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Listen. Do you want to know a secret? I'm going to teach you something important. I'm going to teach you how to get what you want. Are you ready? Say it out loud but pretend you're joking.
When I got hired at St. Gregory the Great HS, the diocese had just unceremoniously fired the entire administration and staff. They left only Sister Mary, the wise old nun who embodied the school more than any other living soul, to assign the entire new staff classes to teach.
"What about Advanced Comp, Jack?" she asked me. "Can you teach that? Can you do English 3 and 4, Gabe?" We were in her small office, trying to get things straight. It was almost September. We were just about done.
"And, well, ya know—" I said. "If you ever need a Beatles class, I'm your man." I was joking but not really. The staff already knew I loved the Beatles because I'd brought my Beatles lunch box on the first day of orientation. The new gym teacher, Coach O, who looked more like a prison guard with his shaved head and thick muscles, sat next to me in the lunch room that first afternoon and rolled up his sleeves to reveal Beatle tattoos running up his arm. I felt like I was coming home.
On the Friday before school was to begin, Sister Mary rode the elevator to the third floor with me.
"Jack, we've had a scheduling catastrophe." She was always using words like catastrophe and meltdown. "Could you teach that Beatles class? Will you have enough time to prepare it?" I almost burst out laughing. "Sister Mary," I said, "I've been preparing for this class my entire life."
My family loves the Beatles, of course. I remember The White Album from when I was six, remember dancing in my kitchen with my cousins to ob la di, remember asking who Bungalow Bill was. "It's just a joke," my uncle told me. "They're just joking." I remember Back in the USSR was our official Friday night pizza making music. I'd poke holes in the dough with a fork to the beat.
Beatles class met every day for the entire year for four years. Officially, the schedule called it Music Appreciation but that was bullshit. It was Beatles class.
The administration was into it, but the students would be tougher. I didn't know any of them and they didn't know me. I can only imagine what these kids, 18 years old some of them, with their pics and their fros or weaves and dreads oh, why am I doing this? Why the code words? You know what I mean, they looked different than me, they were tough, and they regarded me with suspicion. And I can't really blame them to be honest because, like I said,all their teachers had just been fired, and in their place stood this 21 year old white kid in a blazer and tie talking about a band of weirdos from the 60s with funny haircuts and funnier accents. "Beatles?" I can still remember David spitting the first day of class. "Beatles? The whole year?"
"Yup!" I said cheerily. "Now, who can tell me the difference between an acoustic and electric guitar?"
The students had barely even heard of the Beatles. I gave a pretest, just to see what they knew. How many members are in the Beatles? I asked. A million. Do you know any of their songs? NO! Can you name the city or country the Beatles are from? A student named Zeeshawn wrote: Orlando, Florida.
The sheets were mostly returned blank.
But it changed when we got to the music. The first album is Please Please Me, and the first track is I Saw Her Standing There. And I could see it in their faces right away, right from the count in, this coldness giving way. All right, they seemed to be nodding, all right.
"I like John," David said after we listened to the whole thing. "He always yellin'."
This is how Beatles class worked: our school was on a modified block schedule, which meant I saw the kids three days a week for 40 minutes and one day a week, Thursdays, for 80 minutes. We spent two weeks on each album. Most days weren't so much different from a history or English class—we'd watch interviews, do lyric analysis, learn about Vietnam, listen to influences or peers, early R and B, Elvis, Dylan, the Stones. And it wasn't a blow-off class, either there were quizzes and tests and papers and projects. On the first Thursday, though, we'd listen to the entire new album straight through. They'd follow along with a packet of song lyrics I'd printed out and jot down first impressions.
The next Thursday would be a discussion of that album. The students were responsible for writing journal entries and responding to specific questions for every song of the album. "Listen to the solo in Taxman five times in a row," I might ask, "and explain how the texture fits with the subject of the song."
I can't tell you how many Wednesday nights I stayed up late burning disc after disc, album by album, in flagrant disregard of US copyright law, so each kid could have a copy to listen to and study at home. You don't love I'm Only Sleeping after hearing it once or twice, I figured; You need 100 listens to really get it. When my mother worried I'd get the school in trouble, I told her all teachers are renegades at heart.
And it was worth it. The kids really hadn't heard the songs before, save for the occasional Target ad, and so they started the class as though it were actually 1963. They were just as
oblivious about Strawberry Fields and Here Comes the Sun and Mark David Chapman as those kids screaming at the Ed Sullivan Show were. It was almost like a sociological experiment, like I was an anthropologist who'd stumbled upon some tribe deep in the rain forest who'd never seen an automobile or running water. These kids hadn't heard Hey Jude, for God's sake. And I'd tell them sometimes how odd that was, how seemingly everyone in the world had heard this song, had heard it a million times at least, and they'd just shrug at me and I'd start the song and watch them hear it for the first time. And my heart would fill with joy when the other teachers told me the kids were singing the na-na-na-na's during gym class or painting Beatle portraits in art.
And through them, I heard the songs new again.
You're probably sick of Let It Be I was, too but when you listen to it with a room full of 17 year-olds hearing it for the first time, it's like: pin drop. I've listened to Blackbird more times than any sane individual should, but in Beatles class, it was like: Goosebumps.
I got to see Paul's charms work on a new generation. "Ahh, I am totally in love with this song and how Paul expresses his love for this Michelle chick, super jealous," one girl wrote.
I had stopped hearing the lyrics to a lot of the songs, having heard them so many millions of times before. But the kids always heard them. Run For Your Life begins, "Well, I'd rather see ya dead little girl than to be with another man." One girl wrote in her response, "Wow, this song is crazy. It seems like a girl cheated on the Beatles and they want to kill her. This song kind of scares me." The class was genuinely horrified the same person could write In My Life, which they found lovely, and a song so openly condoning domestic abuse. "They're just joking," I'd tell them. "It's just a joke. I think."
They thought about the songs in ways I never had.
"They like the girls much more in this album," one girl wrote of Rubber Soul. "They don't just have crushes anymore."
Of the song Within You, Without You, a student wrote simply, "This song is not better than Tomorrow Never Knows."
Two best friends, Steph and Rachel, each developed crushes on 1966 Paul and 1968 John respectively and were shocked, eventually angry, even a little bit enraged, that the other didn't feel the same way.
Others grew defensive of Ringo.
"Q. Who in your opinion is the most important Beatle? A. Ringo. Cause Ringo keep the beat and he keep the peace."
After listening to one of Ringo's tracks on the White Album, What Goes On, I made a dismissive joke.
"And now back to our regularly scheduled programming," I said.
"Mr. Murphy!" Mustafa said and waited a beat. "Why did you say that!? Because it was Ringo?? Mr. Murphy!"
I had to break the news to them about John. They didn't know. I always told them on the anniversary of his death. We'd watch Howard Cosell tell the world on Monday Night Football and the room would get quiet and still.
"Why would someone want to kill John Lennon?" a boy named Eric asked.
We brought Sister Mary in to talk about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus. "For one thing, they were!" she laughed. "And for another, since when does Jesus care about being popular? That's not his thing."
We watched the entire Anthology, and we listened to every song. The Huffington Post once made a big deal about a "newly discovered" Beatles song, never before heard. But Beatles class had heard it. Beatles class knew all about Revolution Take 20.
And were there times I went perhaps a little overboard? Well, yes. "Most days," I'd explain to them, "you have a dedicated and responsible Music Appreciation teachers. Some days, however, you have a Beatles weirdo. Today is one of those days." I said something like that the day we watched a 28 minute YouTube video that was nothing but take after take of Strawberry Fields Forever. We heard it from the time it was basically unrecognizable, just a few chords and muttered words as John played into a tape recorder in his bedroom. The song slowly revealed itself, take after take, day after day, week after week, month after month. And the kids stayed with it as though hypnotized. "A song doesn't appear like magic from the sky," a boy wrote later that week. "You have to go out and grab it."
When we discussed the Paul is Dead stuff, their eyes would grow wide. We'd listen to the songs backwards and find the clues on the album covers and in the lyrics until they slowly grew disappointed. One kid rose his hand. "This is all pretty half-baked, Mr. Murphy," he said.
The class was the entire year, so we really got to stretch out. We watched all the movies and the episodes of the Simpsons they guest starred on. We watched the Rutles and I knew which students had been paying the most attention in class by who laughed the loudest. We even watched Across the Universe, which one girl claimed was better than Help!—though I think she said it just to hurt me. One student wrote he went home and listened to the real tracks that night and was "greatly relieved."
We tweeted at Yoko, whom they hated immediately, even against my pleadings and arguments she wasn't responsible, or solely responsible, for the breakup. They hated Yoko before they even knew her name. Just something about her, I guess.
I coached the girls' basketball team, and many of the players were in the class, as well. Before home games, during warmups, they'd blast Girl, from Rubber Soul, through the gym. I'm quite sure the Greyhounds were the only team in basketball history to conduct layup lines to that song. I think that's why they picked it; Anyone can play Twist and Shout they wanted a deeper cut. I remember the way they'd suck their breath in with the chorus while standing around in the layup line.
Three or four kids got added in the middle of the year, and I told them they had a lot to catch up on.
"Oh, we know as much as they do," one kid said, referring to the rest of the class. They exploded.
"Do you know who Aunt Mimi is?" one girl demanded.
"What songs did George write on Revolver?" another boy shouted.
"We've seen John naked!" a girl yelped.
I ran to close the door.
"I told you guys not to tell anyone I showed you those pictures!"
I'd always laugh whenever I read YouTube comments under Miley Cyrus videos or editorials in the paper the day after the Grammys complaining about the kids these days who just don't appreciate the good stuff, who listen to this trash when they could be listening to the golden era of music the golden era being whenever the adult had gone through puberty. Really? I'd think. Have you tried playing it for them? Because my kids adore Eleanor Rigby and probably know more about Brian Epstein than you ever did.
They'd laugh their heads off when I showed them Lucy getting drunk on Vitameatavegamin and squirm in their seats with delight when we watched the Marx Brothers before A Hard Days Night. I brought in a Polaroid camera and they were more impressed by it than any Apple product in their pocket.
I didn't try to convince them that their pop culture is bad, mostly because it's mine, too. I just tried to contextualize this music, to give it a place, to show them why it's good. At lunch time or during the passing periods, I'd let them be the expert, teach me about Kanye or Frank Ocean. The school only had about 100 kids total, and so by the 4th time I taught the class, way more than half of the students had taken it. Eventually, talking about a sitar at lunch was almost as common as auto tune. Research a new recording technique and compare it to a technique developed by the Beatles, I'd assign. It's okay to like both, I'd tell them, I do.
It wasn't always perfect. It wasn't a made-for-tv special. I gave detentions to kids doing other homework while we were listening to a song or for falling asleep during Yellow Submarine. I once thought a group of students was standing around a desk examining an old record sleeve only to discover they had become fascinated by a flamin' hot cheeto the shape of a penis.
There were days the kids didn't feel like talking about the Beatles again. They grew tired of the early lovey dovey stuff and uniformly despised Magical Mystery Tour. They considered I Am the Walrus incomprehensible and ridiculous. And I wasn't perfect, either, had days when I was tired or in a bad mood, checked Facebook while they took tests, skimmed their answers and wrote generic comments when basketball games took up the entire night. But I so obviously loved it and wanted them to love it, too and more than that, more than loving the Beatles, I wanted them to love anything that way, to find something in their lives that gave them the kind of joy the Beatles had brought me. Do you know how many people go their whole lives without finding something to be obsessed with? I'd tell them. Don't be like them.
On the day in May we listened to Abbey Road, the very last album, I always told them the same thing that I've been jealous of you the entire year you still had new Beatles music to look forward to and experience for the first time. I told them that in some ways it's a sad day because by the end of the period there will never be a new Beatles song to listen to, no more albums to take home and load into your iPods. But even though the songs will stay the same, I said, you'll keep changing. Penny Lane will sound different when you move away from home and Here, There, and Everywhere will sound new again on the day you get married. You can take the music with you wherever you go and find whatever meaning from the songs you need at that moment, in that place.
And a couple would cry when we got to The End because it's just so beautiful, the song and the journey. When that happened, I'd think about Sister Mary and the "scheduling catastrophe" she'd obviously invented to make room for the class because she knew this was something important, even if it wouldn't help the kids on some test or resume, that there are things in the world a person should know about because they're beautiful and true and impossible to replace and that if there's no room in a school for a class like that then maybe that's a school that's lost its way, that's forgotten its purpose, that's missing the point.
Beatles class was the last class I taught before the school was shut down for good, the last final on the last day St. Greg's existed. Part of their assignment had been to create a 14track album that would explain who the Beatles were to a person who'd never heard them and then give it to a person who never had. Before we left, each student wrote out his or her list on the chalkboards around the room until they were completely covered, until you could barely see past the words, until every last inch was drawn over by a song.
I left the room like that the last time I walked out. I like to think the songs are still there. I like to think they'll never be erased.
Jack Murphy is a writer and teacher in Chicago. His chapbook of flash fiction and poetry, My Apartment in Chicago, can be found atJackMurphyChicago.com.


