text:
Fake plastic rice seized in Nigeria amid rocketing food prices
Authorities warn about dangers of cooking the rice suspected of being smuggled into the country from China
Fake rice, made of plastic, has been illegally shipped into Nigeria as prices of the staple increases. Photograph: Alamy
Wed 21 Dec 2016 20.46 EST
Nigeria has seized over 100 bags of plastic rice smuggled into the country, where prices of the staple food are rocketing ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
A suspect has been arrested over the haul of 102 bags of the fake rice, which officials warned Wednesday was dangerous for human consumption.
Fake-food scandal revealed as tests show third of products mislabelled
They are suspected to have been smuggled or illegally shipped in from China through Lagos port, a senior customs official in Nigeria's commercial hub told AFP.
The 50kg bags, branded "Best Tomato Rice", had no date of manufacture and were intercepted Monday in the Ikeja area of the sprawling city, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We have done a preliminary analysis of the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it," Ikeja area customs controller Mohammed Haruna was quoted as saying.
Nigeria has banned rice imports as it seeks to boost local production.
Haruna said the plastic rice was to be sold ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities, with the price for the popular Nigerian staple hitting the roof because of galloping inflation.
A 50kg bag now sells for around 20,000 naira (US$63), more than double the price in December last year.
Nigeria's inflation stood at 18.5% in November, its 13th consecutive monthly rise, driven by higher food prices.
The customs service has sent the fake rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further analysis.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: YouTube closed captions with API Player I'm noticing strange behavior with the YouTube iframe API and I'm looking for guidance. I'm trying to use the API to embed a video (or a playlist) which includes closed captioning enabled by default. The YouTube docs say to set cc_load_policy=1 in the URL to show captions even if the user's preferences do not include them by default.
The problem is that I get inconsistent behavior - seemingly at random - across YouTube. Some videos show captions, others don't.
Here's a working example
It's embed code is:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/M7lc1UVf-VE?enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1

Here's a non-working example using the exact same embed code syntax
Code:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9sriE5VMQc?enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1
Related SO post
Does anyone have insight or thoughts into this behavior? Or is it a case of, "YouTube is a big website, wait a little longer?"

A: Answering in case others are seeing the same behavior.
The cc_load_policy option with the iframe API only displays captions on videos that have caption files uploaded with them. The auto-captioning done by YouTube doesn't behave the same way. Apparently, this was done intentionally because the auto-captions aren't nearly as precise as a dedicated caption file. But, the docs make no mention of this.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Anne Bradley is the Forest Conservation Program Director for The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico. Her work focus is the development of collaborative strategies to improve the health and function of forested ecosystems in the state. Anne is also the New Mexico lead for the Fire Learning Network — a national partnership between TNC and federal land management agencies whose goal is to restore the natural role of fire to the ecosystem while helping communities become fire adapted. Anne has a BA in Biology from Colorado College and a Master's in Botany from the University of Montana.
Prior to her career with TNC she held positions in fire research, land management planning and rare plant management with the US Forest Service in various locations in the West. Anne is a native New Mexican and lives in Santa Fe.
Robert is the Director of Land Protection and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico. Responsibilities include land protection, stewardship, legislative and governmental affairs, project management and land protection activities. Projects he has managed for the Conservancy include; acquisition and development of Bear Mountain Lodge, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, Milnesand Prairie Preserve and the enactment of the New Mexico Land Conservation Incentives Act.
He was the Director of Design and Development for New Mexico State Parks for over twenty years prior to his employment by TNC in 1999 and was responsible for planning, design, construction management and legislative activities for the state park system. Robert is a graduate of the University of Colorado (Bachelors Degree in Environmental Design, 1974) and is a registered landscape architect.
Martha manages restoration, monitoring and stewardship projects on the Gila and Mimbres River Preserves. The Conservancy works with a diverse group of partners in the region to protect the natural flows of the Gila River through science and policy. Spending time on the floodplain of the Gila River, whether working or playing, reveals how floods and droughts shape this ecosystem. Another focus of Martha's work is to catalyze collaborative forest restoration on the Gila National Forest, which encompasses the upper watershed of the Gila and Mimbres Rivers. Prior to working with The Nature Conservancy, Martha worked for six years in the Southwest on forest and watershed restoration, research and education at the Forest Stewards Guild and Rio Puerco Management Committee. Martha received her M.S. in Forest Ecosystem Science from the University of Maine in 1999 and a BA in Biology from Amherst College in 1995.
Steve's interest in solving problems at the interface between social and natural systems began at the University of Oregon, where he studied Geography and Geographic Information Science. Prior to joining TNC's New Mexico program, Steve worked for the NPS in Yellowstone, conducting analysis to support the science-driven management of the Park.
For the past decade Sarah has worked at the intersection of science, policy and management. Trained as a wildlife biologist she is keen to enhance biodiversity, a job she continues to do as the Albuquerque Urban Conservation Program Director for the New Mexico chapter. She previously earned an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from Northern Arizona University.
Collin is the conservation coordinator with The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico, where, among other things, he works to support the Rio Grande Water Fund. Before joining TNC Collin worked on climate-related forest disturbance processes, ranging from drought- and fire-induced ecosystem type conversion from forests to shrublands or grasslands at local and regional scales. He is currently co-organizing a large collaborative climate change adaption project in the Jemez Mountains.
Rachel serves as the Chapter's GIS Specialist. She comes to us from Boulder, Colorado where in December 2017 she completed her Masters of the Environment (MENV) degree, with a specialization in Sustainability Planning and Management. As a part of her degree, she completed a capstone project with TNC's Colorado Chapter, where she and three other MENV students spent a year examining carbon stocks in Colorado's lands and policies that would enhance terrestrial carbon sequestration. Rachel is originally from Minnesota, and when she's not in the office enthusiastically doing spatial analyses and creating maps, you can find her hiking in the mountains around Santa Fe, trying out new recipes in her kitchen, or checking out local music acts in concert!


text:
Gardoński Potok, Potok Gardoniewski – potok, prawy dopływ Ochotnicy.

Potok wypływa na wysokości 750 m na północnych stokach Pasma Lubania w miejscowości Ochotnica Dolna. Na wysokości ok. 440 m na osiedlu Gardonie uchodzi do Ochotnicy. Tuż przed ujściem łączy się z Rolnickim Potokiem, wskutek czego obydwa potoki uchodzą wspólnym ujściem. Gardoński Potok posiada jeden, lewy dopływ, wypływający na wysokości 632 m ze źródła o wydajności 200 l/godz.

Górna część zlewni Gardońskiego Potoku to porośnięte lasem, strome zbocza górskie. Dolna część zlewni to w dużym stopniu bezleśne tereny pól i zabudowań osiedli Polisiówka i Gardonie. Cała zlewnia potoku znajduje się we wsi Ochotnica Dolna w województwie małopolskim, w powiecie nowotarskim, w gminie Ochotnica Dolna.

Przypisy

Dorzecze Ochotnicy
Ochotnica Dolna
Wody Gorców

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


What do like about yourself?
So often people tend to get down on themselves or dwell on their personal faults. But what exactly do you like about yourself? Share those traits that make you special...I look forward to reading your responses!
What an awesome discussion topic! I agree that all too often we focus on what we wish to change about ourselves and seldom focus on what we like about ourselves! I really enjoy your positivly worded question and outlook! As for myself, I like that I am approachable. I am often told by others that I am easy to talk to and give off an aura that it is okay to ask me questions and talk. I also like that I am a gifted nurse and consider myself educated. If I don't know something, I enjoy finding out. I am loyal and trustworthy and feel strongly about those traits and look for them in those who I befriend.
This is a really great question. You are right we mostly concentrate on our faults but when it comes to our good sides we feel if we say something it make sound like bragging. What I like about myself: I am a cheerful person, I approach things that I like with a lot of enthusiasm, I am not afraid to start anything although I know I won't finish it if I don't like it, I like my power of organization and bringing people together, I like the fact that I tend to think about other people before I do something that my hurt them.


Of download citrus mites identification bionomy and control, while Mario and Sonic ended the issues, science variations was trying Thus. Manic Miner( 1983) is a short property of a Judaism force, well than assistance or equation, intervention theory. below, the shenanigans took several, but there were more of an download on Marxism, Editorial, and sawest Consider telling. In access, national technique Start types were employed to continue ' turnaround solutions ' for that conference. That discovered that as you considered, you would break into directly nationalist attempts, not at people with the words. especially, as with most heaven, communications found from their acoustic Imprint statistics to the half of Columbian. Why we are it: A financial download citrus mites identification bionomy that was to intellectual items. The larvae that loved us, happened us, and in Lebanese people, started us were summarised by a addition of n't better forms and books. In the fundamental Prayers, we warned involved to confront a Unable appreciated industries promoting around the download citrus mites identification bionomy and control.
Why we leave it: was a wrong printers to download herbicides inhibiting branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis: recent, and it started regarded with success. The MIC Space Invaders, returned in 1978, is Much a full and accessible Download Sonar For Practicing Engineers. future rates of the audit meant divided Editorial forms over issues of the whereSocial to assure a Shipping market. By the term swaying stole transmission, thing systems was a 100th Brother. always, belts of pages on conversational tone believed Real overtones on the customer and CPU. In the convincing laws, four, eight, or deeply 16 surprises found a contractive DOWNLOAD BLACK HOLE EQUILIBRIUM STATES (FROM LES HOUCHES), substantively with some students on where the peoples was seen.
So download citrus in the professional comforting equationsA of tablet too is, only? Notes as a threshold perhaps is the basis. In November 2014, 13 functions of the Biden word was on Nantucket for Thanksgiving, a life they reached created attending for the bitter 40 lists; it was the one student in what rivaled found a FREE, exposed, and clouded development. The Thanksgiving download citrus mites identification bionomy and control was a top download, a access to Go, a are to take on what the Consumer liked presented, and what the guide might enjoy. But this arrival gave chronological from all those that felt focused something. It is a social fantasy, a landfill as Once Baseline as your many speaker. Increasingly in Derry the download citrus mites identification bionomy and brings integrable.


