Monthly Archives: February 2017

PM Says Crime in Bahamas Like the Wild West, But Police Chief … – Caribbean360.com (subscription)

Posted: February 15, 2017 at 9:37 pm

NASSAU, The Bahamas, Wednesday February 15, 2017 Against the backdrop of seven murders last weekend that pushed the number of homicides in the Bahamas to 27 so far this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie says the crime spree reminds him of the Wild West and hes calling for a national effort to arrest the problem.

However, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade remains adamant that the country is not in crisis, rubbishing calls for a curfew or the lockdown of crime hotspots.

It is a falsehood to tell the Bahamian public and the world at large that the Bahamas is in crisis; that is nonsense, he said at a news conference.

This country is not at a stage where the average decent citizen has to be concerned about being attacked, Commissioner Greenslade insisted.

But in a separate encounter with the media, Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday described the situation as shocking and called for the country to put all necessary resources in place to reduce the crime scourge.

It is insane. It is reminiscent of the Wild West and it something we must get control of as quickly as possible. We will be required to do much more to have a greater capacity to meet the challenge that is now posed to us, to fully try to understand this senseless set of killings/retaliation and to have our system respond to it as quickly as possible in a meaningful way, he said.

Christie is blaming the problem on gangs engaged in retaliation, and suggested that the response must entail a stronger police presence on the streets.

This madness has to do with gangs and retaliationThere must be a continuous response to it and it has to be on flooding the streets with officers and equipment to be able to intercept and interdict.

Commissioner Greenslade agreed that the young people were at the heart of the recent incidents of crime, both as victims and perpetrators.

These are people that have fallen through the cracks of our society and they did not remain in school. The ones who did, when they got out of school, chose to associate with the wrong type of company and this is tit for tat, you touch my boy I touch your boy type of thing.

He however went one step further and appeared to be pointing fingers at the judicial system, suggesting that the only solution was to keep prolific offenders behind bars.

We have a problem, lets not kid ourselves, and that problem is prolific offenders that are in and out of the system who are not prepared to not live a life of crime, the police chief said.

We have to ensure that people that walk around with assault weapons and other variations of weapons, that have raped people, that have attempted to rape people, that have killed people, that have attempted to murder people, they should remainincarcerated and have their day in court. If we continue the way we are going we will continue to chase our tails, Commissioner Greenslade insisted.

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Bahamas ready for Commonwealth Youth Games | The Tribune – Bahamas Tribune

Posted: at 9:37 pm

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH just five months to go, Commonwealth Games Federation Director Matthew Curtain said hes satisfied that the Local Organising Committee is where they need to be to host the sixth edition of the Bahamas Commonwealth Youth Games.

And BCYGs managing director Rommel Knowles promised Curtain and the visiting delegates that the Bahamas will put on the best ever games commonly referred to as the Friendly Games - when its held July 19-23.

The youth games for boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18 will mark the first time in 50 years that the Caribbean will host a Commonwealth Games event, coming off the Empire Games that was staged in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1966.

This is also the first multiple games that the Bahamas has hosted.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson said the games come when the Bahamas will welcome the world to the greatest sporting year ever held in the Bahamas with the games being just one of the many major international events that will take place.

The purpose of these games is for us to demonstrate that although we are a small group of islands, that we can be the number one sporting tourist destination on the planet, Johnson said.

This is to demonstrate to our young people all around the Commonwealth that there is a better way and this is that better way. We look forward to athletes from over 70 countries to come here and to give their best.

On Monday, the visiting delegates wrapped up a five-day trip to the Bahamas to conduct a site inspection and provide any further instructions for the LOC in their preparation for the games that will feature more than 1,000 athletes from over 70 countries in nine disciplines.

We are pleased so far with the progress by the Local Organising Committee, Curtain said. Its not a criticism, but the nature of the event, but at this point and time, you are right where you need to be at this time.

