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Home / Smarter Living / Keeping This Outside Will Attract Snakes to Your Yard, Experts Say
Keeping This Outside Will Attract Snakes to Your Yard, Experts Say
This common mistake is inviting reptiles into your space.
By Kali Coleman
No one wants to come across a snake in their yard—especially since this means they're just one quick slither away from entering your home. Just because snakes are ultimately useful for keeping other pests at bay doesn't mean we're eager for a close encounter. Nevertheless, most of us aren't doing what we can to keep these reptiles out of our space. In fact, you may be inviting them to your yard without even realizing it. Read on to find out what you should always avoid keeping outside your home.
READ THIS NEXT: 9 Ways to Snake-Proof Your Yard, According to Experts.
Snakes are most active in the fall.
If there was any time to be most worried about attracting snakes to your yard, now would be it. Snakes are more active in the U.S. during the fall than any other season of the year, according to the Georgia-based pest control company Northwest Exterminating.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
There are several reasons for this, the first being that most snakes are born between July and September, so baby snakes will be more visible in the fall as they look for their first meals. Snakes are also actively moving around in the fall because they are searching for somewhere to hibernate throughout the winter. And some types of snakes mate during the fall, which means they could also be looking for love.
"With the weather still ideal and an abundance of rain from late summer storms and hurricanes, fall is prime time for snakes to be active. Falling leaves in the fall also provide ideal camouflage for snakes," the experts at Northwest Exterminating explain. But that doesn't mean you have to be providing snakes even more reason to move into your yard during this active season.
Keeping one thing outside can attract snakes to your yard.
There is plenty of outside space for snakes to roam around during the fall season. But Rachel Salant, an animal behavior specialist working with Veterinarians.org, tells Best Life that homeowners who keep pet food outside are unknowingly making themselves a more attractive target to snakes on the move.
"People may want to keep pet food outside because they prefer to feed their pets outside. However, I highly discourage this," she says. "In order to peacefully coexist with all wildlife, including snakes, it is best practice to keep all pet food inside the home."
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Snakes are drawn to pet food for more than one reason.
Pet food is attractive to snakes for multiple reasons. According to Brian Clark, BSN, a biological expert and founder of United Medical Education, pet food has two factors working in its favor—or against it, depending on how you feel about having snakes coming to your yard.
"Pet food is typically high in protein, which snakes love," Clark explains. "It also has a strong odor that can attract snakes from a long distance."
But Jack Miller, a pest expert and founder of the home improvement website How I Get Rid Of, says that neither of these are the main reason why snakes appear attracted to pet food. In fact, Miller says they aren't all that interested in the food itself. "Snakes are attracted to rodents that feed on the pet food," he says.
According to Miller, rats, mice, and other small mammals will be the first to seek out pet food that has been left outside. And this, in turn, creates an unfortunate snowball effect. "Snakes are carnivorous animals that feed on rats and mice and prefer to have easy access to their food," he continues.
There are certain changes you can make to protect your yard.
The absolute best way to avoid attracting snakes to your yard is to keep your pet's food inside at all times. But that might not be a possibility for everyone, nor is it a change everyone may be willing to make.
"If you absolutely must keep bags or cans of pet food stored outside, make sure it is in an airtight, sealed container," Salant advises. The animal behavior specialist also notes that metal containers are preferable to plastic because the latter can easily be chewed through by rodents.
At the same time, if you are going to continue feeding your pet outside, don't let them graze. Daniel Caughill, an animal expert and co-founder of The Dog Tale, tells Best Life that it's best to feed grazers inside. Otherwise, you should "put away their food while they're not eating it," he says.
"Give your pet a few minutes to eat, then take the food inside," Caughill shares. "This will have the double benefit of training your pet to eat better. If your pet discovers later that they wish they had access to their food, they'll start to learn to eat their meal when it's available instead of grazing."
Garden • Home • News • Pests • Pets


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MSD Reminds Parents About Transportation Changes
By Terry Rogers
Although it is still summer vacation, Milford School District Transportation Office is working diligently to create bus routes for the upcoming school year. Harold Walters, Supervisor of Transportation, says that the summer months are the busiest for his staff as they move students up to new grades and assign them to buses for the upcoming school year.
Mr. Walters says that, although the majority of students will have no change in bus transportation unless they are changing schools, parents sometimes make changes to daycare arrangements during the summer. In addition, families may move to a new address within the district, requiring a change in pickup or drop off locations. These changes can have a significant impact on bus transportation as bus loads must be balanced to prevent overloads and to keep bus rides to a minimum.
"Anyone who needs to change transportation for their child needs to visit our office to make the change," Mr. Walters said. "They will need to provide us with photo identification and proof of residence, such as a utility bill or lease in their name. We require parents to come into the office rather than make a phone call for the protection of the student. We want to make sure it is the parent or guardian on record." Parents can download and complete an Application for Student Transportation from the Transportation Office Website.
Mr. Walters said that the deadline to make changes to a child's bus transportation is August 12 at 3 PM. The Transportation Office is open until 8 PM from July 21 through August 2 to accommodate any parent who cannot make it into the office during regular hours which are from 8 AM to 4 PM.
"If a parent misses the deadline on August 12, their child will not have transportation on the first day of school," Mr. Walters said. "They will need to provide transportation for their child until August 29, four days after school begins."
Mr. Walters said that delaying changes to a child's pickup or drop off location leads to significant problems for his staff as well as bus drivers and contractors who must set up the bus routes for students long before the first day of school. Contractors must locate the addresses for all students on bus routes, plan the route in the most efficient manner and confirm that the routes are under a certain time. A last minute addition to a bus route can completely change the route, requiring the driver and contractor to shift other stops, changing the times students whose transportation has not changed as well.
"Last minute student changes can sometimes create last minute changes to a whole bus route," Steve Peterman, a bus contractor for Milford, said. "It's disheartening for a driver to go out, find the stops and set the times, only to find out that they have to start all over again because somebody waiting until the last minute to make the change."
Bus route information is mailed to the student's address that is on file with the district approximately two weeks prior to the beginning of the school year. The district asks that parents have the correct information on file as soon as possible to be sure they receive the information. Parents may also view their child's bus information online through the Transportation website by entering the student's school identification. The entire route can be viewed by entering the bus number. The Transportation Office reminds parents that the times noted are estimates and that the bus driver should contact them with more accurate times. Mr. Walters says that bus routes are in a constant state of change as students are added and deleted or students in high school begin driving to school.
High school students who apply for and receive a parking permit to drive their own vehicle are removed from the bus route per state law. If a student needs busing with a parking permit on an occasional basis, parents may contact the high school to see if a temporary bus pass is available.
The Transportation Office is located at 315 Kent Place in Milford. Parent with questions can contact the office at 302-424-6476.
Sign up for you free digital subscription of The Weekly Review, delivered directly to your email every Tuesday morning. A quick cover-to-cover read to catch up on the news of the week and experience great stories about our local communities. Sign up for your free email subscription below.
MSD Plans for Upcoming Year
MSD Approves New High School Principal

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Kasturi, Tirumalai R and Chandra, Ramal and Ramachandra, * and Reddy, Sathavaram Madhava and Ventaktesan, Kailasam and Srikrishnan, Thamaraipu and Row, Tayur N Guru and Puranik, Vedavati G and Tavale, Sudam S (1987) Rearrangement of a Homobrendane to a Perhydro-l,4=methanoindene Skeleton. X-Ray Crystal Structure of a Novel Product. In: Journal of the Chemical Society: Chemical Communications, 1987 (2). pp. 75-76.
A novel compound obtained by Grignard reaction of the tricyclic hydroxy ketone (1) followed by acid treatment has been assigned structure (3) on the basis of spectral and X-ray crystal structure analyses.


Nancy A. Robichaud, 60, of East Bridgewater and Fitchburg died peacefully from a short illness on March 23, 2016. Nancy was the loving daughter of the late Robert and Patricia (Cashman) Robichaud and grew up in East Bridgewater. Nancy was a medical secretary for many years and lived in various parts of the country through her connection to the US Coast Guard. She enjoyed living in Cape May, New Jersey and Florida and had many friends she leaves behind. She loved spending time with her grandkids, shopping with her sister, and being on social media. She was the loving mother of Joshua R. Robichaud and "Gramma Nancy" of Robert, Ryan, and Isabella. Sister of Denise M. Robichaud, Jane F. Pivor and her husband Roy, David R. Robichaud, James A. Robichaud, and the late Michael J. Robichaud all of East Bridgewater. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John Church, 210 Central St. East Bridgewater on Wed. March 30th at 10:00am followed by a burial at Central Cemetery, East Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or click here.


