The common thread running through HNI's software is the concept of "intelligent interaction". HNI is building or acquiring a general-purpose set of software components for conducting interactions with end-users. These interactions range in complexity from simple, question-and-answer surveys to complex, rule-directed web-based sessions. In each case, a dialogue is conducted, in which we gather facts from, and supply feedback to, the user.
HNI's Web development platforms are Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS), Active Server Pages (ASP) and MacroMedia Flash. Software applications are structured as a collection of object-oriented components, programmed in Visual C++ and Visual Basic for the Windows environments. Microsoft's ActiveX standard is employed for re-use of components across applications. Relational DBMS's such as Access, SQL Server or any other dataset accessible through ODBC are used for persistent storage. The component architecture of HNI's products makes it possible for them to inter-operate with third-party applications such as the Microsoft Office suite and specialized tools for telephony, call management, and messaging.
Information technology enables inexpensive, convenient modes of delivery for many health and service-focused, self-management capabilities. HNI is developing interactive software systems to be accessed by consumers directly via kiosk, personal computer and fax. The systems assemble and deliver customized solutions based upon an analysis and tracking of an individual's unique situation and needs at different points in time. Information about the consumer will be tracked over time, so that progress toward goals can be measured. The systems' ultimate objectives are twofold: 1) to enable the consumer to quickly access information and resources to better manage personal and health-related problems; and, 2) to provide organizations with cost-effective means to support their employees and help them better balance work/family responsibilities.
This long-term architectural vision supports the generalized model of intelligent interaction with consumers. The principal components of this architectural vision are discussed below. It is the framework within which all short-term systems are developed.
Interfaces. Users interact with systems via web-browser interfaces. The web interface would support the full spectrum of multimedia content that commonly appears on web sites today, including audio and video. The systems also send faxes or e-mail output to the user (e.g., to send reminders) or, if the user desires, to a "support" professional (e.g., to request appointments or follow-up calls).
In the above graphic we use the term counselors to denote the professionals that assist users in their use of the system, including technical-support operators as well as behavioral, financial, legal, and nutrition specialists, any of whom can join a session when the user asks them to. At any time, the user should be able to press a button (either on the telephone or on a web page) to request assistance. In a telephone session, a counselor would come on the line and would be able to see on his or her computer a transcript of the session thus far. The counselor could then answer specific questions or even opt to conduct the remainder of the session verbally if the user preferred not to return to the self-directed mode. In this case, the counselor would see on his or her computer a graphical version of the same questions that would have been asked by the system, and would enter answers on behalf of the user.
During a web-based session, the user might ask for help by requesting a telephone callback, an Internet-phone conversation, or an on-line chat session. The counselor would have the full context of the session available, and would be able to work collaboratively with the user during the remainder of the session, for instance by guiding him or her to a particular web page (i.e., by entering a web-page address or URL into the user's browser). Again, an important goal of HNI's systems is the ability to conduct interactions using a variety of different interfaces, or even a mix of multiple interfaces. The key to doing this efficiently is the separation of the logic of the interaction from the details of the interfaces.
Counselors might work out of a central call center, but it will also be desirable to enable them to work out of their homes or offices. Such a distributed model would enable experts/specialists located throughout the country to be brought into sessions on demand.
Facts need to be collected from the user.
To collect a given fact, the system presents the user with a question or prompt.
As facts become known, additional facts can be deduced from them.
When enough facts have been collected or deduced, an action can be taken.
The list of known facts - for a first-time user - starts out empty, and grows dynamically as the session proceeds; at the end of a session, facts are saved in a database for use in the next session (see Consumer Encounter Repository below). The prompts emitted by the system to gather facts can be as simple as questions spoken over the telephone or as complicated as entire web pages. The actions are also most often intended to produce output, either spoken or page-oriented. It is the job of the rules to specify how all these things are done - that is, to script the interaction with the consumer. The script amounts to a large decision tree or flowchart.
A key design goal for the rules database is the separation of the logic from as many of the user-interface details as possible. For example, the rules should be able to say " ask the user how old he or she is" , and not have to worry about whether this question is spoken over the telephone or displayed on a web page, or whether the user presses a telephone key, a radio-button on his or her screen, or speaks to answer.
Another feature of the rules would be to prompt for a new fact implicitly, simply by referencing it. For example, if the interaction is concerned with a topic for which the consumer's age is not relevant, no question about age should be asked. But if a rule is encountered which depends upon age, the Interaction Engine should be able to ask about age without the rules having to say so explicitly. Rules are specified using a specialized language. The Interaction Engine will parse this language and use the resulting parse-tree to determine, at each stage of the interaction, what needs to be done next. To do this, it will consult an in-memory database or "dictionary" of facts about the consumer that have been gathered thus far (see Run-Time Fact Dictionary below).
Run-Time Fact Dictionary. The rules concept discussed above makes reference to a number of facts about the consumer; these facts need to be learned and remembered as the interaction proceeds. HNI's current software product implements an object-oriented run-time dictionary that serves as a repository of facts. Each fact is represented as an object with unique properties, such as its data-type. In the future, HNI will add a large new class of capabilities to the fact objects: each fact will be able to prompt the user for their values in a variety of different ways. For instance, an object storing the user's name will be able to be told whether to use a text, audio, or HTML prompt, in English or Spanish, etc. The rules will issue these prompt-configuration instructions to the objects in the dictionary as the interaction proceeds.
Content Repository. In addition to prompts for new facts, the rules language will provide statements that trigger the generation of output. Both prompts and output will be constructed out of audio, textual, and graphical elements, or "chunks", stored in a relational database.
Consumer Encounter Repository. An important goal of the system is to support consumers over time as they solve personal problems, engage service providers, and work on long-term goals, and this obviously requires all the facts that are gathered about a person be available for use in subsequent interactions. For the most part, this data will be simple numeric, Boolean, or textual responses to the questions posed by the Interaction Engine, and should be easily stored in a relational database at the end of each session and retrieved at the beginning of the next one. The schema for this database will be designed to allow both consumers and advisory professionals to review the history of a consumer's interaction with the system. In addition, advisory professionals will be able to analyze the data for an entire population.


