text:
Il Rajya Sabha (in italiano: Consiglio degli Stati) è la camera alta del Parlamento indiano e, insieme alla camera bassa (il Lok Sabha) compone l'organo legislativo indiano.

Composizione

La camera si compone di 250 membri, di cui 12 scelti dal Presidente dell'India per le loro competenze in settori specifici, quali arte, letteratura, scienza, ecc. Questi membri sono conosciuti come i membri nominati. Il resto del corpo (238 membri) è eletto dai rispettivi parlamenti degli Stati federati e territori dell'India, in proporzione al numero degli abitanti. La camera è rinnovata per un terzo ogni due anni.

Per poter essere eletti bisogna essere cittadini indiani ed aver compiuto 30 anni.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

India
Parlamento indiano


Discussion in 'Tesla for Sale' started by H0lladay, May 12, 2018.
Needs to be newer fascia and ultra white is crucial.
Any help on other places I should be looking for or any point in the right direction would be much appreciated.


Numerous theories have been developed in explanation of object perception, such as Feature Integration Theory, which posits that an object is perceived after two stages: a pre-attentive stage and a focused attention stage. It is during the focused attention stage that a representation of the perceived object is formed. Theories such as Object File Theory account for the maintenance of these object representations following their creation. Evidence for object file theory has been provided by studies of the object specific preview benefit. This dissertation seeks to examine the effect that dividing attention has on the maintenance of object representations. Using the tenets of object file theory and the cortical field hypothesis for dual task interference, it is hypothesized that differential effects can be found in the creation and maintenance of object representations. Specifically, by presenting participants with two simultaneous tasks which make use of overlapping cortical areas the object representation initially formed will be lost, resulting in the loss of the object specific preview benefit. In contrast, presenting participants with two simultaneous tasks which are associated with spatially separate, or non-overlapping, cortical regions will not result in the loss of the object specific preview benefit.


Greetings! Another interesting "bee summer" has passed and, because of its importance, I will try to summarize for you the honey plant blooming sequence for this year. For the sake of you new members/beekeepers, this list applies to the area where my bee yards are, at 1600-1800+ ft. elevation, near 1-80. Most of you will have the same bloom sequence, but probably a week or so earlier than here. By familiarizing yourself with a bloom chart, you can super ahead of these flows, and will greatly reduce forced swarming and vastly increase your honey crop.
May 10 -- Wild fire cherry and tame sour cherry; tame strawberries.
May 20 -- Honeysuckle and autumn olive starting.
* Indicates heavy honey producers if you have good bee population, weather conditions and empty supers available for nectar storage.
Almost everyone lives in an excellent location for at least 2 or 3 of these plants. Only you will be able to determine the surplus nectar flows for your apiary location.
White Dutch is an excellent time (due to temperature and nectar flow) for hatching-quality queens to be well mated and for starting splits. The exceptionally dry weather hindered small colony development. July/August splits, or any swarms you caught/hived benefited greatly this year by supplemental feedings. Many members have reported that this past spring was the best they've had for honey flow in a long time, especially the black locust. The late goldenrod came to the rescue of many full-sized colonies. Of the late June/July splits, there were 21 of mine that were a little light for winter. Syrup fixed all but two...I'll try frames of honey for them. I've never had to feed my splits, but it's probably something I should do every year to guarantee a colony with 6 or 7 frames of honey, pollen and bees...this is my personal goal for excellent wintering and quick spring buildup. I've had practically no successful wintering with anything under 4 frames. This will be my first year for trying some of the polyurethane 5-frame nucs over wintering. For spring/summer development this year, they were better than wood. They developed faster and seemed to be less affected by weather changes.
At the PA State Beekeeper's Association Annual Meeting this past November 11-12, they had two main guest speakers who presented their views on how to develop a beekeeping system using over-wintered splits. Kirk Webster from Vermont gave a talk on his method of operating 300 colonies, plus splits, raising his own queens and without using medication. Roy Henderson from near Cleveland, Ohio spoke about 5-frame nucs and supering them for honey production. He did purchase queens and medicated when necessary. It was encouraging to know that other beekeepers are succeeding in developing this form of management. Even Penn State is testing a similar system. Hopefully it will be successful.
If anyone is looking for ideas for a good Christmas gift for your favorite beekeeper, I'd like to recommend the following books: First Lessons in Beekeeping ($4.95) is a super buy for beginners or Penn State's Beekeeping Basics (about $10). On a higher level, The Beekeeper's Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile, 3rd Edition ($25.70) is very good. For someone interested in raising queens, I found Contemporary Queen Rearing by Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. ($11.95..ISBN# 0915698064) very informative. The old standby, The Hive and the Honeybee ($36.00...ISBN# 0915698099) is good, but most people would find this to be an interesting choice after first understanding most of the information in the first four books. These books are available through most of the bee supply catalogs. If you have access to the internet, there are websites where you can purchase used beekeeping books that are just like new. I've taken advantage of this several times. We have a credit card with a low limit on it just to use for internet purchases. Sometimes you can save half the cost of the book. One of the websites that has quite a few books is abebooks.com. To be positive of the right book listed, the ISBN # is very helpful.
Have a good beekeeper's Christmas!


text:
Fan travels 10,000 miles to see football team (and they lost!)
PUBLISHED: 15:24 11 November 2009 | UPDATED: 09:43 12 August 2010
LOYAL: (left to right) Mike Head, Wayne Jones, Richard Simpson, traveller Nick Evans, Graham Jones, Ben Salmon, Lloyd Chambers.
A DEDICATED ex-pat fan made a 10,000 mile round trip to watch just 90 minutes of football as his team went head to head in the FA Cup. Nick Evans, who has lived in San Francisco since 2000, made the snap decision and hopped on a plane last Friday to wat
A DEDICATED ex-pat fan made a 10,000 mile round trip to watch just 90 minutes of football as his team went head to head in the FA Cup.
Nick Evans, who has lived in San Francisco since 2000, made the snap decision and hopped on a plane last Friday to watch his beloved Bromley Football Club's sell-out clincher against Colchester at home in Hayes Lane the next day.
Unfortunately the Lillywhites were trounced 4-1 by the visitors but are still in with a chance of taking the trophy.
Mr Evans, who usually only returns to the UK every three years or so, returned home to America on Sunday evening after the match, having paid £400 for his plane ticket saying it was worth every penny.
Speaking in the pub before the game surrounded by his oldest friends who are also Bromley fans, he said: "This is the biggest game in 60 years. I've supported them since I was about 10. All my friends go there. It's a great atmosphere. I've made so many friends from going to matches. I met my best mate Mike there when I was about 16 or 17."
Asked if he was Bromley's most dedicated fan, he shook his head and said: "No.
Looking around at his friends he said: "Everyone here is dedicated. These boys are, they go all the time. The club has very loyal supporters."
Mr Evans, who grew up in Rollo Road, Hexstable, added: "I'm just happy to be here. It will be awesome to see the ground full and see how the club has grown. Owner Jerry Dolke has made it a 100 times better than when I lived here."
His good friend Lloys Chambers, 40, who he used to live with in Homesdale Road, Bromley, 15 years ago, said: "It's great to see Nick. When we were young we used to see each other all the time but now we all have commitments, we're married and have children.
"Today is special because we're altogether. It's a really big day for us and the club."
Bromley FC Chairman Jerry Dolke said: "Nick came over to me at the end of the game and thanked me for everything we've done at the club. I said that really meant a lot to me and that I looked forward to seeing him next week and he started laughing and said 'I don't think so I've come from San Francisco.' We all started laughing. It's a bit of a shock when you meet someone who lives miles away but still has that level of affection for the club."
kate.nelson@archant.co.uk

