text:
Steve Jurvetson, a founding partner of one of the best-known venture capital firms in Silicon Valley and a board member of Tesla and SpaceX, is leaving the firm after it began an investigation into his behavior with women, the firm told investors on Monday.
"As of today and by mutual agreement, Steve Jurvetson will be leaving DFJ," said a confidential letter sent to investors in the venture capital firm, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and obtained by The New York Times.
It continued, "DFJ's culture has been, and will continue to be, built on the values of respect and integrity in all of our interactions."
The firm's spokeswoman, Carol Wentworth, confirmed his departure, and a Tesla spokeswoman said he is taking a leave of absence from the Tesla and SpaceX boards "pending resolution of these allegations." Last month, the firm said it became aware of "indirect and secondhand allegations" about Mr. Jurvetson and was looking into them. The acknowledgment came after Keri Kukral, a tech entrepreneur, wrote on Facebook: "Women approached by a founding partner of Draper Fisher Jurvetson should be careful. Predatory behavior is rampant."
Heidi Roizen, an operating partner at DFJ, defended the firm last month. "I don't need an investigation to state with certainty that this is patently wrong," she wrote in a Tumblr post. She added that the firm had never received an official allegation of misconduct.
The inquiry is still going on. The firm did not say what in particular it was investigating, or comment on the timing of Mr. Jurvetson's departure.
On Monday, he wrote on Twitter, "I am leaving DFJ to focus on personal matters, including taking legal action against those whose false statements have defamed me."
Mr. Jurvetson has been a fixture in Silicon Valley. He was an early investor in Hotmail and other successful companies, and is seen about town with tech celebrities like Elon Musk and the cast of the TV show "Silicon Valley."
His departure shows how allegations of sexual misconduct have continued to reverberate since detailed reports emerged over the summer about widespread sexual harassment of female entrepreneurs by venture investors. In Silicon Valley, the power dynamic is particularly stark.
Venture capitalists, who are almost all men, hold an extraordinary amount of power, controlling the money that start-up entrepreneurs need to try to turn their idea into the next billion-dollar company. The system largely runs on reputation and word of mouth. Venture capital firms generally have no human resources officials, and entrepreneurs are not employees of the investors.
Several high-profile men in the industry have stepped down from their jobs after harassment allegations, including Dave McClure, who founded the start-up incubator 500 Start-ups, and Tom Frangione, the chief operating officer of one of the oldest venture capital firms, Greylock Partners. Several other men issued apologies, sometimes while denying allegations of misconduct at the same time.
As more women in the technology and venture capital industries have come forward to discuss episodes of harassment and discrimination, some prominent women in venture capital have created a group called Female Founder Office Hours, which aims to pair female entrepreneurs with successful women in venture capital who can offer advice and support as they found companies.
"Creating more successful women in tech is a huge part of what needs to happen for the industry to change," said Jess Lee, a partner at Sequoia Capital.
The venture industry's trade association, the National Venture Capital Association, began a monthslong listening tour with founders and investors. In an interview in August, Bobby Franklin, the president of the association, said that he was spending more time on the harassment issue than anything else. "I've called for the first time in my four-year tenure a special board meeting to discuss this," he said.


text:
Kenneth Cox, The Art of Language: Selected Essays
edited with an introduction by Jenny Penberthy
afterword by August Kleinzahler
Flood Editions ISBN 978-0-9903407-7-5 $17.95
Now available from Flood Editions and Small Press Distribution
This volume gathers twenty-four essays by the English critic Kenneth Cox (1916–2005) on various writers, including James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Basil Bunting, Louis Zukofsky, and Lorine Niedecker. In each case, Cox's exposition proves rigorous, idiosyncratic, drily passionate, and full of keen insights. Always, he proceeds with an "emphasis on literature as the art of language."
"I have learned more from Kenneth Cox's essays than from any other living critic of twentieth-century poetry. He writes with masterly directness about the masters of indirection, and his summarizing power rivals that of Samuel Johnson."—Thom Gunn
"As pure writing—literature, if you will—his essays deserve to be read and reread as one would those of William Hazlitt or Joseph Mitchell. They refresh and delight. They are a tonic for the mind and are best approached in the morning hours; one's entire day will be the better for it. Meanwhile, as proposition, explication, and argument of any given text, they are without equal."—August Kleinzahler, from his afterword

subset: commoncrawl


text:
DOHA – Serena Williams may have the No. 1 ranking, but Victoria Azarenka has the Qatar Total Open trophy for the second straight year.
The top two players in the world battled for three sets on Sunday night, with the Belarusian prevailing 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3 in an entertaining contest.
Azarenka, who won her second straight Australian Open last month, came into the final a prohibitive underdog despite having not lost a set this week.
Williams held a commanding 11-1 margin against Azarenka in all-time meetings, and had defeated her nine straight times. But that did the 15-time Grand Slam champion little good on this day, when Azarenka finally found the formula to end the losing streak.
The match showed a contrast for Williams, who racked up 51 winners but was undone by 48 unforced errors.
Azarenka played to Williams' forehand early on and benefited from it, but the American started unleashing furious returns as the contest progressed that Azarenka, who covers as much court as anybody on the WTA Tour, could not run down.
Just when it looked like Williams had seized the momentum, after taking the second set to level the match 1-1, Azarenka jumped to a 3-0 lead in the final set and held serve the rest of the way for the win.
Azarenka, relying on her big forehand, came through at the crucial moments and retained her poise when Williams mounted a challenge.
"I just fought and gave it my all," said Azarenka. "I knew I had to step it up to beat Serena. I was able to stay focused."
Azarenka, the top seed here, was clearly elated after beating Williams for the first time in more than three years.
"It feels incredible," she stated. "This tournament had such a strong field going into it and I'm really glad that at the end of the week, I'm the one who is holding the trophy."
Williams, the second seed, was not pleased with her own performance.
"I made so many errors. It was just weird," said Williams. "My serve, it was just one of those days."
Azarenka had two break points in the opening game of the match, but was unable to capitalize on them.
Williams double faulted in the third game to give Azarenka the break and a 2-1 advantage.
After Azarenka went up 3-1 by taking her second straight service game at love, Williams changed rackets and proceeded to quickly hold serve.
She earned a break point in the sixth game, but Azarenka came toward the net and blasted a backhand for a winner and went on to hold.
Williams leveled at 4-4 with a break, as Azarenka appeared to tighten up and began to make some unforced errors, and then went up 5-4 on serve.
She held to make it 6-5 and then complained to the chair umpire that Azarenka was holding up her racket and distracting her while she tried to serve.
Azarenka jumped to a 5-2 lead in the first-set tiebreaker, but Williams responded with four straight points to go up 6-5 and earn a set point. Williams was aided by Azarenka's double fault that had made it 5-5.
Azarenka didn't flinch, however, staving off the set point and taking the final three points to claim the set when Williams made another unforced error.
Williams broke to go up 2-1 in the second set as she repeatedly connected on forehand winners.
With Williams leading 3-1, Azarenka staved off two break points before prevailing in a game that went to four deuces.
Azarenka double faulted on break point to hand Williams a 5-2 lead and the set soon slipped away.
In the third set, Azarenka broke Williams in the second game and then clinically closed it out.
With a 5-2 lead, Azarenka had a match point with Williams serving, but Williams held for 5-3.
Azarenka then completed the victory on serve in the next game when Williams sent a return long.
When asked why the result was different against Williams this time, Azarenka gave an all-encompassing answer.
"I just did everything better today," she said.
"This whole week I don't think I played my best tennis," Williams lamented. "I was fighting every match."
Williams, one of the greatest players in history, was gracious in defeat.
"I always respect Victoria. I think she is a really good player," she said. "She is so consistent."


text:
First Capital Realty
85 Hanna Avenue, Suite 400,
Toronto, Ontario M6K 3S3
Tel.: 416.504.4114
Toll Free: 1.877.504.4114
Fax: 416.941.1655
Specialty Leasing Inquiries:
Thank your for your interest in Humbertown Shopping Centre. For leasing inquiries please email Amalia Lima.
FIRST CAPITAL REALTY INC. [TSX: FCR] is Canada's leading owner, developer and operator of supermarket and drug store anchored neighbourhood and community shopping centres located predominantly in growing metropolitan areas. Our properties are where consumers shop for everyday life – groceries, prescription drugs, personal care items, household supplies, banking and other personal services.


text: Although all other Gravity Noir singles have been very successful, this one has the potential of becoming a huge hit worldwide. For the first time since their come back, Gravity Noir has relied on some professional advise of Grant Henderson. The well loved producer has provided the additional production for this new single which was mixed and mastered at the famous Loom Studios in Birstall, Leeds, UK. Taken from their forthcoming album "Liberation" (Release end 2017). Including the DJ LInetech Candy Remix and Drum & Percussions Dub Mix.


text:
17 July - Councillor Craske is appealing. Yes, really!
Cabinet Member Peter Craske has taken time out from making inflammatory
remarks to remarking on inflammatory criminality;
the disgusting arson
attack on the Lesnes Abbey playground. He made his comments
in today's Press Release.
Click to see it all.
If Councillor Craske is looking for witnesses he could perhaps do worse than looking at local Facebook groups.
On Saturday Lisa Marie Smith said she saw around nine boys the previous evening (the night of the fire) armed with petrol cans by the Abbey Wood Sainsbury's.
Just a three minute bike ride from Lesnes Abbey.
Whenever Councillor Craske calls for the full force of the law to be brought against criminals there is always someone with a long memory who reminds me that Peter Craske has not always been so keen on the law taking its natural course.
Interesting quote from our favourite 'blogger'
"Those involved in this mindless anti-social activity should know that we will seek to ensure the full force of the law is brought to bear on those responsible for this crime, the penalty for which could be a substantial fine and a prison sentence."
And a homophobic blog isn't "mindless anti-social activity" when it comes from a Member's IP address or is found on his phone/computer? The word hypocrite springs to mind.
Thanks to the police sitting on the evidence against him for eight months and then inviting the CPS to a meeting to see how "his situation could be resolved", Councillor Craske was never charged with publishing the obscene blog traced to his IP address.


