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Epic Charter Schools nears settlement with statewide charter school board
Nuria Martinez-Keel
Oklahoman
Epic Charter Schools and a state agency governing virtual schooling are closing in on a settlement that could end a threat to shut down an online school with more than 30,000 students.
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board on Tuesday approved a counter proposal to an agreement Epic drew up last week.
The counter proposal demands finances and service contracts for Epic One-on-One be completely separate from Epic Blended Charter, another school district within the Epic system.
It also asks that Epic One-on-One and Epic Blended have seven-member school boards made up of entirely different people. Both have five-member boards made up of exactly the same members. The counter proposal would require all members have clearly defined terms of service.
The 14-page document includes numerous requests for institutional change, such as hiring new financial employees, much of which Epic has already begun doing.
If Epic's own school board approves the settlement, it could avoid a termination hearing next month that threatened closure of its largest branch, Epic One-on-One.
Serving about 55,000 students, the embattled virtual charter school system is bigger than any traditional district in the state. It contains two school districts, Epic One-on-One and Epic Blended Charter, which make up 60% and 40% of its student enrollment, respectively.
The statewide board is the authorizer for all six virtual charter schools in Oklahoma, including Epic One-on-One. No virtual charter school can operate in the state without a contract with the board.
A settlement between both sides would conclude termination proceedings and relieve fears among Epic officials and families who have worried their school might close. A May 12-13 termination hearing would be rendered moot.
However, the hearing likely would continue if Epic's school board rejects the latest settlement proposal. If the hearing proceeds, the board would act as judge and jury while reviewing evidence and testimony on alleged contract violations and financial wrongdoing by Epic.
Both sides hope they don't reach that point, said Robert Franklin, chairperson of the statewide virtual charter school board.
"I don't think anybody has wanted to go to that place," Franklin said. "But, I think we've now tipped the first set of dominos to say, OK, to interrupt that final domino falling, this is the process."
Epic's school board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the proposal.
Epic Charter Schools' accusations and proposed reforms
After a scathing state audit accused Epic of mismanaging taxpayer funds and having weak school board oversight, the statewide board initiated a process to end its charter contract with Epic One-on-One on Oct. 13.
In its original settlement proposal, the virtual charter school system offered to overhaul its financial and governing structures. It pledged to expand its school board from five to seven seats with two longtime board members expected to resign.
Epic denies any criminal wrongdoing, but its board has approved rounds of reforms to strengthen its internal governance in light of the state audit.
Epic's attorney, Bill Hickman, said the school is adding three new layers of financial oversight that didn't exist before the audit report was released Oct. 1. Epic is hiring two encumbrance clerks, an assistant superintendent of finance and an external treasurer, he said.
A controversial Learning Fund bank account, which pays for students' extracurricular activities and learning materials, will become public record July 1. The private company that managed the school system, Epic Youth Services, will lose control of the account and any access to public school funds.
State auditors and investigators questioned Epic Youth Services' use of school funds. It maintained the Learning Fund account and received 10% of all Epic's funding. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation alleged the company was a vehicle for owners Ben Harris and David Chaney to embezzle $10 million in taxpayer dollars.
Harris and Chaney, who co-founded Epic, have denied any wrongdoing. Neither has been charged with a crime.
Epic's school board has taken away control of day-to-day school operations from Epic Youth Services. Hickman said this marks the end of the company's days as Epic's charter management organization.
"What our relationship with Epic Youth Services looks like in the future is being discussed," Hickman said. "It's a private contract and that's all I can really say about that right now, but I can tell you that they do not meet the definition of an educational management organization under the law any longer."
Epic Charter Schools proposed settlement faces criticism
The statewide virtual board's attorney, Assistant Attorney General Marie Schuble, said Epic's settlement proposal lacked specifics and "does not go far enough to protect the interest of the state and the students enrolled at Epic."
Despite Schuble's comments, Franklin said her and Epic's proposals are similar, especially after the board amended some of the wording in her counter offer.
Franklin said the board preferred Schuble's settlement proposal because it included more specific language for Epic to follow.
"The specificity that is being proposed by Schuble's document seemingly gets to the heart of what Epic's (legal) counsel was saying, and it's really not far off with the changes that we had suggested," Franklin said. "It didn't look like we were in an abyss. It looked like there was just more specificity that was being brought."
The board's meeting Tuesday was the first since member Mathew Hamrick sued Franklin, two other board members and Executive Director Rebecca Wilkinson. Hamrick filed a lawsuit April 13 in Oklahoma County District Court to counteract his recusal from all discussions and votes on Epic.
Board members Barry Beauchamp, Brandon Tatum and Franklin voted Dec. 8 to recuse Hamrick from all Epic-related matters because of his ties to the school's co-founder and Epic Youth Services owner, David Chaney. They also disqualified board member Phyllis Shepherd because she is a relative of Chaney.
The board discussed Hamrick's lawsuit in a private executive session but took no action. Hamrick attended only the public portions of the meeting. He didn't participate in any votes.
Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Have a story idea for Nuria? She can be reached at nmartinez-keel@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @NuriaMKeel. Support Nuria's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at oklahoman.com/subscribe.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Emflume1
Hydraulic flume
The Emflume1 is a turnkey desktop open channel flume for demonstrating fluid mechanics, river habitat hydraulics, and sediment transport. Its portability makes it easy to use in a lab or classroom setting.
Emflume1 specifications
Working Section 55.8 cm x 9.4 cm x 15.2 cm (22 in x 3.7 in x 6 in);
Model footprint on table 1.02 m x 0.25 m (40 in x 10 in)
Portability Small and portable, fits on a desktop, 65 lb (29 kg) dry weight.
Water 23 L (6 gal)
Media Amount 6.8 kg (15 lb)
Media Type Color-coded
Other Features Efficient and quiet ducted-propeller.
System Also Includes Electronic flow controller for variable flow rates. Tilt system allows +/- 2.5 degrees of vertical tilt. Closed-cell foam hydraulic shapes, pitot tube. User and laboratory manual.
See the Applications for Science and Teaching pages for more examples of how to use the Emflume1.
The Emriver Emflume1 is the world's only portable, turnkey hydraulic flume system. With a footprint of only 40 inches by 10 inches, it fits comfortably in most labs and classrooms and can be easily transported on a small cart. The 6-gallon water capacity means the flume is quickly filled and drained with a bucket or small hose at a sink. Despite its compact size, the Emflume1 has a working section of 22 by 3.7 by 6 inches, so there's ample room for demonstration and study of open channel phenomenon and the use of structures and sediment. The powerful 24V pump is operated by a custom digital controller, and flow is modified by large inlet and exit valves. A wide selection of weirs and inserts, plus a pitot tube and 15 lbs of color-coded media are included with the flume. The flume is used by high schools with physics and engineering classes, and by colleges and universities teaching hydraulics or civil and mechanical engineering that need to be efficient with their lab space.
The Emflume1 has applications in hydraulics, hydrology, and riverbed morphology. Demonstrations of open channel flow include normal and critical depth determination, rating curve, specific energy, hydraulic jump, and sluice gate pressure distribution. Discharge can be measured when the supplied weirs are used in the channel, such as suppressed rectangular, contracted rectangular, triangular, broad crested, and ogee crested. The combination of standard weir shapes and our color-coded media in the eflume is truly eye-opening. Pipe flow experiments can be conducted using Reynolds number, and shear stress and bed formations can be studied using our plastic modeling media.
The Emflume1 is also an excellent adjunct to our Emriver stream tables for teaching riverbed morphology, sediment transport, and deposition, especially as they relate to anthropogenic intrusions such as weirs and culverts. Students can explore the effect of channel modifications to the river system in the stream table, then zoom in for the macro view within the stream in the Emflume1.
The Emflume1 has been a great addition to our Earth and Atmospheric Sciences department's teaching. It offers an easy-to-use interface for students to study fluid mechanics and is great for showing dynamics of sediment transport. When combined with our Em2 model's table-top view, these models allow me to show students how sediment transport dynamics affect our environment so that they will be prepared to make informed decisions about river, floodplain, and coastal management as they go forward in their careers.
Douglas Edmonds
Associate Professor, Indiana University
explore our other models
A robust, modular research system capable of a wide array of geomorphological simulations such as floodplains, delta formation, groundwater processes and sediment transport.
A modular and portable system perfect for research and teaching of river dynamic principles.
Optimized for ease of setup, use and portability; perfect for demonstrating river science and conservation principles to audiences of all ages and educational backgrounds.


