Of course they are. In the time it has taken me to compose this blog many will have: commented on students' work, written lesson objectives and plans, prepared PowerPoint resources, drafted reports, written personal and professional emails, text messages and Facebook entries, notes, lists, and Tweets, to mention but a few! Some may also have composed diary entries, blogs, lyrics, poetry, narrative or non-fiction, both alongside students in classrooms, or at home alone / in collaboration with others. As 21st century adults, teachers, like the young people with whom they work, write for numerous purposes and in multiple modes, using different materials and technologies.
But do teachers see themselves as 'writers'? Are they self-assured writers? Research suggests many express low self-esteem as writers, do not write for creative purposes, have worryingly negative attitudes towards writing, and voice concerns about teaching writing. In their roles as teachers, they are expected to focus upon developing 'writing' not writers – and are required to raise standards in writing year on year. In policy and practice scant attention is paid to writers themselves, be they teachers or students. Yet young people's writing interests and identities as writers are shaped by their teachers as well as by their parents, peers and themselves. In particular their teachers' conceptions of writing, and these adults' practices, preferences and identities as writers (and as teachers) are likely to impact upon classroom practice and the identity positions offered to younger writers in school.
Some scholars argue that teachers who are confident with the written word and who see themselves as writers are more effective as teachers of writing and make more of a difference to students' outcomes and the development of positive writer identities. Others argue that teachers and students benefit through working alongside professional writers. Yet these claims have not been rigorously tested. Until now that is.
Funded by Arts Council England, Teachers as Writers (2015-2017) is a partnership project between Arvon, the Open University and the University of Exeter. It is exploring the impact of professional writers' engagement with teachers, on their classroom practices in the teaching of writing and on student outcomes. It is also documenting the impact of the work on professional writers. It involves 8 primary and 8 secondary teachers and 8 professional writers working to establish a mutually beneficial co-mentoring frame in order to support students as writers. The project is both large-scale and mixed method: combining a robust randomised control trial (32 schools) and qualitative data (focused on the 16 teachers) gathered in classrooms.
The research is being undertaken in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset in areas of rural and coastal deprivation and involves the 16 teachers spending a week of their Easter holiday at Totleigh Barton, one of Arvon's three residential centres, writing alongside the professional writers Steve Voake and Alicia Stubbersfield. Back in school in the summer term the teachers will be working in a co-mentoring relationship with another professional writer and co-planning and teaching a unit of work on narrative writing with them. Students in both 'intervention' and comparison classrooms will be taking pre- and post-intervention writing tests in March and July.
To find out more and follow the progress of this exciting arts and education partnership project and the opportunities and challenges it represents for teachers, professional writers and students, watch this space for our weekly blog!
oooh, this is a really exciting project! Only a few months ago I got a presentation slot at a ResearchEd conference for English Teachers > http://leahkstewart.com/researched/ where I basically implored them to share their writing, or whatever art they create, not because they're teachers, but because they are people… and to share it with students, not because they're students and 'need to learn' but because they're people too and we're all together in this world that can seem so messed up sometimes, and it just helps to know others have fears and dreams too.
As a student I learnt to analyse whatever text I was given. By year 9 I'd figured out how to get top marks in critical analysis and 'creative' writing. By the end of formal education I had zero interest in reading or writing for pleasure ever again. In my ResearchEd session I broke down the steps I've taken over the last year to get back on track and a crucial part of this has been me accidentally (and then on purpose) finding, following and connecting with writers doing amazing work. I'll keep an eye on your research progress! Thanks.


