The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) is a gauge of builder opinion on the relative level of current and future single-family home sales. It is a diffusion index, which means that a reading above 50 indicates a favorable outlook on home sales; below 50 indicates a negative outlook. The latest reading of 58 is an increase of 2 from 56 last month. Investing.com had a forecast of 57.
This morning we got the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions at 3.9 was a decrease of 7.6 from the previous month's 11.5. The Investing.com forecast was for a reading of 10.75.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) released this morning puts the year-over-year inflation rate at 1.91%. It is below the 3.76% average since the end of the Second World War and above its 10-year moving average, now at 1.56%.
The latest JOLTS report (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary), with data through November, is now available.
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, data held by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis will not be published.
At present, multiple jobholders account for just 5.1 percent of civilian employment. The survey captures data for four subcategories of the multi-job workforce, the current relative sizes of which we've illustrated in a pie chart.
The Department of Labor has monthly data on employment by industry categories reaching back to 1939. At the highest level, all jobs are categorized in either Service-Providing Industries or Goods Producing Industries. The adjacent chart illustrates the ratio of the two since 1939. The latest monthly employment report showed a gain of 155K nonfarm payrolls, which consists of a gain of 126K service-providing jobs and a gain of 29K goods-producing jobs.
Markit Services PMI: "New business growth weakest since October 2017"
The December US Services Purchasing Managers' Index conducted by Markit came in at 54.4 percent, down 0.3 from the final November estimate of 54.7. The Investing.com consensus was for 54.7 percent.
The latest Fed balance sheet shows a total net worth at an all-time high — 88.8% above the 2009 trough. The nominal Q3 net worth is up 1.9% from the previous quarter and up 8.2% year-over-year.
In this morning's ADP employment report we got the December estimate of 271K new nonfarm private employment jobs from ADP, an increase over November's revised 157K. The popular spin on this indicator is as a preview to the monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the ADP report includes a wealth of information that's worth exploring in more detail.
This update is in response to a standing request for real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq Composite.
With the latest December close data and Q3 GDP Third Estimate, we now have an updated look at the popular "Buffett Indicator" -- the ratio of corporate equities to GDP. The current reading is 151.0%, up from 144.3% the previous quarter.
Today we have the ADP December estimate of 271K new nonfarm private employment jobs, an increase over the ADP revised November figure of 157K.
The Q Ratio is a popular method of estimating the fair value of the stock market developed by Nobel Laureate James Tobin. It's a fairly simple concept, but laborious to calculate. The Q Ratio is the total price of the market divided by the replacement cost of all its companies. This update includes the December close data.
Here is the latest update of a popular market valuation method using the most recent Standard & Poor's "as reported" earnings and earnings estimates and the index monthly average of daily closes for the past month.
About the only certainty in the stock market is that, over the long haul, over performance turns into underperformance and vice versa. Is there a pattern to this movement? Let's apply some simple regression analysis to the question.
Five out of the twelve Federal Reserve Regional Districts currently publish monthly data on regional manufacturing: Dallas, Kansas City, New York, Richmond, and Philadelphia. The latest average of the five for December is 12.6, down from the previous month's 19.9. It is below its all-time high of 25.1, set in May 2004.
Chicago PMI Ends 2018 in "Good Health"
The latest Chicago Purchasing Manager's Index, or the Chicago Business Barometer, fell to 65.4 in December from 66.4 in November, which was above the Investing.com forecast of 62.0. Values above 50.0 indicate expanding manufacturing activity.
Here is an advance preview of the monthly moving averages we track after the close of the last business day of the month.
The headline number of 128.1 was a decrease from the final reading of 136.4 for November. Today's number was below the Investing.com consensus of 133.7.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has released its U.S. House Price Index (HPI) for October. U.S. house prices were up 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted nominal basis from the previous month. Year-over-year the index is up 5.7% (nonseasonally adjusted). Seasonally adjusted, the index is up 3.37% year-over-year. After adjusting for inflation, the index is down 0.07% in October.
The Third Estimate for Q3 GDP came in at 3.4% (3.36% to two decimals), down from 4.2% in Q2. With a per-capita adjustment, the headline number is lower at 2.56% to two decimal points. The adjacent chart includes an exponential regression through the data using the Excel GROWTH function to give us a sense of the historical trend. The regression illustrates the fact that the trend since the Great Recession has a visibly lower slope than the long-term trend.
The BEA's Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Chain-type Price Index for November, released Friday morning, shows that core inflation is below the Federal Reserve's 2% long-term target at 1.88%. The most recent Core Consumer Price Index release, also data through November, is higher at 2.21%. The Fed is on record as using Core PCE data as its primary inflation gauge.
"Index points to an increase in economic growth in November." This is the headline for this morning's release of the Chicago Fed's National Activity Index, and here is the opening paragraph from the report: "Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) increased to +0.22 in November from a neutral reading in October. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index increased from October, and three of the four categories made positive contributions to the index in November. The index's three-month moving average, CFNAI-MA3, moved down to +0.12 in November from +0.23 in October."
This morning, the Census Bureau posted the Advance Report on Durable Goods New Orders. This series dates from 1992 and is not adjusted for either population growth or inflation. Let's now review Durable Goods data with two adjustments.
The University of Michigan Final Consumer Sentiment for December came in at 98.3, up 0.8 from the November Final reading. Investing.com had forecast 97.6.
The Third Estimate for Q3 GDP, to one decimal, came in at 3.4% (3.36% to two decimal places), a decrease from 4.2% for the Q2 Third Estimate. Investing.com had a consensus of 3.5%.
The latest new orders number at 0.8% month-over-month (MoM) was worse than the Investing.com consensus of 1.6%. The series is up 5.3% year-over-year (YoY). If we exclude transportation, "core" durable goods came in at -0.3% MoM, which was worse than the Investing.com consensus of 0.3%. The core measure is up 4.9% YoY.
The latest index came in at 3, down from 15 last month, which indicates that activity expanded in December despite the low figure. The future outlook increased to 20 from 16 last month. Here is a snapshot of the complete Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey.
We've updated our periodic look at the Philly Fed ADS Index today's release, which includes unemployment claims through December 15.
The latest Manufacturing Index came in at 9.4, down from last month's 12.9. The 3-month moving average came in at 14.8, down from 19.3 last month. Since this is a diffusion index, negative readings indicate contraction, positive ones indicate expansion. The Six-Month Outlook came in at 31.7, an increase from the previous month's 27.2. Today's 9.4 headline number came in below the 15.6 forecast at Investing.com.
The latest price of home heating oil nationwide is $3.19, down a penny from last week and down ten cents since the beginning of the season.
This morning's release of the November Existing-Home Sales was up from the previous month's 5.22M to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.32 million units. The Investing.com consensus was for 5.20 million. The latest number represents a 1.9% increase from the previous month and a 7.0% decrease year-over-year.
The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have now published their findings for November new residential building permits. The latest reading of 1.328M was an increase from 1.265M in October and above the Investing.com forecast of 1.259M.
Note: With the release of November Retail Sales and Consumer Price Index, we've updated this commentary to include the latest Real Retail Sales. Month-over-month nominal sales in November increased by 0.2% (0.23% to two decimals). Real Retail Sales, calculated with the seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index, increased by 0.21%.
Today's report on Industrial Production for November shows a 0.6% increase month-over-month, which was better than the Investing.com consensus of 0.3%. The year-over-year change is 3.89%, down from last month's YoY increase. Revisions were made to the previous five months.
The moving average for the per-capita Light Vehicle Sales series peaked in 1986. Thirty-plus years later, it is now down 28.9% from that 1986 peak.
The U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, also known as the FT-900, is published monthly by the Bureau of Economic Analysis with data going back to 199 and details U.S. exports and imports of goods and services. Today's headline number of -55.49B was worse than the Investing.com forecast of -55.20B.
Household debt increased by $219B (1.6%) to $13.51 trillion in Q3. There were increases in all categories but home equity lines of credit.
Last month we posted an update on the median household income for the 50 states and DC based on the Current Population Survey, a joint undertaking of the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, which includes annual data from 1984 to 2017. Let's now look at the actual purchasing power of those median incomes. For this adjustment, we're using the "C2ER Cost of Living Index" produced by C2ER, the Council for Community and Economic Research.
"How much salary do you need to earn in order to afford the principal and interest payments on a median-priced home in your metro area?"
The median household is the statistical center of the Middle Class. In terms of income, this class has not gained much in recent decades. Let's take a closer look at a troubling aspect of the Census Bureau's latest annual household income data, issued in September. In this update, we'll focus on the growing gap between the median (middle) and mean (average) household incomes across the complete time frame of the Census Bureau's annual reporting, which began in 1967, to the release of the annual data for 2017.
The median US income in 2017 was $61,372, up from $21,575 in 1984 — a 184% rise over the 33-year time frame. However, if we adjust for inflation chained in 2017 dollars, the 1984 median is $50,511, and the increase drops to 17.7%.
Over the last decade, the general trend has been consistent: The rate of home ownership continues to struggle. The Census Bureau has now released its latest quarterly report with data through Q3 2018.
Earlier this week, we updated our commentary on household income distribution to include the Census Bureau's release of the 2017 annual data. Our focus was on arithmetic mean (average) household incomes by quintile (and the top 5%) over the 50+ year history of this data series. The analysis offered some fascinating insights into U.S. household incomes. But the classification misses the implications of age for income. Households are by no means locked into the same quintile over time.
Last month the Census Bureau released its annual report on household income data for 2017. Last year the median (middle) average household income rose to $61,372, a 4.1% increase over 2016 and a record high. The median average income adjusted for inflation is also at a record high, above the peak of $60,421, set in 2016. Let's take a closer look at the quintile averages, which dates from 1967, along with the statistics for the top 5%.
Millennials make up the largest percentage of our population today, yet have seen some of the lowest labor force participation growth and highest unemployment out of all age groups since the turn of the century. This has larger implications when coupled with slow wage growth, high home prices, and mounting student debt.
In response to a standing request, here is updated comparison of four major secular bear markets. The numbers are through the Friday, September 28 close.
We will be offline September 18 through September 24. We will publish the missed updates on the 25th with a slight delay.
The big economic number tomorrow will be the Q2 Third Estimate for GDP. The last two quarters are behind us with their real annualized rates of 2.9% in Q4 2017 and 2.3% in Q1. What do economists see in their collective crystal ball for Q2 Third Estimate? Let's take a look at the latest GDP forecasts from the latest Wall Street Journal survey of economists conducted earlier this month.
The Sentier Research monthly median household income data has restarted. Data is now available through March 2018, when the real median household income was at $61,227. In real dollar terms, the median annual income is 1.1% higher ($674g) than its interim high in January 2008.
This is the second in a multi-part series where we examine pundits' opinions and predictions on the latest topics.
Bitcoin Bets: Which Pundit Is Right?
The bitcoin and cryptocurrency craze has everyone talking. Here's what some of the big names in the industry are saying.
Many of our readers have been experiencing 404 errors on dshort pages. These pages have not disappeared, they are merely being edited and as a result of our current process, it shows as a broken page. Please be sure to check back within a few days to see the newest update.
We are working on a new system that will prevent these errors.
With the Republican tax bill looming, we've updated this article to include the latest figures and estimates for federal debt and taxes.
The LMCI is a relatively recent indicator developed by Federal Reserve economists to assess changes in the labor market conditions. As of August 3, 2017, updates of the labor market conditions index (LMCI) have been discontinuedThe LMCI is derived from a dynamic factor model that extracts the primary common variation from 19 labor market indicators.
An ETF sponsor is looking for 30 advisors to participate in an online focus group to be hosted on APViewpoint. The purpose of this focus group is to gather advisors' observations on the ETF marketplace. Click for more info.
If you're attending this week's Morningstar Investment Conference in Chicago, come visit us at booth #360. Meet members of our team, including CEO/Editor in Chief Bob Huebscher, National Account Manager Becky Allen and dshort's Research Director Jill Mislinski.
Many reports on the cost of education and affordability over the last decade have focused on the rapid growth of educational debt. Here we examine student aid, costs of undergraduate education, and enrollment over time. We've used data from the College Board's annual Trends in Higher Education publications. We've updated this report with the latest data.
We are reintroducing the dshort Daily Digest! This daily email will include the most recent updates from dshort. Sign up now!
College Tuition and Fees constitute one of the biggest threats to our economic outlook. Here is a chart of data from the relevant Consumer Price Index sub-component reaching back to 1978, the earliest year Uncle Sam provides a breakout for College Tuition and Fees. As an interesting sidebar, we've thrown in the increase in the cost of purchasing a new car as well as the more substantial increase for the broader category of medical care, both of which pale in comparison.
We continue our real estate research with a study on metropolitan affordability in the rental and mortgage markets. Once again, we tap into Zillow Group's wealth of data and use a data set that includes mortgage affordability, rental affordability, and price-to-income ratios for the five most populous US cities with comparison to the national median.
According to the Census Bureau, 84% of U.S. citizens live in Metropolitan Statistical Areas - defined as a region with at least one urbanized area of population 50,000 or more. Here we look at home values in the top five metro areas over a 20 year period using data from Zillow Group. We focus on Zillow Sales prices and the Zillow Home Value Index, a house price index that uses Zillow data.
Note from dshort: Since the middle of the last century, there have been nine bear markets in the S&P 500 using the 20% selloff of the "bear-market" benchmark. There have been two additional corrections that came within a hair's breadth of the -20% qualification. Here are snapshots of those official bears and initial recoveries. Rather than scrolling down, you can click on a chart for an enlarged version and a slide-show of the series.
Happiness Revisited: A Household Income of $75K?
Note from dshort: We've updated this commentary in the wake of the Census Bureau's release last month of the 2015 annual household income data from the Current Population Survey.
One of our favorite discussions on APViewpoint, which addressed "The Sad State of Happiness", included an indirect reference to a popular 2010 academic study by psychologist Daniel Kahneman and economist Angus Deaton. Their topic was the correlation between annual household income and day-to-day contentment. They analyzed more than 450,000 total responses to a Gallup weekly survey of households across the 50 states and DC. The survey was conducted in 2009.
With the US presidential election about five weeks away, the popular press has feasted on the campaign events and survey results, with the primary focus on the Trump spectacle. The fundamental question remains: How did The Don succeed in winning the Republican Party nomination in the first place? And how could he remain in contention in the wake of his bizarre campaign rhetoric? A provocative new report from Sentier Research gives us insight into what might be the key factor in the Trump phenomenon: A secular decline in the financial well-being of white working class males and what we can infer as the resulting anger directed at the political powers that be.
Visitors to Advisor Perspectives will recognize the S&P Composite Stock Price Index as a regular feature in our long-term charts of market and economic happenings. We're referring to the data series made popular in recent years by Yale Professor Robert Shiller, not to be confused with the S&P Composite 1500, an index that combines the S&P 500, the S&P Mid Cap 400, and the S&P Small Cap 600. Here's a an overlay of the Dow and the S&P Composite from May of 1896, the month the Dow Jones Industrial Average index of 12 stocks was established.
With the 2016 Rio Olympics in the news and on many minds, we decided to investigate whether particular indicators were a predictor of performance.
According to this system, the market is now tradable and a signal to enter and continue all long trading. The OEXA200R is at 84% and all three secondary indicators are positive.
Often conversations about home buying end up in discussions on the high cost of homes today and their affordability – or lack thereof. We decided to take a look at the long-term trends in home prices in comparison to income and found that incomes have been stagnant since the early 1970s, while home prices have risen dramatically in comparison.
Note: In response to an email, I've updated the data in this article through the March month-end numbers and at the launch of the Q1 2016 earnings season.
The big economic news on Friday was the Department of Labor's Employment Report for March. The mainstream press focused on two numbers: the 215K new jobs and the 5% unemployment rate. Over the next few days we'll dig in a bit deeper to look at some of the underlying employment demographics, which in many ways give a greater understanding of employment conditions. But the much more significant economic news on Friday was the Federal Reserve's noon release of the disturbingly negative annual benchmark revisions to Industrial Production.
What is the single best indicator of the American Dream? Many would point to household income growth. The Census Bureau has now published some selected annual household income data in a new report: "Income and Poverty in the United States: 2014". Last year the median (middle) household income was $53,657 — a 0.13% year-over-year increase that shrinks to -1.48% when adjusted for inflation. Let's put the new release into a larger historical context.
What is the single best indicator of the American Dream? Many would point to household income growth. The Census Bureau has now published some selected annual household income data in a new report: Income and Poverty in the United States: 2013. Last year the median (middle) household income was $51,939 -- a 1.8% year-over-year increase that shrinks to 0.3% when adjusted for inflation. Let's put the new release into a larger historical context.
This is the second installment of a two-part article on P/E ratios by Ed Easterling. Ed's books, Unexpected Returns and Probable Outcomes, have our unqualified endorsement for anyone trying to understand the complex and often puzzling relationship between the economy and the market.
We're delighted to welcome Ed Easterling with this first installment of a two-part article on P/E ratios. Ed's books, Unexpected Returns and Probable Outcomes, have our unqualified endorsement for anyone trying to understand the complex and often puzzling relationship between the economy and the market.


