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= = = The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends = = = |
The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends is a 2007 direct-to-video animated film and the thirteenth film in "The Land Before Time" series. |
Littlefoot has been having nightmares of Grandma Longneck falling to her death, which almost occurred during an earthquake, but Grandma Longneck luckily saved herself before she fell. Grandma Longneck comforts and teaches Littlefoot important life lessons called "Wisdoms". Later on, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Spike, and Petrie meet three yellow-bellied dinosaurs, Loofah, Doofah, and Foobie. They have lost their way while traveling to distant Berry Valley. Loofah, Doofah, and Foobie seem to be too unintelligent to find their way back, so Littlefoot and the others decide to help their new friends whilst sharing Wisdoms along the way. |
During the trip, Littlefoot and his friends have been pursued by a quartet of Sharpteeth, led by a Sharptooth with a scar that goes around his head. They made it to a Watering Hole and meet other yellow bellies. Earlier, Loofah mentioned a so-called "wise one" among the Yellow Bellies but Littlefoot cannot find no sign of him. Littlefoot begins to lead the Yellow Bellies across the Mysterious Beyond to reach the Berry Valley, however, Littlefoot has never been to Berry Valley and worries that he might make unwise decisions while he came to teach the Yellow Bellies how to be wise. His friends reassure him that he should trust in his feelings to let him know what to listen to. |
As an intense storm occurs, Littlefoot leads the Yellow Bellies onto a plateau for shelter, but Doofah becomes separated from the group, going the wrong direction. Once the storm ends, Littlefoot and his friends were able to find her and she rejoins the group. The sharpteeth attack again, but they were able to defeat them when the Yellow Bellies bounced up and down. After the Sharpteeth were defeated, they finally made it to Berry Valley. Foobie is revealed to be the "Wise One" all along. Littlefoot and his friends reunite with their family and they return to the Great Valley. |
The music was composed by Michael Tavera and the new songs were written by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom. |
This was the third film in the series without James Horner's original score from the first film; the first two were "" and "", although Michael Tavera's older themes from previous sequels can still be heard. |
The film was revealed on the official "Land Before Time" website seen in a trailer. |
Almost every sequel is highlighted by a celebrity guest voice; in the case of this film, they are Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Sandra Oh of "Grey's Anatomy". |
The same production team remains, although this marks the debut of Jamie Mitchell, who replaces Charles Grosvenor as director. Therefore, Grosvenor is credited as a supervising director. |
The film was released on DVD on November 27, 2007 with the TV series's episode, "The Hidden Canyon", included as a bonus feature. |
"The Wisdom of Friends" received a nomination for "Beast Feature Film, Ages 5-8" at the 2008 Kids First! Film Festival, losing to "Barbie & the Diamond Castle". |
= = = Roxborough, Manchester = = = |
Roxborough is a former estate and now a small community south of Mandeville in Manchester, Jamaica. It was the birthplace of Jamaican National Hero and politician Norman Washington Manley. |
The estate was originally called "Roxbro Castle". Over the years the great house became derelict until, despite renovation proposals, it was destroyed by fire in 1968. there are again proposals from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust to restore the building. |
The main economic activity is small-scale agriculture in which the principle crops are corn, bananas, sugarcane, ackee and marijuana. |
Notable people from Roxborough include: |
= = = Finnish motor torpedo boats of World War II = = = |
The Finnish Navy used several different types of motor torpedo boats during World War II. Four Soviet motor torpedo boats were captured and commissioned by the Finnish Navy during the World War II. One of these was of larger D-3 class while three others belonged to G-5 class. |
Vasama: Ex-TK 52 in Soviet service. She was a Soviet D 3 type motor torpedo boat. She was found sunk at Borstö in October 1941, having run aground in a storm. She probably had tried to escape the German attack on Hiiumaa and Saaremaa. She was used as a torpedo boat in 1943, and changed into a patrol boat in 1943. Returned to Soviet Union after the Continuation War. |
All G-5 class motor torpedo boats were returned to Soviet Union after the Continuation War. |
= = = Antonio Corbisiero = = = |