text:
Thomas Fire Victims Demand Answers from City Council
Added by Lori Denman on June 6, 2018.
Saved under News, VC Harbors/Beaches, Ventura/Santa Paula/Ojai
Tags: city council, Lori Denman-Underhill, Thomas Fire, Water
By Lori Denman-Underhill
Tears flowed like water as Thomas Fire victims asked City Council members for answers. Where was the water that evening?
All city council members and mayor, who were in attendance for the Ventura City Council meeting on the evening of June 4.
Ironically, the council showed a video about water to kick off the meeting where fire victims stood at the podium during public comments. During the Special Presentations and Announcements portion of this evening, the free sixth annual Water: Take 1 Film Festival on April 12 was recognized for their exemplary contributions in honoring locals in Ventura who do water conservation, resource management and sustainability.
The group produces short films that honor these individuals that make a difference in the issue of water. Ventura Water showcased certain honorees. A video was produced by the City and shown during the council meeting. It honored those in Ventura who lead the way in water conservation, teaching the community and leaving a legacy. City Council congratulated the Ventura Land Trust, Jim Ackerman and the Wyland Foundation, who were this year's honorees. Craig Jones and the Ventura Water Team were thanked for the community education event.
Also discussed was last Friday's Police Activities League Golf Tournament, where 120 golfers attended the 21stannual event. It was sponsored by Aera Energy and proceeds go to support school programs. The league works with over 600 youth.
Aera was given acknowledgement and thanks for their ongoing support of Ventura citywide and also local parks. The group provides opportunities to at-risk youth of Ventura meaningful recreation, that keeps them away from drugs and crime. AIR is a cause for PAL, and thanked the police and officers for their work with them to do PAL.
This is an example of a partnership that Aera, the City and the police department can work together to make Ventura better, council said.
Closed Session Report
Heitman announced that the Ventura Council for Seniors is doing a presentation to seniors with diabetes at Lexington Assisted Living in Ventura. Seniors can call about the event on June 19.
Monahan then reported that last Saturday evening there was a fashion show to raise money for those affected by Thomas Fire at the Ventura County Museum.
Public Communications Section:
Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County spoke. A man announced that from June 21 to 25 an event will occur at the Ventura County Government Center. There will be a moving wall available for viewing, 24 hours a day. A group of vets described the wall. It replicates the Vietnam Wall and it was first showed in 1984. Also, at the Veterans Memorial on Telephone Road on June 23, there will be a memorial event at the Veterans Memorial in the morning. They will pay homage to the 101 casualties from Ventura County. The Vietnam Veterans of Ventura thank Monahan for representing the City Council and supporting the veterans. Monahan thanked them and said the event will be outstanding. Donations are welcome at Lzventura.org.
Mr. Foley spoke, a 65-year resident of Pierpont Beach. He said that short-term rentals should not be allowed and he sees them as unregulated hotels. A list of 300 locals signed the list that they do not want them there. He said that filing complaints on the City website do not work. He said that renters are being pushed out by buyers who then rent out them as short-term rentals. "Why is City Council supporting non residents, over the long time residents of Pierpont. What can we do?" he asked.
A woman stood up and said that she is reading a letter from the VC Reporter, regarding the incident at Aloha and the homeless. The letter read that we should not shame the mentally ill and homeless. It said that Ventura needs more transitional housing with target services to affect change. The letter also said we need to give more help to those with mental illness. The City Center Transitional Living Center lets homeless parents and children have a secure and safe place to live temporarily.
The City Center, read the letter, provides a room for a family has been transformed into a little home. Each family is required to get a job, savings account, while they have a room in a home. They get financial literacy courses Each family has returned to society. The City Center has housed 62 families, helping them become self sufficient, said this speaker. The speaker said to support the City Center and that a new year round shelter is needed.
Six months ago, this next speaker lost her home in the Thomas Fire. She said the fire victims meet and support each other at group meetings. "What happened to the water that night of the fire?" she asked of City Council to answer. She wants to know what steps are being taken when the next fire arrives. She asked City Council to demand a report. She said the entire city of Ventura needs to know. She said tearfully that her family and others who lost their homes are living by the mercy of the City of Ventura and insurance companies. And that someday, she wishes to finally "return home."
The woman who just spoke who inquired about City Council giving answers took a seat. Her husband then stood up to thank companies including Patagonia for giving endless contributions to Thomas Fire victims. He belongs to the Thomas Fire Group. Many people who attend this group's meetings do not know what they are going to to. Jeff Lambert or someone from the City should come to the next meeting because the group has many questions. He said to the new manager, Kevin Brown, relating to an article in The Breeze. The speaker asked that Brown use his words carefully, when talking about the Ventura Thomas Fire and what happened with the water. The speaker claimed that there was no water problem the night of the fire. He asked Brown to be sensitive towards the fire victims in interviews. He said that there was no problem with the water (from Ojai), nor with the tanks. The speaker said that he has received no response from council on these comments and that he and also Sheldon Brown called council with questions.
Lori, a volunteer for the Healthcare for Homeless One Stop Programat Community Action of Ventura. She asks people how she can help them at tables and refer them to services. When they say they need housing, this woman refers them to case management and then find out there is a lack of affordable housing. This is ironic, she said, as there is the term Housing First. There are also challenges for mental illness, who has no home for them to sleep safely. "How can they "keep appointments" for mental health issues or if they are struggling with breaking addiction," she asked.
This woman said that Housing First should provide a quiet and safe place where they are not constantly feeling unsafe. She said that, "Housing First is not contingent upon a person's sobrietyor mental health or otherwise cleaning up their act. Housing First is a step towards achieving these goals." This volunteer also claimed that Housing First would save money on law enforcement.
A question to be asked outside of this council meeting — would providing free housing to a group of persons who may be addicted to drugs and not given drug tests and also have no rules to follow, or be required to find employment actually decrease costs in law enforcement in that area? Many community members of Ventura think not. The housing, referred to as "wet housing" or half way houses may turn into a "festering open sore of crime" like the one in San Francisco, as stated by David Pu'u in Citizens Journal. A wet house also failed in Reno and there is also the Halaco site in Oxnard, that was overrun by crime when not regulated.
The woman asked for more affordable housing in Ventura and also a year-round emergency shelter. She said that Measure O funds should help in this. She said we need to help these suffering human beings.
A man spoke up about the cost of Pure Water system being too high. He said the rate payers deserve the right to speak up about this. He suggested using recycled water and delay spending for the Pure Water. He said to use Ventura Water, which can pull water from many sources. He asked, "Why is the city of Ventura letting the Ventura River lay dormant for years after a flood?" It's the cheapest and best quality water available. He asked the city to resolve this issue.
A speaker returned to speak about the housing situation in Ventura. He said there are plenty of avail beds to the homeless in Ventura. That we have limited resources and that we should not provide housing to those who cannot afford it. This man said that as an example, he drives to the Riverside area to see his mother. He said his mother wants to live here but can't afford it. "Why are homeless vagrants allowed to live for free here?" he asked.
Consent Items
There were seven consent items on the consent calendar that were considered non-controversial and were approved by the City Council.
Public Hearing Items
2018 Property Lien Assessments was discussed. A safe and clean strategy by the city was discussed. There are opportunities for property owners to not be on this list that includes payment plans, the speaker said. After speakers, public Items closed. Weir said to approve the assessments and this was moved and seconded.
Next item was during Public Hearing. It was the "Victoria and Moon" Master Sign Program and Warrant to increase the maximum allowed Wall Sign area for both buildings. The requirements are filed in the City Council office.
Staff Presentation.
This section of City Council meeting discussed the subject of business sign sizes. There is a center at the corner of Victoria and Moon, a development that is an active construction site, known to the public where "Starbucks will be located." The zoning for the property is T39. City claims the developer is looking to increase the size of signs and "take a unique play" upon the main sign. The two other buildings will be a multi-tenant building and Starbucks. City Staff has already approved the graphics. Staff found that the text was not consistent with the graphics.
The city staff is wondering about working together to create sensible sign sizes, esp. with the various tenants. Having a cap to the signs, at 70 feet, that would match the Starbucks sign, is recommended. Recommended were "conditions," and also an amount of time and a deadline to be given for sake of consistency. Then establish sign rules of what will be printed on them.
There were also discussions about water resource reports and a water shortage event update.
From the meeting this evening, it looks like the community is asking the City Council for answers regarding the Thomas Fire and also requesting a year-round shelter for emergencies.
City Council Meeting Agendas – Ventura, CA: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter
Agenda, June 4, City Council Regular Meeting: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042018-1615
Video, June 4, Ventura City Council Regular Meeting
https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/718/Videos
Closed Session: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Search?searchPhrase=city%20council%20closed%20session
Lori Denman-Underhill has been a professional journalist since 1996. She has worked as associate editor for the Los Angeles Daily News TODAY Magazines and has freelanced for LA Weekly, Surfline.com and more. She is now the Ventura reporter for Citizens Journal.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
drugtrade
Tracking the illicit drug trade in the Caribbean
My position on the Caribbean drug trade confirmed
To read the section on Central America and the Caribbean of the 2014 INCB report places in perspective the reality of the illicit drug trade of the Caribbean Basin from a source other than myself. My position is then confirmed by the international narcotics control board but the incb as usual fails to explain the dynamic on the ground. The 2015 INCS report of the US state department reveals in living colour the US concern over the Caribbean as they reduce their asset footprint devoted to drug interdiction in the Caribbean. The reality is multiple pipelines to the US from the Caribbean as seen in the report on The Bahamas and Jamaica. A reality I explained since 2102 with my book "Cocaine trafficking in the Caribbean and West Africa in the era of the Mexican cartels." The government of The Bahamas is presently criticised for targeting Haitian illicit migrants to The Bahamas but the reality is that the nature of human smuggling has dramatically changed from Haiti to The Bahamas as the days of the creaky, leaking sloops are long gone as modern, sophisticated vessels carrying multiple illicit cargoes leave Haiti for The Bahamas. The transformation of Haitian gangland and the evolution of Haiti as a major transit point for a multiplicity of illicit cargoes leaving Haiti destined for various destinations in the region and the US continue to be absent from dominant discourse given the drastic failure of US actions in Haiti since the removal of Aristide by a drug militia to this day. The drug trade of the Dominican Republic is now rooted and operational in Haiti where Haitian drug organised crime supply DR drug demand. The organic changes are all the product of Pax Mexicana and what is now potently apparent is the power exercised by the Caribbean gangland affiliates of Pax Mexicana over gangland in the Caribbean which is destined to increase in potency with time and the chronic failure of Caribbean states to effectively respond to the threat. Caribbean politicians are noted for impotency on this reality. The US has then retreated to engagement with Central America and Puerto Rico. The Commander of SOUTHCOM has stated in his last appearance to the Senate committee that once the product enters Central America it disappears practically absolved from interdiction. The focus on Puerto Rico has revealed the pipeline linked to Central America and South America that not only targets Puerto Rico but also the Eastern seaboard of the US the most profitable US drug markets with heroin being the profit spinner. The Caribbean pipelines to the US are then primary heroin pipelines to the Eastern seaboard of the US. The US is then in triage mode in its war on drugs in the Caribbean Basin today but what is happening is that non-priority areas of the Caribbean are switched on moving product to the US constituting a tsunami of product to the US. Governments of the Caribbean who have signally failed to address this reality especially those who can afford the cost of response and did nothing are in fact the greatest gifts to Pax Mexicana today. Having sown the wind you can feel the whirlwind already on your face. I dare you to feel it. April 20, 2015: Two drug interdictions again point to the march of the Caribbean trade and the accuracy of my analysis. In Haiti a ship in port was found to be carrying 77 kgs of cocaine and 10 kgs of heroin. In a land where foreign NGOs wield more power than the state the drug trade rules. The other is 2.2 tonnes of cocaine interdicted on a yacht off Martinique leaving open the issue of where the product was headed: Europe directly or to Martinique/Guadeloupe and other eastern Caribbean islands or to a waiting ship in international waters. The reality is the volume of product being moved and the diversity of trafficking options presently utilised in the Caribbean.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14092&ArticleId=2380850
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2380250&CategoryId=23558
http://www.incb.org/documents/Publications/AnnualReports/AR2014/English/AR_2014_E_Chapter_III_Americas.pdf
http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2015/vol1/238945.htm
http://www.sentinel.ht/politics/articles/defense/5963-haiti-3-million-cocaine-heroine-shipment-seized
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/04/19/Two-tons-of-cocaine-seized-by-French-authorities-in-Caribbean/5331429455495/
This entry was posted in drug trade analysis and tagged drug trade on March 31, 2015 by dauriusfigueira.
T&T illicit fuel sales and drug trafficking
On march 17, 2015 an AP news report indicated the interdiction of an drug ship carrying over one tonne of cocaine off the north coast of Puerto Rico. Persons were awaiting the boat's arrival on a beach with gasoline to replenish its fuel supply suggesting that the boat was designated for a return journey. The Chief of Puerto Rican police indicated that the drug boat had made stops in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and St Martin on its journey from Venezuela to Puerto Rico. This is an indication of the trafficking route to Puerto Rico via the Eastern Caribbean island chain. The stop in T&T was either to offload a delivery of product or to load up on illicit fuel stored in illicit fuel dumps throughout the island chain to facilitate the trafficking operation or most likely both. This is the central importance of the illicit fuel trade that emanates from T&T to the rest of the Caribbean as there can be no trafficking without safe, sustainable fuel supply and fuel dumps. This vital operation demands the purchase of impunity from agents of the state in T&T and the rest of the Caribbean. The fact that the transport boat was to return indicates the level of impunity enjoyed by this pipeline and it is highly likely that heroin is being moved via this pipeline. What then is the cargo for the return journey? The most profitable cargo is human cargo being smuggled as to St Martin and other depot posts in the Caribbean island chain.
http://news.yahoo.com/puerto-rico-police-seize-32m-worth-cocaine-14-142655146.html;_ylt=AwrBJR5daQlVDEcA4aXQtDMD
Handal takes the fall: the first of those to do so
In 2013 Jose Miguel Handal of San Pedro Sula, Honduras was indicted in a Florida federal district court USA for illicit drug trafficking in the service of the Sinaloa Federation and Los Zetas of Mexico. His father and wife were also named by the US authorities as participants in the illicit enterprise. On March 12, 2015 Jose Handal was arrested in San Pedro Sula having failed to flee Honduras or simply change his identity. Handal is the first trafficker of Arab origin of San Pedro Sula and Honduras to have his enterprise dismantled whilst being in the service of the Mexican cartels. The Mexican cartels purge of Honduras continues and its noteworthy that in San Pedro Sula it now involves an Arab origin trafficker. A message sent hope its received, understood and acted upon. Welcome to the Mexican cartel ride. My reporting of reality since the 1990s has nothing to with race hate and jealousy just explaining an ever evolving reality which has only brought me poverty, no profit, no gain. Again what I said will happen is now being rolled out in living jail and lick up. Wait on it! Pax Mexicana!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/honduras-arrests-businessman-accused-drug-trafficking-143636190.html;_ylt=AwrBEiHHIgRVhywA4SzQtDMD
http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl1888.aspx
The Perfect LNG Storm is formed: target T&T
Last week the European LNG price premium died as spot prices for LNG in Asia driven by Japanese demand rose to below USD 8 per MMbtu but the price is not attractive to pull LNG cargoes away from Europe given the freight and lack-luster demand in Asia. LNG cargoes will then continue to be dumped in the Atlantic basin seeking markets in Europe and Brazil. Brazil's acute drought has crippled the capacity of its hydro-electric plants causing shortfalls in the supply of electricity to its major urban conclaves: Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero. The question then is the level of demand in Europe and the demand capacity to absorb the volume of product on offer. Then the slide of the value of the Euro to the USD, yesterday it closed on Wall St at 1.06 USD to 1 Euro, is raising the real cost of imported LNG to consumers. Chevron has announced that LNG from the first train of its huge Gorgon LNG project in Australia will be exported in the final quarter of 2015 raising further the supply of Asian produced LNG to Asia. Finally the successive cold waves that brought below freezing temperature to the US North-East thereby raising the cost of imported LNG to USD 14 MMbtu and above is about over and as a result no more laden LNG carriers are presently heading for the US North-East or Repsol's Canaport in Canada. I daresay T&T LNG was in this flow that is now dead. In the face of this perfect storm T&T is faced with an explosion of demand for US currency which has nothing to do with the level of demand in the economy. The largest single retailer of consumer durables in T&T has following the Christmas 2014 reality is reported to have laid off 200 workers/contractors with a further 150 to go and closed a series of sales outlets of one of its brand stores, major contraction to match the level of demand from its client base. Where then is the level of demand to justify an explosion of demand for hard currency? The rate of demand is outstripping supply and this has led to the fall in the level of hard currency savings held by the Central bank for the people of T&T not the politicians of T&T. The perfect storm has hit T&T and are we to expect a rapid depletion of our foreign reserves for the sake of political expediency. If demand outstrips supply why no depreciation of the TT dollar vs the US dollar? Why is the TT dollar appreciating? Clearly a political solution to market realities. Note carefully the LNG markets have changed structurally because of a new paradigm this is no short term dislocation. I have stated it before in a previous post that the new paradigm in the Caribbean illicit trades is also pushing the run on our hard currency reserves as the supply side of the market tightens under the Mexican cartel monopoly. The DR has also a similar run on its hand and its Central bank has intervened via repeat sales of USDs to defend its currency.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-lng-asia-prices-creep-080129120.html;_ylt=AwrBJR5M5f5UU04ATMjQtDMD
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/lng-import-binge-ends-no-222908315.html
http://www.brecorder.com/markets/energy/europe/229106-asian-spot-lng-prices-oust-europe-as-worlds-no1.html
March 16, 2015: For the week ending 13 March the Asian spot market price remained unchanged at USD 7.75 per MMbtu with May delivery in the low USD 7s. End users are "mostly well stocked" and there is no rush to buy as traders set their gaze on April market demand. Argentina's YPF finally came into the market with tenders for 11 LNG cargoes: six full loads and five partial loads for its first purchase since September 2014. Such is the nature of spot demand in this month. LNG prices in Asia are expected to fall when in 2015 some 32 million tonnes of LNG capacity come on stream in Australia. The perfect storm intensifies battering T&T's revenue base in the land of acute denial and political power possession for the sake of personal aggrandisement.
This entry was posted in lng/energy analysis and tagged LNG on March 13, 2015 by dauriusfigueira.
REVELATION St Lucia and Police killings
On March 8, 2015 Dr Kenny Anthony PM of St Lucia addressed the nation on the issue of the report of CARICOM IMPACS on its investigation of some 12 persons killed by members of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) in 2010 and 2011. The PM indicated that the IMPACS report will not be placed in the public domain forcing this analysis to be based on what was revealed by the PM's address. From 2010-2011 some 12 civilians were killed by members of the RSLPF the majority of them in the Castries basin. In the 2011 US State Department Country Report on Human rights Practices: St Lucia it states: "12 potentially unlawful fatal police killings during the year." The US then placed the squeeze on St Lucia by withdrawing financial and other support for the St Lucia Coast Guard, ending all support for the RSLPF, banning participation of the RSLPF in all programs funded and manned by the US and the revocation of US entry visas of senior managers of the RSLPF. The new PM Kenny Anthony then commissioned IMPACS to investigate the matter as the US pressure was now telling. The IMPACS report of its investigation states: (1) that death lists created by members of the RSLPF existed, (2) all the killings reviewed were "fake encounters" staged by the Police to legitimise their actions, (3) weapons found on the scene of the killings were planted on the victims, (4) a number of shootings listed as murders committed by unknown assailants in the official statistics were committed by police officers, (5) complicity to enable said killings pervaded the entire hierarchy of the RSLPF even at its highest level. The bombshell of the report revealed so far is the statement as follows: "that the crime problem in St Lucia is facilitated by corrupt politicians/government officials, business persons and police officers." The three horsemen of the apocalypse have then unleashed upon St Lucia a crime wave. What then is the major illicit enterprise that feeds the three horsemen in St Lucia: the illicit drug trade. The war that broke out in 2008 was initially a ganja drug war as attempts were underway to globalise St Lucia's position in the Caribbean ganja trade. This globalisation meant the dominance of forces external of St Lucia especially Jamaican transnational organised crime over the trade. But whilst this move was in motion the strategy of the Mexican cartels for the Eastern Caribbean was also in motion. Both agendas were complementary as Jamaican transnational organised crime in the Caribbean are affiliates of the Mexican cartels and alarm bells went off in the ranks of the old trafficking order of St Lucia. The RSLPF then became the militia of the old order in an attempt to hold back the march of globalisation of the Caribbean drug trafficking in the image and likeness of the Mexican cartels. This war is not over and the momentum is on the side of the Mexican cartels. Pax Mexicana is hegemonic over the Caribbean Basin and the old trafficking order of St Lucia don't have enough digits to plug the plague of leaks in their dyke. Best advice: sell out and run.
Pax Mexicana marches on without HINDRANCE
Those who follow this blog from its commencement will by now understand the nature of the order of the Mexican cartels. This week evidence was unearthed as to the potency of Pax Mexicana where a shipment of shredded coca leaves disguised as mata was on its way from Bolivia to Lebanon via Chile for processing into cocaine hydrochloride/powdered cocaine. The order has now determined that an offshore cocaine production platform will exist in the Middle East. It is highly probable that the producers/traffickers of the Bakaa Valley in Lebanon are the partners in this venture. A message to the pre Mexican order of the Caribbean that all Arabs are not the same and a new order of dominance is in motion. Quirino Paulino is now back in the Dominican Republic and he gave an indication of the power he wields within the state apparatuses of the DR with the manner in which he exited the airport he arrived at apparently escorted by airport security. The protocol governing re-entry of convicted persons to the DR was it is reported simply not applied to Quirino. The power of "El Don". It was also reported that El Don and his top Lieutenant who was also extradited to the US and like Quirino sang like canaries to US authorities are back in the DR with their DR wealth amassed from drug trafficking intact. Quirino has also indicated that his assets seized by the government of DR must be returned as he was never convicted of a crime meriting asset seizure in the DR. A spirit lash for the corrupt politicians courtesy the US. Qurinio is in fact calling out the politicians and their trafficking allies to terminate with extreme prejudice. The reality in all of this is that Qurinio was always the lackey of the drug trafficking organisations first the Colombians/Venezuelans then the Mexicans. Never the player as he touched the product for players don't touch the product. As they fight at this level the players run their trafficking enterprise untouched without hindrance and disturbance. So much for the wars on drugs and winning it. Finally in T&T as we witness the explosion of cocaine on the ground level spawning a gaggle of organisations seeking to place mules and swallowers in Europe, the US, Canada and other Caribbean islands. The product mix now includes heroin and marijuana. Then there is the debate about porous borders the question arises as to seagoing assets purchased and launched by the previous PNM government. This week we learned on CCN TV6 that they are parked up on land in Chaguarams rotting in the sun and rain for want of repairs to render them sustainably seaworthy. From 2010 to 2015 as these assets were sidelined no replacement assets were purchased and in 2015 they are still outstanding leaving T&T naked in the era of Pax Mexicana. This is the T&T that wants to take on IS? With what? Time for me to leave this place!
http://news.yahoo.com/bolivia-seizes-27-tons-coca-disguised-yerba-mate-210220796.html;_ylt=AwrBEiLDBfdU7RIAMo_QtDMD
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2015/3/2/54363/Kingpins-hushed-return-roils-Dominican-Republic-law-enforcement
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2015/3/3/54379/Countrys-once-powerful-drug-trafficking-duo-still-bask-in-wealth
http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/-EXPOSED-NATIONAL-SECURITY-BOATS-GRAVEYARD—294760741.html
http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/-Hold-hand-on-billion-dollar-opv-purchase-3008—294936891.html
This entry was posted in drug trade analysis and tagged drug trade on March 4, 2015 by dauriusfigueira.
Murder 2019: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago
Curacao: Politics, Corruption and Murder/The case of Helmin Wiels
Ganja Decriminalization and the Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2019, Trinidad and Tobago
Now Published Online as e-books!
Pax Mexicana is in the 4th quarter 2019 Hegemonic over T&T
dauriusfigueira on Trinidad and Tobago: the Illic…
Luke on Trinidad and Tobago: the Illic…
Dave on Race, Income and the Ownership…
drug trade analysis
Islamic extremism analysis
lng/energy analysis