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Q: Why Exception Handling doesn't print text? My question is why Python doesn't execute the print statement in the Exception Handling code below. I am trying to calculate the log of volumes for a bunch of stocks. Each stock has 1259 volume values. But Python generates a RunTimeWarning "divide by zero encountered in log". So I try to use Exception Handling to locate where the log input is zero, but Python doesn't execute the print statement under except. The print statement is supposed to print the name of the stock and the index in the array where the volume is zero. Why?
Here is the code:
for i, stock in enumerate(df.columns):
    volumes = df[stock].to_numpy()
    for r in range(len(volumes)):   # len(volumes) = 1259
        try:
            v = np.log(volumes[r])
        except:
            print(stock, r)

Here is the Error that follows after the RunTimeWarning.
LinAlgError                               Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-6-6aa283671e2c> in <module>
     13         closes = df_close[stock].to_numpy()
     14         volumes = df_vol[stock].to_numpy()
---> 15         indicator_values_all_stocks[i] = indicator.price_volume_fit(volumes, closes, histLength)
     16
     17     indicator_values_all_stocks_no_NaN =  indicator_values_all_stocks[:, ~np.isnan(indicator_values_all_stocks).any(axis=0)]

~\Desktop\Python Projects Organized\Finance\Indicator Statistics\B.57. Price Volume Fit\indicator.py in price_volume_fit(volumes, closes, histLength)
   1259         x = log_volumes[i - histLength:i]
   1260         y = log_prices[i - histLength:i]
-> 1261         model = np.polyfit(x, y, 1, full = True)
   1262         slope[i] = model[0][0]
   1263

<__array_function__ internals> in polyfit(*args, **kwargs)

c:\users\donald seger\miniconda3\envs\tensorflow\lib\site-packages\numpy\lib\polynomial.py in polyfit(x, y, deg, rcond, full, w, cov)
    629     scale = NX.sqrt((lhs*lhs).sum(axis=0))
    630     lhs /= scale
--> 631     c, resids, rank, s = lstsq(lhs, rhs, rcond)
    632     c = (c.T/scale).T  # broadcast scale coefficients
    633

<__array_function__ internals> in lstsq(*args, **kwargs)

c:\users\donald seger\miniconda3\envs\tensorflow\lib\site-packages\numpy\linalg\linalg.py in lstsq(a, b, rcond)
   2257         # lapack can't handle n_rhs = 0 - so allocate the array one larger in that axis
   2258         b = zeros(b.shape[:-2] + (m, n_rhs + 1), dtype=b.dtype)
-> 2259     x, resids, rank, s = gufunc(a, b, rcond, signature=signature, extobj=extobj)
   2260     if m == 0:
   2261         x[...] = 0

c:\users\donald seger\miniconda3\envs\tensorflow\lib\site-packages\numpy\linalg\linalg.py in _raise_linalgerror_lstsq(err, flag)
    107
    108 def _raise_linalgerror_lstsq(err, flag):
--> 109     raise LinAlgError("SVD did not converge in Linear Least Squares")
    110
    111 def get_linalg_error_extobj(callback):

LinAlgError: SVD did not converge in Linear Least Squares

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Steady as she goes funding for Screen NSW
23 June, 2015 by Don Groves
Screen NSW will receive nearly $10 million in the next financial year, unchanged from the current funding level.
Arts Minister Troy Grant said the funds will be used to attract film production, support the local industry and invest in events such as the Sydney Film Festival.
Thus it's expected that spending on programs will continue to run at about $7.9 million, which last fiscal year included $4.4 million in production finance, $960,000 on development, $380,000 in regional film funding and nearly $980,00 for the festival.
The government's 1.5% efficiency dividend to be imposed across the public sector will not impact spending on progams.
The budget delivered today provides more than $316 million to the arts, including almost $51 million to support artists and organisations across NSW; $30 million over four years for arts in Western Sydney including $10 million to relocate the Powerhouse Museum from Ultimo to Parramatta and $7.5 million for local arts and cultural organisations; and $11 million over two years for planning, design and approvals of the new Walsh Bay arts precinct.
Among other allocations, $4.9 million will be spent on upgrades to the State Library, including improved disability access; $2.9 million to upgrade lighting, air conditioning and chiller units at the NSW Art Gallery; and $2.1 million to allow free access for children under 16 to the Powerhouse and Australian Museums.
In addition, the government will reserve $600 million from the leasing of poles and wires for arts and culture infrastructure.
Meanwhie, applications have closed for the position of CEO of Screen NSW succeeding Maureen Barron, who steps down on August 7. Recruitment agency Watermark will draw up a short list of candidates to be interviewed..
maureen-barron,
screen-nsw
Screen NSW backs 20 new local productions
Nash Edgerton to turn his hand to TV for 'Mr InBetween'
Screen NSW invests in new screen projects
Screen NSW invests $4.2m
First participants unveiled in Screenability NSW internship program
Mojean Aria lands a key role alongside Hugh Jackman in Warner Bros thriller
Stan and Screen Queensland call for series pitches
2020 outlook for Australian filmmakers: challenges and upside
Heath Davis and Blake Northfield team up for bushfire drama
Berlin premieres for 'Stateless' and 'Mystery Road 2'


alexis21 can you tell me what the xml code is to add in the Finance & Salary on the a clubs profile page please? Thanks. Thanks also for making the skin it's looking great.
Great skin really enjoying it. Just a cosmetic thing really, having downloaded the FM16 1.1.1 skin it says 1.1.0 when on the skin selector drop down on the preferences screen?
Thanks flut but strange I download what I believe is v1.2 but it says it's v1.1? Odd, any ideas?


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Q: rvm and octopress cannot generate gists and pictures under mac Since I installed octopress I can not run rake generate for posts that include pictures, code or other media. I get all kind of errors.
I'm using rvm's ruby 1.9.3p194 (2012-04-20 revision 35410) [x86_64-darwin12.0.0] under Mountain Lion. As a package manager I use MacPorts. Is there anything I need to install or that I can do to fix this? It's getting really annoying... :-(
Thanks in advance, right bellow you can see the log here. I wasn't able to post it on stackoverflow.
Thanks in advance for your time!

A: It looks like you used clang for compiling ruby, this is not fully supported. There is at least one known bug with Fibers, and others problems might happen depending on clang version.
Ruby should be compiled with GNU GCC - you can find instructions how to get it by reading output of:
rvm requirements

There is also slightly chance this could be OpenSSL related, make sure you have only one version of it installed and used, sometimes reinstalling it with RVM could help:
rvm pkg install openssl
rvm reinstall 1.9.3


They say: The Italian master illustrator Roberto De Angelis was inspired by the iconography described in A. E. Waite's works while recreating the same symbolic immediacy of the tarots by Pamela Colman Smith in a modern style.
Much of that which has been written about the Waite Tarots can also be applied to the Universal Tarots. There are, however, some substantial differences. The softer and more dynamic style of De Angelis captures some of the symbolic synthesis and sobriety of the pre-Raffaelesque illustrations. In exchange, the more modern and realistic aspect is more consistent with our time and more in tune with the thinking of contemporary man.
In fact, knowing the meaning of the card is not enough for reading the tarots. We must attune to the image, allow it to speak to our intuition, and to suggest and guide during consultation. This knowledge was the basis of Waite's decision to create allegorical images for the minor arcana as well, in order to provide a pictorial key for the reading.
We say: This is the card deck featured as illustrations in 'The Tarot Bible' by Sarah Bartlett also available on our site.
Roberto Di Angelis has created a deck inspired by the colours found in an Italian landscape, on a warm, spring afternoon. The softest of blues and greens, terracotta's, buttery yellows are washed over drawings of pen and ink. The characters are dressed in what may be the Renaissance style of clothing, yet the artwork with its bolder pen and ink lines gives it almost a modernist feel. Every picture tells a story and the Universal Tarot does just that. Each individual card looks like a set for a theatre play. The deck follows the Rider Waite very closely, but the artist has enhanced or dramatised each card to portray more obviously its meaning. The Major, Minor and Court cards are all beautifully illustrated with each card carrying its suit in four languages.
By using theatricality, the artist has ensured some of the cards appear less frightening but retaining enough to denote its meaning, for example, the Devil looks more mischievous than evil, the three of Swords has a man clearly despairing. If he stood up and burst into an operatic aria then it wouldn't be a surprise! Readers and Querants in early stages of their Tarot journey could read from the cards alone without recourse to a book, whilst those more experienced still have the details and symbolism to decipher. The deck comes with a little white book, which has brief explanation of Tarot history, meanings, a spread and a little of the artist's background. The Universal Tarot would appeal to most tarot readers, either for its artwork or its obvious interpretation.


Several new events have been added to the calendar for both this year and next. I'm always impressed when an event is so well organized that they know the dates and location over a year in advance. This calendar features everything from small events (like motorcycle rides and shows) to larger events like International tattoo conventions.
If you have an event that you feel would be of interest to this community, please be sure to submit it via the form at the bottom of the calendar page.


