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What is currently unclear in probate law is the ownership rights to digital data and how those rights are transferred upon the death of the owner. This lack of clarification of the law comes about because of a dearth of useful legislation pertaining to this issue in probate and a lack of court decisions because the area of concern is so new. A complicating factor is the complexity of the so-called "license agreements" usually automatically imposed by online storage providers and how these agreements interact with the probate laws and procedures.
First of all, I should say that probate law and procedures can be hugely complicated. Whether you live in the United States or any other country, the regulation and taxation of both real and personal property upon death involves both anciently imposed customs and traditions as well as more modern legal tinkering. Additionally, in the United States, for example, the probate laws and procedures are far from uniform and how the probate proceeds is locally determined.
I will start with a hypothetical situation to illustrate some of the issues.
Genealogical researcher John Doe spends his whole later life accumulating a vast amount of information about his ancestors. Diligently following the best practices of his day, he digitizes all of his documents and stores the resulting data on huge external hard drives. He is active in the online genealogical community and writes about his family in an online blog, sharing the documents and much of his research. Over the years he has also been connected to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and many other online resources. He has posted the bulk of his information to WeRelate.org, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com and Geni.com and several other sites. He has contracted with an online backup company and a copy of his entire files is stored online. Additionally, he has been involved in teaching and has been the subject of numerous webinars, interviews, online videos, forums and other online activities. Of course, for the past few years, Doe has been accumulating a huge file of email messages.
As it happens to us all, Doe dies. Before his death he diligently provided for his wife and family and made a will and also transferred most of his property, including all his real property, into a testamentary trust. His will has a sweeping residual clause that includes any and all property owned at his death.
Now, is there any way at all for the administrator or personal representative of his estate to untangle Doe's huge online involvement? What rights do his heirs have to his online heritage? Doe he actually have any ownership interest in the webinars, interviews and other online activities? What about the email files? Which of the heirs inherits the online files? Do they each get a copy? Is the estate obligated to maintain the online accounts until these issues are settled? Who has the authority to use Doe's logins and passwords? What if Doe is using a program that automatically generates a long password? How do the heirs determine what password was used with which program? In practical, real life situations, what happens to all the research he put online in family trees? All of these are valid questions and largely unanswered by the state of the probate law in the United States.
If you were to consult an "estate attorney," even one in a large prestigious big-city law firm, about this subject, you would likely get a lot of sage advice based on absolutely nothing but conjecture. If you were to start asking all these questions, it is likely that you would get a statement such as, "Well, we will just have to face that issue when it arises" or something similar.
To illustrate my statements, here is a recent assessment of the status of digital assets legislation from the Digital Estate Resource:
To date five states have enacted laws that relate to digital assets with regard to estate planning. The earliest from Rhode Island and Connecticut are limited in scope to email accounts. A 2007 statute from Indiana includes "electronically stored documents of the deceased." A 2010 statue from Oklahoma covers the broader notion of digital assets. In 2011 Idaho passed a bill based upon the Oklahoma one.In searching the Web on this subject, I found some articles from supposed authorities in this area that gave absolutely wrong advice, such as keeping copies of the passwords and logins in a bank safety deposit box. Why is this a problem? Once most banks are put on notice of a death, they will not allow access to a safety deposit box without the appointment of an administrator or personal representative of the estate. Thus, the surviving relatives cannot gain access to the online accounts until some considerable time after the death. If the online authorities are giving out bad information, where does that leave the uninitiated?
So what action do the heirs of Doe take to untangle the mess? That is reason for these blog posts. The law has yet to catch up with the reality and it may be some time before there are clear answers to the issues raised by my hypothetical. This is a huge area of the law that is just now developing and one that genealogists should acutely be aware of. Here is a not-too-comforting statement from the American Bar Association:
Although powers of attorney are powerful tools, those who work in the digital asset world are at the beginning stages of determining how conventional estate planning tools affect on-line accounts and other types of digital assets.All this should make you think about how you personally are going to address the issues raised.


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Belkin 3-Meter Duplex Fiber Optic Patch Cable
Price: $2699
Belkin 3-Meter Single-Mode Duplex Fiber Optic Patch CableItem#: YYS2-4249755 | Model#: F2F802LL-03M
- Price:
- $26.99
- Shipping:
- In Stock, usually ships within 24 hours (Details)
Belkin 3-Meter Duplex Fiber Optic Patch Cable Product Details
Belkin Cabling Solutions
Single-mode Duplex Fiber Optic Patch Cable, LC/LC
Your setup--whether large or small, professional or just a home enthusiast masterpiece, is only as good as your cabling. Thats why Belkin has been manufacturing quality cable and connections for years. As one of the trusted names in the electronics industry, they stand by their products and design. The Single-mode Duplex Fiber Patch Cable features Single-mode 8.3/125 micron zip cable construction. The LC/LC connectors meet or exceed industry standards, offering optimal fiber data transmissions when applied to most local area networks. Dont trust your connectivity to a substandard manufacturer. Use the Best-Choose Belkin.
Additional Resources: Product Manuals
Manufactured by: Belkin
Warranty provided by: Belkin
UPC No: 722868421055
Mfg Part No: F2F802LL-03M
Box Size:
( Length:8, Width:7, Depth:1)
Shipping Weight: 0.1200 pound(s)
Dimensional Weight: 1pounds
What is Dimensional weight?
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Belkin logos are registered trademarks of Belkin. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

subset: commoncrawl


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Stable Channel Update
Security fixes and rewards:
Please see the Chromium security page for more detail. Note that the referenced bugs may be kept private until a majority of our users are up to date with the fix.
Some of the items listed below represent the start of hardening measures based on study of the exploits submitted to the Pwnium competition.
- [$1000] [113902] High CVE-2011-3050: Use-after-free with first-letter handling. Credit to miaubiz.
- [116162] High CVE-2011-3045: libpng integer issue from upstream. Credit to Glenn Randers-Pehrson of the libpng project.
- [$1000] [116461] High CVE-2011-3051: Use-after-free in CSS cross-fade handling. Credit to Arthur Gerkis.
- [116637] High CVE-2011-3052: Memory corruption in WebGL canvas handling. Credit to Ben Vanik of Google.
- [$1000] [116746] High CVE-2011-3053: Use-after-free in block splitting. Credit to miaubiz.
- [117418] Low CVE-2011-3054: Apply additional isolations to webui privileges. Credit to Sergey Glazunov.
- [117736] Low CVE-2011-3055: Prompt in the browser native UI for unpacked extension installation. Credit to PinkiePie.
- [$2000] [117550] High CVE-2011-3056: Cross-origin violation with "magic iframe". Credit to Sergey Glazunov.
Also, this single low severity issue was fixed in a previous patch but we forgot to issue proper credit:
- [108648] Low CVE-2011-3049: Extension web request API can interfere with system requests. Credit to Michael Gundlach.
More detailed updates are available on the Chrome Blog. Full details about what changes are in this release are available in the SVN revision log. Interested in hopping on the stable channel? Find out how. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug.
Jason Kersey
Google Chrome
Labels: Stable updates


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I started playing The Blockheads in mid-2016, on my Android phone (the original version runs on the iPhone, iPad, or IPod Touch). One of the things I've always liked about it is that you can zoom in and see things a little easier, then zoom back out when you want to travel longer distances. I have it on my Kindle Fire, also, but the Amazon version won't let me watch the ad videos that help me get extra Time Crystals, so I mostly play it on my phone.
Recently, I discovered BlueStacks 2, which is an Android emulator that runs anything you can download from the Google Play Store, on your Windows PC. Nice! For my older eyes, this is great, and it runs perfectly on my Windows 7 machine, and I can use my Action! recording software with it very easily, so here we are!
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The Blockheads, by David Frampton of Majic Jungle Software (Official Website)...
For iPhone, IPad, or IPod Touch: iTunes (The Blockheads Page)...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-blo ... 96406?mt=8
For Android: Noodlecake Studios, Inc. (The Blockheads Page)...
BlueStacks (Android Emulator for Windows)...
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The Blockheads (Video Policy)...
"It's fantastic to see players making videos of The blockheads and we want to encourage you to make any content you like with recorded in-game footage, and monetize it any way you can. So you have full permission to post and monetize videos containing any recorded in-game content from The Blockheads."
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Links to videos I create using the game, can be found here:


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You want to create an application that presents you at your very best. It needs to be well-written, cohesive, and extremely impressive. That's a tall order – especially when you're in school or working full time and are busy with other obligations!
Here's how it works: Choose your target degree and then let us know what part of your application you need help with:


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Exiled scientist亡命科学者バンダジェフスキー博士:
'Chernobyl is not finished, it has only just begun'「チェルノブイリは終わっていない。始まったばかりである。」
*訳者注Translator's note:もちろん福島も。バンダジェフスキー博士も福島のことを心配し、何度も来日されています。
Of course this applies to Fukushima. Dr. Bandazhevsky visited Japan several times being very concerned with the situation in Fukushima.
Moreover, health hazards in Fukushima has been covered much less compared to Chernobyl, which has also been undercovered.
Yury Bandazhevsky detailed Chernobyl's devastating impact on people's health, particularly that of children, in Belarus. Now he lives in exile while the government insists "Everything's OK."
The National Academy of Sciences and Amnesty International say he was detained for his outspoken criticism of Belarus' public health policies following the nuclear disaster. He was released in 2005 and given French citizenship, after rights groups took up his case along with the European Union, Britain, France and Germany. He now runs a medical and rehabilitation center outside Kiev dedicated to studying and caring for Chernobyl's victims.
Bandazhevsky has not returned to Belarus for fear that his family there could be persecuted or arrested by authorities.
Here are his words, edited and condensed for clarity:
KIEV, Ukraine — If you were told that a lot is already known in Ukraine and Belarus about what Chernobyl has done to these countries, than I can tell you that you are wrong. How can I put it? It is only after 30 years that we are starting to see the real impact. We can say for sure that Belarus was affected more. There was more radioactive fallout there. The doses the general population received were huge. My students and colleagues and I observed it when I arrived in Gomel in 1990 to organize the medical institute (now a university).
At the first, we were observing the effects of the large doses because Gomel was located in the epicenter of this high level of contamination. Then we started to look at the accumulation of radioactive elements in internal organs at lower doses, children's in particular. We were already seeing a complex pathology affecting the endocrine system (which produces hormones), the cardiovascular system and almost all the internal organs. This was work that had never been done in Belarus and has not been done since.
See Chernobyl through the eyes of an artist as Mariya Kobylynska interprets the disaster through her beautiful paintings. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY
I don't have any objective information about what is happening now with the health of children in Belarus. Everything is closed. The government says, 'Everything's OK, everything's OK.' But I get telephone calls from people in Gomel and they tell me that many of the children we were observing before I left have died. They were of different ages: 6, 12, 14. I will never forget appearing on television in Belarus with the president (Alexander Lukashenko). I was saying we were seeing very serious problems in children because of radiation, while he was saying 'Everything's OK.' But I can't touch this, because I can't go there, or work there.
For me, the problem of Chernobyl is not finished, it has only just begun.
I am very much afraid that in one or two generations from now, the (descendants) of the population of Belarus and Ukraine that were affected by Chernobyl will vanish. I am afraid of that very much. I don't want my countrymen to perish. It's possible that help from the international community to understand what is going on is needed now, just as much as it was immediately after the accident.


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IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps for your industry
Field Connect
IBM MobileFirst for iOS Field Connect equips maintenance technicians with new tools and real-time information that deliver better situational awareness and enhanced collaboration. The app helps to improve productivity and safety in the field – whether inside or outside the truck. Field Connect helps technicians stay informed of critical project information, access support or help from colleagues and gain ongoing awareness of all relevant risks factors.
Asset Inspect
IBM MobileFirst for iOS Asset Inspect empowers field technicians with data and recommendations to conduct inspections and maintenance jobs more safely and efficiently. The app combines the power of GIS mapping, analytics, work management and iOS user-focused design. It helps field technicians improve safety and productivity – and conduct inspections to get the job done right the first time.
Material Ready
Having the right materials and tools on the job site is critical to successful completion of any new build or maintenance job. However, paper-based processes often cause workflow bottlenecks and a lack of information can delay the overall process. IBM MobileFirst for iOS Material Ready gives the materials foreman the real-time visibility and capabilities they need to efficiently manage and complete the delivery of all the materials and tools required for any type of work order.
Asset Care
IBM MobileFirst for iOS Asset Care provides maintenance technicians with all the materials and information they need to proactively maintain large, complex assets. By combining critical data such as equipment performance and technician location with diagnostics capabilities, this real-time app helps increase productivity, reduce equipment downtime and lower the overall cost of maintenance.


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It would have been a nice homecoming last year — Stephan A. Barnicle, who grew up as a chorister in St. Paul's Cathedral Choir in Worcester, coming back to his native city to be bass soloist for the annual Worcester Chorus performance of Handel's "Messiah" at Mechanics Hall.
But the fact that he will be singing the part this Saturday instead gives his return journey even more resonance. And we're not just talking about his voice.
"It's been a kind of miraculous. I don't want to say recovery, but whatever it is everyone's surprised. That's why I'm thrilled I'm able to do this," Barnicle said of singing in "Messiah" as he defies expectations and comes back from a very serious illness.
He was speaking from his car last week as he was on his way from Fayetteville, N.C., where he is director of music ministry at St. Patrick Catholic Church, for a visit up north. The trip with his wife includes a stay with his sister in Maine and Saturday's performance at 8 p.m. in Mechanics Hall.
The Worcester Chorus rendition of "Messiah," presented by Music Worcester, Inc. as part of the Worcester Music Festival, has been an annual tradition here for 113 years.
"I was raised going to it," said Barnicle, 64, who grew up on the West side of Worcester off Pleasant Street (his late father, John F. Barnicle, was a champion speed skater).
Alongside Barnicle, the chorus will be joined by soloists Maria Ferrante (soprano), Irwin Reese (tenor), and Elizabeth Russo (mezzo-soprano) with accompaniment by the Festival Orchestra. Worcester Chorus music director Christopher Shepard conducts.
Barnicle was an influential figure in the Connecticut music scene for more than 30 years. Among his numerous activities he taught choruses, orchestra and music technology in Connecticut schools — including Simsbury High School in Simsbury, where he lived for many years — and served as director of music at Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, Conn. He is also an arranger and award-winning composer. He has occasionally returned to Worcester to perform. In 2003 he was a guest soloist in a "Tribute to Leonard Bernstein" concert at Mechanics Hall by the Worcester Chorus, then led by Gerald Mack. He has worked with Mack on a couple of other projects as well.
Meanwhile, the paths of Barnicle and Shepard (both hold music degrees from the Hartt School in Hartford, Conn.; Shepard now lives in Watertown, Conn.) have crossed more than once, and Shepard invited Barnicle to be the bass soloist for last year's "Messiah." Barnicle agreed, but had to back down. Barnicle recalled that Shepard said, " 'I'll call you next year.' "
The problem a year ago was that Barnicle still "couldn't be in a crowd" as he continued to recuperate from bone marrow/stem cell treatment he had undergone in August 2011, at Boston Medical Center. After several years of various and worrying symptoms, Barnicle had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare and often fatal disease that occurs when substances called amyloid proteins (an abnormal protein usually produced by cells in the bone marrow) dangerously build up in the body's organs.
Barnicle's treatment, which blasted his bone marrow with chemotherapy and then attempted to restore it with his own newly cultivated stem cells, initially left his immune system seriously impaired (he said he has to get his childhood inoculations again). For the first few weeks after leaving the hospital he stayed with his sister in Maine, wearing a mask.
For a while he thought he noticed some "issues happening" in his upper vocal range and had a doctor take a look at his vocal chords. "I said to Chris (Shepard) 'Maybe we should forgo this.' "
But now he is feeling a lot better. He went back to Fayetteville and the music ministry. He called Fayetteville (where he has lived since 2004) a "hidden gem." St. Patrick Catholic Church has a vibrant music life, with three full-time music people on staff, something highly unusual these days. "It's a pretty special program," Barnicle said.
As he resumed singing, Barnicle noticed that his voice was actually sounding pretty good. "Now I've got more of the resonance," he said. He gave Shepard the news.
"I've known Steve Barnicle for 25 years, from when he directed the choral program at Simsbury High School in Connecticut — his was one of the best high school choirs I've ever heard," said Shepard. "Steve has also done a great deal of solo work in Connecticut, and sang many times for Gerry Mack as well. When I realized that Steve was actually a Worcester native, I wanted to get him back to his hometown for a performance. That opportunity is all the sweeter for being postponed a year for his medical treatment — it is so wonderful that he has come through that period so well."
Barnicle said, "My challenge is making sure I can do what I've always done."
Asked if he had worried during the illness that he might never sing again, Barnicle replied, "Oh yeah. I was pretty confident I was never gonna sing again. My experience with the disease is very atypical. Basically it's miraculous."
He recalled that one doctor told him, " 'We don't understand why you're doing so well.' "
Barnicle's response was, "I said 'It's a thing called prayer.' " Perhaps only half-jokingly, he added, "Finally my 58 years with church groups paid off." He said there are groups of people praying for him around the world.
Handel's "Messiah," first performed on April 13, 1742, is a masterpiece of choral art. It is also a contemplative work about the story of Jesus Christ and has considerable dramatic movement as the music unfolds.
During Saturday's performance, Barnicle will get to sing the joyous "The trumpet shall sound" from St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.
The return journey and performance will be an occasion of joy, and thanks.
"Definitely. Not only is it thanking the Lord. This is particularly special that I can be here to do it," Barnicle said.
"It's nice I'm coming back to Worcester, let's put it that way."


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Ya know, gaining "control" of your eating issues has a whole lot less to do with the particular foods you eat than we think. Don't get me wrong, food choices for weight loss are important, but I'm talking about our eating issues.
Like we've talked about before that we eat for ALLLLLLLL the wrong reasons: bored, tired, angry, sad, hurt, sick, procrastinating, frustrated… the list goes on and on. But today I am reminded that there are choices beyond my food choices and beyond my non-hunger reasons to eat…
Today, we must choose between
HOPE and despair.
(Here's a tip: you want to choose HOPE.)
I was gonna write a whole bunch more cutesy little opposite phrases like that but then I stopped because… really… those are your two choices.
Today you either choose despair… I can't get over this. I am too far gone. I am so fat. I am so trapped. I am tired of trying. I just give up.
Or you choose HOPE… I am a new creation. I have Christ. I am not bound by the limitations of this world. I am a daughter/son of the King of the UNIVERSE! I can be happy. I am already complete. I can use God's strength.
I'm not saying that you will automatically choose a salad over a burger at lunch today just cause you said a bunch of hopeful sentences, but let's just begin today by infusing ourselves with hope… not despair… hope.
His HOPE.
Please join me on my journey! Subscribe or contact me here!


