Give me your rock bottom price – Sure, but before you ask us to do that, do read up on the Sapphire demand and how fine quality gemstones are free from any recession.
Q: I Need a Yellow Sapphire of 5+ carat weight, give me your rock bottom price.
A: Whatever is Jyotish Quality is already listed on the website. Please check the online inventory. Prices that are stated there stand good as they are!
In one of the earlier Blog posts, we had stated that the online messenger service is run by professional PGA Graduates who are highly trained resources and why we value our time and your time, still some days are not so smooth.
On these bad hair days, we receive people chatting under different aliases but with the same IP address asking the same question nth time and some have the audacity to even let us know that if all information is on the website what is the use of the online messenger service :). And some force us to write blog posts about domestic shipping rates and reinvent the wheel!
Keeping our discussion regarding Sapphire sales, recession has not hit demand or supply of fine quality gemstones. Fine quality Gemstones are still in heavy demand.
All major auctions have recorded strong sales and this can be viewed from the Table Excerpted from Rapaport Magazine below. Public Auction Sales for December 2009.
Fine quality Ceylon Sapphires continue to sell at $5000 per carat and above and these prices are not going to go down. These are only going to go up. Quality, rarity, fine color and lack of treatment have had value since centuries and will continue to do so. These are public auctions.
– 1) We deal only in Jyotish Quality Gemstones! We do not deal in opaque rocks that don't work. So if you want a $50 per carat clean Yellow Sapphires, you need to put that application to the almighty only! For such miracles you need to turn to the right avenue.
-2) We don't claim. We Mean it. Over the year you have seen several lots and our own roughs that we feature here on the blog. When we say we make you available the best Gemstones at 1/6th of the price we mean it because we own our own roughs! Your Gemstone has a lifetime buy back guarantee and you have independent certification and appraisal. If still your mind has the capacity to manufacture some permutations and combination's, good luck!
-3) We understand that discerning patrons have some special demands. Demands for a Basra Pearl or a 6+ Carat Jyotish Quality Emerald qualify on this. But these valuable patrons have built trust and relationships with us over several years and clearly state their requirements, make a deposit for the same and wait patiently. The Basra Pearl featured yesterday was result of such a patient search that lasted 2+ years.
-4) Every Sapphire you buy from Gemstoneuniverse will appreciate in value over time and will deliver results. But more than that you will get the promised, Jyotish Quality results of Sattvik Gemstone!
We are here for you; We are here for planetary Gemology!
Comments The rich colour, perfect cut and the brilliant lustre in this Hessonite are making the mysterious powers of Rahu more evident! A powerful Rahu talisman!
Comments This Fully natural and untreated Ceylon Yellow Sapphire from the famous Ratnapura mines dazzles you with its magnificence! ! 90% and above clarity levels with a wonderfully cut make this glamorous gem wonderfully potent and of the most superior Jyotish quality! Guaranteed to deliver the best results for the benign Jupiter-the planet of Good luck and fortune!
A charming and graceful fully natural and undrilled Basra Pearl! Yes Basra Natural Pearl, with full White overtone and no Yellowish Tinge. Antique and collectible Real Basra pearl for the best of Lunar Energies.!
Comments A charming and very graceful Natural Pearl from Basra/Iraq that represents all that the Moon personifies! Filled with the finest lunar energies this gem has a wonderfully white body color! Fine top Quality Jyotish Gemstone because of even surface and no yellowish tinge. These two attributes make it very invaluable.
Supply of these rare beauties is nonexistent today and possession of these is the privilege of a very fortunate few! Age: More than 100 years and sourced from a private collection after a period of 2+years for a discerning patron who is a connoisseur and collector of fine Gems.
It was a journey of 2+ years to locate this beauty. The other day someone on live chat support came up with a request of 4+ carats Basra Pearl and asked for a price quotation. What more can we say?
Comments Extremely beautiful pear shaped fully natural and unenhanced Zambian Emerald! This is not only a rare shape for an Emerald, but also a very rare shape for a fully natural gemstone! Filled with the Sattvik energies of Mercury, this is not only a potent and powerful talisman, but also a exotic piece of jewelry!
Comments Amethyst is a Superior Blue Sapphire alternative. Much desirable and sought after Deep Purple colour African Amethyst! This fully natural and untreated gem is not only eye clean, but also of a fine jewellery grade! Jyotish quality superior Blue Sapphire alternative with mystical energies of Saturn! Set in this solid sterling silver ring and ready to harness the powers of Saturn!Note: Dear Patron, Thank you so much for your gracious testimonial and feedback. We feel elated to have made this talisman and make it available to you.
A New Year gift for Gemstoneuniverse patrons!. New statuesque and eye clean unheated Blue Sapphire lot with the Kashmir color from the famed Gem field of Nivitigala, Ceylon will be uploaded shortly!
As all of you must have noticed dear patrons, December 2010 has been hectic for us here at Gemstoneuniverse. In the last month we have uploaded new lots of Emeralds, Natural Pearls, Red Corals, and Heliodors etc.
In the queue is a massive lot of unheated Yellow Sapphires, red Garnets and this special lot of Bue Sapphires from Nivitigala-Sri Lanka.
Each of these Blue Sapphires is "one in a million". Good symmetry in cut, eye clean, deep Kashmir Blue color and great size with being fully unheated and untreated make these Blue Sapphires very special. From our rough Orion2110 these are currently getting photographed and should be uploaded soon.
Comments A Blue Moonstone is the most Superior Natural Pearl alternative! The mellow and serene lunar energies can be felt just by looking at this wonderful and classy sterling silver talisman! This Jyotish and Sattvik quality of this beautiful gemstone with mysterious Blue Sheen is guaranteed to deliver the best Lunar results! Superior Jyotish Quality Moonstone for use as a substitute gemstone in lieu of a Natural Pearl.


Soil Organic Carbon in the Critical Zone: Ecohydrologic Model Sensitivity and Spin-up.
Walters, R., Benner, S., de Graaff, M., McNamara, J., Will, R., and A. Flores (2015): Soil Organic Carbon in the Critical Zone: Ecohydrologic Model Sensitivity and Spin-up. Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO.


Join Eric Wing for an in-depth discussion in this video Using the exercise files, part of Cert Prep: Revit MEP Electrical Certified Professional.
- [Instructor] If you have access to the Exercise Files for this course, you can download them to your desktop as I've done here. Each video has its own Exercise File in the corresponding chapter folder. Of course, you can always use your own models to follow along with as well. This course has been created using Imperial units, so if you're a Metric user, you can change the units in the files to Metric or use the Metric equivalent as you go through the course. If you're watching this course on a mobile device, a set-top device, or your membership doesn't provide access to the Exercise Files, that's okay.


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The Marlins (Owner) Have (Has) Made Folks Angry And Other MLBullets
Last night's blockbuster deal that swept away almost all of the high-salaried players from Miami to Toronto has the sports world buzzing. And it has Marlins fans despondent.
By Brett Taylor Nov 14, 2012, 7:07am CST
Share All sharing options for: The Marlins (Owner) Have (Has) Made Folks Angry And Other MLBullets
Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
As you know by now, last night, the Marlins traded everything to the Blue Jays (everything being Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio). That comes on the heels of already having dumped Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante, and Heath Bell in the last few months. The reactions have been strong and swift ...
Dave Cameron at FanGraphs says it almost precisely as I would: "A year ago, the Marlins signed a bunch of free agents to long term contracts that were backloaded in salary and didn't include no-trade clauses. At the time of the deals, many skeptics suggested the organization's past history and the structure of these deals meant the entire spending spree was a mirage designed to fool the city of Miami into thinking they actually bought a competitive team with their new $500 million stadium. That once the rubber hit the road, the Marlins would just trade all these expensive players away and go back to putting a low payroll team on the field to accomplish their real goal: raking in cash while exploiting the flaws in the revenue sharing agreements for the owner's own personal gain. Tonight, the Marlins completed a trade with the Blue Jays that vindicates every single person who said or wrote such a thing last year."
Ken Rosenthal says the time has come for Jeffrey Loria, the owner of the Marlins, to sell. He also questions, given the amount of money the Blue Jays are taking on, whether this is really a good deal for the Blue Jays after all. Looking more closely at it, I do wonder - the Blue Jays gave up a bundle of prospects, essentially, for one year of Johnson and the right to pay Buehrle and Reyes the most expensive years of their contracts (it's not like either of those two increased their value in the year since they signed as free agents (when they were available to everyone for just cash)), since those deals were massively backloaded. If you're a Blue Jays fan, you better hope they win in the next couple years.
Craig Calcaterra catalogs the many sins of Loria, which, individually, could be explained away, but, in the aggregate, paint a very ugly picture.
Matthew Pouliot says it's time for Bud Selig to force Loria out of MLB. Given that it's now hard to imagine Loria not banking his revenue sharing money (for the third time) rather than spending it on his organization, I can't say I disagree.
The fan reaction among the few Marlins fans who remained after an already ugly 2012 season has been, unsurprisingly, strongly negative. The money quotes, from Fish Stripes: "And with that, the trust of the fan base, which was already beginning to be skeptical in the latter stages of 2012 as the team fielded a series of scrubs at various positions, has been completely shattered." It's hard not to feel bad for those fans.
The player reaction was mostly surprise and confusion on the Marlin side, and excitement on the Blue Jay side (from the players remaining with each organization, that is). Giancarlo Stanton probably said it best: "Alright, I'm pissed off!!! Plain & Simple."
Grant Brisbee points out another layer of the damage done by Loria, because the fire sale comes just after the taxpayers of Miami funded a new ballpark for the Marlins: "This screws with the Rays and their attempts to build enthusiasm for a new stadium, and it screws with the A's and their efforts. It screws with everything."
The Manager of the Year awards were handed out last night - to very little fanfare, thanks in large part to the Blue Jays and Marlins - to Bob Melvin of the A's and Davey Johnson of the Nationals.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Writer at Bleacher Nation, and a Contributor here at Bleed Cubbie Blue.
Next Up In MLB news
Outside The Confines: International signings have begun
Outside The Confines: Talk is cheap
Outside The Confines: Apple to take a bite out of MLB broadcasts?
Outside The Confines: Breaking through the glass
Outside The Confines: The Athletic has new ownership
Outside The Confines: Don't ash me why

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I'm currently working on Wood Stork illustrations to be used on a T shirt for a summer camp.
Stay tuned for the image for the back side!
Very nice! I hope they appreciate the work that went into this.
Awesome! You should offer these on your site!
I love this sketch since I have seen this stork in Florida. It will make a great t-shirt.
Wood storks are not my favorite - a bit ugly and gangly looking compared to herons and egrets. And yet you've given him/her an elegance of line and shape :) Looking forward to seeing the rest of the design.


