text:
Four players to represent the Orioles on American League All-Star team
By By Dan Connolly and The Baltimore Sun
NEW YORK – For the first time in 16 years, the Orioles will have three elected starters in baseball's annual All-Star Game — the most of any team in the majors — and will have a total of four players on the American League team for the first time since 2005.
First baseman Chris Davis, who led all players with 8,272,243 votes, shortstop J.J.Hardy and center fielder Adam Jones were elected by the fans for the first times in their careers and will start the annual exhibition July 16 at Citi Field in New York.
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who turned 21 Saturday and hasn't played a full season in the majors, finished second in the fan voting at third base to the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, the reigning AL Most Valuable Player, but was named as a reserve. Davis and Machado will be making their first appearance in the Midsummer Classic, Hardy his second and Jones his third.
"I mean it's crazy," said Machado, who leads the big leagues with 39 doubles. "It's crazy what I've been through my first year in major league baseball, making the playoffs last year, just having two months into the league and obviously now making the All-Star [team] and having such good success right now."
The Orioles, who fell to third place in the American League East with a loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday, have not had three All-Star starters since third baseman Cal Ripken Jr., outfielder Brady Anderson and second baseman Roberto Alomar were elected in 1997.
No other AL team had more than one starter elected this year; three teams in the National League have two starters.
"It's going to be awesome, having that many guys, especially three starters," said Jones, who was an All-Star in 2009 and 2012, but has never started. "You're going to see some of the cornerstone positions, first [base], center field and shortstop, will have O's across their chest. I think that's a pretty strong statement ... from a baseball standpoint."
Jones outstripped Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels for the most votes for any AL outfielder, receiving 6,793,577. He joins Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (1970-1971), Ken Singleton (1981) and Anderson as the only outfielders in Orioles history to be voted to an All-Star team by the fans.
"I think, for me, it's more humbling," Jones said. "It's almost 5 million votes that have been tallied for myself. That's humbling. I know Birdland has been very, very strong in voting this year."
The last time the Orioles had an elected starter was in 2005, when Miguel Tejada and Brian Roberts earned nods from the fans. The Orioles had four All-Stars that year as well, with closer B.J. Ryan and third baseman Melvin Mora joining Tejada and Roberts. From 2001 to 2011, the Orioles had only one All-Star in each year but 2005. Last season they had three.
"I'm proud of our guys," said Davis, who leads the majors with 33 home runs. "It just says a lot about what we've got going on here. We are obviously headed in the right direction. And the fact that everybody is starting to take notice means a lot."
In 1970, the Orioles had a franchise-record seven players named as All-Stars and four starters: outfielder Frank Robinson, first baseman Boog Powell, pitcher Jim Palmer and second baseman Davey Johnson. Only Powell and Robinson were elected, however. So this year's squad actually has more starters elected by the fans than that powerhouse team.
"I think with what we did last year, I think really people are starting to notice what we did this year," said Hardy, who was an All-Star reserve with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 but has never made the AL squad. "It's awesome for all the guys on this team. That just shows the fans are showing their support."
The news Saturday was bittersweet, however, because the Orioles were hoping they would have even more representatives. Right fielder Nick Markakis had been the third-highest vote-getter among outfielders — three are elected to start — until he was passed by Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista last week. Markakis has never made an All-Star team.
In the end, Bautista, a former Oriole, had 3,999,631 votes to Markakis' 3,783,189.
"Had a tough conversation with Nicky, and he responded just as I thought he would," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "[Markakis] said, 'I'm real happy for the guys and they should get it.' It's more about where we end up as a team."
Jones said not having Markakis join him was a disappointment, but he is holding out hope Markakis, who is hitting .288 with eight homers, 43 RBIs and 52 runs scored could be added as an injury replacement.
"Me, personally, I wanted Markakis. You all know him, he doesn't care," said Jones, who is hitting .290 with 15 homers and 59RBIs. "But he's a guy who has put up numbers in his career. He plays every single day. He knows how to play the game. He's one of the best right fielders in the game to me. He just doesn't get the attention because that's not who he is."
Catcher Matt Wieters, an All-Star the in 2011 and 2012; starter Chris Tillman, who has 10 wins; and closer Jim Johnson, who has 29 saves, were thought to be in consideration. None was named as a "Final Vote" candidate to be decided by additional fan voting this week. Wieters finished second at catcher and McLouth finished fifth among outfielders — testament to the "Vote Orange" events the Orioles had throughout the city in the past month that encouraged fans to fill out ballots.
Consequently, the Orioles are well represented — no other AL East team has as many as four All-Stars. The Boston Red Sox and Toronto each had three (including injured Boston pitcher Clay Buchholz, who has been replaced), the Yankees had two and the Tampa Bay Rays one. Boston, Toronto and the Yankees each have a candidate in the Final Vote. The last time the Yankees had just two All-Stars was in 1993. The Tigers led the majors with six selections.
"I think anytime you are getting that recognition not only from your fan base but from everybody across the nation, I think it feels good to know that people are watching," Davis said. "I think what we did last year toward the end of the season really kind of opened people's eyes to the fact that there's some good baseball being played in Baltimore. And the fact that we have a number of guys going to the All-Star Game again this year just shows that we're doing something right."


Tip O'Neil famously said, all politics are local. I have spent much of my life being interested in national and international politics and geopolitics but have never paid much attention to local events.
Very recently I realized that my little city of North Augusta, SC is in something of the order of 120 million dollars in debt. Apparently approximately 70 million of that on account of the construction of SRP Park.
My wife and I bought a home here in 2016, I was deployed, we actually purchased the home while I was on leave. We knew she had a good job at the University and this is where I should retire. I could not imagine living in the debacle that is Richmond County and Columbia County was too far. Besides, I was born and bred in South Carolina, I am a proud son of the State. North Augusta seemed perfect.
I recall in an off-hand conversation my wife and I discussing how the ballpark had been funded. I assumed that surely there must have been a referendum for such an expenditure. Surely, right? How could a small town council possibly spend so much of their neighbor's money without asking them? I supposed my assumption was correct and moved on with life, happily ignorant.
In the last couple of years my wife has occasionally mentioned to me something like, "man, there is some drama going on at North Augusta 20 20". I would generally mumble in acknowledgement and continue on with what I was doing. I long ago stopped paying much attention to Facebook. I have seen too many people with drama there. I never stopped to wonder if there was really fire associated with the smoke she was seeing.
Apparently, there has been a real fire raging beneath the smoke of Facebook drama. Contentiousness has been the norm in council chambers and outside for some time it seems. However, I do not know all the facts or personalities or details involved up to this point.
I know one thing for certain. My original assumption concerning the state of good governance in my little city were all wrong. Based upon one fact alone I am prepared to say something is amiss and things must change.
The council saddled the citizens of the city with enormous debt, almost $70 million, without a referendum. Nobody elects part-time city officials to make decisions of that magnitude – it is plain and simple irresponsible, unconscionable and immoral. It is theft of property no matter how you state it. In local government one just generally assumes that everyone knows that the right thing to do when such a large matter is in question is to allow the people to decide – after all it is their money.
Based upon this one simple fact, this one simple callous immoral act of hubris I have become interested in and involved in local politics.
Last night I contacted the Constitution Party of North Augusta and asked them to place a sign in my front yard. I offered to help in any way possible and next week I will break bread with one of their officers to discuss what that means and figure out where I can help.
The list of absurdities could go on – perhaps the passage this past Monday of an ordinance allowing open air consumption of alcohol in Riverside Village (mind you there are what two bars there at present). That seems a rather silly thing to be worried about considering almost none of the magnificent storefronts, shops and entertainment that was promised in the artist depictions have actually materialized. When I recently visited the area I wondered where there might actually be space for any of the grand things we were promised. The hotel is not grand and the ball park is archetecturally out of place.
Then perhaps one could point to the utterly brilliant idea to install parking meters down there. You people build a field of dreams with our money, sold a bill of goods with wonderful pictures and delivered a much less grandiose reality with already frustrating and limited parking and now you want to discourage further patronage with parking meters. Simply brilliant. These folks must go.
Finally, we read our city administration is coordinating with Augusta and Georgia to construct a pedestrian/bike path on a future 13th Street bridge. I suppose all North Augusta needs is folks walking over from Broad Street in Augusta to ask me money when the wife and I go out to eat. This is a large reason I do not often go to Broad Street! Again – brilliant.
North Augusta is not Augusta – that place elects fools and those fools mismanage funds and the potential of the city and county. We do not need to be like Augusta. We should progress, but keep the culture and nature of our city intact. We also should expect elected officials that know the moral limits of the power vested in the positions they hold. Placing every resident of the city in debt without the common decency to ask – that is wrong. This is what got me interested and involved in local politics.
You nailed it! I also thought the citizens would get to vote on the stadium. Shocking! It is a mess down there, and the hotel is hideous! We had no choice. The mayor said Monday evening that he and the council have to make the decisions for the 24,000 citizens of this city. Silly me, I thought we got to decide. What arrogance! I will be voting for change!!! Constitution Party all the way!


Every few seconds Levixus should read from the "Book of Dead" and announces the people that left Blizzard.
So one of the benefits of being a warlock in (Spell #103958) or (Spell #114168) form is that you can speak and, apparently, understand Demonic. 101 comments and somehow no one thought to post what it is he's yelling.
source: Unified Database and wowhead.


