MORGANTOWN — When Tia Wolski hit the remote and those window shades went up, all of Morgantown was right there.
Wolski was already standing in rarified air, as it were: She was at the entry area of the home office of Milan "Mike" Puskar, the late pharmaceuticals magnate and Morgantown benefactor.
For years, Puskar regarded those same views as he worked from that office in a home soaring over the city he loved.
And now, the luxury penthouse that tops the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place is going on the auction block.
Joe R. Pyle Auctions is handling the sale, which will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 12.
Wolski, an account manager with the auction service, has already given several tours of the marquee Wharf District property to potential bidders. Call her at 304-777-3945 for more information.
Meanwhile, she loves hitting the mechanized shades on those walls of windows and watching the reactions of people taking in the vistas.
There's also all that marble, chrome and glass — not to mention the home theater, distinctive spiral staircase and restaurant-sized kitchen.
And the in-house gym and the private elevator that will whisk the next owner 17 floors up to the front door with its beveled-glass accents and ornate carvings.
Outdoor patios and balconies also run the length of the two-level space.
"I tell everybody that they just have to come and see it for themselves," she said last week, as she stood in front of the windows in Puskar's office.
Depending upon where you are, your shoes will either click across floors of imported Italian marble or sink into plush carpeting.
Sleek, contemporary couches also bump up against overstuffed leather sofas made for kicking back with an old movie or college football on TV.
The mix of opulence and accessibility matched Puskar's personality.
He favored tailored suits and silk neckties, but he remained a shirtsleeves guy from Hubbard, Ohio, the shot-and-a-beer 'burgh just outside Youngstown, where he was raised.
Shots and beers were the family business, in fact.
His parents, Dusan and Dorothy Puskar, were Serbian immigrants who owned and operated a tavern and restaurant that was a destination for other families keeping to their Baltic ways — even as they carved their version of the American Dream.
All the Puskar kids, four daughters and a little boy then known as "Butch," worked there when they were old enough.
As a kid, Butch muscled beer kegs up the stairs and tended bar. In 1961, he and an Army buddy founded Mylan Pharmaceuticals and relocated to Morgantown after first setting up shop in a condemned roller rink in southern West Virginia.
The company prospered, and Puskar's adopted hometown shared in the prosperity. He gave millions of dollars to WVU and community causes.
It's his name that's on the front of the university's football stadium.
His friends were why his home was designed the way it was, it's architect said.
That's why it has an open floor plan, Paul Walker said.
Walker's Paradigm Architecture firm, which has designed other buildings in the city's burgeoning Wharf, was tapped by Puskar himself.
The auction will be presided over by Joe R. Pyle himself.
"This is going to be an exciting one," said Pyle, who gaveled his first auction at the age of 16 and has been at it ever since.
In the meantime, there's also the unique personality of the person who lived there first.
One of the penthouse's sweeping views takes in Oak Grove Cemetery.
A visitor looking out the proper window in the proper direction can spy the black marble of Puskar's mausoleum there. He was 77 when he lost a lengthy battle to cancer in October 2011.
He had two wishes on his deathbed: He wanted to be buried in Morgantown, in a spot where he could still see his home.


text:
American Television Writer with Among the World's Highest IQs
Dear Rick
Rosner On
Smartest Guy in the World
Born to Do Math 183 – Armatures All the Way Down
On September 1, 2020 October 14, 2020 By rickrosnerorgIn Uncategorized
In-Sight Publishing
[Beginning of recorded material]
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: So, it was turtles, turtles, all the way down. This is the infinite turtles 'problem.'
Rick Rosner: In IC, we postulate the universe is made of information, which means a hardware containing the universe. It is not part of the universe, but contains the universe. The information space, we do not see it as information, but as space, matter, and the laws of physics. For that information to be able to exist needs to be stored and kept track of, and manipulated in some other physical environment, which implies another universe, it is made of information, which implies another hardware universe out to infinity.
Infinities are to be avoided in doing physics. We live in a universe that doesn't have any infinities. It has a limited amount of information. It has a limited, though huge, number of particles. It has a limited, though huge, amount of space. It has a limited, though huge, duration of time. The manifestations of quantum physics are generally manifestations of the less than infinitely perfect defining of matter in space, and space itself, so there's only a finite amount of information in the universe. So, quantum mechanics is the physics of non-infinite information.
We're postulating this infinite chain, stack, Russian nesting dolls, of containing universes. Another principles of IC is that existence is dependent on non-contradiction and self-consistency. Requiring an infinity of universes seems to imply circumstances, that seem impossible to the point of "How can that fucking be?", basically. It seems suspiciously like something that should preclude existence because existence should not require an infinity of universes. I was thinking about our actual, physical environment, and the larger universe containing our more local environment.
Our environment is specific and concrete. It comes with self-consistent history, a non-contradictory history. The universe seems to have played out, at the very least, over many billions of years. The events on Earth have played out for a few billion years for any kind of life and then less time for complicated life, and then you get to human history. It all plays out without any serious complications. It seems like stuff developed through evolution and the laws of physics without crazy contradictory stuff like time travellers, dragons, or stuff popping into the world for no reason or does not comport with the rules of physics as we know them.
Then you compare the specific non-contradictoriness of our world with the potential problematically infinite set of universes. Each bigger than the one it contains outward to infinity. That seems non-demonstrably, non-concretely abstract. It seems abstract. If it is so abstract, and if we only know the universe that we are in, and if we can look across billions of lightyears, our knowledge of the universe drops off dramatically. We only know about our immediate universe. We are perfectly abstract in that external universe. All we know is that we're postulating that it should exist. Things get more abstract as we get further down the line of container universes out to infinity.
I would postulate that you can't have inconsistency that serves to make existence impossible in stuff that we can't know anything about. The stuff that is wildly abstract. You need specifics. We can have a concrete universe that exists in a non-contradictory way, as far as we know the universe, and as far as get to know the container universe. We may develop physics and analytical techniques so powerful; that we learn things about the hardware universe if it turns out that we are contained in another universe.
Still, that's another island of specific and non-contradictory stuff. As long as you can keep sticking fingers out of exploration and continue to run into non-contradiction, you might be okay. You keep the infinities at bay. It reminds me of the stuff of Godel and the incompleteness theorems. I think it's been proven that multiplication is never going to steer you wrong. Two pairs of numbers that don't have prime factors in common will never be able to be multiplied together to make the same product. 7 and 9, and 6 and 10, an never be multiplied together to get the same number.
There is probably some theorem that says, "Multiplication will work that way we always expect it to work without blowing up," but the overall consistency of mathematics can be proven within mathematics. You may be able to prove some arguments for math. But even that will be hinky because you will not able to prove that type of metaphysics to math, there may some hidden bombs within math that, once discovered, will show math as inconsistent. However, we know math works because we have been using it for thousands of years.
Math gets used quintillions of times a day without a problem. For practical purposes, math is self-consistent enough to exist, at least as a system for analyzing the world. Even though, it may not be infinitely consistent. Similarly, the world exists with enough concreteness and self-consistency that it apparently can exist. Even though, there may be troubling implied infinities that threaten to blow it up. But in practical terms, it is consistent enough. The threats to its consistency, the dangerous infinities, are sufficiently isolated via abstraction and not impinging on our finite world that they may turn out to be problematic. Our existence proves they would not be problematic, at least not making it impossible for anything to exist.
[End of recorded material]
Authors[1]
American Television Writer
RickRosner@Hotmail.Com
www.rickrosner.org
(Updated July 25, 2019)
*High range testing (HRT) should be taken with honest skepticism grounded in the limited empirical development of the field at present, even in spite of honest and sincere efforts. If a higher general intelligence score, then the greater the variability in, and margin of error in, the general intelligence scores because of the greater rarity in the population.*
According to some semi-reputable sources gathered in a listing here, Rick G. Rosner may have among America's, North America's, and the world's highest measured IQs at or above 190 (S.D. 15)/196 (S.D. 16) based on several high range test performances created by Christopher Harding, Jason Betts, Paul Cooijmans, and Ronald Hoeflin. He earned 12 years of college credit in less than a year and graduated with the equivalent of 8 majors. He has received 8 Writers Guild Awards and Emmy nominations, and was titled 2013 North American Genius of the Year by The World Genius Directory with the main "Genius" listing here.
He has written for Remote Control, Crank Yankers, The Man Show, The Emmys, The Grammys, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He worked as a bouncer, a nude art model, a roller-skating waiter, and a stripper. In a television commercial, Domino's Pizza named him the "World's Smartest Man." The commercial was taken off the air after Subway sandwiches issued a cease-and-desist. He was named "Best Bouncer" in the Denver Area, Colorado, by Westwood Magazine.
Rosner spent much of the late Disco Era as an undercover high school student. In addition, he spent 25 years as a bar bouncer and American fake ID-catcher, and 25+ years as a stripper, and nearly 30 years as a writer for more than 2,500 hours of network television. Errol Morris featured Rosner in the interview series entitled First Person, where some of this history was covered by Morris. He came in second, or lost, on Jeopardy!, sued Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? over a flawed question and lost the lawsuit. He won one game and lost one game on Are You Smarter Than a Drunk Person? (He was drunk). Finally, he spent 37+ years working on a time-invariant variation of the Big Bang Theory.
Currently, Rosner sits tweeting in a bathrobe (winter) or a towel (summer). He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, dog, and goldfish. He and his wife have a daughter. You can send him money or questions at LanceVersusRick@Gmail.Com, or a direct message via Twitter, or find him on LinkedIn, or see him on YouTube.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Founder, In-Sight Publishing
Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.Com
[1] Four format points for the session article:
Bold text following "Scott Douglas Jacobsen:" or "Jacobsen:" is Scott Douglas Jacobsen & non-bold text following "Rick Rosner:" or "Rosner:" is Rick Rosner.
Session article conducted, transcribed, edited, formatted, and published by Scott.
Footnotes & in-text citations in the interview & references after the interview.
This session article has been edited for clarity and readability.
For further information on the formatting guidelines incorporated into this document, please see the following documents:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Citation Guide: APA. Retrieved from http://www.lib.sfu.ca/system/files/28281/APA6CitationGuideSFUv3.pdf.
Humble, A. (n.d.). Guide to Transcribing. Retrieved from http://www.msvu.ca/site/media/msvu/Transcription%20Guide.pdf.
License and Copyright
In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightjournal.com and www.rickrosner.org.
© Scott Douglas Jacobsen, Rick Rosner, and In-Sight Publishing 2012-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Scott Douglas Jacobsen, Rick Rosner, and In-Sight Publishing with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Born to Do Math 182 – Noether's Theorem: "My methods are really methods of working and thinking…"
Born to Do Math 184 – Technical, Not Mystical
View @dumbassgenius's profile on Twitter