text:
Memories of the Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack Family by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack). ©
 My grandfather was Henry Cleveland Hack (P.E.R. Victor Elks #367, Eastern Star Worthy Patron, & 3rd Degree Mason). My grandmother was Ina Bell (Roundtree) Hack (Worthy Matron, Eastern Star; Gold Star Mother WWII).
When he was a young man in Kansas, Henry Hack worked at farming and as a fireman on the railroad. Ina was a "spoiled" little girl whose father was an engineer on the local railroad. The "Fireman" was working on the engine of the girl's father when he later met, wooed and married the engineer's "Spoiled Little Girl".
Henry and Ina were married in Columbus, Kansas in 1908. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1958 at a surprise party at the Old Village Inn in Colorado Springs with most of their children and family attending. Their marriage would last for 52 years.
Ina Bell Roundtree, 18 years old in 1906. Photo shared by Charles Spray.
Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack, Wedding Day 1908. Photo shared by Charles Spray.
Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack, Sr. 50th Wedding Anniversary, Jan 1958. Photo from Charles Spray.
The Hacks moved from Kansas to Springfield, Colorado in 1930 at the height of the depression. In 1933 they moved to Canon City, Colorado; and then to Victor in 1935 where they kept a home for the next 39 years.
Hack Family Background
Henry Cleveland Hack was born in 1888 in Cherryville, Kansas, and died in 1961. POPs, as he was affectionately known to family and friends, was of Cherokee Indian Descent. His mother Mary Bell (Rogers) Hack and Grandmother Sarah (Rogers) Combs, a Will Rogers cousin, were full blood Cherokee Indian. Sarah, as a young girl, walked the infamous "Trail of Tears" known among the Cherokee People as "The Trail Where We Cried". POP's father, Andrew David Hack, was of Dutch descent. That family traced back to Holland into the 1600's.
Ina Bell (Roundtree) Hack was born in 1888, and died in 1974. Her father, Robert Wicklef Roundtree, was born in early Kentucky of Mohawk Indian descent; he died in 1910. Her mother, Mary Jane Lockyear, was born in England in 1861, immigrated to America from England as a young girl, and died in 1953.
Hack Family Children
Ina and Henry Hack had 14 children. Two children died, one at birth and later a son (Norman) died in infancy. The remaining twelve children, eight boys and four girls, lived to maturity. [My sister (Cleon) and I also lived with our grandparents' family for many years.]
 The Hacks sent seven of their sons to serve in WWII. One son, Victor, was killed in the war. Ina received a kind letter from the Governor of Colorado honoring her and recognizing the family as having more sons in the service in WWII than any other family in Colorado. Three Hack sons-in-law also served in the war.
Newspaper Photos of the Seven Hack Sons Who Served Uncle Sam During WWII Are Shown Below.
Photos (some with captions) shared by their nephew, Charles Spray.
Kenneth N. Hack, the second son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hack to go into the service, was born in Canon City, July 30, 1921. He moved to Victor in 1936, where he finished school. He was employed at the Victor Bowling alley after school. At the age of seventeen he entered the U.S. Navy, in January 1939, and left for duty after that year. After taking his training in San Diego, Calif., he was assigned to duty on one of our largest battleships and is now seeing service somewhere in the Pacific. He is a gunner's mate 2/c.
Victor Hack, son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hack was one of the first Gold Stars on Teller County's Honor Roll. He died of a heart attack while participating in maneuvers in Louisiana, October 22, 1943. Born in Canon City, February 28, 1920, he came to Victor with his parents and attended high school there. He married Jennie Katzer, of Goldfield in 1940 and they have one son. Victor had entered the army on July 12, 1943, and was stationed at Baton Rouge, LA with the Air Force. He was a corporal.
Henry Hack, Jr., the son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hack, formerly of Victor, was born in Parsons, Kansas. He came to Victor with his family in 1936 and is a graduate of Victor high school. He was employed by the Victor Cash Market for three years, after which, in 1939, he became a member of the Victor police force, a position he held until Jan., 1942. He is now a machinist's mate 2/c, at the Optical Shop in Philadelphia.
Charles E. Hack, Mr. & Mrs. Hack's youngest son in the service, was born in Canon City, Nov 14, 1922. From 1936 on he lived in Victor, where he attended school and was graduated from Victor high school. He was employed at Barnett's Furniture store. Later he entered an aircraft mechanic's school in Denver, and after completing his course there, was employed as aircraft mechanic at Peterson Field. He left for the service in January, 1943, and is stationed at Texarkana, Tex., in the military police detachment. He is secretary to the provost marshal and is rated as a corporal.
Donald Hack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hack. Born November 8, 1908. Died October 11, 1984.
Clyde Hack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hack. Born August 8, 1918. Died September 4, 1996.
Lester Hack, son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hack, Sr.
The Hack Home at times looked like a small military base with all the coming and going. It seemed someone was always home on leave. One of the boys (my uncles) would always bring me a bit of military clothing. I looked like a walking surplus store.
Henry Hack (Pops) had a barber shop in Victor before and after the war. Later the slow economy in Victor prompted the Hacks to move to Dillon, Colorado in 1950. Pops opened a barber shop there and one up in the newly developing mining hamlet of Climax, Colorado. After a three year period, unhappy with the extreme cold and longer winters, they returned to their home in Victor and Pops opened up a barbershop in Cripple Creek.
Victor home of Ina & Henry Hack, Sr. on South Seventh Street where there was always plenty of good food and a place to sleep for family and visitors. Photo 2019 shared by Shirley Beach.
The Hack's continued to live in their Victor Home on South 7th street for the remaining years of their lives together. With one or more of their children or some of their fifty plus grandchildren always visiting during the summer months, the Hack Home would become known as the "Go-To-Place" on South 7th street. Ina said as a pampered child she couldn't boil water when she was first married. After raising such a big family, however, Ina became very much in demand for her culinary abilities at restaurants and various lodge banquets. At home, her table was loaded with delicious food that always seemed to be in the offering—no matter to whom or how many. Ina was in 7th heaven when she could cook for a crowd of hungry people sitting at her table. A bed could always be found at the Hack Home. All beds being occupied, the floor could be seen crowded with extra mattresses, sleeping bags, and heavy furniture moving pads ("can-do-beds" that took care of the demand for a place to sleep).
Ina & Henry Hack grave markers in Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs.
The Hack's continued to live in their Victor Home for the remaining years of their lives together. As they had for 52 years, Henry and Ina Hack now rest side by side in the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Last Hack Family Reunion in 1994 at the Garden of the Gods. Left to right: Phyllis, June, Ken, Mary, Clyde, Chub, Eunice, Helen. Absent: Vic, Don, Bob, Les. Photo from Charles Spray.
"Memories of the Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack Family" (submitted February 2020) by Charles (Chuck) Spray (AKA Jeep Hack). ©
Click below to view companion stories by Chuck Spray (AKA Jeep Hack):
Recollections of My Life in Victor, Colorado During the Depression, WWII and After.
Memories of Washington Elementary--My First School in Victor, Colorado.
Adventures at the Beaver Valley Ranch while Growing Up in Nearby Victor, Colorado.
Memorabilia from Cripple Creek & Victor High School Bands Directed by Ernest T. Sly.
The Lighter Side of a Visit to Hack's Victor Barbershop.
Memories of Margaret & Henry C. "June" Hack, Jr.
A Day in the Cresson Mine.
Firewood for Victor, Colorado.
Sports in Victor, Colorado & Memories of the 1949 Pikes Peak Junior High School Basketball tournament.
Winters in Victor, Colorado during the 1940's & early 50's.
Tragedies When I Was Growing Up In Victor, Colorado in the 1940's & 1950's.
To discover why Charles Norman Spray was also known as Jeep Hack by his family and friends while growing up in Victor, click this highlighted link to his "Recollections of Life in Victor During the Great Depression, World War II and After".
 Charles (Chuck) Spray included this preface titled " THE WHY OF IT " with his more personal memoirs submitted in December 2019. My daughter who was always telling me "Dad, write down some of the stories you are always telling me." But I'd continue to procrastinate. Finally, to appease her I started writing. The more I continued to write, the more that came to light. Sometimes I'd worry about how to start and just how or what I wanted to say. Then I'd remember what that renowned writer of western tales Louis L'Amour once said. "Don't wait for an idea. Don't wait. Just Write"! He also was to have said another verbal truth, "You have to turn on the faucet before the water starts to flow"! "Just Write".
Bear with me. I hope you have the time or inclination to put up with the ramblings and recollections of a world weary old man. Perhaps in the telling I've stirred up a few recollections you might have of your own life. Put them down. Don't wait. Write them down for your grandchildren and their grandchildren to follow. The children of today need to know that some things weren't always the way they are today--things that will never be in the history books nor be taught in the schools, things that made up your life. It's important they know of the world you knew, what took place before I-Pods, texting, and the abuse of one of man's greatest inventions, television.
Please forgive my grammar, spelling, punctuation and over-all abuse of the English language. The Cherokee people have no word in their language for goodbye, so I'll just say "Happy Trails" until we meet again.
Chuck Spray

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Global public relations firm, Finn Partners, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire LANE, a national independent PR firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The move is Finn Partners' first step in the Pacific Northwest and builds a greater footprint for its West Coast operations.
LANE, with offices in Portland and New York City and a presence in Seattle, is especially strong in financial services, consumer, travel and hospitality, food and beverage, and technology. Founded in 1990 by Wendy Lane Stevens, LANE has a staff of 27 who will become part of Finn Partners West, headed by Howard Solomon, managing partner, with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, and a combined team of nearly 90. LANE will maintain its office in Portland and will move its New York City team, headed by Amber Roberts, senior vice president, into the Finn Partners Midtown NY office before the end of September.
"I'm proud of the work LANE has done throughout the past 26 years and look forward to working with Finn Partners' global network, including their top notch digital and creative teams, to best serve our clients," Lane Stevens added.


Aggravated Assalut And Theft Charge?
You need to talk to a lawyer.
'Whoever Is In Charge Of That'?
Free/No Charge On Air Time?
Is It Incharge Or In-Charge?
And I Will Be In Charge Of Lockdown Tonight.?
Took Charge Of/Was In Charge Of Egypt?
Is In Charge Of//Is Responsible For 40 Staff?
The Charge Of The Light Brigade1?
The Charge Of The Light Brigade2?