Buying New and Presale Condos in Vancouver BC has advantages for both First Time Home Buyers and experienced property investors.
Presale properties are different from Resale properties. Here we will explain the purchasing process and the relative benefits of purchasing presale homes. Contact us if you have any questions at all at 604-265-9356.
You only need to pay a deposit.
You will still pay the full price, but you don't need to take out a home loan on the property right away.
The deposit will range from 5 to 10% of the purchase price, and further 10 to 15% increments throughout the building project.
Your deposit is held in a trust account until the building is completed.
If for any reason the developer does not finish the building, the full amount will be returned to you.
Buying A New Home Or Presale Condo Is Not As Easy As You Think!
Many people expect that buying a new home is as simple as buying a new shirt or new car.
Here is a rough guide as to what to expect when purchasing a presale or pre-construction condo in Vancouver.
You receive an email about a presale project that interests you (Before anyone else) from the Vancouver New Condos VIP email list.
You let a member of the team know you're interested in the project by responding to the email, calling, or texting us.
We will add you to our shortlist for the project and will follow up with you as soon as we get floor plans and price range lists (again, we get this before anyone else).
Once we have access to the display centre or marketing company offices for early previews we will get in touch for an early preview appointment.
In many cases (but not always), early VIP access, the marketing company or developer will need a bank draft (Generally for $10,000) to signal that you are serious about a purchase.
The marketing company will not be taking the draft at this first meeting. They just want to see it and take a copy of it.
At the preview, we will meet the sales manager who can answer all of your detailed questions. They will also have a scale model and large touchscreens with all of the building visuals.
At this point, we are waiting for the developer/marketing company to get the disclosure statement.
They will notify us of receipt of the disclosure statement and we will set an appointment to meet at the marketing company to sign the contract.
At this appointment, we would sign the contract and give the marketing company/developer the draft and the personal cheque.(which will only be cashed if, at the end of the 7 day rescission period, you decide to go forward with the purchase).
At this meeting, you will get a copy of the disclosure statement.
Either later that day or the following day we will get a signed copy of the accepted offer and your day rescission period starts from there.
This is the time to review the contract with your family, friends, accountant, lawyer, etc to be sure about the purchase.
We are always available to answer questions and help you throughout the whole process.
If you decide not to go forward with the purchase before the end of the 7 days rescission period, you need to let me know asap so I can get the documents for you to sign to kill the deal.
If you do decide to go forward, the marketing company will deposit the personal cheque and bank draft.
Within about 6-9 months, you will need to deposit the second deposit and 6-9 months after that you will have to deposit the final deposit.
After that, we wait until the project completes.
Early VIP Access to Vancouver presale condo projects.
Advising you on a suite selection that will work best for your needs, be they investment-oriented or related to personal use.
Guiding and advising you throughout the entire purchase process, with the offer, and with related documentation.
Supporting you once you have purchased with any questions you may have as well as the completion and rental and other referrals you may need post completion.
When buying a presale, you usually pay a 20% presale deposit to the developer top secure the property. Once the property is completed you get a mortgage for the remaining 80% payable and the 20% you paid the developer is included and forms part of the purchase price.
You Own a brand new condo as soon as it is built.
You can sometimes have alterations made to your specifications ahead of time so you walk into your own color scheme, appliances, and fixtures.
You can secure a cost at the buy date, with the possibility to profit from a rising land market, without the monthly expense of a mortgage payment, property charges, and upkeep fees.


Tug-E-Nuff Faux Fur Pocket Squeakers are ideal for dogs who need just that little bit more encouragement to play...with the addition of a squeaker. They're ideally suited to smaller dogs and puppies due to its compact size.
The cushioned handle makes it comfortable for you to hold whilst playing with your dog.
This toy measures approximately 30cm from the tip of the handle to the end of the bite area with a bite area of approximately 8cm x 12.5cm.


text:
Captain Charles Bamford Daniel 1883 – 1944
as told by Barney Thomas Daniel
The Daniel Family
Clara Emma Daniel
Thomas Daniel
George William Daniel
Ernest William Daniel
Elsie Harman Daniel
Herbert (Bert) Daniel
Amy Daniel
Devonport Steam Ferry Company
Public Service – Lighthouse Department
The Marine Department – Shipping Master
Marine Department – Fisheries Inspector
The Death of "The Old Salt"
Appendix A – The Captain's Quotes
Appendix B – The Tramp – Storm Under Sail
Appendix C – News Paper Clippings
Appendix D – Ida's Letter
Appendix E – Moving House the Hard Way
From 1912 till 1915 he was employed by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company as master of most of their ships at one time or another, all of which were steam, and it is here where I as a four year old son of the Captain contribute to an incident that caused him some annoyance. In those days the family residence was in Buchanan Street, Devonport, also referred to as the Shore.
This was a return to old haunts for the Captain who had by now got a position as master, initially a tug master and then skipper in the Devonport Steam Ferry Company whose manager, Alex Alison, became a friend. He stayed as master in this company from about 1912 to 1915, and was highly regarded by it and its many regular passengers.
My father at this stage was Master on one of the daily ferries operating from Devonport to the City and my mother used to make up his `crib' which I was despatched with to meet my father on his return to Devonport where we were living at the time.
A caricature of Captain Charles when working for the Devonport Steam Ferry Company.
In this instance my mother despatched me with the Captain's lunch or crib duly wrapped up in a cloth to the Shore terminal where the Captain would duly receive his crib per his son. However, on arriving at the wharf I was met by the ticket collector who, on being informed that the bearer of the lunch crib was Captain Daniel's son, volunteered to pass on the lunch crib when the ferry, due in a few minutes to berth, tied up.
All unsuspecting and on the assurances of the ticket collector, I handed over the crib and left for home. Well, of course, the inevitable occurred, the collector forgot to give the Captain his lunch which rather upset him. Anyway, the next day the same procedure of lunch crib was put in motion, the big exception being that on no account was I going to hand over my Dad's crib to a stupid ticket collector, it appears that I left the ticket collector in no uncertain state as to whose responsibility the delivery of the said crib resided in, embellished with a few fruity phrases as to the stupidity of the said ticket collector. I believe that was my first impression of the family language which so aptly describes a fool.
Naturally all the ferry passengers, all Shore"ites", had a lot of fun out of this slip-up to brighten up their work day world which the lack of levity makes duller. Apparently and according to some of the printed cuttings in the papers relative to this saga, the Captain was well thought of, a popular and well-liked man and above all a "Shore" identity.
We lived in a couple of places on the Shore of which I have a vague memory, one of which, Buchanan Street, was right in Devonport and handy through the park on the Esplanade to the Ferry Wharf there.
We must have lived in Devonport for some time and it was there that my youngest brother Charles died of spinal meningitis. I remember Buchanan Street but little else of the locality, and somewhere about this time father decided to join the Public Service as a Signalman at Hokianga Heads.
The following appeared in the local paper;
Skipper Charles Daniel, whose burly form is so well known in the wheelhouse of the Devonport Ferry Company, is slowly recovering from shock. The bulky mariner commands the dreadnought that takes the crème da la crème of Stanley Bay to town in the mornings. The other morning Charles consulted his chronometer. It wanted a few seconds to eight o'clock. Charles looked up the long sheep race which does duty for a wharf, and it was bare of people. Everybody was aboard. Charles asked a passenger who sets the tides and the moon by his watch what the time was. The passenger and he compared dials. The skipper's watch was right. The skipper held his cheese-cutter in his massive right hand thrumb and dexter finger and scratched his head.
"Can't make it out," he announced. "Everybody's aboard on time!"
Then he almost made a speech. As he dived for the wheelhouse and telegraphed the engines to get to work he was paler than usual.
"I never knew eight o'clock Stanley people so punctual before!"
Stanley people (who never joke because it's not aristocratic) almost smiled. One man half tittered, but Brother Chadband reproved him, and he became a mass of gloom.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The price of gold is high so now's the time to sell that gold at the bottom of your jewelry box.
With the price of gold skyrocketing and the economy tanking, many people are looking through their jewelry boxes for items to trade for some cold, hard cash.
The one ounce spot price for gold as of Tuesday was $1,505, according to Abbott. That's 25 percent higher than this time last year and three times as high as it was in the 1980s, which is the last time the price of gold experienced huge increases, he said.
Unlike 30 years ago, Abbott believes the current gold market is much more solid and long-term.
Jordan Tabach-Bank, CEO of Beverly Loans in Beverly Hills, known as the "Pawnshop to the Stars" because of its elite clientele, has also seen an increase in the number of people coming in to sell their gold jewelry.
While Beverly Loan oftentimes caters to high profile individuals, Tabach-Bank sees clients from all walks of life. He recommends that those thinking about selling their gold jewelry or other gold items go to a reputable gold buyer where the scales are properly calibrated and the seller will be treated fairly.
With more middle-class borrowers looking for cash, pawnbrokers are cleaning up their image.
When Jim De Lisa's chain of six furniture stores went belly-up midrecession, the New Jersey father of five found himself in a fix. He was suddenly unemployed and broke, and his credit score, he says, was "in the crapper." Pushed to the edge by looming house and car payments, he did the unthinkable: He pawned his wife's $18,000 engagement ring. But no one ever saw him visit the pawnshop De Lisa hocked the 1.7-karat stunner over the Internet.
Is no industry immune to the inexorable forces of technology and gentrification? These days, even the pawn business is going upscale. Pawn merchants say the recessionary credit crunch is bringing in more middle-class clients along with small businesses seeking collateral loans to meet payroll. Jordan Tabach-Bank, CEO of Beverly Loan Co. in Beverly Hills ("Pawnshop to the Stars"), says he's seen a flood of doctors, lawyers and accountants hocking valuables to keep their kids in private school. There's a pawn store reality show airing on the History Channel and an iPhone app to help high-tech indigents locate the nearest pawnbroker. If the trend continues, hocking the family jewels may become as mainstream as applying for a credit card.
While pawnshops still charge eye-popping interest rates (up to 25 percent in some states), the once shady industry is rapidly going Disney. Pawn consultant Steve Krupnik says the sector's three publicly traded chains took cues from traditional retailers, deploying clean-cut employees, suburban locations and efficient technology. "They've forced the marginal operators to clean up," he adds.
Some of the nation's 13,000 pawnshops lure the (formerly) affluent with private appointments and house visits. In New York, EZ Pawn, an eight-store chain, is placing ads in local magazines. Pawn magnate Craig McCall, whose 13 Oregon and Arizona locations are in traditional shopping centers (two are in former Hollywood Video stores), decorates some shops with wainscoting and leather chairs at the loan desk: "There's no bars anywhere!" He even tried dressing his associates in shirts and ties, but they got too grubby lugging pawned lawn mowers and power tools. He settled for red polo shirts and khakis.
Perhaps the most intriguing new model is Jim De Lisa's lender: Pawngo.com, an online pawnbroker backed by $3.8 million in venture capital. Clients get an online estimate, FedEx their valuables to the company's Centennial, Colo., office park vault (Pawngo pays the shipping and insurance), and get a loan wired to their bank account within 24 hours. CEO Todd Hills says most of his clients wouldn't dream of frequenting a pawnshop they're hocking Cartier watches, Louis Vuitton bags, even a Picasso. His typical loan runs about $1,700, 17 times the $100 pawn-industry average.