This weeks I stumbled across what seemed like a very old-fashioned design for a slide rule. Curious, who would seek patent protection for something seemingly outdated, I found – our government. More specifically, the super-secret National Security Agency.
Seems the NSA provides a rare glimpse into their inner workings. It appears the agency that otherwise deals with breaking sophisticated cipher codes has a heart for good old technology. But then: Keeping secrets is still in their blood: The original design patent application was filed with a non-publication request, even though design patents don't publish before issue anyway. Probably just to make sure.
I always found that studying Office Actions and their responses by other patent practitioners is a great way to learn. This week I looked through the prosecution history of US Design Patent D650355 to Apple. It covers the Design of an iPod, and was coincidentally posthumously awarded to Steve Jobs.
The application was subject to several rejections. In response to the Office Action the Applicants pointed out the differences between the prior art and the claimed design – which convinced the Examiner. Good reference to keep in mind if you have to argue an obviousness rejection in a design patent app.
Either way: Congratulations on Design Patent D649,233.
LED lighting must be booming. At least that's what the number of design patents relating to this new technology that are granted every week suggests. This week alone LG Innotek was awarded 10 design patents for various aspects of LED lamps. Previous week I counted 11 patents, issued to various applicants.
I used our search (http://search.designpatents.us) to look for design patents issued to Steve Jobs. Got about 100 results. Many of them clearly carry the handwriting of this remarkable inventor / designer. The results also shows how involved Steve was in details like the design of computer icons – something every other company would likely delegate to an entry-level designer.
Robert Oake just made me aware of his website http://designpatentschool.com/. Great resource for anyone who wants to learn about design patents. I highly recommend it.
Anyone who considers filing a design patent application "pro-se" should also review the USPTO's Guide to Filing a Design Patent Application.


Our Ballymaloe Original Relish is an iconic Irish condiment, rich in tomatoes, delicious and versatile. It is excellent with beef burgers, French fries, cold meats, cheese, sausage rolls, snags, sausage sangers, salads and much more. It is also wonderful served with light meals, picnics and barbecues.
It is an original family recipe, which has been passed down three generations and has been supplied since 1964.


text:
(The Château)
Castle for rent
Bedrooms at the château
Panoramique bedroom
Angelot bedroom
Du Patio bedroom
Du Verger bedroom
Russian bedroom
Loire bedroom
Petit salon bedroom
Donjon bedroom
Aubigny tower
The castle's lofts
Room Pressoir
Room Grande Nef
Room Troglodyte
Rooms in the château
The grande Entrée
Events and receptions
The Château
History of the castle
The terrace and the cellars
The Aubigny tower
The park / amphitheatre
The troglodyte room
Close by
Private excursions on the Loire
Candes Saint-Martin
Art Parc
Our Lofts
History of the Castle of Candes-Saint-Martin
About the Château de Moh in Candes St. Martin in a few lines...
The Chateau de Moh's history dates back to the 15th century when it was the summer residence of the bishops of Tours. They were fans of wine which you can witness throughout the property: The press, the cellar under the terrace, and the sloped inclines that allowed for the transport of the barrels of wine up the Loire river.
The tower, the wall that surrounds the castle, as well as the moat disappeared back to the XV century. Over the following centuries, the tower was raised again and the courtyard and the buildings around it were created, as well as the terrace and cellars, which are located below. The main building, which is now the castle, was reconstructed during this time. There is little documentation about the construction of the castle or of the strange single arena located in the park on the grounds but there is speculation that this was intended for animal fighting at some point in history.
The property lay dormant for years, without modern heating or bathrooms. It was bought by Katchatouroff, a Parisian Russian born industrialist in 1970 after discovering it while on holiday with his family. The youngest son Francis, a talented ceramic artist, found inspiration in the area and took up residence. After his parents had passed away, he continued to care for and maintain the property with pride and enthusiasm.
In 2006, Monique and Didier Pignet traveled to La Loire. The veteran hoteliers, who had offerings in Paris and the Carribean, were looking towards retirement when they happened upon the castle. They were uncertain if they wanted to tackle a project of this size and scope, but the charm of the region and the beauty of the castle did its magic and they were hooked.
They contacted Francis (the son of the previous owner whose father had died a few years ago and Francis could no longer cope with such an enormous property though he loved it so much), and felt an immediate and strong connection. They purchased the castle and the plans began. Adding to their pleasure, Francis had agreed to remain with Monique and Didier at Chateau de Moh and is the Manager and the "soul" of the place.
In 2009, the Pignets began the enormous renovation of the entire premise. Over the next 7 years more than 100 artisans and workers brought the beauty and the magic to life to Chateau de Moh. In addition to the Tower and the Castle, guests may now enjoy: The Pool House & Spa in the heart of garden and orchard. The Press Room, which is perfect for hosting events. 12 attractive rental apartments, houses and suites on the grounds adjacent to the castle and in the village of Candes St. Martin.
4 are within the House Perrières, which is located 100 meters from the castle
5 at the Maison du Rempart, which were just completed in the summer of 2015.
1 large apartment called The Loft the buildings within the castle grounds.
1 smaller house near The Press called Maison du Pressoir.
The Maison Trochet, facing the main entrance of the Château offers 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room and a lovely garden.
All of these hospitality offerings are available from 2 nights to one month stays and guests have private access to the castle's pool, Sauna and Spa in both the summer and winter.
Castle's lofts in Loire Valley, France
Môh's Cottages
St-Barts
Mediterranean Luxury Yacht rental, Lady Moh
Copyright © Château de Candes, Loire Valley, France. All rights reserved 2017.


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DUI suspect Mark Mullan's role in local youth baseball, clarified
April 10, 2013 by Rebecca Nelson 1 Comment
After it became known that Mark Mullan, the suspect in the March 25 DUI/homicides on NE 75th Street, had a connection to the North Seattle Baseball Association, NSBA President Chris Medina emailed parents in the organization about Mullan's role.
We asked Medina if we could publish this message here, for the wider Northeast Seattle community, and he agreed. Medina also said he has received a tremendous outpouring of support from league members and the community in support of the league, and offers of support as volunteers since the event.
The date of this letter is March 26.
On Monday, tragedy struck our community when a driver struck several pedestrians on 75th in front of Eckstein Middle School. The NSBA Board of Directors extends our deepest condolences to the families of the 2 people who lost their lives, and to the 2 people who were critically injured. We cannot put into words the sadness that all of us in the community are feeling right now, but I felt it important to reach out right away to communicate openly so as to offer at least a gesture of caring and respect to our community.
The board of directors was mobilized early [Tuesday] morning. We asked our commissioners to communicate with their coaches in order to be prepared to talk to their players and parents about the incident, so that we can be able to have the dialogue that perhaps some families and players need in order to cope with the situation.
You may have read the newspaper or saw in the news the references to NSBA. Mark Mullan, the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrians was wearing an NSBA sweatshirt at the time of the accident. While I do not know him personally, he is a former coach and former board member, but is not one of our current coaches or volunteers for this season. Mr. Mullan did not return as a coach to the league after last year, and it has been several years since he was a board member. We are in touch with the press, and we ask that all press inquiries be directed to me, or to the board.
As many of you know, we take coach (and player) conduct very seriously in our league. We highlighted a stronger stance and policy on policing coaches behavior at the outset of this season's preparation and was again emphasized during our mandatory coaches training last month. As an all-volunteer organization, driven by you all, our membership, we focus very carefully on the player/child experience as well as on coach and parent experience. That means we must often rely on parents, coaches, and each other for reports on incidents that may have occurred. We have a disciplinary review committee that is formed according to our league by-laws, and we actively police each other. At any time, for a given action committed on or off the field, any volunteer can be dismissed for his/her conduct, or if in fact the league disciplinary review committee decides that as a proper course of action. Our biggest concern is the kids well-being.
Additionally, every head coach and assistant coach in our organization must submit their personal information as part of a criminal background questionnaire. This is a required action every season. Additionally, we take this a step further by submitting that information for every coach to the Washington State Patrol background check services called WATCH, a special service that has been offered to us at little or no cost, as we are an all volunteer non-profit organization. This is currently in progress, and is unfortunately a very manual process, so if you would like to assist to help us accelerate the process, please let us know as we would welcome the assistance at this very trying and busy time.
Again, our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragedy.
Chris Medina, President NSBA
For further questions, you may contact the North Seattle Baseball Association here: contactnsba@gmail.com.
Filed Under: Crime, Families, Kids, Northeast Seattle
If you believe that the current laws (and enforcement of those laws) regarding repeat DUI offenders are inadequate, please contact your elected officials in the Washington State Legislature. Clearly something is very wrong, and it doesn't have to be this way, but, for some reason, it is.


text:
lgtm,codescanning
* Support for the [Hibernate ORM](https://hibernate.org/orm/) library (specifically, its Query
  creation methods) has been improved, which may lead to more results from the security queries.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Rewaz Arweladze (gruz. რევაზ არველაძე, ur. 15 września 1969 w Tbilisi) – gruziński piłkarz występujący na pozycji pomocnika. Trener piłkarski. Brat innych piłkarzy, Arczila Arweladze i Szoty Arweladze, ojciec Wato Arweladze.

Kariera klubowa
Arweladze karierę rozpoczynał w sezonie 1988 w zespole Metalurgi Rustawi, grającym w trzeciej lidze Związku Radzieckiego. W 1989 roku został graczem pierwszoligowego Dinamo Tbilisi, jednak w sezonie 1989 nie rozegrał tam żadnego spotkania. Kolejny sezon spędził w Martwe Tbilisi, występującym w nowo powstałej trzeciej lidze gruzińskiej. W 1991 roku wrócił do pierwszoligowego Dinama, noszącego nazwę Iberia Tbilisi. W sezonie 1991 wywalczył z nim mistrzostwo Gruzji. W następnym sezonie klub nosił nazwę Iberia-Dinamo i Arweladze zdobył z nim mistrzostwo Gruzji oraz Puchar Gruzji. W sezonie 1992/1993 zespół wrócił do nazwy Dinamo i ponownie wywalczył dublet, czyli mistrzostwo i puchar kraju.

Na początku 1994 roku Arweladze przeszedł do niemieckiego 1. FC Köln. W Bundeslidze zadebiutował 16 lutego 1994 w zremisowanym 1:1 meczu z FC Schalke 04. 13 marca 1994 w wygranym 3:1 pojedynku z VfB Stuttgart strzelił swojego jedynego gola w Bundeslidze. W barwach 1. FC Köln rozegrał 7 spotkań. Po sezonie 1993/1994 wrócił do Dinama Tbilisi. W trakcie kolejnego sezonu przeniósł się jednak do niemieckiego trzecioligowca, Tennis Borussii Berlin, gdzie spędził pół roku.

Następnie Arweladze występował w innym trzecioligowcu, FC Homburg, a w 1996 roku przeszedł do belgijskiego KV Mechelen. W sezonie 1996/1997 zajął z nim 17. miejsce w pierwszej lidze belgijskiej i spadł do drugiej ligi. Wówczas jednak odszedł z klubu i wrócił do Homburga. Spędził tam sezon 1997/1998. W sezonie 1999/2000 grał w drugoligowym Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, a na początku 2000 roku odszedł do Dinama Tbilisi, gdzie w tym samym roku zakończył karierę.

Kariera reprezentacyjna
W reprezentacji Gruzji Arweladze zadebiutował 2 września 1992 w przegranym 0:1 towarzyskim meczu z Litwą. 11 czerwca 1994 w przegranym 1:5 towarzyskim pojedynku z Nigerią strzelił swojego jedynego gola w kadrze. W latach 1992-2000 w drużynie narodowej rozegrał 11 spotkań.

Bibliografia
 Rewaz Arweladze w bazie EU.FOOTBALL
 Rewaz Arweladze w bazie Weltfussball

Reprezentanci Gruzji w piłce nożnej
Gruzińscy trenerzy piłkarscy
Piłkarze SK Rustawi
Piłkarze Dinama Tbilisi
Piłkarze 1. FC Köln
Piłkarze Tennis Borussii Berlin
Piłkarze FC 08 Homburg
Piłkarze KV Mechelen
Piłkarze Rot-Weiß Oberhausen
Trenerzy piłkarzy Dinama Tbilisi
Urodzeni w 1969
Ludzie urodzeni w Tbilisi

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Overview:We created a variety of window displays in the back of our 12' glass box trucks to educate consumers on the stores offerings for grand openings and special promotions. In a show of community spirt, Academy created a twitter contest giving local consumers the opportunity to win all of the items used to create these displays. Our crews helped capture content and guided consumers in entering. These programs generated significant foot traffic for store openings, increased social media activity and heightened local brand awareness for this fast growing sporting goods retailer.


A dynamic, growing firm of accountants in Altrincham are looking to appoint an accounts assistant to their growing team.
This opportunity is available due to Expansion and growth of their client base. This accountancy practice are looking for the right person to develop right through to being fully qualified in a flexible and supportive environment.
They do require at least 1 years previous accountancy practice or contractor practice experience. Full study support for the AAT will be provided along with further study support for the ACA/ACCA.


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Queens College Knights make All-ECC teams
Four Queens College Knights were named to the East Coast Conference All-Conference team.
Freshmen first basemen Reed Hoskins earned a First Team selection. Freshmen outfielder Andrew Smith, sophomore left-handed pitcher Liam Pulsipher, and sophomore left-handed pitcher Dean Fazah made the Second Team.
Hoskins is the second freshmen for the Knights to earn First Team honors. He started in 24 games and in 77 at-bats went on to lead the Knights in batting average (.351), doubles (7), total bases (41), hits (27) and triples (2).
On the season, Hoskins was awarded Rookie of the Week honors in the last week of the regular season.
"Reed was a big part of our success this season," said coach Chris Reardon. "He transitioned into a new role and excelled at first base and was a mainstay in the starting lineup while batting in the middle of the order for us."
Smith was a consistent performer in his first year as a Knights as he appeared and started in 21 games either in right field or as the designated hitter in the starting lineup.
He ranked among the top five leaders in several categories, and he produced eight multi-hit performances on the year.
One of two pitchers to be named all-conference for the Knights, Pulsipher was a pillar in the starting rotation. Starting seven games, he produced a 3-2 record pitching 38.2 innings with a second-best ERA of 3.26, with opponents batting only .196 against the lefty.
Among the Knights pitching rotation, he ranks second in strikeout (40), while tied for eighth among conference pitchers.
Nationally he is ranked 42nd in Hits Allowed Per Nine Innings (6.12).
He opened the season with a win pitching 5.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, ER, and struck out five in the Knights 7-4 win over the Cougars.
On April 10, he produced a complete-inning gem, as he shut out the D'Youville College Saints, allowing only three hits and striking out a career-high 12 batters.
Fazah showed his experience throughout the season as one of the backbones in the Knights pitching rotation.
On the season, he appeared in eight games and made four starts to finish the regular season with a 3-1 record. He pitched 32.0 innings, leading the Knights in strikeouts (42) with an ERA of 3.94. He held opponents to a .260 batting average.
Nationally he ranked 41st in Strikeouts Per Nine Inning (12.49).
"In his first year with us Dean showed us his versatility and value throughout the season," said Reardon. "He could be a spot starter as well as being a relief pitcher out of the bullpen."


What I'm saying is something quite close. At the microscopic (or subatominic or subnuclear) level, the limitations of our senses are obvious. Ancak, at the cosmological scale, the limitations are not quite so obvious because they manifest themselves as rather complicated distortions.
I would argue that our deepest and most profound concepts of physics (and hence reality) have nothing to do with our senses, the speed of light and so on. No one has ever seen an electron, but nature behaves in such ways as if such things exist. The same goes for all sorts of concepts. They are not created by our limited senses, but by their explanatory simplicity when it comes to describing phenomena we can experience ( such as tracks in a bubble chamber). We have no direct sensory input of an electron!! condensation bubbles in the cloud chamber – evet, but not the electron.
From my limited understanding of philosophy, I think the belief in concepts like electrons and special relativity is what they call scientific realism. Our common sense also is based on scientific realism. It is a good philosophical stance and has given us enormous technological advantages. Ancak, it is a philosophical stance. Another, equally valid, stance would be to think of the constructs like electrons and special relativity as practical tools that give the right answers and make the right predictions. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think this stance is pragmatic epistemology. My stance is closer to this one. Quantum mechanics, bence, cannot be interpreted as a picture of reality, but only as a pragmatic tool. The advantage of this stance (again in my opinion) is that you are not terribly attached to tools and constructs as you would be to truth and reality. That makes it easier to reinterpret special relativity (Örneğin) as a formalization of certain perceptual effects, or to understand GRBs and DRAGNs as light travel time effects. If explanatory simplicity is one criterion for scientific validity, this view has a lot going for it.
Özetlemek gerekirse, evet, you can take the useful philosophical stance that an electron is real. But it is not real the same way the keyboard you are typing on is real. Örneğin, if I told you that the keyboard is there only when you try to type on it and the rest of the time it is in a combined waveform with a few other objects around it, you may consider me crazy. But you would readily accept such a picture for an electron.


I love Rasam a lot and I often make rasam at home. Today I am posting Paruppu Rasam recipe. I have already posted two rasam recipes - Simple Rasam & Garlic Pepper Rasam, both doesn't require rasam powder. But I made this rasam using rasam powder. I will post the recipe for rasam powder too shortly. This rasam is made without garlic. This rasam is so flavorful and healthy. Warm Rasam with Rice and appalam is always a heavenly combination.
August has been a month of celebration with dear ones celebrating birthdays one after the other. Now it is my dear friend Manjula's birthday. Happy Birthday, Manjula!! She is one of the very good friends I have got through blogging. Facebook has a main role in helping with the growth of this friendship. The chats, the giggles, the sharing of joys, sorrows, fears, etc., etc., what not. She is such a sweet cheerful person who can lighten up any moment. She is also an enthusiastic blogger. You all might know about the ghevar and Rajasthani thali she made for the SNC challenge, the beautiful breads she challenged for HBC challenge. Also the event, "Come on- Lets Cook Buddies" she conducted in her space for the non bloggers was very successful. I am really amazed by the amount of effort she puts in each day for her blog, the cooking and the clicking with her energetic toddler around. Since it is her birthday today, we friends decided to treat her virtually with the theme Thalis. I prepared a special Vegetarian Mini Lunch Thali.
Today I am sharing with you a lunch I prepared last Sunday. Of course, Sunday means definitely non vegetarian.
Today I am sharing with you a simple and easy to make Rasam recipe- Garlic Pepper Rasam. It is very quick to make too and doesn't require rasam powder, Dal or even tomato. As the name suggests the flavor of pepper and garlic is predominant in the rasam. This rasam aids in digestion and also can be had as a remedy for cold.
Today I am sharing the recipe of Besan Burfi I prepared for Rakshabandhan. This festival celebrates the relationship of brother and sister. And having an amazing brother, I would never want to miss this festival. But my brother is far away in Philippines and it is almost 5 years now since I met him in person. Every year I do wish for the next rakhi, he is with me. Hopefully next year my wish comes true. My kids celebrated Rakshabandhan. Here is the picture of my daughter tying rakhi to my son. Hope you all had a wonderful celebration too. Do share with us how you celebrated the day.
Today I am posting a simple recipe- Onion Raitha. It is a perfect side dish to Biryani. I would rather say Biryani is incomplete without Raitha. Though there are different types of raitha, I am posting the basic onion raitha which can be whipped in seconds.
Today I am posting Banana Paniyaram, Indian version of Aebleskivers. I tried this recipe from my friend Preeti's site. Her site is full of great recipes with interesting combination and amazing photographs. Though I have bookmarked a lot of recipes from her site, for now I tried out this simple snack. This is a easy to make snack, which can be prepared instantly and also it requires few ingredients. My kids loved this and they gobbled it, as I took it from paniyaram pan (couldn't wait for it to cool down too). If you have ripe bananas, hungry kids and not much time, then this is the snack for you.
Today I am posting Asian Style Chocolate Marble Bread prepared using roux method, which is also known as tangzhong method. A roux starter (water and flour mixture) is prepared and then added to the other ingredients and then the bread is baked, which results in super soft bread. I have already posted Japanese style Hokkaido Milk Toast using this method. Today's bread is a Chocolate Marble braided bread. This bread is not too sweet and it can be had with nutella to give a boost to the chocolate flavor.
Today I am posting Brioche Rolls with Nutella. I got the recipe for this brioche rolls from Priya Akka's site. I baked this for a picnic , this brioche has a shiny beautiful crust and is soft on the inside with nutella filling makes it a perfect package for the picnic. Since I could not click this at home because of lack of time, I clicked few pictures on the picnic site. These brioche were delicious and was a hit.
Since it is Sunday today, I am posting a non vegetarian Lunch menu.
Today I am here with Blueberry Frozen Yogurt (Fro-Yo). I wanted to try frozen yogurt at home for a really long time. I had lot of blueberries left so I decided to try blueberry frozen yogurt. The blueberries gave a beautiful colour and flavour and made it very attractive to the kids. My kids loved it and they have been requesting me to make it again already. The process of making home made frozen yogurt is very simple - Strain the yogurt to remove excess liquid, prepare blueberry sauce/ compote then mix yogurt and sauce together, then let it set in the freezer, then scoop it and serve.
Today I am posting Ghee Rice. I prepared this rice and clicked few weeks ago and it has been sitting in my draft for quite sometime. I have been working on the post for the past 2 days but still couldn't post it. Today I am determined to post it.
Today I am posting another recipe I made for Rajasthani Thali- Gatte ki Kadhi. Gattas are the gram flour dumplings that are boiled and sliced to bite sized pieces and are simmered in a yogurt based gravy(Kadhi). I served it with rice and it also can be served with parathas.
Today I am posting a simple dal recipe. It is Uppu Paruppu. Split Pigeon peas/ Toor dal is cooked and tempering is added to it. That is all. It is very simple and easy to make, also it is Vegan. My kids love this dal when served with rice and dollop of ghee. Not only them, even I love too. It is just very comforting.
Wash the Dal and pressure cook it along with the ingredients listed under 'to pressure cook'. Then wait till the pressure releases and mash them well.
Then heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and then add red chillies, onions and curry leaves, asafoetida and fry for a minute or two till onion turn translucent.
To this add the mashed dal, mix well, salt to taste and turn off the heat. If needed, add little water to dilute the consistency, otherwise no need.
Garnish with cilantro and serve it with rice.


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Фонтхиллская ваза () — ваза из голубоватого китайского фарфора, датированная первой половиной XIV века; первый достоверно известный образец китайского фарфора, достигший Европы.

Описание

Первоначально ваза представляла собой изделие из фарфора, покрытое белой с голубоватым оттенком монохромной глазурью, характерной для фарфора цинбай (англ.). После 1320 года стиль цинбай стал сменяться классической китайской бело-синей керамикой, что делает Фонтхиллскую вазу, вероятно, одним из позднейших изделий в этом стиле. Ваза имеет своеобразный «экспериментальный» дизайн с украшениями в виде рельефных медальонов, идущих по центру и рельефными узорами на горлышке и у основания.

История

Ваза была изготовлена в центре фарфорового производства Цзиндэчжэнь в Китае между 1300 и 1340 годом. Первым европейским владельцем вазы был Людовик I Великий (1326—1382), который, вероятно, получил ее от китайского посольства в 1338 году. Европейцы снабдили лаконичную вазу обильно декорированной серебряной оправой, добавив носик, основание и крышку, благодаря чему ваза превратились в кувшин для напитков. В 1381 году владельцем вазы стал родственник Людовика, король Неаполя Карл III (1345—1386). Следующими известными владельцами вазы были Жан Беррийский (1340—1416) и Людовик Великий Дофин (1661—1711).

В начале XVIII века вазой владел Франсуа Лефевр де Комартен (фр.), при котором она была запечатлена на акварельном рисунке в 1713 году. Вскоре после этого ваза оказалась в распоряжении английского коллекционера Уильяма Бекфорда, который для хранения своей обширной коллекции предметов старины и искусства построил здание в неоготическом стиле, названное Фонтхиллским аббатством — отсюда происходит название вазы. В 1822 году вазу приобрел шотландский миллионер Джон Фаркуар (англ., 1751—1826).

В XIX веке серебряные части вазы были удалены, возвращая изделие к первоначальному облику. Последнее упоминание вазы в XIX веке датировано 1882 годом, после чего она была утрачена для широкой публики до повторного обнаружения в 1950-е годы. В настоящее время ваза хранится в Национальном музее Ирландии.

Существует упоминание о как минимум еще одной подобной вазе из китайского фарфора, которой владел Жан Беррийский, однако отсутствуют свидетельства о том, откуда он ее получил. Однако данный факт дает основания предположить, что Фонтхиллская ваза не была единственным в своем роде предметом, изготовленным в Китае и достигшем Европы в первой половине XIV века.

Примечания

Ссылки
 A note on the Fonthill Vase

Вазы
Китайский фарфор
Произведения декоративно-прикладного искусства Китая
Произведения XIV века
Экспонаты Национального музея Ирландии


text:
Climate Change Is a Planetary Emergency — How Can We Avert Disaster?
Jan 15, 2020 8:38AM EST Climate
A fleet of flooded taxis are seen at the operator's submerged parking lot following overnight rain in Jakarta on Jan. 1. RALIA / AFP / Getty Images
By Sandrine Dixson-Declève
While politics continue to cripple efforts to fight the planetary emergency, the science remains as unequivocal and irrefutable as ever.
We have already crossed a number of 'tipping points' in the Earth system; vital thresholds beyond which irreversible and catastrophic consequences for all life on this planet will ensue. The impacts of climate change and ecological destruction are more severe and are manifesting themselves earlier than many scientific predictions in previous decades had foreseen. Without major interventions, the risks will soon reach a critical stage.
For 10,000 years, human civilization has grown and thrived because of the Earth's remarkable climate stability and rich biological diversity. Astonishingly, every year since the Industrial Revolution, land-based and ocean ecosystems have absorbed close to half of all our emissions from fossil-fuel burning. That's because the climate, and the natural ecosystems which regulate it and all life on earth, are inextricably linked. In fact, species diversity and ecosystems integrity play a fundamental role in regulating the climate, water cycles, carbon sequestration and food production. Without nature's ability to absorb and store our GHG emissions, we would have already exceeded 2 C of warming, with potentially disastrous consequences decades ago.
The simple fact is, we don't know how to reconstruct the cryosphere, the hydrological cycle, the rainforests, coral reefs and other life-support systems on Earth. Once the emergency fully manifests, it will simply be too late to reverse the breakdown. Collapse will cease to be something we can control. Collapse will no longer be a mere hypothetical; it will be a near certainty. Put bluntly, this is the greatest existential risk facing modern human civilization.
It is, without doubt, our patterns of economic growth, development, production and consumption which are pushing the Earth's life-support systems beyond their natural boundaries. We depend so fundamentally on these ecosystems. And yet it is we who are the very drivers of their demise. It is we who are pushing the systems which support life on Earth beyond their natural boundaries. It is we who are causing severe changes in weather patterns and wreaking untold destruction in the shape of wildfires from the Amazon to Australia, and violent storms from Mozambique to Barbados, to name but a few. And while a great majority of governments and corporations continue to twiddle their thumbs in what amounts to outright denial of the facts, the risks of collapse
Climate change is a risk to us all. World Economic Forum
It is time for another reality check: our unhealthy consumption and growth habits have not only 'tipped' ecosystems but have also created severe 'socio-economic' hotspots and greater inequality in both mature and emerging economies. The emergency is not just about ecological breakdown. It is also about societal breakdown and acknowledging that as we urgently address the climate and biodiversity risks, we must simultaneously build new economic, social and financial systems which foster well-being and regeneration rather than unbridled economic growth and consumption at all costs.
Calls for a new growth paradigm and growth indicators were already made in the 1960s by President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. In 1972, the seminal work by The Club of Rome, The Limits to Growth, laid out the price of progress from socio-economic, financial to environmental tipping points. These are predictions which hold true today.
Governments and businesses around the world habitually set out emergency response plans to protect their economies, jobs, cities and other crucial assets from potential disaster. All leaders must now do the same. They must acknowledge that this is the greatest existential risk facing humanity, while showing that we can emerge from emergency. The Club of Rome's Planetary Emergency Plan provides a new compass for nations as they navigate through 2020 — a critical year for international policy action with key decisions due on climate change, biodiversity, the oceans, and the SDGs — and beyond.
The Plan calls for the implementation of 10 commitments to safeguard and restore our global commons, from halting the decline of critical land-based and ocean ecosystems to providing financial mechanisms for shifting to regenerative land-use practices and enabling indigenous and local communities to secure their livelihoods. It also highlights the need for a new multilateral Planetary Emergency Fund to rapidly address elements of the crisis, as unavoidable impacts manifest. Crucially, it then outlines 10 key levers of change for transforming energy systems, shifting to a circular economy and guaranteeing a just and equitable society founded in human and ecological well-being.
History has shown humanity to be remarkably resilient. We are well adapted to respond to impending risks through cooperation and innovation. What's more, the opportunities to not only mitigate risks and avert disaster, but also to rebuild, improve and regenerate are readily available. The Planetary Emergency Plan comes at a crucial moment. A moment when the world can bend the curve, avert the impending disaster and opt instead to embark on the fastest and most exciting social and economic transformation in human history.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève is Co-President of the Club of Rome, a member of the Climate-KIC Advisory Council, and Ambassador for the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC).
The Club of Rome is an organization made up of notable scientists, economists, business leaders, civil society members and public figures, aims to promote understanding of the global challenges facing humanity and to propose solutions through scientific analysis, communication and advocacy.
Reposted with permission from World Economic Forum.
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Keith Trivitt
Exploring the Value of PR for Startups
January 17, 2012 Keith Trivitt	13 Comments
A series of opinion pieces last week by Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire business mogul Mark Cuban asserting that startups "should never hire a PR firm" got the PR world buzzing with outrage. But does he have a point or is it too general a brushstroke to paint that PR can "never" benefit a startup? Let's look at the tape.
But, before doing so, it's instructive to take a deeper look at what, exactly, Mr. Cuban said. In an op-ed for Entrepreneur.com, excerpted from his latest book, "How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It," he lays out his "12 rules for startups." Rule No. 11 states:
Never hire a PR firm. A public relations firm will call or email people in the publications you already read, on the shows you already watch and at the websites you already surf. Those people publish their emails. Whenever you consume any information related to your field, get the email of the person publishing it and send them a message introducing yourself and the company. Their job is to find new stuff. They will welcome hearing from the founder instead of some PR flack. Once you establish communication with that person, make yourself available to answer their questions about the industry and be a source for them. If you are smart, they will use you.
Pretty sound advice, no?
On the whole, it appears so. But when you dig into it a bit deeper, Mr. Cuban's advice works only if you are an entrepreneur on his level: widely successful, media savvy and charismatic. For the 99 percent of entrepreneurs who don't fall into this category, it's not quite as clear a picture.
With this in mind, and with Mr. Cuban's multiple posts filling the blogosphere with comments galore, both pro and con, I thought it would be interesting to ask you, dear PRBC readers, what is the value of PR to startups.
Offer your own take in the comments section of this post. (Note: The ever-wise Peter Himler has a great rebuttal post that is especially interesting in its detail of how his PR firm counsels startups.)
Below is an amalgamation of my responses to Mr. Cuban and others who have filed posts on this subject in recent days. Keep in mind that I direct PRSA's advocacy program, so, naturally, I'm biased about PR's value. Just sayin'.
Why Startups Need PR
Mr. Cuban is correct in pointing out that reporters want to hear from entrepreneurs, especially those who are knowledgeable and passionate about their business and industries. They become terrific sources. But that's a small sliver of the modern role and value of public relations.
Let's look at the reality of the situation: Is PR going to help a company's sales grow by double-digits next quarter? Is it going to turn a bad product into something "magical." Not likely. That's not its true value.
But it will help an entrepreneur gain an objective sense of where his or her business stands in the broader consumer and buyer marketplace. Strategic PR pros also will provide entrepreneurs with a nuanced understanding of the local media market, something few CEOs have the time or experience in handling themselves.
Perhaps most importantly, PR will prepare entrepreneurs for the inevitable day when their business is no longer the "next big thing" (something that is of particular concern in the tech world).
As Margit Wennmachers, co-founder of San Francisco-based OutCast Communications, told The New York Times in 2009, "Few tech companies with absolutely no PR have built a user base successfully."
In short, getting media coverage is great, and certainly many entrepreneurs can do just that on their own. But for nuanced insight that will help build a company's success for the long haul, a PR pro can be an invaluable resource for any business owner, no matter if their business is young or old, hot on the media's and public's radar or just hoping to be.
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WHEN renting a room, a tenant can do a number of things to show respect and consideration to their landlord.
And none of those things include stealing the landlord's car, changing its number plates and dumping it in Baldwin swamp.
But Amber Maree Joyce, 20, did exactly that.
Joyce pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court via video link yesterday to driving without a licence, offences involving registration certificates, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife and possession of a dangerous drug.
The court heard on February 19 Joyce had asked for permission from the victim to use her car and withdraw money for rent, and on previous occasions had been given permission to use the car.
But when an argument broke out between the pair, Joyce still took the car for "a number of hours" before police found the Toyota Kluger parked in Baldwin Swamp, with its number plates changed.
Searching Joyce's handbag police found a fishing knife, a throwing knife and a used grinder. Later they found 2.7gm of marijuana.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Grant Klassen said Joyce had "been scared" because she was on parole for a previous assault charge when the offence occurred, which is why she changed the plates.
Defence lawyer Matt Maloy told the court Joyce's mother was present to "show support" for her daughter, at which point Joyce began to cry.
"She has been on the methadone program since she was 19," Mr Maloy said of his client's steps to recover from a heroin addiction.
He said previous agreements had been made between the victim and Joyce for her to use the car to run errands, yet Joyce had never held a licence.
"An extended sentence would be crushing ...," Mr Maloy said.
Magistrate Neil Lavaring said he took into account the 34 days Joyce had spent in custody.
"You were on parole for producing dangerous drugs and assault ... nine months from last November," Magistrate Lavaring said.
Joyce was sentenced to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years.


Highly recognised for his continuous support of the establishment of a Jewish national homeland in Palestine and the Balfour Declaration, Arthur James Balfour is one of the most prominent individual figures that contributed to the seemingly inevitable declaration of the State of Israel in 1948.
The Balfour declaration added a new dimension and even greater complications to the conflict between the Arabs and Jews in Palestine. The declaration was issued on November 2nd, 1917 on behalf of the British government announcing its support in the formation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. It is contained in a letter from the British foreign secretary and former Prime Minister, Arthur James Balfour to a prominent British Jew, Lord Rothschild.
There are 3 distinct parts in the declaration. First, it favours 'the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people'. By this declaration it became blatantly obvious that the British government, in which Balfour had a strong influence, recognised the Zionist contention that Jews had a claim to Palestine as a national home.
The impact of the first clause of the declaration is somewhat lessened by the second which recognises the 'civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine'. Balfour intended to convince the Arabs that their rights would not be affected, thus the reason for the second clause os the declaration. All involved in this intricate declaration immediately saw that these two clauses could well turn out to be contradictory, which was exactly what transpired. It is found that this was the basic cause of Jewish-Arab hostility in Palestine until 1948. Instead of settling the aggression between Arabs and Jews, Balfour's declaration had the reverse effect. Jews were somewhat grateful for Balfour's intervention and support in the for the retaining of their 'rightful homeland', while the Arabs in Palestine despised the British government for allowing Balfour to intervene in such a manner.
Hebrews, now known as Jews, believe Palestine is their rightful "homeland" in accordance to their Holy Book, the Torah and their covenant with their God. This is where the conflict lies because Muslims believe that Palestine is their rightful land as is said in their Holy Book, the Qur'aan. Thus being part of the reason of the never-ending aggression between these two religious denominations and uprise of violence at the proposed declaration by Arabs.
This crucial affirmation of support by Balfour on behalf of the British government is often described as the first great achievement of the Zionist movement, and even as the foundation stone of the Jewish state. Even though this was seen as a great achievement by Zionists, it was also considered, by Arab Palestinians to be the utmost treacherous and betraying statement on behalf of the British government. Thus reflecting the influence and power Balfour exercised during the time of the issue of the Balfour Declaration and the way in which he chose to exert this power to support the formation a Jewish homeland in Palestine, a nation predominantly Arab.
Critics noted that while the 'civil and religious rights' of the Palestinian Arabs were to be protected according to Balfour's wording of the declaration, nothing was mentioned as to their political and national rights. In other words Arab Palestinians feared that they were to be ruled by Jews with political rights, while they had none.
What is recognised here is that Balfour used his governing power to support the wishes of Jews and Zionists alike by issuing this declaration with a lack of consideration of the Arab inhabitants and their wishes and rights.
The third clause of Balfour's Declaration is an acknowledgment of assimilated Jews for it says that their 'rights and political status' should not be prejudiced by the declaration.


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Америчка Самоа (самоански: Amerika Samoa, енглески : American Samoa), територија је у склопу САД у јужном Пацифику југоисточно од независне државе Самоа. Зове се још и Источна Самоа, за разлику од Западне (Самоа). Ова територија је у самом средишту Полинезије. Њена локација је центрирана на 14,2710° Ј, 170,1322° З. Она је на источној граници Међународне датумске границе, док је независна Самоа западно од ње.

Америчка Самоа се састоји од пет главних острва и два корална атола. Највеће и најнасељеније острво Тутуила, са Мануа острвима, Роуз атолом, и Свејнс острвом су обухваћени овом територијом. Сва острва изузев Свејнс острва су део Самоански острва, лоцираних западно од Кукових острва, северно од Тонга, и око 300 миља (500 -{km}-) јужно од Токелауа. На западу су острва Валис и Футуна групе.

Априла 2019. године популација Америчке Самое је била приближно 55.689 људи. Већина њих су "национални припадници али не и држављани Сједињених Држава по рођењу". Већина становника Америчке Самое је двојезично и може течно да говори енглески и самоански. Самоански је исти језик који се говори у суседној независној Самои.

Укупна копнена површина је , што је нешто више од града Вашингтона. Америчка Самоа је најјужнија територија Сједињених Држава и једна од две територије САД јужно од екватора, заједно са ненасељеним острвом Џарвис. Производи од туне су главни извозни производ, а главни трговачки партнер су Сједињене Државе. Америчка Самоа је члан Пацифичке заједнице од 1983. године.

Током пандемије грипа из 1918. године, гувернер Џон Мартин Појер је претворио територију у карантин, и због његових акција, Америчка Самоа је једно од малобројних места на свету где није било смртних случајева узрокованих шпанском грозницом.

Америчка Самоа је позната по томе што има највећу стопу војног уписа од било које америчке државе или територије. Од 9. септембра 2014. године, локална станица за регрутацију америчке војске у Паго Пагу била је рангирана као прва по броју регрута међу 885 армијских регрутних станица и центара под Регрутном командом армије САД, која обухвата 50 држава, Колумбијски округ, Порторико, Гвам, Америчка Девичанска Острва, Комонвелт Северних Маријанских острва, Савезне Државе Микронезије, Палау, Маршалска острва, Јужну Кореју, Јапан и Европу.

Историја
Самоа је била насељена већ 1.000 година п. н. е. Европски истраживачи су до Самое стигли тек у 18. веку.

Уговором из Берлина 1899. Немачка и САД поделиле су архипелаг Самоа. Наредне године САД су окупирале мањи, источни део архипелага.

Острва су имала и имају велик значај за америчку војску морнарицу. На пословима везаним за њу ради већина острвљана.

Постојао је план после Другог светског рата да се Америчка Самоа укључи у састав САД, али је услед противљења локалних поглавица овај предлог одбачен. По уставу из 1967, Америчка Самоа има аутономну управу.

Саобраћај

Америчка Самоа има 241 -{km}- аутопутева (према процени из 2008. године). Максимална дозвољена брзине је 30 миља на сат. Луке укључују Аунуу, Ауаси, Фалеасао, Офу и Паго Паго. Америчка Самоа нема железницу. На овој територији су три аеродрома, од којих сви имају асфалтиране писте. Главни аеродром је Међународни аеродром Паго Паго, на острву Тутуила. Група Мануа има два аеродрома: Офу аеродром на острву Офу и Фитиута аеродром на острву Тау. Према процени из 1999. године, на територији нема трговачке морнарице.

Прва аутобуска линија на Тутуили почела је са радом дана 8. јуна 1922. На Америчкој Самои тренутно постоји аутобуски систем зван аига аутобуски систем, кој се састоји од аутобуса који путују преко острва Тутуила.

Демографија

Садашња популација Америчке Самое броји око 55.689 људи, 98% којих живи на највећем острву, Тутуили. Већина њих има "националност, али не и држављанство Сједињених Држава по рођењу", док су 7–15% америчких држављана, а око 35% су странци. Од становништва рођеног у иностранству, 81% је из Самое.

Америчка Самоа је довољно мала да има само један поштански број, 96799, и користи Америчку поштанску службу (државни код "AS") за доставу поште.

Занимљивости
 Чак 30 Самоанаца игра у америчкој професионалној лиги у Америчком фудбалу.
 Фудбалски тим Америчке Самое држи један светски рекорд у фудбалу. Поражен је у међународном мечу против Аустралије са 31:0, 11. априла 2001.
 У литератури се обично наводи Паго Паго као престоница Америчке Самое. Главни град је, у ствари, Фагатого, а Паго Паго је име луке.
 Марта 1889, немачка морнарица гранатирала је село на Самои где је оштећена америчка имовина. Три америчка бојна брода упловила су у луку на Самои и припремала се да се сукобе с три немачка брода која су се тамо затекла. Пре него што је борба почела, ураган је потопио све бродове обе зараћене стране. Ово је довело до "принудног" примирја.