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GREAT DEAL Apple IPod Touch 4th Gen 8GB Wi-Fi Music/Video Player W/3.5" LCD Touchscreen
About this Deal
|This 4th Generation iPod touch is so awesome you just want to... well... touch it! Using the revolutionary 3.5-inch Multi-touch Retina display, this device lets you poke, prod, pinch, slide, spread, and touch your way through your contact list, photo album, and music or video playlists.With integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wireless support, you get a whole new level of functionality; watch YouTube videos, browse the web, and plot directions with the included applications! Sample and purchase music and movies from the Apple iTunes store or choose from thousands of apps (applications) from the App Store. You think integrated Wi-Fi is cool? With the Bluetooth v1.2 + EDR wireless you can connect a set of Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth speakers and even print all without wires! Thanks to the Accelerometer motion detection technology, you can tilt and turn your iPod for life-like controlling. Turn a steering wheel, shake and roll a die, tilt the pinball machine, or simply change the 3.5-inch screen from portrait to landscape view -- it's all so easy...and fun! And, with the latest available firmware, this 4th Generation iPod Touch features functions not found in the last generation models like dual cameras, HD video recording, FaceTime, Retina display and Home Screen customizations like folders and wallpaper! With all these features, you'll be looking for any excuse you can to touch your iPod touch! Get in on the fun. Order yours today!
Related to this item:Kids toys electronics Apple entertainment Sale ipod ipod touch
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Parish Pastoral Council Review Day
- Stella Maris Western Esplanade Herne Bay United Kingdom (map)
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Catholic parish in Herne Bay, Kent. Home to Herne Bay's Catholics for over 125 years.
Vigil: Saturday 6pm
Sunday: 9.30am and 11.15am
Weekday Mass: 10am
Saturday: 11.05am
Holy Days, see newsletter
Saturday 10-11am and 4.30-5.30pm
and on request
Parish Priest: Fr Mark White CP
phone 01227 375095
email email@example.com
click here for contact page
Newsletter 2/3 November 2019
click here for newsletter page
Children's treasure hunt
Catechetical tour of the church
Parish Welcome Pack (available in church)
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Southwark - Served by the Passionist Congregation - A Fairtrade parish
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart © 2015-18. Powered by Squarespace. Designed by House on Rock.


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October 4, 2011
Campus phone books now available to purchase from Student Publications Inc.
The 2012 Campus Phone Books are now available through Student Publications Inc. in 103 Kedzie Hall. With the closing of the K-State office supply store, Student Publications is the new place to purchase the book for your office, faculty, staff and everyone in the community. Each copy costs $6.95. Orders and questions should be directed to the Student Publications Inc. business office, 532-6555, or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Dana Delany Guest Stars
"Boom!" - In the second part of the story begun in "Tick, Tick, Tick�," the serial killer remains at large and is taunting Castle, Beckett and Jordan Shaw (guest star Dana Delany) to catch him, on "Castle," SATURDAY, MAY 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. Delany plays Federal Agent Jordan Shaw, an insightful and accomplished Federal Investigator who teams up with Castle and Beckett to hunt down this cunning and elusive serial killer. (Rebroadcast: OAD: 3/29/10)
"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.
Guest cast: Dana Delany as Federal Agent Jordan Shaw, Leonard Roberts as Jason Avery, Dameon Clarke as the killer.
"Boom!" was written by Elizabeth Davis and directed by John Terlesky.
"Castle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L,V parental guideline.
For more information on "Castle," visit ABC.com


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Map My Family Tree™ not only creates striking family maps, but also helps you with your family history search. By creating an ancestor life map, you can see where you have misspellings and incomplete, ambiguous, or missing place names in your genealogy database.
Map My Family Tree automatically geocodes your family history tree in seconds, so you can see where your ancestors were born, married and died. Extensive selection and formatting options provide unlimited customization of family maps. Show single family lines, births only, events from a specific time period, and much more on maps of any color or size – including wall maps.
Map My Family Tree reads most popular genealogy file formats directly, or you can use the GEDCOM option.
For Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10
"I downloaded the upgrade of MMFT and have enjoyed the enhancements very much."
Everett, Florida (See more testimonials...)
System Requirements
Version History


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Boca do Lobo is a Portuguese design brand that is turning the furniture industry on its head. Introducing a time-defying vision towards our aesthetic, and pushing a new dimension of detail, we strive towards changing the whole game. Our creations and work demonstrate the excellence of forgotten arts, using materials and techniques that are partly traditional and partly evolutionary, never leaving behind an experimental edge with a forward thinking outlook. Design is ingrained into our DNA, where each piece embraces uniqueness, in a timeless character. It is our mission to break arts, and surprise the public with every creation.
This begins with the movement of our designers' pencils, brought to existence by the hands of our artisan craftsmen, that master a wide variety of skills and techniques. It all comes down to a story where designers and artisans share the best of both worlds, and create one-of-a-kind luxury furniture, pieces that evoke a strong emotional connection in those who come in touch with them.
"Boca do Lobo seeks for its pieces to be more than simply a decorative object. We want people to connect with them emotionally as we do. Each piece was created to overcome the barriers of time and accompany people at all times of their lives." With a portfolio that includes 5 collections, we are able to touch upon several design aesthetics and lines, and reach a variety of divisions and utilities, for each of our pieces. Boca do Lobo's core characteristics are inherently felt throughout each collection, which find themselves in constant development. We believe that these are the key ingredients needed to carve a mark in the timeline of furniture design. At 10 years young, we are only getting started.


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Politics & Government
McCain scores in Northeast, Midwest states
Arizona Sen. John McCain swept to easy victories in the Northeast and industrial Midwest Tuesday, amassing delegates in what he hoped would be a Super Tuesday march to the Republican presidential nomination.
McCain was declared the winner in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Illinois and Oklahoma, seizing most of their delegates.
Chief rival Mitt Romney jumped in with a quick win in his home state of Massachusetts; where he was a one-term governor; and Utah, home to his Mormon faith. He was outmaneuvered in an old-fashioned state convention, losing unexpectedly in West Virginia to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee also took Alabama and his home state of Arkansas, and he was locked in close contests with McCain for Georgia.
The states were the first of 21 up Tuesday in an unprecedented coast-to-coast showdown that could all but anoint McCain as the likely nominee; or breathe new life into a stop-McCain movement driven by conservatives.
Fresh from wins in the South, Huckabee said Tuesday evening that he, not Romney, would lead the anti-McCain forces into the weeks ahead.
"A lot of people have been trying to say this is a two-man race. Well, you know what, it is. And we're in it," he said to cheering supporters in Little Rock, Ark.
We're still on our feet, and much to the amazement of many, we're getting there."
Influential talk-radio hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity spent the day again berating McCain as a liberal and talking up Romney. Social conservative James Dobson, the head of the Colorado-based group Focus on the Family, announced Tuesday that he wouldn't vote for McCain even if he won the nomination but he did not back Romney.
"Senator McCain is not a conservative and, in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are," Dobson said.
Across the Super Tuesday landscape, McCain had a slight edge among self-identified Republicans and a big edge among independents, according to exit polls.
Romney had the edge among conservatives, taking about four of 10, while McCain took about three of 10 and Huckabee took two of 10.
None had a clear advantage among evangelical Christians, who split three ways.
McCain had been expected to win easily in states such as Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, where moderate Republicans dominate. He also looked for an easy victory in his home state of Arizona.
His bigger tests came as the contest moved to battlegrounds such as Georgia, Missouri and California.
Appearing in Phoenix on Tuesday, McCain proclaimed himself the true conservative in the race, and he criticized Romney as the liberal.
Speaking to reluctant conservatives, he also said he'd be the party's best chance to win the White House.
"I defeat (Hillary) Clinton and (Barack) Obama in a general election matchup," he said. "I have the ability to attract independents."
He even predicted that he'd win California in the fall, which hasn't gone for a Republican since the elder George Bush won it in 1988.
"I will win California," McCain said. "I will campaign in California. California is a vital state for any Republican who wants to be president of the United States, and you'll be seeing a lot of me in California as the nominee of the Republican Party. We will not write off the state of California."
In one of the day's more interesting turns, McCain forces worked a state convention in West Virginia to deny an early win for Romney, helping deliver the state and its 18 delegates instead to Huckabee.
Romney led on the first ballot, with Huckabee in second and McCain in third. Too far back to win, the McCain camp threw its support to Huckabee and gave him enough votes to win on a second ballot.
Romney supporters called it a dirty trick.
"This is what Senator McCain's inside-Washington ways look like: He cut a backroom deal with the tax-and-spend candidate he thought could best stop Governor Romney's campaign of conservative change," said Romney campaign manager Beth Myers.
Republicans awarded 1,009 delegates in 21 states Tuesday, 42 percent of the total that will select the party's nominee at the Republican National Convention in the summer.
McCain couldn't secure the nomination Tuesday even if he'd won every one of the delegates. He started the day with 93, Romney had 77 and Huckabee had 58.
But winning a sizable majority would give him a big lead in delegates and undeniable momentum heading into the rest of the contests.