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It was a wintery Friday at the end of March in 2015. We went in for blood tests in the morning to check if Nooa's low haemoglobin levels had risen after a course of iron tablets. We marked the occasion of having got through the blood test by getting a light lolly. Nooa went off to school and mum went to work. There was an ice hockey tournament on at the weekend, the following weekend was easter which was to be spent skiing and the weekend after that was another ice hockey tournament combined with a trip to a water park.
After a few hours had passed, the phone rang. I could hear from the doctor's voice that there was something wrong; "You need to go straight away and I'm going to say you're going to say it's Children's Hospital because they're going to send you there anyway." I see. Something awful. Panic.
Dad left to pick up our son from school; he was dirty from head to toe, because what else would he have been doing but playing football. Always, football or ice hockey. One time at ice hockey practice he had complained about a pain in his legs. He had been a bit pale but that was explained by him having had scarlet fever in January, which had come with a whole host of symptoms. Otherwise healthy, the doctors had said.
Suddenly we found ourselved at the Children's Hospital, our son is offered a bed as soon as we sign in and we are directed to a room of our own. There were a lot of doctors and nurses and nobody is saying a word – they're all busy doing their examinations and referring us to yet another examination. They're giving us funny looks and trying to lighten the mood with chatter. We have no idea what is happening. We're scared.
And then suddenly a door opens: "Hello, I'm the Chief of Medicine at the Children's Hospital oncology unit". That feeling of everything washing over you, all in that one title. Nooa is having a great time, doctors are keeping him entertained and he has an IV drip in both hands. "Leukaemia, almost 100% certainty". No, not our Nooa.
That end of March was over eight months ago, an eternity. The diagnosis was confirmed as an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, ALL, and it's most common form type B with a mid risk level treatment plan. But now, finally after eight months we've been told that Nooa's bone marrow is clean, the cancer cells are gone. Fantastic, it's gone. And never again, we have decided that.
And what a fighter we have. Naturally the treatments took a lot out of him, in the summer he kept falling over and couldn't get back up on his own. Even so, he still had to play football. Or some Frisbee golf, even if it was just a couple of courses. At his worst he was barely able to stand up, but still he was out there, leaning on a hockey goal in the field and kicking a ball into the goal again and again. Lucky he did, we can say that now.
And the conversations. So deep. Everything under the sky. Not knowing how to respond – he amazes us with his musings. Suffers, we can see the agony on his face behind the tears – he's scared and angry. He understand what he's missing out on – tries to understand, tries to find someone to blame, tries to find answers. Wonderful conversations, but not the kinds you should have to have with your eight year old son – the boy should be able to just play and spend time with his friends.
It's funny looking back on it. We've lived in isolation at home and one moment at a time – we haven't been able to, we've been afraid to plan anything. We've been afraid and we've enjoyed the little moments. We've had no energy, we've been unable to do anything. All you want to do is protect your child.
And now, suddenly life is full of light again. Nooa is back in school, first on a trial period for a month, not he's been attending regularly for a month – our courageous second grader. So quickly, on the other hand.
Life is "normal"; as normal as it can be what with a catheter, weekly blood tests, daily chemotherapy drugs and other medication and regular periods spent in hospital. Of course he has limitations, but he has forgotten most of them already – he can go to school but pretty much everywhere else is off limits, and because of his catheter he can only spend a few hours by himself. With the exception of the indoor ice hockey rink where we go and watch his little brother's matches as well as his own team's practice and matches.
One day at a time, that's the way it goes. But now we can start thinking about next spring and the late booster stage of the treatment. His hair will fall out again, but it will grow back. We're facing into a rough few weeks, but we will get through them and the catheter will be removed. Life will change again, feels strange to be able to think that our life will become almost normal next summer. After that it's only "a bit over a year" of chemotherapy drugs administered orally. It's all too normal.


text:
Effingham County judge issues temporary restraining order on enforcement of assault weapons legislation
WCBU | By Collin Schopp
Effingham County Judge Joshua Morrison has issued a temporary restraining order on enforcement of House Bill 5471, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which bans the manufacture and sale of guns designated as assault weapons.
The ruling comes following a lawsuit filed by former Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General Tom DeVore. DeVore represents Accuracy Firearms LLC of Effingham, as well as a number of additional stores and private gun owners. According to court records, the decision excludes just the listed defendants from enforcement immediately until further court action.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued this response regarding the decision:
"This decision is not surprising. Although disappointing, it is the initial result we've seen in many cases brought by plaintiffs whose goal is to advance ideology over public safety. We are well aware that this is only the first step in defending this important legislation. I remain confident that the courts will uphold the constitutionality of Illinois' law, which aligns with the eight other states with similar laws and was written in collaboration with lawmakers, advocates, and legal experts.
Illinoisans have a right to feel safe in their front yards, at school, while eating at bars and restaurants or celebrating with their family and friends. The Protect Illinois Communities Act takes weapons of war and mass destruction off the street while allowing law-abiding gun owners to retain their collections. I look forward to the next steps in this case and receiving the decision this case merits."
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Local News assault weapons banEffingham
Collin Schopp is a reporter at WCBU. He joined the station in 2022.
See stories by Collin Schopp
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text:
You are here: Home1 / Blog2 / China3 / China banks continue to support key economic sectors
China banks continue to support key economic sectors
September 16, 2022 /in China/by Tom Saltmarsh
China's State-owned banks increased their lending to the country's businesses in the first half of 2022 (H1), with new loans supporting infrastructure development, manufacturing and other key economic drivers.
The latest half-yearly reports of the six largest State-owned commercial banks showed that four of them issued more than 1 trillion yuan ($145 billion) of new loans in H1.
Domestic loans made by China's biggest commercial lender, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), reached 1.61 trillion yuan during the first six months of 2022. And the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), Bank of China (BOC) and China Construction Bank (CCB) made loans of 1.6 trillion yuan, 1.02 trillion yuan and 1.54 trillion yuan respectively.
Sectors benefitting from the most loans were infrastructure development, manufacturing, inclusive finance and green finance, according to the banks.
By the end of June, the CCB's infrastructure-related loans reached 5.5 trillion yuan ($825 billion), accounting for nearly 52% of its corporate loans.
Credit for organisations working in key economic sectors such as manufacturing also increased in H1, compared with the same six-month period in 2021. New loans issued by the ICBC to the manufacturing industry hit 628.1 billion yuan in H1 2022, almost four times more that of the same period last year.
Even with more lending, banks saw an improvement in their balance sheets, according to their reports. Gu Shu, chairman of the ABC, attributed the banks' performance China's macro-economic policies designed to help companies do business.
Since the beginning of the year, the country has implemented measures including tax and fee cuts and tax credit refunds. Official figures show that China's value-added tax credit refunds exceeded 2 trillion yuan by 20 July 2022, more than three times the total amount recorded last year.
Bank executives said that they would continue to increase lending to help companies grow and to promote consumption.
Lin Jingzhen, executive vice-president of the BOC, said the organisation would increase financial support for transport, power generation, water conservancy and other major infrastructure projects.
SMEs continue to recover
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China maintained their recovery in August, as a package of government policies to stabilize the economy took effect, an industry index showed.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Index, based on a survey of the country's 3,000 SMEs, came in at 88.3 in August, the same as the level registered in July, said the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.
The sub-index for accommodation and catering went up 0.3 points in August, marking the most significant increase among all sectors. The sub-index for industry went up 0.1 points, reversing a decline seen in July.
The BOC's inclusive loans to micro and small firms in H1 increased by 223.5 billion yuan, up 41% year-on-year.
China looks to join digital standards setter
China has set up a working team in to help facilitate its entry to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).
Set up by New Zealand, Singapore and Chile in June 2020, DEPA coordinates international policy for the digital economy and is the first organisation of its kind in the world. It covers key sectors in the digital economy, including e-commerce, trade and personal data security.
While the DEPA is relatively small at present, China's signing up would highlight the need for cooperation on rule-making in trade in digital services and the digital economy.
Following the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement at the start of 2022, RCEP members have agreed to open more than 100 services sectors to trade. These include finance, telecommunications, transportation, tourism and innovation, with a six-year transitional period.
Tags: banking, Economic, manufacturing
https://www.iaapuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1938083824-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Tom Saltmarsh https://www.iaapuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/fullpurple.png Tom Saltmarsh2022-09-16 12:32:472022-09-16 12:32:47China banks continue to support key economic sectors
China's banks help finance economic recovery
India tipped for fastest economic growth in 2022-23
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Malaysia 'no longer in financial crisis'
China moves to prop up smaller firms amid economic challenges
India trade deal generates huge export bonus for UAE India close to signing free trade deals with the UK and Canada


