respectively with Qualifying seeing 2 x 15 minute sessions split between the Prototypes and GTs from 17:00 local time.


Hello. I recently ordered from you a 36 in rabbit topiary. I want you to know how extremely pleased we all are with your company. The topiary is great (and thanks so much for the little dog topiary you enclosed with it -- really cute!), and exactly what I wanted for a birthday gift. You sent it out special so I could have it in time. Thanks again so very much. I greatly appreciate your help in creating a wonderful surprise birthday gift for my daughter.


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Where is your favourite North East park? 20 are in running to be named best in country
Jesmond Dene and Walker Park in Newcastle, Saltwell Park in Gateshead and Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside are among the candidates
More than 20 North East parks are in the running to be named the country's favourite - and public votes will decide the winner.
The Green Flag Awards' People's Choice Award is looking for the best-loved park in the UK.
The awards recognise the best parks and green spaces in the UK. Over this year an army of experts has awarded 1,797 flags, and now the scheme is asking the public to vote for their favourites. All parks which have been granted Green Flag status are eligible to be named the country's best.
Among the North East parks in the running are Jesmond Dene and Walker Park, in Newcastle.
Jesmond Dene (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Councillor Kim McGuinness, cabinet member for culture and communities at Newcastle City Council, said: "Newcastle enjoys an international reputation as a city with great parks and green spaces. It's part of our heritage.
"Our parks are venues for people to enjoy, exercise, meet, play and spend time outdoors, in a natural environment whilst still in the city.
"We're incredibly proud of our parks.
£110m Newcastle parks overhaul not proving popular with everyone
"It's fantastic to have Green Flag Awarded green spaces [Jesmond Dene and Walker Park] in the city.
"We believe our parks are amongst the best and we're incredibly excited they're in the running to pick up the coveted People's Choice Award.
"These parks are certainly some of the cities favourites. Let's hope they're recognised as being amongst the nation's favourite parks too."
Walker Park
In Northumberland, Ridley Park, Blyth, and Alexandra Park, Cramlington, are among the candidates. Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside is also eligible.
On the other side of the Tyne, could also for Saltwell Park, in Gateshead, South Marine Park, in South Shields or Roker Park, in Sunderland.
The competition closes on September 30.
You can see which of your local parks are eligible, and to vote for them, visit http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/award-winners/#_northeast
Saltwell Park


With innovative solutions to energy and climate change more pressing than ever, ENGIE Deputy Group CIO Claude Pierre saw an opportunity to optimize customer energy consumption with renewable solutions. But first, ENGIE would need to work internally -- and transform the energy industry from the inside out.
To tackle this entry into a new energy world, ENGIE sought to develop infrastructure to transition the business from a hierarchical model to one that is flat and distributed across 24 geographically oriented business units. This was no easy task -- ENGIE needed to support regional units with consistent, reliable, global solutions, while giving them the freedom to adapt quickly at the local level.
Pierre and his team recognized the cloud as a key enabler of new technologies. In addition, a cloud-based identity and access management system would be necessary to truly connect all 24 business units at both a global and local level. "Our ambition was to set up a global solution covering all geographies and enabling all applications to be accessed from anywhere, from any device," says Pierre.
When searching for a scalable solution to further the enterprise digital transformation, Pierre required a user-friendly service that was reliable, vendor neutral and adaptable to technological innovation. Okta was the flexible solution that openly worked with on-premise infrastructure rather than completely overhauling the wholesale process.
ENGIE initially deployed Okta to its 120,000 global employees, connecting them to important business apps including Yammer, Skype, Microsoft Exchange online. Within three months, they deployed the entire Office 365 portfolio and local IT teams stayed connected with corporate resources throughout. "This decentralized model of support and service is key for us," says Youssef Tahani, ENGIE's chief infrastructure officer. The speed and detail of this transition was a success -- local teams had connected to the Okta platform and business was underway.
With Okta in place it takes two weeks instead of two months to begin collaborating with a newly acquired domain. With all 100+ AD domains now connected to Okta's platform, users are efficiently provisioned and consolidated across all domains, which greatly simplifies Office 365 synchronization.
Not only did ENGIE provide streamlined services for those in offices, they were able to bring 50,000 field workers online for the first time without additional licensing costs allowing for unprecedented collaboration.
To learn more about ENGIE's journey with Okta watch the below video.


Exciting news! The Bangarang thesis' first data chapter, which builds off of 10-years of whale surveys by the Gitga'at First Nation and North Coast Cetacean Society, has been accepted at our target journal: Marine Ecology Progress Series. In this paper we explore a curious pattern in which humpback whales occupy the Kitimat Fjord System in a kind of wave, propagating from outer channels to inner channels as summer turns to fall.
We will share further details as the final publication version of the manuscript is made ready! Woohoo!
Full citation is available on Publications page!


