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The Atacama Desert is the oldest and driest desert on earth. It is also one of the most hostile environments for microbial life on Earth due to its hyper arid moisture regime, thermal extremes, high concentrations of salt in the soil, and intense UV radiation at the soil surface. Nevertheless, the Atacama Desert is not totally devoid of life. Short term water inputs caused by fog or rare rainfall events may provide temporary favourable conditions for microorganisms and plants. Recent research has showed that these microbial communities respond rapidly to the addition of available carbon (C) when moisture limitation is removed.
Biological denitrification, which is the major nitrogen (N) loss mechanism in terrestrial ecosystems, occurs via the sequential reduction of NO3−, to NO2−, NO, N2O and N2, however its functional significance in hyper-arid ecosystem remains largely unknown. However, large instantaneous pulses of nitrogen oxide have been reported from comparable desert soils following rewetting, with recorded fluxes being greater than for other key ecosystems on the planet. The AtacamaN20 project will evaluate what are the key controls of N2O emissions during and after extreme weather events, and following the more continuous but small inputs of water via fog. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rve8fDZ8DdQ for extreme weather impact in Atacama region.
You will explore the effects of extreme rainfall on nitrogen cycling in desert environments, focussing on factors controlling N2O production and emission. You will become competent in the use state-of-the-art methods in Bangor University and Rothamsted Research North Wyke to study atmosphere-soil-plant interactions, including portable field and specialist laboratory greenhouse gas emission measurement equipment, stable and radio-isotopes and analysis of the nitrifier and denitrifier communities. Working with international peer colleagues in the Atacama desert you will explore how long term hyper aridity impacts on the landscape and why extreme rainfall events do have such deep impacts on its ecosystem functioning and the resulting N emissions to air.
Applicant should hold a 2:1 degree or above in a subject related to this PhD project including: Biology, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology, Agriculture, Soil Science, Biotechnology, Meteorology.
For further information please contact Dr. Laura Cardenas (laura.cardenas@rothamsted.ac.uk) or Prof. Roland Bol (r.bol@bangor.ac.uk.
November 9, 2020 Nicola O'Byrne 2020 Rothamsted Research


