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Sonny Bill Williams Biography
By Kylie - Nov 11, 2019
Quick Facts Of Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams
Rugby League Footballer playing for the Toronto Wolfpack.
Lee Williams
Niall and Denise
John Arthur Williams
Owairaka School, Wesley Intermediate and Mount Albert Grammar School
Married Date
Alana Raffie
Imman and Aisha
Zaid
Body Build/Type
6ft. 4inch.(1.94m)
108kg(238 lbs)
Sonny Bill Williams is a popular New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays as a second-row forward for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Betfred Super League. He also plays for his country New Zealand at international level. Williams is a former professional rugby union footballer and heavyweight boxer who was formerly the "New Zealand Professional Boxing Association(NZPBA) Heavyweight Champion" and "World Boxing Association (WBA) International Heavyweight Champion". Williams is one of the only 20 players to have won multiple Rugby World Cups.
What is Sonny Bill Williams Famous for?
Famous as the rugby league footballer playing for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Betfred Super League.
Source: @sonnybillwilliams
Where is Sonny Bill Williams From?
Sonny Bill Williams was born on August 3, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand. His birth name is Sonny William Williams. His nationality is New Zealander. Williams belongs to White ethnicity while Leo is his zodiac sign.
Williams was born in a working-class family to John Williams(father) and Lee Williams(mother). His father, John Williams was an accomplished rugby league player however, he was first introduced to the rugby by his mother.
Williams was raised along with his three siblings: twins sisters, Niall and Denise and an older brother, John Arthur Williams. His sister, Niall is a New Zealand rugby sevens player and former New Zealand international touch football captain while his brother, John played rugby league in New South Wales Cup and Queensland Cup previously.
Williams had a poor financial background as he started playing rugby only to buy a house for his mother. Williams attended three different schools: Owairaka School, Wesley Intermediate and Mount Albert Grammar School. Williams was a small, skinny, painfully shy kid who was a competitive sprinter, a champion high jumper and crosses country runner as well.
He was a freakish sporting talented child but he abandoned playing athletes when he was 12. Williams was first spotted while he was playing for the junior team of Mount Albert-based rugby league club, "The Marist Saints" by former rugby league footballer John Ackland.
Williams was first introduced to Canterbury Bulldogs where he started playing in the Bulldogs' junior grade and in 2002, he became the youngest player to ever sign with an NRL club. Williams soon became the starting player in the forward pack for the Bulldogs' Jersey Flegg Cups and in the Premier League side.
Sonny Bill Williams Career Highlights
In 2004, Williams made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs against the Parramatta Eels.
On April 23, 2004, he made his debut for the Kiwis as their youngest-ever Test player in the 2004 ANZAC Test against Australia.
Williams received the "2004 RLIF Awards' International Newcomer of the Year Award" and was named the "Rugby League World magazine's 2004 World XIII".
Williams was victimized throughout the 2005 season and in 2007 season, he became the first player of the 21st century to be sent off in a first-round game.
In July 2008, Williams left Australia to join the French rugby union club, "Toulon".
On May 27, 2009, Williams made his debut as a professional boxer with a TKO win against Garry Gurr.
On October 17, 2010, he was named in the New Zealand National Rugby Union Team (All Blacks).
On November 6, 2010, he made his debut for All Blacks against England and on November 13, Williams won the "Man of the Match Award" in his second game for All Blacks against Scotland.
On March 4, 2011, he made his Super Rugby debut with the 'Crusaders.'
Williams played for New Zealand and helped to win the "2011 Rugby World Cup". He made a new Rugby World Cup record by scoring three tries as a substitute player.
Williams played in the 2012 Super Rugby for Chiefs and became the 4th player to win both the NRL and Super Rugby titles.
On February 8, 2012, Williams won a fight against Clarence Tillman III thus holding the vacant "NZPBA" Heavyweight Championship.
On November 13, 2012, Williams started to return back to the rugby league after signing a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters for the 2013 NRL season.
On February 8, 2013, Williams faced Francois Botha and won the vacant WBA' International Heavyweight title.
On March 7, 2013, Williams made his debut for the Roosters scoring his first try for his new club.
Williams was awarded the Rugby League International Federation's 'International Player of the Year award for 2013.
On August 30, 2015, he was named in New Zealand's squad for the "2015 World Cup" and with his impressive performance, New Zealand defeated Australia in the finals winning the "World Cup 2015".
On July 3, 2016, he was selected in New Zealand's squad for the "2016 Summer Olympics" held in Brazil.
In 2017, Williams was part of the Blues super rugby squad. He returned to the All Blacks against Samoa at Eden Park the same year.
On November 7, 2019, Williams signed a two- year deal with Toronto Wolfpack.
Who is Sonny Bill Williams Married to?
Sonny Bill Williams is currently married to his beautiful wife, Alana Raffie. Raffie is a South African model and a professional dancer. Sonny and Alana got married after dating for almost 6 months in a secret ceremony in August 2013. Their relationship came out to the public through social media in 2014 until then they kept it a secret.
The couple shares three children together: two daughters: Imman and Aisha and a son named Zaid. Currently, Williams is living a happy life with his wife and children. Besides, Williams turned Islam in 2009 while he was in France playing for Toulon. He is also the first Muslim to play for the "All Blacks".
What is the net worth of Sonny Bill Williams?
Sonny Bill Williams has quite a great earning through his professional career as a rugby player and boxer. Williams has managed to amass a fortune worth million dollars through his several contract deals, salaries, and endorsement deals. His current estimated net worth is $15 million.
Williams previously signed a five-year deal worth $2.5 million with Bulldogs. Recently, on November 7, 2019, after signing with Toronto Wolfpack with a contract worth $10 million, Williams became the highest-paid and richest Rugby player.
Williams also adds few more dollars to his fortune through several endorsement deals including "Adidas", "Just Jeans", "BMW", "Powerade" and "Rebel Sport". With all the fortune worth million dollars, Willilams has managed to live a lavish and luxurious lifestyle.
How Tall is Sonny Bill Williams?
The 34 years old rugby player, Sonny Bill Williams has a well maintained athletic body physique. Williams is a huge man with a lot of tattoos on his body. Williams stands tall with a height of 6ft. 4inch.(1.94m) while his body weighs around 108kg(238 lbs). He has a fair complexion with black hair and black eyes.
#Former Professional Rugby Union Footballer
#Heavyweight Boxer
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The United States House of Representatives have expressed their concern over the alleged Islamisation of Nigeria under the current administration.
Christopher Smith, the Chairman of Global Health, Human Rights and International Organisation Sub-committee on Africa, stated this in a letter inviting former President Goodluck Jonathan to make a presentation to the Sub-Committee on the challenges faced by Christians in Nigeria and the Niger Delta issue.
Chris Smith had invited Goodluck Jonathan on the 1st and 2nd February, to speak the Goodluck jonathan's Foundation's mandate to promote democracy, peace and change.
"My subcommittee has broadly investigated the crises facing Christians in Nigeria today. My staff director, Greg Simpkins and I have made several visits to Nigeria, speaking with Christians and Muslim religious leaders across the country and visiting fire-bombed churches, such as in Jos. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been cited as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world and impunity for those responsible for the killing of Christians seem to be widespread.
I hope these Sudanese authorities visit other christian countries and enjoy freedom their but hate giving such to Christians at home?
God will soon round them up.


Leave a Reply Cancel reply Connect with:. Accept Reject Read More. Wanting to further develop her acting career, she left The Big Breakfast at the end of All comments, positive or negative, will be published "as is" if they are written with good taste. Denise van Outen age: We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
She then joined the cast of the established ITV sentimental drama Where the Heart Is as one of the lead characters, playing single mother Kim Blakeney, continuing for two series.


Engineering firms in the aviation industry will focus on the design, construction and science of aircraft.
Aircraft are subject to demanding conditions such as temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Therefore usually aircraft are products of various technological and engineering disciplines including aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, materials science, structural analysis and manufacturing.
The interaction of these technologies is known as aerospace engineering.
The modern world of engineering shows no sign of slowing down and the demand for new and exciting products is huge as people's desire for efficiency grows which means there is tons of career opportunities for young people within engineering firms.
A huge amount of planning goes into designing an aircraft; engineers must create a detailed blueprint and ensure that the structure will be safe and remain safe in all circumstances.
To succeed in this industry they must think creatively and logically so that all design and development problems can be solved.
All engineers must excel at mathematics and physical sciences and have fantastic communication skills so that ideas can be shared across a team.


Every company worth their salt knows that it is easier to keep your existing customers happy rather than waste energy trying to attract new ones. If your existing customers are happy with your service, they will attract more customers through word of mouth. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertisement.
In order to make sure that their customers' needs are being met Dollar Tree has initiated the Dollar Tree Customer Satisfaction Survey. The survey will let dollar tree know what areas of their management are lacking as well as areas they excel in. This will result in a much better experience for all of their customers.
Previously known as "Only $1.00", Dollar Tree Stores, Inc is an American chain. Dollar Tree specializes in selling items for $1 or less, also known as a discount variety store. It is a Fortune 150 company and its headquarters is located in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Dollar Tree owns and operates an impressive 14,835 stores throughout 48 states in the United States as well as in Canada.
The sweepstakes are open to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, United Kingdom, The Republic Of Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Honduras, and the Republic Of Korea.
You must be over the age of majority in the United States, Canada and Honduras to participate. You must be over the age of 18 in the United Kingdom, The Republic Of Ireland, Germany and Denmark as well as over the age of 20 in the Republic of Korea to participate.
You are not eligible if you, during the sweepstakes period you are (or you live with) or your immediate family member is an employee, representative, or agent of the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries, licensees or affiliates.
Type this URL dollartreefeedback.com in your browser and hit the enter button.
Once the page has loaded, click on whichever language you're most comfortable with. You may choose between English, Spanish and French.
In the next page, enter the survey code which you can find in your receipt in the blank fields. You can find the survey code at the bottom of your receipt in the star box. Click next after you've filled in the required fields.
In the following pages, rate your experience and answer any questions asked truthfully and to the best of your ability.
When you reach the end of the survey, you will be asked to enter your personal contact information. This information will only be used to contact you and not for any other purposes. Click Next when you've entered all of the relevant information and you're done.
The Dollar Tree Customer Satisfaction Survey is conducted to improve Dollar Tree's products and services as well as shed light on less than satisfactory areas of management which need improvement. Performing the survey helps other customers as well as you in future interactions with Dollar Tree as well as put you in a sweepstakes for a chance of winning some cool prizes.


