StreamYard Destinations
Streamyard is a web-based media studio that allows you to broadcast live video online. This internet-based media station allows you broadcast live video to many social media sites, to record them and to use a greenscreen for broadcasts. Read on to learn more! We have a comprehensive review of Streamyard. You can try it today to see the ease of livestreaming and recording video.
Streamyard, a web-based platform for video broadcasting, is available. This application works on any browser and allows users to personalize their broadcasts. Its free plan includes the ability to stream content to any platform and add branding and branded banners. Premium users of Streamyard can change the look and feel of live video streams by using call-to actions or questions on-screen. Streamyard offers a great option for anyone looking to personalize their online video streaming experience.
Streamyard allows you to record and send videos directly to multiple platforms including Facebook and Twitter. It supports multi-streaming to increase your reach and increase your audience's engagement. This studio also lets you create customized broadcast video layouts and broadcast to as many channels as you like. Live broadcasts can be used to host meetings, invite 10 people to participate in the conversation and even allow them to hold live streaming sessions. The free version offers 20 hours of live streaming, but it's important to keep in mind that this software supports only full-HD (1080P) resolution.
Streamyard provides a free lifetime subscription. The basic package doesn't require any expensive video processing hardware such as high-performance PCs or graphics cards. You only need a microphone, camera and a computer to connect them. You can use the service to stream live events and educational classes. Streamyard's user interface is clean and well-labeled, which makes it easy for users to get started quickly.
Streamyard's dashboard allows you to change between Facebook pages. The platform allows you to broadcast to multiple profiles simultaneously, but you have to reconnect with the new profile each time. In case of a failed broadcast destination, you'll need to manually go live. You can also post another post to the same profile that was unsuccessfully live. You can also try another post if all fails.
Streamyard lets you broadcast your live stream to up to 8 different destinations at once. It has powerful call-to action buttons that viewers can use to click while they watch your stream. The call-to-action buttons can be a great way to boost conversions and increase sales. Streamyard offers customizable options that allow you to add audio and visuals. Upload your videos and images. You can add calls-to-action buttons to the platform and personalize your stream according to your needs.
Streamyard is a web service that records your broadcasts for later access. You can record yourself and others, and choose different settings for your broadcasts. The recording feature lets you add additional people to the scene, change the layout, and more. You can also choose to record any activity that doesn't require live streaming. When you're ready to start broadcasting, click on the "Create Broadcast" button.
Streamyard lets you record live broadcasts automatically if you have a paid plan. If you'd rather not go live, you can create a "Record Only" broadcast. Just select "Skip, record only" and then choose to download the recording. You'll be able to view the recording and download it in MP4 or MP3 format. You can even edit and delete your broadcasts afterward.
You can record videos to six social media sites using Streamyard You can record videos to Facebook and YouTube. When you live stream to Facebook, you can select the right profile or group. You can also use a combination of profile and page. Streamyard can also be used with Realstream. You can also download audio files of your broadcasts from Streamyard.
Streamyard offers many features worth looking into. Premium subscribers have the ability to stream live to multiple destinations. Premium users have the option to relay video in Full HD (1080p) resolution. It is important to note, however, that the final output depends on your viewers' connection speeds. Streamyard allows you to live stream, but it doesn't offer analytics or video captions.
The screen is a green one
If you've ever wondered how to make videos more exciting, you can use a green screen in StreamYard. This allows you to add pictures or video loops to your stream. The green screen function is available without the need for you to install anything, unlike other live streaming apps. You can also download Ecamm to get additional features.
StreamYard offers a free account, however there are additional features that you might want to look into if you plan on streaming live video. This service lets you broadcast on multiple platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channels, Periscope, Twitch, as well as YouTube. Users can add their profile, group, or page to stream from. StreamYard also lets you customize your live video by adding a call to action or question to the screen.
Streamyard offers a free account that allows you to create a broadcast, but it can only record 5 hours per month. You can stream for only twenty hours per month. Premium users can increase their recording time to 50 hours per video, but the free account has a limit of five hours. Streamyard offers a Business Plan, with more features. You also get an additional five hours cloud storage.
Streamyard also has an alternative login method. You can switch between your Facebook accounts. To switch profiles, all you have to do is disconnect from your Facebook group and reconnect to the new profile. Afterwards, your previously scheduled broadcasts will not go live. However, you can fix the problem by manually going live on the failed destination. Alternatively, you can schedule a post as the profile that will go live. The free account also has other features, including sharing content.
Streamyard charges a monthly fee for its basic and premium versions. The basic version removes the Streamyard branding and gives you up to 4 hours of HD recording. You can upgrade to the pro version for a fee and get full HD video quality as well as multi-streaming. If you do not want your stream to be posted on the internet, or don't wish to record live, it is possible to also record. The basic plan is free, while the premium version costs $49 per month.
StreamYard provides a limited number of pre-set options that cover most streaming sites. Digital broadcasters typically use YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to distribute their content. Twitch and LinkedIn are also popular among gamers and businesses. StreamYard also offers a Custom RTMP feature that allows you to connect your destination platforms, and then broadcast your content from your site. The business plan is also great if you want to broadcast on more than one social network.
Streamyard has several disadvantages. First, it limits its users to 10 per stream, which limits the ability to host large events. Also, the transitions could use smoother transitions. They're also abrupt. It would be helpful to have a physical switcher implemented. Streamyard needs more branding options. But, if you're not looking for a monthly fee, then this is probably the right option for you.
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Sigh, Samantha Markle Is Now Coming After Meghan's Mom Doria Ragland
Alanna Lauren Greco
Cosmopolitan 12 May 2019
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
From Cosmopolitan
Meghan Markle's estranged half-sister Samantha Markle just gave an interview about the royal baby, once again trying to get sympathy for herself and her dad Thomas Markle.
That said, Meghan has reportedly "moved on" from all of this family drama.
While most people are very excited that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry finally welcomed their royal baby Archie Harrison earlier this week, one person who seems, uh, conflicted about the newest member of the royal family is Meg's estranged half-sister Samantha Markle.
Photo credit: .
On Wednesday, Samantha issued a very long statement about Meghan's giving birth, which included her saying, "We're all welcoming the baby-Markles, Raglands, Sussexes, Windsors. In terms of the gene pool, we've all made a contribution to this wonderful little boy...I want him to know he's got a big family and he's part of an amazing historical time and we're excited for him. We're excited for Meg and Harry-I am really excited for her. I love her, she's my baby sister and it doesn't matter what we've all said back and forth but she's got to do the right thing."
And that seems suspiciously nice for a woman who has previously called Meghan a DuchASS and compared Prince Harry to a hamster, right? Well, the friendly tone didn't last very long, because yesterday Samantha gave an interview to the Mirror, trying to drum up sympathy for herself and her dad Thomas Markle while dragging poor Doria Ragland in the process.
Samatha talked about her dad not being included in the birth saying, "It's sad. He should have been involved. Being excluded is like a dagger through his heart...And poor Master Archie is not getting to know a creative, loving person."
She also decided that Meghan's mom Doria should have stepped in and encouraged Meg to include Thomas in welcoming Archie, saying, "She could have said 'get your dad out here.' But sadly there seemed to be a lack of effort...Doria hasn't tried to mend the rift between Meghan and her dad...I think everyone's been hoping Doria and Meghan would have an epiphany, but I don't know if it will ever happen."
And it looks like Samantha might be right about that-according to reports, Meghan has "moved on" for all of this family drama, so it looks like she won't be having this "epiphany" that Samantha is hoping for.
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Home › Pro-X Racing Parts 01.2429.C Piston Kit for 2003-11 Yamaha WR450F - 94.97mm
Pro-X Racing Parts 01.2429.C Piston Kit for 2003-11 Yamaha WR450F - 94.97mm
Pro-X Racing Parts
Default Title - $ 140.45 USD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Pro-X Racing Parts Piston Kit
Part Number: 01.2429.C
ProX pistons are precision machined on the latest, state of the art CNC equipment.
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Our OEM style Tin coated pistons assist the wear in process when you just started the bike. We have developed a new skirt coating that not only assists the wear in process, but also helps reducing friction after the wear in. The black coating is made from a delicate mix of materials and will increase performance.The latest cylinders are plated by a Nicasil plating.