..... Click the link for more information. ). Principal research programs of the NRAO include the study of galactic structure, extragalactic radio sources, molecules in space, pulsars, quasars, and the evolution of stars and galaxies. Astronomers using the VLA have discovered filaments, jets, and high-temperature features in the center of our own galaxy and in extragalactic radio sources that may help explain the high energy of quasars. The system allows the study of the nuclei of active galaxies and helps determine distances to radio sources more accurately.
(NRAO) The US radio observatory administered from Charlottesville, Virginia, with various field stations. It is managed by a private consortium of universities in a cooperative agreement with the US government's National Science Foundation. Their principal instruments are the Green Bank Telescope, the VLA, the VLBA, and a millimeter-wavelength radio telescope at Kitt Peak, Arizona.
(in Russian, Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory), a scientific research institution in Green Bank, W. Va., founded in the 1950's. Its principal instruments are an 85-ft radio telescope with a parabolic antenna on an azimuthal mounting (installed in 1959), a 140-ft radio telescope on an equatorial mounting (1962), and a 300-ft radio telescope on a meridional mounting (movement is only in the plane of the meridian; early 1960's). The National Radio Astronomy Observatory conducts research on discrete radio sources, including the study of their fine structure; on the gaseous components of star systems, especially our galaxy (neutral and ionized hydrogen); and other topics. The observatory has a small staff of permanent scientific personnel and is run by a board of trustees consisting of representatives of nine American universities. Astronomers from other American and foreign observatories also work at the observatory.
Smith, F. G. Radio Astronomy. Baltimore, Md., 1961.
This is the first use of ALMA to make such a measurement for a spiral or barred spiral galaxy," said Kartik Sheth, an astronomer with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville, Va.
Amy Reines, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), said that the little galaxies hold the clues to the origin of the first 'seeds' of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
The infant star surrounded by a swirling disk of dust and gas is more than 450 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory reported Wednesday.
It looks as if the black holes came first," said Dr Chris Carilli, from the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Using radiotelescopes--instruments that pick up invisible electromagnetic energy waves emitted by some stars--astronomers at PennSylvania State University and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Socorro, New Mexico, detected disturbances around a distant pulsar.
edu/news/vla-reveals-magnetic-field/) news release by National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
When it does, it could deliver extragalactic material, said Jay Lockman of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
We don't know how spirals can have these large jets," said Minnie Mao, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).
The new triple millisecond pulsar J0337+1715 was discovered recently by a joint American-European collaboration led by Scott Ransom from National Radio Astronomy Observatory (USA).
This star party is held at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.
Brown, associate director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who will discuss the efforts to detect extra-solar planetary systems using the Millimeter Array, an observatory located at 16,500 feet above sea level in Chile, and the challenges astronomers face when observing at such high altitudes, at 7 p.
The observations were made using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), a series of 10 radio telescopes across the country, designed and built by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).


Andy explains why it's useless to even consider age as a factor in your ability to get laid.
Andy's been surprised so many times it's surprising he still gets surprised.
Andy defines the female equivalent of the "friendzone".


Controlling your dog is an essential part of being a good canine guardian.
Control can take many different forms. Depending on your dog, you and the work that you've done will factor in what type of control may be needed in certain situations.
Control is important. It is even more important that we… the guardian of our dog, be able to control them. Controlling our dog should not fall on others. Our visitors, passersby, guests or extended family are not responsible for controlling our dog. We need to control our dog.
When Elsa got attacked by an English Bulldog several years ago; the woman who was walking them had no control. Her dogs literally dragged her to the ground and commenced to attack Elsa. It's pretty mind boggling that these two dogs were on leash yet were completely out of control. If you cannot control your dog either verbally or physically then you should not be out in pubic with your dog, bottom line.
When Elsa and I are out and about on our daily walks, the last thing I want to see is someone who cannot control their dog. We have come across many people in this type of predicament and it is unnerving to say the least.
You love your dog, great; but not everyone loves your dog. Controlling your dog is one of the K9 etiquette musts. When you are in public with your dog, it is your job to keep them safe and the public safe. Just because your dog would like to come and see my dog does not mean that he should be allowed to do that.
Ask. Always ask before allowing. The other day while Elsa and I were out for an early morning, quiet stroll; a woman headed our way with her black Labrador. He looked nice enough but we were not there to see him; we were enjoying our quiet oneness that we are. On their approach I automatically stepped off the path to give Elsa some space that she requires. The woman stepped off the path as well as her dog dragged her our way. I then turned on a dime and started walking away; a clear visual that I was not interested in a meet and greet. She continued to be dragged our way. FINALLY, I had to blurt out a loud "NO" with my hand up. This she understood and tried to brace herself and control her dog. She was having a very hard time not being dragged any longer.
YOU MUST CONTROL YOUR DOG. If you have no means of controlling your dog through voice command then you must be able to physically control your dog. If your dog drags you down the street on their collar then you need something different to walk your dog on if you are not going to train. Find something that gives you control.
It boggles my mind when someone says "he won't listen, he wants to say hi," like they have no say in the matter of what their dog does. Just because your dog is friendly; does not mean that every other dog wants to say hi. Dogs need to learn to walk by other dogs unless there is an invited an agreed upon meet and greet. Train.