There are a number of disease prevention injections that are on offer for when you travel abroad, some are compulsory and some are optional, depending on the country/location you are travelling too.
Pick your destination and the NHS website fitfortravel will tell you which jabs you need.
Once you're aware of the injections you need for travel book an appointment at your local doctors and specify you'd like to see a nurse. The nurse will then advise and inject you.


When I was in high school, the principal/coach had a consistent warning for the basketball team. "What those zebras say out there goes. If you argue with them, you sit." We were required to present a good example on the court for other students, families in the stands, and the opposing team.
Contrast this to the griping and moaning you see in your average NBA game, where players constantly argue with officials over calls. It is almost expected that players will complain, which is why it came as such a shock when the NBA implemented new rules punishing players for complaining. (See here and here.) The players' union is even threatening a lawsuit, an absurd overreaction that demonstrates how spoiled pro athletes are.
The rule change is clearly a necessary step, but the NBA is going about it the wrong way. Whether you like it or not, the NBA has created a culture of complaining that is not going to change overnight. In order to prevent the product from being harmed (and to prevent frustrated fans from walking away from what they believe to be over officiated games) this rule change should be implemented gradually. But it should be implemented.
NBA players are role models, positive or negative, to millions of children and young people. When fans see that disrespect for authority is accepted at the professional level, it teaches that it is OK to disrespect authority, on the basketball court or anywhere else. We live in a culture that hates authority, and to the extent that the NBA can avoid setting a bad example, that is a good thing.
There are referees who abuse their authority. Hue Hollins is probably the most infamous example, with his bad calls against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. Even in these cases, the players, owners and coaches should respect the office of referee. (The fans, who are not under the authority of the referees, are another matter entirely.) Those with concerns about the abuse of authority should direct those concerns through the proper channels and the grievance process, so they do not set a bad example by openly defying legitimate authority.


Are you observing any Buddhist holidays? How does Buddhism affect your calendar? Are you celebrating anything today?
What are the Buddhist holidays? (I'm only a little over half way through your book so I don't know if I'll find them later in the book or not).
-- Cole Smith (cole@earthdome.com), November 14, 2001.


text:
Суфле () е печиво от френската кухня, което се прави с яйчни жълтъци и разбити на сняг белтъци. Може да се комбинира с разнообразни други продукти и да се поднася като солено основно ястие или като десерт. Думата суфле е причастие на френския глагол souffler, който означава "дишам", "духам" или "бухвам".

История
Най-ранното споменаване на суфлето се приписва на френския майстор-готвач Винсен Ла Шапел от началото на XVIII век. Разработването и популяризирането на рецептата обикновено се приписва на френския готвач Мари-Антоан Карем от началото на XIX век.

Продукти и начин на приготовление
Суфлетата типично се приготвят от две основни съставки:
 основа от ароматизиран млечно-яйчен крем, бешамел или друг сос, или пюре,
 яйчни белтъци, разбити на сняг.

Основата придава вкуса, а белтъците придават "въздушността", пухкавостта на суфлето. Продуктите, които обичайно се използват за овкусяване на основата, включват билки, сирена и зеленчуци за солените суфлета, и сладко, плодове, шоколад, банан и лимон за сладките суфлета.

Суфлетата като цяло се пекат в отделни формички от хартия за печене, силикон, тефлон и т.н., като стените на формичката може да се намаслят с тънък слой масло, за да се предотврати залепването на суфлето по стените на съда. В добавка към маслото, в зависимост от рецептата, може да се добави захар, хлебни трохи или настърган пармезан във формичката – според някои рецепти, така суфлето бухва по-лесно.

След като се изпече, докато е горещо, суфлето трябва да е бухнало и пухкаво, но по правило след 5 – 10 минути височината му спада. Може да се поднесе полято със сос, например сладък десертен сос, или с топка сладолед или сорбе.

Вариации
Съществуват разнообразни солени и сладки варианти на суфлето. Солените вариации често включват сирена и зеленчуци като спанак, морков и билки, и понякога може да съдържа пилешко, бекон, шунка или морски дарове. Сладките вариации могат да бъдат базирани на шоколадов или плодов сос и често се поднасят посипани с пудра захар.

Вижте също
 Лава кейк

Френска кухня

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Brandon was terrific from the instant I answered the door until the job was done, well and efficiently. Problem diagnosed and solved quickly and effectively, by a tech with a friendly demeanor, and excellent attention to the job and the customer. We are long time Bill Howe customers, and people of Brandon's caliber assure that we'll continue to be.


While I'm posting random odds & ends, here's a reminder that Aidan Moffat & The Best Of's album is out on Saturday. Annoyingly the whole having no job thing means I'm too short on cash to order the swanky special edition from the Chemikal shop at the moment, bugger.
To celebrate the release of the album, there's a How To Get To Heaven From Scotland board game available to play. It'll give you previews of the album and if you finish it you "win" a free MP3 of Big Blonde from the album, with the sweary bits taken out.
Go play the game here.
i'll hafta check the game out when i get home. i'm on the school computers in the student union and some guy is giving me dirty looks for taking too long. i don't think there are speakers on this thing, anyway. i like the font of the title! and congrats on getting a request to post something. i hope you get free stuff soon. i got a free coupon the other day from some guy on the street for mac n cheese. i still hafta pay for the mac n cheese though. . .
ok, that's probably gonna be the high point of my week. that and landing on the grapefruit square 3x.


This note describes the importance, characteristics and classification of the computer, however, the main focus is on characteristics of the computer. It also contains the various work system of a different computer.
This note provides the information about the Generations of Computers and the technologies used in these different generations. It also describes the development of computers from the very large computers to small and portable computers throughout the different Generations of Computers.
Generally, the history of computer development can be categorized into the different Eras. This note describes the history of computer and its development throughout the different eras.


In order to do all this well, the brick mason must be initiated into the five-thousand-year-old tradition of this craft by a master. There is no other way. And what the master teaches is not just the required knowledge, skills, and language of bricklaying, but the set of virtues excellence in bricklaying requires: self-discipline, attention to detail, patience, attunement to the world around the construction, and the humility required to let the materials of the craft – the bricks, the trowel, the mortar (or "mud" as it is called), and so forth — speak to you as you work.
After several conversations with others in the Washington Park and College Street areas about Mr. Ross, I discovered that his work is well known and equally well admired. But those who described his work did not describe him as a true craftsman, although that he is, or as a master within the tradition, although that he is as well. No, almost without exception, they described him as an artist. And this is what may be most interesting about Mr. Ross, the Washington Park restoration work, and about us.
Those who described his work as art were not, I think, using the word as just a substitute for describing how difficult it is to do this work well, nor were they trying to enhance their expression of appreciation for his work with a comparison to what others might consider true art. I think instead that they meant what they said: they meant that his work is itself a true art and perhaps one from which other arts, including the "fine arts," can learn much.
Mr. Ross, as do most artists, works with assistants, including his son when he is not at college. But Mr. Ross' art is an individual one. It is an art literally tailored to our hand – the original size of each brick was determined by the gripping distance between the thumb and the forefinger.
While it is clear that the work expresses something of the artist — good bricklayers can immediately recognize the particular style of another well accomplished bricklayer – it is not one in which the artist expresses something subjective about himself or herself or attempts to move an audience in some particular way towards some preconceived idea. There is nothing in the art of bricklaying resembling the mannered theatricality that so corrupts the art of our times; nothing in it catering to tastes, pandering to emotions, or just seeking to please, to shock, or to manipulate.
Instead what it offers is a form of beauty, one carried within the tradition as an ongoing conversation really, which it can teach to us if we attend to the work carefully enough and are receptive to its non-conceptual message.
This is art as art is supposed to be: something removed from our ordinary ways of thinking that can then become central to the way we think and, in doing so, central to who we are. This is the highest of "high art," not because the cultural elite admire it, but because it offers something beyond itself. And this can be community creating art as we learn to share the experience of it . . . art well placed in a city park for all to experience rather than in a museum.
A dear friend of mine, a theologian at Duke now retired, often used bricklaying – his father was a bricklayer – as an analogy to what a church must become if it is to have the discipline necessary to be a church. It starts with learning how to pray together, which, he said, requires training not unlike that required for bricklaying.
I want here, however, to suggest something different, but related. What if we tried to think of other work, other public work, as an art in the way that Mr. Ross' work is an art? What if, say, politicians, judges, new reporters, teachers of all kinds, school board members, church leaders, public administrators, and the many others who together can shape our community towards the good – which is their defining obligation as thoughtful people from Aristotle on have said – thought of their work in the way that Mr. Ross thinks of his?
What if they all sought this "good" in the same way that Mr. Ross' work seeks the "beauty" it offers to teach? And what if we – you and I – started using this as a criterion for how we evaluate our leaders, that is, not by how they do or do not please us, but by what they might have to teach us through the excellence of their own work within the traditions of their own arts?
Jack Sammons, a professor emeritus at Mercer, lived in Macon for almost forty years, and now frequently returns to Macon from his residence in Tunbridge, Vermont.
Jack Sammons, thank you. Great to highlight artistry and mastery where we find it, and here Mr. Ross brings it right into our midst at Washington Park.
A number of years ago, in the process of building a brick house and seeing the amazing brickwork on the old church that is now the Islamic Center's building on Vinveville, I tried to find a brickmason who could replicate some of those details. Although some claimed to be able to do it, it turns out that they couldn't. Mastery can be lost.
You mentioned a new search for and commitment to mastery among our leaders, and I thought about our legislators today, and the loss of the skills of legislative draftsmanship that the late Macon representative, Denmark "Dennie" Groover, used to provide in his service at the General Assembly. If a fellow legislator asked for his help, he'd help you to understand how to try to achieve your aims through the careful crafting of legislative language, even if he didn't agree with your bill, without causing incidental problems, messing up existing laws unintentionally, or just imposing as law something that the legislator didn't intend. The service and process became known as "Grooverizing" a bill.
Another problem with being "master" of most anything today is that in many fields, the complexity and scale of the challenge is simply larger than at other times. To be a master car mechanic now, with our highly sophisticated engines and operating systems, is a much more daunting task than it was when all you had to do was master the slant 6 or straight 8. And think about the complexity of our phones and computers today in comparison with phones not that long ago. In federal legislation, the bills are often too massive, too cumbersome for most legislators even to begin to understand without "professional" help, usually from their lobbyist friends and key contributors.
That's not to say that appreciation for mastery shouldn't be our wont, though, and it's useful for us to see a case of it to think about what it means for all of us, and for our expectations of leaders.