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ROME (AP) — Rome's mayor, police chief and the pope's right-hand man have all refused to grant Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke a church funeral in the city where he participated in one of the worst massacres in German-occupied Italy. Now comes the question of where to bury him, since neither Rome, nor his adopted homeland of Argentina, nor his hometown in Germany wants him.
The former SS captain spent nearly 50 years on the run before being extradited to Italy from Argentina in 1995 to stand trial for the 1944 massacre at the Ardeatine Caves outside Rome, in which 335 civilians were killed. He died Friday at age 100 in the Rome home of his lawyer, Paolo Giachini, where he had been serving his life term under house arrest.
Rome's archdiocese made it official Monday, saying it had told Giachini to have the funeral at home "in strict privacy" and that Pope Francis' vicar for Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, had prohibited any Rome church from celebrating it.
But Giachini refused, pressing instead for a private church Mass. The archdiocese responded by reminding all Roman priests that they must abide by Vallini's decision.
Separately, Rome's police chief and the government prefect for the capital announced they would prohibit "any form of solemn or public celebration" for Priebke. Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino said the city would accept neither a church funeral nor a burial for him.
It was a stunning rebuke by both church and state that was greatly appreciated by Rome's Jewish community, which has long resented having Priebke living in its midst, particularly after he was granted small freedoms from his house arrest like going to church.
"Any demonstration of honor — civil or religious — would be an intolerable affront to the memory of those who fell in the fight for freedom of Nazism and fascism," said the head of Italy's Jewish communities, Renzo Gattegna.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also hailed the solidarity shown by both civil and religious leaders to deny Priebke a funeral.
During his trial, Priebke admitted shooting two people and rounding up victims in retaliation for an attack by resistance fighters that killed 33 members of a Nazi military police unit. He insisted he was only following orders.
In a telephone interview, Giachini said he never intended to make a political or public event out of the funeral, but said that as a practicing Catholic, Priebke deserved a Catholic funeral and burial.
"It's a question of a right to religious liberty," he said.
But not even Priebke's adopted homeland of Argentina, where he lived as a fugitive in the mountain resort of Bariloche, would take him: Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said his remains wouldn't be allowed in Argentine territory.
Giachini suggested Priebke might be buried in his native land, noting that he "really loved Germany."
In Berlin, Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said a German citizen could be buried in Germany but that no request had been made about Priebke.
Priebke was born in Hennigsdorf, a small town north of Berlin. The town administration pointed Monday to local rules that give only residents a right to burial in its cemetery, German news agency dpa reported. Exceptions are possible in cases where people have family graves there, but the Priebke family doesn't have any.
Geir Moulson contributed from Berlin and Mike Warren from Buenos Aires.


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Banco Santander-Chile (the Bank), formerly Banco Santander Chile, is a Chilean bank. The Bank's segments include Retail banking, Middle-market, Global Corporate Banking and Corporate Activities (Other). The Retail Banking segment consists of individuals and small to middle-sized entities (SMEs). The Middle-market segment serves companies and large corporations. The Global Corporate Banking segment consists of foreign and domestic multinational companies. The Corporate Activities segment includes its Financial Management Division, which develops global management functions. It provides a range of commercial and retail banking services to its customers, including Chilean peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance a range of commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts and credit lines and a range of retail banking services, including mortgage financing. In addition to its traditional banking operations, the Bank offers a range of financial services.
FINANCIAL RATIOS of Banco Santander Chile (BSAC)
Valuation Ratios
|P/E Ratio
|Price to Sales
|Price to Book
|Price to Tangible Book
|Price to Cash Flow
|Price to Free Cash Flow
Growth Rates
|Sales Growth Rate
|Sales - 3 Yr. Growth Rate
|EPS Growth Rate
|EPS - 3 Yr. Growth Rate
|Capital Spending Gr. Rate
|Cap. Spend. - 3 Yr. Gr. Rate
Financial Strength
|Quick Ratio
|Current Ratio
|LT Debt to Equity
|Total Debt to Equity
|Interest Coverage
Management Effectiveness
|Return On Assets
|Ret/ On Assets - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Return On Total Capital
|Ret/ On T. Cap. - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Return On Equity
|Return On Equity - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Asset Turnover
Profitability Ratios
|Gross Margin
|Gross Margin - 3 Yr. Avg.
|EBITDA Margin
|EBITDA Margin - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Operating Margin
|Oper. Margin - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Pre-Tax Margin
|Pre-Tax Margin - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Net Profit Margin
|Net Profit Margin - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Effective Tax Rate
|Eff/ Tax Rate - 3 Yr. Avg.
|Payout Ratio
BSAC stock valuation input parameters
Revenue. Company's revenue (or sales) is always the starting point of any cash flow forecast. In the BSAC stock intrinsic value calculation we used $ million for the last fiscal year's total revenue generated by Banco Santander Chile. The default revenue input number comes from 0001 income statement of Banco Santander Chile. You may change it if you feel that it should be adjusted for some unusual circumstances that are not expected to be repeated in the future or if you already know (from interim financial statements, for example) that this year's revenue is going to be quite different.
Revenue growth rate. Forecasted future revenue growth rate is the most important input parameter for the intrinsic value calculation. Unlike other input parameters that are reasonably expected to be in line with their historic averages or their historic trends, the revenue growth rate by and large is a wild card: nobody really knows what the company's revenue will be in the future. Of course, the level of unpredictability is different for different industries (utility companies being the most predictable and, thus, less risky).
We use three input parameters to forecast the revenue growth rate in our BSAC stock valuation model: a) initial revenue growth rate of 0% whose default value is the revenue growth rate in the most recent quarter compared to the quarterly revenue a year ago; b) terminal revenue growth rate of 5% whose default value is chosen to be close to the average nominal (i.e. not adjusted for inflation) GDP growth rate; and c) revenue decline factor of 0.9, which stipulates that revenue growth rate in each forecasted year will be equal to the difference of the revenue growth rate in the preceding year and the terminal revenue growth rate multiplied by this revenue decline factor (with the passage of time the revenue growth rate will be approaching the terminal revenue growth rate, but not quite reaching it - though the difference could be infinitesimally small).
At the revenue decline factor of 1, the future revenue growth rate is forecasted to be constant and equal to the initial revenue growth rate. The smaller the revenue decline factor, the faster the revenue growth rate will approach the terminal revenue growth.
Discount rate. The discount rate is used for determining the present value of future cash flows: future cash flows are "discounted" as at normal conditions (that translate into positive expected return on investment) one dollar today is worth more than the same dollar in the future. Unlike all other valuation models, we use variable discount rate, i.e. it increases for each consecutive year. This is done to account for higher risk of cash flows coming in further in the future.
The initial discount rate of 0%, whose default value for BSAC is calculated based on our internal credit rating of Banco Santander Chile, is applied to the cash flow expected to be received a year from now (well, actually, to be precise, in the financial year following the base year - the last year for which we have financial statements). For each consecutive year the discount rate is multiplied by the discount rate multiplier of 1.05, e.i. each year it increases by 5%. Feel free to change this number to correspond to your level of risk assessment of Banco Santander Chile.
By the way, it is easy to set the discount rate to be constant (this would make comparison with other valuation models easier): just set the discount rate multiplier equal to 1 and chose the magnitude of the initial discount rate to your liking.
Variable cost ratio is the ratio of variable costs (i.e. costs that fluctuate with fluctuation of the volume of production) to the revenue expressed as a percentage. In the calculation of intrinsic value of BSAC stock the variable cost ratio is equal to 0%.
Fixed operating expenses is just that - expenses that are not dependant on the volume of production. They are set to $ million in the base year in the intrinsic value calculation for BSAC stock. These expenses increase with the level of inflation in subsequent years.
Interest rate on debt is the average all-in rate of interest paid by the company on its debt. It is set at 0% for Banco Santander Chile.
Corporate tax rate of 27% is the nominal tax rate for Banco Santander Chile. In reality, companies find ways to pay much less taxes than that or not to pay them at all.
Cash flow adjustment could be used for any adjustment the investor deems necessary. Most commonly we use this field to account for stock options-related effects in excess of what is reported on the company's income statement. The cash flow adjustment is expressed as a percentage of the revenue, and in the current valuation of the BSAC stock is equal to 0%.
Production assets are the company's assets used for manufacturing products or provision of services. In the valuation model input table they are expressed as a percentage of revenue and for BSAC are equal to 0%.
Life of production assets of years is the average useful life of capital assets used in Banco Santander Chile operations. It is used to calculate yearly capital expenditures needed to keep these assets in good order - we call it the maintenance CAPEX.
Working capital is the difference between the company's current assets and liabilities. In the model we use the ratio of working capital to revenue, which for BSAC is equal to 0%. A negative number means that the company is apt at using financial resources of its suppliers and customers; a large positive number, on the other hand, means that it either provides in-kind financing to others or is not good at managing its inventories.
Book value of equity - $ million for Banco Santander Chile - is used in calculation of the "floor" for intrinsic valuation based on the discounted cash flow (DCF) method. Even if the prospects are very bad for a company, its assets could always be sold now for their current fair market value.
Shares outstanding of 471.176 million for Banco Santander Chile is needed to calculate the intrinsic value of one share.
Market capitalization is used here only for reference purposes and as a quick check that the share price and the number of shares outstanding numbers are correct - something especially to be cognizant about at stock splits. So, the market capitalization of Banco Santander Chile at the current share price and the inputted number of shares is $13.4 billion.