text:
Home » City Manager's Office
previous post: Franklin County Board of Health
next post: Upper Arlington Community Foundation
City Manager's Office
city.manager@uaoh.net
Now Now - 2023-09-26 September 26
February 14 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
Municipal Services Center 3600 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH
The American Red Cross regularly hosts blood drives at the MSC. To schedule an appointment: call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit this link, sponsor code - CityofUA.
February 20 Recurring Event City Holiday – Offices Closed
City Holiday – Offices Closed
UA Community Upper Arlington, OH
City offices are closed for the following eleven holidays in 2023 New Year's Day - (observance) Monday, January 2, 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 16 Presidents' Day - Monday, February 20 Memorial Day - Monday, May 29 Juneteenth – Monday, June 19 Independence Day - Tuesday, July 4 Labor Day -…
February 23 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
Community Relations Committee Meeting
Lower Level Conference Room - MSC 3600 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH
Visit the Meeting Agendas & Packets section of the City Council-City Clerk webpage to access the agenda for this meeting. When applicable, agendas include Zoom instructions for meetings that are held remotely or in a hybrid format. The Community Relations Committee is comprised of nine members, who typically meet the third Thursday of every month…
March 7 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
April 26 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
April 27 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
May 19 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
May 25 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
May 29 Recurring Event City Holiday – Offices Closed
June 19 Recurring Event City Holiday – Offices Closed
June 22 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
June 30 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
July 4 Recurring Event City Holiday – Offices Closed
July 12 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
July 27 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
August 24 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Recurring Event Community Relations Committee- Meetings
August 25 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
September 26 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring Event Blood Drives
Submissions to our Community Calendar
As a service to the community, the City hosts an online Community Calendar. We invite you to submit details of upcoming special events that are open to and promote government interests of the community at-large, as determined by the City of Upper Arlington.
To submit a calendar listing, please use this online form. We recommend that you submit items at least three months in advance, since we may include some community events in the City's print and e-newsletters as space allows.
The City will not post routine items such as programs, club meetings or classes. The inclusion of a special event does not represent an endorsement from the City. The City reserves complete control of any event postings on the Community Calendar and has final approval authority over them. Community Calendar postings are not intended to, and do not, create a public or designated forum for private speech of any kind. The City reserves its right to refuse a submission.
Special Event Application Notice
The City has an application and permitting process in place for special events that require the use of City property and/or City logistical and planning support. This includes quarterly submission deadlines in advance of a planned event so that Staff have ample time to review all requests and manage its finite supply of equipment and staffing while balancing its support of longstanding community events with new and unique event proposals.
There is a $100 application fee.
2023 Event Planning Schedule
For Events Held: Application Deadline Meeting Review Date
October 1 – December 31, 2022 July 18, 2022 August 3, 2022
January 1 – March 31 October 17, 2022 November 2, 2022
April 1 – June 30 January 17, 2023 February 3, 2023
July 1 – September 30 April 17, 2023 May 3, 2023
October 1 – December 31 July 17, 2023 August 2, 2023
January 1 – March 31, 2024 October 17, 2023 November 1, 2023
Apply for Special Event Permit Here