text:
Click here to View all artworks by Gina Parr
Muralla
Son, Sun, Summer
Vesture
by Gina Parr
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Availability: In stock Category: Original Painting
Original Abstract Landscape Painting
Size: H 39cm x W 54cm x D 5cm
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(Please note that in situ images are purely an indication of how a piece may look).
Vesture is an original painting by Gina Parr, the painting is from the Down to earth series and an emotional response and celebration of the fundamental elements of the Devon landscape, a colour, a curve, an undulation.
Gina Parr works predominantly in the medium of painting, but also photographs when traveling: her way of painting whilst on the move. Her work is driven by autobiographical themes and natural reference, exploring the human condition through connections to place, time, space and memory. She has exhibited widely in galleries and art fairs in the UK and completed commissions in The Middle East, Belguim and London. Her works are held in collections worldwide including Keble College Oxford, Director of Jestico + Whiles Architects London, President of the Boston's Children's Museum USA, and Goldman Sachs Senior Economist, London. In 2019 she will have her first Copenhagen solo show, following her successful solo show in June 2018 at The Brook Gallery in Devon. Originally trained as a Fine Artist, graduating with a First Class BA Honours Degree, she went on to Chelsea College of Art to study Set Design, leading to a 25 year career designing many prestigious shows for stage and television. During this time she also lectured in art and design in various colleges including Chelsea College of Art and Nottingham University. She returned to work as an Artist in 2007, bringing her extensive creative experience as a designer to her practice. She now lives and works between Devon and London's East End.
Discover original abstract paintings by Gina Parr online with Wychwood Art and in their Oxfordshire Art Gallery. Gina Parr works predominantly in the medium of painting, but also photographs when traveling: her way of painting whilst on the move. Her work is driven by autobiographical themes and natural reference, exploring the human condition through connections to place, time, space and memory. She has exhibited widely in galleries and art fairs in the UK and completed commissions in The Middle East, Belguim and London. Her works are held in collections Worldwide including Keble College Oxford, Director of Jestico + Whiles Architects London, President of the Boston's Children's Museum USA, and Goldman Sachs Senior Economist, London. Originally trained as a Fine Artist, graduating with a First Class BA Honours Degree, she went on to Chelsea College of Art to study Set Design, leading to a 25 year career designing many prestigious shows for stage and television. During this time she also lectured in art and design in various colleges including Chelsea College of Art and Nottingham University. She returned to work as an Artist in 2007, bringing her extensive creative experience as a designer to her Art practice. She now lives and works between Devon and London's East End. To discuss any of Gina Parr's original artworks, please contact Deborah@wychwoodart.com or call 01869 338155 / 07799 535765.
View all by Gina Parr
Coffee Peloton Series 4
Coffee Espresso Series 2


text:
Q: Having trouble adding stochasticity to model Apologies in advance if this question has already been asked, but I can't seem to find anything online to help!
I'm trying to add stochasticity to a function I've generated, that contains a logistic growth model.
This is my function:
    ricker <- function(K, R, B0, t, E, Q)
    {
  # create empty matrix with only biomass of first year; this is where all         other values will be added
  B <- matrix(nrow = t, ncol = length(Q))
  B[1,1:length(Q)] <- B0

  for (i in 1:t) {
    for (j in 1:length(Q)) {
      B[i + 1,j]  <-
{
  B[i,j] + R * B[i,j] * (1 - B[i,j]/K) - Q[j] * E * B[i,j]

  }
}
}
return(B)
}

The matrix created above has 34 rows and 34 columns. The following is the code I'm using to attempt to add stochasticity to my data.
# create variables/parameters
k <- 420000
b0 <- as.matrix(3363)
T <- 34 # number of years in data
e <- fp
r=1.2

pb <- txtProgressBar(style=3)

for (loop in 1:10) {

  B <- ricker(K=k, R=r, B0=b0, t=T, E=0.5, Q=fp)

  B[loop] <- B[loop] - rnorm(1,0,0.25)

  if (B[loop] <0) {

   B [loop] <- 0
  }
  setTxtProgressBar(pb,value=l/T)
}
#'
matplot(B,type="l", col=1)

I want to end up with  graph like this:

However, the output isn't any different to the initial output and I can't figure out what I'm missing. Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

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I agree, I tried using it with DS (dear son) but found I got more stress anticipating the leap so I gave up. Also sometimes he seem to either miss a leap or go through it earlier or later.
Don't do it to yourself! It just makes you worry about thunder weeks and tries to give justifications to worn out mums for babies tough behaviour. I was so glad when I eventually deleted the app last time!
Don't use it! I had it with my first because everyone raved about it - it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy IMO.


by Philip A. Gulotta Jr.
Philip Gulotta, is an interior designer based out of Greenwich, Connecticut nationally featured in Interior Design Magazine. His attention to detail creates timeless design, sophistication and elegance without formality.
Philip's extensive experience includes high-end residential interior design, showroom design and visual display. His refined aesthetic includes traditional designs with a modern sensibility.
Philip uses a mix of new and vintage pieces that marry clean lines, strong forms and beautiful finishes with a touch of glamour. He creates personal and real homes that are designed to reflect the lives of the people that live in them.
Philip has designed and produced custom furniture, upholstery, and rugs.


Discussion in 'HypnoBirthing' started by Beverley Gazy, Jan 31, 2014.
I am a Mongan method HypnoBirthing Practitioner, anyone here want to talk about it?
I am trained in hypnotherapy for use in childbirth but have so far not been able to attract any clients.
You should advertise Tash! I had hypnotherapy for childbirth in 1989 for No2 daughter. The experience of the birth was so different from the 'normal' birth of No1 daughter - the actual labour was long (about 32 hours start to finish) but the actual 'effort' part was relatively easy - although I did appreciate the fact that the therapist told me there was little she could do about the bit where I was expected to expel a watermelon from my hoohah (she was australian and a good laugh!). All the women I know who have had hypnobirth experience were so glad they tried it.
Plus, the babies tend to be quite 'chilled' - mine certainly was - all smiley, no crying - and she's been like that since!
I have tried.......I thought when Kate had hypnobirthing when she had George it would sperk some interest. I even had a pitch at a local Kiddicare..........not the smallerst nibble!!!!


Online OSHA training for Construction and General Industry.
This course for construction workers is an ideal orientation to those who are new to the industry and a reminder those who have been working in the industry to the hazards associated with their work.
Specifically devised for safety directors, foremen, and field supervisors, this program provides comprehensive information on safety compliance issues for anyone involved in the construction industry.
This course is intended to provide an entry level worker in healthcare, manufacturing and warehouse distribution a general awareness on recognizing and preventing hazards on a general industry site.