text:
#ShopLocal represents a bit of a movement for many reasons… supporting local economies, helping small businesses and entrepreneurs, and enjoying specific, regional options are a few of those. When it comes to nutrition, it can also equate to greater transparency, produce picked at peak ripeness, reducing an urban footprint, and some regional health benefit, such as honey that is more likely to support a reduction in allergy symptoms related to a local area.
It's also a personalized experience!
A recent trip to a local grower, Wauka Meadows Farm, near the area my mother retired to introduced a new food (for my knowledge) that carries a nutritional punch, the muscadine grape (pictured above). It also led to a healthful discussion with one of the owners with regards to local produce, the growing environment and regional climate, and some barn kittens running around the property. Having the ability to speak directly with the owners is a fantastic opportunity for places such as this. It also allows us to vote with our consumer dollar which for transitional farming areas may be quite impactful. Finally, you may just meet a local billy goat who relishes the idea of your attention!
*Livestrong.com provides a write up on muscadine grapes HERE.
*Find sustainable and organic farms in the North and Central Georgia area via Northeast Georgia Locally Grown CSA (community supported agriculture) program.


text:
Section 13: Authorised news publications
54.Section 13 makes provision for authorised news publications. There are five qualifying conditions for a publication to be classified as an authorised news publication. These can be summarised as that publication has to be—
of information gathered by an accredited news representative through attending the proceedings;
by that representative, or with his consent or under a contract or similar arrangement, or taken from an existing authorised news publication;
not of identification information or sensitive personal information, unless expressly permitted by the court;
not of an order in adoption or parental order proceedings, or any judgment, unless expressly permitted by the court under section 12;
not of information which the court has ordered not to be published, or of an order which the court has ordered not to be published under section 12.
55.Condition 1 (set out in subsection (2)) requires a news representative to be accredited. Section 21 defines "accredited news representative" to mean a representative of one or more news organisations who belongs to a class of representatives on which rules of court confer a right to attend the proceedings in question. The production of a UK Press Authority Card is set out in rule 10.28 of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 as sufficient evidence of accreditation. Condition 1 also requires that the news representative acquired the information which is to be published by attending the proceedings. Attendance at family proceedings is governed by rules of court: the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (rule 10.28) were amended in April 2009 to give the media, but not the public more generally, a right to attend most family proceedings subject to discretion of the court to exclude their attendance in specific circumstances.
56.Condition 2 (set out in subsection (3)) requires publication to be by the accredited news representative who acquired the information, or with that representative's consent or pursuant to a contract or other agreement with that representative (for example, a report submitted to a newspaper by a staff journalist). Publication is also allowed by a person who has obtained the information from an authorised news publication (allowing further reporting of articles already classified as an authorised news publication).
57.Condition 3 (set out in subsection (4)) requires that the information is not "identification information" or "sensitive personal information" or "restricted adoption information" or "restricted parental order information"; or that if it is, then either the court has specifically permitted publication of the information, or the information identifies a professional witness and has not otherwise been specifically restricted by the court. "Identification information" and "professional witness" are defined in section 21, "sensitive personal information" in section 21 and Schedule 2 and "restricted adoption information" and "restricted parental order information" in section 15.
58.Condition 4 (set out in subsection (5)) in conjunction with Condition 5 (set out in subsection (6)), ensures that a publication of an order or judgment which would not qualify as an authorised publication within section 12 cannot qualify as an authorised news publication either.
59.Condition 5 (set out in subsection (6)) requires that the publication has not been prohibited by the court, and that it does not breach any restriction imposed by the court, either under the power of the court given in this subsection or under section 12(1)(b) in relation to an order.
60.Subsection (7) allows for the Court's powers to permit, prohibit or restrict publication of information under this section to be exercisable not only on application but also on the court's own initiative.


text:
Combine bespoke interior design with Icelandic art, furniture and product design, and you have Mengi Apartments. Operated by and connected to Mengi, a collective of artists running an art store and hosting art exhibitions.
Mengi Apartments opened in the Spring of 2014 in the heart of Reykjavik. The three apartments are available for rent, for more information, see here.
The apartments are designed by sisters Elísabet Jónsdóttir (designer) and Hrafnhildur Jónsdóttir (architect).
Each apartment comes with a record player accompanied with records from Icelandic musicians, giving the visitor a chance to hear the amazing local music.
The rooms are also decorated with a few pieces from design store VOLKI, operated and designed by Elísabet herself along with Olga Hrafnsdóttir. The pieces are modern and quirky with a pop of color, giving the space a true Icelandic feel.
For more information on the Mengi collective, visit their site here.
Images in courtesy of Mengi Apartments


text:
May 7th 2016, Copa De Bangkok, a BJJ competition here in BKK. Honestly this is my only 2nd tournament since I started BJJ for 1 year and 4 month. I know I should be doing more tournaments... Anyways, this time the weight class I applied for was -53.5… of course with Gi on. What does this mean… it means my weight need to be at… at least 51.5kg, plus the Gi, which is around 1.8-2kg… OMG… this was going to be tough… I knew it since the day I registered.
At the moment when I applied, I was at 53-54 kg (depending on how much I eat… lol…). I really need to lose at least 2 kg. People say I should have just applied for the next weight class, which was -58.5kg. But hear my logic. Doing martial arts have already put me in an excusable situation to eat as much as I want and build muscles and be strong. Trust me, I eat more than most girls do. If I let myself go for -58.5kg… I felt like I was going soft on myself. So I decided I'm going to discipline myself… -53.5kg it is!
CLICK HERE to continue reading


text:
... to the fanlisting for Carnations, which is listed at The Fanlistings Network.
As of today, we are a total of 29 fans from 14 countries. There are currently 0 fans that is waiting to get listed. We say welcome to Tatiana who was added to the list on November 14, 2019
Powered by: Enthusiast + CodeSort 2


text:
As of Monday, Nov. 25, some campus parking lots will be closed for construction. Patients are encouraged to use enhanced, free valet parking, located at the main entrance. Parking Map
Being cared for at National Jewish Health is a unique health care experience. Get information and access online services for patients and prospective patients.
We look forward to meeting you. See our locations, maps, travel information and more to help you plan and prepare for your visit.
Download medical records release forms and important forms for new and existing patients.
We understand that making financial arrangements for health care services can be stressful. Learn more about insurance and billing or pay your bill online.
Ask a Question | Insurance Information | Hours of Operation | International & Out of State
Learn about the our world-class care for respiratory, cardiac, immune and related conditions.
Education plays an important role in helping our patients have positive outcomes and living the best lives possible. Check out or patient education classes and free downloadable health education materials to help manage your disease.
National Jewish Health encourages you to participate in support groups to foster a sense of community and get information in a supportive and caring fashion.
Create or access your My National Jewish Health patient portal account to communicate with your care team, manage appointments and more.
Sign In
Create an Account


text:
Not one person in my database has ties to Mississippi. So off to my Diigo bookmarks to see what resources I had for Mississippi. Only a few, but one seemed pretty interesting. It's called Mississippi History Now, which is an online publication of the Mississippi Historical Society.
There are a variety of articles covering an array of topics. You can browse or search the articles. They are even broken down into topics, such as Civil War and General History. Want to learn more about Mississippi when it was under British rule? There's an article for that. What about catfish farming? There's an article for that too, along with a recipe for fried catfish.
It's a pretty neat site…I encourage you to explore it at your leisure!
Genealogy By the States is a theme created by Jim Sanders over at the Hidden Genealogy Nuggets blog.


text:
Snooki? X Factor? What the what?
I have to admit that this one caught me off guard! According to RumorFix, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is itching to try reality TV hosting, and she has her immediate sights set on the X Factor. The site claims that Snooki has openly discussed the pros and cons of standing next to Mario Lopez on the X Factor stage with her friends.
Rumor has it that Khloe Kardashian (bless her
hard nips heart) hasn't been asked to return. And, while Simon Cowell hasn't confirmed nor denied the Snooki news, RumorFix reports that "discussions are certainly underway."


text:
Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Antonio de Andrada
The pioneer missionary and explorer of Thibet in the seventeenth century, b. at Oleiros, Portugal, 1580; d. at Goa, 19 March, 1634. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1596. From 1600 to 1624 he was the chief missionary in the Indies. In 1624, after almost incredible hardships he succeeded in penetrating into Thibet. Kindly received by the head sovereign of the country, Andrada returned to Agra for other workers like himself, and on his return to Thibet established a missionary center at Chaparangue. Recalled to Goa to act as superior of the Indies, he died there, poisoned for the Faith. Andrada had given in letters to his superiors and others a graphic and accurate account of his discoveries and labours. These have been published in Spanish and French and are incorporated in the works of P.J. Darde, S.J., "Historie de se qui s'est passe au royaume du Thibet" (Paris, 1629).
Sommervogel, Bibliotheque de la compagnie de Jesus, I, col. 330, 331; Alegambe, Mortes ilustres, 438; Franco, Imagen du virtude em a noviciado de Lisboa, 375-418.