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Other UP Blogs
Kamala Harris and the Political Power of Black Sororities (and Fraternities)
August 24, 2020 | nyupressblog | African American Studies, Current Events, Politics
—Gregory S. Parks and Matthew W. Hughey
On the evening of Wednesday, August 19, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris accepted the nomination to be Vice President on the Democratic ticket with former Vice President Joe Biden. During her speech, Senator Harris acknowledged her extended family, including her "beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha [Sorority and] Divine Nine … brothers and sisters." For many who watched her speech, they probably wondered what "Alpha Kappa Alpha" and the "Divine Nine" were. And once they found out, if they cared to Google the terms, many probably wondered why—on such an occasion—a Vice Presidential candidate would acknowledge a group of fraternities and sororities.
Divine Nine organizations emerged at the turn of the Twentieth Century. A confluence of factors gave rise to them. But central among those factors was what Dr. Henry Arthur Callis, one of the Founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, noted. He said "Society offered us narrowly circumscribed opportunity and no security. Out of our need, our fraternity brought social purpose and social action." That guiding philosophy played a part in the founding of each of the other eight organizations, most of which were established during The Nadir—the low-point of American race relations between Reconstruction and the early Twentieth Century—as described by noted historian, Dr. Rayford Logan. Fictive-kinship ties (brotherhood and sisterhood) rooted in a shared sense of ideals and values about personal excellence, mutual uplift, racial uplift, and institutional preservation were the cornerstones upon which these organizations were founded.
In 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded at Cornell University. Two years later, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded at Howard University. In 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi fraternities were founded at Indiana University and Howard University, respectively. In 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded at Howard University. A year later, in 1914, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded, and then in 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded—both organizations at Howard University. In 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded at Butler University. Over forty years later, in 1963, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity was founded at Morgan State University. Together, these organizations are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council—affectionately called the "Divine Nine"—founded in 1930. Together, they are a loose federation of organizations with similar missions. However, there have been times in our nation's history in which they have worked together in critical ways that portend something significant for the moment we now find ourselves in and even for Senator Harris' candidacy.
In 1938, Alpha Kappa Alpha created the National Non-Partisan Lobby on Civil and Democratic Rights ("NPC"), later renamed the National Non-Partisan Council on Public Affairs. It was the first full-time Congressional lobby for a racial minority group's civil rights. The NPC worked with an array of other civil rights organizations to advance their collective aims. In 1948, the NPC dissolved and was reconstituted as the American Council on Human Rights ("ACHR")—a collaborative effort between each of the Divine Nine sororities as well as Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities. While still a civil rights lobbying organization, the ACHR also exerted pressure on the federal Executive Branch, funded the litigation of federal desegregation cases, financially supported Freedom Riders, and implemented a comprehensive initiative to educate black communities about their civil rights. It was this kind of work that inspired our writing of A Pledge with Purpose: Black Sororities and Fraternities and the Fight for Equality (NYU Press 2020).
While the ACHR disbanded in 1963, the racial uplift work of these organizations has continued. Dating back to the 1930s, philanthropy has been part of their uplift agenda. Not surprisingly, Alpha Kappa Alpha raised $1.2 million for historically Black colleges and universities in 24 hours during their inaugural Alpha Kappa Alpha Impact Day in 2018. Alpha Kappa Alpha proved that fundraising of that quantity was sustainable, raising $1 million in 24 hours again in 2019. Since Senator Harris's nomination, there have already been fundraising efforts from Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Divine Nine members to donate to the Biden-Harris campaign the amount corresponding to the year each organization.
Though Alpha Kappa Alpha cannot endorse any political candidates as a tax-exempt organization, its direct impact stems from individual acts of support such as voting for the Biden-Harris ticket, communicating through an established informal network of contacts which reaches nation-wide, and personally fundraising by utilizing that network, as has already occurred during Senator Harris's own presidential bid. In fact, her acknowledgment of these organizations during her acceptance speech served—knowingly or unknowingly—as an effective way to mobilize the political power of their college and alumni members. All we have to do is look back at the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as the first African American woman U.S. Attorney General and the sea of red (color of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) behind her—literally and figuratively. This time the stakes are much higher and, we believe, the mobilization effort will be much greater.
Gregory S. Parks is Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law. Matthew W. Hughey is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. They are the authors of The Wrongs of the Right: Language, Race, and the Republican Party in the Age of Obama and A Pledge with Purpose: Black Sororities and Fraternities and the Fight for Equality, both available from NYU Press.
Feature image by Gage Skidmore on Flickr
19 thoughts on "Kamala Harris and the Political Power of Black Sororities (and Fraternities)"
David Hardrick says:
Fascinating article on the social and political aspects of our Divine Nine organizations. We have united in our call to action in support of one of our Divine Nine members Senator Kamala Harris. We now must unite in our collective strength of giving. Unity9 PAC was established twelve years ago to be the vehicle to address the financial support for campaigns and candidates from our organizations and candidates who championed issues that impact our communities. If our organizations would continue to indorse and support the Unity9 PAC as it was agreed to do our 2.5 million members could truly demonstrate the strength and relevance of our Divine Nine organizations.
Q. Smith says:
We have to deal with our own issues first, before we assist the black community. Black Greek Orgs aren't as respected as they used to be because we allow our pledges to beat or killed and yet all we do is payoff the families. "First of All,….Servants of all"? "WHAT" are we serving? Rather than WHO?
Mark Carpenter says:
This is a great article and it will also enlighten the public a little bit about the divine 9.
Sonya Armstrong says:
As a member of one of the sororities in the Divine Nine, Ian pleased to stand with my brothers and sisters in fighting for change. Thanks for the article, for explaining that although as individual organizations when it comes to unity and justice we stand together as one.
Stephanie Spivey says:
Excellent read!!! This encapsulates the mutual uplift to which we all lend our strengths. Thank you.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Service to All Mankind is our most esteemed aim.
Barbara Eikner Thompson says:
Now even more as part of the Divine Nine and the larger global community, we have a responsibility to use our right to vote to instill change and improve what sometimes appear as a serious decline in social justice. The article is timely and may be just what is needed to push forward in our collective missions to improve lives.
Desmon Poet says:
Whether or not the divine nine is as powerful as this article proclaims, we had better get things in order. People are using a movement to loot and steal van shoes and other items instead of trying to fight for equality while MAGA supporters mobilize its base. I am not looking to pat myself or anyone on the back at the moment. We have work that needs to be done and the article is great but what is being done to mobilize this large group of influential people into change for society?
K Catalan says:
Great article and a great reminder of the social justice platforms the Divine Nine have dedicated relentless effort toward.
Terry Muff says:
Insightful information and a great overview of the Divine Nine and the social roles that black sorority and fraternal organizations play in uplifting equality.
Donald E Scoggins says:
Brother Parks, you're just phenomical. Keep up your great work.
David Lunsford says:
Very insightful article. A historical glimpse of how Fraternities and Sororities have impacted and changed things for the betterment of our future; a reminder of our respective pledge; and the importance of Howard University to our culture.
EARL F MERRITT says:
Informative and insightful presentation about the impact of the Divine Nine.
Leon Moore says:
We are many parts, but only one body. If we confirm this in our home, work, day to day actions and with our population with a purpose the change is today
Gerald Joseph Baron says:
Informative article that provides a glimpse of the work done by the Divine Nine organizations.
Adam Flowers says:
Timely discussion and call to action for social organizations with origins rooted the the fulfillment of this time! Without direct endorsement the next progression is logical! Stand upon the shoulders of giants and cast your votes! FIETTS!
Richard Zoom Scott says:
Thank you for doing your research very well done. Alpha Phi Alpha is first of all servants of all we shall transcend all. Motto for our Fraternity
Addie Peterson says:
Thank you for a perceptive and timely article on the Divine Nine organizations!
Allan Younger says:
As always, this is a good article. I look forward to a discussion group to share insights from A Pledge With Purpose. We are fortunate to have your dedication to research and uplift.
Derrick powell says:
Great article and insightful
Arab American Studies
Asian American Studies
Author Recommendations
Immigration and Migration Studies
Latina/o Studies
Monthly Review Press
© 2021 From The Square. All Rights Reserved.