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Ads can be a pain, but they are our only way to maintain the server. Your patience is highly appreciated and we hope our service can be worth it.
Bicentennial Man
Richard Martin buys a gift, a new NDR-114 robot. The product is named Andrew by the youngest of the family's children. "Bicentennial Man" follows the life and times of Andrew, a robot purchased as a household appliance programmed to perform menial tasks. As Andrew begins to experience emotions and creative thought, the Martin family soon discovers they don't have an ordinary robot.
Actors: Angela Landis, Embeth Davidtz, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, John Michael Higgins, Kiersten Warren, Lindze Letherman, Oliver Platt, Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Wendy Crewson
Country: USA, Germany
Keywords:123movies 9movies Angela Landis Bicentennial Man Online Embeth Davidtz Free gomovies gostream Hallie Kate Eisenberg John Michael Higgins Kiersten Warren Lindze Letherman losmovie movie25 movie4k movietv Oliver Platt primewire putlocker putlockers putlockertv Robin Williams Sam Neill shockshare sitename solarmovie Watch Bicentennial Man watch32 Wendy Crewson yesmovie
Anybody Seen My Girl?
Sergei and Kira were considered the most beautiful bohemian couple of St Petersburg in the early 1990s. They were intellectuals enamored with cinema. Their romantic love affair ended in drama,…
Seoul, South Korea, 1997. When the young but extremely anxious student Jin-seok, his parents and his successful older brother Yoo-seok move to a new home, mysterious and frightening events begin…
A faithful Jehovah's Witness is forced to shun her own sister because of a religious transgression. As the separation draws out, she starts to question the meaning of God's love.
Over the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.
Two brothers, down on their luck, fake a disappearance in the Alaskan wilderness so they'll have a great survival story to sell, but the hoax turns out to be more…
When a man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York, he transforms into a violent killer, turning New York into a war zone.
A social butterfly who dies during her birthday week is given a second chance to right her wrongs on Earth.
Blood Prism
A successful art gallery coordinator, living a double life as a serial killer, preys on the hopeless as she attempts to find meaning behind the voices she hears. When she…
A Guidebook to Killing Your Ex
A lonely man with an intention of documenting every important detail is planning to kill his ex-girlfriend within 72 hours only to realize things are not as easy as he…
Country: Hungary, United States, United Kingdom
A London man who loses his memory when he's struck by a falling object develops a way to reconstruct his past.
Country: United Kingdom, Germany
Raven's Touch
Blaming herself for a tragic accident, Raven Michaels secludes herself at a remote family cabin. She wanders the woods on the verge of a breakdown, seeking peace in isolation. In…
The film focuses on the representatives of the Thirteen original colonies who participated in the Second Continental Congress. 1776 depicts the three months of deliberation (and, oftentimes, acrimonious debate) that…
Genre: Drama, History, Music
Trailer: Bicentennial Man
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text:
Facebook will pay a $5 billion fine for one of its many, many privacy scandals
C. Scott Brown / @c_scottbrown
Today, the Federal Trade Commission announced it had reached a settlement deal with Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica scandal (via CNBC). The FTC revealed that Facebook will pay a $5 billion fine, the largest ever levied by the commission against a tech company.
The announcement of this Facebook fine is the culmination of almost a year-and-a-half of investigations into the company, which included a heavily-publicized testimony in front of Congress by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook already set aside $3 billion in April of this year in anticipation of the fine. However, it looks like it will need to figure out a way to get $2 billion more.
Facebook's hand in political engineering: What you need to know
Whether or not you pay much attention to the stock market, you probably couldn't help but notice headlines today about Facebook, Inc. shares dropping dramatically due to issues involving user privacy. While the cause of …
The Cambridge Analytica scandal involved a political consulting firm accessing the private Facebook data of some 87 million users. Allegedly, this data was used to help sway the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Although this scandal is probably the largest and most famous privacy breach in Facebook's history, the company has faced plenty of other issues related to user privacy before and since. It is unclear if there are investigations in the works related to these other problems that could result in even more Facebook fines.
The $5 billion penalties represent an enormous new record for the FTC, considering the second-largest fine its levied against a tech company was for Google when it had to pony up a mere $22.5 million in 2012.
NEXT: How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Facebook redacts controversial plan to pump ads into WhatsApp… for now
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5 Android apps you shouldnt' miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
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What was the biggest tech fail of 2019? (Poll of the Week)
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Welcome to this week's edition of Submit Your Stories Sunday (previously known as Submission Sunday). Every week I bring you a unique call for submissions to help you find a home for your stories or inspire a new one. Each call will contain a speculative element and will offer payment upon acceptance.
Eligibility: speculative fiction written by women. This call covers all four of the Escape Artists podcasts. In the case of Podcastle, submissions must be fantasy stories up to 6 000 words. Escape Pod is looking for science fiction from 1500 – 6 000 words. For Pseudopod, submit horror stories 1500 to 6 000 words. Cast of Wonders wants your young adult speculative fiction up to 6 000 words.
Caveat: for the Artemis Rising event, only women or individuals who have identified as a woman at some point in their lives are eligible to submit. However, at all other times writers who identify as men are welcome to submit their stories, so keep those links handy.
What makes this call stand out: because the Escape Artists markets are podcasts, writers will have the chance to hear a professional read their story.
Submit by: Artemis Rising is open from September 1 to September 30th. Check the websites linked above for other submission dates.
This older link (from 2015), new to me, offers helpful revision suggestions to look at your work in new ways.
Melissa Frey's article How to Write an Antagonist Everyone Loves – and Why You Should is a quick study on adding depth to villains and what doing so can do for your story. If you'd like to take this idea further, I recommend Lesson from the Screenplay's 2016 video The Dark Knight – Creating the Ultimate Antagonists.


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India to boost regional trade
By Himalayan News Service
Published: 12:00 am Oct 03, 2006
Kathmandu, October 3:
In order to boost regional trade, India plans to spend about Rs 8,500 million Indian Currency (IC) to improve infrastructure along the border of four neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Burma.
According to a news report, India will invest close to Rs 8,500 million IC over the next three years to fully develop 14 land customs stations — eight along the border with Bangladesh, four with Nepal, and one each along the border with Pakistan and Burma — in order to boost trade with the neighbouring countries.
India has already unveiled plans to upgrade four customs points along the Indo-Nepal border. The border check posts upgrading project worth over Rs 4,000 million IC is to modernise facilities of customs points at Raxaul-Birgunj, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Sunauli-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.
Out of the total 29 customs points, Nepal and India share 22 customs points for bilateral trade. Of these, third country trade is carried through 15 customs.
It may be mentioned that India is Nepal's largest bilateral trading partner and trans-border customs points play a significant role in export-import business of the country.
Nepal's bilateral trade with India stands about two third of its total foreign trade.
Jairam Ramesh, union minister of state for commerce said that the Moreh project, which has
border trade with Burma, specifically is part of the prime minister's Look-East Policy, which envisages closer integration of the economies of the Northeast states with Southeast Asia.
Ramesh said that out of Rs 8,500 million IC that has been earmarked for development of infrastructure needed to boost trade, Rs 700 million IC will be spent at Moreh in Manipur, presently the only functional land customs station through which trade across the land route along 1,600 km Indo-Burma border takes place.
Preferring to travel the three-hour journey from Imphal to Moreh by road, instead of the usual helicopter, Ramesh visited Moreh along with senior officials of the ministries of home affairs, finance and external affairs.
The Moreh project is to be launched shortly and completed in the next year-and-a-half. It is being executed by the public sector company, RITES.