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A friend of mine got what may be the worst Christmas presents I've ever heard of.
A coathanger, and a bar of hotel soap.
I am not making this up.
Why even bother? I mean, at this point, wouldn't it be kinder to just give a card? If you're not going to put any thought into a gift, a gift certificate might work. But… A coathanger? And a bar of hotel soap? A bar of hotel soap isn't a present. It's not even like a present.
I mean, I think we'd generally give better stuff to strangers who showed up unannounced at our parties than this person got from her relatives.

subset: commoncrawl


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U.S. President Donald Trump, in an exclusive interview on Fox Business, described Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad as a "butcher" and "truly an evil person," noting that the relationship between Syria and Russia is "bad for mankind."
Nevertheless, America's commander-in-chief added that the United States has no plans to enter Syria.
"We're not going into Syria," President Trump told Maria Bartiromo from FOX Business. "But when I see people using horrible, horrible chemical weapons… and see these beautiful kids that are dead in their father's arms, or you see kids gasping for life… when you see that, I immediately called General [James] Mattis."
Mattis serves as Trump's secretary of Defense.
The U.S. president's comments came nearly a week after he ordered U.S. airstrikes against an Assad base in Syria in response to the dictator's use of chemical weapons in a rebel-held part of northern Syria.
"What I did should have been done by the Obama administration a long time before I did it," he told Fox Business. "I think Syria would be a lot better off right now than it has been."
"People just don't see this — the level of brutality. The level of viciousness. But when they drop barrel bombs and bombs of any kind right on top of the civilian population," declared President Trump, referring to the Syrian dictator's attacks on his own people, "that's the worst thing. I've never seen anything like it and frankly, Putin is backing a person that's truly an evil person. And I think it's very bad for Russia. I think it's very bad for mankind. It's very bad for this world."
Assad considers all Syrian opposition forces to be terrorists.
"I think aligning yourself with Assad is a big mistake because he's a butcher, and I think it's very bad for Russia," Trump said, addressing Putin.
Russia doubled down on its support for Assad before and after the recent U.S. airstrikes.
On Wednesday, Putin said U.S.-Russian relations have worsened under President Trump's watch.
"It can be said that the level of trust at the working level, especially at the military level, has not become better but most likely has degraded," President Putin told a Russian state television channel.
Wednesday marks the beginning of an intense day of diplomacy in Moscow for U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, notes CBS News.
Russia and the United States have been condemning one another since the Trump administration bombed Assad last week.
Putin has stood by allegations that the Assad regime was framed for the chemical weapons assault, that killed as many as 100 people, including at least 27 children, and wounded hundreds more.
On Tuesday, the White House declassified a report containing evidence from U.S. intelligence and other sources accusing Putin of a cover-up intended to "confuse" and "obfuscate" on behalf of Assad.


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2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS 4WD
|Price : $5,300
|2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 4dr 4WD LS
White / Gray
84,064 Miles / VIN: 1GNDT13S732360586
Phone : (916) 910-4343
2445 Albatross Way, Ste 101 , Sacramento, CA 95815
|White / Gray 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 4dr 4WD LS
|SUV, 4 Doors, 4.2L 275.0hp, 6 Cylinders, Automatic Transmission
|Stock: 8538
|City MPG
|Hwy MPG
CLEAN LOW MILEAGE 2003 Chevrolet Blazer LS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE Sport Utility!! With only 84K miles, this TrailBlazer runs, drives and looks GREAT!!. Powered by a peppy 4.2 liter 6 cylinder motor matched to an automatic transmission. Equipped with ICE COLD Front and Rear Air Conditioning, AM/FM Stereo System with MP3 CD Player, Power Windows and Door Locks, Tilt Wheel with Cruise Control, Roof Rack, 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System, Tow Package, Alloy Wheels and lots more. This Trailblazer comes with a CLEAN TITLE and CARFAX Vehicle History Report. STOP BY AND SEE THIS AFFORDABLE SUV TODAY!!!!
At Enzo Auto Sales we are able to offer CREDIT UNION FINANCING with rates available as low as 2.19% and have lenders happy to work with those with challenged credit. This vehicle qualifies for an EXTENDED WARRANTY. Trades are Welcome!!
Enzo Auto Sales has been providing the Sacramento and surrounding areas with high quality pre-owned vehicles at competitive prices since 2007. We want to provide you with a friendly no-pressure shopping experience. At Enzo Auto Sales you will never feel pressured or rushed. The vehicles we sell have been carefully inspected to ensure that you are buying safe and reliable transportation. Our goal is to ensure each and every customer is completely satisfied with their buying experience and purchase with us. We have an inventory that includes everything from low cost daily drivers to top of the line luxury vehicles often including unique, hard to find vehicles. Chances are we will have the right vehicle that meets your needs and your budget. Come see us today to experience the ENZO difference!!
At Enzo Auto Sales, we are here to make your vehicle purchase as easy as possible. We are a Credit Union Direct Lending (C.U.D.L.) dealer and have partnered with some of the leading financial institutions to make financing your new vehicle effortless.
We have interest rates available as low as 0.99% and have lenders that are happy to work with those that have no credit or challenged credit.
Please fill out our credit application and we can get to work right away on getting you approved with the best interest rate and payment possible.
Give us a call if you need assistance filling out your application or if you have any questions. Thanks and we look forward to working with you!
We inspect our vehicles through fully before we purchased them. However, for your piece of mind, we offer extended warranty on top of manufacturer warranty (when still in effect).
Understand that a third party provides these extended warranties for an extra cost.
Please, inquire about them. Our team is here to help you make your purchase as smooth as possible.
We are currently working with GWC and AUL as a third party warranty provider.