Antonio Giovanni Vincenzo Corbisiero (born 17 November 1984) is an English footballer who plays for Cymru North side Penrhyncoch. He previously played professionally for Swansea City and semi-professionally for Newport County, Aberystwyth Town and Llanelli. He is also currently a first-team coach at Aberystwyth Town. |
Born in Exmouth, Devon, Corbisiero, a right-footed midfielder of Irish-Italian parentage, began his career as a trainee with Swansea City, turning professional in August 2002. his league debut came on 30 August 2003 when he was a second-half substitute for Andy Robinson in Swansea's 4-1 win at home to Mansfield Town. He played four more times that season, starting just one game, a 3-2 defeat at home to Hull City, although Corbisiero was replaced by Leyton Maxwell at half-time. |
He was an awarded a new one-year contract in June 2004, but failed to appear in the Swansea first team the following season and had two loan spells with Newport County (in December 2004 and April 2005) before being released in May 2005 by Swansea manager Kenny Jackett. He joined subsequently joined Newport County in August 2005, but was released in September 2005 and joined Llanelli the following month. |
In January 2013, Llanelli entered financial difficulties and Corbisiero was allowed to join Aberystwyth Town. Corbisiero signed a contract until July 2014. During the summer of 2013, Aberystwyth Town appointed Corbisiero as 'First Team Coach' in addition to his academy coaching duties. |
= = = Klaus Gruner = = = |
Klaus Gruner (born 22 August 1952 in Frankenhausen, Crimmitschau) is a former East German handball player who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics. |
He was a member of the East German handball team which won the gold medal. He played all six matches and scored three goals. |
= = = Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line = = = |
The Fullerton Junction to Hurstbourne Line was a 6-mile railway line which ran between Fullerton Junction and Hurstbourne in Hampshire, UK. It was also known as the Longparish Branch and by the nickname of Nile Valley Railway. |
The passenger services was withdrawn on 6 July 1931. The line was then used for freight only between Hurstbourne to Longparish until 1934 and Longparish to Fullerton Junction until 28 May 1956. |
Nile Valley Railway was a nickname given to this line. It is believed the Victorians named it because of the anglers who visited the area to fish the River Test which has a reputation of being one of the finest trout rivers in the UK. |
This railway branch was completed as a double-track line in 1885. It was built by the London and South Western Railway in response to the planned Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway. The DN&SR, with the support of the L&SWR's rival the Great Western Railway, planned to build a main line route from the Midlands to Southampton in the heart of the L&SWR's territory, with its own terminus and an entirely separate line. The L&SWR was well aware that the DN&SR, like most start-up railway companies, was short of finances. It built 7.5-mile (12 km) Fullerton to Hurstbourne line to provide a complete line between Hurstbourne and Romsey. The L&SWR would offer the DN&SR the much cheaper alternative of building its line from Newbury to Hurstbourne, where its trains would then run on the new route along L&SWR track to the Southampton Terminus. The DN&SR would get its route to Southampton whilst the L&SWR would be able to exercise control over its competitor. |
Since the Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line was intended to handle heavy freight and express passenger traffic from the Midlands via the DN&SR it was built with double tracks and large stations at Longparish and Wherwell complete with extensive goods yards. Despite the line's short length it included some substantial engineering, including a 50-foot (15.2m) deep cutting near Longparish. |
In the event the DN&SR rejected the L&SWR's proposal and pushed on with its own independent route. Ironically construction of the line stalled for lack of funds at Winchester, but from there it was impossible to link with the Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line. |
The L&SWR opened the Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line under its own operation on 1 July 1885 with three passenger trains a day operated by a locomotive and a single carriage shuttling between Fullerton and Whitchurch (the DN&SR had its own station at the latter village). By the 1890s the service had increased to 5 trains a day but the line remained lightly used. An attempt to reduce costs was made by introducing railmotors on the line in 1910. The line did serve a useful role as a diversionary route between Eastleigh and Southampton for special trains or during engineering works on the main line. Queen Victoria, attracted by the scenery surrounding the line, had the Royal Train sent down the line on several occasions when travelling between Windsor Castle and Osbourne House. It is rumoured that she preferred this route on the way to and from Osborne House because it did not involve passing through any tunnels. |