Fasten your seatbelts for a trip to Haiti. My guest this week was inspired to write his first novel by a spell as a volunteer after the 2010 earthquake. When he returned to the US he began to write a story of friendship, the struggle for justice in the face of impunity, sacrifice for the community and the foolishness of scarcity in a world of plenty. To recreate that distinctive place and define his characters, he returned to the music he heard pouring out of the radios in Port-au-Prince – folk, rock, rap and hip-hop. He says his work is a protest novel and so he's donating the proceeds to aid organisations he worked with to help further education, advocacy, justice reform and prosecute human rights abuses. The novel is Because We Are; he is Ted Oswald and he'll be here on Wednesday with his Undercover Soundtrack.
This entry was posted on January 14, 2014, 9:01 am and is filed under Undercover Soundtrack. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text:
Neighbors Say They Weren't Properly Notified Of New Homeless Shelter On West 58th
Filed Under:Homeless Shelter, Juliet Papa, Mayor Bill de Blasio, West 58th Street
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A new shelter is set to open on West 58th Street in Midtown, and neighbors said they did not receive proper notification.
Lawmakers, police and the local community board said they were not notified of a homeless shelter opening on West 58th Street, although the Department of Homeless Services said notice went out Jan. 9.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said notice is given after the shelter is publicly announced.
"We have an opportunity to figure out what will be done to make it work best for the community. If someone has an alternative location at that point, we're going to look at that too," the mayor said. "But we have to keep moving forward a plan. We cannot afford to keep waiting."
Homeless Services said that timeline is about 30 to 60 days before the opening of the shelter. Residents and business owners said that is not much time for input as to what works best in the community.


text:
Q: Changing text of 2 buttons from MDDropdownMenu in KivyMD I have problems with changing button text on 2 different buttons after clicking on the MDMenuItem from MDDropdownMenu - there is only one button can change self text.
Each button have to change the text separately.
In that case - two buttons, two dropdownmenus, different labels in differend menus and each button have their own text from choosen in dropdown list.
There is main.py:
from kivy.app import App
from kivymd.theming import ThemeManager
from kivy.uix.screenmanager import Screen
from kivy.uix.boxlayout import BoxLayout
from kivy.uix.anchorlayout import AnchorLayout

def toast(text):
    from kivymd.toast.kivytoast import toast

    toast(text)

class MyScreen(Screen):

    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
        super().__init__(**kwargs)

        self.menu_items = [
                {
                    "viewclass": "MDMenuItem",
                    "text": "text%d" % i,
                    "callback": self.callback,
                }
                for i in range(1, 3)
            ]

    def change_variable(self, value):
        print("\nvalue=", value)
        self.VARIABLE = value
        print("\tself.VARIABLE=", self.VARIABLE)

    def callback(self, *args):
        toast(args[0])

class MainApp(App):
    title = "KivyMD MDDropdownMenu Demo"
    theme_cls = ThemeManager()

    def build(self):
        return MyScreen()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    MainApp().run()

There is main.kv:
#:import MDDropdownMenu kivymd.menus.MDDropdownMenu
#:import MDRaisedButton kivymd.button.MDRaisedButton

<MDMenuItem>:
    on_release:
        app.root.change_variable(self.text)
        app.root.ids.mainbutton.text = self.text

<MyScreen>:
    name: 'myscrn'
    AnchorLayout:
        anchor_y: 'center'
        BoxLayout:
            orientation: 'vertical'
            size_hint: 0.1, 0.5
            pos_hint: {'center_x': 0.5, 'center_y': 0.5}
            spacing: dp(10)
            MDRaisedButton:
                id: mainbutton
                size_hint: None, None
                size: 3 * dp(48), dp(48)
                text: 'MDButton1'
                pos_hint: {'center_x': 0.5, 'center_y': 0.5}
                opposite_colors: True
                on_release: MDDropdownMenu(items=root.menu_items, width_mult=4).open(self)
            MDRaisedButton:
                id: secondbutton
                size_hint: None, None
                size: 3 * dp(48), dp(48)
                text: 'MDButton2'
                pos_hint: {'center_x': 0.5, 'center_y': 0.5}
                opposite_colors: True
                on_release: MDDropdownMenu(items=root.menu_items, width_mult=4).open(self)

Thanks for help and sorry for bad English!

A: The solution requires the following enhancements to the Python code and kv file.
main.py

*

*Add a class attribute, self.menu_button = None in the constructor of class MyScreen

Snippets - py file
class MyScreen(Screen):

    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
        super().__init__(**kwargs)

        ...
        self.menu_button = None

kv file

*

*Initialize root.menu_button in the on_release event of MDRaisedButton:

*Replace app.root.ids.mainbutton.text with app.root.menu_button.text
Snippets - kv file
<MDMenuItem>:
    on_release:
        ...
        app.root.menu_button.text = self.text

<MyScreen>:
    ...
            MDRaisedButton:
                id: mainbutton
                ...
                on_release:
                    root.menu_button = mainbutton
                    MDDropdownMenu(items=root.menu_items, width_mult=4).open(self)

            MDRaisedButton:
                id: secondbutton
                ...
                on_release:
                    root.menu_button = secondbutton
                    MDDropdownMenu(items=root.menu_items, width_mult=4).open(self)

Output

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Policy Portal
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Sponsor Marketplace
How Third-Party Ownership Helps Nonprofits Benefit from Solar
Taking advantage of the financial benefits from purchasing and installing solar PV projects is relatively straightforward for homeowners and for-profit businesses – there's an upfront capital cost of the project which pays off over time via three primary revenue sources: free electricity, state-level incentives, and federal-level tax benefits.
When thinking about solar for a nonprofit, the main disadvantage to buying the system outright is that one of the major revenue sources, the federal tax benefits, are wholly or mostly inapplicable because nonprofits have little or no federal income tax liability with which to monetize the tax benefits. These benefits are significant. For systems installed in 2020, there's a 26% investment tax credit (ITC) as well as the ability to depreciate 100% of the system in year one.
In order for nonprofits to take advantage of these federal tax benefits and extract the most value out of a solar installation, the "third-party ownership" model has emerged as a popular method for nonprofit solar financing. There are a variety of business models around the third-party ownership concept, but the most common is the "Power Purchase Agreement" or "PPA".
What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)?
Under a standard PPA, a solar developer will design, engineer, finance, construct, operate, and own the system for the term of the contract – typically 20 years. The host pays zero up-front cost and agrees to buy the electrical output of the system for the term of the contract at a cost per kWh that is lower than the cost of buying grid-delivered electricity. This arrangement provides immediate savings to the host nonprofit, as well as a long-term hedge against the volatility of the energy markets.
What about the tax benefits?
The tax benefits accrue to the system owner – under the PPA this would be either the developer or an outside financier who transacts directly with the developer. Ownership of the system is like a home mortgage – the system may be sold to different owners over its lifetime, but the developer usually remains as the "servicer" throughout the term. As a for-profit entity, the system owner can efficiently monetize the tax benefits which provide a large part of the system payback, allowing them to charge a lower per-kWh rate to the host for the electrical output.
What does this look like in practice?
From the customer's viewpoint, all of the tax monetization strategy takes place behind the scenes. The customer can shop for PPA proposals which will offer some high-level system specifications along with a per-kWh price for the electricity. The obligation to buy the output is the main commitment for the customer – the developer does all the planning and work including permitting and interfacing with the local utility and delivering a turn-key project. The host has no operations or maintenance responsibilities aside from some typically benign obligations around not disconnecting or damaging the system.
We would start, as would any other developer, by asking for some information about your site (e.g. rooftop, parking lot) and requesting a copy of a recent electric bill. With this information, providers will be able to provide you with a free, no-obligation proposal to see whether it's something you'd like to explore further.
As we always say at PowerOptions – a price is only as good as the contract terms behind it, so we encourage interested organizations to request template PPA contracts in order to evaluate different solar offers.
It's important to remember that solar incentives – both state and federal, decline over time so if you're considering solar we encourage you to start the process as soon as possible.
Walter Gray
Walter is Solar Program Manager at PowerOptions, an energy and solar nonprofit organization in Massachusetts
New England Cleantech Landscape 2021
New England has more than 200 institutions, incubators, and accelerator programs focused helping cleantech startups succeed. Join NECEC for New England Cleantech Landscape 2021 to learn about the support network working to propel cleantech innovation forward across the region.
NECEC's Cleantech Open Northeast Accelerator Opens 2021 Application
01/15/2021 12:45pm
Cleantech Open Northeast (CTONE), the region's largest cleantech startup accelerator, opened up its 2021 application round. CTONE accelerates cleantech innovation by helping startups develop their business models through expert education, guidance, and mentorship.
Building a Cleantech Innovation Community - Together
In the Northeast cleantech ecosystem, we talk a lot about the many ways the members of our community intersect, collaborate, and partner to drive innovation and tackle our world's biggest climate, clean energy, and environmental challenges. Nowhere is the power of this ecosystem more visible than in Cleantech Open Northeast and Greentown Labs.
communications@necec.org
31 Milk Street, PO Box 961390, Boston, MA 02196