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You are here: Home / Sermons / Sermons on Esther / Esther 6 – Sleepless in Susa and Rain on the Parade
Esther 6 – Sleepless in Susa and Rain on the Parade
One of the greatest examples in history of the saying that "pride comes before a fall" is in Esther 6. This chapter is full of twists and reversals.
A ship that was hailed as the unsinkable ship, "a ship that even God couldn't sink," according to one headline, sank on its maiden voyage. We all know the story of the Titanic.
Spiritual leaders who say, "That could never happen to me!" fall into sexual sin. We have heard it happen over and over again.
National political leaders who can never admit they're wrong are disgraced in the public eye. We have seen it in congressman and presidents.
A harbor that was considered invincible and was run by men looking out for personal advancement in their careers is attacked and demolished by a Japanese attack force. We have all heard of Pearl Harbor.
A space shuttle blows up only 73 seconds after take off because a group of top managers would not listen to the warnings of some lower level engineers. We all remember the catastrophe of the Challenger Space Shuttle.
All of these cases, and countless others, have proven the truth of Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Pride. "It thrust proud Nebuchadnezzar out of men's society, proud Saul out of his kingdom, proud Adam out of paradise, proud Lucifer out of heaven." [1]
The downfalls of the proud are amazing. Today we will see another one.
As we continue to study the story of Esther we see the beginning of one of the most amazing downfalls of a proud person that is recorded in Scripture. The most amazing part about it though is that while God's name is never mentioned, we can see His hand at work through the whole account.
So far, in Esther, we have seen King Xerxes, a proud and foolish king make some poor decisions and lose his queen.
Later, the king began feeling bad that he had deposed his queen, so he had a beauty pageant to get a new queen. The result is that a young Jewish girl named Esther became queen. She also happened to be the niece of a man named Mordecai.
Mordecai was a lowly public official in the capital of Susa, and had saved the life of the king from an assassination plot. However, there was another man in Susa who hated Mordecai: Haman the Agagite. Haman hated all Israelites and came from a long line of Israelite enemies. He wanted everyone to bow to him. But Mordecai the Jew did not. Haman became so enraged that he set out to destroy all the Jews living in Persia. And by way of a bribe to the King, he set in motion some events that would do just that.
Mordecai learned of the plot, and persuaded Esther to embark on a "Mission Impossible" to persuade the king to intervene for her people. In Esther 5 we saw her begin her mission, but it seemed to us that she missed several key opportunities to make her request to the King.
And at the end of Esther 5, we saw that while Esther was preparing to ask the king to spare her people the Jews, Haman was intent on killing Mordecai. He had a gallows built 75 feet high, and was going to go to the King early in the morning to ask that Mordecai be impaled on it. Then he could go to the banquet with a good mood.
So even if Esther got what she the deliverance of her people from the king, it would be too late for Mordecai.
But we are forgetting one thing. Although God is not mentioned in the book, His work is evident everywhere. There are no coincidences with God. While we think Esther has delayed too long, she is operating exactly within God's timetable.
When we think Haman built the gallows, it is because God wanted them.
But I am getting ahead of myself. The action begins today in Esther 6:1.
Sleepless in Susa (Esther 6:1-9)
Esther 6:1. That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
There are two parts to Esther 6. I have entitled this first part "Sleepless in Susa." Susa, of course, is the royal city that the king was living in, and on this night, he could not sleep. I just find this amazing! "The entire course of history for the Jewish nation was changed because a pagan king could not sleep." [2] What does Proverbs say? "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" (21:1).
The king wanted to sleep, but we see here in verse one that he could not, and so he orders that the history books be brought in and read to him.
Now some of us are thinking, "Yeah, read some history. That'll put you to sleep real quick." But these were not just any history books, these were the history books of his reign. These were the accounts of what he had done, and all the glorious battles he had won and all the wonderful buildings he had built and so on. We know that historiographers were attached to the Persian court and attended the monarch everywhere he went. [3] They wrote down everything he said and everything he did.
The king, being proud and arrogant himself, probably wanted to drift off to sleep hearing how wonderful he was as a king. But we see in Esther 6:2, that God, the keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps 121:4) and who is not mentioned here but is obviously present, had something else in mind.
Esther 6:2. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
Now Xerxes had been king at this point for over 12 years! Do you know how many volumes would have been filled by the king's historiographers in twelve years if they were recording almost everything he did and said of any importance? We're looking at a lot of history here! But of all the texts that could have been selected, the librarian pulls this one from the shelves to be read to the king! What a "coincidence," right? No, God is obviously at work when the librarian picks this part of the histories.
Do you remember the account the history is talking about? In chapter 2, Bigthana and Teresh, who of the kings officers had developed a plan to assassinate the King, but Mordecai had learned of it, and had reported it to the king. And remember, Esther 2 did not tell us that Mordecai had been honored for this.
Remember, when we looked at Esther 2, this seemed like an insignificant part in the story, unnecessary to include. But now we see why the master storyteller included it! It plays a huge part in this chapter.
Maybe Mordecai was a little hurt by being overlooked after saving the life of the king, but remember, if you ever do something that deserves recognition, and you are forgotten, God sees what was done and He will reward you in His own time. Honoring Mordecai would have been good before, but honoring him now will be twice as good. Look how this happens for Mordecai in Esther 6:3.
Esther 6:3. Then the king said, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" And the king's servants who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him."
Normally the kings were very disciplined in rewarding those who protected or served the king in such a way, and so this was a major oversight for the king to have failed to honor Mordecai.
Now apparently the king is sitting there in bed, trying to figure out how to honor Mordecai, when he hears someone enter the outer court.
Esther 6:4. So the king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
Why has Haman come so early? Haman had arrived to ask for the death of Mordecai.
Esther 6:5-6. The king's servants said to him, "Haman is there, standing in the court." And the king said, "Let him come in." So Haman came in, and the king asked him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?"
In other words, I have someone I really want to honor. What should I do?
Now Haman thought in his heart, "Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?"
Haman is so proud he can't imagine why the King would want to honor anybody but himself. After all, he has just the day before been to one banquet, today he is attending a second. Convinced that he is the only one the king would want to honor, Haman presents the king with another way to further stroke his own ego. [4]
Esther 6:7-8. And Haman answered the king, "For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head."
Haman requests that the man whom the king wants to honor be treated like royalty. Now normally this would be a breach of Persian Law, but in special circumstances, the king would allow it. Haman was lusting after respect. [5] What he requests here and in verse 9 is like someone today getting the chance to fly around in Air Force One. Haman continues to speak in Esther 6:9.
Esther 6:9. "Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: 'Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!'"
He's going to be sorry he said this later. Can't you just see it? Haman is thinking, "The gods are smiling on me today! I have come to ask for the life of Mordecai, and now the king wants to honor me above everybody else! And then later I get a private banquet with the King and Queen. What a great day this will be!"
I know Haman is the villain in the story, but you just have to feel sorry for him sometimes, don't you? He's digging his own grave here and doesn't even know it. We know what the King is about to do, but Haman doesn't and we just have to watch Haman create his own downfall.
It is interesting to note that what Haman craves here is the same thing Lucifer craved. Both wanted to receive the honor that was due the King. Haman wanted to receive the honor due a king; Lucifer wanted to receive the honor due the King of Kings. [6] Scripture again tell us though, that honor is only received by giving honor to whom it is due (1 Sam. 2:30). Haman and Lucifer sought honor for themselves. And both fall from their proud position.
Haman's fall begins in Esther 6:10.
Rain on the Parade (Esther 6:10-14)
Esther 6:10. Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king's gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken."
Can you imagine the look on Haman's face?
This second part of the chapter, I have entitled "Rain on the Parade." Haman had been expecting a day that was full of his own glory. He was thinking he was getting a parade in his own honor, and look what happens. Mordecai, whom Haman hated, whom Haman wanted to impale on a gallows 75 feet high, whom Haman set out to destroy all the Jews because Mordecai would not bow, this Mordecai was honored instead of Haman. And it gets worse in Esther 6:11.
Esther 6:11. So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!"
This couldn't happen to a couple of more deserving guys. [7] Mordecai deserved what he got. So did Haman. This kind of turn around can only come from God.
Haman was the one who had to lead Mordecai through the city proclaiming , "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" What a bad day for Haman. Mordecai, whom he hated, had to be honored by Haman at the very time he had planned to supervise Mordecai's execution! [8] How humiliating. Again, Scripture tells us that God is the judge, he puts down one and sets up another (Ps 75:7).
And we can be sure that, unlike Haman, Mordecai did not let this promotion go to his head.[9] We can be sure that there was no boasting from Mordecai. He did not force under threat of death for all the citizens of Susa to bow before him. He carried his honors well.
Most of us, myself included, might be tempted to gloat as Haman led us around town on the kings royal horse. Many of us would be tempted to say something to Haman, something like, "How do ya like me now, Haman? One more time around the block, Haman. A little slower, Haman. Shout a little louder, Haman." But we can be sure that Mordecai did not fall into such a trap.
Esther 6:12 picks up when the procession was over.
Esther 6:12. Afterward Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered.
Of course Haman cannot now ask for the death of Mordecai. All of Haman's plans are beginning to unravel.
This is very ironic. "Earlier, Mordecai had publicly grieved over his people, now Haman privately grieved over his own humiliation. When Haman left his wife in the morning he had been elated. Now, the bottom had fallen out from under him." [10] Let's see how his wife and friends respond.
Esther 6:13. When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him."
They see it as clearly as we do. Haman's downfall has started. And here they give the reason why. They say it is because Mordecai is of Jewish origin. They knew that Jews were the chosen people of God and since this God is working behind the scenes. Haman will surely come to ruin because he cannot stand against God, which is what he was trying to do.
Of course, while God has not forsaken his people Israel, they will play an important role in events to come, the church is currently the people of God, and all attempts to destroy Christ's church will also come to ruin. What did Christ say? "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." God always protects His own.
And the chapter ends with Esther 6:14.
Esther 6:14. While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
Just when his wife and friends make this dire prophecy, the king's eunuchs arrive and hurry Haman off to the banquet. We know what is coming. His destruction is nearly complete. But Haman does not know this. Yet I am sure he is dreading the banquet. When it rains, it pours, and it is definitely raining on Haman's parade. He's wondering what else can go wrong today.
So Haman is escorted off to his banquet with Esther and the King.
There are two primary lessons from Esther 6, one from the example of Haman and one from the example of Mordecai. The first, from Haman is to watch out for pride in your own life. Be careful to fend off pride.
Maybe the best way to watch out for pride is to note what sort of things reveal pride. I came across a little printed form the other day with a rather intriguing title: How to Be Perfectly Miserable. And it goes on to list a few things you can do that will not only make you perfectly miserable but also keep you that way. All of these things are indicative of pride in your life. If any of them are present in your life, watch out, because pride comes before a fall. There are 15 of them.
Think about yourself.
Talk about yourself.
Use the personal pronoun "I" as often as possible in your conversation.
Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others.
Listen greedily to what people say about you.
Insist on consideration and respect.
Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them.
Never forget a service you may have rendered.
Expect to be appreciated.
Be suspicious.
Be sensitive to slights.
Be jealous and envious.
Never forget a criticism.
Trust nobody but yourself. [12]
So the first lesson from the example of Haman is to beware pride in your life. I am convinced that pride is at the root of all sin. All sin is a result of thinking you know better than God, or that God doesn't understand your particular situation. Pride is at the heart of sin and pride always results in destruction.
The second lesson, from the example of Mordecai, is seen in the amazing set of coincidences in this chapter. One coincidence by itself is not too amazing, but so many can only point to the hand of God. In fact, we have a string of seven coincidences here, and it is interesting to remember that "7" is the number of perfection in God.
A king cannot sleep.
On the night he cannot sleep, Haman is planning Mordecai's death.
The king asks for history to be read to him when there were many other things he could have asked for.
Of all the books that could be chosen, the one talking about Mordecai is read.
The king notices that Mordecai was not honored.
Just as the king is wondering how to honor Mordecai, Haman enters the court.
The king asks Haman how to honor Mordecai, without naming Mordecai.[13]
All of these events lead to Haman's downfall and Mordecai's honor. God is definitely in control. There are no coincidences with God; there are only tiny miracles.
How about you? Does it ever seem God is absent in your life? Just think for a moment about all the tiny miracles in your life.
"Consider the chain of circumstances that led to your own conversion to Christ. How did you meet and marry your spouse? Why are you living in the place you are now? What circumstances led you to your job? God's care and protection for his children seldom come by mighty miracles, but constantly, with the unfolding circumstances each day, as one thing leads to another." [14]
Even how God takes care of your own children. We don't know 90% of the little coincidences that God works out which protects our children from harm.
So today, you may be asking, "Where is God in my life?" If you want to see Him, First, check to make sure there is no abundance of pride in your life, and secondly, look at the tiny miracles that reveal God directing your steps.
[1] Henry Smith, BIWIN, pride.
[11] Biwin, pride.
[13] Bush, 419.
Rev.Adekunle Timothy says
good and inspiring message
Winfred says
I have really learned a lot from this book. May God forgive us at times we are selfish.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Brad Bellick: [after knocking T-Bag out] How you feelin', little Teddy?
While trying to retrieve explosives from the Blanding Botanical Garden, Michael is surprised and chased by the FBI. He escapes and discovers that Mahone retrieved his HD from the canal and is anticipating his movements. Michael goes to a cybercafé in Moab, Utah, and researches Mahone's biography. Then Michael travels to Durango, Colorado, where he lures Mahone's ex-wife Pam pretending to be a FBI agent, and he discovers where Shales' corpse is. In Chicago, C-note meets his gang and collects their debt, plotting a plan to meet his wife and his daughter. Sara finds a clue of Michael's code, but Kellerman is tracking her steps. T-Bag travels to Tribune, Kansas, seeking out Hollander, but she moved from her house; however, he is captured by Bellick and Geary that torture him trying to find where the money is. Lincoln and LJ are recognized by a waitress and captured later in a train station.
In "Unearthed", Michael has a conversation with Mahone, who is out of control, using Pam's phone. I really believed that Micahel would call the press and give the information about Shale's remains. C-Note succeeds to meet his family in spite of the despicable methods of Agent Lang trying to force his wife to choose between her husband and her daughter. Sara finally deciphers Michael's message, but Kellerman has already identified her new identity. T-Bag is now in serious situation with the vile Bellick and Geary. But the situation of Lincoln now is terrible, arrested and with LJ wounded. My vote is nine.


