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Quigley v. Garden Valley Fire Protection Dist.

(Supreme Court of California) - Reversed and remanded. The Government Claims Act immunity for public entities is an affirmative defense that can be waived or forfeited if not timely raised.




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Zenhiser Releases "Galvanize - Drum & Bass" Sample Pack

A Straight Talking Drum & Bass Sample Pack That Pushes The Envelope In DnB Tools




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T.H. v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

(Supreme Court of California) - Affirming the Court of Appeals determination that the manufacturer of a name brand drug whose labeling directs the warnings provided on its generic bioequivalent's packaging owes a duty of reasonable care to the consumers of the generic drug and that the liability for potential negligence doesn't automatically terminate upon transfer of the company's rights in the name brand drug to a successor manufacturer.




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Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. West Ward Pharmaceuticals

(United States Federal Circuit) - Affirming the decision of the district court holding, after a bench trial, that the asserted claims of a patent relating to the treatment of schizophrenia with iloperidone administered based on the genotype of the patient were infringed and not invalid.




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United Food and Commercial Workers Unions v. Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp.

(United States First Circuit) - Affirmed the dismissal of two putative antitrust class actions alleging that a pharmaceutical company took steps to block the entry of generic versions of its leukemia-treatment drug into the U.S. market. The plaintiffs, including several labor union benefit funds, claimed that the drugmaker engaged in anticompetitive conduct by bringing sham infringement lawsuits against manufacturers trying to enter the market with generic versions of that drug. Dismissing the complaints, the district court held that the plaintiffs had not plausibly alleged their claims, and the First Circuit affirmed.



  • Antitrust & Trade Regulation
  • Health Law
  • Drugs & Biotech

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Helsinn Healthcare S.A. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

(United States Supreme Court) - Held that an inventor's sale of an invention to a third party who is obligated to keep the invention confidential can qualify as prior art for purposes of determining the patentability of the invention. The dispute here involved two pharmaceutical companies that disagreed about whether a certain drug was under patent; one of the companies wanted to market a generic version of it. Justice Thomas delivered the unanimous opinion.




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4 formules voor een pakkende inleiding van je blog of artikel

In dit artikel leer je een pakkende inleiding voor jouw blogartikelen te schrijven. Ik deel vier van mijn favoriete technieken, leg ze allemaal beknopt uit en geef bij elke techniek een praktisch voorbeeld. Als SEO-specialist heb ik al honderden blogartikelen geschreven en gebruik ik deze technieken dagelijks! Waarom is een pakkende inleiding belangrijk? Bij het […]




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Het platform als podium: de voordelen van online ontmoeten

Sectoren die nu nog offline only acteren komen meer en meer onder druk te staan. Na het verdwijnen van hele winkelketens en het op de schop nemen van volledige branches is de digitale revolutie op weg om ook de wereld van zakelijke events en B2B-beurzen te ‘disrupten’. Het stevige podium dat de beursvloer biedt is […]




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De betrokkenheid van de klant in het digitale, post-coronatijdperk

De coronacrisis heeft een grote impact op de manier waarop we op dit moment met elkaar omgaan. Dat deze crisis een enorme boost gaat geven aan de digitale transformatie, is wel duidelijk. Maar wat zijn de consequenties van deze digitale versnelling voor de relatie tussen organisaties en hun klanten? Gaan we straks weer terug naar […]




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Wanneer kies je voor online bij het bereiken & betrekken van inwoners?

Van gemeenten wordt anno 2020 verwacht dat zij inwoners betrekken bij participatietrajecten, zijzelf dienen vooral een faciliterende rol op zich te nemen. Maar hoe maak je als gemeente hierin de juiste keuzes: organiseer je een fysieke bewonersbijeenkomst of kies je voor een online raadpleging? Uit het onlangs gepubliceerde onderzoek ‘Staat van Betrokkenheid 2020’ van onderzoeks- […]




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Pennsylvania County Rips Governor’s Order Barring Businesses from Reopening

Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp of Pennsylvania’s Beaver County on Friday slammed Gov. Tom Wolf (D) over his order excluding the county from moving into the next phase of reopening.




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Pressure Mounts on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf as Even Democrats Now Question Coronavirus Shutdown

Pressure is increasing on Gov. Tom Wolf (D) to reopen Pennsylvania, even among Democrats, as it is revealed that the vast majority of recent coronavirus deaths in the state occurred at nursing homes or personal care facilities, the Morning Call revealed this week.