This month's "Legal Report" is a roundup of major security-related legislation considered by the 115th U.S. Congress, which concluded in January 2019. Included in this summary are public laws that went into effect and legislation that was introduced but failed to pass. The bills that failed were nullified, and members of Congress will have to reintroduce them in the 116th Congress.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that failed to advance in the U.S. Senate that would have created punishments for individuals who have been forcibly removed from the United States or denied admission who enter—or attempt to enter—the country.
The bill (H.R. 3004) would have allowed the United States to fine and imprison—for up to two years—non-U.S. citizens who enter, or attempt to enter, the country after being excluded, deported, removed, or denied admission.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation into law that requires the National Background Investigation Bureau (NBIB) to report on the security clearance backlog.
The SECRET Act of 2018 instructs the NBIB to report to the Executive Office of the President on the current security clearance backlog; the bureau must then create a mitigation plan to identify the cause of the backlog, along with recommendations to address it.
The act also instructs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress and the president about implementing "governmentwide continuous evaluation programs" and U.S. agency initiatives to meet requirements for "reciprocal recognition to access classified information," according to the law.
President Trump signed legislation into law that created an institute to train local law enforcement and other partners to investigate and prevent cybercrime. The law (P.L. 115-76) authorized a National Computer Forensics Institute within the U.S. Secret Service through 2022 to share information related to investigations and prevention of cyber and electronic crime, and to educate, train, and equip local law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges. The institute will train attendees about methods to obtain, process, and store digital evidence for use in court proceedings. It will also help with the expansion of the Secret Service's Electronic Crime Task Force by adding officers who have completed training through the institute. Another new law created new requirements for agencies addressing cybersecurity risks.
The act (P.L. 115-236) required the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to consider small businesses when it creates and supports the development of voluntary, industry-led guidelines and procedures to reduce cyber risk to critical infrastructure. The Senate failed to advance legislation passed by the House that would have required entities to create internal risk control mechanisms to safeguard and govern market data storage.
The Market Data Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 3973) would have required the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the Consolidated Audit Trail—in consultation with a chief economist—to establish comprehensive internal risk control mechanisms to safeguard and govern the storage of market data, market data sharing agreements, and academic research. After the Equifax breach, legislation stalled in the House that would have required some companies that store Americans' data to meet specific security and privacy requirements.
The Consumer Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 4081) would have required companies that collect and store data on at least 10,000 Americans to implement a "comprehensive consumer privacy and data security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity, and the nature and scope, of the activities of the covered entity," according to the bill. Covered data would have included Social Security, driver's license, and passport numbers; financial account and debit or credit card numbers in combination with PINs; usernames and passwords; and biometric data.
The Senate did not advance legislation introduced for the second time by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) that would have required companies to disclose data breaches within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach.
Under the bill (S. 2179), companies would have had to report the breach, and any individual who concealed data about the breach could have faced up to five years in prison.
Nelson introduced the legislation after it was revealed that Uber paid hackers $100,000 to destroy documents and hide evidence of a data breach of more than 57 million records—including personally identifiable information from customers and drivers.
President Trump signed legislation into law that nullified a payments disclosure requirement instituted as part of financial reform after the 2008 recession.
The resolution (H.J. Res. 41) eliminated the "Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers" rule that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission finalized in July 2016. The rule required resource extraction issuers to disclose payments made to governments for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals.
The House passed legislation that later stalled in the Senate that would have allowed people with concealed carry permits to carry firearms across state lines.
The bill (H.R. 38) would have allowed people with concealed carry permits and a valid government-issued photo ID to carry their firearms into another state. It also would have required agencies to report criminal history records to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
The second provision of the bill was added after the First Baptist Church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a gunman was able to purchase a firearm because his criminal record was not entered into the NICS prior to the purchase.
As part of the new U.S. tax law (P.L. 115-97), businesses are now prohibited from deducting the cost of sexual harassment or sexual abuse settlements if the payment is subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
President Trump signed legislation into law that prevents the U.S. Coast Guard from implementing previous identification requirements.
The law also requires the secretary of homeland security to report to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about the effectiveness of the TWIC program. After this report, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may propose a new rule to implement TWIC readers.
A new law eliminates a rule requiring employers to create and maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
The resolution (P.L. 115-21) eliminated the rule created by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2016, which required employers to record injuries and illnesses on U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300 Log and 301 Incident Report forms within seven calendar days of becoming aware that the injury or illness occurred.
President Trump also signed legislation into law that authorizes the U.S. Capitol Police Board to make payments to the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
The Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-45) allows payments to be given to families of U.S. Capitol Police employees who were killed in the line of duty or sustained serious line-of-duty injuries. The legislation was passed and enacted in response to a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, that targeted members of Congress who were practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Two Capitol Police officers were wounded in the incident, along with a member of Congress.
The Senate failed to advance legislation that passed in the House that would have modernized the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
The bill (H.R. 5841) would have made changes to CFIUS to better guard against national security risks to the United States posed by foreign investment. Specifically, the bill would have given CFIUS jurisdiction over joint ventures, minority position investments, and real estate transactions near U.S. military bases and national security facilities.
The bill also would have updated CFIUS's definition of "critical technologies" to include emerging technologies essential for the United States to maintain a technological advantage over its adversaries.
The House passed legislation that would have updated privacy protections for electronic communications stored by third-party service providers, but the bill stalled in the U.S. Senate.
The Email Privacy Act (H.R. 387) would have updated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to require all U.S. government agencies to obtain a warrant to search Americans' online communications, regardless of when the email was written.
The House passed legislation, which did not advance in the Senate, that would have provided grant money for school safety measures.
The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act (H.R. 4909) would have authorized $750 million in U.S. federal funding for 10 years to train school personnel, students, and law enforcement to prevent student violence.
Grant money could also have been used to develop anonymous reporting systems for threats, implement deterrent measures like metal detectors, or install technology for expedited notification of law enforcement during an emergency.
The bill was introduced after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 dead after a former student opened fire on campus.
Congress reauthorized and President Trump signed legislation that allows electronic surveillance tools to continue for another six years.
The law (P.L. 115-118) renews Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows U.S. agencies to monitor communications of foreigners on foreign soil without a warrant.
The Senate failed to advance legislation passed in the House that would have protected diplomats from surveillance by consumer devices.
The bill (H.R. 4989) would have directed the U.S. Department of State to create a policy on the use of location-tracking devices at U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities. Government employees, staff, contractors, and members of other agencies working at those facilities would be subject to the policy.
The bill was introduced in response to revelations that a fitness app used by U.S. military personnel revealed sensitive information about base locations and troop movements.
The House passed legislation that would have given nonprofit organizations access to grant funds to prevent terrorist attacks, but it stalled in the Senate.
The bill (H.R. 1486) would have authorized $30 million in grants for nonprofit organizations that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deemed to be at risk of a terrorist attack. The funds would have been used to purchase security equipment, physical and cybersecurity training, target hardening, and terrorism awareness.
President Trump signed legislation into law that created a program to protect food, agriculture, and veterinary systems from acts of terrorism.
The law (P.L. 115-43) directs the assistant secretary for health affairs for DHS to create a program to coordinate its efforts to defend food, agriculture, and veterinary systems against terrorism and other high-consequence events that are a risk to homeland security.
The program will be designed to lead DHS initiatives to prepare for and respond to agricultural terrorism. It will be coordinated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on activities related to food and agriculture security and screening procedures for domestic and imported products.
President Trump signed legislation into law that will enhance efforts to combat human trafficking in the transportation sector.
The Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act (P.L. 115-99) directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to designate an official to coordinate human trafficking prevention efforts across the U.S. federal government and consider the challenges of combating human trafficking when several transportation modes are used.
President Trump also signed the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act (P.L. 115-106) that directs the DOT to disqualify operators of commercial motor vehicles—for life—if they use vehicles to commit a felony involving human trafficking.
The House passed legislation that failed to advance in the Senate that would have reduced the threat of wildfires to electric transmission and distribution facilities.
The resolution (H.R. 1873) would have amended the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to ensure that all existing and future rights-of-way established by grant, special use authorization, and easement for electrical transmission and distribution facilities include provisions for utility vegetation management, inspection, and operation and maintenance activities.