text:
Love Kitchen
Dear friends,
As always, Team RV members are volunteering at different service sites each weekend to offer our service to those in need. The feedback we've heard from these sites is very positive and they want us to let you know their appreciation for your volunteering!!!
Keeping up with this positive impact, this Saturday we're going to LOVE KITCHEN!!!
If you're interested in coming with us, please: Sign up with this...
Will you be attending?
Brooklyn Bridge Park Cleanup
Please go on this link for registering and for more information!
Will you be attending?
Our St. Leonard's Family Housing
Hey Team ! We are volunteering at Our St. Leonard's Home on Saturday November 12, 2011. We will meet in front of Montgoris Dining Hall at 8:45 am to metro to Brooklyn together. We expect to be there from around 10am - 2pm. Please RSVP to this event if you are interested!! REMEMBER -- THIS CAN COUNT TOWARDS ASL (Academic Service Learning) for your courses! :)
Will you be attending?
Dry Harbor Nursing Home
Hey Team RV. Would anyone like to volunteer this upcoming Saturday? We will be volunteering at the Dry Harbor Nursing Home from 11:30 am -3 pm. Transportation is provided.


text:
Commercial Services
G&R Kelly is proud to have emerged from a small family business in 1969 to become the expansive commercial enterprise that exists today. Our team members and staff bring a wealth of hard work, dedication, experience, and expertise to each of your unique projects. ISN certification allows us to implement advanced methods in quality assurance and safety for both our employees and our clients. Some of our highly satisfied clients include the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Halifax Regional Water Commission, School Boards, Nova Scotia Power, and an ever increasing number of local commercial and residential property owners. Listed below are some of the many ways we stand ready to serve you.
Access Road Construction & Maintenance
G&R Kelly has built a solid reputation for quality road construction in Nova Scotia. We provide start to finish road construction services including excavation, material removal, filling, compaction, construction and finishing stages.
Asphalt & Concrete
Our commercial paving and concrete construction crews can be found working throughout HRM and beyond on projects of all sizes.
Communication Tower Foundation
Communications tower construction begins with a rock-solid foundation. We work closely with you to ensure your tower foundation meets local and Industry Canada requirements for location, height, standards, accessibility, soil conditions, safety and o…
Demolition involves much more than just tearing a structure down. G&R Kelly obtains necessary permits, submits necessary notifications, disconnects utilities and develops site-specific safety and work plans.
Every year, G&R Kelly helps solve residential, commercial and landscaping drainage challenges for individuals, businesses and municipalities.
Electrical Trenching & Duct Banks
G&R Kelly can readily accommodate your needs by building custom underground casings facilitating the consolidation of wiring conduit into centralized underground paths.
Environmental Remediation
We are experts in contaminated soil removal, but equally as experienced in removing contaminated surface water and our staff are also certified in commercial and residential oil tank installation and removal.
Equipment Rental with Operator
When you need extra horsepower for your project, G&R Kelly is the perfect heavy construction equipment rental option.
Whatever you need to dig, you can trust G&R Kelly to do it safely and professionally. We've been providing excavation services in the Halifax Regional Municipality for decades.
Heavy Civil Construction Company
With projects of this size and scope, you want to ensure that you are employing an experienced and trusted team that has the resources, skills, and history of successfully completing projects of this magnitude — on time and within budget.
We work with our commercial landscaping clients to create and maintain inspiring landscapes for their businesses and commercial properties.
Lot Clearing & Grubbing
When it comes to large scale lot clearing projects, we are certified in erosion and sediment control for highway, road and building site construction and can design a plan as part of the scope of work if required.
Retaining Walls
Retaining wall construction requires the right design and material to ensure that whatever you need to hold back stays where it's supposed to.
Rock Breaking
Rock is a painful reality for builders in Nova Scotia. Whether it's needed for excavation, levelling, site development or road construction, we provide rock breaking services that will get those obstacles out of your way.
Sanitary, Storm & Water
G&R Kelly has over 40 years of experience in the renewal and installation of municipal, commercial and residential sanitary, storm and water systems.
Snow Removal
When it snows, you need a reliable snow removal contractor that can make it go away quickly before it turns to slush or freezes. G&R Kelly snow and ice removal services maintains a fleet of snow and ice removal equipment that's ready to roll day or…
Special Projects
When projects fall outside of "everyday construction", G&R Kelly can build the team of specialists you need to make your project a success.
Trails & Parks
For over 40 years, G&R Kelly has been providing our services to the Halifax Regional Municipality in the construction and maintenance of their trails and park spaces.
Utility Pole Installation
We offer fast and affordable solutions for utility pole, power pole and telephone pole installation. We work closely with Nova Scotia Power to ensure safe installation that meets their rigorous installation specifications and standards.


text:
After announcing that the TouchPad will go on sale on the 1st of July, HP has now also revealed the official pricing for its accessories. The Touchstone charging dock will be priced at $80, the wireless keyboard will be $70, the case will be for $50 and the standard charger will cost you $30.
Along with the pricing, HP has also released a slew of YouTube videos showing the new TouchPad in action, doing stuff like multitasking, web browsing, gaming, typing, etc., you know, the stuff that you'd normally do on a tablet along with stuff that is exclusive to the TouchPad, such as the Touchstone technology and wireless charging. Must say though there is a heavy Apple vibe to all the videos. Even the music sounds similar, with the word "magic" being thrown around a few times. But don't just take my word for it, check them out for yourself below.


text:
Become a member
Why should you join?
- To access and add to the comprehensive online music listings
- Promote your self, business, band or venue in our online directory. You can have an exclusive page with:
- Information about you
- Contact details
- Links to social media
- MP3s
- Maps
- Gallery
- Receive the most up to date and relevant music industry news
- Access a wealth of resources and exclusive events to help support and develop your music business or organisation.
Membership is free
Please read our terms of use


text:
Monday, September 19, 2011
Blog Hop TODAY...
Both design teams are extremely talented so you can look forward to a full week of awesome craftiness!
(Pssst! Before you ask.... I WILL be showing you how to make this fun project soon! It can be made into a Halloween, Christmas, Baby, Birthday, Valentine, Mothers Day, ANY day themed project....)
Have an awesome week and enjoy the hop!
26 comments:
I love, love, love this!ReplyDelete
Just to cute for words!!!ReplyDelete
i just love love love this one! thanks for being such a inspiration!
greetings from holland!
I just love all your Ideas. I look everyday to see if you added something new. I also come for inspiration when I am stuck on projects. Keep it up. Great Job.ReplyDelete
WOW! I love that cute box! What you do with that lovely paper and the Fiskars tools are amazing. Thanks Laura, for being such an inspiration and my teacher!ReplyDelete
that is awesome, can't wait for the ustream. I'm gonna have to figure out how to make a pumpkin or tree instead of the apple :)ReplyDelete
I will be showing a Halloween one with a pumpkin and a Christmas one with a Christmas tree....ReplyDelete
This is really awesome!!!!ReplyDelete
I cann't wait to see how you made this!
A halloween one sounds great. And I'm thinking about a baby one.
I LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE it !!!! Can't wait to see your Halloween and Christmas too. I might have to make one of each. Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
Graphic 45 and Fiskars are great combo. Amazing construction. Delightful papers get the creative juices flowing.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Hi LauraReplyDelete
With two great product lines, you really thought out of the box. I love the cubes. You could spell out a word. Joy.
Can't wait till the ustream. It will be Graphskars fun.
Such a cute box; not sure how you keep coming up with these fab ideas but thank you for doing it LOL! Looking forward to the Ustream.ReplyDelete
WOOOOW!!!!!! Laura it is gorgeous!!!! I absolutely looooooove it!!!!ReplyDelete
How sweet,I love it too.ReplyDelete
Absolutely amazing!!! Can't wait to make a few for Christmas.ReplyDelete
Thanks for another great project Laura.
This is sooooooo cute. Can't wait to see what other themes will be like. Good job Laura!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 19, 2011 at 3:22 PM
So cute these little box made with beautiful graphic 45 collection papers. I love them. Bravo Laura, this is wonderful project, you're the best. J'adore....vous êtes merveilleuses et si talentueuse, bravo Laura, j'adore tous vos projets. Bye...bye...have nice day.ReplyDelete
You totally amaze me in all your design ideas. I love love love them... Because of you I now put Tim Holtz in the millionaires club.. lol... love him too... You are an inspiration, keep sharing and don't stop dreaming...ReplyDelete
Thanks Laura
Barbara P.
- AnonymousSeptember 19, 2011 at 6:04 PM
I love the box can't wait to see the halloeen one. How love to make a Halloween one can't wait for the class.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 19, 2011 at 6:37 PM
i love the cute box,i hope the prize is the paper pad. i have always liked that style and look. so so cute. reta sReplyDelete
This would be so adorable sitting on a teachers desk!!!! Luv it.ReplyDelete
As always amazing. Can't wait for instructions.ReplyDelete
Thanks for all you do.
I just had to write and tell you how fabulous this is! Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful ideas .ReplyDelete
Love it.I just love this paper. Can't wait for the instructions. Thanks for sharing.ReplyDelete
Kudos to you for sharing such a wonderful project. This project will make a great Christmas gift for my grand daughter's teacher.ReplyDelete
I really love Graphic 45 and Fiskars I can't wait to see the christmas it's very beautiful Thank you for sharing this.ReplyDelete
- Elissa LSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Need a pattern!!!!ReplyDelete


