Jack Rabbit Roller Coaster

Jack Rabbit is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, USA.

Designed and built by John A. Miller and Harry C. Baker in 1921, it is one of the oldest still-running roller coasters in the world. The ride’s three trains were manufactured by Edward Vettel, Sr. in 1951 and contain three cars of six seats each. The aging cars are considered a part of the ride’s nostalgic experience but also lead to some young children being disallowed to enter the ride (36″ is the minimum), due to the use of a small lapbar to hold in riders. A popular early feature of the ride was a tunnel which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, but this was removed in 1947 when the new cars were ordered. In 1991, the tunnel was restored, at a slightly shorter length.

The Jack Rabbit was built shortly after Miller patented a new track design in 1921 (which all wooden coasters built since have used). This design involved the use of wheels both under and over the track, which allowed Miller to create the then enormous 70-foot (21 m) drop that is the attraction’s largest. It is most well known for its double dip following the lift hill. The double dip produces strong airtime that makes the rider feel that they will be thrown from the seat, and a feeling that the train leaves the track (it rises up but the upstop wheels keep it firmly on the rails).

According to Rick Sebak, producer of Pittsburgh history programs for WQED, the attraction was designed so that each train’s last seat would provide the strongest airtime, and therefore the most desired ride.

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New Xbox One S

Introducing the new Xbox One S. Play the greatest games lineup, including Xbox 360 classics, on a 40% smaller console. Experience richer, more luminous colors in games and video with High Dynamic Range. Stream 4K video on Netflix and Amazon Video, and watch UHD Blu-ray movies in stunning 4K Ultra HD. Then get the enhanced comfort and feel of the new Xbox Wireless Controller, featuring textured grip and Bluetooth.

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Moving

Our house has been listed. It sold in less than 48 hours.

We are moving to New Kensington in order to have a much shorter commute time and to live closer to our congregation.

We are looking at this house. Google View

Learning to play the piano

Wendy and I have decided to learn how to play the piano. We got a good deal on the Casio PX-150. Our lessons will be starting soon.

There are lots of web sites that will help you with getting started learning to play the piano. http://www.pianolessons.com/piano-lessons/learn-to-play-piano.php

General Information

The piano (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpjaːno]; an abbreviation of pianoforte [pjanoˈfɔrte]) is a musical instrument played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys (small levers) that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands. Invented in about 1700 (the exact date is uncertain), the piano is widely employed in classical, jazz, traditional and popular music for solo and ensemble performances, accompaniment, and for composing and rehearsal. Although the piano is not portable and is often expensive, its versatility, wide range, ability to play chords, ability to play louder or softer, the large number of musicians trained in playing it and its ubiquity in performance venues and rehearsal spaces have made it one of the Western world’s most familiar musical instruments.

An acoustic piano usually has a protective wooden case surrounding the soundboard and metal strings, and a row of 88 black and white keys (52 white keys for the note of the C Major scale and 36 shorter black keys, which are higher than the white keys, for the “accidental” notes, which are the sharp and flat notes needed to play in all 12 keys). The strings are sounded when the keys are pressed or struck, and silenced by a damper when the keys are released. The notes can be sustained, even when the keys are released, by the use of pedals at the base of the instrument. Unlike two of the major keyboard instruments that preceded the piano, the pipe organ and the harpsichord, the weight or force with which a performer presses or strikes the keys changes the dynamics and tone of the instrument.

Pressing one or more keys on the piano’s keyboard causes a padded hammer (often padded with firm felt) to strike the strings. The hammer rebounds from the strings, and the strings continue to vibrate at their resonant frequency. These vibrations are transmitted through a bridge to a soundboard that amplifies by more efficiently coupling the acoustic energy to the air. When the key is released, a damper stops the strings’ vibration, ending the sound. Although an acoustic piano has strings, it is usually classified as a percussion instrument rather than as a stringed instrument, because the strings are struck rather than plucked (as with a harpsichord or spinet); in the Hornbostel-Sachs system of instrument classification, pianos are considered chordophones. With technological advances, Electric pianos (1929), electronic (1970s), and digital pianos (1980s) have also been developed. The electric piano became a popular instrument in the 1960s and 1970s genres of jazz fusion and rock music.

The word piano is a shortened form of pianoforte, the Italian term for the instrument, which in turn derives from gravicembalo col piano e forte and fortepiano. The Italian musical terms piano and forte indicate “soft” and “loud” respectively, in this context referring to the variations in volume produced in response to a pianist’s touch on the keys: the greater the velocity of a key press, the greater the force of the hammer hitting the strings, and the louder the sound of the note produced.

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Release Day – PVZGW2

Official Forum

On Release Day – PVZGW2, there seems to be a significant overpowering issue with one of the new characters. Rose. There is a lot of chatter in the general chat. But, lets not over-react. It is a game and it will get fixed eventually. My advice…play Rose…enjoy being overpowered.

If you have played the original PVZGW, then follow this link to import your characters.

