Rani Das was born on the 9th of May 1958 at Udalguri town situated on the northern bank of Brahmaputra river, in the present Udalguri district, which was then part of the undivided Darrang district. Her father Late Karuna Kanta Das used to be Post Master in the Post Office, employed with the Post and Telepgraph Department of the Government of India. Her mother was Late Bharati Das. Her paternal family is based in the Sualkuchi village, situated near Guwahati city, which bears the distinction of being one of the largest village in Asia and is the main hub of the weaving industry of Assam.
It is due to the interest shown and executed by her music lover father that shaped her into a reputed singer. As her father's job was transferable, the family was hopping between many towns in Assam. In almost every town that became their dwelling her father arranged for her lessons in music, apart from the formal education. In culturally vibrant Tezpur, she got music lessons from Mira Das who happened to be the first women Bisharad from the renowned Bhatkhande institute of Lucknow. Then she was taught music by Punyabrata Goswami, the Xatraadhikaar (Abbott) of Nikaamul Xatraa (Vaishanvite Monastery). He was reputedly a recipient of the Ambedkar Award.
She sang in her school and in the college and in the stage functions in the erstwhile undivided Darrang district. One of the residents of that area, who is her contemporary and whose father was also in the Postal Department at that time being and incidentally who is now her neighbour in her present residence in Guwahati, remembers fondly her popularity as a singer during that period in those localities. She has been singing in the All India Radio centre at Guwahati since 1977. She has also sang in many audio cassettes that includes Bihu folk songs.
She completed her formal school education from Tezpur Girls High School, and college education from Darrang College, both in Tezpur. She became a graduate in Arts in 1980, from Gauhati University, Guwahati. She has been working with the State Bank of India since 1985 and currently she is serving as Deputy Manager of a branch in Guwahati city. She was married to Mr Ajit Das, a businessman from Guwahati and they have two sons.


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Home > News > Sprankling Teaches Course at Russian Institute
Sprankling Teaches Course at Russian Institute
Distinguished Professor and Scholar John Sprankling
Distinguished Professor and Scholar John Sprankling taught this summer at the St. Petersburg Summer Law Institute in Russia.
Sprankling taught International Environmental Law, one of six courses offered in the annual program that is co-sponsored by the University of Arkansas School of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and McGeorge. Eighteen law students, eleven from American law schools and seven from Russian universities, were in his four-week (June 28-July 24) class.
McGeorge, which prides itself on the international teaching experience of its faculty, has had six professors teach in the St. Petersburg program in recent years. Professors Michael Malloy, John Sims, Linda Carter and Paul Paton have each participated in the institute along with retired Professor Emeritus Claude Rohwer.
St. Petersburg State University, founded in 1724, is among Russia's most prestigious universities. The Law Department is one of its oldest colleges and numbers among its graduates many famous lawyers and political leaders including Dmitry Medvedev, the president of Russia, and Vladimir Putin, the former president.
Tags: faculty-&-scholarship, 2010
Alumni Advisor Network
Learn more about the McGeorge Alumni Advisor Network and register.
Legislative & Policy Clinic
Four bills drafted by students in the clinic became law.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is a book of ideas for parents and ambitious youth soccer players that have a deep desire to progress through the ranks at a 'faster-than-usual' rate, stacking the deck in their favor to jump levels in game, make the team of their choice, and maximize their gifts and abilities. It is a resource that addresses the question, 'What more can I be doing?' There are things you should know as you embark on your journey to be the best soccer player and person that you can be. It's tough and competitive out there, as the margins for achievement are getting smaller. The internet has provided content for coaches (and players ) at every level, which means that training environments are getting more and more similar. So how will you separate yourself from the pack?


During the month of February, our goal is to fund 5,000 moments of Joy for seriously ill kids. Help CCA make this happen through a donation in our Joy Drive today and your gift will be automatically doubled.
Buy one, buy 10 – all ticket purchases support CCA's innovative programs that create joy for seriously ill kids, teens, and their families! One lucky winner will be drawn on Valentine's Day, February 14, at 7:10 pm, on KGW's Live at 7.
We're back on the airwaves with our friends at KGW, to engage you, our most passionate community partners. Tune-in to watch inspiring stories from kids and families we serve and make a donation to fund CCA's programs of JoyRx. It's your generous support that allows us to provide free-of-charge program services to seriously ill kids and their families – thank you!
Purchase $1, $5, and "give your way" paper hearts for yourself, friends, and loved ones at these generous businesses spanning over 100 locations throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Dates vary by location. 100% of your purchase will fuel CCA's programs of joy for kids facing cancer and serious illness.
Become a monthly donor today and thanks to a special generous partner, your sustaining gift will be matched all year – creating a stable foundation for our programs of JoyRx.
And, if you make a commitment of $84/month, or make a leadership gift of $1,000, we'll mail you a set of special cards featuring artwork designed by kids in CCA's Chemo Pal® Mentor Program. Thank you for believing Joy Matters!
We are incredibly grateful for our Hearts of Joy community partners. Their kindness and commitment helps CCA provide free-of-charge programs and services to 35,000 seriously ill children and their family members throughout the year. Thank you!


August 20, 2013 -- San Diego, CA – In its continuing effort to end the harassment, fraud, and abuse rampant in California State Family Courts, a parents' rights group, the California Coalition for Families and Children, has filed a lawsuit today in federal court charging the San Diego County courts, social workers, divorce attorneys, and psychologists with federal racketeering charges.
I have considered filing a federal lawsuit myself. I would have done it, if I thought that it would do any good.
I wish them luck, but the federal courts have devised a long list of excuses for dismissing these sorts of caes without ever addressing the merits.
It wont do any good, it will likely be dismissed and not allowed to progress.
you were smart to not waste your time filing an action. though sometimes it can be effective to file against your spouse to just cause more paper to fly back and forth, rarely but sometimes.
This obliges mother and father to be able to risk-free their particular kids future through nevertheless offering with regards to necessities and also other family requires. In the event that one of many mother and father attempt to get married to once again,frank byers decatur il also addresses prenuptial arrangements which gives safeguard to be able to his or her resources in addition to makes sure that they are rightfully fond of your children if your appropriate time happens.


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BREAKING: Christian Pastors Michael and Peter Released!
BREAKING: Christian Pastors Released!
By Jordan Sekulow14387850033141438785003314
Christian Pastors Yat Michael Ruot and Peter Yein Reith have just been released by a Sudanese judge.
The Christian pastors, originally from South Sudan, were on trial because of their faith, facing possible death sentences.
After a major international outcry, including more than 220,000 who have signed our petition for their freedom at BeHeardProject.com, the pastors are now free.
Pastors Michael and Peter are eternally grateful for the prayers and voices of all those who have taken action for their freedom.
We spoke with the pastors following their release, and they asked us to share their gratefulness.
Pastor Michael said, "They released us today. We are happy. We had heard we won't be released. But praise God!" Pastor Peter echoed his friend's joy saying, "We are very happy now we are free because of your prayers. Thank you for all that you have done for us. God heard your prayers and we are free! With the help of Mohaned [Mustafa] and his team, they do great work for us and God uses him."
This is a major victory in the fight against Christian persecution worldwide. The voices of hundreds of thousands of people demanding justice have been heard. The prayers of millions have been answered.
Last month, we sent an emergency legal letter to the new Minister of Justice of Sudan explaining why international human rights law and treaties agreed to by Sudan require a fair trail and the protection of Christians from religious persecution. Officials from the Minister of Justice's office then began attending the trial, showing that the international pressure was having an important impact. Today, the judge convicted the pastors of a lesser offense and immediately released them for time already served. The judge stated, "[T]he sentence they served in prison is enough, release them immediately and return the mobile phones and laptops" to them. Now they are free to go.
Last year we led an international advocacy campaign for the release of Christian mom Mariam Ibraheem who was on death row in Sudan for her faith. Mariam was released after a similar international outcry. Over the last several months, we've been working directly with Mariam Ibraheem to pressure Sudan to likewise release these two Christian pastors. Now, like Mariam, Pastors Michael and Peter are free.
We continue to pray for the pastors' safety and are working with our contacts on the ground and our international affiliated offices in the region to ensure that they and their families are able to safely settle in a location of their choice.
Thank you for your prayers, your voice, and your support of our ongoing efforts to defend persecuted Christians worldwide.
United States Adds Nigeria to List of Religious Freedom Violators
By Paul Archuleta1608153165617
We have long been advocating for the protection of Nigerian Christians who have been facing extreme persecution and violence at the hands of Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen. Now, the United States has officially designated Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) for its violations of...
Horror in Africa: ACLJ Delivers Universal Periodic Review to UN
We've been warning the world for years that the deadly violence against Christians in Nigeria is going to spread like wildfire across the entire continent of Africa if it is not put out quickly. Now reports show that violence against Christians is burning far beyond Nigeria's borders. Recently, we...
Upholding the Rights of Christian Victims in Pakistan
Our international affiliate, the European Centre for Law and Justice's (ECLJ) office in Pakistan, the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA), has secured a big victory for a Christian family. Our client, Waqar Masih, a 27-year-old Christian man, was shot four times by two Muslim men, Muhammad Shahbaz and...