2013-15 Gas Gas EC450F
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Product Line Pro-X Racing Piston Kit
Part Number 01.2429.C
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Inaugural Roger Ebert Symposium: A Photo Journal
Chaz Ebert December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas! This past May, the United States successfully launched the Insight Lander and even now it is beaming back images from Mars that were impossible to imagine a short year ago. When President Kennedy called for a "moon shot" back in 1961, at a time when space travel was thought to be science-fiction, little did we know that within less than ten years of his pronouncements, we would have a man on the moon. With all the current talk about colonizing Mars, how soon will it be before we bring to real life the scenes from "Interstellar" where we are growing crops on the red planet? And what does it all mean to us anyway, and why should we care?
We tackled these and other questions in our very first Ebert Center Symposium "Empathy for the Universe: Storytelling and Visualization: at the University of Illinois back in October, and it has had a profound impact on me. We assembled notable astronauts and astrophysicists, documentary directors, academic experts, journalists, agriculture experts, Afro-futuriststs, and new media specialists to explore how storytelling with emerging data visualization technologies and research-based narratives can elicit a deeper understanding of the human and scientific forces within our society and the universe. We explored how science is the most meaningful when it relates to humanity and making things better for an inclusive society, including other sentient beings and our ecological landscape.
Not only do I look at the sky differently, searching for the moon and the various constellations of stars and planets, but I look at the earth and the seas differently. I marvel at the mathematical improbability of us living at all, and I value the life of each person as a miracle. When I am sitting in traffic, I think about astronaut Terry Virts saying that once he looked down on the earth and saw the lights of the United States, France and the Middle-East, the concept of borders and interconnectedness took on a whole different meaning, and now he feels like a citizen of the world wherever he goes.
Today, on this day of Christmas, I come to the same conclusion as I did at the Symposium, it all boils down to L-O-V-E. And that's a scientific fact. I woke up this morning thinking about Katie Mack (Astro-Katie) and her phenomenal poem called "Disorientation." She gave me permission to reprint it. I hope that your day today is disoriented by thoughts of creation both large and small, and that love for all becomes your major disruptor.
Panel #1: "Science on the Screen," featuring Terry Virts, astronaut and "A Beautiful Planet" cinematographer; Toni Myers, writer/director of "A Beautiful Planet"; Doron Weber, Program Director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (received a Humanitarian Award); Nate Kohn, Ebertfest festival director; Donna J. Cox, director of the Advanced Visualization Library; and Brand Fortner, teaching professor at North Carolina State University. Myers shared a powerful scene from her 1990 documentary short, "Blue Planet," where astronaut Jim Buchli regards the earth's atmosphere from his perch in a space shuttle. "Everything past that thin blue line is a void of space," he observed. "Everything below it is what it takes to sustain life. And everything that we do to this environment, and our quality of life, is below that little thin blue line. That's the only difference between what we enjoy here on earth and the really harsh, uninhabitable blackness of space. That's not very wide, is it?" Virts said that making Myer's IMAX movie was the most important thing he did during his seven months in space. "It has impacted so many people, and at the end of the day, people are what matter most," Virts said.
Panel #2: "Story Framing and Visualization," featuring Katie Mack, astronomer and creator of the popular Twitter handle @AstroKatie; Karrie Karahalios, professor of computer science; and Brant Houston, professor of investigative and advanced reporting. In her presentation on the history of space, she illustrated how the origins of the universe began not with stars but with static. "The universe is expanding and the space between galaxies is getting bigger," she said. "There's no center of this expansion, so there is no center of the universe unless you think, technically, we are each the centers of our own observable universe. In the beginning, everything was on top of everything else. When we are looking at the cosmos, we are looking back in time." Read Katie's remarkable poem, "Disorientation," here.
Panel #3: "Inclusion and Interconnectedness in Arts and Sciences," featuring Temple Grandin, celebrated inventor and designer of facilities built to sustain humane treatment of livestock; Stacey Robinson, assistant professor of graphic design whose work discusses ideas of "Black Utopias"; Rachel Switzky, director of the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois; and Anita Chan, associate professor in the Department of Media and Cinema Studies at the University of Illinois. "I'm a visual thinker," explained Grandin. "Everything I think about is a picture, and that helped me in my work with livestock, because they live in a sensory-based world. If you want to understand animals, get away from language." Grandin stressed that living with autism has proven enormously beneficial to the world. "Your iPhone wouldn't exist without autism," she said, garnering big applause. "I have been to Silicon Valley. Half of those programmers are on the spectrum. You know what I learned when I visited NASA? The 'right stuff' rode the rockets, but the geeks and the nerds and the misfits—they built the stuff!"
The day concluded with a free screening of "A Beautiful Planet" at the Goodrich Savoy 16 IMAX theater in Savoy, Illinois. The theater co-sponsored the event. Jennifer Lawrence served as the voice of narration, while NCSA's Advanced Visualization Laboratory collaborated on the opening and closing virtual scenes of flight through intergalactic space, based on scientific data.
Chaz Ebert
Chaz is the CEO of several Ebert enterprises, including the President of The Ebert Company Ltd, and of Ebert Digital LLC, Publisher of RogerEbert.com, President of Ebert Productions and Chairman of the Board of The Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, and Co-Founder and Producer of Ebertfest, the film festival now in its 22nd year.
Robert Daniels


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This 12 page color magazine includes personal stories from African Americans that inspire young people to pursue educational, personal and professional excellence. The February 2020 issue profiles leaders from the fields of engineering, sports, art, technology and medicine.
Want to hear about a tennis pro and how he became one of the first male hitting partners for Venus and Serena Williams? Maybe you're interesting in reading about an engineer who is now a leader at a major university or a dynamic surgeon who mentors students in her spare time? Hear these stories in their actual voices by scanning QR code with your phone or read about their journey in this magazine.
Never before have these insights been collected from African American graduates from California colleges and universities to specifically engage young people, families and their communities. The history of African American professionals like these will also be shared with libraries throughout California.
Great for middle school, high school and college students.
Designed for young people but useful to adults, as well. Get copies to share!
Read. Listen. Be inspired.
For larger quantities, please email us at cacollegebxp@gmail.com. You can also call us at 323.784.7795.
Want to order and donate your magazines to young people or a school? Just let us know! Your support enables us to sustain this publication series.
Pre-orders will be mailed on or before February 1, 2020.
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7 million Americans at risk from man-made earthquakes
Charley Lanyon
Mar 29th 2016 8:51AM
In today's sci-fi trope come true, but in a scary way instead of a cool way: man-made earth quakes are real, potentially deadly, and proliferating fast.
A report released Monday by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that man-made earthquakes have increased more than ten times over in parts of the central United States, putting 7 million people at risk in the coming year. Historically the USGS report has only included information on natural earthquakes focused mainly on the West Coast, but this year man-made earthquakes have become too significant to ignore.
Today's non-natural earthquakes — as opposed to the man-made earthquakes of the '90s that were caused by secret government space weapons — are for the most part caused by wastewater injection — or de-watering — a method for dealing with the water byproduct left over from oil and gas extraction. We're talking a lot of water. Sometimes 50 barrels of water are produced just to get one barrel of oil, and all of that saltwater is then pumped into deep wells in order to keep it from contaminating freshwater nearer to the surface. The wells put pressure on the earth's crust and can cause earthquakes.
Man-made earthquakes tend to be small, as earthquakes go, but the report warns they can have serious ramifications. Towns across Oklahoma, for example, have between a five and ten-percent chance of a damaging earthquake striking this year, about the same odds faced by the Bay Area. Oklahoma hasn't historically been earthquake country, but as the oil and gas industries boomed there so did the earthquakes. These days the state experiences hundreds of mostly minor tremors a year.