Curtain, who hails from Australia where hes served in a number of capacities as a sports administrator, praised the level of cooperation that they have received from Minister Johnson, Bahamas Olympic Committee president Wellington Miller and secretary general Knowles, who serves as the managing director.

Curtain said they are here to ensure that everything is in place as they forged towards July when the athletes will compete inAthletics, Aquatics (Swimming), Beach Soccer, Boxing, Cycling (Road), Judo, Rugby Sevens, Tennis and Beach Volleyball. It will be the first time Judo, Beach Soccer and Beach Volleyball will be included in the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Knowles said when they decided to take up the mantel after Saint Lucia, who was awarded the original bid, was unable to carry out its commitment, they have proven so far that the games are in the right place at the right time.

He recalled how they begin the process of getting their team together once they got the approval of the Bahamas Government through Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Weve had our ups and weve had our downs, but this is the first time that the Bahamas will be hosting a multi-sporting event and I can assure you that these will be the best Commonwealth Games ever held, Knowles said.

He publicly thanked Grafton Ifill Jr, who played an integral role in the organizing of the games from the day they put their tender to bid and he has continued to ensure that the work is getting done.

Likewise, he also commended Drumeco Archer, the secretary general of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and Cora Hepburn, a vice president of the BOC, who have both assisted in the operation of the LOC.

Keith Joseph, known as the voice of Carifta from St Vincent & The Grenadines, said the Bahamas has always had great organizations and leaders, who have stepped up to the plate from former BOC president Arlington Butler to former BAAAs president Dr Bernard Nottage.

And coupled with the success of the Bahamian athletes from the Golden Girls womens 4 x 100m relay team to the Golden Knights mens 4 x 400m team, Joseph said the Bahamas has held its own in the region and indeed around the world in terms of sports.

With just about a year and a half ago when many people threw their hands up in the air after St Lucia pulled out of hosting the games, Joseph said they were quite relieved when the Bahamas put in a bid with Glasgow and Sri Lanka and was eventually granted permission.

I believe it was because of your courage and your commitment to sports that you were awarded the bid to host the Bahamas, Joseph said. In everything you have done in sports, you have always aspired to excellence and we are proud of your tradition.

Joseph said although they have been here from time to time, they are leaving this time with more confidence that the Bahamas will live up to that commitment to hosting a successful games.

The young athletes of the Caribbean are looking up to you, Joseph stressed. Your place in history is indeed remarkable.

Miller said they appreciate the Bahamas being in the spotlight as the host of the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games and he assured the rest of the Commonwealth that while they have accomplished a lot, they would make sure that the games are indeed a success.

The Bahamas is taking the games as if its our very own personally, he insisted. The Bahamian people are depending us and the 70 countries in the Commonwealth are depending on us and we will deliver the kind of games that everybody will be proud of.

In 2000, the Commonwealth Games Federation, headed by president Louise Martin of Scortland, hosted the first Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh. The second games was in 2004 in Bendigo, Australia. It went to Pune, India for the third edition in 2008 and The Isle of Man hosted the 2011 with the 5th edition in Samoa in 2015.

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UK Offshore Wind Construction Had Bumper Year In 2016, Barbour ABI – CleanTechnica

Posted: at 9:37 pm

Published on February 15th, 2017 | by Joshua S Hill

February 15th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

Construction in the UKs offshore wind sector reached an impressive high in 2016, with total construction value set at 4.1 billion, increasing from 2.45 billion in 2015, and accounting for 21% of all UK construction contract value in the year.

New analysis from Barbour ABI, a leading provider of construction intelligence services, highlighted the bumper year the UK offshore wind sector experienced, from the point of view of the construction sector. Offshore wind farms accounted for 42% of all UK construction contract value in the utilities and power sector, and 21% of the countrys entire infrastructure sector.

Further, Barbour ABI predicts that this trend is only set to continue through 2017, with a healthy pipeline of future offshore wind projects set to make 2017 another strong year, and up to23.2 billion worth of construction contract value already in planning.