text:
2nd Florence International Training (FIT) Course
Impact of the economic crisis on the determinants of health and response strategies in Europe
17-22 November 2013, Florence, Italy
The Course aimed to illustrate the impact of the economic crisis on health and well-being, and share response strategies with participants in order to mitigate the negative effects. Topics of discussion included actions to reduce health inequalities, to improve solidarity and resilience and to strengthen governance for health. The deadline for receiving applications was 30 August 2013.
The 2nd FIT Course supports the implementation of Health 2020, the new European policy framework for health and well-being. It is an initiative of the newly established International Training Centre for Health, Development and Sustainable Societies (ITC-HEADSS) located in Florence.
The FIT Course is a six-day, intensive training programme organized by the Tuscany Region of Italy in collaboration with WHO/Europe's European Office for Investment for Health and Development in Venice. English is the official language for the Course. It is built around 5 modules:
- impact of the economic downturn on health across Europe;
- policies at the supranational and national levels;
- programmes at the subnational level;
- programmes at the local level; and
- whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches in difficult economic times.
Participant requirements
The FIT Course 2013 accepted a maximum of 35 participants. They were be health professionals (policy-makers, government officials, public health experts, researchers, representatives of patient and other nongovernmental organizations, technical experts, etc.) aged ≤ 40 years with an interest in addressing the implications of the economic crisis on health, and in promoting equity and well-being. The Tuscany Region offered 10 bursaries to selected candidates. Priority wias given to professionals working in the Regions for Health or Healthy Cities networks, and WHO country offices and collaborating centres.
The FIT faculty included experts from the Karolinska Institute (Sweden), Florence University (Italy), Oxford University and University of Liverpool (United Kingdom), the International Centre for Migration, Health and Development (ICMHD) (Switzerland), WHO/Europe and other European institutions.
Contact and registration information
Course coordinators: Dr Flavio Lirussi, Dr Elena Rebora
Course directors: Dr Erio Ziglio, Dr Alberto Zanobini


text:
A W Zengeler Cleaners
Live Category: Cleaners
A. W. Zengeler Cleaners is one of America's oldest and largest dry cleaning companies. It is owned and run by the fifth generation of the same family that started the business in 1857. Our seven stores are located in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Libertyville (with 2 stores), Northbrook, Northfield and Winnetka.
Our professionals take great pride in helping you look your best, and we guarantee your satisfaction. We've earned the trust of generations of area families because we set a higher standard in fabric care.
- Home Pick-Up and Delivery
- Suede and Leather Cleaning
- The Perfect Shirt
- Drapery Cleaning
- Fur Cleaning and Storage
- Express Bag Drop Box Available 24 Hours per Day
- Tailoring and Reweaving
- Address: 539 E Park Ave
60048Time: Hours:
Mon - Fri: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PMPhone: 847-362-1700


text:
|White Labrador Retriever
|We require a deposit of $500 to reserve a white lab puppy until it is ready to go
home. This deposit is nonrefundable after the litter is born, unless we don't have
one of your gender choice available. The price of our white lab puppies are $1,500.
They are sold with limited registration (no breeding rights). We sell a few full
registration puppies. We only sell full registration to experienced breeders and
people interested in show or trials. Contact us for more info on full registration. You
may pick up the puppies when they are seven weeks old. Shipping is available, the
puppies must be eight weeks old to ship. Shipping is an additional $300 in the U.S.
This includes the travel crate, the vet examination, and the health certificate. We
ship using Delta Pet First Airlines. Contact us for further questions.
|John Paul and Ashley Brooks
P.O. Box 82
Van Vleet, MS 38877
662-447-5220 or
662-448-0325 or
e-mail us at
|We recommend our puppies be kept on NuVet Plus for
the first two years. This vitamin helps develop strong joints
and boost the immune system to help fight disease. Buyers
will be given free samples and information on this product
before the puppy arrives. Hip and health warranty will be
void if not kept on this product. If current puppy buyers have
any questions please contact us. To order call
1-800-474-7044. Your order code is #26849. You can also
click on the logo below to visit the website.
|We feed and recommend Eukanuba Large
Breed puppy food. With the right food and
supplements it helps to ensure a healthier and happier
life for your new family member. You can click on the
food bag to visit their website.
|If you are shipping your puppy, your
remaining balance on your puppy is due at 6
weeks of age. We have to have the
remaining balance on your puppy in order to
get health certificates, flight arrangements,
and other things in order.
|The remaining balance must be paid by
paypal, cash, cashier's check, or money order.
NO personal checks will be accepted for the
remaining balance whether you are picking up
your puppy here or if it is being shipped to you.
|White Labrador puppies | White Labrador retriever puppies | White Labrador | White Labrador retrievers | White
Lab puppies | Available White Labrador | White Labrador Breeder
|We have no available puppies at this time. We are taking deposits on our
Spring litters. Contact us for more information.


text:
Balchik is situated in the north-east part of the Bulgarian Black Sea shore, 40 km from Varna and 20 km from Kavarna.
Balchik is situated terrace-like on a small bay, in a region with moderate continental climate. The average temperature in July is 22°C, and the temperature of the sea water in summer reaches 24 °C.
Balchik offers narrow beach strips. Few kilometers north from the resort, there are secluded beaches under the cliffs.
There are different kind of hotels, villas, guest houses and other types of accommodation in Balchik. Balchik offers big restaurants in the hotels, in the Balchik palace and in the downtown as well as small private restaurants, coastal stalls with pizzas, pasta, seafood and other kinds of Bulgarian and European cuisine.
Balchik is famous for the palace, built by Queen Maria. The palace complex has an unique botanical garden and is the biggest and most diverse on the Balkans Peninsula. The Palace Complex consists of a central palace buildinfgwith a high tower, numerous villas, a terrace park, green lanes and paths and beautiful stone summer-houses, propped on marvellous columns facing the sea.
The picturesque park is arranged in 1924-1936 on the project of the French garden designer Jules Janine. It comprises more than 200 tree species, numerous flowers, boasting of a unique collection of cactus plants (more than 250 species).
There are more than 3000 rare and exotic species of plants in the botanic garden. It is part of the teaching facilities of Sofia University. The whole complex was called Tenha Vuva (Quiet Nest).
The Art Gallery of the town is very interesting. The local museum is housed there as well. The coastal alley, 4 km long, is a nice place to stroll, so are the harbour and the small streets around. There is a small ethnographic museum and a beautiful old church called St. Nikola Church.
The area of Touzlata is located 4 km east of the town and is well known for its curing mud. There is a spa centre beside the two lakes, formed by old landslides as well as a mineral spring with water temperature of 31 °C. The site offers a recreational complex, bungalows, villas, a camping site.
Near the town of Balchik are situated 2 large camping sites – Belia Bryag Camping and Sandrino Camping. They offer a lot of opportunities for relax and water sports, bars, restaurants, bungalows. There are 3 golf courses in close proximity to Balchik – Black Sea Rama, Thracian Cliffs, Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort.


text:
Discover Card holds the leading position among companies enjoying a high customer loyalty rate. Nowadays, the company is extending its services onto the international stage.
Discover cares about the financial success of its customers and devotes much of its work power to win and maintain the customers' continuous loyalty.
That is why it is appreciated for its customer-friendly online services and comprehensive web resources which help holders to be more reasonable and savvy in their credit card use and which teach them how to control their daily finances.
Discover offers some of the most reasonable and profitable deals on the US credit market. The nationally acknowledged popularity of Discover Company is due to its fabulous rewards programs which include cash back bonuses and airline miles rewards.


text:
Some fall days are easy to love.
The windows are open, the cats are keenly watching the squirrels gathering acorns.
Scent of the day: Orto Parisi- Boccanera.
Lovely! Just - lovely! I'd grab all those leaves and make a colorful wreath for my dinner table. Btw, right now my daughter is visiting her friends in NJ. I suppose it's in your neighborhood. I'm happy that you all are enjoying beautiful fall days :-)ReplyDelete
I hope your daughter is having a wonderful time!Delete
I love comments and appreciate the time you take to connect with me, but please do not insert links to your blog or store. Those will be deleted. The comment feature is not intended to provide an advertising venue for your blog or your commercial site.