Your gun should be sent in a protective case within a cardboard box. Proper packing material should be used to ensure that the gun cannot shake, rattle, or move around in the box at all. We do require your full gun in the case unless instructed otherwise. You may leave your accessories inside the case as we always return exactly what was sent.
A good tip is to use padding around the Stock/Action and on the ends of the barrels and forearm to limit the movement. We use poly foam blocks, but you can various sponged materials to give the same effect. Also, the use of gun socks is recommended for added protection. Make sure you are insured for the full value of the gun incase of loss or damage. The courier companies do offer cover for transported goods, but check their terms and conditions.
Please Note: If the receiving party signs to say that the gun was received in good condition we are not able to entertain any claims for damage in transit if such damage is discovered later. It is yours or the RFD's responsibility to ensure that the courier is aware of any damage that has been caused in transit.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Remove all aerosol cans such as gun oil spray cans prior to shipping a gun. Aerosol cans fall under hazardous materials and although not illegal to ship, special labelling and handling of packages is required by law and charged by common carriers. If we find aerosol cans with any guns, we will remove them without further notification and without compensation prior to return shipping any guns.
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A description of the work needed (or of the problem you are experiencing).
The full name, address and telephone number of the Registered Firearms Dealer who you would like the gun returning to.
Please note the current firearm regulations only allow us to return the gun to a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD). We will need a copy of your dealer's RFD prior to return shipping. In most cases, especially our Krieghoff Dealers, we will already have their RFD certificate on record.
Once the services have been completed on your gun, we will contact your RFD to let them know it's been done, and schedule a return date for your gun to be sent back.
We perform a visual check for damage and marks before final packing a gun to be sent out. We will always check the gun has been packed securely, and it will be sent out via a courier (such as Parcelforce) to your chosen RFD. This is normally next day, except to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands which is a two day service. An additional charge is applied for Saturday delivery if required.
If you have any questions about sending your gun into us, please contact us on 01978 66 00 01. We can look at possible options for you sending your gun to us or arranging it to be sent with an alternative RFD.


How do I become a member of St. Paul's United Methodist church?
If you are a member of another part of the church (such as Baptist, Presbyterian or Lutheran), then you can transfer your membership from that church to St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
Talk with Pastor Sonja about becoming a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She will be happy to answer your questions and help you discern what next steps to take.


IT'S A MATCH! OR IS IT?
Two opposing forces have joined to create one big tasty powerhouse. Enter: Ice cream and fries.
Once upon a time, there were two lonely flavors. For many years, Sweet and Savory roamed this earth, pining for something – but exactly what, nobody knew. And then… one fine day, at long last, they FOUND each other. Cue an explosive, tantalizing affair that everybody is bound to obsess over for years to come.
We're totally in favor of this unexpected pairing; from salted caramel to chili chocolate, cocktails containing sweet peas, bacon, figs or shrubs (yep, it's a thing) to our nice pair, ice cream and fries, this marriage of flavors is definitely in good taste.
You might even say it's the modern day equivalent of Romeo and Juliet; that is, a bittersweet tale of two unlikely partners that were just destined to be together.


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Bengaluru take on Chennai, look to keep momentum going
Buoyed by a tough win away from home on Sunday, Bengaluru FC will look to keep the momentum going when Albert Roca's side take on Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Wednesday. Lenny Rodrigues headed home the Blues' winner at Minerva on a pitch far from fit to play on and Roca believes it will take more such grit if his side are to get past Chennai City and build on the win.
"The circumstances we find ourselves in demand that we fight harder than we have ever needed to. The boys showed that in Punjab where the conditions were far from the best to play football in. Chennai are going to be tough opponents given their position on the table," said Roca on the eve of the game.
Chennai, sitting only above Mumbai FC on the table, were denied three points on Sunday against DSK Shivajians when they conceded an equaliser in the last minute to share points with the Pune side.
Bengaluru have looked a more composed side since the return of John Johnsons from injury. The arrival of striker Marjan Jugovic too has added strength in attack and the Serbian, who was pulled off around the hour mark against Minerva, could get a longer look in on Wednesday.
The Blues won the home leg of this fixture in January when goals from CK Vineeth and Roby Norales broke down a stubborn resistance from Chennai and Roca said it's vital that his team does justice to the chances they create. "In most games we are the team that is playing the football but we come undone because we don't finish off the good work we do up until the attacking third. We've been working on these aspects in training and I'm sure it will show in the games ahead."
Chennai meanwhile, are winless in four games after stalemates against Churchill Brothers and DSK Shivajians and losses to Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC. The V. Soundararajan-coached side are buoyed by the addition of centre-back Celestine Anyichie, who missed the club's visit to the Kanteerava, and will look to the Nigerian's aerial presence to keep the Blues' attack at bay.
The game kicks off at 7.05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten 2.
Labels: Albert Roca, Bengaluru FC, Chennai City FC, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, harmanjot khabra, Hero I-League, I-League, JSW, JSW Sports, Sunil Chhetri, Vineeth


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Tag: Superboy
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The new season of DC Universe's Titans is underway and the second episode is already introducing another new member to the team! DC Universe released today official promotional photos for "Rose" which will introduce Chelsea Zhang's Rose Wilson a.k.a. Ravager, the daughter of Slade Wilson a.k.a. Deathstroke (Esai Morales)! In addition to that, they also […]
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On the season two premiere of the Titans (and Doom Patrol) Podcast, Andy, Cori, Laura, and Amy get together to cover the season premiere of DC Universe's Titans! In episode 1 titled "Trigon", the premiere picks up right where things left off in the finale as it becomes up to Rachel to save Dick and the […]