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Hi Grandad
by Daniel Fri 14 July 2000 Mon 28 January 2013 Friends and loved ones
Chong Quinlem – my grandad, circa 1946.
I feel like I've just met my grandfather (on my dad's side) for the first time. Which is a bit strange, since he died long before I was born. It may be a bit odd, but my dad's never gone in much for sentimental stuff, and it's taken this long for me to get a picture of grandad, courtesy of an uncle and my sister.
So for the first time, I've seen what he looks like. It's an eerie feeling, seeing a close relative for the first time, even if the picture is over fifty years old. He's suddenly an actual human being, rather than just a name I'd heard mentioned a few times over the years.
Sure, there's photos of other family members that came with this one, but somehow this one really got to me. I think it's because he looks like he was about the same age as my grandad on my mum's side, who I have met. Plus it's something to do with the way he's looking at the camera. Somehow it seems like he has something he wants to say to me. But of course he can't.
What would he say if he were here now? I don't know – I don't think he even spoke a lot of English. And even I understood Cantonese, he'd probably be looking in bewilderment at the computer I'm typing on, and asking what the heck is it.
His name was Chong Quinlem. Family legend has it that his name was meant to be the other way around, but it got mixed up by a government department. The fact that it never got changed back probably indicates where I got my "Ooh, can I really be bothered? No stuff it, that will do" attitude from.
In fact, I was a Quinlem for a while. It was good in that anybody could find you easily in the phone book, but bad in that nobody but nobody could spell it (which in turn lessened the likelihood of being found in the phone book). The change from Quinlem to Bowen is a long (well, medium length at least) story involving parents divorcing and my mother taking back her maiden name, and us kids following suit.
Okay, it was actually quite a short story.
Anyway, so now people can't find me in the phone book. But at least they can spell my name.
The Two AMs


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Hill Pigeon
Cheonansa Temple
Grey-rumped Loghry
Hills near Jirisan
Hill Pigeon Columba rupestri
Hill Pigeon Columba rupestri - flashing the diagnostic white subterminal band
Loghry came up last weekend on short notice, so we birded the heck out of Saturday. We hit Suncheon Bay hard in the morning, then impulsively decided to head an hour north to Cheonansa Temple - the only reliable place in South Korea to see the elusive Hill Pigeon. We both had never seen one yet, with Loghry having dipped at Cheonansa before.
The temple was in a peaceful little spot perched in a quiet valley, echoing with the sounds of typical forest birds for this time of year. We wandered around for about 10 minutes before we both froze at the sight of a grey blob perched under the eaves of a temple building. Hill Pig! Yeah, I call Hill Pigeons 'Hill Pigs' now, in an attempt to be cool. When I see a Tree Sparrow, I just make a quick 'Trssp!' sound, because I don't want to be seen to make the effort to say the bird's actual name.
Back to the Hill Pigs. Yes, I know they may look very much like your average everyday city-type crumb-eating pigeons, but I assure they are so much more. We saw only three on the day, and the maximum seen at that site is perhaps 18. Which is 18 more Hill Pigeons than you're likely to ever see in Korea. I believe they used to be much more widespread, but, like many species in this country, are having a hard time dealing with the voracious development that is steadily chewing up and shitting out the remaining wild and natural parts of Korea. See all the birds now before they're gone. Quick quick!
A serene bird, the Hill Pigeons seemed to watch us back, sizing us up. The white subterminal band on the tail is the giveaway, but after having stared at the field guides for years I was unprepared for the overall crisp elegance of the bird in the field. From the gentle gradient of the maroon breast markings, to the clean metallic grey basecoat, the bird stands out. Hill Pig!
Labels: Korea-Jiri Mountain, Korea-Mainland, Korea-Suncheon
More March images
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Here are a few more bird images taken in Suncheon over the past few weeks. Jason Loghry was in town over the weekend, and we had an interesting day out on Saturday - more on that soon.
A Month in Suncheon, February 12-March 12, 2015
Hooded x Common Crane hybrid
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki
Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi
Jeju Salamander Hynobius quelpaertensis
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
My first trip to Suncheon Bay was in the chilly early morning gloom of February 16th, with several visiting English birders. We initially spent a couple of hours in the quiet reedy area towards the north, and buntings were well-represented, with Rustic, Yellow-throated, Black-faced, Little, and Pallas's Reed Buntings. Small numbers of Chinese Grosbeaks, Olive-backed Pipits, and Dusky Thrush were working the trees and lawns in the more park-like sections. Also seen were small groups of Bean and Greater White-fronted Geese, White Wagtails, and several Eurasian Spoonbills. At least 800 Hooded Cranes awed and impressed with several mass flybys. There was a large, lightly-coloured hybrid of the two species mixed in. Black-headed and Saunders' Gulls were both seen floating around the mudflats, while a Western Osprey and Hen Harrier scanned for prey a bit further out.
On the 20th I returned to Suncheon Bay, but avoided the raucous holiday throng in the paid area and walked along the quiet river trail back towards town. The mix of birds was similar to the 16th, with the addition of 11 Cinereous Vultures, and an inquisitive band of Chinese Penduline Tits.
Thankfully it was quieter, people-wise, when I returned to the bay on the 27th with Helly, focusing this time on checking a forested hill for birds. Parts of the hill were dense with an assortment of birds, including roving groups of Vinous-throated Parrotbill and Long-tailed Tit, as well as a group of about 20 Japanese White-eyes, and a similarly-sized pack of noisy Eurasian Siskins. Also on the hill were smaller numbers of Coal, Great, and Varied Tit, and several confiding Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers, while the scrubbier slopes were teeming with Yellow-throated and Rustic Buntings. The lookout at the top of the hill afforded us a view of ten Eurasian Spoonbills, and about 300 Hooded Cranes on the mudflats, with several suspected hybrids mixed in. Working the thermals overhead were a Northern Goshawk, four Cinereous Vultures, and two Eurasian Kestrels. 'New' the reedy area were seven Northern Lapwings and three Common Mergansers.
On February 28th I walked from Suncheon bus terminal to Suncheon Bay, via a path along the river. The first few kilometres were mostly birdless, thanks to the sterilized riverbanks – with the scrub and reeds cut down. Towards the Garden Expo, I encountered two birds that I wasn't expecting to see for another couple of months – a lone Little Ringed Plover, and a Pacific Swift. The latter was wheeling endlessly over a small section of river, at times mobbed by a pair of White Wagtails. Heartening early signs of migration. Further down the river, as the vegetation improved on the riverbanks, the bird numbers and diversity spiked, with a good mix of expected winter birds in evidence. A Naumann's Thrush perched in a small persimmon orchard near the bay was another unexpected highlight. On March 11th, I got to Suncheon Bay in the crisp dawn hours, and was rewarded with spectacular solitude for several hours, which is not a common situation at Korean tourist attractions! There were over 400 Hooded Cranes in the fields around the bay, with several hybrid birds mixed in. Highlights included a confiding Naumann's Thrush, a much less confiding Chestnut-eared Bunting (one of seven bunting species seen), several Chinese Penduline Tits, and my first Japanese Bush Warbler of the year.
In the hills in and around Suncheon proper, the trees and scrub are alive with Long-tailed, Varied, Marsh, Coal, and Great Tits, Goldcrests, riotous mobs of Vinous-throated Parrotbills, infrequent Japanese White-eyes, Red-flanked Bluetails and Daurian Redstarts, with Pale and Dusky Thrushes lurking at the woodland edges. A hilly area near a small reservoir was buzzing with 140+ Eurasian Siskins on February 18th, while four rosacea Eurasian Bullfinch fed nearby.
At the base of Suncheon's central mountain, it was a treat to watch a group of ten Azure-winged Magpies noisily work their way through a large grove of bamboo. A garbage-filled stream nearby perhaps surprisingly held a dozen Korean Crevice Salamanders writhing out from under rocks, amidst several large egg sacs. This lungless species was only discovered in 2005, by an American English teacher (*update: it seems they were in fact Jeju Salamanders). Small numbers of Japanese Pygmy, Great Spotted, and White-backed Woodpecker were busy feeding on different parts of the mountain.
It's been a rewarding month of birding in Suncheon, with 88 species seen. However, in a place like Suncheon's Lake Park, the scene is similar to what is happening all over this country. The banks of a stream have been made effectively sterile by the addition of big slabs of rock and the removal of most reeds and natural scrub, with heavy pedestrian traffic all around. While the 200m section of stream in the park is picked clean of trash regularly, the same stream is trash-choked for dozens of kilometres on either side of the park, with many locals dumping large appliances and heaps of general waste into the water. Very little bird life is in evidence in these locations, in spite of nearby 'Eco-Geo' posters depicting large flocks of wild birds flourishing.
Labels: Amphibians, Korea-Suncheon
My new patch (Suncheon)
Good to back, in some ways at least. I've been in Suncheon, South Korea for a few weeks, but it's always a bit hectic getting over jet-lag and settling into a new situation. I have been birding regularly, and there will be a big fat report up here in the very near future. Until then, here are some images of my lovely new patch (10 minutes from my door), Suncheon Bay.
I'm guessing this may be the only time I bird three continents in one winter.