text:
Shoal Games Ltd. Provides Corporate Update and Announces Proposed Financing
ANGUILLA, B.W.I., September 12, 2017 – Shoal Games Ltd. (TSXV: SGW) (OTCQB: SGLDF) ("the Company"), mobile software developer, publisher, and owner of Rooplay (http://www.rooplay.com) and the Rooplay Originals games featuring Garfield, Moomin, and Mr. Men & Little Miss today released a general corporate update and announced that it intends to complete a non brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to US$1,120,000.
Shoal Games announced that it has entered into an agreement with IMImobile to distribute and monetize games on their platform. The IMImobile platform delivers content to mobile carriers such as MTN, Vodafone, AT&T and many others. Shoal Games has uploaded games into the IMImobile platform and is presently coordinating a multi-market launch on the platform across MTN's network of more than 200 million mobile subscribers in more than 20 countries for rollout over the coming months.
Shoal Games also provided an update on the status of Anguilla BWI after hurricane Irma hit the Island. No major damage was done to the Shoal Games corporate headquarters. While no Shoal Games assets were impacted by the storm, the Company would like to express sympathy for all those that have sustained damage from the hurricane in the past week.
The Company intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to US$1,120,000, (the "Financing") which is expected to consist of units, with each unit being comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant at a price of US$0.35 per unit. Each share purchase warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of US$0.44 per share for the first six months after closing and at a price of US$0.52 per share for the remaining 6 months following the closing of the Financing. Certain directors, officers, and insiders of the Company may participate in the Financing. Proceeds from the Financing are expected to be used to expand the Company's partnership distribution strategy, complete the technical integrations to mobile operator billing systems, and general working capital.
Completion of the Financing is subject to Exchange acceptance and all securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a minimum hold period of four months from closing or as required under applicable securities legislation.
The Securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Any units which may be sold to U.S. residents will be distributed under applicable U.S. Federal and State Accredited Investor exemptions.
For full details of the Company's operations and financial results, please refer to Shoal Games Ltd's. corporate website at http://investor.shoalgames.com or Shoal Games' continuous disclosure record on SEDAR.
About Shoal Games Ltd.
Shoal Games Ltd. (TSXV:SGW) (OTCQB:SGLDF) www.shoalgames.com is the parent company of the group of companies, which owns Rooplay (www.rooplay.com), an innovative EdTech games platform that empowers children to play, learn, and create; Garfield's Bingo (www.garfieldsbingo.com), the first bingo game to feature a mega-brand; and Trophy Bingo (www.trophybingo.com), live across mobile platforms with over 500,000 installs. Rooplay is available exclusively on Android and is live worldwide in Google Play. The product offers families a handpicked and growing selection of more than 500 interactive games for a monthly subscription fee. Rooplay follows the same subscription business model as Netflix, but with games instead of video.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017, and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Shoal Games Ltd.
ir@shoalgames.com
www.shoalgames.com