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Broken Incentives: "People See What They're Incentivized to See. If You Pay Someone Not to See the Truth, They Won't See the Truth." - Washingtons Blog
Broken Incentives: "People See What They're Incentivized to See. If You Pay Someone Not to See the Truth, They Won't See the Truth."
Upton Sinclair said:
It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.
Bestselling financial writer Michael Lewis is now saying the same thing. In an interview with 60 Minutes, Lewis said:
Wall Street is able to delude itself because it's paid to delude itself. That's one of the lessons of this story. People see what they're incentivized to see. If you pay someone not to see the truth, they won't see the truth.
As Lewis makes clear, the broken incentive system causes the heads of the Wall Street giants to act in ways which are not only destructive to the economy as a whole and to American jobs, but to the long-term health of their own companies.
If the broken incentive system were fixed, Wall Street big shots could suddenly be able to "see" the destructive effects of fraudulent and risky behavior. That would take politicians getting out of bed with Wall Street for a couple of minutes, which is unlikely, given how warm and cozy it is Unfortunately, that's probably not politically feasible.
Of course, executive compensation should be linked to performance, in the sense of creating sustainable wealth for shareholders and the economy as a whole. But if the companies and politicians are too spineless to do that, at least ill-gotten gains could be taken away after the fact when executives are found to have committed fraud or driven their companies into the ground.For example, as I wrote last April:
[William K. Black - the senior regulator during the S&L crisis, and an Associate Professor of Economics and Law at the University of Missouri ] provided the historical background to the PCA [The Prompt Corrective Action Law (PCA)] in a little-noticed essay last month:
... PCA also recognized that failing bankers had perverse incentives to "live large" and cause larger losses to the FDIC and taxpayers. PCA's answer was to mandate that the regulators stop these abuses by, for example, strictly limiting executive compensation and forbidding payments on subordinated debt.
As I wrote last June:
Because the current incentive for high-level corporate people is to commit fraud. Even if they are caught and go to jail, they'll be rich when they get out.
Hitting the crooks in the wallet is the only thing which will motivate people not to rip off their shareholders, the taxpayers and the American treasury.
As Paul Volcker says, the incentive systems at financial firms are broken.
Hitting wrongdoers with big fines will help fix them.
And Nobel prize-winning economist George Akerlof co-wrote a paper in 1993 describing the reasons for financial meltdowns:
Financial crises in the 1980s, like the Texas real estate bust, had been the result of private investors taking advantage of the government. The investors had borrowed huge amounts of money, made big profits when times were good and then left the government holding the bag for their eventual (and predictable) losses.
In a word, the investors looted. Someone trying to make an honest profit, Professors Akerlof and Romer [co-author and himself a leading expert on economic growth] said, would have operated in a completely different manner. The investors displayed a "total disregard for even the most basic principles of lending," failing to verify standard information about their borrowers or, in some cases, even to ask for that information.
The investors "acted as if future losses were somebody else's problem," the economists wrote. "They were right."
If enough people ... are hit with [large] fines for fraud, future losses will not be somebody else's problems, but their own.
That would make the game of financial fraud a lot less profitable, and so undermine much of the motivation of corporate big-wigs to commit fraud. And - given that Black says that massive fraud is what caused the economic crisis - that in turn would save the taxpayers from having to fund many billions in bailouts . . .
The incentives should - of course - be on the front end, so that Wall Street folks are dissuaded from committing fraud in the first place.
At the very least, they should be at the back end, so that any profits made by fraud are recouped and put back in the government coffers.
Of course, some people simply cannot help themselves.
That's one reason I like James Kwak's novel approach:
As Kwak writes:
Why not say that all bank compensation above a baseline amount - say, $150,000 in annual salary - has to be paid in toxic assets off the bank's balance sheet? Instead of getting a check for $10,000, the employee would get $10,000 in toxic assets, at their current book value. . . . That would get the assets off the bank's balance sheet, and into the hands of the people responsible for putting them there - at the value that they insist they are worth . . . think about the incentives: talented people will flow to the companies that are valuing their assets the most realistically (since inflated valuations translate directly into lower compensation), which will give companies the incentive to be realistic in their valuations.
Of course, there's an argument that the executives' base salary should be paid in toxic assets as well. Since these fatcats don't seem to be motivated to run their companies well so as to save the economy and the people, maybe having their own salaries on the line will motivate them. But if you believe that is too harsh, at least demand that their bonuses be paid in this way.
... Apparently, Credit Suisse is already doing this.
Charles D March 15, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Perhaps we should repeal the Reagan tax cuts along with the Bush tax cuts. A top marginal tax rate of 70% with the loopholes closed should be adequate to remove some of these perverse incentives.
Bill Bergman March 15, 2010 at 10:59 AM
FDICIA (1991, after the S&L crisis and the evident 'forbearance' problem) incorporated PCA, at least in principle. But the advertised 'tripwires' depended on references to credit ratings by NRSROs. And when you point that out in 2002-2003 to supervisory folks in a banking regulator/supervisor, and recommend stripping those references away, they just sneer at you.
The rank smell really became unbearable when government stepped in -urged on by billions in lobbyist-money- and extended all these ridiculous and morally regressive credit-guarantees, whether it is for home loans, commercial loans or student loans.
These swindlers had then slit a hole in the bottom of the bag. Free enterprise and capitalism died at that moment.
There is literally -no- meaningfully restraint left.
The banks, which historically viewed their enterprise role as simply making money, were then entirely divorced from the results of the fray occurring, literally the mad-scramble to pilfer the public coffers with one public-credit-guarantee-scheme after another.
This self-indulgent Age of Finance Schemes culminated in a huge, near-flatulent, splattering -spray- with Hank Paulson -looking for all the world to see exactly Like Pope Leo X- stating publicly as the Treasury Secretary, that he needed $700,000,000.00 overnight, without any questions -just to keep the world from ending in one loud, anguishing and insidious POP!
What should be instituted, for sustainability's sake, is a system that entirely prohibits banks from lending money.
That's right. Prohibit banks from lending money. Force financial institutions to plan and execute -on their own scorecard- projects of public good that are economically sound.
We would not see these obscene McMansions, endless Mall-of-Americas -or- other similar waste-holes being built, -because- if MY bank says this sort of travesty is what it thinks is economically viable and morally justifiable, I am going to pull my money out of that bank, and vote with my disgust in their inability to ferret any legitimately moral path.
Right now, American economic planning entails only a long line of creditor-entities, each saying, "We will make a great deal of money."
The final dupes in this long line of thieves are the subprime -and- ARM debtors, or the over-leveraged mall-developer -all of whom are guaranteed to default at unsustainable rates- and act only as facilitators to the massive swindles of government-credit-guarantee-money that is being bled out of the Treasury.
It's still going on today.
In housing it's still going on today, and the taxpayer is still footing the bill through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, FHA and the USDA, each of which have federally guaranteed housing-finance programs, as does every state in the Union.
The only check against misuse of the public where-with-all -is-, if someone can get someone to buy it, (now with a puny down-payment) a loan will still be written -and guaranteed by the federal government.
Bernanke's solution is to grotesquely inflate-away the insolvency caused by the grotesque misuse of public money.
An average house could end up costing many millions of dollars under the Bernanke-Geithner approach for steering the ailing economy back into finance's Sodom and Gomorrah.
Our government is offering the incentive through credit-guarantees -only to continue to loot the country in a program called "stimulus".
Financing the building of all this garbage and trash is 180 degrees from any moral approach.
Find the "Money Mechanics" video on the net and learn the truth about how the American money system works and the fraud that all of you are going through!!! Your money does not exist and its fraud and money laundry/forgery!!! For those in Canada the "Oh! Canada Movie" is very similar as both systems are debt based and they on go in a downward direction. If one watches the movies and does the research you'll find all the information on the net for yourselves and court cases and court files of people who are filing class action suits or have won/lost and how to sue the banks/ gov't/ IRS for fraud!Even the IRS has no law saying you have to pay but they insist though! They have broken laws and violated the constitution. In Canada for example you do not require a license to practice law or even joining the bar association which is a "club". The primary requirement is passing the university courses which qualify you not going the club!!! If they don't join then there persecuted for it. Under ultra vires, contract laws and promissory notes and failure to disclose the method of money supplied it's void contract "people" and you can withhold payment during the dispute!!! If you hire a real lawyer they will defend you and show you how to do it cheaply to represent/educated yourself or get aid and how to fill out the right forms. Even advise you without putting there career in jeopardy!! For fear of the "bar association"!!!! If your going broke what do you have to lose! Sign your name on petition's and through numbers we can put it back the way our forefathers had it because they new this would happen!!! Under the law if you claim bankruptcy you and "idiot"/mentally incapable and like slaves its a seven year's before your FREE...........You don't have to be a lawyer to win just well versed in the law!!
(LAWYERS/JUDGES)THE STUPIDITY IS THAT UNLESS YOUR THE 'ELITE' ALL YOU SAVINGS AND MONEY WILL DISAPPEAR WITH THE BANKS GOING BROKE!! SO UNLESS YOUR A BILLIONAIRE OR HIGHER YOU CAN SERVE THEM BUT IN THE END YOU'LL GO BROKE AS WELL BECAUSE YOUR NOT HIGH ENOUGH ON THE FOOD CHAIN!!! THINK ABOUT IT!!! "SLAVES IN THE TOMB WHEN ITS SEALED OFF!!!" DUD!
-the 1930's are an example of this.................. you may want gold or silver coins/jewels in a can in the back yard!!!!
Don't believe me then do the research yourself and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


A Doctor of Chiropractic, also known as a chiropractor, is a health professional that focuses primarily on wellness care instead of sickness care. Their specialty focuses on adjusting the spine to correct motion abnormalities that may be ultimately causing impingement on nerves.
Regular visits to a chiropractor can not only restore health throughout the body but also help alleviate back pain and other symptoms associated with improperly-moving spinal segments. They can also work with their patients to plan exercise routines and alterations in diet to assist management of inflammation and pain. Most insurance carriers cover visits to a chiropractor on at least some level.
Put simply, arthritis is inflammation in the joints which result in joint pain, stiffness and limited range of movement. There are over 200 different varieties of the ailment. While it is generally associated with age, it can also affect young people. It can strike almost any area of the body, with each region having a different cause and name. In some cases, arthritis can cause damage to soft tissues and muscles, like the heart and lungs.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It results from repeated trauma to the joint and becomes more common in the elderly.
Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form in which the body's immune system attacks the joint.
Psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune form of arthritis which affects the joints and causes skin lesions .
Ankylosing spondylitis, also a type of arthritis where the body attacks itself.
Septic arthritis, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the joint.
Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor feels the need to co-manage the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist may be recommended. This can include radiology (x-ray) or an MRI, urine and blood analysis and physical examinations.
It is important to have your condition properly diagnosed so you can more effectively treat the symptoms of the disease.
The most common treatment for arthritis is medication, which can take down the inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. However, chiropractors can be of great help in managing arthritis. While medications work, it has long-term health risks such as impairing healing, damage to the stomach lining and internal bleeding.
In addition, chiropractors can recommend an exercise regimen that's conducive to arthritis. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this is a vital component in managing your arthritis symptoms.
With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best results are achieved from attacking it at all angles. This means working with your chiropractor and rheumatologist to combine treatments, if necessary. In addition to their care, a healthy diet and active exercise regime will help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome.
If you or a loved one are suffering with arthritis, don't hesitate to give us a call today. We're here to help in any way we can!


One of the more harrowing sights in the current economic downturn is debt collectors knocking on doors chasing debts and basically making life very difficult for many people. The subject of how to deal with debt collectors Scotland is something crossing the minds of more and more people with credit card debt, loans, overdrafts and other financial arrangements coming under pressure. The truth is that if you have problems with debt collectors in Scotland, or anywhere else in the UK, this should be a major wake-up call with regards to taking action to protect your assets and your income and address the problem of your mounting debt.
Trust deeds in Scotland are there for a reason, bankruptcy laws in Scotland are there for a reason, and it is vital that you make use of this very important lifeline. In simple terms, whether you look for a trust deed in Scotland or perhaps bankruptcy in Scotland, the courts and your trustees will decide whether you are in a position to pay any debts or all of the debt. If your trustees decide bankruptcy is not in your best interests then you will be told so and the worst-case scenario would be a debt repayment program which would see both parties receive some form of closure.
Placing your head in the sand and hoping that your debt problems from go away will lead to worse problems and you need to address those issues as quickly as possible. For many people the major problems in the future come from the fact they have let their debt problems linger for too long and have "passed the point of no return". So if there is one phrase which would sum up how you should approach any debt issues it has to be "Act now!".


The British Book Awards, or Nibbies, has revealed the regional shortlists for the 2019 Independent Bookshop of the Year, sponsored by Gardners Books.
Forty-eight bookshops from nine regions are competing to win in their local area and the judging panel will choose one winner per region, to be revealed in March. The overall winner will receive a cheque for £5,000 from wholesalers Gardners Books at the 13th May ceremony.