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Home newsitems MEPs Vote Key Parts of EF Project on Citizens-Politicians Dialogue Before Decisions. Skip Essentials
MEPs Vote Key Parts of EF Project on Citizens-Politicians Dialogue Before Decisions. Skip Essentials
Written by ACM
*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- EU Parliament's Votes this week in Strasbourg, Surprizingly Endorsed Key Parts of "Eurofora" co-Founder's 1981/1997/2006/2018 Ideas on Our Project for EU Citizens - Politicians' Dialogue Before Decisions affecting their Lives and/or Society at large, ...Skiping, However, several Essential Points, at least as things stand Nowadays.
The move comes just 1 Month After We Officialy Registered that Project at EU's "Conference for the Future of Europe"'s Platform, on the 19th of June 2021, i.e. the Same Day of this landmark Conference's 1st "Plenary" Session in Strasbourg, (See: https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Democracy/f/6/proposals/32770, and http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euroforaprojectpublishedateuconference.html, etc).
+ Shortly After that, at least the Basic Aspirations of European People, that "Eurofora"s Project notoriously seeks to Meet, were, in Addition, Backed, Also on June, by CoE's Assembly in Strasbourg, with the Adoption of a Different But Converging Resolution, (See at : ..., and Infra).
CoE took as Starting Point mainly Freedom of Medias and Information, while EU Parliament Focused More on Citizens, But Both, Naturaly, Eyed Nowadays' Need for such a Key Transformation in Modern Democracies' Decision-Making Process.
Indeed, Both CoE's and EU's relevant Resolutions of June and July 2021 Clearly Back "Eurofora" Project's Main Ideas, all the way from the Initial, 1981, Analysis of its possible Legal Mecanism, (in a More than +1.000 Pages Research, chosen by Strasbourg's Faculty of Law for an Award normaly destinated to PhD Thesis, on a Written Proposal by Paris II University's Professor Paul Amselek, after having been also attributed a 18/20 "Tres Bien" verdict by a Jury here). This was Followed by a Relevant Collective Plan, at European Level, to Add Medias and Digital New Technologies, signed by a Group of European Journalists, Universitarians, etc., on 1997 and Coordinated by "Eurofora"s co-Founder, which was Officialy Admitted by EU Commission in Brussels in order to be Considered in the Framework of "ESPRIT" Program on Innovative Social Utilisations of New Communication Technologies, (Nick-Named, then : "EIW", for "Europe in the World"). Its Fully-fledged Public Presentation as a Project involving Medias, Citizens, and Debate at the Beginning of EU Institutions' Decision-Making Process, was Made by "Eurofora"'s co-Founder at a Key Press Conference with EU Paliament's and EU Commission's vice-Presidents competent for Medias, (Spanish University Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca, Top Christian-Democrat/EPP MEP, Founder of a New Party, and Swedish Margot Walstrom, Socialist future Foreign Minister), in Strasbourg on 2006, whose Positive Outcome Led in the Creation of the "Eurofora" specific Website, Immediately afterwards, from 2007. Finaly, Since 2018, "Eurofora"s Project Develops also a clearly Political Dimension, inter alia by Evoking that with French President Emmanuel Macron, (See, f.ex., at : ..., etc), as well as in the Practical Framework of Strasbourg's EuroMetropol's Working Group on Citizens' Participation, leading to its Public Discussion and Formal Adoption with a Vote by a 2-Days-long Conference Organized on 2019 by Strasbourg's EuroMetropol, which Included that in its Official Report to the French Government in Paris, on the Occasion of the "Great Debate" Launched, then, by President Macron, (See, f.ex.: ..., etc). Meanwhile, "Eurofora" had Systematicaly Discussed that Project with All EU Parliament's Presidents, (including the Current : David Sassoli, see f.ex. in Brussels ..., and in Strasbourg ..., as well as the probably Forthcoming, Manfred Weber, f.ex. at ... + ..., etc), Added, Moreover, to Many and Various Other Top EU or CoE Senior Officers, the EU Ombudsman, competent Rapporteurs, key Experts, etc, (See relevant, Dated List, in a Note of Synthesis, in French).
Titled "Citizens' Dialogues and ...Participation in the EU Decision-Making", this Week's EU Parliament's Resolution was, in Principle, Welcomed, on Monday, by EU Commission's vice-President Dubravka Suica, competent for Democracy, with MEPs' Final Vote being casted on Wednesday, and Gathering a Large Majority of 537 Favorable Votes, Against 125, and 33 Abstentions.
>>> Perhaps the Most Significant EU Parliament's Vote on that Resolution was to Firmly Maintain a landmark Call to "the Conference on the Future of Europe" (2021-2022+) in order to "ESTABLISH NEW, PERMANENT MECHANISMS for Citizens' Participation", (Instead of Limiting that Call Just to some, Unspecified "Effective Mechanisms", as an Opposed Amendment had prefered, before being rejected by a Clear Majority of MEPs).
- Starting by noting the Fact that in 2019 European Elections, EU Citizens took "an Increasing Interest in Developments at EU Level", since the "Turnout ...was 50,6% : The Highest Since 1994, and a Notable Increase from 2014, when turnout was 42,6%", Today's EU Parliament Resolution Adds, However, that "several EuroBarometer Surveys show that Citizens are Not Satisfied with the Way Democracy Works", Both "at EU level", and "Also at National Level", mainly Because "a Considerable proportion of EU Citizens do Not Feel Heard", (See, already : ..., etc).
- But, (as "Eurofora"s co-Founder had Already Discussed with EU Ombudswoman O'Reilly, French President Macron, etc., Previously : See http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euombudsmanoneurofforaproject.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euombudsmandecisionandeuroforaproject.html , etc), Articles 10 and 11 of the TEU (alias "Lisbon Treaty"), offer a "Basis for Citizens to Participate in the Making of EU Policies and Legislation", MEPs observe. In particular, Article 10(3) ... lays down that every Citizen shall have the Right to Participate in the Democratic Life of the Union, and that Decisions shall be Taken as Openly and as Closely as possible to the Citizen". And "Article 11(1) and (2)...", requires the Institutions to give ...Citizens .... the opportunity to make Kand publicly Exchange their Views in All areas of Union Action, and to maintain an open, transparent and regular Dialogue".
+ In Addition, "0ther means, namely the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), Complaints to the European Ombudsman and Petitions to Parliament, which are important Supplements to Parliamentarism, must be Strengthened", (See "Eurofora"'s Criticism and Efforts to help Overcome Bureaucratic Obstacles to the ECI from the outset, f.ex., inter alia, by Proposing, at least, a Parliamentary Debate on every succesful ECI, as We had Suggested to Rapporteur Lamassoure, and he had Accepted : ..., + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/debatesincitizensinitiatives.html, + ..., etc). In, at least, 1 case, EU "Parliament ...Overwhelmingly Supported" an ECI, "in December 2020, with 76% of the Votes cast". "Nevertheless, the Impact of ECIs is Low, Owing in part to the (EU) Commission's Lack of Follow-up", MEPs Denounce. Near to that point, "Eurofora" has Already Suggested, speaking to Key MEPs, that EU Parliament and Citizens Cooperate Together on ECIs, in a way which Might Give, in Practice, to MEPs a kind of Legislative Initiative, that, Until Now, they are the Only Parliament in the World to Lack... (See: ..., + ..., etc).
- For the Rest, Citizens "Complaints to the European Ombudsman ...are Not Legally Binding", "Petitions" to EU Parliament are Not ensured to Settle Issues, and "On-Line public Consultations carried out by the (EU) Commission are mostly aimed at a Particular target Group, are Not Widely Disseminated, and are sometimes Too Brief", so that "they do Not Reach a significant proportion of the Population", and "the European Court of Auditors, ... in 2019, Recommended that the Commission should Improve the way it reaches out to Citizens, in order to Promote greater Participation". As for "Citizens' Dialogues conducted by the (EU) Commission", in fact, they "are a way to provide Information to citizens, Rather Than to engage with them in a Debate about their Vision and what they would Like", "and do Not provide a Feedback mechanism ... about the Outcomes of their participation", MEPs Criticized.
=> In Consequence, "the Current functioning of Existing Participatory Instruments, such as the ECI, public Consultations, and Citizens' Dialogues (Comp. Supra), does Not provide Sufficient means for Citizens to Influence EU Decision-Making", and "this is largely Due to the Lack of effective Follow-up in the Decision-Making process at Institutional level", (particularly by EU Commission). Therefore, "the Current Participatory Instruments do Not maximise the Potential of Citizens' Participation", and "Insufficiently contribute to strengthening the Democratic Legitimacy of the EU", by "increasing Citizens' sense of Ownership towards an EU that Reflects Their needs and Visions", EU Parliament Denounced. That's Why, "most (Existing) forms of Participation are Rarely Used by individual Citizens", who "are largely Unaware of the Existing participatory instruments, and therefore UnderRepresented".
>>> Thus, "Improving Citizens' Participation .... at EU level is Key to bringing the Union Closer to Citizens and ...Trust and Confidence in EU institutions, as well as achieving a real Multi-Level Democracy", with ...Public Debate on Any piece of Legislation", EU Parliament stressed, Calling for "Open, Transparent and Regular Dialogues with Citizens ....Ensuring that civil society can Participate actively in the Public Debate and has the capacity to Influence Policy and Decision-Making processes", where, in fact, "Citizens would like to be Included ... on a Regular Basis", (i.e. Heading towards "Eurofora" Project's Horizon).
- In this regard, the current 2021-2022 EU "Conference on the Future of Europe should Involve as Much public Participation as possible", and offer "a Valuable Experience of Engaging with Citizens, in order to understand What they truly expect from the EU", MEPs urged, (Rightfully, But apparently Hard to achieve with the present Format that some Imposed on that landmark Conference, [See f.ex. : ... + ..., + ..., etc] which, however, should Not become a Missed Opportunity, But, on the contrary, a unique Chance for Europe to seize asap)...
=> For that purpose, EU Parliament's Resolution "stresses the Need to Reflect on How the Union can become More Effective in Engaging with Citizens".
However, MEPs make it Clear that this should be done, Nowadays, Not by any kind of Direct Democracy, (as, f.ex., in Ancient Greek Civilisation's times), But while still Remaining "under the Union's Core Principles of Representative Democracy". (I.e., in Practice, by Cooperating with EU Parliament, Commission, and Council, who should Keep the Responsibility of the Final Decision, as Politically Accountable to the People through Elections).
- To achieve that aim, EU "Treaty Change should Not be Precluded, although it should Not be a Goal in itself", MEPS say, (almost Agreeing with what appeared, indeed, to be the Main Trend in the Debates during the 1st Plenary Session of the Conference for Europe's Future, last June 19, 2021, in Strasbourg, in this regard : Comp. Supra, and ..., etc).
+ But, a point of Key Political and Oractical Importance is the fact that "any Reform of the Union, in order to make it More Social, Equitable, Cohesive, United, Focused, Capable, Sovereign and Accountable, is Strengthened by Directly engaging with Citizens, through (Efficient)Participatory Mechanisms", since, Until Now, "there is an underlying Tension, between the vision of an EU Centred around Member States, and an EU centred around EU Institutions, which can be (Dialectically) Surpassed by Developing an approach and instruments for a European Union of Citizens", the adopted Resolution Interestingly incites. Indeed, EU Citizens Can Both Participate in EU Parliament's and EU Commission's as well as EU Council's Decision-Making processes, while Also Voting in the Elections which choose Their Representatives in All those concerned Institutions, (at EU and National levels)... European People are a Unique, Until Now "Silent", But Potentialy Effective, big Political Factor, who May exert a Coordinated and perhaps Decisive Pressure for an Overall Move on European Affairs. It still Remains to get a real Chance to be adequately Activated , Becoming Free to unlease its Huge Potential !
>>> But, for doing so, "the Existing Participatory Instruments have various Shortcomings (Comp. Supra), and Should therefore be Improved", as well as, some "New ones Developed, to make citizens' participation More Accessible, Inclusive, Meaningful and Effective", EU Parliament observes, on a Key Issue, on which MEPs Voted Massively to clearly Reject an Opposed Amendment, (Comp. Supra). In order, for such "New" Mechanisms, "to Facilitate public Participation in Wider political Debates, and equip citizens with the Opportunity to Influence political outcomes, with synergies in existing mechanisms, it is Imperative that citizen engagement is Structured in a way that Responds to Citizens' Expectations", and, for that purpose, obviously make a Good Use of the Chance offered by the current Conference on Europe's Future (2021-2022), But Also well Beyond that, (given its Current practical Limitations, concerning mainly the Number and the Ways for about 500 Millions of EU Citizens to get Actively Involved and Heard : See, f.ex., inter alia, Also ...., etc).
- At any case, once Again, MEPs ensure that "This Bottom-Up Participatory Agenda should Complement Representative Democracy in the EU", (and Not Replace it by any kind of Direct Democracy at all : Comp. Supra).
=> Concerning the various Practical, Concrete Mechanisms, through which, such an Important overall Political Aim Could be Achieved asap., EU Parliament Starts with the Necessary Reforms in the relevant Already Existing EU Instruments, (Comp. Supra) :
- In particular, on the ECI ("European Citizens' Initiative", introduced by Lisbon Treaty), it almost Endorses a strikingly Similar Version of a Key Proposal, whose Main Substance had Already been Presented by "Eurofora" much Earlier, including, in particular, during Discussions that We had in the Past with certain Top MEPs Involved in the Conference on Europe's Future, Based on a kind of unprecedented ...Cooperation between Citizens and MEPs :
>>> In case of "Succesful" and Legal ECIs, the EU Parliament, (going Beyond the simple MEPs' "Debate" that "Eurofora" had succesfully Suggested, Initialy, when the Legal Regime of that Tool had been Prepared : Comp. Supra), Now Calls Also for "the adoption of a Parliamentary Resolution", "Each" Time, and Even for a "Legislative own-Initiative Report (INL)" by MEPs, When EU Commission has "Failed", "within the given (Time) Deadlines", "to Publish its Intentions", or said "that it Intends Not to take Action", (particularly withOut "Stating Sufficient Reasons for Why it did" so). In such cases, EU Parliament "Urges the (EU) Commission to Commit itself to submitting a Legislative Proposal", (if necessary, "Modifying the current framework Agreement between Parliament and Commission"), and "Asks that the ECI Regulation be Amended to Incentivise the (EU) Commission" to do so....
In other words, to put it in a nutshell, EU Citizens can Cooperate with EU Parliament, by such and Even Wider Agreements on certain Concrete Issues, in a way which, Practicaly, might Give to MEPs, in fact, a Power of Legislative Initiative, that their Assembly is, perhaps, the Only one in the World to be still Deprived from ! Precisely, that was "Eurofora"s original Idea, Already Presented and Discussed with Top Key MEPs in the Recent Past, as, inter alia, f.ex., also with French MEP Pascal Durand, from the mainstream "Renew/Liberal" Group, (notoriously Supported by President Macron), and Representative at the Conference on Europe's Future, to whom We Presented such a Suggestion on "Citizens+MEPs' Alliance" for the ECI, as Early as Since Both on February and December 2020, during a Press Interview and a Video-Conference, where We were Invited by the "European Movement", respectively, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/mepdurandeuroforaonfutureconf.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/topmepdurandforefprojectineuconference.html, etc).
+ For the Rest, among Other "Existing" Participation Tools, Nowadays' EU Parliament's Resolution (5-7 July 2021), Moreover Asks to "Improve" EU "Commission's Public Consultations", in a way which would "Promote Greater Citizens' Participation, and to Better monitor and Assess their Contributions", as well as to "ReinForce and UpDate" the "current ... (EU) Citizens' Dialogues", (Comp. Supra).
=> But, Interestingly, EU Parliament Advances much Further than that, by "underlying the Benefits of Engaging with Citizens and Civil Society" (i.e. NGOs) Also "in the Development of a European Public Sphere", (apparently, of a New Kind).
This Reminds "Eurofora" co-Founder's Iniial Legal/Political Research, since the above-mentioned 1.000 Pages Strasbourg University Study of 1981 (Comp. Supra), that nearby Frankfurt University's World Famous Philosopher Jurgen Habermas, (currently living at Ober-Bayern, near the Alpes), had basicaly Inspired, for a Key Part, with his landmark "Struktur-Wandel der Öffentlichkeit" (Structural Changes in the Public Space) work, Added, Later, mutatis-mutandis, to the "Dialogue" between Habermas and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, (alias Professor and afterwards Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, at nearby Tubingen University, then) : In Brief, to put it in a Nutshell, a recent Trend to Develop Public Debate in the Socio-Political Sphere, including in the Relations between Citizens and State Power, etc. I.e., exactly the Contrary of Kafka's famous Nightmare "the Castle", towards Spenser's Liberal "the Man versus the State"...
- Naturally, once Again, MEPs ensure, in Nowaday's July 2021 Resolution, that this is in order tio "Complement the Democratic Legitimacy of the EU, (already) Provided by its Representative Institutions", (and Not to Replace or make any kind of Competition to them : Comp. Supra).
>>> However, EU Parliament Clearly Voted, in this regard, for "the Establishment of New, Permanent Mechanisms, for Citizens' Participation", by Rejecting an Amendment which seeked to Limit it Just to some kind of (UnNamed, i.e. Possibly Old, simply Refurbished) Simply "Efficient Mechanisms", and No More... Indeed, MEPs stressed that they "Expect that the Conference on the Future of Europe will Bring an Important Contribution ... and Pave the Way" for "the Furher Development" of a kind of Novel Stage, by "providing an Opportunity to Discuss Possible Mechanisms for the Active Participation of Citizens in the Consultation Process, in order to Influence" EU Decisions.
F.ex., they aim Even at ..."the Annual Work Programme ... and the State of Union Address" by "the (EU) Commission", with "a Mechanism (that) could wok on an Annual Basis, Starting in the First Months of each Year, with National and Regional Citizens Agoras, that should Prepare the Priorities to be discussed in a transnational European Citizens Agora, which could be Concluded on Europe Day" (i.e. on Each May)...
+ Other such Suggestions include "Citizens' Agoras" due to be, Eventualy,"Institutionalized" in "Future", "as a Permanent Mechanism of Citizen Participation in (also Various Other) Key Debates", according to the Adopted Resolution.
++ But, somewhat Closer to "Eurofora"s Project is a "proposal (for) the Introduction of Citizens' Participation Mechanism for Pilot Projects", in order, inter alia, Also "to EnAble Citizens to be Involved in the Co-Creation (sic !) of Policies, With EU Decision-Makers". as MEPs, quite Ambitiously, Claim...
+++ However, EU Parliament goes as Far as to "underline the Importance of Fostering Civic Engagement and Active Participation", Even ..."at Local, Regional, National, and EU Level", All Together, "in a Coordinated ... way".
>>> Most Important for "Eurofora" is MEPs' Wish for an "Expansion of Citizens' Dialogues", including with "a Permanent Mechanism for ...a formally Binding Follow-up Process", (which, for Our Project, could be Ensured, Simply by an adequate Implemention of certain Key Administrative Law Rules, Already widely present in Many EU Member States : F.ex., Public Administration's Obligation to Inform, Hear, and Reply to Citizens Affected by a forthcoming Decision, using Sufficient Motivation, with Real Facts and Legal Points, Aiming at an appropriate General Interest Target, on the basis of a Not Excessively Erroneous Discretionary Appreciation by the Competent Authority, all these Points being placed Under a possible Control by a Court of Justice, where Citizens may Lodge a Legal Complaint, if they Challenge the Legality of a Measure).
- EU Parliament, Unfortunately, still remains quite Silent on such a Crucial Point, But, at least, it "encourages the Seting up of an Independent, Civil Society, Academic (i.e. including University Research), ...Forum in order to Monitor the (Decision-Making) Process, and its Follow-up by the EU Institutions". While clearly pointing at "the Importance of Academia, Researchers and Universities in the ...Know-how of Citizens about Participatory Mechanisms in the EU". + MEPs Also "Call for the Creation of a Standard for Open Government", (i.e. Transparency and Open Data"), at EU Level, which could serve as a Basis for Other Levels of Government". ++ More Important, as a matter of Principle, the Resolution "Highlights the Need to establish a Framework for the Follow-up to Citizens' Dialogues, in order to Take Citizens Input Effectively into Account", (i.e. Seeks an Adequate new EU Legal Tool). +++ In particular, it "Underlines that, at the End of the (Decision-Making) Process, its Outcome Must be Clearly Defined, so that it Can be Subject to an OBLIGATORY RESPONSE", which "provides Participants with a Written Feedback, on Each Proposal or Recommendation, in Clear Language, at the End of such Exercices, in which the EU Institutions Clarify their Intention to Implement that Proposal ..., Or Justify their Decision Not to do so", (Comp. "Eurofora"s Project, as Highlighted Supra). Indeed, "EU institutions must Commit themselves to Following up on their Outcome, in the light of their Competences and Legislative Procedures, since Citizens' Disappointment Often stems from a Lack of Follow-up", so that, "Otherwise", such "Dialogue tructures" face "a Risk of Disenfranchising Citizens". Also "Purpose, Rules and Timeframes of any Participatory Process Must be communicated (and)Effective; ... Otherwise, Failing to meet Expectations will Reduce (Citizens') Participation, and in turn (EU's) Legitimacy", MEPs Warned. That's why "it is Important that Citizens have a Clear understanding of engagement Outcomes, ... with Appropriate and Transparent Follow-up Procedures". "EU Institutions" should be "Attentive and Responsive to Citizens' Concerns", by "Gathering Input and Providing appropriate Follow-up, in the ensuing Decision-Making process, stress MEPs, "Call(ing) for Participatory Mechanisms to enable Citizens Participation to have a Meaningful Impact".
Indeed, "Participatory Tools" are "a Good Response to the Democratic Deficit", (which "Results from a Perceived Lack of Agency, in EU Decision Making, by EU Citizens), the European Parliament stressed, as a matter of Principle.
=> For that Purpose, "EU Participatory Democracy Requires supporting UnOrganized Citizens", (and Not Only NGOs), MEPs acknowledge Nowadays, eyeing some 500 Millions of European People, and stressing that "Participatory Mechanisms ...should Provide a means for Individuals to express their ideas and concerns". Indeed, "Eurofora"s Project is conceived on the Lines of an EU Citizen's Personal Rights vis a vis the EU Public Institutions, (and Not at all as any kind of Collective Group Lobbying.
- Concerning the Practical Context in which such a Dialogue between Citizens and EU Institutions should evolve, Before Decisions Affecting their Lives and/or Society at large, EU Parliament also Endorses "Eurofora"s Choices for the Important Potential of New "Digital" Technologies, (See, Mainly, Our 1997 Texts on EU's "ESPRIT" Programme : Comp. Supra), and "Multi-Lingual" Formats, (See, Mainly, "Eurofora"'s WebSite and MultiLingual Forum Project, Created on 2007, as well as, f.ex, http://www.eurofora.net/forum/index.php/topic,25.0.html and subsequent Relevant Interviews of Key EU Officials, etc.) :
a) Indeed, on the 1st Point, EU Parliament "Calls" (in 2021) "on the (EU) Commission and the Member States to Develop accessible, innovative and inclusive Tools for Citizens' Participation and Dialogues, making Better use of Digital Technologies to allow All Citizens ... to Play an Effective part in EU Decision-Making, building (even) on the Lessons from the way the COVID-19 Pandemic has acted as an Accelerator for the use of Digital tools".
Indeed, Today's Resolution "Underlines the Potential of New Technologies which can provide New Avenues to Engage with Citizens, to ensure an Effective Bottom-Up approach, and improve the capacity of citizens to Hold (EU) Institutions Accountable".
In particular, MEPs ask for "a Non-Bureaucratic and Comprehensive (EU) WebSite providing citizens with information about All European Participatory Initiatives", "Stressing" that "such Innovatie Tools should ...Support Representative Democracy" too (Comp. Supra), "and ...Transparency at all levels".
However, they also "stress that Digital Technologies should be a Complement to Face-to-face participation instruments, and ... especially ...Encourage participation among Populations that have Difficulties ... in Traditional ...Instruments", (Including "People with Disabilities", and/or "Living in Rural or Less-Populated Areas", etc).
+ Moreover, MEPs "See Further Opportunities that Digitalisation Offers for Citizens to Participate more Quickly, Widely, and Inclusively in (EU's) Decision-Making", particularly After "the COVID-19 Pandemic has Encouraged the use of Digital Media and OnLine Conference systems", (Added to former or current German, Italian, Scandinavian, or Czech "Pirate"-like Political Parties' input, as well as Estonia's and/or Other Countries' Boost on Digital Electoral Voting and Other Relevant Innovative Developments). Among Many Others, See also, f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eupiratepartyseipenbuschworlddemocracyforum.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/edemocracyandcitizenparticipation.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coefornewjournalismindigitalera.html, etc.
Even "European Commission Representations and European Parliament Liaison Offices (EPLOs) in the Member States should ...Facilitate ... direct Dialogue with Citizens, ... through broad and well-coordinated use of Communication Tools for the Digital and Physical Participation", the Resolution says.
"Eurofora"s Wider View is that New Digital Technologies might Even offer a Chance to evenually, more or less Revive at least some Key Utilisations, Nowadays, of the Historic Ancient Greek Civilisation's "Direct Democracy" by Citizens' collective Decicions, in one or another way, totaly or partialy, sooner or later.
However, Nowaday's EU Parliament's Resolution focused, rather, on Digital Tech.'s Potential also on Pacticaly Heling Solve a Particular Practical Issue in European Debates, which is to Considerably Facilitate "Multi-Linguism", (anOther Key "Eurofora" Project's Tool) :
b) Indeed, EU Parliament on 2021 (as "Eurofora" since, at least 2007), "Believes that (European People's) Participation could be Enhanced by ensuring ... Multi-Lingual Processes, and tools of Consultation".
=> Therefore, MEPs consider that "the EU Should Promote New and Innovative Ways for Citizens' Participation, Enabling the use of Digital Technology Tools, that Facilitate Multi-Lingual Dialogue with Ciizens". There, "Documents Should be Published in All EU Official Languages", and "Citizens' Dialogues should use a Single, MultiLingual OnLine Platform".
- "For (EU) Ccitizens to be actively Engaged, the availability and accessibility of Information in their Mother Tongue is of the utmost Importance", Because Language Barriers Limit Citizens' engagement and Participation in the Political process". So that, since "Technology ... can Help to Overcome these Language Barriers", MEPs "Ask that the EU Institutions make Use of Them".
Already several Years Earlier, "Eurofora" has Extensively Evoked, in particular, the "On-Line Automatic Translations' New Technologies, in a "Multi-Lingual Internet", at the service of EU Citizens-Politicians Debates Before Decisions Affecting them, and Discussed that Fast-Evolving Issue with UNESCO's Director General, until "PanEuropa" International Secretary General, as well as various Competent EU Commissioners, Key Top CoE's PanEuropean Officers, etc., in several relevant Publications, (See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/unescobokovainternetautomatictranslation.html, http://www.eurofora.net/forum/index.php/board,17.0.html, etc).
+ DIVERGING POINTS :
>>> But, this Resolution, Drafted by a Leftist German MEP, Son of a former DDR Politician and himself former DDR Diplomatic Staff, which, Curiously, wasN't "Discussed" in EU Parliamen's Plenary but Only "Briefly", between just himself and EU Commissioner Suica, during ... Ten (10) Minutes (sic !), Also Bears the Marks of several Controversial Points, InCompatible with "Eurofora" Project's main approach, that we find more or less Doubtful, Controversial, Criticable and/or Even UnAceptable...
- 1) First of all, among Various Others such Negative Points, is also the Crucial Issue of the EU Institutions' concrete Obligations vis a vis EU Citizens, during such kind of "Participation" or "Dialogue" :
- What Exactly are these Obligations ? Who Controls their Realisation, or not ? How Citizens can Ensure their Implementation ? (Etc)...
- In the case of "Eurofora"s Project, this Key Point is Crystal Clear (Comp. Supra) : There is a Substantial List of Public Administration's concrete Obligations vis a vis Citizens, in such a "Dialogue" Procedure; they Can be Controled by a Judge ; Citizens may Lodge a Legal Complaint ; And a Public Measure Decided via an Irregular Procedure Risks to be Cancelled by a Court.
- But, on the Contrary, in this (apparently Too Hasty) MEPs' Report, almost Nothing seems Clear, Except from a Unique and Vague Mention of a kind of "Reply" due to be Given to the concerned Ciizens by the competent Public Adinistration... What Exactly should be its Content ? How Citizens Could Oblige a recalcitrant Administration to do so ? Who Checks such Conflictual Matters ? What eventual Sanctions might, perhaps, be pronounced ? Nobody Knows !... (Comp. Supra).
- 2) Second Controversial Point : Which Citizens have the Right to "Participate" and "Engage" in "Dialogue" with the competent Public Administration, in a concrete case ?
- For "Eurofora"s Project, again, it's Crystal Clear : Every EU Citizen who is Affected, by a forthcoming Public Decision, either Directly, in his/her own Life, or by the Consequences of a Change to the Society at large, in which he is living.
- But, on the Contrary, for that Hasty MEP's Report, there are Many UnCertainties, Question Marks, or Even Controversial if not UnAcceptable Points ! F.ex., Among Others :
- Initialy, there were a Lot of References to "Young People", in General, Concerning almost ...All Kinds of EU Issues. It's Only Thanks to the Adoption of a Critical Amendment, that, at the Last Minute, the Scope was Focused on EU's "Youth Policy" Only, (as it's Normal for Youngsters).
+ Moreover, there are, Also, Vague Mentions of "Medias", "Journalists", and ...Even "Artists" (sic !), as well as ..."Children" (re-sic !!). This can be considered as InAppropriate for a Serious Citizens - Politicians' Dialogue in EU's Decision-Making Process.
++ Moreover, that Leftist MEP's Report Insists that it's Not Only EU Citizens, But Even Any Non-European Foreigners, Simple "Residents", who should have a Full Say in such "Dialogues" with EU Authorities. In such a case, then, obviously, this is No more a Privilege of EU Citizenship, and it has Nothing to do with that. But, such a Conclusion would Probably Provoke Controversy... Among others, it's even the Core Idea of Political "Accountability" of EU Authorities (Comp. Supra) which Risks to Suffer, at least as far as it's Based on Democratic Elections... (where Participation Requires EU Citizenship).
+++ Surprizingly, tha Hasty Resolution, even speaks about a so-called ..."SELECTION [sic !] of Participants" (Among Citizens), which "should ensure a ...balanced REPRESENTATION [re-sic !!] of the Population, ... so that ...Diversity is fully respected"... In Other Words, this Obviously Means that there are Not All Affected Citizens who Could Participate to such Dialogues with EU Authorities, But Only a Few among them, "Chosen" by God Only Knows what Kind of "Experts", in order to be "Representative" (Again !) of the Real Population... I.e., to the Representation by Transparent, Democratic Elections' Votes, is Substituted a so-called "Representativity" through some Obscure Technocrats' Calculations, so that the Real People are Still Kept Far Away, Even More than Before... No, this is Not "Eurofora"s conception of Citizens' Dialogue with EU Politicians Before Decisions Affecting their Lives or Society at large ! For us, it's a Human and Democratic Right of Every EU Citizen facing an imminent Measure by a Public Authority.
+++ Last, bt not least : This is a Serious Matter, concerning the Modern Democratic Structure of the Society in which we live, as well as the capacity for each Citizen to Defend his elementary Rights and Personal Freedom. In Consequence, we can Hardly Follow MEP Scholz's Claim that "Youth Engagement Tools (should) be Promoted, with a Special Focus on ...Mobile Games (sic !), or Quizzes" (re-sic !!)... Such Attitudes (added to Calls even for "Children" to engage, "Artists", etc. : Comp. Supra), are simply Out of Tune...
(.../...)
("Draft-News")
Sarkozy and Merkel want deals with Obama on European Security at Strasbourg's NATO 2009 Summit
In parallel but concording moves, EU Chair, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel both invited this week US-President elect, Barack Obama, to discuss important deals breaking new ground on European Security during the NATO's 60 Years Anniversary Summit of Heads of State in Strasbourg, where Obama is expected to make his 1st visit to Europe as a President on April 2009.
Merkel focused mainly on smoother NATO - EU Defence and Security policy cooperation, while Sarkozy spoke about PanEuropean Security, associating both Russia and the USA, proposing to freeze missile and shields' deployement until an agreement is reached.
But both tackled some hard nuts to crack : Turkey's VETO against the participation of EU Member Cyprus to EU-NATO cooperation, and Russia's anouncement on deployment of missiles up to Kaliningrad, at EU's belly, in reply to USA's wish to set up missile shields in EU States such as Poland or Czech Republic, etc.
- "Certainly...one of the points that we'll dicuss with the New US President", Barak OBAMA, "who will come f'or the 1st time in Europe as president, at the NATO Summit", co-hosted by France and Germany in Strasbourg, ""concerns, above all, the European Security and Defence Policy" (ESDP), and "the relations between NATO and its partners", with whom it should "work together", anounced earlier this week Merkel.
We must find "a reasonable and adequate concept to articulate NATO and European Security and Defense policy", because of a "series of practical issues, sometimes difficult to understand", but that "we must discuss".
- "An example" of that is "the issue of Cyprus and Turkey", said Merkel, where Ankara raises problems "from Kosovo up to Afghanistan", as also CoE's chair, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt recently observed in Strasbourg replying to EuroFora's questions.
- "We must do something to smoothen this problem for good, and not only on a case-by-case basis, laboriously negotiated each time". Here, we must find "a reasonable and adequate concept to articulate NATO and European Security and Defense policy", Merkel stressed.
- "With good will from all sides, it could and should be posible. Germany wants also to help on that". Otherwise, "the coming generations will not understand why it took Decades to do so". But, if we "don't even achieve that for Decades, this would be an Historic Failure !", the German Chancellor warned
- "I think that our American partners are increasingly realizing that", Merkel said, pleading for "a stronger European Security and Defence policy, with which, I believe, the Atlantic Security Partnership can also strengthen and solidify".
Meanwhile, USA is also due to take in 2009 a special status inside EU-led EUROCORPS, the European Army HeadQuarters, based in Strasbourg.
Merkel said that after meeting in Berlin with NATO's Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, earlier this week, precisely in order to "prepare NATO's Summit", scheduled for the beginning of April 2009 in Strasbourg.
Scheffe, knows well Strasbourg, since he chaired the CoE, as Holland's Foreign Minister, when he brokered a controversial deal precisely on Turkey and Cyprus about the implementation of ECHR judgements on Greek Cypriot displaced persons' houses and properties in 2003. He returned later at least once, for a WEO meeting at the CoE, where he precisely had highlighted such EU - NATO issues.
EU Commission's 2008 Report on Turkey has just observed that, on European Defense - Security policy, "Turkey continues to object to EU-NATO Cooperation which would involve all EU Member States". "This created Problems for EU-NATO co-operation in the context of Civilian ESDP missions, in particular in Kosovo and Afghanistan".
French EU Chair, President Sarkozy and Merkel are visiting Washington on Friday and Saturday for a Global G-20 Summit with current US President George Bush, on the sidelines of which are expected preparatory contacts with US President-elect Obama's entourage, even if himself might stay in Chicago until he takes over on January 21.
Before going to Washington, Sarkozy concluded today an UE - Russia Summit with Dmitry Medvedev, where they "spoke in length on PanEuropean Security" :
- As EU President, I proposed that we meet on mid-2009 in a framework such as OSCE's in order to set the foundations of a Future Pan-European Security, which would associate Russia and USA, and that, meanwhile, nobody speaks about deploying missiles or shields, which complicate the situation".
- NATO's Summit in Strasbourg-Kehl, on April 2009 is a perfect occasion to discuss with our American friends and to prepare a possible OSCE Summit for these issues f.ex. for June or July", Sarkozy concluded.
- We must all abstain from Unilateral measures" dangerous for Europe's security. "Russia only reacted to decisions taken by some other countries. But if they are ready to cooperate, we are ready to discuss. EU could be an intermediary", added Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, before going himself too at the Washington G-20 Economic Summit.