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Intensive Couples Therapy
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Developing Habits for Relationship Success: A Step-By-Step Guide for Improving Your Relationship (Verson 4.6)
Over the past thirty years, groundbreaking studies on the relationships of couples have identified specific interpersonal habits necessary for relationship success. This book details each of these crucial interpersonal habits and offers dozens of guidelines and exercises for helping relationship partners implement them. Your book will be personalized, so that your partner's name will be entered into all of the exercises and worksheets. Then, it will be sent to your email account as a PDF file, so that you can print specific exercises — or the whole book — as many times as you want.
"Developing Habits for Relationship Success is a highly accessible book for couples desiring to improve their relationships. Brent Atkinson draws on the latest research into the behavior of couples in intimate relationships and the impact of the emotional brain on human interaction. He helps couples understand the often confusing complexities of long-term relationships and provides a specific step-by-step guide to developing habits that greatly increase the chances of having a successful, loving relationship. Having good relationships is difficult. This book makes it easier!"
Harvey Joanning, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus and former Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Program, Iowa State University
"In his ground-breaking approach for improving couple relationships, Atkinson offers concrete strategies based on years of research and painstaking attention to clinical practice… The habits for relationship success illustrated in this book dramatically improved my own clinical work and I routinely share them with students and supervisees."
Teresa McDowell, Ed.D., Chair, Department of Counseling Psychology, Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling.
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FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Emotional Intelligence in Couples Therapy: Advances in Neurobiology and the Science of Intimate Relationships
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This book introduces Pragmatic/Experiential Therapy for Couples (PET-C), a step-by-step approach to couples therapy developed at The Couples Clinic in Geneva, Illinois. PET-C translates recent advances in neurobiology and the science of intimate relationships into practical strategies for helping couples improve their relationships. In PET-C, partners learn to identify internal states which perpetuate outmoded thoughts, attitudes, and interactions, "re-wire" these states for more flexibility, and activate alternate states which support new avenues for thought and action
"Destined to be one of the most important books on couples therapy of this decade. A must read for the informed psychotherapist. Atkinson makes a brilliant case that successful psychotherapy literally rewires the brain for more flexibility by forging new neural networks and enabling clients to shift emotional states away from hurt/protection and toward intimacy. This revolutionary volume shows that partners need to become more skilled at responding to upsetting things that their partners say or do. Atkinson guides the reader step-by-step through the processes of helping clients identify and shift emotional states. A tour de force of scientific sophistication and clinical wisdom. Emotional Intelligence in Couples Therapy will be a classic!"
Douglas H. Sprenkle, Ph.D., Former Editor, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Recipient, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Award for Cumulative Contribution to Family Therapy Research
"All couples therapists have observed first-hand that during intense interaction partners can find that their brains are 'emotionally hijacked' and all the communication skills they have been carefully coached to enact disappear. This is a critical reason for the alarmingly high relapse rate after seemingly successful therapy. In Emotional Intelligence in Couples Therapy, Atkinson explains the scientific basis for this phenomenon and, more importantly, he offers step-by-step guidance for therapists to help couples deal with the intense affect that can disable effective communication. Any couples therapists concerned about increasing their effectiveness and avoiding relapse need to master this powerful new approach!"
Thomas C. Todd, Ph.D., Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Adler School of Professional Psychology
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PFUJ to launch movement for security of jobs, freedom of expression
The Newspaper's Staff ReporterPublished January 1, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Thursday decided to launch a decisive movement for security of jobs of journalists and media workers and freedom of expression in 2021.
"Enough is enough. It's now or never," PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfikar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said in a joint New Year message.
"PFUJ will be launching its struggle with the fullest force on 5th of January for protecting the economic rights of the journalists and for safeguarding freedom of expression in the country," they said.
The two leaders said the outgoing year was one of the worst years for the media industry as more than 8,000 journalists and media workers lost their jobs across the country.
They said the unholy alliance between the owners of media houses and the government not only deprived the job opportunities but also put the entire media industry in a severe financial crisis.
Several TV channels faced financial losses while a few had to close down. Regional newspapers were also forced to shut down rendering thousands of journalists and media workers jobless. The television channels and newspapers also slapped a salary cut on their employees which has not been restored so far by many media organisations.
Mr Zulfikar and Mr Zaidi also noted that during 2020 media faced worst kind of censorship and advices from the government besides the arrest of Editor-in-Chief of Geo Mir Shakeelur Rehman in a case filed by the National Accountability Bureau.
They also recalled an attack on Dawn by "unknown persons" and termination of Channel 24 and Bol by misusing the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance.
The PFUJ leaders said that even now the new rules and regulations were being introduced to gag media and to shrink freedom of expression from the social media.
While praising the heroic services rendered by entire media community during the coronovirus pandemic, they said it was high time to launch a final round of resistance for the economic rights of the media workers as well as press freedom and freedom of expression. "The economic crises facing the industry and freedom of expression are inter-linked and we are determined to fight for both," they said. "Enough is enough, we are not going to tolerate pay cuts any more nor would tolerate delay in the implementation of the Wage Award for newspaper employees."
Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2021
RED ZONE FILES: The Rambo reflex
Woman awarded death in online blasphemy case
Parliamentary panel approves Justice Ayesha Malik's appointment to Supreme Court


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`sn_mlst`

Runs 7-gene MLST on each sample

# Software requirements

* Torsten _mlst_

# Algorithm

For each genome assembly, runs _mlst_ and reports
an individual file in each sample subdirectory.

# Outputs

Table with columns

* sample
* mlst_scheme
* 7-gene_ST
* locus1
* locus2
* locus3
* locus4
* locus5
* locus6
* locus7