Related: The deadliest earthquakes in United States history:
The deadliest earthquakes in US history
Damaged Kaiser Medical Building in the Northridge Reseda area of Los Angeles after 1994 earthquake (Photo by Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images)
A car at a Mazda dealership crushed in the Los Angeles earthquake of January 17, 1994 (Photo by Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images)
1886 Charleston Earthquake
(Photo: hdes.copeland/Flickr)
April 1960: Valdivia, Chile
(Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
picture taken in April 1960 in Valdivia of people looking at an enormous crack on a street due to the earthquake that struck the area on May 22, 1960. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STF/AFP/Getty Images)
October 18, 1989: San Francisco, California
(Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
August 24, 2014: Napa, California
(Photo credit Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
March 10, 1933: Long Beach, California
(Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
Damaged building exterior, damage caused by the 1933 earthquake, Long Beach, California, March 12, 1933. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Part of a long line of homeless earthquake victims as they wait for food rations at a relief tent set up after a series of devastating quakes, Long Beach, California, March 13, 1933. The powerful quakes began March 11 and killed 115 people and did $75,000,000 in damage. Signs on the tent read 'Free Food' and 'Food Administer.' (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)
April 6, 1946: Aleutian Islands
(Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
April 9, 1946: Hilo, Hawaii
Homeless people are taken to emergency accommodation on US Army trucks, 9th April 1946, after a Pacific-wide tsunami hit Hilo, Hawaii. The tidal wave, on 1st April, was caused by an earthquake near the Aleutian Islands. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1906: Full-length view of pedestrians examining frame houses, which lean to one side on the verge of collapse after the Great Earthquake in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1906: View of a cobblestone street, which was split down the middle after the Great Earthquake in San Francisco, California. A wooden cart has fallen into the crack. (Photo by American Stock/Getty Images)
Mining companies are already latching onto two of the reports findings: that fracking, long suspected as a cause of earthquakes, is actually a relatively insignificant earthquake-maker and that only a relatively small number of wells are actually responsible for serious seismic activity. But, those wells can cause earthquakes all over the place, sometimes more than 700 miles away. For example, Vox notes that Jones, Oklahoma, has experienced thousands of earthquakes in the last eight years, but has no wells.
Natural earthquakes are still many times stronger than the man-made jobs, but it is worth noting that while the infrastructure in places like San Francisco is built to withstand some shaking, the same can't be said for cities where this is a new phenomenon.
If we were working on the 10th floor of an office building in Kansas we'd be pretty nervous right about now.
Related: How the Northwest is preparing for 'The Big One':
NTP: Washington prepares for potential future tsunami
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Enrollment for Prepaid529 Tuition Program Closes March 31
RICHMOND, Virginia–March 21, 2017–Time is running out to enroll in a program to prepay tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities. The current enrollment window for Prepaid529 ends March 31, 2017, consistent with prior years, and then the program is closed to new enrollees until the next scheduled enrollment period.
Prepaid529 allows families to purchase semesters of tuition and mandatory fees for newborn children through ninth graders. Semester prices vary based on the age of the beneficiary. Explore the array of contract and payment options using the Prepaid529 calculator at Virginia529.com.
Each semester purchased will fund a future semester of the full-time undergraduate in-state tuition and mandatory fees assessed to all students at Virginia public two- and four-year colleges and universities. Prepaid529 semesters also can be used at private and out-of-state institutions, but the benefits differ.
Although the deadline to enroll is Friday, March 31, 2017, families have until May 1, 2017 to make the first payment.
This enrollment period, 2016-2017, is the 20th anniversary of the first Prepaid529 enrollment period. The program, originally known as the Virginia Prepaid Education Program or VPEP, has opened 125,000 accounts since that first enrollment and has already helped nearly 50,000 Virginia students attain higher education.
For complete program details, review the Prepaid529 Program Description (PDF).


Eric Townell and the Rochester Oratorio Society Holiday Special
by communivisionstudio | posted in: Conversations with Creatives, Creativity: Behind the Scenes, Music | 0
A friend who sings with the Rochester Oratorio Society suggested I interview its Artistic Director, Eric Townell. Now I have great admiration for conductors who can take rows of lines, dots and dashes on a page, and work with musicians to bring them together into a beautiful and harmonious composition. I've always wanted to ask about the process of conducting. When a conductor is assessing a piece of music for performance, does s/he "hears" the music while reading it?
I got just that opportunity when Eric Townell agreed to be a guest on this Conversations with Creatives Holiday Special. Join me as we take a peak in on the musicians during a rehearsal for their upcoming performance of Handel's Messiah with the RPO on December 10 and 11, 2016. In this episode, Eric talks about his career and about the Rochester Oratorio Society that celebrated 70 years of enchanting audiences during its 2015-2016 season. We also explore the process of making beautiful music. The final segment contains an excerpt of Handel's "Worthy is the Lamb" and the breathtaking "Hallelujah" chorus. If you have the opportunity to see this performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, I guarantee it will be phenomenal!
Many thanks to Eric, accompanist Dr. Kevin Nitsch, Donna Budgeon for inspiring this episode. Thanks also to all of the amazing musicians of the Rochester Oratorio Society for their participation in creating this holiday special.
Eric Townell and Rochester Oratorio Society Holiday Special from CAROL WHITE LLEWELLYN on Vimeo.
Time Markings for Eric Townell and the Rochester Oratorio Society:
:49 – Eric Townell explains how he got into conducting from an early age
1:54 – The elements Eric considers when assessing a piece for performance, including culture, time period, seasonal considerations, as well as pieces that highlight the ensemble's skills
3:25 – The elements that might rule out a piece of music for performance
4:04 – The guiding principles and history of the Rochester Oratorio Society
5:00 – The audition requirements for, and skills needed to perform with the Rochester Oratorio Society
5:35 – Eric Townell talks about learning musical parts online, and the helpfulness of having an instrumental background
6:30 – Eric answers Carol's burning question about whether Eric can "hear" in his head what a piece will sound like at the time he is initially considering it for performance.
7:30 – Eric talks about the optimal instrument for assessing music for a choir
8:00 – Eric talks about how a composer develops a piece of music as an image, and how the conductor works to replicate that image.
9:32 – Eric Townell picks up on the last discussion on the instrument that is optimal to assess music for a choir
10:45 – Eric talks about what types of music are performed during a traditional Rochester Oratorio Society's season.
12:30 – Eric explains the pieces included during this holiday special
14:36 – Eric talks about the role of the Rochester Oratorio Society in the Community
15:20 – Eric Townell talks about his cultural public access show, In the Spotlight, produced in association with Penfield Television
17:20 – Eric Townell conducts the Rochester Oratorio Society in a rehearsal performance of Handel's "Worthy is the Lamb," accompanied by Dr. Kevin Nitsch.
24:08 – Eric Townell conducts the Rochester Oratorio Society in a rehearsal performance of Handel's "Hallelujah," accompanied by Dr. Kevin Nitsch.
Carol White Llewellyn, Conversations with Creatives, Dr. Keven Nitsch, Eric Townell, Hallelujah Chorus, Handel's Messiah, Rochester Oratorio Society


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Valley Lyric Opera is a non-profit organization dedicated to performing and educating the area community in the art of operatic music. It's first production was Verdi's La Traviata in 1996, performed at Case Avenue School in Sharon and in Youngstown. Performances are fully staged and simultaneously translated to English for the greater enjoyment of its audience, so the original Italian can be followed word by word.
Valley Lyric Opera is committed to bringing high-quality performances and to educate the public at large in the art of Opera.
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Could New England's natural gas industry be facing its Fukushima Moment?
No one wants to play down Thursday's tragedy: a teen lost his life, dozens of people were injured, and many homes were destroyed.
But the explosions and fires that turned three Merrimack Valley communities into scenes of chaos have already prompted some in the gas industry to wonder about the politics when it comes time to seek approvals for expansion projects, big and small. Meanwhile, opponents were busy hunting for whatever information they could to add to their arguments.
The incident reminded many people of the 2010 explosion in San Bruno, Calif., that killed eight people and leveled a neighborhood. (A jury eventually convicted utility PG&E of knowingly violating safety rules.) Another parallel: the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi reactor meltdown in Japan. The fallout from that manmade disaster had a chilling effect on the nuclear industry.
Sure, this is bad news for Columbia Gas and its parent, NiSource — at least in the short-term. Columbia's response in the first 24 hours after the fires along its lines seems lackluster, at best. Governor Charlie Baker took the unusual step today of putting another utility, Eversource, in charge of fixing the mess. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said he is furious about the company's inaction, and US Rep. Seth Moulton took to Twitter to lambaste a Columbia exec for not returning his phone calls.
Shares in Columbia parent NiSource plunged nearly 12 percent on Friday, lopping more than $1 billion off the company's market value. While the investigations are only beginning, the potential fines could be huge. The loss to investors who had thought NiSource was a safe bet could be even bigger.