A beautiful brides wedding bouquet in a round hand tied posy design. Featuring in this stunning classic bouquet are artificial ivory classic foam roses each with a clear diamante in the centre. Underneath the bouquet are green ivy leaves, with the thick easy to carry handle bound in an ivory satin ribbon and a matching handmade ribbon bow.
Cannot fault the service flowers arrived on date i asked for.


text:
About AMOS
AMOS Books
Dear AMOSSER
AMOS Basic
About STOS
STOS Books
Dear STOSSER
STOS The Game Creator
STOSSER
STOSSER Issue #1 (April 1993)
STOSSER Issue #2 (May 1993)
About AOZ
Dear AOZ Wizards
STOS "The Game Creator" is a dialect of the BASIC programming language implemented on the Atari ST computer. STOS BASIC was originally developed by Jawx, François Lionet, and Constantin Sotiropoulos and published by Mandarin Software (later becoming Europress Software). STOS was specifically designed for creating games, but the set of powerful high-level graphics and sound commands it offered made it suitable for developing multimedia-intense software without any knowledge of the internals of the Atari ST.
One of the great features of STOS was the ability to extend it's functionality by adding new commands via machine code extensions. Many extensions were created, with a number of notable ones standing out from the crowd. These extensions created a new lease of life for the product, which is still going strong today!
Here at STOS Coders, we intend to keep this programming language alive for many years to come!
Categories Select Category AMOS Books (1) AMOS Downloads (5) AMOS Games (5) STOS Books (13) STOS Downloads (65) STOS Apps (5) STOS Demos (14) STOS Extensions (10) STOS Games (24) STOS Source Code (1) STOS Tutorials (20) Stosser Diskzine (2)
SNDH Replay and Archive
STOS Club Newsletter Issue #10
STOS Club Newsletter Issue #8
STOS Club Newsletter Issues #5 & #6
Copyright © 2020 AMOS and STOS Coders


text:
From the sidewalk to the catwalk: Jean Paul Gaultier
It was quite an elegant urban experience to have attended the fashionable and beyond inspirational Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit twice.
The first time my eyes were extremely busy communicating with my creative neuron layers.
The second time earlier in July, I got to attend with my favorite 13-year old in San Francisco. The details, the palpable craft involved in each piece, that imagination transferred to each collection, one of Madonna's old touring corsets (amongst many others), and gender-bender representation at its finest.
Other than his iconic busts in perfume packaging which I learned about while working with couture fragrance displays as a teenager, I became a fan of Gaultier's designs in the mid-90's. It was when I fell in love for the second time with Gary Oldman (first was as the villain in Léon: The Professional) and his get-up in the Academy Award nominated film The Fifth Element. He is one of my favorite British actors.
Well, Gaultier's wardrobe designs take front stage in Luc Besson's iconic 1997 film.
Gary Oldman's outfit is that crazy futuristic trench coat-cape with the half-shaved head covered with plastic which could easily be overshadowed by the rest of Gaultier's designs such as the white-grid strap piece worn by Sci-Fi it girl Milla Jovovich's Leeloo character. These pieces are easily remembered by anyone that has seen this entertaining movie.
Gaultier's movie attributions are displayed in the last room before exiting the exhibit, which alongside the rest of the rooms, are curated in a highly harmonized fashion. In the film section, the projector loops scenes from multiple international films, including Almodovar's most recent brilliant production The Skin I Live In, surrounded by beautiful sketches, behind-the-scenes photographs, clips and multi-media cat walk sessions.
HERBST SPECIAL EXHIBITION GALLERIES
"Exhibition dates: March 24, 2012 - August 19, 2012
Dubbed fashion's enfant terrible, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his first prêt-à-porter collection in 1976 and founded his own couture house in 1997. Emerging as a designer in the 1970s, he developed his own dress codes that reflected the changing world around him. The openly gay Gaultier uses his designs to tackle gender and transgender issues through androgynous, gender-bending styles, meanwhile delving even further into some of the darker areas of the sexual revolution. Always provocative, he addresses issues of multiculturalism by bringing ethnic diversity to the Paris runway. Despite the gritty and sometimes controversial context of his collections, the clothes remain beautiful, superbly crafted with the finest dressmaking and detailing skills.
This dynamic, multimedia exhibition will include 140 haute couture and prêt-à-porter designs created between the mid-1970s and 2010, along with numerous sketches, archival documents, fashion photographs, and video clips that spotlight Gaultier's collaborations with filmmakers, choreographers, and musicians, most notably Madonna. For this presentation, Gaultier partnered with the Montreal-based theater company Ubu Compagnie de Création in the design of 30 animated mannequins who talk and sing in playful and poetic vignettes.
Edited by: www.mianakano.com | Footage courtesy of Nordstrom"
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk ends this August 19th, so check it out – if you haven't already. The video above was posted by de Young's exhibit link.
All the images included in this post are, as always, taken by me.
Camera: Lumix/Leica LX5. Film mode: native B+W setting.
The complete B+W foto set can be viewed here JPG set
Exquisite exhibition.


