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We have a very strict privacy policies, both on and offline. This applies to personal information (eg: email addresses and names) as well as the delivery of any items purchased.
It is a strict policy that personal information, including email addresses, will never be shared with any third party in any way whatsoever.
If you have any specific concerns regarding privacy, please email us.
Many people are still nervous about ordering and paying online and we understand this completely. This is why we offer secure payment options for both credit card and non-credit card purchases (South Africa only).
Credit Card Purchases
Your payment is processed using a secure encryption (Secure Socket Layer, otherwise known as SSL). This means that your card details are secure during transmission over the internet and cannot be intercepted by any outside party.
We have specifically enlisted the services of certified third party payment processors who provide secure encrypted networks. At no time will you be asked for your banking details while on our website, but will only be required to enter your credit card details once you are ready to pay and are passed onto their secure system.
Once on their site you may be asked to create an account with them, which is a very simple and quick process. This is to further ensure that your private information is secure and also to verify that nobody else is using your card without authorisation.
You will know that you are on a secure (SSL) connection because the page address will begin with https://; rather than just the usual http://;. You will notice the difference as soon as you arrive at any page requiring credit card information. Depending on your browser settings, you may also receive an alert to say that you are about to go to a secure connection. You should use a browser that supports SSL. If you don't have one, you can get a free download of the most recent version of Internet Explorer by clicking here (opens a new window).
Despite the natural fears regarding security, your credit card is as safe online as it is in the ordinary day to day, provided that you are on a secure and encrypted site. The moment your card leaves your hands - at a restaurant - in a store - for even a moment - it is at risk of being fraudulently used. Almost all (if not all) online credit card fraud occurs because someone managed to get hold of your card details offline, so please take care with your normal day to day card security in order to enjoy maximum security with any online purchase that uses SSL.
Buying without a credit card
If you are still uncomfortable with the concept of using your credit card online, we also offer a direct deposit option for South African clients. Simply make your purchase as normal and select this option during the checkout process. You will receive a copy of your order with instructions on how to make payment. Please be sure to forward proof of payment to us so that we can ship your order as soon as possible.
Please note that due to the very high incidence of fraud, we do not accept cheques.
We accept Rands, Euros, Pounds sterling and US Dollars.
Buying process - how does it work?
Once you have loaded the items you want into your shopping cart, simply click on checkout, at the top right of your screen.
You will be asked to either log in or create a new profile where we will ask you for some necessary information. Remember to verify that you are happy with your purchases. You will then need to complete the payment process.
If you are opting to pay by direct deposit, the process will end here and you will receive an invoice with our banking details. Remember that using this option will delay your purchase being shipped for up to 24 hours after we have received proof of payment.
If you are payng by credit card, you will need to conclude the purchase on our site and then you will automatically be taken to the secure payment gateway. Once you have registered with them, your payment will be processed and the transaction concluded. Your items will be shipped within 24 hours.
When you buy from us at any time in the future, you will simply need to log in and not have to go through the whole process of registering again.
We know that the sign up procedure takes a few minutes and forms are always a pain, but this is to protect everyone, including you. We are sure that your security as well as the great items you will have purchased are worth it
If you have any further concerns or questions, please feel free to email us.