Constance has been living in a house with her parents, but she is both unruly and unhappy. Her mother's belated attempt to discipline the girl is counterproductive, and the consequences turn out to be unfathomable.
"A Heart Harkened" is a dark, well-written tale about what happens once a young woman chooses to follow her heart, then sets out to survive in the wild. The forest where she grew up has so influenced Constance's mentality and behavior, and now it offers her short-term solutions and horrific temptations.


text:
Q: Recursively load all children/parent records in hierarchy -- Rails: 2.3.8, Ruby: 1.9.2v180, MySQL: 5.1.56 --
I have a recursive model called ExternalCategory which
  belongs_to :parent, :class_name => "ExternalCategory", :foreign_key => "parent_id"

and
  has_many :children, :class_name => "ExternalCategory", :foreign_key => "parent_id"

I display this hierarchy in a paginated view where only some number of top-level categories are initially visible. All ancestors of these top-level categories get loaded to the page but are only  displayed via js.
An ExternalCategory may have over 1000 ancestors, so without eager loading these pages can take a huge amount of time to load.  That being said, I've been working on adding eager loading in an appropriate fashion but I'm not quite sure what that would be.  Perhaps you can help.
At the moment, I have a scope for the top_level_categories inside of ExternalCategory:
named_scope :top_level_categories, :conditions => "parent_id is null"

and then tacked on to the end of the has_many :children ... line up above I've added this caveat:
   , :include => :children

So now whenever I load the children of any ExternalCategory, the children of those children get loaded, along with the children of all those children, and so on.  Ideally I wouldn't be doing this in the model itself but rather in the scope, but right now I'm okay with that bit of crappiness.
The main problem with all this is that I'm building up row ids in my table which reference the current element's id as well as all of it's ancestors' ids.  This id gets used by the js when expanding/collapsing any category's children view.  In order to create these ids, I access the current category's ancestors with recursive calls to #parent.  What I end up with in my log is a ton of identical lines that look like this:
CACHE (0.0ms)   SELECT * FROM external_categories WHERE (external_categories.id = 216)
If I avoid giving the rows all unique ids, it completely breaks the page (obviously), but things start loading lickity split.
Any advice, alternate perspectives or what have you would be immensely appreciated at this point.
Thanks in advance!

A: The built in acts_as_tree plugin is not very good at this, but there are alternatives like ancestry which support root_id to address this specific problem.
The approach that doesn't require changing anything involves fetching one "level" of depth after the next until you run out of results, trimming your retrieval time dramatically.
The better approach is to add a root_id column that will make fetching all of the records in a particular branch very fast. You will have to compute this value in your migration, though, to apply it correctly. That can be a slow operation if it is only done once, though.


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text:
Northeast of the Legislative building, in the center of the west campus drive-around circle.
Artist- replica of the WA State Obelisk in the Medal of Honor Grove, Valley Forge, PA
Endorsing Entities- numerous private contributors (organized by the Medal of Honor Grove Fund Committee for the State of Washington) and Washington State tax payers
Dedication Date- November 7, 1976
Materials- granite
Inscriptions- explanation of the Medal of Honor, U.S. Seal, WA State Seal, acknowledgment of donors, and the names of the WA State recipients of the Medal of Honor
History & significance:
This monument honors those Washingtonians who have received the Medal of Honor, the highest distinction that can be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. The medal is presented by the President (in the name of Congress) to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while serving our country. Throughout the medal's history, fewer than 3,500 individuals have received this supreme honor—mostly after their deaths.
The monument is a replica of the WA State Medal of Honor Obelisk located in the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (both obelisks are patterned after the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.). The Medal of Honor grove is maintained by the Freedoms Foundation and consists of 52 wooded acres with one acre donated to each of the states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. On each assigned acre sits an obelisk that holds the names of all the Medal of Honor recipients, the state seal, and a donor plaque from the corresponding state.
Washington State's Medal of Honor Grove obelisk was dedicated on May 15, 1976. It was then suggested that in celebration of our nation's 200th birthday that same year, a replica be erected on the state capitol grounds. The Medal of Honor Grove Fund Committee for the State of Washington, the same committee that had raised the $10,000 necessary for the monument in Valley Forge, quickly went back to its fundraising efforts. Soon the committee had secured the nearly $6,000 in private funding needed to help build the capitol grounds replica.
On November 7, 1976, the capitol campus' very own Medal of Honor monument was dedicated in a ceremony complete with skydivers from the U.S. Air Force. This obelisk differs from the Valley Forge monument only because of the names it contains. The replica displays not only the names of Medal recipients who were born in Washington State or entered the service from this state, but also those who, at the time of dedication, resided in Washington or were residents when they died.
Maintenance record:
1976—The original obelisk was installed and dedicated on November 7th.
1991—It was brought to the attention of the Department of Veterans Affairs that the names of 36 Washington Medal of Honor recipients had not been included on the original memorial. Because the existing obelisk was not large enough to hold these additional names, the obelisk was removed so that Tacoma Monumental Works (stone masons for the original memorial) could attach an approximately three-foot matching granite piece to the bottom and add the 36 new names. The memorial, which was rededicated on November 11, 1991, now stands approximately 11½ feet tall.
2000—On August 8th, the names of two additional Washington Medal of Honor recipients who received late recognition—PFC. William K. Nakamura and Tech 5 James K. Okubo—were added to the memorial.
2007–On April 16, the name of Medal of Honor Recipient MAJ Bruce P. Crandall was added for his actions in Vietnam.
2014-On April 2, the names of SFC Leroy A. Petry, SSG Ty M. Carter and CPT William D. Swenson were added for their actions in Afghanistan, bringing total of Washington State Medal of Honor recipients to 91.
View a list of Washington Medal of Honor recipients.


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Democrats disclose new documents ahead of impeachment trial
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and ERIC TUCKER , Associated Press, Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2019, file photo, Lev Parnas arrives at court in New York. Parnas, a close associate of President Donald Trump's personal lawye... FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2019, file photo, Lev Parnas arrives at court in New York. Parnas, a close associate of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has provided a trove of text messages and photos to the House committee leading the impeachment inquiry. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have released documents they obtained from a close associate of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, including a handwritten note that mentions asking Ukraine's president to investigate "the Biden case."
The documents, obtained from Lev Parnas as part of the impeachment investigation, show Parnas communicating with Giuliani before the removal of Marie Yovanovitch, who was the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. A man named Robert F. Hyde disparaged Yovanovitch in messages to Parnas and gave him updates on her location and cell phone use, raising questions about possible surveillance.
Democrats released the files Tuesday as they prepared to send articles of impeachment to the Senate for Trump's trial. The documents add new context to their charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Democrats as he withheld military aid.
Parnas was in frequent communication with Giuliani and with Ukrainian officials, the messages show. He appeared to be pushing unsubstantiated allegations that Democrat Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, were somehow engaged in corruption in Ukraine.
Among the documents is a screenshot of a previously undisclosed letter from Giuliani to Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy dated May 10, 2019, which was before Zelenskiy took office. In the letter, Giuliani requests a meeting with Zelenskiy "as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent." In the letter, Giuliani said he would be accompanied at the meeting by Victoria Toensing, a Washington attorney and Trump ally.
One of the documents is a handwritten note on stationery from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna that says "get Zalensky to Annonce that the Biden case will be Investigated." Trump asked Zelenskiy in a July call to investigate his political rival, Democrat Joe Biden, and his son Hunter. Hunter Biden served on the board of a gas company based in Ukraine.
Democrats said that Parnas' attorney confirmed that Parnas wrote the notes.
The documents — including phone records, texts and flash drives turned over by Parnas — were sent to the House Judiciary Committee by three other House panels "to be included as part of the official record that will be transmitted to the Senate along with the Articles of Impeachment," according to a statement. Some of the materials were made public while others were marked as sensitive.
Parnas and his business partner, Igor Fruman, both U.S. citizens who emigrated from the former Soviet bloc, were indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, making false statements and falsification of records. Prosecutors allege they made outsize campaign donations to Republican causes after receiving millions of dollars originating from Russia. The men have pleaded not guilty.
In several of the documents, Parnas communicated with Giuliani about the removal of Yovanovitch. The ambassador's ouster, ordered by Trump, was at the center of the Democrats' impeachment inquiry. Yovanovitch testified in the House impeachment hearings that she was the victim of a "smear campaign."
Trump on a July 25 call had promised Zelenskiy that Yovanovitch was "going to go through some things." Roughly two months earlier, she was recalled from her diplomatic post.
On April 23, just before Yovanovitch was directed to return to the United States, Giuliani texted Parnas, "He fired her again." Parnas texted back, "I pray it happens this time I'll call you tomorrow my brother."
Parnas also received messages from Hyde, who referred to Yovanovitch as a "bitch." Hyde is now running for a U.S. House seat in Connecticut.
After texting about the ambassador, Hyde gave Parnas detailed updates that suggested he was watching her. In one text, Hyde wrote: "She's talked to three people. Her phone is off. Her computer is off." He said she was under heavy security and "we have a person inside."
Hyde at one point texted Parnas that ''they are willing to help if we/you would like a price," and "guess you can do anything in Ukraine with money ... is what I was told."
Parnas texted back: "lol."
Lawrence Robbins, an attorney for Yovanovitch, called for an investigation in to the messages.
"Needless to say, the notion that American citizens and others were monitoring Ambassador Yovanovitch's movements for unknown purposes is disturbing. We trust that the appropriate authorities will conduct an investigation to determine what happened."
On Twitter, Hyde dismissed the claims as "laughable" and appeared to try to distance himself from Parnas. He said he would "welcome" an investigation.
The text messages show that Parnas consulted Giuliani in Jan. 2019 after the U.S. denied a visa for former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. Giuliani replied: "I can revive it."
The following day, Giuliani told Parnas: "It's going to work I have no 1 in it." Giuliani then predicted "he will get one" before giving Parnas the phone number for Jay Sekulow, the leader of the president's personal legal team. Sekulow is expected to be part of Trump's legal team during the impeachment trial.
A federal judge earlier this month ruled that Parnas could provide the materials to Congress as part of the impeachment proceedings.
Democrats voted in December to impeach Trump for abuse of power and for obstruction of Congress.
Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller contributed to this report.