By 1913 it was realised that the substantial investment put into building a line to main line standards would never be repaid on the light local traffic. The line was then reduced to a single-track line on 13 July 1913. |
A saw mill near Longparish station employed more than 100 men between 1914 and 1919 and up to 30 wagons a day carried goods from the mill. |
The passenger services was withdrawn on 6 July 1931. |
During the Second World War, an ammunition storage depot was built near Longparish and the line handled a considerable amount of military traffic. The stores remained in place until the early 1950s. |
The freight service last ran on 28 May 1956, but the track remained and was used to store condemned vans and wagons. The line was taken out of use in April 1960, although a short section at Fullerton remained until 1 June 1964. |
Midland and South Western Junction Railway |
Sprat and Winkle Line |
= = = USS Groves (DE-543) = = = |
USS "Groves" (DE-543) was a proposed World War II United States Navy "John C. Butler"-class destroyer escort that was never completed. |
"Groves" was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. Her construction was cancelled on 5 September 1944 before she could be launched. The incomplete ship was scrapped. |
= = = Public interest theory = = = |
The Public Interest Theory of regulation explains in general terms, that regulation seeks the protection and benefit of the public at large; public interest can be further described as the best possible allocation of scarce resources for individual and collective goods. Regulation means the employment of legal instruments for the implementation of socio-economic policy objectives, for example the government can establish economic and social regulations in order to realize goals like allocative efficiency, stabilization, or fair and just income distribution |
In modern economies, the allocation of scarce resources is mainly coordinated by the market. In theory, this allocation of resources is optimal, but these conditions are frequently not complied in practice. The allocation of resources is not optimal and there is need for methods for improving the allocation. One of the methods for achieving efficiency in the allocation of resources is government regulation. |
According to public interest theory, government regulation is the instrument for overcoming the disadvantages of imperfect competition, unbalanced market operation, missing markets and undesirable market results. Regulation can improve the allocation by facilitating, maintaining, or imitating market operation. The exchange of goods and production factors in markets assumes the definition, allocation and assertion of individual property rights and freedom to contract. |
Public Interest Theory is a part of welfare economics and emphasizes that regulation should maximize social welfare and that regulation is the result of a cost/benefit analysis done to determine if the cost to improve the operation of the market outweighs the amount of increased social welfare. |
The following costs can be distinguished in this: |
1. The costs of formulating and implementing regulation; |
2. The costs of maintaining regulation; |
3. The costs of compliance with the rules for industry; |
4. The dead weight costs resulting from distortive changes in connection with 1-3. |
Public interest theory is developed from classical conceptions of representative democracy and the role of government, and it has considerable confidence in the civil service, according to Max Weber civil servants are office carriers dedicated to carry out the duties that constitute their particular role or task within a strictly ordered and specialized hierarchy. The combination of merit and tenure with unambiguous norms of impartiality support rational decision making based on administrative decision making where individual decisions are attributed to either the subsumption under norms or the balancing of means and ends. |
In this conception, regulatory administration neither adds to nor subtracts from the policy decided by lawmakers. The public interest may be served, but it is served exactly as interpreted by lawmakers. Bureaucracy does not usurp the public interest, nor does it protect against its usurpation by particularistic interests seeing regulation as a vehicle for their own concerns. Contrary to the capture theory, it states that the ultimate goal of regulation is to pursue some conception of the general good |