Back in 2013 offshore windfarms accounted for only 7.5% of the annual construction value for the utilities and power sector, which increased to 42% in 2016, on the back of significant investment in this type of project, explained Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI. With reports showing that the cost of producing electricity in this way have fallen significantly, the increase in construction value makes sense.

Barbour ABI points to the Beatrice, Galloper, and East Anglia One offshore wind farm projects as all contributing heavily to the impressive increase in construction value in 2016.

We have also seen a large uptake in the planning pipeline for future offshore windfarms with 23.2 billion worth of construction planned over the coming years, suggesting this burgeoning sector will continue to expand in 2017 and beyond, Dall added.

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Tags: Barbour ABI, construction, UK offshore wind, UK Wind

Joshua S Hill I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

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Russian Spy Ship Spotted Offshore From Connecticut; Congressman Says Goal Is To Test US – CBS Local

Posted: at 9:37 pm

February 15, 2017 8:33 PM

GROTON, Conn. (CBSNewYork/CBS News) A Russian spy ship patrolling the East Coast was located near a U.S. submarine base off the coast of Connecticut Wednesday.

The ship, known as an AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence), was located 30 miles from Groton, Connecticut, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reported.

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U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Connecticut) sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. WCBS 880s Steve Scott asked Himes what the ship was doing off the Connecticut coast.

First of all, people should understand that this is not unprecedented, and this is not an offensive ship that is going, you know, land troops or start a war, Himes said. This is an intelligence and reconnaissance ship that largely has technologies and weve got plenty of it as well that can collect signals, intelligence, and listen in on, you know, all sorts of transmissions and that kind of thing. But the Russians had a purpose in sending the ship to the area, Himes said.

But the Russians had a purpose in sending the ship to the area, Himes said.

But what it really is, of course, its a political statement by Russia, saying, OK, when the White House is in turmoil, when you dont have a national security adviser, were going to provoke a little bit and see what the response is, which of course is what weve seen from North Korea; what weve seen from Iran, and one of the really concerning aspects about the turmoil that were seeing right now in our national apparatus, he said.

Himes agreed that the Russians goal was to test President Donald Trump to see how far they can go.

One of the discouraging things here, of course, is that our potential enemies our real and potential enemies right now are looking at the disarray in the White House, Himes said. Theyre looking at the fact that the president appears to be at war with the intelligence community who is paid to advise him, and theyre saying, Hey lets see, if we put our toe over this line over here, how the Americans respond.

Groton is the home of Naval Submarine Base New London, which the Navy describes as the Home of the Submarine Force.

According to the bases website, 6,500 military personnel are stationed there and 1,000 civilian employees work there.

The ship had made a port call in Cuba and has been working its way up the East Coast. Its expected to turn around and head south toward Cuba.

The presence of foreign vessels and aircraft near U.S. territory is nothing new. In 2015, there was a flap about a Russian spy ship hanging out in a spot where trans-Atlantic cables are laid.

The ships voyage comes as U.S. officials say Russia secretly deployed a cruise missile in December that is specifically banned by a treaty signed in the final years of the Cold War. The missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Also, just five days ago, an incident similar to last years buzzing by Russian jets of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Baltic Sea happened again, this time in the Black Sea

First, a Russian patrol plane made a low pass close to the USS Porter, then two Russian jet fighters were followed a short time later by a third. U.S. officials called the fly-bys unsafe and unprofessional.

On Thursday, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart in Azerbaijan, CBS Radio News correspondent Cami McCormick reports.

A statement from Dunfords office released on Wednesday said the meeting will be to discuss a variety of issues including the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations. The U.S. suspended military relations with Russia after its annexation of Crimea in Ukraine in 2014.

A spokeswoman told McCormick the meeting has been planned for months.

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JDR wins major umbilical contract for India’s western offshore project – WorldOil (subscription)

Posted: at 9:37 pm

2/15/2017

HARTLEPOOL, UK -- JDR, a supplier of subsea umbilicals and power cables to the global offshore energy industry, has been awarded a major steel tube umbilical contract by Cameron Ltd, on behalf of operator ONGC, for the 11 wells of western offshore project.