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Oban Ales
Suppliers of quality brewery equipment to the microbrewing industry
After many years in the brewing and bottling industry Oban Ales has focused its knowledge solely on the microbrewing sector. We at Oban Ales have set about to provide affordable quality breweries to the microbrewing industry. Read more about us…
Latest news
Brewery ConfiguratorUse our Brewery Configurator to send us an enquiry with all the requirements you have for a brewery project. We'll endeavour to get back to you with a quote as soon as possible....read more
New websiteWe have just launched our new website! Browse through our services...read more
Latest projects
River Leven AlesRiver Leven Ales is a small, independent brewery founded in 2011 by Harry Heskey to provide traditionally-brewed, cask-conditioned ales to the licensed trade. http://www.riverlevenales.co.uk/...read more
Emsworth BreweryThe Emsworth Brewery, Hampshire, first brewed December 2011....read more
Ouseburn Valley Brewery"I've loved beer all my life", says founder Nigel. In April 2011 work began on the new brewery in the basement of the Brandling Villa including cellar clearing, stud walling, painting, flooring and most time consumingly getting electric installed. The...read more
Tintagel BreweryHigh up on the hills above Tintagel lies Condolden Farm, the highest Farmhouse in Cornwall. The pure spring water here is 852 feet above the sea at Trebarwith Strand. A redundant milking parlour on the Farm has been converted into...read more
Buckingham BreweryBuckingham Brewery is a micro brewery following what is a time honoured way of producing real ales. We specialise in high quality bottle conditioned real ales. As well as producing our own beers we produce bottled beers for other companies,...read more


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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
itza preschool pizza bento
On the left is pizza cut into small bite sized pieces, and Goldfish crackers.
On the right side is strawberries, organic yogurt covered raisins (I only buy organic ones because they are the only ones I can find without partially hydrogenated oil *shudder*), and in the dish are slices of cucumber with a drizzle of low-fat parmesan ranch dressing (Trader Joe's, it's my favorite!), which unfortunately, makes the cucumbers look pretty unsightly. Sorry 'bout that. ;-)
This is packed in a Sassy box with just one of the inner dishes used.
5 comments:
Just had to stop by and say I packed my first bento for myself yesterday and loved it! Thank you for the inspiration. I'm a teacher, so I only get about 20 minutes to eat after dropping off my first graders in the cafeteria and stopping at the restroom. Because of my limited lunchtime and desire to eat more whole foods, I am playing with bentos for myself. My first lunchbox is from laptop lunches, but I'd love to get another kind so I can rotate. (No dishwasher in the house.) Any info you have on bentos for grownups will always be appreciated (by me).
Thanks for the lovely photos. :)
- March 30, 2010 at 8:53 PM
- Melissa said... [Reply to comment]
Oh, how wonderful! :)
I taught for a few years before having children and I remember those very short and rushed lunch times (and not very fondly, either!).
I'm sure I'll be having more grown-up bentos being posted here soon, as the weather is warming up we will be on-the-go more than ever and the lunches will march on. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words!
- March 30, 2010 at 9:27 PM
- Denise said... [Reply to comment]
Love your bento lunches. I'm fairly new to this but I'm looking forward to making these for my kids. I do have one question. Your lunches always look so healthy. I was curious as to your thoughts on msg. Is that something you worry about? We're trying to eliminate it as much as possible and it's so hard because it's in so much processed food. It's hard to find snack food for my kids lunches without it.
- August 21, 2010 at 5:06 PM
- Denise said... [Reply to comment]
Love the ideas for bento lunches. Thanks so much for sharing. I do have one question. What are your thoughts on msg? We're trying to avoid it as much as possible but it's really hard to find any snack (processed) foods without it.
- August 21, 2010 at 5:07 PM
- Melissa said... [Reply to comment]
Hi Denise! We try to avoid it too, but it is SO hard! We can't afford to buy only organic packaged items (nor do we like all the organic variations of many things), so it is definitely a challenge. My husband gets headaches if he has too much of it, so that is concerning too!
I was appalled when I discovered awhile back that a Big Name nut company that also sells sunflower seed kernels adds not only salt to the kernels (which I don't mind at all - yum!), but also MSG!! Unbelievable! Sunflower kernels is not something that would even been on my radar for MSG "contamination". You definitely can't be too careful or make any assumptions about what sort of additives are in packaged food, that's for sure. :( Luckily there are plenty of non-Big Name companies selling natural sunflower kernals without unnecessary additives, but that's not the case with everything. Too often finding healthier substitutes is just impossible. I quit buying "fruit" snacks about a year ago and started buying only fruit leather and occasionally the Annie's brand of organic bunny fruit snacks... but my older boys are not fans of these substitutes. They both complain bitterly over the lack of "fruit" snacks in their lives.
Mostly I focus on weeding out HFCS and especially PHO's and limiting artificial colors.... we are not perfect and this stuff still needs in. But we are trying.
- August 22, 2010 at 4:32 PM


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Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and mourn the loss of George Steinbrenner. Say what you will about the man. Say he was crass, and boorish, and a bully, and a criminal, and a degenerate. Still, you have to give the man RESPECT. I think. Do you? I'm not actually sure. LET'S GO!
MLB ALL STAR GAME – 8:00PM (FOX) The biggest stars in baseball are out tonight! Cahill! Soria! Kinsler! Tulowitzki! Okay, so perhaps you don't know any of those names. Still, tonight is the Mid-Summer classic and someone is about to unfairly get home field advantage for the World Series in October. Plus you'll have Joe Buck on hand to react casually to virtually anything he sees, plus Tim McCarver ready to explain to you the finer nuances of the national pastime. "You see, hitters like hitting the ball because when you hit the ball, you have the chance to get a hit!" Tell me you aren't foaming at the mouth for some of that. ANTICIPATION: BATTER UP!
COVERT AFFAIRS – 10:00PM (USA) It's the premiere of this USA original series, with Piper Perabo playing a young CIA trainee forced into action. It's like "Silence of the Lambs," or "The Recruit" if you feel like being pessimistic. Also on hand are Peter Gallagher and Peter Gallagher's eyebrows. Nothing is too covert with those caterpillars around. ANTICIPATION: COYOTE HANDSOME!
THE HILLS – 10:00PM (MTV) This is the series finale. That's right. Take a long, hard look, America. For this is the last time you'll be able to watch Lauren Conrad sit outside at a café and stare off into space for minutes at a time. Oh, and see what happens to Spencer and Heidi. If it turns out to be like the "Lost" finale and they were dead this whole time, I'll be a very satisfied man. ANTICIPATION: NOT JERSEY SHORE!
LOUIE – 11:00PM (FX) When I watch "Louie," I don't feel like I'm watching television at all, and that's pretty much the best quality any TV show can ever have. ANTICIPATION: HIGH!
DEADLIEST CATCH – 10:00PM (Discovery Channel) The late Phil Harris is shown struggling for his life tonight. You already need a strong stomach to watch this show. You might need extra Dramamine for this episode. ANTICIPATION: SAD!


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It's more than just alliteration; it's a statement, a proclamation that Thursdays are when the weekend should really start. Kicking it off right is the key, and what better way than with a cocktail that not only takes the edge off, but tastes good too. A hard thing to disagree with, we know. Drink up, get down and go to sleep happy.
Who said snow days can't be fun for adults too? When you're stuck inside from inclement weather, there's really no better time for this Rum Hot Toddy. A warm cocktail in hand can turn a freezing-cold day into a comforting and toasty afternoon. It's all about perspective (and booze), really.
A toddy is the perfect cold-weather beverage, and for centuries this classic cocktail has been a folk remedy for the sniffles, the flu and winter blues. While normally made with whiskey or bourbon, this version is made with rum. Simply infuse hot water and rum with lemon, honey and cinnamon for a soothing and restorative pick-me-up that is sure to keep you warm on snowy days.
Bottoms up, folks!
Recipe courtesy Darryl Robinson
- 4 to 6 …read more