Berto sofa beds. Five reasons to say: Yes, I want it!
When does a simple question turn into great satisfaction? The answer is simple because we have an example. Every time we receive a phone call, in essence a request for information, it gives us the opportunity to respond: "Thanks; we were hoping that you'd ask." We are honored to have the occasion to tell you about a specific model or explain a special feature or quote a price. We also want to share with you who we are.
Today we would like to give you five good reasons why you should choose a Berto sofa bed: we are talking about Nemo, Passepartout, Robinson, Gulliver or a model from our Spring collection.
Your sofa bed will be handmade and custom tailored just for you.
Like all Berto models, you can customize any of our models according to your needs and personal style. We are confident that Flavio, Carlo, Matelda and Luigi, Berto upholsterers with over 40 years of experience can make even your one of a kind dream sofa. You ask, How is it possible? Because with BertoSuMisura you can choose from over 3500 different types of fabrics and 500 different leathers. You can also customize the measurements, the details and stitching.
All of our opening mechanisms are guaranteed for up to 4500 consecutive openings.
You can choose between a selection of slatted bed bases, welded and electrically operated. All with the guarantee of 4500 consecutive openings. Just to be sure, we tested the mechanism personally.
Whether it is for daily or occasional use, every back needs its rest. For this reason, we have expanded our range of mattresses: standard spring mattresses 12 or 14 cm, you can choose a mattress in memory foam, poly latex lattice, individually wrapped pocket spring mattresses and finally our micro spring mattress with the new model height 18 cm.
A true sofa and true bed.
More than a year ago, we told you that the uncomfortable old rigid sofa bed too short most adults to sleep comfortably is long gone. Our challenge in the past was to investigate, prototype and provide a level of comfort that understands your needs during the day and at night. We are proud to tell you that, thanks to the goose and feather mix padding and orthopedic polyurethanes foams and exclusive designs, our sofas are real sofas and our beds are real beds.
You can contact us to find out current promotions and types of funding at zero interest rates.
All that is left for you to do is choose the model that suits you best: fill out the appropriate form or come visit us directly in our showroom. Here is the list. Or forget all that and call +39 0362-1851425, ask for Maurizio, Arianna, Carlo, Fabio or Cristina and ask: Why should I choose a Berto sofa bed?
We know that if you find something you like you will utter those fateful words: yes, I want it!


Whether you're rebranding, advertising a property or looking for new vendors or landlords Ravensworth can help bring ideas to life. With over 40 years experience in property marketing, you're in safe hands.
Produce printed materials that engage and deliver results. From direct mail to property brochures, business cards to display materials and everything in between, we're at your service.
Our online web-to-print platform Marketing Toolkit, makes creating and printing your materials easy and hassle-free. Access pay-as-you-go data for targeted direct mail that drives real results.
Use our online photo enhancer, Photofixr™, for better property images that get more clicks.
Capture imaginations with our realistic 3D CGI. Our specialists are on hand to turn your elevations into the ultimate dream, even before the first brick is laid.
We are integrated with major property software so you can easily and quickly create and print essential property marketing materials.
How can agents save time on their core marketing activities?
In a world increasingly obsessed with all things digital, it's no surprise that many estate agents are choosing to experiment with new ways to market properties and reach customers.
While pushing the boundaries can be a good thing, it's also crucial that you don't forget the proven marketing methods that have been so successful in the past.
Yes, with so many channels now available to reach customers, it can feel a little overwhelming, but the great news is that by making your existing marketing efforts more efficient and streamlined, you can free up time to experiment with new digital channels.
Below, we outline our top three tips for saving time on your core marketing activities.
Some research says people form their first impression within just 50 milliseconds, so it's absolutely vital that your branding is consistent across all customer touchpoints and materials.
You'll want your business to be instantly recognisable to customers, whether it's online, on window cards or on valuation reports. To achieve this, you could create templates for regular marketing material and store them in a centralised system – that way, you reduce the chances of incorrect branding. What's more, you'll be able to standardise how your brand is presented and eradicate the need for multiple alterations. This'll save you time in the long run.
Running an agency day-to-day can be busy and sometimes manic, so it can be difficult to find the time to produce new marketing materials, property brochures and flyers. More often than not, they can tumble to the bottom of the to-do list or be carried out incorrectly – which could in turn have a negative impact on your business.
You can save time, though, by making use of automation, which still enables you to create head-turning and correctly branded materials. Certain software platforms even allow you to produce marketing materials – such as property brochures or 20/20 campaigns – at the mere click of a button.
In recent months GDPR has been one of the biggest topics around. While there's a lot of information to process regarding the new data protection rules and regulations, this doesn't mean that your direct marketing efforts should be impeded.
Some 70% of respondents, in fact, said that direct mail makes them feel more valued and was also more likely to grab their attention and be seen as secure and important.
Even in the new post-GDPR world, there is no reason to shy away from direct mail or using customer data (as long as it's done in the correct manner). Make sure, too, that you are working with a reputable, GDPR-compliant supplier.
Here at Ravensworth we provide a number of tools and products for estate agents to allow you to improve the effectiveness of your marketing. Through our web to print platform, Marketing Toolkit, you can run direct mail and email campaigns with ease. The platform helps to bring together the worlds of digital and offline marketing, with pre-approved templates, offering customers a consistent experience from your brand.
Find out more about how Marketing Toolkit can help you save time on your marketing.


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Trevor Noah Returns As Host Of The 2021 Grammy AwardsComedian and "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah will return to emcee the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony in January, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday.
Trevor Noah To Host 'The 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards' On CBSCBS and the Recording Academy announced today that Trevor Noah, Comedy Central's Emmy Award-winning "The Daily Show" host and comedian, will return as master of ceremonies for the GRAMMY Awards.
Report: Taylor Swift, Kanye West Given Last-Minute Grammy NomsTaylor Swift, Kanye West, Abba and Lil Nas X were all given Grammy Award nominations in a last-minute move by the Recording Academy, according to a report.
Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste Dominate Grammy NominationsJustin Bieber, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X were all nominated in the record, song and album of the year categories.
64th Annual GRAMMY Award Nominees: Taylor Swift And Kanye West Up For Album Of The YearView the nominees for the '64th Annual GRAMMY Awards' on CBS and Paramount+.
'64th Annual GRAMMY Awards' Coming To CBS On January 31st, 2022The 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 31st, 2022 from 8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT, only on CBS and available to stream live and on demand with Paramount+.
'A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change' Comes To CBS On March 17thCBS will broadcast the new two-hour special 'A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change,' that highlights the stories behind the songs that have seen us through the darkest hours and greatest triumphs of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Beyonce Becomes Most Honored Woman Of The Grammys; Megan Thee Stallion Has Big NightShe didn't win album, record or song of the year, but Beyonce was the queen of the 63rd annual Grammys Sunday evening, collecting four overall awards to become the most honored female artist in Grammy history, while Megan Thee Stallion capped a banner year by collecting the prize for best new artist.
SEE IT: Top 11 Most Amazing Pictures From The 2021 GRAMMY PerformersCheck out the best shots from the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS.
See The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards List Of Winners From The Afternoon Premiere CeremonyHere is a complete list of winners from the afternoon Premiere Ceremony of the 63rd annual Grammy Awards. The balance of the awards, including top honors of record, song, and album of the year, will be presented during the main telecast beginning at 5 p.m.
LIST: 2021 GRAMMY Award Winners (Updated)Find out who took home the gold at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS.
9 Most Iconic Looks From The 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Red CarpetCheck out the nine most iconic looks from the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards red carpet on CBS.
Grammy Family: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Win Early AwardsBeyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter are the queen and princess of the Grammys.
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift Could Have Historic Night At GrammysIt could be a night for the history books for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé at Sunday's Grammy Awards — for both good and bad reasons.
MusiCares Hosts Music On A Mission Virtual Fundraising EventMusiCares, the leading music industry charity, Friday hosted a virtual fundraiser to honor the resilience of the music community — which has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBSNLA: The Rundown (Jan. 18 AM Edition)


Last week Angelo and Lou were in Suai district for 6 nights of well attended screenings to a total of 7000 people!
Upon arrival in Suai after meeting with the DA the towns and films for the week are chosen. Tuesday the 12th is a National Holiday to commemorate the tragic Santa Cruz Masacre, so for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Cinema lorosae screened Peter Gordons incredibly pertinent documentary BloodShot.
On Monday the 11th November they screened Blood Shot in Suai town itself, to 1100 people.
Tuesday the 12th they screened Blood Shot again in Matai, to a huge crowd of 1600. This was Santa Cruz Masacra memorial day, so it was very important to show this film.
Wednesday it was Blood Shot again to a 1000 people in Suai Loro.
For the rest of the week they returned to this years hit and most popular film, Timor Leste's own film, A Guerra da Beatriz.
On Thursday they screened in Kamanasa to 1500 people.
Friday a cosy crowd of 900 attended in Oques.
They finished up on Saturday night in Seran Kotek, to a healthy crowd of 1200.
Sunday the long drive home..... They will be home in Dili for a week before heading off to Viqueque.