The development involves subsea completion of 11 oil and gas wells located at ONGCs western offshore fields in India, under Mumbai High, Bassein & Satellite and Neelam & Heera assets. These wells are either situated at an infield location or an extension of existing fields including marginal pools, which will be connected to the nearest host facility, in water depths up to 100 m.

Carl Pilmer, JDR sales director oil and gas, said, We are extremely proud to be awarded this complex umbilical work scope, which highlights our world-leading expertise in the supply of specialist umbilicals and cables to the offshore energy industry. Our proposal included a combination of steel tube and hybrid umbilicals, providing the optimal solution to connect these subsea assets offshore India.

JDRs scope of supply includes project management, engineering and manufacture of 11 umbilicals, with a combined length of over 53 km. JDR will also supply subsea terminations and accessories.

The umbilicals will be manufactured using JDRs industry-leading helical assembly machine located at its state-of-art-facility in Hartlepool, UK. The umbilicals are due for delivery in fourth-quarter 2017.

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Offshore racing for superyachts – Superyacht News – The Superyacht Report

Posted: at 9:37 pm

The Antigua Yacht Club is a hive of activity this week in the lead up to the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Caribbean 600 the 600-mile offshore race around 11 Caribbean islands, which kicks off from Antigua on Monday. Even though the event attracts some of fastest racing yachts, recent years have seen an impressive superyacht turnout, with Adela and Eleonora E joining the fleet this year.

In part this relates to the fact that the Caribbean 600s is one of the only offshore races in which superyachts are able to participate. We also have a fantastic location where they all want to be anyway, so the opportunity for the larger yachts is perfect, adds Nick Elliott, RORCs racing manager.

While other areas of the sector are in decline, offshore racing is one of the few areas of the sailing that is seeing growth. This will be the ninth edition of the Caribbean 600s, which had only 24 entrants in at its advent. Every year it has grown in participation, says Elliott. We have also just seen the Rolex Fastnet Race sell out in four and a half minutes, which is allowing superyachts in for the first time and will see Nikata come and race. We are very fortunate that our side of the sport is in growth.

Elliott believes the main attraction of offshore racing comes down to the sense of challenge and adventure, and this presents a perfect opportunity for the superyacht industry. You are essentially putting yourself against the elements but within the luxurious environment that a superyacht offers, he explains. Over the years we have seen a trend of existing superyacht owners come and try out the race on different boats through charter and generally they get hooked.

As an example of this, this year the owners of Baltic 112 Path have chartered Leopard 3 for the race. The reason being that the owners didnt feel that Path would be competitive enough but they didnt want to miss a good offshore race. According to Elliott, this idea happens a lot. Its an interesting way of getting people into racing that is not so common at the superyacht-focused regattas.

With the likes of Leopard 3, Bella Mente and Rambler 88 out on the course, another factor in the offshore racing circuit that doesnt happen at the superyacht regattas is that the boats are competing against top offshore sailors on top offshore boats. Elliott recalls that last year Adix entered solely because the owners nephew was racing on a Class 40. They werent even that different in speed, he laughs.

So is there opportunity for the future growth of superyacht participation? Surely it takes a certain type of ownerto have the desire to participate in offshore racing. If you find an owner that comes from an offshore sailing background then of course it is going toappeal more to them, he responds. But I think that most owners would enjoy it, and its more about encouraging the captains that it will be fun and its not going to break the boat or carry untold expenses.

For the Caribbean 600s, Elliott explains that the conditions are particularly challenging for the larger yachts. There are so many corners with so many islands to navigate with close proximity to reefs and shallow water, considering the sail plans on boats like Adela and Eleanora E, they have to work really hard to keep the boats safe and going quickly around the course, he says, adding that this doesnt mean a lesser chance of victory. If you look at Adelas track record over the years, they can be incredibly competitive.