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Home Jackery Jackery 1500 Specs – The Ultimate Review
Jackery 1500 Specs – The Ultimate Review
Jackery 1500 Specs – The Ultimate Guide
Whether you are in the marketplace for a new power supply or you just require a little increase to your present one, the Jackery Explorer 1000 might be the very best option for you. Jackery 1500 Specs
This version has a great deal of features, including an unbelievable 1000W of continual power and also 2000W of rise power. It likewise has a 46.4 Ah lithium battery ability and also two pure sine wave air conditioner outlets.
In spite of its small 22 pound weight, the Jackery Traveler 1000 packs a 1000W of juice. If you get on a budget, this is a fantastic option. The Jackery gizmo is likewise well fit for outside activities. The most effective component is it perseverance a lot of your smaller sized devices. You can also use it to charge your automobile battery if you're so inclined.
The Traveler 1000 includes a 2,000 W rise inverter. This is ample to power the contemporary kitchen area home appliance. However, if you're looking for a real powerhouse, you'll have to step up to the Jackery juggernaut. The company has a number of designs that fit the costs.
The Jackery 2000 and also the Jackery 1500 have a little bit more zest. They each have a 1045 watt-hour battery as well as are a tad on the much heavier side. The best part is, you can make use of both of them for maximum power. Jackery 1500 Specs
It's rarely that you get your hands on an Explorer 1000, so you may as well maximize your time while you're at it. The power station's glossy orange finish is a welcome view for the eyes. The firm's site also boasts a complimentary 12-month warranty, which is greater than many competitors. The product is additionally a solid ol' fashioned splurge.
The Jackery gadget may be a little excessive for your average house, yet you'll be pleasantly surprised by its portability. With the appropriate batteries and power adapters, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of a full giant, minus the mass. The Jackery product can power your small devices while you're on the road or in the backyard. The little, however magnificent Jackery juggernaut can do it all.
Can charge up to 50 video cameras
Whether you're taking photos of wildlife, outdoor camping, or simply enjoying the outdoors, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Plant is a wonderful means to have power any place you go. This handy generator offers plenty of power for lights, computer systems, as well as various other electronic devices.
It's light, compact, as well as has a wonderful enhance look. The orange color pattern is expert looking. It additionally features a digital display screen to aid you see exactly just how much battery life you have left. It's a great device for photographers, but it's not an essential for each shoot.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station collaborates with solar panels for surcharge. It has a solid feel, is lightweight, and also includes an inverter. Relying on the model you select, you can charge up to 50 electronic cameras.
This power plant has a big, lithium-ion battery. The battery is built to last and also save energy for as much as 1002Wh of power. The lithium-ion battery is recognized for its high energy density as well as long life. It also powers the 12-volt power port as well as USB ports. It can be reenergized by an air conditioner wall electrical outlet, vehicle charger, or by compatible solar panel. Jackery 1500 Specs
There are four temperature core detectors inside the battery, which is good for security. It additionally has a battery administration system to make sure that the battery does not get too hot. It can be butted in as little as 2 hrs by air conditioning power or 2.5 to 7.5 hrs with solar Saga panels.
Unlike other comparable items, the battery capability of the Traveler is gauged in Watt-hours. This is a far more exact measurement of just how much power you have in your battery.
The Traveler has a little LCD display that reveals the amount of power streaming into and out of the battery. It's easy to see just how much power is fed back right into the charging ports, and also the LCD show can be backlit.
While it's a fantastic method to have power on the go, the Explorer 1000 doesn't provide a real "entire house" option. You can't connect in lights or devices for longer periods of time, and it's a little bit noisy.
Can power as much as 8 laptop computer charges
Powered by a mighty lithium battery, Jackery Explorer 1000 is a power financial institution that is compact and also can power as much as 8 laptop costs. The battery itself is rated to accept 2,000 W of peak power, as well as it stores power for up to 1002Wh. The battery can be charged using a DC input port or Anderson Powerpole jack.
The Traveler 1000 has a wonderful inverter, as well as it has 2 USB-A ports, an air conditioner port, as well as a USB C port. It additionally includes an integrated flashlight. Its screen shows the percentage of the battery as well as the watts the device is putting out. The best part is that it has a good fee controller.
It's also got a nice LCD screen, and the screen shows the battery's ability, in addition to the input and result information. It's not extremely brilliant, though. The Jackery Explorer 1000 is a quite neat little device, however maybe better.
It additionally has a wonderful inverter and also a battery monitoring system, and also it utilizes Tier 1 LG battery cells. The lithium battery is understood for its longevity as well as high power thickness. The lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery can be located in the majority of electrical vehicles.
The one downside of the Explorer 1000 is that it does not have real pass-through charging. It can power both sides of the battery at the same time, but it can't do it in full. The Jackery company does market a padded carrying situation for it. The battery and also charger can be billed making use of solar energy, nonetheless. The Jackery Power Outdoors internet site asserts that they are the initial company to create a portable power plant utilizing lithium battery modern technology.
The Jackery firm was founded by a former elderly Apple battery engineer, Z. Sunlight, that has more than twenty years of experience in the field of lithium ion battery technology. His items are tailored towards outdoor adventures, as well as he has a tried and tested track record in the layout and also manufacture of green portable power plant.