text:
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday Food Log (or lack of)
There was absolutely no way that I could go to the grocery store. But I did become very well acquainted with the bathroom. I also took 5 very hot baths and fell asleep in the tub once. I was just so exhausted.
I started taking antibiotics but of course they don't work instantly. Come on, drugs; work your magic!
Food: cereal + skim milk; lots and lots and lots of water; popcorn; soft pretzel from freezer
Not the healthiest but I wasn't too hungry. I just wanted something to fill the void and the pantry was pretty darn empty. I made pancakes for dinner for the family.
As soon as this mess is over I want to start walking and exercising regularly. I don't think I'll try killing myself with 2 workouts per day like I was before. That's just excessive and not something that I can maintain. 5 days per week is good for me. I'd like to add in spinning again because it's a lot of fun and burns lots and lots of calories.
Thursday (today) I did go grocery shopping so I should have a new recipe to share with you later if it turns out good. If it's nasty I don't want to share it. :) I also finally have some fruits and greens in the house again. yeah!
Friday we'll be going to visit my parents for Charlie's 9th birthday. They grow up way too fast. His birthday is Saturday so we'll be spending Friday night there. His Ben 10 party supplies came in the mail today (cutting it a little close, Fed Ex man!). I'm not exactly sure what Ben 10 is but I do know that he is obsessing about it.
So if you don't hear from me for a couple of days you know where I'm at and what's up.
Hey, I did peek at the scale today. Not bad! I haven't exactly lost weight but I haven't gained either. I'm practicing for my maintenance lifestyle. Yeah, that's it. ;-)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Life has just been hitting me at full speed and when I finally have a chance to blog I just want some quiet "me" time.
Busy teaching the kids most of the day, then running errands, reading, doing nature challenge missions (though we finished our last one on Sunday), playing taxi to the kids, etc etc.
My exercising has really been lacking lately which is not good. I am going to exercise today no matter what even though I did get up before the crack of dawn because it feels like I'm coming down with a UTI. Ugh. Haven't had one of those in years. Drinking lots and lots of water.
I hope to post some new recipes for you very soon. Today is grocery shopping day but the money tree in the backyard has died so I'm going to try to find budget friendly yet healthy options. Not always possible though. There may be a hot dog night tossed in there somewhere. :)
Weight loss? I haven't checked the scale and quite frankly I am afraid to look. I'll be checking next week and reporting the damage. LOL And this weekend is Charlie's 9th birthday so I'm getting ready for that.
Any suggestions for healthy budget friendly meals?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Robbers & Pork Chops & Cake--Oh My!
The officer said that there have been a lot of robberies lately and they are happening during the daylight hours typically from 8am until 1 pm. Our neighborhood has been hit twice in 2 weeks.
They may act like door to door salesmen and then force their way in at gunpoint when you open the door. If you don't answer the door, they knock down your back fence and then kick down your door. Some unfortunate homeowners have been tied up while being robbed.
My new companion is not a cuddly puppy but a shotgun that holds 8 shells. I refuse to be a victim.
This is happening all over, folks. Please be careful out there. Be prepared. Don't be a victim.
Other than a cop visiting, it was an ordinary day.
For dinner I made some oven roasted potatoes that were out of this world. I bet these would be awesome with some scrambled eggs and cheese wrapped up in a tortilla. Mmmm...and some salsa.
Also made these totally awesome (!) pork chops with chimichurri. Only 4 pts! Chuck loved the sauce so much that he even put it on top of his potatoes. Give it a try. It is a very fast dinner.
After dinner we watched a documentary on mummies then made funeral masks using plaster bandage strips (found at typical hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels).
Rachel's mask.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
It's Opposite Day!
Wednesday the kids and I visited Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique in Houston. Just look at this cupcake goodness: (from top left: Charming Chocolate; Dippity Doo-dah; Dippity Doo-dah; Java Chocolate) Mine was the Java Chocolate. OMG! So good. The kids weren't terribly impressed with cake but thought the icing was good. They're quite the cupcake connoisseurs.
Here's how I justified the trip to a cupcake shop: Rachel is taking a cake decorating class so it's kind of like an elective in school. So we went to the cupcake shop on a field trip. Are you following me camera guy? That's it.....a field trip! It was for education. And I'm all about my kids' education. Ha!
Hey, I did eat "on plan" the rest of the day. Balance. Must have balance. :)
It has been 1 week and 1 day since the chicken mummification project started. Yes, I still have a chicken sitting on my counter.
Today the kids made canopic jars. The jars were used to hold the intestines, lungs, liver and stomach of the deceased. Our jars will hold pennies, trinkets and rocks. Maybe keys.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Just a Day in the Life
I woke up at my usual 7ish am. That's a real time according to my Einstein Watch of Relativity: 7ish, 8ish, 9ish, etc....
Forced myself to get on the treadmill and walked for 1 minute and jogged for 2 minutes. Did that for 2.5 miles. I love seating now and I sure do a lot of it. It's kind of silly but I like to imagine that I'm sweating away melted fat and getting thinner and more muscular.
I also like to walk on the treadmill while watching cooking shows. Nothing makes me want to run like watching Paula Deen cook. Can she cook anything without a stick of butter? I think not. I am not making this up: I once saw her make a hamburger using two glazed donuts as the buns. I know!!!
After a good sweat and getting cleaned up, had an Amazing Grass Bar, and headed over to a chemical supply house to pick up citric acid (for Rachel's bath fizzies she likes to make) and some caustic soda (aka NaOH aka sodium hydroxide aka lye). Did you know that you used to be able to get lye at the grocery store in the form of Red Devil Lye drain cleaner? Can't any more. The feds were putting pressure on lye makers because lye is an ingredient in meth.
If you've ever wanted to give the gift of meth for the holidays, don't. Check out these ingredients: Drano, Brake Fluid, Lithium From Batteries (Battery Acid), Lighter Fluid, Rubbing Alcohol, Drain cleaner, Gasoline additives, Paint thinner, Freon, Camp stove fuel, White gasoline, Ammonia, Cold Remedies, Hydrochloride, Hydriodic Acid, Red Phosphorus, Lye, Ether (Starter Fluid), Iodine Ephedrine.
Ephedrine is a common ingredient in sinus medications like Sudafed. Since being used to make meth, you will often see it behind locked glass doors at the pharmacy now.
Ok. Back to chemical shopping. I was having trouble finding copper sulfate. If you ever need it, just go to a home supply store and pick up some root killer for septic systems. It's 99% copper sulfate. It's also used to kill algae in ponds so you might be able to find it at a water garden supply store. Just FYI.
Chemical roundup complete, we begin the experiment. The whole point was to be able to detect starches, fats and proteins in foods.
The first two tubes are for testing for starches using cornstarch and iodine solution. The one on the far left is the starch and the other one is the control.
The middle two were for testing for fats using veggie oil and alcohol. I was out of alcohol so I used hand gel. LOL It worked!
The last two were for testing protein using egg white and copper sulfate solution & lye water. The one of the left is the one with the egg white protein.
Things I learned from this experiment:
- finding lye is a lot more difficult than I'd expect. Hope you don't want to make soap or hominy!
- lye is used in making meth
- handgel can be used as a substitute for alcohol and is a wonderful product.
- lye gets extremely hot extremely fast when mixed with water. I did not know this and freaked out a little bit.
- chemistry can be a little scary for those (ME!) who don't know what they're doing
To make the day more fun, here is a real conversation that occurred:Charlie: "Mom, can I keep this daddy long legs?
Me:"AH! Get it out of here. That's not a daddy long legs!!"
Charlie: "what is it?"
Me: "A spider! Don't pick up things if you aren't sure what they are."
Lunch: turkey sandwich and some popcorn
Then school. Rachel also had to frost another cake for her class. These cakes have been giving her a fit. We've had the worst time with them falling apart or sticking to the pan. But this time I greased it like crazy and it worked out much better.
Things were busy and I just couldn't squeeze in another thing before her class. Took Rachel to class, went to the grocery store and came home. Breathed for a moment and then it was time to go get her at 8pm. We still hadn't eaten dinner so we went out to Gringo's Mexican Restaurant. Chuck and I split a fajita burrito (actually I had about 1/3) and we both got Mexican Hurricanes. Great way to end the day. :)
Oh, and Rachel's teacher showed everyone in the class a rose that Rachel made. Yeah! I know that made her feel good. She's been afraid that she can't do as well as all of the adults in the class.
And that concludes our broadcasting day.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Recipes: Cheese Stuffed Sliders (7 pts); Fettuccine Alfredo with Vegetables (7 pts)
This picture pretty much sums up the weekend: I love the innocence of childhood curiosity. We were on a mission to find animal tracks. The kids found raccoon and deer prints.
I packed in the materials we needed to make casts of the deer tracks. How is that for a prepared mom?! I made some casts of another track but some kids from hell smashed it. Brats.
Here are the casts that survived.
I did try a couple of new recipes that were hits.
How about some Cheese Stuffed Sliders? These are filled with 2% cheddar and were very good and filling. I did not top them with grilled onions like the recipe called for. Next time I'll try that. You can tell from the picture that I like a lot of mustard on the burger. No ketchup, please.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
More Adventure (Hudson Woods, Katy Conservancy, Stephen F Austin State Park)
I would like to report that food wasn't too terribly bad yesterday even though we were busy and on the road most the day.
Chuck cooked a good breakfast before we left for the day. Thanks, Chuck
Off to get a sneak peak of a place called Hudson Woods in Lake Jackson. We didn't have a lot of time for exploring but I have really wanted to check this place out since I found out it existed. I'm always on the lookout for new places to explore. Check out those gorgeous live oaks with Spanish moss! This area is a part of the Columbia Bottomlands ecosystem.
Saw some great spiders including this black and yellow argiope. They are easy to recognize because they write zig zags in their webs.
The trails are beautiful and shaded. This represents the Post Oak Savannah ecosytem in the Houston area.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Use the Fork, Luke!
I didn't exercise because I was exhausted. I went to sleep find Wednesday night but woke up around midnight in a panic attack. It suddenly hit me that Rachel is 14 and will be 18 in 4 short years. I lost it! It felt like a weight was on my chest and had trouble breathing.
Have I taught her enough? What should I have done differently? Anything? OMG, she will be driving soon! How can I afford a car for her? Will I have taught her everything she needs to know by graduation time? She's behind on math because it's always been her toughest subject so we don't move ahead until she has a firm grasp on a concept; therefore, we have moved slowly. She tells me she doesn't want to go to college. Should I push her or let her choose her own path in life?
Yep, I had a full freak out. It lasted until around 2:30am and I couldn't fight sleep any longer. I can't believe how fast kids are growing up. I can't believe how fast my life is flying by. Time used to go so slow when I was a kid. Did the clock speed up?!
I woke up fully recovered from the panic but very tired. I just have to make a 4 year plan. And if it takes a little longer, then so be it.
Breakfast: Amazing Grass pomegranate mango shake with chia seeds
Lunch: leftover Chicken Enchilada Casserole; watermelon
I also had a handful of coconut M&Ms. Those things are incredible.
Rachel had an experiment involving liver, hydrogen peroxide, and a toothpick. Place the liver in a jar with hydrogen peroxide. We didn't know it was going to have such a violent reaction. The catalase in the liver converts the hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen in seconds.
She put the lid on the jar and let the chemical reaction break down the peroxide.She lit a toothpick and blew out the flame so that the toothpick just had a glow. Then take the lid off the jar and hold toothpick inside the jar. The high oxygen content from the chemical reaction lit the toothpick again! And it burned much brighter in the oxygen rich environment than outside of the jar. So COOL!
By dinner time I'm usually tired from a busy day. This has been my toughest part of the day. THIS is when I want to just go out for a quick meal. It's easy & I don't have to clean up afterwards. But I totally resisted and made dinner instead. And it turned out great!
Dinner: Open Faced Chicken & Spinach Sandwiches; baked sweet tater
Wanna hear something sad? My elbow is so sore that it hurts to bend my arm. All because I played too much Wii tennis in the evenings. LOL Can you get tennis elbow by playing Wii?!
I feel much better about my day. I got school done; dinner cooked; washed clothes; worked on a scrapbook page for the Nature Challenge. :)
Now if I can only do good over our busy weekend. That is a big challenge for me. I'll report back how I did. Planning is everything.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
It's Still A Struggle
The day didn't start with a cup of coffee or a healthy breakfast but changing the salts in the mummy-in-progress. The kids are great sports about this.
Breakfast: Green shake with Amazing Grass Pomegranate Mango & chia seeds & almond milk
Rachel then had to do a science experiment that demonstrated how cells use osmosis. She used potatoes & sugar. Love science.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Chicken Mummification; Chicken Enchilada Casserole (5 pts)
We are studying about ancient Egypt right now. Rachel LOVES this time period and knows more than most about the Egyptian gods/goddesses and culture. It's something that has always fascinated her. So a lot of times she is teaching ME about history instead of vice versa. Charlie.....he's just along for the ride. I'm doing my best to spark an interest in something for him.
Our project for Tuesday was to begin the mummification process for a chicken that was named Pharaoh Cluxor or Clucksor. The spelling is debatable at this point among scholars.
You have to wash out the chicken with water and then with rubbing alcohol and then dry it thoroughly. Charlie was talking about becoming a vegetarian after this which I thought was hilarious.
We also made our own natron mixture. It had all of the elements of the natron that the Egyptians used except for one: sodium sulfate. I also added spices to give it a better smell than mummifying chicken. After all, you don't refrigerate this thing.
Guess how long this process is going to take! 6 weeks!! That's commitment, my friend.
Lunch: maple turkey, pesto, roasted red peppers & mozzarella on whole wheat bread; baked chips; watermelon The sandwich was the best! Such a good combination.
Took Rachel to her cake decorating class. She was stressing because her first cake didn't come out how she wanted. But I think she did pretty good. She's never made a 2-layer cake and homemade frosting before.
Dinner: Chicken Enchilada Casserole; salad; slice of bread I really enjoyed this recipe.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
New Treadmill; More Adventure into Houston Wilderness
We still have nature challenge missions to complete. Got up this morning and made some blueberry muffins from a mix from vitamuffin people and had some cantaloupe on the side. Nice.
Then off to Buffalo Bayou in downtown Houston. It was hot. REAL hot. But we're on a mission.
We retrieved our mission papers from a secret location and went over our plans: find native and invasive plants; make a nature journal entry; collect a leaf from both a native and invasive species. The message then self destructed but we're not sure if it was designed to do that or it was from the heat.
Success! A native bald cypress. Woohoo! One part of mission complete. Secret agent Happy Texan needs to lose a few more pounds. That IS a challenge.
At one pond were a bunch of turtles. They obviously get fed a lot because they started coming out of the water when they saw us. No food today, turtles.