text:
Vanderbilt University — Chief Business Officer (Office of the Provost, Graduate School, Office of Research)
Filed in Administrative on May 9, 2019
Chief Business Officer (Office of the Provost, Graduate School, Office of Research) – (1900729)
The Chief Business Officer (CBO) provides overall leadership and support of financial and administrative operations of the assigned Provost and Vice Provost (VP) areas, directly assisting and supporting operational leads and serving as a member of the Financial Operations and Planning Team, reporting to the Finance Director under the leadership and guidance of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance. The Chief Business Officer is responsible for the finance function including daily operations, developing monthly financial projections, and preparing annual and long-range operating and capital budgets. The Chief Business Officer interfaces with a wide constituency of partners across the institution in the financial management of and planning for the strategic use of funds. This individual leads a team of professional and administrative support staff and is responsible for developing goals, objectives, policies and procedures; supervising, coordinating, and evaluating activities; and performing personnel administration functions. This role must be responsive to the needs of the Vice Provosts and other leaders overseeing the assigned areas. Vanderbilt University and the Department of Financial Operations and Planning are committed to excellence and diversity. Members of underrepresented groups invited to apply.
Financial Operations and Planning provides leadership and support of the financial and business operations for the Vice Chancellors, Academic Deans, and Vice Provosts. This team is also responsible for developing annual and long-range operating and capital plans, performing financial analysis and financial modeling, generating management reports, and general project management for ad hoc strategic financial projects, consistent with a broad understanding of institutional mission and vision.
Serve as the primary business advisor to the Dean, Vice Provost or other leaders and the financial liaison for the assigned area to the Financial Operations and Planning team.
Develop annual and long-range capital/operating budgets, which adhere to the University and area priorities based on balanced assumptions.
Develop financial and operational models that respond to new circumstances and which allow for informed decision making and maximizes area and university resources.
Proactively assess the ongoing area activities to determine realistic financial projections compared to the annual budget and assess areas where additional resources could be invested or redirected toward uses more directly related to Vanderbilt's strategic initiatives.
Prepare and review monthly financial reports to identify trends and update expectations
Implement and facilitate strategic initiatives of the University and area.
Produce, organize, and present information to succinctly and effectively provide financial management information.
Interpret information provided by others and advise how the information or request aligns or differs with area and University strategies and financial plans.
Focus on attaining and sustaining long-term financial equilibrium and evaluate all proposals against this objective.
Review area resource portfolio and suggest prudent viable alternatives to achieve planned or desired outcomes.
Actively partner and closely collaborate with key constituents to leverage opportunities and goals.
Coordinate, review and submit annual salary increases for faculty and staff as assigned.
Internal Controls and Control Environment
Understand, educate, and enforce Vanderbilt University policies and procedures.
Develop, implement, and maintain departmental procedures, protocols and internal controls.
Advocate for best practices in management policies and responsible for implementing and maintaining effective internal controls (as guided by internal audit and leadership recommendations) for fiscal activities throughout the area.
Assist in cultivating a culture where faculty and staff throughout the university understand their individual fiduciary roles and responsibilities.
Exercise delegated authority with prudent assessment of individual transactions (as guided by internal policies), considering the impact financially and operationally, mindful of internal controls as defined by the university and the assigned areas.
Review and approve further delegated authority and responsibility throughout the area.
Design, establish and maintain an administrative organizational structure to effectively and efficiently accomplish area and university goals and objectives while segregating duties and mitigating risk.
Develop a productive and effective working relationship with leaders across the university by actively seeking out communication and collaboration opportunities. Promote a unified view of Vanderbilt University's interests and align departments to work toward common financial goals.
Continuously monitor and make recommendations to improve university wide processes.
Function as a technical expert within the area on budgetary, financial, accounting, operational, human resource, regulatory, and policy issues.
Update job and industry knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional journals and maintaining professional networks.
Advocate for change within assigned areas by assisting the university with the successful implementation of new financial and administrative procedures and systems. Serve as a major point of contact for problem resolution.
Represent assigned areas and Finance on various University committees, provide insightful and diplomatic feedback to the committee and communicate updates to the area and other constituents within the University, as appropriate.
Recruits, develops, and retains a talented and diverse team
Supervise, evaluate performance, and develop professional development plans for direct reports.
Profile of an Ideal Candidate
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education and 5 years of experience or the equivalent is necessary.
CPA and/or Master's degree in Business Administration or related discipline is preferred.
At least five years of financial operations is necessary.
Ability to effectively distill complex data to essential elements is necessary.
Attentive to detail while never losing sight of the high-level, strategic direction and impact is necessary.
Sensitivity to the complexities of a campus community is necessary.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills (e.g. honest, direct, and willing to discuss complex topics or provide difficult feedback) is necessary.
Ability to balance amongst numerous, different constituents and communicate with a wide range of audiences is necessary.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines is necessary.
Flexibility and able to deal with changes in approach and/or deliverables is necessary.
Ability to work independently while providing appropriate work status updates is necessary.
Ability to accept feedback as an opportunity for development, not as a criticism is necessary.
Demonstrated capacity to develop the talents and expertise of staff so that they are able to assume expanded responsibilities is necessary
Ability to recruit and retain well-qualified, high-performing professionals is necessary.
Ability to move the organization forward even in the face of ambiguity and complexity is necessary.
Ability to maintain a positive, problem-solving attitude in the face of adversity is necessary.
Demonstrated financial expertise; strong technical knowledge and skills; broad and thorough knowledge of GAAP, not-for-profit accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis; understanding of both federal and state statutes and regulations related to finances and accounting is preferred.
Skilled in Microsoft software and use of database is preferred.
Management/ supervisory experience is preferred.
Experience working in an academic setting is preferred.
Demonstrated reliability, creativity, and change-management skills are preferred.
Experience using Oracle ERP and HCM systems is preferred.
About Vanderbilt Benefits
Vanderbilt University offers a competitive, flexible benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, disability insurance, paid time off, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. Vanderbilt offers tuition assistance to employees, spouses, and dependent children.
About Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a top-15 private research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Vanderbilt is situated on a 330-acre campus near the thriving city center, serving more than 12,000 students and employing almost 7,000 faculty and staff. The university's students, staff, and faculty frequently cite Nashville and the surrounding area as one of the many perks of being a part of the Vanderbilt community. Vanderbilt University is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity is sought and celebrated. Vanderbilt was recently named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" and the top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area in 2018 (Forbes).
Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Vanderbilt University is committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff, and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our campus values.
Please apply online at https://vanderuniv.taleo.net/careersection/.vu_cs/jobdetail.ftl?job=1900729
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply
APPLY NOW: http://www.Click2Apply.net/7xr78t7g5tzbk58r
Related: CBO • Finance • Operations • Tennessee


text:
Q: Symfony: How to save each successful login to database table i am developing a symfony restful api with tools like
FosRestBundle, FosUserBundle and Lexik JWT for api authentication.
I need to save each successful login in my app. So i created a Login entity
(user_id,loginDate) , but i don't know how to use it because the login in handled from Lexik.
Does anyone know how can i do this?
Thanks

A: You can use security.interactive_login event for that. More information can be found from the official documentation:
https://symfony.com/doc/current/components/security/authentication.html#authentication-events
Create the listener and register it:
namespace App\EventListener;

use App\Component\EntityManagerAwareTrait;
use App\Entity\User;
use Doctrine\ORM\EntityManagerInterface;
use Symfony\Component\EventDispatcher\EventSubscriberInterface;
use Symfony\Component\Security\Http\Event\InteractiveLoginEvent;
use Symfony\Component\Security\Http\SecurityEvents;

/**
 * @package App\EventListener
 */
class SecuritySubscriber implements EventSubscriberInterface
{
    /**
     * @param EntityManagerInterface $em
     */
    public function __construct(EntityManagerInterface $em)
    {
        $this->em = $em;
    }

    /**
     * @return array
     */
    public static function getSubscribedEvents(): array
    {
        return [
            SecurityEvents::INTERACTIVE_LOGIN => 'onSecurityInteractiveLogin',
        ];
    }

    public function onSecurityInteractiveLogin(InteractiveLoginEvent $event): void
    {
        $user = $event->getAuthenticationToken()->getUser();
        if ($user instanceof User) {
            $user->setLoginDate(new \DateTime());

            $this->em->persist($user);
            $this->em->flush();
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Tebow cooks Gamecocks
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Tim Tebow accounted for all seven of Florida's touchdowns, a school record five rushing and two passing, as the Gators kept alive their hopes of making the SEC title game with a 51-31 victory over South Carolina on Saturday night.
Tebow was 22-for-32 for a career-best 304 yards and ran for 120 yards on 26 carries, accounting for more than three-quarters of the offense for the No. 17 Gators (7-3, 5-3).
No sophomore has won the Heisman Trophy, but Tebow is making quite a case by carrying the defending national champions.
With Florida's dual-threat receiver Percy Harvin out with sinus problems, Tebow took over, running things so efficiently the Gators didn't have a play lose yards until things were well in hand midway through the third quarter.
It was another terrible defensive outing for the Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5), who allowed 233 yards rushing and 537 yards total a week after giving up 651 yards, 542 of them on the ground, in a loss to Arkansas.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier drops to 1-2 against Florida, the team he won a Heisman Trophy and coached to a national championship. It also is the first time a team has scored more than 50 on a Spurrier team since Florida's 62-24 loss to Nebraska in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.
Spurrier has lost four in a row for only the second time in his college coaching career and finishes with a losing SEC record for a second straight season - two things that never happened with the Gators.
The win keeps Florida in the hunt for the SEC title game. The Gators league schedule is done, making them big fans of Kentucky and Vanderbilt. They need the Wildcats to beat Georgia and they need Tennessee to lose to either the Wildcats or the Commodores to have a shot at playing LSU for the conference title Dec. 1.
The tone was set on the first play from scrimmage, when South Carolina lost the ball on a bad snap and the Gators scored on 5-yard run by Tebow moments later. The Gamecocks did take a 14-13 lead late in the first quarter after stopping Florida for no gain on a fourth-and-one and recovering a fumble.
Then Tebow took over either running or throwing the ball on 14 of Florida's next 16 plays, including scoring runs of 1 and 3 yards, to put the Gators back up 27-14.
Tebow also added touchdown runs of 2 and 5 yards in the second half, and threw a 22-yard score to Jarred Fayson in the second quarter.
The records keep piling up for Tebow. He now has 19 rushing touchdowns for the season, tying four others for the SEC record. He also has shattered the school-record of 14 running TDs held by Emmitt Smith in 1989 and Buford Long in 1952.
The sophomore has 42 total TDs running and passing, breaking fellow Florida QB Danny Wuerffel's SEC record of 41 set in 1996.
Andre Caldwell caught 11 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown with less than two minutes to go, while Brandon James ran for 49 yards for the Gators. John Curtis blocked a punt that led to Florida's second touchdown
Blake Mitchell was 26-of-42 for 316 yards. He has thrown for at least 290 yards in South Carolina's last three games, all losses.
With six wins, South Carolina is no lock for a bowl. The SEC has 10 teams bowl eligible and Vanderbilt just a win away with only eight bowl spots guaranteed. The Gamecocks end the season in two weeks against archrival No. 20 Clemson. Spurrier hasn't missed a bowl since his first Florida team was on probation in 1990 and hasn't had a non-winning season in college since going 5-6 his first year at Duke in 1987.


If you provide free heat, how high must your thermostat go to? I have heard 68 degrees. Can anyone confirm? I have my thermostats set so they do not go past a certain high setting.
The site does not want to let me add the link. It's under 144.04 2b at the site below.


Despite the arch-Brexiter and billionaire inventor's money, writer Otto English wanted to know who is paying for Sir James Dyson's water reservoir on one of his farms. How is it funded?
... Otto finally received an answer last Friday from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) — an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) whose Secretary of State is Senior Brexiter Michael Gove.
In their answer, the RPA confirmed that the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) grant scheme is indeed funded by the European Union.
These figures (over £4 million in a two-year period) are freely available online — without any FOI request — because EU Member States are required to publish details of recipients of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidy payments on a single national website.
In a letter published by The Spectator in January 2018, James Dyson tried to argue that big farming businesses like his should continue to receive such subsidies because it was good for consumers, for jobs and the countryside, and that subsidies should not be something reserved to small farms only.
Maybe the answer can be found in a piece published by the Daily Mail in January 2019, in which Guy Adams explains that thanks to EU funds, Dyson is believed to be England's biggest private landowner and, most importantly, exempt from inheritance tax because of his ownership of a farming firm.
According to the HM Revenue & Customs guidance, indeed "Agriculture Relief is due a 100%" to anyone who owns land and farms it.
So, does this demonstrate that Dyson is taking advantage of legal loopholes to both receive subsidies from the EU and avoid paying UK tax?
Ross Clark in the Sun tried to come to James Dyson's defence last January by praising him for his business and literally calling him some sort of a hero who we should acknowledge and be grateful to have to protect so many jobs and paying so much tax.
Then, trying to make the case to support the good Dyson against the evil EU, Ross Clark found some fine arguments against the European Union based on facts which he ended up agreeing have absolutely nothing to do with the EU, and everything to do with the way the Home Office works (or doesn't rather) instead!
What Billionaire Brexiter Sir James Dyson, his farm and his Singapore move actually demonstrate is the absolute hypocrisy typical of prominent Brexiters since the 2016 referendum. After having taken full advantages of the benefits that the EU membership brought to Britain, they first screwed the country, then took their assets away, or helped others to do so.
- In 2019, Dyson announced it was moving its headquarters to Singapore, from Malmesbury in Wiltshire.
"Taking back control," they said... Remember?