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Home » The Genghis Khan Guide to Etiquette: simple and good
The Genghis Khan Guide to Etiquette: simple and good
Rob Gee
He's back. Brit comic Rob Gee has returned to The Fringe with The Genghis Khan Guide to Etiquette a show having, in his own words, "nothing to do with Genghis Khan, and even less to do with etiquette".
Gee was a huge hit at last year's Fringe with his show Fruitcake - true tales from his time as a nurse in a psych ward. Although Khan may not be as good as his previous effort Gee is still a pleasure to see, and with word of mouth and rave reviews, he'll no doubt sell out the rest of his run. So get in line, you really don't want to miss him.
The theme of The Genghis Khan Guide to Etiquette is one of social interaction - something Rob Gee is very, very good at - with his goofy grin, happy demeanor,
and gift for the gab he's a hard guy not to like. Khan is a series of stories Gee tells about funny social interactions he's had, each followed up by one his crazed poems. That portion of the show is over a little too soon, and so for the remainder of the his performance Gee returns to some stories from Fruitcake that were cut from that show.
It doesn't fit, but it doesn't matter. Gee is an amiable, very funny guy with an infectious enthusiasm that goes beyond mere "theatrics". His story telling doesn't require props or costume changes - it's as simple, and as good as The Fringe can get. Enjoy.
The Genghis Khan Guide to Etiquette is on as part of this year's Victoria Fringe Festival. For more information go here.
By Paul McKinnon
comedy, victoria fringe, spoken word, rob gee
The reviews and articles on the website can be shared but attribution must be provided.
The text, images, audio, or video are copyright their respective owners.


text:
Q: Упростить и усовершенствовать код игрушки "угадай число" Составил небольшой код игрушки "угадай число"
Можете подсказать, как упростить код, и что можно добавить
import math
import os
from random import randint
import sys
l =1
checkminran = False
checkmaxran = False
x = ["0","1","2","3","4","5","6","7","8","9"]
print("Давай сыграем с тобой в игру угадай число, для начала выбери диапазон случайного числа")
#Проверка диап случ числа:
while l == 1:
    while checkminran == False:
        try:
            minran =int((input("минимальное число:")))
            checkminran = True
        except ValueError:
            print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')
    while checkmaxran == False:
        try:
            maxran =int((input("максимальное число:")))
            checkmaxran = True
        except ValueError:
            print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')
    if minran > maxran:
        ran = randint(maxran,minran)
        matt = int((minran-maxran+1)/2)
        veb1=0
        l = 0
    elif maxran > minran:
        ran = randint(minran,maxran)
        matt =int((maxran-minran+1)/2)
        veb1=1
        l=0
    else:
        print("Это безпройграшный вариант, так не честно")
        checkminran=False
        checkmaxran=False

if matt > 1:
    print ("теперь укажи желаемое кол-во попыток(кол-во попыток должно быть меньше или равно "+str(matt)+")")
    print('Если не знаешь, какое хочешь кол-во попыток, можешь довериться везению и ввести "0"')
    i = False
    #выбор кол-во попыток:
    while i == False:
        try:
            att = int(input())
            if att == 0:
                att=randint(1,matt)
                i=True
            elif att > matt:
                print("Слишком много попыток, это не честно, возьмите меньше попыток")
            else:
                i=True
        except ValueError:
            print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')
else:
    att = 1
if att == 1:
    x = "ка"
elif att == 2 or att == 3 or att == 4:
    x = "ки"
else:
    x = "ок"
print ("У тебя есть "+str(att)+" попыт"+x+", чтобы угадать заданное случайное число то "+str(minran)+" до "+str(maxran)+"")
checkyourint = False
while checkyourint == False:
    try:
        yourint = int (input())
        checkyourint = True
    except ValueError:
            print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')

checkyourint = False
#Сама игра:

while checkyourint == False:
    while att > 0:
        checkyourint = False
        if yourint == ran:
            print ("ты выиграл")
            att = att-att
            exit = int(input('Введите "1", если хотите сыграть еще раз, если нет: введите что угодно:'))
            if exit == 1:
                os.execv(sys.executable, ['python'] + sys.argv)
            else:
                break

        elif yourint < ran:
            att = att-1
            if att == 1:
                x = "ка"
            elif att == 2 or att == 3 or att == 4:
                x = "ки"
            else:
                x = "ок"
            print ("неверно, твое число меньше загадонного, у тебя осталось "+str(att)+" попыт"+x)

            if att ==0:
                print ("ты проиграл, число было: "+str(ran))
                att = att-att
                exit = int(input('Введите "1", если хотите сыграть еще раз, если нет: введите что угодно:'))
                if exit == 1:
                    os.execv(sys.executable, ['python'] + sys.argv)
                else:
                    break
            checkyourint = False
            while checkyourint == False:
                try:
                    yourint = int (input())
                    checkyourint = True
                except ValueError:
                        print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')
        elif yourint > ran:
            att = att-1
            if att == 1:
                x = "ка"
            elif att == 2 or att == 3 or att == 4:
                x = "ки"
            else:
                x = "ок"
            print ("неверно, твое число больше загадонного, у тебя осталось "+str(att)+" попыт"+x)
            if att ==0:
                print ("ты проиграл, было число: "+str(ran))
                att = att-att
                exit = int(input('Введите "1", если хотите сыграть еще раз, если нет: введите что угодно:'))
                if exit == 1:
                    os.execv(sys.executable, ['python'] + sys.argv)
                else:
                    break
            checkyourint = False
            while checkyourint == False:
                try:
                    yourint = int (input())
                    checkyourint = True
                except ValueError:
                        print('Это не является целым чесло, попробуй еще ')

A: *

*Используйте f-строки.

*Используйте функции.

*Для склонений используйте словарь (я назвал его declinations).

*Не меняйте "ты" на "вы" в течение общения с пользователем. Придерживайтесь одного выбранного варианта.

Вот как-то так:
from random import randint

declinations = {
    0: 'попыток',
    1: 'попытка',
    2: 'попытки',
    3: 'попытки',
    # дальше сами
    5: ...,
    6: ...,
    7: ...,
    8: ...,
    9: ...,
    # а дальше уже заполнять не нужно
}

def get_int(out='', err='Это не целое число. Попробуйте еще раз.'):
    while True:
        try:
            return int(input(out))
        except ValueError:
            print(err)

def get_range_min_max():
    while True:
        min_num = get_int(out='Минимальное число:')
        max_num = get_int(out='Максимальное число:')
        if min_num == max_num:
            print('Так не честно!')
        else:
            return sorted((min_num, max_num))

def get_attempts(min_num, max_num):
    diff = (max_num-min_num+1)//2
    if diff <= 1:
        return 1

    print(f'Укажите желаемое кол-во попыток (кол-во попыток должно быть меньше или равно {matt})')
    print('Если не знаете, какое хотите кол-во попыток, можете довериться везению и ввести "0"')
    while True:
        attempts = get_int('Введите кол-во попыток:')
        if attempts > diff:
            print('Слишком много попыток, возьмите меньше попыток.')
        else:
            return attempts

def guess_game():
    while attempts:
        attempts -= 1
        declination = declination.get(attempts%10)
        answer = get_int('Ваша попытка:')!
        if answer==num_to_guess:
            print('Вы победили!')
            break
        elif answer < num_to_guess:
            print(f'Ваше число меньше загаданного. У вас осталось {attempts} {declination}.')
        else:
            print(f'Ваше число больше загаданного. У вас осталось {attempts} {declination}.')
    else:
        print('Попытки кончились.')
        print(f'Я загадывал число {num_to_guess}.')

while True: # main game cycle
    # getting minimum and maximum of the range
    min_num, max_num = get_range_min_max()
    # randomising number to guess
    num_to_guess = randint(min_num, max_num)
    # selecting the number of attempts
    attempts = get_attempts(min_num, max_num)
    declination = declination.get(attempts%10)
    print(f'У вас есть {attempts} {declination}, чтобы угадать число от {min_num} по {max_num}.')
    # guessing cycle
    guess_game()
    # do user want to play again ?
    if input('Введите 1, если хотите сыграть еще раз. Иначе нажмите Enter.') != '1':
        break

A: Начните с изучения возможностей python. Функции, циклы, выход из циклов....
Полезно почитать про f-строки для формирования строк
Вот пример для изучения (на базе Вашего кода):
def getInt(str = ''): # Функция чтения int из stdin
    while True:
        try:
            return int(input(str)) # Возвращаем int
        except ValueError:
            print('Это не является целым числом, попробуй еще')

minran = getInt("минимальное число:")
maxran = getInt("максимальное число:")

В аналогичном ключе поменяйте Ваши запросы ввода целых чисел и код будет несколько легче понимать и не будет повторов одного и тогоже кода.
Ну и это зачем? os.execv(sys.executable, ['python'] + sys.argv)
У Вас же циклы для этого есть, чтобы начать игру с самого начала.

A: Максимально простой вариант.
    from random import randint
    i=randint(1,10)
    print ("Случайное число от 1 до 10 сгенерировано, попробуй угадать!")
    o=int(input("Введите предполагаемое число: "))
    if i == o:
        print ("Вы угадали, это число: " + str(i))
    else:
        print ("Вы не угадали, это число: " + str(i))


text:
Q: how to create/load a custom spring jar in a not spring managed web application I would like to create a jar lib using spring and import them in my web application. Since I use spring in the latter too, then I don't have any problem. The point is that I would like to re-use it in non spring managed environment too.
Let's say I want to use the lib in pure javaee web app, then I can't use the spring autowiring and package scan features.
My idea is: create a simple pure bean and load spring configuration in its costructor:
public class SpringStandalone{

private Client                      client;
private AnnotationConfigApplicationContext  ctx;

public SpringStandalone() {
    ctx = new AnnotationConfigApplicationContext();
    ctx.getEnvironment().setActiveProfiles("test");
    ctx.scan("my.package.scan");
    ctx.refresh();
    client = (Client) ctx.getBean(Client.class);
    ctx.destroy();
}

public void send(Object o) {
    client.send(o);
}

}

Is that the right way to do this? If so, How should I manage the applicationContext destroy (should I bother about it?)?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Fabio

A: You can't destroy the Spring app context and hope that your Client object will work.
Instead, you should provide a separate 'SpringStandalone.destroy()' method that the client code will call when your SpringStandalone class is no longer required.
Note that the call to ctx.destroy() not just clears the Spring container, but also triggers some 'business' actions, such as calling all bean methods annotated with @PreDestroy, publishing shutdown events etc., so it is a good practice to call it when you no longer need the SpringStandalone object.
I believe there is nothing wrong in your approach.
Note that it takes time for the Spring app context to load, so you would want to create your SpringStandalone only once.