text:
Jung Hae In having a selfie with a fan at his "One Summer Night" fan meeting in Manila presented by Wilbros Live.
Philstar.com/Ma. Glaiza Lee
Jung Hae In spends 'One Summer Night' with Manila fans
Ma. Glaiza Lee (Philstar.com) - October 1, 2019 - 5:23pm
MANILA, Philippines — If he has to choose between washing his face, his feet or brushing teeth, Korean star Jung Hae In prefers to do the latter to feel refreshed and clean. He brushes his teeth before shower.
He doesn't usually have breakfast because he often sleeps late. If he needs to wake up early, he would set his alarm and wake up at once.
He has a hard time losing weight. His body is the type that gains weight easily and swells up. His diet is not about losing weight but caters to what his role for his project needs.
He likes drinking beer and softdrinks while eating chicken. He prefers "chimaek" over "maekju" and pizza. He has tried Manila's local beer. In fact, he revealed that he had lots of San Miguel beer the night before his fan meeting in Manila.
He wears the same style. He prefers comfort over style. He likes wearing shirt, track suit and hoodie. He has a very casual style. He often buys apparel without trying first.
Just like everyone, he has late night cravings. But often, he would curb his cravings and wait until the next day to indulge.
These were all the TMI (too much information) tidbits about Jung Hae In that we were able to gather during his "One Summer Night" fan meeting in Manila last September 28 at the New Frontier Theater in Manila.
Inspired by his recently concluded drama "One Spring Night," the Manila fan meeting was part of his "Jung Hae In Asia Tour 2019."
The fan meeting started on a high note as Jung Hae In showed off his "very slightly upgraded" (as he described it) singing prowess and serenaded his fans with a lovely song.
He connected with his fans in an intimate interview portion, hosted by Sam Oh. But first, he was given a refreshing drink - a glass of calamansi - he drank bottoms up amid the cheering from his fans. While he knows calamansi is very sour, he found the drink "very nice" with its sweet and sour taste.
Sam revealed that the Korean actor was very hands-on with the fan meeting, attending the pre-production meetings and deciding on the program flow that he thought his fans would enjoy. Through the customized fan meeting, he showed how much he cares for his fans. He really made sure that his fans would feel how grateful he is for their love and support.
He also answered questions posted by fans. One of the questions he picked was about his plans on when he will get married. He answered that before he turns 40, he wants to have his own family. He's 31 now.
After the short Q&A with the host, Jung Hae In played the TMI game with his fans to know how well they know him.
"You really know me well," he blurted out after seeing a lot of his fans remained standing.
Several minutes later, only five fans remained who have answered the X or O questions rightfully. To choose the three lucky fans who would receive a gift prize each, the five ladies played "kai, bai, bo" (rock, paper, scissor).
The first part of the fan meeting ended with Jung Hae In singing another song.
For the second part, Jung Hae In came out channelling his character Yoo Ji-Ho, a pharmacist, and gave "prescriptions" to three "troubled" fans.
The first fan asked for advice on finding her dream. The second fan, an Indonesian lady who flew all the way from Jakarta to watch the fan meeting, broke up with her boyfriend because of her fangirling with Jung Hae In. The third one talked about her concerns for his son.
Putting much thought on each concern, Jung Hae In gave pieces of advice to the three fans, as well as personalized items that they might need. Apart from a chance to have a selfie with him, they also received hugs from the actor.
The next part was the "Mission Possible 123," where JungHaeIn has to complete five missions within 123 seconds. The missions were removing a piece of paper under the cup without toppling down the cup, making the water bottle stand after spinning it, removing the bottle cap using a turn kick, counting money while answering questions, and guessing what the mystery object while wearing a blindfold.
Hae In-ssi failed the mission, which means he would get some "punishments" picked by selected fans. One fan picked Hae In recording a sweet message on her phone, another fan received a three-second hug.
For his last surprise, the actor gave away a one-of-its-kind shirt, where he drew his manager's face (based on his picks from the magic bowls) and put his signature.
Before the fan meet ended, Jung Hae In thanked his fans again, telling them to take care of their health.
"Since I'm an actor, I don't always stand on the stage. I can only meet you during fan meet and fan sign events. I don't have a chance to see you up close. During events like this, I always have a lot of my mind when things are about to end," he enthused.
He continued: "I'm so grateful and won't take this for granted. I will always do well as an actor so I can meet you again. My biggest wish is for you to love yourself."
Before singing his finale song, he promised that "I will definitely come back in Manila."
And we - his loyal fans - will definitely wait until the time we will have another one summer night with Jung Hae In.
RELATED: LIST: 10 fun facts about Korean 'oppa' Jung Hae In
KOREAN IDOL
'No offense,' Cayetano tells BTS fans after using group's name
By Ratziel San Juan | 4 days ago
The lawmaker said that no harm was intended toward anyone when the name "BTS sa Kongreso" was used to describe the "independent...
New year, new shows: Streaming platforms unveil films, series to binge-watch
Luckily, staying at home will be more entertaining with new series and movies on different streaming sites.
ARMY tell Cayetano to stop using BTS for clout
ARMY are saying on behalf of BTS that the move of Cayetano and his colleagues is not good in taste.
Charlie Dizon shows fruits of K-pop idol training, impresses Momoland Nancy
K-pop star Nancy McDonie of the girl group Momoland made a special appearance on "ASAP Natin To" last Sunday to...
SB19's Ken is first Pinoy idol to have billboard in South Korea
SB19's Ken got the sweetest advanced birthday gift!
'Start-Up' star Kim Seon-Ho to hold first online fan meetup


It's great to be back and blogging. Its been quite a while since I actually posted something.
Listen, there is so much going on that if we are not careful, we will lose our focus and forget our original dreams and visions we once were passionate about.
Be careful to not just feed other people's dreams and forget about your own. There must be a balance and of course, prioritising is key in maintaining a healthy flow with others.
There is a tendency for some to think that their dreams are more important than yours!
Make sure you are not one of those who believe that people should always drop what they are doing to invest in you.
Supporting each other is something that will bring about solid unity and respect.
whilst others will walk away. Don't take offence. Their season with you is over. Let them go.
God will always surround you with the people who will encourage you and inspire you to achieve your dreams.
Keep on moving and keep on dreaming!


Lauren Bealore is the Corporate Relations and Events Manager for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, a national political lobbying organization that focuses on protecting conservation issues by holding elected officials accountable. Lauren is also an appointed and elected official, serving as a City Commissioner for the City of Southfield's Total Living Commission and Precinct Delegate for Precinct 19 of the City of Southfield. In today's interview, we discussed the shifts that are happening that seem to be stifling the voice of black women in politics. We also discussed the impact that race, gender and ethnicity might play in politics as we look out a decade from now.
[spp-timestamp time="03:50"] Were you always this ambitious and driven as a child?
[spp-timestamp time="06:50"] How has your family shaped you?
[spp-timestamp time="11:15"] Did you have any other mentors early on that helped to guide you?
[spp-timestamp time="13:45"] What can be done to get more women of color in the campaign fundraising space?
[spp-timestamp time="16:22"] Why do you think there are so many shifts recently to stifle the voice of our black women in politics?
[spp-timestamp time="20:30"] How do you think race, gender and ethnicity will impact the political scene a decade from now?
[spp-timestamp time="34:10"] Do you see a path to help young black women pursue a path in business and politics?
Never dull your diamonds to let rocks shine!
It's time for you guys to just take a chance on someone. Someone took a chance on me.
You're going to have to go out there and seek that potential that you want. If there are no programs in place to give these people the opportunities, you'll have to create those people, so that the opportunities are there.
Lauren is currently the Corporate Relations and Events Manager for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, a national political lobbying organization that focuses on protecting conservation issues by holding elected officials accountable. Lauren is also an appointed and elected official, serving as a City Commissioner for the City of Southfield's Total Living Commission and Precinct Delegate for Precinct 19 of the City of Southfield.
Lauren is the Co-Founder for a women-owned non-profit organization by the name of Y.A.B., which stands for Young, Ambitious and Beautiful. It's a young entrepreneurial conglomerate for businesses owned by women of color.