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The word in the photo says it all: slow progress today. Wind plus rain plus hills.
The good thing about the wind/rain combination in Wales is that often it rains only as fast as the wind dries you so you stay the same level of damp all day. This happy balance lasted till the 2pm lunch stop.
The scenery had been utterly lovely, at least what I could see of it! It was a shame to have been so up against the elements but I learned three things.
1) always take your left foot out of the pedal cleat before any steep hill, down OR up. Down: because you might lose control. Up: because you might not make it up and stopping with your feet clipped in never ends well.
So now I understand the phrase 'commit to the hill': looking at a hill and deciding you can do it with your feet clipped in. Changing your mind is not an option half way up – you are committed!
2) Always cycle at least two foot from the edge of the road, especially in Wales where the wind can blow you sideways.
3) The wetter the way, the better it feels to arrive. After lunch the wind/rain balance tilted in favour of heavy rain so I arrived thus evening drenched.
My wet weather gear is a huge yellow cape that you can fit two people in (I know this, we have a photo of Matt and I wearing it years ago). Going downhill it acts as a wind break (brake?). I know I look ridiculous but quite honestly I dont care, at least I can be seen and parts of me are dry.
Last day tomorrow, Monday but weak internet signal here so may not be able to post this. The route says 60 miles to St David's but it looks alot further and if the hills are anything like today… I only hope the elements are more favourable.


text:
The two return to space and the Sphere introduces A Square to the concept of solids. He stacks many square cards on top of each other to demonstrate how two-dimensional figures can be built into a three-dimensional solid (and an illustration is attached). A Square says that the demonstration is painful to see, since it looks like an Irregular figure to him. The Sphere explains that A Square is not used to seeing light and shade and perspective, so he introduces A Square to the cube, a living being. After detailed explanation and tactile demonstrations, the concept is clear to A Square.
The Sphere again teaches A Square using analogies, and this scene itself is an allegory of the process of teaching and learning. The new knowledge initially is painful to A Square, since it is so unfamiliar to him. Yet this knowledge is crucial for him to learn in order to enlighten other Flatlanders who live under the Circles' oppression. This is where light and shade, a symbol for knowledge in general, appears.
A Square states that this is climax of the story. He then proceeds to recount his fall. Although it is painful for him to recall, he hopes it will arouse a spirit of rebellion in his readers, who may be stuck in their own dimensions. While the Sphere is teaching him the conformations of other regular solids, A Square interrupts him, asking if he could expose his intestines. A Square argues that since the Sphere had revealed the insides of all things in Flatland, there must be a similar way of seeing into the insides of solids.
One main purpose of Flatland is clearly stated here: A Square hopes to enlighten his readers on the knowledge of higher dimensions in order to incite them to fight against oppression, such as the Circles' dominance over Flatland or the aristocracy's rule of Victorian England. Note how A Square thinks in analogy, and now starts to grow curious about ideas even beyond the Sphere's teachings.
A Square posits the existence of a land of Four Dimensions. However, the Sphere denies its existence, and argues that it is simply impossible to think about such a world. In response, A Square further probes his teacher by arguing that just as the Sphere had proved to him the existence of a higher world, and as A Square had attempted to teach the Monarch of Lineland of two dimensions, there must other even higher worlds. He theorizes a structure with 16 terminal points and 8 bounding cubes, following the Sphere's previous logic.
What makes A Square different from the Monarch of Lineland, who refused to think beyond his linear world, is that he is humble enough to accept what is proven to him, and then has the curiosity to actually seek out more forms of higher knowledge. However, when he asks the Sphere about this knowledge, his teacher acts no differently from the Monarch, and assumes that his three-dimensional world is all there is to the universe.
A Square asks the Sphere to confirm or deny his hypothesis. The Sphere admits that some of his countrymen have considered a fourth dimension, but have not adopted an official theory. Therefore, he ends the discussion. But A Square continues to theorize higher worlds, even those of five, six, seven, and eight dimensions. Angered at A Square's unending questioning, the Sphere pushes A Square back to his Flatland home.
A Square shows the liberating and elevating effects of knowledge. After learning about the third dimension, A Square is eager to seek for higher knowledge of even more mysterious ideas and worlds. In fact, knowledge is also salvation, since it promises a better future in higher worlds. Despite being a figure of wisdom, even the Sphere reacts emotionally to A Square's eagerness. Notably, Abbott was theorizing about multiple dimensions (including time) long before Einstein published his theory of relativity.