Why is detailing the way to go?
Detailing your car is the most comprehensive cleaning you can do to the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Whether you are returning a lease, selling your car privately or just want to protect or preserve its look, feel and overall life of the interior, a regular detail schedule will help keep your investment protected.
If this is your first detailing experience let A House of Tint return your car to its showroom appearance. Whether it be your paint losing its shine, interior covered in dirt, dust and grime or keeping your new vehicle protected and looking brand new A House of Tint can do it.
Also don't forget our 3M clear bra rock chip paint protection packages and window tint. Not only do this services preserve your vehicle, but will keep you cool while adding style.


Romantic wedding dress with a wide V-neck neckline and a long lace sleeve. Wide skirt with a round train made of organite. Back beautifully fitted with a lace and a long row of buttons. The combination of a translucent lace top and a smooth skirt makes this dress extremely delicate and subtle.


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CASSIE ORTIZ CROONS TO THE CROWD AND CAPTURES THE PRIZE AT THE AEGT FINALE
Cassie Ortiz belted out a Whitney Houston medley in her second round. DDeRosa photo.
Wellington, Fla. – March 20, 2017 – Cassie Ortiz took the stage for the Finale of American Equestrians Got Talent (AEGT) Sunday night and shyly addressed the audience as her mass of curls tossed in the wind. She quietly thanked show organizer Robert Dover for selecting her as one of the three "Wild Card" contestants he chose to perform at the Finale from those who didn't make the cut during the nine-week audition process. Then, she sang.
Her powerful voice was a showstopper as she performed "Gimme Gimme" from Broadway's "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and it was clear that Ortiz meant it when she belted out the lyrics "gimme gimme." She wanted the $10,000 prize donated by Robert Ross of Keller Williams Real Estate Luxury Division and the petite 16-year-old was not to be denied.
The judges were impressed. Leslie Gray Streeter, pop culture writer for "The Palm Beach Post," called Ortiz "flawless," and Lawrence Toppall, a producer of top Broadway shows, said she was "incredible." New York talent manager Ashwood Kavanna told her, "You're there," and documentary producer Ron Davis said he felt like he was on Broadway while sitting in the middle of the Stadium at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival showgrounds in Wellington, Florida.
The AEGT Finale judges included Wellington Equestrian Partners CEO Mark Bellissimo, WPTV News Anchor Roxanne Stein, music industry attorney and manager Ashwood Kavanna, entertainment columnist Leslie Streeter, film director Ron Davis and Broadway producer Lawrence Toppell. DDeRosa photo.
When Ortiz made it to the final round along with fellow singers Michael Boone, and Grady Lyman, and dancers Kylie Peitz and Alex Jones, she was shocked.
"There was so much talent on the stage, I was seriously doubting myself for a while," she said. "I was surprised I got into the second round. I thought, 'How am I going to compete against all the people I lost to in the previous weeks?'"
She had nothing to fear as she as she sang a Whitney Houston medley combining "I Have Nothing" and "I Will Always Love You," an idea she conceived, and she and her vocal coach, Mike Soper from Wellington, brought to life.
Once again, the judges were impressed. Mark Belissimo, the CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners, asked her to sing in New York at his Central Park Horse Show in the fall and he immediately pulled out his phone to vote for her via text. Roxanne Stein, a news anchor from WPTV in West Palm Beach, told her she just had to win. Candice Glover, the winner of American Idol season 12, said it was obvious Ortiz came to win, adding, "She is not playing." Kavanna told her she took those difficult songs to the upper level and called her a pro.
Alex Jones and Kylie Peitz. DDeRosa photo.
Ortiz dreams of musical theatre on Broadway. "Ultimately I want to be a performer, whether it's a performing artist, Broadway, regional theatre, anything like that," she said. "My plan is to go to college, but if something popped up, I would shoot for it."
She plans to take her winnings and buy a PA system for the band she is creating and to put away a majority of the prize money. "And I'm also going to go shopping—you know, the usual stuff," the young Wellington resident said.
Meanwhile, she'll continue her studies at the G-Star School of the Arts in Palm Springs, Florida, and continue her lessons with her vocal coach.
Michael Boone. DDeRosa photo.
"Cassie is amazing," Soper said. "She is both talented and humble – a rare combination. Cassie and her father came into my studio about three years ago and, right from that day, I could tell she had a beautiful, crystal clear voice. She's an extremely hard worker and takes what she does very seriously. Her talent is matched by her integrity."
Robert Dover, the chef d'equipe for the bronze medal winning US Dressage Team at the Olympic Games in Rio, is also the creator of AEGT as a way to raise funds for the US Equestrian High Performance Programs. He was thrilled with the level of talent displayed during the third season of the event and in the Finale.
Grady Lyman. DDeRosa photo.
"I thought it as an amazing night of entertainment," he said. Other finalists included Alix Who?, Laura León, Olivia Willis, Robyn Marie Lamp and Edgar Miguel Abréu, Roberto Gallardo, Robert Nichols, Zach Duckworth, Kyanuee Richardson, Frances Novella, and Brandon Olavarria. "It was a great night for our community and for our US Equestrian High-Performance Programs. I don't know how much money we made, but I do know that we are a lot further along than we were before these last nine weeks. I'm thrilled and very, very hopeful that we have a record amount from the event this year."
AEGT Honorary Chair and co-host for the Finale P.J. Rizvi with Cassie Ortiz
and AEGT founder Robert Dover. DDeRosa photo.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is pizza made on a gas barbecue. The results are great, and plenty of variations would work. The trick is to grill one side of the pizza dough first, then add the toppings.
Preheat an outdoor barbecue to high and lightly oil grate or plate.
Roll out prepared pizza dough to a size that will fit your barbie.
Place on the bbq and cook for 5 minutes, or till done as desired and flip over. Now add the sauce, cheese, green capsicum and mushrooms.
Cover the bbq and allow to cook over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.