Hello! Welcome to the last stop for both the She Did It!: 21 Women Who Changed the Way We Think and Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World blog tours hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. I'm really happy to share my thoughts on these two inspiring books with you!
Prepare to discover new heroes among these twenty-one women who challenged the status quo, championed others, and made their voices heard. From Jane Addams to Alice Waters, from groundbreaking artists and social justice advocates to scientific pioneers and business innovators, a strong thread of trailblazing women runs through American history. Written in compelling, accessible prose and vividly illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully, this collection of inspiring and expertly researched profiles charts the bold paths these women forged in the twentieth century.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
I didn't know who most of these women were before reading She Did It!: 21 Women Who Changed the Way We Think. However, I thought their stories were fascinating, and their accomplishments were truly remarkable. I'm really glad I had an opportunity to read this book and learn about some of the women who have greatly impacted the world we live in today.
Each person has a few pages dedicated to their lives and their achievements. I really liked how detailed the information was, and that it wasn't dense or done in way that made me feel like I was drowning in facts. The author tells a short story about each individual woman, their lives and contributions, and small details that referred to their personal as well as professional lives.
My husband and I took turns reading this one to our kids. The girls are still too young to understand most of it, but our son thought it was interesting. He had a lot of questions afterwards, and I would say this one is meant for an older audience, but I enjoyed sharing these stories with him. It would be a lengthy read on its own, which is why we would only read about two or three women at a time. I think that gave us time to process what we were reading, and not confuse people later on.
Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.
3 winners will receive a finished copy of SHE DID IT! 21 WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WAY WE THINK, US Only.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History comes the highly anticipated follow-up, a beautifully illustrated collectible detailing the lives of women creators around the world.
Featuring the true stories of 40 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, Visionary Women Around the World inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamar, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Maya Deren, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. Some names are known, some are not, but all of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in.
The charming, information-filled full-color spreads show the Leaders as both accessible and aspirational so reader knows they, too, can grow up to do something amazing.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World was beautifully written with amazing illustrations! It was only after starting this post that I realized all of the women have their eyes closed. I wonder if there's a reason or significance for that? Regardless, the illustrations really complemented the information being shared about each woman.
Like with the other book, most of these woman were unfamiliar. I think I actually preferred not knowing anyone, because it made for an even more enjoyable learning experience. This one is meant for younger readers, which is why I think my son paid closer attention to this one. Vashti Harrison was able to condense the information about each individual woman and present it in a way that was both informative and interesting.
I believe books like this are really important, and I'm happy that they are going to be out in the world. I want my children to know that they have the potential and the ability to do great things, and that their gender doesn't matter. It's books like this that give me hope for a better future for my children.
Part author - illustrator - filmmaker, Vashti Harrison is an artist originally from Onley, Virginia. She has a background in filmmaking and a love for storytelling. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia as a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art with concentrations in Film and Cinematography. She then went on to receive her MFA in Film and Video from CalArts where she snuck into Animation classes to learn from Disney and Dreamworks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now, utilizing both skillsets, she is passionate about crafting beautiful stories for children and young adults in the film and kidlit worlds.
3 winners will receive a finished copy of LITTLE DREAMERS: VISIONARY WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD, US Only.
Wow, this sounds like such a cool book and one that is very needed. Thanks for sharing it!
Are you talking about She Did It! or Little Dreamers? I thought they were both really remarkable books! One is more kid-friendly, but they each offer unique perspectives on people we're not familiar with.
I love both of these books, Lindsi. I am so happy to see the spotlight shining on all of these remarkable women, epsecially now as women are rising up and seizing the day with the #Me Too Movement and all the women who were just elected to Congress. It is nice to see women empowered!
I was really excited to see how many women were elected this year! It's crazy that we're still not treated as equals in this day and age. What are men so afraid of?
I love that there all these books coming out that celebrate women, past and present!
Yes! It's amazing! There are so many books on men and what they've accomplished, and women have been overshadowed and overlooked in the past. It's refreshing to see their achievements highlighted and celebrated.
Goodness, these both look AMAZING. I have wanted Little Dreamers for my daughter (and who am I kidding, myself too obviously ha) since I first heard about it, and while She Did It is new to me, it sounds just as awesome! I love all these powerful women stories! Thanks for sharing them!
Right? It's a great book for us and our children! Little Dreamers was my favorite of the two, because it was a lighter read and had beautiful illustrations! She Did It! is a little more dense, but not overly so. Both were enjoyable!


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News Banks welcome 'one stop shop' for resolving disputes: ABA
Banks welcome 'one stop shop' for resolving disputes: ABA
| Oct 31,2018
The newly created Australian Financial Complaints Authority, to begin operation on November 1, is a vital step to streamlining dispute resolution, according to a statement from the Australian Banking Association.
They believe it will make the dispute resolution process easier to access and easier to understand for customers.
CEO of the Australian Banking Association Anna Bligh said banks are strong supporters of external dispute resolution and supported streamlining the process to better help customers understand where they need to go if they have a complaint.
"A fast, free and binding service which deals with disputes outside of court is the best way for a customer's issue to be heard and quickly resolved," Ms Bligh said.
"AFCA will have increased powers including expanded scope to hear disputes from larger businesses and the ability to award compensation for direct and indirect financial loss and non-financial loss."
She stated, "the Banking Code of Practice will be used by AFCA as the new benchmark for industry practice, considering in its investigations if a bank has breached the Code and therefore its contract with the customer," she said.
All ABA banks are members of the scheme therefore financially contribute to AFCA, which will ultimately be fully funded by contributions from the broader financial services industry.
Banks Dispute Resolution
Gap between house and unit profitability narrowing: CoreLogic
How home loan mortgages rose in 2021 to record levels
2022 election promises could trigger boost in first home buyer activity
Interstate investors to be hit by new Queensland property tax
Property sector confidence at highest level since 2018: ANZ/Property Council survey


UPDATED: We've moved the date to January 11th in the below; we'll need some additional time to get the capacity opened up, and moving a bit past the holidays was needed.
We will be opening approximately 35-40 additional spaces for PowerShell Summit N.A. 2015. This change will be made sometime in the evening of January 11th, 2015, and the additional spaces will be first-come, first-served. Registration will be via PayPal only at this stage. There will be no additional capacity released after these spaces are taken.
How should folks go about getting some of these few remaining seats? Going back to the signup page?
Yup. Right now it'll show registration being closed; it'll re-open when I allocate new inventory on the 11th of January.