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Lay of the Land: Scholar finds solid ground through summer language programs
Lay of the Land: Scholar finds solid ground through summer language programs
Picture this. The temperature outside is a scorching 120 degrees but the house you are living in has no air conditioning. You take a shower on a hot summer day, step foot outside, and immediately start dripping in sweat.
Abe DeHart doesn't have to try hard to imagine what that would be like. He lived it while studying abroad in India during what turned out to be the hottest summer in 65 years.
"I think it's cool how you don't just adapt to the culture but your body adapts to the environment without even realizing it," said DeHart, a senior in the Schreyer Honors College majoring in agricultural systems management in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
DeHart found himself in Lucknow, India, courtesy of the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship Program. It was his second summer participating in the program in North India.
"My dad was born in Pakistan and lived there until he was 18," DeHart said. "This was one of the factors why I wanted to go to Lucknow and learn Urdu. I'm learning Urdu because I want to work with farmers in Southeast Asia either in Pakistan or India. When you're trying to gain the trust of farmers, it's important that you speak the same language that they do."
DeHart's future plans hinge on his ability to communicate with the region's farmers. His goal is to help Southeast Asian farmers better manage the land for greater yields in food production.
"The U.S. government is really interested in people working in Pakistan," DeHart said. "They are very focused on food security, which is basically the idea that if people are well fed, they will be more satisfied and less desperate. The U.S. government is doing a lot of work with trying to make sure people are well fed, and farmers are able to provide for themselves.
"I want to be able to practically help farmers. When I went to India, I was able to interview farmers and find out what solutions they envision. With the research I've done, I now have a better sense of what the problems actually are, whether it's a problem of irrigation or maybe they can't sell their products at the market since it's too far away. I can go back and help them in the future."
One of things he was surprised by in Lucknow was the lack of farming machinery and power equipment.
"It's really incredible to see what we take for granted," DeHart said. "Everything that we do with machinery here, they do by hand. People were planting rice by hand, weeding by hand and even plowing using bulls rather than tractors. I was under the impression that if they're doing this all by hand they probably won't be happy. However, I was really surprised by how happy and hospitable they were."
DeHart expected the landscape to be barren but was amazed by how it was reminiscent of the U.S. Midwest.
"I was so surprised by how green everything was," DeHart said. "I was expecting dry landscapes because the agricultural techniques are significantly different there, but the landscapes were so beautiful. Sometimes you would even think you were out in the Midwest or even western Pennsylvania. There wasn't a lot of trash around in most places. It was a vivid, tropical green. A lot of the land is irrigated with groundwater. It really is beautiful."
In addition to being able to speak the language, DeHart also was able to relate to the economics of farming. DeHart has a landscaping business back home in Philadelphia that he started when he was 12.
"I have two employees and about 60 clients," he said. "I applied the business concepts I learned here to the situation in India. A lot of people feel that the people over there are different from here. I find that the Indian farmers are very similar to the farmers here in Pennsylvania. Being able to communicate well with farmers here helped me to communicate with farmers there. People felt comfortable sharing their problems with me as they do here."
Back on campus, DeHart also has been working as an emergency medical technician for the University Ambulance Service since his freshman year. Outside of the classroom, DeHart is active in various organizations. He is the vice president of the International Agriculture Club and teaches English classes for International Ministries.
"I really enjoying teaching English because it gives me more opportunities to talk to people from other cultures," said DeHart. "It's so cool to be able to talk to people who are from other countries."
He also has been leading a Bible study for agricultural students since sophomore year.
"My faith is a big part of my life," said DeHart. "It's integrated with all my goals. Helping people is a big part of that and why I choose to do the things I do."
"The sky is the limit for Abe," said Ruth Mendum, director of the University Fellowships Office. "He's very self-reflective. He's constantly refining what he's doing and where he's going. That means that every time I meet with him, his plan has gotten that much better, sophisticated and informed. He has real leadership material."
After graduation, DeHart plans to pursue a master of business administration degree with a focus in supply chain management at Penn State. He wants to take the business skills, experience, and connections that he gains and apply them to an agriculture-based organization working in the developing world.
"I would also be interested in working for a nongovernmental organization," DeHart said. "I would like to be doing work that allows me to interact with farmers on a regular basis."
In 10 years, DeHart sees himself as the head of an organization doing agricultural work in the developing world.
"I see my organization affecting the lives of thousands of families and giving them the tools that allow them to pull themselves out of poverty," said DeHart.
"Abe's future looks very bright," said Thomas Gill, assistant professor of international agriculture. "He can do anything he wants if he puts his mind and heart to it. Success to him is making an impact and being content that he is making a difference."
Which may be why DeHart has found himself far from home the past two summers building the skills and learning a language that is getting him ready for the future.
"When you're presented with a cool opportunity, go for it," DeHart said. "Don't hesitate. Do what you're passionate about. If you think you should do it, just go for it."
And, for someone like DeHart, if you end up in a place where the daytime high is 120 degrees, don't sweat it. You'll be ready to take the heat.
While spending a summer abroad in India learning to speak Urdu, Abe DeHart, a senior in the Schreyer Honors College and the College of Agricultural Sciences, befriended children in the village of Kakori near Lucknow, India. DeHart spent two summers in India on scholarships through the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship program.

subset: commoncrawl


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The innkeepers at Blueberry Cove Inn, Narragansett, RI invite you to their world of innkeeping. This is a behind the scenes look at their version of innkeeping.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
New Center Pieces
I had plenty of vases tucked away for our Romantic Roses Package. The nickle feeder fish I put in the pond last year had spawned at least 30 babies that seem to be thriving. The water lettuce and water hyacinth had to come inside. For $0.00 I have unusual and amusing center pieces.
I love seeing the fish play tag in the trailing roots.
That's what Works for me on Wednesday.
4 comments:
This is a creative, fun centerpiece idea :) My husband just brought in the turtle from our pond for the winter. Isn't it amazing how many baby fish you get every year?!ReplyDelete
How neat!! Very creative =0)ReplyDelete
This is so adorable for a kids theme party too. I also saw martha's "Fish Soap in a Bag" that would work well with this as favors to take home. It's a gold fish within the soap in a clear bag, looking similar to your centerpieces. Thanks for sharing. Please stop by and visit and browse a while. If you like what you see, click the "Follow" button and subscribe just below to get instant updates. This way we can share ideas and spark each others creative juices.ReplyDelete
How fun! This would be great for a kid party.ReplyDelete