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You are visiting the placeholder page for Roger Cormier. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for Roger Cormier. We created this page automatically in hopes Roger Cormier would find it. If you are not Roger Cormier, but are an alumni of Gardner High School, register on this site for free now.


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The Wine Counselor®
About The Wine Counselor®
Dinner Events
BOURBON'S BETTER THAN EVER!
January 18, 2019 Michael Schafer
BOURBON'S BETTER THAN EVER!
Twenty years ago the American whiskey industry was in dire straits. Scotch, particularly single malts, ruled the whiskey world. Vodka, just like today, was the planet's most popular spirit. Bourbon was more popular outside the U.S. than at home. Distilleries were closing, production was way down, and the future was bleak.
How things have changed! Producers can't make enough whiskey today. Demand is booming, with no end in sight. Classic and craft cocktails — and a desire for local products — have contributed to the raging popularity of spirits.
U.S. sales of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey have grown steadily over the past decade, and exports topped $1 billion in 2013, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. And in January, the Japanese beverage giant Suntory made a bid to purchase the Beam Inc. portfolio for approximately $16 billion in cash. Included in that portfolio are many beloved brands, including the iconic Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Booker's, and Maker's Mark. If the sale proceeds, Suntory would become the world's third largest liquor company.
2019 Update: The combined companies are now called Beam Suntory, Inc. and are the third largest producer of distilled spirits worldwide.
Suntory's malt whiskeys have garnered many top awards. If you saw the 2003 film Lost in Translation you may recall Oscar nominee Bill Murray's endorsement: "For relaxing times, make it Suntory time."
Back across the ocean, business is booming, too. Michigan State University professor Kris Berglund has been conducting "how-to" distilling workshops for several years. Micro-distilleries are popping up about as fast as brewpubs were less than a decade ago. From Corktown to Traverse City, entrepreneurs are crafting a wide variety of spirits. The state estimates distilling could add $400 million a year to Michigan's economy.
Bourbon is as American as apple pie. Seriously. Upon leaving office, President George Washington distilled 11,000 gallons of whiskey at Mount Vernon to become the country's largest distiller! But some history and terminology first. All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon.
Confused? Let's step back a bit.
COMING TO TERMS: A WHISKEY PRIMER
The word whiskey is Gaelic in origin, meaning "water of life." Back in the day, like other adult beverages, it was much safer to drink than water. In essence, whiskey (or whisky with no "e" but let's not make things too confusing) is a spirit distilled from grains including barley, corn, wheat, and rye. The process is chemically rather simple, like so many of life's pleasures. It's the details that matter.
Whiskey is like distilled beer, but without the hops. Malted grains are steeped in hot water, releasing sugar. This sugary liquid (wort) is cooled. Yeast is added to convert the sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide. Now known as the "wash," this liquid generates lots of heat while frothing dramatically.
After fermentation is finished, the liquid is distilled. Distillation purifies the wash by evaporation and condensation. (Hang in there, we're almost done!) Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water. As the wash is heated, alcohol rises from the still before the water, condenses into liquid, and is collected. Two types of stills are used: continuous stills and pot stills.
Once the spirit is collected, it's aged in oak barrels. The type of barrel used, how and where it's stored, and the length of time the whiskey ages are critical. The types of grain, the distillation method, and the casks make each whiskey unique.
Production of whiskey is tightly controlled and highly regulated. Proof is defined as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV), so a whiskey that is 50 percent ABV is 100 proof.
Proof is not simply a way to measure strength. As the whiskey is distilled, the aromas and flavors are concentrated. While a higher-proof product isn't necessarily better, many experts contend that as proof increases so do the aromatics and the flavors.
In the past, tavern patrons who suspected their glass of whiskey wasn't up to snuff performed a test. Spirits burn at just over 50 percent alcohol. They would take apart a bullet from their gun belt and dump the powder on the bar. They would then wet the powder with the whiskey. Lighting a match would determine if the whiskey had been watered down. If the powder burned yellow and just fizzled out, the spirit was diluted. If it burned blue and flashed, it was proof of the whiskey's quality. (Note: Please don't try this in public.)
TYPES OF WHISKEY
There are countless variations of whiskey. Scotch is popular. From American bourbon (more on this shortly) to Irish and Canadian whiskeys, the range of styles and flavors is amazing. Here in the U.S., we also produce rye whiskey and Tennessee whiskey.
IRISH WHISKEY : The Irish claim they invented whiskey — and may well have. The answer is hidden in history's mist. Irish whiskey is regulated by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980. It must be distilled and aged in Ireland. The spirits must have an ABV of less than 94.8 percent from a yeast-fermented mash of cereal grains. The whiskey must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks. Popular brands are Jameson, Bushmills, and Redbreast.
SCOTCH WHISKEY : Scotch is perhaps the most famous style. It must be made using water and malted barley and fermented only with the addition of yeast. It must be distilled to less than 94.8 percent ABV (Sound familiar?). This whiskey must be matured in Scotland for no less than three years in oak casks and bottled at a minimum strength of 40 percent ABV. It may contain caramel for coloring. Blended scotch is blends of whiskeys, frequently from different distilleries. Any age on the bottle must refer to the youngest whiskey in the blend. Examples are Dewar's, Chivas Regal, and Teacher's. Single malt scotches are the product of a single distillery. Glenfiddich, Macallan, and Laphroaig are popular. Single malts range from salty and briny to smoky and earthy. They reflect the terroir (sense of place) just as fine wines express their origin.
CANADIAN WHISKEY : Canadian whiskey is popular with bartenders. It's light and blends well in cocktails. Tradition dictates that blended whiskey is made from a base whiskey and a flavoring whiskey. The base whiskey, usually from corn, is light in flavor and accounts for the majority of the blend. The flavoring whiskey, frequently with a high rye content, makes up the rest. This brown spirit must be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada. The ABV may exceed 90 percent, like scotch and Irish whiskey, and it must be aged in wooden barrels for at least three years. A bit over 9 percent may be "other flavorings" such as sherry, fruit, or foreign whiskeys.
RYE WHISKEY : Virtually unseen from Prohibition until the 21st century, rye is rockin' again. Per Uncle Sam, it must be made with a minimum of 51 percent rye, aged in new charred-oak barrels, and distilled to no more than 80 percent ABV. It is barreled for aging at no higher than 125 proof and is bottled at no less than 80 proof. To be labeled "straight rye whiskey" it needs to be aged for at least two years. Rye is much spicier than its cousin bourbon. It's dry and fruity; bourbon is sweeter and smoother.
Did 'The Real McCoy' Start in Detroit?
According to one legend, the expression "the real McCoy" originated just across the Detroit border in Windsor. (More likely, it's a corruption of the Scots' "The real MacKay" that dates to the 1850s. But why let the truth get in the way of good story?) During Prohibition, Bill McCoy and his son operated the Hiram Walker dock for Canadian Club (according to some stories, he was a smuggler). Lots of smugglers claimed to provide good whiskey to thirsty Detroiters but didn't always sell quality products. Entrepreneurs who bought directly from McCoy and son got the genuine Canadian Club. It quickly became widely known as "the real McCoy"!
TENNESSEE WHISKEY : Similar to bourbon, Tennessee whiskey is distinguished by the Lincoln County Process, commonly known as charcoal filtering. Sugar maple wood is burned to make charcoal. The distilled spirit, known as "white dog" whiskey, is then filtered through a vat of maple charcoal chips prior to aging. This charcoal filtering mellows the whiskey, producing smoother, drier liquor.
BOURBON : In 1790, President George Washington and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton created an onerous tax on distilling and spirits. Debts owed to France and Spain for money loaned to the colonies during the Revolutionary War were due. The Whiskey Rebellion by the farmer-distillers of Maryland and Pennsylvania was quickly quelled by 13,000 militiamen led by none other than the father of our country, George Washington!
Many folks moved west to the then wild country of current Kentucky and Tennessee to avoid paying the despised tax. Corn grew like wildfire, especially in the limestone soil where present-day Louisville and Lexington are located. Settlers distilled their corn surplus to make whiskey. Bourbon County, named after the House of Bourbon in France in gratitude for their help during the Revolutionary War, soon became the epicenter of the nascent whiskey industry. When the whiskey labeled "Bourbon County" became popular in New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, customers started asking for bourbon as a brand. Not quite as established as champagne, but a bit before Prada!
BARRELS OF FUN
Toasting or charring is an ancient practice. Back in the day, Romans dropped a piece of charred bread into their wine goblet. Why? It reduced the acidity of less-than-perfect wines. (Citizens of Rome would also "toast" each other with wine from a common vessel, ensuring that it wasn't poisoned!)
The origin of the charred barrel — for many the distinguishing characteristic of bourbon — is a matter of conjecture. A popular account is that Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister and distiller from Kentucky, was the first to use them when a fire burned many of his barrel staves. Too frugal to discard them, he turned the charred sections to the inside of his barrels (hoping no one would notice), filled them, and shipped it to New Orleans. During the journey, the char worked its magic.
A more likely explanation: Most distillers bought barrels that had been used to ship fish and meat. They didn't want the pickling agents to taint their whiskey. After scraping the insides of the barrels, they would light the insides on fire to sterilize them. This charring effect caused the wood to release natural sugars. While the barrels baked in the sun, the whiskey was partially absorbed into the charred staves. As it cooled, the spirit "returned" to the center of the barrel — smoother, darker, and tastier.
Bourbon was the drink of choice in Wild West saloons. Its popularity grew until the Civil War. After the war, there were far fewer distilleries and gin overtook bourbon because it was easily made in a bathtub.
"Show me the way to the next whisky bar; oh don't ask why; oh don't ask why."
— from the Bertolt Brecht poem, "Alabama Song" (popularized by The Doors )
World War I and Prohibition devastated the industry. The only way you could have a legal drink was if you had a prescription! But it spurred the roots of one of the most popular sports in America: NASCAR.
Moonshiners continued to make whiskey, and moonrunners drove down twisting, tortuous hilly roads to deliver to thirsty customers. Outrunning federal "revenuers" and avoiding their roadblocks with a tank of 'shine in the back of their souped coupes was no Sunday drive. When Prohibition finally ended in 1933, the moonrunners began racing each other for fun and money, giving rise to the NASCAR we know today.
In 1964, Congress named bourbon "America's native spirit." It's defined in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations. To be called straight bourbon, it must be produced in the U.S. of a grain mix of at least 51 percent corn distilled at less than 80 percent ABV (160 proof ) without any additives (except water to reduce the proof ) and aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred white oak barrels.
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Chernobyl Children Cancer Care Cardiff (The 5Cs) is a small, non denominational, non political Cardiff based charity that is officially twinned with the Belarusian Childrens Hospice in Minsk, Belarus.
In1986 reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine exploded. The wind was northerly, resulting in Belarus receiving 70% of the fallout.
is situated in a comparatively clean area of Belarus called Zabrodya. Our main aim is to fundraise to open this summer camp and to provide volunteers to run it every summer.The majority of the children that attend the camp are disabled or recovering from cancer. The camp provides a vital holiday for the children as well as respite for their parents.