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Sponsor an Event
Make a name for your business by helping to save lives. Sponsor a Lone Star Lifesavers event in your community!
We will coordinate the marketing for the event and put your business's name and logo in front of thousands of families in your area. Sponsorship includes naming rights, positioning on mailouts, as well as recognition on our Web site and social media.
Contact us for more details.


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Quick Reference
Astralagus and Oxytropus spp., common in arid areas of the western USA. Toxic to cattle, causing locoism: neurological damage, abortion, and birth defects. Apparently caused by the alkaloid swainsonine, which is also found in mouldy hay.
Subjects: Medicine and Health — Chemistry.
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RECORD COLLECTING FOR GIRLS By Courtney E. Smith [Review]
RECORD COLLECTING FOR GIRLS, like any good book about music from Living to Die to High Fidelity, is extremely frustrating to read without your ipod (or turntable, if you're so inclined). Broken up into sections with themes ranging from the very specific declarations (Don't Date a Hardcore Smith's Fan) to common musical arguments (Beatles vs Stones). I'm not sure the author achieved what she seems to have set out to do, write a music book very specifically for women, and I think that's why I truly enjoyed it.
Her second chapter, "Where Have All the Girl Bands Gone, reads like a music history lesson, jumping all the way to their inception in the 1950s, through a detailed dissection of The Bangles vs The Go-Gos. This section, while interesting, seemed at odds with the rest of the book, which looked at how people, and especially the author, interacts with music. She made a good point about a lack of girl bands making their own music and you can tell she's passionate about seeing more female bands, it seemed like a task to take up in another book.
While Smith is very upfront about her status as a music snob her prose won't alienate the less musically literate reader because while she takes her music very seriously, she doesn't take herself toO seriously. An example of her ability to poke fun of herself while drawing a Top 40s devotee is her chapter on guilty pleasure songs that posits that every music snob, no matter how indie, has some songs or artists they'd be embarrassed to admit to enjoying. For her part, Smith reveals her guilty pleasure is the Pussycat Dolls. This is even more endearing when she explains she wanted to talk about a mainstream, but still cool guilty pleasure, but her friend called her out.
To add even more layers to the book she sprinkles in two-five page mini-essays throughout the book on topics like how to wade through the sea of music blogs on the Internet and how giving away an album can actually improve a band's cash flow. She also ends each chapter with a playlist based on the music she discussed, with Sisqo and R. Kelly on her guilty pleasure list and The Cure getting three tracks on her break-up list.
Overall the book is a fun read, with a combination of seriousness and levity that takes it from the status of a how-to book to a how-you-could book. It will definitely make you think about what you have on your iPod, and what owning Brittany Spears Greatest Hits really says about.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Publisher: Mariner Books | Pages: 224 | Source: Purchased | Buy on Amazon


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Date Added: July 15, 2018
Location Phoenix, Arizona
Job Type Full-time
Category Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Love the desert life, great resorts, and have a desire to give back to the community?
Locum Tenens position working Full Time hours with an Adult Outpatient Facility with Local State and County Facility
How to Apply
If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Samantha Lehmann at 800-783-9152 ext. 246 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com regarding job number AZ101Ga


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Katamarayudu gets a Powerful Surprise – Making Video
Katamarayudu is an upcoming Telugu language action film directed by Kishore Kumar Pardasani which features Pawan Kalyan and Shruti Haasan in the lead roles. It is an official remake of the Tamil blockbuster movie Veeramstarring Ajith Kumar and Tamannaah.
After the release of his previous film Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016), Pawan announced that he would remake Tamil film Veeram (2014) in Telugu with S. J. Surya as a director, despite Tamil film was already dubbed and released in Telugu as Veerudokkade. The title of the film was announced as Katamarayudu named after the song sung by Pawan from the film Attarintiki Daredi (2013). However in a sudden turn of events, Suryah left the project to concentrate on acting assignments as he was the main vilain of upcoming móvie, Sambhavami and he was replaced by Kishore Kumar Pardasany collaborating with Pawan for second time after Gopala Gopala(2015) while Soundarrajan who was the cinematographer was replaced by Prasad Murella. The film began its shoot on 24 September on Secunderabad.
4,056 total views, 2 views today


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Many gift companies sell products for special events and festivals. There are many shops and companies that specialize in selling unique corporate gifts and provide best ideas to gift your employee on special events, throughout the year with different ideas. It is very important that companies that manufacture and supply them need to come up with different ideas these gift options help in motivating the employees and other staff members.
These corporate gifts is also a good option for the advertisement and marketing strategies that will help you to promote your products and make will aware the customers about it.This can be done on pens, pen stand, shirts, mugs etc. The second option features for gifts mainly to those personnel who are of extreme importance not only as customers but also in overall representation of the company before the world.To buy cheap pocket folders for your company visit online.
The first type is normally consists of items that are much cheaper in price. As the corporate gifts that are distributed for promotional purposes require a lot of quality and quantity so it is expected that products of cheap price tags but fair quality are preferred by the organizations to get distributed among the employees. The second option is of high range of items to be given away as gifts to certain specific personal from the society those who have higher positions in the society.


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No matter how old we are, whenever we saw a bounce house a clear image of our beautiful childhood comes in our mind, remember all those water fights played with your childhood friends in playhouse. A person's childhood seems to be incomplete without playing in bounce house. Inflatable bounce house are kids favorite stuff to play with.
Playing in bounce house:
Playing in fluffy, zigzag and fun twisting bounce house is not only a source of enjoyment and entertainment for us but also teaches us to be disciplined and directional in our missions. It has been observed that children who are habitual to play in bounce houses in their childhood are more active and optimist in their work. Playing in playhouse teaches us that no matter how tough situations are there is always a solution for every problem.
Children of twenty first century:
By the passage of time with the advancement of technology our children have also become high tech they all are carrying latest models of cellular phones, iPhones, tablets and laptops. Cherry on the cake is millions of attractive video games which makes kids indulge. In this kind of situation they do not find even a little time for healthy physical activities. In United States Parents are quite worried about their young ones about this issue.
What to do then?
The simplest answer to this question is attract your child towards physical exercise in an attractive manner. Inflatable bounce house are one of the most convenient way to develop a habit in your children of playing physical games. Because children just love to jump over fluffy floor of playhouse, wants to climb up the ropes, slide on water slides and play with squeezes balls.
Whom to contact?
Living in United States and do not know about bounce Milwaukee seems impossible. We have a team of passionate and professional members who are quite devoted to make your each and every event unforgettable and filled with precious memories. We rent bounce houses of each color each design and the way you want it. It's the only work we do. We rent bounce house to private parties and private events. Our ambition is to cherish your weekend with a beautiful smile on your children's face. We rent bounce houses on a variety of events including:
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Our inflatable bounce house are fabricated with best woven Oxford clothes . Along with that you will never have a complaint regarding the cleanliness matter of our playhouse. Last but not the least you are always welcome for your valuable suggestions to make our services better.