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Unnatural Causes: Hidden Talents
Every now and then, an actor or actress strides onto a television show and, backed by quite magnificent writing, manages to not only define the series, but often a genre. And this is never more evident than with Pat Phoenix who played - as we all know - Elsie Tanner way back in the very first episode of Coronation Street.
The original soap siren, Elsie Tanner was fiery, passionate and it was the combination of these two traits which led to achilles heel: a series of doomed relationships with the many men to tread the cobbles of Coronation Street. Away from her romantic dalliances, though, Tanner was a warm hearted and maternal soul which was demonstrated most acutely in the late 1970s as she took Suzie Birchall and Gail Potter (later Platt) under her wing.
Making her final appearance in Coronation Street in 1984, Pat Phoenix left behind a brashy, honest, incredibly Northern and soulful legacy which has yet to be matched in British soaps and, given the dire state of that genre in the modern age, it's unlikely we'll ever see such a performance again. Sadly, just less than three years later, Pat Phoenix had died following a battle with lung cancer.
Several weeks after her untimely death - Phoenix was only 62 - the final chapter in her acting career aired in the form of Hidden Talents, an episode from the anthology series Unnatural Causes which, ironically, had death at the very centre of it's narrative.
Channel: ITV (Central)
Transmission: 15/11/1986
Nellie (Pat Phoenix) is weak and bedridden in her aging, decrepit house due to a bad heart. Living out of her front room, Nellie is looked after by her son Harold (Tom Bell) who is going deaf and prone to eccentric and emotional outbursts following a motorbike accident some years previous. Relations are tense and fractious between Nellie and Harold, a state of affairs which isn't helped by Nellie's affectionate recollections of her estranged son Stanley (Tom Georgeson) who left many years before, taking with him Nellie's savings.
Meanwhile, Mrs Hargreaves (Victoria Fairbrother) has moved in across the road, but far from being a new neighbour, this is a return to the area for a grieving mother whose daughter Madeleine (Anna Manley) was found dead in the local woods 17 years ago. Harold, a talented pianist, had given Madeleine piano lessons before her death and now appears to be haunted, yet strangely obsessed with Mrs Hargreaves reappearance.
Determined to emerge from the shadow of Nellie's constant dismissal as him as a mere nuisance in comparison to her beloved Stanley, Harold hatches a devious and unhinged plan which, crucially, will provide him with a twisted sense of redemption and justice.
Behind the Production
Hidden Talents was part of the Unnatural Causes produced by Central Television and aired on ITV in late 1986. It was an anthology series which explored death and murder with writers and stars involved in the episodes including Nigel Kneale, Beryl Bainbridge, Prunella Scales and Warren Clarke.
Lynda La Plante penned Hidden Talents and her husband Richard La Plante provided the music alongside James Simpson. Don Leaver who had previously directed The Avengers and would later collaborate with Lynda La Plante on Prime Suspect was positioned as the director on Hidden Talents.
The play, however, wasn't written specifically for television as Lynda La Plante told me:
"The original script was called 'Wait til the son shines Nellie' and was performed as a stage play. I think it was the Network's decision to group various plays together that had a similar theme. I was not really fully informed about the Unnatural Causes anthology"
Hidden Talents only aired once on terrestrial TV, but episodes from the Unnatural Causes anthology were later repeated on the cable channel Carlton Select.
Uncovering the Unnatural
I was delving through a dusty set of VHS tapes when I stumbled across a Granada TV announcer declaring that the upcoming programme was the final performance by the legendary Pat Phoenix. Now, I'd never heard of Unnatural Causes, but, for some reason, I've always had a fascination with the final roles of television greats (see The Moon over Soho and Grundy). Seeing those final recorded moments of such talents is bittersweet, but fascinating as it provides one last chance to watch those recognisable stars flexing their acting muscles before the curtain descends.
And this is why I had to watch Hidden Talents and bring it to the masses (well, however many people read this blog).
A powerful and emotion-packed exploration of the disturbed psyches that humanity can find inflicted upon itself, Hidden Talents is quite, quite remarkable in its scope and storytelling. Exploring a myriad of themes, the main characters are all put through the emotional wringer as the narrative unfolds and uncomfortable truths bubble to the surface like a particularly unclean pan put back on the boil.
Central to the narrative, as with all families, is the matriarchal figure of Nellie as La Plante explains:
"I wanted to write about the power of the mother figure and the effects she had on both of her sons, Stanley and Harold. She had harboured regrets for her own lack of talent and kept deadly secrets about her sons"
Nellie is a woman whose entire life is packed full of regret. Drinking from a crystal glass given to her by her mother in law, Nellie recalls how she had a promising future in acting, but this dream was dashed when she became pregnant. Her world view soured by this, Nellie's life appears riddled with bitterness. And yet her son Stanley appears to be the one shining light she is still desperately holding onto, all this despite his sudden disappearance and theft of her savings. It's a disturbing obsession, one which finds Nellie celebrating Stanley's well endowed form and even saying she would have been tempted had he not been her son.
Harold, of course, has clearly been subjected to a life of misfortune which has led to mental health problems, but these have been exaggerated and accelerated by Nellie's maternal disinterest. With Nellie taping his mouth shut when the police came to call to discuss Madeleine's disappearance and death, it's no surprise that Harold teeters precariously on the edge of sanity even without his motorbike accident.
Stanley, built up as a magnificent, charming individual by Nellie, is, in fact, following his reappearance, a guarded individual. Sure, there's a handsome, suave charm about him (in sharp contrast to Harold's shabby form), but it feels as though the engaging personality that he once possessed has been snuffed out long ago. Something is clearly troubling him upon his return and there's a nagging sense that perhaps he should have stayed away, removed from the past and whatever problems are entrenched in it.
The final character involved in Hidden Talents is Mrs Hargreaves who we only ever glimpse as a grey haired, mournful, almost ghostlike apparition haunting the streets and, more importantly, the mindsets of Harold and Stanley. She provides an unsettling, distressing backbone to Hidden Talents that really ratchets up the emotional impact of the narrative.
And all of these characters are played with absolute aplomb by the actors involved. Phoenix, despite her ill health, delivers a tour de force performance which draws from her tremendous wealth of talent. It's difficult to imagine a finer way for an actress to sign off and should surely be held up as a masterclass in range. Tom Bell is just as amazing in his role as Harold which calls for a level of mental imbalance that is disturbingly realistic and takes in an astonishing ability to flit between differing emotions with complete ease.
Working with these two talents, in particular, was a real pleasure for Lynda La Plante:
"Pat Phoneix was a joy to work with. She was very keen to play a role that showed her acting talents and was completely different from her famous character in Coronation Street. It was a such a fantastic experience to watch her interact with the wonderful Tom Bell, and was a wonderful demonstration of their respective talents"
Tom Georgeson has a difficult role to play, having to combine a sense of deception with an eventual realisation that he's clearly at the mercy of Harold's plan for revenge. And, ultimately, he quite literally breaks Nellie's heart. There's a brooding, cagey nature running through Stanley's veins as he arrives within the play, but Georgeson slowly dismantles this into a dramatic, emotional meltdown as Hidden Talents concludes. Victoria Fairbrother may be used sparingly, but the chilling impact that her haunted hollow eyes brings to Hidden Talents is compelling, so, when she finds a brief moment of joy at the play's conclusion, it's devastatingly effective.
Lynda La Plante's script, of course, fuels all of the actors' brilliance and it's a script which is ingeniously plotted and constructed to hold all of its themes of regret, loyalty and family up to the light with a disturbingly grim clarity. Slowly letting the script breathe with long pauses between snatches of dialogue, La Plante teases out the individual plot strands without ever letting too much away until the dramatic reveals. It's a relatively early script from La Plante, but hints at the indelible impact she would make on British television.
Bringing the script to life is Don Leaver's marvellous direction which, although it may appear simple, actually reflects the uncomfortable, almost nightmarish feel of La Plante's script. The set is dark and dilapidated which perfectly encapsulates the fortunes and mindsets of the central characters. Nellie's house feels as though, much like her, it's on its last legs and any sense of hope departed its aging walls long ago.
La Plante has fond memories of working with Leaver as she recollects:
"He was a very encouraging and dedicated professional. He believed it was important to direct the script as written and not to, as in so many instances, attempt to rewrite the script or add his own interpretation. He always listened and gave great encouragement to us all. I will be eternally grateful to have had the privilege and experience of working alongside him"
This feeling of uneasiness is given further strength by Richard La Plante's recurring piano theme which echoes throughout the episode to underline the sense of regret on offer.
Hidden Talent?
A fantastic slice of dark and disturbing television which explores familial themes that many people would rather brush to the side, Hidden Talents is a testament to the talent involved with the play. Pat Phoenix couldn't have asked for a finer send off and, as it aired, it must have reminded the world of what an inimitable talent it had just lost.
Posted by Telly Viewer at 7/22/2017
Billy Smart 22 July 2017 at 15:58
Thank you so much - this is invaluable!
You don't mention that Lynda La Plante also wrote a short story of 'Hidden Talents' for the series' rather interesting tie-in book -https://img1.etsystatic.com/159/0/13543371/il_570xN.1240347477_ekcr.jpg
Another play from 'Unnatural Acts', 'Ladies Night', is due to be released on DVD in September - http://networkonair.com/coming-soon/2666-crunch-and-other-stories-the
This is as part of a collection of three plays by Nigel Kneale, one of the first titles in Network's new 'Television's Forgotten Dramas' range - https://forgottentelevisiondrama.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/forgotten-tv-drama-dvd-range-launched-in-association-with-network-distributing-ltd/ I'm currently writing the booklet for it!
Telly Viewer 22 July 2017 at 16:29
Only earlier I was thinking "I'd love to see the Nigel Kneale episode" so this is fantastic news! Thanks for the tip off, Billy!
Mark 22 July 2017 at 19:00
Ooh what a cast! Thanks for uploading this to YT as I'll certainly be taking the opportunity to watch this
It's well worth a watch. Easily one of my most interesting uploads.
stangerlore 24 September 2017 at 20:42
Really pleased you made this avaliable to watch, this whole television play strand really hits the mark in it's mission to be twisted and disturbing.
It's unlike a lot of others of it's kin and an example that ITV could do what the BBC did when it wanted to. Unnatural Causes clearly deserves a D.V.D release, when I see some of the things that have been put out on D.V.D from British television it leaves me confused and disapointed.
Your blog is also of great value, thank you :)
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Will I be stripped of my Nice Jewish Girl status if I tell you that the Moskowitz family actually has some pretty sweet Christmas traditions? We are spiritually, religiously and culturally Jewish and so do the usual Chinese-food-and-a-movie thing on Christmas eve along with all the other Israelites in my hometown of Santa Rosa, CA. But after that, it's Moskowitz Secular Christmas Time.
After our chop suey and egg rolls, we head back to my parents' house where my mom gives us all special Christmas eve pajamas (Yes, I realize that I am almost thirty. She gives them to my fifty-eight-year-old dad too.). We all put on our new pajamas, sip spiked eggnog and and listen to my father play the piano (Do you hate me for my nauseatingly nuclear family yet? Hope not.). In the morning, we exchange presents and eat an extravagant breakfast courtesy of my mom, consisting of mimosas, coffee, eggs, bacon and monkey bread—a lovely, sticky, caramel-y combinations of fluffy biscuits, cinnamon, melted brown sugar and butter. Lots of butter.
Most people make monkey bread using canned biscuits and, though it's delicious any way you make it, I wanted to give it a shot using a fresh egg-y yeasted bread dough. The result: scrumptious. Like one big brown-sugary cinnamon roll.
I don't own a Bundt pan, which is what is typically used for monkey bread so I went free-form and it worked just fine. Feel free to use a Bundt pan if you have one though—it'll ensure a prettier, more cohesive result.
3 tsp ground cinnamon $1.50 for 1 oz.
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a baking sheet or Bundt pan liberally and set aside.
Combine the milk, yeast and honey in a large mixing bowl and set aside, allowing it to activate for 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, 4 tbsp of the melted butter, the flour and the salt and stir well to combine. Continue stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes (this can also be done in a food processor or stand-up mixer for about 4 minutes). Transfer kneaded dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
Combine the brown sugar and the cinnamon in a bowl. Stir well and set aside. Set the remaining melted butter in a small bowl next to the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
Turn risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and use your hands to pat it into a 6" x 8" rectangle. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into about 48 1" squares.
To form the bread, lightly flour your hands. Pick up a square and roll it gently between your hands until you have a round ball. Dip it in the butter and then immediately into the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture and place it on the prepared pan. Continue with the remaining dough, butter and brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, piling the balls on top of each other in sort of a stacked wreath.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit for fifteen minutes in a warm spot.
Remove plastic wrap and bake monkey bread for 25-30 minutes, or until brown and sticky. Serve immediately.


text:
Q: GXT (EXT-GWT) Default Grid Widget implementation. What's wrong? Sample Code for Grid
public class GraduateProject implements EntryPoint {

    public static List<Student> getStudents() {
        List<Student> students = new ArrayList<Student>();
        students.add(new Student("Kostas", "Trichas"));
        students.add(new Student("Dimitris", "Elotriviaris"));
        students.add(new Student("Dimitris", "Moutafidis"));
        students.add(new Student("Stavros", "Baltas"));
        students.add(new Student("Panos", "Paikos"));
        students.add(new Student("Nikos", "Antarakis"));
        students.add(new Student("Vagelis", "Papaiakos"));
        return students;
    }

    @Override
    public void onModuleLoad() {

        List<ColumnConfig> configs = new ArrayList<ColumnConfig>();