If you'd like to join the mailing list for my occasional newsletter - book jackets, working titles, cancelled scenes, minor rants - sign up here. There's an exclusive free short story waiting for you . . .
Here's a run-down of what's happening in April for the launch of Lexy 2.
Thrilled to be returning to see Tina, Janis and co at one of my favourite indies!
Twas the Night before Malice . . .


women face problems when trying to address issues with their own healthcare. Maven was created to offer a personalized way to save time and connect with care providers.
Some telehealth services are available from providers such as Captureproof in San Francisco and, to some degree, from Vidyo in Hackensack, NJ. Ryder says Maven is the only telehealth company focused on female healthcare consumers.
The service is primarily available in New York, and Ryder says she is working on taking Maven national. The expansion plan will include recruiting practitioners who are licensed in multiple states. The ability to message practitioners is coming to Maven next month, Ryder says.
The main customers Maven serves right now, she says, are college-age women and pregnant women, during transitional times in their lives. "When there's some kind of disruption in your life or daily routine, people are using us," she says.
This year's grand prize winner was the most mobile-specific of the trio. Video shopping network MikMak is an iOS app that runs short infomercials for beauty products, accessories, gadgets, and other wares all priced under $100. All the videos are 30 seconds long and the hosts all have backgrounds in comedy. "People think of us as QVC for Snapchat," Tipograph says.
An entrepreneur throughout her youth, she became an eBay power user at 13. "E-commerce and digital marketing were things that I've been doing natively my entire life without thinking twice about it," she says. That trait continued into her college years. As an undergrad at NYU, Tipograph ran a social media agency for comedians. "That's when I found a passion for using digital communication to disrupt old business models," she says.
While in school, she also became a reverse mentor teaching executives at Time Warner about the Internet. She eventually got a job at New York-based digital strategy firm Undercurrent, and later joined the Gap's marketing team in New York running global social media, hired to increase the company's appeal among younger consumers. "I knocked a decade off the average customer," Tipograph says.
But she thought there could be another way to drive sales on the Web beyond promotional e-mails and retargeted advertising. Tipograph found that video had the potential to be as effective as those forms of marketing, without annoying the audience. The trouble was professional video production remained costly for advertising. She looked for a way to bring that kind of quality to the mobile scene—but without the typical six- to seven-figure price tag.
Infomercials looked like the answer, Tipograph says, if they were packaged in short videos to appeal to 18-to-34-year-olds. That is where MikMak came from.
She bootstrapped the development of the prototype, went on to raise $2.1 million, publicly launched MikMak back in June, and got named by Apple as a best new app at the time. Under the first revenue model, MikMak took a percentage of every sale it generated, Tipograph says. As her clientele expanded from small brands to Fortune 500 companies, including American Express and General Electric, sponsored content followed.
L'Oréal is building up momentum in its efforts to work with startups, which may help to shape the future for the company. Back in March, L'Oréal USA started working with the New York-based Grand Central Tech accelerator. As this push to see more innovation continues, Weiss says the importance of talking about women in tech and business has not diminished. "This conversation still needs to happen," she says.


← Snow Monkey? 白のガンダルフ Gandalf the White??
I have known Phil Rogers and Svend Bayer for twenty years. Working as potters, we are too busy to meet up often, yet we remain good friends. I like both Phil's outgoing activities and Svend's simple solitary lifestyle, while I remain indecisive between studying old pots and making my own.
I missed the preview of Svend's exhibition at Goldmark Gallery at the end of last month, but after he sent me his signed catalogue and video disc, I reslly wanted to see his pots so I visited the gallery with a friend. Svend loves making big pots and I have always admired his large jars and plates. I noticed this time that he used less large shell wadding than in previous exhibitions. It has never been commonly used by Japanese potters, yet seashell wadding was introduced to potters outside Japan by the Japanese potter Shiro Tsujimura 20 years ago. This infectious trend spread all over the world like wildfire and has been adopted by many wood-fire potters. In my opinion, without unnecessary marks from the large scallop shells, Svend's pots would be even more beautiful and graceful.
I enjoyed holding the smaller pieces and studying their details. Svend must have put a lot of thought in making, firing and selecting the pots for this show, all the pots have strong presence. To sum it up, beautiful pots by Svend and a wonderful display by the gallery.
Earlier this year, Mr Goldmark had invited me to show him my best tea bowls after he visited my website, so I brought him two Shino tea bowls that I had made in the Czech Republic.
I hope you are keeping well and not too cold at the moment! Thanks for posting these images – the pots look exceptional. I have only met Svend Bayer once at Whichford and had a nice chat with him. One day I will go to visit him at his pottery. I have been in the past but he was out – I should have called first! We did go up the road to visit Clive Bowen though so it wasn't a wasted journey. Clive also makes some stunning pot.
We still haven't organised that trip to see the Aylesbury collection! Sorry – I'm useless.
Do you have any pots for sale at the moment?
Sorry I did not get in touch with you a while. In fact, I have suffered from terrible insomnia since the end of summer. I lost my concentration on what was supposed to do. But do not worry, I finally managed to pick myself up and ready to face my solitary life.
I had an agreement with Mr. Goldmark that I would show him my best tea bowls last year. So I have to save some tea bowls. I went to see Svend's exhibition and took just two tea bowls to show. Two Shino tea bowls were acquired by Mr. Goldmark on the spot.
I have a few tea bowls for sale at home. I was going to make an extra page on my Anagama website. What I really want is to have my best 100 pots in stock and displayed nicely. As you have been patient with my selfish request for you to wait, I would not mind sending some pots away, if you could come to my place and could find something you like.


I'm a unique person, I'm a real housewife. I can cook deliciously, beautifully dance , but I'm a little shy.
I like touching myself. I think every woman should discover her body and know what makes her excited.
Hello:) I'm new here, and for me it's very much the first time, maybe I'm a little shy. But you can teach me new things. Is not it?


If using TTY, Speak and Listen or Internet Relay, ask for 1800 67 67 00 during office hours or 1300 135 790 if making an after-hours insuance claim.
Please note that our premises are up a flight of stairs on the first floor and there is no lift in our building. Most of your business with us can be conducted over the telephone by contacting our friendly Call Centre staff. However, if you would prefer to see us in person, but cannot make it up the stairs, please call ahead so that we can make special arrangements.


From Snakes on a Train to Camp Blood, these promotional posters are bright, gory, and emphatically hand-made. Painted in acrylic on durable flour sacks, they were produced by an informal street guild of painters in Ghana in the 1980s and 1990s to promote travelling presentations of action and horror films. The posters came to prominence in the western art world in 2000 with the publication of the book Extreme Canvas. Drawn from the collection of Christchurch painter Roger Boyce, Camp Blood showcases (to use Boyce's phrase) the 'fabulously lurid' work of these popular artists.
Installed in April 2013 as part of Populate! – Christchurch Art Gallery's tenth-birthday programme of art around the city.
Last chance to view the Holloway Press exhibition at Central Library Peterborough this week so if you are in the neighbourhood and like beautifully printed, designed and hand-crafted books then make sure you head along.
Christchurch Art Gallery is excited to be working with Wellington-based artist Sian Torrington on a site-specific sculptural installation that will combine ideas, images and materials that relate to living in Christchurch now.
See below for a message from Sian to find out how you can get involved.
The Gallery's latest exhibition in the Outer Spaces programme, Showhome, has opened in Christchurch, featuring the disconcertingly 'perfect' works of recent University of Canterbury graduate Emily Hartley-Skudder.
The popularity of Reconstruction: Conversations on a City has led to the exhibition being extended until 14 October, and the development of a publication.
Do You Remember Me Like I Do?
If you've not been down to the Central Library Peterborough yet now's a good time to do it.
In preparation for the next issue of Bulletin, Gallery photographer John and I have been out photographing some of the local artists who will be taking part in Rolling Maul when we reopen.


A closer look at the trends that will shape Digital Marketing in 2017 – and how you can leverage them to outperform your peers. Read more in this blogpost series: https://webrepublic.com/en/blog/2016/11/18/digital-marketing-trends-2017-en/.
- 40% of consumers will leave a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load.
As more and more people are familiar with AMP and Instant Articles, the acceptance rate of slow loading content will deminish – further pushing fast loading pages as the standard on the web, with huge benefits for players that move accordingly.
Prognosis: Google will drop the AMP label end of 2017 and start labelling slow loading pages.
Chinese consumer platforms are fast rising and will be here to stay. They will be global competitors to the dominant US platforms and a strong local competition in almost all fields of ecommerce.
Their strength is a low price level and wide range of products.
Do it now: Order something on Wish, to learn about the experience first hand.
We expect the swiss market to reach a programmatic share of 25% at the end of the year.
Voice Search will gain ground and make up around one third of all search queries.
Do it now: Try to call your company just by using a voice command.
Ecosystems mean momentum – from voice search, to AI, page speed and china b2c platforms.
Structured data is the entry ticket to next years party.
2. 2 Digital Marketing in 2016 The pace still is incredible high Just three examples to start out with: - Pokémon Go needed only two weeks to become the most actively played game in the history of the US with 21 Mio users - In June, Microsoft announced the $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn - Today, the 5 most valuable companies on the stock exchange are digital players: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook.  We live in the age of digital technology and need to keep up with the pace of the industry.
3. 3 About this presentation The goal of this presentation is to give you actionable recommendations to outperform your peers and sustainably integrate marketing innovations into your planning. We therefore focus on trends that we place on the right end of the Gartner Hype Cycle – that means, we cover innovations whose time has truly come and where we see short and mid term benefits.
7. 7 709ms1.67sec Regular Mobile Version AMP Version AMP more than twice as fast.
9. 9 So what? Nominate a Chief Speed Officer To work across the organizational silos, make page speed a key issue and nominate a CSO to drive the project with top- coverage.
11. 11 Alibaba / Handelsblatt 2016 $ 14.3 B With a strong home market in the back, China is becoming a strong ecommerce force with global ambitions – China is no longer just about producing cheap goods for the west, but reinventing itself as a B2C market for global consumers.
13. 13 iTunes App Store, October 2016 Chinese Apps are already popular in Switzerland.
14. 14 So what? Play the quality card Chinese platforms score with low prices and a wide range of products. You can win with fast delivery, great customer service, quality products. Invest in your brand to stand out.
17. 17 Premium Inventory is ready.
18. 18 Dynamic Creatives Leverage data to create ads that are relevant and stand out.
19. 19 So what? Think user, not channel To get the most out of the programmatic paradigm shift in our industry, rethink your media planning around the users and their customer journey. Use programmatic to integrate your digital campaigns and boost their efficiency.
21. 21 Google's vision for the coming years is to move from a "Mobile First" to a "AI First" world. Smart Assistants and Voice Search will play a crucial role in this world.
22. 22 The future is already here: Voice search today is more powerful than you might think. Complex queries in loud environments get processed correctly – and with API connections to airlines, food deliveries, and many more, it's also a world that's open for business.
23. 23 Connected devices such as Google Home bring AI and voice search into the living room.
24. 24 So what? Let your data join the conversation Google's voice search relies on structured data to answer questions. Provide your company's data in the right format to connect to this emerging channel.
26. 26 The AI Memorial Friends of Russian Programmer Roman Mazurenko built a bot to talk to him after his tragic death in an accident in Moscow.
29. 29 So what? Befriend a bot Embrace the potential of bots by either building your own first bot project or interact with them in the Facebook Messenger or Google Allo.
31. 31 So what? Bots at Work 2017 Next year is all about the power of ecosystems: From Page Speed to Voice Search, new benchmarks are evolving. Those ecosystems mean momentum, and they create the new normal. Structured data will be the entry ticket to this new world.
32. 32 Thank you You liked the presentation? Read more on these trends on our blog.


