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Originally born Madonna Louise Ciccone after her mother. On Madonna's first communion, they added Veronica to her middle name. At the age of six, Madonna was devastated when her mother died. She exploded into fiery rebellion when her father remarried -- hell-bent on breaking every rule at Catholic school. She bucked against the school uniform by wearing brightly colored underwear, and to make sure everyone knew, she hung upside-down on the monkey bars at recess. Madonna went on to become a legend at breaking all the rules and continually reinventing herself.
Madonna is my 21st cousin once removed.
→ Mom
your mother → Pvt. Garnett Hancock, WWII Veteran
her father → Ida Mae Hancock
his mother → Robert Lee Linville
her father → Moses Linville
his father → Hannah Scarlett Linville
his mother → Elizabeth Margaret Morgan
her mother → John Jarman
her father → Arthur Jarman
his father → John Jarman
his father → Thomas Jarman
his father → Gwen Jarmen
his mother → Sir Rhys of Penrhyn Griffith
her father → Jane Stradling
his mother → Thomas Stradling Esq
her father → Sir Henry Stradling
his father → Jane [Joan] (Jane) Stradling
his mother → Cardinal Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester
her father → John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster
his father → Philippa of Hainault, Queen consort of England
his mother → Guillaume III de Hainaut, graaf van Holland
her father → Marie d'Avesnes
his sister → Jacques I de Bourbon, comte de la Marche
her son → Jean I de Bourbon, comte de la Marche
his son → Louis I de Bourbon, comte de Vendôme
his son → Jean II de Bourbon, comte de Vendôme
his son → Jacques de Bourbon, seigneur de Ligny
his son → Catherine de Bourbon Vendôme
his daughter → Françoise d'Estrees
her daughter → Charles de Longueval
her son → Antoinette de Longueval / Longval
his daughter → Anne Convent / Couvent
her daughter → Mathieu Amiot dit Villeneuve
her son → Jeanne Amiot
his daughter → Marie-Catherine Tessier
her daughter → Louis-Albert Dupuis
her son → Marie-Josephte Dupuis
his daughter → Eustache Demers, III
her son → Eustache Demers, IV
his son → Eustache Demers, V
his son → Marie-Louise Fortin
his daughter → Elise Mae Fortin
her daughter → Madonna Louise Fortin
her daughter → Madonna
her daughter


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Many times we think of protecting our homes, cars , valuables and so on yet we do not think of protecting our energy. This is why we may often feel very drained after speaking to a loved one who is "needy" or after being in a crowded mall and other public places. We do not realize that others are unconsciously 'plugging ' into our energy. We arrive home feeling exhausted and drained yet unsure as to why we feel this way. Thus, it is very important that we cleanse our energetic field and 'plug in' to refill our depleted stores.
One way to cleanse your home, work environment and car after a long day is through saging. You can purchase a sage stick to burn or you can purchase 'smokeless' sage that is misted. Sage cleanses your environment so that you do not pick up the negative energy. It is important to go into corners with the sage stick or spray —-if burning sage , you will need to open a window and also be very careful putting it out afterwards. So when saging, go into each corner, starting in the lowest level of the house and say whatever prayer is most meaning to you as you sage. Even go behind doors in order to cleanse the energy.
In order to 'plug in' and replenish ourselves, it is also important to be centered and grounded. You can imagine a grounding cord that starts at the base of your spine and travels all the way down to the center of the earth. Anchor the cord into the center of the earth and release all drain, worry, fear, anxiety, stress, unfinished projects, anyone pulling at your energy etc. Breathe deeply and slowly as you do this and then imagine that the grounding cord is flexible and goes with you throughout the day. In this way, you continually release down the grounding cord any negativity and pull up the nourishing energy of the earth through the cord.
Finally, after cleansing and grounding, it is very important to shield ourselves. This can be done in many ways , you can imagine a bubble of white light surrounding you , or a golden net which allows only positive energy to flow in or out or a column of light that surrounds you completely. In this way, you can go about your day and feel the protection of this Divine White Light. It provides a sense of boundaries so that your energy is not drained by others. You will feel more energetic and able to love others even more as you come from this daily place of feeling centered, grounded, protected and safe.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Watercolor of Keenan at La pointe à David
Artist: Cindi Moynahan-Foreman
'We write to taste life twice,
in the moment and in retrospect.'
~ Anais Nin ~
in the moment and in retrospect.'
~ Anais Nin ~
Making art about the folks I love is so therapeutic for me. The process involves me sitting silently, and regarding them with fresh eyes. The less words floating around me and in my head the better. Intrusive thoughts are unwelcomed and forced to leave by shifting my thoughts back to the reverence and love that inspired me to choose the subject in the first place.
Feelings of love, joy and happiness flow through my eyes, through my heart, through my hands and pour on to the page where I enjoy them twice: in the moment and again in retrospect.


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H-1B Employees
Whether you are a skilled foreign worker employed in certain specialty occupations or a U.S. worker discriminatorily displaced by an H-1B sponsoring employer, federal and California laws protect your wages, working conditions and civil rights.
The H-1B non-immigrant visa program, under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), allows foreign workers to temporarily work in a specialty occupation (generally those requiring a bachelor's degree or its equivalent) for a sponsoring U.S. employer for a maximum of six years. Aside from the applicable California laws protecting workers, the H-1B program provides additional federal protections with regard to wages and discrimination to protect both U.S. and foreign workers.
At Garay Law, we can explain your rights and options regarding H-1B visas. Contact our employment law attorneys in Silicon Valley to learn more.
Silicon Valley Area H-1B Issues — Displaced Employees And H-1B Workers
Sponsoring employers must comply with strict federal reporting requirements to ensure that they are not displacing qualified U.S. employees with lower paid foreign workers. H-1B visa holders must also remain employed by the sponsor or transfer to another employer in a comparable capacity to avoid losing their legal immigration status and being forced to return home. Employees in these specialty occupations often fail to exercise their rights or are too afraid to do so. You do not have to continue to work for your employer if the employer is abusing or exploiting you.
Wage And Hour Violations
H-1B visa holders often suffer some of the same illegal wage and hour practices as U.S. workers, such as unpaid overtime, a lack of proper meal periods and rest periods, and misclassification as an exempt employee (see our respective sections explaining these issues in detail). However, the competitive and temporary nature of the H-1B visa can worsen employer violations of wage and hour laws, as sponsors know foreign workers fear losing their jobs and their legal immigration status. Further, federal law places additional wage requirement on H-1B sponsors to protect both U.S. and foreign workers.
If You Have Been Displaced By An H-1B Sponsor
The INA sets forth certain prerequisites for employers wishing to employ H-1B nonimmigrant workers. To obtain H-1B status approval, the employer must first file a Labor Condition Application (LCA), with the Department of Labor. If you have questions regarding your employers' requirements, we will guide you through the entire process in California.
Federal and California laws covering H-1B issues, along with court cases interpreting them, are complex and constantly changing. Whether you have been displaced by an H-1B sponsor or are an H-1B visa holder denied the overtime, meal periods, rest periods or other legal rights to which you are entitled, you will need the expertise and services of a labor law attorney knowledgeable in H-1B issues.
Employee Rights:
H-1B workers are granted a number of rights. The employer must give the worker a copy of the LCA. The employer must pay the worker at least the same wage rate as paid to other employees with similar experience and qualifications or the local prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of employment, whichever is higher. The employer must pay for nonproductive time caused by the employer or by the worker's lack of a license or permit. The employer must offer the worker fringe benefits on the same basis as its other employees. Also, the employer may not require the worker to pay a penalty for leaving employment prior to any agreed date. However, this restriction does not preclude the employer from seeking "liquidated damages" pursuant to relevant state law. Liquidated damages are generally estimates stated in a contract of the anticipated damages to the employer caused by the worker's breach of contract.
You are entitled to many more rights. If you have questions, you can rely on our experience to guide you down the right path.
Record Keeping, Reporting And Notices:
The record keeping, reporting and notice requirements of the H-1B visa program help ensure that employees, both U.S. and foreign, are not deprived of their rights under federal law. Often, noncompliance with these requirements is a sign that an employer is trying to avoid complying with wage and hour standards. As an employee, you are entitled to access to many of these recorded and reported items, and you must exercise those rights to protect yourself and your co-workers.
There is a notice requirement. The employer must inform U.S. workers of the intent to hire a foreign worker by providing notice of the filing of the LCA to the bargaining representative if there is one, or, if there is no bargaining representative, by posting notice of filing in two conspicuous locations at the employer's establishments or by providing electronic notice (see below). The notice must be provided on or within the 30-day period before the date that the labor condition application is submitted to the Labor Department. There are many specific requirements your notice must state, and we can help you decide if it was submitted correctly.
In addition to the wage and hour protections, specialty occupation employees have California and federal law protecting them as well, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Both statutes prohibit discrimination against any employee based on national origin and other related forms of discrimination based on race or religion. If you feel as though you have been discriminated against, we can help.
Contact Our H-1B Lawyers Today
Given the complex interplay between federal and California legal protections, if you feel your rights have been violated, please contact Garay Law today, where our attorneys and staff can provide a free consultation to discuss your potential legal issues.
Attorney Jose R. Garay
JOSE GARAY, APLC has successfully litigated and mediated (as lead counsel and co-counsel) wage and hour cases and obtained certification and appointment as class counsel in many class action lawsuits against some of the largest high-tech employers.View Attorney Profile
Representative Cases
Garay Law is a premier boutique firm specializing in class action litigation serving clients all over California in the employment law realm. We have a strong sense of social responsibility and are committed to protecting and seeking enforcement of the rights of the California worker.
The following are representative cases Garay Law was involved in. To learn more, select one below:
- Construction Workers: Employees Claim Meal And Rest Period Violations And Unpaid Overtime
Case No. BC510859, Superior Court Of The State of California For Los Angeles County
- California Labor Commissioner Cites Two Ukiah Restaurants Nearly $2 Million For Wage Theft Violations
News Release No.: 13-57 · California Department of Industrial Relations
- Construction Workers: Wage And Hour Lawsuit: NP Mechanical Inc.
Case No. RIC 1307433
- Independent Contractors: Breavex Incorporated, et al.
Case No. 30-2011-00488995-CU-OE-CXC (Orange County Superior Court)
- Supermarket Overtime, Rest Periods, Meal Period Violations: B & V Enterprises Inc.
Orange County Superior Court
- Drivers: Meal And Rest Periods, Overtime: One Stop Brake Supply Santa Ana Inc.
Superior Court of the State of California County of Orange
- Inside Salesperson Failure To Pay Commissions: Confidential Retail Defendant
Superior Court of the State of California County of Orange
- Inside Sales Person: Monex Deposit Co.
Case No. 30-2013-00649669-CU-OE-CXC
- Wage/Hour: Zynga Inc.
Case No. 12-CV-217392 (Santa Clara County Superior Court)
- Wage/Hour: Accenture LLP
Case No. 30-2011-00496293-CU-OE-CXC
- Wage/Hour: Novellus Systems Inc.
Case No. 111CV212898
- Wage/Hour: Citrix Systems Inc.
Case No. SACV11-01121 DOC (RNBx)