Basically, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is a strong, cost-effective, all-in-one portable power plant that must match lots of people's requirements. The battery is big, the battery charger is sturdy, and the deal with is a wonderful touch. It has a few minor faults, however it's a superb power financial institution for the rate. Jackery 1500 Specs
Whether you're searching for a trustworthy power source for your home or to carry hand for outdoor camping, Jackery Explorer 1000 is a mobile, environment-friendly service. With a rechargeable battery and also solar panels, you can get an excellent fee, also in reduced sunlight. This is fantastic for using your mobile phone and Bluetooth audio speakers, in addition to your laptop computer.
Unlike a conventional generator, Jackery Explorer 1000 makes use of a pure sine wave inverter to supply a steady stream of power. This means no noise or exhaust. It can also run most tools simultaneously. You'll obtain a wonderful stream of tidy power, and the batteries can last for days.
This generator is lightweight and also portable, making it easy to bring with you. It has a user friendly user interface and a padded bring instance. You'll require a power brick as well as an air conditioning adapter to operate the unit, yet the charger will give you an eight-hour recharge.
During the day, the Explorer 1000 has enough power to power a 50-watt laptop computer for around 20 hrs. The system can be billed via a cars and truck's device port, a residence wall outlet, or with photovoltaic panels. It has a multi-function LCD present, so you'll recognize just how much power is left in the battery. It can manage power surges up to 2000W. You can likewise charge your CPAP maker with the device.
The billing system on the Explorer 1000 is quickly, permitting you to reenergize in three hrs from virtually vacant. It's developed to run quietly, so you can utilize it in the wild, without causing any disturbances.
The Traveler 1000 has a tough bring deal with, yet it can not be folded up. This is a layout problem for anybody that intends to load it. It also makes it difficult to put things on the top. If you're seeking a cushioned case, consider various other models.
Overall, the Jackery Traveler 1000 is a very resilient and silent power plant, ideal for professional photographers on assignment or those who delight in the outdoors. It's not an inexpensive system, however it does have a lot of attributes. You can also acquire a set of 100-watt solar panels, which will certainly enable you to get even more out of your source of power. Jackery 1500 Specs
Jackery 1500 Specs Jackery 1500 Specs


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Hosting Your Own Office Championship Games
By Dan Ketchum
Keeping employee morale high isn't just the right thing to do, it can help employees stay motivated, efficient and more productive in the workplace. Getting peak performance from your crew means you've sometimes got to nurture their sense of fun – even better if you do it with a sprinkle of friendly competition by hosting your own Office Championship Games.
Opening & Closing Ceremonies
No Office Championship Games is complete without great opening and closing ceremonies. During the opening ceremonies, split your office into teams of four to six people per team. Once teams are settled, pass out team t-shirts and gear like team color-coded stopwatches; then have the groups decide on team names and which members will compete in which competitions. Write all of this information on your whiteboard-turned-scoreboard and you are ready to let the games begin!
After all of the competitions are complete, end the festivities with a bang. Set up a podium or awards area where you can give each participant a certificate of participation, award the winners of each event and award the top team. Celebrate everyone's achievements with an array of food and drinks. And remember, take pictures of all the action throughout the entirety of the games.
Desk Chair Duos
The Rules: Create an athletic course in an open space, peppered with safety cones and printer paper boxes. One teammate sits in a rolling swivel chair while another "drives" it through the course. At the end, they switch positions and dash back to the start.
The goal is to finish with the best time – add 5 seconds for each obstacle hit.
Trash Hoops
The Rules: This one's simple, but it never fails to bring people together. Each player stands behind a line about 12 feet from a recycle bin and gets as many shots of crumpled paper balls they can shoot over a one-minute period. Each shot in the recycle bin is one point – the best shooter claims victory.1
Three-Legged Teamsmanship
The Rules: A true classic. Gather round in your office's longest hallway and have each team of two stand closely side-by-side, with one person's left leg securely taped to the other person's right leg. It's a mad dash to the end of the hall to compete for the best time.
If you've got a nearby grassy space, take the opportunity for an open-air race – that way, teams can compete all at once.
Throwing Triathlon
The Rules: Start by setting up three throwing events: javelin throwing (using colorful paper airplanes), shot put (using crumpled paper balls) and discus (using paper plates or blank CDs). For each event, the competitor will throw as far as they can while standing behind a half circle marked off by colorful tape. If the competitor steps over the line, they are disqualified for that round. The winner of the event will have thrown the furthest across the total of the three events. 1
Cup Stacking Concentration
The Rules: Go with the classic six-cup stack. Each competitor starts with a stack of six plastic cups and must build a pyramid – three cups on bottom, two in the middle, one on top – then deconstruct the pyramid and end in a six-cup stack again. The quickest builder takes the prize.
Breakroom cup-stacking training sessions are definitely encouraged during the pre-season – it's a time-tested mix of speed, coordination and personal strategy.
go2HR: Positive Employee Morale Benefits Your Business
Baudville: Badville's Guide to the Office Games
1 Archant: Office Olympics Rules
Howard University: ResFest Spring 2016 Rules
Dan Ketchum has been a professional writer since 2003, with work appearing online and offline in Bazooka Magazine, Anemone Sidecar, the Houston Chronical, Motley Fool and more.