text:
Payment Page: Ryerson Audition
Please click on the "Buy Now" button to be taken to our secure PayPal site.
NOTE: Your pre-registration will not be considered complete until you have entered the Transaction ID from your payment in the Registration form and successfully submitted the form. Audition Fees are non-refundable.


text:
Wesley Britton's blog
Recently added
The Fourth Pularchek
7:00 pm 4 May 2017
Back in Jan 2016, I had the pleasure of reviewing The Coalition, book two in Samuel Marquis's Nick Lassiter-Skyler Thriller Series. At the time, I wrote "novelist Samuel Marquis has accomplished something rather rare. In The Coalition, Marquis has injected fresh air into the often thread-bare genre of political conspiracy and assassination thrillers . . . only part of the saga deals with conspirators and killers and Machiavellian power moves. Much of the story deals with character regrets, guilt, and self-discovery on very personal levels that humanize even the villains."
I could make the same claims for the Fourth Pularchek. This time around, the multi-faceted female assassin Skyler from The Coalition and Nick Lassiter from 2015's The Devil's Brigade become major characters together in yet another epic struggle. Again, the lines between good and evil, right and wrong are as blurry as any moral distinctions can be. Explorations into personal motivations, moral codes, and especially family history get even deeper in Marquis's new novel.
For example, Nick Lassiter learns his biological father isn't the man he thought but is rather the Polish billionaire and intelligence commander Stanislaw Pularchek. Pularchek heads an organization that hunts down and kills Islamic terrorists but more particularly ex and neo-Nazis, especially those connected to genocidal atrocities during World War II in Poland. Once Pularchek learns he has a biological heir, he does all he can to give Lassiter a full indoctrination into his family's history which partially explains Pularchek's series of vendettas against those he sees as pure evil.
One of Pularchek's weapons is the female assassin Skyler who is fulfilling a promise to be a guardian angel for Pularchek while she hopes to finally retire from the sniper game. In fact, Skyler becomes something of a secondary character in the book, lurking in the background protecting her boss. At the same time, the world's intelligence agencies are puzzled as they are certain Pularchek is pulling many deadly strings but he always has a very public alibi. There always seems to be a Pularchek double at the scene of the crimes and many speculate the billionaire is cloning himself.
The main adversary to Pularchek, Skyler, and Lassiter is German intelligence operative Angela Wolff, granddaughter of a Nazi general who wasn't prosecuted at the Nuremburg trials. In Angela's view, she is due an inheritance from her grandfather that Pularchek now possesses. Angela is willing to destroy anyone or anything that gets in her way.
While we learn much about Wolff's motivations and desires, there's really nothing to redeem her actions. We also meet other reprehensible characters in governmental agencies wanting to keep secrets secret or profit from the Nazi treasures themselves. Perhaps it's not surprising the main protagonists don't just battle with Wolf and her German mercenaries, but with powerful higher ups that nearly derail all of Pularchek's efforts to cut down on the number of international villains.
The story is one set in a variety of vividly described settings from Washington D.C. to Berlin to Warsaw to Vienna. The action is non-stop and gripping with no shortages of surprises, especially in the final chapters. In the novel, Marquis brings together many of his established tropes and interests, notably incorporating his in-depth knowledge of World War II. (Another of Marquis's trilogies focuses on WWII with Bodyguard of Deception and Altar of Resistance, the first two volumes published to date.) The Fourth Pularchek, a very enigmatic title, is scheduled to come out on the anniversary of D-Day, June 6.
If you haven't tried a Samuel Marquis novel yet, here's a good one to get introduced. If you're already a fan of the award-winning novelist, this one won't disappoint.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on May 5, 2017:
Powered by BookLikes © 2015


text:
In regards to natural, normal tooth structure and dental restorations, the term "crown" refers to the portion of the tooth that can be seen above the gingival (gum) tissues. Crowns are fixed (non-removable) prosthodontic restorations, which may serve as a single unit for one tooth, part of a multi-unit bridge, or as the final restoration over a dental implant.
There are several indications for crown restorations, including:
There are several indications for crown restorations, including:
- Excessive tooth structure due to decay
- To restore a cracked tooth that is structurally unstable
- To protect an endondontically (root canal)-treated tooth
- To replace missing teeth where implants have been placed