How to import PVZGW characters

NOTE: We recommend that you import your characters before opening any of your free sticker packs. You can import your characters any time before February 1, 2017.

General Info

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a third-person shooter, similar to Garden Warfare. Gameplay will largely remain the same as its predecessor, with the addition of 6 new plant and zombie classes, a zombie version of Garden Ops, titled Graveyard Ops, and a new mode called Herbal Assault mode, a swapped version of Gardens and Graveyards where the Zombies must defend the bases and preventing the Plants from capturing it, which supports up to 24 players. Different classes have different abilities. Most characters and modes (Team Vanquish, Garden Ops, etc.) from the original Garden Warfare will be returning. A new “remix” musics from the original Garden Warfare for the Zombies. New abilities for returning characters will also be introduced in Garden Warfare 2.

Unlike the first game, while in the original Garden Warfare can play solo only on Garden Ops, via private mode, in Garden Warfare 2 every mode in the game can be played solo. Split-screen multiplayer, private servers, twelve maps and forty different characters will be supported at launch. Free additional content will also be released regularly upon the game’s release. An internet connection will still be required as in the first game.

New Mode

A new mode called Backyard Battleground is also introduced. It serves as a hub world that is free for players to explore. In Backyard Battleground, players can access portals that are connected to missions, view unlocked characters’ bobbleheads, collect collectibles scattered in the world, and join King of the Hill-style matches known as Flag of power matches against artificial intelligence at will. When playing Backyard Battleground, the game will send waves of enemy heroes, although the game will also send crates, containing either an AI ally or coins. There are also plant pots or places where the player can build either plant turrets or Zombie bots. A shooting gallery and moon-based missions are also featured.

Plant and zombie variants the player earned in the original game will automatically transfer to this game. The UI has been improved, with Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss shown talking in 3D model of themselves (rather than appearing as 2D designs from the original Plants vs. Zombies).

At the bases of both the Plants and the Zombies, there are several common features, including a Customization Room allowing the player to change and accessorize characters, a Quest Board with different objectives for Plants, Multiplayer, and Zombies, sticker Shops, a Multiplayer Portal, a Mailbox, and a special Garage, with quest missions for both sides.

Exclusive Rewards

The game also includes many exclusive rewards for players who have played the original Garden Warfare. The player can use their Mailbox in either side’s base to import all of the unlocked characters and abilities that they have unlocked in Garden Warfare, depending on if they actually played the first game. They can also use their rank from GW1 to get loyalty rewards, which rank from sticker packs to an extremely exclusive character for those who reached the max rank 313, the Unicorn Chomper. Also, players who either pre-ordered or purchased the deluxe edition of Garden Warfare 2 will get lots of exclusive items, from emoji customizations to an exclusive Mass Effect-themed character, the Z7 Imp.

PVZ Garden Warfare 2 – Plant Variants

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2’s 14 playable classes is but the tip of the iceberg (lettuce). When the game launches later this month, there’ll also be more than 100 playable variants to unlock. EA and PopCap have launched a new trailer taking a quick look at some of the Plant variants you’ll see in the game.

“With over 100 playable variants to unlock, you’ll have no shortage of wacky, fun choices to play your way!” reads the latest blog post on the Garden Warfare website. “From Rock Pea to Zen Cactus, here’s a look some of the awesome new plant variants you’ll be able to unlock and play on February 23rd”.

You’ll be able to dig up Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 later this month for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Check out the latest video below, then check out our own gameplay video with commentary for a look at more Plant and Zombie variants too. Carrots.

Launching on 2.23.16

12 New Maps

Player Loyalty Rewards

We love our fans, and we also love giving back to our fans. This is one of the reasons why we’re committed to supporting PvZGW2 with free DLC support after launch, but we wanted to do something extra special for everyone who played the original Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare. Not only will those players be able to port over all of their unlocks (aside from the promotional variants), but they’ll also get additional special rewards, based on the rank they achieved in the original game!

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Lego Big Bang Theory

Build Leonard and Sheldon’s living room for display and role play!

Indulge your inner genius and build this LEGO® version of Leonard and Sheldon’s living room as seen in the hit American sitcom The Big Bang Theory! This set was created by two LEGO fan designers—Ellen Kooijman from Sweden and Glen Bricker from the USA—and selected by LEGO Ideas members. Featuring loads of authentic details to satisfy all The Big Bang Theory devotees and including minifigures of all seven main characters from the show, it’s ideal for display or role-play fun. Includes 7 minifigures with assorted accessory elements: Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette.

Includes 7 minifigures with assorted accessory elements: Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette
Features Leonard and Sheldon’s living room with all the iconic elements from the sitcom, including a telescope, whiteboard, DNA display model and various ornaments
Build an authentic replica of Leonard and Sheldon’s living room in LEGO bricks!
Great for display or role-playing scenes from the TV series
Includes a booklet about the designers and the hit American sitcom
The perfect gift for LEGO and The Big Bang Theory fans of all ages!
Measures over 3” (8cm) high, 8” (22cm) wide and 4” (12cm) deep

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