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Have you dwelt in the house of the not
Yet born and have you paced its floor without
The benefit of footsteps...
could you sleep in that
Pitch perfect dark of not existing yet
-- from Amit Majmudar's "Answers from the Whirlwind", Image (#59)
There is no question that God is calling me up out of some old and decaying bits in my soul and into something deeper and truer and more like Christ. Some days I feel like it's killing me.
Come to think of it, it probably will.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
all is safely gathered in
Here are the makings for Brian's Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole...all ready to go for tomorrow! I will be adding yeasty croissant rolls: kneading, rolling, baking and then placing them, still warm and soft, into a basket. The last step is covering them with a pumpkin-colored cloth napkin to keep them warm for the car ride over the hill to my parent's house.
Have I mentioned how very much I adore Thanksgiving? Really I love November altogether.
It is certainly not the lovliest of months where I live. The show-offy trees of October have become haggared and worn down by the cold and rain that dampen the once-clear-blue skies that blow into the year's eleventh month. Now any leaves that remain dangling from trees look only a middle-aged rusty color among decrepit branches waiting for snowy white to cover their bald branches.
Every November I spend the whole month thinking about Van Gogh's Autumn Landscape.
It is certainly not the lovliest of months where I live. The show-offy trees of October have become haggared and worn down by the cold and rain that dampen the once-clear-blue skies that blow into the year's eleventh month. Now any leaves that remain dangling from trees look only a middle-aged rusty color among decrepit branches waiting for snowy white to cover their bald branches.
Every November I spend the whole month thinking about Van Gogh's Autumn Landscape.
October is crisp and clear-headed, but November is cozy. I am a fan of cozy.
Cocooning is an art-form for me. It's heavy, hooded sweatshirts and raspberry mugs of tea and a crackly fire under the mantle, stacks of books surrounding the overstuffed chair across the room. It's Gary Cooper in High Noon and Miles Davis' Autumn Leaves. And, of course, it's kids home from school, flannel pajamas and Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. And, for just a little kitsch to the mix, it's WKRP's season one Thanksgiving special (are those live turkeys?! ?)I know that by late-February this cocooning will begin to feel more like cabin-fever induced suffocation. But, for now, come in from the cold, listen to the baseboard heat rumble deep in the belly of the creaky house. Add a sweater. Light the candles and turn on the soft lamps at 5:00. Listen to the noises of the children echo against the recently-lowered storm windows. Take a nap to Saturday afternoon college football. Mull the cider.
This morning, these thoughts simmered while I sing quietly to myself (because, sadly, it's lost its congregational place of honor on November Sunday mornings)
Come, ye thankful people come;
Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own temple, come;
Raise the song of harvest home.
How about you? What are your favorite ways to soak up the simplicity of this season? Do share, please....
Monday, November 17, 2008
Mom makes a Little Bo Peep cake and throws a party with my preschool class)Addiction is not too strong a word. In fact, it may be too weak. Disorder?
I mean I want to walk away, and I make plans to walk away. But I keep coming back.
My earliest memories of family and home trigger relapse. Those who were supposed to love me best allowed this to go on right under their noses – and did nothing to stop it. Nothing, at all. In fact, in fact – they encouraged the behavior and modeled the behavior and enabled the behavior. What did they think they were doing setting me up for this kind of misery? In what universe is this considered love?
Really, my mother was the worst offender. She is the one who wrote small plays for the neighborhood children. She is the one who talked the mothers into letting their offspring be exposed to this malice…all gathering around the porch swing with scripts and construction paper props in hand. She is also the one who gave the starring role of the yellow, yarn-haired princess to the neighbor girl and not me, but that's another story I guess.
And it wasn't just home. No place was safe. Not school where she had the audacity to come into my classroom and let us co-author and illustrate and market a book. Not church where she wrote one play after another for us to perform complete with multiple showings and rented stages and devious villains and bubbly heroines. (Come to think of it, I didn't get the role of heroine those times either.) Not family reunions or holiday get togethers where we were encouraged -- er, forced -- to perform dramatic recitations of short stories and poems. And where we played one after another of her endless supply of created games. Her need to stir up this dangerous, messy, time-wasting creativity in everyone she came in contact with has severely damaged any hope I've ever had at living with any sort of normality – ever.
I mean I've tried, really I have. But I'm beginning to think it's no use.
At 7 I was writing short stories. At 8,9,10 and 11 I was endlessly planning circuses and plays and musicals with a gaggle of reluctant, but submissive cousins. Well, all except that one stubborn cousin who got stage fright in the middle of our musical reenactment of Bullfrogs and Butterflies. She was supposed to be a snail and crawl from my grandma's kitchen into the living room while all the aunts and uncles and remaining cousins looked on. It was my first experience working with touchy artists. It was crushing. The whole show had to stop and I shrank back into the corner behind my grandma's recliner while the starlet's father soothed her tears in the kitchen. Horrified is probably not too strong a word for how I felt.
And then? Well, then I entered my teenage years. And I really, really tried to break away from this dysfunction. I tried to blend in. I wrote some angsty, melodramatic short stories that still won awards (What were those judges thinking? Ugh!) I auditioned for my highschool's annual theatre productions. (This is another long story, but it's worth mentioning I didn't get the heroine role then either. Hmmmm….there seems to be some sort of pattern here.) Then I married and had children and the most creative energy I could muster for, oh about, a dozen years was an occasional themed birthday party and letters I'd write to my children in their scrapbooks.
About five years ago, though, all hell broke loose. The need for a major creative fix that was lying dormant underneath so many self-imposed layers of self-consciousness, self-loathing, and self-protection kind of sprang up and demanded attention. Talk about your jonesin'. I had it bad.
And it was all resurrected with a bunch of kids singing and dancing on a stage. At a church. In Chicago. It was the opening performance of a multi-day arts conference. I wasn't even sure why I was there. The song wasn't even into its second chorus before I was slumped over in my chair, high up in the mega-church balcony, bawling like…well, like a jilted theatre starlet. This need to create and to be creative and to collaborate with other creatives was awakened and I fell off the wagon. Hard.
And like any dependent junkie running back into the arms of their dealer, I ran to the nearest phone. Mom, I am so sorry. I'm so sorry that I've resented your creativity and tried to shut it down in myself. Thank you for everything you did all those years.
I manage to keep the habit at bay still to this day. Only letting it creep into certain portions of my life, in front of certain types of people. The rest of the time I talk about the weather and the price of gas and play online word games. And feel miserable about myself.
When does it become okay to just admit it already? I'm a complex, sensitive, non-linear creative. And my drug of choice? The creative process. It literally makes me crazy I love it so much. To watch the formation of a vague, nagging idea grow and take shape, passing from hand to hand of one skilled craftsman after another until it is brought into full, dazzling light to be savored and shared by a group of people. Well, it's done me in.
Might as well throw me off the wagon and run me over with it.
Sorry, kids. Don't blame me; it's all your grandmother's fault.
(For the sake of justice, I need to mention my own dad as a partner in crime. This is his -- ummm, unique-- Halloween costume from this year's get together at our house.)
Labels: creators and cultivators, family, finding Tamara, writing
Friday, November 07, 2008
monday mixtape
books, music, films, sites and other fun and meaningful stuff I stumbled on this week
Reading: Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch
Reading: Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch
The language of worldview tends to imply...that we can think ourselves into new ways of behaving. But that is not the way culture works. Culture helps us behave ourselves into new ways of thinking. The risk in thinking "worldviewishly" is that we will start to think that the best way to change culture is to analyze it. We will start worldview academies, host worldview seminars, write worldview books. These may have some real value if they help us understand the horizons that our culture shapes, but they cannot substitute for the creation of real cultural goods. And they will subtly tend to produce philosophers rather than plumbers, abstract thinkers instead of artists and artisans. They can create a cultural niche in which "worldview thinkers" are privileged while other kinds of culture makers are shunted aside.
But culture is not changed simply by thinking.
When I attended the Transforming Culture Symposium earlier this year, Andy Crouch was the first plenary session speaker. I had not heard of him prior to this event and when he first started talking I wasn't sure what I thought, but he presented his talk on the Arts and the Gospel with a quiet confidence that quickly won me over. He shared profound, paradigm-altering insights into the Creation story with such humility and simplicity that it wasn't until near the closing of his talk that I realized what I'd just heard and learned from him.
In many ways, reading his book was the same kind of experience. Much of the content from that talk is expanded in the 268-page book. While I found that Crouch's warm and conversational tone occasionally became a little cluttered with illustrations, the trade off was a broad subject translated into a lot of common sense and easy to follow logic. At the same time, Crouch never resorts to cliche vernacular to address the deep mystery of walking in this world as a created and creative being.
Part 1 of the book introduces the discussion with his definition of culture as what we make of the world ... in both senses. He proposes -- even challenges -- those of us who would dare to hope for a cultural transformation with this statement:
Consider this a parable of cultural change, illustrating this fundamental rule: The only way to change culture is to create more of it.If you read the book for no other reason than to understand Crouch's explanation of the differences between cultural gestures that we make and cultural postures that we take, it will be worth your time and money. His breakdown of the church's history of cultural postures is extremely perceptive without being condemning. His ability to translate that history, at times grievous and at times ignorant, into an encouragement for a new posture of Cultivating Culture is an ability that wins my deep respect and gratitude. It also challenges me to be accountable for what I've learned.
Part 2 of the book takes us back into the gospel and connects us with the rich heritage of cultural cultivators we join...beginning with the great originator of culture. Would you have thought this to be Adam? Me too. The understanding of God as the first gardener, the initiator of adding nature + culture to create a tangible, cultural good is one that has blown out the imposing walls of my own ignorance. God gave us culture as surely as He gave us nature. We have the privilege and calling to steward both.
And, thankfully, Crouch integrates the meaning of our lives as culture makers with the hope of our future calling. Part 3 of the book is deeply encouraging writing. Consider one of the author's closing paragraphs:
In this world, this life, "flow" [the times when our work or play so absorbs and attunes our energies that we lose track of time] comes to an end. The canvas is dry, the fugue is complete, the band plays the tag one more time and then resolves on the final chord. And, too, the book is finished, the service is over, the lights go up in the darkened theater and we emerge blinking into the bright lights of the "real world." But what if the timeless, creative world we had glimpsed is really the real world -- and it is precisely its reality that gave it such power to captivate us for a while? What if our ultimate destiny is that moment of enjoyment and engagement we glimpse in the artist's studio?I would join David Taylor in this recommendation: If you're an artist wanting to make sense of your calling as an artist, go by yourself a copy. Because prior to your calling as a maker of art is your calling as a maker of culture...But, I dare say, it's much more a must read for pastors and leaders of the church.
May we learn much and enjoy much as we work together to make something of the world.
Watching: We Are Together
This simple documentary `made a difference to our family's view of African suffering. It did not diminish the horrific ideas we had about the poverty, disease and suffering experienced by the youngest and the least. But it introduced us to the beauty that surrounds and even infuses that suffering. The film centers around the children living in the Agape Center, an orphanage founded by a woman called "Grandma". The Center provides a home for children left alone by the dread disease of HIV and AIDS.
Even more the film centers on the young girl, Slindile Moya, and perhaps if the film was represented by one iconic image it would be the dazzling smile of this beautiful young woman who has suffered more deeply than anyone I know. The beauty of the film zooms out from that smile to include the music of these orphaned children. While we are told that music forms the everyday small and large rituals of the nation of South Africa, but is it possible that the average South African child can belt out harmonies the way these small children can? It seems music becomes the language that transcends the hard and ugly edges of sickness and hunger and loneliness and gives a passionate, robust voice to thina simunye (we are together).
A good God gives good gifts to His children. For me it was the opportunity to hear the voices of these children and to learn their history and be encouraged by their beauty in suffering.
I already spoke my mind on this topic here, but found the article after I posted. It speaks far more intelligently than I am able and goes beyond the borders of one day on our calendar.
A Poem by Sylvia Plath
Black Rook in Rainy Weather
On the stiff twig up there
Hunches a wet black rook
Arranging and rearranging its feathers in the rain.
I do not expect miracle
Or an accident.
To set the sight on fire
In my eye, nor seek
Any more in the desultory weather some design,
But let spotted leaves fall as they fall,
Without ceremony, or portent.
Although, I admit, I desire,
Occasionally, some backtalk
From the mute sky, I can't honestly complain:
A certain minor light may still
Leap incandescent
Out of the kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then --
Thus hallowing an interval
Otherwise inconsequent
By bestowing largesse, honour,
One might say love. At any rate, I now walk
Wary (for it could happen
Even in this dull, ruinous landscape); sceptical,
Yet politic; ignorant
Of whatever angel may choose to flare
Suddenly at my elbow. I only know that a rook
Ordering its black feathers can so shine
As to seize my senses, haul
My eyelids up, and grant
A brief respite from fear
Of total neutrality. With luck
Trekking stubborn through this season
Of fatigue, I shall
Patch together a content
Of sorts. Miracles occur,
If you care to call those spasmodic
Tricks of radiance miracles. The wait's begun again,
The long wait for the angel,
For that rare, random descent.
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Date Range Clear
Recorded by Clear
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Places Clear
- Missouri 1
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Languages Clear
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Life In A New World
In this interview, conducted December 2017 in Saint Louis, Missouri, Kelly Giang (15) and her mother Dinh Giang (37) talks about her experiences coming to America from Vietnam and how felt coming to a "new world." Dinh reflects on what...