The ripple effects, though, could go well beyond NiSource and its subsidiaries. Industry lobbyists have had no luck on Beacon Hill so far in promoting the concept that the costs of gas pipeline expansion projects should be passed on to electric ratepayers. To many in the Legislature, natural gas is already seen as Public Enemy No. 1. That resistance has largely been because of environmental factors. But now, lawmakers have a dramatic new reason to scrutinize the industry.


Microsoft Edge for Mac – Free Download (2021 latest version)
Download Free Microsoft Edge for Mac – Free Download (2021 latest version)
Microsoft Internet Explorer was the the best web browser until Mozilla Firefox came along. Firefox was popular for a while until Google Chrome took over. Now, Microsoft is back with a brand new browser to compete with Chrome. is Microsoft Edge for Mac.
Obviously, Microsoft was too ambitious because they did not get enough people to return to macOS browser. There are different reasons why this happens. Mostly it has to do with the EdgeHTML engine that powers the browser.
Microsoft has been actively trying to improve their browser for a while now. They have stopped using it EdgeHTML Engine and changed to the Google Blink engine, with the browser powered by Chromium. Edge Browser for macOS will continue to operate in the same way as before.
Best for developers
Web developers should always ensure that the websites they encode are compatible with every major browser currently in use. To do this, they must pay attention to the main browser engines used to create these browsers. Engines include Gecko by Mozilla, Blink by Google, WebKit by Apple and EdgeHTML from Microsoft.
Since EdgeHTML is gone, it is now easier for web developers to keep site creations compatible with the latest browsers out there.
Microsoft is smart enough to change their browser engine to Google's Blink because it makes it easier to apply the latest web standards to the latest versions of Chromium. His development team Edge just need to update these releases.
The aesthetics are the same
Microsoft Edge Users do not seem to care about the visual design of the browser because it is almost the same. In fact, the user interface is the most popular feature of the application. It makes sense that Microsoft would not try to change a design that it already likes.
However, Chromium and EdgeHTML versions are not exactly the same. Once you start looking at your browser menus, you will see differences. The classic sidebar has been replaced by the new one Chromium Settings. Users appreciate this change.
Limited visualization options
User personalization could use a lot more work. The only things users can change are the favorites bar, the default fonts and the home button.
If you liked the dark theme of the classic Edge, this has not been fully implemented yet web browser. But if you go to the edge: // flags page, you can enable the theme.
It probably uses less RAM. It feels faster
When you first try the browser, you will notice that it works perfectly and loads web pages quickly. It even feels as fast as Chrome, so it will make the transition easier if you want to get started Edge browser Instead.
Despite the fluctuations in RAM usage, it seems to have less RAM than Chromium. If you try to open multiple tabs at once, you will notice this. Overall, the performance is better than the previous EdgeHTML version.
Many parameters affect the use of RAM, which means that your results may be slightly different. In addition, the release is fairly early, so you should see changes in performance in regular traffic.
A plethora of new extensions
The Chrome Web Store definitely has the most extensions available of any repository. The add-on you are looking for will be there before anywhere else.
You must have a Chromium-supported browser for the extensions to work. Since the program falls into this category now, then you can also use extensions with it.
The Microsoft Store is still available, but users are free to install Chrome extensions.
Same exterior, different interior
Overall, it seems that Microsoft made a good choice to start using Chromium. Browser design still looks and looks the same, but there are so many possibilities that could come in the future.
At this time, the version has not been officially released for use by the general public. So if you notice problems with this, do not worry too much. This new version of Edge is under development and corrections are constantly being made.
Also available: Download Microsoft Edge for Windows
Download Last Version: Microsoft Edge for Mac – Free Download (2021 latest version)
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iTerm 3.4.12 for Mac – Download
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All Nikon Full-Frame Cameras as of 2021, Compared
Nikon has been making full-frame digital cameras for almost 15 years, and their overall lineup today can seem overwhelming. In this article, I'll compare Nikon's entire full-frame (FX) camera lineup and explain which of these cameras might be a good choice for your photography. This list includes every full-frame digital camera that Nikon has ever
April 30, 2021 by admin 0 Comments
Sony Alpha 1 Review: A True Flagship Camera
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Eight tiny ways to become a greener photographer
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Identify a Lost Dog with NOSEiD: Scan Snouts with Image-Detection Tech
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The Secret to Amazing Cityscape Photos: A Magic 15-Minute Window
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Nikon is going all-in on mirrorless. Since 2019, they've released 13 mirrorless lenses and four Z-series cameras, compared to just two DSLRs and one F-mount lens. And, of all the Nikon mirrorless cameras so far, the Nikon Z7 II stands at the top of the pack. Announced in October of 2020, the Z7 II is
How props can make or break your Licensing submissions
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EarthCam's new camera shoots massive 80-gigapixel images – Here's one of New York to explore
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This tinkerer built his own 18650-powered DIY battery grip for his Canon EOS M
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Great Reads in Photography: April 25, 2021
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Watch a DJI FPV Drone Get Struck by a Flying Chunk of Lava
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About West Star
One of Kansas City's Premier Developers of Commercial real estate
The Perfect Property is a Click Away
View the Vista
Minutes from the Area's Finest Amenities
Heavy Daytime Traffic from Highway K-10 and the Nearby JoCo Gateway
225 Acres Premier Mixed-Use Development
Kansas City's Gateway from the West
Drive the new Ridgeview Road between K-10 and Prairie Star Parkway that takes you directly through the Vista. Experience one of the most significant developments to come along in a generation.
See The Vista Come To Life
Pad Sites On the K-10 Corridor Now Available
Prime Retail Locations with 97% Retention Rate
We have a property for everyone!
Find your perfect property for lease or sale from among more than 1 million square feet of premier commercial real estate.
Discover the Difference
Whether you are a small local business looking to launch your retail dream or a national anchor tenant with rigid requirements, the West Star team is committed to you, your business and your success.
Vista Village approved by Lenexa City Council for CID financing
The City of Lenexa has approved a 1% CID sales tax to fund West Star's mixed-use development Vista Village, formerly known as Jayhawk Ridge. Vista Village is located at the ...
New locally owned coffee shop hits the scene in Overland Park
The all-new Pilgrim Coffee Co. has recently made its debut in West Star's Metcalf 127 shopping center in Overland Park. The coffee shop offers a convenient and unique hangout for ...
Garmin secures naming rights for new Olathe soccer complex
West Star Development's new soccer complex in Olathe has officially become the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex, after the company established a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Kansas City technology giant Garmin ...
"Balls Foods has worked with West Star around 18 years now and I can say having West Star as our landlord and property manager has been as great relationship. West Star is tenant focused and because they are local, they care about the success of their tenants as well as the appearance of their centers. They are our only landlord that we don't have to fight with to get regular maintenance and repairs done promptly. Often, those issues are resolved even before we make a call because they visit their centers weekly. Unfortunately, we don't have then as our landlord in all of our centers around town. The other thing I can say with certainty, if they say they are going to do something – it gets done without the need for further follow up or discussions."
- Mike Beal, COO, Balls Foods- Price Chopper
10550 S. Warwick st., olathe, ks 66061
© 2021 West Star Development. All Rights Reserved.
We Have Moved
10550 S. Warwick St.
Ava Christie
ava@weststardevelopment.com
Before marrying Mike Christie and coming to work as a project manager at West Star Development, Ava earned a Bachelor's degrees from the University of Kansas in Environmental Design and Architecture. In the 31 years that followed Ava and Mike raised two daughters. Ava also worked as a Project Manager at West Star Development performing architectural work, construction and environmental inspections, and other duties supporting property investments. In that time Ava earned a Master's degree in Environmental Science in Engineering at the University of Kansas that trained her in work done for years that included field assessments, reports, and remediation of hazardous and toxic chemicals on commercial properties being bought and sold. That work led to an interest in Emergency Management and a Doctorate degree that enables work to organize architects who volunteer after disasters in Kansas and nationally. Ava presently works as a co-property manager on several West Star Development properties.