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Keep Chicago Livable v. City of Chicago

(United States Seventh Circuit) - Remanded for further findings as to whether a citizen group and six individuals had legal standing to challenge the constitutionality of Chicago's recently enacted Shared Housing Ordinance, which regulates home-sharing activities, including services offered by companies like Airbnb.




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The Ramona Flowers Release Captivating Single “Out Of Focus”

UK Band Unveils Music Video Ahead Of “Strangers” Album Release




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Vanzant v. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

(United States Seventh Circuit) - Reversed. The court reversed the dismissal of a class action consumer fraud and deceptive business case involving cat food labeled prescription cat food that was not materially different from regular cat food. The fraud claim was sufficiently pled and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act's safe harbor didn't apply.




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HCM Interviews Innovative Hip-Hop Artist "Telephone Switches"

Hood Critic Magazine Sits Down With P And Coming Hip-hop Artist Telephone Switches For A Brief Interview.




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People v. Valenzuela

(Supreme Court of California) - Addressed the effect of Proposition 47 on a conviction for street terrorism. Held that once the defendant's conviction for grand theft (stealing a bicycle) was reduced to a misdemeanor under the new law, his conviction for the gang crime of street terrorism must be dismissed, because there was no longer a felony predicate for it.




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Quigley v. Garden Valley Fire Protection Dist.

(Supreme Court of California) - Reversed and remanded. The Government Claims Act immunity for public entities is an affirmative defense that can be waived or forfeited if not timely raised.




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The International Radio Festival Announce Final Line Up Of Radio Stations

Broadcasting From Piazza D'Armi In Valletta, Malta




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PHL Variable Ins. Co. v. Town of Oyster Bay

(United States Second Circuit) - Affirmed. Trial court dismissed Plaintiff’s complaint for failure to state a claim on the grounds that the claimed agreement entered into with Defendant had not be approved by the Defendant’s governing board as required by New York Town Law, hence there was no valid and enforceable contract.




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Anti-Vaccine Groups Take Lead Role In California Stay-At-Home Order Protests

By Sammy Caiola

Where jobs and the economy were at front of mind during last Friday's protest at California’s Capitol, Thursday’s demonstration against the stay-at-home order also focused on closed churches and government-mandated vaccinations.

The microphone passed from person-to-person, who each attempted to encourage the few hundred within earshot. One woman said she was honored to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those in attendance. The next person to speak took the microphone and said a prayer.

People who oppose mandatory childhood vaccinations have been a driving force in recent protests against California’s stay-at-home orders. Many who are passionate about the issue say they haven’t vaccinated their children yet. 

“I don’t vaccinate my children because I’ve done research on it and from experiences,” said Yvette Apfel of Modesto. “A lot of the people who don’t vaccinate because of experiences and that is not taken into account when they give their account of what’s happened.” 

Generally, concerns about childhood vaccines stem from the debunked belief that vaccines can cause autism or otherwise injure children. 

Democratic state Senator Dr. Richard Pan, who has authored several of California’s major childhood vaccine laws, said the messaging at these COVID-19 protests parallels what he’s seen from vaccination opponents in the past.

“We call them the anti-vaccine movement because they came out to oppose vaccination,” he said. “There’s no vaccine for COVID-19, but they’re also opposing essentially every public health measure we have that will allow us to resume our activities safely. So they’re opposed to the stay-at-home orders.”

At a hearing of the state’s Special Committee On Pandemic Emergency Response Wednesday, some people spoke up against public health measures such as contact tracing and testing.

He says he’s heard them preach the concept of “natural immunity,” which comes with a dangerous implication that everyone should acquire COVID-19.

“We often talk about ‘community immunity’ in relation to vaccination, because vaccines are safe,” he said. “So getting a vaccine doesn’t cause people to get hospitalized and die in the process of achieving it. If you try to achieve it through ‘natural immunity,’ you are talking about a lot of suffering and death.”

This is not the first time California’s been an epicenter of the anti-vaccination movement during the past few years.  

In 2015, California became one of the first states to eliminate “personal belief” vaccine exemptions for students attending public and private schools. These were previously allowed for families that opposed vaccination on religious, moral or other grounds. Under Senate Bill 277, only children with a medical exemption form signed by a doctor can opt out of mandatory vaccines.

As the bill moved through the Legislature, large crowds of vaccination opponents descended on the Capitol for rallies and public hearings. Pan received violent threats from people who feel the government should not have the authority to require vaccines for kids.