My mum said I was christen here, my granddad and grandmother are buried in cemetery over the road. Rhoda Williams And Samuel James Williams. My name would have been Wendy Elizabeth Allen. How can I check it out, thanks.
Wendy, you need to contact the County Archives in Truro, and/or the church itself. The Baptism Register that covers the (approximate) year you think you were christened will be kept at either the Archives or the church, and they will be able to check the register and find your christening entry. They should then be able, probably for a small fee, to send you a copy, if you want one. Hope that helps.


Do you allow outside food into the park?
Do you provide allergy-friendly meals?
Do you provide Kosher or Halal meals in the park?
Do you accept dining reservations at the Park?
Do you have all day dining passes?
When is the LEGOLAND Water Park closed?
When is LEGOLAND Florida Water Park open?
When do the LEGOLAND Florida Toll and Ticket Booths open?


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Jillian S. Ambroz
DCReport
The 1.5 Million Child Slaves Behind Your Chocolate Bar
Home > International Published February 23, 2021 - 9:58am
Next time you take a bite of a chocolate bar, consider the small hands that farmed the cocoa beans.
Industrial food heavyweights like Nestlé USA, Hershey and MARS Inc., rely on cocoa grown in Côte D'Ivoire, the Ivory Coast, to make their confections. And the West African nation relies on enslaved child laborers to farm its cocoa crops, a well-known fact in the candy world that keeps the cocoa at favorably low prices for the big companies.
A class-action civil suit brought against the big chocolate companies sheds stark light on the entire candy bar industry. It outlines the relationships between the candy makers and the cocoa farms in West Africa, which provide 70% of the world's cocoa supply. Half is grown in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Most American chocolate is made from Ivory Coast cocoa beans.
The plaintiffs are eight former enslaved children who, the court papers charge, were trafficked from their home country Mali, and sold to cocoa farms in the neighboring West African country.
"This lawsuit against the cocoa and chocolate industry is about much more than the eight Malian citizens who were trafficked and exploited as child slaves to harvest cocoa," says Fernando Morales-de la Cruz, founder of Cacao for Change and Cartoons for Change. Both organizations in Strasbourg, France, seek to raise awareness of child labor in both the cocoa and coffee trades.
Low Price Business Model
"The business model of the chocolate industry is cruel, exploitative, and illegal because it exploits between 2.2 and 3 million children worldwide, besides exploiting millions of farmers and farmworkers, all to buy cocoa for less than one-third of the real price," Morales-de la Cruz said.
He noted that a number of chocolate companies run their revenues through Switzerland to avoid taxes in countries, like the United States, where they earn their profits selling chocolate confections. "With their Swissploitation business model the cartel of cocoa companies 'saves' more than $20 billion per year buying cheap cocoa," he said.
This is the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor as declared by the United Nation's International Labor Organization. The time is ripe to press for an end to profiting off exploitive and forced child labor.
Make no mistake, chocolate is big business. The global chocolate market is a $136 billion business. It's expected to grow to $182 billion by 2025.
The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Columbia just days ago, selecting the U.S. legal system for several reasons. In 2000, Congress and President Bill Clinton enacted a landmark law against human trafficking known as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA. It has been reauthorized five times, most recently in 2019 with Congress earmarking $250 million toward the effort. That law gives us extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Our Government Knows
Since the 1990s, the U.S. State Department and the Department of Labor have recognized the existence of child slavery in the cocoa industry in the Ivory Coast. In 2004, State estimated there were at least 15,000 child laborers working on cocoa, coffee and cotton farms there. As the photo above shows these children wield machetes to do their dangerous harvesting.
A study conducted by Tulane University in 2015 found that the number of children engaged in the 'Worst Forms of Child Labor' on cocoa plantations grew substantially between 2009 and 2014.
In October 2020, a new report by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, which was funded by Labor, was released showing child labor had increased again in the cocoa production sector since the Tulane study.
In the 2018 to 2019 harvest season, the prevalence of children involved in hazardous child labor in the cocoa sector in the Ivory Coast and Ghana rose to almost 1.5 million children. That's also 1,000 times the official U.S. estimate in 2004. The Ivory Coast has fewer than 26 million people.
Hazardous Work
The study also found that in cocoa-growing regions of Ghana and the Ivory Coast more than 43% of all children between the ages of 5 and 17 living in agricultural households are engaged in hazardous work – not just child labor, but hazardous child labor.
Comparing a 10-year span concluding with the 2018-2019 harvest season, the NORC report found a 14% increase in child labor and a 62% increase in production over the same period.
"There is a large group of extremely poor, vulnerable boys in Mali and Burkina Faso who are on the verge of starving and will do about anything for the promise of a paying job," said Terry Collingsworth, who was arrested by the Ivory Coast police as he interviewed enslaved boys at a cocoa plantation. Collingsworth is executive director of International Rights Advocates.
Mali and Burkina Faso both border the Ivory Coast. Cacao refers to the beans harvested to make chocolate. Cocoa refers to the product after the beans are roasted.
So, what's the U.S. government doing besides bankrolling studies?
In 2001, the House passed a bill that would require U.S. importers and manufacturers to certify and label their products "slave-free." Have you seen those startling words on your recent candy wrappers? No? That's because of what's known as the Cocoa Cartel, the defendants in the lawsuit, rallied against it.
Instead, they were able to get themselves a sweet deal, the Harkin-Engel Protocol, a voluntary private inspection and enforcement system that all but guaranteed the continuance of enslaved child labor.
In fact, as part of the initial Harkin-Engel Protocol, the candy companies gave themselves an arbitrary deadline till 2005 to end their reliance on child labor for cocoa harvesting. That deadline got extended again and again.
Now the industry has a goal to stop profiting from enslaved child labor by 2025, though an industry spokesperson admitted in 2018 that the industry would fail to meet that deadline.
As the class-action suit alleges, the defendants' "voluntary initiative is a sham, and they are getting away with and profiting from an international human rights crime while claiming they are making progress."
Given the fact that enslaved children are still picking the beans, it's fair to call it the Cocoa Cartel strategy "see no enslaved children." Clearly, this willful blindless strategy worked.
The U.S. government has several agencies monitoring human trafficking, in addition to the State Department and Department of Labor, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
A Loophole Hurts Kids
There are several federal laws going back to the Tariff Act of 1930 designed to reduce the profit motive for labor trafficking by barring the import of goods made with trafficked labor.
But these laws had a loophole. All importers had to do was show that domestic production could not meet demand and the use of enslaved children was irrelevant. Since the United States is not a cocoa bean country, that was as easy as breaking off a piece of a KitKat bar.
That loophole was supposedly closed in 2015, although almost no one noticed. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 was intended to close a loophole in an earlier law that made it possible for goods produced using forced labor to still enter the United States.
The new law enhanced the Customs and Border Patrol's ability to block such products altogether.
Clearly, the chocolate titans found a workaround. The lawsuit brought on behalf of the enslaved children asserts that the "defendants have engaged in various deceptive practices to avoid taking responsibility for their long-term profiting from various forms of child slavery."
After the Tulane report came out, the defendants "renewed their false assurances to consumers and regulators that they would initiate programs to reduce child labor in their supply chains," according to the suit. As the NORC study showed, child labor increased.
The suit states, "Defendants control production and could, if they wanted to, stop profiting from child labor. Instead, they chose to delay taking action by creating ineffective programs that provide public relations cover for their obviously failed efforts."