Camille Christie
camille@weststardevelopment.com
Camille graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2016 with a degree in Business Marketing and minor in Spanish. She then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she began her commercial real estate career with a locally owned and operated company NAI Southern. She began as a property manager for 9 months while earning her broker's license in both North and South Carolina. She then transitioned into brokerage at NAI Southern where she specialized in Landlord representation. In 2018, she went to work at CBRE in their Charlotte office as a Retail Broker specializing in Tenant and Landlord representation for both leasing and sales. Some of her key clients included Fifth Third Bank, Abbott's Frozen Custard, Massage Envy, Bentley's Restaurant, FastMed, Idolize Brow and Beauty, Rite Aid.
In January 2020, Camille decided to come home and came to work at West Star Development with her family doing what she is passionate about, commercial real estate. She is now working in development, as well as leasing and property management for the West Star portfolio. She loves working with her family and contributing to a business her father and uncle built!
Louis A. Serrone
lou@weststardevelopment.com
In June of 2018, after serving many years as Director of Brokerage and former Director of Development for Block Real Estate Services Horizons Business Park, Lou Serrone joined West Star Development as its Managing Member and Director of Development for the 200 Acre Vista Ridge Development in Lenexa, Kansas.
Prior to real estate, Lou was a high school and college football coach. Lou Serrone is a member of the Missouri Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame and the HOF Board of Directors as well as a member of the Missouri State Handball Hall of Fame and the KCAC Board of Directors.
daniel@weststardevelopment.com
Daniel joined West Star Management in 2014. As the Chief Financial Officer, Daniel is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and has overall responsibility for finance and accounting. He has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting in the Kansas City and New York markets as well as Big Four public accounting experience.
Daniel oversees all accounting functions for the company across multiple projects and entities. His responsibilities include internal and external financial reporting and compliance; monitoring development project costs, development agreements including Certification of TIF/CID Expenditures, maintain bank relationships, debt compliance, treasury management and operational analysis.
Daniel graduated from the University of New York at Albany with an Accounting Degree and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Dan Christie
Owner & COO
dan@weststardevelopment.com
Owner and COO of West Star, Dan has been a part of the team since 1989. He's held many important titles and is quick to jump on any job that will better the team, company, and tenant business.
Mike Christie
Owner and COO of West Star, Mike has been a part of the team since 1989. He's held many important titles and handles many responsibilities from leasing to development.
Dylan Christie
dylan@weststardevelopment.com
Dylan started at West Star Development in 2017 after he completed his education at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. While attending William Jewell, Dylan was a member of the baseball team and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. In Dylan's years at West Star he has taken on responsibilities in sales, leasing, and property management. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his better half, as well as his two dogs. If not that, you can find him hunting, fishing, or playing golf.
Morgan Feight
morgan@weststardevelopment.com
Morgan graduated from Kansas State University in 2017 with her degree in Family Science and Human Development. Shortly after, she moved to the Kansas City area and began working at West Star Development in the fall of 2017. In Morgan's time at West Star, she has taken on roles in projects varying from development as well as managing projects at Sterling and Shiloh Ranch.
In her time outside of work, Morgan enjoys spending time with friends and family and trying new local spots.
Mary Miesner
mary@weststardevelopment.com
Mary joined the West Star family in November 1999. Her time began as a part time administrative assistant. Over the years, her roles have changed as well as her responsibilities, but her commitment and work ethic in representing West Star have made her the go to gal! Mary is the friendly voice that will most likely greet you when you call the West Star offices.
Her background includes various things, such as working in personal banking, commercial lending, management, with a little marketing along the way as well.
She has been married to her husband Josh for 25 years and together raised a wonderful son and daughter. Mary's family are long-time residents of Shawnee, KS and take pride in being active members of their community and doing their part to make the town a great place to live and raise a family.
Maria Stadick
maria@weststardevelopment.com
Maria Elena Stadick is in Accounts Payables, where Maria brings a strong work ethic and passion for business management to the team. Maria's strengths include enthusiasm and a positive, can-do attitude. She is calm under pressure and deadlines and is able to multi-task seamlessly, which are key to productivity and success in the business management world.
Maria greatly enjoys being a mother and a wife. In her free time, you may find Maria reading, doing crafts, bringing people together and seeking out new Taco Tuesday spots.


Tag: CCDU
"Editorial: Another step closer to a sensible revamp of Victoria Square" The Press (Online Article)
Submitted by mark on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 at 9:55 am.
Editorial: Another step closer to a sensible revamp of Victoria Square
"In the redevelopment of Victoria Square there are parallels to the clock, involving, on one side, the people of Christchurch, and, on the other, the Christchurch Central Development Unit.
Those who wanted to push ahead quickly and recklessly - and spend $7 million with disregard to the broader sentiments of the city - have lost out, while the people who preferred the steady-as-she-goes, little change, option, for a place where you can linger awhile, kick back and slow down, have been victorious."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/72244508/editorial-another-step-closer-to-a-sensible-revamp-of-victoria-square
Tags: CCDU, Editorial, Online Article, The Press, Victoria Square
"Final Victoria Square plan considered" The Press (Online Article)
Submitted by mark on Sunday, September 20th, 2015 at 6:55 pm.
"Final Victoria Square plan considered" The Press:
"Christchurch City Council is being asked to approve a revised Government plan to restore Victoria Square.
The latest plan sees the layout of Victoria Square remaining largely unchanged and proposes repairs and restoration of existing features. ..."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/72230970/final-victoria-square-plan-considered
Tags: CCDU, Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Civic Trust, Historic Places Canterbury, Online Article, The Press, Victoria Square
Manchester Street Bus Super Stop : Historic Places Canterbury Deputation To The C.C.C. Infrastructure, Transport And Environment Committee
Submitted by mark on Monday, September 7th, 2015 at 5:18 pm.
The following is the text of the Historic Places Canterbury Deputation to the Christchurch City Council Infrastructure, Transport And Environment Committee.
The text of the Deputation is as follows:
Deputation to the
Christchurch City Council Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee.
3rd September 2015 (more…)
Tags: CCDU, Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Heritage Trust, Deputation, Historic Places Canterbury, Shands Emporium Building, Trinity Church
Shands /Trinity- Manchester Street Bus Super Stop Media Coverage
Submitted by mark on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 at 12:35 pm.
"Manchester St property owners win bus shelter battle" The Press:
"... A controversial proposal to build a giant canopied bus shelter with glass pods on a central city section of Manchester St has been rejected. ..."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/71006460/manchester-st-property-owners-win-bus-shelter-battle
"Editorial: Council should re-examine its plans for Manchester St bus superstop" The Press:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/70956862/editorial-council-should-reexamine-its-plans-for-manchester-st-bus-superstop
"Manchester St bus stop upsets heritage advocates, developers" The Press:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/70829180/manchester-st-bus-stop-upsets-heritage-advocates-developers
Tags: CCDU, Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Heritage Trust, Online Article, The Press
"Manchester St bus stop upsets heritage advocates, developers" The Press (Online Article)
Submitted by mark on Thursday, August 6th, 2015 at 1:01 pm.
"....The Christchurch Heritage Ltd, which owns and is restoring the Trinity Church and the recently-relocated Shands Emporium building, said the stop would be "visually intrusive" and degrade the heritage values of both buildings..." The Press
Tags: CCDU, Christchurch Heritage Trust, Online Article, Shands Emporium Building, The Press, Trinity Church
"Victoria Square Draft Restoration Plan" Is Out- Submissions Close 31st July 2015
Submitted by mark on Thursday, July 16th, 2015 at 5:20 pm.
CCDU have released the Victoria Square Draft Restoration Plan:
https://ccdu.govt.nz/projects-and-precincts/te-papa-otakaro-avon-river-precinct/victoria-square-market-place
The Victoria Square Draft Restoration Plan PDF can be downloaded at the following link:
https://ccdu.govt.nz/sites/default/files/victoria-square-draft-restoration-plan-july-2015.pdf
People can have their say online at ccdu.govt.nz/victoria-square and on feedback forms available at all Christchurch City Council service centres and the Future Christchurch Showcase in Re:START Mall.
CERA will run 'meet the planner sessions' where planners and members of the Independent Reference Group will be available to answer questions from the public. These will take place 5 – 7pm Tuesday 21 July at Knox Church, as well as 12 – 1pm Thursday 23 July and 5.30 – 6.30pm Wednesday 29 July at the Future Christchurch Showcase
Tags: CCDU, Victoria Square
"Christchurch residents reject Cera's Victoria Square revamp" The Press Online Article (8th) June 2015)
Submitted by mark on Monday, June 8th, 2015 at 9:02 am.