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What's the best MMORPG without a Cash Shop?
:: Community :: General Discussion
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What's the best MMORPG without a Cash Shop?
Taken from Massively, join us on weekdays as we discuss the daily topic. Remember, the thoughts of the OP are not always my own.
During any online discussion about MMORPG payment models, someone will inevitably lament that subscriptions are better because they dont nickel-and-dime you with a cash shop. Someone else will then point out that the vast majority of subscription games that are left in the genre do indeed have cash shops. There was a time when a sparklepony was a rare thing worthy of front-page news, its true, but that time was years ago now. Everyones doing it.
Well, not everyone. There are a few MMORPGs out there that have resisted the allure of the cash shop. So today, lets make a list. Which MMORPGs have stubbornly refused to cash-shopify themselves, and which one is the very best at it?
The Dragoon King;
"Let your character be your weapon, your fellow guild members be your armour, your blood thirst be your helmet, and use your boots to make a stand. After every battle allow your shield to be your faith in one another, and return from battle either carrying it or resting upon it."
Dorek: hopefully it has ingame voip
Dorek: then you could shout at em
Dorek: besides you sound like a fucking psycho anyway so you would make em piss emselves
Currently Watching:- Supernatural, and Avatar
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What is the candelabra? Make your candle glow with style by fixing them on one of the most elegant candelabras on the market. You may be asking yourself which candelabra is actually the best for use. Well, the market is filled with an array of styles and models that may make it quite hard to determine the best. But do not worry because we have you covered. Our team of experts has done all the homework for you. They have conducted extensive research and came up with a list of the best candelabras on the market.
Table of Contents
- Table of the Best Silver Candelabras Reviews
- 9. Southern Enterprises 10-Candle Matte Black Finish Candelabras
- 8. Tom & Co. White Wedding Lantern Centerpieces Favors
- 7. Studio Silversmiths Silver Metal Candelabra Wedding Candle Holder
- 6. Studio Silver Metal Candelabra Wedding Candle Holder
- 5. Classic Nickel-Plated Candelabra 5 Light
- 4. VERDUGO GIFT Midnight Elegance Candelabras
- 3. Gifts & Decor Crystal Trimmed Candelabra Candleholder
- 2. Epic Products Scroll Wine Bottle Candelabra Multicolor
- 1. Klikel Spooky Halloween Black Metal Candelabra Candle Holder
Table of the Best Silver Candelabras Reviews
9. Southern Enterprises 10-Candle Matte Black Finish Candelabras
Line up a maximum of 10 candles with this classic metal candelabra. It is finished with the black matte to give it maximum protection as well as add to its elegant look. The candelabra has 2 rows each constituting of 5 platforms. Each platform measures 3 inches wide and is bowl-shaped to hold the melting candle. The base of the candelabra is wide enough to provide maximum stability.
8. Tom & Co. White Wedding Lantern Centerpieces Favors
Light up your wedding venue with these remarkable lanterns. They come in a set of 20 pieces each accommodating one candle. These lanterns feature a stylish design that will certainly adorn the whole wedding venue. The lights emitted from the 20 pieces will actually create that warm and wonderful feeling in the hearts of many. These lanterns come with stands that incorporate wide bases to provide great stability.
7. Studio Silversmiths Silver Metal Candelabra Wedding Candle Holder
Looking for a classy candelabra that will earn you compliments from visitors? Well, the answer lies with Light Crystal Candelabra. Its crystal decoration and attractive silver color will surely brighten up any living space. The candelabra has 5 platforms each designed to hold a candle. The stem features a swivel design for added convenience. The heavy base is wide enough to provide great stability.
6. Studio Silver Metal Candelabra Wedding Candle Holder
This candelabra is a perfect blend of durability and elegance. It is made of a sturdy metal and finished with an attractive silver color. The candelabra has 3 platforms; one on the center and two on the sides. Their cup-shaped design provides a perfect fit for the candles. The base is extra-wide to prevent the candelabra from being easily knocked down. This unit is an excellent choice for wedding events.
5. Classic Nickel-Plated Candelabra 5 Light
Godinger actually did a wonderful work in designing this one of a kind candelabra. It comes in a unique design that speaks a lot regarding the quality craftsmanship used in its construction. This candelabra features a smooth and shiny nickel plating. The plating provides a touch of elegance and a feeling of class. The candelabra has 5 branches each designed to accommodate a candle.
4. VERDUGO GIFT Midnight Elegance Candelabras
Just from its name, one can easily get an insight of just how beautiful this candelabra is. It is decorated with an array of enchanting baubles that will certainly put a smile on your face. The candelabra has 5 platforms each featuring a well-tinted glass. The candles are held within the glass to maximize the glow. This candelabra features a sturdy and durable metallic construction to guarantee many years of use.
3. Gifts & Decor Crystal Trimmed Candelabra Candleholder
Gifts & Decor has actually stood true to its name. This candelabra is truly a centerpiece that will sparkle in the light of the candles. The main support is made of a sturdy metal. It is branched to create 5 different platforms that are adorned with crystal beads. This unit holds five candles. It is an excellent choice, particularly for weddings and parties.
2. Epic Products Scroll Wine Bottle Candelabra Multicolor
Looking for a perfect gift to light up the face of your loved ones? Well, Scroll Wine Bottle Candelabra might just work perfectly. Its elegant look and unique sculptured design will hardly go unnoticed, even for the most cynical persons. The candelabra is made of wrought iron to guarantee maximum durability. And as the name implies, it is supported by a wine bottle. The candelabra holds 5 candles.
1. Klikel Spooky Halloween Black Metal Candelabra Candle Holder
Adorn your wedding venue or that home party with this classic candelabra. The candelabra features a shiny metallic construction. You have the option of choosing from the black, white or silver finish. The candelabra has five branches each fitted with a cup-shaped candle holder. To guarantee maximum stability, the base features a wide and heavy design that makes it quite difficult to knock down the candelabra.


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Bukit Doa Tomohon or also known as Kelong Hill or another named Jalan Salib Mahawu. Bukit Doa or means Prayer Hill of Tomohon, is one of the attractions of nature and religious tourism in Tomohon, North Sulawesi. The natural beauty is combined with the cool mountain air Tomohon, make every visitor feel at home to linger in this place. No wonder if Prayer Hill Tomohon become one of the sights that you must visit in Tomohon.
Natural scenery is so beautiful, clean, cool and very neatly arranged, making Prayer Hill Mahawu like a magnet that attracts everyone to visit this place. Over all the advantages it has, not surprisingly, the Jalan Salib Mahawu (another name for Prayer Hill Tomohon) be the location of the event various activities ranging from nature tourism and religious tourism Christians, location out bond, the location of the gathering, the venue for the wedding ceremony for holy to be a place to hold weddings, with shades of the garden party.


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Brandi Shay - Vice President firstname.lastname@example.com
Rodney Shields email@example.com
Janette Campbell - Board Secretary/Business Manager
Meetings of the Board:School Board Meetings are scheduled for the second Monday of Each month. The meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and are held in the Board Room at the Superintendent's office, located on the west side of the high school facility. All meetings are open to the public with the exception of meetings called for specific purposes within those outlined under the Iowa Open Meetings Law or those called for negotiations strategy for public employees.
The Board's Functions:
The Board's function is that of a decision-maker; it wants to hear the sentiments of the public, however routine questions and discussion take time from other Board business. The Board suggests, if a resident has a question about the operation of the schools, they are encouraged to contact the teacher or administrator closest to the situation. The five members of the Board govern the school district by establishing policy statements that are available for patrons of the district.
The School Board represents the people of the district and functions as a policy-making body. Board policies ensure that students receive a quality education. The Board has jurisdiction over the school district, its employees and students under the laws of the State of Iowa.The Board selects a executive office, the Superintendent of Schools, and delegates to the Superintendent the authority for carrying out the policies, plans and administrative details necessary to insure that all policies formulated by the Board are made effective in the operation of the schools.
In its appraisal function, the Board through the study of facts and conditions evaluates the efficiency of the operation of the schools, not only in dollars and cents, but also in desirable values as the results of instruction based on a sound philosophy of education.
Agendas of the Board Meeting:
Agendas are published by the school district prior to all meetings and are available by request from the Board Secretary prior to meetings. Minutes are available upon request after the meeting for a slight charge for copying.
How To Get An Item On the Agenda:The Mount Ayr Community Board of Directors places the responsibility for the development of the agenda with the Superintendent of Schools in collaboration with the president of the Board. It is necessary for organizations or individuals to observe certain guidelines should they desire to address the Board in regular session.
Those wishing to address the Board should write a letter to the superintendent, requesting to address the Board. This request must be submitted at least five working days prior to the next regular meeting and should state the item to be discussed and should state the person's name(s), address, and telephone number. The statement should also state the action requested by the Board of Directors and provide any background, which might be helpful. A date will be set by the Superintendent for the item to appear on the agenda and will notify the individual or group.You may give information and address the Board during the "Communications from the Public" at any regular meeting. Patrons may give input on presented action items when recognized during the meeting. Because of time limitations, each person's comments may not be longer than three minutes; and must be direct, to the point and of an informative nature.
Board Policies:
The Board Policy documents are in the attachments at the bottom of this page.