Perk up your morning with this utterly delicious and super easy Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake! Creamy, crisp and tasty!
Wow, can you believe that this is the second breakfast recipe I am sharing this week?!?! OMG right? I think I'm finally converted and am really digging these delicious and easy breakfast dishes that I've been inhaling. Yes, inhaling…that's about the only way I can describe the situation at hand.
I love recipes that I can prepare ahead of time and throw in the oven then I'm ready to eat them. Might be why I'm addicted to crock pot recipes because it's a fix it and forget it and in the end I'll have a delicious meal that I didn't really take all that much time making…but it looks like I did. Deceiving little devils!
Raspberries are one of my favorite fruits! They are almost up there in ranks with bananas, and if you know anything at all with me then you know that I LOVE BANANAS, well more baked goods with bananas in them, but isn't that really kind of the same thing?
Ok, moving off of the banana bandwagon, french toast is something that I've always personally loved. But stuffed french toast is another story! So I made this Smore's French Toast when I first started blogging (forgive the HORRENDOUS pics) and that was where my love of stuffed french toast came alive.
So obviously I had to share one of my favorite flavors of stuffed french toast and give it a little spin and make this Overnight Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake! Holy cow that name is looooong!! But it's hard to cut it off because then it wouldn't really tell you what it is that I was making!
Challah bread is cut into pieces and layered then topped with cream cheese and raspberries and then another layer of bread. Drench it in some cream, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon and let it sit overnight to soak. Bake it up until golden and gooey and drench with syrup!!
This Overnight Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is perfect for breakfast or brunch, making enough to fill up everyone and keep your family or guests happy! Plus it's easily customizable with whatever type of fruit you desire!
A fun twist on the classic french toast this over night bake is full of raspberries and cream cheese.
Spray a 9"x9" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
Add half of your challah to bottom of pan and sprinkle with raspberries (reserving a few for topping) and cream cheese.
In bowl mix together your eggs, cream, honey, cinnamon and sugar and pour over top of your bake until covered.
Remove from refrigerator abut 30 minutes before baking.
Preheat your oven to 350 and place covered bake in and bake for 30 minutes then remove tin foil and bake for another 30 minutes until tops turn golden and center is set.
Wow, this sounds incredible … it's like the birthday cake of breakfasts.
Made this today for brunch and it is a keeper! I think perhaps my loaf of challah was slightly too big and my raspberries slightly sparse. Thank you for this!
That raspberry looks delicious – great photo!
So perfect for spring brunch!
We absolutely love overnight french toast at our house – this raspberry cream cheese version sounds super decadent!!
Thanks so much Becca, it's a favorite here for sure!
In the directions you mention vanilla, but that's not listed as an ingredient. Is the "honey" supposed to be "vanilla" in the ingredients?
How long could this sit in the fridge before baking? Would it be possibly to make this a day or two days ahead of time?
I'm sorry I'm just getting to this now, my comment system was down! I wouldn't leave this in really much more than a day…maybe 2, but not longer than that.
I made this for our Christmas family brunch it was so good. They gobbled it up. I couldn't find the challah bread so I used Hawaiian sweet bread, I added 1tsp. of vanilla, and I had raspberry syrup to drizzle on it after dishing it up, YUM! It was a hit! And super simple, I love it! Thank you for sharing!
Made this today for a brunch party substituting French Brioche for Challah bread and strawberries for raspberries based only on what I had on hand. Results were amazing! This recipe is so helpful and will definitely be a go-to in the future.
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! And I'm so glad you made it work for what you had on hand, thats always the best!


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Drinkware & Housewares
Bars and Restaurants Challenge Michigan Law Banning Promotional Products, Part 1
The fight over the Michigan Liquor Control Code Act of 1998 spills over into the promotional products community.
By Kyle A. Richardson
Decorated glassware, imprinted coasters and branded chalk boards are effective promotional products and staples in bars and restaurants across the country—except in Michigan, where local law prohibits the use of many items featuring alcohol brand logos. Several of the service industry's mainstays have been banned across the state for years, but now some businesses in Michigan are lobbying to change those laws.
The Michigan Liquor Control Code Act (MLCCA) of 1998 prohibits a liquor manufacturer or vendor from providing anything with a "secondary value" to a retailer, a definition that extends to bars and restaurants. Logoed coasters, glassware, uniforms, ashtrays, napkins and more all provide another function beyond advertising, and therefore cannot be given to the local watering hole.
It isn't just the giveaways that are regulated. Tavern owners can buy these products either blank or with the name of their own establishment printed on them, but they can't use pint glasses featuring a beer brand, even if they've purchased them from a store or distributor. Even permitted items, like posters and point-of-sale displays, are limited to specific dimensions and uses. No items under any circumstances can be co-branded with the name of both a bar and a beer.
The labyrinthian laws exist for two reasons: one, to discourage the over-consumption of alcohol, and two, to support the "three-tier system," a state-mandated business model designed to control liquor sales by separating the market. Under the rules, governed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, a business can register only as a supplier (brewers, vintners and distillers), a retailer (bars and restaurants) or a wholesaler that acts as a middleman between the other two. The relationships flow one way: Suppliers can only sell to wholesalers, who can only sell to retailers, who can only sell to the public.
Many states have strict and often archaic laws regulating the sale and distribution of alcohol, yet Michigan is alone in its level of control over promotional products, preventing retailers not only from receiving logoed merchandise but also from buying it. The question is, why?
Openers Plus
E Kyle A. Richardson Author's page
Kyle A. Richardson is the editorial director of Promo Marketing. He joined the company in 2006 brings more than a decade of publishing, marketing and media experience to the magazine. If you see him, buy him a drink.
Our 5 Favorite Promotional Products of the Week: BAMKO's Dunkin' Cups, 'Up' Merch and More
The 3 Product Categories Seeing the Most Demand
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Our 5 Favorite Promotional Products of the Week: Baseball Bat Mugs and More
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Matthew Perry Is Having A Lot of Fun With His Limited 'Friends' Merchandise Line for COVID-19 Relief