text:
Mystery of the Increasing Number of Deformed Frogs: What Might be Causing These Changes?
Green Living / By Andrea Campbell / Views, News & Opinion
General Frog Facts
You might think that something that looks like a frog with strong hind legs, webbed feet, round bulging eyes and smooth, thin green skin with spots or a lizard-like pattern would not be endearing. However, scientists love this species—all 3,500 different kinds—because they are special.
Female frogs lay eggs in water, such as ponds or streams, and males come by to fertilize the stash. Out hatch tadpoles, who live a life of swimming until their legs develop, their tails drop off and they become small frogs. Surviving polliwogs then hop onto land and eat invertebrates. They become part of several food chains.
Frogs are amphibians, adaptable to both water and land. Similar to humans, they are vertebrates, meaning they have a spine. Their limbs are modeled like ours too, with a long bone and two lower bones that attach at wrist, ankle, hand and foot.
They also have smooth skin that soaks up air, sun and the water around them. That makes them a kind of barometer for their surroundings. They are a gauge of their environment.
Not a Perfect Kermit
In summer 1995, some students were on a field trip in Minnesota when they came upon hundreds of frogs. This in itself is not unusual, but they noticed many were not jumping around. Upon closer examination, students discovered that over 50% of the colony had flaws: missing limbs, twisted legs, footless stumps and other abnormalities.
Soon, reports came in from many other states that said the same thing. Like a monster movie or the winning creation on Face Off, frogs were showing up with two legs, eyes inside their mouths, and missing body parts. The phenomenon was also found in Canada and other countries around the world. Species in Costa Rica and Australia disappeared completely. Since frogs had adapted and been around for 200 million years, alarm bells sounded. Might people be harmed too?
Predator Theory
The first theory was that predators such as turtles, snakes, raccoons and large birds had taken bites out of the frog's legs. This theory didn't play out because the specimens caught didn't have scars. They typically sit with their legs under them, and amounts of defects did not correlate with the growing damage scientists observed. In addition, there were deformed frogs even without predators that suffered deformities.
Chemical Theory
Farmers in the U.S. use over 1 billion pounds of pesticide to kill and ward off bugs and pests that devour their crops. Could these pesticides be seeping into the water or is the insect repellent powder being carried into ponds? Were chemicals disrupting the frogs' hormones?
Parasite Theory
According to biologist Judy Helgen, "Frogs are hosts for many kinds of parasites, like flatworms and roundworms, which live inside their gut, bile duct, lungs and kidneys." Flatworm parasites create cysts on tadpoles, which trick their body into growing extra limbs. Scientists have since replicated this with an experiment; they planted little beads into tadpoles and extra legs grew. How would that account for the frogs' missing legs?
UV Theory
Ultraviolet light (UV rays) have also been accused of deforming frogs. Humans are protected by the ozone layer, which in the past was eaten away by hairsprays propellants, chemicals in refrigerators and air conditioners and more. They have since been banned.
Scientists Worry
Frogs are true indicators of the eco-system and this one piece of the puzzle affects all the others so whether it is pollution, chemicals, parasites or something else, we need them to keep a balance. Frogs are a meat source, they hunt and eat insects that annoy people and they ingest water pests that create algae in ponds and cloud the water.
Preservation Ideas
According to Helgen's book, Peril in the Ponds, currently one-third of amphibians are classed as threatened with extinction (1,856 species). Of these, 427 species are listed as critically endangered. In addition, 43% are experiencing some degree of population decline.
Researchers have shown that abnormalities in frogs have increased in frequency and severity over the past 20 years.
Here are some things that we can all do to be aware, advocate for frogs and help to legislate for preservation and protection:
Vote to legislate to protect the wetlands whenever possible.
Watch that ATVs and off-road vehicles don't tear up wild lands, ponds and other animal territories.
Restock lakes and streams with frogs from captive breeding ponds.
Sample lakes, streams and ponds to do what is possible to keep local waters clean.
Buy organically grown foods instead of pesticide-laden crops.
Protective Organizations
North American Amphibian Monitor Program
Save the Frog Organization (non-profit)
The Amphibian Ark
Helgen, Judy. Peril in the Ponds: Deformed Frogs, Politics, and a Biologist's Quest. Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2012. Book.
U.S. Geological Survey: North American Amphibian Monitor Program
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons – Deformed Frog
California Herps: Frog Deformities and Malformations
Allen, Kathy. Deformed Frogs: A Cause and Effect Investigation. Indianapolis: Capstone Press, 2011. Book.
Johnson, Pieter et al. "A Decade of Deformities: Advances in Our Understanding of Amphibian Malformations and Their Implications. Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles, 511-36. Paper.
Plastic Pollution in America: Alert to Disaster
Natural and Organic: Decoding Labels for Cleaning or Personal Care Products
Death of the Plastic Straw
Ingredients You Don't Want in Your Makeup
Urban Beekeeping for Beginners
How to Regrow Veggies from Kitchen Scraps


How to fix GIM32501E ** APPLY PROCESSING HAS FAILED FOR SYSMOD ... DOES NOT CONTAIN MODULE ... error messages?
During SMP/E APPLY or APPLY CHECK got the following SMP/E error message.
GIM32501E ** APPLY PROCESSING HAS FAILED FOR SYSMOD SOnnnnn. SOnnnnn SUPERSEDES SOmmmmm BUT DOES NOT CONTAIN MODULE module-name.
How to fix GIM32501E error messages?. Which steps do you have to follow?.
Normally this error message means SMP/E cannot find the ++MOD statement for the module-name (CSECT's) during the SMP/E APPLY or APPLY CHECK.
This could be caused by a an incorrect download in CA Chorus Software Manager (CA CSM) over the CA CSM Directories or a wrong SMP/E RECEIVE over the SMPPTS library.
If you work with CA CMS the first check the location of the PTF and with the USS Browse path browse the *.bin file, run a FIND ++MOD command and you have to find the ++MOD statement with the module-name, for example ++MOD(module-name) DISTLIB(ADBAMOD0).
If you do not find the ++MOD statement then the *.BIN file was corrupted, you have to delete PTF SOnnnnn from the CA CSM Directory and Software Catalog and acquire it again.
and run a REJECT for PTF SOnnnnn, then run again the RECEIVE and be sure SMPPTS library is updated correctly.


text:
"""Tests for cross_tower_utils."""

from __future__ import absolute_import
from __future__ import division
from __future__ import print_function

from absl.testing import parameterized

from tensorflow.contrib.distribute.python import combinations
from tensorflow.contrib.distribute.python import cross_tower_utils
from tensorflow.contrib.distribute.python import values as value_lib
from tensorflow.python.eager import test
from tensorflow.python.framework import constant_op
from tensorflow.python.framework import ops
from tensorflow.python.framework import test_util
from tensorflow.python.ops import math_ops
from tensorflow.python.training import device_util

class IndexedSlicesUtilsTest(test.TestCase, parameterized.TestCase):

  def _assert_values_equal(self, left, right):
    self.assertAllEqual(
        self.evaluate(ops.convert_to_tensor(left)),
        self.evaluate(ops.convert_to_tensor(right)))

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testAggregateTensors(self):
    t0 = constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]])
    t1 = constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]])
    total = constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [5, 6], [10., 12.]])
    result = cross_tower_utils.aggregate_tensors_or_indexed_slices([t0, t1])
    self._assert_values_equal(total, result)

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testAggregateIndexedSlices(self):
    t0 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    t1 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]]))
    total = constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [5, 6], [10., 12.]])
    result = cross_tower_utils.aggregate_tensors_or_indexed_slices([t0, t1])
    self.assertIsInstance(result, ops.IndexedSlices)
    self._assert_values_equal(total, result)

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testDivideTensor(self):
    t = constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]])
    n = 2
    expected = constant_op.constant([[0.5, 1.], [0, 0], [1.5, 2.]])
    result = cross_tower_utils.divide_by_n_tensors_or_indexed_slices(t, n)
    self._assert_values_equal(expected, result)

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testDivideIndexedSlices(self):
    t = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    n = 2
    expected = constant_op.constant([[0.5, 1.], [0, 0], [1.5, 2.]])
    result = cross_tower_utils.divide_by_n_tensors_or_indexed_slices(t, n)
    self.assertIsInstance(result, ops.IndexedSlices)
    self._assert_values_equal(expected, result)

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testIsIndexedSlices(self):
    t = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    self.assertTrue(cross_tower_utils.contains_indexed_slices(t))

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testContainsIndexedSlices_List(self):
    t0 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    t1 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]]))
    self.assertTrue(cross_tower_utils.contains_indexed_slices([t0, t1]))

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testContainsIndexedSlices_Tuple(self):
    t0 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    t1 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]]))
    self.assertTrue(cross_tower_utils.contains_indexed_slices((t0, t1)))

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testContainsIndexedSlices_PerDevice(self):
    t0 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    t1 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]]))
    per_device = value_lib.PerDevice({"/gpu:0": t0, "/cpu:0": t1})
    self.assertTrue(cross_tower_utils.contains_indexed_slices(per_device))

  @test_util.run_in_graph_and_eager_modes()
  def testContainsIndexedSlices_PerDeviceMapOutput(self):
    t0 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    t1 = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
        constant_op.constant([[0., 0.], [5, 6], [7., 8.]]))
    per_device = value_lib.PerDevice({
        "/gpu:0": value_lib.MapOutput([t0]),
        "/cpu:0": value_lib.MapOutput([t1])})
    self.assertTrue(cross_tower_utils.contains_indexed_slices(per_device))

  @combinations.generate(combinations.combine(
      mode=["graph", "eager"],
      required_gpus=1))
  def testCopyTensor(self):
    with ops.device("/cpu:0"):
      t = constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]])
    destination = "/gpu:0"
    result = cross_tower_utils.copy_tensor_or_indexed_slices_to_device(
        t, destination)

    self._assert_values_equal(t, result)
    self.assertEqual(device_util.resolve(destination),
                     device_util.resolve(result.device))

  @combinations.generate(combinations.combine(
      mode=["graph", "eager"],
      required_gpus=1))
  def testCopyIndexedSlices(self):
    with ops.device("/cpu:0"):
      t = math_ops._as_indexed_slices(
          constant_op.constant([[1., 2.], [0, 0], [3., 4.]]))
    destination = "/gpu:0"
    result = cross_tower_utils.copy_tensor_or_indexed_slices_to_device(
        t, destination)

    self.assertIsInstance(result, ops.IndexedSlices)
    self._assert_values_equal(t, result)
    self.assertEqual(device_util.resolve(destination),
                     device_util.resolve(result.device))

if __name__ == "__main__":
  test.main()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


United Nations experts on racial discrimination today urged the Chinese government to review policies and laws that discriminate against Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongols.
On 13 August at the United Nations Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination, the Chinese government flatly denied its human rights violations in Tibet and other areas of the People's Republic of China, instead painting a rosy picture of personal freedoms that left the body of independent human rights experts in disbelief.
On 7 August 2018, ICT Germany's Executive Director Kai Müller delivered a statement at the UN Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination (CERD) session in Geneva.
The United Nations committee that fights racism should press China to abolish laws and policies that discriminate against Tibetans, the International Campaign for Tibet said ahead of the Chinese government's presentation to the committee on August 10.
On June 26, ICT President Matteo Mecacci attended the meeting between the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al Hussein and ICT Chairman of the Board, Richard Gere, in Geneva, where the human rights situation inside Tibet was discussed. Following that, Matteo Mecacci was in Brussels on June 27 and 28 to meet with representatives from different national and European Institutions.
The International Campaign for Tibet welcomes recent statements by the United Nations experts, governments, parliamentarians worldwide and civil society organisations in support of the Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk.
In a joint report submitted ahead of the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China, FIDH and the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) documented a dramatic deterioration of the human rights situation in Tibet. The joint FIDH-ICT report also offers a set of concrete recommendations that United Nations (UN) member states should make during the third UPR of China, which is scheduled to be held in November 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland.
On February 21, 2018, six UN human rights experts have called for the immediate release of Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk.
In a highly charged political environment, a UNESCO committee voted on 7 July 2017 to approve a controversial application by the Chinese government to inscribe a vast Tibetan area as a World Heritage site, although it contravenes values and guidelines of the international cultural body.