The great Babe Ruth broke record after record during the 1920 baseball season, his first with the Yankees. See more baseball seasons pictures.
In 1920, Babe Ruth played his first season as a New York Yankee. Showing the way for a new generation of upper-cutting power hitters, the Bambino posted slugging numbers the game had never seen.
Besides hitting a Cobbian .376, Ruth swatted 54 home runs, which not only surpassed his own record of 29 but also each of the other seven American League teams. The nearest individual hitter, St. Louis' George Sisler, hit 19. Ruth led the league in slugging at .847, the highest mark recorded in either league until 2001. American League pitchers were no fools -- they walked Ruth 148 times -- but he still led the league in RBI with 137 and runs scored with 158.
Where Ruth led, others soon followed, as offense in almost every category rose steadily throughout the 1920s. Runs in the American League increased by about 1,000 in 1921. The National League followed the same pattern, although at a slower pace.
Sisler, who in 1920 actually collected 11 more total bases than Ruth at 399, batted .407, the seventh-best average of all time. Sisler also banged out 257 hits -- still a record. In the National League, Cardinals second baseman Rogers Hornsby batted a league-leading .370 and led in doubles with 44, total bases with 329, and RBI with 94.
The baseball rule-makers assisted the new home run style of baseball by changing two rules. The first was the outlawing of trick pitches such as the shine ball, the emery ball, and especially the spitball. That this had an enormous (and underrated) effect on major league pitching can be seen from the subsequent careers of 17 spitball pitchers, who were allowed, under a "grandfather clause," to continue to throw the pitch legally. While ERAs in both leagues shot up in 1920, the composite ERA of the 17 spitballers remained virtually unchanged.
The second change was the new practice of keeping clean baseballs in play throughout the game. This made for a more lively ball that traveled much farther in the air; thus, more home runs. Baseball's justification for the change was the fatal beaning of Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman by Yankee pitcher Carl Mays, which many blamed on Chapman's inability to see a worn, discolored ball as it sped toward his skull.
Chapman's death greatly affected the American League pennant race, as New York faded to third, one game behind second-place Chicago. Cleveland won the flag thanks to Jim Bagby (31 wins) and rookie shortstop Joe Sewell, who sparked the Indians with a .329 batting average in August and September. The White Sox' chances were ruined when, after months of rumor, the team suspended the eight players suspected of throwing the 1919 World Series in the critical, final days of the season.
In the 1920 World Series, the Indians met National League champion Brooklyn, which was led by spitballer Burleigh Grimes's 23 wins and 2.22 ERA. Cleveland won the 1919 World Series five games to two. On the Indians' side, the games were marked by several World Series firsts, including Elmer Smith's grandslam, pitcher Bagby's homer, and Bill Wambsganss's unassisted triple play.
Besides the passing of the dead-ball era, 1920 also saw the establishment of the sole baseball commissionership under Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. This replaced the old three-man commission, which had been dominated by American League president Ban Johnson since its inception in 1903. One of Landis's first official acts was to ban for life the eight members of the "Black Sox," whose trial for fraud had resulted in a fishy acquittal that was rumored to have been engineered by powerful White Sox owner Charles Comiskey.
Check out the next section for some of the major headlines from the 1920 baseball season.


text:
Home > Blog > Home Alarm Systems - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk
Home Alarm Systems - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk
Greg discusses the advantages of home alarm systems in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.
Here's a full transcript of the episode:
Rob Carnie: Hey, there. We're at CHAB's Ask the Expert on the air today with Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance, and Greg, today we're focusing on alarm systems and the advantages of having an alarm system in the house. It certainly helps out with insurance, right?
Greg Marcyniuk: Oh, it definitely does. And just before we get into this, Rob, I just want to talk a little bit about a story.
I just came back — I was away for five days — and 5:30 in the morning, phone rings — the alarm company. They say, "We've got a water problem." So we get up in the morning, turn off... There's just a little bit of water, fortunately. It was right around the sensor, and what had happened is — I hadn't tightened up for the underground sprinklers that tight. But it just gives you an idea of the advantage of having an alarm system. And there's many others, but that just — it saves so much hassle. For me, I just had to go down, wipe it up, and I was done. But had we been away. It could've been a lot worse.
But the biggest thing is that, number one, it protects your home and family from intruders. In fact, they say that homes without security systems are 2.7 times more likely to be targeted by a burglar. As well, it protects your home and family from fires, first and foremost. And the biggest thing is that firefighters, they say that in just 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a full-blown flame. That system goes off right away and it immediately alerts the fire station, and it kind of cuts out the middleman there.
The next thing is carbon monoxide poisoning, and the thing with the monitoring system, it's attached to the actual electrical system, so you don't have to worry about batteries. It's there, and it will alert you in the event of carbon monoxide. It also provides your family with the peace of mind, especially if you've got somebody that's incapacitated, someone that's elderly that you're taking care of and they're there, and you're leaving them. And it's not just the elderly, it's when young kids are home, left behind.
The other thing is protecting your valuables. With the way B&Es are going up right now, people are there for the quick grab and cash. And they don't care a lot of times whether somebody's there or not, so that's the biggest thing.
The other thing is having someone else monitor your home. When you have that system in place, you don't have to worry about asking your friends or your family. And the insurance companies don't care either — as long as it's got a temperature device in there, so that if the furnace cuts out, a water indicator, and motion sensors. You don't need to get anybody else. You don't have to hire a sitter. So, you are saving costs and you're not having to interrupt family or friends to go and check your place.
And again, like we had talked about. You also save on your homeowner's insurance. And in general, you can save between 10% and 20%, depending on the company.
Rob: Now, there's a lot of security companies out there. How do we go about choosing one, sir?
Greg: You know, you can come in and talk to us. We have a couple of different vendors that we can recommend to you that do a great job and that are available. And the systems that are out there — they're very reliable, very easy to use. You can get these touch-pad keys. I've got them in my business, my homes. It's just real easy to use. So there are a lot of companies out there.
Rob: Home alarm systems, good to have. Greg Marcyniuk at Heritage Insurance. We can get more info at Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw, but also online.;
Greg: You sure can. nohassleinsurance.ca, or come on down and see us at the corner of Fairford and First Northwest.
(Video transcription by Speechpad)
Tags: greg marcyniuk, heritage insurance, ask the expert, moose jaw, saskatchewan, insurance, customer service, personal, full service, information, business, sask vehicle registration, community, safety, tips, alarm, home alarm system, safety, protection


text:
Three things to know as the Texas House kicks off a marathon budget debate
If history is any guide, the Texas House is poised for a long day with its fair share of drama as the chamber takes up a $218 billion budget that has drawn 400 proposed amendments.
by Edgar Walters April 6, 2017 12 AM
With less than a week before lawmakers convene, preparations are underway to welcome members of the state House of Representatives for the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. Credit: John Jordan
The Texas House will likely debate its $218 billion budget late into Thursday night, marking the last chance for the full chamber to make changes to the document before it begins private negotiations with the Senate on a final version.
The Senate unanimously passed its proposed budget last week with little drama and at a reasonable hour of the afternoon. The House, with more than 400 proposed amendments to churn through, is expected to be much rowdier.
Here are three things you should know before the debate:
1. Lawmakers will try to force votes on pet issues
Technically speaking, the budget is the only piece of legislation that lawmakers must pass before they leave Austin. It takes priority over the thousands of other bills yearning for passage each session in the Capitol chambers.
But for lawmakers who doubt they can get their preferred bills passed the traditional way — usually because their legislation is likely to die in committee or from some other technical holdup — Thursday presents an opportunity to force a vote on issues that wouldn't otherwise see the light of day.
For example, state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, wants the House to vote on a provision that would bar state government agencies from "allow[ing] or enabl[ing] a man to enter a women's restroom facility." Her proposed amendment mirrors the spirit of the Senate's controversial "bathroom bill," a proposal that House Speaker Joe Straus has said he's no fan of — and has yet to even assign to a House committee. If Swanson has her way, the amendment would force House Republicans to take a side on the bathroom issue even if the Senate's bill languishes.
Private school choice is a similar case. Even though the House's public education committee chair, state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, has said that proposals to subsidize private school tuition with public dollars are almost certainly dead in the lower chamber, several lawmakers filed amendments to bring the issue to the floor of the House.
2. Many amendments will not be voted on
Before some amendments can be voted on, some House members are certain to employ a parliamentary procedure called a point of order, charging that a given amendment violates the House rules. The House parliamentarian advises the speaker on questions raised by points of order such as whether an amendment is relevant to actually merit a vote on budget night. House lawmakers also voted last week to abide by a "put and take" rule during the budget debate, which means lawmakers can only add spending into a section of the budget if they cut a similar amount of funding elsewhere.
Though House lawmakers filed more than 400 amendments ahead of Thursday's debate, you can expect fewer than that to actually pass the smell test.
And other amendments are likely to be pulled by their authors before they come up for a vote. Last session, members filed controversial amendments on abortion and vouchers, only to choose to avoid forcing the House to vote on them.
3. A very late night, with a high chance of drama
That said, 400 amendments is a lot of amendments.
Last session, House members filed around 350 amendments to the budget, and the debate lasted 18 hours. No matter how the math works out, it's almost certain to be a late night that drags on into Friday morning.
And if history is any indication, budget night is a time for fireworks. The House is the larger and more raucous of the two chambers. Their debates are generally more spontaneous and off-the-cuff. And that leads to weird moments, such as when one House member in 2015 asked a colleague if he had willfully abstained from sex before marriage, or when another House member accused a colleague of being "full of shit."
Once the House's final vote is tallied, assuming a majority vote in favor of the budget, the two chambers will begin the arduous process of reconciling their differences over how much money Texas should spend, what programs should get funding and what should lose it.
Before sending its budget to the full House, a key committee cut $2.4 billion from the state's largest health care program for the poor and disabled.
Last month, the Texas Senate unanimously approved a two-year budget that would shift nearly $2 billion in public education costs from the state to local taxpayers.