text: I have an olympus camers and I need to use it for the indoor photos of old houses and various rooms. There is no electricity and only natural window light. The interiors are going to be dark as there has not been any remodeling done. These are historic any suggestions? Do I need to buy a wide angle lens? A Tripod?


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Cutting salt to recommended levels could prevent hundreds of thousands deaths
Too much sodium can raise a person's risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases, and government estimates show 90 percent of Americans exceed their recommended daily allotment.
Now, new research shows that by reducing sodium intake to recommended levels or beyond could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths.
"No matter how we look at it, the story is the same - there will be huge benefits in reducing sodium," study author Dr. Pam Coxson, mathematician UC San Francisco who performed one of three analyses included in the study, told UCSF News.
Americans on average consume about 3,600 milligrams of sodium each day, mostly from table salt (or sodium chloride), which is found primarily in processed foods. The top six sources of sodium in the American diet according to the American Heart Association, or "The Salty Six" are bread and rolls, cold cuts and cured meats, pizza, poultry, soup and sandwiches. The government recommends a limit of 2,300 milligrams per day of sodium and 1,500 milligrams for those 51 and older while the AHA recommends 1,500 milligrams each day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that excess sodium is one of the factors that can raise the risk for heart disease. For the month of February, National Heart Month, the CDC offers 28 tips for a healthier heart.
- "Salty six" foods a major source of sodium, says American Heart Association
- Mayor Bloomberg: 21 food companies cut salt from popular products
- Targeting kids' salt intake may curb childhood obesity rates
For the study, researchers at three medical schools each conducted their own analysis to project the health effects over a 10 year period from reducing sodium intake by three increments: a gradual 40 percent reduction in sodium to 2,200 milligrams per day, an instant reduction in sodium to 2,200 milligrams per day, or an instant reduction to no more than the AHA-recommended 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
The researchers from UCSF, Harvard Medical School in Boston and Simon Fraser University in British Columbia Canada each used different simulation models looking at different outcomes but they reached similar conclusions: Reducing salt from diets was projected to save lots of American lives.
They found a gradual sodium reduction of as little as 5 percent of a teaspoon of salt per day, eventually reaching 2,200 milligrams of sodium per day, was projected to save between 280,000 and 500,000 lives over a 10-year-period. A plummet from current U.S. sodium intake averages to 1,500 milligrams per day could prevent 700,000 to 1.2 million deaths over a decade.
By instantly reducing sodium intake by 40 percent to the recommended allotment, the researchers found between 500,000 and 850,000 premature deaths could be averted -- about 60 percent more deaths than saved in the gradual reduction model.
The study was published online Feb. 11 in the AHA journal, Hypertension.
"It is helpful when three research groups use different approaches and come up with similar results," study co-author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, said in a press release. "Such gradual [sodium] reductions could be achieved through a combination of consumer education and food labeling, but should likely also include regulation to assure that lower sodium options are available for US consumers."
Several companies have already begun voluntarily reducing salt from their products.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Feb. 12 that 21 food and restaurant companies had voluntarily reduced the salt content in some of their products as part of the National Salt Reduction Initiative. Examples included Kraft reducing sodium in its Kraft Singles American Slices by 18 percent, Unilever cutting sodium by 20 percent for its Ragu Old World Style Traditional Tomato Sauce, and Subway reducing sodium by about 30 percent from its Italian B.M.T. and Subway Club sandwiches.