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Sylvia McGeary, PhD
I was born and raised in Astoria, New York where I lived until my husband, our two daughters and I moved to New Jersey about 24 years ago. I still think of myself as a New Yorker and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel back to NYC each week for several years while I was studying at Fordham University.
I earned my degrees, undergraduate and graduate as a "non-traditional age" student having returned to the College of St. Elizabeth (CSE) to complete my undergrad studies after we had moved to NJ.
I earned my MA at Fordham where my studies encompassed all facets of Religious Education and Theology. I returned to Fordham for Doctoral Studies in Religious Education. My dissertation was an interdisciplinary study of Lay Ecclesial Ministry in the United States.
I began doing undergraduate adjunct work at St. Peter's College in Jersey City and found that I enjoyed being on the other side of the teacher's desk as much as I had been enjoying the student experience. Two years later when the opportunity came along to teach in the Graduate Pastoral Ministry program at Caldwell College I jumped at the chance to work with adult learners who were already engaged in ministry. I also held a one year full time faculty position in the department of Theology and Philosophy at Caldwell.
That brings us to the present and my position as an assistant professor and Chair of the Religious Studies department here at Felician.
Field(s) of Interest/Expertise
Leadership Formation, Strategic Planning for Parishes, Adult Education, Ministry Formation
Courses Taught at Felician University
- Introduction to First Testament
- Introduction to Second Testament
- Christian Marriage in a Contemporary World
- Religion and Psychology
- The Franciscan Vision
- Religion in the United States of America
- The Spiritual Life for Religious Educators (MA RelEd)
- Sacramental Theology for Religious Educators (MA RelEd)
- Ethics and Social Responsibility (MBA)


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Military News
Top enlisted JBLM soldier heading to S. Korea
If the Army had to pick a soldier to turn into an action figure at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, I Corps Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell would be one of the top candidates to see his biceps turn into flexible plastic.
At home, he's the senior soldier pushing troops to take on punishing exercise routines that have involved telephone poles, heavy chains and tractor tires. He's known to feed high-ranking soldiers cat food on exhausting three-day drills.
At war, he's a five-time combat veteran who puts himself in dangerous places to lead soldiers. He calls those combat assignments the most gratifying of his 32-year Army career, even if they're the most difficult.
Troxell, 49, will move to a new assignment this month as the top enlisted soldier at U.S. Forces Korea, closing out a 10-year period in which he either served in Lewis-McChord units or worked closely with them overseas.
He's being succeeded by Command Sgt. Maj. James Norman, 50, the first African American soldier to be named command sergeant major of the I Corps at Lewis-McChord. Norman took his new post from Troxell at a ceremony Tuesday.
Norman is an Iraq veteran coming to Lewis-McChord by way of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He was assigned to Fort Lewis early in his 32-year Army career as a soldier in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion. Since then, he has served at Army posts all over the nation, as well as in Germany and Japan. He participated in the military's humanitarian relief after Japan's deadly earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
Command sergeants major often leave a lasting impact on soldiers in their care. Troxell stood out at Lewis-McChord even among the outsize personalities who held similar ranks around the Army.
"Yes, John Wayne Troxell. His parents just got the name perfect," said I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Robert Brown, likening Troxell to the cowboy characters played by the late actor.
Troxell came to Fort Lewis in 2005, serving as command sergeant major for the Stryker unit that became the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The brigade deployed to Iraq the next year as one of the "surge" units serving 15-month tours. It lost 54 soldiers to fatal casualties; another 500 were wounded.
"It was one of the most memorable times of my career, but also one of the most trying," Troxell said in his remarks Tuesday at his farewell ceremony.
He has served as the I Corps command sergeant major for the past 21/2 years, including a yearlong assignment in Kabul, Afghanistan, when he was the senior enlisted soldier advising former I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti.
At home, Troxell led several initiatives to improve leadership, fitness and discipline among the 32,000 soldiers stationed at Lewis-McChord.
He gathered senior enlisted soldiers for several so-called "Mangudai" exercises — named for a legendary test of Mongolian warriors — in which they stayed awake for more than 50 hours doing combat drills while eating little food. The intent was to put the high-ranking soldiers under stress and remind them about the demands they place on the men and women in their units.
He fed participants a ball of cat food and rice on one Mangudai. On the next, participants got pig brains.
Troxell recently participated in military exercises in Pacific nations such as Australia, the Philippines and South Korea as part of Lewis-McChord's shift from the Middle East to its traditional task watching eastern Asia.
He visited the demilitarized zone in South Korea last month, getting within arm's length of North Korea. He noticed North Korean soldiers filming him as he approached the border. He said their efforts to document his trip and figure out who he was drove home the importance of the job he's about to take.
"This is the job for me," he said. "If I am going to continue to serve, I want to be where I am on point for our nation."
He and his wife, Sandra, plan to settle in the Puget Sound area when they leave the Army, he said.