text:
This Fraser Institute graph compares SD69 elementary schools based on Fundamental Skills Assessment test results and other indicators based on those test results. School District 69 and others are seeking for the Ministry of Education to not provide the names of schools or districts when publicly publishing overall test scores, calling the process of ranking schools unfair. — Fraser Institute screen capture
BC school district wants an end to public circulation of test scores
Qualicum asks ministry what steps have been made to mask identity of schools, districts
Adam Kveton
School District 69 (Qualicum) has sent a letter asking the Ministry of Education what it's doing to hide the names of schools and districts when releasing test scores to the public.
A process of ranking schools using test scores from Fundamental Skills Assessments (given in Grades 4 and 7) has been going on for years, with the Fraser Institute regularly releasing a school ranking based on the scores: www.fraserinstitute.org/school-performance
SD69 is not the first to call the ranking of schools based on the test scores unfair, with the B.C. School Trustees Association (BCSTA) asking the Ministry of Education (MOE) "that individual school results not be publicly released," in 2017.
"Any public circulation of school results inevitably leads to the public ranking of schools by outside groups. This ongoing practice is certainly harmful and unfortunate. Perhaps the only solution is not to create consolidated school-based results in the first place," reads the letter.
But SD69 is now asking what action the MOE has taken since then.
"School boards and other education stakeholders had high hopes that when the newly revised FSA was rolled out and implemented in the fall of 2017 that there would be protective measures in place to avoid abuse of data and information," reads SD69's letter. "Unfortunately that has not happened."
"Two revised-FSA cycles have come and gone and Boards of Education still have no assurances that information for public consumption will be masked or otherwise unidentifiable of individual schools and districts."
In news reports, BCSTA president Gordon Swan has said that the demographics of a school can effect test scores, with disadvantaged students like those with special needs or students who've newly arrived in Canada and who's primary language isn't English tending to score worse on tests.
Ranking schools based on these scores is therefore unfair, he said, as some schools have a higher percentage of disadvantaged students than others.
Alberta man charged in death of 24-year-old B.C. woman
B.C. dangerous offender in court for violating no-contact order, sends letter to victim
North Island saw five overdose deaths in two months, according to BC Coroner
Area has third highest rate, with 15 fatal illicit drug fatalities by May 31
$188,000 funding provided for Campbell River spawning gravel replacement
Part 1.9 million FWCP funding for 33 fish and wildlife projects
VIDEO: Demolition crew topples defunct surge tower at Campbell River hydroelectric project
Towers were in operation from 1947 to 2018, and protected 1.8-km long penstocks
Cumberland memorial ride set for deceased Island mountain biker
A memorial ride is set for Tuesday evening for the mountain biker who died in the trails last week.
RCMP evacuate Cowichan Valley detachment due to explosive device
Device disposed of without incident
Campbell River Ravens finish out regular season with 12-2 defeat at hands of Saanich
The two teams will meet again on Saturday for PNWLL Jr. B lacrosse playoff opener


Nicholas Nickleby was the third novel by Charles Dickens, first published serially in 1838–39. As with earlier works by the author such as The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, an independent stage adaptation quickly came out.
This is the original playbill from the Theatre Royal, Adelphi, London, for the premiere production of Nicholas Nickleby in November 1838. The noted actress Mary Ann Keeley (1805–1899) played Smike. Dickens is still referred to by his evidently better-recognised pen name 'Boz'.
Such adaptations appeared without Dickens's involvement or approval. After what would now be called theft of intellectual property, when the prolific playwright William Thomas Moncrieff (1794–1857) stole characters and plots from the Pickwick Papers for a stage drama, Dickens responded by satirising him as 'Mr Crummles' in Nicholas Nickleby, described as having dramatised 247 novels 'as fast as they came out – some of them faster'. Moncrieff responded by dramatising Nicholas Nickleby.


text:
Intellectual bullying
I recalled Rafi, the Canadian-Armenian whose introductory remarks to me were: "I hate you – because you are Turkish!" Rafi who would later become a good companion in Yerevan… I also recalled the Turkish blogger who, many years after Yerevan, would write of me: "No doubt about it. After having his [my] photo enlarged and examined it, I have come to the conclusion that he is a crypto Armenian!" (because this column had angered the man).
I was forcefully reminded of both expressions of hatred recently in Tbilisi, at the conference "The Caucasus at Imperial Twilight: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Nation-Building (1870s-1920s)," not by its academic content but because of the intellectual intimidation against Armenian scholars who participated.
According to Asbarez Armenian News, the presence of Armenian scholars [at the conference] both from Armenia and the United States was "surprising." A few lines later, Asbarez says their participation was not surprising "as they [were] sold out a long time ago." Finally, Asbarez concludes that "these scholars should be accountable to the public through press reports."
Echoing the same view, the Armenian Weekly quoted Professor Richard Hovannisian as saying that, "…such a conference confers on those behind it an unmerited status as partners in a scholarly dialogue when, I believe, the real purpose is to create doubt and undermine honest scholarly investigation."
According to the Armenian Weekly, the fact that one of the sponsors of the conference was the Turkish Coalition of America was enough evidence of conspiracy. "A key element of TCA's mission is to normalize the presentation of denial of the Armenian genocide within academia… In order to succeed, they need legitimate scholars to function as 'the other side.'" Perhaps the organizers should think about another subject at their next conference: "The Abundance of Conspiracy Theories in the Caucasus: The role of the Media."
In fact, the conference brought together nearly 100 scholars who did not travel all the way to the Georgian capital only to debate Armenian genocide. And those who did included those who think it was a genocide, those who think it was not and those who think the tragedy was beyond the power of any single word to name it. But the scholars were there to listen to each other, to learn from each other; not to settle the almost century-long dispute, nor to draw up future borders.
The Armenian scholars powerfully defended why the events of 1915-1920 constituted genocide. One scholar even demanded territory from what is today Turkey or, to him, what is western Armenia. Another argued that changing the current border would be easier if genocide had been recognized.
But they were engaged in honest debate with Turkish scholars who agreed or disagreed, even with Turkish diplomats. Those on both sides of the huge, invisible divide line seemed to be vigorously carving out a common mental map of mutual understanding. And the reward came without much delay: The Armenian scholars were accused of high treason!
As any academic debate would require, the G-word was not disturbing for any scholar, Turkish or otherwise. In fact, there was frequent reference to it although it was not always associated with the word Armenian. A Russian professor listed about 15 genocides in the Caucasus only. An American professor added a few more in Latin America, the natives in North America and even Chernobyl! There were differences, but that was precisely why those people were there.
Professor Hakan Yavuz from the University of Utah said: "We are not politicians or lawyers, but scholars. Our purpose is to understand what happened, and why it happened."
Intimidation against scholarly debate would only radicalize even the most moderate Turks and Armenians. Academic debate should go on – with no winners or losers.
But perhaps the professor who was a former member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars was right when he said: "People who have been subjected to a tragedy want their tragedy to be 'pure.'" In fact, a tragedy is a tragedy and always pure.
What's next? Armenians enlarging the photos of Armenian scholars who attend conferences to debate "what happened and why" only to examine them and conclude that they are in fact crypto Turks?
By BURAK BEKDİL/Hurriyet Daily News


text:
Machine Gun Kelly Returns to Syracuse
On Tuesday July 5th, Machine Gun Kelly played his first ever show in Syracuse, NY at St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater. Joining MGK on his Mainstream Sellout Tour was Avril Lavigne and Iann Dior. The rapper turned rock star is no stranger to the Syracuse area even though he's never played there. In 2018 MGK was part of the cast for Big Time Adolescence, which filmed in Liverpool. Kelly addressed his time in Syracuse filming alongside star Pete Davidson partying and buying his 1978 yellow Camaro.
It seems like just yesterday I was watching MGK open for Limp Bizkit at The House of Blues and the Oakdale Theater. Watching the "wild boy" then, I knew his career would continue to grow. Within 10 years of his debut album Lace Up, MGK has found himself going from playing clubs to headlining and selling out Madison Square Garden. Along the way, Kelly has continued with his core of musicians around him including drummer Rook, Baze, and Slimxx.
Prior to MGK taking the stage Tuesday night, a trailer for his new Hulu Documentary, "Life in Pink" played on the video screens. The entire venue seemed to have already watched the film and applauded heavily. After the trailer cut, a video played with MGK portraying a pilot saving himself from being trapped in a box that the internet put him in. When the video screen cut out, the giant helicopter above the stage lowered and lifted MGK up off the stage into the air over the crowd. Kelly performed most of the song "born with horns" while dangling from the helicopter's ladder.
After coming back down to the stage, Kelly and the rest of his band worked their way through the rest of the 27 song set. The stage show that was put on is definitely one of the best Syracuse has ever seen. The tour had built it's own tilted stage over the top of the amphitheaters stage. The checkerboard stage had cutouts for Rook's drum kit and 2 spots for keyboards and other equipment. The front of the stage featured fake television sets that had LED screens inside of them where MGK's guitar player Justin Lyons stayed most of the show. Opposite of Lyons on stage was new guitarist Sophie Lloyd who seemed to blend perfectly after only being with the group for a few months.
Every song throughout the night, Kelly had the entire theater singing along with him. From the front row of the pit all the way to the back of the lawn, the entire crowd was energized the entire night. Even with the rain rolling in before he took the stage, fans weren't having their night ruined the slightest. Standing looking around at an amphitheater full of die hard MGK fans and comparing it to MGK's sold out 2017 show at Upstate Concert Hall in Albany was insane. In just 5 years and 4 new albums, MGK has officially blown up and certainly isn't going anywhere.
The production for the entire set was next level. There wasn't just CO2 cannons, these cannons blew smoke left and right around the stage. There was also plenty of pyro throughout the set that blew out from the top of the stage around Rook. Towards the middle of the set a giant blow up creature with a TV head appeared. This was described as "The Internet" which Kelly talked about trying to put him down time and time again. The motto of the night as MGK put it was "fuck the internet." His music "battled" against the TV headed internet creature and pushed the message across to fans that don't give up on your dreams and listen to critics that put you down. Later on in the show, the helicopter was once again used but instead of lifting up MGK, the chopper blew out fireworks over the front of the stage. When it comes to the stage show for the Mainstream Sellout Tour, nothing was left out. Looking at years to come, if this is what MGK is doing now on his first headlining arena/amphitheater tour who knows what future stage sets will look like. This was definitely a nice change of pace compared to many bands who's stage show consists of a few big LED screens without much else.
There were a few surprises for the thousands of fans who attended last night. During Kelly's set, opener Avril Lavigne joined the band on stage to play "Bois Lie," one of her songs. Kelly also made a couples marriage proposal even better after he pulled both of them on stage for a song. The two danced away while the band played aside them and got to share a beverage with MGK during "emo girl." The rest of the show was filled with more songs from the last two albums Mainstream Sellout and Tickets to My Downfall. This was certainly the right choice the tour as many of the fans may be more interested in the newer material from MGK versus his older stuff off Lace Up and General Admission. Although, I'm sure there were plenty of people in Syracuse ready to go off to songs like "Wild Boy," and "Till I Die."
The Mainstream Sellout Tour continues in North America until August 13th where it wraps up in MGK's hometown, Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium. A month after that, the tour moves to Europe until the middle of October.
For a list of tour dates, visit https://www.machinegunkelly.com/tour
Syracuse Setlist:
1. born with horns
2. god save me
3. maybe
4. mainstream sellout
5. drunk face
6. drug dealer
7. ay!
8. fake love don't last
9. more than life
10. die in california
11. why are you here / jawbreaker
12. Floor 13
13. title track
14. El Diablo
15. papercuts
16. bloody valentine
17. roll the windows up
18. WWIII
19. WW4
20. emo girl
21. Bois Lie
22. lonely
23. I Think I'm OKAY
24. forget me too
25. make up sex
26. my ex's best friend
27. twin flame
Photos/review by Mark McGauley Photography