text:
Date: April 22, 2018
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Carpet Land
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Brand Label: Foreo
ITEM MOVED TO ARCHIVE: On January 30, 2018 11:39 am, Fashion Stylist Online noted this item may be out of stock at Bergdorf Goodman because it was not referenced in their latest online catalog. If this item is out of stock at Bergdorf Goodman, you may be able to find similar fashions sold there or elsewhere on our Foreo Designer Brand Directory.
Available for Purchase Online at Bergdorf Goodman for $119.00Pin It
Foreo ISSA 2 Mini Silicone Sonic Toothbrush, Wild Strawberry Details ORAL CARE CAN BE FUN ISSA mini 2 is an electric toothbrush created for kids (aged 5+) and adults who prefer smaller brush heads. A fun and bold silicone brush now features twice the power of Sonic Pulse Technology and a hybrid brush head to brighten, whiten and polish your smile. The hybrid brush head's inner PBT polymer bristles remove plaque build-up while the outer silicone bristles comfortably massage the gums and inhibi.
Shop other brand label items from Foreo on FashionStylist.com.
This item was published for sale online by Bergdorf Goodman on January 30, 2018 10:54 am and last updated by us January 30, 2018 11:39 am.
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New promo codes and links offering limited time promotions, sales coupons, and special offers on Foreo designer fashions and accessories will be posted on each designer label apparel page. For the latest up to date information on this Foreo Issa 2 Mini Silicone Sonic Toothbrush Wild Strawberry fashion item, including product specifications, ordering options, pricing, shipping details, high resolution pictures, shopper comments, and other sales media, visit the Bergdorf Goodman Online Store.


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We Buy Any House in Scotland fast here at National Property Trade and we pay the best prices for houses in Scotland and we have over ten years of experience of buying property throughout Scotland.
Since we are a private property buyer based in Croydon, London we firmly believe we understand the local market in Scotland which is why we can pay the best prices. Not only do we pay the best prices, but we pay cash and can complete very quickly or at a time to suit you. One of our we buy any house Scotland team will guide you through our process of selling your house fast in Scotland today once you have entered your postcode above. This is a FREE no obligation service that generates a genuine cash offer figure for your Scotland house within a matter of seconds. Try it today and find out how fast our Scotland team can buy your house. We have bespoke products such as the Assisted Sale that enables us to offer the best prices and complete in the fastest timescales possible, find out more today by contacting us on 0800 298 3140.
If you would prefer to speak to a member of the Scotland team, then please don't hesitate to contact us on 0800 298 3140.
We don't just specialise in Scotland, we are a National Property Buyer that specialises in fast sales – so provided your property is in the UK – we will buy it and you will get the cash! Get a Free Valuation Today!
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Brown County
Brown County Natural History Tour
All times of year
$125 – 175, depending on length of tour
Learn the story of Brown County from pre-settlement days to the present by visiting historical landmarks throughout the southern part of the county. Possible stops include the state park, Stone Head Nature Preserve, Pike's Peak, the 10 0'clock Treaty Line, and Elkinsville. A highlight to this tour is the Story Inn, home to the Blue Lady Ghost and a delicious home-grown Hoosier lunch.
This is a great trip for a larger group or a bus group. I can ride in your bus and narrate a trip to the most scenic and storied places in Brown County. This tour also works for people with limited mobility and can be done on a cold or rainy day. However, if you want to hike, this tour can be customized to visit gorgeous places for a hike in any season.
Lucas Hollow Warblers
April – October
$100 – 150, depending on length of tour
Yellowwood State Forest contains over 23,000 acres of multi-age forest in western Brown County. One of my favorite sections of this property is found at Lucas Hollow along a trail I refer to as "Warbler Alley." In May and June of 2016, we recorded 21 different warbler species on tours through this area, and 16 of those likely nest in this section of forest. Some of the most sought-after warbler species–the Cerulean, Hooded, and Black-and-white Warblers–can usually be found on this tour.
It's not just warblers that like the habitat found in Lucas Hollow. Other colorful songbirds we often encounter in this area include the Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. During migration or breeding season, Lucas Hollow provides a treat for all level of birders.
Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve
April – May and September – October
A great 3-mile hike through the wooded hills and ravines that make Brown County so beautiful! More info soon.
If you have an idea for another tour in mind, please contact me. I am always looking for new offerings that appeal to my guests.


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We have trained 1000+ professionals in Cloud technologies.
Our training methodologies promises to give the students hands on art enterprise skills to delve deeper into the technologies from a practical and enterprise point of view. Extreme Hands-on-Lab with a self doable on the fly practical based training approaches makes transformation of the student from a no vice to a capable experienced expert.
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We counsel and build a roadmap for you by understanding your career goals and carve a roadmap for you.
We train on an enterprise style with live scenarios from enterprise. We are theory haters and believe in learn by doing with extensive practicals.
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Trainers here helped in understanding the basics easily.They were very cooperative and made learning path easy.Especially my trainer Krishna taught me well and guided according to the Curiculum.
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I am from a non IT background, can I make a career in cloud?
This is always a question asked by many students. What IT industry demands is right skills and ability to showcase the right skills. Irrespective of the previous background a transformation in the career is definitely possible always.We have trained several students who have transformed their career into cloud and are performing great in their roles today.
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Whether an experienced or freshmen, upskilling enhances your career potential and the graph of landing a high paying job. So why wait, upskill right now with Rulepaper.


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President Nikolic signs book of condolences for Castro
Belgrade - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic signed at the Cuban embassy in Belgrade on Monday a book of condolences for Fidel Castro, the late leader of the Cuban revolution.
It is important that the ideas with which Castro liberated and led Cuba live on in the Cuban nation and leaders, President Nikolic wrote in the message.
"The world has been left without one of the last greats. Fidel Castro is a symbol of a fighter for the freedom, sovereignty and happiness of his people," President Nikolic wrote.
Today, Serbia has one great friend fewer, he noted.
"Hold your head up, Cuba, and continue on the path that ends in happiness," President Nikolic wrote.


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Scandinavian fruits flavoured coffee. The secret of Aurile flavoured coffees is the combination of Robusta beans that intensify the taste sensations, and oriental Arabica that introduces a slightly acidic note.
Treasures of Scandinavia: cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, and cloudberry combined in aromatic sweet-tart bouquet. They give the coffee a unique aroma.
Capacity: 250 g.
Code: AR10


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The leading
[Federal Register: September 7, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 173)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 55501-55539] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07se11-20] [[Page 55501]] Vol. 76 Wednesday, No. 173 September 7, 2011 Part III Department of Homeland Security ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 CFR Parts 103, 214, 274a, et al. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Worker Classification; Final Rule [[Page 55502]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Parts 103, 214, 274a, and 299 [CIS No. 2459-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0038] RIN 1615-AB76 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Worker Classification AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On October 27, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security published an interim rule creating a new, temporary, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-only transitional worker classification (CW classification) in accordance with title VII of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA). The CW classification is intended to provide for an orderly transition from the CNMI permit system to the U.S. Federal immigration system under the immigration laws of the United States, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This final rule implements the CW classification and establishes that a CW transitional worker is an alien worker who is ineligible for another classification under the INA and who performs services or labor for an employer in the CNMI during the five-year transition period. CNMI employers may now petition for such workers. The rule also establishes employment authorization incident to CW status. DATES: This final rule is effective on October 7, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paola Rodriguez Hale, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529-2060, telephone (202) 272-1470. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background II. Interim Final Rule III. Final Rule IV. Public Comments Received on the Interim Final Rule V. Other Changes VI. Regulatory Analyses I. Background The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI or Commonwealth) is a U.S. territory located in the Western Pacific that has been subject to most U.S. laws for many years. Before November 2009, the CNMI administered its own immigration system under the terms of the 1976 Covenant with the United States. See A Joint Resolution to Approve the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America (Covenant Act), Public Law 94-241, sec. 1, 90 Stat. 263, 48 U.S.C. 1801 note (1976). On May 8, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA). See Public Law 110- 229, 122 Stat. 754, 853 (2008). Title VII of the CNRA extends U.S. immigration laws to the CNMI. Id. The stated purpose of the CNRA is to ensure effective border control procedures, to properly address national security and homeland security concerns by extending U.S. immigration law to the CNMI (phasing-out the CNMI's nonresident contract worker program while minimizing to the greatest extent practicable the potential adverse economic and fiscal effects of that phase-out), to maximize the CNMI's potential for future economic and business growth, and to assure worker protections from the potential for abuse and exploitation. See sec. 701 of the CNRA, 48 U.S.C.A. 1806 note. Section 702 of the CNRA stated that U.S. immigration laws would apply to the CNMI starting approximately one year after the date of enactment, subject to certain transition provisions unique to the CNMI. See 48 U.S.C. 1806(a). On March 31, 2009, the Secretary of Homeland Security postponed the effective date of the transition program from June 1, 2009 (the first day of the first full month commencing one year from the date of enactment of the CNRA) to November 28, 2009, using her discretion provided by the CNRA.\1\ The transition period concludes on December 31, 2014. See 48 U.S.C. 1806(a)(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See DHS Press Release, ``DHS Delays the Transition to Full Application of U.S. Immigration Laws in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands'' (Mar. 31, 2009), available at http:// www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1238533954343.shtm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since 1978, the CNMI has admitted a substantial number of foreign workers through an immigration system that provides a permit program for foreigners entering the CNMI, such as visitors, investors, and workers. Foreign workers under this program constitute a majority of the CNMI labor force. Such workers outnumber U.S. citizens and other local residents in most industries central to the CNMI's economy.\2\ The transitional worker program implemented under this rule is intended to provide for an orderly transition for those workers from the CNMI permit system to the U.S. Federal immigration system under the INA and to mitigate potential harm to the CNMI economy as employers adjust their hiring practices and as foreign workers obtain U.S. immigrant or nonimmigrant status. See 48 U.S.C. 1806(d). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ See GAO, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Pending Legislation Would Apply U.S. Immigration Law to the CNMI with a Transition Period, GAO-08-466 (Mar. 18, 2008); GAO, U.S. Insular Areas: Economic, Fiscal, and Accountability Challenges. GAO- 07-119 (Dec. 12, 2006); GAO, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Serious Economic, Fiscal and Accountability Challenges, GAO-07-746T (Apr. 19, 2007). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The CNRA contains several CNMI-specific provisions affecting foreign workers during the transition period. Section 702(a) of the CNRA mandates that:
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Exmouth Small Animal Care - £5.00 per visit
At Exmouth Pet Sitters we care for a wide variety of small animals.
For rabbit sitting, guinea pig care, mice care, ferret care, rodent care, fish maintenance
and bird care we are able to feed, change water, groom and clean their living environments, during a scheduled 20 minute visit.
We can provide first rate care while you are on holiday, short break, ill, or whenever you require us. It is always our intention to try and replicate the owners routine and imitate the interaction that would normally take place between pet and owners. We can also administer medicines, as supplied by your veterinarian.
In addition we also ensure that your property is securely checked and monitored during your absence. This includes bringing your mail, milk and newspapers inside, opening and closing curtains and leaving lights on as appropriate.
At Exmouth Pet Sitters we never charge based on the number of animals you have, therefore if you have a small animal, alongside a cat, you will only be charged for a single visit, which would incorporate the care for both.
We are also able to offer a pet transport service to clients who use our small animal care services. For small animal care in Exmouth, choose Exmouth Pet Sitters.
Exmouth Pet Sitters covers the following areas: Exmouth, Woodbury and the surrounding locations.