text:
Big Paychecks for Phantom Returns.
Paul Krugman and Ben Stein come at the mortgage meltdown from different directions, but come to pretty much the same conclusion. I'll let Stein summarize:
But the vicious, cruel truth is that some very greedy, selfish and, yes, stupid men made fortunes on deals that were economically and/or ethically wrong. (Why else hide them off balance sheet or abroad?) They got immense fees, stunning paychecks and the inheritance of maharajahs. Their great-grandchildren will be rich from their deeds and misdeeds. As far as I can tell, they are not being called to account in any major way. The ones at the top aren't fired or, if they are fired, are fired very rich. (Never mind that silly mouth music from Citigroup about "the year of no excuses.") Despite what looks to me like a breathtaking lack of disclosure, I have not seen any lawsuits by the Securities and Exchange Commission against any of these big money-center princes or principalities — not to mention criminal investigations from other law enforcement authorities.
And we stockholders and taxpayers foot the bill, of course. But even this is not the worst part: there are still lots of people who can say with a straight face that the world of finance is overregulated, that we should trust the power players to do the right thing, that if we put finance under a microscope, or allow financial miscreants to be sued for misconduct, America will be harmed. There are still people, and I know many of them well, who believe that old myth that you can trust the markets to fix everything — that old magical thinking that some thieves will stop other thieves from robbing the sheep like us. That's the really sad part. Some babies never learn.
October 23, 2007 in Business, Ethics, Money | Permalink | Comments (0)
Open Government, Si. Pay for it, No.
The Strib has an op/ed from me on a recent study showing that Minnesota ranks "dead last" on public disclosure of state contracts. We've passed legislation to create more openness, but there's no money to pay for it.
"Free information" isn't free.
I honestly don't know how much greater transparency of government information will reduce waste, promote competition or prevent bridges from collapsing.
But I am certain that transparency helps allay suspicions that something crooked or wasteful might be going on behind the shades. Distrust is corrosive. And openness is essential to building public support for innovations that can improve outcomes or increase cost-effectiveness of essential services.
But raise taxes so I can know more about what's going on with my government? No thanks. It's cheaper to bitch.
October 23, 2007 in Government Effectiveness | Permalink | Comments (0)
Rush's Letter and Other Fun Tax Facts.
The letter was bought by the Eugene B. Casey Foundation, a $294 million foundation in Gaithersburg, Md., that has given money to a wide variety of organizations, including the Washington Opera and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. In a statement, the foundation said its purchase of the letter was intended to demonstrate its belief in freedom of speech and "to support Rush Limbaugh, his views and his continuing education of us."
Marcus S. Owens, a lawyer who headed the Internal Revenue Service division that oversees charities and foundations, said the Casey foundation might incur taxes on its purchase because it would have difficulty demonstrating that buying the letter furthered a charitable purpose. "They'd have to establish the link between the transfer of money for that letter and promoting free speech," Mr. Owens said, "and that's going to be tough."
– "Critical Letter to Limbaugh Fetches $2 Million," New York Times
I'm not getting into the details of Limbaugh's phony soldiers statement or the communications strategy — how Limbaugh outflanked Harry Reid and the Senators who were dumb enough to send the sent a letter demanding the cancellation of Limbaugh's show Limbaugh repudiate his remarks. Limbaugh pulled a stunt with the auction, but it apparently will benefit a worthy cause.
But I do wonder about the taxes.
As the NYT article indicates, the buyer's use of its money may have tax implications for the Casey foundation. That's interesting, since Eugene Casey himself served time for tax evasion. Third wife, Betty Brown Casey, who controls the foundation, is quite a character who's survived a murder attempt, jerked around the city of Washington, DC, before donating property to the Salvation Army, and in general strengthened the case for continuing the estate tax.
Also of interest is how the donation will be handled on Limbaugh's tax return. Presumably, he now has a charitable deduction worth $4.2 million.
Is there a tax accountant in the house?
October 23, 2007 in Media, Taxes | Permalink | Comments (1)
Firewalk With Me.
Two weekend events have inspired me to pull an idea off my back burner and put it into action.
After Saturday's Red and Blue Raku that brought together conservative and progressive bloggers, I followed the exhortation and example of Chad Everson, who organized the day. I reached out to Joey Monson of Pheistyblog to continue our dialog.
She describes what we're doing in her blog, so I'll keep it short here. In the spirit of sharing, I've even swiped her graphic until we settle on something to label our work. [Chad's own generous and exhaustive account of his weekend is here.]
Joey and I will have periodic discussions around an issue of common interest but possibly divergent opinions. Then we'll post the results on our blogs to expose presumably receptive readers to the experiences, thinking and assumptions of the Other.
As my first positive interaction with Joey was over my questioning her passion for the misleading and divisive rhetoric of Jason Lewis [latest example here], I know we will be able to have civil discussion while still letting a few sparks fly.
I'll gladly share our principles and lessons with other bloggers who want to try the same thing. And if it works for us, who knows where it will go?
The other inspiring event was the first sequentially. "Solutions Twin Cities" brought together local folks who had taken personal, creative action to affect some corner of their world.
Some of the projects presented were intensely local, such as the work of Juxtaposition Arts to help kids reclaim their Northside neighborhood. Chuck Olson and UpTake.org's initiative to inspire, train and "publish" citizen video journalists is local, but with far-reaching implications. Doug McGill broke the story of Ethiopian genocide from what he learned from his neighbors in Rochester, Minnesota.
There were more good stories and a few clunkers (go to Solutions.org for links to all of them), but they all represented a fusion of personal interests, strong values, creative thinking and a commitment to make the world a better place. Another cool thing, at least to this boomer: The organizers were twentysomethings and the audience definitely skewed toward youth. I won't miss the next one.
The message from both places was: It's not Bush or the party or the system or the Man or the corporations or the shit that happened in high school. It's me. So how am I going to take responsibility for my place in the world?
October 23, 2007 in Across the Divide, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (1)
Bikes Regaining Their Communal Nature.
""There are all these community bike programs around the country," [Brian Lacy, director of community cycling in Portland, OR] said, "and they all are dealing with abuse of the program, meaning vandalism or appropriating of property."
— "Failed Yellow Bikes project will get another go-round"
The quote is from 1997, when Portland tried to resurrect a ride-it-and-leave-it bike program that had failed a year earlier for lack of management and excess of idealism. One bike industry veteran who'd once developed a "bikes for bombs" program said:
"They (in Nicaragua) quickly discovered that when the people didn't pay for the bikes, they abandoned them," Calvert said. "It lowered the value, at least in their minds, of the bikes. I felt that was a very profound lesson about the way that people treat bikes and perceive value.
"It's not any different in that people perceive the value of objects partially based on what they paid for them, whether it's in Nicaragua or the United States."
As someone said of the stolen Portland bikes, which were refurbished junkers painted yellow, "they lost their communal nature." Portland has now tried again on a smaller scale by launching Green Bikes.
Conservative critics (I seem to recall an SCSU Scholars post I couldn't immediately locate) have made the same point. Such programs can work in the social democracies of Europe and Madison, Wisconsin. But they've experienced failures in other U.S. locales. We may want people to behave in an unselfish, communal way, but it appears enough don't to ruin it for the rest of us.
During our Portugal tour, we looked forward visiting the picturesque coastal city of Aveiro and riding community bicycles, seen here at the train station. (The bikes for our earlier countryside tour were provided by Backroads.)
Aveiro started the BUGA project (Bicicleta de Utilização Gratuíta de Aveiro) in 2000 with the aim of reintroducing the bicycle into the town's day-to-day life. Anyone can check out a bike from a tended city kiosk where your ID is scanned to ensure its return. Then you're issued a bike, lock, and helmet if you choose. The bikes are heavy 3-speeds in different degrees of workable condition — nothing you could imagine anyone would steal.
An undated use study of the Aveiro program showed slightly more than half the users were from out of town, or tourists like us. Primarily, the bikes provide an alternative to walking rather than driving, so their ecological impact is negligible.
The city has made additional accommodations to bikes, such as marked paths and even bike signals for a path down the middle of the main thoroughfare. It's possible the PR value of the program is its greatest asset. After all, it got us to choose to spend the night there versus other more distinguished towns in the region.
Another community bike model has taken hold in Paris and a few other cities — one more in line with the advice of the market economists. Velib rents the bikes on an hourly-to-annual subscription basis. Sponsored by an outdoor ad firm that can place advertising on the bikes, Velib incorporates more than the concept of deposit and pay-to-ride to make the service work.
For starters, there are more bikes available from more self-service stations with the swipe of a credit card. (Since most work and shopping trips originate from home, rather than high-density central locations, distribution of bikes is a key requirement to increase use.) A Velib website not only shows the location of stations; you can rollover the station on a Google map to confirm the availability of bikes. Check it out. The density achieved across the city is quite startling.
This is a prototypical Across the Great Divide merging of community spirit, sustainable values and market forces. I just hope I don't have to write a retraction in a few years.
October 22, 2007 in Across the Divide, Biking, Business, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Peak Water?
Peak oil is a problem we may have a chance to do something about. But what happens when the West surpasses "peak water?"
Maybe it already has.
As a Western Coloradoan, I've had the west's looming water problems on my radar for a long time. I hope this excellent article in the New York Times Magazine puts it on the nation's.
A few excerpts:
Chu noted that even the most optimistic climate models for the second half of this century suggest that 30 to 70 percent of the snowpack will disappear. "There's a two-thirds chance there will be a disaster," Chu said, "and that's in the best scenario."
When I asked if the drought in his models would be permanent, he pondered the question for a moment, then replied: "You can't call it a drought anymore, because it's going over to a drier climate. No one says the Sahara is in drought."
In addition, a lesser Colorado River would almost certainly lead to a considerable amount of economic havoc, as the future water supplies for the West's industries, agriculture and growing municipalities are threatened. As one prominent Western water official described the possible future to me, if some of the Southwest's largest reservoirs empty out, the region would experience an apocalypse, "an Armageddon."
A report by the National Academies on the Colorado River basin had recently concluded that the combination of limited Colorado River water supplies, increasing demands, warmer temperatures and the prospect of recurrent droughts "point to a future in which the potential for conflict" among those who use the river will be ever-present. Over the past few decades, the driest states in the United States have become some of our fastest-growing; meanwhile, an ongoing drought has brought the flow of the Colorado to its lowest levels since measurements at Lee's Ferry began 85 years ago. At the Senate hearing, Udall stated that the Colorado River basin is already two degrees warmer than it was in 1976 and that it is foolhardy to imagine that the next 50 years will resemble the last 50. Lake Mead, the enormous reservoir in Arizona and Nevada that supplies nearly all the water for Las Vegas, is half-empty, and statistical models indicate that it will never be full again.