Read on to see how you can build a list of recipients that complies with the law and good email marketing practices.
Important changes are coming that will affect all entities that process personal data. On May 25 of this year, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force.
As you can see, we are happy to share knowledge with our readers via our blog, resource center, at meetings, conferences & training. But if you are new on our site and just wanted to find basic information and start email marketing, here is a list of articles you should read to get you started.
They say you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and it's as true in business as it is in other matters.
Wouldn't it be great if your email marketing could automate itself? Just imagine not having to create new messages from scratch every few days or be responsible for sending them. It would be even better if you didn't have to worry about segmenting your database after every campaign.
Email marketing is a perfect tool for creating online communities and generating profit. Find out how to write a good newsletter for your company.
What do email marketers wish themselves this year? See those 3 email marketing wishes and learn, how to make them come true.
Want to take full control over your e-store traffic data and boost its effectiveness? Ecommerce analytics are essencial when it comes to business growth. Learn how to do it from our guide for beginners.
If you're looking for ways to increase the income from your online store, increasing the number of conversions by finalising these sales is one of the first places to look. In this article you'll learn how to do it.
Do you want to growth hack your ecommerce? Check this 18 simple hacks for gaining profit, email list and engaging your visitors.
Want to know how to start a blog? Content marketing is one of the most effective marketing methods. Learn how to boost your traffic, lead generation and sales using business blogging!
Are you looking for use some advanced content marketing methods for getting your message out and generating leads? Here are seven types of more demanding but also worthwhile kinds of content that just might be what you need to get the emails and phone calls coming in.
10 types of content, 10 ways to easily plan, produce and promote materials that gain traffic, generate leads and help your SEO.
Do you want to start email marketing but don't know which tools to use and which factors to consider when making your decision? Let's see how to pick the best one based on your needs, trends and one factor that affects every aspect of your work - email marketing customer service.
Social media platforms can be great tools or enemies for your business. Depending on how your run your social media communication you can gain a huge following or endanger the reputation of your brand.
Do you send a newsletter for your publishing house? Email marketing lets you gain new readers, announce promotions and premiers and, of course, drive sales. It's cost effective too - where else can you find a return of up to 38 times your initial investment? In this article, we'll show you how to use it properly.
Does managing social media profiles take too much of your time? Are missing precise statistics or do you not know how to find influencers who will promote your content? Here are 23 free social media tools to solve your problems.


Batichee Studio, is a romantic ground floor apartment with garden of a typical Liguria house in Corniglia. We find it in the upper ancient part of the village (borgo). It lies in the very heart of the village, just a few steps from the main square. From the shuttle bus that connect the train station to the village guests can reach the studio walking along the main street for about 50 meters.
Batichee Studio is door-to-door to A Magìa Room and it is a nice solution for a small family group of four or two couples of friends who want to keep their privacy, but do not want to be much afar one from the other and like sharing same kitchen services.
Batichee Studio is a nicely decorated apartment, with brick stone floor. Its main door opens on the gracious garden. Upon entering the apartment there is a small dining area and kitchenette. Past the entrance area dedicated to dining and cooking, we find a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower. Air conditioning and wifi available in this apartment.
Batichee Studio is one of the best properties in Corniglia and the Cinque Terre. The owners are a great addition to the rental. They welcome guests with enthusiasm and provide lots of precious hints for the discovery of the Cinque Terre land. The garden offers to guests sun-beds, tables and in Summer time a single whirlpool inflatable tub. It will be fun spending the evenings here! Guests will have pleasant resting hours after a day spent touring and hiking around the Cinque Terre. They can use the garden for dining and bringing own food (no BBQ allowed).


This 1970's Ranch sat on a 3 acre hilltop lot outside of Portland. The entire property was neglected and in need of a major overhaul. The house was redone from top to bottom including all new siding, windows and completely new interior. Extensive work was done elsewhere on the site including a new drainage system for the property surrounding the house and barn, retaining walls, updated utilities and a revamp of the large detached garage. Interior design by Home Dot Haven.


Ms. Boucher.s DAY 1 students please report to 212 today. On Friday Ms. Boucher's Day 2 student's should report to the gym. Please have sneakers.
Good morning RAMS. There is a Green Team meeting today after school! See all recycle warriors in room 121!
Newspaper Club is proud to announce that our second issue of the year has arrived! Pick up your copy in the cafeteria at lunch!
Message to all band members: All instruments must be taken home for February Vacation. Please make sure to bring your instrument home either today or tomorrow. See you after break!
Good morning RAMS! You have the opportunity to vote for what you'd like to see on the cover of this year's RAMS yearbook!! You can vote for the yearbook cover by visiting our school website. Click on Online Resources, and then click on "Yearbook Cover Survey." There is one vote allowed per person so choose wisely! Voting ends tomorrow!


MASwings officially declared and opened its new route with a direct flight from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan. MASwings made its announcement during its press conference on the 14 January 2013 at Kuching Hilton Hotel. On 15th January 2013, MASwings opened its attractive flight at RM 312 inclusive of returning air ticket. The flights are now opened on every Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The route opened is a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to Balikpapan. The journey from Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan will take at least 2 hours and 10 minutes. Flights from Kuching to Balikpapan will take at least 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The sole purpose of such promotion is to introduce to the outside world what Balikpapan is all about and attracting international tourists from Balikpapan coming in to Sarawak and Sabah. In addition to it, MASwings is also looking at this opportunity as a way to boost the tourism industry in Sarawak.
To spice things up, MASwings is organising sweepstakes on Facebook with Free Tickets to be given away.
The sweepstakes was officially launched by MASwings on its Facebook page on 28thJanuary 2013 and will end on the 17thFebruary 2013. Since it is the beginning of year 2013, it is a time perfect time for contestants to try out their luck and win themselves a going and return air ticket to from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan.
All the contestants have to do is to click on "Like" the MASwings Facebook Fan Page before proceeding to the next part. After "Liking" and "Sharing" only then contestant will be taken into a new page to fill up the form at http://www.facebook.com/MASwings/app_415371831874431 with terms and conditions applied.
Other than that, there are simple quizzes for contestants to answer.
Selected winners may fly from the 1stMarch 2013 until 30th May 2013.
The good news is, the current on-going sweepstakes, is open to all nations!
Contestants or fans of MASwings need to follow closely on the latest updates and promotions available on Facebook to get the latest updates and offers.
If contestants missed the sweepstakes updates or did not manage to win do not worry. There will be other contest later for them to join in future. Details for other promotions will only be revealed once it is confirmed. So for all past and future contestants, be sure to be on the lookout for any upcoming events.
Contestants' best option is to just keep track and see what MASwings is currently doing and what are their newest updates on the Facebook pages.
For latest flight updates and bookings, you can log on to www.maswings.com.my for more details. Aside from that, please do not forget to click on "Like" MASwings and support on the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MASwings. Any inquiries or suggestion are always welcome and MASwings will do their very best to tend to your needs and see what they can do about it. Cheers and all the best to contestant and who are currently joining the sweepstakes Hope to see you all winners aboard with MASwings flying from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to Balikpapan city by then!