text:
Caught (up) in traffic
Home » Posts tagged 'traffic management'
Tag Archives: traffic management
The problem with public transport in the Philippines…
January 6, 2020 10:40 pm / Leave a comment
There is a collage of two photos, one taken in 1975 and another in 2019, showing buses that managed to squeeze themselves into a jam. The 1975 photo was taken at the ramp of the overpass near Liwasang Bonifacio (Quiapo, Manila). There is a commentary describing the photo that attributes 'monstrous daily traffic jams' to the behavior of Filipino drivers. Special mention was made of public transport drivers and the photo showed proof of this. This was 1975 and motorization had not reached the levels we are at now so the
The problems pertaining to driver behavior persist today and probably even worsened along with the general conditions of traffic in Philippine roads. I say so since the volume of vehicular traffic has increased significantly from 1975 to the present and there are much more interactions among vehicles and people that have led to a deterioration of road safety as well. Traffic congestion and road crashes are asymptomatic of the root causes of most of our transport problems. And so far, it seems we have had little headway into the solutions. The photos speak for themselves in terms of how many people can easily put the blame on poor public transport services despite the fact that cars are hogging much of the road space. And what have authorities done in order to address the behavioral issues that lead to these incidents?
Someone joked that the guy in the 1975 photo who appeared to be posing in disbelief of what happened is a time traveler. The 2019 photo shows a similar guy with a similar pose though with more people around. Maybe he can tell us a thing or so about what's wrong with transportation in the Philippines and provide insights to the solutions to the mess we have.
Status of Barkadahan Bridge, Taytay, Rizal
November 12, 2019 11:17 am / Leave a comment
I recently wrote about the Barkadahan Bridge and its current state and compared it to the Marcos Highway Bridge that is now completed and fully opened to travelers. Unfortunately, I didn't have photos to share but only shared my observations based on what friends have told me and what I've read on social media (i.e., Rizal Provincial's and Taytay's official Facebook pages) about the situation there. I finally had the opportunity last Sunday when I went to fetch my family at the airport. Here are photos of the Barkadahan Bride and its environs. Note that Barkadahan is actually two bridges and not one. The new one is currently being used for two way traffic (one lane each) while the second one is under rehabilitation and retrofitting. The latter had and will have 2 lanes, too.
Approach to the Barkadahan Bridge via Highway 2000 – notice the widening on the south side of the highway? That's the ROW expropriated to align the bridge(s) with the highway. Ultimately, this should be of the same width as C-6.
Closer to the bridge, you see more of the ROW acquired to improve the geometry for the area and the intersection with the East Bank Road. Highway 2000 is now aligned with the second (newer) bridge constructed that will eventually carry only the eastbound traffic. The older bridge currently being rehabilitated and retrofitted will carry the westbound traffic.
Vehicles crowd on the two-lane bridge that is the new Barkadahan Bridge. The old one is currently being rehabbed. Notice the significant volume of trucks using the bridge? This is expected to increase due to the industrial developments in Rizal Province and along C-6, and the direct route this corridor provides towards the SLEX via Bicutan.
Big sign at the bridge – there are many of these scattered around Pasig and Rizal advising travelers against using the route and Barkadahan Bridge because for the construction work on the bridge. This 'avoidance' basically transferred (some say returned) much of the traffic to Ortigas Avenue Extension. Many if not most users of the bridge use this alternate route to travel from Rizal to BGC and Makati CBD.
A peek at the construction work on the old bridge – note that the contractor seems to have completed installing the steel reinforcement for the slabs for this section of the bridge. The next phase would be the concrete pouring.
Still another peek showing the extent of the work on the old bridge – my casual observation of the work areas was that there seems to be not so many workers. But then maybe it was a Sunday? Perhaps there should be more people working considering this is a very urgent project?
Tricycles, motorcycles and bicycles – there's a lot of local traffic using the bridge and these are represented by mostly tricycles serving the residential and commercial areas along the East and West Bank Roads and the cyclists you most often see crossing the bridge. Most motorcycles are through traffic. On weekends one can observe more recreational cyclists as this route is a popular one to Rizal and particularly its mountainous areas that are popular to mountain and road cyclists.
Counterflow – many motorcyclists tend to counterflow and this adds to the friction and slows down traffic. Once the other bridge is completed and re-opened, these will likely be reduced to lane splitting or filtering as the opposite flows of traffic will be assigned to separate bridges. Counterflow traffic will then be very obvious and should be apprehended.
Here's the resulting queue on the other side of the bridge. This is severe congestion that reaches C-6. Note that the photo was taken on a Sunday. Perhaps these travelers have no other option but to use this route so they are stuck in hellish traffic on a Sunday? I can only imagine how worse it is on weekdays.
As a parting shot, I think there are still a couple of things that need to be addressed once the bridges are both open to traffic:
Optimizing traffic management at the intersections with the East Bank Road and West Bank Road of Manggahan Floodway – the (mis)management of traffic here also contributes to congestion in the area. Traffic enforcers on both ends of the bridge have basic knowledge of how traffic must be managed and end up with the "buhos" approach. They don't seem to be coordinating with each other, too. Their approach also heavily favors the East and West Bank roads when traffic is heavier along the main corridor that is C-6/Highway 2000. There needs to be a more efficient way to manage traffic here and that may be in the form of a sophisticated traffic signal system at least for the two intersections. Settings need to be studied and signals have to be adaptive to the variation of traffic throughout the day.
Resolve bottlenecks in the area including structures that tend to reduce capacities of the approaches to the bridge.
More on this topic soon!
On Tikling Junction traffic (mis)management
November 6, 2019 7:39 pm / Leave a comment
There was an uproar among commuters when Taytay installed traffic signals at the rotunda at Tikling Junction. The junction is the intersection of Ortigas Avenue Extension, which continues towards Antipolo, the Manila East Road, which connects many of Rizal Province's towns, and Leonard Wood Road, which leads mainly to residential areas in Taytay. There is another road that is close to the junction, Cabrera Road, that qualifies the intersection to be an offset type. However, vehicle coming in and out of Cabrera Road mainly are with respect to the Manila East Road.
Traffic signals as seen from the Manila East Road approach to the rotunda
Traffic signals as seen from the Ortigas Ave. Ext. leg approach from Antipolo
The horrendous congestion last Thursday was due to the settings of the signals that forced most vehicles to stop even though there were movements that were not in direct conflict with others (e.g., through traffic along Ortigas Ave. Ext. from Antipolo towards the direction of Valley Golf/Cainta and right turning traffic from Ortigas Ave. Ext. to Manila East Road). The results were vehicles backed up all the way to Cainta Junction along Ortigas Avenue Extension and SM Taytay along the Manila East Road. We were able to experience the slight congestion the following day (Nov. 1) when we descended to Tikling from Antipolo. Congestion was slight probably because of the significantly reduced traffic due to the holidays.
I thought, based on experiences at this junction, that the traffic signal settings somewhat mimicked the style applied by Taytay traffic enforcers when they manually manage traffic at the intersection. Too often, they apply the "buhos" system where they try to let through all vehicles they see queued per approach. The outcome of this, of course, is longer stopped times to all other vehicles from the other legs resulting in longer and longer queues that become unmanageable especially during the peak hours (i.e., when vehicle arrivals are highest at the intersection). Basically, what happened last October 31 was that the "buhos" traffic enforcers were replaced by the machines (i.e., traffic signals) that employed the same system only this time there was no opportunity for some flexibility for movements that had none or the least conflicts at the intersection.
Cooperative work among LGUs to address transport problems along Ortigas Avenue Extension?
November 2, 2019 10:24 pm / 1 Comment on Cooperative work among LGUs to address transport problems along Ortigas Avenue Extension?
I saw a recent post about a meeting hosted by Pasig City. The Mayor of Pasig City recently held a meeting where he invited the mayors or Antipolo, Cainta and Taytay to discuss, among other things perhaps, transportation along Ortigas Avenue. Ortigas Avenue is a corridor shared by several LGUs most notably the Rizal towns of Antipolo (which is the provincial capital and a highly urbanized city), Cainta and Taytay. The latter two are among the richest municipalities in the country; a fact I underline here since that also should translate to them having the resources or means to help come up with transport and traffic solutions.
Morning rush traffic starts very early these days. This photo was taken around 6AM on a Thursday along the westbound direction just after the Manggahan Bridge. The pedestrian overpass at C. Raymundo junction is shown and the dark colored buildings are at Robinsons' Bridgetown development. Note the commuters along the right waiting for a ride.
Photos paint a thousand words. The Taytay Mayor attended the meeting. He has been under fire for the horrendous traffic caused by the mismanagement of Tikling Junction as well as the Barkadahan Bridge area that was and is supposed to be a major alternative route for Rizalenos heading to their workplaces in Makati and BGC. More recently, there were posts about the traffic signals installed at Tikling Junction that basically invalidates the roundabout concept for the junction. The result last Thursday, the first day of operations for the signals, was hellish traffic that backed up a couple of kilometers along the Manila East Road and Ortigas Ave. Extension (some reports say until Cainta Junction). This, even as the signal settings were supposedly done with help from the MMDA.
Antipolo was represented by its former Mayor and husband to the current one. He also happens to be a former Governor of the Rizal Province and likely to run again as his mother, the current governor, is on her 3rd term. It seems to me that the province is not so interested in solutions for Ortigas Avenue despite most of its constituents traveling through the corridor to get to their workplaces and schools. Marcos Highway is not the main corridor for Rizal towns as it basically carries only Antipolo and maybe some of Tanay (via Sampaloc) traffic. Ortigas Avenue Extension branches into two major roads from Tikling – Ortigas Ave Extension, which ends at the capitol, and the Manila East Road, which connects to practically all of Rizal towns with San Mateo and Rodriguez (Montalban) being the exceptions. It is time for the province to pay attention to this commuting problem experienced daily by her constituents.
The Mayor of Cainta seems not as interested as the others, sending a representative who appears to be not one of the top officials (the traffic chief with a rank of SPO1=Master Sergeant is lower ranked than a councilor) of the Municipality to such an important meeting. In fact, he is currently now embroiled in a controversial faux pas involving himself by not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle. What's more is his downplaying this and appearing to be even justifying the act. He eventually apologized but not before stating his moves. He is not new to publicity (stunts?) and knows how bad publicity still translates to good publicity especially in this days of fake news and trolls (he apparently has many on social media). He seems to forget that transport and traffic solutions for Ortigas Ave will likely benefit anyone seeking reelection or higher office in Rizal. He is on his last term as mayor and the break-up with some of his allies including his former Vice Mayor who ran against him in the last elections shows the limits of his political career. What was rumored as plans to run for Rizal governor might just be downgraded to perhaps Vice Mayor? In any case, he should show more interest and effort in finding solutions beyond traffic management and not by himself but in cooperation with others with whom his jurisdiction shares the problems with. Perhaps the initiative of the Pasig Mayor presents an opportunity for such cooperative work? Many people are very interested in this and will be watching – and hoping.
Is there really a transport or traffic crisis in Metro Manila?
October 27, 2019 7:37 am / Leave a comment
I was interviewed recently for a research project by students enrolled in a journalism class. I was asked by one in the group if we indeed have a transport crisis in Metro Manila. The other quickly added "hindi transport, traffic" (not transport but traffic). And so I replied that both terms are valid but refer to different aspects of the daily travel we call "commuting". "Traffic" generally refers to the flow of vehicles (and people if we are to be inclusive) while "transport" refers to the modes of travel available to us.
"Commuting" is actually not limited to those taking public transportation. The term refers to all regular travel between two locations. The most common pairs are home – office and home – school. The person traveling may use one or a combination of transport modes for the commute. Walking counts including when it is the only mode used. So if your residence is a building just across from your office then your commute probably would be that short walk crossing the street. In the Philippines, however, like "coke" and "Xerox", which are brands by the way, we have come to associate "commute" with those taking public transportation.
And so we go back to the question or questions- Do we have a transport and traffic crises? My response was we do have a crisis on both aspects of travel. All indicators state so and it is a wonder many including top government transport officials deny this. Consider the following realities for most commuters at present:
Longer travel times – what used to be 30-60 minutes one-way commutes have become 60 – 120 (even 180) minute one-way commutes. Many if not most people now have double, even triple, their previous travel times.
It is more difficult to get a public transport ride – people wait longer to get their rides whether they are in lines at terminals or along the roadside. The latter is worse as you need to compete with others like you wanting to get a ride ahead of others.
People have to wake up and get out of their homes earlier – it used to be that you can wake up at 6:00AM and be able to get a ride or drive to the workplace or school at 7:00/7:30 AM and get there by 8:00 or 9:00AM. Nowadays, you see a lot of people on the road at 5:30AM (even 4:30AM based on what I've seen). That means they are waking up earlier than 6:00 AM and its probably worse for school children who either will be fetched by a service vehicle (e.g., school van or bus) or taken by their parents to their schools before going to the workplaces themselves.
People get home later at night – just when you think the mornings are bad, afternoons, evening and nighttimes might even be worse. Again, it's hard to get a ride and when you drive, traffic congestion might be at its worst especially since most people leave at about the same time after 5:00PM. Coding people and others not wanting to spend time on the road (instead working overtime – with or without additional pay) leave for their homes later and arrive even later.
Less trips for public transport vehicles – traffic congestion leads to this. What used to be 6 roundtrips may now be 4. That affect the bottomline of income for road public transport providers. Given the increased demand and reduced rolling stocks of existing rail lines that includes rail transport.
The Barkadahan Bridge situation
September 20, 2019 10:00 am / Leave a comment
The Barkadahan Bridge is currently undergoing rehabilitation. To be accurate, the old bridge is being rehabilitated and upgraded/retrofitted to be able to carry the traffic projected to use it being a vital link between the Province of Rizal and Metro Manila via Pasig and the C-6 corridor. The bridge is named after the "friendship" established among Rizal municipalities and Pasig City for an area that has been subject of a territorial dispute among them. These are the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay (Rizal Province) and the city of Pasig. The bridge spans the Manggahan Floodway, much of which is in Pasig City.
To increase the capacity for this crossing, which is the most direct route to C-6 and popular among many headed to Taguig/BGC and Makati, a new bridge had been constructed to the south of the old one. The older one had 2 traffic lanes and was no longer sufficient for the volume of vehicles crossing it after the expansion of C-6 resulting to it steadily gaining more users over the years. Use of this route cut down travel times between Rizal and BGC and Makati by at least 30 minutes based on our experiences using the route.
Late last year as far as I could recall, the new bridge opened and immediately increased capacity but then congestion quickly set-in due to two factors: the traffic management at the intersection with the East Bank Road and the constrained (two-lane, two-way) leg of Highway 2000. Add to this the lack of discipline by local traffic in the form of tricycles and motorcycles counter-flowing in the area.
Earlier this year, signs were posted around Rizal about the then impending project for the rehabilitation of the old bridge. The signs advised for most travellers to avoid using the Barkadahan Bridge due to the congestion in the area because of the project. It turns out that what was thought by most as a project retrofitting the old bridge alone was actually a bigger one involving increasing the capacity of the Highway 2000 leg of the intersection with the East Bank Road. Following is a photo posted at the official Facebook page of the Rizal Provincial Government showing the demolition of buildings and other structures along the Highway 2000 leg. The photos were taken from the new Barkadahan Bridge approaching the intersection, the southbound direction of the East Bank Road, and from the westbound side of Highway 2000.
Demolition and clearing of ROW for the expansion of Highway 2000 in relation to Barkadahan Bridge [Photo collage from the Lalawigan ng Rizal Facebook page]
From the photos above, it is clear that at least 2 lanes will be added to Highway 2000 and that this leg will soon be well-aligned with the Barkadahan Bridge, which will also have a total of 4 lanes. Hopefully, this project will be completed soon and within the year (before December?) in order to alleviate the commuting woes of Rizalenos working in the BGC and Makati CBD areas. Of course, that goes without saying that there is also a need to optimise the traffic signals at the intersection and to strictly enforce traffic rules and regulations vs. erring motorists in the area.
Alternate route via the Katipunan-Col. Bonny Serrano and C5-FVR Road intersection
June 10, 2019 10:53 am / Leave a comment
I wrote previously about the alternate routes for eastbound vehicles given the ongoing rehabilitation of the Marcos Highway Bridge. In this post, I give some details on one alternative via C-5 and FVR Road (Riverbanks).
The intersection of Katipunan Ave.-Col. Bonny Serrano Ave. now features a left turn signal for vehicles approaching from Blue Ridge. Previously, this was not allowed and vehicles would have had to go straight or take a right, and then make a U-turn if they wanted to head towards FVR Road. Otherwise, travellers would have to take the tunnel and make the U-turn at Eastwood.
Vehicles queued along the C5 section approaching the intersection with FVR Road. The overpass in the photo is the section transitioning from the tunnel with an off-ramp past FVR Road.
Vehicles approaching the now signalised C5-FVR Road intersection. Previously, too, this intersection did not have traffic signals. Vehicles coming down from Blue Ridge/White Plains could not go through to FVR Road but would have had to travel to the U-turn slot not far from here.
The intersection of C5 and FVR Road – shown are vehicles turning from FVR Road to C5 southbound as well as those turning from C5 northbound to FVR Road.