If you don't want to read a long article that'll depress you, Frank Rich writes a short one, about Iraq procurement corruption. [via Norwegianity and Eric Black Ink]
October 21, 2007 in Colorado, Environment, Government Effectiveness | Permalink | Comments (2)
Updated Posts from Princeton.
For fresh links to views on yesterday's Blogosphere Divide event, see Ryan's post, "Coming together in a brave new world," and Joey's, "A conversation by fire." Jon Austin has posted photos here, like this one of me demonstrating the heretofore secret Surly Furious glazing technique.
I'll ruminate again later.
October 21, 2007 in Across the Divide | Permalink | Comments (0)
My Dad Went to Princeton and All He Brought Me Was This Crummy Raku.
I came back from Princeton today with this raku bottle. As with the thoughts I brought back, it is not wholly my creation.
The clay form was already made; I simply chose to work with it. The glazing and labor are mine, but I used another's glazes and brushes and fire. I would not have done this at all had not others taken the first difficult steps toward a meeting of near opposites.
This post will concentrate on the "Blogosphere Divide" event itself. In a separate post, I'll draw some broader conclusions and maybe render some judgments about the possibility of progressives and conservatives crossing any divides.
Some of it was predictable. We were civil to each other. We had no heated disagreements. Differences of opinion that might've inspired invective when encountered on a computer screen were met with respect over lunch while sitting on hay bales.
No one changed their mind about much of anything, beyond how decent other people could be if given the opportunity.
Can you pick out the conservative? Well, of course you can! But that's because you've seen Eric Black's face, and plaid with denim is a well known indicator of liberalism. Today's conservatives, like Ryan Evans, have been formed in a different cultural crucible. Earring, tattoos, Navy service, suburban upbringing, reduced expectations, watching selfish Boomers. Vietnam, sexual rebellion, police dogs biting blacks for being Negroes, polluted rivers catching fire, rock & roll supplanting Patti Page. May I say it? Not so much.
So people are the political product of their times, but more important, of their personal experiences. And there is no other way for me to say it than this: The progressives in the group had enjoyed better luck, fewer derailments, more education and, very possibly, less familial hardship.
Both groups would likely say, I overcame obstacles because of my own resilience and the love of family, not because things were handed to me. And they would be right. But in general, the progressives were more likely to be aware of institutional and social forces that had made their upward mobility possible. Conservatives were more likely to see these same forces as obstacles and credit more personal influences, including God.
I had never felt part of the liberal elite before. Honest. I don't even know where they hold the meetings. I worked my way through college. I've been unemployed and grateful when friends invited me to dinner so I could eat. I've driven cars that I was never sure would reach their destination. But, at the risk of sounding elitist, now my daily life is more prosperous and easy and connected to the levers of power than the lives of my conservative counterparts — and not all of that can be attributed to age differences.
I think I understand better why some people are angry about things that I do not resent. I am too far removed from disappointment, from rejection, from feeling powerless.
I do not usually go places where it would occur to me to buy even one case of Golden Light.
The raku was cool. Giving people a semi-shared activity other than pounding shots worked pretty well to encourage informal discussion and personal revelation. In a more human resourcey context, this would be called a team-building exercise. Thanks to Chad Everson for suggesting it. Clay got us going.
We had a few things in common. For example, a desire for our children to succeed in school and grow up into responsible adults. Joey brought her son, and what an open, self-possessed young man he is. His participation in our discussions illustrated that as a mother, she practices what she preaches.
We also shared a distrust of unchecked power. But us lefties were most suspicious of corporate interests and militarism. For the conservatives, government was the threat.
We surprised each other a few times. The opinions of the right were not monolithic, not even on flashpoint issues — legalizing drugs, religious belief, sex education in schools or reproductive rights. The left was less rigid in following party lines. All of us had voted for a Republican in a national or state election; none of the conservatives had voted for a Democrat. I was the only beer drinker. About half were smokers.
This was not a mainstream blogger event. Of those in attendance, I'd consider Ryan and Joey the serious bloggers on the right and Eric and myself the serious ones on the left. Bruce and Jon have a group blog where they don't do daily heavy lifting. Chad (our host, author "Teddy Bear" and creator of this group blog) is more orchestrator than blogger, and Cindy and Alan (posters on Chad's group blog) are more blog readers and commenters than creators. Michelle, our co-host, was a gracious presence, but not quite a participant.
As a result, anyone who expected some quake in the blogosphere would have sarcely registered a reading. But should we try this again? Yep. And so should America.
Weekend Life and Links.
I'll either be Dancing With Werewolves or reenacting Lord Grizzly today, but while I'm taking one for the team, you can be advancing the cause of citizen journalism.
I'll head up to the blogger raku do bearing a quiver of Avery's Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest, the best thing to happen to the cause of peace since the cultivation of tobacco.
Went to the Annie Lennox concert at the State Theatre Thursday night. Although she and the Eurythmics provided significant cuts to my life's '80s soundtrack, I don't think I was square in the target demographic.
Not once did we feel compelled to cry "We love you, Annie!" Nor did our domestic partner arrangement have quite the same configuration as most. Also, we brought a little less enthusiasm for costumery, big screen close-ups of eye makeup and diva choreography.
It would probably also be wrong to note the occasional flap of Annie arm skin or that Liza Minelli self-absorption came to mind more than once.
Still, what great pipes and great songs. Lennox is a riveting stage presence with choreographed expressiveness that still seems to flow from the songs and the singer's emotional response. Britney should take Annie lessons.
Carina Round was the opener and hers was the disk I bought. Made me want to pick up guitar and sing kinda weird again. She'd fit right in at a 331 Club gig.
Is this Hillary's Buddhist Temple? via Eric Black Ink
With all the Strib's talk about covering local issues, here's a real local paper doing its job reporting on school levy opponent Paul Dorr.
October 20, 2007 in Across the Divide, Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Challenges of Building on Foreign Soil.
When the US government signed a long-term lease on about 10 acres in Beijing, for construction of the new US embassy to be completed before the 2008 Olympics, it the called $275-million complex "the largest single construction project undertaken by the Department of State on foreign soil."
That was a month after September 11th, 2001. How times have changed.
The new U.S. embassy complex in Iraq — in all respects but one a far less important important country than China to long-term US interests — covers 104 acres and is expected to cost $592 million. Of course, building an embassy in a country you've invaded presents different challenges, especially if you intend to exert ongoing influence over its government and its oil.
There's a little diplomatic disparity evident in another construction project closer to home.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, owners of Mystic Lake Casino and one of the largest philanthropic groups in Minnesota, is donating $10 million for the University of Minnesota Gophers' new $288 million football stadium. (Yes, at least in same-year dollars, the stadium will cost more than the Beijing embassy.)
The Strib says the tribal donation is "categorized differently than the $21 million sponsorship agreement with TCF Bank," which earlier won rights to name the stadium "TCF Bank Stadium." That 25-year deal was originally announced for $35 million and includes payments for exclusive rights to the U of M student ID and check card, plus 10 on-campus ATM machines and three banking offices.
In exchange for what's been called "the largest single gift to University of Minnesota athletics," the tribe will receive naming and landscaping rights to the main plaza outside the stadium — on land that perhaps was once under the band's dominion.
Tribal Chairman Stanley Crooks said the plaza probably would incorporate the Dakota people's name and honor Minnesota's Indian bands, but the casino name wouldn't be featured anywhere in the plaza.
"'The Dakota Mall' or something like that," Crooks said Thursday afternoon. "We're not promoting Mystic Lake Casino. ... This is an historic place for us. This was an opportunity to make a significant impact on something that will be around for a long time."
Choosing a bland name seems like a missed opportunity, given recent flapping over Indian mascot names. Why not challenge fans to try a little Dakota and call the plaza Maniça Ma¶oce, roughly "Gopher Land," since the stadium itself bears no mention of the university or the team?
Or the tribe could show the Indians' peaceful side by naming it "The Tracy Eberly Mounds," after the noted Native American cultural authority who recently wrote:
The life of an Indian was no nobler, nor much different from that of a bear, a snake or a timber wolf. Their life cycles were identical: hunt, kill, eat, sleep, fuck, die. I'd compare them to the entire animal kingdom, but that would be an insult to beavers. A honey bee could be said to have a more complex, evolved society than a Native American
There was also cultural poverty, or maybe more accurately a lack of civilization. They were so primitive that they created nothing of any lasting value, nor did they contribute anything of note to the world. The Incas, Mayans and Aztecs all had progressed much farther than the American Indians. (Although they didn't progress far enough to defeat the Spanish.) They built temples, mined and worked metal and left behind a language of symbols. They had advanced knowledge of astrology.
Societies as far back as 4,000 years ago were contributing and creating while the American Indians did absolutely nothing. They didn't build any temples or pyramids, they wrote no lasting plays or books, they didn't come up with a numbers system nor did they figure out how to make fireworks. Most tribes didn't even have a written language.
It's likely Eberly would decline to be associated, however, citing this deal — naming dirt and a few trees for $10 million — as more evidence of the inferiority of non-Euro-Americans.
October 19, 2007 in Business, Development, Race and Culture, Sports, Tolerance and Prejudice | Permalink | Comments (0)
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We are always interested in getting churches, scout troops, schools, and other groups involved in supporting the needs of the youth downtown.
Gift certificates (i.e. – Taco Bell, McDonald's, Subway, Chipolte, Illegal Pete's, Wendy's, Regal Entertainment Movie Theaters, Ross Dress for Less, King Soopers/Kroger grocery, Wal-Mart, etc) We use these as gifts, rewards, and for special occasions.
*You can also visit our Amazon Wish List to see what items we are currently in need of.
For details about beginning a simple and free recycling program in your office, school, home, or church for Dry Bones, contact Robbie.
From time to time, our meal team needs fill-in families or groups to cook a meal for Thursday nights. If you are interested in being a substitute cook, contact us.
We also serve a meal every Monday evening to a small group that meets at the Dry Bones apartment. There are often openings available to cook this meal.
If you or your group would like to collect "spange", or spare change, for Dry Bones, please contact us. We will send you as many metal "spange cans" as you would like in order to collect "spange" that will be used to feed, clothe, and serve youth on the streets of Denver.
Dry Bones runs purely on the gifts of families, churches, businesses, grantors, and individuals. If you would like to give financially to Dry Bones, we would be most grateful. Visit our Donation page for all of the details.


Jean-Pierre has many beautiful memories from his childhood in Brittany, France, but one in particular shines brightest – his grandmother's sugar and butter crêpes. Such a simple dish, served with so much love, instilled in Jean-Pierre a passion for creating good food that brings people comfort.
In 2012, Jean-Pierre and his wife Rebecca opened their first Bonjour Crêperie food truck. They decided on the crêpe as their culinary focus not only because it was the comfort food of Jean-Pierre's past, but because crêpes are versatile and can embrace all cultures and palates. This is what makes Bonjour Crêperie so special – it is steeped in the tradition of Brittany (French region known as the crêpe cradle of France) and also inspired by JP's life as a world-traveling photographer born in Brazil, where his heart and soul belongs.
From smoked salmon to s'mores, Bonjour Crêperie's menu promises what Jean-Pierre and Rebecca are most passionate about — good food that makes everybody happy. Like us on Facebook to find out where our food trucks will be, or come visit us at the New Hope Ferry Market on Saturdays and Sundays.


Phil 'The Power' Taylor opens the new darts zone at Rileys.
Hundreds of darts fans packed into a city club to meet a sporting legend.
Fifteen-time world champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor was the special guest at Rileys in Magdalen Street on an evening that saw the official opening of the club's new darts zone.
And one lucky fan - Kevin Robinson - got the chance to play Taylor after winning an Evening News competition.
The new darts zone will host leagues and tournaments at Rileys and Taylor was hugely impressed with the club's facilities.
"I can honestly say that this is the best Rileys I have been to," said Taylor.


This course will provide the student with an overview of a wide variety of software starting from the basics to high-level programming languages. This when coupled with instructions on the best principles of teaching will allow the student to become a competent teacher in a wide variety of computer subjects.
Eligibility : minimum education requirement- 10th passed.
Scope: computer education has become very integral part in all sectors and thus widening the network of private institutions, schools, efforts of ngos etc. Our candidates can pursue the career as faculty or computer trainer in any of such institutions.
With the multiple skills gained there is opportunity to adopt career in diversified fields like publishing, accounting, web developers etc.


text:
Imrich Deák (17. června 1946 – 28. prosince 2022) byl slovenský fotbalový záložník.

Hráčská kariéra
V československé lize hrál za Duklu Banská Bystrica, aniž by skóroval. Debutoval v neděli 27. října 1968 v Banské Bystrici proti pražské Spartě (výhra 1:0), naposled nastoupil v neděli 8. června 1969 v domácím zápase s VCHZ Pardubice (výhra 6:1). V nižších soutěžích působil také v Lokomotívě Zvolen.

Prvoligová bilance

Odkazy

Reference

Literatura
 Luboš Jeřábek: Československý fotbal v číslech a faktech – Olympia 1991
 Jindřich Horák, Lubomír Král: Encyklopedie našeho fotbalu – Libri 1997
 Radovan Jelínek, Miloslav Jenšík a kol.: Atlas českého fotbalu – Radovan Jelínek 2006

Externí odkazy
 Návraty futbalového šťastia s logom Dukly, svetsportu.sk [cit. 2017-09-13, autor Jozef Mazár]

Českoslovenští fotbalisté
Slovenští fotbalisté
Fotbaloví záložníci
Fotbalisté FK Dukla Banská Bystrica
Fotbalisté MFK Lokomotíva Zvolen
Narození v roce 1946
Narození 17. června
Úmrtí v roce 2022
Úmrtí 28. prosince
Muži

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Caryl L. Horn
November 23, 1939 - June 23, 2021
Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM in Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette, for Caryl L. Horn, age 81, who passed away Wednesday evening, June 23, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital in Lafayette. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Reverend Susan Ferguson and Reverend John Cannon, Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette, will conduct the memorial services. Visitation will be observed at Asbury United Methodist Church on Monday from 1:00 PM until time of services. A Reception will follow the services. Survivors include her son, Timothy S. Horn and wife Doris; her daughters, Tammy S. Ray and husband Ricky, and Teri Lee Horn; 11 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and her sister in law, Marilyn Glazebrook. She was preceded in death by the father of her children, Bobbie Stewart Horn; her parents, James and Muriel Glazebrook; and her siblings, Walter Glazebrook and Donnie Glazebrook. Caryl was born November 23, 1939, in Dexter, Iowa. She married her high school sweetheart, Bob Horn, in 1959. During their 43 years of marriage, they moved around in the early years because of military and oilfield, until they settled in Lafayette, La. in 1973. When her youngest child started school, she decided to try her hand at real estate. She started out as an agent but soon after became a relocation specialist. She worked for many years as the Relocation Director at Caldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate. She retired at age 70. Everyone who knew her knew that she was not a sedentary person. At retirement, she dedicated herself to volunteering and serving with her church. To mention a few, she would volunteer at Lafayette General Hospital every week, deliver Meals on Wheels once or twice a month, deliver communion and devotionals for her church once a month. She was ever the servant with a giving heart and generous soul, donating her time and energy to those who needed help or encouragement. Memorial contributions can be made in Caryl L. Horn's name to Brud's Bikes through PayPal, contact information: [email protected] A heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Horn family to everyone, especially Asbury United Methodist Church. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811
Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM in Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette, for Caryl L. Horn, age 81, who passed away Wednesday evening, June 23, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital in Lafayette.... View Obituary & Service Information
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Welcome to our 2019 review of the Ladbrokes app. Ladbrokes bookmakers have been around since the 18th century, making them the longest-serving bookie in the United Kingdom. So is no surprise that they are renowned on the high street and online as one of the leading bookmakers in the UK and Europe. It's then no surprise to hear that the Ladbrokes app features in our top UK betting apps guide.
A few years ago Ladbrokes decided they were going to take the mobile betting world by storm, by launching the Ladbrokes app for mobile and tablet devices. The Ladbrokes app was developed in order for punters to be able to place bets, quickly and easily whilst on the go and that's exactly what we experienced when we tested it. Read all about our findings of the Ladbrokes app below.
The Ladbrokes new customer welcome bonus – All newcomers to Ladbrokes have a great opportunity to take advantage of the new customer welcome bonus that's currently being offered. Ladbrokes are rewarding their new members with up to £50 in Free bets upon registering an account with them.
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.How to register for you new account – Registering and claiming your bonus is easy, all you are required to do is, hit the button below.
How to get the Ladbrokes app for Android – Once you have registered for your Ladbrokes account you are now ready to install the Android app. Users in certain locations, such as the UK and throughout Europe will be able to access the Ladbrokes Android app directly from the Google Play store. You can head straight there if you are reading this page on your Android device from the button below.
If you are unable to see the Ladbrokes Android app from the button above, I'm afraid this is due to the fact the dedicated Android is not available in your region at this current time. However all is not lost as you will still be able to access the Ladbrokes mobile app from you Android mobile browser. This is a mobile optimised site, which provides most of the features and services of the dedicated Ladbrokes Android app.
How to download the Ladbrokes iPhone app – If you are an iPhone user and you want to download the Ladbrokes app, the easiest place to find it is from the app store. If you are viewing this page from your iPhone or iPad you can head straight there from the button below.
App compatibility – The dedicated Ladbrokes iOS app requires the iOS 10.0 software or later and it's compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. If you are running on an earlier software version, you will need to use the Ladbrokes mobile site in order to use their services from your iOS device.
The developers have made gradual improvements to the app to make it user-friendly, easy to navigate around & runs smooth too. The main menu gives you access to all of the important features, making it easy to manage your account. Offers including, price boosts, enhanced odds are all visible on the app, which means you'll not miss any of the action. Overall, we feel the Ladbrokes app ticks all the boxes for punters who want to place bets on the go and have a good experience doing so.
Look at the Ladbrokes app for iOS, snapshots below were taken on an iPhone X.
Main features: Here are some of the features which make placing bets through the Ladbrokes app easy whilst you are on the go!
Quick bet builder – The quick bet builder has been revamped to allow you to build accumulator bets quickly. Simply make your selections by tapping on the odds provided, your selections automatically are added to your bet slip. When you are finished, select your bet slip, choose what type of bet you wish to place and place the bet.
In-play betting – Ladbrokes provide you with all the tools for you to bet in-play on a wide variety of sports markets. Betting in-play on sports such as football, basketball, rugby, tennis and so many other events is easy, all you need to do is click on the in-play tab. All available sport's will appear for you, simply scroll down to view them.
One of the best things about the Ladbrokes iPhone app is the live horse racing betting section. Not only do Ladbrokes guarantee the best odds you'll find anywhere for all UK and Irish horse races, but they also allow you to have instant access to the live action. Embedded live feeds of the latest horse races can be viewed through the app, so you can really get a feel for the action you're betting on.
Within the menu of the app, there are links to a few different sections on the Ladbrokes main website, including games, roulette, Vegas and blackjack. These are not available to play directly from the app but the way Ladbrokes has redesigned the website you can click the tab on the app and be taken directly to the page through your browser. On the App store and Play store, you will find other Ladbrokes apps such as the Vegas app, Casino app and Bingo app.
The best thing about this app has got to be the unlimited entertainment on offer to users. There's so much to look at and so many features to get lost in, this app could swallow you up for days without you ever getting bored.
The list of games to play is extensive but a few of our top picks include Virtual Dogs, Deal Or No Deal, Starburst and Plants VS Zombies. All of the graphics on these games were really impressive, vivid in colour and realistic in depth. They also didn't take much time at all to load, in fact we can't even remember if we did wait at all. All the usual suspects like roulette and blackjack were also great.
The colours of the Ladbrokes Casino Android app interface aren't as nice as the graphics in the game though, which is one of the only letdowns we faced when using this app.
If you look below you can see screenshots of the Ladbrokes Casino app taken from an Android mobile device.
All in all, we can clearly see why the Ladbrokes Casino Android app is a first choice for many and with elite security protection in place, Ladbrokes is a smart choice for all keen online gamers. It functions well and adapts to both smartphones and tablets depending on the user's. The information is easy to read and navigating your way around the site is a breeze.
So, if you're looking for a safe online gaming world to join, the Ladbrokes Casino Android app may just be the best choice out there. Not to forget, there's a generous welcome bonus included too.


This page is for those who want the instruction to fold an origami butterfly VI.
This origami butterfly VI starts from 8x8 matrix base. One special folding technique that you need to master for this model is separating the butterfly body from two wings by pulling them away.
You may use any kind of paper to fold this origami butterfly. Here I am using a typical origami paper of 15cm x 15cm size to show the instruction. Finally the final model using a different paper will be shown.


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Home > For Patients & Professionals > about saint francis hospice > News > Sisters to Star Walk in memory of loved ones
Saint Francis hospice has added life to my days, not just days to my life!
Anita McCarthy
These a re the words of Dee Mahandru who was able to spend precious time with his new born daughter Sophia and his loving wife Julie Tointon-Mahandru before he died.
On Saturday, September 22, Julie, together with her sister Jane Tointon, will be supporting the charity's 10k Star Walk in Romford in memory of her husband while raising funds so it can continue providing its extensive range of specialist end of life care services to the community.
"There is always such a lovely atmosphere and everyone who comes along knows that they are making a difference," said Julie from Hornchurch, who is taking part in her 5th Star Walk.
L-R: Jane, Sophia and Julie
"It is so important to give something back.
"People often think of hospices as sad places where you go to die, but that's not the case.
"Dee used to say, the hospice has added life to his days, not just days to his life."
Dee, who had stomach cancer, was admitted to the inpatient unit on four separate occasions for pain management and symptom control.
Julie, 43, was able to stay with Dee in the family room on the unit and says the care he received dramatically improved his quality of life.
And before Dee sadly died in 2010, the couple spent time together at its day services in Pemberton Place where Dee took part in arts and crafts activities, making cushions for his loved ones, including his daughter who was yet to be born.
Pic: Dee and Julie with baby Sophia
"It was such a wonderful distraction," said Julie.
"I was pregnant at the time and I used to take part too, we loved it.
"Sophia still has the cushion her daddy made for her."
The family's connection with Saint Francis Hospice started in 2005 when Julie and Jane's grandad Charles Bishop was cared for on the inpatient unit.
Three months after Dee died, their grandmother Clara Bishop was also looked after on the unit.
Sophia with the cushion made by her Dad
Over the years Jane has been doing everything she can to raise awareness of the Hospice.
The Halifax branch in Upminster where she works regularly invites the Hospice in to fundraise.
Jane is also hoping to spend a day volunteering at one of the Hospice's stores and the bank will even make a donation as part of its support for the community.
"The hospice means so much to o ur family," said Jane.
"I have seen the brilliant care they provide, not just for older people, but for younger people and their families too."
Check-in opens at 9pm with walkers setting off at 10pm, starting and finishing at The Liberty Centre.
Tickets cost £20 (includes a limited edition 10th birthday t-shirt and medal) with a fundraising target of £120.
Book your place on the by visiting our website or contact our Events Team on 01708 753319 ext 2278 or email events@sfh.org.uk


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New Talent
A.i.A. Guide
Workers at the British Museum and Other U.K. Institutions to Strike in February
Matthew Monahan
By David Ebony
David Ebony
More Stories by David Ebony
Matthew Monahan: Basho, 2014, polished bronze, 17⅛ by 23¼ by 2½ inches; at Anton Kern. Courtesy the artist and Anton Kern Gallery, New York.
Matthew Monahan doesn't want to tell a story or make a scene. He doesn't want his sculptures to sing or dance. "They are remote and incomplete and need a careful observer in order to survive," he wrote in the catalogue for his 2011 retrospective at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati. Fragmented, twisted and tortured, his figures often appear trapped within their elaborate confines in this exhibition, titled "Contenders," of 20 sculptures and reliefs and five charcoal drawings. The partial personages seem in some way to beg release from the bondage of armatures, frames and other structures the artist devises. Though never maudlin, and sometimes comic, the works suggest a metaphorical and universal cry for transcendence from the tyrannical restrictions of time and space.
Many of the sculptures resemble archeological relics. The small, polished bronze wall reliefs Basho and Ikkyu (both 2014), for instance, look like battered ritual masks—recently recovered remnants of the Mycenaean Age, perhaps. One of the most striking pieces in the show, First Aid (2014), recalls a miniature Inca mummy. Mounted on a low-lying pedestal, this 4-foot-long sculpture, made of plaster, resin, stainless steel and oil paint with gold and silver leaf, shows the small gilt head of an androgynous figure emerging from one end
of a red-and-gold-striped metallic shroud.
Monahan alludes to Greco-Roman mythology and the heroic statues of antiquity in Hephaestus (2013), the exhibition's largest and most imposing work, installed alone in a rear gallery. Titled after the ancient god of fire, sacred to blacksmiths and sculptors, this 12-foot-high sculpture features a stylized figure in bronze mounted on a support of thin steel rods. Unlike the nude figures of Classical art, this god appears in a tattered suit. He has a blocky head and oversize hands, but the torso—with part of the rib cage exposed—and posture are well defined. Raising his elongated right arm, he points in an emphatic gesture, ostensibly to offer guidance and direction to all devotees.
Works by the Los Angeles-based artist, 42 years old, are often compared with those of like-minded peers such as Thomas Houseago and Huma Bhabha, who similarly explore new possibilities for the figure, creating handmade works using fragmented images and unorthodox materials. In this exhibition, his sixth solo at this venue, Monahan seems to have reached a new level of refinement that sets him apart. This was especially evident in large charcoal drawings, such as Double Blind (2013) and Quick Fix (2014). Although these composites of torn and reconfigured female faces and limbs suggest an almost Picasso-esque Cubist space, more often the sinuous technique of Bellmer or Dalí comes to mind in the way Monahan defines the forms with facility and grace.
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text:
:man_page: mongoc_gridfs_file_writev

mongoc_gridfs_file_writev()
===========================

Synopsis
--------

.. code-block:: c

  ssize_t
  mongoc_gridfs_file_writev (mongoc_gridfs_file_t *file,
                             mongoc_iovec_t *iov,
                             size_t iovcnt,
                             uint32_t timeout_msec);

Parameters
----------

* ``file``: A :symbol:`mongoc_gridfs_file_t`.
* ``iov``: An array of :symbol:`mongoc_iovec_t`.
* ``iovcnt``: The number of elements in ``iov``.
* ``timeout_msec``: Unused.