text:
Q: Create directory I need to create a directory, but, the directory when I need to create is inside of another directory. Something like this:
        Directory.CreateDirectory(@"teste\teste\teste\teste\");

basically, this directory does not exist ( of course ), but, the CreateDirectory(...) not support this string style, how I can make to create this directories ?
My way to make this is that:
    private void createdir(string _path)
    {
        string path = string.Empty;
        string[] dir = _path.Split('\\');

        for(int i=0;i<dir.Length;i++)
        {
            path += dir[i] + "\\";
            Directory.CreateDirectory(path);
        }
    }

But, I want to know, if have a more better way to make this ( a more legible ) more rapid.

A: Directory.Create("c:\teste\teste\teste\teste"); should workt

A: according to MSDN, you can nest the directory . CreateDirectory
 Directory.CreateDirectory("Public\\Html");
     Directory.CreateDirectory("\\Users\\User1\\Public\\Html");
     Directory.CreateDirectory("c:\\Users\\User1\\Public\\Html"); // using verbatim string you can escape slashes

if(System.IO.Directory.Exists(yourPath))
{
  Directory.CreateDirectory(yourPath);
}

A: Directory.CreateDirectory() can be used to create directories and subdirectories as specified by the path.
Here's an example:
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    try
    {
        Directory.CreateDirectory(@"D:\ParentDir\ChildDir\SubChildDir\");
        Console.WriteLine("Directories Created");
        Console.ReadLine();
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
    }
}

Source

A: My chosen method would be:
DirectoryInfo di = new DirectoryInfo(@"teste\teste\teste\teste\");
di.Create();

A: Your way is too complicated for this process. You don't have to use Split() method also to create this kind of directories.
You can use it like;
string tempFolderAbsolutePath = @"C:\Temp";
string subFolderRelativePath = @"teste\teste\teste\teste\";

DirectoryInfo tempFolder = new DirectoryInfo( tempFolderAbsolutePath );
DirectoryInfo subFolder = tempFolder.CreateSubdirectory( subFolderRelativePath );

As you can see, this process creates nested subdirectories.

A: If your current directory is (say C:\) and you want to create a directory as C:\A\B\C, then I think the best way is using
Directory.CreateDirectory(@"\A\B\C");

If you need a directory in another root (say, D:\) then you need to give the full path as
Directory.CreateDirectory(@"D:\A\B\C");

You do not need to have a for loop to create each directory as CreateDirectory does it for you.


text:
Coronavirus should not put an end to globalization
If international networks go into reverse, living standards will fall
Masaaki Shirakawa Guest Writer
April 18, 2020 03:00 JST | East Asia
The coronavirus pandemic will surely affect global businesses' decisions on supply chains. © Reuters
Masaaki Shirakawa is the former governor of the Bank of Japan.
It may be too early to talk about the world after the pandemic, but I believe it is worthwhile. After all, the monetary easing which developed economies adopted at the time of the global financial crisis, or GFC, in 2008-09 is still with us.
For this, I would like to do two exercises. One is to look at financial imbalances before the outbreak of the coronavirus to see if they can tell us what is coming next. The other is to reflect on the direct implications of the pandemic for globalization, one of the drivers of growth since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Various forms of financial imbalances had already accumulated. For example, the elevated level of public and private debt has been a popular topic in policy debates. Huge increases in investment funds, which can be redeemed at short notice, gave rise to liquidity risk, which has been well recognized.
We had severe market turbulence in March, though somewhat improved recently. Stock price declines mainly reflect underlying concerns about the potential damage and uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
What characterizes a financial crisis is a negative feedback loop between the real economy and the financial system. At present, the real economy causes trouble in the financial market, not the other way around. But now that many economists project a sharp contraction in economic activity, it is hard to believe a complete decoupling between the real economy and the financial system will continue.
People who are sanguine about the health of the financial system point to the ampleness of banks' capital and liquidity buffers after post-GFC financial reform. These efforts are commendable, but I am not fully convinced by this argument.
The most salient feature of market turbulence in March was a flight to liquidity. It was telling that this phenomenon did happen, despite central banks' balance sheets having expanded enormously, with abundant cash liquidity.
The most salient feature of market turbulence in March was a flight to liquidity. © Reuters
Yes, banks' regulatory capital was sufficient. But this depends on how banks perceive and calculate risk by their own internal risk model. A simple leverage ratio which does not rely on sophisticated risk measurement paints a different picture for large U.S. banks. We have to be alert to potential vulnerabilities.
My second exercise is about the impact of coronavirus outbreak on globalization, without which the global growth rate would have been much lower.
In the past 10 years or so, we have observed some reversal or backlash. It started with anger at the global financial trade symbolized by the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers. The growth of cross-border lending has slowed. Subtle financial regulations with the effect of ringfencing domestic interests are now not rare.
Discontent with globalization spread to the movement of people, best represented by the Middle Eastern refugee crisis and Brexit. It further spread to the international trade of goods and services -- witness the trade dispute between the U.S. and China. Enhanced data protection is taking on an element of a subtle form of retreat from the conventional notion of globalization.
The coronavirus pandemic will surely affect global businesses' decisions on supply chains as well as ordinary citizens' decisions on foreign tourism. Given a growing sense of inequality of income and wealth that is also related to globalization, it seems inevitable that average citizens will become cautious about embracing hyper-globalization.
The issue is not solely about xenophobia. For example, the EU announced restrictions on the export of medical gear. The difficulty of reaching agreement about coronabonds, bonds issued by the whole EU to raise money for the crisis, was another example.
After the outbreak of coronavirus, some retreat of globalization seems inevitable. My concern is if such movement goes too far. I suspect that if the globalization trend should really be reversed, people would then start complaining about a resulting decline in living standards.
The world after the pandemic depends on policy responses as well. What central banks could best contribute now is to maintain functioning markets. In this regard, the enhanced U.S. dollar swap line between the Federal Reserve and major central banks should be highly valued.
Monetary easing is not an answer in a situation where face-to-face contact should be restrained. In any event, now the policy rates of central banks in all developed economies have become practically zero. This zero-interest rate world is troubling because the economy and financial system are potentially vulnerable thanks to excessive debt and a lack of monetary policy space.
This odd situation is the cumulative result of justifiable central bank action on a stand-alone basis. Thus we have to reconsider the basic framework of monetary policy itself. Meanwhile, fiscal policy measures aiming at relieving uncertainties facing individuals and small businesses are needed. But cries of a "wartime economy" make me feel a bit uneasy.
As for globalization, governments and central banks should make the utmost effort to avoid the retreat of global cooperation.
'Samsung Rising': How a dried-fish shop became the face of Korea Inc.
Coronavirus pandemic tears holes in Asia's garment industry
How the coronavirus is reshaping Asia's borders, business and trade
Coronavirus crisis will send globalization into reverse


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police said on Tuesday they had arrested nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu for violating a ban on contact with foreigners.
His lawyer said he was detained over a romance with a Norwegian woman rather than for revealing nuclear secrets.
"Vanunu was arrested (for) a relationship between a man and a woman, with a Norwegian citizen," attorney Avigdor Feldman told reporters.
"He is not being accused of giving any secrets. She is not interested in nuclear business — she's interested in Mordechai Vanunu (and he) is probably interested in her," Feldman said.
A Jerusalem court ordered Vanunu, who was taken into police custody on Monday, put under house arrest for three days pending an indictment, police said.
Vanunu was jailed as a traitor in 1986 and served an 18-year sentence after discussing his work as a technician at Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor with a British newspaper, an interview that led experts to conclude the facility had produced fissile material for as many as 200 atomic warheads.
After his release from jail in 2004, Israeli defense authorities barred Vanunu from traveling abroad or speaking with foreigners, alleging he has more details on the Dimona atomic reactor to divulge.
The restrictions, upheld by Israel's Supreme Court, have been condemned by international human rights groups.
Vanunu denies he poses a security risk but says he will pursue anti-nuclear activities and wants to live abroad.
In court on Tuesday, Vanunu — who refuses in protest against Israel to speak Hebrew publicly — addressed reporters in English.
Israel neither confirms nor denies having the Middle East's only atomic weapons under a policy of "strategic ambiguity" billed as warding off enemies while avoiding arms races.
He has also said the Jewish state has no right to exist, and there has been little public sympathy for him in Israel.
In 2007, Vanunu was sentenced to six months in jail for violating the ban on contact with foreigners.