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Paediatric Advanced Life Support Course - Full Course
This 2-day PALS course is designed to teach you the lifesaving skills required to be both a team member and a team leader in either an in-hospital or out-of hospital setting.It is suitable for all health professionals with a need for advanced skills, competence and confidence in paediatric emergency situations and who may be required to respond to a paediatric cardiovascular emergency. AssessmentThe mastery style of assessment is the form of assessment predominantly utilised during the course. Through using this style, specific targets are set and participants are required to meet these during the programme. Participants may pass each target on their first attempt, or require several efforts to reach the required standards. PreparationIn order for participants to gain the most benefit and to achieve the assessment standards of the course, it is essential to complete the pre-course reading and tests are completed prior to the course. It is essential that the pre-course test is completed prior to the course.
You can access pre-course reading material from the following link. An account name and password will be emailed to all confirmed course registrants approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the course date. These details are necessary to gain access to the online information.
PALS manual will also be posted to the address given on the registration form 3-4 weeks prior the course.
Registration closing date is four weeks prior to course commencement date.
The course will be held at Simulation Centre for Patient Safety, University of Auckland Grafton Campus, Bldg 502 Level B, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023.
Please note: a minimum of 5 participants is required for the course. In the event of less than 5 participants the course may be deferred or cancelled.
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So, this months "You show me yours" challenge is late.
I know, I know.
Just have no idea where time has gone.
Also, I thought this time I would do something a little extra.
For this challenge, I have chosen Audrey as my mojo shaker.
If you'd like to join in, let me know asap and I will send you the pack of a specially made
stencil (the arrows above) and the word and cut out below the stencil.
stencil (the arrows above) and the word and cut out below the stencil.
You would need to use one or both of these as well as the pic of Audrey on the LO.
Because I posted so late this month, you have extra time to complete it.
It will need to be complete by the end of February!
So, let me know that you would like to join in, send me your address and I will scoot
the pack out to you.
Easy peasy...


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A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare
Hunny's Review of Midsummer
Tuesday, October 31, 2000
One word. Brilliant. I saw a special performance for my college class and I have to say I was absolutely capitivated.Saxon Palmer had us rolling in seats, as did Jonathan Davis. Klimchak's score was perfectly fitted to the moods and movements of Garner's direction, eerie in moments of fear and cheerful in moments of merriment.Janice Akers' Titania was absolutely remarkable and Mark Kincaid's performance was very worthy of praise.The entire production was hilarious and moving, enlightening and frightening.Hunny gives it a 5 out of 5


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No products
Prices are tax included
Gourmet tips: Ideal with salad dressings and marinades and to deglaze or accompany meats, fish and seafood. Try a few drops with fruit salads or cocktails.
Ingredients: 43% alcohol vinegar, 40% pineapple pulp (90% pineapple pulp, sugar), crystal sugar, thickening agent: apple pectine.
Keep refrigerated after opening.
No products
Prices are tax included


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So this is how the one percent take their holidays.
The Four Seasons hotel and resort chain has just lifted a considerably large veil on its newest luxury offering: a series of private jet experiences will offer well-heeled tourists the chance to hop between a variety of destinations, flying aboard a customised Boeing 757-200 ER.
There are four tours taking off in 2016: 'Timeless Discoveries' has a 24-day itinerary, taking in Los Angeles, Kona, Bora Bora, Sydney, Bali, Chiang Mai, Taj Mahal and Mumbai and Prague before finishing up in London, all for a mere $132,000 (£87,263) per person (with a double booking required).
For the same price, you could take up the 'International Intrigue' offering, heading to Seattle, Tokyo, Beijing, the Maldives, the Serengeti, Istanbul, St Petersburg, Marrakech and Boston. 'Extraordinary Adventures' is even more lavish, visiting Austin, Costa Rica, Lana'i, Sydney, Langkawi, Mauritius, the Serengeti, Petra (or the Dead Sea) and Lisbon for $137,000 (£90,541).
The "budget" option at $106,000 (£70,070) is entitled 'Cultural Escape', stopping off in London, Petra and the Dead Sea, Dubai, Seychelles, the Serengeti and Florence before returning to London.
Check out the video below to see Four Season's pimped plane - and if you're feeling flush, you can enquire about bookings here. Did we mention we make exceptional flying company?


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Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Obama Declares Only Republicans Are Fear Mongers
Jennifer Rubin in Commentary writes, "The president got himself tied up in knots discussing the cap-and-trade bill. The New York Times reports that he sympathized with the large number of Democratic defectors who can't look their constituents in the eye and tell them home state industries are going to take a big hit: "I think those 44 Democrats are sensitive to the immediate political climate of uncertainty around this issue," Mr. Obama said. "They've got to run every two years, and I completely understand that." Many of them represent districts that rely heavily on coal for power generation or that are home to industries vulnerable to international competition. Mr. Obama said the House bill contained transitional assistance for these regions."
First, how does anyone know what was really in this bill? This piece of legislation was over 1300 pages long and no one admits to actually having read the thing. The fact that elected officials, sent to Washington to be the voice of the American people, continue to vote of bills that are not read much less understood is horrifying to me, especially as this new administration marches on in its desire to completely overhaul our way of life.
Second, this bill did pass, barely, with the help of six Republicans. There is no excuse for this action. I hope the voters in their districts agree and find worthy candidates to run against them in the next primary. Apparently, these six Republicans haven't heard the voice of their people. Stop the madness in Washington, D.C.
Obama said of the Republicans opposing the bill that they "are 16 years behind the times" as he compared the opposition to the energy and health care debates of the Clinton years.
So, if your district's member of the House is a Democrat and voted against the bill, that is understandable because it is all about the next election. If, however, your district's member is a Republican and voted against the bill on the principle that it is a bad bill, a huge tax on every living member of the country and a huge job killer, then that elected official is a fear monger. All this rhetoric from the man who promised to stop the demonization of those who disagree with his policies, to bring back true bi-partisan approaches to Washington.
The president "delayed the start of a Sunday golf game to speak to a small group of reporters in the Oval Office", according to The New York Times. He wanted to explain why he felt comfortable taxing American companies while giving foreign trading partners a pass. "At a time when the economy worldwide is still deep in recession and we've seen a significant drop in global trade, I think we have to be very careful about sending any protectionist signals out there."
Are you a Republican? Are you a business owner? Well, too bad for you. President Obama intends to penalize you and shower the goodies to others.
And, if you are an employee of the EPA and do not march in lockstep with the rest of the global climate change alarmists, well, you will be silenced by the administration of the man who accused the former administration of succumbing to junk science. Obama and his fellow Democrats enjoyed accusing the Bush administration of silencing opposition from the scientific community of their environmental policies, yet we see the same playing out now.
"Alan Carlin, the primary author of the 98-page EPA report, told CBSNEws.com in a telephone interview on Friday that his boss, McGartland, was being pressured himself. "It was his view that he either lost his job or he got me working on something else," Carlin said. "That was obviously coming from higher levels." The report "warned against making hasty 'decisions based on a scientific hypothesis that does not appear to explain most of the available data.'
Carlin is a 38 year veteran of the EPA. He has no negative marks on his career record. There is no reason to believe he would author anything but truthful findings in his report.
Those in this administration's hierarchy reigning over the EPA are many former Clinton people. Carol Browner was a protege of Al Gore. She left the Clinton administration after the 2000 elections and joined a socialist organization with the mission of international laws to be put in place concerning restrictions and regulations on business and industry.
The fact that most claims in Al Gore's award winning PowerPoint presentation billed as a documentary have been de-bunk seems not to matter. Global climate change is no longer the most important issues on the minds of Americans. It ranks far down the line. Democrats want to continue to state that the issue is no longer open to debate.
The facts are not on the alarmists' side. Yes, climate change is real. No, man is not solely responsible nor capable of stopping the changes in the climate. How arrogant. Mother nature governs the world in cycles. We can be good stewards to the earth in our own small ways but not with massive effects.
Democrats are intent on squashing business and our way of life. They sound, at times, as though success looks like the pre-Industrial Revolution days. This is insane.
The change I am still hoping for in Washington? The return of common sense.
4 comments:
- Kris, in New England said...
As long as we the people continue to put politicians like Reid, Pelosi, Dodd, et al in Washington - there will be no common sense.
I'm for term limits for the House and Senate. Why do they get, essentially, lifetime positions when the President gets 2 terms? Why shouldn't Senators be replaced after 3 terms?
These people get entrenched with their lobbyists and special interests and forget about their constituents.
Term limits for all.
- srp said...
Could we possibly get together as states and find a sleazy lawyer to sue the sleazy lawyers in Congress that are doing this? I think the Congress needs to be sued for malpractice!!!!
And term limits? Mark my words... if Obama has his way we will get rid of the presidential term limits and he will just declare himself king, or emperor or SUPREME CZAR!
- Karen said...
Here's a link for your idea of abolishing Obama's 2 term law:
I am utterly disgusted that this has actually been introduced in Congress.
- Z said...
Karen, that term thing just can't HAPPEN.
THIS government is railroading faster than anything we've ever seen.
Did you see Helen Thomas blow up at Gibbs for such a lack of transparency as the WH has never seen? They're wanting questions in advance, they're telling people who they'll call on...they're the biggest egoistic elitists you can imagine and I think of what they called Bush/Cheney and want to laugh out loud.
Fear mongers, huh? And all THE ONE wants to do lately is GO FORWARD..MOVE ON...DON'T STAY IN THE PAST (to Putin today), etc.....and pass those bills FAST and UNREAD, because WE KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICANS.