The theory of public interest regulation prevailed up to the 1960s until public choice theory launched its critical attack on established theory. While there is no pointed origin or categorical articulation of this theory, its notions can be traced back to works of Arthur Cecil Pigou; related to his analysis of externalities and welfare economics. This theory was prevalent, especially during the New Deal progressive era, as stated above, starting the 1960s, economists of the Chicago school began critiquing the assumption of benevolent regulators, proposing counter theories, like the Public choice theory, which is based on personal-interests of agents. |
Regulation, according to Public interest theory however, is assumed initially to benefit society as a whole rather than particular vested interests. The regulatory body is considered to represent the interest of the society in which it operates rather than the private interests of the regulators. |
One example of the application of Public Interest Theory can be seen in an investigation in Sweden and the energy market: |
We test the public interest and regulatory capture hypotheses, in the context of the Swedish electricity market, by studying the factors influencing the Swedish Energy Agency’s decision to replace decision-makers it employs to hear customer complaints against utilities.We test if the regulator’s decision to retain, or replace, the decision-maker, following a sequence of decisions, can be explained by whether the customer or utility is being favored by the civil servant. Based on whether the regulator replaces the decision maker that it has the power to appoint, we draw inferences about what theory can best explain the behavior of the regulator. The regulator can choose to favor the customer. To do so would be consistent with the fact that the primary objective of the electricity market reform in 1996 was to put the onus on the Swedish Energy Agency to provide stronger consumer protection against market abuse by the electricity utilities. On the other hand, the regulator might be captured because the utilities have more financial and legal resources and they have a well-established lobby organization which the customers do not have. It is not clear, therefore, whether customers or utilities have benefited most during the post-reform regulation. |
The most critiqued aspects of Public Interest Theory, are its ambiguity, and inability to determine when and if public interest has progressed. |
Two problems with public interest theory are: |
When the regulatory agency is established, during a period of regulatory reform, the agency is subject to close scrutiny from the government and the public alike and the regulatory agency faces strong pressure to protect consumers from market abuse. However, over time, the focus of government and public attention turn to other issues, removing the spotlight from the activities of the regulator. With this development, the regulator becomes more susceptible to regulatory capture. |
The competing hypothesis is that even when a regulatory body is established to protect consumers from monopolistic abuse, it will be captured by the firms that it is established to discipline. |
= = = Daniel Costescu = = = |
Daniel Ştefan Costescu (born 14 July 1976) is a former Romanian footballer who usually played as a striker. He scored 44 goals in 222 matches in the Romanian First Division and 21 goals in 67 matches in the Romanian Second Division. His first match in Divizia A (Romanian First Division) was Olimpia Satu Mare - Petrolul Ploieşti 3-0 on 1 August 1998, while playing for Petrolul Ploieşti. He was selected once in the Romanian Divisionary National Team (comprising players playing only in the Romanian leagues). |
Born in Câmpina, Prahova county, Costescu began playing football with "Sterom Câmpina" in Divizia D (Romanian Fourth Division), and in 1996 he moved to the representative team of the same town, Poiana Câmpina, in Divizia B, the Romanian Second Division. He played 2 years for Poiana Câmpina, scoring 15 goals in 60 games, helping the team getting a top 10 finish in both seasons. |
He then attracted the interest of Petrolul Ploieşti in Divizia A, the best team from the Prahova county, three-time champions of Romania. At Petrolul Ploieşti he established himself as an important striker in the Romanian league, scoring 27 goals between 1999 and 2002. During his time at Petrolul Ploieşti he caught the eyes of Romanian greats Steaua Bucureşti and Dinamo Bucuresti. |
After his experience at Petrolul Ploieşti, he changed the team but not the city, signing for Astra Ploieşti, where he had a prolific season, scoring 10 goals in 26 games, helping them to a record-high 9th position in Divizia A. |
After his short spell at Astra Ploieşti, he returned to Petrolul Ploieşti, where he played for another 2 years, scoring 9 goals in 36 games. |