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Agroganadera Pinilla, S.A., the owner of Hacienda Pinilla Beach Resort and Residential Community, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, announced today that it will offer qualified investors and developers a unique opportunity to participate in an auction of the Hacienda Pinilla to accelerate the realization of the vision for the project. Additionally, net proceeds from the newly invested capital will be used to permanently fund the operations and charitable work of Guanacaste Ventures U.S., Inc., and its counterpart foundation in Costa Rica, Fundación Progreso Guanacaste, each established by Mr. H.G. ("Pat") Pattillo, majority shareholder of Agroganadera Pinilla, S.A., to continue the work of the foundations focused on education, healthcare and affordable housing for the people of Guanacaste.
"For over 40 years, I have been blessed and enriched by the opportunity to be part of the Guanacaste community and feel as strongly now as ever about the importance of investing in its future. As I advance in my years, it is important for me to make certain that the work of the foundations continue after I am no longer able to personally ensure that funds are available for continuation of the foundations' operations. It is our intention to secure a new investor for the project as soon as practical so that we can build on the work of the foundations, which has included the improvement or repair of over 45 schools in Guanacaste, local medical assistance, construction of affordable housing, and scholarships for Guanacaste young people to attend universities in the U.S. It is also important that we continue to build value in the project for the benefit of those that call Hacienda Pinilla home" said Mr. Pattillo, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Georgia.
United Country Real Estate, a premier global real estate brokerage and auction company specializing in marketing distinctive, investment grade real estate assets, has been engaged to assist Agroganadera Pinilla, S.A. to market the project to qualified investors internationally in cooperation with David Pinsel, Managing Director of Colliers International North Texas, and Patrick Duffy, President of Colliers International Houston. The property will be offered to the highest bidder subject to seller confirmation of the offer.
"The newly-renovated international airport – only a 45-minute drive from the project, with increased daily flights and passenger traffic – puts Guanacaste on the 'short list' for global tourists and retirees. Hacienda Pinilla is the premier established resort in the area and combines all the amenities and convenience expected of a world class destination resort community and the best of what the Costa Rican lifestyle has to offer," said Mr. Dan Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, United Country Real Estate. "There is a reason why the developers of the popular and successful J.W. Marriott chose to build on this property. They were secure in the fact that the extensive in-place infrastructure, comprehensive permitting and extensive amenities which include a Mike Young designed 7,300 yard masterpiece 18 hole golf course, beach club and spa, fine dining, equestrian facilities, Certified Audubon International Sanctuary and world class white sand beaches would drive interest in their property … and they were right," added Mr. Duffy. The J.W. Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, located within Hacienda Pinilla, is independently owned and will not be included in this sale.
www.HaciendaPinillaAuction.com or call 1-800-444-5044 or 1-816-420-6253 to learn more about the investment opportunities at Hacienda Pinilla.
Guanacaste Ventures U.S., Inc., is a private non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, health and housing in the Americas. In cooperation with its sister foundation in Costa Rica, Fundación Progreso Guanacaste, Guanacaste Ventures U.S., Inc., has provided scholarships to Costa Rican students from the region of Guanacaste for use in attending U.S. colleges and universities. The foundations were established in 2005 by Mr. H.G. ("Pat") Pattillo, the majority shareholder of Agroganadera Pinilla, S.A. The original idea was to use profits garnered from the Hacienda Pinilla Beach Resort and Residential Community to improve the lives and offer educational opportunities of the citizens of the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. The foundations have used these funds to build and renovate numerous schools and houses, and to fund educational and healthcare initiatives, as well as provide scholarships, every year since its inception.
United Country Real Estate is the largest fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals in the United States and Central America. The company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 550 offices across the U.S., Costa Rica, Panama and resort areas of Mexico, with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the largest portfolios of property marketing websites (more than 3,000 separate sites and traffic of approximately 3 million visitors per month), multiple United Country real estate catalogs with national distribution , an extensive buyer database and national advertising of local properties that reaches more than 90 million homes per week. United Country has recently been recognized by Franchise Business Review, AllBusiness.com, The Land Report, Entrepreneur and The Wall Street Journal as one of the top U.S. real estate companies.
Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world, with over 12,300 professionals operating out of more than 522 offices in 62 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International the top U.S. real estate company. The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second-most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.


text:
Hamilton Council's animal shelter investigation…
Hamilton Council's animal shelter investigation gets postponed
Exterior of the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.
By Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman |
PUBLISHED: July 17, 2018 at 8:32 p.m. | UPDATED: August 19, 2021 at 1:27 a.m.
HAMILTON >> Hamilton Council's much-anticipated investigation into the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter was all bark and no bite Tuesday as the governing body opted to postpone the inquest.
Hamilton Council President Anthony Carabelli Jr., Council Vice President Jeff Martin and Councilman Rick Tighe last month announced they would launch a probe into the township's shelter, accusing the Mayor Kelly Yaede administration of mismanaging the shelter's budget and killing "innocent animals."
Yaede, a Republican, strongly objected to the probe and called upon the Democratic trio of Carabelli, Martin and Tighe to apologize to the animal shelter's staff. But the Democrats, with strong bipartisan support from Republican Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer, have decided to proceed with an investigation on a delayed timeline.
"Yesterday afternoon, Hamilton Council received additional serious allegations regarding the animal shelter that need to be investigated," the quartet of Carabelli, Martin, Schirmer and Tighe said Tuesday afternoon in a press statement. "Due to the allegations, the timing of their receipt and on the advice of one of the town's attorneys, we agree that the most prudent course of action is to postpone the hearing for tonight regarding the animal shelter."
The anticlimactic postponement of the shelter probe, however, did not stop members of the public from attending Tuesday's Hamilton Council meeting to speak on the subject.
Under the Yaede administration, Hamilton's animal shelter has undergone a $1.1 million expansion and the number of animal control maintenance workers increased. The administration concedes clerical errors have been made in shelter record-keeping but denies and takes umbrage with Tighe's allegation that "innocent animals are being killed each year due to the ineffective leadership of the mayor and her administration."
"This is not good government," Yaede said Tuesday evening in a press statement, "rather it is 'gutter politics.' This is a travesty for the employees called 'innocent animal killers' and the numerous residents anticipating solid answers at a 'hearing!' The Democrats, at 6 p.m. via social media, announced that they are postponing a hearing after a month of publicity and unsubstantiated false allegations due to a letter received by a former employee who resigned more than five and a half years ago while disciplinary charges were pending."
Republican Councilman Ralph Mastrangelo has objected to the Hamilton Council probe into the animal shelter. His four colleagues on the governing body, however, are determined to hold a hearing at a future date.
The Democrats on Hamilton Council have fully embraced a convoluted "kill rate" formula that suggests the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter conducted euthanasia more frequently in 2017 compared with 2014. The "kill rate" formula also assumes the township has engaged in deadly neglect of shelter animals and holds the township accountable for animals that died of natural causes.
About 31 percent of the shelter's animal intake was euthanized last year, and 32.5 percent of the intake was euthanized in 2014, according to data obtained by The Trentonian.
The Democratic-embraced "kill rate" formula takes into account that 18 dogs and 125 cats escaped or died from causes other than euthanasia in 2017 and that 25 cats escaped or died from causes other than euthanasia in 2014. This formula shows the shelter had a 35 percent "kill rate" in 2014 and a 48 percent "kill rate" in 2017.
In reviewing the township's 2014 and 2018 municipal budgets, it shows Hamilton's total animal control-related appropriations have increased 55.8 percent over that four-year span. The Democratic-controlled Hamilton Council earlier this year approved a municipal budget that appropriated nearly $550,000 for Animal Control Services, with over $400,000 of that spending going toward salaries and wages of township employees.
Hamilton Council in 2014, when the governing body was all-Republican, appropriated about $351,000 for Animal Control Services, with over $278,000 of that modified spending going toward salaries and wages.
"If their claims of killing innocent animals by our staff and misappropriation of funds is accurate why would they not want the truth to be heard tonight?" Yaede said Tuesday evening in her press statement. "The administration and Animal Shelter employees were prepared to provide the facts tonight as requested. We will continue to correct any other misinformation Democrats choose to use for their political game."
Jeff Plunkett, who oversees Hamilton's animal shelter as director of the township's Health Department, on Tuesday told The Trentonian the township is "correcting" some clerical issues regarding shelter bookkeeping matters and suggested the shelter is good and will only get better.
"I could not be more proud of the men and the women who work in that shelter on a daily basis, their commitment and compassion for the animals in that shelter," Plunkett said. "In any private facility or public facility, there is always room for improvement. I welcome the opportunity to make our shelter even better than it is. And we will make it even better than it is after the inspection by the West Windsor Health Department, which I asked for and did not tell one shelter member it was coming, because I wanted it to be an unbiased investigation."
The West Windsor Township Health Department conducted a sanitary inspection at Hamilton's animal shelter last week and recorded a "satisfactory" evaluation. The inspector assessed several areas of compliance, including euthanasia and record-keeping practices, and uncovered zero violations during the 85-minute inspection, according to the inspection report.
Local animal rights advocates such as Steve Clegg say the township's animal shelter data from 2015 through 2017 have inaccuracies and do not account for all animals. Plunkett confirmed the township had some bookkeeping blemishes.
In the wake of Hamilton Council's postponed probe, a shelter employee has filed a notice of claim for damages against the Democratic councilmembers, citing a "hostile work environment."
Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman