text:
THE ALTERNATIVE(S)?
Filed under: POLITICS, ECONOMICS, IRAQ, BENGHAZI, #CGI, #WHITEPRIDE, #NEW_YORK, #AUSTERITY, #STUPID SQUIBS, #SOCIALISM SQUIBS, RIVAL LEGACIES, SANS SCRIPTS
Posted by: J. P. Hogan @ 4:41 pm
The high drama of the SEQUESTER has its roots in the first round - the FOOL ME ONCE round - of the politics of the Clintons in the second term of the co-Administration of the Clintons. This is the shame on us round now - the round two - of at least the Republicans no longer able to say "shame on you" as round one tolerates - or expects.
Hillary Clinton was not an alternative to this. A President Clinton, as irregular and ill advised as it was, would have been of these same polarizing partisan politics but more clearly as a round two now longer a shame upon the foolery of the Clintons on the Clintons. She wasn't born to this polarizing harkening to Soviet styled socialism as President Barack H. Obama was as born so salt and peppered beautifully as a Soviet Studies LOVE child. Hillary Clinton made nearly all the same impossible spending promises that "socialist" @BarackObama did - Hillary Clinton started off maybe more "socialist" than he has actually has been with her first parlay her promise to seize all oil company profits if she is elected.
Yes this is an era of political high drama. And, yes, this time around for the Republicans to play "bi-partisanly" well with these Dems they would now be the party of the shame of round twos as of "FOOL ME ONCE - SHAME ON YOU — FOOL ME TWICE - SHAME ON ME!"
I really don't know how much of this I have to explain to new or old and loyal readers of my blogging, now. The era of an administration of the Clintons as "bi-partisan" would have been over as soon as if it were actually she that got elected. There are serious concerns as too how much the spousal husbandry of the Clintons' political strategizing to have successfully lined both of them up each for their own Presidency did get in the way of regular and prudent governance and did undermine our general stability - economically, at least.
Some perspective to how similar, not dissimilar this all might have been, if yet otherwise and successfully of the spousal "two-fer" power grabbing political machinations, so also of global plotting, of/by the Clintons, is achievable with a consideration of 2008 all over again. Simply the Democrats and especially the Clintons wanted and needed gas prices to be high - much higher heading into November elections. Simply President Bush, and the Republicans, if "stupid" and "unelectable" as "liars" for OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM cannot be thought to have been so dumb that they are considered have wanted higher gas prices in 2008 or that they would have worked to effect such without knowing they were effectively making Republicans unelectable in November.
It is hard to decide which aspect of the roots of this high drama about the sequester to now broach next. There could not have been a repeat of the Clintons' "bi-partisanship" of their second term had she been elected and promised to as much irresponsible nationalizing of so much "governance" as well without a workable philosophy. She campaigned to polarized Washington along the very same idealistic "spending" lines as President Barack H. Obama.
The Clintons are remembered for seeming to think at least by their second term that they now had the technology to fool all of the people all of the time and had the advantage of incumbency and newness of such to the order of thinking that the Republicans had to get on board or get left behind forever. There are enough public statements by the Clintons and especially from the years afterwards that are yet before much of this mess, but about it all, and of those days they said stuff more defensively as their plans for reigning seemed most to be falling apart. What is less considered is how much fell apart because it was considered and affected of a plot by spouses to line one up to be intentionally different than the other publicly while of the Powers of incumbency.
But how to be brief now about so much that isn't now an alternative to this gridlock of prideful and defensive NEW DEAL AUSTERITY - how to talk about any "alternative" while realizing the Clintons are not and were not actually an "alternative." It is some that he was born "Barry" Obama as a Soviet Studies LOVE child who then had to twist and turn thorough at least his developmental years about what went wrong between his 'ebony' and 'ivory' parental Soviet specialiality melodies.
There is the objective lesson of LOCATION & LOCATION of the Clntons and yet hardly with enough curiousity even as to how Senator Clinton become such as if by political nepotism and patronage as a carpetbagger to New York. Of the "LOCATION" con, shall we say, we have that one can discourse on how Harlem did save at least Bill Clinton from himself. He did not choose to locate in Harlem - I seem to recall he was dragged up there crying or whining - and after having gone to his banking friends he made so rich with his derivatives "guidance" as a back up plan to such bastion of Power basis he sought originally high above the Russian Tea Room in the then new Carnegie Hall Towers near Time Square.
I don't know why or how Arkansas couldn't have still been good enough for Bill or Hillary. But oddly there is LOCATION and 'architecture' now more to be discussed as the PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY of President George W. Bush readies to finally open. It seems by his first choice and his remembered (reported) fights with our government for massive annual sums for his post-office holding convenience in excess originally of the sum of all past President's 'allowances' combined for first year expenses that there must be a lot he wanted from the sought most regal location still available in CHT and that it to him may have been one of the last bastions of white male power holding that was domestically available to him. It seems too coincidental that by his words and designs he has raised a due queriousness as to his own true "evolution" and reputation.
Again, President Clinton did not want to end up in Harlem. Harlem was the nearest we would afford him when after our Government accountants realized we couldn't or shouldn't afford him that million dollar a year rent for life depression was setting in after he sought and then fought publicly and privately to be high above Time Square and able to dominate our Forth Estate however it then may have been still a last great bastion of white male power.
I do hope you will soon participate in a due intellectual and patriotic exercise about comparing and contrasting the LOCATION and ARCHITECTURES of the libraries of the Clintons' Administration and the soon to be open library of the Presidency of George W. Bush. I do not, again, understand how even his Mrs. would have signed off on the Clintons' legacy so for it phalicly like a gun, at least, and seemingly forever clad/skinned in colors of Confederate Grey.
With the banking and housing crisis what it has been and now this sticking NEW DEAL AUSTERITY we all can consider how lucky both Clintons have been that Bill Clinton did basically get dragged kicking and screaming/crying up to Harlem. Had he been situated as hoped and long fought to be in CHT the story really should maybe be now that the BIG Bank FOB (Friends of Bill) are paying his rent for life at near a million per year in thanks for all the money he made them with his original guidance to and of derivatives cons.
I see that President Obama is not a Hillary Clinton and that she as of ODYSSEY DAWN broaching of America's legacy to be not the "offensive" "first striker" may have been more just a tool of a died in the wool Clinton Democrat, however otherwise. It is the Obama administration not the Bush administration that set out to a new frontier of global "politics" of "first strike" "offense" as to be to a willful hunting of "monsters" without regard for regular American due process.
The Republicans and George W. Bush cannot be as stupid/dumb or corrupt as Dems have suggested. A point to such case is that it is ridiculous it seems to think that they would not have lowered gas prices in 2007 & 2008 if they could have to so save or prevent the economic slide from subjective & political market affectings of a "GREEN" and "PARTISAN" idealism.
The fastest or only way to have stopped the housing crisis as it broke was to get the global price of gas back to normal and more objective rational basis and as the successes of the Bush FREEDOM AGENDA was then of having made possible and reasonable. It was from the higher prices, and how they kept climbing, that those who had bought into CLINTONOMICS, and their (political) hedging, and its a "patriotism" of spending far more than every penny they had, and while on fixed incomes, that the domino effect started to the full blown housing crisis and then the related CRISIS OF VALUATION.
These are days where the Republicans can still say "Shame on the Clintons!" and/or "Shame on the Clinton Democrats!" for round one as it of those days too much of them thinking they now had the tools and technology, so it seemed/seems to fool all of the people all of the time.
There is no alternative now in the Clintons - this is much an economic mess of CLINTONOMICS II as not at all likely to have been less "polarizing" and "socialistic" in a unnecessary "New Nationalism" than OBAMANOMICS. The Clintons have enough water under the still too condemned bridges of America for most now to not see that CLINTONOMICS II if Hillary had been elected would have too been devoid of "partisan" balancing of CLINTONOMICS I.
Yes, we are kinda of stuck now with too few 'alternatives' and some not because the Bush administration could have lowered the gas prices from the spiking of the market supply and demand subjectivity from GLOBAL WARMING ALARMISM in time to have prevented the housing crisis above scratched at that then did cause too great a loss of consumer confidence in banks and Washington based Politics.
We are still of the CRISIS OF VALUATION and in ways that our Republicans cannot step back from with having let themselves all be played out as fools. Please remember it would have been dumb for Republicans to support higher gas prices even privately with investments then for Hillary was the "inevitable" next President of very strongly of promises to seize any or all oil company profits - especially those then conveniently of unnecessarily inflated market pricing.
And, Please remember to consider how you would now be thinking of the Clintons if his back up plan to have had those BIG BANKS "friends" cover his million dollar a year lease had worked. It is remarkable that in a consideration of his "architecture" of his own library he sets us up now to a discussion of his life of having until Harlem been able to stay "white" and "chauvinistic" as a master above most of it personally while able to stay a white southern male above such movements.
Yes there are different ways to look at the obvious and historical trails of Bill Clinton. By marrying Hillary and with her legacy as a feminist and her willingness to subjugate herself with a putting of his career first he never really had to become a feminist in practice himself. As well it is quite remarkable still that such can be said of "race" politics too as now later in his career he has left enough record to bring questions out at least as per his library "design" and their choice of Washington residence on Whitehaven Rd that he talked so much as he did about race (until in Harlem) as a southern white male who in his day had stayed ahead of being less than an accepted "master" - right?
How much is in William Jefferson Clinton's public displays and those reports about him like as if he had been dragged kicking and screaming/crying all the way to Harlem, and, now how that has actually saved his and his wife's political street cred at least until this #sequester started?
#Obama #FORWARD has to be out the door - thrown from the train - whipped to death! We/he now are engaged in a new conflict much of old days now to be reconsidered and finally judged in a due litigation or a re-litigation.
For the record here it seems still that so much of new President Obama's early pleading to be of us not "re-litigating" the past was actually politically and judicially of injustices that had hardly yet even been litigated once.
If this were Nixon's era and that Congress we likely already would have impeached Secretary of State Mrs. Clinton and be still about or done as well with one for President Barack H. Obama. So it seems.


text:
Neal Storme and the Band of Amazing Friends
Seattle, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2016
Band Americana Rock
Share Neal Storme and the Band of Amazing Friends's EPK!
"Washington comes Neal Storme"
STRUTTER'ZINE: Neal Storme and the Band of Amazing Friends 'Ay B Si' (Independent/USA Import) http://strutter.8m.com/HOTNEWREVIEWS2015-November.html http://www.strutter.co.nr/ Out of Washington comes Neal Storme, a very talented musician, and he has been in the music business for quite a few decades now. However, he has mainly been active as a producer and manager of all kinds of events throughout the USA, but also was a street musician for many years, so therefore it took some time before he would actually release something on his own. Now he released a full length album, with the help of a whole list of guest musicians and I must say it is a very impressive records. Completely in the all-American heartland rock/aor style of the classic 1970s / early 1980s, with bluesy licks, soulful vocals and AOR choruses, sounding like Benny Mardones meets John Melllencamp meets Michael Stanley Band, with strong raw vocal work a la Bruce Springsteen (also musically of course, because Bruce is after all the king of this genre!). Here and there I can also comparisons to Warren Hayes, but most of the 13 songs go directly in the classic heartland rock style. The best songs are the uptempo rockers Hand Me Down World, You Are Not Alone (AORish), Draw the Line (Heartland Rock, Bruce Springsteen meets Michael Stanley, with a lovely guitar solo), Everybody Knows (nice Leonard Cohen cover) and Papa don't think he'll make it (strong lyrics!). Definitely a big surprise, this album and highly recommended to fans of mentioned heartland rockacts! - STRUTTER'ZINE
"Singer/ songwriter Neal Storme writes story songs about the challenges of the common man"
Singer/ songwriter Neal Storme writes story songs about the challenges of the common man, loss, love, social issues, and Marijuana. Reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, he uses colorful turns of a phrase to engage the listener. There is a larger than life dramatic feel to his vocal delivery and the overall depth of the production. The album is mostly populated by American flavored rock with a bit of jazz and reggae. He is joined by a large ensemble of musicians listed below who all add their personal touch to bring his vision to life. This is clearly a man who has made many friends along his musical journey and relishes in sharing his music with his fellow musicians and the world. The album is a far reaching journey through the life, loves and friendships of Neal Storme. It takes courage to expose one's life and I look forward to hearing more stories from his personal experience. http://365radionetwork.com/album-review-neal-storme-ay-b-si/ - 365 radio
"Neal-storme-and-lets-not-forget-the-band-of-amazing-friends"
http://www.westsidereview.com/featured/westside-review-featured-artist-neal-storme-and-lets-not-forget-the-band-of-amazing-friendsnt
Versatility is the name of the game with this artist and large band of great Northwest musicians. Our favorite was the live videos, as they not only showcase Neal's poetic original music and unique takes on covers, but the live energy of Neal and The Band of Amazing Friends. The varying instruments ranging from keys, guitar, woodwinds, reeds, bass, percussion, mandolin, harmony vocals, and more allow for a broad mixture of influences and genres. Despite the large amounts of instrumentation, the songs are clear and uncluttered, allowing the lyrics to remain the focus. Check out more at http://nealstorme.com or the video below. - West Side review
In the Public Defense - Neal Storme 1991
Apparitions Neal Storme and the Band of Amazing Friends 2012
Ay B Si Neal Storme and the Band of Amazing Friends 2016
Producers Page
Humboldt Draw https://myspace.com/humboltdraw
Greg Blankehttp://cdbaby.com/cd/gjblankeSusan Harperhttp://www.susanharper.com
Sean Hardison "Bamboozled"
Billy Duane and the Creepers "Big 390"
Reggie Garrett and the Snake Oil Peddlers
"Time Stands Still" http://www.reggiegarrett.com/music/
Joe Mckinstry "Milepost 61"
Cecil Berry "Cecil Berry"
Singer/ songwriter Neal Storme writes story songs about the challenges of the common man, loss, love, social issues, and Marijuana. Reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, he uses colorful turns of a phrase to engage the listener. There is a larger than life dramatic feel to his vocal delivery and the overall depth of the production. The album is mostly populated by American flavored rock with a bit of jazz and reggae. He is joined by a large ensemble of musicians listed below who all add their personal touch to bring his vision to life. This is clearly a man who has made many friends along his musical journey and relishes in sharing his music with his fellow musicians and the world. The album is a far reaching journey through the life, loves and friendships of Neal Storme. It takes courage to expose one's life and I look forward to hearing more stories from his personal experience. http://365radionetwork.com/album-review-neal-storme-ay-b-si/
nealstorme@AOL.com
nstorme@aol.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Luana Monteiro Fernandes Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1361-5894
Gustavo Luis de Paiva Anciens Ramos Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5631-9668
Rogerio Caldeira Rodrigues Malta Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9525-8917
Janaína dos Santos Nascimento Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8822-8381
Acinetobacter spp., sanitizers, salads, raw milk
Introduction: The bacteria Acinetobacter spp. are extremely relevant in clinical settings. Recently, they have emerged as potential food-borne opportunistic pathogens. Their ability to form biofilms contributes to antibiotic resistance by generating an environment that facilitates the acquisition and transfer of resistance genes. Studies on the tolerance of Acinetobacter spp. from food sources to sanitizers used in the food industry and homes are necessary to help mitigate food contamination by these microorganisms.
Results: The minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations of NaClO were above 312.5 ppm for all isolates tested and ≥ 2,500 ppm for four isolates from salads. Only three isolates from salads and four isolates from goat milk were inhibited by an MIC lower than 200 ppm of PAA. QAC/BG presented the lowest MIC and MCB values (9.37/6.25 ppm for all isolates tested), suggesting that it is the most effective agent against the isolates used in this study.
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that Acinetobacter spp. isolates from food can be tolerant to the recommended concentrations of NaClO and PAA, which highlights the health risks to consumers.
Janaína dos Santos Nascimento, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fernandes LM, Ramos GL de PA, Malta RCR, Nascimento J dos S (2022) Tolerance of foodborne Acinetobacter spp. to sanitizer agents. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:1845–1851. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17226
Copyright (c) 2022 Luana Monteiro Fernandes, Gustavo Luis de Paiva Anciens Ramos, Rogério Caldeira Rodrigues Malta, Janaína dos Santos Nascimento
Grant numbers 302518/2021-5
Angelo Maximo Batista de Amorim, Janaína dos Santos Nascimento, Acinetobacter: an underrated foodborne pathogen? , The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries: Vol. 11 No. 02: February 2017
Cinara Souza da Conceição, Barbara Victor Souza, Jessica Manya Bittencourt Dias Vieira, Janaína dos Santos Nascimento, Pathogen killing pathogen: antimicrobial substance from Acinetobacter active against foodborne pathogens , The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries: Vol. 12 No. 05: May 2018
Marcelo Soares de Moraes, Brendon Chaves Araújo, Leonardo Emanuel de Oliveira Costa, Janaína dos Santos Nascimento, Shigella in baby bottles of a Brazilian newborn nursery , The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries: Vol. 9 No. 06: June 2015


We've just released a new update. This build will include some backend updates to the Drug Design code. This also updates the solution file format, so if you're having trouble sharing or loading teammate's solutions, make sure you're up to date. Apologies for the inconvenience that caused for our devprev testers!
* Added some intro-puzzles for Conditions and Blueprints.
* Updated the loading screen between puzzles.
Additionally, we're releasing an update to the Developer Preview with some backend fixes for Drug Design puzzles. Should be coming soon!
Each year, we ask Foldit players to fill out a player demographics survey to better understand our community, for science talks, applying for and maintaining grants, as well as securing other funds to help us keep things running.
While completing the survey is, of course, optional, we would truly appreciate your participation (as we appreciate your participation in EVERYTHING you wonderful folks do here). If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to message me through the site directly and I will get back to you ASAP.
Please encourage your community members/teammates/rivalries to fill out this survey as well.
The survey will be open for two weeks, from November 17 - December 1, 2017 and can be found here.
Once the survey is closed and the results are analyzed, I will make a blog post with the aggregate data for you all to see. Please note, individual responses won't be shared with the community as a whole, as we strongly respect player privacy.
Our phenomenal moderators suggested a few revisions to the current community guidelines and so after much discussion, revision, and more discussion we are implementing them beginning today. You may view the new guidelines here. The only changes are to the "rules" section. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.


text:
Theia eller Thea har flere betydninger:

 Theia – gudinde
 Theia (planet) – hypotetisk planet

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Relax, you're driving a Renault TALISMAN. Featuring ergonomic seats and a wide range of innovative, high-tech equipment, your new-generation saloon guarantees exceptional comfort. Its generous interior space lets you relax and get away from it all.
Discover a brand new driving experience! Combine comfort and optimal vehicle control.
Access the MULTI-SENSE® menu easily from the screen of your R-LINK 2® multimedia system. All you have to do is turn the rotary control located underneath the centre console to select a driving mode. A shortcut button can also be used to switch to one of two favourite modes.
Opt for blue, red, green, sepia or purple - you choose! Coordinate the ambient lighting of your Renault TALISMAN with your mood or your tastes. You can associate a colour with each MULTI-SENSE® mode or disable this function.
Discover comfort and driving experience tailored to your needs. Engine response, suspension settings, on-board ambience, massage setting of your seat... take control with Multi-Sense®.
Take advantage of the on-board space. Ample headroom in the front and rear, airline business class-style front seats, generous leg room in the rear... The Renault TALISMAN offers you an exceptionally comfortable cabin.
Come closer, the Renault TALISMAN recognises you. The daytime running lights come on, the cabin lights up, the door mirrors unfold and the ambient lighting comes on. The seats re-apply the most recently configured settings, whilst the driver is welcomed by an audible and visual animation on the touchscreen. Once you reach your destination, the driver seat slides back 5cm to make it easier for you to get out. When you walk away from your Renault TALISMAN, the doors are locked automatically and the lighting signature is activated one final time.
Perforated and quilted leather seats with air conditioning, ventilation, heating and massage function make your driving easier and fatigue-free.
No more mist on your windows and your windscreen. Renault TALISMAN's smart air conditioning system measures and controls the level of humidity in the cabin. Automatic dual zone air conditioning including air vents for rear seats is standard.
Manage the air vent system. Prevent unpleasant exhaust fumes, dust and pollen from entering the cabin when there is sudden rise in pollution in a tunnel or behind a polluting vehicle. Breathe healthy with the air recirculation mode.
Enjoy optimum visibility. The electrochrome-treated rear-view mirror ensures you enjoy ideal visual comfort. It darkens not only in the daytime when the sunlight comes through your rear windscreen, but also at night when the headlights of the vehicle behind are likely to dazzle you.
Practical and modular, the Renault TALISMAN offers you a wide range of storage solutions. In total, you have 25 litres of storage space spread around the cabin. Keep your drinks cool in its handy refrigerated compartment under the armrest.
Take advantage of your every journeys to relax. The Renault TALISMAN's seats come with anti-whiplash head restraints designed to limit head and neck injuries. The driver's massaging seat instantly soothes you, from your lower back right up to your shoulders. Ventilated and heated, it delivers perfect thermal comfort, regardless of the outside temperature. It is electrically adjustable and can store up to 6 personalised positions.
Discover the latest in on-board multimedia systems. Seamlessly built into the dashboard, the new, intuitive and connected R-LINK 2® touchscreen tablet lets you manage all of the functions of your Renault TALISMAN.
Thanks to R-LINK 2®'s simple and fluid interface, you can customise every aspect of your on-board experience using its 8.7" screen. Choose the colour for your control screens, the information shown and the display style. Whether it is the home page, the radio, the navigation system, air conditioning, the seats or the MULTI-SENSE® system, you can configure everything to create your own personal environment. You can save up to six profiles with just one click. You can use the touchscreen or central control to access your own multimedia content, navigation preferences and driver assistance system settings.
Your Bluetooth-enabled R-LINK 2® multimedia system connects to your smartphone as soon as get in your Renault TALISMAN. Recharge your mobile devices using the USB sockets available in the front and rear. Share your music using the USB sockets in the front, or use the SD card reader or Auxiliary input. For maximum safety, the multimedia system comes with voice control. With the SMS-to-Speech or Text-to-Speech functions, you can keep up with your text messages and e-mails without taking your eyes of the road.
R-LINK® Store offers you apps that have been specifically designed for use in your Renault TALISMAN. You can access them on your R-LINK 2 tablet or your home PC, via your MY Renault space.Benefit from a year-long free access to map updates via R-Link® store and/or my Renault, using a USB dongle.
The image is for illustrative purpose only . Factory loaded apps depending on region. Subsequent apps download requires a local service provider offering connected services.
Take advantage of the numerous features grouped by theme. Click on the "Navigation" icon to find the maps. Listen to music from your mobile device or access your photos and videos by clicking on "Multimedia". Make hands-free calls using Bluetooth® and enable the system's text-to-speech feature in the "Telephone" section. Change the settings and configure your driver assistance systems in the "Vehicle" section. Finally, follow the "Applications" icon to access application management settings.
Enjoy life on-board Renault TALISMAN. The car comes with the latest technological innovations, offering you unrivalled well-being.
Parallel parking? Let the Easy Park Assist Pack take control of the steering wheel. It measures the available space and works out your line of approach. All you have to do is manage the accelerator, brakes and gears. With front, rear and side sensors plus a rear-view camera, you have all-round, 360° protection against impacts with obstacles and other vehicles.
The Renault TALISMAN's new, totally revamped hands-free card offers you innovative features. These include opening the car with your hands full and the possibility of activating a welcome scenario.To start the car, no need to insert the key. All you need to do is to hold down the brake pedal whilst pressing the "Start" button. The vehicle locks automatically when you walk away from it. An audible signal confirms that the doors are locked.
Automatic trunk opening with detection of foot movement under the rear bumper. Hands-free convenience.
The electronic variable damping system adjusts the behaviour of the suspension in accordance with the driving mode you chose. The system constantly analyses the condition of the road, your speed, the angle of the wheels and the pressure on the brake pedal in order to remain consistent with the mode you selected.
The retractable head-up display in full colour and high resolution allows for improved safety and comfort. The main driving information is displayed in the driver's primary field of vision.
Relax. Rest assured, Renault TALISMAN protects you.
Based on evaluation of the vehicle in four areas – adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist technologies – the EURONCAP test is the benchmark for vehicle safety in Europe The Renault TALISMAN has been awarded 5 stars – the top rating. Our engineers have designed the best active and passive security equipment for you: airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, bumpers and bonnet adapted to mitigate pedestrian collisions, highly-developed driving aid and assistance systems. Drive with greater peace of mind!
When you switch on your indicators, the system detects any vehicles entering your blind spot thanks to sensors fitted on each side of the bumpers. Indicator lights on the door mirrors of your Renault TALISMAN warn you of the danger.
No sweat! To make your life even easier, the Renault TALISMAN comes with a system that prevents you from rolling backward or stalling on hill starts. Once a sensor has detected the angle of the slope, your Renault TALISMAN is held steady for two seconds, leaving you the time to move off smoothly.
The image is for illustrative purpose only. Exterior colour and wheel design need not be the same.
Feel reassured with the electric parking brake that engages automatically once the engine is switched off. It can also be engaged/disengaged with the sleek button.


Our most popular style, The Basic Tank is a closet must-have! It features wider bra friendly straps and a longer length. It smooths out bumps and lumps, and ensures that you never get the dreaded peek-a-boo of your undies. Stretching but never stretching out, this tank can easily be used before, during, and after pregnancy making it a great piece for all ages and body types.


Before coming to LeTourneau, I worked as a campus minister, a hospital chaplain, and served in several pastoral ministry settings. My wife, Amy, and I have two young children and live in Longview. We enjoy sports, books, walks, hikes, travel, and sleep.
As a theologian and a teacher, I wrestle with the difference that the Christian faith makes for every aspect of life. I love teaching at LeTourneau because we are an academic community committed to forming the imagination and character necessary to respond faithfully to Jesus' call to follow him. My own calling is to help others understand how their lives, and their work in particular, can bear witness to God's redemption of the world in Christ. At LeTourneau, I have the privilege of working with colleagues and students from different disciplines who are committed to this mission.
"Karl Barth and Ethics," in G. Hunsinger and K. Johnson (eds.), Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth, 2 vols. Malden: Blackwell, (Forthcoming).
"'God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity!': Pneumatology and Participation in the Theology of John Calvin," in Calvinus Pastor Ecclesiae. Papers of the Eleventh International Congress on Calvin Research, eds. Herman J. Selderhuis and Arnold Huijgen (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 2016), 261-272.


Poke (pronounced po-kay) is having a moment. All the hippest of hipster hot spots are serving Hawaiian raw fish cubes with rice, assorted greens, pickles and sauces. It seems rude to imply that an ancient, culturally significant dish is a transient trend, but such is life.
Poor poke is so much more than a flash in the pan culinary craze. As Martha Cheng recounts in The Poke Cookbook 'long before contact with the West, native Hawaiians ate i'a maka, raw, shallow water, reef fish, cut crosswise in pieces (the literal meaning of the word poke). They added alaea salt (stained red by volcanic clay), tossed in roasted inamona kukui-nut hearts, crisp pahole fern fronds and limu dried seaweed'. The Japanese immigrants (who's descendants now make up 60% of the state's population) arrived to work on Hawaiian sugar plantations in the 1870s. They brought with them their own raw fish traditions, a preference for the larger fish of the deep (most notably ahi, yellowfin tuna), rice and umami boosting shoyu (Japanese soy sauce). A combination of all of the above resulted in the development of a terroir specific, fast food, fusion form.
In Hawaii poke is not posh. It is generally sold by weight in plastic tubs at convenience stores and even garages. In the last few years poke has been picked up and given a Millennial makeover outside of the Aloha state. Sometimes referred to as 'next generation of sushi', poke's recent popularity is in part economic in origin – the fish is roughly chopped and piled so it requires far less kitchen skill and can be made with less expensive cuts than sushi and sashimi. It is equivalently Instagram pretty but it has none of the inflexible formality that so often accompanies Japanese cuisine. And it is served in a bowl. Don't discount the importance of chic crockery – The Wall Street Journal recently proclaimed that 'bowls are the new plates.' No self-respecting foodie fashionista would risk the social stigma of eating on a flat surface.
The poke produced by the Island Bar, Southern Sun Hotel Hyde Park is definitely more glam gourmet than garage forecourt fare. Real life fades away amidst the strikingly beautiful rooftop setting with panoramic views and tables set around an azure infinity pool. There is only one Johannesburg hotel restaurant with a more impressive vista and sadly the food therein is so consistently dreadful that it is unusable. This, the 2nd best view, is the way to go. Here, high above the hoy polloi, sit socialites with trim waistlines and bulging wallets. The Louboutin-heeled, iPhone-carrying selfie set adore Chef Grant van der Riet's weekends only, two-person poke deal. One thousand rand buys a bowl of the afore mentioned taste treat and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé. Take note. There is no flexibility in the poke package. It must be the weekend. You must be at least two diners. You must order the Champagne and the poke together.
"More glam gourmet than garage forecourt fare" – poke at the Island Bar, Southern Sun Hyde Park.
I had the salmon poke while my date chose the tuna bowl. My chunks of (Norwegian, farmed) salmon were large enough to give a sense of plushness on the tongue. Either it was absent or the combined efforts of a soy, ginger marinade, tart pickled daikon and subtly sweet, briny wakame seaweed disguised the disconcerting oily texture that salmon from such sources so often exhibits. A commendably fluffy cushion of rice, black and white sesame seeds, tiny bias-cut circles of spring onions and an emerald green offering of edamame beans completed my picture-perfect poke. Across the table my friend enjoyed cubes of pole caught, kimchi tossed, yellowfin tuna poke. Bright, crisp, vinegary pickled carrot ribbons played a game of compare and contrast with strips of earthy, moreish kanpyo (reconstituted gourd skin) and slices of silky avocado.
It all tasted very good so what follows is not so much a complaint as a concerned and confused query. Chef van der Riet and his team work exclusively with fish from so-called sustainable stocks but am I the only one finding it increasingly difficult to determine exactly what that means when it comes to tuna? I understand the current criteria, I am just not sure if I agree with them or trust the local and international authorities tasked with upholding such standards. Add to this the complexity of identifying the few good guys from the many bad ones involved in the farmed salmon field and I am increasingly uneasy about eating all forms of both fish. Above and beyond ecological anxiety I am ready for some new tastes and textures. Since poke when translated from Hawaiian, simply means to slice or cut there is no reason why it always has to be tuna and salmon. The original poke wasn't. You can poke anything. So why don't we?
Once long ago, I taught Chef van der Riet at the Prue Leith Chef's Academy and so, even though we were only entitled to 2 bowls, I twisted his arm to let us try the vegetarian poke bowl too. No good deed goes unpunished and I am rewarding his kindness with a criticism. Basically, what came was the tuna bowl minus fish. Given that all three bowls are sold for the same price it seems sad not to add a few marinated mushrooms, salt plums, ancient grains or even tofu. Something. Anything to help the herbivores feel special.
Fortunately, pink champagne makes everyone feel special. The full-bodied, deliciously fruity, cherry rich flavours of the wine stood up well to the umami-laden shoyu dressings and the crisp pickled vegetables. Aroma of ginger and citrus peel enhanced the textural interest of sparkle. The balanced acidity sliced through the fat succulence of both fish. Every sip cleansed the palate leaving it refreshed and ready for the next bite. In short, it did what a pairing should do – it went well with all the elements involved without getting lost. It brought additive companionable complexity.
Again, it seems churlish to question the non-optional wine pairing but here goes. Why must the poke come with champagne? There are economic and taste considerations to think of. R1000 is a very good deal for that particular wine – surrounding restaurants are selling the same bottle without food for between R1950 and R1400 – but it is still a lot of money. Its inclusion means that what could be a pleasant, healthy, light lunch has to be saved for special occasions. Some people don't drink alcohol. Others are not big day-time drinkers. The wine was very nice but after lunch, I had to go and have a nap. Had it been an option, I might well have chosen coconut water. Even those who can booze during daylight hours may prefer other alcoholic options. Light lager would work well with poke as would all sorts of fruity cocktails.
But enough. Poke and pink champagne at the Island Bar makes a lovely, luxurious, lingering lunch. The food is good and the wine pairing works well. The 2nd best hotel view in Johannesburg is fabulous.
Dr Anna Trapido was trained as an anthropologist at King's College Cambridge and a chef at the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine. She has twice won the World Gourmand Cookbook Award. She has made a birthday cake for Will Smith, a Christmas cake for Nelson Mandela and cranberry scones for Michelle Obama. She is in favour of Champagne socialism and once swallowed a digital watch by mistake.
I really enjoy reading your insightful reviews and definitely agree that the Champagne should be optional and if not then they should offer the choice of a half bottle(375ml) as that would be a glass each and maybe a small top up. If the Tuna is pole caught and not long line then SASI status is a Green.
It also seems sad that you cant have the poke and champagne meal during the week. Reading the review makes me want to order it now and I will have to wait for the weekend.
1. In a wine producing country with stunning Mcc, I'm personally not happy paying and drinking the French stuff.
2. The SASSI guide lines are credible.
3. I would never eat Norweign salmon. Given what is used in the intensive farming methods deployed, it's a no go for me.
4. Chefs in SA fall into a trap of using the most obvious fish time after time. Boring.
Shame because as you point out any fish or indeed shellfish could be used in a Poke.
I'm a rosé lover and it makes everything better!!
The best view in Joburg? That wouldn't be the Westcliff by any chance?
I am guessing the Champagne is subsided, hence the favourable pricing. Pity SA restaurants and consumers buy into the notion that Champagne is more luxurious than MCC. It's not always the case.


text:
Blog: Latino Ed Beat
Study: Hispanic, Black Students Choosing 'Safety Schools' Over Elite Institutions
July 30, 2015 Natalie Gross
In a new study evaluating the college application habits of recent high school graduates in Texas, researchers found that academically talented Hispanic and black students were likely to pass up a chance at an Ivy League education and apply to colleges closer to home.
According to the study, produced by the National Bureau of Economic Research, "When applying to college, minorities are influenced by more than just matching their academic ability to the institution, and prefer institutions with a large proportion of same race students and campuses where same race students from their high school have been successful in the past."
These so-called "safety schools" – traditionally back-up choices — are often the first pick for Hispanic and black students, if they apply to college at all.
"One possible explanation for the disparities observed is that students have incorrect assessments of the likelihood of gaining admission to college, and this varies by race and ethnicity," the study states. Yet the patterns held true even in Texas, where students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class are guaranteed admission into any of the state's public colleges and universities, including the elite flagships University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.
In a story for TakePart on the trends, Joseph Williams reports, "While the study's authors wrote that the source of those trends are unclear, they acknowledge that cultural differences — including the likelihood that black and Latino students in the study are the first in their families to head to college — are factors. However, other issues could be in play — including a lack of guidance through the college selection process as well as the high cost of college applications and conflicting emotions about leaving the family nest."
It could be a matter of sticking with what you know, Lauren Sefton, president of the Southern Association of College Admission Counseling, told Williams. "There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the country and it can be overwhelming for students to do the research and expand their search beyond their backyards."
The National Bureau of Economic Research study also reveals that Hispanics are least likely of all demographic groups studied to apply to college – "despite having higher average college readiness than black students." Hispanics who do enroll in college are more likely to attend two-year institutions, other research has shown.
As the Latin Post points out in a recent article, numerous Ivy League schools have programs designed to attract bright first-generation students, impressing upon them the importance of selecting a strong academic experience beyond their comfort zone.
Just last year Harvard admitted a record high number of black and Latino students to its class of 2018.
Read other Latino Ed Beat articles.
College Access & Admissions
Affirmative Action: What Could Policy Changes Mean for Latinos?
July 7, 2015 Natalie Gross
With the Supreme Court set to take another look at a controversial affirmative action case in Texas college admissions, some worry what a second decision from the nation's highest court will have on college-bound minorities.
New 'Factbook' Gives Snapshot of Latinos in Education
January 27, 2015 Natalie Gross
In early education, elementary, high school and undergraduate college programs, Latinos represent the second largest group of students, according to a new report by Excelencia in Education.
The report, released last week, is comprised of more than 20 fact sheets profiling the state of Latinos in education across the pipeline.
Few Latinos Gain Entry to NYC's Elite Public High Schools
March 6, 2015 Natalie Gross
New figures released this week show that for the second year in a row, Latino students accounted for only 7 percent of those who were accepted to New York City's elite public high schools.
Latino Dropout Rate Going Down, College Enrollment Going Up
May 26, 2015 Natalie Gross
Fewer Latinos are dropping out of high school, and more are heading for college.
With graduation season well underway, these are a few educational highlights mentioned in a Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends article Tuesday. The Pew article used data from 2000 and 2013 to examine national trends.
An 'H' for 'Hispanic' at Many HBCUs
June 11, 2015 Natalie Gross
Small class sizes, athletic scholarship opportunities and track records for serving low-income, first-generation college students could be what's driving the growth of populations of Hispanic students at historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs.


line Walk across a field of sharp glass really fast?
line Walk across 20 feet of hot coals really slow?
You can do it, you know. You can totally walk across hot coals and be okay. You just need to know the trick... which I will study prior to walking. Cause I'm smart like that.
This is when boots come in handy.
Doesn't say it has to be broken.
Frankly, niether one. but I really wouldn't want to dig a field's (and they didn't say how big the field was) worth of glass shards out of my feet.
Of course number 1, w/ some shoes.
Of course number, w/ some shoes.
I have! Great episode! Still wouldn't want to do it.
it doesn't say how slow you have to walk across the coals.
Hot coals can feel good.
50/50 at 424 votes... hmm..
I've walked across glass before, actually doesn't hurt if you walk slowly and carefully.
Doesn't say you can't use shoes.
i have already walked across coals. its not that bad. and your feet would get shredded walking on the glass anyway.
Have someone run across sharp glass like in the picture really fast!


Astonishing X-Men #13 review: A new era begins with a great start – AiPT!
Rosenberg and Land alleviate all apprehensions and begin the new era on the right foot.
When it was announced in spring that writer Matthew Rosenberg (Multiple Man) was going to be taking over Astonishing X-Men, it was met with fanfare and excitement. The enthusiasm became palatable when artist Greg Land (The Incredible Hulk) was also advertised to be part of the new creative team. Despite the strong crew that would be taking over, there was one important question: just how good would the new era of Astonishing X-Men be?
If Astonishing X-Men #13 is any indication, the new era will be a great addition in the annals of X-history. The issue starts quickly and never slows down. Rosenberg is at the top of his game as jokes jump off of almost every page. The students at the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Research have some great one liners and there is a awesome running joke about the X-Men name.
The real star of the book is Havok, however. From his opening exchanges with the Avengers to later ones with Kitty Pryde, Cyclops's brother carries Astonishing X-Men nearly on his own. We follow the disgraced hero as he tries to reassemble the pieces of his life. Humor is a common defense mechanism and the way in which Havok is dealing with his difficult situations is incredibly realistic.
The book does not solely rely on humor, though. Alex Summers gives a stirring speech about what direction he feels the X-Men should go in. He also has a terse back and forth with Kitty that may be sprinkled with humor, but also has an underlying tension. Rosenberg writes Havok as pitiful, funny, and somewhat embarrassing, and in doing so, writes one of the most real super heroes in years.
It appears as if the first villains in the Rosenberg/Land era will be the Reavers. Unsurprisingly, when Donald Pierce and his gang of cyborgs are involved, there tends to be action. Along with the Reavers, there are appearances from other members of the Marvel universe and the comic climaxes with an ending that combines both humor and action.
On top of the great writing is the magnificent art of Land. There is some amazing detail throughout Astonishing X-Men which adds another layer to the already well written characters. Emotions pour through everyone's face while the battle scenes are exciting. Best of all, the art never overpowers the writing or vice versa. Instead, the two work hand in hand to deliver a powerful story.
Whenever there is a creative shakeup involving one of Marvel's biggest franchises, there is going to be excitement and trepidation. In Astonishing X-Men #13, Rosenberg and Land alleviate all apprehensions and begin the new era on the right foot.
Great mix of humor, action, and tension.
Hard to find any fault. There are too many characters? Too many jokes? Havok looks odd in one early panel? I got nothing.


text:
Eighteen Bridges
Stories that connect
Fiction and poetry
Jam Pearls: do musicians need to diversify to survive?
As plummeting music sales send the industry into crisis and musicians like David Byrne reinvent their roles, Scott Messenger meets the people behind an experimental improv program in Manitoba that is breaking all the rules
by Scott Messenger
on Thursday, March 28th, 2013
The other thin white duke … David Byrne.
In the fall of 2011 I sat in on a jam I've since recognized as part of the future of how we create and consume music. What's more, for musicians, it points a way forward for an industry that often seems like it would rather die than evolve from a reliance on making and selling records.
It took How Music Works, David Byrne's new book, for me to finally understand the impact of what I saw and heard in a small studio at the University of Alberta, where perhaps a dozen musicians had gathered for a weekly session. The lights were low and most people sat cross-legged on the floor in a wide, loose circle. Apart from a guy with a saxophone and a girl with a violin, few of the players had traditional instruments—or used them in traditional ways if they did.
Instead, one player swished a whisk, broken and splayed like an aging tulip, in a metal mixing bowl. Another tapped bamboo skewers on the lino tile in front of her. Someone rubbed together rough sheets of paper. The saxophonist issued mournful, reedless puffs, while the violin lay free on the floor, bouncing as the bow was dragged tunelessly across its strings. "Play free, no rules," Scott Smallwood, the collective's leader and assistant professor of composition, had told them. He joined in, squeaking out discordant notes on a synthesizer.
Despite giving the impression of hippies at kindergarten, this symphony of found objects was hardly without form. Over the course of a fifteen- to twenty-minute piece, Smallwood's Experimental Improv Music Ensemble, or Xie, cycles through patterns; it will work itself into a frenzy of sound, or lull itself into near silence to accommodate, well, a whisk solo. Structures and patterns emerge organically, providing enough tension to keep listeners wondering what might come next and rarely able to guess.
But when it's over, it's gone. Smallwood will suggest a new direction to explore, and his band starts over, the sonic slate wiped clean. Xie might record pieces to discuss them amongst themselves, but there's no attempt to use them as the sketches that, in conventional jams, go on to become songs. There is no intention to make and sell records; ephemerality is the goal, and it's achieved handily. In the time it takes to make a forty-minute album, for instance, Xie would have created dozens, if not hundreds, of unique compositions, simply to explore the mechanics of unfettered composition.
I've talked to some emerging musicians who are still watching the industry tank," Byrne writes, "and when I asked them why they even wanted to make a record, their feeling was, 'I want to do it while they still exist'
Independent up-and-comers—the most reliable source of innovation and creativity in modern music—can learn from this, because Xie represents an overdue parting with the past. Making and selling records has been the heart of both the industry's business model and the musician's artistic statement for decades. However, file sharing, iTunes, even well-intentioned distribution sites like Bandcamp.com, have rendered the format about as relevant as an 8-track tape.
Musicians make albums at their own, often considerable, expense and consumers pick them apart for next to nothing, (or nothing at all, more likely: according to a recent study, Canadians are amongst the world's worst offenders for illegal downloads of music files).
That means creativity today comes at a cost that may soon prove unsustainable, even for established acts. Byrne's book—a collection of ten essays covering how spaces, physical formats, collaborations, and more have shaped western music—includes a chapter on business and finance in the industry. For what it means to the average musician, it might as well have been written in red ink. "I've talked to some emerging musicians who are still watching the industry tank,"
Byrne writes, "and when I asked them why they even wanted to make a record, their feeling was, 'I want to do it while they still exist.' I may have been operating under the same impulse." How's that for a business plan?
For Byrne's 2004 release Grown Backwards, recording swallowed up nearly ninety-seven percent of his advance against sales, leaving him with $7,000 for roughly a year's worth of work. Though he admits he could have recorded more cheaply, "you have to sell an awful lot of records to expect to live off record sales alone, and maybe you shouldn't count on that happening."
Not to say the album is dead. In 2012, Rush celebrated the format by releasing Clockwork Angels, the Toronto trio's first full-length concept record, selling 103,000 copies in its first week, their highest number in a decade. Other artists that year leaned on the album to accommodate unusual bursts of output. Mark Knopfler went double-long for the first time in his thirty-five year career with the two-disc Privateering. Yellow & Green, the double album from Georgia-based metal act Baroness, gave indie label Relapse its best first-week seller in more than two decades. And R&B phenomenon the Weeknd's first major release (following a series of mixtapes) was a triple disc. It has since been certified gold.
But these are outliers. As Byrne's research points out, and as everyone knows, sales of CDs have plummeted—roughly $15 billion between 2000 and now; at the same time, digital sales have risen to only about $4 billion. In 2009, only two
percent of the nearly 100,000 records made sold more than 5,000 copies, he adds. Ugly odds for newbies.
That's part of the reason why he also makes art, works on films, and writes books—all of which cost too much money, time, and energy for most musicians to consider. But Byrne's diversification makes sense, and that's where an idea like Xie becomes so important.
Could the spirit and intention of Xie be applied to modernizing the music industry? Why not create a site devoted to capturing those moments of inspired creativity of traditional bands? I've experienced these in my own projects. You take chances when you 'play free.' You and your bandmates lead (or push) each other into unfamiliar territories. Quite often, the results are so extraordinary that, even if you recorded to later refine the piece into a song, it's like bringing a fire from inferno to controlled burn. By capturing and posting homemade video, musicians would be treating listeners to a new kind of intimacy, giving a glimpse of an artistic point of origin. It'd be quick and dirty, but the internet doesn't care.
The same site could also host one-off projects, for which we're already seeing an appetite. NPR's music site is growing its collection of Tiny Desk Concerts, in which artists like Ben Gibbard, Martha Wainwright, and Lyle Lovett drop by the office for short, lo-fi sets. Undercover, from the A.V. Club (The Onion's arts and culture property), is a video series featuring bands that pick from a list of songs to cover; it's now in its third season. And, independently, two guitarists launched the "$100 Guitar Project" in 2010, shipping their cheap music-store find to sixty-five accomplished guitar buddies to use it to make short, novel recordings of compositions to post on the project's website. It has since spun off a record, a double album, no less.
That might be one source of revenue for the site's musicians: occasionally compile and sell tracks as cheap digital downloads, perhaps coupling the release with concerts showcasing the music those early jams wrought. A little more cash might come with advertising (no one, after all, is going to pay), and that might help to bridge the gap to that next record. Few will be able to do it by touring non-stop.
More than that, this sort of venture would help satisfy consumers in our era of relentless engagement. Social media has produced a generation of fans that demand not just content but connection. The internet may have taken the industry out at the knees, but it's also offering unexpected opportunities for it to try to walk again: for bands to build brands and even grow as artists.
"For me," writes Byrne, "diversification is about seeking out ways of stretching creatively. Diversity is not a business decision: it's a way of staying interested, alert."
All artists should all be so lucky. Since they're not, they should put the creativity that goes into their work toward creating sustainable business models, rather than accepting breaking even as their brass ring.
"We're so inundated by the idea of playing by the rules," Smallwood told his players during the Xie session at the University of Alberta. A jam had just come to an end, and he was both complimenting them for breaking those rules and pushing them to do even more. After all, the task the collective has set for itself is bigger than it might seem at first listen. Xie, he told me at the end of the evening, is ultimately about discovering new ways to make music. "We're trying to invent a new language," he said.
Books, Culture, David Byrne, Feature, Music, Scott Messenger
← Juggling Act: Politics and Play in the Middle East
Espresso 2.0: how Big Coffee is trying to keep up with the caffeinated masses →
Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private.
by Craille Maguire Gillies
A bridge, a lock, a solo wanderer in Rome
Eighteen Bridges Magazine © 2015


text:
Our View: Illinois redistricting fix has momentum; keep it going
By The Editorial BoardRockford Register Star
Some of our friends are highly skeptical of the Independent Maps movement to restore fairness to Illinois political map making. "What good will it do?" "Voters are too turned off to get engaged again." "Change is too hard and it takes too long."
Reasonable thoughts. Let's start with the last statement. Nothing worth attaining ever comes easily or quickly. The best argument for change is whether you are satisfied with the political makeup of Illinois. Most people who don't have a seat in government will tell you that they are not. The current budget stalemate is just one example of a dysfunctional state government.
It's going to take a long time to get the kind of change needed to get Illinois back on track, but if we don't start now that change will never happen.
Voters are turned off because they really don't have a choice when they walk into their polling places. In 2014, about 60 percent of elections for the General Assembly were uncontested. Incumbents won 97 percent of the time.
Those who would challenge the incumbents are smart enough to know when the odds are against them so they decide to stay on the sidelines. Campaigning is costly, time-consuming and emotionally draining. No one's going to go through that when they see their chances are practically nil.
However, if maps were drawn more fairly a savvy challenger would be more likely to run and more likely to win.
What good will it do? Restoring fairness to the system and creating the potential for competitive races are worthy goals in themselves, goals that should lead to the overall goal of creating a better, more efficient state government.
Independent Maps is a nonpartisan group working to put a state constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot that would create an independent commission to draw Illinois political maps. It's the third try and it looks like this effort has the best chance of succeeding.
Technically, supporters need 290,216 valid signatures of registered voters to get the measure on the ballot, but organizers and supporters know many more are needed to survive the inevitable court challenges.
Last year's effort lost a court challenge despite having about 200,000 more signatures than necessary.
Independent Maps organizers have set a goal of 600,000 signatures and they are well on their way. More than 400,000 signatures have been collected. Independent Maps has hit that mark about five months earlier than during the 2014 campaign and will keep collecting signatures until May. Clearly people are eager for change.
There will be challenges and distractions, such as the People's Map group that is trying to portray the effort as a Republican initiative that will wind up hurting minorities.
Of course that's hogwash. Prominent Democrats such as former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, William Daley, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, and Cheryle Jackson, former Chicago Urban League president, are on the Independent Maps board.
The Independent Map Amendment would create an 11-member commission whose meetings and records would be open to the public. The commission would be required to hold public hearings throughout the state. The amendment text and more detailed explanation of the reform are available at MapAmendment.org.
The process would be fair and transparent, unlike the previously drawn maps, which we are pretty sure were put together in the dark in someone's basement.
Even if Independent Maps is successful, gets the question on the ballot and gets voters to agree that the method to draw maps must change, there won't be any changes until after the 2020 census.
Here's how you can help.
— Download petitions at MapAmendment.org, and gather signatures in your community.
— Make a financial contribution online or send a check or money order to Independent Maps at 71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
— Spread the word to friends, family, neighbors and co-workers or become an advocate on social media. Independent Maps has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


text:
ARCA driver Nick Sanchez set for Xfinity Series debut in 2022
By Chris EstradaOct 19, 2021, 10:26 AM EDT
BJ McLeod Motorsports announced Tuesday that ARCA Menards Series driver Nick Sanchez will compete for the organization in "several" NASCAR Xfinity Series races next season.
The 20-year-old from Miami is part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. He is third in the ARCA Menards Series standings with eight top-five finishes in 17 starts this season for Rev Racing. The ARCA Menards Series season ends Saturday at Kansas Speedway.
A team release said additional details regarding Sanchez's race schedule and sponsors will be announced in the near future.
"The significance of this next step is very meaningful for me," Sanchez said in the release. "It'll obviously be my first time participating in one of the top three series of NASCAR, which is something I've always dreamed of ever since I started racing.
"Since the day I first met BJ, we've always been on the same page. We both share the same collective goals for next year, and I feel he and his team have made significant strides in performance each year they've been in the (Xfinity) Series.
"My main goal next year is to learn and get the most out of the car's performance, hopefully yielding some good finishes for myself and the team."
Sanchez has been affiliated with Rev Racing since 2017. In 2017 and 2018, he was part of the organization's youth development program and competed in Legends cars.
He moved to stock cars in 2019 with Rev Racing's late model program. That year, he earned late model victories at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway and Langley (Va.) Speedway. He also made his initial starts in what's now known in the ARCA Menards Series East.
In 2020, Sanchez finished third in the ARCA East standings before going full-time this year on the ARCA national tour.
"We are excited to have Nick make his Xfinity Series debut with our team," team owner BJ McLeod said in the release. "Nick has proven himself behind the wheel in the ARCA series and he has the drive to make the next step in the Xfinity Series."
Excited to announce I'll be joining @TeamBJMcLeod for a multi-race schedule in the @NASCAR Xfinity Series next year. Really cool to get the chance to compete at this level. Looking forward to working and building with this team all throughout next year! pic.twitter.com/BABUxDHDdJ
— Nicholas Sanchez (@Nicksanchez080) October 19, 2021


Credits Adopted 2015. Plumbing Technology II (Two Credits Adopted 2015. Interior Design II (Two Credits Adopted 2015. 12 The abrupt announcement created economic how to remove ball pen ink from paper and environmental concerns in Lawrence County, Alabama. Computer Maintenance Lab (One Credit Adopted 2015. Culinary Arts (Two Credits Adopted 2015. Welding II Lab (One Credit Adopted 2015. Livestock Production (One Credit Adopted 2015. 130.409 Robotics II (One Credit Adopted 2015. Cosmetology II (Two Credits Adopted 2015. Interior Design I (One Credit Adopted 2015. Extended Practicum in Marketing (One Credit Adopted 2015. Champion Coated Paper. Principles of Information Technology (One Credit Adopted 2015. Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness (One-Half Credit Adopted 2015. Investigating Careers, Adopted 2015. Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Subchapter. Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies (One Credit Adopted 2015. The company headquarters was moved to Stamford, Connecticut in 1980, on One Champion Plaza (now 400 Atlantic Street). Securities and Investments (One Credit Adopted 2015.
Printing and Imaging Technology II One Credit Adopted 2015. Public Safety, and Security Subchapter, corrections, and Air Conditioning hvac and Refrigeration Technology II Two Credits paper Adopted 2015. Practicum in Architectural Design Two Credits Adopted 2015.
Contents, sigcomm 2017 IMC call for posters, site proposal CCR.Sigcomm 2017 The ACM, sigcomm 2017 conference was held at the newly opened ucla Luskin Conference Center from August 21-25, 2017.
Horticultural Science One Credit Adopted apa 2015. Champion International was a large paper and wood products producer based. Animation I One Credit Adopted 2015 251, video Game Design One Credit Adopted 2015. Minimum standards for the use of recycled paper were increasingly adopted. Manufacturing Engineering Technology II One Credit Adopted 2015. If you would like to support vital projects like the Verifier. Please contact Development and Outreach Officer Rachel Dellon 161 130, projectBased Research One Credit Adopted Advanced Transportation Systems Laboratory One Credit Adopted 2015. Hospitality and Tourism 130, professional Standards in Agribusiness OneHalf Credit Adopted 2015.
Principles of Health Science (One Credit Adopted 2015.Financial Analysis (One Credit Adopted 2015.
1, it was acquired by, international Paper in 2000.Business Management (One Credit Adopted 2015.Global Business (One-Half Credit Adopted 2015.History edit, the company was founded by Peter.


No matter if your house is brand-new or old, you will have a pest concern at some point. Gardena, CA is the home of lots of various pests including bed bugs, bees, ants,, cockroaches, spiders, beetles, ticks, fleas, and more. Thankfully, we provide services to secure your property from bothersome, unwanted pests.
We know how to keep families and homes protected from pests; call (323) 431-9028 today!
It is our objective to guarantee your home and liked ones are safeguarded from potentially harmful pests in addition to the harmless pests. We take your security very seriously and it's our primary concern when we come to address your residence.
You have likely already experienced a pest problem, such as cockroaches, ants, spiders and bed bugs. Our recent visits to Gardena houses have consisted of managing these pests, among others. However, we have actually also been informing our clients that bed bugs have started to show up more throughout Gardena so it's important to be on the lookout.
Homes in Gardena are at risk for bed bugs, as is any city across all the states. Bed bugs have to be dealt with instantly due to the fact that it will not take them long to spread all over your house, increasing the span of time it requires to totally remove them.
Call Termite Specialists of Gardena Right Away!
If you are not presently experiencing a pest problem you might possibly be interested in our protective pest options to ensure you are secured from unwanted pests. Give our residential pest control Gardena professionals a ring right now at (323) 431-9028 to learn more about our remedies for houses and to get responses to any concerns you might have relating to a particular pest or among our services.


A moment has no specifically identified amount of time.
Moments are spaces of time within our lives, either in our present or our past, that invoke a special feeling, a thought, something significant, or memorable.
Moments are when we are TRULY LIVING; when we are most alive and aware.
important moments, that profoundly affect and change us.
– How many moments have you recently experienced?
– Have you taken any time to reflect thoughtfully on these moments?
– What was important or significant about them?
…to LIVE, to BREATHE, to SOAK, and to BASK.
Take a moment. Love for a moment. Live for a moment.
It is interesting that you posted this on the same day that I had my deeply experienced "moment" after my yoga practice in your class. I never really understood the transcendental aspect of meditation until that moment. I took the class as a final preparation for my 100 mile trail race, but it turned out to be much more than that. As I ran the miles, I reflected on that moment many times; in a way, I imagine it to be like a pole vaulter planting, tensioning, then launching off the pole - leaving it behind to cross over a bar into a new space. A truly pivotal moment in the trajectory of my life. Thank you for enabling that moment for me.


This is a stunningly beautiful and simple pair of Gem Grade Cortez Pearl stud earrings set in rich 18K Yellow Gold. The workmanship is of the highest quality. Small details do make a difference, such as the hand-made ear-nuts that are extra wide, comfortable and secure.
The pearls are Baroque shaped Gem Quality, measuring 9.0 x 9.4 mm in diameter and feature great metallic luster with a deep Blue/Violet body with amazing overtones. This is a classic design sure to belong in your family's treasure chest.
Los aretes portan dos majestuosas perlas Calidad Gema de 9.0 x 9.4 mm de gran lustre metalico con un profundo color Azul/Violeta con sobretonos multicolores increibles que es posible ver su reflejo en las perlas.


The Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Process Engineering (accredited by Edexcel) provides you with a programme of study over a range of disciplines to help you develop skills to progress your career through employment or further education at degree level.
The course is designed for learners who wish to work as technicians/technician engineers in the process engineering sector, manufacture, maintenace and testing. It has been developed in consultation with local industry, and combines theory and practical work with the focus being on industrial applications.
The HNC provides a sound understanding of all key principles including core modules in Safety Engineering, Analytical Methods, Engineering Science and a project. Further specialist subjects may include Instrumentation & Control Principles and the Measurement of Process Variables.


The decision to seek bankruptcy help is a significant one. The majority of cases, prior to seeking help from a bankruptcy attorney, an individual, couple or business owner has already run the gamut of financial stresses. Those stresses usually include delinquent credit cards, lawsuits, mortgage defaults, tax problems, car repossessions. Once the decision is made to come to the office, we are happy to report that those stresses are decreased greatly because a comprehensive solution to the debt stressors obtained. Below you will find useful information and and links.
Generally speaking, contract obligations defaulted upon in the State of Florida need to have litigation initiated within five years of the last payment. There are some exceptions. If a debt has been in default for more than five years, it is probable that the debt has expired. This does not mean that the debt will not remain on the credit report.
Pursuant to federal law, accounts in default may be reported on your credit report for 7 years from the date of default.
Pursuant to federal law, public records such as judgment and bankruptcy filings may be reported on the credit report for up to 10 years.
1. Make a budget. Compare your monthly expenses against your income and set priorities for spending and saving.
2. Learn to love cash. One of the benefits of bankruptcy: Many people who've been through it develop a "depression-era mind-set," says Chris Farrell, host of the nationally syndicated television show "Right on the Money!" and author of "Right on the Money: Taking Control of Your Personal Finances." "And that's not a bad thing." The result: You pay with cash, buy only what you need and save more.
3. Pay all your bills on time, including small ones like utility bills which will report negatively on your credit report if you do not pay on time.
4. Monitor your credit report. The purpose of filing bankruptcy was to obtain a clean slate and fresh start. Monitoring your credit report for any inaccuracies will enable you to dispute incorrect items and maintain a positive credit score.
5. Get a credit card. This is normally the easiest new account to obtain. It is important to have new positive items reported on your credit report in order to regenerate your credit score.
A secured card. This is a no-lose option for the credit card company, but personal finance experts are divided on whether these cards are helpful to consumers looking to re-establish credit. How it works: A bank holds your money and gives you a charge card with a limit for the same amount. When you close the account, you get your deposit back. Common-sense advice: If all you can get is a secured card, shop for one with the best rates and least fees. Get out a magnifying glass, and read all the fine print before you sign. Use it sparingly for six months to a year -- then try to renegotiate with the company for an unsecured card.
An unsecured card. Even after bankruptcy, you should still be able to get a card. Some banks or lenders may actually consider you a decent risk because you're not carrying any debt and may not be able to file a bankruptcy for years. But you likely will pay dearly for the privilege. Act just like you would if you had tons of money: Shop around. Check Bankrate's search feature to find the right card for you.
Be careful not to apply for too many cards. Each time you make an application for credit -- and a creditor checks you out -- it can potentially lower your credit score.
Card tricks: To establish a record of borrowing and repaying (the heart of the old credit system), you need to use your card. At the same time, you can't run up the charges because you need to pay it off -- in full -- every month to show you have truly reformed. (Plus, you didn't go through bankruptcy and back just to rack up piles of debt again.) Oleson's solution: Get a credit card but use it only for one specific thing, such as gas.
Extra credit tip: When you use the card, deduct the purchase amount from your checking account balance. Then, when the bill comes in, you already have the money to pay the bill in full.


My 1 year old daughter Briani has what I call horror film lungs. When she shrieks, the walls and windows shake. My little girl is as determined and tenacious as her parents (she's got a lot of my wife and me in her).
The thing about this little girl is that she's the most stubborn sleeper I've ever met. My wife has a little cartoon monkey pajama for her that has a tiny motto tagged to it that reads "I'm not tired." That's Briani. If we let her (and we have done this many times because we fear hearing her shriek) she will stay up with my wife and I until well past midnight. Briani has also been spoiled about where she sleeps so on most nights she often stays in our bed. The biggest problem of all is that my wife hates it that the baby cries when she puts her to sleep in her own crib.
My son, who at 10 is the oldest, used to give me the same issue as a toddler until one of my friends told me what his wife and him did to solve the problem. They put the baby to bed in their crib in their room next door and they would walked away. Come hell or highwater nothing (except if the baby was sick) would rouse them. Two weeks later it was solved. Their baby knew that once he was put to bed they had the choice to cry all night for nothing or accept the circumstances. My ex-wife and I tried that with Jonathan and it worked like a charm.
Briani has been much harder to "break". Like I said, she's determined and tenacious to get her way, especially with her mom because moms almost always are willing to give in to the crying baby. We haven't mastered Briani yet but the main victory I do have is that more times than not my wife will accept the "inhumanity" of letting a baby cry at the top of her lungs. Eventually the Let the Baby Cry Trick will work – it universally always does – but it's up to my wife to let it happen.
What's your trick for this?


text:
A Journey to Judaism on Pointe
Chava Pearl Lansky, Tablet, 06/18/2019
Boysie Dikobe, a South African-born dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, prepares for his conversion—when he's not performing in drag
My Black Children Are Jewish. Why Don't Jews Treat Them That Way?
Stephen Michael Tow, Forward, 06/13/2019
Judaism Was Destiny for This Guatemalan
Ana Rodriguez, Jewish&, 05/06/2019
In moving to the United States from Guatemala, I found my purpose and place in Jewish community
I'm Converting: One Mother's Unexpected Path To Judaism
Sophia Alvarez Boyd, NPR, 04/27/2019
After growing up in a non-denominational Protestant church, Jane Kemp made the decision seven years ago to convert to Judaism.
The Jews of San Miguel de Allende
Roslyn Bernstein, Tablet, 04/21/2019
The service was electrifying, conducted in Hebrew, with some readings in English and Spanish, and enthusiastic communal singing.
In northern Brazil, Sephardic converts are giving dwindling Jewish communities a new lease on life
Cnaan Liphshiz, JTA, 12/26/2018
An insider look into the diverse Jewish communities of Recife, Brazil.
When the Mikvah Water Touches Your Black Hair
Shekhiynah Larks, Jewish&, 11/14/2018
A conversion brings wholeness to body, mind and spirit.
New Study Ponders Key Question: How to Promote Active Converts?
JTA Staff, JTA, 04/13/2018
Low conversion rates among intermarried Jewish families continue to plague those working to reverse the demographic downtrends in American Jewry. Fewer than one-fifth of gentiles who marry Jews convert to Judaism, according to a new study distributed by the American Jewish Committee.
Ruth's Cup: A New Passover Ritual Honoring Jewish Diversity
Heidi Hoover, Jewish&, 03/29/2017
A ritual welcome for converts at Passover.
Jewish Music with A Caribbean Flair
Rabbi Juan Mejia, Jewish&, 07/18/2016
Chavurat Nahariyah is an exciting group of young families in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla in my native Colombia.
Mothers, Judaism's Heroes
Isaiah Rothstein, Jewish&, 05/04/2016
My mother, once Tanya Maria Robertson, now Shulamis Geulah Rothstein, taught my brothers and me so many things! She, like a great lioness, raised us to think, to feel and to respond to the needs of our people, regardless of religious affiliation, skin color or garb.
Chinese Kaifeng Jews Seek New Lives in Israel
Sarah Burke and Lawahez Jabari, NBC News, 03/03/2016
Yue Ting finally went "home" to Israel this week. She had been looking forward to the day for years — where she comes from there are no synagogues or rabbis.
Audiologist hears call of Judaism, social justice activism
Patricia Corrigan, St. Louis Jewish Light, 09/16/2015
A family friend's hearing problems first sparked Koach Baruch Frazier's interest in audiology. What drew him to Judaism after growing up in Kansas City in a family with several African Methodist Episcopal pastors?
'Orange Is The New Black' Gets A Jewish Convert
Maya Klausner, The Jewish Week, 06/16/2015
Born Jewish or Not, You Matter
Elle Shayna Wisnicki, My Jewish Learning, 06/08/2015
The way I look - my golden complexion and the abundance of ringlet curls on my head - combined with the difference in my upbringing have always challenged my place in society and even in the Jewish community.
She's black, gay and soon you can call her 'rabbi'
Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service, 05/28/2015
"As the American Jewish community is becoming increasingly diverse through intermarriage, conversion and adoption, role models are a critical component of identity formation," said Diane Tobin, director of Be'chol Lashon.
African-American converts finally recognized as Jews in Israel
Judy Maltz, Haaretz, 05/28/2015
Converting to Judaism doesn't have to be so hard
Rabbi Michael Knopf, Haaretz, 05/27/2015


We bring the Big Island concrete done right. As Big Island locals and residents, we understand the environment and the role it plays in perfecting concrete. We pay attention to detail and provide superior work for homes and local businesses. We love our craft and it is reflected in the concrete work we do. We take simple flatwork to the next level with our artistic touch. From stamped driveways to detailed patios and curbing, we deliver quality in all that we do. We stand by our work and the happiness of our clients. We guarantee the highest of quality in every job.
"Concrete offers not only the foundational properties of a home or building, but decorative finishes to enhance any style".
Decorative Concrete is becoming more and more popular and is a great way to add a new look to the traditional look of concrete. Stained Concrete and stamped concrete not only provide a solid foundation, but also offer an aesthetically pleasing, long lasting alternative to other options.
Concrete Stained Patios for your Big Island home will bring to life the interior or exterior of your space. Please contact us with questions.
Stamped Concrete adds dimension and texture to patios, pool decks, sidewalks, interior flooring, driveways, and more. Concrete stamps can make concrete look like brick, stone, wood, flagstone, tile, or other custom creations. Add stain to stamped concrete and you have a custom, decorative concrete finish. Have questions, give us a call. We are happy to educate you on the versatility, stamps, and colors to choose from.
Big Island Custom Concrete is a locally owned concrete company serving Hawaii for nearly two decades. We provide high quality concrete services for Big Island residents. Inspired by our surroundings, we utilize the environment to influence some our custom creations and design, bringing out the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.


text:
Empty stands in Baltimore
The Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox caused some echoes in Camden Yards yesterday as they played in front of a record-setting crowd of zero attendees. Due to all the uncertainty in the wake of the Baltimore riots this past week, two games at Camden Yards had been postponed before Major League Baseball decided that yesterday's game must go on, albeit, sans crowd. It was an unexpected way to set the lowest-ever attendance in Major League Baseball history, but with the city in such a state of unrest, safety was the first priority.
Not all fans contented themselves with missing the game, however, as fans stood outside the gates in left field or on the deck of the hotel that overlooks the stadium. These fans cheered as Baltimore put on an offensive show that led them to a 9-2 victory.
While this was the first time in MLB history that a crowd of zero was recorded in the book, it's not the first time in the history of all of baseball that it has happened. In fact, just earlier this year on March 8, 2015, Stony Brook University's baseball team played a doubleheader against Fordham that was closed to the public due to a tremendous buildup of snow. On March 11th, UConn and Sacred Heart had a game moved to Stony Brook, where no fans were allowed because of the ice in the bleachers.
Perhaps my favorite zero-attendance story, however, took place on July 8, 2002, when Joe Riley Stadium did a promotion called "Nobody Night." The idea behind the promotion was to set the record for professional baseball's lowest attendance. Everyone but employees, scouts and media was barred from entering the stadium until the fifth inning, when the game became official.
Amusing as it is, however, the events that led to yesterday's crowd (or lack thereof) are nothing to joke about. As Orioles left-hander Zach Britton commented, "It kind of makes you realize how small baseball is compared to some of the other issues in the U.S. and around the world."
To see the Huffington Post's complete set of pictures from yesterday's game, click here.
Posted in 21st CenturyTagged Baltimore, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Freddie Gray, history, Major League Baseball
Harper Lee was a Mets fan
3 thoughts on "Empty stands in Baltimore"
Bruce Thiesen says:
What Zach Britton said.
wkkortas says:
I'm guessing that Fordham-Stony Brook epic would have drawn dozens had they let the throng in.
Precious Sanders says:
I'd love to see a full-blown, professional baseball game played in at least three inches of snow. It would totally change the dynamics of the game, and I'd certainly be amused watching it.


Architecture by Matsunami Mitsutomo, a Studio from Japan.
The arch project Number house looks very original, the house like a number... funny and interesting idea. But it could be not enough for the people who live there. There is no green place, any place for relax around. I can not imagine the arch project like this in Canada. Of course the situation, possibilities and taste are everywhere different. And I accept that. So, welcome nice idea - Number house.


Iran's startup web companies have come on leaps and bounds in the past twelve months. This week the Iranian Website News Agency highlighted a new startup called Kadokado.ir (originating from the French word for present), a new website that sells a whole host of different trinkets and jewellery.
In its early stages, this site has a well designed interface and also highlights the much needed direct-to-consumer type of business transaction, which until recently has been seriously lacking in the Iranian online market.
The site offers a wide collection of home furnishing items which include miniatures of Iranian fruits including pomegranates. It also has e-namad protection – an online system to protect against credit card fraud within Iran.
Although the site is still in its early stages, it is pretty intuitive with a nice overall design for accessing different pages. Home-based manufacturers are actively being encouraged to contact the site to list their wares. And with the government's support back in October of women working from home, this site may just see a meteoric rise.
Kadokado is just the newest site to enter the growing online gift industry, following sites like albasco.com and more major players like digikala.com.
The next new site that has appeared on our radar via Mobin Ranjbar's techly.co is Ponisha, a website dedicating itself as an online jobs agency for freelance designers and programmers among others.
This new site, written entirely in Persian, brings the western concept of "outsourcing" and "freelancing" to Iran. Although Iran is quite used to this method of employment through more traditional channels, this new website provides an additional avenue for job hunters.
Ponisha is the largest place for freelancers in Iran to get projects done and also to generate income. The website was launched in Dec, 2011 to help companies and individuals outsource their projects and hire people for short durations.
Nima Nourmohammad, the founder of Ponisha said about his site that "Most people usually look for full-time jobs in a company, but I believe freelancing can be a full-time job, and with some training in marketing and negotiation, anyone with any skill could become successful. The benefits are endless. Just imagine there is no boss.
In this situation, you can work whenever or wherever you want and on whatever project you desire and still make more money than people with regular employment," according to techly.co.
Currently Ponisha has more than 50,000 freelancers, with 2,400 completed projects and revenue of 5,103,158,949 Rials ($157,000 at market exchange rate) for freelancers.


text:
Rewriting Life
Keeping Neurons Alive in Parkinson's Patients
An upcoming clinical trial will attempt to solve problems that have plagued one potentially promising treatment.
by Courtney Humphries
A molecule that has long been a source of hope as a potential Parkinson's disease therapy will get a new chance to show its benefit. A team led by Krystof Bankiewicz at the University of California, San Francisco, plans a clinical trial of an experimental gene therapy using glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a protein that helps keep neurons alive. The team is in the final stages of gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and hopes its trial can address issues that marred previous trials.
Targeted treatment: These MRI images of a monkey's brain show a three-dimensional reconstruction of fluid infusions (shown in red and yellow) into the putamen (shown in green and blue)—an area of the brain involved in Parkinson's disease.
Current Parkinson's treatments control symptoms, but they don't slow the disease's progression. GDNF first showed promise as a treatment for Parkinson's patients when scientists discovered that it could boost the survival of dopamine-producing neurons—cells that degenerate in the disease—back in 1993. But so far, the results in humans have not borne out those hopes. Early trials involving injecting the protein directly into the brain showed some promise, but a second, more comprehensive trial subsequently showed no benefit. Another recent trial that used a gene therapy approach to deliver a similar compound, neurturin, showed some signs of benefit but failed in its primary goal of improving symptoms after one year.
Bankiewicz believes that other attempts failed because they didn't target the right tissue precisely enough. The first attempts, he said, injected the GDNF protein into the spaces near the brain regions of interest, where it failed to diffuse far enough into the brain. Infusing the treatment directly into the relevant brain tissue, he says, caused leakage into the surrounding fluid. "They all turned out to be negative, because the delivery was never controlled," Bankiewicz says.
The new trial will introduce the gene encoding GDNF into the putamen, a brain area involved in Parkinson's disease. The gene will be carried by a virus, and will be injected directly into the brain using a technique called convection-enhanced delivery, which uses positive pressure to drive fluid deep into targeted regions. The injection will include an MRI contrast agent, and the researchers will use an MRI-based imaging system to track the distribution of the treatment during delivery. Bankiewicz says the imaging system will allow the team to make sure the gene gets to where it's needed.
Once incorporated into cells, the gene would drive the expression of GDNF protein; Bankiewicz says it should then travel to other areas of the brain affected by disease, transported along axons, the long tails of neurons that connect brain regions.
It remains to be seen whether a more precise delivery system is the answer, and scientists disagree over which factors need improvement: the vector that contains the genes, the delivery system, the targeting of relevant brain regions, the types of patients that are studied—or even the gene itself. Andrew Feigin, a neuroscientist at North Shore University Hospital, says that the recent setback in the neurturin trial casts doubt on whether a similar approach will work with GDNF. "It still remains to be seen whether GDNF really is something that helps people with Parkinson's disease," he says.
Ronald Mandel, a neuroscientist at University of Florida, is also working on a GDNF gene therapy. He's optimistic that GDNF could help Parkinson's patients, but he believes it should be tested in patients at the early stages of the disease—before the dopamine-producing cells have become severely diseased and die off. Getting approval to test therapies in such patients, however, is very difficult.
Courtney Humphries


text:
Oxford United willing to go extra mile in promotion push, says Steve Seddon
Steve Seddon: Oxford United willing to work for promotion
By James Roberts @OxMailJamesR Senior sports reporter
Oxford Utd V Cheltenham Town.Steve Seddon moves yup field..Picture by: David Fleming.
OXFORD United know there are no shortcuts if they want to achieve their goals this season, says Steve Seddon.
The U's travel to Lincoln City this afternoon (3pm) as they aim to continue their Sky Bet League One promotion push.
Fifth-placed United have played some excellent football this season, but have also shown the ability to grind out results.
That hard work is encapsulated in Seddon's driving runs up and down the left flank and the 24-year-old insists this is all part of the job.
"I do enjoy getting up and down, that's part of my game – I can't really lose that," he said.
"We're a hard-working team, but that's standard.
Read also: Oxford United reject bid for Cameron Brannagan from Blackpool
"If you want to finish high up the league you've got to work hard.
"It's a good group and we put the hours in – it's not like a nine to five job, but you're always in and around it."
The left back brought his dog to United's Christmas Eve run up Shotover Hill and she was equally energetic, leading the group through a series of drills.
It was a light-hearted way to work, but Seddon points out that it showed a positive atmosphere.
He said: "I didn't have to walk her that day, I could just shoot straight home.
"It's good to have that sort of environment because it makes you want to work harder and brings you together as a group.
"A lot of the boys know about my dog, she just runs and runs."
United have five successive Saturday games in January, and no midweek matches, with today's trip to Sincil Bank followed by clashes with Wycombe Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday.
Seddon admits this can be a blessing and a curse, though.
He said: "They're all big, you're in the second half of the season.
"Sometimes it works with you, sometimes against you with the games thinning out.
"If you're on a roll you've got to wait a whole week and if you lose it puts more pressure on the next one – you can't get it out of your system quickly."
Read also: Karl Robinson empathises with Lincoln's post-Wembley woes
The U's will aim to strengthen their promotion push against a side who were 90 minutes from the Sky Bet Championship in May.
Seddon added: "They were play-off finalists last year, I remember watching that.
"As a club they've not had the best season, but a lot of their players are still there from last year."