Christchurch residents reject Cera's Victoria Square revamp
"Christchurch residents have railed against a proposed $7 million redevelopment of Victoria Square, saying it only requires repairing and cosmetic changes. ..."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/69172555/christchurch-residents-reject-ceras-victoria-square-revamp
Tags: CCDU, CERA, Online Article, The Press, Victoria Square
Victoria Square: No Need For Change Media Release (5th June 2015) Re Release Of Community Participation Feedback Summary
"The Feedback Summary findings reinforces the wishes of Christchurch Residents who have written letters, appeared on talkback radio, attended Public Meetings, sent emails and in countless private conversations have clearly stated to CCDU and to Minister Nicky Wagner - "Victoria Square, there is no need for change. Leave it alone."
Tags: CCDU, CERA, Media Release, Victoria Square
Victoria Square Public Forum At Knox Church
Submitted by mark on Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 at 8:40 am.
Chris Lynch took this image of the vote at the Victoria Square Public Forum. (Source Chris Lynch's Facebook page: LynchinNZ)
"At tonight's public meeting we called for a show of hands on keeping Victoria Square as is. What lovely passionate Cantabs. It was an honour to MC this meeting on behalf of the Chch Civic Trust & Historic Places Canterbury."
Chris Lynch took this image and posted it on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/lynchinnz
https://www.facebook.com/lynchinnz/photos/pcb.409232019255771/409231989255774/?type=1&theater
Tags: CCDU, CERA, Heritage Forum, Victoria Square
Victoria Square Public Forum At Knox Church: Media Coverage
Morning Report (RNZ National) coverage:
Public say no to Victoria Square redesign ( 3′ 10″ )
Hundreds of Cantabrians gathered in Christchurch last night to deliver the Government a strong message - leave the city's Victoria Square alone.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20150401-0740-public_say_no_to_victoria_square_redesign-048.mp3
"Morning Report" reporting that 300 people attended the Victoria Square Public Forum.
Tags: CCDU, CERA, Morning Report, Radio New Zealand National, Victoria Square


Home National
BNP's joining not to legitimise parliament, say its MPS
BNP MPs on Sunday raised the question again about the legitimacy of the current Parliament, saying their joining would not ascertain its validity.
Two BNP MPs -- Md Harunur Rashid and Rumeen Farhana -- raised the question taking part in the discussion on the supplementary budget for 2018-19 fiscal year in Parliament, UNB reports.
They said the six BNP MPs joined Parliament as their party is not getting space for democratic practice like holding rallies outside.
"Many are asking as to why we've joined the House although the last general election was unacceptable," Harunur Rashid said, adding that the Election Commission has completely failed to hold an acceptable election and it has destroyed parliamentary elections as well as local government elections.
"The joining of six BNP MPs won't give legitimacy to this Parliament," he said.
There is the absence of democratic space for raising their demands in line with the constitution and even their party is not allowed to hold any rally, the BNP MP said. "BNP MPs joined Parliament to restore good governance in the country."
He urged Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was present in the House, to initiate a national dialogue with the participation of the leaders of all political parties to have good governance in the country.
Rumeen Farhana said they have joined Parliament as BNP was not allowed to hold any protest programme. "We came here to talk about the people of the country," she said, alleging that all the 300 constituencies were 'looted' in the last election.
She demanded disclosure of the names of bad loan holders in the country.
Rumeen also alleged that Bangladeshi money is being siphoned off to different countries. "This money is being invested in the Second Home project in Malaysia and used to build Begumpara in Canada."
During her speech, treasury bench members raised hue and cry on several times and deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah who was presiding over the sitting at the time expunged unparliamentarily words from the speech of the lone BNP women MP.
'Minni confesses to involvment'


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Moving to Hong Kong
Expats FAQ in Hong Kong
Q: What are some local Hong Kong banks that expats can consider?
A: Hang Seng Bank and Bank of China are two local banks that are quite popular among expats today, especially those whose banks in their home countries are not represented in Hong Kong. Of course, there is an advantage when their banks at home have branches in HK (for example, Standard Chartered, Citibank and HSBC.) This makes money transfers not just more convenient but also more cost-efficient.
Q: Do Hong Kong banks have English-speaking staff?
A: Not all, but most of them do have English-speaking staff, especially in locations where there are high expat populations like Repulse Bay and Mid-Levels.
Q: Are Hong Kong banks open on weekends?
A: Most of them are open on Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:30 noon but all are closed on Sundays. From Mondays to Fridays, these banks usually open at 8:30 am and close at 5pm.
Q: How is the Internet speed in Hong Kong?
A: Excellent. In fact, according to Bloomberg, Hong Kong has the fastest Internet connection in the world, with an average speed of 63 MBPS.
Q: Are foreigners allowed to own 100% of a business in Hong Kong?
A: Yes. As long as all requirements are duly complied with, foreigners in Hong Kong are allowed to be both the director and shareholder of a business. However, the business owner is obliged to assign a Hong Kong company or individual as a company secretary.
Q: What is the business language in Hong Kong?
A: Although locals mainly speak Cantonese and/or Mandarin, English is the official language used in business transactions in Hong Kong.
Q: Around how much is the fee for setting up a business in Hong Kong?
A: The fee for setting up a business in Hong Kong is around 6,650 HKD (can change anytime), and this covers the costs of incorporation and disbursement, incorporation, annual company secretary parking, annual register address parking, bank account opening and document certification.
Q: Are there language centers in Hong Kong that teach children Mandarin or Cantonese?
A: Yes, and there are plenty. One centre that seems to stand out though is New Concept Mandarin which teaches Mandarin and incorporates games, arts and crafts, and storytelling into the lessons. This makes the classes more interesting to kids. Other centers mostly teach just language.
Q: How much is a typical fee charged by child care centers in Hong Kong?
A: The rates can vary from 10,000 HKD to 100,000 HKD annually, depending on the quality of care providers and facilities and even location. With this wide range of prices, it's best to research and make comparisons first before choosing.
Q: Does the Hong Kong government provide assistance to expats looking for a school for their kids?
A: Not personally, but the Education Bureau does provide tools on its website for everyone to use. Note that waiting lists in international schools can be very long, so it's very important to apply early and consider a number of schools as options.
Q: Is transportation expensive in Hong Kong?
A: Despite Hong Kong's reputation as one of the most expensive expat destinations in the world, public transport is cheap and highly efficient. Even the minimum taxi fare is very modest - 22 HKD - and most trips within the city centre do not exceed 100 HKD.
Q: How much does hiring a domestic helper cost in Hong Kong?
A: It depends on the employer, but domestic help is generally cheap in Hong Kong compared to other key areas of the world such as the US, UK, etc. However, families do provide free board and lodging for these workers.
Q: Is it really expensive to live in Hong Kong?
A: Yes, it can be quite expensive for expats and this is mainly because of the country's highly inflated property market and the fact that most produce and commodities are imported from other countries. Nonetheless, expat salaries are usually high enough to compensate for these costs.
Q: What is the health emergency number to call in Hong Kong?
A: The number to call for health and all other types of emergencies (police, fire, etc.) in Hong Kong is 999.
Q: Do doctors in Hong Kong speak English?
A: Yes, doctors in Hong Kong speak English, considering that most of them finished their medical studies and training in Western institutions. Note though that doctors who have international accreditation tend to charge higher than those who obtained their degrees locally.
Q: How expensive is private health care in Hong Kong?
A: One thing expats love about Hong Kong is that private health care is not too expensive compared to public health care and the costs of similar services in the US, Japan, UK, and other top expat destinations. Moreover, health benefits are often included in their employment contracts.
Q: What types of accommodation are available in Hong Kong?
A: Housing in Hong Kong varies greatly, but there are two general and simple terms people use for differentiation - "old" and "new." Old properties are typically Chinese - no elevators, low-rise, great square footage, few amenities, no modern finish and minimal maintenance. New properties can be described as the exact opposite. Obviously, "old" properties, whether rented or purchased, are less expensive than "new" properties, but location can also factor into the price. The farther the property from the city centre, the cheaper it becomes.
Q: Is it practical for an expat to buy a real estate property in Hong Kong?