If you are attending the IMCO 2018 National Convention, visit Professional Women in Healthcare at Booth #715 on May 8th. Stop by to learn more about our organization or discover additional ways on how you can get involved and maximize your membership. IMCO will be raffling off 5 complimentary PWH memberships.
Join us for the IMCO Pentathlon, sponsored by PWH, on Monday, May 7th, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm in the Cayman Court. Proceeds from the team competition and 50/50 Raffle will benefit Provision Packs Pantry. Come cheer on brave teams of IMCO Member and Vendor Gladiators as they battle for the Gold Medal and to raise money. For every point earned by our athletes, IMCO will make a donation to this worthy cause.


text:
New from Native Instruments
Published on Jan 24, 2019 Native Instruments
Playlist/Products:
Introducing KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1 – For the Music in You | Native Instruments
Introducing KOMPLETE START – For the Music in You | Native Instruments
Introducing KOMPLETE KONTROL M32 – For the Music in You | Native Instruments
Introducing KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2 – For the Music in You | Native Instruments
Press release (KONTROL M32 hardware pics below):
NI announces new entry-level hardware, a free tier of KOMPLETE, TRAKTOR DJ 2, Sounds.com integration for MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL, and more
Berlin, January 24, 2019 – Following its biggest ever release in September 2018, Native Instruments today announces four new easy-to-use, affordable, and powerful products. Included are two new KOMPLETE audio interfaces, the most portable KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to date, a new free tier of the KOMPLETE production suite, and a new generation of the TRAKTOR DJ app. These new products are accompanied by a refresh of Sounds.com, the expansion of Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) to include loops and samples, and tighter integration of Sounds.com with updated MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL software – further integrating NI's connected ecosystem of creative tools into one seamless workflow.
With some of Native Instruments lowest price points and most user-friendly products to date, these releases mark another major milestone in the company's journey towards making musical creativity more intuitive and accessible to all.
New starting points for producers and DJs
For producers, the release includes new hardware and software in the KOMPLETE range. A new 32-key portable keyboard, KOMPLETE KONTROL M32, is designed to provide the same hands-on workflow and comprehensive Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) integration as the S-Series and A-Series controllers, but with a smaller footprint and a lower price point. Available in March, the M32 comes with everything a new producer needs to sketch out, tweak, and finalize a track. The package includes MASCHINE Essentials, Ableton Live 10 Lite, NI's acclaimed MONARK synthesizer, and more.
The M32 is joined by KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2 – the first two offerings in a new range of slick, easy-to-use audio interfaces. Both are available from March 19, and offer pristine sound quality with different in/out connection options. The interfaces include a generous software package, featuring synths, effects, MASCHINE Essentials, and Ableton Live 10 Lite – again providing everything a producer needs to create full tracks from start to finish. KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2 will also be welcomed by a wide community of singer-songwriters, YouTubers, podcasters, and gamers looking for great sound.
Now everyone can explore the acclaimed sound of NI's KOMPLETE production suites, with the introduction of KOMPLETE START – an entirely free collection featuring 15 studio-quality instruments, 2 effects, and a best-of selection of nearly 1,500 loops and samples from Expansions sound packs. Included is the floor-shaking low-end of TRK-01 Bass, the vibrant synth sounds of MIKRO PRISM, and expertly-crafted sampled instruments ranging from electric pianos to drum machines. The collection also includes creative sound design tools, essential effects like the SUPERCHARGER tube compressor, and more.
For DJs, NI lifts the lid on TRAKTOR DJ 2: A new version of TRAKTOR designed to work with iPad, PC, and Mac, both standalone and with the recently released TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller. Geared towards DJs of all levels – whether at home, on stage, or on the move – TRAKTOR DJ 2 features smart track recommendations, an easy-to-learn workflow, and integration with a vast online library of tracks via SoundCloud GO+. The app is built on an entirely new code base, and is the first TRAKTOR software designed for both iOS and desktop environments. This not only brings a new look and feel to TRAKTOR's professional DJ software, but also allows NI's developers to expand the platform over time. TRAKTOR DJ 2 will be available to purchase in Spring 2019 via the NI Online Shop and the Apple App Store. It will also be included with new purchases of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2, and made available as a free download for current users of the Mk3 S2.
Commenting on the releases, Native Instruments CEO and co-founder, Daniel Haver, said: "Following our vision that anyone can make music, today's announcements demonstrate our continued removal of barriers to music creation. Our hardware and software releases deliver new entry points for creators of every level, Sounds.com integration puts millions of loops and samples at artist's fingertips, and we continue to push industry standards with NKS. Lastly, a universal Native ID login creates a seamless experience for our customers, better connecting our services and platforms."
One connected ecosystem, one integrated experience
NI's loops and samples platform Sounds.com has been growing rapidly since launching in 2018. The service is now available in 21 territories worldwide, and has added over one million loops and one-shots to its library, including exclusive packs from Diplo, Junkie XL, Ski Beatz, Trap Money Benny, and other leading artists. Today, Sounds.com receives further updates with new shareable user Collections, and credits that roll over from month to month. From February, all loops and samples on Sounds.com will be NKS-tagged and easily accessible. Collections will also sync to KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE with a single click for easy tag-based browsing and a drag-and-drop workflow in any DAW.
Furthermore, all NI users will soon be welcomed to the world of Sounds.com with the introduction of Native ID – a single sign-on mechanism. This will give anyone with a Native Instruments account instant access to the Sounds.com free tier without re-registering, plus an option for trial membership, which provides 75 download credits and full access for two weeks. Sounds.com users will also be welcomed into the Native Instruments ecosystem via their existing login details. In addition, purchasers of new Native Instruments production hardware will be entitled to an extended Sounds.com trial, with two months of the Essential plan to explore the full library.
The latest KOMPLETE KONTROL software update makes the workflow-enhancing tool free for everyone as part of KOMPLETE START. Coming in February, KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1 introduces Sounds.com integration and a built-in sample player, allowing producers to easily integrate their Collections into any DAW-based workflow. This update further consolidates KOMPLETE KONTROL as a powerful browsing hub, now integrating hardware, software, instruments, effects, loops, and samples. Previously exclusive to owners of KOMPLETE KONTROL hardware, users of any MIDI controller can now get hands on with their instruments, effects, and samples via a simple, one-time macro mapping that brings full control of everything in the NKS universe to any setup.
Following suit is MASCHINE software, with a 2.8 update that brings Sounds.com into the heart of the beat-making experience. Once synced online, samples and loops appear in the MASCHINE browser, tagged and ready-to-use – providing MASCHINE producers with an ever-expanding library of sounds that caters to all genres of music.
Chief Innovation Officer, Mate Galic said: "We believe that a deeply integrated and intuitive ecosystem of tools, sounds, and services will transform the creation landscape and open up new possibilities for creators worldwide. This can only be achieved through collaboration at an industry level, and with this release, Sounds.com and NKS continue to play a crucial role in threading together not only NI products, but also third-party tools, sounds, and services. With all three core Native Instruments brands now connected to powerful cloud platforms, we're excited to move closer to this vision."
KOMPLETE KONTROL M32 is a micro-sized keyboard controller that gives you the tools you need to go from first note to finished track, every step of the way.
Available March 6, 2019
129 USD, 119 EUR, 14800 JPY, 99 GBP, 189 AUD, 169 CAD, 899 CYN.
KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2
A pair of simple, two-channel audio interfaces. Along with pristine sound quality, they come with all the software needed to record, polish, and finish ideas.
Available March 19, 2019
KOMPLETE AUDIO 1: 109 USD, 99 EUR, 12,800 JPY, 79 GBP, 139 CAD, 799 CYN, 149 AUD
KOMPLETE AUDIO 2: 139 USD, 129 EUR, 16,800 JPY, 109 GBP, 179 CAD, 999 CYN, 209 AUD
TRAKTOR DJ 2
Serious DJing, made seriously easy. A DJ app that allows everybody to mix anywhere. Includes powerful tools for creative mixing, and a never-ending record collection with SoundCloud Go+ integration.
49 USD, 49 EUR, 6280 JPY, 44 GBP, 79 AUD, 69 CAD, 379 CNY
KOMPLETE START
A free production suite of over 2000 studio-quality sounds from the KOMPLETE universe. KOMPLETE START features 15 instruments, 2 effects, and a greatest-hits collection of loops and samples from some of the most popular Expansions sound packs.
Available February
MASCHINE 2.8
Free update to MASCHINE introduces one-click syncing with Sounds.com content. Once synced, samples and loops automatically appear in the MASCHINE library – tagged, and ready to be thrown straight into the beat.
Released February 2019 as a free update via Native Access.
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1
An intuitive tool that organizes NKS instruments, effects, presets, controller mappings, and now loops and samples. With the latest update, KOMPLETE KONTROL software becomes free for everyone with KOMPLETE START. Also included is a new built-in sampler, support for any MIDI-capable controller, and one-click sync for Sounds.com Collections.
Released February 2019 as part of KOMPLETE START or as a free update via Native Access.
Sounds.com
Now home to over one million loops and samples, Sounds.com begins 2019 by giving users access to their Collections directly inside their DAW projects – thanks to powerful new integration with KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE software coming in February."
LABELS/MORE: NAMM, NAMM2019, Native Instruments, New Controllers, New Controllers in 2019, New Soft Synths, New Soft Synths in 2019, New Tools, New Tools in 2019, Soft Synths
Starthief 1/24/19, 10:46 AM
I sold my Komplete Audio 6 because it didn't have *enough* I/O... and now NI is convinced that one or two inputs is enough. Oh well.