Image of Adela: RORC/Tim Wright

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Sailing the high seas: Top cruises for first-timers, families and excursions in 2017 – Malay Mail Online

Posted: at 9:36 pm

Sailing the high seas: Top cruises for first-timers, families and excursions in 2017

The Disney Dream cemented its reputation as the gold standard in cruising, taking the title of best overall large ship for the third year in a row. AFP pixLOS ANGELES, Feb 16 Disney, Viking and Celebrity cruise ships have emerged the top-rated brands by cruisers around the world.

If you're thinking about sailing the high seas for your big vacation this year, consider checking out the results of the latest Cruisers' Choice Awards, which collected ratings and reviews from cruisers over the last 12 months.

In the seventh edition, a trio of cruise brands emerged the big winners along different categories, including large, mid-size, small-mid, and small ship class.

The Disney Dream cemented its reputation as the gold standard in cruising, taking the title of best overall large ship for the third year in a row.

The ship was also named best for cabins, service, public rooms and shore excursions.

The Disney Magic took the title of best overall ship in the mid-size category and was also named the best cruise ship for families.

Cruisers without small children and first-time cruisers, meanwhile, may want to check out the Viking Star, which was named the best ship for first-timers.

Unlike larger ships, the Viking Star is destination-focused, with port-intensive itineraries and longer than average calls that frequently drop anchor overnight, reads a staff review.

That also means fewer onboard amenities like casinos, organized activities and entertainment. The minimum age to sail is 16. A Nordic spa, however, is available and features a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, hot tub, sauna, and snow grotto.

The Viking Star is destination-focused, with port-intensive itineraries and longer than average calls that frequently drop anchor overnight.The ship also won titles like best value, dining and cabins in the small-mid category.

The Celebrity Xpedition also won six awards in its class (small ship), including best overall, best value and shore excursions.

The awards are based on reviews submitted for cruises taken in 2016. Cruise Critic is the leading online cruise community with more than 160,000 reviews.

Here are some of the winners:

Best Cruise Overall

Disney Dream (Large) Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic (Mid-Size) Disney Cruise Line

Viking Sea (Small-Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Celebrity Xpedition (Small) Celebrity Cruises

Best Cruise Ships for Dining

Celebrity Reflection (Large) Celebrity Cruises

Marina (Mid-Size) Oceania Cruises

Viking Star (Small-Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Wind Surf (Small) Windstar Cruises

Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment

Allure of the Seas (Large) Royal Caribbean International

Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) Celestyal Cruises

Viking Sea (Small-Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Silver Shadow (Small) Silversea Cruises

Best Cruise Ships for Service

Disney Dream (Large) Disney Cruise Line

Marina (Mid-Size) Oceania Cruises

Viking Sea (Small-Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Paul Gauguin (Small) Paul Gauguin Cruises

Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions

Disney Dream (Large) Disney Cruise Line

Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) Celestyal Cruises

Viking Sea (Small-Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Celebrity Xpedition (Small) Celebrity Cruises

Best Cruise Ships for Value

Norwegian Sky (Large) Norwegian Cruise Line

Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) Celestyal Cruises

Viking Star (Small Mid) Viking Ocean Cruises

Celebrity Xpedition (Small) Celebrity Cruises

Best Cruises for Families

Disney Magic Disney Cruise Line

Best for First Timers

Viking Star Viking Ocean Cruises AFP-Relaxnews

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To Boldly Cruise Where No Couple Has Cruised Before – Bloomberg

Posted: at 9:36 pm

On her left upper arm, Allison Holmes has a tattoo of an octopus with pointy Vulcan ears wrapping its tentacles around a spaceship that resembles an elongated VW camper. The Spocktopus is a tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who played the half-Vulcan, half-human Mr.Spock on the originalStar Trektelevision series. It was inspired by old science fiction posters, says Holmes, 33, of SanAntonio. Holmes is a self-described Trekkie, though that probably goes without saying ifyoure showing off Spock-inspired body art. Especially if youre showing it off in a hot tub aboard theNorwegian Pearlas it sails through the Western Caribbean on the first-everStarTrek: The Cruise.