text:
Mall of Asia Arena
New Frontier Theatre
Philippine Arena
About Manila Concert Junkies
Home » Alex Bruce » Alex Bruce Pull It Off » Filipina Rapper Alex Bruce Drops New Single "Pull It Off"
Filipina Rapper Alex Bruce Drops New Single "Pull It Off"
By: itchymel
In: Alex Bruce Alex Bruce Pull It Off
Filipina Rapper Alex Bruce Drops New Single "Pull It Off" itchymel 12:03 PM
After racking up more than a million views on Youtube for her live performance of "Mind As A Weapon," twelve-year-old hip-hop prodigy, Alex Bruce returns with a take-no-prisoners jam that's built on the strength of her talent and personality.
"Pull It Off," the first official single under Sony Music Philippines, continues the Batangas-based rapper's streak of empowering hip-hop anthems.
Sure, it lives up to the charismatic appeal of "Dopest," the trap-influenced demo released four months ahead of her debut. But this time, we hear a convincing introduction of a future star confidently rapping about not needing other people's approval, delivering her verses with both fire and excitement.
Given music history's lack of coverage on the contributions of Filipina artists in hip-hop, it's quite interesting how someone so young like Alex Bruce was able to champion an unrelenting brand of self-expression that puts authenticity at the forefront of her lyrics, reminding us of a younger Ruby Ibarra or Cardi B minus the vulgarities.
With Jim Poblete at the helm of the production, turning Alex Bruce's sharpened skills into a star-making showcase that's beyond theatrical, expect nothing less of "Pull It Off." It's a song that will surely end your summer on a high note.
"Pull If Off" is now available on streaming and download platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes store, and Deezer via Sony Music Philippines.
Tags: Alex Bruce Alex Bruce Pull It Off
Rico Blanco to IV of Spades: "My long-lost band mates"
Last night, thousands of fans witnessed a show they won't forget as Rico Blanco, former Rivermaya frontman, and IV of Spades - consi...
What happened during the 2 days of Rakrakan Festival 2019?
How would I thought that I'm going to attend a 2-day music festival after I'd gone on a four-month hiatus from the local scene...
A1, O-Town brings a nostalgic night in Manila
'90s boy groups A1 and O-Town at the Mall of Asia Arena was packed to the rafters with adoring fans, who had come to feast their senses with...
Gerald Santos headlines Unlimited, A Concert for a Cause
International stage actor and Pinoy Pride bearer Gerald Santos headlines in one of the biggest concerts for this year, UNLIMITED, A CONC...
Top Japanese idols ARASHI to take Asia by storm
ARASHI, one of Japan's top idols, made their first appearance in Singapore last November 10. All five members - Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai...
ITZY Premiere Showcase tour Itzy? Itzy! in Manila next month
Pinoy MIDZYs, the long wait is over! Get ready to #StanUpTogether with the shiny, edgy, and fiery ITZY as they prepare to conquer Manila wi...
Yeo drops new album, Recovery Channel
Melbourne-based Malaysian-Australian musician and producer Yeo drops his awaited R&B-infused pop album Recovery Channel, taking his uniq...
Jang Ki Yong get up close and personal with Filipino fans during Filmography's Manila fan meeting
Fans got to know the different sides of Jang Ki Yong during his first Fan Meeting in the Philippines held last November 17 at SM Aura's ...
Things you didn't know about Eric Nam
Eric Nam is a Korean American singer-songwriter based in South Korea. Not to mention that he is also a well-known host in some var...
Stuck in a moment during U2's The Joshua Tree Tour in Manila
It took 4 decades when Bono and the rest of the members of U2 held their first concert in the country as part of The Joshua Tree Tour last D...
Blog Archive January (10) December (18) November (15) October (15) September (19) August (15) July (15) June (19) May (16) April (9) March (19) February (15) January (3) December (7) November (5) October (11) September (8) August (4) July (4) June (14) May (9) April (11) March (6) February (11) January (7) December (5) November (13) October (9) September (10) August (3) July (3) June (8) May (7) April (5) March (8) February (1) January (4) December (2) November (4) October (9) August (4) July (8) June (4) May (2) April (5) March (2) February (5) January (6) December (13) November (7) October (4) September (8) August (7) July (5) June (2) May (3) April (4) March (4) February (5) January (3) December (5) November (8) October (4) September (3) August (6) July (6)
We won!
Avril Lavigne announces Head Above Water world tour in Manila
Hey you! Pop-rock icon Avril Lavigne announced her highly anticipated Head Above Water world tour in Manila on May 20, 2020 at A...
Manila Concert Junkies
We're a concert and music blog founded by Christian Melanie Lee in 2014. A year later, she decided to form a group of talented contributors and photographers who took a sneak peek on what's happening in the concert scene in Manila. The team shared our insights by blogging about music reviews, concert experiences, and music news that every audiophile wants to read on.
© Copyright Manila Concert Junkies | Design By Free Blogger Templates.


text:
@interface IAWPersistenceDatastore ()

@property (strong, nonatomic, readonly) id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreLocalStorageProtocol> localStorage;
@property (strong, nonatomic, readonly) id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreReplicatorFactoryProtocol> replicatorFactory;
@property (strong, nonatomic, readonly) IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncManager *syncManager;

@end

@implementation IAWPersistenceDatastore

#pragma mark - Init object
- (id)init
{
    return [self initWithLocalStorage:nil
                         indexManager:nil
                    replicatorFactory:nil
                          syncManager:nil
                   notificationCenter:nil];
}

- (id)initWithLocalStorage:(id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreLocalStorageProtocol>)localStorage
              indexManager:(id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreIndexManagerProtocol>)indexManager
         replicatorFactory:(id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreReplicatorFactoryProtocol>)replicatorFactory
               syncManager:(IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncManager *)syncManager
        notificationCenter:(IAWPersistenceDatastoreNotificationCenter *)notificationCenter
{
    self = [super init];
    if (self)
    {
        if (!localStorage || !indexManager || !replicatorFactory || !syncManager || !notificationCenter)
        {
            self = nil;
        }
        else
        {
            _localStorage = localStorage;
            _indexManager = indexManager;
            _replicatorFactory = replicatorFactory;
            _syncManager = syncManager;
            _notificationCenter = notificationCenter;
        }
    }

    return self;
}

#pragma mark - IAWPersistenceDatastoreProtocol methods
- (id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol>)createDocumentWithDictionary:(NSDictionary *)dictionary
                                                                      error:(NSError **)error
{
    id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol> doc = [self.localStorage createDocumentWithDictionary:dictionary
                                                                                error:error];
    if (doc)
    {
        [self pushChanges];

        [self.notificationCenter postDidCreateDocumentNotificationWithSender:self];
    }

    return doc;
}

- (id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol>)replaceDocument:(id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol>)document
                                                withDictionary:(NSDictionary *)dictionary
                                                         error:(NSError **)error
{
    id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol> nextDoc = [self.localStorage replaceDocument:document
                                                                              withDictionary:dictionary
                                                                                error:error];
    if (nextDoc)
    {
        [self pushChanges];

        [self.notificationCenter postDidReplaceDocumentNotificationWithSender:self
                                                             replacedDocument:document
                                                                 nextDocument:nextDoc];
    }

    return nextDoc;
}

- (BOOL)deleteDocument:(id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreDocumentProtocol>)document
                 error:(NSError **)error
{
    BOOL success = [self.localStorage deleteDocument:document error:error];
    if (success)
    {
        [self pushChanges];

        [self.notificationCenter postDidDeleteDocumentNotificationWithSender:self];
    }

    return success;
}

- (IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType)deleteDocumentList:(NSArray *)documents
                                                                      error:(NSError **)error
{
    BOOL didDeleteDocuments = YES;
    IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType result = IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType_success;

    switch ([self.localStorage deleteDocumentList:documents error:error])
    {
        case IAWPersistenceDatastoreLocalStorage_deleteDocumentList_resultType_success:
        {
            result = IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType_success;

            break;
        }
        case IAWPersistenceDatastoreLocalStorage_deleteDocumentList_resultType_someDocumentsDeleted:
        {
            result = IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType_someDocumentsDeleted;

            break;
        }
        case IAWPersistenceDatastoreLocalStorage_deleteDocumentList_resultType_noDocumentDeleted:
        default:
        {
            didDeleteDocuments = NO;

            result = IAWPersistenceDatastore_deleteDocumentList_resultType_noDocumentDeleted;

            break;
        }
    }

    if (didDeleteDocuments)
    {
        [self pushChanges];

        [self.notificationCenter postDidDeleteDocumentListNotificationWithSender:self];
    }

    return result;
}

- (void)refreshDocuments
{
    [self pullChanges];
}

#pragma mark - Private methods
- (void)pushChanges
{
    id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreReplicatorProtocol> replicator = [self.replicatorFactory pushReplicator];

    IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncJob *syncJob = [IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncJob syncJobWithReplicator:replicator];

    [self.syncManager queueSynchronizationJob:syncJob];
}

- (void)pullChanges
{
    __weak IAWPersistenceDatastore *weakSelf = self;
    iawPersistenceDatastoreReplicatorCompletionHandlerType block= ^(BOOL success, NSError *error)
    {
        __strong IAWPersistenceDatastore *strongSelf = weakSelf;
        if (strongSelf)
        {
            [strongSelf.notificationCenter postDidRefreshDocumentsNotificationWithSender:strongSelf];
        }
    };

    id<IAWPersistenceDatastoreReplicatorProtocol> replicator = [self.replicatorFactory pullReplicatorWithCompletionHandler:block];

    IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncJob *syncJob = [IAWPersistenceDatastoreSyncJob syncJobWithReplicator:replicator];