Open 60 sailor Jérémie Beyou joins an exclusive group of French sailors in winning the event three times.
Jérémie Beyou, 38, has won the 2014 Solitaire du Figaro ocean race, finishing in Cherbourg, France, on July 2.
Aboard his IMOCA Open 60 Class boat Maître Coq , Beyou crossed the finish of the fourth and final stage of Solitaire du Figaro to win the leg from Les Sables d'Olonne and also secure his third overall victory over his 14 participations. It is Beyou's seventh leg victory and he won the race overall by an accumulated margin of 17 minutes and 56 seconds over Corentin Horeau (Bretagne Credit Mutuel Performance) and 25 minutes and 47 seconds over Charlie D alin (Normandy Elite Team).
Beyou's victory aboard Maître Coq was won by an accumulated margin of 17 minutes and 56 seconds.
Beyou finished after three successive third places into Plymouth, Roscoff and Les Sables d'Olonne. Beyou joins an exclusive group of three French skippers to have won the race three times: Philippe Poupon, Jean Le Cam, and Michel Desjoyeaux triumphing over a race course which in the end totaled about 1,970 miles.
Beyou is now looking forward to the Vendée Globe solo, around the world, non-stop ocean race in 2016.


2. When paying taxes through PayPal, go to PayPal at http://www.paypal.com and use your account or create a new one and pay your taxes (the correct sum according to this table below) to funding@novaroma.org.
If or when these problems are solved, it will be announced publicly.
In accordance with the senatus consultum on tax rates, I hereby announce the taxation rate for Nova Roma for 2764 AUC.
Tier 1 - Citizens holding NO office (but can be members of Sodalitas) - 1/3000 per capita income (PCA) of the macronational country represented by the province or group of provinciae, but not less than the equivalent of US$5.00.
Senators shall pay the equivalent of US$25.00 regardless of any other offices or magistracies they may hold.
Taxes for Tiers 1 and 2 must be paid in full by Ides of Iunius.
For Tier 3 - the stated due date is by the Ides of June. But a payment plan maybe set up by the Consular Quaestors to divide the payment into 2 parts (ONLY) at 50% each part. Payment plan and the first payment must be received AND APPROVED by the consuls on or before the Ides of Iunius; the consuls shall notify the CFO immediately upon approval of any such payment plan(s). Payment in full must be made Ides of Septembris.
Senators must pay in full no later than the Ides of Iunius.
This page was last modified on 30 August 2011, at 21:28.


The last reunion of The Oakland Alumni Assoc. was held on August 10th, 2002 at Messalonskee High School. Enjoying the social hour and buffet lunch were 196 alumni and guests.
The luncheon was catered by alumna Helen Bridges. Peter Bastow '54 was the emcee, and Blaine Ellis `55, conducted the business meeting. Rev. John Fenelson '57 gave the blessing. Frances Doyon '55 the Welcome, and Richard Bastow '52 the Response. Betty Pellerin, Madeline Boudreau, and Linda Grady, all members of the class of 1954 were hostesses. Dwight Taylor class of 1929 was the oldest alumnus present, and Melinda Grady Gallagher, class of 1987 was the youngest.
The largest class represented was 1952 with 17 attending, observing its 50th anniversary. Former teachers in attendance were Arthur Clark and Helen Gallagher.
Past officers present were Alfred Wheeler, President 11 times (he and his wife Barbara, were the oldest alumni couple): Julia Brown, Secretary 11 times: and Hilda Bickford, President five times, Secretary two times.
The third annual Eagle Award was presented to Harland "Hardy" Taylor, for his many years of community service with the Oakland Fire and Rescue.
The OAA yearbook project sponsored by the class of 1954 is nearly completed. Fifty years, 1920-1970, of the Ripple yearbooks will be housed at the Oakland Public Library.
The Victory Bell relocation project on the grounds of Messalonskee High School is being spearheaded by Gwen Bacon of MHS. This bell was purchased and removed from the old Oakland High School building in 1974 and presented to MHS by the OAA.
Officers elected for the coming year are: Blaine Ellis, president; Frances Doyon, vice president; Alan Charles, secretary; and Dan Grady, treasurer.
Bert Marston and his family gave the annual Barbara T. Marston door prize of $100, which was awarded to Janet Coughlin, who then returned the gift to the OAA treasury.


위해 필요한과정을 의미한다. 교사들이 명제적인 지식의 습득에만 그치지않고 교실이라는 상황과 연결하여 실제 교수 과정에 적응할 수 있는 사례 지식과 절차 지식을 습득할 수 있도록 교사 양성 교육과정이 구성되어야한다.
in Early Childhood Education for teachers of young children, organized ratio like Liberal Arts 20%, majors 60%, teaching courses 20%, expanding practice subjects credit, building strict management system, and configurations of standard teacher training courses, overview and syllabus of the standard curriculum.
knowledge and the value of mathematics in society. In order to help kindergarten teachers to have a positive attitude to mathematics and foster their mathematics teaching efficacy, the kind of programs and teacher education that are designed to improve pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics should be provided.


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Nov. 11, 2014 -- Quantum Corp. (NYSE: QTM) has extended its line of high-performance StorNext Pro(TM) Solutions with the introduction of StorNext Pro Foundation, a low-cost, integrated shared storage system designed specifically for smaller workgroups. Built on proven StorNext 5 collaboration and workflow software, StorNext Pro Foundation brings the capabilities of Quantum's award-winning StorNext Pro Solutions to a new audience of media professionals in post and broadcast as well as those managing corporate and government video.
* Ready to deploy within new or existing networks, StorNext Pro Foundation gives smaller production workgroups a high-performance, attractively priced solution for managing content from ingest to delivery to archive.
* The underlying StorNext 5 platform enables extreme versatility to ensure that, as customers' workflows evolve, the solution will provide the power to meet their needs for content ingest from multiple sources, collaborative content creation, on-time delivery in any format and content preservation for future monetization.
* StorNext Pro Foundation provides full Xsan compatibility, enabling smaller workgroups -- such as ad agencies, corporate video production departments and houses of worship that create significant amounts of video -- to refresh or upgrade their Xsan storage environments.
* Current StorNext(R) users can also leverage StorNext Pro Foundation to add smaller workgroups for graphics, rendering and EFX.
* StorNext Pro Foundation comes in either 48TB or 96TB configurations, which respectively support five and seven simultaneous Xsan/Windows/Linux SAN clients, including two Windows/Linux SAN clients as core system components.
* Either configuration can support up to four file systems (volumes) comprising 100 million files.
* The 48TB configuration is upgradable to 96TB.
* Customers have the option of purchasing a StorNext AEL500 tape archive with either the 48TB or the 96TB configuration.
* StorNext Pro Foundation includes one year of Quantum support with 30-minute phone response.
StorNext Pro Foundation is immediately available through select resellers.
"StorNext Pro Foundation is a great solution for smaller workgroups. It delivers the power of Quantum's StorNext 5 software in a complete and Xsan-compatible system designed specifically for small workgroups, providing optimized performance, reliability and service."
"Like those in larger organizations, media professionals in smaller workgroups need a high-performance storage platform that enables them to create, share and fully leverage their content, but one that is tailored to them. That's why we developed StorNext Pro Foundation -- these workgroups can now benefit from the same award-winning technology used by top media companies worldwide to meet their operational and business needs."
Quantum, the Quantum logo, Be Certain, StorNext and StorNext Pro are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Quantum Corporation and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
"Safe Harbor" Statement: This press release contains "forward-looking" statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Specifically, but without limitation, statements relating to 1) benefits and value to customers from using StorNext Pro Solutions, including StorNext Pro Foundation and StorNext 5 software and 2) customer demand for and Quantum's future revenue from such solutions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Quantum on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Quantum's actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. More detailed information about these risk factors are set forth in Quantum's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Risk Factors," in Quantum's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2014 and in Quantum's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2014, especially those risks listed in this section under the headings "Our operating results depend on a limited number of products and on new product introductions, which may not be successful, in which case our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected." Quantum expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Quantum Corp. announced that StorNext Pro Foundation, its new low-cost, integrated shared storage system for smaller workgroups, is now available in Europe.


As the name suggests, in | da | cottage, an antique emporium in Suffolk, began in, well, a cottage. Yes, back in 2011 antique dealer Richard Atkinson and designer Rob Wyn Gates began the store in a small Suffolk cottage, where, for a few weeks a year, the usual contents of the house was replaced with a cornucopia of precious objects that the pair had collected over the years. Now, because those few weeks were just not enough for their avid followers, they relocated to an old barn-slash-former fire station in the nearby village of Framlington.
Large brass floor lamp with three moveable arms and cowls.
All product descriptions note any damage to the pieces in question if this is an antique, which is due to the nature of their age. If you would like further details or imagery please call customer services on +44 (0)207 434 0042 or email 10Curates@10magazine.com.
On placing an order you will receive an estimated delivery date. For further details or delivery costs outside the UK please call customer services on +44 (0)20 7434 0042 or email 10Curates@10magazine.com.


