Beloved in the Lord, we start this sermon with a serious question. The question is this: How does the LORD God look at sinners? How does He feel about those who break his law? It's a serious question, because we all understand we're a wicked people. All of us are sinners—not just in our words and deeds, but in our thoughts and attitudes and feelings.
So how does God look at us? What will He about all our rottenness and rebellion? The potential is terrible. God could punish us. He could destroy us, and justifiably so. He could imprison us forever and ever.
As I said, this is a familiar truth. But beloved, there's a lurking danger: We might stop appreciating its beauty. We might begin giving it as a token answer, as something we're just expected to say as Christians: "Of course God forgives our sin!" But when we do that, then we've started to lose hold of something precious.
God forgives. That's something we need to think about carefully. That's something we need to meditate upon continually, as individuals, as families, and as church community. We need to do so, because sin is still very much an ugly part of our life. We battle it. We give in to it. We feel its effects and have to deal with its results.
1) a study in contrasts: There's a whole bunch of things going on in our passage. Luke has put his story together in a fairly complex way—for Jesus is essentially dealing with two people at the same time, but in a very different manner.
The first person we meet is Simon. He's called "one of the Pharisees" (v 36). He's introduced this way, because the Pharisees have been a regular fixture on the scene in Luke's gospel. Almost from Day One of Jesus' ministry, they've been interacting with the Lord: testing Him, challenging Him—and soon they'll be opposing Him.
The Pharisees, we all know, were part of the religious leadership in Israel. They, together with the Sadducees, made up the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. But more than simply being politicians or judges, the Pharisees were also teachers. They were interested in everything to do with the law of Moses, and they were concerned with how to best apply it.
We're suspicious whenever we meet a Pharisee in the four gospels. But even Jesus recognized that they had God-given authority in Israel. They had an important role to play among God's people, and so if Jesus could sway at least some of them to his side, his ministry would make gains.
It's probably for this reason that Jesus accepts Simon's invitation to dinner at his house. Maybe this Pharisee was hoping to trip Jesus up in his words, or hoping to convince this Nazarene to quit while He was ahead. Whatever Simon's motive, Jesus saw this as another opportunity to engage with one of Israel's leaders.
We imagine the discussion progressing well, but it really heats up when a certain woman enters. Because Jesus was already a well-known figure at this time, the door to Simon's house probably would've remained open on purpose. This way, interested passersby could enter, sit on the edge of the room, and listen in on the conversation.
Let's notice a couple things about this woman. She comes in, but unlike for the Pharisee, we don't know her name. Second, we don't hear a single word from her lips, the whole time she's there. So why has she come? There's this important detail: this woman "had lived a sinful life" (v 37). No, we're not told about the precise manner of her sin, and it's not really important for us to know. Certainly Simon knew a bit of her story; for we hear him thinking, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner" (v 39).
Who is she? She's a sinner. In that town, she's even well-known in her sin. She was probably the kind of person that made a room go silent when she entered. People looked the other way, avoided eye contact. But this nameless, voiceless woman also seems to have been fearless! Think of it: that she, a woman in the culture, even a notorious woman, was prepared to enter this well-appointed home of the Pharisee—that she was ready to crash Simon's high-class dinner party. She thought not of the scene she would make. She thought only of whom she wanted to see.
For this is why she has come: she "learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house" (v 37). Questions fill our minds: Who was this Jesus to her? What exactly did she know of Him? Had she heard Him preach once or twice? Was she a secret admirer, one of those many women who followed the Lord?
It's clear she knew at least a little something about Christ. For she has faith, Jesus will later say (v 50). Maybe it wasn't much for this woman. Next to Simon's great storehouse of Bible knowledge and rabbinic theology, this woman probably knew very little. But this is what she knew, and this is what she believed: that sinners can go to Jesus! Even notorious sinners, sinners who are desperate, sinners who've reached the end of their rope—even these can receive from Jesus relief from their oppressive burden of guilt.
And now that she's found Him, she lets her actions do all the talking. Coming up behind Him as Jesus reclines at the table, she stands there weeping. She begins to wet his feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair, and cover them with her kisses. She is humbling herself to the lowest earthly place that she can imagine. These are the actions of a lowly servant, a helpless slave, one who is looking to the Master for grace, pure and simple.
To strengthen her pleading, the woman takes an alabaster jar of perfume, and pours it over Jesus' feet. Maybe she'd intended to anoint his head with it: that'd be a more expected use. But that might've seemed too bold, too presumptuous. So she will stay low. She will make no claims. She will put herself entirely in submission to the Lord.
It's as the woman carries out her acts of remorse that we're allowed to listen in on those thoughts of Simon. He can't believe it! He can't believe Jesus would let this woman touch Him. Why doesn't He recoil in disgust, and push her away? Why doesn't He tell her to stop embarrassing Him like this? If He was a prophet, He would know her heart, and He would know all the evil things that she'd done. Then surely He'd send this sinner back outside, back where she belonged!
These are terrible thoughts. Yet Simon's reaction isn't so strange, is it? For we will all confess that God forgives our sin. But when push comes to shove, we wonder, doesn't this forgiveness have its limits? Aren't there some sins that are worse than others, some sins that fall outside of God's grace? Aren't there some sinners whom the Lord wouldn't want in his presence? Sometimes God's own people are less merciful than God Himself.
We're a bit like that Pharisee—well-established in our religion, comfortable in the things we know, respectable and decent folk. But then something startles us, jars us awake. Maybe a shocking sin… Maybe it's our own sin, or maybe it's the sin of someone else. And suddenly we have a hard time with it. We think maybe this sin is too much, goes over the line. We think that maybe this person, or maybe we ourselves, somehow don't qualify for God's forgiveness. What's been done is too embarrassing, it's too ugly, it's beyond repair. Simon's way of looking at this sinner is the human way! It's the way that doesn't know grace.
Well, Jesus shows He's a prophet all right. For Jesus knows that this visitor is a sinful woman. And He knows that, not just in some superficial way. No, Jesus knows all the terrible details. He knows the shameful truth about this woman before Him.
But Jesus also knows the heart of Simon. He sees the pride. He sees the hypocrisy. And so Jesus admonishes his host. He goes a step further, and dares to contrast the Pharisee with this sinful woman. And Simon comes out, not looking very good at all! For next to everything the woman had done to welcome Jesus, what had Simon done for Him? He'd neglected even the most basic duties of hospitality: no foot-washing, no greeting with a kiss, no anointing with oil.
And why did Simon fail so miserably in his duties? Because he didn't really know his guest! He didn't know in whose presence he sat. Simon just saw Jesus as an amateur theologian, a young upstart, someone to debate with. But that's not why Jesus came. He didn't come for fancy dinner parties. He didn't come to hob-knob with the big-wigs. He didn't come to be seen and to be admired.
He came for this woman. He came for all sinners. He came to relieve the burdens of the weary, to show mercy to the hopeless, and to receive the tears of the repentant. Simon, for all his smarts, didn't get it. He didn't see the true mission of the promised Messiah. He didn't see that he, the noble Pharisee, needed God's grace just as much as the next person, just as much as this lowly woman! "I tell you," Jesus says to him, "her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" (v 47).
wants to involve this Pharisee in a little discussion about forgiveness, and He begins with a simple story. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,and the other fifty" (v 41). The NIV footnote tells us a denarius was about a day's wages.
So both of these men were in debt. To be in debt fifty denarii was significant—you could maybe handle that, but it'd be pretty hard to dig yourself out. Five-hundred? This was an unthinkably high amount for the average first-century Palestinian, more than a year's wages! And neither of these men had the means to pay back their debt. This meant serious trouble. In that time, such people would be put in prison, or their children would be sold into slavery. Debt could spell the end of a normal, free and happy life.
In this case however, the moneylender was gracious. He was willing to cancel both debts, both the big and the small. Obviously, this saved the two men a great deal of grief and suffering. And so both debtors would be very grateful to the moneylender. But there's more to say. For Jesus asks this question: "Which of them will love him more?" (v 42).
Forgiven five hundred denarii, or just fifty? Spared thirty years in jail, or only three? Before that unexpected mercy was shown, which man stood to lose more? Who had tasted more deeply the misery of being in debt? And which debtor had tasted more deeply the sweetness of being forgiven?
No, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to answer Jesus' question. Simon answers correctly: "The one who had the bigger debt cancelled" would love the moneylender more (v 43). Nor is it hard to figure out who the characters in the parable represent.
That woman from town, the one known far and wide as a "sinner," she was the one who owed so much to God. She owed it because of her grievous sin: she owed God the penalty for all her transgressions, and she owed God the obedience she'd failed to give. Hers was a whole life of racking up the bills! She was impossibly in debt, faced with a burden she had no conceivable way of paying back.
And Simon? Was he really one who owed God only a little? Could he have spent a few years at it, and manage to cover his debts? That's not the conclusion Jesus wants us to draw. The lesson is about awareness. That broken woman was aware of her sin, aware of the life she had led. That's why she came; that's why she cried bitterly and humbled herself before the Lord. She knew her sins were countless, that her condemnation was deserved. And she knew, even if only in a basic way, that this Jesus could help her. And for that, she sought Him out, she worshiped Him, she loved Him.
Simon looked at his life, and sure, he saw sin. But not too badly; not too many. He needed to be forgiven, but just a little—maybe a simple prayer at the end of every day would do the trick. The rest was covered by his studies, and his sacrifices, and his synagogue attendance, He was sinful, he admitted, but that didn't mean he had to fall at Jesus' feet! Let's not overdo it with these shows of repentance and remorse!
Beloved, here is always the central factor in our response to the Lord Jesus: Are we aware? Have we considered our own sinfulness? Have we done so truly? Have we tasted the bitterness of what God could do to us? Have we found ourselves broken in our sin, and shattered in our misery? Have we found in Christ our only hope and comfort and salvation?
It's easy to have Jesus over like Simon did, and give Him a comfortable place in our life. It's easy to respect Him, to engage Him in harmless conversation. But Jesus is more than a Teacher, and He's more than a Friend. He's a Saviour. He's one who rescues us from death, who saves us from eternal judgment!
That means our response to Jesus needs to be much more than dinner-party politeness. We need to fall at his feet: embarrassed and ashamed. We are not respectable folk! Despite our best works, we have absolutely nothing to offer. We have only our tears of repentance, our prayers for forgiveness, our appeal to his promises. We can depend solely on his grace.
We only have a small idea of how much we owe, and still we understand that we're hardened sinners. And in that awareness—in that humility—we should point no fingers. We're part of a church that's full of sinful people, but we ought to whisper about no one. We should share nasty stories and gossip and innuendo about no one. We ought to chase no one away, but rather we must welcome the broken, and restore the guilty. We do so, just as our Lord always did, and as He always does. We must not see sinners for who they have been or what they have done; no, we must see who they, by God's grace, can become.
In modern-day terms, Jesus' parable is like this. It's like a banker walking up to us when we cannot pay our mortgage. And it's not just any mortgage we have—it's way out of our league; we've bitten off way more than we can chew. But instead of foreclosing, instead of evicting us onto the street, this banker writes us a check that pays off the debt completely. In the blink of an eye, we're home-free! In a moment, all that anxiety has disappeared, and in its place is security and serenity.
Well, if you met a banker like that, I hope you'd be forever grateful to him. You'd love him, and you'd tell your friends about him. And you'd always be merciful to others in financial trouble, for you'd remember the mercy that you received yourself.
So it is for us before God. Though we owed God an impossible amount, He released us. Though eternal imprisonment was our destiny, He set us free. Jesus paid it all Himself, signed his Name over ours, and secured our inheritance forever. He gave us every spiritual blessing, even a treasure that can't be counted.
And so it's only fitting: Those who are forgiven much, must also love much! We must love Him and worship Him, as our humble response to what He's done. And in the same spirit, we must love one another, and we must forgive one another. Those who have received mercy, must show mercy in return.
3) a declaration of grace: This was the lesson Simon the Pharisee needed to learn.
Whether he got it or not, we don't know. But with the lesson complete, Jesus finally addresses the woman who'd interrupted so dramatically. And Jesus adds a little drama of his own to this scene. For He says to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven" (v 48).
If we're not careful, we might read right over these simple words. For didn't He say this almost every day of his three-year ministry? Doesn't He still say this today, sitting at God's right hand in heaven: "Your sins are forgiven"? We just might take such a declaration for granted.
Yet this forgiveness—properly understood—is a scandal, it's a miracle, it's a marvel! God looks at us, and He sees every last transgression we've committed. He sees every ugly failure. He's well aware of just how much we owe. But in Jesus, God forgives our debt. He takes our sins away. He won't hold them against us any longer!
To see how amazing this, just consider the reaction of the other dinner guests: "[They] began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?'" (v 49). They all knew that only God Himself can forgive sins. So what's this teacher doing? How dare this Nazarene take this prerogative? Jesus hears what the others are saying, and as if to silence them, He underlines his declaration of grace. For He again addresses the woman directly: "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (v 50).
This sinful woman had come in quiet expectation. She had trusted that He could help her. She made no eloquent confession or plea for forgiveness. She couldn't match the outward piety of Simon. But her heart was open. Her spirit was lowly. Her faith was true.
For God, that is enough. That we believe; that we earnestly hold on to the truth of his Son; that we come to Him in utter reliance on his grace. No matter what we have done, no matter where we have been, no matter how long we've kept things hidden away, there is mercy for the contrite. There is forgiveness for those who repent.
And when we do, it's then that we can start moving forward. "Go in peace," Jesus said to the woman. She came to this house, tormented by her guilt. She came, crushed by the enmity between her and the LORD. But now she goes on her way in peace. She leaves with a heart that is unburdened. She can carry on with her life, and she can start living it to God's glory!
Such is the hope of all who come to Christ in true faith. To those who are heavily burdened, Jesus will always give his rest. To those who are tormented, Jesus will always give his peace. As the Spirit says elsewhere, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Mt 12:20). But having received us, He will send us on our way, restored and strengthened! That's his promise. That's his invitation. That's how God looks at us, when we're united to Jesus his Son by faith.
"Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you. Now go in peace." Amen.


Lyrical Venus » Lori McKenna's Unglamorous Now Available!
08.15Lori McKenna's Unglamorous Now Available!
It's been out since yesterday, but I just downloaded my copy from iTunes tonight. Came with a bonus track and digital booklet.
Unglamorous is definitely more polished/produced sounding than her previous stuff, but it's still Lori.
I'm pretty curious to know how many songs are autobiographical and how many are just her ability to sing the stories of others with raw honesty and believability. Cuz some of the stories are a bit, well, dark? Heavy? I mean, they're REAL, but I just hope they didn't ALL happen to her, that'd be a lot for one person to go through! While it's heartbreaking to think it, I suppose it could be the reality for someone though. And hearing Lori's album might give them hope, let them know they are not alone. While I don't personally relate to the songs about drinking and cheating, I've definitely had the experience of gaining hope from a sad song (rather than getting depressed by it). Whether the songs happened to Lori or not, she is someone highly observant and able to compress human experiences into little Polaroid snapshots of sound that tell it like it is, and that's what I love about her songwriting.
I just found this great Lori interview from a couple years ago where she says her husband only listens to the music, not the words – so she can say what she wants and he won't get mad. heh heh.


Our apartment is situated in very nice and peaceful part of Budva called Dubovica Lux. Apartment is 65m2 in size and has very relaxing city view from the specious terrace.
We offer what you need: Comfortable accommodation for Your well deserved vacation, away from the city noise and still within 10-15min walking distance from all tourist places of interest in Budva.


Join us for this free photo opportunity with Santa. Bring your smile, your family, and your camera (or phone); we'll provide an Elf to snap the pics.
The Town of Wingate and Wingate Volunteer Fire Department are taking Santa on a tour of town. Santa will ride through the streets of town on a firetruck waving and wishing a Merry Christmas.
Take a look at the route below. The green arrow indicates the start of the route. The red arrow indicates the end of Santa's tour.


Famed female chef, Dominique Crenn, has penned a debut cookbook 'as a work of love' in homage to her acclaimed San Francisco two Michelin star restaurant, entitled "Atelier Crenn: Metamorphosis of Taste".
In a sleek and beautiful presentation the cookbook gives readers insight into Crenn's poetic world of cookery at Atelier Crenn, including her French upbringing, her love of the Bay and the restaurant recipes drawing on French, Californian and Asian influences using seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
Take a look at a day in the life of the Atelier Crenn kitchen and see first hand the meticulous attention to detail in the preparation, cooking and plating that make the poetry on the plate.
Chapters and recipes take on a poetic titles including the likes of, 'A Walk in the Forest,' 'Birth' and 'The Sea.' "The poem sets the mood, gestures toward the colours and the textures that the food will invoke" Crenn explains in the introduction. "The act of cooking is an engagement with tradition, community, time and place. And for me cooking is poetry" Crenn goes on to say.
If the complexity of the recipes and poetry leave you dazed and confused in the kitchen, it's definitely one to be drooled over for Crenn's beautiful and inspiring plating.
So pull up a chair, relax, and marvel at the creative poetry on a plate from one of the most famous female chefs in the world and you're sure to learn a thing or two.
Atelier Crenn: Metamorphosis of Taste by Dominique Crenn is out now and available at Amazon amongst other retailers.
Catch up with Dominique Crenn's Culinary Journey as she travelled to San Sebastian in Spain on CNN's Culinary Journeys.


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Home Private Equity News & Analysis Investors Denmark's ATP PEP to close US office after mandate shift
Denmark's ATP PEP to close US office after mandate shift
The fund of funds arm of the country's largest pension will reduce its number of GP partnerships after holding a final close on €800m on its Fund VI.
Alex Lynn
ATP Private Equity Partners, the fund of funds arm of Denmark's largest pension, is planning to close its New York office after tightening the investment mandate for its latest fund.
The fund of funds unit will close its New York office within the next six months and offer its five US staff members the opportunity to relocate to Denmark, Torben Vangstrup, managing partner of ATP PEP said.
ATP PEP held a final close on €800 million for its sixth fund, ATP PEP VI, this week. The fund's mandate will differ from its predecessors as the vehicle will limit its scope to North America and Europe, no longer invest in venture capital and seek fewer, larger fund commitments, Vangstrup, told Private Equity International.
The changes are intended to reduce complexity and costs, as well as helping pension fund ATP ensure that its general partners' ESG and tax matters comply with its policies, according to a statement.
"We're trying to take down the number of active GPs in our portfolio and allocate more to the selected ones," Vangstrup said. Fund VI will also target a greater number of co-investment opportunities.
The New York office opened in 2007 and was the unit's sole overseas office.
Fund VI is expected to make 11 to 14 commitments of around €50 million-€75 million, Vangstrup noted. This compares with the 46 fund commitments made from Fund V, an €800 million 2014-vintage that received an additional €700 million top-up from ATP in 2016, according to ATP PEP's website.
ATP PEP manages more than €9.3 billion on behalf of ATP. The Danish pension posted a 19 percent decline in its private equity returns for 2017 following a bumper year for ATP's private equity portfolio the previous year, PEI reported on Thursday.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Winnipeg Police Service is the police force of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

History
When Winnipeg became a city, in 1873, an election was held to select the city's new mayor and aldermen. Those appointed decided to hire city officials, including a chief constable. On February 23, 1874, John S. Ingram was appointed the first Chief of Police of Winnipeg.

During the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, most of the force was replaced with 2000 better-paid special constables, for refusing to sign a declaration promising to not belong to a union or participate in a sympathy strike, even though they remained on duty during the strike. The union was thus broken, and Chris H. Newton became the acting chief constable.

In 1972, Winnipeg merged with its eight neighbouring communities, causing their amalgamation, but still having eight police services with different uniforms and radio channels. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) contract for Charleswood and Headingley was cancelled, and that area fell under the inner city patrol area. On October 21, 1974, the amalgamation of the services was complete, and the remaining eight services formed into six districts. On January 1, 1975, all police officers in Winnipeg started to wear the same uniform with matching shoulder flashes that stated, "One, with the strength of many".

In the early 1990s, J.B. Dale Henry, a retired RCMP officer and former commander of the Manitoba "D" Division, was selected as the first chief of police not from the service's own ranks. Henry was well respected amongst minorities and sought to change and improve the image of police in Winnipeg. One of the most noticeable changes was the name for the police, from the "Winnipeg Police Force" (which it had been for 120 years), to the "Winnipeg Police Service". Another change was the addition of the motto "Community Commitment".

Henry also changed the department crest to the one known today and pictured above. The 13 golden stars on the badge represent the 13 communities that came together to form Winnipeg during the amalgamation in the 1970s, and the crocus is the provincial flower.

In 2003, city council approved a plan by the Winnipeg Police Service to go from six districts, to four. This plan involved three new police facilities. The new East District Station was completed in 2008, and the West District Station was completed in November 2013.

Administration
The Winnipeg Police Service  is headed by  Chief of Police Danny Smyth, appointed November 4, 2016, succeeding Chief Devon Clunis who retired July 9, 2016. The three deputy chiefs are Art Stannard, Scot Halley, and Gene Bowers. The service has 1,355 officers of which approximately half are on the front lines, known as "general patrol" (uniform operations). The WPS also has 562 civilian workers.

Operations
The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is located at 266 Graham Avenue, in the former Canada Post sortation facility, in the downtown area. The previous headquarters were the Public Safety Building, built in 1966, and is currently slated for demolition to make way for the Marketlands development.

Organization

The City of Winnipeg is divided into four policing districts: Downtown, West, North and East.  Each district contains several generalized and specialized police units.

Specialized units include:

Bicycle patrol
Bomb disposal
Canine
Central traffic
Crowd management
Photo enforcement
Pawn
River patrol
Underwater search and recovery
Victim services
Street crime
Tactical support team (TST) – formerly the part-time emergency response unit (ERU) made up of officers trained for special circumstances, such as hostage situations, armed and barricaded incidents and search warrants
Training  – includes, police vehicle operations instructors, policy and law instructors, firearms instructors, and use of force instructors – located at the WPS Training Academy
Division 40 – criminal investigation bureau – homicide, drugs, hate crimes, major crimes, morals, integrated proceeds of crime (IPOC), organized crime and Crime Stoppers
Division 41 – criminal investigation bureau – missing persons, child abuse, Internet child exploitation (ICE), domestic violence, high risk offenders, sex crimes, vulnerable persons, and youth crime
Division 42 – criminal investigation bureau – arson, commercial crime, stolen auto, pawn, surveillance and forensic services
Flight operations
Auxiliary force cadet section

Fleet
Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Majority of Fleet)
Ford Police Interceptor Utility
Chevrolet Tahoe Police Package
Terradyne Armored Vehicle Gurka
EC120 Colibri

Ranks and Insignia

Recruitment
Potential trainees must be at least eighteen years old with a high school diploma, and able to complete the Police Officer's Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT), which determines a recruit's physical ability. Training is salaried and takes 37 weeks consisting of classroom time, use of force and in the field training with assigned field training officers who supervise them while they carry out all regular duties. After this process is finished the recruit is inducted into the police service. After five years of general patrol service, officers may apply for specialty divisions like those listed above.

Winnipeg Police Museum
The Winnipeg Police Museum is a museum that displays the history of the Winnipeg Police Service from 1874 to the present. Pictures, equipment, vehicles and other artifacts are presented within the museum. An original 1911 jail cell from the North End Station is one of the highlights of the museum.  In June 2016, the museum moved to a new location inside police headquarters at 245 Smith Street.

Criticism
The independent think tank Angus Reid found that Winnipeg residents have the second-highest ratio of unfavourable views of its police service of any major Canadian city.

Racism
From the years 2000-2017, the Winnipeg Police killed 19 people; 11 of those 19 people killed were Indigenous. Mi'kmaq lawyer and professor Pam Palmater has said in response to this finding that "the statistics really confirm that there is a high level of police racism abuse and violence towards Indigenous peoples." The count of the 19 people who Winnipeg Police killed does not include those who died in police custody, any incidents not disclosed to police oversight bodies, nor those who the police shot but who did not die. In the year 2019 alone, the Winnipeg Police killed seven people and filed 857 use-of-force reports, including 154 Taser deployments.

The group Justice 4 Black Lives Winnipeg launched a petition in 2020 that calls for defunding and abolishing the Winnipeg Police Service as its first demand. The petition states, "In Canada, the history of the police come from the racist colonial aftershocks used simply to control, manipulate and abuse Indigenous peoples in attempts to steal their land. We as Black people recognize and acknowledge that our current policing system is simply a reformed version of the racist and extremely violent slave patrol. No reform can come from these colonial practices, the system must be rebuilt and include marginalized voices in the process in order to protect all BIPOC to this city's full capability." Among other demands, the petition also calls for a complete ban on police officers' use of knee-holds and chokeholds, transparency surrounding all police misconduct information and disciplinary histories, the immediate implementation of a Citizen's Review Board, a zero-tolerance policy regarding police killings and the penalization and prosecution of police officers who kill Indigenous and Black people. The petition has collected over 120 700 signatures.

In 2022 and 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service faced widespread criticism for its refusal to search a city landfill for the remains of three Indigenous women who are believed to be the victims of an alleged serial killer. Community members, Indigenous leaders, victims' family members, and family members of 2SMMIWG+ condemned the decision to not search the landfill sites during a press conference in Ottawa on December 8th, 2022. One of the demands arising from the press conference was that Danny Smyth resign from his position as chief of police. The Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald spoke about the Winnipeg Police Service's refusal to search the site at the United Nations on International Women's Day 2023, saying, "There can be no greater metaphor for how Indigenous women are treated and viewed in Canada than this particular case." Despite the Winnipeg Police Service saying the search couldn't be done, advocacy efforts led to the creation of an Indigenous-led working group tasked with evaluating the feasibility of the search.

Budget
The allocation of Winnipeg's municipal budget towards the Winnipeg Police has drastically increased since the year 2000. While the Winnipeg Police consumed 17 percent of the City's total operating budget in the year 2000, by 2020 this had risen to over 25% with a police budget of $304.1 million. This represents the highest proportion of funds that the City of Winnipeg gives towards any municipal department and "the highest proportion of spending by police of any major city in Canada." In the same year, the City reduced funding for community groups, the maintenance of transit routes, and the Millennium Library. In 2023, the City's budget for police increased to $327 million. This budget constitutes the same amount of "direct city funding as public transit, recreation, parks/trees, snow removal, libraries & arts/culture combined."

Advocacy groups such as Winnipeg Police Cause Harm, Justice 4 Black Lives Winnipeg, Police-Free Schools Winnipeg, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and the Police Accountability Coalition, which represents over 90 community-based organizations, have called for the funds allocated to the Winnipeg Police Services to be reallocated towards social services and infrastructure with proven records of improving people's safety and well-being. A survey conducted by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg found that Winnipeg residents are "three times as likely to favour spending more on poverty reduction than on investing in additional police services" in order to address crime.

Officer involved shootings
On March 9, 1988, Winnipeg Police constable Robert Cross attempted to detain John Joseph Harper, believing Harper was an auto theft suspect. According to Cross, Harper refused to provide identification, and was shot during a scuffle when he attempted to grab Cross's gun. Initially, the shooting was ruled as justified by the internal firearms board of enquiry. The shooting and other events led to the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, a comprehensive investigation into the treatment of First Nations people within the Manitoba justice system. In 1991, the inquiry concluded that the WPS internal investigation was faulty and intended more to exonerate Cross than to discover the truth. The report recommended that officer-involved shootings be investigated by independent parties.

Recent cases
On January 31, 2005, 18-year-old Matthew Dumas was armed with a screwdriver and was confronted by Constable Dennis Gbarek (a Metis officer). At the time, police were investigating a home invasion and Dumas was believed to be involved. The constable ordered Dumas to drop the screwdriver several times while Dumas responded by lunging at the constable and was shot. Dumas died from his injuries, It was later determined he was not involved in the home invasion. Two reviews of the shooting were performed by the Calgary Police Service in August 2006 and by the Ontario Crown Attorney's Office in May 2007 at the Manitoba government's request. Both reviews concluded the Winnipeg Police investigation of the shooting was handled properly. In June 2008, an inquest was held into Dumas's death. The inquest's report, released in December 2008, ruled that racism was not a factor in the incident.

In July, 17-year-old Michael Langan, a Métis, died after being tasered by police. Witnesses had reported a youth breaking into a vehicle, and police encountered Langan several blocks away, allegedly wielding a knife and refusing to surrender. David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, suggested that racial profiling may have resulted in police using excessive force, an accusation that Police Chief Keith McCaskill denied. In August, Craig McDougall, a member of Wasagamack First Nation and nephew of John Joseph Harper, was tasered then shot by police responding to a disturbance call in the city's West End. Police reported that McDougall was brandishing a knife, though family members have disputed that claim, saying McDougall was carrying a cellular phone.

In 2020, 16-year-old Eishia Hudson was shot dead by Winnipeg Police after attempting to drive into police officers in a stolen Jeep.

Other incidents

In February 2005, a truck driven by off-duty WPS constable Derek Harvey-Zenk, reportedly drunk after having attended an all-night party, rear-ended and killed Crystal Taman, a 40-year-old woman, while she was stopped at a red light. The incident was initially investigated by East St. Paul Police. Harvey-Zenk was originally charged with "impaired driving causing death" and numerous other charges. In July 2007, however, Harvey-Zenk was pled down to "dangerous driving causing death" (a lesser charge) and given a conditional sentence of "two years less a day", to be served at his home.

Public outcry over the plea and allegations that the investigation had been botched led to a provincial inquiry, which began in June 2008. At the inquiry, multiple police officers testified that they did not notice Harvey-Zenk drinking, leading to allegations of a police cover-up. Furthermore, a waitress who served the officers liquor throughout the evening testified that she was pressured to not "remember too much" by the restaurant's manager, who was friends with the officers. Officers involved in the investigation have denied they gave preferential treatment to Harvey-Zenk.

Chiefs of Police

Chief Constables of the Winnipeg Police Force
 John S. Ingram 1874–1875
 B. Murray 1875–1887
 John C. McRae 1887–1911
 Donald Macpherson 1911–1919
 Christopher H. Newton 1919–1934
 George Smith  1934–1947
 Charles McIver 1947–1953
 Robert T. Taft  1953-1965
 George S. Blow  1965–1970
 Norman M. Stewart 1970-1974

Chiefs of the Winnipeg Police Department
 Norman M. Stewart 1974-1981
 Kenneth Johnston 1981-1984
 Herb B. Stephen 1984-1991
 Dale Henry  1991-1995

Chiefs of the Winnipeg Police Service

 Dale Henry  1995-1996
 David A. Cassels 1996-1998
 Jack Ewatski 1998-2007
 Keith McCaskill 2007-2012
 Devon Clunis 2012-2016
 Danny Smyth 2016-

Source: Winnipeg Sun and WPS

See also
RCMP Heritage Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan
Rotary Museum of Police and Corrections, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Vancouver Police Centennial Museum

References

External links

 Winnipeg Police Service
 The Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission
 Winnipeg Police Annual Reports

Law enforcement agencies of Manitoba
Municipal government of Winnipeg

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text:
Flight Manuals
Transport & Gliders
Liaison & Observation
Patrol & Research
Home / Patrol & Research / SUPERMARINE WALRUS
SUPERMARINE WALRUS
Title: Supermarine Walrus
The Supermarine Walrus first flew in 1935. Initially designed to be carried on warships for reconnaissance, the aircraft was mainly used for air-sea rescue purposes. It was the first operational RAF aircraft to incorporate retractable undercarriage and an enclosed crew cockpit. 740 examples were built in two main versions, the Mk 1 with a metal fuselage and the Mk 2 with a wooden fuselage.
To maximise value, this title contains the Servicing and Descriptive Manual (AP Volume One) for the Walrus (which was too early to have a Pilot's Manual) plus the flight manual (titled Pilot's Notes) for the later Sea Otter. The files have been scanned from the original manuals and retains any colour pages.
SUPERMARINE WALRUS quantity
Category: Patrol & Research
This title contains:
RAF Servicing and Descriptive Handbook for the Supermarine Walrus I and II (Amphibian). AP 1515A and B Volume One, 2nd Edition dated December 1937, with approx 289 pages. (This aircraft pre-dated separate Pilots Notes.)
RAF Pilot's Notes for the Supermarine Sea Otter I, AP 2209A & B-PN, dated November 1944, with approx 32 pages.
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HUNTING H.126
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text:
Little Known Black History Facts
Gone Viral!
Tom Joyner Archives
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Home › Little Known Black History Facts
Little Known Black History Fact: Harlem/Brooklyn Riots Of '64
D.L. Chandler
The summer of 1964 was both a triumphant and turbulent time for Black America. Just two weeks after the Civil Rights Act was enacted, a race riot erupted in Harlem, spreading over to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
On July 16, 1964, a white off-duty NYPD officer shot and killed 15-year-old James Powell. Residents in Harlem believed that the officer could have used restraint in the matter, leading them to peacefully protest but the gatherings took a violent turn on July 18th. That day, a group of protesters demanding the firing of the officer gathered at the Harlem police station, which turned into fighting between the group and the officers.
It was said that some protesters flung bricks at the officers guarding the building, with other reports stating that officers moved into the crowd with their Billy clubs extended. Images from the protests and riots highlighted that many Black residents were retreating from the actions of the police.
The riots lasted six days. News of the fighting spread to Bed-Stuy, a largely Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood and they too started an uprising. In the end, one Black person was killed, over 100 people were injured, and around 450 arrests occurred along with $1 million in damages.
The Harlem and Brooklyn riots were just the first of many to take place in major cities across the country that year, which included Philadelphia, Chicago, and Jersey City, moving some historians to dub it the first "Long, Hot Summer."
Brooklyn riots	, Harlem riots	, Little Known Black History Fact	, Summer of 64	, uprisings
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Well suited for completing the internal connections of office automation equipment, such as personal computers, office computers, and their peripheral devices.
Double-leaf spring contact withstands the stresses caused by repeated mating and unmating. The contacts and headers are selectively gold-plated.
Thin design, housing lances. Notches are provided on the insulator that allow it to be cut to any length without using special tools.
Our unique, double-leaf spring contact withstands the stresses caused by repeated mating an unmating and ensures a stable high-pressure connection. The contacts and headers are selectively gold-plated to reduce costs. Depending on the application, fully tin-plated contacts and headers are available to further reduce costs.
Measuring only 16.54mm (.651") in height and 2.54mm (.100") thick when mounted on a printed circuit board, the RE connector and header require less mounting space and facilitate high-density circuit design.
A slight force is all that is needed to insert the contacts into the housing, because the housing has lances. The position of the contacts in the housing can be visually checked. This facilitates insertion of the contacts in the housing.
Notches are provide on the insulator that allow it to be cut to any length without using special tools.


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Home / News / India News / Modi's presence in CHOGM ensures India's enhanced-engagement with the organization
Modi's presence in CHOGM ensures India's enhanced-engagement with the organization
Written by Anjana Raghav
(PTI desk)
Apr 15, 2018, 03:12 pm 3 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 18-20 April will mark India's enhanced engagement with the multilateral organization, including increased financial and other contributions. An Indian PM is attending the summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having skipped CHOGMs in Perth, Colombo, and Malta since 2009.
PM Modi received personal letter by Queen Elizabeth II
According to senior officials, Prime Minister Modi's decision to attend the summit was also influenced by a very personal letter addressed to him by Queen Elizabeth II, the Head of the Commonwealth. As Britain takes over the two-year Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth at the heads of government deliberations, it will mark the last such summit to be hosted by the Queen.
Who will be the next head of Commonwealth?
With the 91-year-old monarch having ruled out long-haul travel, the Queen won't travel to future CHOGMs to be hosted by other member states. This also triggered widespread speculation over whether her son and heir, Prince Charles, would be anointed as next head of the organization. As the position isn't hereditary, a decision on succession will be taken collectively by 53 heads of Commonwealth government.
Appointment of Commonwealth's head is central point of talking
Appointment of the Commonwealth's new head is expected to be the central feature of deliberations when the leaders get together for the CHOGM leaders' retreat on April 20 at the grand Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle. The retreat is described as the high-point of the summit when the leaders get together in an informal setting without any preset agenda.
No consensus over Prince of Wales as next Commonwealth Head
There is reportedly no general consensus over Prince of Wales as next Commonwealth Head, with India yet to reveal its stand on a successor to the Queen. The 69-year-old royal is keen to step into his mother's shoes but the decision will be up to the Presidents and Prime Ministers representing the 53 member-countries, which will then be announced by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.
Appointment of new Commonwealth head maybe advanced to next CHOGM
The leaders may not be able to arrive at a decision on the matter at the end of the retreat, in which case it will roll over to the next CHOGM. The Commonwealth members, who represent the former colonies of the British Empire, have a combined population of 2.4 billion, with nearly half of that concentrated in India - making it the largest member-country.
India is the top recipient of foreign direct investment
According to the "Commonwealth Trade Review 2018" released earlier this week, India is the top recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) from within the Commonwealth and is the second-most lucrative source of investment within the organization. Between 2005 and 2016, India remained the top recipient of Greenfield FDI from the Commonwealth, more than doubling the amount it received over ten years.
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The year 2017 could be described as the year of the Bitcoin and other "virtual currencies," with Bitcoin having appreciated 1800% since the beginning of the year and Ethereum, at one point, having appreciated 8,000% since the beginning of the year.
Whether this appreciation can continue or not is up for debate. However, for those lucky enough to have realized gains from virtual currency transactions during the year, it is worth reminding those taxpayers that those gains are subject to tax. The IRS issued guidance in 2014 that outlines how general federal tax principles apply to transactions using virtual currencies. See Notice 2014-21.
For federal tax purposes, virtual currency is treated as property. A taxpayer may have a gain or loss upon the exchange of virtual property for other property (including U.S. Dollars). The type of gain will depend on whether the virtual currency is a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer. For many taxpayers, virtual currency will be a capital asset and any resulting gains or losses will be capital and either short or long using federal tax principles. For those lucky enough to have bought an early position in a virtual currency, these gains may generate significant tax liability.
Investors received a reminder that the tax man cometh in a recent, widely-watched case in San Francisco in which the IRS appears to have been successful in compelling Coinbase, a large digital currency exchange, to turn over customer information. The fallout from this decision is unknown, but it is worth noting that the IRS has indicated that only 800-900 transactions with bitcoin gains were reported in 2013-2015, while Coinbase has indicated as many as 14,000 customers may have engaged in 8.9 million transactions during the relevant time period. The implication being that not all virtual currency investors have been reporting their gains.
Taxpayers who have invested in virtual currencies are well advised to consult their tax advisors to see whether they have reportable virtual currency transactions.


We decided to use the paver's originally purchased to build a small patio on the backside of the potager for a small patio at the back of the house for the seating area because of the standing water problem in this area. Also the feet of the chairs would sink into mulch. It was simply done and doesn't look too bad, but I expect, in time, the paver's will settle oddly and have to be redone. However, I do have plans for a low deck to be placed in this area so perhaps this patio will hold out until such time.
The side bed in the former Bog of Despair has been completed, as far as structure goes. It turned out to be a rather large bed! It's basically the entire length of the house and ends at the front yard… waiting for the day it will spill into the future front garden beds. Most of the plants I put in the bed are bulbs so it looks barren compared to the original half of the bed, but I know it will catch up next season.
Melissa transplanted more of the red spider lilies to the bed directly alongside the house. These lilies are being placed here because there are so many that need to be moved from behind the cottage. As the garden develops these bulbs will be moved around to various locations. We also managed to relocated one of the Musa Basjo banana trees to the bed directly against the house. The two banana trees together along with the Thai giant elephant ear was too much and the banana tree that didn't get move already is producing three offshoots so I know it will develop quite a nice clump next season.
Transplanted banana tree, doing well.
Original banana patch and Thai giant elephant ear… looking a bit bedraggled from Hurricane Matthew and now the cold nights.
I have been glazing the windows of the cottage and I have 9 more panes of glass to glaze and I will be finished with this project. I can move on to the next phase of its restoration, scraping and sanding, which has already begun here and there. I have been testing what is the best way to accomplish the task at hand. The structure had been neglected for over a decade or two and it was covered in English Ivy and other vines, which got into every crack and crevice that the vines left behind their roots stuck to the structure. This is what needs to be scraped and sanded.
Just look at this wall!
Mother trying her hand at sanding.
My mother decided she wanted to try sanding the cottage walls and enjoyed doing it! A neighbor exclaimed "elder abuse!" Though it might be said she got more done in 30 minutes than he does in a day.
In other news, last week I committed to opening the garden to the Edgecombe Garden Club. I have been resisting because I don't feel the garden is presentable for such an event, but I decided perhaps it would not be such a bad idea as it will push me to get projects completed. I have no details on how such an event unfolds because I have not been told much. I do know it will be a couple hundred people visiting and they are brought in on a bus and that my garden is being billed as a "Work in Progress," which to me means it's a mess… and the tour is on 13 May.
Basically, I'll be stressing for the next 6 months.


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SPEAR Broadcast Portal
Arapahoe High School
Want To Watch Your Arapahoe Sports Teams Online? Now You Can!
Power Your Playlist: Abandon the Rhythm Rut
Olivia Janicek, Spear Contributor
There's nothing quite like plugging in your headphones and letting the music blur time and reality. A simple melody can send you soaring and lyrics can leave you breathless. It's springtime. New music is alive in the air and talk of summer concerts is thriving. However, it's still plausible to find oneself stranded in a desolate zone of overplayed music. Symptoms include repetitive lyrics, annoying tunes, and abandonment of a playlist all together. I know this has already happened with me and my "Spring 2k17" playlist on Spotify, which I carefully developed three weeks ago. I dread all of the songs, especially after listening to them over two times a day. It's a rough spot. Luckily, there are ways to elude such a 'rhythm rut' and move on to new music.
Use Spotify! Spotify is free (unless you want Premium) and an excellent music resource! There are plenty of genres and playlists already developed for your use. On your computer, you can listen to any song you want. On your phone, you can only shuffle a playlist and hope for the best, but it is still free music. Not to mention, it will find songs related to your listening patterns and offer weekly recommendations.
"Today's Top Hits". I always seem to find that my car radio plays songs that aren't too… new. They're often replayed hits, I first listened to months ago. So, I tend to find new songs via Spotify's "Today's Top Hits". They're updated, you guessed it, daily. So you'll never fall behind in the latest trending melodies.
Scan the decades. Sure, mom's music is never great, but older decades offer great music you've probably never truly listened to. The tune might be familiar, but odds are you aren't sick of the song entirely. 2000's offer lots of throwback songs you haven't heard since elementary or middle school. But I have to say, I'm slightly hooked on the 70's. ABBA and Bee Gees are among my favorites.
Ask friends. Odds are, you and your friend don't listen to exactly the same playlist. Check out what songs they're hooked onto and try em' out. It honestly can't hurt.
Change Genres. Okay, it might seem absurd to shift from favorite country songs to intense rock albums. It's always worth a shot. I was always into pop hits and was slightly satisfied with the works of Taylor Swift and other generic bands. Then, I stumbled upon Panic at the Disco's "Death of a Bachelor". A few months later, I've memorized the entire album (or more) and attending their concert.
Olivia Janicek, Online Media Manager
Olivia is a senior at Arapahoe HS and is thrilled to be a part of the Spear/Xtra staff once more! It's her 4th year working with the program, and second...
Recent Sports Scores
What's the best study method?
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SCP History
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Q: How to properly make an android HttpGet Request I am trying to make a get request from android to a backend Django server. The exception is thrown every time I make the request, and the server does not show that it was contacted. How can I do this properly? Thanks.
Here is my attempt:
client side android:
try{

        URI website = new URI(URL);
        //Request to server
        HttpGet httpget = new HttpGet();
        httpget.setURI(website);
        HttpResponse response = Client.execute(httpget);
        Log.d("EXECUTED",response.toString());
    }catch (Exception ex){
        textView.setText("Fail");
    }

Server Side Django:
def app(request, id):
      context = RequestContext(request)

      fab_categories = Catagories.objects.all()

      return HttpResponse("worked")

As requested Here is the logcat:
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.conn.AbstractPoolEntry.open(AbstractPoolEntry.java:164)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.conn.AbstractPooledConnAdapter.open(AbstractPooledConnAdapter.java:119)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.DefaultRequestDirector.execute(DefaultRequestDirector.java:360)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:555)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:487)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:465)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at com.companion.app.MainActivity2.onCreate(MainActivity2.java:57)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.Activity.performCreate(Activity.java:5240)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.Instrumentation.callActivityOnCreate(Instrumentation.java:1087)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.ActivityThread.performLaunchActivity(ActivityThread.java:2169)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.ActivityThread.handleLaunchActivity(ActivityThread.java:2265)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.ActivityThread.access$800(ActivityThread.java:145)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.ActivityThread$H.handleMessage(ActivityThread.java:1206)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:102)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:136)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5081)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:781)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:597)
05-07 22:09:35.150: W/System.err(1624):     at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)

Also I have added the appropriate permissions to the manifest.

A: Hi there :) I'm developing a similar application, I followed this tutorial.
Sorry to just drop a link here, but it is pretty self explanatory and the code is very well documented.
Android Hive TUTORIAL: HTTP
Ignore the title, look into the InboxActivity.java code

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The past two decades have seen a surge in demand for criminal history record background checks for noncriminal justice purposes—such as screening an individual's suitability for employment, licensing, or placement in positions of trust.
This demand is driven by public and private employers who want to exercise due diligence in protecting employees, business assets and the public, as well as by nonprofit organizations, who want to screen their employees and volunteers who work with vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly.
The demand is such that noncriminal justice background checks now eclipse background checks for criminal justice purposes, according to published reports. Hundreds of laws passed at both the federal and state levels allow such checks and Pub. L. 92-544 empowers the FBI to exchange identification records with officials of state and local governments for purposes of licensing and employment if authorized by a state statute that has been approved by the U.S. Attorney General.
Employers and volunteer organizations interested in screening potential employees or volunteers have several available options. Many private companies provide criminal record check services for fees ranging from a few dollars to more expensive and extensive background checks. However, these checks are primarily named-based, although they may include other identifiers such as Social Security number or date of birth, and can be circumvented by an individual using an alias or a counterfeit identification document.
Meanwhile, criminal record repositories in some states maintain websites where the public can conduct name-based background checks for a fee.
We have supported the creation and ratification of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, which created a Compact Council to oversee noncriminal justice use of the Interstate Identification Index.
We provide assistance, guidance and expertise on background check initiatives, including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.
We also offer information and guidance to private-sector employers seeking advice on conducting background checks.
Thirty states have ratified the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, which creates a Compact Council to govern noncriminal justice use of the III.
Montana was the first state to ratify, on April 8, 1999, and New York the latest, on March 28, 2013. The compact's provisions apply between the States that ratified the Compact and the Federal government.
Twelve other states and territories have signed a Memorandum of Understanding through which they effectively subscribe to relevant directives and rules of the Compact Council: American Samoa, Guam, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota and Virginia.
Nearly a dozen SEARCH Members serve on the Compact Council, with Idaho Member Dawn Peck currently serving as Council Chair and Missouri Member Major Tim McGrail as Vice Chair.
States Control Record Access. Congress's approval of the Compact, part of the Crime Identification and Technology Act of 1998, gives states control when other states or the Federal government access their criminal history record information through III for noncriminal justice-purpose checks.
The Compact provides a uniform procedure for releasing information that meets the requestor's needs while protecting individual rights and recognizing each state's philosophy regarding record use.
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 required the U.S. Attorney General to establish a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) that firearm dealers could contact by telephone or other electronic means for information on whether a firearm transfer violates federal or state law.
NICS Index, which includes the information contributed by Federal and state agencies identifying persons prohibited from possessing firearms who are not included in the III or NCIC, such as persons with a prohibiting mental health history or who are illegal or unlawful aliens.
If a NICS check identifies a person as falling within a prohibited category, the FBI advises the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) that the transfer is denied. Individuals can appeal denials and seek the correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information in the FBI databases by either applying to the FBI or the Federal or state agency that contributed the information to the FBI.
SEARCH participates in NICS record reporting and quality improvement initiatives, and provides technical assistance to states that receive NICS improvement grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, SEARCH responds to question from Congress and the Administration about NICS and the states' role in the system through outreach efforts, such as our NICS improvement recommendations report.
Have a question about NICS or noncriminal justice background checks?
Need assistance on an issue relating to NICS or criminal justice background checks for noncriminal justice purposes?
Who Conducts the Checks – States or the FBI?
There are 13 full Point of Contact (POC) States that handle all NICS and state prohibitor checks: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.
There are seven partial-POC States that handle their own handgun checks/handgun permit checks while the FBI handles the long gun checks: Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Eighteen (18) are known as Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) "qualified alternate permit" States — meaning they have a process in place that serves as an alternative to the Brady law background check requirements.
The FBI provides the NICS background checks for firearm transactions in the remainder of the states.


Josh grew up in a small town in southern Maine. After high school, he decided to see what living in the city had to offer and moved to Boston University to study engineering. Studying at BU brought new perspectives and the opportunity to study abroad in Germany. Living in another country and learning a new language revived an interest in joining the Peace Corps after college. Not ready to abandon engineering for two years during the Peace Corps, he was happy to discover the MI program at University of South Florida.


Love Varnish: Swatches & Review - The Cirque Kontiki Collection!
Swatches & Review - The Cirque Kontiki Collection!
Hi loves! Today I have an of the most awesome releases this year to show you, and because I couldn't wait I pushed Learning to Lingo to this Friday. Hope you don't mind ^^. I am proud to introduce Cirque Colors The Kontiki Collection!
Whether you're sipping on mojitos, jet-setting across the country or catching up on some well-deserved R&R, explore our latest release that will keep your nails looking hot in the heat. Inspired by endless summer days, we've created 3 limited edition lacquers each with a special color-shifting shimmer in a vivid translucent base.
Over a week ago Cirque Colors announced The Kontiki Collection, a 3 piece set of limited edition lacquers. All 3 shades have a jelly base and are filled with gorgeous colorshifting shimmer and the occasional sprinkling of holographic sparkles. Set to be released August 5th, this will be available at www.cirquecolors.com.
The formula is divine with all 3 shades. Sometimes jellies can be a bit patchy or streaky looking. Not with these! They all applied evenly and easy and leveled really well. 3 coats provides a semi opaque finish - you can't really spot VNL anymore but they are still squishy in finish. A layer of top coat gives them a high shine finish and will highlight the shimmer even more. Like I said I used 3 coats for each of these, Dear Dahlia and Thicker Than Water were swatched over a matte base and topped with Essence BTGTS, Midsummer Night is layered between G&G Stuck On Blu! and HK Girl Top Coat.
Cirque Dear Dahlia is a lovely pink shade filled with a green to blue sparkle. There seems to be a sprinkling of a larger holographic shimmer as well. This one applied super evenly but had the least pronounced color when wrapping the tips, so I did 2 rounds of that.
Cirque Midsummer Night is a striking cobalt shade and filled with a red to green shimmer, reminiscent of Clarins 230, Max Factor Fantasy Fire and other shades in the same spectrum. The colorshift is easy to spot but not overwhelming, and added to that the copper colored holographic sparkles light up this inky shade so well. A bit more patchy in application compared to the other 2 and with the most translucent finish, this one still catches my eye the most. It's more opaque than it shows here, damn you macro mode!
Cirque Thicker Than Water really has an appropriate name - it immediately reminded me of those gorgeous waters along white sand beaches. The shimmer is super pronounced in this polish but it doesn't really shift color to me. Not that it matters, look at this beauty ♥. This one applied best out of 3, a more buttery formula and more opaque, too. Gorgeous!
That's it, the Cirque Colors Kontiki Collection. Which shade is your favorite? Tell me in the comments!
Cirque Colors is sold through their own website. Each shade from the Cirque Kontiki collection retails for $13, worldwide shipping available. There are also various stockists selling Cirque polishes so be sure to check if you can shop more locally, too.
You can connect with Cirque Colors on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Bonus picture ^^ look at that gorgeous shimmer!
Gorgeous swatches! I just love jelly polish, so I know I will need to put these on my wish list! I think Thicker Than Water is the winner for me.
These are so gorgeous and I'm crazy tempted to buy them all!
Thanks so much dear Em! It really is stunning, but wait till you see Midsummer Night in real life.. it's better than my pictures show it to be!
Thanks Amy, glad you like them. These are the perfect jellies to me!
Funny how everyone seems to love that one so much :D!
:D well they really ARE gorgeous ;-). And these make an excellent first Cirque purchase!
Aaah you should Kellie :D!
THESE. ARE. FABULOUS. Dear Dahlia is so gorgeous!
Thicker than water is sooo amazing. I need this one.
Thicker Than Water is aaahhhhmazing! I just want to stare at your pics!
these look A MA ZING. Oh my gosh. Love love love!
They all look gorge! I think Thicker Than Water is my fave though. I could wear that everyday!
Dear Dahlia is so red on me, but very pretty. I'm in love with Midsummer Night and I really like Thicker Than Water, despite it being a green-toned Turquoise.
Your photographs are so beautiful! Like on another level beautiful! My fave is def Thicker Than Water!
Holy amazing - I want them all!
This is an unbelievably gorgeous polish! It looks fantastic on you!


text:
Description of Scricfinnia, year 1555
by Guest Blogger July 18, 2011
written by Guest Blogger July 18, 2011
Olaus Magnus
Military skiers woodcut, by historian Olaus Magnus from 1555. Check out the guys riding the reindeer. Did they really do that, or was Olaus dreaming? Move over 10th Mountain Division!
(Editor's note: This is known as the oldest detailed written description of skiing, but few publishers acknowledge or perhaps even understand the description of climbing skins that's included. We love it.)
"Scricfinnia is a country between Biarmia and Finmarck [Wildsnow note: at the top of Norway]; yet it hath one long corner that stretcheth southward and towards the Bothrick Sea; it is called a Tail principally, because the Inhabitants of it slide very swift, having their feet fastened to crooked pieces of wood made plain and bent like a bow in the former part, with a staff in their hands to guide them; and by these, at their pleasure they can transport themselves upward, downward, or obliquely, over the tops of snow; yet ever observing that proportion, that one of these pieces of wood shall be longer than the other a full foot, according as the men or women are in tallness: so that if a man or woman be six feet high the one piece of wood shall be just so long, and the other piece of wood shall be seven foot.
Moreover, they provide that those pieces of wood be covered beneath with the tender skin of a young fawn, the form and color whereof is like to a deer skin but it is far longer and larger [WildSnow: who knew, fawn skin makes the best?]. But why the pieces of wood are covered with these tender skins there be diverse causes given; namely that they may transport themselves the swifter over these deep snows, that they may the more nimbly avoid cliffs of rocks, and steep places with an overthwart motion [Wildsnow note: transverse, meaning a shuffling stride], that when they ascend to a place they may not fall backward: because the hair of the skin will rise like spears, or Hedg-Hog Bristles, and by an admirable power of nature hinder them from falling down.
Sled and skiers, ancient backcountry skiing, Olaus Magnus. While the skis are depicted without a rearward section, we suspect that's just how they were rendered for some reason, and that the actual skis used in the north country were like any other of the ancient planks we know of and had some length behind the foot.
Therefore with such instruments and the art they have to run they are wont, especially in winter, to pass over the inaccessible places of mountains and valleys; but not so easily in summer, though the snow be there, because the Wood soon sinks into them. Nor is there any rock too prominent, but they can cunningly run up to the top of it, by winding course [switchbacking?]. For first leaving the deep places of valleys, they pass over the feet of the mountains, with crooked motion round about; and they so turn to and fro, until they come to the highest parts of those winding hills; sometimes they do in the nead of hunting (WildSnow: we can relate), sometimes to try their skill and to contend for mastery therein, as those who race to win the prize.
Hunter on skis, Olaus Magnus.
Family on skis, picnic? Olaus Magnus.
Saying Goodbye to my Dad: The Ski Trip I Didn't Take
Backcountry Skiing News Roundup
Robert Tangen July 18, 2011 - 12:15 pm
Re: "While the skis are depicted whout a rearward section, we suspect that's just how they were rendered for some reason, and that the actual skis used in the north country were like any other of the ancient planks we know of and had some length behind the foot."
I'm sure some of the skis were normal, consisting of long planks, but I can't imagine that the illustrators all just made up the short, rear-less things we see in the woodcuts, with exactly the same features. They must have been copying something real. Could they have invented the "snow skate" as well as the ski? In the first woodcut, the guy on the left has is rear thing-a-majig perpendicular to his front. Is he about to push off in a skating movement?
Lou July 18, 2011 - 12:27 pm
Robert, good point but from what I've seen illustrators of that time were prone to pretty wild imaginings and interpretations. I think all you have to do is look at the history of Scandinavian skis, as well as know how a ski would perform, to know that there would have to be something behind the foot for the skis to even function in any situation other than firm snow they didn't sink into.
I also wonder about the reindeer riders shooting arrows. That seems a bit out there as well. Any folks from that region care to comment.
brian h July 18, 2011 - 2:22 pm
Would shooting a bow from a reindeer be much different from shooting one from a horse? Bow length would have to be shorter than a typical euro longbow but I always thought those Lapplanders were pretty good deer riders.
Lou July 18, 2011 - 2:41 pm
I doubt that anyone ever did much in the way of effective bow shooting from a galloping or even standing horse, other than in the movies or if they were some kind of genetic prodigy. Even shooting a gun from a galloping horse would be ridiculous other than for prodigy marksman. I've done plenty of archery and gun shooting, and done plenty of riding… so the above is an experience based opinion… Perhaps if the horse was trained to stand really really still, but anyone who shoots knows how much the smallest movement results in inaccuracy.
What about the Sioux, Comanche, Kiowa etc., or on the other side of the globe, the Mongols? I'm pretty sure there is some fairly supported history as to their ability to shoot from horseback. These were people who were riding from about the time they could walk, and who had a bow in their hands that early as well. I guess "running" buffalo would involve fairly short range, and perhaps the effect of Mongol arrows was more volley fire, but legends always start from something real.
I love the legend, just wondering how often those guys could really hit something lethaly. It's one thing doing stunts at a wild west show, combat is a different story. I know guys sit on horses and shoot elk, but then, the elk are not shooting back and they also many times get more than one chance if they miss. Elk are a huge target, as well…
TomW July 18, 2011 - 5:43 pm
Many mammals will have a communication between the pleural spaces allowing a relatively minor lung penetration (arrow) on one side to create a bilateral tension pneumothorax with fatal outcome. Occasionally referred to as "buffalo syndrome". Hence, no need for a heart shot. But still requiring remarkable horseman (or reindeer) and bow skills. But good tale.
Ian July 18, 2011 - 7:59 pm
Good thing they didn't see that video with the pole spear or they'd have taken over the world and we'd all be speaking bloody Norwegian.
Good point Ian!
Wayne Nicholson July 19, 2011 - 7:07 am
Crazy, skiing was around in the 1500s. Would love to go back and enjoy the endless and uncharted backcountry from those times!
No ski patrol to tell you what you can't do too!
Lou July 19, 2011 - 8:45 am
…other then some guy riding a reindeer and shooting arrows at you because you're intruding on his hunting ground!
John Milne July 19, 2011 - 8:59 am
@Lou See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthian_shot for reference to one of the better know tactics of horse archers in ancient times.
It wasn't hard to get a fatal hit either; as TomW points out, you can easily hit a lung, major organ, intestines, or major artery and kill a man. They're not always instantly fatal, but e.g. if you sever the femoral artery in your leg, you can bleed out in minutes. Plus, you have to remember that there were no antiseptics, no germ theory, nothing resembling modern medicine in the slightest. Even if they did manage to patch you up, you'd still have to fight off the inevitable infection.
John, thanks, seems like those guys might have indeed been more effective than my first impression…
Ilkka Leskelä September 22, 2011 - 6:44 am
Hello from Finland,
Being a Finnish historian, I might offer some insight into some historical questions discussed here.
1. On riding reindeers
Riding a reindeer can be compared to riding a cow or sheep. It is not commonly practiced by Laplanders (the Saami people).
Riding on reindeer is done for show during the annual gatherings of semi-wild reindeer. Reindeer are not trained to carry riders, and don't take it easily. Thus, this is pretty close to rodeo-riding, the difference being that reindeer are smaller than horse, and thus a little bit easier to control or at least to subdue.
There are no records on effective usage of any kind of weaponry when riding a reindeer. Thus, no reindeer cavalry.
2. On ski types & length
While Olaus himself quite surely knew what he was writing about, his Italian illustrators did not. Thus the text portions of Olaus' work are relatively credible, while the illustrations in many cases are fantastic.
It is apparent that the illustrators knew about wooden/bone skates, and based on Olaus' text depicted something similar. This is the reason for the odd and completely fantastic shape of the "skis" in the pictures.
However, Finnish (and Nordic) skis came in many forms, and for many functions. The most common type was a combination of a short and a long ski, where the short ski was used to kicking & guiding, and the long one predominantly for sliding. The long ski usually was longer than the person skiing was tall, while the shorter ski was substantially shorter than the person was tall. The short ski had the furry skin underneath. In a way, it functioned like a prolonged snow-shoe.
3. On reindeer herding and hunting in general
Reindeer herding is a relatively new thing in Lappish history, connected to ecological change (cold period) and economic pressures (increased taxes) in the late medieval & early modern periods (say, around 1500).
Before this time, reindeer packs were hunted. In addition to bows, "suopunki" (akin to bolas) was used. A common practice to hunt whole packs of reindeer was driving the pack through a narrow isthmus or canyon, where holes were dug in advance. This practice dates back to stone age hunting practices in the northern hemisphere, and was actively used also in the south of Finland, when there still were big packs of deer.
Olaus' work is one of the sources showing that reindeer are not only hunted, but that there was some sort of semi-domestication taking place already in the 16th century. But even today, reindeer are not domesticated, albeit for a few individuals which are kept fenced for the tourists.
Ilkka Leskelä
Lou September 22, 2011 - 6:47 am
Thanks Ilkka, your info is greatly appreciated!
As you point out, Olaus does note the length of skis in his text, one the same length as the height of the user, the other a bit longer.
The Antenna that Changed Everything —...
1990 First Dynafit Branded Tech Binding...


Solar panels something like this one might appear on a campus building soon. The student-led Solar Technology Education Project has raised $18,000 towards its $25,000 budget for buying and installing an array of photovoltaic panels, says director Jeff DeLoyde. "This will be a 2-kilowatt array, will produce electricity equivalent to two-thirds of that used by an energy-efficient home, and will abate more than 1,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year," he says. STEP participants are meeting with the plant operations department to discuss where on campus to put the demonstration unit, DeLoyde added.
"Overall, employers are satisfied," says the report of a survey done last year by UW's co-operative education and career services department. The employer survey -- done by Metroline Research Group using a 46-item questionnaire and nine in-depth interviews -- complements a survey of co-op students done last year.
The 247 employer representatives who answered the survey in the spring of 2002 gave the department an average rating of 7.73 out of 10, with one-third of the total giving "excellent" (9 or 10) scores. "Companies that hire 4 or more students," says the survey report, "were the most likely to rate the services as Excellent."
The companies ranged from large (31 per cent of them had more than 500 employees) to very small (27 per cent had fewer than 25 employees). Roughly equal groups of them hire one co-op student a year, two or three students a year, and four or more.
"A significant percentage of employers hiring Waterloo students also hire from other institutions," says the report. "In companies of 100 or more employers, three-quarters hire from other institutions."
The biggest strength of the Waterloo co-op program? "Provides good students," 45 per cent of employers said. "Good customer service," said 30 per cent. "Professional and organized," said 29 per cent. "System works well, easy to use," said 28 per cent.
So what needs improvement? "Nothing, don't know," 27 per cent. "Speed up the ranking process," said 17 per cent. "Better interviewing facilities," 15 per cent -- that was when the co-op department was still crowded into Needles Hall. "More online services and communications," 14 per cent of employers said.
"There exists some issues when dealing with on-campus staff," the report's summary notes. "Many employers are confused about who to call for various questions, find it hard to reach a 'live' person', or find they need to call more than one person. There is some suggestion of a single point of contact for all issues/concerns/questions."
On other matters: "While the system scores at an acceptable level (73%), employers have some concerns about the amount of time available for job postings and organizing resumes and interviews.
"While they express understanding with the need to standardize everything in the department due to the complexities involved, employers cite difficulties in including the process in their corporate environment. . . .
"Just over half of the respondents consider the ideal length of a co-op term to be 4 months. Another 38% feel the ideal length would be 8 months."
An open house next month will introduce the campus to a new research centre that has already received millions of dollars in federal and provincial funding: the Integrated Centre for Visualization, Design and Manufacturing.
The ICVDM involves a diverse group of researchers -- architects, town planners, mechanical engineers, and computer scientists -- linked by a common interest in computer-aided design, and working on various aspects of it, from creating cities and buildings to controlling metalworking machinery.
Director of the centre is architecture professor Thomas Seebohm who is also a specialist in using computers for architectural design. Other members include Sanjeev Bedi, a milling specialist from mechanical engineering; Brent Hall, environmental studies, who specializes in map analysis and design; Michael McCool, computer science, whose area is real-time computer graphics; Steve Mann, also from computer science, who studies shape modeling; Michael Worswick, from mechanical engineering, who studies sheet metal forming; and Phillip Beesley of architecture. There's also participation from Toronto, Laval and other universities.
The Centre has received support to the tune of $5.9 million from the federal Canada Foundation for Innovation, from the provincial Ontario Innovation Trust, and from industry. Much of the money has gone to purchase equipment, which includes a parallel SGI computer and stereo displays from Fakespace in an Immersive Design Theatre, clusters of PCs in computer science, an identical cluster in architecture, remote computers, and manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and measurement systems.
ICVDM research can use the Immersive Design Theatre to simulate a three-dimensional world. At the moment it is used for large-scale immersive visualization, as required in urban planning and interior visualization, and for running simulations of illumination and manufacturing processes. An Onyx graphics computer, the stereo display, and 3D position and orientation trackers can simulate a three-dimensional world, entered by an individual wearing head-tracked stereo glasses.
Elsewhere under the umbrella of the new centre,	Bedi in mechanical engineering wants to use computer graphics for research in computer-aided design and manufacturing, and this includes the use of three-dimensional digital photography and milling. His laboratories include a Minolta digital camera that can build up a true three-dimensional model of the objects it takes pictures of. The digital information can be used to "print" a three-dimensional duplicate of the object using the ICVDM's rapid prototyping systems, but can also be converted into operating instructions for a milling machine that can cut a bar of metal, three-dimensionally, to produce a real object such as a car part.
Bedi's lab includes a number of milling machines including a state of the art Ingersoll octahedral hexapod, one of the first such machines in the world.
As for McCool in computer science, his job is to figure out how to generate pictures that illustrate architectural or planning concepts -- or in the case of a manufacturing process, simulate and visualize them. He says he is already working with some "very powerful" graphics accelerators from ATI and NVIDIA, and the goal is to make them more powerful still. To attack this problem, McCool is exploring stream processor architectures.
Details of the open house for the new research centre, set for March 14, are likely to be announced shortly.
It's still winter, despite the balmy sunshine of the past couple of days. The UW weather station has been reporting the cold and the heat for five years now, and has announced its annual guess-the-springtime contest just in time for its fifth birthday on February 28.
Says station coordinator Frank Seglenieks: "As we all know, it has been one cold, cold winter -- what does that mean for the spring? Snow until May perhaps? or maybe a quick turnaround and we will be wearing shorts by mid-March?"
There are three prizes: The Weather Wizard's Cloud Book, The Basic Essentials of Weather Forecasting, and a children's weather station kit. Contest deadline is Tuesday, February 25, at 4 p.m. Details of the contest are on the station's web site.
The senate long-range planning committee has been somewhat underemployed in recent years, an era in which short-range events move so fast that long-range planning has been near impossible. The committee will meet today, however, to discuss "how to proceed" as well as reviewing the latest progress report on the 1997 "Fifth Decade" plan, and also UW's developing "innovation strategy" document. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. in Needles Hall room 3004.
With the current squeeze on co-op jobs, there are bound to be some hundreds of students not yet employed for the spring term when the job match process takes place next week. So jobs are being posted again, for the "continuous phase" placement process. The first posting goes up today: "Co-op students who did not receive initial phase interviews, were not ranked, or believe they will not be matched should review this posting and begin applying once again."
The scheduled meeting of the pension and benefits committee this morning has been cancelled. . . . A Graduate Student Association group heads for Kitchener's Granite Club for curling tonight, then will head back to the Grad House, where the Pandemonium Blues Band plays starting at 9 p.m. . . . UW's Midnight Sun solar car is on display at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto this weekend (see it on the 600 level of the South building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre). . . .
The staff association nominating committee sends a reminder that applications for staff positions on several committees are due by today: the dean of environmental studies nominating committee, the staff grievance committee, the advisory committee on traffic and parking, the staff training and development committee, the pension and benefits committee, the finance review committee. Last-minute information is available from the nominating committee chair, Anne Jenson, ext. 3893.
The faculty of arts has announced a series of program information sessions aimed at students who are applying to enter arts at UW this all (and their parents). Scheduled sessions start with one tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. in Arts Lecture Hall room 116. Future events: in Toronto on Tuesday night, back at UW on Wednesday night, in London on Thursday, back at UW on March 19, and in Ottawa on Saturday, March 22.
Utility shutdowns this weekend, and I'll try to get this right: No hot water in the Physical Activities Complex from 7;30 to 10:00 this morning (sympathies to anybody who's trying to shower). No heating in Environmental Studies I on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No electrical power in Engineering II and III on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. And a first-floor corridor in the Doug Wright Engineering building -- room 1527B, across from the Engineering II office wing -- will be closed for construction starting Monday for about two weeks.
The staff-and-friends Hagey Bonspiel is taking place tomorrow at the Ayr Curling Club. . . . Something called "Let's Dance" has rehearsals tomorrow, and a performance at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, in the Humanities Theatre. . . . Everyone is invited to see emergency response teams from across Canada deal with a simulated emergency on Sunday afternoon (3 to 6 p.m.) at Federation Hall. . . .
Quest, the online student information system, will be shut down for upgrades February 21-24, the registrar's office notes. "Please note: February 21 is the last day for 50% tuition refund. If you need to drop a class within the 50% tuition refund period, we encourage you to do so online using Quest by February 20. If you need to drop a class on February 21, you have one of two options, you can visit the Quest Support Desk in Needles Hall on February 21 or you can forward an email to quest@uwaterloo.ca on February 21. Winq and Appstat will be available during this shutdown period but they will not be updated." Faculty and staff members will find they can't run 'myQuest' and 'Peoplesoft SA' over the weekend.
Sports this weekend: The women's hockey team hosts Windsor tonight at 7:30 at the Columbia Icefield, then heads for Western for a game tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., the men's basketball team hosts Western in the PAC main gym. Away from campus, Warrior swimmers are heading for the national championships at the University of Victoria.
And Monday, everybody's back to class as the "reading period" ends.