Which means you just began your web business, congratulations! But you are not certain of how you can expand them. Listed here are 7 ways that will help you. Read and become motivated!
Look carefully in the trends (both consumer and economic-based) to point the remaining power your company.
Be sure that the management team (including its administrative systems) is remarkable in setting an area before ensure that is stays running.
Keep up with the "bottom-line" profits which have been steady for that first two to three many years of the company.
Determine where and how you'll obtain your money.
Generate a separate strategic business plan for that new location.
2. License your offers. This is usually a low-cost medium for a lot of online companies. Based on Ray Bennett, mind director from the Worldwide Center for Entrepreneurship Studies at Manley & Wales College, these companies will get upfront royalties and dues from consistent sales or software use through licensing. This can help control the potential risks of losing service or product control.
3. Sign a government contract. Repetition. Nydia Velazquez from the Democratic Party authored in her own August 2003 article the significance of obtaining the approval of the us government in expanding a web-based-based business. Coordinate together with your local SDBC and Small business administration offices prior to signing a government contract. The United States Chamber of Commerce provides a special matchmaking program for small or online-based entrepreneurs.
4. Target others. Your current marketplace is serving you well, and that is understandable. But McGukin shows that getting multiple markets is definitely an advantage in expanding your company online. Consider it! In case your market varies from youthful adults to professionals, odds are you can earn over hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of dollars making a name in the web based business realm. Sponsor speaking occasions, entrepreneurship programs along with other choices that may generate numerous revenue streams for your business.
5. Put your business website searching engines. Based on Search engine optimization expert Sally Falkow, 85% of traffic originates from Yahoo and google. Falkow adds that by June 2011, about five billion business and traffic doubles every 200 days, making the visibility of those sites essential to the requirements of people.
6. Expand your company globally. FatWire is probably the couple of online-based companies that effectively expanded its services to in excess of 60 countries. Since that time, the organization has received offices in Italia, France, Holland, The country, Uk, Singapore, China and japan. To grow the company outdoors of the country, you'll need a foreign distributor who'll carry the inventory of your products or services to re-sell them inside your target domestic markets.
7. Merge along with other online companies. This is an advantage when the business you're considering to participate forces with can also be up for expansion.
Hiring a SEO agency Singapore for your website requires considerable research. You need to find a service that's reliable and experienced and has worked with a diverse range of projects and clients. Also, get an estimate before taking things further.


text:
#ifndef EA3D_Ea3dRenderPipeline_hpp
#define EA3D_Ea3dRenderPipeline_hpp

// all resource get from this paload
#include <assimp/Importer.hpp> // C++ importer interface
#include "Ea3dGLHandler.hpp"
#include "Ea3dPayload.hpp"
#include <vector>

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    mat4 MVP, iMVP;
    mat4 m_screen;

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    vec3 Iads; // light intensity

    vec3 Ka; //ambien
    vec3 Kd; //diffuse
    vec3 Ks; //specular
    float Shininess; // psacular

    /*Geometry data*/
//    GLsizei num_indices;
    GLuint num_indices;
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    std::vector<float> mesh_normal;
    std::vector<GLuint> mesh_index;

};

#endif


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Study finds e-cigarettes may be as harmful as smoking tobacco
Chemists developed a new device that quickly detects carcinogenic chemicals that cause DNA damage, and used it to detect them in e-cigarette vapors.
Amy Wallace
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a new device to test the level of carcinogenic chemicals in electronic cigarettes. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Connecticut found evidence that electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, may be as harmful as tobacco cigarettes.
E-cigarettes have risen in popularity in recent years as many consider them a "safer" alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. The contents of e-cigarettes -- known as e-liquid or e-juice -- contain propylene glycol, glycerine, nicotine and flavorings.
Since e-cigarettes came on the market in 2004, there has been much debate on their safety and health effects on users. Concerns regarding e-cigarettes prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes in 2016.
"Some people use e-cigarettes heavily because they think there is no harm," Karteek Kadimisetty, a postdoctoral researcher at UConn's chemistry department, said in a press release. "We wanted to see exactly what might be happening to DNA, and we had the resources in our lab to do that."
RELATED Study links e-cigarettes to increased risk for bladder cancer
The team at UConn created a low-cost 3D-printed electro-optical screening device that quickly detects carcinogenic chemicals that may cause DNA damage from e-cigarette vapor. Cellular mutations caused by DNA damage can cause cancer.
Using the device, researchers found e-cigarettes containing a nicotine-based liquid are potentially as harmful as unfiltered tobacco cigarettes in causing DNA damage.
The study also found that the vapor from non-nicotine e-cigarettes can cause as much DNA damage as filtered cigarettes due to the chemical additives found in e-cigarette vapors.
RELATED Study: Smoking kills 1 in 10 worldwide
According to Kadimisetty, the amount of DNA damage caused by e-cigarettes depends on the amount of vapor a person inhales, other additives present and whether nicotine or non-nicotine liquid is used.
Researchers used the device, which converts chemicals into their metabolites to replicate what happens in the human body, to test the safety of e-cigarettes.
"What we developed is very cheap to make, efficient, and can be used by almost anyone," James Rusling, chemistry professor at UConn, said.
RELATED Regulations could make e-cigarettes less effective for smoking cessation: Study
Researchers found that potential DNA damage from e-cigarettes increased with the number of puffs people took.
The study was published recently in ACS Sensors.
Cutting calories leads to significant health benefits, study shows
Socializing helps ward off mental decline in the aging brain, study shows
NIH begins HIV vaccine trials in North America, South America, Europe
Prenatal opioid exposure may lower IQ in babies


A full investigation is under way at Perth Zoo after five year old Orangutan Sungai lost his grip on equipment and fell into an external garden bed on Sunday afternoon. His mother Sekara leapt down onto the visitor's boardwalk to retrieve him before returning to the enclosure on her own. Visitors were removed from surrounding areas and the incident was over within 15 minutes.
The award winning Orangutan exhibit was designed in consultation with primate experts, conservationists and specialist architects.
This is the second time in recent years that an Orangutan has escaped from an enclosure at Perth Zoo with the then five-year-old Teliti managing to briefly escape in 2015.


Will Turmoil in Europe Hurt the Market?
One could argue that the phrase "political turmoil in Europe" has been applicable in nearly every year of the last decade. For many countries in the region, it has been a constant struggle for unity and political stability in the aftermath of the 2008 Financial Crisis, culminating in Brexit and the populist wave currently engulfing the area. The latest chapter in the saga comes from Spain1 and Italy2, both of which have governments in a state of flux and uncertainty.
Cautious investors would also note that this latest political drama in Italy and Spain comes at a time when global economic uncertainty is already heightened, as the Trump administration resumes implementing tariffs against China, the EU, Mexico and Canada.5 In my view, there's an eerie feeling that the global economy has a ticking time bomb on its hands.
What Do the Economic Fundamentals Say?
But that all being said – our positive forecast hinges on the European Union remaining the European Union, with all the major players remaining a part of the currency bloc. If a major country decides to leave – which we do not think is likely and is also politically difficult to do – then our calculus would likely change quickly.
In our view, it's probably still too early to assess the economic impact of Spain and Italy's revolving doors of government, but I do think the ongoing uncertainty could slow regional economic activity and investment, which could, in turn, serve as a headwind for European earnings. Any sustained uncertainty could also keep credit spreads widened – a condition generally not conducive to strong economic growth.
On balance, however, we expect global economic growth to press-on even as the headwinds grow. If that's the case, for investors it would mean having to do something that we're tasked with doing often: looking past the headline risk to see fundamental strength. This is what we do for our client's at Zacks Investment Management.
« What Does the Future hold for Earnings?