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Taking the Direct Route to Sales Growth
A group of companies on this year's Inc. 5000 have expanded rapidly by adopting the approach made famous by companies such as Mary Kay and Tupperware.
By Darren Dahl, Contributing editor, Inc.@darren_dahl
Links in the Chain: Jessica Herrin has grown the jewelry company Stella & Dot by building a large direct sales force.
Mike McGregor
Four years ago, Jere Thompson spotted an opportunity in Texas's newly deregulated energy market. The Dallas entrepreneur, whose grandfather founded the now ubiquitous convenience grocery chain 7-Eleven (No. 4,929), had worked for years in the telecommunications industry. He founded a long-distance company, ultimately known as CapRock Fiber Network, that topped 1,300 employees in just its first few years.
CapRock's model was to persuade customers to switch from one long-distance provider to another. In 2006, Thompson's new company, Ambit Energy, sought to persuade customers to switch electricity providers – something of which most consumers were skeptical, at least at first. "We knew it would take years for people to become aware of deregulation and to get comfortable with the idea that their lights wouldn't go out," Thompson says.
Unwilling to spend a lot of money on marketing in order to try and convince Texas residents that they could save money by switching their power provider, Thompson instead hired Chris Chambliss, an executive who had successfully built a direct sales force at another long-distance company. By recruiting thousands of independent contractors tapped their social networks and got paid every time they got someone to make a switch, Chambliss helped Excel jump from $20 million in revenue to $1.5 billion in just two years.
Using a similar game plan, Ambit Energy, which now fields a direct sales force of some 70,000 independent consultants, has experienced meteoric growth of its own. Sales have increased by 20,369.4 percent over the past four years, from $1.5 million to $325 million. The numbers are so flashy, in fact, that they earned Thompson's company the No. 1 spot on the 2010 Inc. 500 list and the title of the fastest growing private company in the United States. "We could have never achieved that kind of growth through any other model," Thompson says.
This kind of one-on-one informal sales approach made famous by direct-selling pioneers such as Mary Kay, Avon, and Tupperware, has been experiencing a kind of renaissance in recent years. Not only have fast-growing start-ups such as Ambit Energy and other Inc. 500 companies embraced it, so have billion-dollar corporations such as Mars, which launched a direct-sales chocolate company called Dove Chocolate Discoveries in 2007. Even famed investor Warren Buffett, has gotten into the game. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, acquired the Pampered Chef, a direct seller of kitchen supplies, in 2002.
The trend has become even more pronounced over the past two years as the economy has struggled to recover from a recession. "We have long held that direct selling does well in poor economic times," says Amy Robinson, a spokesperson for the Direct Selling Association, an organization that represents some 200 direct selling firms. "This is particularly true for products that are 'recession-proof,' such as cosmetics or kitchen utensils, which are things people won't give up regardless of the economy."
The trend also applies to companies that service the direct selling industry. Take NetSteps, a software company in Pleasant Grove, Utah, that powers the websites and databases used by direct selling companies, or "network marketers" as they are known within the industry. Demand has been so great of late for custom websites suited to direct selling that NetSteps has seen its sales grow by some 1,942 percent over the past few years, which helped it land the No. 137th spot on the 2010 Inc. 500 list. "The recession has been very good for my business," says founder and CEO Derek Maxfield.
The record number of unemployed workers has also come into play as a reason for the industry's growth, says Robinson of the DSA. While direct selling has traditionally appealed more to women than men, people of both genders have turned to direct sales as a way to earn supplemental income or to tide them over until they land another job. "People are also looking for ways to work closer to home, which makes direct selling especially appealing," she says, noting that there were some 15.1 million people involved in direct sales in 2009 – a number she expects to jump substantially when the numbers for 2010 are finalized. That jump in interested sellers is confirmed by Sarah Baker Andrus of Vector Marketing Corp, the marketing arm for Cutco, a member of the DSA, which has long employed individuals – primarily college students – to sell its knives. "Everyone in our industry is reporting an increase in interest from potential recruits," she says, noting that interest is particularly high from those college students having trouble landing more traditional jobs or internships.
Companies rely on a variety of pitches to recruit sellers, who typically get paid as independent contractors. Many companies typically require sellers, who are often referred to as consultants or demonstrators, to pay an upfront fee to cover training materials or possibly even specify that sellers must buy a set amount of inventory to get started. Approaches to selling a company's products or services can also vary. Some sellers might simply use the phone or e-mail to contact members of their social network. Others, like sellers working for Uppercase Living (No. 138), a 2010 Inc. 500 company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, are encouraged to employ a "party" approach, a term made famous by Tupperware, where a seller invites friends, family and acquaintances over to a home to watch a demonstration and sample the product for sale. "With a party plan, no one ever feels like they are in a high pressure situation to buy anything," says Richard Fankhauser, CEO of Uppercase Living, which makes decorative vinyl home décor.
That's why it's no accident that selling through parties can be more appealing than selling through a traditional retailer like Wal-Mart, says John Rochon, the former chairman and CEO of Mary Kay. "If you want to put your product on shelves of a major retailer, you have to pay placement fees, which can be huge barriers to entry especially to start-up companies who are trying to introduce a disruptive product that competitors would rather not see on the shelves," Rochon, who also helped build the Avon and Dirt Devil brands, points out. Not only can selling in the home save a company countless dollars in marketing and distribution fees, it brings results. "A typical closing rate for a consumer in a store is about 2 percent," says Rochon, who has started a new company that employs direct sellers to pitch a disinfectant product called IV-7. "In the home, on the other hand, the closing rate is just about 100 percent. Once someone decides to attend the party, they have already agreed to buy something."
Direct selling is also particularly effective when it comes to any product that could benefit from a demonstration. "Many products can be more appealing to people when they get to see or touch them in person," says Robinson from the DSA. There was a trick to snapping on a lid to a Tupperware container, for instance, something that a seller could easily demonstrate. The 75,000 active sellers for Scentsy (No. 19), an Inc. 500 company based in Meridian, Idaho, for instance, get to show off how quickly the aroma of their wickless and flameless scented candles can fill a room. "We keep things simple, which allows our consultants to just be themselves, which enhances the authenticity of the product," says Orville Thompson, who founded the company with his wife Heidi in 2004.
A party approach also lends itself to having a good time, which can help both sellers and buyers relax and enjoy the product. That's part of the appeal of selling jewelry made by Stella & Dot (No. 67), an Inc. 500 company based in Burlingame, California. "I always tell my stylists that it's not like you're going on Hardball with Chris Matthews," says founder Jessica Herrin. "You're going into a room full of friendly warm people who are happy and relaxed and want to see you succeed."
Working for a direct sales company has obvious appeal to someone looking for work or even someone looking for extra income. At Stella & Dot, for instance, the average stylist earns 30 percent from their sales and gets a ton of free jewelry to boot. Leslie Montie, who founded Wildtree, a Cranston-Rhode Island based business that sells healthy herb and spice blends that earned a spot on the 2010 Inc. 5000, says that one of her representatives will earn some $300,000 this year. "Our company offers a great opportunity for unemployed or underemployed men and women looking to add to their family's income," says Montie. "It's a great solution because its very marketable and everybody eats."
Salt Lake City resident Leann Garms, 48, was turned on to Arbonne International, a Swiss cosmetics company, by her brother's girlfriend three years ago. Now, she sells their botanically-based products in addition to running her own public relations and fundraising consulting company. "I know at least 15 people who have replaced six-figure incomes by selling these products," she says. "But even for those who are not top producers, an extra $300, $400, or $500 a month can make a world of difference."
But direct selling also has its detractors, especially when it comes to the idea of multi-level marketing, or MLM, through which people can earn a percentage of the sales brought in by anyone they recruit into the organization. While there are many reputable companies like Stella & Dot and Ambit Energy that use MLM effectively, there are many horror stories of pyramid schemes designed to simply rob sellers of their money – where the fees paid by new recruits simply get funneled to higher-ups in the organization. "Anytime there is a decline in the economy or a high unemployment rate, MLM schemes can seem attractive," says Allison Southwick, a spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau that works with the DSA to track reputable organizations. She points to one such scam, NarcThatCar.com, that reportedly paid sellers money for tracking license plate numbers through an online database. To head off scams, Southwick suggests working with members of the DSA, which employs a rigorous one-year application program, and to check www.bbb.org for a company's reliability report. For what it's worth, www.narcthatcar.com currently has an "F" rating.
Jere Thompson of Ambit Energy, which has earned an "A" rating from the BBB, acknowledges that scams have been a problem for the direct sales industry in the past, but that largely by policing itself, the majority of direct sales and MLM companies are legitimate. He also believes that direct selling is here to stay for the long term. "You're seeing more and more companies use direct sales as a way to start a business or to test a product," he says. "I think you will see more and more people selling from their homes and that it will remain popular for a long time to come both here in the U.S. and around the world."