Dirt bike riding is a popular, exhilarating activity, and many Missourians own street-legal dirt bikes of various types. However, something that's supposed to be fun can quickly turn into a nightmare when another driver is negligent. Whether you ride along a road or off-road, dirt bike collisions can occur. Many types of negligence committed by another party may cause a dirt bike crash, and when negligence is involved, an experienced Missouri motorcycle accident attorney can help injured dirt bike riders of all ages seek the compensation they deserve.
Dirt bike crashes frequently cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Both of these injury types impose a high rate of death or permanent disability. They are among the most expensive types of injuries to treat and often require the longest hospital stays, as well as months or even years of rehabilitation and therapy once the injured person is out of the hospital. Loss of motor skills, difficulty with concentration or communication, memory loss, and other life-long disabilities are common results of severe brain or spinal cord injuries.
burn injuries, if a crashed dirt bike catches fire.
As is the case for other types of vehicles, a driver of a dirt bike may be involved in a collision. Collisions might involve a motor vehicle like a car or truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or pedestrian, or an unexpected obstacle like an animal or fence. And, like a car or truck accident, a dirt bike collision may be caused by the negligence of another person, even if the dirt bike rider is driving carefully.
Dirt bikes must meet many strict safety regulations in order to be sold legally in the United States. Once a dirt bike is sold, it needs regular maintenance and repairs by someone who knows how to safely take care of and fix dirt bikes.
A dirt bike that is sold with a defect can cause a serious injury. The defect might cause a crash, or it might injure the driver in some other way. For instance, a dirt bike with a defective fuel system might leak fuel or oil in a way that catches fire while the bike is running, injuring anyone riding it. Even if a bike is sold without any defects, botched maintenance or repair work might cause a problem that leads to injury. In both situations, the dirt bike's manufacturer, designer, or the person responsible for repairs and maintenance may be responsible for any injuries caused by their negligence.
All public roads and some bike trails must be maintained so as to be "reasonably safe" for those who might use them, including dirt bike riders. Many types of defects can make a road or trail unsafe for those on a dirt bike. Potholes, cracks, and wash-outs can all cause gaps or holes that can easily flip a dirt bike. Blind curves or vegetation that blocks the view at a curve or intersection can cause a crash if a dirt bike rider cannot see what's coming next. Defective or missing guardrails, signs, and signals can also cause serious harm.
Our experienced St. Louis dirt bike accident lawyers can help dirt bike riders of all ages seek the compensation they need after a collision. For a free and confidential consultation, contact us today by calling (314) 322-8515. We will protect your rights and ensure that negligent parties are held legally accountable.


Plastic mat to protect sink surface and cutlery, size 33cm x 26cm which can be cut to size.
This durable plastic Camp 4 Cutlery Tray 6 Compartment is ideal to put in your caravan or motorhome kitchen drawer to keep your cutlery organised. Dimensions: 33 x 25 x 4.5cm. (cutlery not included).


I have been smitten. And just what is it that a smite does to a person? One meaning is that you are strongly attracted to another person. You know, when you are boxing and you receive a knockout punch but you don't go down and you are left defenseless. That's what a smite does to a person.
Is the drama to see who the smiter and the smitten are? A black and white picture has a huge gray area. With color, the same picture has the bright heavens and the dark earth at the extremes, and the colorful actions are happening in the great space between the extremes.
I'm smitten by the greatness and the plenty found between the extremes. Between birth and death, extreme joy and dreadful sorrow, opportunity and timing, and perfect surety and total ignorance.
Is everything ready and waiting but I'm paying too much attention to the extremes or have I lost my way or I don't know where to start or am I afraid to start?
This entry was posted in adventure, discovery, living life and tagged attraction, boxing, drama, extremes, ignorance, opportunity, sureness, timing by littleboone. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Social Media Giant Files Plans to Spend $16 Billion This Year on Infrastructure
Social media giant Facebook is adding to its data center campus in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of plans to spend about $16 billion this year building out its infrastructure around the globe.
The Menlo Park, California-based social media behemoth opened the multibuilding, 1.5 million-square-foot data center campus in Fort Worth more than three years ago. Now Facebook is adding $6 million of utilities and underground space totaling 277,513 square feet, according to a state permit.
Facebook is also building an $800 million, nearly 1 million-square-foot data center in a Nashville suburb that should be up and running in 2023, and is expanding its data center east of Atlanta where it will eventually have 2.5 million square feet as part of a $1 billion investment. In total, Facebook has 13 data centers in the United States and 17 across the globe either built or underway, according to the company's website.
Facebook trimmed its budget for data center construction this year to $16 billion from a previous range of $17 billion to $19 billion after having to stop construction in some places because of the pandemic, according to earnings statements. All of Facebook's data centers use 100% renewable energy.
Construction on the expansion in Fort Worth is expected to begin in November, and be finished by the end of September 2022, according to the state permit. Facebook did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Facebook's Fort Worth data center campus at AllianceTexas, a 26,000-acre master-planned, mixed-use community, is the largest data center in Texas, said Curt Holcomb, an executive vice president in JLL's Dallas office and a co-leader of the brokerage firm's data center solutions group.
"It's the biggest data center I've seen in my career," Holcomb said in an interview. "They have a lot of good infrastructure, power, water and fiber at AllianceTexas, which is a big reason why they ended up there. Dallas-Fort Worth is also one of the major data center markets, not only in the United States, but in the world."
Facebook isn't the only hyperscale data center user betting on the Dallas-Fort Worth region, with Google building a big data center campus near Dallas, which is being developed as part of the search engine's larger $13 billion national expansion.
Facebook's continued data center expansion in the North Texas region could inspire other hyperscale users or other data center tenants to follow suite, Holcomb said.
"They obviously know what they are doing," he added. "This could be trendsetting."
By Candice Carlislem, CoStar News
DFW Dominating The U.S. Net Lease Transaction Market
Seattle apartment rents up 8% yearly, but increases appear set to slow


text:
/*!
 * Copyright (c) 2017 by Contributors
 * \file storage_test.cc
 * \brief cpu/gpu storage tests
*/
#include <gtest/gtest.h>
#include <dmlc/logging.h>
#include <mxnet/storage.h>
#include <cstdio>
#include "test_util.h"

TEST(Storage, Basic_CPU) {
  constexpr size_t kSize = 1024;
  auto&& storage = mxnet::Storage::Get();
  mxnet::Context context_cpu{};
  auto&& handle = storage->Alloc(kSize, context_cpu);
  EXPECT_EQ(handle.ctx, context_cpu);
  EXPECT_EQ(handle.size, kSize);
  storage->Free(handle);
  handle = storage->Alloc(kSize, context_cpu);
  EXPECT_EQ(handle.ctx, context_cpu);
  EXPECT_EQ(handle.size, kSize);
  storage->Free(handle);
}

#if MXNET_USE_CUDA
TEST(Storage, Basic_GPU) {
  if (mxnet::test::unitTestsWithCuda) {
    constexpr size_t kSize = 1024;
    mxnet::Context context_gpu = mxnet::Context::GPU(0);
    auto &&storage = mxnet::Storage::Get();
    auto &&handle = storage->Alloc(kSize, context_gpu);
    assert(handle.ctx == context_gpu);
    assert(handle.size == kSize);
    auto ptr = handle.dptr;
    storage->Free(handle);
    handle = storage->Alloc(kSize, context_gpu);
    EXPECT_EQ(handle.ctx, context_gpu);
    EXPECT_EQ(handle.size, kSize);
    EXPECT_EQ(handle.dptr, ptr);
    storage->Free(handle);
  }
}
#endif  // MXNET_USE_CUDA

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Rachel StockmanJun 17th, 2016, 6:20 pm
Rachel Stockman - President / On Air Host
Rachel Stockman is President of Law&Crime which includes Law&Crime Productions, Law&Crime Network and LawAndCrime.com. Under her watch, the company has grown from just a handful of people to a robust production company and network producing dozens of true crime shows a year in partnership with major networks. She also currently serves as Executive Producer of Court Cam, a hit show on A&E, and I Survived a Crime, a new crime show premiering on A&E this fall. She also oversees production of a new daily syndicated show Law&Crime Daily, which is produced in conjunction with Litton Entertainment. In addition to these shows, her network and production company produce programs for Facebook Watch, Cineflix and others. She has spent years covering courts and legal issues, and was named Atlanta Press Club's 'Rising Star' in 2014. Rachel graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and Yale Law School.
More Stories by Rachel Stockman


Gets or sets a value that specifies how the column chooser displays columns. This is a dependency property.
Any of the ColumnChooserColumnDisplayMode enumeration values.
Set the ColumnChooserColumnDisplayMode property to ColumnChooserColumnDisplayMode.ShowAllColumns to make the column chooser display all the available columns in a checked list. End-users can select the columns to display within the GridControl by checking them.
Set the ColumnChooserColumnDisplayMode property to ColumnChooserColumnDisplayMode.ShowHiddenColumnsOnly to make the column chooser display only the hidden columns. End-users can drag and drop the selected columns to the GridControl and back to the column chooser to display or hide them.