Word has been received of the death of Sister Mary Therese Coursey, CSC, who died at 12:00 a.m. on September 24, 2018, in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Brooklyn, New York. Her initial profession of vows was made on August 15, 1954.
Having lived and ministered on three continents, Sister Mary Therese crossed one last border at midnight, when one day ends and another begins. She died at Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana, on September 24 and began eternal life several hours before first dawn. The native of Brooklyn, New York, had lived a full life of 85 years, 67 of them in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, as an educator and musician with a strong sense of mission at home and abroad.
As was common in the convent prior to the Second Vatican Council, a novice often received the name of one or both parents, if possible. Such was the case when she received the name Sister M. James Therese upon reception of the holy habit, August 1952. Her father was James Patrick Coursey and her mother was Nora Therese O'Toole. Many a religious vocation has been nourished and supported within the family. She returned to her baptismal name in 1983, still honoring her mother and retaining her patroness, St. Therese of Lisieux.
As Sister James Therese, her first 11 years of ministry in Catholic elementary education began in 1954 at schools in Texas, Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York. Sister applied to go overseas and, after a period of preparation, was assigned in 1966 to Bottomley Home Orphanage in Tejgaon, East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh. She taught English to the children up through junior high level. After earning her Master of Arts in Religious Education from Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, Sister trained catechists and teachers in the villages and was supervisor of schools in Jalchatra and Tangail, Bangladesh, from 1972 to 1982. She was very proud of having received a certification in the Bengali language and studied the tabla drum for almost three years, music being an avocation since her youth. From 1987 to 1990, Sister helped prepare aspirants to enter Holy Cross.
Sister served 22 years in Bangladesh and three more in Ghana, West Africa (1983-1986), as coordinator of religious education for the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese. She returned stateside and to elementary education in Huntington Township, Long Island, New York (1991-2005), until she retired to the motherhouse in 2006. Reflecting on her years in Asia and Africa, Sister wrote that education was "our greatest contribution" wherever there was illiteracy and it was her desire "to share in the struggle of the people to overcome it by being a teacher or training teachers." At times, she added, "Our fingers were in too many pies," and she regretted how difficult it was to plan when dealing with immediate needs.


After careful consideration, your dentist like Beaverton family dentist Dr. Walker may decide that a filling is necessary for your dental health. You may envision traditional silver fillings, but there are actually many options when it comes to protecting your teeth from decay.
What is the Purpose of Dental Fillings?
Fillings are required when there's evidence of tooth decay, also known as cavities. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that, when exposed to sugar, create acid that attacks teeth. Tooth enamel breaks down, creating a hole that is called a cavity. Fillings are materials placed in teeth that help stop the progress of tooth decay and protect it for future use.
It's the presence of mercury that has caused controversy in recent years. Mercury is a known toxin, and there has been concern among scientists and dental professionals that mercury is released from these metal fillings when they're placed and when we use our teeth to chew.
Although there is concern, there's been no definitive evidence regarding long-term harm from amalgam fillings. If you currently have a metal filling, it needs to be regularly evaluated by Dr. Walker at Murray Scholls Family Dental – if it still functions well, it should be left alone. However, if it needs to be replaced, consider talking with your dentist about alternatives to amalgam fillings.


"Mari Kimura, violin; Roberto Morales Manzanares, flutes, piano, Veracruz harp. Manzanares' choice of instruments and techniques reveals a panoramic sweep extending back to the vast pre-Columbian civilizations of the Central and South Americas, back across the treks over the Bering Strait, and on rafts over the Pacific, back to Asia and forward again on all circuits. In Kimura's extended violin technique, another look backward, through the veil of the European academy and through the language of gagaku and noh. They finally meet in an illuminated place outside of all location, temporal or spatial." - -Elliot Sharp.


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I've Been to 52 Consecutive Daytona 500s, and Nothing Seems Normal This Year
First Daytona 500 in the COVID-19 era is a bit unsettling to writer who's covered the last 52 Daytona 500s.
By Al Pearce
A small, yellow, single-engine plane circled Daytona International Speedway for about an hour Thursday afternoon, shortly before the first of two 150-mile Daytona 500 qualifying races.
It towed a banner proclaiming "Fresh seafood on the river at Down the Hatch."
The pilot had no way of knowing that hardly anyone below was watching him work. At almost any other time during race week, tens of thousands of stock-car fans would have been on the sprawling DIS property, waiting for the 150s. (Both qualifying races featured last-lap drama and popular winners Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon).
Not even NASCAR icon Richard Petty looks the same this year at the Daytona 500.
The absence of fans and the spooky silence that time of day—other than the plane—said as much about Speed Week '21 as anything.
They've been gathering in great numbers at NASCAR's most important track every February since 1959. It's unlikely anyone back then—even Bill France and his posse—could have imagined what they had wrought. The inaugural 500 had a controversial photo-finish —Lee Petty over Johnny Beauchamp—and most of the next 60 have had their moments, too.
A national sports tradition, the 500 is the only NASCAR race much of America deigns to watch. But thanks to COVID-19, nothing will compare to what we'll see over the weekend. There's already an underlying vibe of uncertainty as we approach the 500. Nothing seems normal, no matter the time frame in question. The stillness surrounding Daytona Beach is palpable enough that old-timers note the changes. Traffic near the Speedway is of no great worry. Popular race-themed restaurants aren't abuzz as usual. Fuel isn't quite as obscenely overpriced as most Februarys and hotel rooms seem available and relatively affordable.
It's obvious that C-19 continues to vote for Florida as its favorite breeding ground. Thankfully, at least some right-thinking people are taking notice and taking care of themselves and others.
There will be some fans in the stands on race day, but the speedway has been directed to cap attendance at 30,000 for the Daytona 500.
Only 30,000 tickets have been approved for Sunday's 500-miler, forcing tens of thousands of long-time fans to reluctantly (and in some cases, angrily) stay home. The ones here will be socially distanced throughout the massive main grandstand. (Good luck to the staff trying to enforce that). Fans must wear masks, undergo brief health screenings at the gate, and told to not jam together at rest rooms and concession stands.
Unlike every other NASCAR weekend, they'll be kept outside the garages and barred from pit road. A very limited number of fans can buy their way into the Fan Zone, which normally is packed with partying Gen-Xers. (Thank You For Your Understanding, a sign says). It's also likely that only a few autographs will be signed since close contact is forbidden between fans and competitors.
And while nobody cares what the media goes through…
The Speedway's infield Media Center will be relatively empty. Designed and built to accommodate about 175 writers, fewer than 30 will be scattered throughout the room. The press box, which overlooks the frontstretch and can accommodate almost 50, will host fewer than half that many. The Speedway doesn't release figures—attendance, media requests, purse money, etc.—but clearly it hasn't issued nearly as many credentials as usual. (In their defense, it's far easier to control 55-60 working journalists than twice that many).
Al Pearce's NASCAR's race coverage dates back to 1969.
And the media has no more freedom of movement around the Speedway than ticket-buying fans. We're not allowed into the garages or into team haulers to talk with drivers or crewmen. Our credential doesn't clear us for pit road access, thus limiting us (and, by extension, you) from last-minute scoops. The new "no-contact" policy means no quiet one-on-one interviews, traditionally an important time to get honest answers. Unlike past 500s, we can't watch inspection, attend the drivers' meeting, or wander behind the pits during the race, looking for insights.
The whole thing is a bit disconcerting for someone who's been credentialed to 52 consecutive Daytona 500s.
I'd been in the infield Media Center for almost an hour on Thursday before I heard anyone speak. That's because one of the Speedway's eight new rules is stated on big posterboards throughout the building: Refrain From Conversing With Others Near Other Media Working Stations.
"Hey, how you doing?" a long-time friend asked from across the room. "Fine," I said through my mask, then offered my well-worn Speed Week disclaimer. "I'm just trying to get through Sunday night."
Alas, it might not be so easy this time.
The Daytona 500 is one of the true biggies on the American race schedule. Are you as excited as ever for this year's race, or has the last year of COVID-19 and everything else going on in the world taken a little luster off of "The Great American Race." Let us know your feelings in the comments section below.
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Addison Lee Aims to Bring Self-Driving Taxis to London Streets by 2021
BusinessAddison Lee Aims to Bring Self-Driving Taxis to London Streets by 2021
An Addison Lee delivery van drives through central London, Britain (image: REUTERS/Toby Melville)
Addison Lee, the taxi company, feels London passengers are ready for self-driving cars. The firm is betting that people will be willing to hire automated taxis in three years' time.
Self-Driving Taxis
Taxi company Addison Lee is working with Oxbotica, a self-driving software specialist, to bring automated vehicles to London's streets. The company is betting London passengers will be ready for the experience by 2021.
Though Addison Lee is the first among London's taxi companies to make such a direct effort with self-driving cars. However, that doesn't mean the firm will have the only automated vehicles in London. Uber, the ride-hailing service, has also been quite involved in the technology. It has expressed its own intentions to start rolling out driverless vehicles on its ride-hailing network. That company is still waiting to receive regulatory permission to put its automated cars on the road.
Digital Public Road Mapping
Addison Lee and Oxbotica are working together to digitally map public roads throughout London and its surrounding area. These maps will provide position records for everything from streets to road signs, kerbs, and traffic lights. This way, when autonomous cars are ready to roll out, the complete digital maps will be fully prepared.
Andy Boland, head of Addison, said the company's goal is to offer passengers shared minibus shuttles they can use for their daily commute or to get to places like the airport. Boland explained that the new tech would assist the firm in being able to "address congestion, free space used for parking and improve urban air quality," in London.
A £28 Billion UK Industry
The U.K. self-driving vehicle industry is expected to be worth £28 billion in the United Kingdom by 2035. Boland is hoping his company will be at the "forefront" of this transition toward self-driving cars.
Addison Lee's parent company is Carlyle, the private equity giant. The taxi company reported an annual loss of £20.8 million in its most recent results, from August 2017. It blamed the losses on investments it was making on the transformation "from a London private hire business to a global premium ground transport provider."