Description
-----------

Performs a gathered write to the underlying gridfs file.

The ``timeout_msec`` parameter is unused.

Returns
-------

Returns the number of bytes written or -1 upon error and errno is set.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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First impressions last: how to banish interview nerves
Over a quarter of Americans would go without running water for a week rather than make a bad first impression in an interview. So it pays to go in prepared…
What would you do to avoid making a bad first impression? If a new survey commissioned by MOO is anything to go by, most of us would be prepared to put up with an awful lot.
Over a quarter of Americans* would go without running water for a week, almost a third would quit elevators and escalators and take the stairs, while 36% would give up electricity for a week. Meanwhile, four in 10 would be willing to stand in line at the DMV for a full day to avoid making a bad first impression.
The intriguing results were uncovered in a survey of 2,000 Americans by OnePoll on behalf of MOO, to find out the true importance of first impressions. As well as 23% claiming to happily bed down in Antarctica for a night to avoid giving a bad first impression (we're assuming comforters are included), a huge 85 percent think there's only one chance when it comes to making an impact.
Of course, no-one loves job interviews – except perhaps those people who also love 5am SoulCycle sessions. But a surprising six in 10 would rather stay in a job they disliked than interview for a new one – perhaps because of how common committing an interview faux pas can be.
A red-faced 40% of people surveyed admitted to forgetting an interviewer's name, while over a third have even forgotten the company's name. Another 42% have yelled at an interviewer (maybe the coffee was cold?) and another four in 10 have left in tears.
Job interviews must surely rank among our least-loved meetings. But the risk of making a faux-pas sees Americans putting huge pressure on themselves to perform well.
When asked to choose between giving a good first impression at a job interview or when meeting the parents, a huge 72% would prefer to shine in an interview. Over half would also rather be at their sparkling best in an interview than on a first date.
When expectations are so high, perhaps comes as no surprise, then, that 66 percent of Americans agree that interviewing for jobs is intimidating.
So what should you do if interview nerves are threatening to derail you? More than 70% of those surveyed said Business Cards are an essential for interviews, giving 65% of people a much-needed confidence boost.
We spoke to Gina Cothey, our VP of Global Marketing, to find out a bit more: "It's clear from our research that Americans will go above and beyond to make a good first impression," says Gina."It's true that an initial meeting will always feel daunting, but great preparation – including having the right tools to hand, like a great business card – can help to take the edge off."
While interviews can be nerve-jangling, it's promising to hear that nearly eight in 10 Americans say they're confident in their interview skills. Nearly three-quarters agree that a handshake can make or break an interview, with 53% saying a firm handshake is a must-have.
Confidence only increases when you're in a networking setting (even if you're not a big fan of networking, period) – with over three quarters of people agreeing they're more confident when having business cards to whip out and share.
"Arming yourself with ice-breakers is just one way to make you feel confident whatever the setting," agrees Gina Cothey. "Whether it's committing some great opening questions to memory or a well designed Business Card, you'll conquer your nerves in no time."
So if the job-interview nerves are jangling, arm yourself with a firm handshake, some awesome Business Cards – and get out there knowing you're definitely not alone…
Those results in more detail
What would you rather do or have happen to you than make a bad first impression?
Stand in line at the DMV for a full day 41%
Be stuck on a crowded train with no air conditioner 36%
Give up electricity for a week 36%
Eat only your least favorite food for a full day 36%
Get bitten by mosquitos for a full day 35%
Only take stairs for one full year 32%
Give up running water in your home for a week 28%
Be stuck on a ski lift all-day 27%
Camp out in Antarctica for a night 23%
What bad impression-moves have you made in an interview?
Forgot the person's name 40%
Showed up late 37%
Didn't show up at all 35%
Forgot the company's name 34%
Forgot what the company did 33%
*This random double-opt in survey was conducted by OnePoll, a market research company and corporate member of ESOMAR and adheres to the MRS code of conduct. For more information about OnePoll's research in the media, navigate to their portfolio here: http://www.onepoll.com/in-the-media/
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Cottonwood Gulch/Pratt Ranch Burn
October 2015, Matt Piccarello, Forest Stewards Guild
Guild staff and a diverse group of partners accomplished 101 acres of broadcast burning across two adjacent private landowner's property. The majority of those acres were on the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, a non-profit youth summer camp. Remaining acres were burned on the Pratt Ranch.
"It takes practice to see singed land as something good. Several years ago, the sight would have been terrifying to me, more like an apocalyptic scene than a healthy one. But as I learned more about how this forest evolved and which parts were ecologically healthy, my opinion of fire grew more nuanced; fire retained its destructive capability, but it gained the power to reawaken a listless landscape.
— Jordan Stone, Assistant Director of Cottonwood Gulch
As with other Guild prescribed burns, operations began with training opportunities for Guild staff and our partners. Jeremy Bailey, the Associate Director for Fire Training for the Nature Conservancy and burn boss, led burn participants in a refresher course to retain certification as wildland firefighters. Members of the local Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) from Bluewater Acres became certified as wildland fire fighters for the first time and completed their pack tests (3 miles in 45 minutes while wearing a 45 pound weight vest). Building the capacity of the local VFD to respond to wildfires in their jurisdiction was a major accomplishment.
The burn unit was comprised mostly of ponderosa pine and was interspersed with piñon-juniper and patches of Gambel oak. The burn plan was guided in part by field surveys Guild intern Nick Biemiller completed this past summer. Several forest thinning projects throughout the unit over the last twenty years improved forest structure, however, several pockets of dense small-diameter ponderosa pine remained. Because the unit had not experienced fire in over one hundred years, a thick carpet of pine needles and dead and down logs created unsafe fuel loading which inhibited grass growth in the understory.
Cool and moist fall weather presented an opportunity to burn safely given the site conditions while still moving the forest towards a more resilient state. Despite a fair amount of precipitation earlier in the month, the rain stopped just in time to allow fuel on the site to dry out. Initial observations of fire effects indicated much of the unit burned at low to moderate severity. A few small areas of particularly dense ponderosa pine experienced torching. These openings will add biological diversity to the forest understory of grasses and wildflowers. Stump holes and thick layers of pine needles and duff continued to smolder even after over an inch of rain fell on the site. For several days, Bluewater Acres patrolled the unit and ensured that control lines held.
The Guild is fortunate to be part of a growing network of natural resource and fire professionals looking to gain experience in prescribed burning. Without these partners, the Cottonwood Gulch/Pratt burn would have been impossible. Organizations and individuals that participated in the burn included; the Cibola National Forest, U.S. Geological Survey, Isleta Pueblo, seasonal wildland firefighters, Bluewater Acres Volunteer Fire Department, Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Arid Land Ideas, and the City of Santa Fe Fire Department. Additionally, the Santa Fe County fire department, and Bandelier National Monument provided equipment for the burn. The network grows with each prescribed burn and highlights the demand for experience in prescribed burning. With more prescribed broadcast and pile burns on the horizon, Southwest Guild staff will continue to make opportunities for our partners to gain experience returning fire to New Mexico forests.
The benefits of prescribed fire in New Mexico extend beyond ecology. Many communities remain fearful of prescribed burning, perhaps a legacy of the 48,000-acre Cerro Grande fire, an escaped prescribed burn that destroyed over four-hundred homes in Los Alamos, NM. With every successful prescribed burn the Guild and our partners complete, we foster greater acceptance and understanding of the need for prescribed and managed wildfire in New Mexico.
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Whether you're moving into a new home, or you want to teach your old home some new tricks, you can get premium-quality smart home technology. In fact, we can retrofit our smart home systems into practically any type of Coarsegold home, no matter the age or design. Vivint Smart Home wants to make your life as simple and secure as humanly possible. We provide a free one-on-one consultation so that you get the smart home of your dreams, customizing your system to fit the needs of your house. Vivint Smart Home Pros will perform a free full-service, professional installation for Coarsegold homeowners (regularly $199), so you can enjoy the safety and security of this unbelievable smart home system immediately. Call now to learn more about the Vivint Smart Home system in Coarsegold, California.