World leaders have been scrambling this week, nervous about the rising volatility of Ukraine's political landscape, which appears to be careening the nation toward war with Russia, a development that would almost certainly implicate U.S. and international involvement. Any meaningful evaluation of potential outcomes that could ensue, and in turn the complex implications of those outcomes, first requires an understanding of the conflict's root causes.
While tensions in Ukraine have become increasingly intense in the past few days, one thing remains constant: The conflict arising in Ukraine today stems from the Ukrainian president's rejection of a single economic deal with the European Union regarding an association agreement. Ironically, the interests driving this proposed agreement were quite straightforward. The EU sought more Eastern European economies to enter into their trade agreements, while Ukrainians yearned for further involvement with Western Europe's more modern and productive economies. Unfortunately, even a textbook case of "win-win" economic reform was still not strong enough to withstand the highly fractured nature of Ukraine's political alliances in this case.
When the deal was being considered late last year, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych began to capriciously voice doubts in the final stages about signing the EU's proposed association agreement. For Ukrainians, their president's waffling was a clear signal that he was caving to pressure from President Vladimir Putin of Russia to reject the EU's proposed deal. A few days later, President Yanukovych outright rejected the EU proposal, accepting a new deal from Russia in the form of $15 billion in aid and other economic benefits.
President Yanukovych's retreat beneath the wings of Russia immediately incited the ire of many Ukrainians. For years, Ukrainians have sought economic reform that would bring the country's economy in line with the economies of more prosperous Western countries. President Yanukovych's rejection of the EU proposal not only ignored the views of a majority of Ukrainians but signaled the government's strengthened alignment with Russia. These factors spawned a serious uproar among the Ukrainian people in which they condemned their government's corruption and denounced the legitimacy of their president's patriotism.
Within hours of the EU proposal's rejection, thousands of protesters stormed the streets of Kiev (the capital of Ukraine) to renew their cry for economic reform and voice their opposition to the president's decision, calling for his immediate resignation.
In response to the protesters (opposition), the Ukrainian government began to carry out aggressive action. Riot police, armed guards, and military personnel quickly descended on protest sites throughout Ukraine in order to shut down the opposition. Tensions between the two groups quickly escalated, with YouTube videos showing protesters throwing Molotov cocktails at riot police and armed guards tormenting opposition prisoners.
These protests have persisted and slowly escalated over the past two months. Throughout, the United States and the European Union have offered new deals for the Ukrainian government to enter into, providing its government with several "last chances" to come around and respect the decisions of its mobilized public.
In mid-February, the death toll from the protests in Kiev rose sharply into the hundreds. Talks of a resolution between opposition leaders and President Viktor Yanukovych appeared less and less likely. On Feb. 21, protesters overtook the capital and the president's residence. President Viktor Yanukovych quickly fled to Russia, fearing for his life, while also facing charges from the opposition for the killing of protesters. His residence can only be described as characterized by outrageous opulence, a symbol of the political corruption within the nation.
President Yanukovych's retreat essentially rattled the cage of the bear, waking Russia up to the fact that their political influence over Ukraine was dwindling. Russia, however, has viewed the protests as an illegitimate threat to the Ukrainian president's power that must be quashed. Russia has a significant interest in helping President Viktor Yanukovych stay in power, and in curbing any sort of democratic political reform that would align Ukraine more with Europe and less with Russia. Simply put, Russia will not allow itself to lose its once-satellite state so quickly.
Why would Russia care about Ukraine or its economic deals? For one, Russia had (and continues to have) legitimate fears about the economic blowback it would endure if Ukraine signed an association agreement with the EU. This kind of agreement would translate to a massive influx of high-quality, low-priced European products into Ukraine. Some of these products would inevitably end up in Russia and would not be subject to tariffs due to Ukraine and Russia's free-trade agreements.
In addition, the Cold War may be over, but Russian sentiments regarding its regional supremacy very much live on. With the recent Sochi Olympics, and this year's G8 Summit also slated to take place in Sochi, Russia was poised for a steady stream of positive publicity on the global stage. An economic deal between the EU and Ukraine would severely undercut the image of Russia as a formidable world power (at least in Putin's view).
After the opposition had completely taken control of Kiev, sending its president running to Russia for cover, unmarked guards began appearing on the Ukrainian-Russian border. Russian President Vladimir Putin also called for a military drill involving over 100,000 troops, many of whom were situated by the Ukrainian border. President Putin's deliberate show of force sent the message that Russia was prepared to go to war with Ukraine.
Following the initial movements of Russian aggression, the unmarked soldiers quickly began to enter the Ukrainian province of Crimea. Crimea is an autonomous republic within Ukraine that contains a large Russophone population and generally identifies more closely with Russia. Crimea is roughly the size of Massachusetts and is also the location of several strong naval bases for Russia.
Russia has now gained full control of the Crimean province and is continuing to maintain a militaristic occupation of Ukraine's military installations in the area, arguing that they are protecting their own interests within the region from the political instability of the nation. President Putin has also received parliamentary approval to send more troops toward Ukraine, a development that has sent waves of panic throughout the global community. The possible Russian annexation of Crimea has moved Russian and Ukrainian forces closer and closer to violent conflict.
Last Thursday United States President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a 90-minute phone call in which they tried to halt the mounting tensions between Russia, Ukraine and other world leaders. The conversation didn't get very far. According to a statement made by the Kremlin regarding the phone conversation, Russia remains firm in its position that it will protect its interests in Ukraine, specifically in the Crimean province.
The conflict within Ukraine has created a political schism, where some of the eastern parts of Ukraine have come out as sympathetic to the Russians and against reform. Clashes have begun to ensue across the country between them and the opposition forces that now control the country.
The United States and most of the EU have threatened economic sanctions against Russia as well as voting to kick them out of the G8 if they do not withdraw their troops from Ukraine.
However, strict economic sanctions against Russia could actually end up hurting Germany and Italy more than Russia due to the inevitable oil scarcity and increased prices that would follow from such sanctions. Russia provides oil for a large portion of Europe, oil that just so happens to travel through Ukraine. A conflict or any further escalation would almost certainly implicate a rapid rise in prices within the EU. In addition, Russia may have a less difficult time bouncing back from sanctions. China, a close neighbor, politically and geographically, could potentially be able to fulfill some of its economic needs.
Russian military aggression has also been seen as the reason behind a massive drop in Russian stocks and the Russian ruble. The market has decided the recent Russian aggression is an egregious decision, and the economic status of Russia will continue to plummet with the continuation of their provocations.
The situation is dangerously unstable and has the potential to reach a global scale very quickly. President Obama has sternly repeated his administration's stance that Ukraine should begin to set up a new government and prepare for elections this spring, while admonishing Russia and urging it to stay out of Ukraine. He recently condemned the moves by Russia, labeling them as a "clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russia's obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine." EU leaders met Thursday morning to discuss possible sanctions, asset freezes, and an arms embargo. Aiming to stabilize Ukraine's finances and economy, they are finalizing a $15-billion aid package for Ukraine.
The Kremlin released a statement deeming President Viktor Yanukovych the legitimate leader of Ukraine, and asserting that an invasion would not be breaking international law because they have permission from the president.
Between the domestic disputes between Russian sympathizers and Ukrainian patriots and the international pressures around the Russian invasion and all the societal and economic consequences that follow, there is a lot that could change in the next few days, even the next few hours. For live updates, I encourage you to follow this Reddit Live page, bringing the breaking news from on the ground.


text:
1. Bharathapuzha River 2. Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary 3. Keraladeshpuram Temple 4. Valiya Juma Masjid 5. Nilambur Teak Museum 6. Kottakkunnu All Tourist Places
3.6 /5 52 votes
37 out of 47 Places to visit in Kerala
Get Customized Packages View Malappuram Hotels
Best Time: Jul-Mar Read More
Ideal duration: 1 day
Nearest Airport: Calicut Check Flights
"The Land on the Hilltop"
Malappuram Tourism
Enclosed by the Nilgiris in the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, Malappuram is a prominent district in Kerala which is commonly known as "the land on the hilltop."
With ancient monuments, natural spectacles, and the meandering rivers, Malappuram is a blend of history and heritage. Home to the Zamorins of Kozhikode and legendary poets, writers and artists; the culture and traditions of this region are unmatched. It is an important religious centre for Hindus and Muslims as well.
On your visit to Malappuram, make sure to experience the Thirumandham Kunnu Pooram festival, which is a cultural feat and attended by countless devotees around Kerala. With historical monuments, natural wonders, aesthetic art forms and traditional cuisine, Malappuram is replete with all that a traveller could wish for.
Download Malappuram PDF Guide
Places to Visit In Malappuram
Bharathapuzha River
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Keraladeshpuram Temple
Valiya Juma Masjid
Nilambur Teak Museum
Kottakkunnu
View All Places To Visit In Malappuram
More on Malappuram
Came into existence in 1969, Malappuram is the land of terraced hilltops and natural beauty. It used to be military headquarters during the reign of the British Crown. This impeccable landscape holds valuable prehistoric relics (like the rock-cut caves, menhirs and dolmens which links to Jain-Buddhist existence) and archaeological relics of the fortified palace Kizhakke Kovilakam. These relics contributes in highlighting the life of hegemony of Zamorins or Samuthiri in Malappuram. Though there is a lack of information on the history, iron stylus and old temples support in throwing light to the past. There are pieces of evidence that portray Malappuram to be a part of Chera empire during the Sangam period. It was even land where Portuguese, French and British established their supremacy. Being the birthplace of the Father of the modern Malayalam language, Thunchath Ezuthachan, this place has taken part in most of the Indian independence movement like having delegated to the Indian National Congress, participating in the Quit India Movement and then the formation of Kerala Muslim League.
Being the birthplace of the Father of the modern Malayalam language, Thunchath Ezuthachan, Malappuram is profoundly influenced by his literary works. With the highest population of Muslims, the formation of Kerala Muslim League has supported and embraced the inhabitants socially and culturally. In addition to that, Malappuram is also the soccer capital of Kerala. Even before getting independence, this district has been politically and socially active. With the colonial history of the establishment of the supremacy of British, French and Portuguese, Malappuram had a more significant cause in contributing to the Indian Independence Movement. Moreover, they have been preserving their relics, traditions and customs for years.
South India's natural paradise
Malappuram' literally means a land atop hills. Malappuram is bounded by the Nilgiri Hills on the east, the Arabian Sea on the west, and Thrissur and Palakkad districts on the south. The town has many beaches, backwaters, hills and valleys. That is why it is also called "South India's Paradise".
Restaurants and Local Food in Malappuram
Malappuram cuisine is also known as Mappila cuisine and has significant Arab as well as Muslim influences from the large number of Muslim Keralites that reside here. These influences blend with the elements of a typical Keralan cuisine to give your taste buds a truly unique experience. Though both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is available, the area is rich in non-vegetarian delicacies of mutton, pork and beef.
Popular items here include Biryani, prepared with mutton, chicken. pork etc, Erachi(meat) Puttu and Parottas.One can also try Pathiris,which is a bread prepared with rice.
View Top Restaurants in Malappuram
Day 1- Arrive, check-in and rest. Then visit Mini Ooty View Point, Kadampuzha Bhagvati Temple and Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagwati Temple.
Day 2- Begin the day at Nilambur Teak Museum, kottakkunnu and Kumaragiri Farm and Nature Camp.
Best Time to Visit Malappuram
Commuting within Malappuram
Related Posts about Malappuram
View All Posts About Malappuram
Malappuram Photos
Scenic beauty with great views of the hills and valleys. The temples and mosques here are renowned for their extravagant festivals.
Summers can be harsh. Communicating with the locals can be a problem as not many of them speak English.
Nature lovers, pilgrims and architecture buffs can find Malappuram a great vacation spot. It is also a popular getaway for the people living in and around Kerala.
Top Hotels In Malappuram
OYO 22281 Reem Residency
Grace Residency
Malappuram Inn
Structural Homes
Chengara Heritage
View All Hotels In Malappuram
How To Reach Malappuram
Malappuram is a town that can be easily reached by road and rail networks in and around Kerala.
Q. Route map for bike ride from Malappuram, Kerala to Bangalore
Hashil DQ 1 year ago
Distance, stay,route
View All Questions About Malappuram
Malappuram Reviews
Abdulla Puzhakathodi 1 year ago
Near by my home...We frequently visit the place. Nice place to visit for relaxation.
Ranjith RanX 1 year ago
Vry beautiful...... Must visit Koottakadav, near Kudallur. Velliyamkall park and under the bridge @ Shornur (Palakkad district)
U cn visit Nilayoram [email protected] Kuttipuram n Thirunavaya
View All Reviews About Malappuram
Bandipur National Park
Spiti Valley