With the birth of the Marcoliani brand, the company underwent a deep transformation. The top managing positions are held by the three children of founder Giuseppe Gatti; Erminia Gatti (Creative Director), Carlo Gatti (Production Manager) and Paolo Gatti (Sales Manager). While still a family business, Marcoliani is a modern company that combines advanced managerial culture with a genuine bond to its territory and an authentic passion for its products.
Clockwise : Federico (grandson), Clelia (grandma), Susanna (granddaughter), Giuseppe (grandpa), Giulia (granddaughter), Carlotta (granddaughter), Matteo (grandson), Martina (granddaughter), Carlo (son), Erminia (daughter), Paolo (son).
"At the end of the 1980s we received a commission for an 'old style' sock model, whose production required a machinery that we no longer owned. But our chief technician, Luigino, after a few days appeared with the finished sock sample for a total cost of 2 euros, he had added a small hydraulic piston to one of our current machines. That specific machine has now been dismantled, but the piston still sits on my desk, to remind me that people are the lifeblood of this company".


text:
Home/Car News/Maserati
2021 Maserati MC20 leaked
Butterfly doors, a powerful engine in the middle, and a pared-back cabin. Everything we know about the Maserati MC20 so far, we like.
Tesla shares suffer biggest ever decline
Maserati is back – and it's arrived a few days early.
The mid-engined MC20 supercar has been leaked by Italian Wheel on Facebook, revealing its slinky design, butterfly doors, and pared-back interior. "Fantastica", to quote one of the commenters.
Although it's in the process of overhauling its more practical sedans and the Levante SUV, the MC20 represents the start of a new era for Maserati.
It's powered by the first engine to be developed in-house by the brand in 20 years, a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 with 463kW of power and 730Nm of torque. According to the Italian Wheel leak, it follows in the footsteps of the Ghibli Hybrid by featuring a 48V mild-hybrid system.
Although it has half the cylinders, the new engine – dubbed Nettuno, or Neptune – has the same amount of power and more torque than the naturally-aspirated V12 used in the Ferrari Enzo-based Maserati MC12.
As is always the case in proper Italian supercars, the engine is mounted in the middle. And as is usually the case with proper Italian supercars, the bodywork wrapped around it is very, very pretty.
There's no mistaking it for anything but a Maserati up front, thanks to the classic grille and prominent badge. The headlights call to mind the MC12 and Maserati Coupe of the early 2000s, while the low-set air intake below the grille has strong ties to the design of the Alfieri concept.
Unlike Ferrari, which has moved towards complex, motorsports-inspired shapes on the flanks of its mid-engined supercars, the MC20 has cleaner bodywork and a more classical silhouette. It looks like there's still plenty of aerodynamic cleverness going on, but we'll have to wait for the official reveal to learn more about how it all works.
Slim LED taillights and a tall, blacked-out diffuser dominate the rear end, and there are two exhaust pipes neatly integrated into the bumper. Let's hope they pump out a suitably angry V6 engine noise.
Inside, the cabin features what looks like a digital driver display and a new touchscreen infotainment system, housed in a simple dashboard. The transmission tunnel is low and clean, and the driver and passenger are housed in bespoke Maserati buckets.
A rotary drive mode controller sits at the front of the transmission tunnel, along with a dedicated suspension button that appears similar to the Bumpy Road mode on Ferrari steering wheels.
Metal paddle shifters are present and correct, naturally. The Maserati MC20 will be officially revealed at 8:30 pm on September 9, Italian time.
What do you think of Maserati's new supercar?
2021 Genesis G70 here in the first half of next year


text:
About Offshore publications
Go to section
Offshore charging
Initial technical considerations of integrating an offshore charging device into the grid of an offshore wind farm.
Various methods for connecting an offshore charging device to the infrastructure of an offshore wind farm can be envisioned:
1A Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) directly from a wind turbine
1B Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) from a charging buoy, connected directly to a wind turbine. This is the option being trialled in collaboration with Maersk Supply Service
2A Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) directly from an offshore substation
2B Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) from a charging buoy, connected directly to an offshore substation
3A Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) directly from a separate transformer connected to the wind turbine, located either on the wind turbine or on a separate foundation
4A Charging a vessel (of all size, shapes and functions) directly from a separate transformer connected to the substation, located either on the sub station or on a separate foundation
To read more about offshore charging, read the full document
Further information, please contact
Oluf Damsgaard Henriksen
Senior Logistics Specialist
Email: OULHE@orsted.com
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen and green fuels facilities, and bioenergy plants. Moreover, Ørsted provides energy products to its customers. Ørsted is the only energy company in the world with a science-based net-zero emissions target as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and Ørsted aims to deliver a net-positive biodiversity impact from all new renewable energy projects it commissions from 2030 at the latest. Ørsted is recognised on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs over 8,000 people. Ørsted's shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2021, the group's revenue was DKK 77.7 billion (EUR 10.4 billion).


Tucked between five other South American countries, Bolivia is a landlocked, developing, Spanish-speaking democracy. The population is multiethnic with thirty-seven official languages: thirty-four indigenous languages, Quecha, Aymara, and Spanish. The country broke from Spanish rule in 1825 and is named for Simon Bolivar.


text:
Q: jquery how can i rewrite this code in a more optimized way What is the best way to optimize the following so i have a shorter code.
$('#font').live('click', function(){
        var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
        $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
        $('#fontTypeBox').show();
});
$('#fontSize').live('click', function(){
        var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
        $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
        $('#fontSizeBox').show();
});
$('#fontHeader').live('click', function(){
        var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
        $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
        $('#fontHeaderBox').show();
});

A: If you can change the font ID to fontType, do this:
$('#font,#fontSize,#fontHeader').live('click', function(){
        var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
        $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
        $('#' + this.id + 'Box').show();
});

Same code, except that it uses the multiple-selector(docs) to select all three at the same time.
If you can't change that ID, then do this:
$('#font,#fontSize,#fontHeader').live('click', function(){
        var theID = this.id === "font" ? "fontType" : this.id;
        var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
        $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
        $('#' + theID + 'Box').show();
});

A: Either abstract this portion of code out to a separate function,
var foo = function() {
var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
$('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
$('#fontHeaderBox').show();
};

or create a jQuery array of these objects as follows:-
$('#font, #fontSize, #fontHeader').live('click', function(){
    var z = $(elmid).css('z-index');
    $('#editorWrapperOuter').css('z-index',(parseInt(z)+1));
    $('#fontHeaderBox').show();
});

Hopefully the syntax is right.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Yogi Akal's engaging personality and down-to-earth approach have attracted audiences and boosted ratings on hundreds of television and radio programs around the world. He was the first Yogi to appear on CNN and has been featured in prominent publications, such as Elle Magazine and The Globe & Mail. He has created hundreds of YouTube videos, authored popular blogs and produced a variety of multimedia presentations. His first book will be released this year.
In demand as an entertaining and expert television personality, Yogi Akal has appeared on major television networks in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, including CNN, NBC, Fox, ABC, WGN, INTV, WINTV, and CTV. He has been featured on national news broadcasts, call-in shows, celebrity panels, and popular talk shows, such as Montel Williams and Charles Perez, which generated over 100,000 phone calls immediately after the program.
Yogi Akal has been a featured guest on hundreds of national and local radio networks around the world, from Virgin Radio in Dubai to KISS Radio in New York, from LBC Radio in London to CBS in Chicago. Known for commentary, interview, live call-in, and celebrity dialogue he has consistently generated the highest call-in volume and top rated segments in all markets. He produced his own popular radio shows in Los Angeles and Montreal, and appeared on a celebrity medical panel for ABC Radio International. His Montréal and Toronto program was the longest running radio segment of its kind in Canada.
Yogi Akal has been a featured columnist and contributor for popular magazines and newspapers around the world, including Elle, Glamour, Beverly Hills Magazine, Globe & Mail, National Post, Montreal Gazette, and Toronto Star. He has often been called upon for expert interviews and references in a diverse range of print media. Topics have included celebrities, holistic health, world trends, numerology, meditation, parenting, and safety in Yoga. He has published a variety of newsletters and reports on corporate wellness, Yoga, natural medicine, and social commentary.
Yogi Akal is a popular blogger and new media producer. He has provided content and interviews for online magazines, newsletters and other internet media, including iVillage, Huffington Post, Daily Candy, and Sports Illustrated. He created a global online learning network and hundreds of YouTube videos on topics such as numerology, Yoga, meditation, wellness, relationships, spirituality, celebrities, sports figures, tech personalities, world leaders, and current events. He has provided content and interviews for online magazines, newsletters and other internet media. He produced and participated in a variety of podcasts, interactive events, forums, and webcasts.


Euro lands are alternate art lands that were available to people living in Europe. Their artwork features scenes from around this region. The cards were available in three packs: blue, red, and purple. These packs were given to European purchasers of boxes of Nemesis, Prophecy, and Invasion boosters.