text:
Orthodontic Program
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Assistance League Sites > Assistance League of Long Beach > Philanthropic Programs
We have 11 philanthropic programs, which include Operation School Bell®, Orthodontic Program, Mentoring, ALa Carte, Assault Survivor Kits®, Assisteens® Programs, Howard and Asian Art Collection, Kids on the Block, Launching Literacy, Scholarships, Vocational Training. To explore more about these programs, tap or click on the photos below.
Operation School Bell provides new school uniforms to in-need Long Beach Unified School district students. Operation School Bell is the "safety net" that enables our schools to mandate uniforms. This program annually provides more than 8,000 backpacks filled with new uniforms, undergarments and school supplies to Long Beach students.
The Orthodontic Program provides low-cost orthodontic treatment for children from families with limited financial resources. The Orthodontic Center's administration, orthodontist, staff and Assistance League member volunteers strive to provide comprehensive, quality orthodontic care in a personal and caring environment. The staff looks forward to helping their patients develop great smiles that will last a lifetime!
For over 30 years, CAMEO has supported under-served, academically promising students from the Long Beach Unified School District high schools and Long Beach City College. Our member volunteers are working professionals who provide one-on-one mentoring support to enhance each student's educational and personal development.
Members of the ALa Carte program have been providing supportive services to hospitalized children and young adults ages 2-20 and their parents at Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach for more than 30 years.
The Assault Survivor Kits program works with forensic nurses to provide clothing and hygiene kits for victims of sexual assault whose clothes are collected as evidence by the police. Wear home clothing, underwear, socks, and a variety of hygiene items are included in the kits which provide comfort and dignity in time of crisis.
Assisteens Auxiliary provides community volunteer opportunities for approximately 100 young people in grades 9 through 12. Its goals are to develop a sense of community responsibility, self-reliance, personal responsibility, poise, public speaking, and leadership skills.
Tours of the Howard and Asian Art Collection, a museum-quality collection of Asian artifacts located in the Assistance League of Long Beach Philanthropic Center, are conducted by trained member docents for seventh-grade students in the Long Beach Unified School District and to community groups upon request.
Kids on the Block is an educational puppet program for elementary school children that addresses behavioral issues they face today. Popular programs include You're Not the Boss of Me (Bullying), Rescue and Report, and Alternatives to Violence.
Launching Literacy is a partnership between Assistance League of Long Beach and Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). Underserved children in grades K-1 in need of extra individualized reading instruction are selected by district personnel. Our trained volunteers work with the children on pre-reading skills in small groups using lessons developed by literacy coaches.
The Scholarship Committee provides financial awards to students for academic performance at a variety of educational institutions including Long Beach City College (LBCC) and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Financial support is also provided to Long Beach Unified School District for its music and vocal programs at the middle and high schools. Two endowed scholarships from past Assistance League members are also awarded annually in accordance with the wishes of the donors.
Beginning in 2013, students with mild to moderate disabilities who were in a protective and directed school environment through high school and are now in the Adult Community Transition Program have been coming to the Thrift & Vintage Shop to work in various capacities. These students, aged 18-22, work along with Assistance League member volunteers as they gain valuable and transferrable skills for their future employment. At the same time, the Thrift & Vintage Shop benefits greatly from their involvement.
The Thrift & Vintage Shop is your source for surprises. Come see a trove of high-quality, well-curated merchandise — and it changes hourly, so come often! Items are donated by members of the greater Long Beach community to support Assistance League of Long Beach. Get your swag! Get your dancing shoes! Get an esoteric oddity!
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text:
Have Profit Margins Peaked?
July 9, 2018 By Jeremy Jones, CFA
Could this be the end of the road for the long upward trend in rising profit margins? Rising wages are cutting into profits at major corporations, and it could be the end of an era in which it has seemed as though profit margins would rise forever. Danielle Chemtob reports at The Wall Street Journal: Rising wages are beginning to eat into the profits of some U.S. companies. Firms from dollar stores to hotel operators to fast-food chains have warned in recent months that higher labor costs have been a drag on their profits—a potential headwind for the nine-year stock-market rally as it … [Read more...]
How Pennies Can Win the War
Back in January of 1987, Ronald Reagan gave a State of the Union address in which he lamented the brutal war being waged by the Soviet Union on the people of Afghanistan. Behind the scenes though, Reagan was operating what has become popularly known as "Charlie Wilson's War." Reagan and his supporters in Congress, including Charlie Wilson, were sending Stinger missiles to the Afghans fighting against the Soviets. Those missiles cost pennies on the dollar compared to the Soviet MI-24 Hind gunships they were used to target with a lethal 79% successful kill rate. The mere pennies the U.S. … [Read more...]
Will Switzerland be "Crypto-Nation?"
Long known for its commitment to banking privacy, Switzerland makes sense as a place where anonymous crypto-currencies would thrive. Ralph Atkins and Philip Stafford report in the FT on plans in Switzerland for a new market infrastructure which will enhance traders' ability to swap crypto-currencies. They write: Switzerland's stock exchange is seeking a global lead in the trading of digital assets, announcing plans for new market infrastructure which will boost the country's credentials as a "crypto nation". The platform being built by the Six exchange is designed to be used for … [Read more...]
Will Tariffs Suck the Life out of Auto Sales?
July 6, 2018 By Young Research
With the tariff fight heating up, U.S. automakers are worried about the impact on their business. Adrienne Roberts reports in The Wall Street Journal: But industry executives warn that momentum could stall in coming months as President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs that are projected to cost the auto industry billions of dollars and could raise some car prices by nearly $6,000, according to estimates. Overall U.S. auto sales increased by 1.9% in the first half of the year. June sales increased by about 5%, according to analysts, boosted by an additional selling day compared with … [Read more...]
Here's How Tax Reform is Lowering Rates, and When it Could Stop
Despite a rising Fed funds rate and increasing inflation fears, rates on long term Treasuries have been coming down. Ben Eisen and Daniel Kruger report in The Wall Street Journal that some of the reason rates are falling is regulation-induced buying. Big companies are buying now to achieve a tax benefit coming as a result of the 2017 tax reform. They are funding pension plans now to receive the tax benefit they would have achieved under the 35% corporate tax regime, but will still only pay the 21% reformed rate. Eisen and Kruger write: S&P 500 companies are contributing … [Read more...]
The Hollowing of America's Malls
Mall vacancies have just hit a six-year high. As retailers go bankrupt or close unprofitable stores, malls are emptying out. Esther Fung reports: Space has been emptied by a steady decline of some of the most-iconic retail names. Bon Ton Stores Inc., Sears Holdings Corp. and J.C. Penney Co. are among big names that have sharply reduced the number of stores in recent years. The last Toys "R" Us stores closed on Friday after a restructuring attempt failed. In March, when it announced the liquidation of U.S. stores, the company had roughly 800 stores in the country. Xander Chou, a 40-year … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Life: How Do You Know Where to Live in Retirement?
December 6, 2019 By E.J. Smith
If you are like many soon-to-be-retirees in America, you're looking forward to getting away from your cold, northern, probably-high-tax state and settling down in retirement in a southern locale with low taxes and warm winters. But, how can you know where you'll like it best in your Golden Years? (for information on choosing a low-tax state, see the Richardcyoung.com Liberty & Freedom Map here). Last month I encouraged you to do some A/B testing. Live short-term or spend a vacation in some of the places you'd potentially move to during retirement. Without actually staying there for a … [Read more...]
Is Booming IPO Market a Sign of Market Froth?
The WSJ reports that the IPO market is booming. There have been 120 companies that have raised $35.2 billion in the first six months of 2018. That's the fourth-busiest six-month period on record. And that's not even counting initial coin offerings (ICOs) which are booming as well even as bitcoin prices plummet. Rising IPO volume isn't necessarily a predictor of a market top, but it should be viewed as a signal of caution. "Our global IPO pipeline is stronger now than it's been since the financial crisis," said Evan Damast, global head of equity and fixed income syndicate at Morgan … [Read more...]
Amazon Revving Up Whole Foods
In the short time Amazon has owned Whole Foods, it has worked to apply its own strengths to the grocery business's operation. Heather Haddon and Laura Stevens report: A year after Amazon bought Whole Foods for $13.5 billion, the e-commerce company is making its mark on the nation's largest natural and organic supermarket. Year-over-year sales at Whole Foods stores are up since the takeover, as consumers respond to new delivery options and enhanced benefits for Amazon Prime members. The store recently introduced 10% discounts for Prime members at all 460 stores, and it offers two-hour delivery … [Read more...]
Winning: Trade Edition
There is increasing concern about the Trump administration's trade policies. The Google trends chart for the search term trade war has more than doubled in recent weeks (though Kim Kardashian is still about 7X more popular). President Trump says trade wars are easy to win. Maybe he has a point. U.S. stocks have held up much better than Chinese shares in recent months. In all seriousness, investors should keep a close eye on future trade developments. Don't forget though, view Trump's actions through the lens of somebody who believes what he is doing is part of an ongoing … [Read more...]


text:
Die Ronde de l'Oise ist ein Straßenradrennen im Norden Frankreichs. Die kleine Rundfahrt führt in fünf Etappen durch das Département Oise. Erstmals wurde das Rennen 2006 ausgetragen und 2007 in die Kategorie 2.2 der UCI Europe Tour aufgenommen.

Sieger

Weblinks

Etappenrennen
Sportveranstaltung in Hauts-de-France
Straßenradrennen in Frankreich
Département Oise

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


St. Petersburg's confectioners got to the Guinness Book!
However, as confectioners said, the cake's size was not their achievement, but the number of candles that were placed over the cake's surface run up 4500 candles!
They resorted to difficult mathematical calculations and special equipment in order to distribute and to light out candles. The candles burned only 2 minutes but there was enough time to hold a record.
When smoke had cleared away witnesses of the experiment found it impossible to taste the cake –in some places it had been burnt. But confectioners promised to cover once again biscuit with cream and to treat to all comers.
City news archive for 24 July' 2003.


text:
layout: post
title: "Purgation"
modified:
categories: poems
excerpt: "Purgation for the coming year"
tags: [poems, purgation, new year, resolutions]
image:
  feature:
comments: true
date: 2014-01-01T23:59:00-00:00
---

Those ghastly shadows,

The evils of my kin,

Those sickening gallows,

The penitence of my sin.

A painful sorrow,

And a yesterday beset,

A new tomorrow,

With burdens to forget.