Most of us, I'm sure, can remember that AHA moment in school when we realized that science is pretty cool. Imagine how it might be for a student enrolled in a school lacking the resources to teach science well, or who was never given the opportunity to excel in anything, let alone science. What if the opportunity for an AHA moment never arrived?
This is, unfortunately, the truth for many primary and secondary school students, and it is especially so for low-income and predominantly minority communities. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often carry stereotypes that scientists are old, white men who are out of touch with society, and many youth believe that science careers are out of their reach. The challenge then, is how to excite children about science such that they want to make a career of it?
BioEYES reaches out to children like Dasha who have internalized the message that they are among "the worst" and appoints them to an esteemed role, that of research scientist. By stepping into this role, students feel important and get excited about science, and for the first time they are encouraged to see this career is open to them. BioEYES plants seeds of enthusiasm for science and learning that helps inspire kids to stay in school and, for some, to pursue careers in science, engineering, math and technology fields.
One reason for the success of the BioEYES program lies in its fun, hands-on activities using live zebrafish. Over the course of the week that the BioEYES Outreach Educators are in the classroom, students learn to use the scientific method, cross the fish, observe embryo and larval development daily under a microscope, and record their findings. They learn about and are encouraged to consider scientific careers. Depending on the grade level taught, concepts in ecology, vertebrate development, stem cells and genetics may be explored. On the last day of the program, students in all grade levels observe the beating heart of a zebrafish larva. For most, this is their first glimpse of an actual heart pumping in real time, and inspires a strong visceral reaction unlikely to be duplicated by a video or picture. Many students express delight and amazement, and truly see the fish as like themselves.
Modeled on the successful BioEYES program established in Philadelphia in 2002 by Dr. Steven Farber and Dr. Jamie Shuda, BioEYES has educated more than 35,000 students nationwide. At present, one school district in the United States has their own fulltime, dedicated BioEYES Educator, and a second school district expects to develop a BioEYES Teacher Leader position for the 2010-2011 school year. In August 2010 BioEYES went international when we implemented our program in Melbourne, Australia.
Part of the appeal of BioEYES is the support it offers to teachers, many of whom (especially at the primary school level) have minimal training in science education. Prior to the BioEYES unit, teachers attend a training workshop that introduces them to the program and curriculum. For their first two years of participation, teachers co-teach the unit alongside a BioEYES Outreach Educator. In the third and subsequent years, teachers may be designated "Master Teachers" and they can teach the unit independently with materials provided by BioEYES. Master Teachers deliver the program at significantly reduced cost to BioEYES and they free Outreach Educators to work in classes that have not yet participated.
BioEYES is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization and currently operates out of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Baltimore, MD; the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA; Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN; and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. We have been able to deliver our programs to tens of thousands of children at no cost to their schools because of the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations. Not surprisingly we have a close partnership with the Society for Developmental Biology not only because we are using a developing model organism, we both share the goal of fostering a more scientifically literate society. We of course welcome your support!
For more information please visit our website, www.bioeyes.org.
Steve and Valerie, thank you for telling us on the Node about this important and inspiring educational project, which I really enjoyed reading about. I hope your experience will stimulate other community minded scientists to build contacts with their local school communities, to share their expertise with school teachers and school children alike. What I particularly like about the BioEYEs project is that it provides a blueprint that others can build on or adapt to get working within their own school communities and also a source of information and expertise to turn to for advice.
Can I ask what ages of children the BioEYEs project is aimed at and what the youngest ages are that you teach?
I'm glad you enjoyed reading about BioEYES. It's true that with a zebrafish facility and an educator, this educational model can be easily replicated. We hope some of you are inspired to pursue this idea. If you do, we are happy to help you get started.
To answer your question, our BioEYES educators have taught pre-K through 12th grade. We have curriculum available for 2nd, 5th, 7th, and 10th grades. Over the summer our Baltimore team taught pre-K through 3rd grade at the Hearing and Speech Agency's Gateway School, where we modified our curriculum to adapt to the needs of students with communication and other disabilities, including autism. It was a successful and very rewarding experience!


Cover illustration for the Público newspaper's culture supplement. The article was a review of 2013's cultural events in every major field: theatre, cinema, music, books, dance and exhibitions. 11 x 13 3/8, ink, digital.


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MEDFORD TRANSCRIPT
Medford residents graduate from Middlesex Sheriff's Citizens Academy
Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recently presided over the graduation ceremony for the inaugural Middlesex Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy.
"It's important the public understand the vital work the men and women of the Middlesex Sheriff's Office perform on a daily basis," said Koutoujian. "I established this academy to give the public we serve an opportunity to learn more about who we are, as well as how we serve and protect them."
Seventeen residents from 10 Middlesex County communities participated in the first academy, attending classes one night a week for eight weeks. Classes focused on areas ranging from correction officer training to women in corrections, and inmate programming to SWAT operations.
Attendees also toured the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica and witnessed a K-9 demonstration.
"I am grateful to those who took the time to come learn more about the role the Middlesex Sheriff's Office plays in the community," said Koutoujian. "I am equally grateful to the members of the Office who participated over the eight weeks."
Academy graduates are residents of Billerica, Framingham, Lincoln, Marlborough, Medford, Newton, Tewksbury, Waltham, Wayland and Wilmington.


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Earlier than letting a house safety representative inside, ask for identification.
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You possibly can install them yourself or you'll be able to rent a home security agency. Look to unused retailers to cover valuables. You shouldn't assume that your open window will go unnoticed.