Референце

Литература

 Ellison, Joseph (1938). Opening and Penetration of Foreign Influence in Samoa to 1880. Corvallis: Oregon State College.
 Sunia, Fofo (1988). The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa. Pago Pago: American Samoa Legislature.
 Meti, Lauofo (2002). Samoa: The Making of the Constitution. Apia: Government of Samoa.

Спољашње везе

 CIA - The World Factbook -- American Samoa  - Подаци ЦИА о Америчкој Самои
 History of American Samoa- Есеј о историји Америчке Самое
 Map of American Samoa - Мапа Америчке Самое
 Revised Constitution of American Samoa - Текст устава Америчке Самое
 The Official Webpage of the American Samoa Government - Информације о влади територије и најновијим дешавањима
 Rulers.org — American_samoa Листа владара Америчке Самое
 AmericanSamoa.gov – Official Government Website
 Samoan Bios

 NOAA's National Weather Service – American Samoa

 American Samoa, national profile from the Association of Religion Data Archives.

Острвске територије САД


text:
By Kevin Purcell on January 3, 2016 in
Kevin Purcell is one of Australia's most distinguished and awarded orchestral and Opera conductors. Currently, Kevin serves as principal conductor for the Australian Discovery Orchestra – one of the world's most innovative orchestral ensembles – whilst maintaining an active freelance career in Europe and the USA.
A critically received new record of the music of Nan Schwartz, 5-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Award winner, and 7-time Emmy nominated composer was released in March 2018 on the Divine Art label. Kevin is presently working on a new record entitle 16 STORIES showcasing the upcoming generation of ASCAP musical theatre songwriters for worldwide release in 2019 on the Broadway Records label, as well as a new series of premiere recordings of one-act television operas commissioned throughout the 1960s by the BBC.
The inaugural recipient of the Australian Music Foundation 'Sir Charles Mackerras Prize' (1995) and the Tait Memorial Trust Award in London (1996) were preceded by a prestigious scholarship to study conducting at the Moscow Conservatory (1992), and Opera Australia's Willem van Otterloo Scholarship and the Bellhouse Conducting Prize (1993). Graduate conducting studies at the Janácek Academy of Music with Otakar Trhlík followed, culminating with a Masters degree in orchestral conducting at Bard College under Harold Farberman.
In Europe, Kevin has conducted Ensemble Intercontemporain at the Paris Conservatory, Hradec Králove Filharmonie, Beethoven Chamber Orchestra, Königsgrätz Philharmonic, West Bohemia Symphony Orchestra, Georgian State Television and Radio Orchestra, Dinu Lipatti Philarmonic and the Silesian State Opera amongst others.
Drawn to contemporary musical theatre whilst living in London, Kevin's introduction to West End theatre came courtesy of Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group when invited to take over musical direction of the long-running production of 'CATS' at the New London Theatre in the mid-90s. In July 2003 Kevin renewed his association for RUG as musical director for the South Korean premiere of this show. More recently Kevin has conducted 'Wicked' at London's Apollo Victoria theatre and was the original musical director for the first national UK/Eire tour in 2013.
He is also an award-winning musical theatre composer and an arranger much sought after for his American Songbook orchestrations. His arrangements have been performed by leading orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra (Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), New York City Opera, New York Pops, Boston Pops and by artists including, Marvin Hamlisch, Stephen Schwartz, Kristin Chenoweth, Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway, Raúl Esparza, Victor Garber, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and numerous other A-list Broadway artists. Kevin's symphonic orchestrations and arrangements are performed by numerous American symphony orchestras.
His own musical, The Stranger from Seville with book and lyrics by British screenwriter Victor Kazan, received rave reviews in its first limited season Off-Broadway production in July 2014. In its new, revised version, the show was selected for the 2018 Florida Festival of New Musicals at the Winter Park Playhouse (Orlando) followed by a full industry reading in New York in September.
Kevin is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and a proud member of both The Dramatists Guild of America and ASCAP.


text:
https://www.mrt.com/eye_on_development/article/Odessa-Midland-top-2-in-nation-for-declining-15840531.php
Odessa, Midland top 2 in nation for declining rents in 2020
By Stewart Doreen, MRT.com/Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published 4:54 pm CST, Friday, January 1, 2021
Odessa and Midland led the nation in terms of the highest percentage in the decline of rent from 2019 to 2020, according to a business insurance website.
Photo: Jacy Lewis/Reporter-Telegram
AdvisorSmith reported this week that nowhere in America did the average price of rent drop more than the oil patch with oil communities making up the top three on the list. Odessa was No. 1 on the list with a 38.2 percent decrease from 2019. Midland was second at 34.9 percent, and Williston, North Dakota, was third at 28.4 percent.
"With the price of oil plunging due to a reduction in driving during the coronavirus pandemic, demand for housing in these communities has fallen substantially," the report stated.
Three cities from the Bay Area of California – San Francisco, Mountain View and Sunnyvale – rounded out the top six and the communities across the nation with drops of 20 percent or more. The next closest city in Texas was Austin (at No. 63) with a decline of 5.1 percent in average rent. The Woodlands and College Station were 64th and 65th, respectively.
Across the region, Amarillo showed a decline of 1.9 percent, while the average rent in Abilene increased 6.1 percent. Abilene trailed only Temple (8.9 percent), Killeen (6.9 percent) and Waco (6.5 percent) across the state and ranked 69th nationally for largest percentage increase.
The "weighted average rent" in Odessa dropped from $924 a month to $661 in November 2020, according to AdvisorSmith. Midland's average went from $1,208 to $889. Williston's average fell to $897. All three California communities in the top six all still posted average rents higher than $2,000.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the median rent of an apartment in Midland had dropped for 18 straight months and is down to $703 for a one-bedroom apartment and $859 for a two-bedroom, according to ApartmentList.com. That report also showed Midland as having the highest year-over-year percentage drop, with Odessa being No. 2.


text:
Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2021 Business Award Winners
Leslie Ann Updated: December 28, 2021
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce office (Credit: Google Maps, street view)
It's amazing how quickly a year goes by and here we are with news from the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce as they announce the 2021 Business Award Winners from a group of nominees. Winners are selected from a group of nominees that were accepted from community members until November 19 in different categories.
Otsego County Chamber Board of Directors members and county citizens make up a special committee that goes through the nominations and selects the winners. This year's winners were approved on December 15 at a committee meeting with winners notified on the 21st and 22nd. What a great surprise for those award winners!
This year's winner of the "Distinguished Business of the Year" award is Hartwick College. According to the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, this award is given to a business in the county that meets the following criteria:
- Employs over 50 people
- made a lasting and substantial impact in our community
- Is a Chamber of Commerce member
- In involved in Chamber events and contributes to the mission of the Chamber of Commerce
· Community involvement
· Can demonstrate that the business is successful and growing
· Shows a commitment to the business community in the county
· Is an asset to Otsego County
This year's winner of "The Small Business of the Year Award", sponsored by Key Bank is The Village Printer. This is an award given to a small business with 50 or fewer employees that demonstrates a "sustained and substantial impact in the community" according to the Chamber. The Village Printer was nominated for giving back to various community groups in the form of donating services, banners, and marketing materials.
This year's winner of "The Breakthrough Award" sponsored by Excellus BCBS goes to OE Connect, Otsego Electric Cooperative. This award is not necessarily awarded to a Chamber member since a current member can nominate a non-member business. This award is given to either a business or individual who demonstrates "innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit". OE Connect, Otsego Electric Cooperative has shown just that.
Last, but not least, "The Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award" sponsored by Bassett Healthcare Network was given to Ben Guenther, an owner of Five Star Subaru. Guenther captured this award due to his continued support through Five Star Subaru of various non-profit groups over the years who have had a positive impact on our community in so many ways. According to the Chamber, Geuther "supports the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, shows leadership in the community, and is committed to enhancing the Quality of Life in Otsego County".
Typically, the Chamber holds a special evening with a dinner and awards presentation however, due to COVID-19, the Chamber is not having an in-person event at this time. According to Interim President Al Rubin, the chamber would like to hold a celebratory event when it's safe to gather to award the honorees.
2021 OTSEGO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS
Each year, the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce gives out 4 different awards to businesses in the county and an individual.
2021 Oneonta Gingerbread Jubilee Contest Entries
The Destination Oneonta 2021 Gingerbread Jubilee was back this year in a big way! The theme for this gingerbread creation contest was "Deck the Palms" for some tropical holiday fun. Here's a collection of the entries for the contest which includes individual children, families, professionals, and individual adults. The Gingerbread Jubilee was held at Foothills Performing Arts Center atrium.
Filed Under: Al Rubin, Kathryn Dailey, Otsego County, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, Otsego County News


Great coffee and tea, fresh baked goods and delicious simple fare for dining and snacking. We are committed to healthy, fresh and delicious food made daily with care. All baked goods are made every morning from scratch and our options change with the seasons and our moods. Our soups and salads are healthy and delicious and are available to go.
We offer wi-fi and a great place to spend some time.