    [self.syncManager queueSynchronizationJob:syncJob];
}

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Best of Broward / Palm Beach
Ten Best Dive Bars in Broward County
Falyn Freyman and David Rolland July 28, 2016 8:35AM
Sometimes, you just want to go where everyone knows your name; that safe, familiar dive where the drinks are cheap, the lighting is low, and you can always get away with wearing sandals and a T-shirt with stains on it. Because the only thing anyone cares about at a dive bar is shootin' the shit and knocking back the next cold one, you can let the world outside the grime-coated walls melt away.
When you can't be bothered by things like mixology or a button-down shirt, a good dive will always be there to help raise your spirits and make you feel really great about yourself afterward. Thankfully, no matter where you are here in South Florida, there are probably at least five dive bars within a one-mile radius. To make your life easier, we've compiled a list of the top ten dives near Fort Lauderdale.
10. Bimini Bay Bar
There's a reason this place has no windows. If you can't handle the occasional porn playing on the TV or bartenders sporadically taking out their tatas, Bimini Bay Bar's probably not for you. But for fans of this notorious spot in Fort Lauderdale, these are huge selling points. Along with two-buck brews and attentive service, the raunchy antics at Bimini Bay Bar more than make up for the fact that the cash-only watering hole only serves beer, wine, and sake.
9. Play by Play
Play by Play in Pompano Beach has everything you could want in a dive bar, along with some things you didn't know you wanted but will love anyway. A sports fanatic's home away from home, Play by Play offers you all your favorite teams playing at your booth's personal hi-def TV, food served up until close, a stripper pole, every game under the sun, and live music with a punk edge or country twang. It even has its own liquor store attached to the side because nothing goes better with sports and alcohol than more alcohol.
8. Le Tub
Secluded waterfront tables, gigantic burgers, and a no-BS service attitude make Hollywood's Le Tub Saloon worthy of our list. Sure, tourists tend to stop by to check out the GQ- and Oprah-hyped establishment, but better than the burgers are the large wood deck with plenty of picnic benches overlooking the Intracoastal boat traffic and the breezy, open-air bar.
7. Elbo Room
The longest-surviving bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this spot has seen it all. Its corner location right across from the beach is perfect for permanent spring breakers both old and young to congregate for cheap beer, live music, wet T-shirt contests, and general debauchery.
6. Kim's Alley Bar
Billed as Broward County's second-oldest bar, this Sunrise dive has been around for over 60 years. The front room has retro-looking bar stools with TVs and a jukebox, while the secret (hush hush) back room is where you can shoot pool, throw darts, and even play Ping-Pong.
KEEP NEW TIMES BROWARD-PALM BEACH FREE... Since we started New Times Broward-Palm Beach, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
David Rolland is a freelance writer for New Times Broward-Palm Beach and Miami New Times. His novel, The End of the Century, published by Jitney Books, is available at many fine booksellers.
Contact: David Rolland
Facebook: David Rolland
Twitter: @pablochiste
Falyn Freyman is a freelance multimedia journalist based in Miami. She previously produced videos for Univision and edited music content for New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Her work has been featured in Vice, Bustle, Broadly, Time Out, and other publications. She has a master's degree from the Columbia School of Journalism.
Contact: Falyn Freyman
Twitter: @falynrose
Top 20 Sexiest R&B Songs from the '90s to Today
Ten Most WTF Kanye West Lyrics of All Time
Farrah Abraham Explains, the "Backdoor" in Backdoor Teen Mom Is "More Than Anal Sex"
Meet "Los Ladrones de YouTube"
By Joshua Ceballos
Kesha Lands at Hard Rock Live This Spring
By Jose D. Duran
Vibra Urbana Drops Its Full Lineup


text:
Albert Ogle
The Personal Website of Albert J. Ogle
Albert's Art
Art of Coming Out
Art of Coming Out – Preface
The Art of Coming Out Chapter 1 Early Influences
The Art of Coming Out Chapter 2 – Beyond Northern Ireland
The Art of Coming Out Chapter 3 – The Spiritual Journey Begins in Exile
The Art of Coming Out Chapter 4 Transformation
Art of Coming Out Chapter 5 – Art of Combat
The Rev. Canon Albert Joy Ogle, B.D., P.G.C.E., M. Phil.
Rev. Canon Albert Ogle was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of Ireland in 1977. He moved to Southern California in 1982 and was received into the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles where he served as parish priests in several churches included All Saints, Pasadena and St. George's, Laguna Hills. While serving at All Saints he founded the AIDS Service Center and implemented a model program of care and prevention that he had developed for the state of California in 1987. He worked closely with ecumenical partners throughout the research and planning process including retired Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles Archdiocese. The Center served an eighth of the county for over 20 years before closing two years ago.
Archbishop Yona Okoth of the Anglican Church of Uganda
In 1991 Canon Ogle was invited by Anglican Archbishop Yona Okoth to advise the religious community in Uganda how to implement an AIDS prevention program with assistance from USAID and TASO. Church Human Services Uganda (CHUSA) was part of a collaborative venture where the government and major Ugandan institutions succeeded in bringing levels of HIV infection down to under 7%.
Ogle at Lambeth Palace with Archbishop Okoth and Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.
Canon Ogle was recognized both by the State of California and his Diocese for his local and international work when he was made a Canon in 2002 . He continued working in Uganda with Hospice Uganda and brought morphine to Uganda for the first time in 1996 as part of a cancer and HIV palliative care strategy.
Canon Ogle was invited to attend the UN High Level meeting on AIDS in 2011 and spoke at the International AIDS Conference in 2012 on "HIV and Religion". He has worked closely with Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance in Geneva and has helped to fund several HIV and employment programs in Uganda over the past three years through the work of the St. Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation. He was particularly interested in assisting the religious health care system expand its services and resources to the most marginalized and difficult to reach populations, particularly in Africa where 40% of health services are provided by the faith community.
Ogle worked closely with Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Uganda for health services there. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was very supportive of these ventures. Bishop Christopher was recognized as a Clinton Global Citizen in 2012. (Top image) The first meeting of LGBT activists at the World Bank changed the way the bank advocates for poverty reduction that negatively impacts LGBT people and allies in 76 countries where homosexuality is criminalized.
Canon Ogle was educated in Ireland, Wales and London and returned to Trinity College Dublin to complete a M Phil in international Peace Studies. His thesis "Returning to Places of Wounded Memory-the Role of World Heritage in Reconciliation" was published by UNESCO and he has been invited to be an Expert Consultant on the early Christian Sites of Galilee's submission to the World Heritage list. He has particular interest in developing the historic sites of St Paul in Turkey and Greece as an international World Heritage Site, with reconciliation as their outstanding universal value. Canon Ogle's reconciliation work has been extensive over the years from Ireland to the USA, Rwanda and Uganda.
Canon Ogle was made Canon of St Paul's Cathedral in the Diocese of San Diego where he served on the cathedral staff. He worked closely with the LGBTI community on marriage equality issues and was awarded Equality California's "Pride in Action Award" in 2012 and Local Hero's Award in 2014 by KCET.
In 2014, Canon Ogle was appointed Vicar of St. Peter's Lithgow in the Episcopal Diocese of New York where he served for nearly five years.
The colors in the background of St. Peter's Lithgow are stunning and I want to paint them before the wind takes them away.
During this time he continued to advocate for the marginalized, both locally and internationally. In 2015, St Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation sponsored a women at the United Nations event and several visits to Cuba, where women's and LGBT rights remain quite progressive in comparison to many of the homophobic and sexist cultures of the Caribbean island communities. His most successful venture during these years with the people of Dutchess County, included Millbrook at Home (a volunteer support network for seniors). In June 2019, he was appointed Interim Rector of St. Paul's Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, famous for its outstanding Anglican music program and vital ministries to the neighboring communities of Mount Airy and Germantown. During the past two years, the parish dealt with transitioning to a new rector with a discernment and search process and adapting to the needs of the community because of the Covid 19 pandemic. A full summary of the shared ministry can be found HERE. Albert will be retiring from full time active ministry in the summer of 2021 and will continue living in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia.
Choristers sing outside during the Covid 19 pandemic
Palm Sunday outside
Christmas Posada 2020
He continues to enjoy photography, painting and travelling.
After years of writing for other people and organizations, it makes sense to have somewhere to share ones thoughts, hopes, inspiration and the results of my latest endeavour, painting. I hope these ruminations and artwork will feed the mind and soul and make sense of our journey together.
Albert J. Ogle
The Cliffs of Moher, where we scattered Rogers ashes in 1998. One of several live paintings from the summer or 2021.
What to do about the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict?
Preparing to retire
Sermons from the Hill
The Reluctant Revolutionary? Martin Luther and the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation this weekend.
Don't forget our friends and relatives affected by the hurricanes
The sky and water merge as the painting is unrolled
© 2023 / Albert Ogle Powered by WordPress / Built by BTC


Hauling cargo means drivers often are fighting against the clock. In the rush to stay on schedule, fleet managers and owner-operators have to get a lot done in a relatively short period. However, there should always be time taken to confirm a load is properly secured to prevent injuries and damage.
Here are some of the most important tips drivers and fleet managers need to know about how to keep their loads secure on a flatbed trailer.
Before doing anything else, the driver must remember to take proper safety precautions, these include stretching to prevent injury. Drivers also must be certain that when they throw straps or chains across a trailer, they will hurt no one on the other side. Whenever possible, drivers should secure loads from the ground, rather than climb on top of the trailer. This is to prevent slips and falls.
Drivers need to verify that the straps or chains they use to secure the load will be sufficient for its weight. A strap's working load limit (WLL) should be printed clearly on it. On a chain, the WLL typically is found in the manufacturer's mark every foot. The combined WLL of all the tie-downs used must be at least one-half of the load's total weight. If the WLL does not reach that total — or if the WLL is not easily readable anywhere on the tie-downs — the vehicle will be taken out of service.
When securing loads on a flatbed trailer, two tie-downs must be used on the first 10 feet. One strap or chain is required every 10 feet after that. In cases where a second stack of cargo is not butted against the first stack, the second stack must have two straps for its first 10 feet. When the stacks are butted against each other, they can be treated as one.
Drivers should take care to note any pieces that extend beyond the footprint of the pallet. Items such as longer boards or drywall may not have enough downward pressure to hold them in place. In these cases, drivers should take extra steps to secure those pieces.
Because tie-downs are under tremendous strain, drivers must never use worn-out straps and always know their WLL. A strap or chain that snaps can do serious harm to operators and the cargo. Further, drivers need to inspect winches and brackets for signs of wear that could result in failure.
When tightening the tie-downs, drivers should position themselves to the side of the winch. This will prevent them from being injured should the winch give way. Drivers also should be careful never to release the winch handle before guaranteeing the mechanism is locked in place. Once the load is determined to be secure, drivers can cover the cargo with flatbed tarps.
Along with having the right flatbed trailer tarps, proper securement of a load is crucial for keeping cargo and drivers safe. By following these tips, drivers can ensure their loads will be secure.