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About the Foreign Relations Series
Current Status of the Foreign Relations Series
History of the Foreign Relations Series
Ebooks Initiative
Quarterly Releases
Administrative Timeline
Biographies of the Secretaries of State
Principal Officers and Chiefs of Mission
Travels of the Secretary of State
Travels of the President
Visits by Foreign Heads of State
World War I and the Department
Buildings of the Department of State
U.S. Diplomatic Couriers
Guide to Countries
Guide to Country Recognition and Relations
World Wide Diplomatic Archives Index
Browse Resources by Subject Tag
Developer Resources & APIs
A Short History of the Department
Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, General, Volume I
711.00111 Armament Control/1610a
The Secretary of State to Diplomatic and Consular Officers in the American Republics
Diplomatic Serial No. 3338
Washington , December 17, 1937.
Sirs: Reference is made to Diplomatic Serial No. 2613 of November 21, 1935,1 in regard to the exportation of arms, ammunition, and implements of war. Since questions have been from time to time addressed to the Department in regard to the policy laid down in this instruction, it has been deemed advisable to offer, for the consideration and guidance of diplomatic and consular officers, the following clarification of that policy.
A long-standing policy of this Government, dating from the Administration of President Harding, has consistently maintained that representatives of the Government shall not encourage the export trade in arms and munitions of war. Since December 1932, this policy has been embodied in a series of circular instructions to the field and in numerous and frequent communications with individual missions and consulates. In May 1933, the Secretaries of War, the Navy, and Commerce were specifically requested by the Secretary2 to emphasize the importance of this policy to those of their officers who might, in the course of their duties, have to deal with the export trade in arms and munitions of war.
The most recent circular instruction issued by the Department on this subject, and that which sets forth the Government's current policy in this regard, is the above-mentioned Diplomatic Serial of November 21, 1935. The central paragraph of this instruction reads as follows:
"It is not the policy of this Government to encourage the export trade in arms, ammunition, and implements of war. American diplomatic and consular officers should not, therefore, proceed on their own initiative to promote American trade in arms, ammunition, and implements of war and should not endeavor to create trade opportunities for [Page 863] American exporters of such articles. They should, however, in countries to which the exportation of these articles is not prohibited, when requested to do so by American exporters or their agents or by prospective purchasers, follow the same procedure in giving information and advice as they would follow in respect to the trade in any other commodity, except, however, that in order to disassociate the American Government from the promotion of the export trade in arms, ammunition, and implements of war, they should decline to use official channels for the communication of inquiries or offers between prospective purchasers and sellers."
There then follows a list of the arms, ammunition, and implements of war enumerated in the President's Proclamation of September 25, 1935,3 after which appears this sentence:
"The list of arms, ammunition, and implements of war enumerated above should not be considered as exhaustive but it will serve as an indication of the nature of the articles to be considered as arms, ammunition, and implements of war for the purposes of this instruction."
Copies of this instruction were also transmitted to the Secretaries of War, the Navy, and Commerce with the request that they bring it to the attention of their officers in the field.
The motives which prompted this Government to adopt such a policy are too obvious to require more than brief reference. Since we, as a nation, had again and again reiterated our determination to do all in our power to preserve the peace of the world, since we had participated earnestly and whole-heartedly in disarmament conferences, had signed and ratified the Convention of 1925 for the control of the traffic in arms,4 and had, in 1934–35,5 sponsored a proposal for strengthening this Convention, it could not but seem inconsistent for representatives of the Government to participate in the sale abroad of those very weapons the dissemination of which we were endeavoring to check, and by such participation to stimulate and feed the national suspicions and rivalries which it was the chief aim of our foreign policy to abate. Furthermore, the abuses of the arms traffic, involving in many cases the artificial creation of war scares and the bribery of government officials, were at this time becoming more and more apparent. With the warm approval of the President, the Nye Committee was set up to investigate these abuses, and its revelations did at least prove indisputably that the arms business was not one with which representatives of the United States Government should be associated. In fact, the findings of the Committee regarding the extent to which some of our representatives abroad had participated [Page 864] in the arming of other powers caused a profound shock to public opinion which is still reflected in the numerous bills introduced at each session of the Congress providing for a nationalization of the arms industry and for a complete prohibition of the export of arms.
The policy, therefore, of refusing to encourage the export of arms and of disassociating representatives of the Government from the arms traffic could not but appear to be a wise and a logical one. Recently, however, some of our Government's representatives abroad, including, in a few cases, representatives from this Department, have intimated that they felt the policy placed us at too great a disadvantage, both commercially and politically, in certain foreign countries, chiefly in the American republics. The point of view of these officers is easily understandable. They see the representatives of European governments participating openly and actively in the sale of armaments produced in those countries and not hesitating to exert political and economic pressure on governments of the American republics in order to induce them to purchase arms which are of a quality definitely inferior to the corresponding product of the United States. When such methods are successful, our representatives are obliged to observe the infiltration of the influence of the nation making the arms sale into the army, navy, or air force of the country to which the sale has been made, and the establishment of the European product in the market, perhaps for a period of years. Both American officers charged with the promotion of our export trade and those charged with our political relations with the countries to which they are accredited cannot but be troubled at these developments and cannot be expected to refrain from questioning at times the value of the policy itself. Confronted by their questions, however, we must reply with two others:
Is it our policy in regard to the traffic in arms which is really responsible for the comparative success of our European competitors in certain American countries? and
Would the abandonment of our policy and the frank participation in the scramble for arms markets ultimately improve or injure our political and economic relations with the American republics?
Most military, naval, and aviation officers of the American republics prefer materials from the United States because they believe that the quality is better. When the decision is left in their hands, the purchases are usually made in this country. Why, then, do so many orders go to Europe? The answer is simply that European governments are willing to accept methods of payment from countries lacking in foreign exchange which United States private manufacturers are unwilling or unable to take. A wealthy country such as Argentina, [Page 865] which is able to pay cash, concentrates her buying here. In the last two years, she has purchased arms, ammunition, and implements of war in the United States valued at about eight million dollars. Countries deficient in foreign exchange, however, are obliged to buy from sellers who will accept at least partial payment in copper, nitrates, coffee, cotton, and other commodities. Only in exceptional cases are American private manufacturers in a position to take such means of payment for they generally have no way of marketing the commodities in the United States. In fact, the United States is frequently already importing all of that particular commodity which it can reasonably be expected to consume. In cases of this kind, therefore, salesmanship of any sort by our representatives in the arms-purchasing country would be absolutely futile unless this Government were willing to offer terms comparable to those offered by European governments. This Government could not do so, however, unless it was prepared to modify radically the system under which American foreign trade is now being conducted. And even if it should attempt to do so, it would soon find that it was competing with, and perhaps forcing out of business, private United States importers of South American commodities.
It would seem, then, that the answer to our first question—is it our policy in regard to the traffic in arms which is really responsible for the comparative success of our European competitors in certain American countries—must be in the negative. The basic reason is that European countries will accept payments in kind. The proper way to overcome this obstacle would seem to be by other means than by permitting our representatives in the American republics to encourage actively the sale of United States arms.
The answer to the second question—would the abandonment of our policy in regard to encouraging arms sales ultimately improve or injure our political and economic relations with the American republics—would seem to be even more categorical. We are making every effort to promote the policy of the good neighbor throughout the Western Hemisphere. If it became known that our representatives were encouraging the purchase of arms by any given countries, the repercussions in other contiguous countries might well be such as to nullify all our recent efforts to cement friendly relations with all these powers.
Furthermore, would the American republics be inclined to accept as sincere the frequently expressed desire of the United States for the limitation of armaments, if at the same time this Government were actively endeavoring to persuade those republics to increase their armaments for the profit of our arms manufacturers? Finally, would American investors in South American nitrate and copper companies welcome the pursuance of an arms export policy by this Government which would have the effect of preventing or limiting the sale in Europe of the commodities which these companies produce?
The problem has many facets and it would be most unwise to attempt to treat it merely as a question of commercial and political rivalry between ourselves and certain European powers. While sympathizing fully with the disappointment of our representatives who are obliged to observe without being able to prevent increases in the political and commercial prestige of our European rivals, we must nevertheless recognize that under the circumstances now obtaining in many of the American republics the adoption of an active policy in regard to our arms export trade would not only be futile so long as we are not disposed to accept payments in kind, but would probably in the end weaken rather than strengthen our prestige throughout the hemisphere.
In support of these conclusions, there is quoted an excerpt from a memorandum6 prepared by the Counselor of the American Embassy in Santiago in regard to the recent purchase by Chile of airplanes in Italy and Germany. Mr. Frost's statements are perhaps the best answer to those who wish to abandon our traditional policy in regard to the traffic in arms.
"Deep disappointment probably prevails in some American commercial quarters. The high standing of our aviation, due to Panagra (with Government subsidy), and other firms, has failed of its proper result, it is felt. There have been hints that the American Government might well (a) have intervened on behalf of our manufacturers in the same manner as did the German and Italian Governments, or might (b) in some vague and unspecified manner have waived its policy against barter or compensation agreements.
"(a) It is true that Chilean officials have publicly adverted to the fact that our Government has shown none of the interest which the other two governments have so unctuously displayed. Germany showered honors upon the Chilean Mission, and in Italy General Aracena was received by Mussolini, and was given a royal decoration. The very dignity of our conduct, however, will be an element of strength in the future efforts of the Department in connection with disarmament. Chile has received a striking and unchallengeable proof that Washington is completely sincere in its readiness to forego American benefit, both economic and political, for the sake of discouraging international rivalry in armament matters.… It may also be borne in mind that attempts at intervention by our Government would certainly have aroused criticism and all feeling. The Germans and Italians would have been resentful, and the Chilean officials distrustful. The Chilean Opposition, which as things have developed has become pro-American as to aviation material, would just as joyfully have seized upon an occasion to denounce American imperialism and militarism.
"(b) As to the American policy with regard to official barter agreements and blocking of international credits, American aviation representatives probably do not understand that no legal means exist for suspending it in connection with individual commercial proposals. They do not realize, moreover, that even if this could be done any attempt to place Chilean nitrate sales in the United States on a compensation basis would at once react adversely not only upon our nitrate investors but also upon our holders of Chilean bonds, our miscellaneous corporations operating in Chile, and our exporters whose goods are subject to Chilean tariff rates. Furthermore, again, as in the case of the possibilities for the political intervention mentioned just above, any attempts at economic intervention through facilitating a compensation plan would have been as likely as not to have met, after all the storm they would have raised, with a failure which would have been both ignominious and harmful.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Despite the commercial loss, however, and even despite the serious international political loss, our moral position has not been weakened but strengthened. The calm adherence by our Government to its policies will in all practical probability inure ultimately to the benefit of our country, and of other countries, in the upper strata of international affairs." (Underscoring supplied)
In conclusion, we must not forget the repercussions which the abandonment of our policy in regard to arms exports might have in this country. A very sensitive public opinion has been created here on the subject of the munitions trade. If it became known, as it sooner or later certainly would, that this Government was once more participating in efforts to promote the arms traffic, the Government would be subjected to very strong criticism. Furthermore, the sentiment already existing in Congress in favor of prohibiting altogether the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war would be strengthened and might well eventually crystallize in the enactment of a law imposing this prohibition notwithstanding the frequently expressed opinions of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy in regard to the effect which such a prohibition would have upon our national defense.
All in all, therefore, from every point of view—that of foreign trade policy, that of our relations with our American neighbors, that of internal politics, and that of national defense—it would seem to be the part of wisdom and prudence to continue to follow our traditional policy in regard to the association of the Government with the traffic in arms.
For the Secretary of State:
Sumner Welles
Foreign Relations, 1935, vol. i, p. 354.↩
No record of written communication found in Department files; a communication in this regard was sent to the Secretaries of War, the Navy, and Commerce, November 7, 1933 (811.113/345).↩
Department of State, Press Releases, September 28, 1935, p. 222.↩
Foreign Relations, 1925, vol. i, p. 61.↩
At the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments, Geneva; see ibid., 1934, vol. i, pp. 1 ff., and ibid., 1935, vol. i, pp. 1 ff.↩
Copy transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in Chile in his despatch No. 719, September 24; received September 30.↩
Meeting of the Bureau of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments, Geneva, May 31, 1937 (Documents 1-28)
Analyses and reports of general political developments in Europe affecting the maintenance of international order and the preservation of peace (Documents 29-116)
The Spanish Civil War: (Documents 117-618)
Adherence by Italy to the German-Japanese accord of November 25, 1936, against the Communist International (Documents 619-634)
Failure of negotiations among naval powers to establish 14-inch maximum gun caliber by reason of Japanese refusal to accept limitation (Documents 635-664)
Suggestions for convening international conferences on economic cooperation and arms limitation viewed unfavorably by the Department of State until certain preliminary conditions should be met (Documents 665-684)
Proposal for concerted international effort to reach common agreement on the principles of international conduct to maintain peace (Documents 685-687)
Visit of Mr. Van Zeeland, Belgian Prime Minister, to the United States in connection with his mission to investigate obstacles to international trade (Documents 688-710)
Statement on fundamental principles of international policy by the Secretary of State, July 16, 1937, and comments of foreign governments (Documents 711-822)
Interest of the United States in furthering efforts of the League of Nations to promote international economic cooperation (Documents 823-850)
Interest of the United States in the promotion of world peace through international economic cooperation (Documents 851-866)
Status of intergovernmental debts owed the United States by reason of the First World War: (Documents 867-872)
Views of the Department of State with respect to a proposed international debt commission (Document 873)
Status of certain foreign governments under the Johnson Act with regard to obligations owed the United States (Documents 874-879)
Attitude of the Department of State regarding the traffic in munitions and military or naval equipment as related to foreign policy (Document 880)
Views of the Department of State with respect to proposed legislation regarding neutrality policy (Documents 881-885)
Representations to the British and Netherlands Governments to seek further reduction of restrictions on rubber production (Documents 886-911)
International Conference for the Regulation of Whaling, London, May 24–June 8, 1937 (Documents 912-922)
Participation of the United States in the International Sugar Conference held in London, April 5–May 6, 1937 (Documents 923-942)
Participation of the United States in the establishment and operation of the International Sugar Council (Documents 943-964)
Unsuccessful effort to obtain German and Italian consideration of draft international convention for prevention of oil pollution at sea (Documents 965-968)
Invitations extended by United States to International Labor Organization textile conference in Washington, April 2–17, 1937 (Documents 969-972)
Attitude of the United States regarding certain questions raised by the British government with respect to the Philippine Commonwealth (Documents 973-974)
Regulation of relations between the Government of the Philippine Commonwealth and foreign Consuls (Documents 975-982)
Tax exemption and customs courtesies enjoyed by foreign diplomatic and consular officers in the United States (Document 983)
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text:
Енё Ракоши (настоящие имя и фамилия — Евгений Кремснер) (; , Королевство Венгрия — , , Венгрия) — венгерский , , театральный деятель, , театральный , . Член Венгерской академии наук (с 1892) и литературного общества им. Кароя Кишфалуди. Один из зачинателей венгерской драмы.