(16.02.2012) There can be no discussion about alternative military service as long Azerbaijani land remains occupied, a senior MP has said. Siyavush Novruzov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament's Security and Defence Committee, told journalists that alternative service could not be considered until resolution of the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, Gun.Az reported. The MP from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party said there was no need to make changes to the rules for conscription.
The Azerbaijani Constitution does allow for alternative service "in some cases envisaged by legislation", but no legislation has been drawn up to allow for it. One of the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan when it joined the Council of Europe was to introduce a workable alternative to military service.


Read this entire column at the Napa Valley Register.
My Super-Couponing Tips column appears in newspapers around the country to a weekly readership of over 20 million people! Learn more about my column's syndication at this link.
Miss a column? Here's an archive of all of my past columns I've shared on the blog.
My store had buy 6 save $6 but if you bought seven you paid full price for the additional item. I complained that they were discouraging me from buying a few additional items. They are now saying 6 or more items. Makes more sense to me.


African vintage sea glass trading beads are made by women artisans in the Krobo mountains of Ghana.
*Please note: the glass beads are vintage, handmade and may contain blemishes, imperfections, and signs of wear. These are not considered defects.


Hanso Tagger is a must audio tool for the keen music listener created as a convenient solution for organizing vast music collections. The program was thought out as a complex, yet, easy to use, tagging tool to help you avoid misplacing music files or having a hard time managing your music preferences.Hanso Tagger's tag processing capabilities cover far-reaching needs and are easily accessible to all-range users. Using an easy-to-work-with interface, Hanso Tagger carries out a bunch of various tasks - it fills in missing ID3 tag fields like title, artist, album, genre, year using portions of filenames, downloads ID3 tags via popular services like Amazon and FreeDB, exports available tags for a backup or additional processing, imports ID3 tags from a database through a CSV file (for this, Internet connection is required).The range of formats supported by Hanso Tagger is very large (MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, FLAC, APE, WV, M4A, AAC, MPC) and the program makes possible working simultaneous with all of them. For needs involving creating playlists, renaming files, sorting out folders, exporting info to multiple formats and more, Hanso Tagger is one of the best available solutions - tasks such as editing files, playing files, enqueuing files in winamp, loading images are made extremely easy and enjoyable.
Performance improvements. New and improved GUI.


If you've been following me for a while, you wouldn't have guessed that my favourite colour is red. I don't wear it often but the scarlet pigment identifies with me the most. The colour pops and has the ability to be the center of attention, give renewed vitality to life or outfit, as well as create a sense of excitement. I'll most likely wear the colour on my lips, bags and accessories, and less often on my clothes. With clothes, I prefer neutrals for longevity and versatility.
However, I couldn't walk away from this uber cute, red knit dress, which gave me instant inspiration to style it with my cute accessories – printed stole, black beret and booties, and a mini round bag.


the required disk cannot be found?My whatsapp shows this message "an unexpected error occurred contacting the server: interrupting" phone is nokia c3-00 what can i do?Re wireless setup of cannon 922 and it feeds paper halfway?
I tried to open 10/9/2016 10/9/2016 Viet - Printer Tech HP1102w sometimes gives me the "couldn't open fifo (2)" 10/9/2016 10/9/2016 Shefin Wondering if my Lexmark X4530 will work with my Other: This is NOT abusive. Have checked the 10/8/2016 10/8/2016 WesPCDr My Pixma iP100! I've had mine in place for almost 2 yrs now and it works like a charm.
the paper runs through the printer, but nothing comes on the paper?Why is my printer epson stylus nx 330 printing half of the paper?
todnih Level 10 (Genius) 10324 Answers, 39 It means the printer can't finish his selftest. uuuugh?
user19433404 Level 1 (Contributor) 2 Answers 0 0 Tweet Possible issue occur is the paper sensor is block by foreign object or improper set due to some paper I used the tubing you use with oxygen tanks or fish tank bubblers.
A printer error has occurred. Power ON the printer again. there is not a paper jam and not torn paper in machine this is my second printer. It happened after a paper jam but I have taken the feed tray and top and back off and there is no paper anywhere in it.
Solve Problems : Problem-solving Tools Check the Messages on the Display Screen Follow the instructions on the display screen to solve most common problems. Categories Arts & Humanities Books&Authors Drawing& Illustration Photography Beauty & Style Fashion& Accessories Other-Skin& Body Business & Finance Corporations Credit FinancialServices India Insurance Investing Law&Legal Other-Business &Finance Other-Careers &Employment PersonalFinance Renting&Real Make sure the upper scanner part of printer is closed tightly. The repair person, just removed the back part of machine by pushing the tabs and removed the stuck dvd.
Please try again later. Select Reset All except Network & Fax Settings.Once that has been done, please unplug the printer from the outlet and wait about 5 minutes. Stay in the loop with Epson email notifications Sign Up Now Email Address First Name You are providing your consent to Epson America, Inc., doing business as Epson, so that we See the documentation for the device transmitting the file.
It's easy as 123. I also had a problem where it was printing a dvd and it disappeared. Please contact Epson support Waste ink pad in the printer is saturated Parts have come to the end of their life This errors (service request) are common with Epson printers, however Display screen message Problem and solution Paper jam Turn the Artisan 810 Series off and make sure no paper is jammed inside or in the ADF.


text:
129 Computer Engineering jobs - Livermore, California, United States
Browse for Computer Engineering Jobs in Livermore, California, United States. Find the job of your dreams on IEEE today!
Materials Formulation Engineer
Livermore, CA US
We have an opening for a Materials Formulation Engineer to perform research, development, and application activities in support of Laboratory missions. You will support R&D activities in Materials Processing for Advanced Polymers and Composites. This position is in the Materials Engineering Division...
We have an opening for a Materials Formulation Engineer to perform research, development, and application activities in support of Laboratory...
Electronics Technologist/High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF)
We have an opening for an Electronics Technologist/Sr. Electronics Technologist. You will provide engineering technician support to a team responsible for executing experiments in the large explosive firing tanks and/or research guns in the High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF) in Livermore, ...
We have an opening for an Electronics Technologist/Sr. Electronics Technologist. You will provide engineering technician support to a team...
Mechanical Technologist for Mechanics Of Materials
We have multiple openings for Mechanical Technologists. You will support the Mechanics of Materials Group and provide mechanical testing support to ongoing and new programmatic activities. Under general supervision you will apply fundamental knowledge of design, fabrication, assembly, installation, ...
We have multiple openings for Mechanical Technologists. You will support the Mechanics of Materials Group and provide mechanical testing support...
Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist
We have an opening for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist. You will support ongoing programmatic activities. You will support the plastics group in the processing of plastic and elastomeric components for projects utilizing various materials and processes. You will design parts...
We have an opening for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist. You will support ongoing programmatic activities. You will...
Livermore Computing DevOps Summer Undergraduate Student Intern
Position will be closed to applicants January 31, 2022.We have multiple openings for our Livermore Computing DevOps Team (DO IT), Summer Undergraduate Internship Program. This internship will run 9 weeks, beginning in May 2022. Our openings are for undergraduate level students who will be given the ...
Position will be closed to applicants January 31, 2022.We have multiple openings for our Livermore Computing DevOps Team (DO IT), Summer...
Computational Engineering Division Graduate Student Intern - Summer
Computational Engineering Division (CED) has multiple openings for Graduate Student Interns. Our openings are for graduate level students and students who have received a bachelor's or master's degree who will be given the opportunity to engage in practical research to further their educational goal...
Computational Engineering Division (CED) has multiple openings for Graduate Student Interns. Our openings are for graduate level students and...
Senior Project Engineer
We have an opening for a Senior Project Engineer in the Nuclear Threat Reduction Program (NTRP) supporting N Program of the Global Security (GS) Directorate. You will be responsible for estimating and managing project scope, schedule, and budget across multiple projects as well as participating in e...
We have an opening for a Senior Project Engineer in the Nuclear Threat Reduction Program (NTRP) supporting N Program of the Global Security (GS)...
Nuclear Science and Nonproliferation - Postdoctoral Researcher
We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to play a major role in an international applied and fundamental neutrino science program, founded and led by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The researcher will participate in the design of a kiloton-scale gadolinium-doped water Cherenkov det...
We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to play a major role in an international applied and fundamental neutrino science program,...
Electronics Assembler and Network Installer
We have multiple openings for Senior Electronics Fabrication Technician(s)/Electronics Fabrication Technician Specialist(s). You will fabricate and install electro-mechanical components, systems and network infrastructure for new and on-going experiments in multiple facilities. The scope of the work...
We have multiple openings for Senior Electronics Fabrication Technician(s)/Electronics Fabrication Technician Specialist(s). You will fabricate...
We are looking for a Full Stack Developer who is comfortable with both front and back-end programming. You will be a full stack developer, responsible for developing and designing front end web architecture, ensuring the responsiveness of applications, and working alongside other developers. This po...
We are looking for a Full Stack Developer who is comfortable with both front and back-end programming. You will be a full stack developer,...
Research Support Engineer (Mechanical & Materials)
We have multiple openings for Mechanical and Materials Engineers to perform research, development, and application activities in support of Laboratory missions. You will support R&D activities in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Materials Processing and Characterization, Microelectronics, BioEn...
We have multiple openings for Mechanical and Materials Engineers to perform research, development, and application activities in support of...
Senior/Mechanical Technician - Micro and Nanotechnology
We have multiple openings for Mechanical Technologists/Senior Mechanical Technologists. You will provide technical support in the areas of microfabrication, semiconductor process equipment, and mechanical design and fabrication for LLNL designed systems. This position will support the Center for M...
We have multiple openings for Mechanical Technologists/Senior Mechanical Technologists. You will provide technical support in the areas of...
System Engineer - Active Security Clearance Required
We have an opening for an experienced Systems Engineer. You will support the Space Security and Science Program in the Z Program in Global Security (GS). You will provide engineering solutions with a focus on space and satellite projects in the areas of kinetic energy, lasers, RF, and optical and wo...
We have an opening for an experienced Systems Engineer. You will support the Space Security and Science Program in the Z Program in Global...
Mechanical/ Senior Mechanical Technologists for Polymer Additive Manufacturing
We have multiple openings for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist. You will provide technical support to operations of new and ongoing experiments involving engineering evaluation, fabrication, assembly, and documentation. The scope of the work may include programmatic support o...
We have multiple openings for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist. You will provide technical support to operations of new...
Procurement/Acquisition Supervisor/Sr. Supervisor
We have an opening for a Supervisor/Senior Supervisor for the Acquisition Management Group (AQMG). You will have a key role in developing successful careers, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment with an outstanding and diverse staff supporting essential Laboratory missions with Eng...
We have an opening for a Supervisor/Senior Supervisor for the Acquisition Management Group (AQMG). You will have a key role in developing...
Electronics Assembler and Network Installer - Active Security Clearance Required
We have multiple openings for Sr. Electronics Fabrication Technician(s)/Electronics Fabrication Technician Specialist(s). You will fabricate and install electromechanical components, systems and network infrastructure for new and on-going experiments in multiple facilities. The scope of the work may...
We have multiple openings for Sr. Electronics Fabrication Technician(s)/Electronics Fabrication Technician Specialist(s). You will fabricate and...
Hardware Engineer Computer
Senior Technologist
Automation Lead
Control Systems Engineer
Defense Analyst
Design Drafter
Electronics Assembler
Engineering Specialist
ERP Analyst
Helpdesk Technician
Laser Engineer-Scientist
Master Control Engineer
Materials Assistant
Mechanical Technician