text:
The revolutionary uprising of the Syrian masses has left many among the Syrian left confused and perplexed. Many of the so called "progressives" and "lefts" have taken a negative attitude towards the revolutionary movements, in some cases going as far as repeating the propaganda of the regime regarding "an imperialist conspiracy", "Muslim extremists", and "agent provocateurs". But all this completely misreads the situation.
A brief overview of historical development
French imperialism colonized Syria after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War One. The French mandate ended in 1946 after a struggle for national independence and the Syrian Arab Republic was formed with its current borders (after separation from Lebanon). After independence, the country had a very turbulent political life and went through a number of military coups. Many governments formed and collapsed and the union with Egypt under Nasser in 1958 broke up after three years. In 1963, the Ba'ath party came to power through a coup involving military and civilian officers. This was followed by a number of intra-Ba'ath party coups leading to the rise of Hafez Al-Asad to power in 1970.
After coming to power, the Ba'ath party (also known as the Socialist Arab Ba'ath Party) proceeded to nationalise the commanding heights of the economy and instituting a centrally planned economy, modelled on that of the Soviet Union. The process was intensified after the arrival of Hafez Al-Asad to power, leading to significant development of industry, agriculture, and services. The sixties and even more the seventies were years of impressive economic growth, providing work opportunities to many young Syrians and raising the standards of living of the Syrian population as a whole. However, due to the fact that what had been built was not a genuine workers' state based on workers' democracy, but a terribly bureaucratically caricature of a workers' state, with all the limitations that this eventually placed on growth, the economy began to slow down in the eighties and the problem became more sever in the nineties after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In the year 2000, Hafez Al-Asad died and his son, Bashar, become the president of the country. Since coming to power, the Syrian regime under Bashar has sought to gradually liberalize the economy from state control and introduce the so called "market economy". This process, however, has been slow and the economy today remains largely in the hands of the state, but with an increasingly growing private sector and which has brought increasingly growing economic and social inequality.
Development of the Syrian State and its nature under the Ba'ath Party
The Syrian masses carried out the colonial revolution with the aim of achieving national independence, uniting the country then divided by French imperialism, and answering the most pressing economic needs of the country. After independence, the state that immediately emerged was a bourgeois democratic state, that is, a capitalist state with a democratic political system. However, this proved extremely unstable, proven by the numerous military coups and abolition of democratic rights on a number of occasions. In addition, the Syrian state failed to attain genuine political sovereignty from the imperialist powers as well as failing to answer the most important economic question for a country with a majority of peasants back then: land reform.
Trotsky long ago explained, in his Theory of the Permanent Revolution, that in the age of imperialism the national bourgeoisie, the capitalist class, in an underdeveloped country is incapable of achieving the historical tasks that the bourgeoisies of Western Europe were able to achieve in the age of the industrial revolution. This is because, in an underdeveloped country, the capitalist class is organically linked with the feudal class, the landowners, and is largely dependent on and dominated by the much more powerful capitalists of the imperialist countries whose interests are often antagonistic to the national interests of the underdeveloped countries. For Trotsky, the proletariat, the working class, was the only class capable of achieving the historical tasks of the bourgeois revolution and from there moving forward to the socialist revolution.
Lenin also understood this very well in 1917 when he waged a struggle against those elements within the leadership of the Bolshevik party, who later on were to become key figures within the Stalinist bureaucracy, and insisted that the Russian working class, and not the Russian bourgeoisie, was the only class capable of achieving the bourgeois democratic tasks of the Russian revolution, while the bulk of the Bolshevik leadership believed that the Russian revolution would be bourgeois with the bourgeoisie playing some kind of a progressive role. The developments of the Russian revolution – as a socialist revolution – proved both Trotsky and Lenin absolutely right.
The Syrian bourgeoisie was no exception. A stable bourgeois democracy, strong national government, and land reform required a strong capitalist class, a class that was non-existent in Syria. The numerous military coups indicated a crisis in Syrian society. They indicated a struggle among different classes of society and even among different sections of the same class, and that no social class was strong enough to lead the nation to stable bourgeois development.
This situation, lasting for years, lead to frustration among many army officers and civilian leaders. They sought a way out, and in the absence of healthy Marxist organizations to lead the struggle, they looked up to mighty Russia and were impressed by its achievements. The bureaucracy in Russia, and other totalitarian Stalinist countries for that matter, represented a caricature of what socialism is. However, the planned nationalized economy proved very effective and far superior to the capitalist market economy. It proved to be very attractive to the Syrian officer caste which had come to power through the coup of 1963. The Soviet system under Stalin had seen enormous economic growth, and thus "stability", but it also allowed for the development of a privileged layer at the top, the bureaucracy, and all this was combined with the most oppressive methods of government. It was on this basis that the officer caste in Syria proceeded to nationalise the bulk of the economy and to set up a system similar to that in the Soviet Union.
To put it briefly, the Syrian state under the Ba'ath started not from the model of Russia 1917, but from where the Soviet state had ended up under Stalin. The Syrian regime under Hafez Al-Asad removed all democratic rights and freedoms, imprisoned dissents, stifled the political life of the country, and imposed a one-party political system. It was a contradictory state, very oppressive, but at the same time it had an extremely progressive dimension to it. In the early years of the leadership of Hafez Al-Asad, Syria was able to go forward in leaps and bounds. Landowners were expropriated and farmland was distributed to the peasants, industry was rapidly developed, schools and hospitals were built, universal health and education systems were established, and a strong national government and a strong army were built. This is the key to understanding the stability of the regime. There was genuine support among a significant layer of the population for the progressive economic measures carried out. However, like any other bureaucratically planned economy, the corruption, nepotism, and the mafia-like conduct of the ruling clique soon led to the stifling of the economical life of the country. Growth slowed down and the biggest blow came with the collapse of the Soviet Union, an important political and economic ally of the Syrian regime.
After the collapse of the regimes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union itself, the Syrian Stalinist bureaucracy, following a similar path to that of China under Deng, sought to carry out a social counter-revolution and transform itself into the new capitalist class. This process took off on a significant scale after Bashar Al-Asad became president after his father's death. Many measures were taken to "liberalise" the economy and "open up" to the market system. This meant allowing some foreign private banks to operate in the country, encouraging private investment and companies, and most importantly removing some subsidies on basic goods and reducing tariffs on imported goods and reducing state control over foreign trade.
This process, while it has benefited a small minority of the population, has had some catastrophic socioeconomic consequences for vast layers of Syrian society, driving prices up (food, real estate, etc.), bankrupting small local businesses and industries that could not compete with foreign imported products, and pushing the great majority of the middle income layers into poverty conditions. Many of the newly opened private banks, companies (cell phones, for example), and trade firms are owned by relatives of the President and his family or high ranking government bureaucrats, confirming the fact that the old state bureaucracy has been transforming itself into direct owners of the means of production.
Proletarian Bonapartism and the roots of the current crisis
The Syrian Ba'ath regime in the past could be described as "Proletarian Bonapartist". The concept of Proletarian Bonapartism was developed by the British Marxist theoretician, and founder of the International Marxist Tendency, Ted Grant. The term Bonapartism is taken from the example of Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after the French Revolution, was able to rule in a totalitarian fashion based on balancing between the forces of different classes in society, although in the last analysis defending the rising capitalist system at the time.
It is true that the state needs a class to rest upon. In a capitalist state with bourgeois democracy, the state depends on, and the represents the interests of the capitalist class. In a healthy workers' state, the state depends on, and represents the interests of the proletariat. However, in the case where no social class is strong enough for the state to rest upon, when the forces of the different social classes in a way cancel out each other, then the state apparatus can achieve a certain level of independence from all social classes. This concept is what Ted Grant refers to as Bonapartism.
Nonetheless, the state cannot gain complete independence from the different classes in society. In the last analysis, a Bonapartist state, although oppressing all classes, has to favour and work in the interests of one class over the others, and this is determined by the economic basis upon which the state rests. If the economy is capitalist, then the state is bourgeois Bonapartist, and protects the interests of the capitalist class; this is the case with Fascism or military-police regimes for example. If the economy is nationalised and centrally planned and the bourgeoisie has been expropriated, but without genuine workers' democracy, then the state can be described as Proletarian Bonapartist in the sense that it rests on the economic base of a workers' state, i.e. a centrally planned state owned economy, but where the workers do not have political power. This is the case with Stalinism.
Syrian society prior to the rise to power of Ba'ath party, as outlined above, had been in continuous political crisis. The Syrian bourgeoisie was impotent, too weak and incapable of taking the country forward under either a democratic or a totalitarian capitalist system, and the Syrian proletariat was both small in numbers and, more importantly, lacking a genuine revolutionary Marxist party to lead it to victory. This was the context in which the Ba'ath party was able to come to power and hold on to it for 40 years.
The Ba'ath leadership nationalised the economy not for ideological reasons or because they genuinely believed in or understood Marxism, but because, empirically, they saw it as the only way of overcoming the backwardness of the country and gaining some independence from the imperialist powers. Thus, what was realized in Syria was by no means anything at all resembling true socialism. The economy was not nationalised under the democratic control of the workers, but under the bureaucratic control of the officer caste.
The Syrian regime has managed to skilfully balance between the different classes, trying to please all of them as much as possible, and playing them off against each other. Since the seventies, there has existed a delicate balance of forces between the working class, the peasantry, the petit bourgeoisie of the cities and towns (especially the powerful merchant class in Damascus and Aleppo) and the remnants of some small industrialists and small capitalists. Nevertheless, a Bonapartist regime by its very nature eventually becomes very unstable, especially once it reaches a point where it can no longer develop the productive forces, and thus fails to grant some degree of material benefit to all the various classes it balances between. For example, if a stable bourgeois democratic regime based on the dominant and powerful bourgeoisie can be overthrown by the forces of the proletariat once it enters into crisis, a Bonapartist regime that bases itself not a this or that class, but on a balance of class forces is even more prone to being overthrown.
What we are seeing in Syrian today is not Islamic fundamentalism at work or some kind of "foreign conspiracy". What we are seeing is the upsetting of the previous class balance of forces due to the economic policies (and their socioeconomic effects) of Bashar Al-Asad in the eleven years of his presidency. Poverty in and of itself is not enough to cause revolution and neither is oppression; otherwise we would have seen a revolution in the days of Hafez Al-Asad. Change – i.e. the passage from one state of things to another – is what causes revolution. The economic policy of the regime in the last decade has only benefited a small section of the working class who could find well paid jobs in the new private sector. The main feature of the period has been the enriching of a relatively thin layer of the petit bourgeoisie in the big cities while marginalizing vast layers of the working class, petit bourgeoisie and the peasantry. This could well explain why the revolutionary movement has been concentrated in the lower income neighbourhoods, suburbs, and smaller towns and villages, while resistance is coming from within areas of the bigger cities and the higher income neighbourhoods.
The revolutionary movement has developed relatively slowly with new layers gradually joining in. This can be explained by two reasons. The first being the lack of leadership with a clear programme, which creates fear and uncertainty especially among certain layers of the middle class who are adopting a reactionary position and could have otherwise been won over to the movement. The second is related to the nature of the revolution itself. Social phenomena, such as revolutions, are similar to natural phenomena. A volcano, left to itself, erupts when just enough pressure has been accumulated inside it, not before, not after. However, if an earthquake hits near a volcano, it could erupt much sooner. The Syrian volcano has definitely been accumulating pressure as dissatisfaction with the increasing social inequality and injustice has been building up. However, at the time when the Tunisian earthquake hit, the majority of Syrian society was not necessarily at boiling point yet. The Tunisian revolution seems to have radicalized certain sections of Syrian society before others, and those in their turn have served to radicalize other strata. But the overall development of the situation seems to suggest that certain layers of Syrian society were caught by surprise and are only coming to terms with the situation gradually.
Lies of the regime
The Syrian regime is exploiting certain fears and prejudices (religious, ethnic, ideological...) to scare the population with the threat of an ominous future if the regime falls. The regime has so far refused to recognize the revolutionary movement. It has been spreading all kinds of lies and rumours about foreign conspiracies and Muslim extremists, and combining its propaganda with barbaric measures of oppression, shooting with live ammunition at protesters, storming neighbourhoods and carrying out mass arrests, besieging cities and towns with tanks and depriving their population of food and water, and even following the injured to hospitals and abducting them or killing them there on the spot. A regime that has to resort to such drastic measures in dealing with a protest movement is one that is clearly senile and decaying to its very roots, a regime that has no hope and no future.
The propaganda of the regime has gone to extremes in talking about an imperialist conspiracy to topple the regime and divide the country into cantons in the interest of Israel and the West. This is ridiculous if one notes how mild the US administration has actually been in its criticism of the regime and how little the imperialist countries have done about the situation in Syria, compared to their direct intervention in Libya or even to their behind-the-scenes manoeuvres in Egypt. Also the Israeli press has many times expressed the fear of the Israeli ruling class of a collapse of the regime and what could follow it. Although the Zionist regime in Israel prides itself at being the "only democracy" in the Middle East it doesn't seem to be too keen on seeing a despotic regime like that in Syria being toppled. They would rather have a "stable" despot in power next door than the Syrian people having any basic democratic rights. The Turks, another major regional power, have actually been quite supportive of Assad. So where is the foreign inspired conspiracy?
Having said that, one has to recognise that the fear of some kind of foreign conspiracy against Syria does have an effect on some layers among the masses; it is not built on nothing. The imperialists have a past legacy of conspiracy in dealing with Syria. For many years the Syrian regime fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and was regarded as a "rogue state" together with the likes of Iran, Libya and North Korea. However, in recent years that had changed. The economy has been opened up to foreign investment. The Syrian regime has collaborated with imperialism in several situations.
In March 2005 US President Bush called on the Syrian regime to pull out its troops from Lebanon after a 30-year presence. By the end of April of the same year the Syrian regime obliged. A year later the famous Baker Report (officially the Iraq Study Group, ISG, Report) concluded that rather than opening up a conflict with Syria and Iran, the US administration should seek the help of these two countries in pacifying Iraq in order to allow a US withdrawal. Bush at the time was not keen on the idea, but the more intelligent and far-sighted of the US bourgeois understood that the Syrian regime could be used to further their interests in the region.
The fact is that the US and some European powers would like to intervene in the country if they could, but the problem is they can't. They have their hands full in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have now added Libya to their problems, where although they have agreed on a no-fly zone they are very wary of being dragged into an all-out military presence on the ground. Therefore to state that they are the ones stirring events in Syria is absolute absurdity.
It is unfortunate to see some among the left picking up the same line of a foreign conspiracy. This is no accident and is not only a result of confusion. It is to be expected once Marxism is abandoned as a means of understanding the process. The Stalinists especially, long age abandoned genuine Marxism in favour of a so-called National Road to Socialism and "Third Worldism". Their lack of internationalism and perspective has led them to blame the imperialist countries for everything that goes wrong, in the same manner as the Ba'ath bureaucracy does! They refuse to see that the Syrian revolution is a product of the social and economic contradictions created within Syria itself, and that the Arab revolution is a reflection of the overall crisis of world capitalism.
The other big scarecrow that the secularists, leftists, and so-called "progressives" continually harp on about is that of Islamic Fundamentalism. This is ridiculous given that the Islamists have been nowhere to be seen in this movement, and the Muslim Brotherhood has played absolutely no rule in the events in Syria. All this paranoia about the rise of Islamic fundamentalism is totally unjustified. The Syrian government has insisted that these are the ones who have been killing army soldiers during the last two months, but for some reason they cannot get their hands on them. The regime can kill hundreds, arrest thousands, it has an extremely widespread secret police, spying on everyone and yet it cannot get its hands on these supposed Islamists who kill soldiers on the streets of Syrian cities. The idea is laughable. What has to be said, however, is that where Islamic fundamentalism has managed to play a role it has been because of the mistakes of the left and the communists. The most glaring example is Iran, where the fundamentalists were able to hijack the 1979 revolution thanks to the Stalinist two-stage theory which presented the Islamic clergy as somehow a "progressive" force. The irony of the situation, however, is that the same lefts who are paranoid about an "Islamic Syria" are also supporters of the Iranian regime and Hezbollah and think they are progressive, "anti-imperialist" forces! Among these people confusion reigns supreme.
The Syrian revolution is part of the overall revolution sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East. Genuine socialist and communists support this revolution totally. But we also understand that without leadership these revolutions can stall, as was the case in Libya, or they can succeed in overthrowing despots, as was the case in Tunisia and Egypt, but without removing the whole political and economic system that spawned these dictatorships.
It is true that if the present Syrian regime is overthrown, but no genuine working class leadership emerges, this can lead eventually to "bourgeois democratic" elements coming to the fore who would simply continue in the steps of the Ba'ath regime in opening up further the economy to predatory imperialism. What one has to understand is that even if the present movement should be successfully repressed, it is only a matter of time before another revolutionary movement erupts. This regime is doomed. The question is: what is to replace it, some form of unstable bourgeois-democratic regime or a genuine workers' democracy?
Therefore there is no place for "neutrality" on the part of Syrian leftists. It is time to decide whether to be on the side of the revolutionaries or the reactionaries. The leftists, communists and socialists should raise the slogans:
- Down with the Baa'th regime. Immediate resignation of the president and for the bringing to justice of all those responsible for criminal activities;
- For the formation of a Constituent Assembly that excludes any of the old regime figures;
- For a new constitution that guarantees maximum democratic rights;
- Expropriation of the assets and nationalization of the companies that belong to figures within the regime under the democratic control of their workers;
- The formation of neighbourhood committees for the management of the general affairs of the community and for self-defence;
- No support for any Islamic fundamentalist groups. The left has to maintain its independence and offer a socialist way out of the present impasse.