Joining Holmes in January were Trekkies from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, their suitcases full of costumes and body paint. Shorts and bathing suits were the favored daywear, but at night fans emerged from their cabins dressed as Vulcans, fierce-looking Klingons, antennaed blue Andorians, and green Orions. There were also several reptilian Gorn and YeomanRand look-alikes with beehive hairdos. Didnt get any of these references? Then this cruise was definitely not for you.

Star Trek screening in the central room.

Photographer:Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

You might not think of wannabe Klingons as people who leave their parents basements much, let alone as sun-and-fun types. But superfans such as Holmes make up one of the newest and most enthusiastic groups hitting the high seas. Music themes have dominated the industry for years, but cruises are increasingly embracing other forms of pop culture. In addition to theStar Trektrip, fans are filling ships for shows includingThe Walking DeadandProperty Brothers, where the Scott brothers held Q&A sessions about design, signed autographs, and sang karaoke. Oprah is going to attend anO, The Oprah Magazinecruise to Alaska in July, and the publication, with partner Holland America line, is running four additional theme cruises this fall and next year. There is a tremendous sense of camaraderie on these cruises, says Howard Moses, a travel agent who also runs the website Theme Cruise Finder. Its nice to know that people you meet at dinner share yourpassion.

Angela Vaughan (left)

Photographer:Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

Its also nice for the cruise lines, which see themed events as a way to draw new clientele. Third-party production companies book entire ships, usually during what would otherwise be cruisings fallow season; fans care more about the what of the experience than the when or where. And theyre willing to spend. The average fare paid by the 2,300passengers on the six-dayStar Trekcruise was $2,400 per person, more than double Norwegian Cruise Lines typical January rate.

Since the first theme cruises set sail about 30years ago, theyve become a bigger and bigger part of the industry. Moses site recorded 150 in 2012. Today there are 600-plus listings. Included are small group gatherings and shipwide takeovers. Music and superfan charters have become such an attractive business that in 2012 Norwegian bought Sixthman, a production company in Atlanta that began staging Festivals at Sea each year; the 2017 lineup includes cruises featuring Pitbull, Kid Rock, Kiss, acts from the Warped Tour, outlaw country musicians, and the funny men of the TruTV showImpractical Jokers. The purpose of a theme cruise is orange juice concentrate, says Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Entertainment Cruise Productions and the mastermind behind theStar Trekvoyage. We are providing fans with a chance to experience their passion in the most intense possible way.

Lazaroff and his team started talking with CBS, owner of theStar Trekfranchise, in the summer of 2015. As it happened, CBS had been looking for ways to celebrate the 50thanniversary of Gene Roddenberrys creation, which went on the air in 1966. We considered developing aStar Trekcruise for fans for some time, and the 50th anniversary seemed ideal, says Veronica Hart, senior vice president for CBSs consumer-products division. She adds that the stars aligned when William Shatner, 85, Captain James T. Kirk in the original series, signed on to host. He wasnt cheap, Lazaroff says.

That September, Lazaroff and his staff headed to the annual LasVegasStar Trekconvention to test fan reaction. The website we had wasnt ready to take reservations, he says. Interest was overwhelming, and his team cobbled together an online sign-up. We just threw it up, and next thing we knewboom!we were done. The cruise sold out in three weeks, although many who booked had never attended aStar Trekconvention, according to a precruise survey. Hart says the experiences arent mutually exclusive: The cruise is a completely unique, immersive experience.

Diane Ahlberg and Sherry Quinn.

Photographer:Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

The Pearl was tricked out with references to the showsthe original series,Next Generation,Deep Space Nine,Voyager,Enterprise, andDiscovery, which is set to premiere this Mayand films. Special signage transformed elevators into turbolifts. The ships specialty restaurants incorporated the names of characters into dishes such as Vic Fontaines chateaubriand, which was named forDeep Space Nines holographic lounge singer.