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My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Gary Husband is one of a rare breed of musicians in that his expression is divided equally in his capacity as a drummer and a keyboardist of international repute. His classical roots, his quest and development in the improvisational, jazz and jazz/fusion areas - not to mention his tenure in the pop, rock, funk and blues circuits - are all evident inside Gary's distinct and far-reaching musical personality. His solo album and DVD output over the last few years has also reinforced his status as a critically acclaimed writer and arranger in the contemporary music world.
In 1999 he formed Gary Husband New Trio (with Mick Hutton, bass, and drummer Gene Calderazzo) leading from the piano and keyboards. Material from this period is best represented on the album Aspire - Gary Husband & Friends (Jazzizit). In the summer of 2003, Gary was awarded a highly coveted place on the Arts Council of England's Contemporary Music Network touring scheme to lead a hand-picked ensemble of world-class jazz musicians on a tour across the UK in March 2004. The project, entitled Gary Husband's Force Majeure, featured Grammy winning trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassist Matthew Garrison, keyboardist Jim Beard, trombonist and bass trumpeter Elliot Mason, Mahavishnu legend Jerry Goodman on electric violin, and the Armenian 'world' percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan. Gary composed, arranged and directed the band from the drum kit and piano, presenting a series of evocations inspired by musical pioneers such as Bjork, Burt Bacharach and John McLaughlin, and the BBC Radio 3 commissioned suite (Stone Souls). To coincide with the release of the group's highly-acclaimed 2-disk 5.1 Surround DVD package, the ensemble returned to the UK in March 2005 for a further series of concerts which included a wildly-received, sell-out week residency at London's Ronnie Scott's club.Read more
Gary Husband And Alex Machacek's Release "Now" on Abstract Logix
French-Brazilian Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini To Release Two Behind...
John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Mike Stern and others on the New Gary...
John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, Allan Holdsworth on Gary...
Gary Husband in 'Triptych, Part 2: Alexander Shulgin's Songbook'
Drummer/Keyboardist Gary Husband Interviewed at AAJ
Gongzilla DVD with Gary Husband available on AbstractLogix.com
Gary Husband's Force Majeure UK Tour
Gary Husband: the Things i See - Interpretations of the Music of Allan...
Gary Husband Joins Serious For UEFA EURO 2004
Gary Husband--"The Things I See" (Interpretations of the Music of Allan...
Gary Husband and Alex Machacek have co-created an amazing piece of modern music which goes beyond categories with "Now". The compositions and forms that they have made to expand and improvise with are adventurous and magical. The duet is an orchestra unto itself and the players are obviously very comfortable within each others' universes. They have taken good care of the sonics of the recording as well with a wonderfully rich sound and perfect mix. Congratulations my friends! CHICK COREA – 2013
—————————————————————————————— "A musician whom I have known and admired for many years, not only for his wizardry at the piano, but also for his artistry at the drums! Gary is no ordinary musician: full of invention and surprises, modulations and inversions of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic content abound
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Double Moon Records
Gary Husband
Dirty & Beautiful Volume 1
Gary Husband
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Paola's Brunch
by Ally
Living downtown in Alphabet City, I don't often get a taste of "old New York." Sure, we have classic East Village dive bars like Lucy's and Doc Holliday's, but there's something about the Upper East Side's white-gloved doormen and regal architecture that still gives me a little thrill.
I was invited to brunch at Paola's after sampling their delicious catering at a recent event at a stunning Villeroy & Boch showroom visit. If their brunch was anything like their bite-sized crostini, I knew I was in for a treat. I asked my friend Meghan to join me for the occasion as she too is Italian and resides in the Upper East Side.
We were promptly seated in a sunny dining room accented with white tablecloths and fresh roses. Smartly dressed elderly couples and large families surrounded us, many arriving straight from Sunday church in the neighborhood. The eatery truly had a neighborhood feel as Paola herself mingled with diners on a first-name basis.
Mimosas arrived with a flourish and we began to survey the expansive brunch menu. It contained a nice mix of traditional breakfast fare and lunch entrees and we had a difficult time deciding between the various house made pastas, egg dishes, and salads with brunch accouterments. Ultimately, Meghan and I trusted our attentive server's recommendations and split a few items.
After reading the description of the warm mozzarella with peppers and fresh basil, it was a no brainer. As an extremely thoughtful touch, the Paola's staff split all of our menu items in beautifully plated half portions so we didn't need to awkwardly transfer food from plate to plate. This small plate was the perfect start to our meal. The mozzarella was gooey, the peppers were flavorful, and the basil was refreshing. We consumed enough to warm up our appetites for the impending feast, but saved room for the main courses.
Next was the uova con polenta tartufata, or poached eggs with truffled mushrooms and polenta. Mushrooms are one of my favorite vegetables, not to mention when infused with truffle oil. The eggs were perfectly poached and the runny yolks complemented the warm polenta cake. My only qualm was that this dish was a tad rich, but we had knowingly opted into a decadent brunch.
Next was the insalata di asparagi con uova, an asparagus salad with poached eggs, a light, healthy dish that was a far-cry from the lavish polenta plate. The asparagus was lightly grilled and still a little crunchy, just how I like it. It was a refreshing bite and we were glad to get our veggies in.
Saving the best for last, we both gasped when bowls of fresh pasta with thick cuts of white truffles were placed before us. Neither of us had ever been served such generous portions of truffles and immediately whipped out our phones for Instagram fodder. It didn't happen if you never posted it, right? This dish was the star of the show and Paola graced us with her presence to explain its various elements. It was cooked perfectly al dente and didn't require much sauce as the truffles were overpowering in flavor, in the very best way. Neither of us could finish our half portions at this point in our gastronomic adventure, but we savored every bite.
Just when we thought we couldn't handle any more food, the dessert and coffee menu arrived. We both digested over traditional Italian espressos while our server convinced us to sample one sweet treat. Given my propensity towards anything chocolate, he didn't need to twist my arm too hard to settle on the ricotta and mascarpone cheesecake. This was a little slice of heaven wrapped in dreamy dark chocolate and cream. We could only muster a bite or two, but we ended our meal with a sugar high.
Pushing through an eminent food coma, we followed Paola around the restaurant for a quick tour of the kitchen and walked right past Jon Hamm enjoying his own brunch quietly at the corner table. An A-list celebrity sighting sealed the deal that Paola's was a locally revered Italian mainstay in this Upper East Side corner.
The Bitches say: A-. We adored the white tablecloths, stellar service, and home-cooked Italian at this neighborhood establishment. Perfect for brunch with your family or a fancy pants get together with girlfriends.
1295 Madison Ave.
New York, NY
(Upper East Side)
Paola's serves brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.


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Uncorked JUNKMARKET Style, Holiday EditionSeptember 28th, 2015 in blog
Lanette Lorsung FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/15
JUNKMARKET Style
Uncorked…JUNKMARKET Style, the "Grand Reserve" Art & Vintage Show debuted in May, 2015 at the acclaimed Four Daughters Winery and Vineyard (Four Daughters) in Spring Valley, Minnesota. It was a huge success so we are adding a "pop up" production, "Uncorked JUNKMARKET Style, Holiday Edition" (Uncorked Holiday Edition) November 5-7, 2015.
Rochester, MN: Today, JUNKMARKET Style, the original and undisputed leader in its industry announces a distinctive holiday driven art & vintage shopping extravaganza combined with the best ever Minnesota wine and cuisine experience. For two and one-half days this event will showcase stylish art, jewelry, and vintage wares for you and your home, a haven of wine and good eats, and music for your ears. None of your five senses will be left uncorked.
This highly anticipated vintage sales and design holiday market will be open for business from November 5 through November 7, 2015 at the celebrated Four Daughters, 78757, State Highway 16, Spring Valley, Minnesota 55975.
Sue Whitney (Whitney), founder and editor-in-chief of JUNKMARKET Style, renowned three time author, BH&G special interest editor, television personality, and sought after public speaker will be at the helm of Uncorked Holiday Edition. Whitney's 15 years of experience as premier authority in the industry allows her to assemble the finest vintage dealers, artisans, and crafts persons available. Whitney will provide a signature JUNKMARKET Style design booth and will host, along with other experts, junk.edu classes.
Four Daughters, Minnesota's largest vineyard is a destination port for all things wine achieving national acclaim in less than four years. Their accolades include the biggest awards include International Cold Climate Competition, the coveted Governor's Cup and the "Best of Show" award for top white wine. Four Daughters is a regional media favorite. Their libations were featured during the after party at the Country Music Awards as well as the Sundance Film Festival. Four Daughters is getting its name out by hitting the lips of well-known celebrities. The winery, a sought after venue for personal and corporate events boasts a swanky new event center called "The Barrel Room". Uncorked Holiday Edition will take place in this venue and its adjacent cocktail room.
Attendees will be treated to the best vintage, art, craft, and organic shopping experience available, not to mention fabulous wine, delectable food, and a gorgeous location. Join us!
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posted in: blog, flea market, vintage, minnesota, art, collectibles


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The 2015 Collection of R.L. Mathewson Chronicles
Series: Chronicle Collection
2 in series
The 2015 collection of R.L. Mathewson Chronicles. The Chronicles are continuations of the books that you loved, The Neighbor from Hell Collection, Pyte/Sentinel Series, EMS series, Hollywood Heart series, etc.
The Chronicles are posted on my website every Sunday for free at www.Rlmathewson.com, but a lot of readers prefer to have the Chronicles in a collection so that they can enjoy them at their leisure.