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Back in February I dropped this site. Burned out from too much stuff going on I felt like I had nothing good to share. School stuff could only take me so far (though I wish I had kept up with it, I would have had a lot more posts).
I could tell something was not right. So, when talking to my neighbor teacher, I told her that I was going to keep my head down and do my job.
A month later I found out why everything felt all weird. The boss that would roam our halls in the morning, greeting us almost as enthusiastically as the pastor working three doors away did in the morning, and spending time listening to our concerns and successes was out of a job in another year. I found out because I was out of a job as of May 28.
I cried. I cried for days after it really hit me (took almost twenty-four hours). I cried six weeks afterwards as they were leaving to go home. I, somehow, managed to not cry on the last day of school. I cried nine days later when I woke up.
Yet, as I have begun to understand it in my thirty-someodd years of life, life is still happening. The world didn't implode the day that I walked away from the thing that had consumed my life for the previous ten months. I miss it dearly. I left a changed person. Nevertheless, here we are.
And, to be honest, life is not too shabby. There are things I could still complain about but there are a lot of great things happening too.
Around the time (literally, the week of) I found my first decent paying writing gig. I am a ghost writer for another blog and get paid fairly well. It really is a dream come true.
I have finally fallen in love with my graduate school major. The first two classes I passed with good grades but neither made me feel like I was in "grad school" and they did not interest me as much. Not I am doing in depth research on the generic advertising of commodity agriculture. You know, like the "got milk" commercials. I get where I want to go with my program too. Just not sure how to vocalize it and have it make sense. I feel like I am rambling when I talk about it which, conicidentally, is what I feel like I am doing here.
Plus this summer has been really fun, though caotic, so far. I've gotten to go back to the East coast. Was supposed to to go to New York City but was not able to… (instert eye roll) but I guess that means I will be going back ASAP. I miss New York, that place genuinely has a piece of my heart. I've gotten to go back to Texas long enough to help hubs move out of the house that we lived in for almost three and a half years. While I was there I got to attend an event for teachers, have a birthday, and go to an interview for a job that I might not hear back on until closer to the beginning of next school (and would be teaching at a school five times as large as Hubbard).
This past weekend was spent in Illinois where I got to meet my neice for the first time. I know now that mean mugging is not really what she does in all those pictures, she's just a serious baby. Today? Today we leave for Pigeon Forge.
I want to share my life with you. Part of why my blog got so off track is because I am stuck on what other people want my blog to be. How to increase my numbers. Why I should post every hour on the hour over on Facebook, why I should have a "niche", ect…
I have a niche. I am that niche. There is no one the exact same as me before me and there will not be another me after me. (PS. Same goes for you). So as of today, expect posts about coffee, about love, about travel, about my life.
See you tonight!


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A longtime H. Beck advisor with $115 million in client assets has left the broker-dealer for Securities America.
In explaining the move, Damascus, Md., advisor Randy Scritchfield praised the deeper staff, technology and service offerings at his new firm, a subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services.
"I was never the type to look," says Scritchfield, who spent nearly 27 years at H. Beck -- "but when I started, I realized what some of the capabilities of the other brokers were."
In addition to Securities America's significantly larger corporate staff -- roughly 450 at the firm's Omaha, Neb.-based headquarters, compared with fewer than 100 at H. Beck, according to last year's FP50 data -- Scritchfield cited offerings like the firm's National Financial Services platform and Managed Opportunities NextPhase, a retirement income investment strategy designed to seek consistent income throughout a client's retirement.
"I wanted to reinvigorate my practice," Scritchfield says. "I felt a new broker-dealer, with substantial capabilities, was the best way to accomplish this. [Since then] I have expanded my staff to five, and I am looking to bring on new representatives in the coming year -- a younger generation, to help me both retain and capture the children of my clients."
Prior to joining H. Beck in 1987, Scritchfield spent three years at Calvert Securities, according to FINRA's BrokerCheck.
In a deal with broker-dealer Sunset Financial Services last year, Securities America acquired 268 advisors and $2.4 billion in client assets from Kansas City Life Insurance.
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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been utilized to rescue disease phenotypes in genetic disorders, to direct healing after traumatic injury and to suppress the immune response in a variety of autoimmune disorders. We have demonstrated that corneal UMSC (umbilical mesenchymal stem cells) transplantation rescues the cloudy, thin cornea stroma of lumican knockout (Lum-/-) mice. Thus, transplantation of UMSC can be beneficial to ameliorate corneal pathology caused by genetic defects. UMSC can suppress host inflammation and immune responses and have been used in solid organ co-transplantation to improve graft success rates. Our preliminary studies have showed that intrastromal UMSC transplantation allow the alkali- burned corneas to regain transparency, to prevent the formation retro-corneal membrane when UMSC are transplanted into the anterior chamber. Our hypothesis is that modulation of inflammation and suppression of autoimmunity by UMSC transplantation are beneficial for regeneration/repair and survival of progenitor/stem cells in traumatized corneas.
The specific aims will determine the efficacy of utilizing UMSCs for the treatment of three models of human corneal dysfunction: trauma, limbal deficiency due to persistent inflammation and/or immune disorders, and genetic disease.
Specific Aim 1 : To examine the efficacy of UMSC in treating traumatized mouse corneas. The hypothesis is that UMSC will modulate the inflammatory response and facilitate regeneration;
Specific Aim 2 : To examine the efficacy of UMSC transplantation in treating limbal stem cell deficiency. The hypothesis is persistent inflammation leading to progenitor/stem cell deficiency can be ameliorated by UMSC transplantation;
Specific Aim 3 : To determine whether UMSC transplantation can restore function in a corneal stroma with a congenital defect. The hypothesis is that UMSC will remodel and repair stromal defects resulting from mutant proteins in genetic disease thereby restoring function. The outcome of our proposed studies will lend support to the notion that UMSC transplantation can serve as an alternative treatment in lieu of penetrating keratoplasty for cornea dysfunction caused by trauma and mutation by the preservation of progenitor/stem cells in persistent inflammation and/or immune disorders. Thus, the UMSC transplantation can be a potential treating regimen for dry eyes, Sjogren and Stevens-Johnson syndromes that are characterized by persistent inflammation and autoimmune disorder.
Corneal transplantation is still the most effective treatment for vision restoration of corneal blindness due to congenital gene mutation and acquired diseases such as trachoma, microbial infections, laceration, chemical burns. We are developing alternative treatment regimens using umbilical mesenchymal stem cell in lieu of corneal transplantation to ameliorate corneal diseases complicated by persistent and severe inflammation e.g., alkali burn, limbal deficiency and genetic mutation. The success of the proposed studies will lead to new strategies for treating eye diseases such as dry eye, Sjogren and Steve-Johnson syndromes, and corneal dystrophy caused by genetic mutation.
|Coulson-Thomas, Vivien J; Coulson-Thomas, Yvette M; Gesteira, Tarsis F et al. (2016) Extrinsic and Intrinsic Mechanisms by Which Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress the Immune System. Ocul Surf 14:121-34
|Kao, Winston W-Y; Coulson-Thomas, Vivien J (2016) Cell Therapy of Corneal Diseases. Cornea 35 Suppl 1:S9-S19
|Morii, Tomoya; Sumioka, Takayoshi; Izutani-Kitano, Ai et al. (2016) A Case of Solitary Nonvascularized Corneal Epithelial Dysplasia. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med 2016:5687285
|Zhang, Liyun; Coulson-Thomas, Vivien Jane; Ferreira, Tarsis Gesteira et al. (2015) Mesenchymal stem cells for treating ocular surface diseases. BMC Ophthalmol 15 Suppl 1:155
|Coulson-Thomas, Vivien Jane; Gesteira, Tarsis Ferreira; Hascall, Vincent et al. (2014) Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells suppress host rejection: the role of the glycocalyx. J Biol Chem 289:23465-81
|Ksander, Bruce R; Kolovou, Paraskevi E; Wilson, Brian J et al. (2014) ABCB5 is a limbal stem cell gene required for corneal development and repair. Nature 511:353-7
|Kao, Winston W-Y; Liu, Hongshan; Zhang, Jianhua (2013) Wakayama symposium: challenges of future research in ocular surface cell biology. Ocul Surf 11:19-24
|Coulson-Thomas, Vivien Jane; Caterson, Bruce; Kao, Winston W-Y (2013) Transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells cures the corneal defects of mucopolysaccharidosis VII mice. Stem Cells 31:2116-26