In 2019, Pan’s office raised the alarm about doctors who were reportedly writing false medical forms for children who did not meet the federal criteria for an exemption. After the personal belief ban took effect in 2016, the rate of kindergartners with medical exemptions quadrupled, according to the California Department of Public Health. 

Pan authored Senate Bill 276 to give the state final say on medical exemption forms. Hundreds of opponents packed into the halls of the Capitol to protest. Several weeks later, an opponent shoved Dr. Pan

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ultimately signed the bill, with some changes. It takes effect January 2021.

Now, vaccination opponents seem to be mobilizing again, not around childhood immunizations but around the idea that the government can require people to vaccinate themselves.

On social media, some Californians have said they will not get vaccinated for COVID-19 when that immunization eventually becomes available. They’ve expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines developed during a crisis response. Some at the protest Thursday said they were worried the vaccine would be used as a tracking device.

“I think it’s more to the whole government issue about the vaccine being a tracer,” said Mary Paris, an unemployed nail salon worker from the Bay Area who drove to Sacramento for the protest. “Whoever gets it, then we’re gonna separate you. So I really think this go-around I’m not gonna do it.”

PolitiFact investigated the claims about government tracking in vaccines in April and found them to be false. They also looked into claims some about the Bill Gates Foundation related to vaccines and tracing and found them to be false, saying "There’s no evidence that implanted microchips are being contemplated in a serious way to fight the coronavirus."

A look by Reuters at the claims about “tracing” and Bill Gates found the technology being referred to is not a microchip or implant that would allow an entity to track your whereabouts. Instead it is a die that would provide patient vaccine records for doctors and nurses in places without  medical records. 




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With Buy-in From Rural Counties, Nevada Starts First Phase Of Reopening Saturday

By Bert Johnson

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the state will begin lifting COVID-19 restrictions sooner than expected, starting this weekend. 

“We will enter Phase One on Saturday May 9, before the current stay at home directive would have expired on May 15,” he said Thursday. 

This stage of Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery allows for nonessential businesses like barbershops, salons and retail outlets to open their doors. And restaurants will be able to offer dine-in service again, too. But Sisolak explained there also will be some new requirements to make that process as safe as possible.

“Retail businesses shall limit the number of customers in their facility at any given time to no more than 50% of the allowed occupancy based on applicable firecodes,” he said. 

Restaurants will also be required to space tables six feet apart and use reservations whenever possible to help ensure social distancing.

Those stricter limits on customer density will also apply to essential businesses, like grocery stores, which didn’t have them before. Employees who work with the public will also be required to wear masks now, although customers are merely encouraged to do so.

Notably, the state’s casinos will remain closed at this point in the process. Bars that don’t serve food, movie theaters and gyms are also banned from reopening for now. 

Phase One — and every step that follows in the plan — will last at least two weeks, so officials can evaluate their impact on Nevada's outbreak.

The recovery plan was developed with input from the Local Empowerment Advisory Panel, which includes county-level elected officials tasked with seeking feedback from local leaders around the state. According to Clark County Commission chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrck, who represents urban communities for the panel, they wanted to avoid one-size-fits-all solutions. 

“We made sure that all of the counties had a voice in any statewide standards that we crafted,” she said. “There are different things across our state that make us unique.”

To that end, county officials are able to keep stricter standards for reopening in their jurisdictions if they think it’s necessary — but they won’t be allowed to make restrictions looser than those defined by the state. 

According to J.J. Goicoechea, who serves as Chairman of the Eureka County Commission and represents rural communities on the advisory panel, their efforts came in the nick of time. 

“We were right on the breaking point of some of these rural counties and some of these constituents just saying, ‘The hell with it, we’re gonna open. We’ve got to move forward, we can’t afford to stay closed anymore,’” he said.

In California, rural counties like Yuba and Sutter have bucked the state’s guidance and allowed non-essential businesses to reopen, prompting criticism from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Goicoechea says his efforts at communicating with his rural peers kept them invested in the process. 

Goicoechea says the plan’s flexibility is also important because the balance between public health and economic needs looks different in every community. 

“It was critical that we did have representation that these rurals felt comfortable talking to,” he said.

According to Kirkpatrick, the next step in the state’s plan to reopen was driven by public health concerns as well. 

“In Phase One we needed to be able to meet the federal criteria of the downward hospitalizations, we needed to increase the testing,” she said.