A haunted past,

A life that had been,

Purgation at last,

For the demons within.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Association Statements
Tortured to Death
Photos Album
Targeting Abductees at Community College Prison: A Crime Committed by Houthi Armed Group and Coalition Air Force
Our News / By amaye_admin
At the early hours of September 1st, 2019, Arab Coalition air force targeted a Houthi secret prison used to detain dozens of abductees and forcibly hidden individuals who were used as human shields. Houthi media rumored that almost all the detainees were war prisoners when in fact they were civilians who had been abducted from their homes and workplaces.
Houthi armed group hunted down those who survived the airstrike and took them to other secret prisons despite being injured and in bad conditions. Many dead bodies were left beneath the rubble for days and others were held by Houthis who refused to hand the bodies in to families unless they are paid certain amounts of money or used as prisoner exchange.
Abductees Who Were Killed by Airstrikes After Years of Forced Disappearance.
Yusuf Al-Samawi is a victim from Utmah, Dhamar. He was abducted by Houthi armed group at the beginning of the year 2018 from a travel agency office in Dhamar. He had been married for only 3 months. Ibrahim Al-Jahdabi, a journalist and former abductee who had been detained in the same prison, remembers Yusuf crying like babies when he remembered his mother's and wife's fears and worries for him. Yusuf told Ibrahim that he was not worried about interrogations, but he did worry about his mother and wife who had been scheduled to visit him at Central Security Prison before he was transferred, hidden, and prevented from any mean of contact.
Al-Jahdabi remembers Yusuf's hopes and wishes and that he looked forward to meeting his beloved wife who he was forced to leave. Yusuf always told his friends at prison that he would be released before any of them, that he would not forget about them, and that he would work and help to free them. Coalition air force and Houthi prisons, however, killed his simple wish of having a life.
The journalist, Mohammed Hafeed, who is a brother of the abductee Khaled Hafeed, stated to the association that his brother was abducted from his home and was not a war prisoner like Houthis rumored. He worked as a bus driver, was abducted from his home in Ibb, and locked up at Central Security Prison in Ibb. Mohammed was transferred to Dhamar where he had been first detained at Dhamar Central Security Prison then at Community College Prison. He was injured during the airstrike. His family had seen him in a hospital bed for brief moments before he disappeared. With the Houthi refusal of providing any information about Mohammed, his family's worries and fears have multiplied.
Professor Fu'ad Al-Bana'a said that Yaser Ahmed Al-Ja'ashani, a teacher, was abducted by Houthi armed group three years ago from Ibb where he worked as a school headmaster. Huge sums of money were paid to Houthis for Yaser's visits, bigger sums were asked for his release. Yet, he was killed by the airstrike at Community College Prison.
A Survivor: Most of the Detainees Were Abductees, Not War Prisoners
Abductees' Mothers Association met an abductee who survived the incident and refused to state his name due to security reasons. The survivor said that around 157 of the detainees were abducted civilians and there were only 10 war prisoners. When he was asked about the visits of human rights organizations, he assured that the International Red Cross had visited them once which confirms that Arab Coalition had a prior knowledge of the prison.
The survivor stated that Houthi armed group had transferred most the victims in groups from different districts and towns three days before the airstrike. The six head wardens, who happen to be soldiers from Sa'ada, had disappeared moments before the bombing started. There were three consecutive airstrikes, during which he and ten other abductees managed to escape as the higher floors started collapsing. He remembers seeing ambulances rushing towards the prison ten minutes later as he was fleeing.
As opposed to the rumor deliberately spread by Houthi, many victims' families assured in their reports to the association that their murdered relatives were abducted civilians not war prisoners as claimed by Houthi armed group. They also stated that Community College Prison was mainly used for enforced disappearance.
Community College Prison: Unknown Fate
Abductees who survived the incident and former abductees stated that Community College Prison was used for enforced disappearance, and medical negligence in a city where temperature can go as low as negative 10 degrees Celsius.
The former abductee, Ibrahim Al-Jahdabi, describes the first night at Community College Prison as the worst during his abduction. "I was thrown into a cell with terrible conditions at a freezing weather. I had no blankets and only a horribly used mattress. It was so cold that I thought the mattress I had was wet. When I asked another detainee about the source of water, he told me it was not wet, it was just that cold." Ibrahim said. He adds "I begged the detainee for a sheet and I was given a worn-out sheet. It did not help warm my body and I could not sleep due to rheumatic pain".
When asked about the interrogations at Community College Prison, Al-Jahdabi said that he was repeatedly interrogated although he was only transferred into that prison as a part of prisoners' exchange deal which he only accepted to save his life. He had repeatedly refused the deal and demanded that he was referred to a judge or a court as he was a civilian who was arrested due to his opinions and writings. Yet, Houthis continuously pressured him to accept the deal and contact "his people", according to Houthis, to provide the needed prisoners for the deal.
He said that the food they were provided with at prison consisted of hard and raw beans, badly cooked rice and stew, and a small piece of bread. That forced into helping each other and buy their own food and drinks using their own money, yet paying double for it.
Abductees' Mothers Association in Sana'a and Taiz has organized many rallies condemning the international silence towards the brutal crime and demanding an urgent international investigation to bring the perpetrators, namely Coalition air force and Houthi armed group, to justice without any delay or postponement. Mothers called upon human rights organizations and activists to stand by the cause of the abductees in order to stop the crimes of abduction, forced disappearance, torture, and establishing secret detention centers.
Many activists and politicians held Houthi armed group responsible for the crimes of abduction and detention, and Arab Coalition along with the legitimate government responsible for targeting prisons as the incident was not the first of its kind. They confirmed that the human rights violations varying from bombing to torturing and forced disappearance were carried out as the international community and human rights organizations suspiciously turned a blind eye from all those violations.
Finally, similar incidents have taken place before like targeting Harran in Dhamar where Houthis detained dozens of abductees at a military base including the journalists Yusuf Al-Ayzari and Abduallah Qabel, targeting Alzaydiah prison and Political Security prison in Al-Hudaydah, and targeting Military Police prison in Sana'a. Mothers have been devastated by the news of bombing Community Collage Prison, and previously other detention centers, which detained mostly civilians from Taiz and Ibb who had been abducted from their homes and travel roads.
I Was Looking for my Son's Body and Saw Bodies Arranged Like Logs and Filled with Worms. Mother of Ghamadan Al-Saba'ei. Abductees Mothers Association Commemorates Third Anniversary of Bombing Community College Prison in Dhamar.
In Conjunction with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance; Mothers of Abductees Are Subjected to Physical Assault by Almaasheeq Palace in Aden While Demanding Disclosing the Fate of 57 Forcibly Disappeared.
Abductees Mothers Association Demands Uncovering the Fate of 32 Forcibly Disappeared form Taiz
Abductees Mothers Association in Aden, in Conjunction with International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.
Abductees Mothers Association Rally Statement in Taiz Demanding to Uncover the Fate of Forcibly Disappeared.
رابطة أمهات المختطفين - Abductees' Mothers Association


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Economic Development Board › Sonoma County Economic Development Board Wins IEDC Silver Award for #GoSoCo Campaign
Sonoma County Economic Development Board Wins IEDC Silver Award for #GoSoCo Campaign
Presented at the 2018 International Economic Development Council Annual Conference
Santa Rosa,CA | October 24, 2018
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board received an Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award for its "#GoSoCo – All You Need Is Local" Post Wildfires Shop Local Campaign from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 2, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held September 29 – October 3, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
"We are honored to receive this award for our efforts to promote a shop local campaign in the aftermath of the Oct. 2017 wildfires that supported our small business and retail sector during the important holiday season," said EDB's Director of Business Development & Innovation Al Lerma.
#GoSoCo – All You Need Is Local" Post Wildfires Shop Local campaign was born out of the shared experience that businesses were facing tremendous struggles in the aftermath of the October 2017 wildfires. "We were inspired by the spirit of community and wanted to contribute as much as we possibly could to recovery," said Lerma.
Directing shopping dollars towards local businesses during the holiday season —perhaps the most critical time for business owners to boost revenue and bolster their bottom line— was vital to support our recovery efforts in the months after the wildfires. That's why in November of 2017, with the support of our County Board of Supervisors and local chambers of commerce we launched the "#GoSoCo - All You Need Is Local" promotional ad campaign to motivate residents and visitors to support local retailers.
Results by the Numbers:
9 Cities Supported Campaign
15 Chambers of Commerce Participated
55,000 shoppers reached
255,000 impressions on Facebook
Daily Digital & Print Reach of 175,000 persons in area's largest newspaper
6 local newspapers ran print and digital ads
"This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses. We congratulate all the award winners, and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program." -- Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation located in Tampa, Florida, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world's largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org.


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On August 31, 2017 By Gordon In Gigs, Music
Band of Skulls, innit @bandofskulls
A post shared by Gordon McLean (@gmclean) on Aug 28, 2017 at 1:56pm PDT
First things first, don't let the name put you off, this is not a death metal (or any other kind of metal) band. Think bluesy rock, think White Stripes, think Slade, think Led Zeppelin if the songs were more melodic? … ohh I'm going to hell for that comment!
I've seen them a few times now, from their first album tour where me and another 60 odd souls realised that 'hey, these guys are good' to an audience of several hundred a few years later. I am still waiting on their "big breakthrough" but, like Eagles of Death Metal (also NOT a metal band), I'm quite happy that they remain reasonably under the radar; although to be fair Band of Skulls have supported Muse so I'm still not sure why mentioning their name to people I know enjoy rock music still illicits blank stares.
This time around saw them performing at The Bungalow in Paisley – one of four smaller gigs they are doing to support Independent Venue Week – and I joined maybe 100 other souls at this sold out gig. Not a venue I'd been in before, but I'd say it would be at capacity at about 150 so it was a bit odd to see so much room for a sold out gig, maybe Monday night syndrome?
I feel sorry for those who had tickets and didn't show up because they missed a belter of a gig. It was pretty much a showcase for all of their best known tracks, a few they admitted they hadn't played all that often, and a chance to bed in a new drummer (which is why these smaller gigs probably appealed ahead of a new album and bigger tour next year no doubt).
There is something wonderful about a venue so small that you are feet away from the band, and their 'stage' is raised all of 10 inches off the ground. Even standing at the back I could see the band members smiling, laughing, chatting to the audience away from the mics. The type of gig where you feel as involved as the band and the energy flows back and forth.
Band of Skulls are my type of rock band. Heavy at times, but with good tunes and a sense that they don't take themselves all that seriously, after all it's only rock and roll (and I like it). There are no 5 minute guitar wank solos either, just tune after pounding tune, and then a sudden calm for a quieter song that hushes the entire venue. Captivating.
Worth a mention were the support act, Vanilla Sky Mistress. A little too snare drum heavy for my liking, it was only towards the end of their set that I realised they had more than two drums on stage… that said with a lead singer who knows how to use her voice (and what a voice!) they could be a name to look out for or, you know, change?
Not a bad way to spend a Monday evening, and a great reminder of the power of connection that you get in a small venue.
Fixing Me