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Welcome to the Sno-Jets website!
Fun never goes out of style, which may be why the Sno-Jets are the oldest, not for profit ski club in Southern Colorado, established in 1952. We host a seemingly endless list of year-round activities, events and entertainment both on and off the slopes for active people like you.
If you're 21 years of age or older and like to meet and mingle with people who love fun, this is the club for you. You can participate in as many or as few activities as you want, based on your time and interests. Check out our event calendar, then check us out in person at one of our free Thursday evening meetings. Our membership fee is only $25 to participate in all events 1 Oct 2017 to 30 Sep 2018, or just $10 for a summer membership (15 Apr 2018 to 30 Sep 2018).
Sno-Jets 2017/18 Meeting Schedule
Our 2017/18 season winter meetings began on 5 Oct and will run every other week through 19 April 2018. We meet on Thursday evenings at Patty Jewett Club House, 900 E Espanola St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
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Lightroom CC Yay ! That frustrating Badge Fiasco is now gone.
One of the small but significant improvements for me has been with Badges. In previous versions if I accidentally clicked on the badge while clicking on the thumbnail it would open up the image, resulting in me having to close it down.
No more…. Now I can tell Lightroom to ignore badge clicks.
Go to the Interface tab in Preferences(Edit > Preferences) and put a tick in the Ignore clicks on Badges box and hey presto, frustration all gone.
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DENHAM SPRINGS — The city of Denham Springs is moving forward with improvements to several roads, many of which are expected to be finished by 2015, Mayor Jimmy Durbin said.
The city has teamed up with the Department of Transportation and Development's Louisiana Safe Routes to School Program to construct sidewalks along Hatchell Lane near Denham Springs Junior High School. The program is designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school.
The city plans to place sidewalks along about a mile of Hatchell Lane to make it safer for students to walk and bicycle to school, Durbin said. City engineers are designing the project and will maintain the sidewalks once they're in place.
Durbin wouldn't estimate the cost of the project since it's still in the design phase. The application for the project must be completed by the end of October, Durbin said.
Durbin said he believes improvements to a small section of 4-H Club Road — from Florida Boulevard to Rushing Road — will ease traffic congestion in the area.
"This is a horrible bottleneck and the drainage is terrible," Durbin said.
DOTD plans to pay for the improvements and the city will complete the engineering report. Once area utilities are relocated, the city will begin accepting bids for the project.
"This will be a big relief for congestion in that area," Durbin said. "We're excited."
Repairs to an area of Lakeland Boulevard will be repaired because of an agreement between All-Star Automotive and the city of Denham Springs.
Durbin said the project, which includes the resurfacing of a small section of Lakeland Boulevard that is asphalt, will be finished by the end of October.
"That will make the residents of Lakeland Acres very happy," Durbin said.
The asphalt portion of the road was riddled with potholes from trucks moving in and out of the area, Durbin said. All-Star agreed to pay for the $25,000 repairs and the city paid for the engineering fees, Durbin said.
The city is waiting to hear from the state on the priority of two roads — Julia Street and Maple Street — scheduled to be resurfaced and widened. The city submitted a request for the road work to the Metropolitan Planning Organization two years ago and is waiting for approval from DOTD.
Durbin said both roads should be completed in 2015.
For information on other infrastructure improvements, visit http://www.denham springs.us/mayor.html.


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Very similar to the famous Lancashire Witch of the same year (Locobase 633), this is one of the very first locomotives in the United States. It was ordered by the D & H's Horatio Allen during his landmark visit to the motherland of all steam locomotives in 1828.
Like the Witch, the America had angled cylinders (33 degrees from the horizontal), which drove the leading axle directly. As in the Witch, the layout pointed the way to the more efficient layout of cylinders and driving gear. that would appear in the Rocket a year later The engine was also fitted with a variable cut-off valve gear that actually worked in reverse, using an early cut-off when starting in order to save steam generated in the inadequate boiler. The boiler was a hybrid, intermediate step between a single flue and the later multi-tube having a central flue, 2 smaller 19"-diameter return flues, and 2 water-tubes within the central flue.
The locomotive known as the America was ordered as the Pride of Newcastle and arrived in the US on 15 January 1829. Beyond that, little if anything can be said about the America's later career.
It appears Pride of Newcastle/America didn't have much time to perform, according to a transcript of Episode 2709 of John Lienhard's "Engines of Our Ingenuity" prepared at the University of Houston's College of Engineering (archived at http://uh.edu/engines/epi2079.htm, last accessed 28 December 2011). Lienhard uses an earlier article published by J Demos and R Thayer American Heritage (J. Demos and R. Thayer, The Case Of The Vanishing Locomotive ... And The Birth Of The Railroad Revolution In America. A Mystery Solved. American Heritage, Vol. 49, No. 6, Oct. 1998, pp. 91-95).
As Lienhard tells it, Demos and Thayer searched through early locomotive artifacts archived at the Smithsonian Institution that were known to include bits and pieces of the Pride of Newcastle. It was in their canvas that "...Demos and Thayer made their astonishing discovery: They found a small coffin-shaped carved wooden box -- a kind of memento. Carved on its top is the image of an embryonic train. The box is also inscribed: "John B. Jervis, 1829, D&H Canal Company" on one side -- "America" on another. And, hidden away on the bottom of the lid are the words, "Blew up July 26, 1829.""
Apparently the locomotive's explosion had been hushed up to avoid discouraging D & H investors. Ironically, the performance of the Stourbridge Lion (Locobase 5586) would dispirit them at least as much as a boiler blowup might have.
The vertical cylinders were operated by a gangling walking-beam type valve motion. As Hollingsworth (1982) notes, the arrangement actually consists of two engines in one. The single flue doubled on itself but eventually exhausted up the very tall stack.
|Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media
|Stourbridge Lion
|Locobase ID
|Delaware & Hudson
|Delaware & Hudson
|Number in Class
|Road Numbers
|Number Built
|Foster, Rastrick & Co
|Valve Gear
|Locomotive Length and Weight
|Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)
|5 / 1.52
|Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)
|5 / 1.52
|Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase
|Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
|Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
|Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)
|15,435 / 7001
|14,000 / 6350
|Engine Weight (lbs / kg)
|15,435 / 7001
|14,000 / 6350
|Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
|5800 / 2631
|Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
|19,800 / 8981
|Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)
|400 / 1.52
|Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / ML/MT)
|0.30 / 0.30
|Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)
|13 / 6.50
|12 / 6
|Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
|Driver Diameter (in / mm)
|48 / 1219
|48 / 1219
|Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)
|50 / 3.40
|High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)
|9" x 24" / 229x610
|8.5" x 36" / 216x914
|Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)
|1721 / 780.63
|2303 / 1044.62
|Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort)
|Heating Ability
|Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)
|Grate Area (sq ft / m2)
|12 / 1.12
|8 / 0.74
|Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)
|66 / 6.13
|Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
|Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)
|66 / 6.13
|Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume
|Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
|Robert LeMassena's Power Computation
|Same as above plus superheater percentage
|Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area
|Power L1
|Power MT