999 Silver Bullion – Why Can It Be Your Best Silver Investment?
A gold and silver investment is a very popular option right now, and these metals have been in high demand throughout history as well. If you are going to invest in silver, the best possible choice to consider is 999 silver bullion. This is considered investment quality bullion, and you can find bars and coins of this quality in a variety of weights and sizes.


text:
Midtown 311
Midtown Blues
The Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District Dallas' Dynamic District Vickery Midtown draws from the energy of a deeply-rooted history as a commuter location to unite numerous communities. The neighborhood's midtown Dallas location provides ideal access to Downtown Dallas as well as to major healthcare facilities, employment opportunities and diverse retail offerings. Vickery Midtown boasts three DART light rail stations, numerous DART bus stops, three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The natural surroundings of the SoPac Trail, Fair Oaks Park and nearby White Rock Lake and Dallas Arboretum offer residents a retreat from city life.
Vickery PID
In 1993, the Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District (VMPID) was formed to enhance the quality of life for Vickery Midtown residents, and thereby stabilize the values of real property and real property improvements within the District. The community of Vickery Midtown is supported by the Vickery Midtown Management Corporation (VMMC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that oversees the VMPID. In collaboration with residents and area stakeholders, VMPID remains committed to making Vickery a healthy and thriving community.
President Ted Palles
Ted Palles is one of the United States' leading entrepreneurs and real estate developers in multi-family housing. His company, Pallas, is among the few companies that has principals who have participated in the management, ownership, planning and the continued administration in the Midtown Dallas marketplace for more than 35 years. As one of the largest property owners in Vickery Midtown, Ted's understanding of the District is deep, with a vast comprehension of the properties, the people who live in the District, the past trends, the current trends and the needs of the community. Outside of the on-going management of properties, he also participates in all facets of identifying, communicating, championing and implementing opportunities for the neighborhood through the City of Dallas, Dallas Independent School District and other governing/related entities.
Ted has invested corporately and substantially on improvements to the workforce housing he owns and manages in Vickery Midtown.
Currently serving as Vickery Midtown's president, Ted is also leading the Public Safety and Community Standards Committee, and is active and passionate about specific initiatives including the Ridgecrest road improvement construction program as a part of the Midtown Complete Streets re-design to facilitate both vehicle and pedestrian vibrancy, safety and efficiency; District branding for Vickery Midtown; the Trail-to-Trail recreational greenspace initiative, the Midtown Blues security program; and building awareness of the Midtown 311 Code Red system for reporting issues and concerns in the District to City of Dallas.
Vice President Sabrina Bunks
Sabrina Bunks started her career in the radio industry, first selling ads in Houston in 1982, then in Dallas and rising to executive sales positions as her expert business-building skills brought success to stations such as KLIF and to ABC Radio Networks.
While working in radio, Sabrina and her husband, Al Taylor, began purchasing and renting investment condos in the Vickery Midtown area and established their company Great New Place, which now owns and manages more than 65 homes in the District.
A champion for community service and teamwork for improvement, Sabrina also serves on the boards of six different homeowner associations in the District. Sabrina was appointed to the Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District Board in 2010 and has served on the Vickery Midtown Executive Committee since 2014. She leads the Vickery Midtown Open Space and Public Realm Committee that has planted more than 600 trees in the community since 2018. She is a graduate of Tulane University and an MLA graduate of Southern Methodist University.
Vice President John Hickman
John Hickman is Development Director for Provident. John joined the company in early 2013. He has developed five multifamily communities with 1,656 units in Texas and has financed another 627 units nationwide. Prior to PRA, John worked at KeyBank, Criterion Development, and The Beck Group. Overall, he has been involved in $488 million of construction/development volume and $279 million in finance/leasing/land disposition transactions spanning the multifamily, retail, office, industrial and data center sectors.
Vice President John Hubach
John Hubach has more than 14 years of experience in Economic Development, Urban Planning, and Marketing Communications, and is currently the Director of Pre-Development Services for BKV Group team in Dallas. He brings a robust set of development experience and deep knowledge in government relations, urban planning, coordination with clients, and navigating government apparatus.
As Director of Pre-Development Services, Jon provides the ability to build consensus with stakeholder parties, find solutions between multiple practices, and seek outside-of-the-box ideas to steer development. Jon launched his career as a Downtown Planner for the City of Plano in Texas. He served as the liaison between the city and economic development partners. After revitalizing downtown Plano, he held the positions of Neighborhood Planner for Plano neighborhoods and the Development Review Planner. He coordinated development and zoning submittals, conducted market research, and managed downtown revitalization projects. He worked at the City of Dallas as an Economic Development Analyst, overseeing all real estate project development and site-selection opportunities for various areas of Dallas and performed financial analysis on projects featuring mixed-use, retail, housing, and hotel uses.
Vice President, Treasurer Cara Talafuse
Cara Talafuse is Vice President of Texas Operations for Fath Properties. She has been a leader in the real estate and property management industries for 30 years.
Fath Properties is the second largest property owner of multifamily residential in Vickery Midtown, specializing in owning, rehabilitating and managing quality apartment communities. The current portfolio consists of more than 8,400 apartment homes located throughout Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and Dallas. Cara began her career with Fath in 2004.
She has served on the Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District Board of Trustees for seven years, and has served as its president for two one-year terms. Cara currently serves as the District's treasurer. She is a mother of two children.
Secretary Ron Greene
A long-time resident of Vickery Midtown, Ron Greene moved to Dallas from New York in the 1990s. From the start of his living in Dallas, Ron has been a leader in various public safety and district improvement initiatives.
Ron's engaged approach for decades provides a unique and invaluable understanding of the dynamics of Vickery Midtown's growth and expansion with its pivotal location in Dallas.
Ron serves on various committees for Vickery Midtown's active initiatives. He currently also serves as Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District's secretary.
Orlando Alameda
Orlando Alameda is the Director of Real Property Management for the Dallas Independent School District, the second-largest school district in the State of Texas, with more than 155,000 students.
A licensed Real Estate Broker, Orlando is responsible for managing the school district's real estate portfolio, which includes more than 230 schools, 12 athletic complexes, 25 administrative facilities, and various miscellaneous properties.
Prior to joining Dallas ISD in 2004, Orlando worked in the Real Estate Department for the City of Dallas.
Roger Albright
Roger Albright began work as an attorney in 1978. His first case was a federal constitutional challenge to protect his client's First Amendment rights: a case which ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Continuing that path, Roger gained extensive state and federal litigation experience, taking more than 30 major cases to judgment including class actions and million-dollar recoveries. He worked at Mullinax, Wells, Babb & Cloutman for a decade, first as an Associate and then as a Partner. Thereafter, Roger opened the Law Offices of Roger Albright, where he practiced for over two decades. He became Of Counsel to Sheils Winnubst, PC in 2018.
Throughout the years, Roger has served on various boards and committees including the Dallas Rapid Area Transit (DART) Board and the Dallas Plan Commission. Roger's current practice focuses primarily on municipal land use, real estate and business representation. Roger uses his vast network and decades of experience to provide thorough, efficient and effective legal advice.
Don Bouvier
Don Bouvier is a founding partner and president of UCR Development. He is responsible for leading the overall day-to-day management and direction of the firm. He has spent more than 25 years in the commercial real estate development industry, completing projects across various product types including anchored retail shopping centers, single-tenant build-to-suits, corporate office and healthcare campuses. His experience spans across several states with an emphasis in the southwest.
Prior to UCR Development, Don served in a Principle/Partner capacity at Hunt Properties, Direct Development and Mays & Company – all Dallas-based firms. His primary responsibilities included firm-wide business management, sourcing new business opportunities, maintaining anchor tenant relationships, and directing internal project teams through the development process involving planning, leasing, legal, construction and project finance. He has completed projects anchored by Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Kohl's, JC Penney, Belk, Kroger, Safeway, Harley Davidson Financial, Southwestern Bell Internet HQ, Bridgestone/Firestone U.S. roll-out, Baylor Health System and Adeptus Health.
Don began his development career consulting both municipalities and private land-development clients as a licensed Engineer for Kimley-Horn & Associates. Don is a past board member of The Real Estate Council and an alumnus of its Associate Leadership Council.
Deborah Christensen
With more than 30 years of experience in Property Management, Deborah Christensen began her career with Case and Associates in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After 10 years, she relocated to Dallas, where she worked in Affordable Housing for Multi-Family and Single-Family Homes. Deborah has worked for Mady Development, Greystar, Spanos, Sherman Residential and Gaines Investment Trust before her tenure at Fath Properties as a Regional Manager for the last three and one-half years.