Oneida Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation ("OTASC") is a local development corporation created pursuant to the not-for-profit corporation law of the State of New York. OTASC was created as a financing entity whose purpose is to issue and sell bonds and notes to fund or refund a portion of the capital program and working capital needs of the County of Oneida, New York (the "County"). OTASC issued debt secured by tobacco settlement revenues ("TSRs"), which are paid by cigarette companies as part of their settlement with 46 states, including the State of New York, and other U.S. Territories. The County sold its right to receive TSRs to OTASC.


text:
Q: HDFS file was overwrited when using Spark Streaming,but I don't want this In my Spark Streaming application,as follow:
val lines=FlumeUtils.createStream(ssc,"hdp2.domain",22222,StorageLevel.MEMORY_AND_DISK_SER_2)

val words = lines.filter(examtep(_))
words.foreachRDD(exam(_))

//some other code

 def exam(rdd:RDD[SparkFlumeEvent]):Unit={
    if(rdd.count()>0) {
      println("****Something*****")
      val newrdd=rdd.map(sfe=>{
      val tmp=new String(sfe.event.getBody.array())
      tmp
      })
    newrdd.saveAsTextFile("/user/spark/appoutput/Temperaturetest")
    }
}

When I run this application,in the method words.foreachRDD(),every time the exam() method execute, newsrdd.saveAsTextFile("/user/...") will execute,and the file in dir Temperaturetest will be overwriteed, in the end, I can't get the complete data.What should I do to write all the data in foreacheRDD() to HDFS??
In additional,my spark version is 1.2.1

A: Use directly DStream functions instead of RDD functions after create Flume stream. Dstream has built-in saveAsTextFiles action that does what you look for.
lines.filter( line =>  //Do your filter )
.map( spf => spf.event.getBody)
.saveAsTextFiles("hdfs://localhost:8020/tmp/output")

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The CFPB is Set for a Bigger More Disruptive Year
In 2017 the CFPB saw a ton of regulation and a battle for the successor to former director Richard Cordray; this coming year could be even more tumultuous as acting director Mick Mulvaney looks to undo many of the regulations Cordray put in place and the ensuing court battle over who is the rightful director; recent rule like the arbitration rule have been reversed and they payday lending regulation could be next to go; with a number of regulations in need or more clarity or a court decision the next 12 months could prove crucial for the future of the agency. Source.
Acting CFPB Head Backs Congressional Rollback of Payday Lending Rule
Acting CFPB Head Mick Mulvaney said he thought the payday lending rule was too far along for the agency to change but that he supports a congressional rollback; the Congressional Review Act gives Congress 60 days to nullify a regulation; Mr. Mulvaney is currently involved in a dispute over whether or not he can run the agency on an interim basis and he said he anticipates staying for 5 to 7 months. Source.
Perspectives from Around the Industry on CFPB's Small Dollar Rule
On October 5, 2017 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a new rule aimed to protect consumers against payday loan...
Curo Group Goes Public As Trump Administration Eases Payday Restrictions
The Curo Group targets underbanked consumers through WageDayAdvance in the UK and Speedy Cash in the US; they went public on Wednesday at $14 a share and were up more than 2.4 percent in their first day of trading; the former head of the CFPB led a Industry crackdown on payday lenders but new leadership points to those restrictions being lifted; the company charges about $25 per $100 borrowed and are backed by private equity group Friedman Fleischer & Lowe. Source.
Payday lenders See Cordray Departure as Opportunity
News of CFPB Director Cordray's departure could see regulations on payday lenders lessened; one of Director Corday's main missions was to crack down on predatory lenders; Director Cordray plans to leave at the end of the months and no long term successor has been chosen yet. Source.
New CFPB Rule Brings Payday Lenders Under Federal Oversight
The new rule forces lenders to to assess whether borrowers can repay the loans and limits rollovers, where customers take out new loans to repay old ones; the new rule is likely to face legal challenges and is primarily focused on loans under 45 days. Source
No More Content


text:
'use strict';

$('.userSignUpForm').on('submit', function(event){
  console.log('ksdfjgdf')
  event.preventDefault();
  let data = {}
  data.username = event.target.userName.value
  data.name = event.target.name.value
  data.email = event.target.email.value
  data.password = event.target.password.value
  $.post('/customers', data)
  .then(res => {
    console.log(res)
  })
  console.log(data);
})

$('.userLoginForm').on('submit', function(event) {
  event.preventDefault();

  let data = {}
  data.username = event.target.loginInName.value
  data.password = event.target.userPasswordExisting.value
  $.get('/users')
  .then(res => {
    let user = res.filter(ele => {
      return (ele.username === data.username && ele.password === data.password)
    })
    console.log('string signed in user', user)
    localStorage.setItem('user', JSON.stringify(user[0]))
  })
  console.log(data);
});

//SEARCH MOVIES
$('#searchMoviesButton').on('click', function(event) {
  event.preventDefault();
  var query =  encodeURI($('#movieSearch').val());

  var template = Handlebars.compile($('.handlebarTemplate').text());

//this shortens the date which is in YYYY-MM-DD to just YYYY
  Handlebars.registerHelper('tvD', function(date) {
    if (date && date.length > 4)
      return date.substring(0,4);
    return date;
  });

  $('#out').html('');
  $.get('/themoviedb', {data:query}).done(function (response) {
    console.log(query);
    console.log(response);
    let weird = (results) => {
      response.results.map(response => {
        var info = {movieid: response.id, media_type: response.media_type, movieTitle: response.title, showTitle: response.name, tvDate: response.first_air_date, movieDate: response.release_date, poster_path: response.poster_path, overview: response.overview, votes: response.vote_count}
        console.log(info)
        $('#out').append(template(info))
      })
    }
    weird(response);
  });
});

$(document).on('click','.movieDiv',function(){
  console.log(this.id);
  let data = {
    customer_id: JSON.parse(localStorage.user).customer_id,
    url_string: this.id
  }
  $.post('/media', data)
  .then(res => console.log(res))
});

$(document).on('click','.posters', function(){
  $(this).css('border','solid');
  $(this).css('border-color','red');
});

// functionality for rendering customers to Others' Titles
const render = function(customer) {
  let template = Handlebars.compile($('#customer-template').text());

  return template(customer);
};

$.get('/users', function(response) {
  console.log(response);
  response.forEach(function(element){
    $('#customers').append(render(element))
    console.log(element.username);
  });
});

// functionality for user queue comparison
$('#customers').on('click', '.customer', function(event){
  $('.movieDiv').html('');
  event.preventDefault();
  console.log(this.id);
  let data = {
    other_customer_id: parseInt(this.id),
    current_customer_id: JSON.parse(localStorage.user).customer_id
  }

  var template = Handlebars.compile($('.handlebarTemplate').text());

  //this shortens the date which is in YYYY-MM-DD to just YYYY
  Handlebars.registerHelper('tvD', function(date) {
    if (date && date.length > 4)
      return date.substring(0,4);
    return date;
  });

  console.log('data ', data);
// content in this functionality = response in the other func
  $.get('/media-matches', data, function (response) {
    Promise.all(response.rows.map(function(apiURL) {
      return $.get('/themoviedb2', apiURL)
    })).then(function(content){

      content.forEach(function(element){
        console.log(element);
        var medias = {
          movieid: element.id, media_type: element.media_type, movieTitle: element.title, showTitle: element.name, tvDate: element.first_air_date, movieDate: element.release_date, poster_path: element.poster_path, overview: element.overview, votes: element.vote_count
        }
        console.log(medias);
        $('#customers').append(template(medias));
      })
    })
  });
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Arbortext, a provider of automated publishing software, has announced that Calvert School Education Services has selected its software to create and deliver customized lessons, workbooks, and other materials to students, educators, parents, and administrators. As a result, Calvert expects to expand course and service offerings. Using Arbortext software as the foundation, Calvert School is planning to create a Student Information System (SIS). Expected to be operational later this year, the SIS will provide online access to complement Calvert's curriculum. Calvert School is a not-for-profit organization located in Baltimore City, Maryland that serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.