In 2004, he transferred to a well-established club in Romania, FC Argeş Piteşti, 2-time champions of Romania and the team that gave players like Nicolae Dobrin, Adrian Mutu, Adrian Neaga, Dănuţ Coman and Paul Codrea. But, unfortunately for him, his time at FC Argeş was not one of the best, managing to score just 2 goals in 1 season. |
He was transferred in 2006 by Divizia A newcomers Unirea Urziceni, who were in need of an experienced man upfront. Unirea proved to be a surprise-pack, finishing 10th in the league, and Daniel scored 2 goals for his new team. |
After his season at Unirea he transferred to Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ. |
= = = Walsh convention = = = |
Walsh is a convention used in the card game of bridge in response to an opening bid of 1. The convention has its origins in the Walsh System developed by Richard Walsh. |
In general, the Walsh convention is not used in four-card major systems such as Acol, but may be employed in some five-card major systems; especially those that use a prepared club, rather than better minor. The opening bid of 1 will therefore have shown either clubs or a balanced hand. |
When responder is too weak to force to game diamond suits are bypassed in favour of major suits, regardless of the length of the diamond suit. For example, holding , the response to the opening bid of 1 would be 1 rather than the normal 1. |
Continuations vary according to other details of the system being played. If Checkback Stayman is being played, then the auction 1 – 1; 1NT – 2 would show this hand and end the auction. If New minor forcing is being used, then 3 is used as the sign off bid instead. |
When the values to force to game are held, the procedure is abandoned, and suits are bid in the normal order. Responders reverse from diamonds into a major thus becomes game forcing. So, holding , the auction starts 1 – 1; 1NT – 2. |
The main purpose of the convention is to avoid missing major suit fits when opener has something akin to a weak notrump, and would rebid 1NT over the normal 1 response. The major suit fit is likely to provide a safer resting place when the hands are weak, as well as potentially scoring better (a concern perhaps only at matchpoints). |
It is a form of Canapé and thus the responses of 1 and 1 to a 1 opener are alertable in the UK under EBU regulations. |
= = = Sa Coma = = = |
Sa Coma is a town on the eastern coast of the island of Majorca, Spain. It is close to the towns of Cala Millor and Cala Bona in the municipality of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. To the south it merges with the small town of S'illot. |
The principal industry is tourism, based around its golden sandy beach, and a variety of bars and restaurants. Spanish, Irish , German and British visitors are catered for, and the resort has a relaxed atmosphere in contrast to the lively resort of Magaluf on the west coast of the island. Sa Coma is more family oriented, and evening entertainment centres on hotels, rather than in bars or clubs. |
Some of the shops in Sa Coma also cater for tourists, with many products in the supermarkets being imported from tourists' home countries. In addition to the duty-free and sport shops, there are 'Perfumerías' (perfume shops) and a Carrefour hypermarket within Sa Coma town (previously owned by Eroski). |
Sa Coma has some of the best hotels and Bars and Pubs. The beach is also very good with fine-grained sand and shallow water. |
Sa Coma caters for touring Rugby Union teams (15 a side) throughout the year. |
A 24km segregated cycle lane (cycle track) connects Sa Coma with Cala Millor and Cala Bona. |
= = = Mobmov = = = |
Mobile Movie (aka "MobMov") is a worldwide network of guerrilla drive-ins using car-powered video projectors and FM transmitters. The MobMov represents over 150 independent guerrilla drive-ins, from United States to France, India, and Australia. |
Shows are free and are announced via mailing list and SMS. Patrons drive to the listed location, tune their radios, and watch a movie drive-in style. The coordinator uses a car or small generator to power the projector and FM transmitter. |
The MobMov was started by Bryan Kennedy in May, 2005. Kennedy's San Francisco-area MobMov has been defunct since late 2009 but other variations on the concept exist in the San Francisco Bay Area, and throughout the United States. |
= = = Syrian (disambiguation) = = = |
A Syrian is a citizen of the Syrian Arab Republic. The name is also used for the native inhabitants of the historical regions of Syria, adherents of Syriac Christianity in Syria, and as a synonym for ethnic Assyrians and Arameans. |
Syrian may also refer to: |
= = = Bad Girl (At Night) = = = |
"Bad Girl (At Night)" is a single from Dave Spoon and features Lisa Maffia on her 4th single. It was released as a download on August 27, 2007 and CD release followed on 1 September through Apollo Recordings. It also has a video of Maffia in a house set around people with hangovers. It reached the top 10 in 7 different countries. |