text:
Reanimating cultural heritage in Sierra Leone
The resource provides global digital access to over 4,000 Sierra Leonean objects, images and sound recordings. This material was largely hidden away in museum stores and low on museums' priority lists. Many of the artefacts had been housed at museums in the UK, including the British Museum, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow Museums, World Museum Liverpool and the British Library Sound Archive. The project encouraged museums to prioritise the digitisation of these collections, providing access to much of the material for the first time. A further 2,000 objects from the Sierra Leone National Museum – which previously had no accurate record of its collection – were digitised. Beyond providing access to the objects, this complete written and visual record of the collection significantly improved its security.
In 2013, the British Museum held a 3 month exhibition focusing exclusively on Sierra Leonean collections, inspired directly by the project. The six week exhibition attracted approximately 67,000 visitors and was selected for the British Museum's 'History of the World' tour to Abu Dhabi, Japan and Taiwan in 2014.
Professor Paul Basu (University College London), the project leader, has subsequently been appointed as an official advisor to the Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission, and is currently assisting the Sierra Leonean government formulate new cultural heritage legislation.
Launched in October 2011, the resource not only preserves Sierra Leone's heritage by creating a digital archive, it also 'reanimates' forgotten objects by showing them alongside contextualising videos, images, sounds and other media. The majority of the videos were made by Sierra Leoneans themselves, thereby fostering a sense of shared ownership in the project and ensuring local perspectives are brought to the fore.
Mural painted by Julius Parker on the wall of the Sierra Leone National Museum promoting the www.sierraleoneheritage.org digital resource. Credit: Paul Basu
Sierra Leone's Director of Cultural Affairs said the project had led him to recognise the importance of the Sierra Leone National Museum and the contribution it can make to national development. The museum now attracts increased press coverage and high level functionaries at openings and events. The Museum's higher profile has even resulted in a change in staff employment conditions and pay.
For more information on the project visit: www.sierraleoneheritage.org
Gateway to Research Project Links: Reanimating cultural heritage: digital repatriation knowledge networks and civil society strengthening in post-coflict Sierra Leone (Feb 2009 – Feb 2012)
Research Grants - Standard Route
Sierra Leone Heritage