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Home » Astronomy-Space , Mars Mission , Mars Rovers » NASA rover sends back colorful picture of Mars
NASA rover sends back colorful picture of Mars
Scientists admired the sweeping vista — red dust, dark sand dunes and tan-hued rocks. In the distance was the base of Mount Sharp, a three-mile-high mountain rising from the crater floor, where the six-wheel rover planned to go.
"It's very exciting to think about getting there, but it is quite a ways away," said mission scientist Dawn Sumner of the University of California, Davis.
Though it's the sharpest view yet of the landing site, the panorama was stitched together from thumbnails while scientists waited for better quality pictures to be downloaded.
Since safely landing Sunday night, Curiosity has dazzled scientists with peeks of its new home that at first glance seems similar to California's Mojave Desert. The initial pictures were fuzzy and black-and-white.
Earlier this week, the rover raised its mast containing high-definition and navigation cameras that have provided better views.
"It's beautiful just to finally see the colors in the terrain," said Jim Bell of Arizona State University, who is part of the mission.
The car-size rover remained healthy and busy testing its various instruments. Several pebbles landed on the rover's deck next to its radiation sensor during the final seconds of landing as it was lowered to the ground, but project managers said the stones posed no risk.
Curiosity "continues to behave basically flawlessly," said mission manager Mike Watkins of the NASA Propulsion Laboratory, which manages the $2.5 billion mission.
During its two-year mission, the roaming laboratory will analyze rocks and soil in search of the chemical building blocks of life, and determine whether there were habitable conditions where microbes could thrive. As high-tech as Curiosity is, it can't directly look for past or present life; future missions would be needed to answer that question.
Curiosity arrived on Mars Sunday night after traveling more than eight months and 352 million miles. Because of its heft, it couldn't land using air bags like its predecessors. Curiosity made a precision landing, relying on a heat shield, supersonic parachute, retrorockets and cables that lowered it inside Gale Crater.
Since the thrilling landing, the pace on the surface has been deliberately slower.
Curiosity is the most complex interplanetary rover ever designed, and engineers are taking their time performing health checkups. The rover will not make its first drive or move its robotic arm for weeks.


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The Rosengarten is a group of mountains in the Dolomites with a dense cluster of exceptionally jagged peaks. 10 years ago I did two hikes through this range, and since then I've longed to return for some better photography and more challenging via ferrata climbing. Last week Claudia and I did just that, spending four days trekking, climbing, and photographing our way through the mountains. See lots more photos below! Continue reading "Ferrata Trek in the Rosengarten"
Tag: Italy
In the Dolomites
Last week Claudia's father and brother drove down from Dresden to join us in the Dolomites in northern Italy for a fun week of hiking and climbing via ferrata routes together. The via ferrate are climbing routes with fixed cables and ladders, and by using a climbing harness with two short ropes with locking carabiners, it's possible to safely climb exposed routes without technical climbing skills.
See lots more climbing shots from our week in the Dolomites below! Continue reading "In the Dolomites"
Sella Ronda
This morning I woke up early and drove from San Martino to Arabba, enjoying the awesome Dolomiti views the whole way. Upon arriving in Arabba, I quickly reserved a room here, then immediately went to the ski hill! I had no idea what to expect, and was delighted to hear that the entire Dolomiti Superski area was open, and that I would be able to do the Sella Ronda, a famous and unique ski route that links four ski areas and circumnavigates the entire Sella Group of mountains via 42km of pistes and something like 12 chairlifts and gondolas (I lost track). This is a novel concept to me, and although the terrain is mostly cruising groomers, I enjoyed covering so much ground on my snowboard, and gawking at the incredible Dolomite spires and walls all around. And of course I found a few powder stashes along the way!
Here are some highlights from the route:
Avalanche fences.
Marmolada, 3343m, one of the biggest peaks in the Dolomites.
Chairlift under a couple of the rugged Sassolungo peaks.
Arrivederci, Pale di San Martino!
An awesome sunrise behind Cimon della Pala and the Pale di San Martino this morning from Passo Rolle on my way out of town. Gotta love it!
Cimon della Pala: Glory
Cimon Della Pala: Redemption!
This afternoon I repeated my efforts to photograph Cimon della Pala. I felt like luck was with me today, for various trivial reasons not worth mentioning but nevertheless noteworthy to me. Again I parked at Passo Rolle and skied up the ski slopes in the midst of the clouds. Sure enough, halfway up the slopes I could see some clearings and soon the Cimon della Pala broke out of the clouds in all its glory!
I didn't get the wild orange light and swirling clouds of Monday, but what the hell, I'm stoked. Is this an epic scene or what??!! It looks like some peaceful snowy meadows just got shafted by a pissed off chunk of earth!
The low clouds rolled in at sunset, but I waited for while anyways. They broke again later at dusk, revealing the Pala in the mist.
It would be cool if I could show a series of all the photos I took this evening. These are only a few that I picked from the batch. Throughout this week I've noticed how the clouds open and close around these peaks, and I know that this area would be a paradise for time-lapse photographers!
I'm finally feeling satisfied with my time in San Martino, and to be honest I am also at this point satisfied with dedicating so much effort to photography… time for some snowboarding! Tomorrow morning I'm headed to Arabba for the opening day of the ski hill there… hopefully there should be plenty of powder waiting for me!
Thursday in San Martino
Sunrise view from Daniela's deck, looking towards cloud-covered Mezzano. Not too shabby to see right out of bed!
Cimon della Pala: oh the Heartbreak
I am in the town of San Martino di Castrozza this week. I was here during my first visit to the Dolomites six years ago, and this was one of my favorite spots. The Dolomites boast many amazing jagged peaks, but the peaks of the Pale di San Martino range are impressive even by Dolomiti standards. And perhaps the most impressive of these peaks is Cimon della Pala, a rugged 3184m peak that towers over Passo Rolle and the town of San Martino far below. I've never seen a peak that has so many faces as the Cimon… depending on your altitude and angle of view the shape of the peak morphs into entirely difference profiles and characters. Here's a photo of the same peak in the summertime, from a different angle, for example.
I feel obliged to mention that this beautiful peak crushed my spirits on my first day here on Monday… though really it was my own fault. Continue reading "Cimon della Pala: oh the Heartbreak"
Powder Binge in Cortina
Today I scored one of my all-time best powder days! More on that below.
Anyhow, six and a half years after climbing via ferrate routes around Cortina d' Ampezzo and the Dolomites in the summertime, I have returned… this time for winter! Yesterday I took a tram up to the Refugio d' Faloria, a plush hut situated on the edge of a huge cliff about 900m (3000 ft.) above the town of Cortina. I spent the night up there, enjoying not only a primo view of Cortina, but also a slopeside location to kick off the ski area's opening day on Saturday.
Sunrise on Monte Cristallo. Though it was dumping snow all day on Friday, Saturday brought bluebird skies.


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While I love to explore fun flavours like Rocky Road or Cookies And Cream, there's always a place in my heart (and bowl) for good old vanilla… My favourite building block to the perfect ice cream sunday, and the only flavour you'll find topping my pie.
This ice cream gets a double hit of vanilla, one from extract, and one from a bean (check out those pretty vanilla specks!). Also, unlike most of my ice creams, the base is cooked. I've been a little apprehensive about starch thickened bases, as I'd heard that they can taste like pudding instead of ice cream. My concerns were totally unjustified, as the taste and texture were totally amazing! Just remember to give yourself plenty of chill time. You want the base already cold before you start churning (so it freezes properly).
What's your favourite ice cream flavour?
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Recipe Type: dessert
Makes: 1 liter (approx.)
- 2 (13.5oz/400ml) cans Coconut Milk (full fat), well shaken
- 2 tbsp Tapioca Starch
- 2/3 cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1 Vanilla Bean
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk and tapioca starch until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the maple syrup and salt.
With a pairing knife, split the vanilla bean length wise. Then using the tip of the knife, scrape out the caviar and stir it into the coconut milk mixture.
Cook the coconut milk mixture until thickened and starting to bubble (should look like runny pudding), whisking frequently. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour into a clean container, cover and refrigerate until cold (about 4 hours, but I leave mine overnight).
Whisk the mixture to even out any lumps, then pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions until it reaches a "soft-serve" consistency (I ran it in my machine for 25 minutes).
Transfer ice cream into a freezer friendly container, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream (this is to prevent ice from forming), and freeze until firm (at least 3 hours).