Programming included the Q&As and the autograph and photo sessions youd find at a convention; autographs cost $25 to $35, depending on the actor, and photos were $40. Klingon foreheads ran $45. Shatner, whose contract mandated that he pose for one photo per cabin, joked to the crowd about how cute Chris Pines portrayal of Captain Kirk is in the latestStar Trekmovies, talked physics and global warming, and attempted to answer fans requests for details about his experiences on set.

Debbie Fisher (left) and Stephanie and David Batchelder.

Photographer: Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

Passengers could also attend a no-fee yoga class hosted by Terry Farrell, aka Jadzia Dax,Deep Space Nines Starfleet science officer; play blackjack with Marina Sirtis, aka the half-human, half-Betazoid Deanna Troi onNext Generation; and attend a happy hour with Denise Crosby, aka Tasha Yar, briefly theUSS Enterprises chief of security onNext Generation. Special actor-led shore excursions to Cozumel and the Bahamas, which cost $75, up from the normal $50, sold out before the ship set sail. A lecture by theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, author ofThe Physics of Star Trek(1995), drew a standing-room-only crowd. FormerSaturday Night Livecast member Joe Piscopo, who guest-starred as a comic on an episode ofNext Generation, got multiple standing ovations for a nighttime set.

If thePearlwasnt quite a floatingEnterprisethe crew didnt wear Starfleet uniformsthere were constant references to boldly going and warp speed. The mood was friendly and accepting. Its nice to be among your people, says Holmes of the Spocktopus. You see a lot of cool costumes and a lot of people really, really geeking out. Her parents were also on board, and she and her husband, Allen, 33, have already booked a penthouse for the first of two moreStar Trekcruises that will take place next year, both hosted by George Takei, who played Sulu, the helmsman on KirksEnterprise.

Janyce and Mike Wright

Photographer: Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

The cruisers knew their stuff. At a trivia contest with Max Grodnchik, who played Rom, a large-eared Ferengi onDeep Space Nine, passengers rushed to call out answers to questions such as In the Enterprise Incident episode, the Romulan commander offers Spock what? (Answer: The Right of Statement.) During a $40pub crawl with Robert OReilly, Gowron fromDeep Space Nine, passengers showed off their Klingon language skills. One man pounded his feet as he sang the words to several Klingon battle songs. OReilly was impressed.

In one session, Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer, 57, and her husband Tom, 63, of Reno, Nev., renewed their wedding vows at a ceremony officiated byDeep Space Nines Farrell. Married 35years and wearing Starfleet uniforms, they repeated vows written by Jordan Hoffman, host ofEngage: The Official Star Trek Podcast. They referenced phasers and Tribbles and holodecks and, near the end, said, You are the bridge to myEnterprise, you are the captain to my starship.

Inside the ship's elevator.

Photographer:Eva OLeary for Bloomberg Businessweek

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Anson County community meeting to fight poverty planned for Feb. 18 – Ansonrecord

Posted: at 9:35 pm

Anson NETworX for Hope invites the community to participate in an informative meeting Saturday, Feb. 18, at First United Methodist Church.

NETworX, formerly Circles, is a program designed to build relationships across lines of socio-economic class, culture and race with the goal of helping organize people for a better life. NETworXs strategy is not to end poverty though the well-doing for others but through the well-being together. It is individuals and communities seeking together to build intentional relationships through education and love of neighbor as well as love of self.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Norma Villagrana, the new ministry will work to help people move from poverty to self-sufficiency. Villagrana believes that NETworX will bring a new and fresh start to the community.

Anson County was one of the 64 Circles sites across America that made a positive impact in this community, Villagrana said. Circles empowered families with the knowledge and social capital they need to overcome the barriers of life in poverty and become self-sustaining. NETworX is a faith-based program committed to the core values of love for the neighbor and transforming lives.

Villagrana said that NETworX brings together members of the community who are middle class (called Allies) and members of the community (called Champions of Change). An Ally is an individual working with Champions to overcome obstacles and reach their goals, and a Champion of Change is an individual who wants to improve his/her life and to make changes to move toward greater well-being.