text:
Free Speech, Free Enterprise, and Thought Control
It's probably a good thing that we still have a Constitution to turn to even if Biden's Progressive government ignores it and follows its own set of rules. I hasten to add, Biden only controls his nap time, not his mouth, and he doesn't have a handle on what his...
SCOTUS Decision to Review EPA's Authority to Regulate Carbon Dioxide is a Victory
On Friday, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) agreed to hear cases that challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel-powered power plants. The lawsuits that led to this decision were...
The Sum of All Fears Is a Sleeping Giant
The only legitimate sum of all fears should be a healthy fear of God. But in our "new normal" world of deceit, the most frightening thought for true patriots is that American dormancy will allow its domestic insurgent government to destroy America. Is this a...
Compassion Abuse is Weakening America
by Michael McCarthy
Much of the moral rot of today's culture in America can be traced to one primary cause: compassion abuse. "What?" you cry, "Decent people are compassionate! Decent people want to help the less fortunate. It is the Christian thing to do. What are you? Some kind of...
Heroes of the Left, Understanding Utopia
by Karen Schoen
The American system is NOT a free market system, and it is almost impossible to compare it to anything. Corporations in a capitalist economy would have failed. There is no such thing as subsidies or bailouts. There is no such thing as being too big to fail. If...
COVID Investigation: The Truth is Hiding in Plain Sight
Could it really be this simple? Could it be that every answer we need has been hiding in plain sight this entire time? Could it be that the media has vacated their duty to the American people and sold out for the almighty pharmaceutical dollars that come with their...
We Should Not Regulate or Tax CO2, Companies Should Produce More!
by Dr. Jay Lehr and Tom Harris | May 11, 2021 | Climate Change, Politics
Dr. Patrick Moore, the co-founder of Greenpeace and author of Fake Invisible Catastrophes and Threat of Doom, believes the day will come when we will be crushing limestone to intentionally add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. He seriously describes this future need because the fossil record shows that, over the past 150 million years, there has been an alarming downward trend in carbon dioxide approaching 150 parts per million (ppm), a level at which plants would die.
Here is the slide shown by Dr. Moore in seminar presentations in Montreal and Toronto in October 2019:
As recently as the last glacial maximum, 22,000 years ago, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were about 180 parts per million and plants were starving for C02, a dangerous condition for the entire food chain as this is close to the level at which photosynthesis would stop. Luckily⏤man started burning fossil fuels at the start of the Industrial Revolution, releasing C02 back into the atmosphere.
Yet, even today at 415 ppm, most plants are still handicapped. We should be thankful that our fossil fuel use continues to increase CO2 in the atmosphere.
This should surprise no one who knows anything about biology. After all, with more C02 in the air most plants:
1) grow much faster
2) grow healthier
3) grow stronger
4) use water more efficiently
5) grow much more efficiently in higher altitudes and drier locations
6) handle heat better
7) handle all types of stresses better, and
8) are often more pest-resistant
Photosynthesis is not merely a hypothesis. It is proven, with hundreds of studies backing the theory that more C02 in the air is better for nearly all plants. After all, most plant species living today evolved at a time when CO2 levels in the atmosphere were higher. It is also a fact that, if the concentration of C02 in the air is higher, most plants lose less water (transpiration) in the process of absorbing C02 since stomata, the pores in their leaves, are less open.
Experiments clearly show a large difference in size and rate of plant growth for most plants, with even a small incremental increase of C02 levels in the air.
The pictures above display Dr. Craig Idso's results of his CO2 research on plant growth. The signs held up are the extra C02 in the air. Look at the huge difference in the size of plants based on each increase in parts per million of C02.
It appears that the optimum atmospheric C02 content for most plants is between 1,000 and 2,000 ppm (parts per million) in comparison with today's 415 ppm level in the atmosphere. Confirming these studies and experiments is the fact that many flower growers like Tulips in Holland add C02 making machines to their greenhouses and crank them up above 1,000 ppm to increase growth and yields substantially, and to save on water.
Join Dr. Jay Lehr and Tom Harris every weekend on America Out Loud Talk Radio: The Other Side of the Story at 11 AM ET and 8 PM Saturday and Sunday LIVE http://rdo.to/TALKLOUD or iHEART RADIO http://bit.ly/2mBrCxE. This week Geologist Gregory Wrightstone, Executive Director of the CO2 Coalition and author of "Inconvenient Facts: The Science That Al Gore Doesn't Want You to Know," joins us to discuss CO2 and climate change.
There is no question that increasing CO2 will continue to increase plant growth, crop yields, and world food production for most plants on Earth, causing a global greening effect. Indeed, worldwide food harvests are up more than 30% over the last 30 years, resulting in more bountiful harvests on less land, largely thanks to the aerial fertilizer effects of higher CO2.
A higher level of CO2 enables plants to make more effective use of water, grow faster, and handle almost all stresses better. Plants do better at higher altitudes like in the mountains, in regions of low water, and higher heat zones like the deserts, with more C02 in the air. A vast area of the world that was brown and barren in the past is now turning green. Even with the loss of some forests, there is now more biomass on the earth than existed 100 years ago. For example, there is now more forest cover in New England than there was at the time of the Civil War. The Earth is greening because of man's use of fossil fuels.
Even NASA cannot deny this. Their satellite photograph below shows a greening of more than 25% of the Earth's vegetated land undoubtedly due to increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. How better to fertilize the planet than with the cheapest and most effective plant food known, C02. It is ironic that people who call themselves 'green' demonize the very thing that makes the planet green. The greenest of energy sources are those that produce the most CO2, not the least. From that perspective, coal-fired electricity is a very green energy source while wind and solar power are very 'ungreen.'
Here are the economics of increased C02 on agriculture:
Increased CO2 over the last ten years has led to a significant increase in agricultural production, all by itself, allowing us to feed millions of more people adequately.
Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration from 1961 to 2011 is thought to be responsible for saving over $3 trillion in agriculture fertilizer.
With the forecasted increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration in coming decades, if fossil fuels at not outlawed, an additional $10 trillion more can be saved by 2050.
Today's atmospheric CO2 levels are still way too low and need to be boosted if we are going to continue to feed the world's increasing population.
President Biden's "goals to create a carbon pollution-free [Nineteen Eighty-Four 'Newspeak' code for carbon dioxide] power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050" is irresponsible and dangerous. It is crazy that we are even debating the idea of limiting C02 at a huge cost to society when we should actually be promoting more C02. This shows how persuasive the unscientific propaganda of the climate alarmist movement has been. Not only should we not regulate and tax C02, but rather, we should encourage companies to produce as much as they can!
Dr. Jay Lehr and Tom Harris
Dr. Jay Lehr is a Senior Policy Analyst with the International Climate Science Coalition and former Science Director of The Heartland Institute. He is an internationally renowned scientist, author, and speaker who has testified before Congress on dozens of occasions on environmental issues and consulted with nearly every agency of the national government and many foreign countries. After graduating from Princeton University at the age of 20 with a degree in Geological Engineering, he received the nation's first Ph.D. in Groundwater Hydrology from the University of Arizona. He later became executive director of the National Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers.
Tom Harris is Executive Director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition, and a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute. He has 40 years experience as a mechanical engineer/project manager, science and technology communications professional, technical trainer, and S&T advisor to a former Opposition Senior Environment Critic in Canada's Parliament.
Dr Tim Ball
Dr Tim Ball – Historical Climatologist
http://www.generalistjournal.com
Book: 'The Deliberate Corruption of Climate Science'
Book: 'Human Caused Global Warming, the Biggest Deception in History'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?vtPzpPXuASY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0o8Hhjes_0
https://www.technocracy.news/dr-tim-ball-on-climate-lies-wrapped-in-deception-smothered-with-delusion/
Tom Harris(@tom-harris)
"INCREASED CARBON DIOXIDE COULD SAVE LIFE," – the ICSC – Canada Climate Change Minute may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmzRhewEWGI
https://www.icsc-canada.com/
The Deep State Continues its Underhandedness … Redacted Entire APPENDIX-II of the IG REPORT
by Col. Jim Waurishuk | Jun 26, 2018 | Politics
During questioning of Deportment of Justice (DoJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz, Congressional investigators discovered there was an appendix Mr. Horowitz said was damaging to Loretta Lynch, but that the entire appendix was redacted. Of course, this was...
The Derangement of Compassionate Fascists
by George McClellan | Jun 25, 2018 | Politics
As a conservative, I could not be more grateful or pleased for their contributions to Trump's continued Presidency and the assurance of his re-election in 2020, then that provided by the continuing Mueller circus, the daily visual presence of Hillary Clinton and the...
Italian Nationalism vis European Union Globalism
by IQ al-Rassooli | Jun 25, 2018 | Politics
At last a Western European country (Italy) is asserting its sovereignty and cultural identity against the iron fist of the unelected leaders of the European Union. In most of my radio talk shows and articles I pointed out how easy it is to reverse the INVASION of...
Brennan Calls on White House Staff to Revolt Against the President
Yesterday, former Obama CIA Director John Brennan responded to a tweet by the President on Saturday decrying that the 'Russia witch hunt' investigation with an ominous tweet calling for Trump's cabinet and inner circle to turn against him. While Brennan stopped short...
Bet You Could Do More If You Were Brave Enough
by Taz Thornton | Jun 22, 2018 | Lifestyle,
I've only been working with my personal trainer, Tom, for a little over a month. The same morning I penned this article, I was swinging kettle bells around, I'd been on one of those bikes that works your arms and legs at the same time (there's probably a posh name for...
What Next? The Democrats Keep Changing the Script
by Ilana Freedman | Jun 22, 2018 | Politics
Only last month, Stormy Daniels was the lead story for nearly all of the mainstream media, and other stories were relegated to footnotes. Before Daniels, it was the question of whether Trump had colluded with Russia, the Mueller investigation, the demonstrations...
The "Rx Reformer" & Big Pharma Whistleblower
by Susan Price | Jun 21, 2018 | Lifestyle,
America is on the verge of a domino affected healing. The cleansing of every arena of life is being lifted up in light like the phoenix rising up through the ashes, especially the healthcare and Big Pharma companies. Major medical corporations and labs have been...
No Elijah, It's About Seeking Justice
by Del Wilber | Jun 21, 2018 | Politics
During the Congressional hearings with FBI Inspector General Horowitz concerning the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into Hillary Clinton's improper handling of e-mail communications during her tenure as Secretary of State, Democrat Congressman...
Immigrant Children: Put the Blame Where it Belongs!
This week there was a huge gaggle of geese in the Whitehouse Pressroom. The media was in a frenzy over the insensitive, cruel, inhumane way our President is treating the immigrant children flooding over the border. If it's not one thing it's surely ten others. Every...
The Political Pendulum is Swinging Right
I watched the historic meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un in its entirety but the attached link is the best of all of them. Although it is most certainly a propaganda piece for the North Korean people and the commentator was lauding the greatness of demi...
"Zero tolerance" AG Jeff Sessions to Set New Limits on Asylum Claims
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he would release a decision today, June 18th aimed at limiting the reasons why people can claim asylum in the United States. In a speech before immigration judges in Virginia last week, Sessions said the valid reasons for asylum...
Twenty-Five Years
Ever wonder where the vitriolic hatred displayed daily towards President Trump by the liberal left, Hollywood, the traditional news media, and from the Democrat Party comes from? The answer is really pretty simple. Certainly President Trump's brashness and his...
You Can't SAVE Everyone
Nothing saddens me more in life than seeing some beautiful person, someone with so much potential, seemingly unable to grasp their own worth. It took me a long time and a lot of tears to understand that it's not my job to save everyone; I think that's a stage pretty...
Donald Trump Convinced Kim Jong Un to Sign an Agreement on Denuclearization
With the Singapore Summit now ended, it will be both critical and timely to define the outcome and impact for the United States, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Korean Peninsula, the Pacific region as well as China. In fact, that is the reason Secretary of...
Frequency Healing… Modern Medicine Technology
We are living in exciting times of revolutionary inventions and energy treatment techniques that will contribute greatly to transforming the health and wellness of humanity, both in people and in animals. Such advanced technologies are the "cutting edge" to optimal...
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Kim Bennett, who led local tourism efforts for the past 20 years, will retire June 30.
Bennett, president and CEO of Visit Vancouver USA, became the organization's first executive director in 1999 when it was called the Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"It has been both an honor and a humbling experience to have guided this organization for the past two decades," Bennett said in a statement.
A committee consisting of Visit Vancouver USA's board members will coordinate a regional search for Bennett's successor.
Mike McLeod, general manager of the Hilton Vancouver Washington and chair of Visit Vancouver USA board of directors, said Bennett has put the organization on solid footing for the future.
Bennett joined the organization at a time when the city of Vancouver was working to build a publicly owned hotel and convention center in downtown Vancouver. She proved herself adept at bridging divisions, including with private hotel operators who saw the city's project as unfair competition undercutting their businesses.
Mark Matthias, owner of Beaches Restaurant & Bar, was on the committee that hired Bennett nearly 20 years ago.
"It was clear that Kim had the strong community insight and business sense needed to construct a team, create a marketing plan, lead this organization, and benefit our community," Matthias said in a statement.
Bennett coordinated tourism efforts during a period of rapid expansion, including development of the Vancouver waterfront. According to Visit Vancouver USA, visitor spending has increased by 86 percent, from $273.5 million in economic impact when Bennett was hired in 1999 to nearly $510 million in 2017.
Bennett also was involved in creating the Tourism Promotion Area to fund Visit Vancouver USA's activities, in which hotel guests in Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County pay a charge of $2 a night. In 2018, this charge collected more than $1.19 million. Visit Vancouver USA received $314,500 in lodging tax revenues from the city of Vancouver last year for specific marketing projects.
Bennett represented Visit Vancouver USA in statewide marketing efforts and industry associations, boosting Vancouver as a destination. She also received multiple gubernatorial appointments, including serving as co-chair of the former Washington State Tourism Commission and board member for the Washington State Film Commission.
Prior to joining Visit Vancouver USA, Bennett spent five years as executive director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.
Realme C2 Launch, PUBG Ban, and More!