Sierra Leone, Freetown, October 2011.\n\nJoyce Mansaray\nElizabeth was 27 weeks pregnant when the rebels attacked Freetown during the civil war. As she was fleeing, she suffered a fall that caused her to go into labor prematurely. Weighing only 3.5 pounds at birth, Elizabeth's daughter, Joyce, had severely bowed legs, which prevented her from walking for the first ten years of her life. \nBecause of her condition, she became very shy.\nAt the age of five, Joyce had her first surgery, which helped to release the pressure on her Achilles tendons but did nothing about the curvature of her legs. After a second unsuccessful surgery, Joyce and her mother were referred to Mercy Ships. On the Africa Mercy, metal plates were surgically inserted into Joyce's legs to redirect the growth of her bones, allowing them to straighten out over time.\nDespite having missed a year of school because of her surgeries, Joyce is back on track. Now in grade six, she can walk to and from school on her own and play her favorite games with the other children.


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Q: Python write list items to csv I have this code which suppose to export my list items to a csv file
where each row in the file contains an item in the list.
writer = csv.writer(open(path+"output.csv", 'wb'))
for item in result:
     writer.writerow(item)

THe result I'm getting is quite strange (example for the 2 top items in the list: 'past due' and 'code'):
p,a,s,t, ,d,u,e
c,o,d,e

The results I want to get is simply:
    past due
    code

Any ideas ?

A: csvwriter.writerow(row)

This will write the row parameter to the writer's file object, formatted according to the current dialect.
For more Info See the csvwriter

A: There is already a solution for that here: Writing List of Strings to Excel CSV File in Python
You don't need to iterate through each element in the list. Try this:
writer = csv.writer(open(path+"output.csv", 'wb'))
writer.writerow(result)

A: The writerow method accepts a single argument and writes a comma separated representation of the elements that constitute its argument.
Usually the argument that is used is a list, a tuple, etc. Apparently you used a string, and hence what was written is the sequence of the elements of the string
If all the elements on which you want to iterate are strings, this would do the trick
for item in result:
    writer.writerow([item])

but writing a csv file containing just a column is unusual and it is possible that you may want to write a simple text file... If all the elements in result are strings thew following code
with of as open('result.txt')
    of.write("\n".join(result))

will do the job.

A: I think the problem is here:
for item in result:
     writer.writerow(item)

The result variable is actually a string, which is why it's adding a comma after every character. result isn't an array of strings like your code suggests--it's actually a string (an array of characters).

A: with open('returns.csv', 'wb') as f:
    writer = csv.writer(f)
    for val in daily_returns:
        writer.writerow([val])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
art-K opens new branch in Shepherd's Bush
art-K, the leading provider of educational art classes for children in high street studios across the UK, has opened a branch in Shepherd's Bush, London, to cater to growing demand for access to art classes in the local area.
Catering to children aged 6-16, the new branch offers classes throughout weekdays and weekends, giving an opportunity to learn new skills and develop confidence across a spectrum of styles and mediums.
art-K Shepherd's Bush Art Leader Thea Christy-Parker, who previously ran the Carshalton branch, said: "We are thrilled to be setting up this branch in Shepherd's Bush, which offers a fantastic new addition to the community. We look forward to helping as many children as possible to spark a passion for art, and maintain that passion, and we will be open throughout the summer holiday period to ensure that opportunity is available."
As the daughter of an artist, and graduate of Design Academy Eindhoven, Christy-Parker has had the chance to learn how to make art all her life. The new studio creates an opportunity to share this knowledge with others, to connect with the community and artistically inspire children who can grow in talent and confidence.
She added: "Art has always been a part of my life, and I can't wait to pass that on to students and show them how vibrant and inclusive it can be!"
After-school classes are available currently through to the end of Summer Term on 24 July.
Starting from 13 July, the branch will offer daytime summer workshops – a significant benefit to children and their parents in this year of the staycation.
The workshops encourage children to explore paper sculpture, clay, design, mixed media, watercolour and acrylics. Each workshop is designed to enable children to complete a piece of artwork and take it home at the end of the session.
Additionally, both the after-school classes and summer workshops are available to those on qualifying voucher schemes, including: Eden Red, Care-4, Sodexo, Kiddi Vouchers and Computer Share.
The branch address is: 114 Askew Road, London, W12 9BL.
Full details are also available online. Visit https://www.art-k.co.uk/class-shepherds-bush/ for further information, or telephone 073 7903 4636.
About art-K
The journey began in 2000, when Kathryn Harper combined her creative inclination and her experience in paediatric speech and language therapy to develop an art programme for children.
In 2016 daughter – Managing Director Emily Harper – saw the opportunity to build an art tuition company that would represent the future of art education nationally, and art-K was born. Together Emily and Kathryn (Creative Director) have grown art-K to more than 30 clubs, teaching 3000+ students per week and employing over 100 artists.
In 2018 David Harper, who had long corporate experience, supported the business to help mentor and develop art-K into a company with strong corporate governance.
art-K's goal is to ensure that every child passionate about art has the chance to be a part of an art-K club in their local area. It is looking to build a community of individuals who share a common passion and enthusiasm for creating art.
art-K classes focus on fundamental principles of art, which can be used as building blocks by its students to develop their skills and confidence in experimenting with different artistic styles and mediums. That is why its classes are tailored to individuals and open to everyone.


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Los enfrentamientos en la Gobernación de Alepo de 2012 fueron una serie de batallas que tuvieron lugar en la Gobernación de Alepo, en Siria, durante la guerra civil siria.

Los enfrentamientos empezaron tras el atentado doble en la ciudad de Alepo el 10 de febrero de 2012, perpetrado por la organización yihadista anti-gubernamental Frente al-Nusra. Durante los siguientes cinco meses estallaron múltiples enfrentamientos que dejaron grandes zonas rurales a manos de los rebeldes. La capital de la provincia, Alepo, permaneció firmemente bajo control gubernamental. El 19 de julio, las fuerzas rebeldes atacaron la ciudad y empezó la batalla por el control de la ciudad más grande y económicamente importante de Siria.

Trasfondo
Desde el 13 de abril de 2011 se tenía constancia de manifestaciones antigubernamentales en Alepo. Sin embargo, durante el primer año de guerra, la ciudad permaneció al margen del conflicto y de la violencia, al contrario que el resto del país, dado que la población apoyaba en gran parte el gobierno de Asad.