text:
Our Research and Reports:
We communicate our investment analysis and ideas to subscribers primarily via 9 different research reports, all which are accessible through the password-protected Research Center of our website. Different combinations of reports and services are available to meet the needs of professional and individual investors.
Highly-Rated by Subscribers
Our clients are the Portfolio Managers, Head Traders and Chief Investment Officers of some of the most respected and successful investment firms in the world. Investors that understand the value of Asbury's independent thinking, limited distribution, and personalized attention to its clients.
Find out why these professionals chose us as independent research providers, in their own words.
Unique, Innovative Methodology
Our proprietary analysis is based on a diverse array of market metrics including our own proprietary models and metrics, investor asset flows, global intermarket relationships, relative performance, investor sentiment, market volatility, credit spreads, seasonality, market breadth, and chart patterns and price trends to produce a comprehensive determination of:
- WHERE the major US financial markets are headed
- WHAT market factors are most likely to affect their current price trends
- WHEN these trends may change, and
- HOW to determine when they do.


text:
Mobility scooters: batteries and range
Types of scooter battery
All mobility scooter batteries are rechargeable, though they'll probably need replacing every 12 to 18 months. You charge them using an ordinary electric socket and they'll last longer if you:
- don't run them all the way down, and
- don't leave dead batteries for more than a day without charging them.
There are 3 main types of scooter battery. Check with the manufacturer or supplier if you're unsure which type your scooter uses.
- Lead acid batteries are cheaper, lighter and last longer, but need the most maintenance. They contain a mixture of water and electrolyte which must be regularly checked and topped up. Take care not to spill the liquid as it can burn you.
- Gel cell batteries are more expensive and last for a shorter time than lead acid batteries. They can't be spilled, need no maintenance, and can be taken on planes. BHTA has advice on disabling mobilty scooters for air travel.
- AGM batteries use newer technology, and are the most expensive. They don't spill or require maintenance, and are also more shock-resistant. They can also be taken on planes.
Charging your battery
A battery measure on the scooter's control panel will show how much power is left - this is usually a colour-coded dial or set of lights, or a picture on the digital display. Check the battery's full when you set off.
Most mobility scooters can be charged without removing the batteries. To charge your scooter you'll need a place which:
- has enough space, and
- has easy access to a power socket.
When budgeting for a scooter, remember that charging it will add to your electricity bill.
Battery range
Safety tip: It's wise to treat manufacturers' claims about the range of your scooter battery with caution.
Hills, the weather, your weight, heavy shopping and the age of the batteries will all affect how far your scooter can actually go. To avoid being stranded, plan on travelling about half the manufacturer's stated range in between charges.
See also: our scooter search.
This information is based on the findings of a research project carried out by Rica (now the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers). 16 disabled and older people (half experienced scooter users, half novices) tested a sample of seven class 2 and class 3 mobility scooters.
Our unbiased research with real scooter users aims to help you choose the mobility scooter that will work best for you.
Last updated: May 2018
Previous: Seating and stability| Batteries and range | Next: Travelling with a scooter


text:
This Item qualifies for Free Shipping on orders over $199! More Info...
Teak Brightener is the second step in restoration of weathered teak.
First clean teak with our Teak Cleaner. Then apply Teak Brightener to enhance teak and highlight woodgrain. Lightly brush on, let sit and hose off. Follow up by applying Premium Teak Oil. Teak Brightener lightens the color of teak which provides a warm golden brown color when teak oil is applied.
Free Ground shipping via Canada Post (UPS or Purolator for some locations) within Canada on most orders of $99 or more (pre-tax). Q. What do we mean by most orders? A. Some items are exempt from this offer and are indicated on the product page. Exempt items are usually bulky or heavy items such as buoys. Over 98% of the items on Binnacle.com qualify for the free shipping offer. To see what your shipping charge (if any) will be you can add the item(s) and quantities to the shopping cart and you will see a shipping cost calculator
Please Note:
Remote areas which require an "air stage" for delivery are exempt from Free Shipping offer. These are typically remote northern areas. Nunavut as well as many parts of the Yukon and NWT are exempt from free shipping
Proudly Serving Boaters for 25 years
The Binnacle Canadian Mailing Address: 1065 Purcells Cove Rd. Halifax, NS, B3N 1R2