text:
Semantic Automated Discovery and Integration (SADI) is a lightweight set of fully standards-compliant Semantic Web service design patterns that simplify the publication of services of the type commonly found in bioinformatics and other scientific domains.   SADI services utilize Semantic Web technologies at every level of the Web services "stack".  Services are described in OWL-DL, where the property restrictions in OWL classes are used to define the properties expected of the input and output data.  Invocation of SADI Services is achieved through HTTP POST of RDF data representing OWL Individuals ('instances') of the defined input OWL Class, and the resulting output data will be OWL Individuals of the defined output OWL Class.

SADI design patterns place a single unique constraint on the behaviour of the Service, in that the URI of the input individual, and the URI of the output individual must be identical.  The consequence of this constraint is that the Service provider must connect the output to the input through a defined predicate; effectively, the output is "about" the input, and the relationship between input and output is explicit.  As such, SADI services become the source of new Linked Data, relating the input and output of a service, and chains of SADI services produce uninterrupted Linked Data graphs.

SADI has been used in a number of Bioinformatics data integration case studies
and for semantic querying of relational data in Clinical Informatics settings.

Software
Java and Perl libraries for building SADI services
SHARE - a SPARQL query engine for SADI services

References

Semantic Web

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Breaking the cycle of addiction, a deepening and deadly public health crisis.
Addiction is a chronic illness, with genetic, environmental and social aspects. JAX researchers are at the forefront of understanding the genetic factors involved in individuals' vulnerability to addiction.
Give to JAX
Addiction is a chronic illness, with genetic, environmental and social aspects and a high mortality rate despite the existence of effective treatments.
Nationwide, the number of deaths due to drugs more than doubled between 2002 to 2015, including a six-fold increase in deaths due to overdose of heroin and illicit opiods.
A better understanding of the biology and genetics of addiction could also provide insights into the neurobehavioral aspects of obesity, a major health issue in the U.S. and around the world.
JAX Research: Discovering the genetic factors that increase the risk for addiction
JAX researchers are at the forefront of advancing the understanding of the genetic factors involved in individuals' vulnerability to addiction. Researchers have established a strong genetic component for addictive behaviors through studying animal models, including laboratory mice. Different mouse strains, which have different genetic backgrounds, show different levels of preference for addictive substances.
By blending classical and cutting-edge genetic approaches, Vivek Kumar, Ph.D.Understand the genetic and neurobiological basis of complex behaviors that are important in psychiatric conditions such as addiction, ADHD, and depression using genomic, neural circuit, and computational tools.Vivek Kumar is unveiling the genes at work within the brain to control complex behaviors, such as anxiety and addiction. By understanding the biological reasons some people are at greater risk for addiction, Kumar hopes to find new ways to prevent people from being addicted and get help for those who are already addicted and need help now.
In her lab, Elissa Chesler, Ph.D.Researches the genetics underlying behavior and identifies the biological basis for relationships among behavioral traits.Elissa Chesler researches the genetics underlying behavior and is pinpointing the relationships among behavioral traits. Her research has led to a gene library for researchers around the world, where they can mine archived genetic data for new insights into alcoholism and addiction research.
Our goal is to find new ways to prevent addiction in people who are at risk and give doctors the tools they need to guide the choices of medications patients should take before addiction takes hold and ruins lives.
Give to JAX You can help
Researchers look at genetic cause of cocaine addiction
A new grant is funding a study of genetically varied mouse populations in hopes of revealing what factors lead to compulsive...
Research in the mouse illustrates that there are powerful genetic factors influencing the biological mechanisms of...
Rebels with a neurobiological cause: Mouse models explore teen nicotine addiction
Adolescence marks a period of dynamic changes in the brain that appear to make teens more vulnerable to the rewarding properties of...
Addiction is a chronic disease
Rather than treating addiction as a personal failure, Assistant Professor Vivek Kumar, Ph.D., shows how genetics prove...
Training the next generation of addiction researchers
New JAX education program introduces underrepresented minority researchers to advanced genomic approaches in addiction...
The key to addressing the addiction epidemic begins with science
Addiction is a chronic illness, with genetic, environmental and social aspects that are similar in scope to illnesses such...
Investigating the biology of addiction
New mouse models are key to designing better therapeutic interventions for people at risk for addiction.
Addiction is not a moral failure
Recent program at JAX focused on treating addiction as a chronic illness with genetic, environmental and social aspects, and sharing the...
The Kumar Lab
We are a group of geneticists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists who are passionate about discoveries of novel targets and models...
How do sleep and social interaction affect addiction?
Innovative AI technology captures mouse sleep and social behaviors for the study of their influence on drug intake and...
Reproducible results toward ending addiction
New funding and partnerships are helping JAX's Molly Bogue accelerate progress in addiction research.
Building better mouse models for addiction research
NIDA grant to Vivek Kumar of JAX will fund development of new preclinical models of addiction.
Preventing overdose deaths
Making better rescue treatments by finding the genetic variations that raise the risk of deadly opioid overdose.
Toward a better understanding of behavior, biology and addiction
$3.4M grant from National Institute on Drug Abuse for Jackson Laboratory addiction study
JAX Assistant Professor Vivek Kumar will use the five-year grant to pinpoint genetic variants that increase susceptibility...
Bringing hope and understanding to people with addiction
During a recent JAXtaposition event, JAX professor Elissa Chesler shared how her studies of behavioral traits in mice are contributing to...


text:
Genpact: a 21-year-old startup
"Tiger" Tyagarajan CEO
What is it that makes a startup so exciting? Is it the thrill that comes from creating a better, faster way to make a product or offer a service? Is it the inherent exhilaration in believing that anything is possible and that curiosity will lead the way to progress?
A startup is all those things and more, and companies that lose this sense of energy, action, and agility to innovate do so at their own peril. At Genpact, we foster a startup culture. Yes, we've been around for 21 years. And, yes, we have a deep well of experienced talent, domain expertise, and real-world success in driving digital business transformation for scores of global Fortune 500 companies.
But we've never let go of our innate sense of curiosity. That curiosity enables us to continuously challenge the status quo and channel creativity into helping companies transform the way they operate in order to achieve better business outcomes. By bringing together employees with disparate backgrounds and skill sets, we unleash the collaborative and inquisitive spirit focused on the collective "what if," to allow innovation to occur.
Which is why our message "Dream in Digital. Dare in Reality" embodies Genpact's spirit and is actually drawn from what we hear from our team across the world. This has its roots in three distinct features of our organization.
A startup culture
Fresh, quick, and adaptable thinking is what we seek and what we value at Genpact. Our decision-making is flat and fast, and our environment is always buzzing with new ways of working. People with ideas are valued and have a voice in our strategy. In fact, we challenge rule-breakers and risk-takers to join us because we're a company that's all about reinventing how business gets done.
We're also reinventing how we operate. Simply put, at Genpact, hierarchy is irrelevant. Who you report to is yesterday's business model. We want men and women whose focus is on the value they create – value in their own learning and development, value for their clients, their client's customer, and value for their communities. With that attitude, there's no limit to what we can accomplish.
Genpact's history is shaped by an entrepreneurial spirit. After all, we started out as a shared services business for a large Fortune 500 company. Once we were spun off, the real work began. For example, our early years were marked by building out our proprietary Smart Enterprise Processes (SEP). This was a way to take top-level metrics and break it all the way down, giving us the ability to be very scientific in addressing and achieving outcomes for our clients. It wasn't easy. Every step of the way we disrupted ourselves and fearlessly set about rebuilding things with one purpose: improving the company and the work we do.
The power of domain and digital
Being proficient in one language is good. Being proficient in two is great. At Genpact, success belongs to those who exhibit or learn to hone "bilingual" talent – the marriage of domain and digital. Our years of process and operational experience – our domain expertise – combined with a deep bench of talent around digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, is what sets us apart. It's what enables us to work with clients to effectively reimagine their every process, system, and even business model.
Does that mean expertise in both is mandatory? No, but we want people who understand the relationship between the two and how this combination can be the engine that drives transformation within companies and broader industries.
Real-world outcomes
We get it. New technology is cool and exciting. But we believe that there's no reason to go after it if it doesn't drive a real-world business outcome with tangible results for our clients. Talking about machine learning or robotics is meaningless unless it can be tied back to how it enables a company to grow, reimagine its operations, and transform its business.
We work with hundreds of global Fortune 500 companies. They span seven sharply defined industries, and they look to Genpact to help them manage change in a constantly disrupted world. Our digital solutions are enabling them to see around corners, to anticipate market demands and shifts, and to stay ahead of their competitors.
Transform the world with us
We want to attract the best talent in the world – men and women who are excited and motivated to work alongside 87,000 colleagues who are boundary-less in their thinking. By continuing to foster a startup culture that values curiosity, boldness, and flat-and-fast decision making, Genpact is a place where you can drive true transformation – and make a difference.
"Tiger" Tyagarajan
Based in New York, Tiger Tyagarajan is credited as one of the industry leaders who pioneered a new global business model and transformed a division of GE (formerly GE Capital International Services) into Genpact, a global professional services firm that makes business transformation real.