Myanmar eVisa(Official Government Website) of Commerce Association's recommendation or invitation letter are eligible for the Business Visa application. Download On Arrival Visa Form - -Myanmar Visa Experts Service. (a) Applicant shall abide by the Laws of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the Republic of the Union of.
Visa applications are strictly by Online Appointment only and our system will deliver application form after your successful Appointment. A valid passport with. If you are travelling to Myanmar and need your visa application processed quickly, make TravelDocs your first stop for all the information you need for obtaining. (Entry/Exit form at Myanmar airport) to save your time at the Myanmar airport, you can download and fill in this form in advance, then print it out and bring to the.
Basic Documents required: 1. passport which validity is no less than 6 months. 2. visa application form completely filled in. 3. 2 recent color photos (x cm). VFS Global manages visa application centres for UK Visas & Immigration here in Burma where you submit your completed visa application form, supporting. 20 Dec Welcome to the website of the Australian Visa Application Centre in Myanmar. VFS Global is a commercial entity working in partnership with. 9 Feb This category of visa is for those who are travelling to Myanmar for tourist purposes only. ONE tourist visa application form (Download PDF). If you live in Myanmar and want to apply for a short-stay visa for the You must submit a completed and signed visa application form (PDF, KB).
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This two-part article series discusses the signs and symptoms of gum disease in both the beginning stages (gingivitis) and advanced stages (periodontitis).
Are your gums healthy? Most people would like to think so, but according to the dire statistics of gum disease in the United States, our oral health and standard of hygiene just isn't up to scratch! As much as 80% of the population suffers from some form or stage of gum disease, whether it's a mild infection of the gums known as gingivitis or pervasive and chronic periodontal disease.
How Can You NOT Know You Have Gum Disease?
The reason this disease seemingly flies under the radar is because it doesn't cause much pain or discomfort in its beginning stages. Consequently, most people are convinced they don't have a problem. Concerns they DO have over the changes they've noticed in the condition of their gums are filed away under the "It'll probably go away on its own" mental catalogue.
So what are the symptoms to look out for? When should we start feeling alarmed for the sake of our oral health? And what signs should we definitely never ignore? We spoke to a qualified and experienced Silver Spring dentist about when you should seek professional attention for seemingly small oral problems.
Bleeding gums are indicative of infection. The tissue becomes compromised and weakened and consequently, it tears more easily. If your gums bleed when brushing, try not to press down so hard and see if that works. If you don't floss very often, it's possible that the gum tissue between your teeth is irritated by the food debris and plaque you leave between your teeth. As a result, it could be a little inflamed and prone to bleeding on the rare occasion that you do pick up the floss. To remedy this, start flossing every day and if the bleeding doesn't subside, book yourself an appointment with your Silver Spring dentist.
You will need to up your efforts to keep your teeth and gums clean, which includes brushing more regularly and for longer. You must floss before you go to bed at night and you could even include an anti-bacterial mouthwash in your hygiene regime - or at least until your gums start looking a little healthier. Also, it would be a good idea to book an appointment with your dentist!
Stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series for more advice on the signs and symptoms of gum disease!