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Blackjack is one of the simplest card games to play, with the aim being to get a points total closer to 21 than the dealer without going over this number. There are plenty of websites where the game can be played and the following are some to consider.
Playing for Free
Anyone that wants to play just for fun can choose from a variety of online resources. Hit or Stand offers a chance to learn the game and provides helpful tips and advice as you play to get a better understanding of the strategies involved in beating the dealer. Blackjack Info is another site that is set up to help anyone learn the game for free and their training program provides plenty of advice on how to best play the cards that are dealt. Card counting is a proven way to get an edge while playing and there is a lot of sites who offers a way to try this as well as a free game to play.
Playing for Money
Online blackjack games also offer the chance to play for real money and generally the best place to find this type of game is on a casino website. Casino Titan is considered one of the best for playing blackjack for money and others to consider include Casino Win Palace and Grand Parker Casino. They provide the opportunity to take what you have learned from free websites and put it into practice to win some money by beating the dealer.
Other Games to Play
If you want to get away from blackjack for a while, there are other casino games to consider playing. Slot machines are a popular option and there are many websites dedicated to this simple game. Mega Fortune Dreams is one that offers some of the biggest wins on the internet, with the jackpots on this slots game running into the millions. It is also possible to play the game simply for fun though and the Penny Slot Machine website has plenty of free games.
There are options available whether you want to learn about blackjack or take your chances on a slot machine, with the websites shown above being some of the best places to have some casino fun.


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Each Porsche goes through a series of tests designed to test the features that make the car interesting and unique. The Porsche Panamera is a wonderful example. This four door vehicle was put through the ringer in South Africa. The test fleet was run on dry, hard soil, flat surfaces, rocky ground, and even deep potholes that shook the occupants.
This type of testing is common in all Porsche vehicles as the brand believes in testing each car to make sure it meets the needs of the driver and the expectations of consumers as well. Engine, transmission, operating concept interiors, chassis, everything is tested to make sure that the car is perfect and that it fits every possible expectation that could be put on it.
Each car is tested under exceptional conditions, conditions that most people will never see in a lifetime. This helps engineers find kinks, hiccups, and hitches that need to be tweaked and fixed before the car goes into final production to be released to the public.
After the testing is complete and the data has been collected, engineers take the data back to the drawing board to fix any issues that may have popped up during testing. Did the chassis have too much movement? Did the traction feature not engage properly? All the issues that appear will be reworked so that the new version of this stunning vehicle meets every possible expectation of future drivers.
The Panamera's Specs
The new Panamera has three engines: A 550-horsepower, a 440-horsepower, and a 422-horsepower twin-turbo diesel option. There are two plug-in hybrid variants coming. All use Porsche's excellent 8-speed PDK dual clutch transmission.
The Porsche brand has long been known for style, integrity and superb cars and they are not ready to give up that distinction. Porsche puts the new Panamera through the ringer just like all its other vehicles. Check out the Auto Gallery newsletter for more information about the Panamera and other Porsche models.


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Any company might have an internet site on the web but there could be no revenue for that organization when its internet users do not purchase its services and products. Thus, there is a conversion optimisation plan a must to transform the informal internet browser right into a dedicated customer to get a specific organization. More prospects would be generated by a far more efficient conversion strategy for that organization by having an amazing site. More internet guests are transformed into be steady clients of the organization via a pleasant and distinctive site visit encounter from information and a stylish and related website-design.
Crucial Significance
A higher optimisation is essential in transforming the net person right into a client because it indicates a greater achievement fee. It will not be considered a one off client wherever there is just one sale. The web site should be relevant and fascinating to the net person wants that compels revenue and regular trips. This is actually any optimisation process main purpose; more revenue could be produced with less expense allocated to advertising and marketing.
There are lots of methods to accomplish optimisation; each technique has cons and its pros. An expert SEO supplier will be the greatest supply to suggest the technique that is right with respect to the requirements of the organization. Several techniques tested and are tried; each organization differs although there have been confirmed outcomes. Thus, various businesses will be impacted by various conversion optimisation techniques differently. Several of those optimisation techniques that are remarkable include interest, significant photos, appealing photos, fascinating information and at various fonts -catching statements.
Any web business achievement would depend about its websites usefulness. The site of the company should perform to transform informal internet guests upon the visit actually into dedicated clients. That might be the conversion method that is most truly effective. An undesirable conversion optimisation has got the web-user arriving through the website once the web-user articles an undesirable overview of the website worse is. Thus, for that organization to achieve success using it is Conversion optimisation effort and it is site should always be eye-catching appealing and related. Skilled help can be used to secure a higher conversion optimisation price for almost any significant company having a site. Framework and the format of the web site might attract the net people to stop for some moments longer in the website; the net customer might lure on which emerges to test.


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The Challenge
2,015 people are homeless in Tarrant County at any point in time.
There are shelter beds for just over 1,600 of them.
What about housing?
Like the rest of the nation, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is experiencing a crisis when it comes to affordable housing. Consider these sobering numbers for our Metroplex:
There simply are nowhere near enough affordable housing rental units for all the people in DFW who need them.
- Extremely low-income renter households earn no more than 30% of area median income.
- Affordability is defined as paying no more than 30% of income for rent and utilities on a household-size adjusted basis.
Who Becomes Homeless?
It might not be who you think.
At any given time, one out of every five people in Tarrant County experiencing homelessness is a child.
It's time to reject the stereotypes.
When you think of a "homeless person," what comes to mind? Someone sleeping in an alley or a tent under an overpass? A person holding a sign at an intersection? Someone asking for change at the gas station?
The reality is that homelessness happens to families, parents with children, married people, and even those with jobs and good educations. People who are homeless might be on the streets, but they might also stay in a shelter, sleep in their car, or "couch surf" with friends.
The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition's 2017 Needs and Gaps Report gives detailed information about what homelessness really looks like here in our area.
Living on the edge in the land of plenty
Who is at risk for homelessness?
A surprising number of people.
Homelessness is a symptom, not a cause
Rare is the person who simply decides to live on the streets. Instead, most people experiencing homelessness are simultaneously dealing with one or more issues which have contributed to their inability to secure permanent affordable housing.
Homelessness is a complex problem with many contributing factors.
In Texas, these include one of the nation's highest rates of people who are uninsured, one of the nation's lowest investments in mental health treatment, one of the lowest minimum wages in the U.S., and one of the highest rates of incarceration. These and other factors leave many people at risk of homelessness.
Consider this:
- Four out of five people suffer economic hardship by the time they're 60.
- See what you need to earn to afford costs of living with the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
- A paycheck isn't always enough. Find out which workers struggle most to pay rent.
- Millions of Americans who work an average of 38 hours a week still can't make ends meet.
- Think you can live well on Social Security Income (SSI) for people with disabilities? Find our what your benefit would be if eligible, then compare that with average rents.


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ASHEVILLE, NC – A $9.5 million construction project, funded in part by $7.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is now underway at Asheville Regional Airport. The funding, which was distributed by FAA, will be used to improve the terminal at Asheville Regional.
Beginning this month, all flights will depart from the B-gate area as the A-gates undergo complete renovation. Additionally, the security checkpoint will be under construction.
"This project will not only enhance the terminal and improve the travel experience at AVL, but it will also infuse the local economy by creating jobs," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., airport director.
The project will create a new, larger A-gate area, which also will be relocated to the lower level; a revamped security checkpoint, new post-security concessions, additional offices and storage, among other improvements. Renovations are schedule for completion by summer 2010.
In addition, other construction projects underway include parking lot and Terminal Drive rehabilitation, including toll plaza renovation, and improvements to the general aviation roadway.