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|<< Back
|Announcing a New Generation of Kindle:
The All-New Kindle is Smaller, Lighter, and Faster, with 50 Percent Better Contrast
SEATTLE, Jul 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- (NASDAQ:AMZN)--Millions of people are already reading on Kindles and Kindle is the #1 bestselling item on Amazon.com for two years running. It's also the most-wished-for, most-gifted, and has the most 5-star reviews of any product on Amazon.com. Today, Amazon.com is excited to introduce a new generation of Kindle. The all-new Kindle has a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, a new sleek design with a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 15 percent lighter weight at just 8.7 ounces. The new Kindle also offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage to 3,500 books, built-in Wi-Fi, a graphite color option and more--all for only $189, and still with free 3G wireless--no monthly bills or annual contracts. Also today, Amazon introduced a new addition to its family of portable reading devices--Kindle Wi-Fi. Readers who don't need the convenience of free 3G wireless can now enjoy the new generation Kindle for the lower price of only $139. The all-new Kindle and Kindle Wi-Fi are now available for pre-order at www.amazon.com/kindle3G and www.amazon.com/kindleWi-Fi, and will ship to customers in over 140 countries and 30 territories beginning August 27.
Kindle offers the largest selection of the most popular books people want to read. The U.S. Kindle Store now has more than 630,000 books, including New Releases and 109 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers. Over 510,000 of these books are $9.99 or less, including 80 New York Times Best Sellers. Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are also available to read on Kindle. Kindle lets you buy your books once and read them everywhere--on Kindle, Kindle DX, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and Android-based devices. Amazon's Whispersync technology syncs your place across devices, so you can pick up where you left off. With Kindle Worry-Free Archive, books you purchase from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up online in your Kindle library on Amazon where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly for free, anytime.
More than 235,000 books have been added to the Kindle Store in just the last six months, including New York Times Best Sellers "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and "The Passage." The Kindle Store also recently added 20 contemporary classics from the Wylie Agency's new "Odyssey Editions" imprint that are available for the first time as e-books and exclusively in the Kindle Store, including John Updike's Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit series, Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," Norman Mailer's "The Naked and the Dead," Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint" and Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man."
"Kindle is the best-selling product on Amazon for two years running. We lowered the price to $189 and sales growth tripled. Now, we are excited to introduce a new generation Kindle that is smaller, lighter, and faster, with 50 percent better contrast. Readers are going to do a double take when they see Kindle's bright new screen and feel how remarkably light the smaller 8.7 ounce design feels in one hand," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder & CEO. "If you don't need the convenience of 3G wireless, we have an incredible new price point--$139 for Kindle Wi-Fi. Kindle Wi-Fi has all the same features, same bookstore, same high-contrast electronic paper display, and it's even a tiny bit lighter at 8.5 ounces. At this price point, many people are going to buy multiple units for the home and family."
All New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen, Read in Bright Sunlight: The new Kindle uses Amazon's all-new electronic ink display with 50 percent better contrast for the clearest text and sharpest images. No other e-reader has this screen or this level of contrast. Unlike LCD screens, Kindle's paper-like display looks and reads like real paper, with no glare, even in bright sunlight.
New Proprietary Screen Technology--Faster Page Turns, New and Improved Fonts: Kindle's all-new, high-contrast electronic ink display is further optimized with Amazon's proprietary waveform and font technology to make pages turn faster and fonts sharper. Waveform is a series of electronic pulses that move black and white electronic ink particles to achieve a final gray level for an image or text. Amazon tuned the new Kindle's waveform and controller mechanism to make page turning 20 percent faster. In addition, this waveform tuning combined with new hand-built, custom fonts and font-hinting make words and letters more crisp, clear, and natural-looking. Font hints are instructions, written as code, that control points on a font character's line and improve legibility at small font sizes where few pixels are available. Hinting is a mix of aesthetic judgments and complicated technical strategies. Amazon designed its proprietary font-hinting to optimize specifically for the special characteristics of electronic ink.
New Sleek Design, Lighter Than a Paperback: The new Kindle has a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area. At only 8.7 ounces, the new Kindle is 15 percent lighter and still 1/3 of an inch thin, making it lighter than a paperback and thinner than a magazine. With Kindle you can read comfortably and naturally with just one hand for hours. The new Kindle Wi-Fi is even lighter at just 8.5 ounces.
Double the Storage, Holds 3,500 Books: The new Kindle has double the storage so you can carry up to 3,500 books.
Up To One Month of Battery Life: The new Kindle has up to one month of battery life with wireless off. Keep wireless on and your Kindle will have battery life of up to 10 days.
Free 3G Wireless: Kindle offers free 3G wireless, which means no annual contracts and no monthly fees.
Global Wireless Coverage: Kindle is the only e-reader that lets you travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories.
New Built-In Wi-Fi: In addition to free 3G wireless, Kindle now has built-in Wi-Fi support. Kindle owners will now be able to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Readers who don't need the convenience of free 3G wireless can purchase the new Kindle Wi-Fi for only $139 and download content over Wi-Fi. Amazon is offering Kindle customers free Wi-Fi access at AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content--no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.
Quieter Page Turn Buttons: Quieter page turns means you can read all night without disturbing your partner.
Share Meaningful Passages: Share meaningful passages with friends and family with built-in Twitter and Facebook integration.
Simple to Use: Kindle is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required.
Books in 60 Seconds: With fast, free wireless delivery, you can start reading books on Kindle in less than 60 seconds.
Massive Selection: The Kindle Store has over 630,000 books, including 109 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers, plus audiobooks, periodicals and blogs.
Free, Out-of-Copyright Books: Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books such as "Pride and Prejudice" are available to read on Kindle.
Low Book Prices: Over 510,000 of the 630,000 books in the Kindle Store are $9.99 or less, including 80 New York Times Best Sellers.
Free Book Samples: First chapters of Kindle books are available to download and read for free before you decide to buy.
Read Everywhere with Whispersync: Kindle books can be read on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and Android-based devices. Amazon's Whispersync technology syncs your place across devices, so you can pick up where you left off.
Worry-Free Archive: Books purchased from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up online in your Kindle library on Amazon where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly for free, anytime.
Improved PDF Reader: The new Kindle uses an improved built-in PDF reader with new dictionary lookup, notes and highlights, and support for password protected PDFs.
New WebKit-based Browser (experimental): The new Kindle uses a new web browser based on the industry-leading open source Web browser engine, WebKit. The updated browser is faster, easier to navigate, and provides a new "article mode" feature that simplifies web pages to just the main text-based content for easier reading. Web browsing with Kindle over 3G or Wi-Fi is free.
New Voice Guide: With Text-to-Speech, Kindle can read out loud to you. New Text-to-Speech enabled menus allow customers to navigate Kindle without having to read menu options. In addition to listening to books aloud, users now have the option of listening to content listings on the home screen, item descriptions, and all menu options.
New Lighted Leather Cover: The all-new Kindle cover features an integrated, retractable reading light that lets you read comfortably anytime, anywhere. The light is a permanent part of the cover, so it's always with you, and hides away into the cover when not in use. The high-quality LED light illuminates Kindle's entire paper-like display, adding brightness without adding glare. Amazon's patent-pending hinge system secures Kindle in place and conducts electricity from Kindle's battery to the reading light, eliminating the need for batteries. The conductive hinges are gold-plated to ensure a reliable electrical connection. Gold is used because of its ability to make good electrical contact even with low force and for its corrosion resistance. The Kindle cover is sold separately.
Customers can discover full details and pre-order the new Kindle and Kindle Wi-Fi starting today at www.amazon.com/kindle3G and www.amazon.com/kindleWi-Fi.
For new high-resolution images of the new generation Kindle, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle/images.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle and Kindle DX are the revolutionary portable readers that wirelessly download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a crisp, high-resolution electronic ink display that looks and reads like real paper. Kindle and Kindle DX utilize the same 3G wireless technology as advanced cell phones, so users never need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Kindle is the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items sold on Amazon.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and www.amazon.cn. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE: Amazon.com, Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc.


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New at Jewelry Warehouse is the Dizeo Jewelry Collection. The name, DIZEO, comes from the Spanish root word "deseo" or desire. True to its intent, Dizeo fulfills every woman's deepest desire to own a piece of jewelry with truly unparalleled craftsmanship and mesmerizing brilliance.
The cornerstone of Dizeo's designs are their stunning Deso ideal cut simulated diamonds and gemstones, which perfectly match the vibrancy and brilliance of a natural flawless diamond. Their incomparable sparkle and coveted purity of color defines them as exalted treasures. Each stone is hand cut with extreme precision allowing optimal light reflection. Light enters the stone and is refracted though countless prisms and facets, creating a firework display of color and vivacity.
Only after each stone is perfectly calibrated and proportioned, will the stone be ready to be hand polished to perfection. The spark and shimmer of a Deso ideal cut simulated diamond is the cumulative result of light refraction and shining polish, which captures lightning in the bottle. Each flawless stone is painstakingly hand set individually within the piece of jewelry. Master skilled diamond setters use a very tedious and high precision technique called micro pavé. High power microscopes are used to assist in the proper placement of each stone, to allow for the maximum amount of light penetration and refraction. The specific angle and placement of each stone is paramount to the perfection of each piece.
About Dizeo:
Our sterling silver jewelry is hand set by craftsmen with our brilliant Deso ideal cut simulated diamonds, which is guaranteed to captivate her attention. Combined with the unique color palette of white, rose or yellow over sterling silver, our unique metal work and lustrous shine enhances the beauty of each and every piece of jewelry. The golden metals are imbued with depth and texture when combined with the cool gleam of sterling silver.
With a global reach and four generations of manufacturing heritage and experience, Dizeo designs and crafts superior quality sterling silver jewelry which is both contemporary and traditional. A select jewelry piece with the Dizeo name will transcend generations, remaining timeless and classic, even as it sets trends and captures hearts. Dizeo is influenced strongly by international fashion and inimitable jewelry trends, creating our own one-of-a-kind, exclusive styling.
See the collection online here.


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With the summer in full swing here in the northern hemisphere, many of us are seeking relief from stifling temperatures. In some regions new record seasonal highs have been recorded; here in Toronto the past week was a true scorcher. Fortunately, Greek food culture includes recipes that are perfectly suited to beating the heat.
A bird's eye view of my Greek cucumber salad, click to enlarge
When Greeks sit down to a summertime meal, they will invariably include a raw salad of one kind or another. One of the more popular summertime Greek salads in our family is the world famous Aggourosalata (ah-goo-roh-sah-LAH-ta), or, Cucumber Salad. There are a few variations on the theme, but it is a very basic dish and serves as a refreshing course alongside other summertime favourites.
The cucumber has been α part of Greek cookery for millennia. It is used in the famous Tzatziki sauce, and can simply be sliced into wedges, salted or not, and consumed without any fuss, much like a melon. Indeed, a little known fact about the cucumber is that it is not a vegetable; it is actually a melon.
Ancient Greek melon patches included the long green fruits alongside more recognizable spherical varieties. Today, alas, cucumbers are found among the vegetables in market produce sections, which can cause some confusion regarding their genus. Fortunately, a few of us are familiar with the old ways and can serve to remind others of our forgotten Greek food heritage.
For presentation purposes this salad makes an impression, click to enlarge
As refreshing as a cucumber salad can be during the course of the summer, there is yet another means by which this melon can bring relief from the heat. My grandfather taught me the trick, just as his father taught him, and I have now passed it on to my son. The technique requires only a small part of the cucumber and does not involve consuming it. I will reveal this family custom in a separate posting following this one, so stay tuned…
- 1 medium sized cucumber, chilled, washed but not peeled and sliced thinly
- ½ medium sized red onion, sliced thinly
- 2 - 3 tablespoons Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 2 - 3 tablespoons Greek wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano
- Kalamata olives
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper; to taste.
In a large bowl, combine and toss all the ingredients together. Serve immediately.
Serves 4
Kali Orexi! Bon Appetit!
Sam Sotiropoulos
Greek Gourmand™
Greek Food Recipes and Reflections
Copyright © 2008, Sam Sotiropoulos. All Rights Reserved.
Greek Gourmand™
Greek Food Recipes and Reflections
Copyright © 2008, Sam Sotiropoulos. All Rights Reserved.