El 30 de junio de 2011, unos 1.000 manifestantes se reunieron en al menos dos sitios. Según los militantes, «matones» gubernamentales los golpearon y dispersaron. El 12 de agosto, las fuerzas de seguridad dispararon contra manifestantes en el vecindario de Sajur, matando al menos a 4 personas. El 17 de agosto, "miles" protestaron en la plaza central "Plaza de Saadallah al-Yabiri" de Alepo y en otras partes de la ciudad. Los activistas de la oposición aseguraron que las fuerzas de seguridad volvieron a abrir fuego contra ellos. El 6 de septiembre, hubo aparentemente una multitud (20.000 - 40.000 personas) que protestó contra el gobierno tras el asesinato del jeque suní sirio Ibrahim Salqini.

El 27 de septiembre, el gobierno invadió Alepo usando tanques.

El 21 de diciembre, un vídeo parecía mostrar al ejército sirio asaltando la Universidad de Alepo y golpeando y arrestando a estudiantes universitarios por protestar contra el gobierno. Se llevaron a cabo cuatro protestas en la universidad, donde un estudiante en la Facultad de Ciencias fue asesinado por las fuerzas gubernamentales.

Bombardeos
El 6 de enero de 2012, el jefe de la Organización Nacional para los Derechos Humanos en Siria advirtió que el gobierno estaba planeando un bombardeo de la ciudad «solo para aterrorizar a la población». Ammar Qurabi contó a Al Arabiya que había descubierto el complot de funcionarios de seguridad sirios. Esto ocurrió tras los atentados en Damasco en diciembre de 2011 y enero de 2012. Qurabi y otros grupos opositores acusaron al gobierno de planear esos ataques para justificar su respuesta violenta al levantamiento. El 10 de febrero un doble ataque con bomba fue dirigido contra el edificio de inteligencia militar en Alepo y mató a 24 miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad.

Enfrentamientos armados

Febrero-marzo

El 14 de febrero, cinco soldados, incluyendo dos oficiales, murieron combatiendo en las afueras de Alepo.

En marzo dio inicio la batalla para capturar la ciudad de Azaz, en el norte de la gobernación de Alepo. La ciudad sufrió intensos combates. El 23 de marzo murieron tres soldados gubernamentales. Los activistas subieron un vídeo que mostraba lo que parecía ser un helicóptero enzarzado en un tiroteo sobre la ciudad. Durante los enfrentamientos en Azaz murió una persona, aunque se desconoce si era rebelde o civil.

Según los medios estatales, dos coroneles murieron en Alepo a finales de marzo. Un general de la inteligencia de la fuerza aérea murió en Alepo mientras iba de camino al trabajo, según informó el gobierno sirio.

Abril

Una base de la inteligencia militar y de la fuerza aérea fue atacada en el norte de la provincia, muriendo tres soldados entre los que figuraba un oficial.

El 6 de abril, siete civiles y cuatro soldados murieron al norte de Alepo. Dos soldados murieron el 12 de abril.

La mañana del 21 de abril tuvieron lugar unos intensos enfrentamientos entre opositores y el ejército en la provincia, en los que murieron al menos 14 soldados y un opositor. Los opositores destruyeron un arsenal de armas y dos cañones del ejército sirio, y otro cañón fue capturado. También destruyeron aparentemente dos vehículos armados en un punto de control gubernamental y atacaron un helicóptero sirio.

El 22 de abril, 26 miembros de la milicia progubernamental llamada la Shabiha, acusada de las peores masacres durante el conflicto, murieron, y grabaciones de sus cuerpos fueron subidas en línea por los rebeldes del Ejército Libre Sirio.

El 23 de abril, una bomba detuvo a un convoy que llevaba a oficiales y cadetes, matando al menos a un oficial. Otros 42 soldados fueron también heridos, algunos quedando en estado crítico.

El 24 de abril, 16 soldados murieron en diversos enfrentamientos alrededor de Alepo. El mismo día, los rebeldes informaron que habían capturado una base militar cerca del pueblo rebelde de Daret Azzeh. Dieciséis soldados murieron durante el ataque, en el que los rebeldes se apoderaron de grandes cantidades de munición, incluyendo cientos de proyectiles de artillería. El Ejército respondió mediante intensos ataques de helicópteros militares sobre el área local.
El 28 de abrilApril 28, tres miembros e las fuerzas de seguridad murieron y otros dos fueron heridos en la campiña de Alepo.

El 29 de abril se informó que cuatro soldados habían muerto debido a una explosión en un centro militar de la provincia.

Mayo-julio

El 2 de mayo, 15 soldados murieron en el norte de Alepo, incluyendo dos coroneles, en una emboscada al amanecer. Dos rebeldes murieron también en el ataque cerca de la villa de Al-Rai, después de que las fuerzas militare hubieran «ampliado sus operaciones militares» desde que dio inicio la tregua el 12 de abril, según indicó el grupo OSDH.

El 3 de mayo, días después de que cuatro estudiantes universitarios fueran asesinados por la milicia Shabiha en protestas antigubernamentales. Se informó que 15.000 estudiantes protestaron en la Universidad el 17 de mayo, en presencia de los observadores de la ONU. Tras este incidente, el 18 de mayo se informó de la mayor manifestación antigubernamental que había ocurrido en Alepo hasta la fecha. Los grupos opositores lo llamaron un auténtico levantamiento en la ciudad. En solo dos distritos se informó de 10.000 manifestantes, con otros miles en los demás distritos. Las fuerzas de suguridad usaron gas lacrimógeno y munición real para dispersar las protestas. Al menos un manifestantes murió el 17 de mayo, mientras que un oficial militar murió en una explosión en la ciudad.

Dieciocho soldados murieron cerca del pueblo de Atarib, y en la lucha se destrozaron tanques y transportes blindados de personal, según el Observatorio Sirio para los Derechos Humanos. Este incidente ocurrió unos pocos días después de que una brigada del Ejército Libre Sirio anunciara su control sobre el pueblo tras apoderarse de los puntos de control militares.

Se desplegaron por primera vez tanques del ejército en Alepo, donde 12 protestas anti-gubernamentales masivas se llevaron a cabo en un solo día.

Dos soldados murieron y cinco fueron heridos tras una explosión el 3 de mayo. Además, un hombre identificado como «el hermano de un parlamentario sirio» fue disparado y asesinado. El OSDH indicó que la causa era «actividades anti-gubernamentales», y añadió que «la familia del hombre es muy leal al gobierno y ha participado en la represión de las protestas».

A principios de julio, pueblos rurales de la gobernación y las afueras de Alepo fueron bombardeadas por el ejército. SANA, la agencia de noticias estatal, aseguró que habían muerto ocho rebeldes y seis de sus camionetas armadashabían sido destruidas por el Ejército Sirio el 5 de julio.

El 9 de julio, dos soldados murieron debido a un IED en Alepo. Otros cuatro soldados murieron mientras intentaban entrar en Azaz, pueblo disputado entre el gobierno y la oposición. El 12 de julio, tres soldados murieron en Alepo. El 16 de julio 13 soldados, incluyendo un oficial, murieron tras ser asaltado un punto de control gubernamental por rebeldes, y durante los enfrentamientos en el área de Tel Selour, fuera de Aleppo.

Eventos posteriores

El 19 de julio, la batalla por la ciudad de Alepo empezó. Los combates empezaron con una ofensiva por el Ejército Libre Sirio contra la ciudad, en especial, contra el distrito de Salahadin. Mientras la lucha en la ciudad continuaba, cerca de Atareb, un pueblo rebelde, los combatientes realizaron un ataque fallido contra una escuela de policía controlada por el gobierno. 12 rebeldes murieron, incluyendo un comandante de brigada local, Ahmed el Fay.

Los enfrentamientos continuaron en el distrito de Salahadin. El 21 de julio, el gobierno intentó asaltarlo con tropas y vehículos armados. Mientras, la batalla se extendió al distrito tribal de al-Sajur, más pobre. Cientos de familias fueron forzadas a huir de la ciudad, que se había convertido lentamente en una zona de guerra.

El 23 de julio se confirmó que el ELS había conseguido tomar el control de Azaz. Indicaron que 17 tanques gubernamentales habían sido destruidos y uno capturado. Un periodista contó hasta 7 tanques destrozados.

En las zonas rurales de Alepo, el ELS ganó terreno rápidamente a finales de julio y capturó miembros de la inteligencia militar. Grabaciones mostraban a los rebeldes conduciendo por el pueblo de Al-Bab montados en un tanque y un obús de artillería capturados de una base militar. Los soldados capturados dijeron que 30 solados habían muerto en al-Bab durante la semana anterior, y más tarde se informó de que la última base militar en la campiña de Alepo, en las afueras de al-Bab había sido tomada por la oposición.