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As a family we've always grown food, it's just second nature to us. Turning into something we shared and did full time just made sense. Phoenix Farms was started in 2015 in honor/memory of our father.
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text:
Man "cured" of AIDS: Timothy Ray Brown
Timothy Ray Brown
Timothy R. Brown attends a press conference to announce the formation of the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation on July 24, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Brown, who was known as the "Berlin patient," says doctors have told him he's "cured of AIDS and will remain cured." His case is rare.
Brown had a blood stem cell transplant in 2007 to treat leukemia and his blood donor possessed a rare genetic mutation that provides natural resistance to HIV. Doctors declared him "cured" soon after. He spoke publicly about his experience for the first time in 2012.
Brown died of cancer in September 2020.
Credit: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Meeting celebrities
Actress Sharon Stone greets Timothy Ray Brown, the first man to be cured of AIDS, at an event for the HIV/AIDS research foundation amfAR on July 20, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Researchers in California had recently found traces of HIV in Brown's tissues, but said remnants of the virus still in his body are dead and can't replicate.
Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Spotlight on HIV/AIDS research
Actress Sharon Stone (R) poses for a photo with Timothy Ray Brown at the amfAR event on July 20, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Rare case
Timothy Ray Brown attends "Together To End AIDS: An Evening To Benefit amfAR and GBCHealth" at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on July 21, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Brown told CBS News, "I quit taking my HIV medication on the day that I got the transplant and haven't had to take any since."
Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Announcing his foundation
Timothy R. Brown takes questions during a press conference to announce the formation of the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation on July 24, 2012, in Washington, D.C. About 1% of Caucasians are thought to have a genetic mutation that makes a person immune to HIV.
Timothy R. Brown waits to speak at a press conference to announce the formation of a foundation in his name on July 24, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
At a medical conference
Timothy Ray Brown attends the International Symposium HIV & Emerging Infectious Diseases conference on May 23, 2012, in Marseille, France.
Credit: Gerard Julien/Getty Images
Timothy Ray Brown and Kenneth Cole attend "Together To End AIDS: An Evening To Benefit amfAR and GBCHealth" at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on July 21, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Timothy Ray Brown poses during the International Symposium HIV & Emerging Infectious Diseases conference on May 23, 2012, in Marseille, France.
Contributing to research
Timothy Ray Brown at the International Symposium HIV & Emerging Infectious Diseases conference on May 23, 2012, in Marseille, France.
Fundraising to fight HIV/AIDS
David Purdy (left), co-founder of World AIDS Institute, Timothy R. Brown (center) and Chad Johnson, co-founder of the World AIDS Institute, are seen after a press conference to announce the formation of the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation on July 24, 2012 in Washington, D.C.


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Milk prices could rise as farm bill cutoff nears
By Mary Clare Jalonick
A New Year's deadline that could send the price of milk skyward looms over congressional negotiators as they try to reach agreement on a five-year farm bill. They've been tripped up by differences over the nation's food stamp program and how to restructure farm subsidies.
The two chambers have been far apart on both issues for more than two years. But the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees expressed optimism after a private meeting Wednesday that they may be able to find resolution in time to narrowly avert the expiration of dairy subsidies on Jan. 1. If those subsidies expire, new laws will kick in that could result in decreased dairy supply on the commercial market and higher prices for a gallon of milk.
Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas, a Republican on the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, said negotiators could possibly hold a public meeting next week for the conference committee to settle some of the remaining issues before the House leaves for the year on Dec. 13.
But with a final deal still elusive, it seems unlikely that Congress will finish the bill before the end of the year.
Boehner: Extend
On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner said the bill should be extended through January while negotiators work out their differences. Boehner also contradicted the optimism of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., who said Wednesday that the two sides had made "great progress."
"You know, I've not seen any real progress on the farm bill," Boehner said. "And so if we've got to pass a one-month extension of the farm bill, I think we ought to be prepared to do that."
An extension is not certain, however. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he doesn't want to extend the bill again after Congress already extended the bill at the beginning of this year.
Finding a compromise on cuts to the nation's $80 billion-a-year food stamp program has been the toughest obstacle over the last two years. The House passed a bill this summer that would cut $4 billion from food stamps — now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — annually and allow states to create new work requirements for some recipients. The Democratic Senate, backed by President Barack Obama, passed a farm bill with $400 million annual cut, or a tenth of the House cut.
Negotiators have discussed as a possibility cracking down further on a practice in some states of giving low-income people as little as $1 a year in home heating assistance, even when they don't have heating bills, in order to make them eligible for increased food stamp benefits. The Senate found its $400 million in annual cuts by requiring that recipients receive at least $10 in assistance to make them eligible, while the House doubled that cut by requiring that recipients receive $20 annually — bringing the savings to around $800 million a year.
It's unclear whether a compromise would include the new work requirements passed by the House, but the Senate is unlikely to go along with those proposals. The Senate has also balked at a House provision to end government waivers that have allowed able-bodied adults without dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely.
White House spokesman Jay Carney reiterated Obama's support for the Senate version of the bill Thursday.
"The president has mentioned and made clear that there is an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation on a comprehensive farm bill," Carney said. "And he hopes and expects that that can be achieved before the end of the year."
USDA ready
If the negotiators can't agree on a bill and Congress allows the dairy supports to expire, 1930s and 1940s-era "permanent" farm law would go into effect. Those laws would raise the price that the government currently pays to purchase dairy products, prompting many processors to sell to the government instead of commercial markets. That would decrease commercial supply and consequently raise prices for shoppers at grocery stores.
Prices wouldn't go up immediately, as the Agriculture Department would have to write the new rules based on the old laws and then put them into place. But Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is warning that it may not take that long, saying USDA was prepared to implement the dairy law in "short order" if current law expires.
"But boy, I tell you, that's not something that I want to do," Vilsack said. "I'm reasonably certain that's not anything that anybody in Congress would want to have happen, and I'm sure that no consumer is anxious to see that happen."


The jacket became fashion icon since Vin Deisel wore it. The jacket is made of shearling material in white color. Black stripe around front closure and black rib off collar and cuff. This is a bomber style jacket and perfect for winter days. It gives you a stylish look and polyester lining used inside for make it more comfortable.


text:
Q: How do I fit several linear models with plyr How do I modify the following code from the help page of dlplyr to consecutively fit a linear model with no intercept to several predictors in a data.frame.
#From the dlplyr help page
linmod <- function(df) {
lm(rbi ~ year, data = mutate(df, year = year - min(year)))
}
models <- dlply(baseball, .(id), linmod)

My dataset
library(plyr)
grouping<-factor(sample(c('A', 'B', 'C'), 10, replace=TRUE))
set.seed(10)
x1<-rnorm(10, 3, 1)
x2<-rnorm(10, 4, 1)
x3<-rnorm(10,5, 1)
x4<-rnorm(10,5,2)
mydf<-data.frame(grouping, x1, x2, x3, x4)
mydf

I would like to modify the function linmod above to produce lm(y1~0+X1, data=mydf), lm(y1~0+X2, data=mydf), lm(y1~0+X3, data=mydf).
I want the linear models without an intercept to basically do an analysis of variance; this is how I usually do it.

A: Is the following your desired output?
lapply(mydf[-1], function(x) lm(x ~ 0 + mydf[,1]))
$x1

Call:
lm(formula = x ~ 0 + mydf[, 1])

Coefficients:
mydf[, 1]A  mydf[, 1]B  mydf[, 1]C
     2.511       2.608       2.405

$x2

Call:
lm(formula = x ~ 0 + mydf[, 1])

Coefficients:
mydf[, 1]A  mydf[, 1]B  mydf[, 1]C
     4.301       4.872       4.073

$x3

Call:
lm(formula = x ~ 0 + mydf[, 1])

Coefficients:
mydf[, 1]A  mydf[, 1]B  mydf[, 1]C
     4.410       2.848       4.358

$x4

Call:
lm(formula = x ~ 0 + mydf[, 1])

Coefficients:
mydf[, 1]A  mydf[, 1]B  mydf[, 1]C
     3.473       5.107       3.508

A: It might be easiest to gather the Xs then then have it as the variable that plyr splits before passing to lm. Tidyr is helpful for this. Something like:
library(plyr)
library(tidyr)
grouping<-factor(sample(c('A', 'B', 'C'), 10, replace=TRUE))
set.seed(10)
x1<-rnorm(10, 3, 1)
x2<-rnorm(10, 4, 1)
x3<-rnorm(10,5, 1)
x4<-rnorm(10,5,2)
mydf<-data.frame(grouping, x1, x2, x3, x4)
mydf_long <- gather(my_df, "x_var", "value", 2:5)
lm_fn <- function(x){
   out <- lm(value ~ grouping, data=x)
   return(out)
}
output <- dlply(bydf_long, .(x_var), lm_fn)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Rubus adenophorus är en rosväxtart som beskrevs av Robert Allen Rolfe. Rubus adenophorus ingår i släktet rubusar, och familjen rosväxter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Externa länkar

Rubusar
adenophorus

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Sawtell may refer to:

 E. Rosa Sawtell (1865 - 1940), New Zealand artist
 Henry Sawtell (1832–1913), mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand
 Paul Sawtell
 Sawtell, New South Wales
 Sawtell Peak in Idaho, United States

See also

 Sawtelle (disambiguation)


On Wednesday evening, the HBF and NHBC published their annual customer satisfaction survey for new home buyers across the country. The HBF in their release claim that the "overwhelming majority of buyers are happy with their new build home". However, in publishing these results on a Wednesday evening, when the news focus was squarely on Brexit the question springs to mind of whether all is really as positive as it seems. In fact, if we look behind the headline and examine the results of the survey what we see is that satisfaction with new homes is actually falling.
With the average new build home in England costing £255,000 it should be a surprise that overwhelming majority of new home buyers are then experiencing problems.
For us at Shelter these results are not news. Earlier this year, we asked new home buyers about their experiences, and over half reported major problems as a direct result of the construction of their home. While the NHBC's survey does not break down reported problems by severity, it's clear to see that new build homes aren't up to scratch – not just in a handful of isolated cases, but across the country.
Looking back over the results of previous years' surveys underlines that things are getting worse: Since 2012, for example, the number of respondents that are satisfied with the condition of their new build home has fallen by 10%. At the same time the numbers of respondents experiencing more than 6 problems with their home has increased by 13%.
These results further demonstrate that the speculative housebuilding model is failing us. Not only is it not providing enough homes, and particularly enough affordable homes, the homes that are being provided all too often aren't good enough. Despite this new build homes remain unaffordable for ordinary people and Shelter's analysis has shown that eight out of ten working, private renting families cannot afford a new build home in their area. What we have is a market that produces an expensive yet flawed product.
The falling levels of satisfaction with new build homes should be a cause for concern, and in most industries a clear fall in customer satisfaction would warrant immediate action. However, as we can see by the continuing decline, immediate action hasn't been taken. In fact, on the face of these results, rather than addressing the problem housebuilders are allowing it to get worse.
So why is this the case? Why is it that so many of the new homes we build aren't good enough?
We believe it's down to the business model we rely on in England to build our homes: speculative housebuilding. Under the speculative system, housebuilders compete at the point of buying land to build on. They calculate what they can afford to pay for land based on what they think they can build on it, and how much that can be sold for. The developer who makes the most aggressive assumptions of how low their costs will be and how much they will be able to sell homes for can offer the most for the land, and generally wins.
This means that things like affordability and quality are reduced because the developer has to make sure they meet their profit margin. In essence the system is rigged against ordinary families, with even those who can afford to buy a new home often experiencing problems.
We need to change this, and with New Civic Housebuilding Shelter have set out our vision for how to do this. We have shown that by bringing land into development at a fair price we can ensure that those core elements of affordability, appropriate infrastructure and quality of homes can be improved.
The failure of the last five years that is evidenced by this week's results serves to demonstrate that the current system isn't capable of addressing the problem. Without a shift away from speculative housebuilding we can't expect satisfaction or quality to improve.
Our New Civic Housebuilding model draws on examples from the past, including Edinburgh New Town, Bath, the Garden Cities and the post-War New Towns. These are places that remain popular and serve to demonstrate that a better model of development is possible – and the results of the HBF survey then underline that a better model is needed.


text:
TTA Blogger
Totteridge Student Wins National Wellbeing Award
A Year 11 student at The Totteridge Academy is celebrating after winning a national award for her work to promote wellbeing in her school.
Naomi Balan won the 'Young Champion' award at this year's 'Wellbeing in Schools Awards', run by the children's mental health charity Place2Be. Through the ceremony, Place2Be seeks to recognise the determination and hard work of students and schools across the country in delivering mental health and wellbeing support to young people. By winning this award, Naomi has demonstrated a particularly outstanding level of innovation and impact in championing mental health.
Since arriving at the academy from Romania in 2011, Naomi has worked diligently to support students who don't speak English as their first language. She has completed a Young Interpreter Course and often sits beside new students in lessons as an extra point of contact. Naomi also works closely with students in the younger years, specifically helping Year 7s to settle in during their first few weeks at school.
The school has been working with Place2Be since 2018, receiving in-depth training programmes to ensure the emotional wellbeing of students, families, teachers and school staff. Teaching their young people to show respect for one another and make a positive contribution to both the school and wider community is all part of what The Totteridge Academy calls an Education with Character.
Speaking of her win, Naomi said:
"I feel so honoured to be part of such a prestigious event and to win this award. I feel really passionate about mental health and ensuring that all people have access to the support they need. This is something I promote within school and beyond, but it really is unexpected to have been recognised for this and I am very grateful."
Janina Aitken, Vice Principal at The Totteridge Academy, said:
"Naomi's kindness and support for others impresses me every day. It is fantastic to have such a champion of kindness and wellbeing within the school and particularly as one of our School Prefects. She sets such a good example to our students and shows the importance of looking after one another, sharing our worries and feelings, and looking at options for support. She really deserves to be recognised for this."
Catherine Roche, Chief Executive at Place2Be, said:
"All too often we are surrounded by stories of children's mental health in crisis. Sadly, we hear less about the brilliant efforts made every day to support children and young people in UK schools. To redress this, Place2Be's Wellbeing in Schools Awards recognise and showcase the remarkable work and commitment to promote mental health across our partner schools in the UK."
Weekly Parent Newsletter
Outstanding Effort and Achievement Celebrated at TTA's Evening of Excellence
Jake, our Head Chef, interviewed about the challenges of serving hot food during a pandemic


I am a recent MBA graduate with a Finance background looking to do an internship in person and on site to gain some experience as I would like to hopefully start a fund in South Africa soon. Please let me know if someone is looking for a intern. I am a South African resident and currently based in South Africa. Will be in Spain from 22 March to 9 April incase we could meet up. I am willing to travel wherever needed.
Anyone use the Choate Template APA?


text:
ORLANDOONLINEus
Orlando GUIDE
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AVRA Medical Robotics Appoints Timothy K. Duggins as Regulatory Consultant
ORLANDO, Fla., May 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AVRA Medical Robotics, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQB: AVMR), an emerging company that is creating the next generation of autonomous surgical robotics through the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and proprietary medical software architecture, announced today that it has retained The Horizon Phoenix Group and its principal Mr. Timothy K. Duggins as a regulatory consultant. The company entered into a four-year contract to conduct regulatory work on behalf of AVRA.
The Horizon Phoenix Group has commenced its services on behalf of AVRA and has since initiated a dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prepared and filed an application for AVRA's fully autonomous surgical robotic system with the FDA. Now that the application has been filed, the company has proceeded to request its first meeting with the FDA.
Mr. Tim Duggins, said, "I'm extremely excited to join AVRA as their regulatory consultant. In my 35 years of assisting companies and helping them pursue their commercialization goals, I have never seen as promising a technology as AVRA's fully autonomous surgical robotic platform, which has all the hallmarks to becoming a game changer in the medical industry. I believe that the path to commercialization is within reach for AVRA and am looking forward to helping the company bring their new technologies to the healthcare marketplace."
Barry Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said, "We are extremely pleased to retain Tim and his firm, The Horizon Phoenix Group, to assist AVRA pursue the FDA approval for our first-generation robotic arm including software that will ultimately make the robotic arm function autonomously. Tim is a seasoned professional and is highly regarded in the industry. In addition to his deep expertise in the industry, Tim recently received the Best Abstract Award at the 3rd World Congress on Clinical Trials in Vienna, Austria. I'm grateful to have Tim at our side and believe he will keep us on the right track in pursuing the necessary approvals to obtain commercialization in a timely fashion."
About AVRA Medical Robotics, Inc.
AVRA Medical Robotics, Inc., (OTCQB: AVMR) is transforming the practice of medicine by developing a fully autonomous surgical robotic system that "robotizes" a wide range of medical procedures currently being performed by human hands using surgical and non-surgical devices and instruments. AVRA is concentrating its research and development efforts to meet rising expectations of patients and practitioners alike for the precision, safety and speed offered by robotics and artificial intelligence as well as proprietary medical software architecture when combined with proven medical devices and surgical instruments. For more information visit the company's website at www.avramedical.com.
This press release may contain statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "will," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "could," "seek," "designed," "potential," "forecast," "target," "objective," "goal," or the negatives of such terms or other similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or AVRA's future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Barry F. Cohen
AVRA Medical Robotics, Inc.
info@avramedical.com
Adam Lowensteiner
Lytham Partners, LLC
AVMR@lythampartners.com
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Come join us for some creative dance photos!
Here's your dancer's chance to do an affordable and fun professional photo shoot to show off their dance skills! Whether you need to develop your professional portfolio or just want to capture some beautiful art keepsakes, this is the perfect chance.
Open to any age and skill level, we will be offering the opportunity to combine move with fabrics or flour. Adrienne has over 25 years experience as a photographer and over 10 years experience working with dancers of all ages. These sessions are fun, professional, and amazing keepsakes and mementos for any dancers.
Sessions are at brand new studio (located at 15-15515 24 ave in Village Center in South Surrey which is across the parking lot from our old studio).
See more of Adrienne's dance work on our website.
Movement incorporated with fluid fabrics!
Do you dance, teach at, or work at a local dance school? If so, please list below, otherwise leave blank. If filling out for a minor also leave bank.
If you're filling out this form on the behalf of a minor or another person, please include their details below, otherwise you may leave the below area blank.
Do they dance at a local dance school? If so please let us know which one below. If not, leave blank.
Choose your preferred time slots!
Yes I am gluten sensitive, please use cornstarch instead of flour.
Sessions balance is due in full at time of booking. Purchase is non-refundable however if an emergency arises we will work to find another date that works.
If paying via e-transfer: Send to info@geminivisuals.com with the password "DANCEMINI" and put 'etransfer' in the field below.
If you're uncomfortable sharing your credit card information with us, let us know in the space below that you would like a direct invoice emailed to you that you can pay online OR you can leave a message on Adrienne's secure voicemail with your name, card number, and expiry date at 604 312 6330.
Please note: Sessions are NOT CONSIDERED BOOKED until payment is received so if you are sending an e-transfer please do it immediately. If you request an invoice sent to you, please keep an eye on your email and pay it promptly as your time spot is still available to others until paid for due to the high demand for these sessions.
Credit card information including EXPIRY date or e-transfer password.