A: In most cases, expats would say that renting is more preferable. According to a CNBC report, properties in Hong Kong are the second most expensive in the world next only to Monaco. Expats who plan on actually working and retiring in Hong Kong may find buying a property a good investment, but those who intend to return to their home countries after a few years will find it wiser to simply rent.
Q: Are Hong Kong landlords strict in screening potential tenants?
A: Tenant screening in Hong Kong is basically the same as in any other key expat destination. There will be credit checks, previous tenancy checks and all the rest. However, expats enjoy that fact that HK landlords can be very flexible and practically everything can be negotiated. For example, they may request for repairs or even minor remodeling. Of course, these requests must be made prior to the signing of contracts.
Q: Where do most expats go for nightlife in Hong Kong?
A: There are many nightlife districts in Hong Kong, but most expats flock to Hong Kong Island where Lan Kwai Fong is the most popular. LWK is just small area with a very tight collection of clubs, bars, and restaurants. Street drinking is also common. This is when people buy their drinks from 7-Eleven shops and drink along sidewalks. This practice can make downtown areas noisy and rowdy at night, but drunken aggression is rarely, if at all, a problem.
Q: Are there vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong?
A: Yes. Bookworm Cafe (Yung She Wan Main Street on Lamma Island) is one of the most popular places where people go to get organic vegetarian dishes right in the middle of a massive book collection. Another is Life Café (at the heart of Central) which offers a huge variety of Yogi organic tea. There's plenty more out there, all just a Google away.
Q: What are the top attractions for kids in Hong Kong?
A: There are plenty of kid attractions in Hong Kong but Disneyland is still, of course, number one for tourist kids. For local kids, however, the real favorite seems to be Ocean Park with all its exciting carnival games, rides and the impressive display of marine creatures in massive aquariums.
Q: Is it important to know a Chinese language when working in Hong Kong?
A: Not always, but those who have some knowledge of Cantonese or Mandarin will always have an edge. While there are certain industries where only English is required, note that there are also job hunters from Mainland China who can compete for jobs. When looking for work in Hong Kong, it's always safe to check language requirements beforehand.
Q: How long is a typical workday in Hong Kong?
A: A typical workday in Hong Kong is a lot longer than what most expats are used to. Workers are generally expected to put in more than 8 hours a day or more than 50 hours a week. Raising issues against this "expectation" in the workplace is usually frowned upon and may even be an indirect cause for termination.
Q: How do foreigners usually get a job in Hong Kong?
A: In most cases, foreigners come to Hong Kong already with a signed job contract. The big companies are known to use headhunters to search potential candidates overseas and entice them with very attractive remuneration packages. However, it is also possible to come to Hong Kong as a tourist, find a job and work out the necessary visas or permits from there. The careers section of The Standard (the biggest English newspaper in the country) is a very good place to start.
Q: Are there differences among HKD coins having the same denominations but different designs?
A: No, there are no important differences and they can all be used interchangeably. UK banks have the same practice of imprinting different designs on same-denomination coins. In Hong Kong, there are three banks that issue bank notes. HSBC coins have a lion on one side, those made by Standard Chartered Bank have a heritage and technology theme, and Bank of China coins show the Bank of China Tower.
Q: Do ATMs in Hong Kong accept international money systems?
A: Yes, and the most widely accepted are Visa Electron, Plus, Maestro, and Cirrus.
Q: How do expats pay income tax in Hong Kong?
A: In Hong Kong, an expat's citizenship or residency has no bearing on how much tax he has to pay. Also, salary taxes are only based on income generated within Hong Kong, which means income derived from abroad will not be taxed. This is actually one feature of taxation laws that expats appreciate in Hong Kong.
Q: Do Hong Kong expats also have to pay taxes in their home countries?
A: This is more of an issue with the home country's tax laws rather than Hong Kong's. For example, American expats have to continue paying taxes to the IRS while also paying taxes in Hong Kong, while citizens of other countries only pay taxes in Hong Kong. There are also countries with which Hong Kong has existing tax treaties, making expats' tax obligations lighter to a certain extent. This is why taxation should be considered a key issue by expats prior to moving.
Q: What is the dominant religion among people in Hong Kong?
A: Because people in Hong Kong come from different parts of the world, it is natural that religions here are very diverse. Proof to this are around 800 Christian churches, 600 Taoist and Buddhist temples, three synagogues, one Sikh temple and one Hindu temple, all existing today.
Q: Is air pollution a problem in Hong Kong?
A: To some extent, yes. The pollution mainly comes from factories in Southern China and it makes Hong Kong's skyline look quite unattractive. Of course, the health implications make up a more serious concern for expats, particularly those who have respiratory problems.
Q: Are dogs allowed in public transport vehicles in Hong Kong?
A: Dogs and other pets are not allowed in all public vehicles in Hong Kong, except for private taxis and ferries.
Q: Are there pet-friendly apartments in Hong Kong?
A: Apartments in Hong Kong are generally pet-friendly, but the issue is really more about space rather than tenancy rules. Expats who move into modern apartments in the city centre may be allowed to have dogs, for example, but there won't be enough green area for the animals to wander around and exercise. Certain parts of Hong Kong such as Stanley, Repulse Bay, Jardine's Lookout ad Mid-Levels East do have more green space for dogs, but these communities tend to be very expensive to live in.
Q: How much do people pay for a pet import permit in Hong Kong?
A: The permit fee Hong Kong pet imports is around 344 HKD for rabbits, birds, reptiles and rodents, and some 432 HKD for dogs and cats (rates can change anytime). The fee is paid to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department which issues the permit.
Q: Which type of schools do most expats send their kids to in Hong Kong?
A: As in most other parts of the world, state-run schools in Hong Kong are free, even for expat families. However, most foreigners prefer to send their kids to private or international schools which use English as the medium of instruction and follow the Western educational system. These schools can be extremely expensive though, and expats should arrange to have schooling costs included in their salaries before signing an employment contract.
Q: How competitive are schools in Hong Kong?
A: Very competitive. In fact, this has led to families making private tutoring part of their kids' daily routine. It's not unusual for children in Hong Kong to spend additional hours doing school work with their tutors. This is also viewed as preparation for acceptance into international universities or simply as a way to keep up with peers.
Q: Is homeschooling allowed in Hong Kong?
A: Yes, but only for expats. Homeschooling by locals is actually considered illegal in Hong Kong. There is a large homeschooling support network in the region, especially in Discovery Bay where the expat population is high.
Q: Where can shoppers report Hong Kong stores that sell counterfeit merchandise advertised as authentic?
A: Reports (not just on counterfeiting but all kinds of consumer issues) can be filed at the Trade Descript Ordinance Customs and Excise Department (hotline: +852 2545 6182). For tourists, these concerns can also be brought to the attention of the Travel Industry Council which can facilitate a full refund when warranted.
Q: What are some of the best markets in Hong Kong and where are they located?
A: The Ladies Market in Mongkok is usually number one on any female Hong Kong shopper's list. The area practically crawls with all kinds of cheap fashion merchandise like faux designer bags and watches, clothes, artsy jewelry, etc. The Temple Street Night market is also great for those little sundry items, interesting souvenirs, and street food. For Chinese antiques, both faux and authentic, people troop to Cat Street (near Central).
Q: Are there Hong Kong stores that sell grocery items for the expat market?
A: Yes. Almost all familiar homegrown foodies and brands from all over the world can be found in expat specialty stores scattered around Hong Kong. There's Vegemite for Australians, Ranch dressing for Americans and so on. There are even Japanese supermarkets and lots of stores selling exclusive Filipino or Thai grocery items.
Q: Are social media websites also banned in Hong Kong as they are in Mainland China?
A: No, these sites are not banned in Hong Kong and there is generally very little Internet censorship as opposed to Mainland China. There are, however, serious penalties for the distribution of obscene and/or pirated materials.
Q: What is the period of coverage of a typical mobile phone service contract in Hong Kong?
A: Mobile phone contracts in Hong Kong are not very different from those in the West. Initially, they would be good for two years and can be renewed going forward. It's also easy to get sign one as long as the applicant can provide proof of an HK address and has an HKID. Expats may be able to sign a contract with some companies even without an HKID, as long as they can show their passport and pay a deposit.
Q: Does Hong Kong's Octopus card also work for the tram?