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Subscribe To Marvel President Kevin Feige Drops Hints About Dr. Strange And Magic Updates
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Poor Kevin Feige. The Marvel Studios president, from now until … well, likely the end of time, has to drop vague hints about the possible directions of Marvel movies in Phase 2 and 3 for fanboys who are clamoring for any kinds of hints. What will happen to The Hulk? Will we see other Marvel heroes in future Avengers movies? The questions are endless!
And so, when Feige sat down with SFX Magazine (via Collider), he dropped a few interesting details about how Avengers 2 will play off of the standalone movies in Phase 2 involving Iron Man and Thor, as well as how the chemistry of team could be altered in future segments.
"Almost whatever the heck else is happening is gravy in [the Iron Man] franchise, because all I care about is Bruce [Banner] and Tony [Stark], Tony and Steve [Rogers], Widow and Bruce – and how Thor fits into it, because he's always the outsider amongst outsiders. So I think that's where the value lies. And going deeper amongst those characters in those relationships."
When asked about how Doctor Strange and Ant-Man might factor in to versions of The Avengers on screen, Feige kept it unclear, stating, "I think it's not a secret that Joss and I and all of us at Marvel think that part of the fun of Avengers is the rotating team, for sure." That means we might be able to see the Guardians of the Galaxy fighting alongside the Hulk and Hawkeye, but maybe not until Phase 3.
As for how the different phases of Marvel's movies can be defined, Feige tried to clarify what fans might already have incorrectly assumed:
I'm not looking at Phase One as grounded and Phase Two as cosmic and Phase 3 as magic. The films are all so eclectic and different from each other that you can't overarchingly categorize them like that. If and when we enter the magic arena, it will be through Doctor Strange. Sure, obviously. And that's to me what's exciting about Doctor Strange."
To us, also. We're currently immersed in a very exciting time at Marvel, and while Feige's unwilling to show all of his cards at the moment, his quotes show us that Marvel has a firm grip on the future of these franchises, and all we should do is sit back and enjoy the ride.


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Apple's ubiquitous gadgetry and computer hardware support more than downloads of favorite tunes and the sorting of snapshots -- they support jobs. Lots of jobs.
The company employees 47,000 in the United States its own self. But Apple wants us to know that, if you count the people who builds apps for their devices, they support 514,000 jobs for Americans.They posted a page that breaks down their data.
It breaks down as 304,000 straight-up jobs and 210,000 "iOS jobs" for app makers. Apple itself employed 10,000 people only 10 years ago.
Apple cites "workers in Texas who manufacture processors for iOS products, Corning employees in Kentucky and New York who create the majority of the glass for iPhone, and FedEx and UPS employees." Apple employees more than 70,000 people, worldwide.
As for apps, there have been more than 24,000,000,000 apps downloaded in only four years.


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The author of the National Electrical Contractors Association's (NECA) Code Question of the Day has launched a new book to help electricians understand the 2002 National Electrical Code rules.
Charles Trout, who reaches more than 6,000 subscribers daily through his e-mail Q&A, has published the textbook, "Electrical Installation and Inspection." The book, which is published by Delmar/Thomson Learning, features more than 400 color illustrations.
Electrical Installation and Inspection
covers basic requirements for installing electrical products and systems in commercial, residential and industrial buildings. Major subject areas include load calculations; circuit design and layout; elevators; the special requirements of escalators and lifts; cranes and hoists; wiring systems for information technology rooms; and electrical installations in hazardous (classified) locations.
Trout said his new book is modeled after his workbook for Code enforcement classes which he taught at Harper College in Palatine, Ill.
"It covers subjects not found in any other book of its kind," he said. "Using everyday, understandable language to describe installation and inspection procedures keeps students and other readers at a higher level of understanding."
In addition to being the mind behind NECA's online Code Question of the Day, Trout is a member of NECA's Codes and Standards Committee and serves as chairman of N.E. Code-Making Panel 12.
Electrical Installation and Inspection costs $56 plus shipping. To order, call Delmar at (800) 998-7498 or go to their Web site at
Electrical Installation and Inspection
is also available from