El 15 de agosto, cazas de la Fuerza Aérea Siria llevaron a cabo varios bombardeos devastadores en Azaz, controlado ahora por rebeldes, destruyendo una serie de casas y matando al menos a 20 personas, incluyendo niños. Una niña pequeña muerta por el ataque fue llevada al hospital. y unas 10 casas fueron destruidas. «Esta era un área civil. Todas esas casas estaban llenas de mujeres y niños durmiendo durante el ayuno», indicó el testigo Abu Omar, un ingeniero civil de 50 años, refiriéndose al ayuno que realizan los musulmanes en las horas de sol durante el Ramadán. Los testigos y las fuerzas del ELS que reforzaron la seguridad en el pueblo tras el bombardeo dijeron que el jet disparó dos veces, apuntando hacia un centro de medios de comunicación improvisado usado por periodistas extranjeros en el segundo ataque, de menor intensidad. Docenas de personas, entre lamentos y gritos, subieron por los escombros intentando sacar a las víctima. Los testigos dijeron que la bomba debía pesar como mínimo media tonelada y el impacto rompió las ventanas de hasta cuatro manzanas de distancia. Los residentes insistieron en que no había ninguna base rebelde donde la bomba implosionó, pero algunos dijeron que las familias de combatientes del ELS vivían allí. «Fue una masacre, una familia entera como la mía fue exterminada», dijo una mujer que se negó a dar su nombre. Cuatro rehenes libanesos fueron asesinados. Otro informe elevó la cifra de muertos a 31.

Referencias

Operaciones militares de la guerra civil siria
Conflictos en 2012
Siria en 2012
Alepo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The website of the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the primary means of communications for the institution. Therefore it is one of the key directions of rebranding. In 2016 tretyakovgallery.ru was visited by 3,5 million people which is 1,5 more than in 2015. The mission of the new website is to dramatically increase this number. It must bring the collection and activities of the gallery to so many people who cannot experience it in person. It goes without saying that tretyakovgallery.ru is visited by very mixed audience. That is why it is meant to respond to the needs of so many different people: Muscovites, tourists, art enthusiasts and experts, families and children, teachers and researchers.
We have thoroughly analyzed the informational structure of the website and replaced it with a much simpler architecture. We have established a way to promptly deliver all kinds of content: seasonal and permanent exhibitions, educational and cultural events, group and individual tours. Moreover, mobile audience of the website has more than doubled over the last 2 years. So the mobile version of the website is just as accessible as the desktop one.
Every week Tretyakovka hosts various events, be it exhibition, tours, workshops, presentations, lectures, theater performances, film screenings, etc. Visitors of the website can easily filter them by type, date or venue to discover the most exciting ones.
The Collection section of the website is meant to satisfy visitors with different degree of immersion into art-world and history. The filter system of the section helps to search works by artist or historic period pointing to the actual halls, were the works are exhibited. At the moment the section is able to cover only a part of the museum's vast collection. However, it is a great platform to host so much more works that are about to be digitized and published very soon.
The History of the Gallery section of the website unfolds a visual timeline that tells the story of Tretyakovka and highlights the key dates in its history.


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Q: Google Apps Script add folders for users We have a set of shared folders that all members of staff need to have access to. They have been invited, but Drive does not automatically add the folder to their "My Drive" as they were invited as a group (100+).
I am trying to create a script that will automatically add these folders to their Drive. Currently I have got that working when the script is executed as the individual.
  var root = DocsList.getRootFolder();
  var folderIds = ["folderID", "folderID2"];
  folderIds.map( function(id) { DocsList.getFolderById(id).addToFolder(root) } );

This works, however with around 100 users, all with very little knowledge of computers and accessing via an iPad, the ideal would be for me as an admin to execute this for each user.
Is there a way I can use the UserManager API to do this? That way I can quickly add the folders to the right users, depending on their groups.

A: You cant do this from apps script unless you make each user run the script.
To do that you can publish it and run it frrom a site but users will need to aprove the script.
If you want to impersonate the user (see impersonation in drive api) you can do so with drive api from appengine which requires 2legged oauth and such. From there u can run it without user intervention.


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MPs to debate allowing proxy votes for members with babies
A piece in The Guardian. Of course female MPs "with babies" (immaculate conceptions, one and all, the Archangel Gabriel must be exhausted) will expect to continue taking the same salary, and enjoy the same perks. Shameless, the lot of them. The end of the piece:
Emma Reynolds, the Labour MP who gave birth four days before the election last year, said the pairing system was "not fit for purpose" and meant new mothers could be vulnerable to allegations of laziness if their voting record appeared to be poor.
"Last year, a national newspaper accused me of having the second-worst voting record in parliament without referring to the fact I was on maternity leave," she said. "One of my other colleagues in a similar situation was branded one of 'Britain's laziest MPs'. New mums shouldn't have to face this reputational damage.
"I hope that these proposals for proxy voting will go through quickly so that MPs can continue to represent their constituents while they are on maternity leave, paternity leave or shared parental leave.
"Passing these reforms would send out an important signal to young women and men who are considering a career as an MP and who would also like to start a family."


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Marry me in Minneapolis
I've always thought "pass marriage equality for your state's economic benefit" to be a bit of a weak argument. It is nice that there is an economic advantage to providing gay couples with the rights they are already promised in the Constitution, but that should be more of a happy coincidence than a measure of whether one ought to do what is right.
And yes, for so long as some states insult and demean their gay residents, there will be a certain amount of marriage tourism. But you could also get a certain amount of tourism business by building the World's Largest Rubber Ducky.
So I've always seen this argument as a targeted appeal, a position that certain politicians could articulate so as to explain their support of equality to otherwise suspicious constituents who might worry about taking their hard-eared tax money and squandering it on Teh Gheys.
For years, the Massachusetts Marriage License hanging over Sue and Sally's mantle in Boise had great sentimental value. And it might even have been beneficial for Sue adding Sally to her employer's health plan. And, of course, it had much importance in changing the way that Aunt Thelma understood them.
But it didn't have much tangible worth when it came to the way they navigated their legal affairs. It was valuable, but perhaps not necessary. And because it is complicated and time consuming to plan a trip to another state to marry, many couples opted not to go, or just indefinitely delayed the chance to say, "We're legally married in a dozen states, but not our own."
All that changed with Windsor. Now that the federal government will, for many purposes, recognize legal marriages, Sue and Sally's marriage license has increased in value. In real tangible dollar value.
And now the time and the cost and the hassle may well be worth it for couples who can benefit from filing taxes as married or from social security inheritance concerns or from veterans benefits. Now the argument about marriage tourism may well prove to be a valid and convincing one.
And at least one mayor is seeking to cash in on the opportunity. Minneapolis's R.T. Rybak is spearheading a campaign to draw marriage tourism from Minnesota's neighbors. (Trib)
The mayor of Minnesota's largest city made a proposal to Chicago's gay and lesbian community Thursday: Get married in Minneapolis.
The visit launches an ad campaign to attract lucrative wedding business from Chicago and other cities in the area, where same-sex marriage has not been legalized.
Tying the knot in Minneapolis makes financial sense for the city, which reaps tourism dollars, and the couples, who would enjoy federal benefits, said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak at the ad campaign's unveiling at the Center on Halsted in the Lakeview neighborhood.
Granted, Des Moines is closer and Iowa also allows same-sex marriage. But Minneapolis is putting out the welcome sign.
This is a smart move. For a license fee of $115, a less financially situated couple could drive six hours, marry and be home the same day. A budget minded couple could get round trip tickets for about $100 each and a decent room for about the same.
But the couples that Rybak is trying to convince are the ones who will make an event of it. They may have friends fly in or drive up (an option less likely for a wedding on the coasts), rent out a hall or restaurant, stay in the honeymoon suite, order flowers for the church, and hire a photographer. It's close enough that they can make it more than a trip to pick up a piece of paper. And it adds up quickly. (WaPo)
Rybak figures the campaign, if successful, could be extremely lucrative for Minneapolis, profiting on everything from hotel rooms to flowers to caterers.
"Even 20 weddings would be tens of thousands of dollars, maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars," Rybak said.
And the biggest benefit to Minneapolis may not even be in tourism but in same-sex couples who choose to live – and start businesses – in a city and state that has made it clear that they are wanted. Unstated in the slogan, but certainly present in the appeal is "Marry Me in Minneapolis… and don't go home."
Tags: Chicago IL, Minneapolis MN
Des Moines is closer
Yes – but its Des Moines. Minneapolis is more welcoming in a lot of ways than Des Moines not to mention having the nations third largest pride event that pulls in people from the Dakotas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Hyhybt
Finally, a better reason to move to Minneapolis than "it's cold, and I figured I'd keep better."
Mark F.
Lovely city, but those Winters…brutal.


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