Helping 1 in 1,000
One such example is Nestlé's remediation assistance for some 15,000 children. By remediation, they mean handing out school kits, birth certificates, tutoring and other provisions – not assistance ending their enslaved labor conditions.
Other chocolate heavyweights named as defendants are Cargill Inc., Barry Callebaut USA LLC, Mars Wrigley Confectionery, Olam Americas Inc. and Mondelēz International Inc. (Nestle's American candy division has been sold to the Ferraro Group.) In addition, the suit lists 10 unidentified 'Corporate Does' as defendants.
These candy companies have higher profits because using child laborers keeps the cost of cocoa down. If the farms paid adult workers using proper protective equipment to maintain the crops and harvest the beans, prices would rise. Chocolate makers would see profits fall unless they could raise their prices. Upping consumer prices, whether by subtly shrinking candy bars or slapping on a higher price, runs the risk that people will eat fewer chocolate treats, causing sales volume to fall, lowering the profit margins of the Cocoa Cartel companies.
Dangerous Jobs for Kids
We've already noted that the work done by children on cocoa plantations is classified as hazardous and the "worst forms of child labor," according to the Tulane and NORC studies.
So, what are these enslaved children doing exactly? Children who work on cocoa plantations burn and clear fields, fell trees to expand cocoa plantations, spray hazardous pesticides without any personal protection, wield machetes to break cocoa pods and transport heavy loads of cocoa pods and water.
Add to that claims of negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress and physical abuse. Enslaved child laborers are not usually paid. They are forced to work long hours. That's true even when sick. The lawsuit says they are underfed and locked in their housing at night to prevent them from running away.
Though the defendants, the Hershey's, MARS' and Nestlés, do not own cocoa farms – a fact they like to hide behind – they maintain and protect a steady supply of cocoa by forming exclusive buyer-seller relationships with Ivorian farms, according to the lawsuit. This is similar to the practice with chicken farms in the United States where companies like Perdue and Tyson Foods require chicken ranchers to rear the birds in cages of specific sizes, to feed them exact amounts of food bought from the big meat companies or at their direction and many more details that effectively make the farmers not independent businesspeople, but 21st century American serfs.
The Cocoa Cartel manages its relationships with the cocoa farms through memorandums of understanding and written and oral agreements and contracts, according to the suit. These companies dictate the terms by which such farms produce and supply cocoa to them, including "specifying labor conditions under which the beans are produced."
The candy companies control so much of the world chocolate business that they can easily wield economic leverage over the West African farmers, effectively controlling the production of Ivorian cocoa while insisting they have not seen any enslaved children.
Willful Blindness
To cultivate and keep their exclusive relationships with the farms, candy makers offer both financial assistance and technical farming assistance designed to support cocoa agriculture. Financial assistance includes advanced payment for cocoa and spending money for the farmers' personal use, according to the lawsuit. Tech support includes equipment and training in various growing techniquesnand even appropriate labor practices. Just what do these conglomerates consider appropriate?
The defendants or agents working for them visit the cocoa plantations regularly throughout the year and therefore must see firsthand the enslaved children working the crops. They know the deal. Instead of using their position to effect change for the sake of the enslaved children, they choose profit via willful blindness and zero accountability.
"The chocolate industry owned by multibillionaires and large corporations exploits millions of children and women, paying them less than the price of a candy bar," Morales-de la Cruz says. "They also deceive consumers claiming that they are fair and ethical.
"This has to stop!"
Meanwhile, Nestlé USA Inc. and Cargill Inc., which is also named in the class-action suit, are facing a consolidated legal battle before the U.S. Supreme Court with an anonymous defendant for their responsibility in the human rights violations in the cocoa industry. A third defendant, Archer Daniels Midland, reportedly was dropped from the suit after settling with the plaintiffs.
The court heard oral arguments in January in that consolidated case, Nestlé USA, Inc. v. Doe 1 and Cargill, Inc. v. Doe 1.
That case goes back to an initial filing in 2005. It was dismissed in 2010 by Judge Stephen V. Wilson of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He held that "corporations could not be sued under the current understanding of the Alien Tort Statute (ATS)." In 2013, that decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The candy companies filed petitions for review by the Supreme Court after being denied an en banc hearing, a review by a panel of judges or all the judges of a court.
At the heart of that lawsuit is whether domestic corporations can be held accountable and liable for aiding and abetting human rights crimes committed abroad. The case could redefine the limits of corporate liability under the ATS, according to the blog Just Security.
The Trump administration tried to intervene in the case. Strangely, the acting solicitor general filed briefs on an issue none of the parties raised: whether aiding and abetting liability claims are ever permissible under the Alien Tort Statute.
"Child labor is unacceptable and goes against everything we stand for. Nestlé has explicit policies against it and is unwavering in our dedication to ending it. We remain committed to combatting child labor within the cocoa supply chain and addressing its root causes as part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan and through collaborative efforts," a Nestlé spokesperson said. "This lawsuit does not advance the shared goal of ending child labor in the cocoa industry. Child labor is a complex, global problem. Tackling this issue is a shared responsibility. All stakeholders – including governments, NGOs, the communities and the broader cocoa industry – need to continue to address its root causes to have an impact."
Some candy companies have made public efforts to at least make seem like they are trying to make changes – putting band-aids on a cancerous practice. MARS launched an endeavor in 2018 to "reshape the cocoa industry," noting the child labor and forced labor practices of the cocoa farms, for example. That effort is backed by what the company says is $1 billion.
Since the cocoa industry's use of child labor has been on the world's radar for years, it clearly will require a large-scale public reckoning and massive revenue loss to see any real change.
We would love to tell you much more about this story from the perspective of the candy companies and the federal agencies that are supposed to seize as contraband imported products made with child labor and slave labor. The problem? Calls to Hershey's, MARS and the Customs Border Patrol were not returned. Only Nestlé responded, as noted above.
What You Can Do About It
Contact Customs Border Patrol.
Customs Border Patrol regulations state that any person with reason to believe merchandise produced by forced labor is being or likely to be imported to America may contact any port director or the commissioner of the CBP. To report allegations of forced labor and child labor, go to the CBP web page to report violations at https://eallegations.cbp.gov/Home/Index2.
Contact the candy giants.
Write Mars here or you can contact the company on Twitter @MarsGlobal.
Hershey's: Tweet @AskHershey; Call 1-800-468-1714, or send an email.
Nestlé USA: Tweet @NestleCare; Call 1-800-225-2270; or email.
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California native Paul Corujo (baritone) made his opera debut playing the role of Zuñiga in a joint production of Bizet's Carmen with the University of California, Davis and the San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows and has since performed roles including Ramiro in the Baltimore Opera Company's summer Artscape production of Ravel's L'heure Espagnole, the title role in Don Giovanni with Center Stage Opera in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,as well as roles in the Peabody Conservatory's modern chamber opera productions.
Most recently Mr. Corujo appeared as a studio artist at the 2009 Central City Opera summer festival. He has been establishing himself as an oratorio soloist with works such as J.S. Bach's Saint John Passion with the Baltimore Baroque Band, Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ with Apollo Arts, and Charpentier's Judicium Salomonis with the UC Davis Chamber Singers. Mr. Corujo currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland and studies voice with Dr. Steven Rainbolt.