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Video: SwimSmart V—Tried and True Gear
On race day, it's important to control as much as you can. This begins with planning to race with swim equipment and gear you're comfortable with. In the video above, IRONMAN world champion Greg Welch has gear-related tips on how to make sure the small things don't ruin your day.
Follow the links below for more resources on how to prepare for racing in the open water—useful reminders no matter what level a triathlete you are.
The IRONMAN Beginner's Swim Checklist
SwimSmart I: Prepare Early | SwimSmart II: Work Your Way Up | SwimSmart III: Be in the Know | SwimSmart IV: Safety First | SwimSmart V: Tried and True Gear | SwimSmart VI: Warm up Right | SwimSmart VII: Assess the Situation | SwimSmart VIII: Start Easy, Relax and Breathe | SwimSmart IX: Be Alert and Ask for Help


text: I have been blessed with experiencing one of the last great wildernesses in the world, The Great Bear Rain Forest, before it gets devastated by a planned tar sand, dirty oil pipeline from one of the greatest environmental disasters in history, the Tar sands of Alberta to one of the most sensitive and pristine coastlines in the world on the British Columbia west coast. It is an amazing living example of the Kindred Spirits Project where the First Nations bands still live and work in harmony with the animals and environment despite all the outer challenges from corporations interested only in financially extracting as much as they can from the environment and leaving the devastating results to everyone else to deal with. I stayed with the Klemtu First Nations band in their Spirit Bear Lodge and spent hours interviewing band members from 18 years old to their elders and their chief. I was blessed that their 30 year old (youngest ever) Chief, Doug Neassloss was by bear guide for a few days. We discussed the endless challenges from corporations to destroy their homeland as well as how their culture is so intimately intertwined with all the animals and the nature that they share their homes with. The human animal bond is evident in every moment here. Watch this to get just a tiny impression of being in this precious, endangered great bear rainforest. This great bear rainforest video is a clip from the National Geographic documentary on this endangered region.


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KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Devon IT, Inc., a leading thin client virtual desktop solutions provider, today announces that it is offering existing PanoLogic customers a new conversion path for their VDI implementations.
PanoLogic's apparent closure last week (see ARTICLE HERE) has left its customers with no support and no alternative to its proprietary designs. Devon IT's software offers many features that go beyond PanoLogic products and include a zero configuration option that combines the best of the zero client approach with the flexibility of a thin client's OS.
"We are offering PanoLogic customers a support path that will help them with further virtual desktop solutions, helping them to move forward with the most flexible and advanced thin client OS and management suite available," explained Joe Makoid, President, Devon IT. "This is a way for customers left out in the cold to continue advancing their VDI deployment and strategy."
Devon IT's software technology platforms can provide PanoLogic customers with the ability to further their VDI implementations, reducing hardware transition costs. Devon IT thin clients are capable of utilizing the same protocols as PanoLogic terminals, which allows them to take advantage of already existing VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft servers that PanoLogic customers have already purchased.
To contact Devon IT for all things related to thin client computing and virtual desktops, including this offer, email email@example.com or call (610) 757-4220 or toll-free at (888) 524-9382. For more information about Devon IT DeTOS(TM), and Echo(TM) please visit www.devonit.com/software. Follow Devon IT on Twitter @DevonIT. Devon IT hosts weekly #VDIchat Twitter chat discussions every Tuesday at 11:30 AM ET.
About Devon IT
Devon IT, Inc., (www.devonit.com) is a leading information technology company that offers thin client software, hardware, and virtual desktop solutions. Devon IT's products offer users in various industries and environments greater IT security, enhanced manageability, improved reliability, and lower costs. Devon IT is also the creator of patent pending VDI Blaster™ (www.vdiblaster.com), a software suite that transforms PCs with hard drives into virtual desktops and the innovators of the SafeBook® thin client notebook. The company is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania with offices in London, Shanghai and Bangalore. Read Devon IT's technical blog, "Thin Tank," at http://www.devonit.com/blog.


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Metro Schools Super Reader is a two generational approach to literacy. The goal of the program is to help students acquire the technical skills necessary for proficient reading, to provide parents real strategies to grow their child's literacy skills at home, and to help create equitable and richly accessible literacy communities. The focus will be placed on early literacy skills for students in grades pre-K through 4th. Pre-registration is required.
Flier: Download Here
Start Date: January 26, 2017 - 04:30 PM CST
End Date: January 26, 2017 - 06:30 PM CST