4A/5A Boys Team Scores : 1. Jenks 36. 2. Owasso 82. 3. Memorial 93. 4. East Central 123. 5. Skiatook 126. 6. Mannford 133. 7. Edison 161. 8. Sand Springs 173. 9. Hale 244.
1. Matt Henderson, Skiatook, 16:44; 2. Luke Ortez, EC, 17:06; 3. Mike Thrasher, Owasso, 17:15; 4. John Lukeman, Jenks, 17:26; 5. Scott Andrews, Jenks, 17:38; 6. Raleigh Redard, Memorial, 17:45; 7. u/a; Skiatook; 17:58; 8. Josh Rains, Jenks, 18:01. 9. Dylan Cope, Jenks, 18:03; 10. Chris Green, Jenks, 18:03.
4A/5A Girls Team Scores : 1. Owasso 37. 2. Jenks 72. 3. Sand Springs 86. 4. Mannford 109. 5. Edison 111. 6. Skiatook 124. 7. Memorial 181.
1. Lauren Watson, Skiatook, 12:43; 2. Jamie Sherwood, Mannford, 13:04; 3. Kelsey Laney, Owasso, 13:18; 4. Andrea Caywood, Mannford, 13:33; 5. Stephanie Carroll, Owasso, 13:38; 6. Taylor McCann, Jenks, 13:46; 7. Beth Eubanks, Sand Springs, 13:52; 8. Shannon Quinlan, Owasso, 14:01; 9. Kolby Weber, Edison, 14:03. 10. Erica Pletan, Owasso, 14:06.
2A/3A Boys Team Scores: 1. Victory Christian 18. 2. Bristow 57. 3. Kellyville 73.
1. Daniel Henshaw, VC, 18:21; 2. Ryan Davis, VC, 18:44; 3. Justin DeGraffenreid, K, 18:58; 4. Jeremy Gertner, VC, 19:03; 5. Daniel Eng, VC, 19:06; 6. Joshua Coates, VC, 19;23; 7. Jodie Woods, Bristow, 19:29; 8. William Thompson, Bristow, 19:32; 9. Tyler Webb, Bristow, 19;45. 10. Brett Watkins, Berryhill, 19:51.
2A/3A Girls Team Scores: 1. Victory Christian 34. 2. Bristow 47. 3. Hulbert 68. 4. Claremore Sequoyah 113.
1. Brannan Micheala, VC, 13:12; 2. Victoria Kline, Fairland, 14:01; 3. Grace Skocik, VC, 14:02; 4. Kamie Beaver, Hulbert, 14:02; 5. Jessica Bridgeman, Bristow, 14:28; 6. Hailey Plum, Bristow, 14:39; 7. Veronica Pestel, Berryhill, 14:45; 8. Marieka Willis, VC, 14:51; 9. Brooklyn Wallin, Bristow, 14:57; 10. Lauren Morris, VC, 14:57.


Broadway Week - one of our favorite times of the year over here - returns with a a staggering 20+ Broadway shows offering 2 for 1 tickets. From Motown the Musical to Cinderella to Lion King - many of the big names are included!
Here's everyone's big break into showbiz—two-for-one tickets to select Broadway productions from 9/1 through 9/14.
Tickets are on sale. Click here to purchase tickets online and see specific information on blackout dates and exceptions for each show.


text:
A New Shopping Center in 2010?? Update 2!! August 1, 2010
Tags: Cooper, Crave, Creative Kid Stuff, Hot Mama, Ringo, Rojo, Sauce, Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill, UberBaby, West End
Shareology has been getting a lot of interest in her posts on A New Shopping Center 2009 and 2010, a.k.a. West End, located just West of Minneapolis. Why the original post and now not 1, but 2 updates? This shopping center has been slowly opening shops and restaurants; every time Shareology shows up, there is something new to look at:
The key focus of this success story seems to be dinner and a movie; here's a look at your dining choices:
Toby Keith's is getting several crowd's: lunch, dinner, music….you can find gobs of free parking and all these choices of where to party……
Cooper has been a hit from the get-go…..
Crave #3 is up and running!!
Ringo is the new kid on the block:
Sauce is adding to the parade of outdoor eating:
And our final restaurant was in a hiring mode when Shareology went by:
After "dinner and a movie"….West End offers some fun stuff for the mama crowd:
Hot Mama and Uber Baby, in addition to Creative Kid Stuff, make this a fun afternoon out for moms.
Plus West End is just plain relaxing, with its ease of parking and streetscape:
Finally, Shareology just looooooooves the following window:
This ain't the megamall; you aren't going to find every retailer in town here. But for a relaxing movie, a bite to eat before you go, ease of parking — it's hard to beat the West End!
A new shopping center opening? 2010 Update! March 20, 2010
Tags: Cooper, Crave, Creative Kidstuff, Hot Mama, Love Culture, new shopping center, Omaha Steaks, Republic of Couture, retail, Rojo Mexican Grill, Sauce, The West End, Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill, Uber Baby, West End
UPDATE JUNE 11, 2010: TOBY KEITH'S IS OPEN!! LET THE BOOT STOMPING BEGIN!!
One of the most popular posts Shareology did last year was on a brand new shopping center opening in St. Louis Park called West End, near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Given the interest in this retail opening, Shareology went back last week to check it out.
Some of the first to open and most popular have been restaurants Crave and Cooper. This is the third Crave, after the successful Galleria and Mall of America locations. Last week Shareology found Crave patrons enjoying the spring sunshine:
Craving the Sunshine
Cooper (named in honor of the long gone Cooper Theatre showing movies just a stone's throw away) has also been drawing crowds. The interior has that genuine Irish pub feeling, from those folks who just moved into Block E.
What other retailers have opened at West End since Shareology last visited?
Steak to Go
Creative Kidstuff: Toys and More
Republic of Couture: clothing for men, women and children
Love Culture: clothing
Not all stores are open yet — a view of coming attractions:
Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill
Uber Baby: Opening April 9 !!
Sauce: think Italian!
Rojo Mexican Grill
Whew: Shareology did not go by every single merchant — let's look at a partial list:
West End is a natural with the dinner and a movie crowd, and with the young mom demographic. Heck, even Shareology loves the place! For more information, go to: http://www.theshopsatwestend.com/
To read the original 2009 post on West End: https://kayroseland.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/a-new-shopping-center-opening-in-2009/


We create and operate solutions that embrace digital and AI delivered with human touch, resulting in world-class, innovative, all-embracing customer experiences which delight.
Our BPO and Contact Centre Outsourcing focus is on international and larger Asian-headquartered businesses who seek more rewarding experiences for and, as a result, greater value from their customers.
We specialise in multi-lingual CX across all channels, for premium customer care and tech support, social media and back office processing. We also provide consulting, process re-engineering and fulfilment services such as warranty, payment processing and logistics.
Principally we provide these services from our centres in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Colombo, Sri Lanka but we also support clients from other locations in our rapidly growing global office network.
QUALITY processes and execution are key as we strive to provide services which delight and exceed expectations. Scicom has an award winning Quality Management System which provides a framework for measuring and improving performance.
Scicom is the only Malaysian entity recognised by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®), who rated Scicom as a Leader in its 2018 Global Outsourcing 100®. www.IAOP.org.
The result is that for 21 years, we have consistently delivered great results, as many clients will testify.
Please email us at bposales@scicom.com.my for more information about our services.
For further reading on global BPO outsourcing, Scicom recommends the Gartner Market Guide for Customer Management BPO Service Providers 2019. (By TJ Singh et al., 14 March 2019)*. Scicom (MSC) Bhd is named as a Representative Vendor in this report.


BEIJING: China on Tuesday made it transparent that there's no exchange in its place on India's request to listing Pakistan-based JeM leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and mentioned it'll decide at the issue at the "merits of the matter".
China also shrugged of allegation of sheltering hardline United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, announcing it adheres to the policy of non-interference in the inner affairs of alternative international locations.
India on Monday asked China to strengthen the pending application in the UN to designate Azhar as a global terrorist all the way through the primary India-China high-level assembly on bilateral safety cooperation which used to be co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi.
A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has again and again blocked India's bid at the United Nations to listing Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Azhar as a global terrorist.
When asked to comment on India's request, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying mentioned she has to test the precise main points of the talks between the two ministers.
"As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our position for many times," she mentioned.
"On the counter terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she mentioned.
"We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she mentioned.
Azhar is accused of a number of fatal terrorist attacks in India, together with one at the Uri military base in Kashmir in 2016 through which 17 safety body of workers had been killed.
China has blocked India's efforts to designate Azhar underneath the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council citing loss of consensus among the members of the Council.
On experiences that India has asked China to not to give refuge to ULFA leader Baruah, Hua mentioned, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged."


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quickly, recognizing the icons in Backstage from every-day word processing programs.
Backstage is intuitive, easy to get around, and self-explanatory.
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I want to be able to get support from a real person when I need it.
With personal assistance just a phone call or e-mail away, you can't go wrong as you learn the basics of Backstage. Video tutorials and quick response e-mails from the support team ensure that you are never left alone in managing your web site.
Free updates and upgrades are included in each Backstage subscription. These updates include adding new features or expanding current feature capabilities. The Backstage team takes the time to listen to what users say and many of the updates come directly from client feedback.
I am a developer and I want a system that is fully customizeable.
Backstage is designed to fit your web site. The creative and technical team of Backstage knows that every client has unique web site needs. That is why we take the time to make sure Backstage is installed correctly and to your parameters - so you have all the options you need and all the power you need to take control of your web site. Do you need a feature in your CMS that you can't find anywhere? If Backstage doesn't already offer it, the technical team is happy to customize your subscription to meet your unique web site needs.


text:
Q: How to identify the correct pronunciation for letter "g" before "i" or "e" It's really confusing when to be sure if the letter g is to be pronounced like giraffe or like girl. Both are followed by i. So how can we know the difference? On the other hand, we have gender and general. So is there a rule?

A: There are two ways to pronounce the letter "g" at the beginning of a syllable.
The hard g /g/
is the most common pronunciation. It comes:

*

*before a consonant (great)

*before a back vowel (go, garden, get)

*before a front vowel in most words of Germanic origin (girl, gift,...)

*at the end of a word (frog)

The soft g /ʒ/

*

*It is extremely rare at the beginning of a syllable. The only words I can think of at the moment are

*

*genre [ʒɒnrə].

*bourgeois [ˈbʊəʒwɑː]

which are both loan words from French that have kept the French sound /ʒ/.
/ʒ/ is a little more common at the end of a word, but there again we only find it in loan words from French (rouge, garage)

*

*/ʒ/ is more frequent in combination with /d/ in /dʒ/
It is the usual pronunciation if "g" is before the letters 'e', 'i' or 'y'.

*

*giraffe [dʒɪ'rɑːf]

*gin [dʒɪn]

This is only a general framework to start with and you will find exceptions of course. When you are not sure you can consult a dictionary, even online dictionary will give the IPA phonetic notation.
I've just found this online article Why are there two pronunciations for the letter 'G'? with a little humoristic touch on the pronunciation of GIF.


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