She added that Nevada is on track to be able to test 4,000 residents per day, with a target of 10,000 per day by June. Sisolak said in addition they’re expanding testing criteria, too. 

“They will all be able to get tests now if they’ve been identified as either a symptomatic or asymptomatic patient,” he said.

According to a recent NPR investigation, however, the state needs to test more than 5,000 people every day to be able to control its outbreak.




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Valdez v. Seidner-Miller, Inc.

(California Court of Appeal) - Revived an automobile lessee's lawsuit against a car dealership. Held that the dealership did not make a timely and appropriate offer to correct the alleged issue, for purposes of California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Reversed a summary judgment ruling.



  • Consumer Protection Law

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Cavalry SPV I, LLC v. Watkins

(California Court of Appeal) - In a debt collection action, the court found that Defendant was liable for the debt, but found that the trial court erred by awarding Plaintiff attorney fees related to the defense of counterclaims.




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Vanzant v. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

(United States Seventh Circuit) - Reversed. The court reversed the dismissal of a class action consumer fraud and deceptive business case involving cat food labeled prescription cat food that was not materially different from regular cat food. The fraud claim was sufficiently pled and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act's safe harbor didn't apply.




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Why this Evangelical is Grateful for the Mainline Church

Giving thanks for God’s work throughout the church universal.

I hope that if I counted myself as a member of a “liberal” denomination, I would be writing a post about my gratitude for the contributions of evangelicals to proclaiming God’s glory in the church and in the world. Instead, as an evangelical, I am here to say thank you to the Catholics and Episcopalians, to the feminist theologians and the pastors focused on social justice, to the whole host of people past and present who witness to the breadth and depth of God’s character and glory.

Here’s a bit of the backstory: I sometimes say that I am “denominationally confused.” I was baptized Episcopalian, confirmed Presbyterian, and married in the Congregational church I attended through college. Over the fifteen years of our marriage (which has included moving to four different towns), my husband and I have worshiped in an Episcopal church, a non-denominational church, a Vineyard church, and a Covenant church. Each of these churches has offered distinct gifts to us—the lofty liturgy of an Episcopal cathedral, the emphasis on global missions at the non-denominational church, the healing prayer at the Vineyard, the solid preaching and welcoming community at the Covenant. It would be easy to critique any of these churches, but overall I am grateful for them each in their own way, and I’m grateful for their variety. It has shown me so much more about the diversity of God’s healing work in the world.

Perhaps I’m so willing to move from denomination to denomination because of the role para-church ministries played in my growth as a Christian. I first experienced the power of the Holy Spirit at a Young Life camp, and I grew even more through ministries on my high ...

Continue reading...




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New Rap Sensation Etoc Drops Motivational Song "The Run"

The Orlando Based Wordsmith Has Dropped His Standout Single "The Run", Which Is Available On Soundcloud, Spotify And All Online Retailers Including ITunes, Tidal, Apple Music And Amazon.




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CapChat: Round Up Of Presidential Candidates In Nevada; California As The 'State Of Resistance'

Democratic presidential candidates Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Former Vice President Joe Biden held dueling rallies in Reno and Carson City Wednesday night. California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is due in Nevada today.

In a conversation yesterday with CapRadio’s Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler, host Beth Ruyak talked about recent changes in California poll rankings of the top candidates: Warren, Biden, Harris and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.  These trends are mirrored in national poll trends, with Warren surging and Harris falling behind.

In the “State of Resistance” currently known as California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra are keeping up the pressure, filing lawsuits against the Trump administration. With the end of the legislative session, Ben and Beth also talked about stylistic differences between Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown. Newsom is focused in many areas at the same time, including the battle with the federal government. Brown was focused on a smaller number of concurrent issues.

And, finally, we discuss the state of the Republican party in California.




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Ancient Future Summer Festival Dates

Return Performances In The Central California Coast And Sierra Nevada Celebrating 40 Years Of World Fusion




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Oregon Reggae Band INDUBIOUS To Release Their New Full-Length Album BELEAF Featuring Special Guests Satsang, The Elovators, And Michael Leslie

BELEAF, Which Releases In Stores And Online Worldwide August 16, 2019, Is A 14-track Powerhouse That Promises To Be Their Strongest, Clearest, And Most Authentic Work Yet.