text:
I, Blindbeard, being of unsound mind and infirm body do wish to dispose of what meager property I have to the following parties:
My ridiculous cane collection to the nursing home my mother works at. They could use a little humor in their lives.
My empty toilet paper rolls to my sister so she can add them to her collection by the trash can in her bathroom.
I want to pass the torch of talking about this stupid disease with humor and honesty to Braincheese (whose comment about the plague amused me too much--I think I have it too) and the author of MultipleSclerosisSucks. Keep up the good work of telling it like it is without a sugar coating or "its such a gift!" attitude.
My rotten body to whatever MS research clinic would have a use for it. Hopefully the study of my scarred spinal cord and defective, crazy and abnormal brain will help others. If not throw my body to the pigs.
At this time I can think of nothing else of worth to pass on. But if I survive this hideous bout of flu/plague I will be back and may render this null and void.
A Little Off My Chest- Gave Me More Room to Breathe
11 months ago


text:
The Piatigorsky Foundation, the Sitka Summer Music Festival, the Petersburg Arts Council, and the Petersburg Lutheran Church present a classical concert featuring Evan Drachman on cello and Doris Stevenson on piano. They will be featuring Norwegian music.
The concert takes place on Friday, May 19 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church. Donations will be taken at the door to help cover travel expenses. Suggested $10-15 per person.
A one-hour, intimate and enchanting concert featuring two amazing artists.
Cellist EVAN DRACHMAN has combined artistic talent with great personal compassion and warmth to create a distinctive musical career. Mr. Drachman is increasingly sought-after for his solo and chamber music performances, and as Founder and Artistic Director of The Piatigorsky Foundation, he has become one of the most respected authorities on the presentation of live classical music for diverse audiences everywhere. In 1999, Mr. Drachman recorded his first CD, A Frog He Went a Courting, with pianist Richard Dowling. Following this success, Drachman and Dowling released two more recordings titled, Infinity in 2004 and Romance and Revelation in 2007. Mr. Drachman has appeared regularly as soloist with orchestras, and in recitals and chamber music performances across the United States, Europe and Asia. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Drachman studied at the Peabody Conservatory, the New England Conservatory, and the Curtis Institute of Music. He has spent his summers performing at music festivals in the United States and abroad. Mr. Drachman currently lives in Maryland with his wife Joan and their two sons, Eli and Oliver.
Pianist DORIS STEVENSON has won lavish praise from critics and the public alike for her solo and collaborative performances. She has soloed with the Boston Pops, played at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Salle Pleyel in Paris and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. In addition, Stevenson has performed with the leading lights in string playing such as Gregor Piatigorsky, Ruggiero Ricci and Paul Tortelier. Early in her career, she was invited to play with Heifetz and Piatigorsky together. Stevenson is a founding member of the Sitka Summer Music Festival in Alaska, and has participated in numerous chamber music festivals throughout the United States.
Through their musical performance and comprehensive commentaries, you will gain an unparalleled understanding of the classical music pieces and composers. Please come and be inspired by this live concert!
Following the concert, please stay to meet the artists
For information please call: 907-650-7210
The Piatigorsky Foundation
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 1800 NY, NY 10122 • Phone (212) 971-5309 • Fax (212) 947-3878 • email@example.com


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If you're not familiar with Ipsy, this is a $10.00 a month subscription service of cosmetics, hair products and skin … More
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Ipsy vs Birchbox November 2016
As of this day, November 15 2016, I received my 8th Birchbox and my 6th Ipsy. And while they are … More
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FabFitFun Fall Edition Review
This box is my absolute favorite. In fact, after using up some points on other subscriptions, I plan to just … More
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Stitch Fix for Men is here and just in time for Fall Fashion. As soon as I received the … More
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September 2016 Once Upon a Bookcase Review. The Cost: $26.00\month with discounts for extended subscriptions. Includes a book themed cellphone … More
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17 Stories
New Peril of Childhood: Tumbling TVs
Number injured increases 125% in 2 decades: study
- Could today's sleek new TVs be hurting kids—literally? As flat-screens have become more popular, the injury rate of children being hurt by televisions in the US has climbed, the BBC reports. Almost 200,000 kids, 64% of them under 5, were hurt between 1990 and 2011, according to...
More »
California Plans Ban on Power-Guzzling TVs
Nation's first TV energy standards expected to pass
- The consumer electronics industry is kicking hard against California's plans to introduce energy consumption maximums for TV sets. An industry lobby group argues that buyers should be allowed to decide whether they want a power-hungry flat-screen TV set or not, and warns that the move could cost the state jobs...
More »
Gizmos' Energy Draw Alarms Experts
Electronic gadgets consume 15% of household energy
- All around the house, electronic gadgets are blinking, buzzing, computing—and drawing on an immense amount of energy, the
New York Times
reports. Worldwide, they take up 15% of household power, and will likely consume three times as much by 2029, making it harder to combat global warming. Two hundred...
More »
Flat-Screen TVs Must Use Less Energy: Calif.
State is the first to demand better efficiency
- Move over Hummer, there's a new energy-hogging villain in town—flat-screen TVs. California yesterday became the first state to mandate better energy efficiency for televisions, reports the
San Jose Mercury
. All sets sold there must reduce consumption 30% by 2011 and 50% by 2013. The industry is outraged, but...
More »
In-the-Red Sony Delays Superflat TV
- Sony will delay production of its next-generation ultrathin television as the struggling electronics giant seeks to avoid further losses, reports the
Wall Street Journal
. The organic light emitting diode, or OLED, television was to succeed a three-millimeter-thick model released in late 2007, but will be held back until at least...
More »
Manufacturers Drop Plasma TVs as LCD Takes Over
Pioneer, Vizio axe plasma production lines; retailers slash prices
- TV buyers are increasingly choosing liquid-crystal-display over plasma as LCD manufacturers beef up the technological capabilities of their sets, the
Wall Street Journal
reports. With 30 million LCDs sold in North America in 2008, compared with 4 million plasmas, Pioneer and Vizio are discontinuing their plasma lines. The shift means...
More »
Kids' Injuries Parallel Rise of Flat Screens: Study
Hospital visits up 41% since 1990
- The increasing popularity of flat-screen TVs coincides with a rise in child injuries from furniture tip-overs, MSNBC reports. Nearly 17,000 kids were rushed to hospitals after furniture fell on them in 2007, the last year with available data, a study reveals. That's a 41% increase from 1990. TVs...
More »
Slump in TV Sales May Push Smaller Makers Out
Likes of Hitachi, Pioneer don't have staying power of Sony and other giants
- A steep decline in demand for flat-panel TVs could push smaller manufacturers out of the market, the
Wall Street Journal
reports. As the economy sours and larger makers achieve economies of scale, the price gap between top brands and cheaper rivals has shrunken dramatically. The top five makers accounted for...
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'Bleak Friday' May Keep TV Prices Down All Season
Deals on flat screens could extend all month
- If your holiday wish list includes a flat-panel TV, you may not have to battle crowds on Black Friday to land a deal, reports the
Wall Street Journal.
Struggling electronics retailers anticipating a bleak holiday season are likely to extend traditionally low day-after-Thanksgiving prices—which could top 50% savings on...
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Flat-Screen TVs Pose Major Climate Risk
Potent greenhouse gas means popular appliances aren't very Earth-friendly
- Soaring demand for flat-screen TVs could accelerate global warming faster than coal-fired power stations, the
reports. A leading environmental scientist warns that a gas used in their manufacture and not controlled in the Kyoto treaty—as other greenhouse gases are—is 17,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide...
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New Kind of LCD Promises Better Viewing
Clearer picture, wider viewing angle
- Watch out, plasma TVs. A new kind of LCD screen in development at Samsung overcomes the weaknesses of ordinary LCD displays. A prototype of the blue-phase liquid crystal screen has a wider viewing angle and doesn't blur fast-moving images as much. What's more, it could wind up being...
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'Lifelike' Sony TV Wows Viewers
3mm-thick wonder trumps LCDs, plasmas — though it's tiny, and pricey
- Sony's new XEL-1 television is neither plasma nor LCD: it uses organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, and "its picture is so incredible, Sony should include a jaw cushion," David Pogue writes in the
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. Sony is the first to sell TVs using the system, which...
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TV Makers Scoff at Your Puny Recession
Say buyers will continue snapping up flat panels; investors not so sure
- Who cares if there's a recession? The Super Bowl's on! Even after the worst retailing Christmas in years, the makers of flat-panel, high-definition TVs are confident their trendy product will keep selling, spurred by falling prices and prime tube-watching events like the Olympics. One market-research firm is predicting...
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Electronics Giants Join Forces
Panasonic, Hitachi, and Canon announce tie-up
- Hitachi, Canon, and Panasonic have announced plans to work to together in moving flat-panel display technology forward,
PC World
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Samsung Ramps Up Plans for Bigger Flat-Screens
South Korean giant sees booming market for Huge TVs
- Samsung Electronics will invest $2.2 billion next year in LCD panels to cash in on the growing market for bigger flat-screen TVs, the
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cuts through the confusion surrounding high-res flat-screens, picking 10 HDTVs that will give you a fab picture and a price tag to make you weep—with joy:
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Big screens are out, and flat screens are flatter than ever
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December 18, 2017 – Former Senate President Senator David Mark Expected In EFCC Office Today Over N5.4Billion Campaign Fraud & Money Laundering
Ex-Senate President David Mark is expected to return to EFCC office today to answer questions regarding a whopping N5.4billion slush cash and campaign funds traced to him.
Part of the money is N550 million, which is part of the $2.1billion controversial arms procurement cash, according to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sources.
Mark is also expected to respond to issues raised in the Panama Papers bordering on his relationship with some shell firms.
But Mark insisted yesterday that no 2015 presidential election campaign fund for Benue State was given to him.
EFCC Detectives will today grill Mark on four issues.
He reportedly requested to be allowed to travel home to Otukpo, Benue State, after his preliminary grilling at the EFCC on Thursday, to fetch documents to exonerate himself from the allegations.
He is to answer questions on the following issues:
N550m arms procurement cash; N2.9billion curious payment into National Assembly's account, which was shared to Senators during his tenure; and his role in the N2billion campaign funds meant for Benue State.
Here is what an EFCC source said:
"There is also Mark's alleged links with eight offshore shell companies by #Panama Papers in flagrant violation of the code of conduct for public officers. "The firms were allegedly used to launder money, evade tax and dodge sanctions."
[The Nation]