По происхождению — дунайский шваб.

Его первая драма «Владислав V», прошла незамеченной, но комедия «Эзоп» (1866), поставленная на сцене Национального театра в Будапеште, имела большой успех и поставила Е. Ракоши во главе группы «Молодой Венгрии» (Шандор Петёфи, Пал Вашвари и Михай Танчич).

Из других его драматических произведений более всего известны трагедия «Андрей и Иоганна» и комедия «Штурм Буды».

Е. Ракоши писал также романы, критические и критические статьи, основал радикальную газету «Pesti Hirlap» и был директором Народного театра в Будапеште.

Похоронен на кладбище Керепеши.

Примечания

Ссылки

 Jenő Rákosi

Похороненные на кладбище Керепеши

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The other day I received my copy of Home School Enrichment and was surprised to see an article that I had written, "Homeschooling – An Offensive Lifestyle." I submitted it some time back and to be honest I had forgotten all about it. Apparently, the Lord had the timing all worked out. It seems as though this subject hit a lot of people. I have had more response from it than any other I have written.
Below are a few excerpts from my readers.


For the jump shooter or someone looking for an all-around semi-auto Franchi's I-12 is a good bet.
The Franchi I-12 uses Benelli's Inertia-Driven operating system with its rotating bolt head that provides both a tight lockup and reliable functioning in the roughest weather.
A shotgun for the traditionalist, the I-12 comes in satin-finished walnut and blued steel. The I-12's excellent TSA recoil pad has a two-part design that really softens recoil from heavy loads. The I-12 comes with extended pass-shooting and over-decoys chokes.


Petronas' FY18 core earnings improved by 9% to RM51bn on higher average realised prices (Brent prices +31%, JCC prices +33%) masking weaker USD against MYR (-6%). We are pleasantly surprised by the FY19 capex spending target of RM50bn (+7% YoY), which may spur local upstream activities. Meanwhile, the aggressive international expansion would probably benefit the services players with strong international presence. All in, reiterate NEUTRAL view on the sector with our preferred pick being Sapura Energy (BUY; TP: RM0.41).
QoQ: Petronas' 4Q18 core earnings dropped 26% to RM10.7bn mainly dragged by lower average realised prices for major products, higher taxes (+36%) and finance cost (+1.1x). This was partially offset by higher LNG sales volume, crude oil & condensates.
YoY: Despite revenue increasing by 13%, core PAT fell by 40% largely attributable to weaker downstream (-85%; lower refining and marketing margins) following the decline in oil prices.
YTD: Overall, FY18 core earnings improved by 9% to RM50.6bn on higher average realised prices (Brent prices +31%, JCC prices +33%) masking weaker USD against MYR (-6%). Note that Brent prices averaged at USD71/bbl in 2018, 31% higher than average USD54/bbl in 2017.
Capex. There was a strong backload of capex incurred in 4Q18 (+2.0x QoQ; +90% YoY), bringing its FY18 capex spending to RM46.8bn (+5% YoY). According to the news report, Petronas targeted its capex spending at RM50bn this year (+7% YoY) based on the crude assumption of USD66/bbl in 2019, out which RM30bn is attributable to upstream segment. This is at the higher end of their earlier guidance of RM40bn-50bn range. We reckon that the growth should be coming from international expansion and local upstream segment (RM15bn allocation) given that the largest local downstream project, PIC is at 97% completion as of 4Q18.
Cost savings. Petronas' FY18 EBITDA surged by 27% to RM116.5bn on widened margin (+6.2 ppts) to 46.4% thanks to consistent cost optimisation amidst better crude environment. However, we opine that it may be tough for Petronas to continue to expand its margins especially when services rates are on gradual recovery mode.
Dividend. RM9.0bn dividend was paid in 4Q18, bringing its YTD total dividend paid at RM26bn (+63%). The estimated recurring dividend of RM24bn and additional special dividend of RM30bn have been and will be paid in tranches between Jan and Nov 2019. Although Petronas' balance sheet still remains solid with net cash position of RM105bn as of 4Q18, such huge cash outflow has to be one-off in order not to jeopardise its future growth.
Keep NEUTRAL. Reading through Petronas FY18 report card, commendable profit was delivered with balance sheet staying firm and healthy. We are pleasantly surprised by the capex spending target to land at RM50bn this year. This would probably translate into higher activities in the upstream space. Meanwhile, the aggressive international expansion would probably benefit the services players which already have a strong international presence (i.e. Sapura Energy and Yinson Holdings) or companies that are eager to seek overseas growth (i.e. MMHE and Dayang). Reiterate NEUTRAL view on the sector while keeping our average oil prices forecast unchanged at USD68/bbl in 2019. Our preferred pick is Sapura Energy (BUY; TP: RM0.41).


This listing is for new BF Goodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 205/45R16XL 87W BSW Tires. Manufacturer part number: 39679. Designed to offer faster acceleration and harder cornering for driving enthusiasts and novices alike, the g-Force Sport Comp-2 is an Ultra High Performance tire offers the very best in tire design for high speed performance. The g-Control sidewall inserts offer better cornering and stability while the directional g-Hook intermediate grooves provide additional grip for a smooth and quiet ride with no slipping.
Max Single Load(lbs) 1074 The maximum load this tire will support. Remember to multiply this number by the number of tires installed on your vehicle to get the maximum carrying capacity. This number is directly related to the Load Index.
Section Width 8.11 The measurement from sidewall to sidewall.
Overall Diameter 23.23 The height of the tire when fully inflated.


"BRANDSBY, a parish in the wapentake of Bulmer; 6 miles ENE. of Easingwold. (Brandsby Hall, the seat of Francis Cholmley, Esq.) Here is a very neat little church (see Churches for photograph) dedicated to All Saints, the living is a rectory, in the patronage of Thomas Smith, Esq. Population including Stearsby, 277."
"FOULRICE, in the parishes of Brandsby and Whenby, and wapentake of Bulmer; ¾ mile WNW. of Whenby, 7 miles E. of Easingwold."
"STEARSBY, in the parish of Brandsby, and wapentake of Bulmer; 1¼ miles ESE. of Brandsby, 6 miles ENE. of Easingwold. Pop. included with Brandsby."
Here is a photograph of All Saints' Church, Brandsby.
Transcript of the entry for Brandsby in the "Collections relative to Churches and Chapels".
The whereabouts and dates of the Registers etc. for the Parish of Brandsby.
Ask for a calculation of the distance from Brandsby to another place.
The War Memorial Plaque on the wall near the Church at Brandsby.