Tim Bearse, Andrew Brehm, Nicholas des Cognets, Ana Esteve Llorens, Benjamin Jurgensen, Ashley Lyon, Will Machin, Ian McMahon, Oscar Santillan, Nataliya Slinko, Jennifer Lauren Smith, and Hannah Walsh.
Curated by Amy Hauft and Gregory Volk.
OUR CULT'S CLASSIC features the work of twelve recent alumni of the VCUarts Department of Sculpture + Extended Media. The exhibition demonstrates the broad and eccentric talents with which the highly regarded department has become identified. The ambitious projects run the gamut of materials and themes, all with a marked sense of materiality and presence – each set off by an abiding sense of curiosity and intellect. The exhibition is on view at Pierogi's The Boiler through July 10, 2011. The artists will be present for a reception on Friday, June 10 from 6 – 8 pm.
OUR CULT'S CLASSIC, curated by Gregory Volk (a professor at VCU and a New York-based art critic and freelance curator) and Amy Hauft (an artist and the chair of the department), features eclectic works by six newly graduated artists and six artists who graduated in 2010. It is immediately apparent that there is no shared "look" to the works by these artists, no common VCU aesthetic, and that is a plus; the Sculpture Department is all about robust, idiosyncratic visions. Exquisite figurative sculptures (Andrew Brehm's spectacular, shell-encrusted female sea creature; Ashley Lyon's spare and enigmatic sculpture of two crossed legs and a chunk of faux driftwood) abut stunning photographs and a video of cheerleaders by Hannah Walsh, and Oscar Santillan's enthralling video of a horse in the fog. Seemingly abstract sculptures by Nataliya Slinko and Nicholos des Cognets are suffused with multiple connotations and also hint at landscape, topography, and geology. Seemingly minimal sculptures by Tim Bearse, Benjamin Jurgensen, and Ana Esteve Llorens (including Esteve Llorens' photograph of a cloud in a room, which functions as an aerial sculpture) reveal an exquisite use of materials and are also chock full of ranging ideas. Ian McMahon's "minimal" plaster and mixed media sculpture has grown to maximal proportions and reaches toward the ceiling. Will Machin's kinetic sculpture with projections turns urban detritus into a large, rotating wheel suggestive of both a nineteenth-century machine and a Ferris Wheel. Jennifer Lauren Smith's video of an inflating hot air balloon, a balloon trip above the wintry Virginia landscape, and an opera singer is downright wondrous.
OUR CULT'S CLASSIC is the seventh biennial NYC exhibition of work by former students of the VCU Department of Sculpture + Extended Media. Numerous alumni who have exhibited in previous years have gone on to considerable accomplishment. This exhibition of idiosyncratic sculpture promises much for the future of these young artists, each having spent some of their formative years in the orbit of VCU's #1 ranked Sculpture department. Each work in the exhibition is distinct, yet a complex, medium-spanning conversation develops between them, indicative of the actual conversations and intense interactions between young artists that so characterizes and influences graduate study at VCU. The curators are delighted to bring this "conversation" to The Boiler, and by extension to Brooklyn's renowned Pierogi, a gallery that has long doubled as think tank, meeting ground, and zone of inspiration.