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The B6030-BACnet/IP home automation gateway is the latest addition to this company's Eplus series of BACnet interfaces. The B6030 allows users to connect professional BACnet workstations to wireless products. The system is sold together with the Smarthome Powerline II interface, which supports the second generation extended X10 protocol that includes automatic verification of command actions. All Eplus interfaces communicate via an Ethernet data link, which is compatible with both building automation networks and traditional business IT networks.
For more information, visit www.cimetrics.com.
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NEW YORK — Yahoo's latest slate of original programming is led by Ed Helms as a 4-inch-tall crime fighter.
"Tiny Commando," created by the "The Office" star, was unveiled Monday night in a presentation by Yahoo to advertisers in New York. It stars Helms, along with Zachary Levi, of "Chuck," and Gillian Jacobs, of "Community."
Following in Netflix's footsteps, Yahoo will simultaneously release all episodes of "Tiny Commando" and other comedy series this fall.
Yahoo, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., also will debut a series titled "Losing Your Virginity With John Stamos," in which the former "Full House" actor interviews celebrities about their first sexual experiences. Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock executive produces.
Along with YouTube, Netflix and Hulu, Yahoo has sought in recent years to expand into original programming — mainly short-form Web series — that draws users to its platform. Erin McPherson, Yahoo vice president and head of video, said the company has more than doubled its original video programming in the last year.
Yahoo's presentation Monday was part of this week's Digital Content NewFronts, at which digital media companies lay out their programming plans much like TV broadcasters do every spring. Last year, Yahoo touted its most high-profile series: Tom Hanks' sci-fi, animated "Electric City." While "Electric City" was widely judged a dud, Yahoo has found a modest hit in "Burning Love," a parody of "The Bachelor" now beginning its third season.
Also part of this year's slate is Cheryl Hines, a star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Hines and Rachael Harris will star in "We Need Help," a comedy in which the two actresses exploit a shared personal assistant.
Yahoo announced that beginning this summer it's partnering with the WWE to make the Web portal an online hub for professional wrestling videos. Yahoo will produce a 30-minute pre-show to the WWE's "Monday Night Raw" and distribute two weekly wresting series.
Last week, Yahoo announced a deal to stream "Saturday Night Live" archival clips.


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iOS 4 Multitasking with Pandora [iOS 4 Tour Pt. 1]
by Rob on
June 21, 2010
Filed under Apple, Devices, Firmware, News, Tips and How-To's
So, you've got iOS 4 installed, now what? Well, one of the most anticipated features to land with the new iOS 4 is its ability to multitask. Most apps in the app store do not yet support this feature, since app developers must explicitly code to the APIs that permit its function, however one app released today is one that we've been waiting to see it run in the background for some time now: Pandora. So if you haven't yet, go get the Pandora update and follow along as we look at this new awesomeness!!
Not long after iOS 4 hit iTunes Apple started releasing iOS 4 capable apps. Pandora Internet Radio is one of them and having it run in the background brings a whole new dimension to using Pandora on the iPhone. In fact, the whole device and experience is more enjoyable rather than the constant frustration it used to be without this function. Gone are the days of pausing music when wanting to check email, browse the web, or whatever. In fact, the process works so well with Pandora that you would swear it was the built-in iPod function that you were listening to and not a third party app – and here's where things get interesting.
The backgrounding of Pandora enables the application to mimic, in nearly every conceivable way, how the iPod functions work. Pandora takes over the tiny "play" icon in the information bar, replaces the iPod icon on the task bar and if you double click the home button while locked – the iPod controls actually pause/play Pandora – a very nice surprise indeed! So in essence, if you have Pandora installed, you have seemless, iPod-esque control and integration to a constant and endless stream of music. The one lacking integration of running Pandora in the background that I noticed was when I took a phone call: the app failed to resume playing music however, to get it to play again only took a quick double-tap of the home button and a touch of the play icon.
Now, where's that Skype update that Steve teased us with in the iPhone OS 4 preview keynote address?


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Busan Neighborhoods • Centum City
Centum City Pictures
A few pictures I took on Sunday while going shopping at the Shinsegae Department store in Centum City. The Shinsegae dept. store is the largest one in east Asia.
Neighborhoods Nearby Centum City - Pictures by Parent
Centum City Neighborhood by Parent. Centum city used to be an airfield but has since been transformed into one of Busan's top residential.. Distance from Centum City: 0km E, 6 pictures.
Dongbaek Neighborhood by Parent. Dongbaek is an area in Busan which has received new attention recently and has been redeveloped. I.e., the commieblocks have been torn down to be replaced by shiny dubai-like towers. Good.. Distance from Centum City: 1.5km SE, 14 pictures.
Gwangali Neighborhood by Parent. Nice beach, romantic bridge, coffee shops alley. All is perfect to get a date.. Distance from Centum City: 2.3km SW, 58 pictures.
Haeundae Neighborhood by Parent. Haeundae Beach is located in Haeundae-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Along the 12 km of coastline Haeundae Beach is Busan's most popular beach, and with Seogwipo's, it is one of the best known.. Distance from Centum City: 2.4km SEE, 42 pictures.
Baesan Neighborhood by Parent. A few pictures of the residential area around the Baesan.. Distance from Centum City: 3.7km NWW, 18 pictures.
1 post • Page 1 of 1


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Create an Education News Feed with the Flipboard iPad App
With Flipboard, teachers can create custom education news feeds on their iPads. Flipboard is an iPad app that can keep teachers up to date on education news and other developments in their field.
Flipboard sifts through vast quantities of available Internet news, articles, and information to combine multiple sources into an integrated magazine format. You can use Flipboard to collect information on anything, so as a teacher, you'll find it an invaluable time-saving tool.
Flipboard is great for personal use as an educator, staying up with the news and professional development. It also has a place in your classroom. Consider having students build a custom magazine with categories that track news events for class discussion and opinions on the web about specific topics they are studying.
Install Flipboard for iPad
Download the Flipboard app, and select your news and information sources. Flipboard creates a personalized magazine out of everything you've selected. Flipboard combines your list of news websites, blog posts, social networking feeds, images, and more into a beautifully displayed layout of articles that mimics the digital equivalent of flipping through the pages of a magazine.
The latest versions even allow you to add video and audio feeds to your multimedia Flipboard magazine. Using Flipboard requires a few short steps:
Tap to open the Flipboard app.
Create your Flipboard magazine by tapping the Get Started option and tapping some of the content categories.
Tap the Build Your Flipboard button.
Flipboard drops you back into its beautifully designed magazine layout, now filled with content from the various categories you selected.
You can customize your content even further by creating a Flipboard account.
Tap the Flipboard account option in the bottom right of your display and sign up for your free account by entering your e-mail address and password.
After you've created your account, you're presented with a listing of the Flipboard Content Guide. Categories include News, Business, Sports, and Tech & Science.
Tap any category to get Flipboard's recommended sources.
For example, if you tap News, the sources include ABC News, The Economist, The Guardian, and more.
Whenever you open Flipboard, you'll get the latest news from your selected sources. Turn any page by flicking it to the left or right. Tap any source to open it, and you'll get all the latest articles presented in a beautifully designed magazine format. Simply tap any article that interests you ,and read further.
Share your Flipboard educational content
Link to your web and social networking accounts. Take your customization to the next level by linking your web accounts to Flipboard. Tap the magnifying glass on the top-right of the main interface and select the Accounts menu option at the top of the Content menu.
You can link to accounts such as Twitter, Facebook, Google Reader, and more. Select any account, and Flipboard will pull your information feed from that account and include it in your magazine. You can also customize the news feed from accounts. For example, you can elect to include only saved searches from your Twitter feed.
Share, comment, and save. When you open an article, you'll notice a row of icons along the bottom-right corner. Use them to share the article on social networking accounts (such as Twitter), add your comments to it, and even save it to your Instapaper account if you have one.


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If you think that this is too much to be paid in one concert , well my dear this is nothing , in fact cheap compared to other coming events and concerts in our third world country whose 40% of its population are under the poverty line according to the international bank itself !!
Enigma magazine is holding a big gala party next 21st of October 2010 and it is not held to celebrate the anniversary of the October war but rather the magazine 10th anniversary , the magazine called it a charity event but for sure those who will attend that party will not go not for charity but to prove they are the Who is Who , crème de la crème of the Egyptian society that afford the tickets of this gala party !!
The star of this gala party was Kylie Minogue , already I remember that from couple of months ago there were talks about Rihanna but what you know , of course most of those who will attend the gala party are not fans for Minogue or even heard about her aside for the young generations that are familiar with her songs.
Now to our major issue here , there are limited tickets available now for those interested :
- For individual tickets , you will pay LE 3,000 per person !!
- High tables can be reserved at LE 30,000 for 10 people. "LE 3000 X 10"
The gala party will be at the pyramids of Giza plateau , ironically the pyramids of Giza are believed to be actually big tombs for our great ancestors.
We move to Buddha bar Cairo which is celebrating its 3rd anniversary in its own way , it is holding a Burlesque party with the Playboy DJ !! Well it is not a surprise to because burlesque acts have been always presented in Sharm El-Sheikh at Pacha and also at GanZ's parties but it is first to know that it is welcomed in Cairo openly in this way !!? Of course I do not dare to ask where is the vice police from the playboy mate of the year !!?? Anyhow Tazkarty Egypt has reminded us that it is not sex but it is fun !!
The tickets prices are as follows :
- LE 400 for entrance fees and just standing with free beer and wine
- LE 1400 for tables including entrance fees and one free Absolute Vodka bottle.
- LE 6400 for VIP corner , there is only one VIP corner for those who want to be pampered
Everybody is free to do whatever he or she wants as long as they are not breaking the law but is not all this too provoking in a country where people are wondering whether they will be able to buy tomatoes and find a load of bread next week for God sake !!
These two Egypts or three Egypts can't continue going on in to their separate worlds for God sake.
Technorati Tags: Citizen journalism,Egypt,Economy,Health,Music,National,society,Mideast,Kylie Monigue,Julio Iglesias,Buddha Bar,Charity,Poverty