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NU's Kate Smith Captures Big Ten Golf Honors
Nebraska's Kate Smith was honored yesterday by the Big Ten as the conference announced its year-end women's golf honors.
Smith was named first-team All-Big Ten. The senior from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota also became the first Husker in history to win the conference's Mary Fossum Award. It goes to the golfer with the lowest stroke average relative to par during the season. Smith also claimed NU's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Smith was on track to earn an NCAA Regional bid in 2020 before COVID-19 brought the season to an end. She plans to use the additional year of eligibility the NCAA granted seniors and play for Nebraska for a fifth season next year.


Before Jesus died and rose from the dead, the disciples had their own agenda for Him. But when the risen Christ revealed himself to them, their agendas were surrendered and their lives would never be the same. This life-chafing realty is true for all who have received Christ. The reality of the resurrection of Christ means that God can gain our attention through all kinds of circumstances as we surrender our own agendas.


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ANALYSIS: Green is the Future – examining relationships in CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) and THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017)
Kim Morrison dives into two creature features to explore how sub-aquatic relationships might offer a way of decoding real-world romances…
Monsters falling in love with human women is something that pops up in the horror genre quite often. From King Kong climbing the Empire State Building with Ann clasped in his hand or Dracula romancing Mina while keeping her fiancé locked up, we're used to seeing monsters trying to build these relationships, and usually failing.
But in 2017, Guillermo del Toro brought us a love story of a different kind with The Shape of Water. There's no denying that the tale and creature design are heavily influenced by the 1954 classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. However with Elisa (Sally Hawkins) and Amphibian Man (Doug Jones) del Toro shows us that atypical relationships can work in different circumstances.
In Creature from the Black Lagoon, Gill Man (played by Ricou Browning in water and Ben Chapman on land) spots Kay (Julie Adams) standing on the shores of the river and immediately wants to pull her underwater with him. He knows nothing about her, apart from the fact he registers her as different from the men in the group he's willing to slaughter at the drop of a hat. He's also not interested in Kay consenting to these encounters either, as she screams loudly every time she sees him, and clearly wants nothing to do with him. In fact, at one point she sets him on fire and he still comes back for more. Gill Man is the king of not taking no for an answer.
The way Elisa and Amphibian Man meet and bond is completely different. Elisa is immediately interested in him, but she knows she has to earn his trust, especially considering the way other humans have been treating him. She brings him snacks, shares her love of music with him and visits him every day in a place where he feels terribly out of place and lonely. The fact that Elisa initiated the relationship is also important because it's so different to what we're used to in these types of films.
Gill Man knows nothing about Kay when he suddenly becomes obsessed with her. He is fetishising her for her body and – presumably because he appears to be the last of his kind – he doesn't have access to any aquatic women. Kay could present a chance to continue his race and provide companionship in the lonely lagoon, but really he falls for the idea of her, rather than Kay as a person.
Fetishising is present in The Shape of Water as well, but this time it comes from Strickland (Michael Shannon) toward Elisa. Elisa is mute, and when Strickland finds this out he is obsessed with her. While having sex with his wife he covers her mouth, telling her he wants her to be quiet while they make love. He later tells Elisa that he can't stop thinking about her, even though she's not much to look at. He likes the scars on her neck and the fact she doesn't speak. Again, Strickland knows nothing about Elisa as a person, but he has picked an element of her he is obsessed with and pursues her based purely on this.
Elisa mentions that one of the things she loves about Amphibian Man is he doesn't see the things that she is lacking and instead only sees their similarities. Strickland thinks he's a white knight riding in to rescue Elisa by telling her he doesn't mind her differences, but instead he's only drawing attention to his own ignorance.
Aside from already having a boyfriend, and showing no interest apart from the scientific in Gill Man, a huge reason that Kay and Gill Man's relationship wouldn't work is that she cannot breathe underwater. While we see Gill Man walking around on land and hanging out in his grotto, he seems most at home underwater. Kay loves being in the water swimming, but she's never going to feel at home there. In fact, it's more than likely she'll drown before Gill Man registers that anything is wrong.
Elisa, however, is clearly very comfortable in the water. The film opens with her dreaming about floating in an underwater room as she sleeps. A regular part of her daily routine is to submerge herself in an overflowing bath and masturbate. Her world is bathed in green, from her outfits to her décor to the walls of her workplace. She is at home in the water, which may explain why she's so drawn to Amphibian Man in his aquatic pod in the first place.
One of the times that Elisa and Amphibian Man have sex, Elisa floods the bathroom to almost the ceiling to set the scene for their lovemaking. While it's partly to ensure that Amphibian Man is comfortable, it is also so Elisa can be in her happy place. Pleasant dreams and masturbating are two of the most relaxing things on the planet, so it's clear why Elisa would want to replicate this surrounding when she gets intimate with Amphibian Man.
Another key difference between Gill Man and Amphibian Man is the way they communicate with their intended partners. Gill Man has no real intention of communicating in a meaningful way with Kay. In fact, he clearly ignores all the signals she gives him and only follows what he wants. He kills everyone around her, constantly tries to get on the boat to be near her, and even blocks the river so they cannot leave in the hopes he'll be able to steal her away from her boatmates.
For Elisa, communication has always been a problem because she cannot speak and uses sign language. She has a close bond with friends Zelda (Octavia Spencer) and Giles (Richard Jenkins) but other people often don't make the effort required to connect with her. Amphibian Man, however, is keen to start communicating as quickly as possible. Elisa signs the word for "eggs" the first time they properly meet, and Amphibian Man is seen practising sign language when he's alone. Being unable to speak to the humans around him, Amphibian Man knows how important it is to be able to convey your needs, and with sign language Elisa offers him a way to speak to her and deepen their bond.
While Strickland finds Elisa interesting because she doesn't speak, he quickly becomes enraged with her when she furiously signs insults at him and he can't understand. At this moment, she has the upper hand and he no longer feels in control of the situation. He has no interest in effectively communicating – just like the Gillman – and is only looking to get what he wants out of the situation.
Perhaps the most iconic scene in Black Lagoon is when Gill Man finally manages to snatch Kay and jumps into the water with her in his arms. This is the moment where it seems like Gill Man has won, as he steals Kay away, probably to her death had she not been rescued.
The ending of The Shape of Water is very different, as Elisa lies mortally injured after Strickland attacks the couple. While Amphibian Man wants the couple to leave together, Elisa knows that isn't possible, and they are willing to part to ensure that each of them is able to live the best version of their lives.
However, when the police show up and Elisa is about to die, Amphibian Man scopes her up and jumps into the canal with her. Instead of dooming her to death, Amphibian Man uses his healing powers to bring her back to life. His powers also open the scars on Elisa's throat, turning them into gills, allowing them to finally be together and safe.
These two scenes highlight why one couple would never work and why one couple was meant to be. Gill Man and Kay jumping into the water only highlighted their differences and how he was intent on being with her no matter the outcome.
Amphibian Man and Elisa's jump into the canal however shows that the pair may be more similar than they even realised, and fully cements their relationship. The appearance of Elisa's gills – formed from the scars she got as a child when she was found abandoned in the river – suggest that perhaps her affinity with water and instant connection with Amphibian Man could be due to a past life that she can't remember. In a world where they both feel out of place, Amphibian Man and Elisa are able to find each other and return to the water together, where they both feel at peace.
Kim Morrison
Moving Pictures Film Club
Creature of the Black Lagoon, Kim Morrison, The Shape of Water
One response to "ANALYSIS: Green is the Future – examining relationships in CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) and THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017)"
Interesting post, thanks for sharing!
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Lochmaben based Smokehouse, Barony Country Foods won the Producer of the Year award at this year's Dumfries and Galloway Life Awards. The event was held on Thursday 24th November at the Easterbrook Hall.
Reporter Fergus Waddell went along to the Smokehouse to talk to Managing Director Ronnie Graham about the award win.


What Kind of Mum Are You / Will You Be?
Umm Suhayb has been all different types of mum to her 6 children at some point (though maybe not Mum by Accident!) and is duly thankful to Allah (SWT) that they have turned out to be good'uns.
She is a writer and editor at Mint Writing, originally from the UK but now based in Sweden. She also blogs at Polygamy Unpicked.
The original version of the article appeared in 'SISTERS Magazine' first.