After playing Warsong and its Japan-only sequel Langrisser II, I decided to see if there were any other strategy/RPGs in the same vein that I didn't know of. And there was! Vixen 357 is actually developed by the same folks who brought us the aforementioned games, as well as Gleylancer, Gynoug (Wings of Wor) on the same console and Cho Aniki on other systems. It seems like Vixen uses a modified engine from Langrisser, and overall it feels like a mix of that game series and Shining Force, but with mechs.
OK, this back story may seem a bit cryptic, but with the action going on later, things seem to get more exciting with life and death, betrayal on both sides and always something new happening.
The game is essentially turn-based battles on a grid-style battlefield, with no exploration on world maps or visits at towns, just some story text between the battles (like in Langrisser). What makes the game feel like Shining Force is that you only have your characters and their mechs, so you don't buy any troops like in Langrisser. All characters come with their own mech, but you can put any character in any mech you like, the result will differ however. The characters are simple, and their only stats are hitting and evasion skills at long and short range. The character known as Mack Ryan is good in long range battles, and should therefore stand back a bit, while Eddie Ray should be in front as he is good in melee battles. Takuya can be either, as he is good at both.
The mechs are a bit more advanced. They have hitting and evasion stats like the characters, but also attack and defence power, a certain movement number, ammunition and sometimes specials. The weapons are either guns, vulcans, etc. for long range attacks and axes, swords etc. for melee attacks. In general, the latter is more powerful, but then your enemy can strike back, so sometimes it's even better to stay back and shoot if your enemy is very powerful. The specials can be either healing, a shield for yourself and your comrades or a powerful blast attack that attacks many enemies at the same time. However, this consumes MP, and not all mechs have specials. Whenever you need to heal, you go to "the mothership" (controlled by Ben Busk), but don't hide all your characters there, because then the enemy will attack only that ship and if it is destroyed, it is game over! Some other characters, like Takuya, are essential and if the mech they are in is destroyed, it's also game over. But I always press reset if any character dies, because if they do so they will never come back and the rest of the game will be even harder.
I have mixed feelings about the graphics. The characters are well designed, but their artwork looks a bit inconsistent to me. For example, Harry Gibson looks much older in the intro compared to in other places. The mechs look very nice – big and animated, and it's really exciting to see your weak long ranger just barely destroy a big strong enemy. The backgrounds, on the other hand, are a bit boring. There is, for instance, only one or two overhead battlefield backgrounds. The side-view backgrounds are OK, have some animation but still lack detail and parallax scrolling. Overall, I'd say the graphics do their job, but not much more. I'd really want more stuff to see, but hey, maybe this is all they could cram into eight megs. Battle animations can be switched off.
The music has its ups and downs. The intro tune, as well as the other few longer tracks, are amazingly epic and atmospheric, sounding crystal clear and giving a perfect sci-fi feel to them. However, during the battles, the many tunes are very short, around half a minute long or even less. While they sometimes can have good composition and fit the feel of the battle, the many, many loops get repetitive very fast to say the least, and when you don't like the music (a few tracks aren't my cup of tea), it really gets annoying. I understand you can't only have these long, epic tracks, but I would have preferred if they cut a handful of the shorter ones to make others longer. The sound effects are standard stuff which get the job done and nothing more, nothing less.
With one exception, which I'll get to in a second, the difficulty of Vixen is perfect. It starts off easy and progressively gets harder in different ways, keeps introducing new challenges and rarely gets frustrating. Even though I played the game without reading the manual nor the in-game text, I managed to learn it by experimenting, which wasn't really too hard at all. And now, on to the exception, which is known as scenario 14. This is without doubt the hardest scenario in the game, and beating it on the first try is downright impossible. Well, at least with all your characters alive, which is how I wanted to play the game. I had to go back to scenario 12 and do a very tedious form of grinding (surrounding the last enemy and beating her with my worst weapons so they take no damage but give experience), then beat scenario 13 again (which I also tried grinding on) and then finally beat scenario 14 with the help of a guide on GameFAQs and lots of luck. I guess the developers wanted the players to beat the game with at least one of the characters dead and made the scenario this hard to make it happen. I didn't like that and prefer more even difficulty curves. Thankfully, the last two scenarios aren't as hard as number 14. You may ask yourself why I am wasting so much bandwidth on this, to which I reply the perfectionist in me (who wishes to complete any game like this with all characters alive) felt this was the only big fly in the ointment worth yapping about.
Vixen 357 isn't quite up there with the Shining Force games and Langrisser II, but it's still a very good game. It gives that addiction these kind of titles give and has a unique sci-fi mech feel not many other games on the console can provide. If the game had more meat on the bones it could have been an all-time classic. But then again, not all companies have that kind of budget needed to make such games, and Vixen 357 is despite its few flaws and the language barrier very well worth playing for fans of the genre.


text:
Yvonne Schuring (Wolfen, 4 de junio de 1978) es una deportista austríaca que compite en piragüismo en la modalidad de aguas tranquilas.

Ganó dos medallas en el Campeonato Mundial de Piragüismo, oro en 2011 y bronce en 2010. En los Juegos Europeos de Bakú 2015 consiguió una medalla de plata en la prueba de K1 500 m.

Palmarés internacional

Referencias

Piragüistas de Austria
Piragüistas en los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín 2008
Piragüistas en los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012
Piragüistas en los Juegos Olímpicos de Río de Janeiro 2016
Campeones mundiales de piragüismo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
import angular from 'angular'

import ganttModule from '../../index'

import resizeSensorDirective from './resizeSensor.directive'

const pluginModule = 'gantt.resizeSensor'

angular.module(pluginModule, [ganttModule])
  .directive('ganttResizeSensor', resizeSensorDirective)

export default pluginModule


text:
(i) Particulars of its organisation, functions and duties Accounts Department
2nd Floor, 'E' Wing
C-24, 'G' Block
Tel: (91) 022-26528474
Fax: (91) 022-26530050
E-mail: ad@nabard.org
Formulation of Accounting Policies/ Procedures / recording accounts and maintenance of books.
Coordinating with Statutory Auditors for timely completion of Limited Review at quarterly intervals and Statutory Audit as at the end of the financial year.
Preparation of Budget for Administrative Expenditure (Revenue & Capital) - Review of expenditure vis a vis approved budget at quarterly intervals to maintain control over expenditure
Dealing with matters relating to Corporate Income Tax related issues, Tax Audit.
Transfer price mechanism & Profit Center evaluation.
As per NABARD Staff Rules and NABARD Expenditure Rules available at the below links
Hierarchy based decision making process with group approach is adopted for performing the functions of the department.
(iv) Norms set by it for the discharge of its functions As at link:Click here
(vi) A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control Documents relating to Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account are held by the department under its control.
(vii) Particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with or representation by the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof Not Applicable
(ix) A directory of its officers and employees Directory of its officers and employees
(x) The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation as provided in its regulations Available at the link: Click Here
(xiv) Details in respect of the information available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form The information relating to Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account of the Bank and half yearly financial results are available on the public domain www.nabard.org
(xv) Particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information, including the working hours of a library or reading room, if maintained for public use Information is available on the public domain www.nabard.org at below link: Click here
(xvi) The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers Available at the link: Click here
(xvii) Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year. The particulars indicated at item (xiv) are updated on half yearly basis.


Among the bills, the Municipal Transportation Management Act 2075 has set the tallest of goals.
The fourth municipal assembly of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Sunday passed four bills related to local governance to make city planning more effective and public oriented.
The bills passed by the assembly are Urban Planning Commission (Formation and Operation Guideline) Act 2075 BS, Public Private Partnership and Investment Act 2075 BS, Disaster Mitigation and Management Act 2075 BS and Municipal Transportation Management Act 2075 BS.
Among these bills, the Municipal Transportation Management Act 2075 has set the tallest of goals: managing the city's notorious traffic and public transport system. The Act envisages a series of legislations, from introducing electronic tickets to what songs passenger-carrying vehicles are allowed to play.
The Act talks about replacing the existing paper tickets by electronic ones at a time when the authoritis have been unable to address the simplest of problems facing the city's transport system.
The Act also proposes regulating advertisements on public vehciles. Advertisements cannot be placed on public transports without the permission of the city authority, the Act has proposed.
Playing "vulgar" songs, pasting provocative images and using expletive language in public vehicles have also been prohibited by the Act.
Similarly, public vehicles will have to operate from 5am until 10pm and pick and drop passengers only at designated stops.
While municipal assembly, chaired by Kathmandu Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, passed the bills with ambitious plans of reforms, it clearly lacks a roadmap for their implementation.


text:
La furia es una novela de thriller y horror del escritor John Farris. La novela fue publicada en 1976 y fue adaptada a un largometraje en 1978 protagonizado por Kirk Douglas y Amy Irving.

Sinopsis

Gillian Bellaver es una adolescente que tiene poderes psíquicos como telepatía y telequinesis. A pesar de que intenta ocultar el hecho que es clarividente, pronto descubre que un chico su edad, Robin Sandza, está secuestrado. Con sus poderes, ayuda a Peter Sandza, padre de Robin, a encontrarlo.

Gillian y Peter encuentran a Robin, quien se revela que es psíquico, pero ambos padre e hijo son asesinados. Gillian despierta para descubrir que también ha sido secuestrada, su secuestrador Childermass (de quien más tarde se sabe que es su padre) la tiene sola en una habitación. Ella toma un abrigo y lo ahoga sin piedad en venganza por su papel en la muerte de Peter y Robin.

Película

Una adaptación de la novela se realizó en 1978. El mismo Farris escribió el guion, dirigido por Brian De Palma y protagonizado por Kirk Douglas y Amy Irving.

Referencias

Novelas de terror de Estados Unidos
Novelas estadounidenses adaptadas al cine