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The Heart of Teaching Economics
Lessons from Leading Minds
Simon W. Bowmaker
Chapter 8: History of Economic Thought
Steven Medema
Steven Medema Steven Medema was born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1963 and obtained his BA in economics at Calvin College in 1985 and his MA and PhD in economics from Michigan State University in 1987 and 1989 respectively. He joined the Department of Economics at the University of Colorado Denver in 1989 as an Assistant Professor of Economics and has remained there ever since, currently serving as Professor of Economics and President's Teaching Scholar. At UC Denver, Professor Medema teaches undergraduate courses in Principles of Microeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, History of Economic Thought, Law and Economics, Public Finance, and Economic Policy Analysis, and a graduate course in Microeconomic Theory. UC Denver's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences awarded him its Teaching Excellence Award in 1992 and 2006. His research interests include the history of economic thought, law and economics, and public economics. His articles have been published in journals such as the History of Political Economy, Journal of History of Economic Thought, Journal of Public Economics, American Journal of Economics and Sociology, and Economics and Philosophy, among others. Professor Medema's books include, The Hesitant Hand: Taming SelfInterest in the History of Economic Ideas (Princeton University Press, 2009), Economics and the Law: From Posner to Post Modernism and 139 M2372 - BOWMAKER TEXT.indd 139 29/9/10 11:36:34 140 The heart of teaching economics Beyond (Princeton University Press, 2nd edition, 2006), co-authored with Nicholas Mercuro, and Foundations of Research in Economics: How Do Economists Do Economics? (Edward Elgar Publishing, 1996), co-edited with...
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Companies pursue security spending in Washington
by Ottawa Business Journal Staff
With the United States hypersensitive to the terrorist threat, five Ottawa companies will travel to Washington this week to capitalize on increases in defence spending.
The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation has organized the trip to the U.S. capital for the Homeland & Global Security summit, which runs from March 3-5. The local companies participating in the event include SolaCom Technologies Inc., SION International Inc., PathMinder Inc., Vistar and KOM Networks Inc. A sixth company from Burnaby, B.C., Response Biomedical, is joining the group.
Mike Darch, OCRI's director of global marketing, says the Washington area will be a hotbed of opportunity for firms focused on the security field.
"If we look at the Washington market, between homeland security and IT security, the government is spending a whole lot more than it was before. The budgets in the U.S. are going up," says Darch. "We just want to make it known how Ottawa is cost competitive."
The firms will use the opportunity to network and, best case scenario, sign some deals in a market that's estimated to be worth anywhere from US$93 billion to US$138 billion. About 1,500 delegates will attend the summit. OCRI has ensured the firms will have visibility, as it has secured a booth for the participants to showcase their products.
Gennady Reshetnikov, president of PathMinder Inc., says 75 per cent of the firm's business is generated from the U.S., and he hopes for even more.
"We're looking for more contracts. We want to increase the volume of business we do in the States," he says. PathMinder manufactures optical turnstiles, which is technology that monitors traffic flow into and out of buildings.
Neil Knudsen, president of Vistar, sees the trip as more of a fact-finding mission.
"We're very well placed to garner some customers ... we are going to set up a network. It's a little bit early to sign deals. We want to find out who are the people we should be talking to," Knudsen says. "This will provide the kind of exposure and access to the market that we couldn't get on our own."
One firm that does expect to sign on the dotted line is SION. The software firm has attended similar conferences, which have led to two major deals within three months, says CEO Kalai Kalaichelvan.
"These trade shows are useful. And we are pretty confident going there and showing our value proposition," says Kalaichelvan. The key to successful negotiations, he says, is to be upfront about the fact that there's little time to waste. "Here we are a small company, we're a startup. We cannot afford to spend 18 months (negotiating deals.) It's a question of how you architect the deal."
The trip will culminate with a lunch organized by the U.S. embassy on March 6. The event will be attended by Canadian expatriates and Washington executives looking to increase their northern business ties.
Darch says the trip is part of OCRI's three-year Maintain the Momentum campaign. OCRI's campaign has identified five American cities — Boston, Austin, Washington, San Jose and Raleigh. The goal of the campaign is to increase the city's visibility in these cities, increase investment, establish Ottawa as a global technology centre, provide a consistent and coherent brand for the city and increase interaction between the public and private sector.
So far, it's providing some positive results.
"As we talk to our own companies and companies abroad, the brand of Ottawa as a global technology centre is definitely going up. It's difficult to measure, but the feedback coming in to us is more positive," Darch says. "We've noticed an upturn in the number of inquiries we've had in terms of investments."
For example ING Direct recently located in Ottawa and Ipsos Reid set up a call centre in the city.
– By Kate Chappell
Source: Ottawa Business Journal


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Arab in NYC: Thomas Friedman spoofed
I was on my way from Tahrir Square — where I was searching for the Egyptian Nelson Mandela — to catch the next flight to JFK, when I suddenly realized I'd left my new iPhone5 behind in my luxury suite at the Nile Hotel.
Normally, this would not have disturbed me in the least, since the NY Times buys me these iPhones like they're going out of style, not to mention the sleek American Express Black Card I use to pay for my outrageous international roaming charges. But this particular iPhone was a special one given to me by a good friend in NY, congressman Peter T. King, who is the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security. King had of course pretended the gift was symbolic of our deep and enduring friendship, but we both knew that what he really wanted was better pub in the Times, or else.
The beauty of that particular iPhone was that it included a special DHS-sponsored social media app called HajeeFinder, which immediately identifies the location of any potential anti-Semitic activity anywhere in NYC. Don't ask me how this thing works, but I understand it was developed by the Israelis, who certainly know a thing or two about cyberwar: just ask President Ahmadinejad, or better yet, his personal photographer, whom I was hoping to interview over lunch at the Pierre later this week.
Now the real hassle was that I had planned to use HajeeFinder to locate the Russell Tribunal on Palestine session in Manhattan, since there wasn't any mention of this game-changing event in America's newspaper of record, unfortunately, and I had of course forgotten where it was being held, given how intensely busy I usually am — traveling around the Arab world all the time, as I do, and writing whatever specious, connect-the-dots rambling nonsense I can think of to fill my pretentious column. I was going to have to improvise, the way resourceful journalists do in situations like this.
But first, I had to take care of my little iPhone problem.
So I got on the horn with my good friend ambassador Anne W. Patterson (who's probably not going to be stationed in Cairo much longer, I'm afraid), using one of my other iPhones, and asked her to help me out. Naturally, she was extremely diplomatic about my screw-up, and said she would immediately send Abdou, her reliable personal farash, to find it, as soon as he had cleaned up the trash from all the rioting, wall-climbing and flag burning of the past week at the embassy.
What a relief!
My taxi driver to Cairo International Airport turned out to be an Egyptian, which did not surprise me in the least. I noticed he was glancing at me in the rear view mirror, while we were stuck in a traffic jam around Mubarak's old place in Heliopolis, when he turned around and said: "Are you Thomas Friedman, the famous, deep-thinking Jewish liberal New York Times columnist who has all the solutions to the problems of the Middle East?"
"Which elitist and completely meaningless global conference are you going to this time? The World Economic Forum in Davos?"
"No. Nothing like that."
"The LennonOno Peace Award ceremonies in Reykjavik, Iceland?
"Not even close."
"What then?"
"The Russell Tribunal on Palestine in New York," I confessed, sheepishly.
"Why are you going to this useless, kangaroo court tribunal? First, it has no teeth. And you already know exactly what they are going to say."
"Do you?"
"Of course. They will discuss Bishop Tutu's latest thoughts on apartheid. And Chomsky will breathe fire and brimstone about the long-term prospects for Israel. "
"How true."
"Then some aging French economist will reminisce about the good old days in '67, when Sartre and Russell held the first tribunal against the Vietnam war. Someone else will say Bibi Nittin' should be dragged before the ICC. And Angela Davis will mention in elegant French that we need to develop a coherent resistance strategy."
"Right on. Anything else?"
"David Wildman will say what he always does, that the Christian Right in the US will support till doomsday Israel's colonial-settler ideology, no matter what, because of the coming Rapture. There will be some academic theorizing by a token Palestinian, no doubt Saleh Abd Al-Jawad, as to whether the term 'sociocide' has legal meaning and can be rooted to existing international law. And he'll movingly insist that his real name is not Saleh Abd Al-Jawad, which is one given to him by the Zionist occupiers."
I was almost in tears at this point. But he persisted, despite the pain and suffering caused by his cruel and harsh, but not off-the-mark rant.
"Finally they'll wrap things up with much hemming and hawing about transforming discourse into public, non-violent action and resolve to maybe one day, sometime soon, try to ratchet up the BDS movement. And none of this in the end will do a damn thing to help the Palestinians regain their lands in the West Bank, or anywhere else."
"So what do you propose be done?"
"I don't propose anything, ya khawaga basha. I am just an Egyptian taxi driver."
He paused for a moment.
"But I will tell you this. The Palestinians have a proverb: your close neighbor is better than your faraway brother. I think Chomsky is right, and the Israelis should realize that it is in their long term interest to be part of the Middle East, not perpetually at war against it. That is all I have to say."
"My God," I said, looking at him with complete and utter astonishment. "I think I have finally found the Egyptian Nelson Mandela."