India's skipper looked well set before being caught on 34 by Aaron Finch at short leg off a superb dipping delivery by Lyon.
Pujara's frequent padding away of Lyon's deliveries left Warne bemused about the offspinner's lack of a close-in fielder on the off side.
"I think he's got his tactics wrong and not had a bat-pad on the off side, especially to Pujara," Warne said while commentating on Fox Sports.
"He's just bowling the odd one too straight, letting the batsmen off the hook.
"I think when Nathan Lyon doesn't bowl at his best, he generally bowls a bit too straight. That's his weakness ... (his) fear of being driven through the covers."
But it wasn't long before Lyon returned and struck for Australia, continuing his love affair with what has been one of his happiest hunting grounds.
"I think he's bowled exceptionally well all game," Head said of Lyon.
"He probably hasn't got the reward he would have liked but it can change very, very quickly.
"I think if he can get in a rhythm now we've broken that partnership in the morning, I think he's going to be key going into the new ball."


Tracey Thorn quietly released her second solo album Out Of The Woods on March 05th of this year, only 25 years after she quietly released her first, A Distant Shore. In the interim she has taken a remarkable journey with partner Ben Watt as Everything But The Girl. Much has been made of the developments in EBTG's sound; they started as folkish singer/songwriters with a dark edge, shifted to adult contemporary, took a detour through dance to get to trip hop, and then remade that in their own cinematic style. The strongest through-line has been their lyrics, which are always literate, penetrating and personal.
A Distant Shore contains quiet, sparse but developed songs that utilize Thorn's tenor range, accompanied by acoustic or electric guitar with barely any embellishment. On the other side of EBTG, Out Of The Woods shows considerably more production; in comparison, the Shore pieces sound like demo tracks. Some of the mellower Woods songs – 'Hands up to the ceiling', 'Nowhere near', 'By Piccadily Station I Sat Down And Wept' – could have appeared on Shore in stripped down versions, though Thorn is now favoring her alto-to-soprano range, which I find more appealing.
Another striking difference between the two albums is the unabashedly electronic identity of the latter. Ewan Pearson, who produced the bulk of the album, takes Thorn in a direction that is related to but distinct from Ben Watts and late EBTG, and it's a great makeover for her. Over the past ten years, Pearson has transitioned from a graduate student in Philosophy and Cultural Studies to a producer/remixer in great demand, notable among electronic artists for his organic sensibilities. Out Of The Woods' first single 'It's all true' references early eighties Shannon and Madonna; that's interesting to me because back then Tracey's work was essentially the antithesis of 'Let the music play' or 'Lucky star'.
Other than 'It's all true', the centerpiece of Out Of The Woods is the cover of Arthur Russell's 'Get around to it'. Arthur Russell is a case study in how uninhibited late seventies/early eighties dance music was when it came to accepting influence. Trained in classical cello and Indian music, Russell found his way into dance production and helped house music onto its first legs, making explicit connections between his own experimental work and his work for dance artists. When he died in 1992, he left behind a significant amount of unreleased work, much of which has been made available in the last few years, as his influence has been increasingly acknowledged. 'Get around to it' was recorded in the late eighties, but first released on Calling Out Of Context in 2004.
Russell's style is a good fit for Thorn: nonchalant but skillful, not vocally strenuous, mysterious but suggestive lyrically, and poised among a range of genres. She and Pearson clearly had a great time reworking the track. They pull the bass to the forefront, commit to some elements that Russell left in more of a jam session structure, and solicit a great honking sax solo from Gabe Andruzzi of Rapture.
This cover of 'Get around to it' strikes me as an amazing confluence of artists – Thorn, Russell, Pearson - who have created subtle, rigorous, influential bodies of work over lengthy careers. In this song you can hear both their sophistication and their joy. It is accidental pop music that has its priorities very well in order – not to be famous, but to be good.


I was going through my photos today, putting together a "comprehensive" (ahem) Home Tour Post/s, when I realized I really hadn't shared much from the Kitchen Sitting Room. what? no, not much. I have a few things, really sort of random, but hey, isn't that what the weekend is for...? So I'm going to combine a few new things from the KSA and a few items I've "Gathered" to share.
with some greenery, Holly, and a feisty little Cardinal.
since the Boxwood Wreath replaced it in the Entry Area.
one of my favorite things to collect.
I know, my monogram has always been a talking point.
Love the ticking with the plaid, and Toile patterns.
at one of the Christmas Open Houses last month.
but then I would always forget to keep any of them for myself.
and then give them to each other so we can enjoy them that year.
I've had to smack the kitty girls at least once each.
They have some kind of weird biting/chewing burlap fetish.
is a permanent fixture here on the fence.
and of course it has a plaid ribbon.
I have a lot more Christmas to share with you.
need more Santa Mug Inspiration?
find more Crazy Christmas Inspiration HERE.
Did you purchase that ticking chair?
oh no, but I wish I could. it was done for someone as a custom I'm sure. It's just adorable, and that ruffle, so sweet!
Your sitting room is charming and fun, Debra! You had me laughing about the monogram...I hadn't given it a thought! Your mom did a wonderful job with it! OH the photo of the stacked Santa cups!
I love your ticking pillow. That monogram is wonderful. I'm going to have to do that. Your Santa mugs are darling. I have three all white ones. I love them. They remind me of my childhood and hot cocoa. I love your sitting room.
I love all of your holiday touches, Debra. You never fail to give me ideas and inspiration. I love the pretty mirror and the greenery above it. Gives me an idea for a mirror of mine!! ;-D The ticking pillows are perfect with the tartan and plaids, who would have thought? I admire your creative thinking and festive touch!
Oh gosh! Your mom and your sister's gifts - lurve! And that chair!....I remember you posting about that store too. I just realized I have a ticking slipcover for a Parsons chair. I should pull that out for company's extra seating next week - brilliant! All the santas are fun....except that wall of scary santas. I'll be dreaming about those guys now...happy weekend.
Sorry I haven't been by to visit in a while, but I'll try to do better in the new year. We purchased a farmhouse on five acres in Wisconsin this year, so we'll go back and forth between Florida, becoming snowbirds in the coming years. It's fun to see your holiday inspiration, and I know we'll be decorating, too, after we move furniture in. So far, we're painting and refinishing floors, along with a few repairs. It's a lovely 98 year old home with great bones and high ceilings/doorways. I've been showing a few before/after photos on my blog, but there will be more to come in January and February.
I love your santa pitchers and mugs. We have a vintage set that belonged to my husband's parents. It makes an appearance every Christmas, but I think it may take a place of honor at the farm after we get our built-in china cabinet painted and populated.
Gotta run for now, but I'll be back. Merry Christmas, Debra, to you and yours. The happiest and most prosperous New Year.
Love the greenery inside the cabinet and that bench on wheels is awesome! I think I need one now. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Sharing on FB! Have a great week!
Ooooo, all that red and vintage green are truly eye candy for me! Your little sitting area is definitely a happy place to sit and have a cup of Christmas cheer!


What is a muscle spasm? Basically, a muscle spams is an involuntary muscle contraction. We have all had them at one time or another. They usually come suddenly and are very painful! Who hasn't had the famous "charlie horse" in the calf in the middle of the night? That is a muscle spasm.
Muscle spasms cause pain, but they function as a warning sign: Something else is going wrong with your body mechanics. Back spasms are defense mechanisms; the muscles contract, protecting a deeper problem. The only way to get the muscles to relax is to move, functionally transferring the stress that is causing the injury or inflammation in your back to your posterior chain, which is built to take it, and thereby relieving the pain.
One of my favorite sayings is: MOTION IS LOTION!
That's me in the picture below…taking a dynamic stretching position at the office. This is how you take care of your body. This is FOUNDATION TRAINING!
This entry was posted in articles, Foundation Training and tagged cramps, Foundation Training, movement patterns, muscle spasm, posterior chain, posture, stretching. Bookmark the permalink.