A: Yes, the Octopus card, the cheapest way to pay for public transport in Hong Kong, can also be used for the tram. However, note that the tram only travels around Hong Kong Island, traveling from east to west and also up the Peak. This mode of transport is also very slow, so unless commuters live in areas not reached by the MTR (for example, May Road and Sai Ying Pun), they're probably not going to use the tram everyday.
Q: Are there differences among green, blue and red cabs in Hong Kong?
A: Yes. Green cabs only travel around the New Territories, blue cabs serve the outlying islands, and red cabs are limited to routes within Kowloon or Hong Kong. Green and blue taxis are also much cheaper.
Q: Is it practical to buy one's own car in Hong Kong?
A: Most expats will probably advise otherwise. Hong Kong is small and the costs of purchasing and parking an automobile are high. Nonetheless, those moving with children who have to be shuttled to and from school, or those who intend to live away from the city centre may consider buying their own cars for the sake of convenience.
Q: Are there typhoons in Hong Kong?
A: Yes and it is important to keep this in mind when planning a Hong Kong trip. Typhoons in the country are classified according to a scale, and an eight factor is known to cause flight delays or cancellations, as well as offices and stores closing out of schedule.
Q: Are there in-town airport check-in services in Hong Kong?
A: Yes, there are such services in Hong Kong, specifically at Kowloon and Central stations on the MRT. And these services allow passengers to check-in for their flight, get a boarding pass and check in their bags which they only get to see again when they arrive at their destination airport.
Q: Is it convenient to take public transport from the Hong Kong airport to the city center?
A: The airport is rather far from the city centre but taking public transport is still quite convenient. The Airport Express station is located right within the airport, the train makes a stop halfway to the downtown area and then in Kowloon and Central areas. Travel time is less than thirty minutes and the fare is around 90 HKD.
Q: Do people need an entry visa for Hong Kong travel?
A: As of today, there are at least 165 countries whose citizens do not need a visa in order to enter Hong Kong (unless they are coming for pre-arranged employment or any other qualifying factor that requires them to have a visa). On the other hand, there are also many Eastern European and African nationals who do need an entry visa. When planning a trip, it is best to first check with the Hong Kong Immigration Department website.
Q: Who may be included as "dependents" in an expat's application for immigration to Hong Kong?
A: According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, an expat's "dependents" may include any unmarried children below 18, a spouse, and parents who are not older than 60. The principal applicant should also provide proof of his or her relationship with claimed dependents.
Q: How long is the processing time for Hong Kong visas?
A: It depends on the particular type of visa and how satisfied Hong Kong authorities are with the documentation provided. Generally though, processing time can go for about four to six weeks, and all visas must be collected in person.


These lawyers turn to nature to nurture their bodies and souls
Jenny B. Davis
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote that "the health of the eye seems to demand a horizon." For many lawyers, however, sight lines extend only as far as the office door, and the horizon is truncated by walls and window edges. They're in a box, literally and figuratively, held captive by tasks, deadlines, rules, expectations and stress. But these eight lawyers have discovered that to get out of this box, one simply has to get out—to step outside and seek adventure in the great outdoors. Whether on a bike, in a boat, on foot or even on ice skates, they turn to nature to nurture their mental and physical health, finding peace and happiness along their journeys to that horizon.
On any given day, environmental lawyer Tom Mullikin might be in the Amazon rain forest discussing a cleanup of a contaminated site, in Alaska scouting a potential project for Global Eco Adventures—the environmental nonprofit he founded—meeting with indigenous leaders in Fiji about the impact of tidal changes, or leading a group of middle schoolers on a hike through South Carolina's Jocassee Gorges. Mullikin has spent his entire professional career actively engaged with environmental issues, educating companies, students, lawyers and lawmakers on how to respect and preserve nature, and how to better understand complex issues such as global environmental management. "What I do in the outdoors helps me be a better counsel to my clients," he says. "If I have any added value, it's that I am not only thinking about the environment in terms of just the law and legal documents—I've been there, too, and I can offer a holistic approach to what you should do."
Mullikin even takes people with him when he can. "If you're going to talk about the ice melting off Mount Kilimanjaro, the best place to have that conversation is on Mount Kilimanjaro," he says. He's taught lawyers about environmental law by taking them diving to feed sharks and observe coral, and he has led groups of climate change researchers on expeditions to Peru, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Africa's Namib Desert (all of which he highlighted in a documentary that was broadcast on a national network). He's advised corporations on how they can reduce their environmental impact, while also becoming more profitable. He has studied water-related issues in scuba dives in every ocean on earth including in Antarctica—he's a certified ice diver—and has summited the highest peaks on four continents. (Climbing the highest peaks on the three remaining continents is his next goal, and it's one that's both personal and professional.)
"Climbing is the most stress-relieving activity I could ever be involved in," he says. "On summit day, when you're breaking the clouds, it's an experience that stays with you. It's this aspect of climbing mountains, of diving, that I try to bring into focus for my clients, to show them that respecting and protecting the environment can be done in a way that is consistent with solid business principles."
As a litigator in a construction law firm, Amy M. Emerson specializes in looking into the future, anticipating and preparing for anything and everything that could go wrong. When she leaves the office, however, her strategy is to live in the moment. Which is why she loves trail running. Emerson has always craved the outdoors. Growing up in rural West Texas, she and her family hunted and fished; these days she enjoys kayaking, cycling and hiking. When she turned 30, she took up running, mostly as a way to relieve stress. It wasn't entirely successful. She found that her mind wandered as she ran—and mostly, it wandered back to work. "To be a creative litigator, you have to be thinking about a lot of things, but you also have to be able to turn it off," she says.
In 2014, she tried trail running, and the difference was immediate. Navigating often challenging terrain allowed Emerson to find the focus that eluded her on the road. "When you're on the trail, you have to concentrate all of your attention on what you're doing so you don't fall and bust your face open," she says with a laugh. In March, Emerson completed her first trail-running ultramarathon, a 50K trail run in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the Arizona-Utah border. She had so much fun, she's planning on doing it again, this time along the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
For Emerson, the extreme distance was both the challenge and the return. "Running through these amazingly beautiful places is the biggest reward for me," she says. "You get to see landscapes you would never see unless you went on a multiday hike." Emerson always allows herself to stop along the way to absorb the beauty around her. She drinks in the silence and appreciates the peace. Sometimes, she even takes pictures. For her, the accomplishment isn't the time—it's the finish. "I compete every day in my job, so I don't want to go out there and have to compete. This is the best way to decompress, and it just makes me really happy."
Many lawyers can be described as having "Type A" personalities. Kandis Gibson says she's been told she's a "Type A+." During the day, she focuses on Section 337 litigation, a specialized practice she describes as "IP litigation on steroids." Cases often involve multiple parties located across the globe, meaning office hours are long and she's frequently on call 24/7. Once she exits her office, however, Gibson transforms into a triathlete. For the past four years, she has been competing in triathlons. She started with 5Ks and 10Ks at the age of 30, when she realized she was spending too much time on her couch after work; when a friend died of cancer at 33 and her grandfather was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, Gibson decided to step up the intensity. "It's almost like a responsibility that I can do something that many others can't do," she explains. "My grandmother says, 'Don't wait until you're 50 or 60 to do something you want to do,' and that's how I feel when I'm out there running."
Last fall, she completed the Ironman North American Championship in the Woodlands, Texas. The competition was entirely outside. And that, she says, was the fun part. "The outdoors adds this unknown variable—it adds excitement. You can swim forever in a pool, but when you get outside in the open water, it's spontaneous—anything can happen." Biking is her favorite segment of the challenge. "It's a bigger stretch of time in nature," she says. "Nobody's on a laptop or a phone; it's just beautiful, quiet and peaceful."
When training, she likes to bike a path, then run the same route to observe how her perspective changes at different speeds. "You see the big picture when you're biking, but is there a detail you missed because you were going too fast? Going back, taking the time—it helps you keep an open mind. It focuses your concentration and gives you patience and perspective." All of which helps her work performance, she says. "I know what it's like to find that mental strength, to find inner peace and to work through the problem," she says. "It's kind of awesome to be able to say, 'Difficult client? I just did an Ironman—this will be fine.' "
This article originally appeared in the July 2016 issue of the ABA Journal with this headline: "Outside Interests: These lawyers turn to nature to nurture their bodies and souls."
Jenny B. Davis, a former practicing lawyer, is a freelance writer based in Fort Worth, Texas.
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