        ColumnConfig column = new ColumnConfig();
        column.setId("fname");
        column.setHeader("First Name");
        column.setWidth(250);
        configs.add(column);

        column = new ColumnConfig();
        column.setId("lname");
        column.setHeader("Last Name");
        column.setWidth(250);
        configs.add(column);

        ListStore<Student> studentList = new ListStore<Student>();
        studentList.add(getStudents());

        ColumnModel cm = new ColumnModel(configs);

        final Grid<Student> grid = new Grid<Student>(studentList,cm);
        RootPanel.get().add(grid);
    }

}

And the error:
onModuleLoad() threw an exception
Exception while loading module com.graduateproject.client.GraduateProject. See Development Mode for details.
java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:39) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:597) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.ModuleSpace.onLoad(ModuleSpace.java:396) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.OophmSessionHandler.loadModule(OophmSessionHandler.java:183) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.BrowserChannelServer.processConnection(BrowserChannelServer.java:510) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.BrowserChannelServer.run(BrowserChannelServer.java:352) at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:680)
Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: Deferred binding failed for 'com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.grid.GridTemplates' (did you forget to inherit a required module?) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.GWTBridgeImpl.create(GWTBridgeImpl.java:53) at com.google.gwt.core.client.GWT.create(GWT.java:98) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.grid.GridView.initTemplates(GridView.java:1351) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.grid.GridView.init(GridView.java:1224) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.grid.Grid.onRender(Grid.java:880) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.Component.render(Component.java:1022) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.client.widget.Component.onAttach(Component.java:1636) at com.google.gwt.user.client.ui.Widget.setParent(Widget.java:449) at com.google.gwt.user.client.ui.Panel.adopt(Panel.java:127) at com.google.gwt.user.client.ui.ComplexPanel.add(ComplexPanel.java:97) at com.google.gwt.user.client.ui.AbsolutePanel.add(AbsolutePanel.java:97) at com.graduateproject.client.GraduateProject.onModuleLoad(GraduateProject.java:58) ... 9 more Caused by: java.lang.IncompatibleClassChangeError: Found interface com.google.gwt.core.ext.typeinfo.JClassType, but class was expected at com.extjs.gxt.ui.rebind.core.TemplatesGenerator$SourceGenerator.validateType(TemplatesGenerator.java:142) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.rebind.core.TemplatesGenerator$SourceGenerator.generate(TemplatesGenerator.java:97) at com.extjs.gxt.ui.rebind.core.TemplatesGenerator.generate(TemplatesGenerator.java:56) at com.google.gwt.core.ext.GeneratorExtWrapper.generate(GeneratorExtWrapper.java:48) at com.google.gwt.core.ext.GeneratorExtWrapper.generateIncrementally(GeneratorExtWrapper.java:60) at com.google.gwt.dev.javac.StandardGeneratorContext.runGeneratorIncrementally(StandardGeneratorContext.java:662) at com.google.gwt.dev.cfg.RuleGenerateWith.realize(RuleGenerateWith.java:41) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.StandardRebindOracle$Rebinder.rebind(StandardRebindOracle.java:74) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.StandardRebindOracle.rebind(StandardRebindOracle.java:259) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.ShellModuleSpaceHost.rebind(ShellModuleSpaceHost.java:141) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.ModuleSpace.rebind(ModuleSpace.java:585) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.ModuleSpace.rebindAndCreate(ModuleSpace.java:455) at com.google.gwt.dev.shell.GWTBridgeImpl.create(GWTBridgeImpl.java:49) ... 20 more

A: I figured it out myself. There is an incompatibility between the latest GWT 2.2.0 SDK and the standard EXT-GWT version 2.2.1. I switched back the GWT version to the previous release 2.0.4 and everything works fine. I hope EXT-GWT will soon update it's SDK to catch up with GWT.


The Conversant One-to-One Relationship Engine (Core) was awarded "Best Industry Innovation" at the 2017 iMedia ASPY Awards. Now in their 14th year, the ASPY Awards recognize the industry's best marketing technology that contributes to the innovation and growth of the entire industry. Selected based on votes from the agency community, Core was recognized as the most innovative product supporting advertising this year.
Core is Conversant's massive, continually learning engine that builds on the industry's largest set of consumer data. Through Core, pseudonymized first-party data is combined with third-party data and over 80 billion daily online interactions to develop a unique, privacy-protected CoreID for each consumer. Core intelligently aligns this data, measures it and makes decisions using it – driving meaningful and personalized customer relationships for Conversant's brand clients.


In central Queensland the Indian owned mining company Adani is trying to build one of the biggest coal mines in the world. But an indigenous group has declared it will oppose the mine being built on Aboriginal land. Adrian Burragubba, one of the traditional owners, speaks to Lateline from Brisbane.
TONY JONES, PRESENTER: In Central Queensland, the Indian-owned mining company Adani is trying to build one of the biggest coal mines in the world, but today a group of traditional owners have announced that they won't allow the mine to be built on Aboriginal land.
Now, this challenge is shaping up as the biggest test of Australia's Native Title laws in almost two decades.
The Adani project has been dogged by controversy about the mine's potential impact on ground water and on the Great Barrier Reef, but the Native Title dispute is threatening to become an even bigger obstacle than the environmental approval process.
Well in a moment we'll speak to one of the key traditional owners. First, this report from John Stewart.
JOHN STEWART, REPORTER: Traditional owners from Central Queensland today presented the new Speaker of the Queensland Parliament with a Defence-of-Country Declaration opposing the $16 billion Carmichael mine project.
PROTESTOR: I'd just like to say: don't destroy what God gave to us to enjoy, His creation.
PETER WELLINGTON, SPEAKER, QLD PARLIAMENT: I'm receiving this as one of 89 members of Parliament. As the Member for Nicklin, you've asked me to raise this and take this matter with the Premier, the Premier of the state, and I will raise your concerns with our new Premier of Queensland.
JOHN STEWART: The Wangan and Jagalingou people lodged a Native Title claim over most of Central Queensland's Galilee Basin in 2004 and say the Carmichael mine would destroy their ancestral lands and cultural heritage.
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA, WANGAN AND JAGALINGOU ELDER: We seek to draw upon the goodness and the decency of all humanity and all of Australia to stand with us.
JOHN STEWART: The Carmichael proposal from Indian group Adani covers more than 200 square kilometres, making it potentially one of the largest black coal mines in the world. It includes a plan to ship coal by train to Abbot Point on the North Queensland coast near Bowen.
Today a spokesman for Adani challenged Adrian Burragubba's right to speak on behalf of the Wangan Jagalingou people and said that other members of the group wanted the mine to go ahead.
Some lawyers say this dispute could become a pivotal test case for Native Title legislation.
STEPHEN KEIM, BARRISTER: If this does go through the arbitral process and if the Indigenous groups maintain their opposition, but notwithstanding that, the mine is approved, the question will arise whether Australia is acting consistently with what it adopted in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. So from an international point of view, it's also a major question for our country.
JOHN STEWART: The proposal received Federal and State Government approval in July last year, subject to 36 conditions focused on conserving ground water.
CAMPBELL NEWMAN, QLD PREMIER (July, 2014): We believe in economic growth, but we believe in protecting the environment. Any condition imposed by this government is something we take very seriously.
JOHN STEWART: Approval came despite a warning from an independent scientific committee that the mine could have major impacts on ground water throughout the Great Artesian Basin.
Green groups have launched a campaign attacking Adani's environmental impact in India.
MAN (GetUp! YouTube video, translation): The emissions leave black residue on the salt. We are no longer able to get good rates for it in the market.
JOHN STEWART: Adani's Carmichael mine proposal involves expanding the Abbot Point coal terminal by dredging the sea floor. Plans to dump the sediment on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef caused a backlash and two weeks ago the Federal Government announced a ban on dumping within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Now the sediment will be dumped on land.
GREG HUNT, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER (March 25, 2015): Today, what we are issuing is the draft regulatory statement, which will ban capital dredge disposal in the marine park forever.
JOHN STEWART: Environmental concerns may not be the proposal's biggest obstacle. Some mining analysts have repeatedly said that without a rise in global coal prices, it may be impossible for Adani to raise the billions of dollars needed to get the project started.
TONY JONES, PRESENTER: Adrian Burragubba is one of the traditional owners who oppose the Carmichael mine. He's speaking on behalf of the Wangan and Jagalingou Council and he joins us now from Brisbane.
Thanks for being there, Adrian. Why are you trying to stop this mine exactly?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA, WANGAN AND JAGALINGOU ELDER: Well it's at the wishes of the people. They have made the decision back in 2014 on 4th October, the claim group came together and they voted down the Indigenous land use agreement, and we've just been carrying that through. Their wishes are that we don't consent to the mine and we're not going to accept any of their offers.
TONY JONES: What's wrong with the mine because the Federal Government says it's going to create indirectly and directly 10,000 jobs? I mean, couldn't you use this leverage to create jobs for Indigenous people?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well there is a concern about the jobs. We do know that there will eventually just be about 900 people as a skeleton crew once that all the infrastructure and all that's built, so there is only a limited amount of jobs. So, that's not something that we are really considering as the council. We're just considering what the group has said back in 2014, that out of a conscience vote, we voted down the land use agreement.
TONY JONES: Yeah. Well there's always tension when mines are proposed on Aboriginal land, but quite often it works out, in fact, for the most part, in fact just about every case it works out that the community, the traditional owners work out some kind of deal, a trade-off for wealth and jobs for Indigenous people to go allow the mine to go ahead. Why is your council doing it differently?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well what we are seeking as a people is self-determination. The Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council are now - in a position now to make our own decisions on what would be the best for us. And because of this position that we're in now, it is up to us now. And we don't really take kindly to people trying to undermine our decision-making processes, as I've been appointed as the spokesperson for the people and I represent the people in general as the majority.
TONY JONES: So, are you saying there's no sum of money, no deal the Adani mine operators could offer you to change your mind - or offer your council, I should say, to change your minds?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well as the Wangan and Jagalingou Council, we just prefer to not even accept any offers at this stage. We're concerned about the environment and our laws and customs that are in that land and this is a conscience vote on behalf of the people. They finally realised what was happening out there in the middle of Central Queensland and it could potentially destroy their environment and fracture it beyond repair.
TONY JONES: I was going to say that because no-one's ever actually done this before, this is already shaping as a kind of major test case of the Native Title laws. Are you - are your lawyers telling you, for example, this could go all the way to the High Court?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well we're just a humble people, you know, Tony, and this is just something that our people have made the decision and when we sit in council, it's just us making decisions about what's good for our children and what the future is for us and what will happen. And we don't know about the legal ramifications or what may occur. We are only just calling upon the Queensland Government to rescind that agreement to take away our rights and also to stop that mining lease.
TONY JONES: As you know, a spokesman for the mine owner, Adani, says what's really going on here is an internal dispute between two groups of traditional owners within your own council. They say - well they actually claim you're not the authorised spokesman. Tell us what's really going on here in your view.
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Oh, you know, Tony, in any situation where there's a society, there are differences of opinion and we're aware of that and everyone knows that, OK, you know, there's some dissenting views about what would be the best thing for our people. But, in my position, I can only speak on behalf of the majority of the people and the majority of the people appointed me as an applicant through the Native Title process. And so, I sit in that position, as well as two other applicants, who are then therefore responsible to a representative group that was appointed by the claim group. So the process is our decision-making processes and we're not subject to outside influences as far as that is concerned.
TONY JONES: Well, it is a bit complicated, though, because who is it actually that Adani says they're negotiating with within your council? Because they say - I don't know whether this is a divide-and-rule kind of strategy, but they say they're actually negotiating with people within your council, but just not you?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well, if we can just go back to 2014 on 4th October, it was the decision of the claim group to reject the land use agreement and this is what we're focusing on. And when we are considering about any further negotiations, we have said no and we don't consent to the mine. And we have in no uncertain terms said to them that we don't want anything that you have to offer. Now, they're not prepared to come and talk to the right people. They're talking to a few individuals that - I don't know what they're doing. They have some self-interests, I don't know.
TONY JONES: So just finally, you're absolutely convinced the council is with you on this or that you're speaking on behalf of the council, the majority of the council and you're going to stop the mine - is that the bottom line here?
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Well, look, to be honest, Tony, I can only speak for what my people tell me to say and I am the spokesperson for the Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council. And we have said to Adani "No" and no means no and we will not accept anything that they have to offer and we reject any land use agreement with them and we don't consent to them destroying our homelands and our laws and customs, separating us completely from and destroying our cultural heritage.
TONY JONES: Well that's pretty emphatic. Adrian Burragubba, we'll have to leave you there. We thank you very much. Thank you for coming to talk to us tonight.
ADRIAN BURRAGUBBA: Thank you very much. Thanks for having us.