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New Island Entertainment Presents A F8ckin Birthday Extravaganza At Santos Party House

NIE Presents: The Hsu-nami, Fuck Your Birthday, NegativeHate, Stereobird @ Santos Party House




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Youbloom Announces 2017 LA Music Festival

Ireland-based Music Festival Expands YoubloomLA 2017, Presenting Keynote Speaker Andy Gould And New Partnerships With The Hi-Hat, Highland Park Bowl And LACM




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HBC Fall Festival Celebrates 12 Years Of HBC Fest

This Is The Second Installment Of HBC Fest In The 12th Year Of The Hae Bang Chon Music Festival With A Great Lineup Taking Us Into A New Decade For Independent Music




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Lithuanian Band Grabs Bronze At The Silk Road Indie Music Festival 2017

Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys Competed With Bands From Belgium, Sweden, Armenia, Germany, Japan, South Africa, India, Norway, Poland, Italy And The UK As Well As China




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Ivan Enriquez Releases New Video Single 'Perdona'

The Music Artist Known As Ivan Enriquez Pons Has Released His Latest Single, “Perdona.”




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Vasquez v. San Miguel Produce, Inc.

(California Court of Appeal) - Held that temporary workers assigned to pack produce for a produce company must arbitrate their claims alleging labor law violations, because their staffing firm contract mandated arbitration. It was inconsequential that they chose not to name the staffing firm in their complaint. Reversed and remanded with directions to compel arbitration.



  • Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
  • Labor & Employment Law

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Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela

(United States Supreme Court) - Held that parties do not consent to classwide arbitration if the agreement is ambiguous on that point. An employer sought to block an employee from proceeding with a proposed class action lawsuit and instead force his claims into individual arbitration. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed that the employer had the right to do this, because the arbitration agreement was ambiguous about the availability of classwide arbitration. Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the 5-4 Court.



  • Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
  • Labor & Employment Law

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Valentine v. Plum Healthcare Group, LLC.

(California Court of Appeal) - Affirmed order denying petition to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs attempted to enforce arbitration in an action for elder abuse and wrongful death at a skilled nursing facility. The trial court determined that the successor in interest was bound by the agreement to arbitrate, but the children of the decedent were not so bound. The trial court denied the petition to arbitrate to prevent inconsistent findings if both arbitration and litigation proceeded concurrently. The appeals court agreed.



  • Injury & Tort Law
  • Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
  • Elder Law

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HBC Festival In Seoul, Celebrating The Art Of Live Music.

2019 Hae Bang Chon Fall Music Festival




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NUVASIVE INC v. DAY

(US 1st Circuit) - No. 19-1611




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UNITED STATES v. VAELLO MADERO

(US 1st Circuit) - No. 19-1390




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Coronavirus Antibody Testing / Reopening Public Recreational Spaces / Next Generation Jazz Festival Results

We explore what antibody testing is and the potential it has against the coronavirus as UC Davis Health begins testing some of its healthcare workers. Local county leaders check in, and the results of the Next Generation Jazz Festival.




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Caligula's Horse Release New Song 'Valkyrie'

Caligula's Horse have released an art video for their new single 'Valkyrie'.




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Zenhiser Releases "Galvanize - Drum & Bass" Sample Pack

A Straight Talking Drum & Bass Sample Pack That Pushes The Envelope In DnB Tools




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Husband & Wife Team Of Randy Brecker And Ada Rovatti Join Forces On New CD 'Brecker Plays Rovatti: Sacred Bond'

This Release Features The Husband And Wife Team Of Randy Brecker And Saxophonist-composer Ada Rovatti But Also Includes Their 10-year-old Daughter Stella In A Vocal Cameo Appearance On One Track.




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New Rap Sensation Etoc Drops Motivational Song "The Run"

The Orlando Based Wordsmith Has Dropped His Standout Single "The Run", Which Is Available On Soundcloud, Spotify And All Online Retailers Including ITunes, Tidal, Apple Music And Amazon.




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avast! Internet Security 2014 Review

Check out our latest review of avast! Internet Security 2014




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How To Improve the avast! Internet Security Firewall

A quick and easy way of making the avast! Internet Security Firewall much more effective.




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“That’s What Crazy Lovers Do” By Kathy Ingram Now Available

Mrs. Ingraham Is No Stranger To The Spotlight, Having Been Featured On Both TV And Radio Commercials, As Well As Credited In A Hollywood Feature.




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“That’s What Crazy Lovers Do” By Kathy Ingraham Now Available

Mrs. Ingraham Is No Stranger To The Spotlight, Having Been Featured On Both TV And Radio Commercials, As Well As Credited In A Hollywood Feature.