The business magazine spins out d.light's success story, with an initial venture capital grant that made the rest of the company's fundraising easier. Fast forward a decade, and the company says it is on track to touch 100 million lives by the end of this year.
Forbes says Tozun and Goldman learned their craft by committing to the parts of the world where they wanted to build their market and make a difference. After the first two chunks of financing came in, Tozun and his wife moved to China "to figure out how to build solar-powered solutions that were affordable, high quality, and at scale," while Goldman relocated to India to map out a sales and distribution strategy.


It was while Matty and Mildred were attending a bull sale last week that an idea bloomed in Mildred's brain.
"Ya know, Matty," said Mildred thoughtfully, "seein' all the fine descriptions in this sale catalog puts me in mind of cowboys."
Matty: "You're off again, ain't ya, Mildred. What are you thinkin' up now?"
Mildred: "Well, summer's comin'. Ya know how we get kinda flooded with visitors and tourists of all sorts."
Mildred: "Well a lot of 'em are young fillies of the two-legged kind. And I'm not talkin' about chickens. Young gals with hormones ricocheting off the walls come out West, romantical notions burnin' in their chests, hopin' to snare a handsome cowboy."
Matty: "Can't fault 'em for that. If I was a bunch of years younger, I'd be trollin' for a stud myself."
Mildred: "'Zactly. So, I say we make a Cowboy Stud Catalog to hand out to the gals. Help 'em sort the duds from the studs."
Matty: "Yeah? And just how you gonna do that? You'll need photos won't ya? And some sorta biography of each one. You know most cowpokes aren't gonna stand still for all that pryin' and spyin.'"
Mildred: "Not a problem, Matty. We're here today at the biggest bull-sale of the year. Lots of punchers here, some of 'em even wearin' clean shirts. All you gotta do is sashay past the boys one at a time and snap a photo with your fancy phone. And if you catch any of 'em on horseback, that's even better."
M and M got right to work and by the time the sale was half over, Matty had collected a backlog of snapshots. M and M sorted, selected and culled from the photos, after which, Mildred worked diligently on descriptive words. In a week, they had a brightly colored catalog drafted. The cover showed a buckaroo so handsome, Matty nearly bawled. "Oh, my," she said, "those were the good old days."
"Well, don't get too excited," said Mildred, "I pulled that dude's photo off the Internet. Now, pay attention. We've come up with six basic stud types."
Cowboy Stud — Type One: Generally well set up. Medium height, but tall in the saddle. Tends to be a stayer. Good walker. Can fix broke-down machinery. Doesn't spook near water.
Cowboy Stud — Type Two: Comes in tall, short or medium height. Can ride the range tirelessly. A few dings from having been thrown off a bronc. Likes dogs, horses and mules.
Cowboy Stud — Type Three: Flashy dresser. Wears jeans tucked into showy boots. Lean, easy keeper. Keeps his tack oiled and polished. Handy with a welding torch.
Cowboy Stud — Type Four: Likes bright-colored shirts. A homebody except during rodeo days. Likes to attend country dances. Does a mean two-step.
Cowboy Stud — Type Five: Built along sturdy lines. Returns often to the house for food. Can't dance but has lots of potential with proper training. Not afraid of water if not applied more than once a week.
Cowboy Stud — Type Six: Good doer. Has had previous owners. Proven sire. Tireless worker. Can speak in full sentences.
Mildred and Matty stopped at six varieties, figuring any further embellishments would be up to the gal investing her money and time.
"Done," said Mildred, "now all we gotta do is get this printed and copies placed in local hotel, motels, feed stores, dude ranches, restaurants and bars."
"Gosh," said Matty anxiously, "do ya think we're doing a good thing for the boys?"


We're about to launch two beautiful new designs 'Beautiful Day' and 'Joy' and literally their names say it all! They will be available to buy from next week. Like all my other designs, we can customise to suit your colours and theme. It would be great to get your feedback.
Click here to meet your local urban development consultants.


text:
package com.android.ex.photo.util;

import android.content.ContentResolver;
import android.graphics.Bitmap;
import android.graphics.BitmapFactory;
import android.graphics.Matrix;
import android.graphics.Point;
import android.graphics.Rect;
import android.net.Uri;
import android.os.Build;
import android.util.Base64;
import android.util.Log;

import com.android.ex.photo.PhotoViewActivity;
import com.android.ex.photo.loaders.PhotoBitmapLoaderInterface.BitmapResult;

import java.io.ByteArrayInputStream;
import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream;
import java.io.FileNotFoundException;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.net.MalformedURLException;
import java.net.URL;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;

/**
 * Image utilities
 */
public class ImageUtils {
    // Logging
    private static final String TAG = "ImageUtils";

    /** Minimum class memory class to use full-res photos */
    private final static long MIN_NORMAL_CLASS = 32;
    /** Minimum class memory class to use small photos */
    private final static long MIN_SMALL_CLASS = 24;

    private static final String BASE64_URI_PREFIX = "base64,";
    private static final Pattern BASE64_IMAGE_URI_PATTERN = Pattern.compile("^(?:.*;)?base64,.*");

    public static enum ImageSize {
        EXTRA_SMALL,
        SMALL,
        NORMAL,
    }

    public static final ImageSize sUseImageSize;
    static {
        // On HC and beyond, assume devices are more capable
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 11) {
            sUseImageSize = ImageSize.NORMAL;
        } else {
            if (PhotoViewActivity.sMemoryClass >= MIN_NORMAL_CLASS) {
                // We have plenty of memory; use full sized photos
                sUseImageSize = ImageSize.NORMAL;
            } else if (PhotoViewActivity.sMemoryClass >= MIN_SMALL_CLASS) {
                // We have slight less memory; use smaller sized photos
                sUseImageSize = ImageSize.SMALL;
            } else {
                // We have little memory; use very small sized photos
                sUseImageSize = ImageSize.EXTRA_SMALL;
            }
        }
    }