This website and all Shooting Sports documents are being updated. Check back often to stay up-to-date on the latest program materials and programs.
Cub Scout Shooting Sports Age Appropriate has changed. The Cub Scout Shooting Sports documents are in process of being updated so please use this new guide for your programs.
Follow this link to download the new Age Appropriate Guide approved in May 2018.
Check out the new sites which are program specific with the links below.
Your council must engage an architect or engineer locally to ensure your final design incorporates local geography and is meeting all local standards and laws for your county or state. The guidelines established are minimum standards, the final design must contain the projectile within the range. Designing an all-purpose range is not desirable because of the specific differences in the disciplines.
A Scout and a Venturer or Sea Scout are chosen annually to represent our program as a youth ambassador for the NRA Brownell Youth Ambassador Program. The application for submission and more information about the program can be obtained by clicking this link. Applications are due August 1 for consideration and should be submitted electronically to shootingsports@scouting.org.
National Camping Schools 2019 brochure.
This NRA Certification is required to attend National Camp School Shooting Sports Section. This course is designed for your shooting sports staff will be attending NCS in 2018 or volunteers on your shooting sports committees to run year-round district and council shooting sports programs as rifle and shotgun instructors.
NEW: Due to a large number of changes and additions to BSA Shooting Sports since the Shooting Sports Manual was released, here is some corrected and supplemental information to follow until a new Shooting Sports Manual is produced.


According to legend, the memory wall is the great lost sequence of The Motion Picture which was only cut because of time restraints.
According to legend, the memory wall is the great lost sequence of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and was cut only because it was impossible to complete the necessary effects in time for the movie's December release.
The truth is that, although it was incredibly expensive, the sequence was abandoned because it failed on many levels. Director Robert Wise rejected it during post-production and replaced it with Spock's spacewalk.
The original idea for the sequence was that Spock would leave the Enterprise without Kirk's permission in an attempt to explore V'Ger and learn more about it.
In the completed film, he travels through a series of corridors before mind melding with a memory sphere that is part of a digital version of Ilia. He then collapses and is rescued by Kirk.
In the earlier version, Kirk pursues Spock when he leaves the ship and follows him into a curved corridor. Before he can catch up with the Vulcan, he is trapped by a group of crystals, which rapidly cover him and pin him to the wall.
On the bridge, the crew watch and a horrified Sulu advises Kirk to use his phaser. Kirk has the same idea but cannot reach his weapon. He calls to Spock for help, desperately describing his predicament until only stasis is transmitted.
Spock, who at first appears not to have heard, suddenly heads toward his captain, draws his phaser and evaporates the probes that threatened to short-circuit Kirk's life support unit. Spock explains that he was out there seeking answers, which leads Kirk to ask: "Answers to what, Spock? Our dilemma… or your personal one?" The two men continue to explore V'Ger together, stopping to examine a sensor bee.
Proceeding into the "memory wall" with Spock, Kirk watches as the Vulcan grasps a small, floating sensor device similar to the one implanted within the Ilia probe's throat. The two watch in fascination as the device flows back to its programmed path when released.
Within the crystal-like wall, Spock discovers mechanisms that store information, including the dematerialized Klingons and Ilia. Announcing the necessity to mind meld with the crystals and learn the truth about V'Ger, Spock removes one of his gloves and, touching the crystals, begins the meld. As in the final version, a quick series of abstract patterns follow Spock's scream and this would have led directly into the sickbay scene.
Problems with the sequence emerged as soon as filming began. The memory wall set — essentially a long, curved corridor — was built by Robert Abel and Associates. As soon as Production Designer Harold Michelson saw it, he knew that it was going to cause problems. In many ways the set was impressive; the inner wall was translucent and patters of light were back-projected on to it, suggesting that complex information was stored by V'Ger.
However, there was a culture clash between the Abel studios and the production team. Abel's people had created detailed storyboards for the sequence, which they had thought would be followed closely. The trench and memory wall sets were scheduled to have been enlarged using matte paintings, animation effects and superimposed miniatures. Plans called for crystal-like formations extending far off into the distance and the trench was designed to be shot from a distance so the image could be inserted into the center of the final film, with a false-perspective miniature and optical paintings extending it in much the same way as the sequence in which Kirk and his people leave the Enterprise saucer section and walk to V'Ger.
The production team was used to working in a very different way and expected to be able to modify the sequence as they filmed it. The way the set had been constructed, none of the walls could be removed, so the actors could only be shot from a restricted range of angels. The Abel staff felt that the answer could have been to shoot more footage of the actors against a blue screen like models and then composite them into the scene. Production felt this approach was impractical. Instead, the actors had to be flown through the set on wires, but the rig needed to do that proved incredibly unwieldy.
In addition, because of the practicalities of visual effects at the time, the crystallization scene and the sensor bee had to be filmed on set rather than be added later. William Shatner had no stand-in for this and had to endure being encased within the first spacesuit design (which was extremely hot because it was essentially a camouflaged diver's wetsuit) for long periods while effects technicians affixed dozens of small, pyramid-shaped structures, covered with front projection fabric to make them glow under the proper lighting. Each pyramid was attached to a wire and during the take all the wires were pulled simultaneously so the structures "flew" away from Kirk. When printed backwards, it would appear as though all the pyramids were affixing themselves to the captain.
A plaster arm was also constructed and on a small set in Robert Abel's effects installation closeups were shot of Kirk's arm being covered by the structures.
Had it been used, the first "space walk" would have appeared to have a lot in common with scenes in the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, in which performers also "floated" on wires while clad in wet suits and in which Requel Welch was also encased within large numbers of floating "antibodies" (filmed in the same manner as Kirk's experience).
Several members of the production team were not convinced by the results this produced. In the end, everyone from the production team and Abel studios felt that the shooting was a disaster. When Doug Trumbull was brought on to the project, Director Robert Wise gave him the go-ahead to abandon what had been done and film a new version of the sequence, which restricted Kirk's involvement and concentrated on Spock.
Good summary, but there are a few errors. It's Robert Abel & Associates, not Associations. In one spot the text reads "mind melt" instead of "mind meld". Finally, the pyramids attached to Kirk were not all pulled off at once. I've seen a few seconds of this Kirk attacked footage and they were yanked off sequentially, not simultaneously. The footage does indeed look terrible, and the wires are quite visible, so they made the right call dropping it.
You don't cite sources, so where does the information come from regarding Abel actually building the memory wall set?
Thanks for pointing out the typos! I fixed those.
The source is listed at the bottom: "The Unseen Star Trek (Part II–Star Trek: The Motion Picture)," an article published in Star Blazers Magazine.
I always wanted to see this scene; it would have provided some (more) physical action to the film, and explain how V'ger actually worked (and use the crew's phasers). Also liked the idea of Kirk and Spock exploring V'ger as a team. This scene would also have provided a "hands on" scale to V'ger not shown by the quick trip Spock made via jetpack (er… thruster suit). Paramount could make lots of money adding this to a new DVD release.
Nick, you missed a couple of typos.