Hass avocado production in Mexico is concentrated in the State of Michoacán, northwest of Mexico City, and centered around the city of Uruapan. The fruit is grown in rich volcanic soil over a wide range of elevations that allows for nearly continuous avocado production. Hass avocado imports from Mexico to the United States are allowed year-round into all states.
Index Fresh receives Hass avocados from Mexico and markets them under the AvoTerra by Index Fresh labels.


text:
Frisch's new owner: favorites to stay, Pepsi in review
Alexander Coolidge
The Enquirer
Frisch's Restaurants will keep serving its signature Big Boy hamburgers with tartar sauce, and hot fudge cakes, and will review its Pepsi contract, the company's new owner says.
Aziz Hashim, the founder of NRD Capital Partners that bought Frisch's on Tuesday for $175 million, says his recipe for growing the iconic restaurant chain is nurturing what made it a beloved local brand – and then franchising new Big Boys in underdeveloped markets.
"We have tremendous respect for our customers' loyalty and we want to make the Frisch's brand even better for them," Hashim said, adding his Atlanta-based investment fund is beginning to study operations and customers' preferences to improve the menu and maximize sales.
Early interaction with wait staff and customers has the new ownership is mulling offering appetizers, Hashim said. NRD will also review Frisch's seven-year contract with Pepsi and see if it's possible and worth it to switch back to Coke products.
"We'll look at the contract and see what our obligations are and what our customers want," Hashim said.
The biggest change ahead is to the company's growth strategy. Hashim wants to switch from mostly corporate-owned eateries to expanding through more franchised locations. Frisch's owns and operates 95 Big Boys in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, while it franchises 24 other locations.
"By the end of 2016, I'd like to see four to six new units," Hashim said, adding the company should expand in Indiana and Tennessee. Ramping up store growth will take some time, as the company has to scout both potential new franchisees and real estate.
"Franchising is our growth vehicle," Hashim said.
Other changes have already occurred: to finance the acquisition, an undisclosed number of Big Boy properties have been sold, but leased back to Frisch's.
Hashim said he doesn't expect to cut jobs and will add them as needed. He said Frisch's already closed underperforming stores in recent years to make it a more attractive acquisition target and doesn't foresee further closures.
Also, as Frisch's quietly shopped itself for sale, the company trimmed in recent years less popular menu items, such as liver and onions, to lower costs and boost efficiency.
NRD's acquisition of Frisch's Big Boy takes Hashim, 48, full circle.
He grew up in Los Angeles where his favorite sandwich was the Double Decker hamburger at Bob's Big Boy.
"Big Boy was where my mom took me as a kid for a treat," Hashim said.
Hashim began his 30-plus year career in restaurants working his way through high school and college at Burger King. But after earning his degree from the University of California at Irvine and landing a job as an engineer, he abandoned his cubicle after only three months to return to the bustle of the kitchen.
He moved to Atlanta in 1996, to open a KFC franchise. In the coming years, he opened 80 restaurants under multiple franchises including Domino's Pizza, Popeyes, Checkers, Rally's and more.
In 2014, Hashim decided to take his career to the next level and founded his fund to invest in restaurants with options to franchise.
"I started my first job at $3.15 an hour and now, I just bought Frisch's," Hashim said. "Franchising has allowed me to achieve the American dream.... Franchising is the best of American ingenuity where you're in business for yourself, but not by yourself."
Frisch's is NRD's first acquisition.
Paying $34 cash for Frisch's outstanding stock, NRD Partners bet big that it could step up Big Boy's growth. The company paid a 21 percent premium for Frisch's stock that closed at $28.12 the day before the takeover was announced.
Frisch's was valued less by Wall Street than other restaurant peers because of its slow growth.
Through the decades, Frisch's Restaurants tried numerous other ventures to augment its Big Boy eateries. Its last side venture was a disastrous chain of 35 Golden Corral buffet restaurants that it spent $106.9 million building. Frisch's then sold off the stores for $49.8 million in 2012 after they failed to generate enough profit.


text:
Home >> November 2009 Edition >> INSIGHT: Forrester's Focus—TwoFour54 Debuts Abu Dhabi Plans
INSIGHT: Forrester's Focus—TwoFour54 Debuts Abu Dhabi Plans
by Chris Forrester, Editorial Director, Rapid News
twofour54's sparkling new Abu Dhabi 'intaj' facility was opened Sunday, September 27, at a VIP-rich event, and promising to bring a fresh approach to Middle East production and post-production demands. Tony Orsten, CEO at twofour54 (named after Abu Dhabi's 24 degrees North, 54 degrees East geographic coordinates) said the studios were not just to create extra hours of new MENA content, important as that is. "Today's launch introduces the final component of twofour54's content creation community, which is designed to facilitate the development of a sustainable media industry in the MENA region."
"We have in our region around 330m people, 60 percent of whom are under 25 percent," Orsten explained, adding that some 450 people had already 'graduated' through the company's 'tadreeb' training academy helped by its partner organisations such as the BBC and Thomson Reuters. Orsten said that training was the bedrock of what they were doing, of people coming into media and for those already working but who wanted to improve their craft skills as well as improving their understanding of broadcasting. "This will lead to new businesses here."
But he stressed that buildings, and facilities like those at twofour54 were also important so that programming could be made. "We are a content creation community. Our media partners help make that possible," he explained. "Our media partners, whether in the shape of CNN, or the BBC or Harper Collins, they take part in our work and people like CNN, as well as building their own facility here, will also take our young people. They'll be part of the training process, taking interns into the system, from the region, and in order to learn more. Every media partner present with us has a similar commitment to participation."
Orsten declined to supply the full list of an anticipated roster of 66 such partners, but said many were major names and announcements would be forthcoming soon.
At twofour54's heart is a six-studio complex, available on a 'wet' or 'dry' basis, and complete with edit suites, post-production facilities, sound, graphics, and all the other elements expected by today's demanding producers. The six studios are headed by a 650 sq m beast, a pair of 280 sq m spaces (both already fully hired) and two 60 sq m 'babies', each fully equipped with Sony HDC-1500 HDTV cameras, and the sort of technical provision that would make any studio manager green with envy. "And not a tape machine in the building," said Orsten.
OB facilities are also to hand, based on Sony's HDW-F900 kit. The building is fibre linked to an Airspeed/Omneon system for ingest and playback in or out of Studio 1 and the other studios. There are similar links to a cluster of giant satellite dishes for reception and transmission, either for DTH or occasional use demands. As far as post production is concerned, there are 22 HD server-based suites, 13 of which look after video editing, 4 for audio, 4 for graphics and one dedicated to high-end finishing and compositing. There is no favouritism between Avid and Apple (FCP) editing because they employ both!
Twofour54 is also looking to tap into the explosive growth of local channels out of the region. Its near-neighbor, Dubai, is uplinking hundreds of channels onto Nilesat and Arabsat. Twofour54 has anticipated demand and pre-installed encoding, multiplexing and encryption kit ready to handle DTH clients.
Indeed, it is difficult not to be dazzled by the fit-out, both in terms of the physical buildings but also in regard to the standard of 'back stage' decoration where seemingly just about every fixture is chromed and polished to a sparkle, and including purpose-designed signage and a degree of planning that's rare in the business.
But there's more. Just 3 miles away at Khalifa Park, adjacent to the city's National Theatre site, twofour54 has another complex of buildings, including an impressive Penthouse studio being readied for CNN's new Middle East operational hub. From this set of buildings some 20 channels can be ingested and played out to fibre or satellite — again all in HD if needed, and Orsten said they are very much aware of 3D in the production matrix.
But perhaps even more important than the bricks, mortar, glass and thousands of miles of fibre, is a fresh approach to permitting freelance staff into the Emirate. Nearby Dubai, itself no slouch as far as media development is concerned, charges freelancers a 24,000 Dirhams (about US$6500) annual fee in order to work in the Emirate.
Orsten, while not putting a price on the anticipated charge for Abu Dhabi hinted that it would be "very competitive" and will be formally announced at the end of October. Freelancers can then get a UAE residence visa and be eligible to work at twofour54 or any of company's partners — including Abu Dhabi TV, CNN, Atlas TV, C-Sky Pictures, or the other partners already in train but not yet announced.
And there's more again. For all this investment is just a down-payment on an, as yet, un-built new purpose-built facility at Mena Zayed which will open in about five years time. Work is already underway at what will be a spectacular water-side city, linked by a 12-lane motorway to Abu Dhabi. The MGM Grand Abu Dhabi is but one new addition to the site now under construction as part of a 25,000 sq metre retail complex which sits within a brand new city for the region. Orsten said the initial 10-year plan, at least for twofour54, seeks to create a unique ecosystem of skills and talent, of buildings and of content making and programming rights. "This is just the beginning."