text:
Q: Environment variables substitution in C I have a string with the following content (UTF-8):
__$FOO ${FOO} ${FOO:def} ${FOO2:-тест}

And environment variable FOO with a value test. My C application should work like a GNU  envsubs - replace all $FOO or ${FOO} entries with a test - nothing complicated. Expected result:
__test test test тест

But... How can I do this using C only? I can't use something like exec or external (dynamic) libraries (my app is statically linked for using in docker scratch).
I know about envsubst from gettext, but it does not support the default values, as a minimum.
I found libraries with all required features in Go - stephenc/envsub and Rust - stephenc/envsub, but maybe anyone knows how I can do the same in C? I don't want to invent something that has probably already been invented.
static char *envsubst(char *str) {
  // magic
}

A: As you need a shell substitution, you can run implicitly a shell from your program through libc's services like system() or popen(). Those functions fork/exec a shell and the environment of the caller is inherited by the child process (execve() is used internally). This may appear cumbersome from a performance point of view but it does the job:
#include <stdio.h>

// Non reentrant function as it returns a pointer onto a global static buffer
static char *envsubst(char *str) {
  FILE *f;
  static char cmd[256];
  int rc;

  snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "echo %s", str);
  f = popen(cmd, "r");
  rc = fread(cmd, 1, sizeof(cmd), f);
  cmd[rc]='\0';
  pclose(f);

  return cmd;
}

int main(int ac, char *av[])
{
  if (ac == 2) {
    char *p = envsubst(av[1]);
    printf("%s", p);
  }
  return 0;
}

popen() calls /bin/sh. The previous works if /bin/sh or /usr/bin/sh points on bash and not on any esoteric shell like dash which does not understand this kind of variable substitution.
$ ./envp '__$FOO ${FOO} ${FOO:def} ${FOO2:-TECT}'
sh: 1: Bad substitution
$ ls -l /bin/sh
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 4 août  20 20:30 /bin/sh -> dash
$ sudo rm /bin/sh
$ sudo ln -s bash /bin/sh
$ ls -l /bin/sh
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 4 août  20 20:36 /bin/sh -> bash
$ export FOO=test
$ export FOO2=test2
$ ./envp '__$FOO ${FOO} ${FOO:def} ${FOO2:-TECT}'
__test test test test2
$ unset FOO2
$ ./envp '__$FOO ${FOO} ${FOO:def} ${FOO2:-TECT}'
__test test test TECT
$ unset FOO
$ ./envp '__$FOO ${FOO} ${FOO:def} ${FOO2:-TECT}'
__ TECT

PS: Reading again your question, you mention that you can't use external libs as you are statically linked. So, I am not sure if you are able to use the libc and its popen()/pclose() services...

A: Since I could not find an answer, I decided to write my own parser. It has less functionality than I was looking for, but that was enough for my case:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "envsubst.h"

struct buffer {
        char *data;
        unsigned int len, cap;
};

static struct buffer *newBuf(unsigned int cap) {
    struct buffer *b = malloc(sizeof(struct buffer));

    b->data = malloc(cap * sizeof(char));
    b->cap = cap;
    memset(b->data, '\0', b->cap);

    return b;
}

static void emptyBuf(struct buffer *buf) {
    if (buf->len > 0) {
        memset(buf->data, '\0', buf->cap);
        buf->len = 0;
    }
}

static void writeInBuf(struct buffer *buf, const char c) {
    if (buf->cap <= buf->len + 1) {
        size_t newSize = buf->cap + 64; // growing size

        void *newAlloc = realloc(buf->data, newSize);

        if (newSize > buf->cap && newAlloc) {
            size_t diff = newSize - buf->cap;
            void *pStart = ((char *) newAlloc) + buf->cap;
            memset(pStart, '\0', diff);

            buf->data = newAlloc;
            buf->cap = newSize;
        }
    }

    buf->data[buf->len++] = c;
}

static void writeStringInBuf(struct buffer *buf, const char *str) {
    for (unsigned int j = 0; str[j] != '\0'; j++) {
        writeInBuf(buf, str[j]);
    }
}

/**
 * Parse the string and replace patterns in format `${ENV_NAME:-default_value}` with
 * the values from the environment (or default values after `:-` if provided).
 */
char *envsubst(const char *str) {
    size_t strLen = strlen(str);

    if (strLen < 4) {
        return (char*) str;
    }

    struct buffer *result = newBuf(strLen);
    struct buffer *envName = newBuf(32);
    struct buffer *envDef = newBuf(32);

    enum {
            DATA,
            ENV_NAME,
            ENV_DEFAULT,
    } state = DATA, prevState = DATA;
    bool flush = false;
    unsigned int nested = 0;

    for (unsigned int i = 0; str[i] != '\0'; i++) {
        // detect the state
        if (str[i] == '$' && str[i + 1] == '{') {
            i++;
            nested++;
            prevState = state;
            state = ENV_NAME;

            continue;
        } else if ((str[i] == ':' && str[i + 1] == '-') && state == ENV_NAME) {
            i++;
            prevState = state;
            state = ENV_DEFAULT;

            continue;
        } else if (str[i] == '}' && (state == ENV_NAME || state == ENV_DEFAULT)) {
            nested--;

            if (nested == 0) {
                i++;
                prevState = state;
                state = DATA;
                flush = true;
            }
        }

        const char c = str[i];

        // state processing
        switch (state) {
            case ENV_NAME:
                writeInBuf(envName, c);
                break;

            case ENV_DEFAULT:
                writeInBuf(envDef, c);
                break;

            case DATA:
                if (prevState == ENV_NAME || prevState == ENV_DEFAULT) {
                    char *envVar = getenv(envName->data);

                    if (envVar) {
                        writeStringInBuf(result, envVar);
                    } else if (envDef->len > 0) {
                        writeStringInBuf(result, envDef->data);
                    }

                    emptyBuf(envName);
                    emptyBuf(envDef);
                }

                if (flush) {
                    i--;
                    flush = false;

                    continue;
                }

                writeInBuf(result, c);
        }
    }

    free(envName->data);
    free(envName);

    free(envDef->data);
    free(envDef);

    char *data = result->data;
    free(result);

    return data;
}

And the tests:
#include <assert.h>

// tests running: `gcc -o ./tmp/subs ./src/envsubst.c && ./tmp/subs`
int main() {
    putenv("Test_1=foo");
    putenv("__#Test_2=");

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("__$_UNSET_VAR_ ${_UNSET_VAR_} ${_UNSET_VAR_:-default value }"),
        "__$_UNSET_VAR_  default value "
    ) == 0);

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("${__#Test_2} ${__#Test_2:-foo}${_UNSET_VAR_:-def}${__#Test_2}"), " def"
    ) == 0);

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("${Test_1} ${Test_1:-def}${Test_1}"), "foo foofoo"
    ) == 0);

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("__$FOO ${bar} $FOO:def ${Test_1:-def} ${Test_1} ${_UNSET_VAR_:-default} bla-bla ${FOO2:-тест}${ABC} ${}${}"),
        "__$FOO  $FOO:def foo foo default bla-bla тест "
    ) == 0);

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("${_UNSET_VAR_:-${Test_1}}"), ""
    ) == 0);

    assert(strcmp(
        envsubst("aaa ${}} ${${} bbb"), "aaa } "
    ) == 0);
}


Whether ordered exclusively for trade shows, daily staff uniforms or as gifts to clients and prospects, custom polo shirts impart a professional appearance while also serving as an effective branding tool. They're perfect for wearing daily in casual office environments, look great on the golf course, and keep you comfy during outdoor events and company activities. Best of all, they can be designed, printed and delivered quickly and are available in a full spectrum of colors, materials and price ranges.
For the past 28 years, Rapid Print & Marketing has been designing and printing personalized business polos in Rochester. We offer a diverse catalog of custom shirts to choose from, and have graphic designers on staff to ensure perfect color, application and consistency.
Personalized polo shirts have come a long way over the past few decades, and we've watched with amazement as the category has continued to evolve. Today there is a greater selection of material types, collar styles, insignia options and an expanded offering of big & tall sizes. Our staff can use your finished digital artwork, or work with you in choosing or creating a design that makes your polos really pop!
For additional information or answers to common questions on having personalized polos printed in the Rochester area, call Rapid Print & Marketing today at 585-924-1520. One of our staff or designers will be happy to discuss your project in greater detail.