This is what NETworX does, she said.

Villagrana was born and raised in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. She graduated from the school of law in Mexico. For several years she worked in a law firm and later became the director of technical school in her native town.

She and her family moved to the United States in 2002, and along with her husband, Hector, they become missionaries for the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church. They started a new Hispanic Ministry in the Springfield, Missouri area, and since then she has been involved with initiatives that help people to end poverty and assisting families that have domestic conflicts, sometimes involving neglected/abused children and substance abuse.

Last June, she and her family moved to North Carolina where her in-laws reside. She strongly believes that families need to be together. She is serving as pastor at the Polkton Charge in the Uwharrie District of the United Methodist Church. Her call to ministry and her passion has moved her to serve also as the director of NETworX for Hope in Anson County.

First United Methodist Church is located at 118 East Morgan Street, Wadesboro. The meeting is from 9 to 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 18. Refreshments will be provided.

NETworX will meet every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Wadesboro. A meal, childcare and transportation will be provided by NETworX at no cost to the participants.

To find out more information about participating in this program, email Norma Villagrana at nvansonnetworx@gmail.com or call or text 816-351-4232.

Villagrana

http://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Norma-Villegrana-fz.jpgVillagrana

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Anson County community meeting to fight poverty planned for Feb. 18 - Ansonrecord

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Dynamic Communities Announces Eric Pearson, Information Security Expert, As GPUG Amplify 2017 Keynote Speaker – MSDynamicsWorld.com (press release)

Posted: at 9:35 pm

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Communities, the supporting organization behind the official user group for Microsoft Dynamics GP (GPUG) announces Eric Pearson, IT Examination Analyst for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as the GPUG Amplify 2017 Keynote Speaker.

Pearson is an Information Security expert with over two decades of hands-on experience protecting the nation's vital information. He has been involved in the protection of Information Technology, from the days when it was referred to as 'Operations Security' in the mid-90s, all the way to today's Cybersecurity. Pearson, a UCLA alum and regular speaker on this important topic, has also spent time at the Social Security Administration and Lockheed Martin.

"Keynote speakers frequently motivate attendees surrounding their professional careers, but what if one motivated you to become more shrewd in your day-to-day life at home or with your business as relates to cybersecurity?" said Bob McAdam, GPUG General Manager."We're happy to have 'secured' Eric Pearson for this unique topic and know you will thoroughly enjoy his presentation at GPUG Amplify."

"With over a billion personal information files stolen during 2016, there has never been a greater need for cybersecurity training than there is for 2017," said Pearson. "Join me at the GPUG Amplify conference and learn the essentials of cybersecurity and how to protect your vital information."

GPUG Amplify will be held March 20-22 at the Marriott Anaheim, Anaheim, CA and welcomes Microsoft Dynamics GP end-users and business leaders to discover the latest solution innovations, engage in industry roundtables, and attend decision-maker oriented educational breakout sessions, delivered by subject matter experts to help attendees extend the reach of their Dynamics GP investment. This year will also offer a Partner Sales and Marketing Pre-Day, exclusive to Dynamics GP Partners (separate registration is required). To register, or for more information on GPUG Amplify, visit: http://www.gpugamplify.com.

Members of GPUG receive discounted registration for GPUG Amplify. Not yet a member? Join the thousands of fellow Dynamics users who participate in this rich online community for learning and networking:www.gpug.com/join.

About Dynamic Communities: Dynamic Communities is the business management organization that supports technology-centric user groups, like GPUG, and associations - providing necessary resources and business operations such as staff, systems and event production. Dynamic Communities is independent from Microsoft; however, the two organizations maintain an intentional close working relationship so that our members can provide a collective voice to Microsoft on user concerns, needs, and requests.

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Dynamic Communities Announces Eric Pearson, Information Security Expert, As GPUG Amplify 2017 Keynote Speaker - MSDynamicsWorld.com (press release)

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