If there is one core message at this Symposium that we want you to come away with, it is this: Assessment-capable visible learners are cultivated by assessment-capable teachers.
John Hattie and Doug Fisher focus on the major concepts and evidence surrounding characteristics of assessment-capable visible learners.
Engage with Doug Fisher as he dives deeply into teacher clarity, including attention to assessments of mastery, feedback, and the range of tools students and their teachers have to build confident and competent thinkers.


Address: 928 Pale Moon Dr.
Welcome to your new Glen Allen home in the Villages at The Crossings! The seller of this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome bought it brand new from the builder! This home boasts hardwood flooring throughout the first level, a bright and welcoming living room leading into the formal dining room. Through the hallway you'll find the spacious kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinet and counter space, a breakfast bar seating three people, opening into the bright morning room featuring French doors and crown molding. The second level has carpeting throughout the bedrooms, and in the large master suite the bathroom features a double vanity, luxurious garden tub and separate shower. The outdoor space offers a patio and storage shed. The HOA fees cover lawn maintenance in the front and back, trash, and use of the community pool, clubhouse, and fitness center!
Large window for letting in natural light!


First there was Circus Maximus [Avalon Hill, 1979], then there was Circus Minimus . Along the way was Ave Caesar  and very recently Chariot Race . These are some of the key precursors to Victory Point Games' Chariots of Rome  and, of course, behind them all lies Lew Wallace's novel, Ben Hur, though I suspect that is really only known by most of us from the film, Ben Hur, starring Charlton Heston [please do not mention the remake!].
For me Chariots of Rome is definitely the offspring of Circus Maximus and a cleaner version. By "cleaner" I'm not talking less blood and violence, but smoother systems, far more accessible rules and the advantage of modern graphics and physical quality. The board is very similar in shape and concept, but seeing that they're both reproducing the famous hippodrome in Rome that's only to be expected.
The board folds out in three panels and so far, whatever measures I've taken, both end panels become slightly bowed during play. Despite that, the standees - which you can see in the picture above - sit well on the track and don't slide or topple. All components are serviceable. No doubt it would be possible to go down the deluxe route and produce the sort of tank-stopping quality of game board such as seen in Tide of Iron and add in brilliantly sculpted miniature chariots. But for a fairly light chariot-racing game would you really want to pay the substantially heavier cost?
Unlike the uber chart-heavy tables of Avalon Hill's game and a large record sheet for each player to log speed, damage etc., all this is handled very effectively by player boards [again shown above]. Each chariot in play has such a display. They are quite thin card stock, but work fine to chart endurance, rattled status, tactics and speed. These are all recorded on the various tracks with cardboard markers whose size and quality tend to mean that they aren't subject to problems of being displaced, but it can be very easy to forget which actions need a loss of endurance or increase in damage. This is especially true when the action hots up and chariots are vying for position.
The other main components are three decks of cards.
Game play is very streamlined. All players start with 12 Endurance points, no Rattle points and a set number of Tactics points [the latter depend on the number of players involved and you can never hold more than 8 Tactic points]. Lose all 12 Endurance points or reach 6 Rattle points and you're out of the race. There are only three Speed levels to choose from that respectively allow you to move 4/7/10 spaces - the first two give you small bonuses [either removing penalties, at times a vital, life-saving benefit, or gaining Tactics], while the top speed inevitably has a penalty.
The best element for me is that virtually all the mechanics of the game depend on the use of a single, fine deck of Action cards.
The four major functions of the game can simply be referenced by drawing the next card and identifying which is relevant. The first three [Corner, Ram and Whip] should need no explanation. Danger occurs in a few specific situations; the main ones being when you crash or are forced to overtake another chariot by passing through its position on the track.
The procedure for negotiating corners is one of the best I've encountered. As you enter the first position on a corner, you add your speed to your current Rattle factor, then deduct the speed number on that line of the track. This produces the number of action cards you draw.
So, if your speed was 10 and your Rattle factor 3 and you enter the corner at the lane marked VI [Who doesn't know their Roman numerals?] you would draw 7 Action cards!
That's a lot of potential harm coming your way! So, is there any way to mitigate it? First and foremost you can use Tactics points. For each Tactic point you pay, you draw one less Action card. The rules would have you draw all 7 cards and then return as many cards to the deck as Tactic points you spend. That process is carried out without revealing or knowing what is on the Action cards. A far simpler and quicker process which we've adopted is to pay the Tactics points and then draw the requisite number of cards. Continuing the example above, needing to draw 7 cards, you decide to pay 4 Tactics points and so draw only 3 cards.
How you execute these cards is an equally effective refinement to many race games. For each space you enter you reveal one of the cards and follow the symbols on the top line [appropriately labelled "corner" - sometimes "no effect" ensues at others loss of endurance or swerving or gaining a Rattle point [consider the latter to be a type of damage point, either directly to the chariot or to the charioteer's mental or physical state]. If you've drawn rather a lot of cards, you may even find yourself having to continue to play out the remaining ones as you start your movement on the next turn!
On the whole though the effects of moving through a corner tend to be relatively mild! Whipping another player's chariot - is that the horses or the charioteer you're aiming at? - tends to be more likely to cause harm and ramming is even worse. Though, the latter may have ill consequences for the person doing the ramming, worst of all are the possible consequences of crashing when you consult the bottom line of the Action cards that read "DANGER"! As you can see from the card above, even here you may be lucky with a No Effect result.
Though Swerving sounds fairly innocuous, when the track is crowded the result of chariots being forced to move into the space of other chariots can have nasty knock-on effects. Initially too they were the only rules that caused any degree of uncertainty in what is a short and very clear set of rules. In fact, the main fault of the rule book for me was the size of the print!! The instruction "Read the small print carefully" takes on a whole new life of its own when coping with the text.
Adding a few other refinements to play are the Fate cards, Charioteer Skill cards and two dice. Starting with 4th Round of play, the first player to take their turn rolls the Fate die which provides a small bonus for all players or the draw of a Fate card. The other die in the game can be rolled for the cost of losing an Endurance point by each player on their turn to gain from 1 to 3 extra movement points.
The last item is the Chariot Skill cards - each player draws one at the beginning of the game to give an individual ability. This is the one and only feature I have some reservations about as the Skills do seem to vary considerably in the quality of their benefits. This is particularly true of the card that allows a Charioteer to look at the Initiative Deck and move one card to whichever place they like in the Deck - no surprise that the player with this card tends to place their card first in the Deck! More about that in the following view of game play.
So, how does it play? Well my view is that it depends quite a lot on how you play the game! My first experience with a large group of players was underwhelming. As mentioned above, one player drew the Skill card that allowed him to manipulate the Initiative Deck, placed himself first and romped home in that position!
However, there was a distinct lack of player interaction i.e. except for myself and one other player, virtually no one chose to whip or ram their opponents. Verdict by the group: too simple, unbalanced not a great deal of fun. My verdict - that's not how the game should be played. If the central mechanic of a game depends on Action cards for which three-quarters of the decisions involve whipping, ramming and actions that lead to Danger, then not taking actions that involve them is missing out on a major aspect of the game.
A corollary to what I would describe as "the lack of conflict" approach described above also led to comments that the ability to use Tactics points to negate/mitigate Endurance loss and Rattle gain was too easy. So, by contrast the "aggressive" approach brings out a whole different game. Lights, camera, action!
Boxing in opponents so that they are forced to overtake, whipping and ramming fairly frequently, focusing on not giving the lead player/s an easy ride produces a much more dynamic and exciting experience. Chariots/charioteers will fail to make it to the end of the race, their chariots left behind as debris and potential obstacles. The game becomes a real contest, the turn of an individual card becomes far more crucial at times. Tactics points rapidly get spent and become far more critical a need and all the elements of the game come in to play.
I've already praised the way cornering is dealt with. I'm equally in favour of this game's use of a randomly shuffled set of Initiative cards, one for each chariot, that not only determines the order in which chariots move, but as one card is revealed at a time means that there. So many race type games suffer from the leader-goes-first mechanic and should you decide that the power of the Charioteer Skill that would allow the owner of it always to go first is too much, then it's easy enough to house-rule a modification to how often it can be used - though my advice would be just gang up on said leader!
So, whip up your horses [and whip your opponents] - oh, and don't forget to point your chariot in the right direction!
As always thanks to Victory Point Games for providing a review copy.


To fulfill the customers' over-expected fulfillment , we have now our solid staff to deliver our greatest general assistance which includes internet marketing, product sales, creating, manufacturing, excellent controlling, packing, warehousing and logistics for Air Release Valve , Air release valve , Air Vent Valve , We warmly welcome mates from all walks of life to hunt mutual cooperation and develop a more good and splendid tomorrow.
"We've numerous great employees customers excellent at promoting, QC, and working with kinds of troublesome difficulty inside the generation method for Air Release Valve , Air release valve , Air Vent Valve , We have complete production line assembling line quality control system and the most importantly we have many patents technology and experienced technical production team professional sales service team. With all those advantages we are going to create"the reputable international brand of nylon monofilaments" and spreading our products to every corner of the world. We are keep moving and try our best to serve our customers.