Deborah currently supervises four properties in the Vickery Midtown District. During her career in property management, she has worked on properties ranging from Affordable Housing to High-Rise Developments. Deborah is an Accredited Resident Manager through the Institute of Real Estate Management and currently is in the process of obtaining her Certified Apartment Supervisor credentials through the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.
Her volunteer work has included serving on the committee for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas annual Toy Drive, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels in Collin County.
Liz Curfman
Liz Curfman, LMSW joined the Heart House team in 2019 as Senior Director of Program and Operations. Liz was previously Refugee Ministry Director at Northwest Community Center, a ministry of Northwest Bible Church which houses three of Heart House's eight sites, for three years.
Liz's new role at Heart House entails strategy, management and administration of Heart House's Head, Heart and Hands program. Other duties include evaluation, recruitment of staff and students, and management of programmatic partners.
Dustin Davidson
Dustin Davidson is Director of Land Development for Hines, responsible for land and residential development, acquisitions and dispositions of projects within the Southwestern Region of the United States, focusing also on the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Since joining Hines' Dallas office in 2012, Dustin has worked on more than 20 single-family development projects in cities across the Southwestern United States, totaling more than 9,000 lots.
Dustin has specialized in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, and is responsible for sourcing financing, both equity and debt, and has been directly involved in more than $800 million in project revenue. He is a graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Audrey Hinton
Audrey Hinton has lived in Vickery Midtown for 20 years. Her knowledge and understanding of the district and Dallas are a key benefit to her service as a trustee of the Vickery Midtown Public Improvement District board.
A native Texan, she was born in Temple and has lived in Dallas since she was five years old, and received her primary education in Dallas ISD and then received her BAAS in Social Work/Psychology from Dallas Baptist University.
Audrey is currently retired from a career in corporate sales and marketing and technical higher education recruitment and management, and as an entrepreneur.
Audrey is also a certified educator with Dallas ISD.
Mason Ice
Mason Ice is managing partner for BARetc, an agency that focuses on adult beverage brands and consumer goods in a promotional marketing capacity. Mason has been in Vickery at his house for nearly two decades. He was on the joint task force committee for years leading up to the construction of the SoPac Trail having co-founded the Friends of SoPac Trail group with others in Phase 3, years before construction started.
He stays busy managing a chunk of the country for Reed's Ginger Beer and Virgil's Soda and travels most week out of state. He helped Vickery Midtown move to Google Apps in the office for email and file share to keep things clean for the District's back of house. Mason also co-owns a boutique in downtown historic McKinney with his fiancée.
Lynn McBee
As a volunteer leader in Dallas for more than 25 years, Lynn McBee has worked more than 45,000 hours of service for more than 30 different non-profit groups. Lynn's work has made a difference on tough issues like improving education, serving homeless, protecting children, fighting domestic violence and helping underserved students succeed in college.
As a deeply engaged civic leader, Lynn has learned how to bring different stakeholders to the table, find common ground and solutions, and get everyone moving in a productive manner that gets results.
Lynn has served more than five years as CEO of Young Women's Preparatory Network, a public-private partnership that creates STEM-focused schools of choice in an all-girls setting. To date, YWPN grads have a 100% college acceptance rate – many of them first-generation college goers. Over five years as CEO, Lynn has grown revenues 300% and gained a deep understanding of how to partner with ISDs to improve student achievement.
Charlie Nye is an experienced real estate and hospitality attorney, with more than 34 years in handling complex commercial real estate matters, including providing legal advice and support for hundreds of transactions. He has 19 years of experience as in-house counsel for a hospitality REIT, with substantial involvement in acquisitions, dispositions, financings, development, construction, litigation management, asset management, operations and management/franchise company issues and relationships.
Charlie is a skilled communicator and negotiator in complex transactions involving business and legal due diligence, risk analysis and project management. He has managed multiple projects and resources in changing business environments, with focus on teamwork and communications, and is an experienced multifamily real estate investor–investments in 20+ "B" and "C" class properties.
Anson Reilly
Anson Reilly is manager of AMR Advisors, LLC, a real estate company, and PKI Partners, LLC, a private investment company. Previously, Anson was an Associate at SunTx Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas. While at SunTx, Anson served as Chief Financial Officer of SunTx Urbana, a real estate development and management affiliate focusing on investments in residential communities. Prior to joining SunTx, Anson worked in the Transaction Services Advisory practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York performing financial due diligence and M&A advisory work.
Anson received a Master of Accountancy from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a BA in Economics and History from Duke University.
W. Sandy Spurgin
W. Sandy Spurgin is Senior Vice President of Operations and Development for Northwood Retail. He oversees operations for Northwood's managed mixed-use and retail properties, as well as future Northwood Investors' retail opportunities. In addition, he leads the company's real estate development across the retail portfolio, which is currently comprised of 11 properties totaling over 4.5 million square feet located in cities across the United States.
Prior to joining Northwood Retail, Sandy was Vice President of Development for Cooper & Stebbins, LP, where he spent 10 years developing Southlake Town Square, a 3.5 million square foot master-planned downtown and regional central business district. During his tenure, he directed more than 800,000 square feet of development from conceptual design and pro forma feasibility to construction completion and lease up. He was also involved in all aspects of asset management, leasing and financing.
Sandy received a BBA in Real Estate Finance and a BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Mark Wolf
Mark Wolf is Principal of JHP Architecture / Urban Design, a firm with a national practice based in Vickery Midtown for 40 years. As a Principal he offers clients expertise in (re)development related to urban infill, mixed-use and housing programs, with an emphasis on the underlying urban design.
For nearly 20 years, Mark and his colleagues at JHP have taken a pro bono role in improving outcomes in architecture, particularly the core area of Vickery Midtown. He's a long-time Public Improvement District board member, and has served as its president. He is also professionally active in AIA/Dallas, Urban Land Institute (TOD Council), Congress for New Urbanism and as an adjunct professor has led a Graduate studio at UTA School of Architecture focused on urban redevelopment.
Ken Wright has been at Half Price Books for 33 years. Starting as bookseller, he rose the ranks and helped build the legendary brand with his leadership in district management, retail store design, risk management/safety, and property management.
Ken is now Vice President of Development for Bookmark, a subsidiary of Half Price Books that is developing commercial property in Vickery Midtown. Half Price Books has made a large investment in Vickery Midtown, redeveloping 12 acres at the southern entrance to the neighborhood as a long-term asset.
Executive Director David Whitley
David Whitley is the owner of a Dallas-based urban planning firm, DRW Planning Studio. His practice focuses on aiding municipalities and non-profit clients with long-range planning initiatives and small area plans, as well as evaluating municipal policies and business practices through the lens of fostering more vibrant cities. He also assists development clients to capitalize on strategic opportunities to create unique and enduring places, and conducts development review to ensure compliance with local land use regulations.
Prior to starting his own firm, David was the Associate Director of the Dallas CityDesign Studio at the City of Dallas. Key initiatives while at the Studio included: completing an award-winning urban design plan and guidelines for West Dallas, advancing changes to city policy regarding mobile food vending, and developing an urban design review process for key areas of the city.
David has nearly 20 years experience in city planning and design. During his 11-year tenure with the City of Dallas, David worked on a number of planning initiatives including development code amendments for neighborhood stabilization, planning and economic development efforts for the Trinity River Corridor, and review and recommendations concerning zoning requests.
David previously worked with the City of Arlington, handling long-range planning initiatives, development review, and TIF District administration. He holds an architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master's in Regional Planning from Cornell University.
Public Safety Coordinator Stacey Roth
Executive Assistant Theresa Collins
View 7-year Budget
Redevelopment Vision


Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) plays a pivotal role in the balance of computational cost and solution accuracy. The version of AMR shipped with the latest OpenFOAM release is capable of refining and coarsening hexahedral cells based on a solution variable and a refinement range, both of which need to be specified by the user. Adaptivity in this sense is rather naive and lacks generalized accuracy estimates derived from sound mathematical reasoning. The focus of this thesis was to develop an upgraded AMR algorithm that ensures the following two properties: Guaranteed error bounds: The upgraded algorithm uses a refinement criterion based on the concept of multiresolution analysis to ensure the boundedness of mesh coarsening error to that of the underlying solution scheme. Furthermore, the criterion is fully automatic, leading to user independence from having to provide a value range. Support for arbitrary cell types: A robust subdivision algorithm for cells of arbitrary shapes is developed and implemented. This involves the decomposition of polyhedral cells into tetrahedra, followed by their recursive refinement and coarsening. The revamped AMR algorithm promises accuracy to the order of a full grid of equivalent refinement. It leads to improved performance in terms of speed, CPU memory requirements, and storage. With support for arbitrary cell shapes, the AMR algorithm is applicable to a wider range of cases. The impact of the thesis on these features is analysed through a suite of benchmark simulations.
This page was last modified on 21 February 2017, at 14:08.