    /**
     * @return true if the MimeType type is image
     */
    public static boolean isImageMimeType(String mimeType) {
        return mimeType != null && mimeType.startsWith("image/");
    }

    /**
     * Create a bitmap from a local URI
     *
     * @param resolver The ContentResolver
     * @param uri      The local URI
     * @param maxSize  The maximum size (either width or height)
     * @return The new bitmap or null
     */
    public static BitmapResult createLocalBitmap(final ContentResolver resolver, final Uri uri,
            final int maxSize) {
        final BitmapResult result = new BitmapResult();
        final InputStreamFactory factory = createInputStreamFactory(resolver, uri);
        try {
            final Point bounds = getImageBounds(factory);
            if (bounds == null) {
                result.status = BitmapResult.STATUS_EXCEPTION;
                return result;
            }

            final BitmapFactory.Options opts = new BitmapFactory.Options();
            opts.inSampleSize = Math.max(bounds.x / maxSize, bounds.y / maxSize);
            result.bitmap = decodeStream(factory, null, opts);
            result.status = BitmapResult.STATUS_SUCCESS;
            return result;

        } catch (FileNotFoundException exception) {
            // Do nothing - the photo will appear to be missing
        } catch (IOException exception) {
            result.status = BitmapResult.STATUS_EXCEPTION;
        } catch (IllegalArgumentException exception) {
            // Do nothing - the photo will appear to be missing
        } catch (SecurityException exception) {
            result.status = BitmapResult.STATUS_EXCEPTION;
        }
        return result;
    }

    /**
     * Wrapper around {@link BitmapFactory#decodeStream(InputStream, Rect,
     * BitmapFactory.Options)} that returns {@code null} on {@link
     * OutOfMemoryError}.
     *
     * @param factory    Used to create input streams that holds the raw data to be decoded into a
     *                   bitmap.
     * @param outPadding If not null, return the padding rect for the bitmap if
     *                   it exists, otherwise set padding to [-1,-1,-1,-1]. If
     *                   no bitmap is returned (null) then padding is
     *                   unchanged.
     * @param opts       null-ok; Options that control downsampling and whether the
     *                   image should be completely decoded, or just is size returned.
     * @return The decoded bitmap, or null if the image data could not be
     * decoded, or, if opts is non-null, if opts requested only the
     * size be returned (in opts.outWidth and opts.outHeight)
     */
    public static Bitmap decodeStream(final InputStreamFactory factory, final Rect outPadding,
            final BitmapFactory.Options opts) throws FileNotFoundException {
        InputStream is = null;
        try {
            // Determine the orientation for this image
            is = factory.createInputStream();
            final int orientation = Exif.getOrientation(is, -1);
            is.close();

            // Decode the bitmap
            is = factory.createInputStream();
            final Bitmap originalBitmap = BitmapFactory.decodeStream(is, outPadding, opts);

            if (is != null && originalBitmap == null && !opts.inJustDecodeBounds) {
                Log.w(TAG, "ImageUtils#decodeStream(InputStream, Rect, Options): "
                        + "Image bytes cannot be decoded into a Bitmap");
                throw new UnsupportedOperationException(
                        "Image bytes cannot be decoded into a Bitmap.");
            }

            // Rotate the Bitmap based on the orientation
            if (originalBitmap != null && orientation != 0) {
                final Matrix matrix = new Matrix();
                matrix.postRotate(orientation);
                return Bitmap.createBitmap(originalBitmap, 0, 0, originalBitmap.getWidth(),
                        originalBitmap.getHeight(), matrix, true);
            }
            return originalBitmap;
        } catch (OutOfMemoryError oome) {
            Log.e(TAG, "ImageUtils#decodeStream(InputStream, Rect, Options) threw an OOME", oome);
            return null;
        } catch (IOException ioe) {
            Log.e(TAG, "ImageUtils#decodeStream(InputStream, Rect, Options) threw an IOE", ioe);
            return null;
        } finally {
            if (is != null) {
                try {
                    is.close();
                } catch (IOException e) {
                    // Do nothing
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /**
     * Gets the image bounds
     *
     * @param factory Used to create the InputStream.
     *
     * @return The image bounds
     */
    private static Point getImageBounds(final InputStreamFactory factory)
            throws IOException {
        final BitmapFactory.Options opts = new BitmapFactory.Options();
        opts.inJustDecodeBounds = true;
        decodeStream(factory, null, opts);

        return new Point(opts.outWidth, opts.outHeight);
    }

    private static InputStreamFactory createInputStreamFactory(final ContentResolver resolver,
            final Uri uri) {
        final String scheme = uri.getScheme();
        if ("http".equals(scheme) || "https".equals(scheme)) {
            return new HttpInputStreamFactory(resolver, uri);
        } else if ("data".equals(scheme)) {
            return new DataInputStreamFactory(resolver, uri);
        }
        return new BaseInputStreamFactory(resolver, uri);
    }

    /**
     * Utility class for when an InputStream needs to be read multiple times. For example, one pass
     * may load EXIF orientation, and the second pass may do the actual Bitmap decode.
     */
    public interface InputStreamFactory {

        /**
         * Create a new InputStream. The caller of this method must be able to read the input
         * stream starting from the beginning.
         * @return
         */
        InputStream createInputStream() throws FileNotFoundException;
    }

    private static class BaseInputStreamFactory implements InputStreamFactory {
        protected final ContentResolver mResolver;
        protected final Uri mUri;

        public BaseInputStreamFactory(final ContentResolver resolver, final Uri uri) {
            mResolver = resolver;
            mUri = uri;
        }

        @Override
        public InputStream createInputStream() throws FileNotFoundException {
            return mResolver.openInputStream(mUri);
        }
    }

    private static class DataInputStreamFactory extends BaseInputStreamFactory {
        private byte[] mData;

        public DataInputStreamFactory(final ContentResolver resolver, final Uri uri) {
            super(resolver, uri);
        }

        @Override
        public InputStream createInputStream() throws FileNotFoundException {
            if (mData == null) {
                mData = parseDataUri(mUri);
                if (mData == null) {
                    return super.createInputStream();
                }
            }
            return new ByteArrayInputStream(mData);
        }

        private byte[] parseDataUri(final Uri uri) {
            final String ssp = uri.getSchemeSpecificPart();
            try {
                if (ssp.startsWith(BASE64_URI_PREFIX)) {
                    final String base64 = ssp.substring(BASE64_URI_PREFIX.length());
                    return Base64.decode(base64, Base64.URL_SAFE);
                } else if (BASE64_IMAGE_URI_PATTERN.matcher(ssp).matches()){
                    final String base64 = ssp.substring(
                            ssp.indexOf(BASE64_URI_PREFIX) + BASE64_URI_PREFIX.length());
                    return Base64.decode(base64, Base64.DEFAULT);
                } else {
                    return null;
                }
            } catch (IllegalArgumentException ex) {
                Log.e(TAG, "Mailformed data URI: " + ex);
                return null;
            }
        }
    }

    private static class HttpInputStreamFactory extends BaseInputStreamFactory {
        private byte[] mData;

        public HttpInputStreamFactory(final ContentResolver resolver, final Uri uri) {
            super(resolver, uri);
        }

        @Override
        public InputStream createInputStream() throws FileNotFoundException {
            if (mData == null) {
                mData = downloadBytes();
                if (mData == null) {
                    return super.createInputStream();
                }
            }
            return new ByteArrayInputStream(mData);
        }

        private byte[] downloadBytes() throws FileNotFoundException {
            InputStream is = null;
            ByteArrayOutputStream out = null;
            try {
                try {
                    is = new URL(mUri.toString()).openStream();
                } catch (MalformedURLException e) {
                    return null;
                }
                out = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
                final byte[] buffer = new byte[4096];
                int n = is.read(buffer);
                while (n >= 0) {
                    out.write(buffer, 0, n);
                    n = is.read(buffer);
                }

                return out.toByteArray();
            } catch (IOException ignored) {
            } finally {
                if (is != null) {
                    try {
                        is.close();
                    } catch (IOException ignored) {
                    }
                }
                if (out != null) {
                    try {
                        out.close();
                    } catch (IOException ignored) {
                    }
                }
            }
            return null;
        }
    }
}