River cruising is all about immersion and food is arguably one of the best ways to experience a destination. To give passengers an authentic culinary experience, APT has brought Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyen onboard as an ambassador for its Asian portfolio. Luke talks to Cruise Passenger about his love of Asia, his passion for food and what passengers can expect when they join him on board.
Why did you want to be involved with APT in Asia?
I have a very close connection to Asia. My mother is Vietnamese/Chinese. I was born in Thailand and raised in a restaurant in Cabramatta, NSW. I travel through Asia not only for cooking inspiration, but also to be closer to my strong heritage and culture. Having the opportunity to open the doors to my homeland and share the cuisine, culture and way of life with visitors was a really exciting prospect. I can help travellers to see more of the destination, to experience more of the culture and sample a true taste of Asia. APT wanted to work with someone who would help it shape the product and enable it to offer a much more culturally authentic cruise and touring experience.
Why do you think food is such an important part of the river-cruise experience?
I always say food is a really important expression of the Vietnamese culture. It tells a story; a story of the land and of the history of the Vietnamese people. In Vietnam, we serve up Chinese, French and Thai influences so what you taste is a unique balance on the palate alongside lots of colour and tradition. Food is also very much a family affair, it's a bonding process and brings people together. So in showcasing the cuisine to river-cruise guests, how it is sourced and made, what I aim to do is open the door to the Vietnamese way of life.
Tell us a bit about the food onboard AmaLotus on its Mekong River cruises.
It's a given that the local culture and cuisine will be reflected in what is served onboard the ship. Incorporating local ingredients and flavours is second nature, but it is also important because it is what is available. There is no large-scale wholesaler or supermarket along the way. So we need to work with what we can access. It's all about balance, offering a menu that reflects the locality and also being able to cater to more Western tastes. We offer a good selection across the board so everyone is happy. In terms of logistics, for the culinary elements of the sailings, I choose the menu and then submit it to the executive chef on board the ship. The executive chef then sources the ingredients. I work with the chef and his team in advance to train them on the delivery of the menus for guests. For the tours I personally host, I prepare the onboard welcome dinner myself. The main challenge when it comes to food delivery on a river-cruise ship in Asia is two fold: the kitchens are small, so you need to be able to work in a much more confined space; and also when the guests disembark, the culinary team has to go ashore to source ingredients. Supply can sometimes fluctuate, so while we endeavour to plan, there also needs to be flexibility and an ability to work with what is readily available. Success depends on having a team that can think on its feet. APT has an exceptional onboard culinary team, always smiling, always happy to adapt and always ready to cater to guests' needs.
With your escorted cruises, how much can guests expect to see and interact with you?
APT was really clear from the outset that it wanted a partner who would do more than just add their name to a cruise. That really excited me. In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), I personally lead a cooking class at my Grain cooking school. I also lead a walking tour around Old Saigon to sample street food and see where my parents grew up, a feature that is exclusive to APT guests. This is the chance to come and meet people I know and love, see the way families bond over food, and understand the way the local community interacts. When we board the ship, I personally prepare and serve the welcome dinner. I love meeting the guests and interacting with them, so it's great to get their feedback when I am able to cook for them, too.
What new developments are coming up for APT in Asia?
I will oversee the menu design of the company's new RV Samatha river ship, which sets sail in Myanmar in January 2016. In addition, in 2016 I will oversee the degustation menu for the new Indochine by Luke Nguyen private dining room aboard RV AmaLotus on the Mekong. I have also designed a special welcome dinner for all guests travelling aboard AmaLotus to enjoy on their first night on board. APT guests travelling on Vietnam land tours in 2016 and 2017 will have exclusive access to my new Grain by Luke Nguyen cooking studio in Ho Chi Minh City. The new cooking studio opened in March 2015 and delivers an authentic Vietnamese cultural and culinary experience. As well as learning the fundamentals of Vietnamese food preparation, visitors to Grain will also learn about the culture and history behind each dish. Classes are hosted by my team and I host classes on a quarterly basis. Another new aspect of my tour in 2016 is the fact that while I am aboard the cruise, I will host some "Getting to know Luke" session with the guests. We'll do these in small groups and it gives the guests the chance to ask me more questions about myself, my affinity with Vietnam and Cambodia and also any other information they would like to know. These are informal and I hope will offer the opportunity for me to share my passion for both the destination and for food. It's a great opportunity for me to share my culture, my cuisine and my passion for this amazing destination.


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Archive | mac and chard RSS for this section
in 1000 Vegan Recipes, mac and chard, vegan mac and cheese
Autumn is here and at my house, we're ready for some comfort food meals, especially those oven-baked casseroles that I rarely make unless there's a chill in the air.
Like many people, mac and cheese is one of our all-time favorites. And, as most vegans know, it's one dish that everyone seems to have an opinion about. The main point of departure about what makes a great mac and cheese usually concerns how to get that creamy cheesy flavor without using dairy cheese. There's the nutritional yeast camp, the tofu faction, and the fans of vegan cheese products. Some people like all three ingredients in their mac and cheese, while others will have none of it.
I personally never met a vegan mac and cheese I didn't like, but I thought it would be great to see if I could come up with a version that didn't contain any of those debatable ingredients — and still taste like mac and cheese. The other stipulation I gave myself was to include a green vegetable like spinach or chard in the recipe so it could be served as a one-dish meal — and also seem a little more virtuous, to boot.
The result of my personal challenge is called Mac and Chard. This soy-free, nutritional yeast-free, (and of course cheese-free) version of macaroni and cheese is teamed up with the lovely and healthful addition of chopped rainbow chard. The recipe is from my new book, 1,000 Vegan Recipes, which is now available (a week early!) on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.
If rainbow chard is unavailable, use another variety of chard or substitute fresh spinach. To make the sauce silky smooth, it is best to use a high-speed blender such as a Vita-Mix to help grind the cashews to a powder. (This recipe is from 1,000 Vegan Recipes published by John Wiley & Sons.)
12 ounces elbow macaroni
1 medium bunch rainbow chard, tough stems removed, and chopped
1 Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into ¼-inch slices
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (for color)
3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs (use panko, if you've got it)
1. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni over medium-high heat until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
2. Steam the chard until tender, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, squeeze any remaining moisture from the chard and set chard aside. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
3. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and potato. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, cover, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add 1 cup of the broth, the turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon of the paprika, and continue cooking, uncovered, until the vegetables are very soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. Grind the cashews in a high-speed blender until ground to a fine powder. Add the onion and potato mixture, the remaining broth, lemon juice, mustard, and salt and pepper, to taste, and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
5. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and steamed chard and transfer to the prepared casserole. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 teaspoon paprika and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Bake until hot and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.


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Karate Apps
Karate Live Blogs, Medals and Results Tables
France reach fifth straight women's team kumite final at Karate World Championships
By Liam Morgan at the WiZink Centre in Madrid
France reached a fifth consecutive women's team kumite final at the Karate World Championships as they maintained their pursuit of a successful title defence in style here today.
The French squad, comprised of Leila Heurtault, Laura Sivert, Léa Avazeri and Andrea Brito, beat Egypt 2-1 in a hard-fought semi-final to book a place in Sunday's (November 11) gold medal match.
France will take on Japan, who secured a spot in the World Championships final for the first time in 12 years by upsetting hosts Spain 2-0 in the last four.
Japan, whose team features Ayumi Uekusa, Natsumi Kawamura, Ayaka Saito and Kayo Someya, will aim to spring a surprise in the final, while France will go in search of a fourth women's world team title having clinched the crown in 2010, 2012 and 2016.
"This victory is clearly a team effort," said reigning world individual champion Uekusa.
"The qualification to the final shows the power and strength of our team.
"Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but whatever we do, we do it as a team, and this is what mattered today."
Iran beat Italy to reach the final of the men's team kumite competition ©WKF
Iran and Turkey will battle it out for the men's team kumite title after both sides came through their respective semi-final clashes today.
Turkey overcame Azerbaijan, while Iran, led by world title holder Sajad Ganjzadeh, beat Italy 3-0.
"We had very hard bouts throughout the competition, but we are a very good team," said Turkey's Ugur Aktas.
"We, my team-mates and me, are brothers, so we are very happy that we could do this together.
"The last time that we were in the final was in 2008, so we want to take the gold medal here."
Individual kata, kumite and men's and women's visually impaired finals are all scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Gold medal bouts in team kata, kumite and men's and women's wheelchair events will be held on the final day on Sunday.
November 2018: WKF President highlights added significance of Karate World Championships following Olympic inclusion
November 2018: Japan and Spain underline kata dominance by reaching men's and women's team finals at Karate World Championships
November 2018: Busa crushes Aghayev's record dream as defending champions fail to progress at Karate World Championships
November 2018: Defending champion Araga crashes out with shock defeat at Karate World Championships
November 2018: Host of defending champions in action at WKF Karate World Championships