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In the wise words of Easy A's Olive Penderghast, "There's a twig in my eye, or like a branch or something."
Last night Lindsay Lohan was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman, and the ensuing interview was one of the most awkward, touching, interesting and cringe-inducing 14-minute segments of television I've seen lately. In his typical curmudgeonly fashion, Letterman opened by basically bulldozing Lohan into discussing her past troubles with stealing and various substance addictions, as well as her upcoming stint in rehab.
("Why are you not in rehab now?" he asks point-blank, and we learn that she's checking in on May 20th. Or so she says. And a follow-up that's essentially impossible for any real drug or alcohol addict to answer: "Why will it be different this time?" Jeez, Dave, why don't you ask the hard questions.)
"Be a father figure," she says at one point when he's ribbing her, and we're reminded of the awfulness that is Michael Lohan. Gah, no wonder she's so messed up.
As Lindsay fielded his invasive questions that weren't included in the pre-interview, she was surprisingly self-possessed, sharp and looked great. (That Suno dress! Want!) And, towards the middle of the interview, Letterman makes it clear that he really, really wants her to get better and prove everyone wrong.
He's also impressed that she had "enough spine, enough sense of [yourself], and enough poise" to come on the show after making myriad monologue jokes at her expense. Touched by his compliment, she starts to cry. And later, after wrapping the show and receiving compliments on the Twitterverse for her sense of humor and composed attitude during the interview, she Tweeted:
Thanks to all for the kind words and overwhelming support #blessed
— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) April 10, 2013
I'm still rooting for her.
Follow Anna on Twitter: @annabreslaw


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After Braun ban, players survey a 'new playing field'
Trying to make sense out of what the Ryan Braun suspension means to baseball?
Suddenly worried that suspensions could indeed, despite indications to the contrary as recently as a week ago, disrupt your team's playoff aspirations?
So, ask yourself: What would Alex Rodriguez do? Or Nelson Cruz? Or anyone else whose name has been linked to the Biogenesis investigation.
NIGHTENGALE:Braun gives up the fight; MLB's only begins
BRENNAN:Baseball threw the bum out
It's a big step from innuendo of Tony Bosch's notes to a ban from baseball, but the operator of the Miami clinic at the heart of Braun's suspension and whatever other punishment Major League Baseball is working on suddenly has enough credibility to change the playing field.
Braun's acceptance of his suspension give MLB more leverage – whether or not that would hold up in a legal proceeding is one thing, but it certainly increases pressure on players who might find themselves facing charges from MLB based on similar information.
"Changing the playing field" is more than a euphemism today. We don't know who is guilty from that list of names that was in the original Miami New Times report that launched MLB's most aggressive attack yet on the game's drug culture.
But those players do. And by now, after questions from MLB investigators, they have a pretty good handle on their chances of beating any charges.
REACTION:Players, managers glad to see Braun held accountable
WHO ELSE:Ban indicates strong case vs. others
They also know the evolving role of the union suddenly has taken a bold and emphatic step. Union executive director Michael Weiner remains adamant that his group's role is to ensure players have due process in these cases.
But in the group where one-time leader Marvin Miller was opposed to drug testing, period, players now realize that if the evidence is piled up against them, the union's response will be something along the lines of, "Here's what you need to know to defend yourself. Good luck."
That's where Braun found himself. The debate can rage about the moral components of Braun's decision, but it's clear he opted for the route that makes the most sense for him economically and for his team on the field.
Braun's Brewers are in the midst of what has become a lost season. They're well out of the playoff race and have had numerous key injuries. By taking his suspension now, Braun will be available for a fresh start for himself and his team next spring.
Braun's salary is $8.5 million this season, the lowest it will be on a contract that runs through 2020. The Brewers still owe him $113 million after this year, with peaks years of $19 million in 2016-18.
Again, we're not certain who MLB could be on the verge of suspending, but the players in the New Times report would find themselves in differing situations.
If would be easier for, say, someone like San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera to follow Braun's path. Playing on another struggling team, Cabrera, 26, would have three more seasons after this one to prove his value before he's eligible for free agency.
It gets trickier for someone like Yasmani Grandal, Cabrera's teammate. He's already served one 50-game suspension at the beginning of the season and now is out for the rest of the year after blowing out his knee. If MLB had evidence against him, how does his injury rehab time factor in to any potential deal, especially if he's found to be a second-time offender?
The most intriguing case this side of Alex Rodriguez is Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz.
The Rangers are in a difficult battle for a playoff spot, either the AL West championship or a wild card. Cruz leads them in homers and RBI.
Cruz could take any charges against him into the appeal process, something Weiner said last week could outlast the season. That could benefit the Rangers' chances, but what of Cruz?
He's 33 and a free agent after this season, heading into what normally would be his last shot at a big payday. From a personal standpoint, he would have more to lose by maneuvering to ride out the season with the Rangers and face the possibility of a suspension at the beginning of whatever new contract he might be able to get.
The intriguing part of such a case would be that, theoretically, the player's name isn't revealed until appears and possibly arbitration is resolved. The Braun case – this time, unlike the leak is his previous reversed positive test – remained secret until Monday's announcement.
Public silence about a player could mean one of two things – he's in the appeal process or he's in the clear. Quite a difference.
Rodriguez could be fighting and/or negotiating for his baseball life.
The Braun revelation invites speculation over even the details behind A-Rod's sudden setback when he was mere hours from playing for the Yankees for the first time this season.
The realistic and credible possibilities include wherever Rodriguez might stand in talks with MLB and any chance the Yankees might have to either void the $86 million remaining on A-Rod's contract after this year or collect insurance against that contract if Rodriguez is unable to play again because of injury.
Had he played just Monday night in Texas, as originally scheduled, the insurance option would have been gone. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin insists he knew nothing of Braun's impending suspension until Monday. But what if the Yankees got wind something might be imminent with Rodriguez?
So, while it isn't all about the money, neither is it all about the performance enhancing drugs.
The two intertwine as, arguably, they did when players made the original decision to use the banned substances.
As for the more long-term ramifications of what's happening now, pay close attention to players' comments. Their reaction will be key to what happens going forward.
The players' union hierarchy has its route out of this wilderness as, a point Weiner has emphasized recently, more players speak out about cleaning up the game.
That's what makes it easier for the union to go no further than making sure players' legal rights are protected. Weiner points out that so many players have become adamant about "throwing the book" at cheaters, that he has had to remind them about the importance of due process.
Still, that clean-it-up sentiment will make it easier for stiffer penalties to be included in future collective bargaining agreements. And, as Weiner has said, it's not absolutely necessary to wait for the next labor contract to come up. Previous changes in the agreement have been agreed on in the midst of contracts.
It's still a guessing game what many implicated players will do, or even which of them will have to make those decisions, but it's becoming increasingly clear what the majority of players want to do.


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Buying Your First Home in Washington Township
Mortgage Programs and Information for Washington Township First-Time Homebuyers
First-time home buyers who want to live in the Washington Township community have several home financing options with Washington Township. Because of our dedication to the community and our commitment to helping homebuyers make informed, responsible decisions, selecting Washington Township as you home financing partner is an excellent first step toward ensuring that the home financing process is a smooth and pleasant one.
With a wealth of knowledge and a variety of mortgage loan programs for first-time homebuyers to choose from, our Mortgage Lending Team offers expertise and flexibility to homebuyers at lower fees and a higher level of personal service than many other mortgage providers.
Learn more about getting approved for a mortgage below, and contact your Stonegate Mortgage Local Mortgage Advisor today for more information and a free, no obligation mortgage consultation.
General Mortgage Approval Information
Many of our first-time homebuyers have general questions about the mortgage process and the information needed to approve a mortgage loan. Although a Local Mortgage Advisor can provide more detailed information about your specific situation, the following items are typically included in a mortgage loan package for review and approval by an underwriter. In general, supporting documentation will usually be required to verify information regarding the following:
The Property
The value, marketability and condition of the property you are financing (determined by review of a home appraisal).
Your ability and capacity to repay your new mortgage (determined in part by job stability and gross income in relation to your existing and new expenses – also known as your debt-to-income ratio and housing ratio).
Employment History
A stable history of employment in the same line of work or within the same field is considered ideal, but is not always a strict black-and-white requirement. (Ask your Local Mortgage Advisor for more details and program guidelines.)
Credit History
Different loan programs have varying requirements with regard to credit. Your Local Mortgage Advisor will explain the minimum credit requirements of the loan program you select and/or help you find the best program for your credit profile. An underwriter will later review your credit to ensure it meets the program's minimum requirements.
The amount of debt you have affects your ability to repay the loan. As with credit history, different loan programs have different guidelines regarding the maximum acceptable amount of debt. Your Local Mortgage Advisor will explain the requirements of various mortgage programs to you and help you find the best fit for your individual situation.
All assets and funds used to qualify for your loan must be verified, but the source of funds to close is of particular importance. An underwriter will look for a clear trail of where those funds came from and will scrutinize any large deposits (indicating a loan or other unacceptable assets). For this reason, it is not wise to move money around or make large deposits after your application without first consulting your Local Mortgage Advisor to explain the changes.


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Open Government Program
All Resources
Search a listing of Government of Alberta open datasets and publications. Can't find what you are looking for? Suggest a resource.
Views: 165
August 25, 2016
Biomonitoring provides a measure of internal doses of environmental chemicals or agents and allows for a more accurate measure of human health risk from these chemical exposures. Information presented in these Alberta Biomonitoring Program datasets were collected as part of two province-wide...


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Foods for Joint Pain
Do you know how your diet affects your joint pain? Learn how you can make your grocery trips work for your joints.View Article
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|Keeping Your Immune System Strong
| Basically, your immune system works spectacularly well, provided you take care of yourself. Good health perpetuates good health.
And, yes, you're allowed to binge here and there. Most effective food plans have one "free day" each week when you can eat all the ice cream, pizza, french fries, and soda you want.
If you've been exercising regularly for a while, you can miss some time without losing your base. In other words, you don't have to be perfect.
Your immune system functions at peak performance when you