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text:
Surgery gives two-time survivor new life
BY Brittany Cordeiro
With a family history of colon cancer, Brian Folloder has been getting regular colonoscopies since he turned 35. But in 2009, when he was 62 years old, a screening blood test for medical insurance showed a possible sign of cancer. So, Brian had a CT scan.
It showed no evidence of cancer. Yet, Brian's son Justin, a physician assistant in Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson, insisted Brian get a six-month follow-up scan at MD Anderson.
The scan revealed Brian had a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that would require surgery.
"My son just kept telling me, 'Dad, you're going to be fine.'" Brian says. And Justin was mostly right.
Finding life through surgery at MD Anderson
When Brian arrived at MD Anderson for surgery, he was scared. "I was crying like a baby because I thought people came here to die," he says.
Brian quickly found the opposite to be true.
After a nearly eight-hour surgery with Jason B. Fleming, M.D., to remove the tumor, his gallbladder and lymph nodes, Brian was pancreatic cancer-free. But he would need to be followed for Barrett's esophagus, a condition that made him more likely to develop esophageal cancer. The condition was incidentally discovered during the biopsy of his pancreas.
"My care was managed by an amazing team of doctors. And you know what they did?" Brian says. "They gave me more time to live."
A second round of cancer
In September 2010, Brian had an endoscopy as part of his surveillance under gastroenterologist Jeffrey H. Lee, M.D. It showed cancer. Following a biopsy, Brian was diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Wayne Hofstetter, M.D., director of MD Anderson's Esophageal Surgery Program, was consulted for Brian's care. "He was thorough," Brian says. "He presented me with two treatment options and was clear that the choice was mine."
Brian could opt for a novel technique known as endoscopic mucosal resection, which allowed Dr. Hofstetter to preserve his esophagus. The procedure uses an endoscope with an attached device to reach and then remove the tumors. The alternative option was an esophagectomy – surgery to remove part of his esophagus.
"Choosing between the two was not an easy decision," Justin says.
Choosing endoscopic mucosal resection surgery
An endoscopic mucosal resection would require aggressive surveillance post-procedure – serial endoscopies and scans for an indefinite amount of time. "This can be a bit riskier for managing the disease," Justin explains. "An esophagectomy is a more aggressive approach to remove the cancer, but causes permanent lifestyle changes and has its own set of risks."
Brian made his decision after connecting with other patients through myCancerConnection, MD Anderson's one-on-one support program for patients and caregivers. After speaking with four patients, Brian says he found his cure.
He choose an endoscopic mucosal resection, followed by serial radiofrequency ablation with Marta Davila, M.D., to manage residual disease.
A new perspective after cancer
Since the endoscopic mucosal resection, Brian has remained cancer-free. "I know not everyone has a success story – my mother died of colon cancer when I was 15 years old," Brian says. So at 69 years old, with a wife of 25 years, six kids and 10 grandkids, he feels grateful to be alive.
"MD Anderson gave me life -- twice," Brian says. "And now, I am focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and giving back."
Surgery Support Ablation Treatment Symptoms Survivorship
Read More by Brittany Cordeiro
Brian Folloder with his son and granddaughter
MD Anderson gave me life -- twice.
Brian Folloder


The first thing that popped into my mind was this: according to what we know about social influence (a.k.a. power), there are two major mechanisms that society uses to remove it. Those mechanisms are gossip and ridicule. The moment we perceive those in power to not be acting in our interests any more we employ these mechanisms, and from the little I can see at the moment, it would seem as though the middle/upper class in South Africa is using them against the ANC. (The middle/upper class minority is generally the only group with access to this sort of media and voice in South Africa at the moment - and you will see clearly from the people commenting on the various news articles that it is no longer just "white" people who make up this group).
It will be interesting to watch how things play out here. The middle/upper class minority doesn't have much by way of voter might, but what else does this minority control? How else can it flex its own power? Nothing draws a disjoint, individualistic society like our middle/upper class together like a common enemy. The media just might have the influence to be able to co- ordinate this.
Although, we do have a reputation for sitting comfortably and quietly behind our 3m-high walls, security gates and laser beams inside our security estates when the going gets tough (largely because we feel our actions won't make any difference whatsoever, saying: "who are we to go up against the under-educated masses who vote for whichever politician sings the best tune or dances the best dance?"). We point out that the ANC constantly acts against the interests of those who voted them into power and those most vulnerable in society. (By the way, if they're not acting in the interests of the masses, and the minorities are also indicating, by way of gossip and ridicule as pointed out, that the ANC is not acting in their interests, in whose interests is the ANC really acting?). We sit and gossip to each other about how little the government actually works for us, and recount hundreds of tales of incompetence, and of being inconvenienced and insulted. We complain about paying relatively exorbitant taxes in exchange for poor or non-existent service delivery. We're tired of hearing about how R20 of every R100 in our hard-earned taxpayer money goes to greasing the palms of corrupt politicians and public servants - and how they're now, with a "secrecy bill", going to be able to legally cover it up (an opinion which, admittedly, might just be blown out of proportion at the moment). We then still live in blissful ignorance, telling ourselves: "don't worry, everything's going to carry on just as it's always carried on".
Perhaps, by the time we're moved by worsening circumstances to take any serious action, leveraging our collective influence, it will be too late.


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Time for Tea Series
• Skin Care Subscription Box Combines Korean Culture And Colombian Heritage
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• Artist Uses Creativity For Reflection And Gratitude In New Exhibit
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• Meet The Entrepreneurs Behind "RevAir" A Unique Product To Dry Your Hair.
• She Lost Half Her Body Weight And Landed On The Cover Of People.
43North's 18 Finalists Vie For Millions In Annual Competition
By Working Woman Report
• September 11, 2018
Working Woman Report
Working Woman Report is the source for stories about women in business, women in leadership, and news about empowering women. It's updated daily and curated by Emmy Award Winning Journalist, Allison Haunss.
43 northbusinessescompaniescompanycompetitioneducationemployeesentrepreneursfundingmillennialsmoneypitch competitionproductssupporttechnologyworkworkforce
By Matt Glynn The Buffalo News, N.Y.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) From "Charmtech Labs" which makes "Capti Voice", a reading assistant that personalizes learning for students of all abilities to "NaturAll Club" which uses food technology to offer hair products; the race is on to see which startup will come out victorious at this year's 43North competition.
The Buffalo News, N.Y.
43North has named the 18 finalists who will contend for millions of dollars in prize money next month.
The companies come from eight states and Canada. Ten of them will advance to make pitches to seven judges the night of Oct. 3 at Shea's Performing Arts Center, in a "Shark Tank"-like format.
"We've got a very passionate and world-class group of entrepreneurs," said Alexander Gress, 43North's president.
One company will walk away with the $1 million grand prize, and seven others will win $500,000 each. Another $500,000 in follow-on funding will be available at the end of next year.
43North hopes the winners will stay beyond their one-year obligation and hire more people as they grow. The competition, in its fifth year, is a program of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Buffalo Billion initiative.
This year's finalists emerged from a pool of 485 applicants. "To get just to here, there's multiple layers in that judging process," Gress said. Two of the 18 finalists are based in the Buffalo area. Seven of the companies have female CEOs.
The companies that reached the finals have high-growth potential, but they also see value in operating in Buffalo and taking advantage of resources to support them here, Gress said.
LegWorks, a Buffalo-based prosthetics company, is one of the 18 finalists. The business has found the local environment supportive for entrepreneurs since moving its base of operations here from San Francisco, said Brandon Burke, director of partnership development. The company recently won $10,000 in a pitch competition presented by Bright Buffalo Niagara.
If LegWorks is one of the eight 43North winners, the company will use the prize money to scale up its operations and expand its product offerings, Burke said.
Immersed Games, based in Gainesville, Fla., is another 43North finalist. The company has created a video game that helps students build their science and engineering skills.
Immersed Games was invited to apply for 43North and followed through, said Lindsey Tropf, the founder and CEO.
Tropf has researched education in Buffalo and learned about the city school system's work to educate refugees. That type of innovation intrigued her.
"If we move to a place, we want to be able to work with local schools and test new products that we're developing," Tropf said. "If the schools aren't innovative and open to trying to new things, then it's not going to be a good fit."
The company's workforce is made up of millennials. Tropf said Buffalo would be a bigger, more "walkable" city for its employees than Gainesville, which is home to the University of Florida. The other 16 finalists are:
--AXIS: Developed a device, called Gear, that motorizes and automates window shades. Based in Toronto.
--Charmtech Labs: Makes Capti Voice, a reading assistant that personalizes learning for students of all abilities. Based in Stony Brook, N.Y.
--Dimien. Makes chemicals that are incorporated into other products, including high-performance glass and architectural materials. Based in Amherst.
--Forsake: Designs all-weather boots and sneakers for travel and adventure. Based in Boston.
--HiOperator: Customer support provider. Based in San Francisco. --Innovative Wellness Systems: A biomechanical footwear, technology and data analytics company whose aim is to prevent foot ulcers. Based in Dover, Mass.
--Kickfurther: An inventory crowdfunding platform. Based in Boulder, Colo.
--Magnusmode: Uses mobile technology to help people with autism and cognitive special needs live with greater inclusion and independence. Based in Waterloo, Ont.
--MF Fire: Maker of an app-driven wood stove promoted as an efficient, clean-energy source. Based in Baltimore.
--NaturAll Club: Uses food technology to offer hair products made from ingredients such as avocado pulp, bananas and coconut crème. Based in Philadelphia.
--Routeique: A logistics platform for supply chains. Based in Vancouver.
--Rozzy Learning Co.: A developer of educational software. Based in St. Louis.
--Savormetrics: Maker of artificial intelligence-driven portable sensing devices that provide food safety and quality metrics to food sector businesses. Based in Mississauga, Ont.
--SparkCharge: Makes a portable charging unit for use by electric vehicle owners. Based in Syracuse.
--Touchjet: Makes a device that converts a flat surface into a touchscreen. Based in Campbell, Calif.
--Water Hero: Makes a device that allows you to control water in your home through a smartphone. Water Hero, based in Beverly, Mass., was a semifinalist last year.
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Skin Care Subscription Box Combines Korean Culture And Colombian Heritage
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Artist Uses Creativity For Reflection And Gratitude In New Exhibit
Former Infy, Wipro Execs Launch Venture To Promote Growth Among Women In Tech
Meet The Entrepreneurs Behind "RevAir" A Unique Product To Dry Your Hair.
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