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Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 Thereto and 2, Relating to Margining, 38487-38489 [E8-15198]Download as PDF
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 130 (Monday, July 7, 2008)] [Notices] [Pages 38487-38489] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: E8-15198] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-58045; File No. SR-Phlx-2007-33] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 Thereto and 2, Relating to Margining June 26, 2008. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'' or ``Exchange Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 \2\ thereunder, notice is hereby given that on April 5, 2007, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been substantially prepared by Phlx. On July 31, 2007, Phlx filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. On May 19, 2008, Phlx filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change.\3\ The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4. \3\ Amendment No. 2 replaced and superseded the original filing and Amendment No. 1 in their entirety. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Phlx proposes to amend its rules to streamline and make more efficient its margin rules and procedures by: (1) Adding a new section to Rule 721 (Proper and Adequate Margin) requiring [[Page 38488]] each member to indicate in writing to the Exchange that such member shall be bound by the initial and maintenance margin requirements of either the Chicago Board Options Exchange (``CBOE'') or New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE''); and (2) eliminating Rules 724 (Guaranteed Accounts) and 725 (Daily Record of Required Margin). The Exchange also proposes to significantly shorten Rules 723 (Day Trading and Prohibition on Free-Riding in Cash Accounts) and 722 (Margin Accounts) to eliminate redundant language while retaining those margin requirements that are unique to current Exchange margin rules. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at Phlx's principal office, the Commission's public reference room, and http://www.phlx.com. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Phlx included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Phlx has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of the proposed rule change is to streamline Phlx margin rules by requiring member organizations to elect in writing that they shall follow the margin rules of CBOE or NYSE, which should eliminate unnecessary or duplicative margin requirements. At the same time, the Exchange proposes to retain those margin provisions that are unique to current Exchange margin rules, particularly those pertaining to foreign currency options, which only trade on Phlx. The proposal will also make portfolio margining available to Exchange members.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The Exchange believes that the portfolio margin rules noted herein most likely will be used by Phlx clearing firm members for which the Exchange is not the designated examining authority (DEA). The Phlx does not, at this time, intend to approve member firms for which it is the DEA to engage in portfolio margining. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange's current margin requirements are embodied in its Rules 721 through 725, with the bulk of them in Rule 722. The proposal would require member organizations to elect, via written notice to the Exchange, to use and follow the margin rules of either CBOE or NYSE as they are in effect from time to time (known as the ``elected margin rules''). This would allow the Exchange to drastically reduce the length of Rule 722 while retaining those margin concepts that are not covered by the elected margin rules, such as Miscellaneous Securities options,\5\ currency pairs, and free-riding. Rule 722 as amended would specifically require that once an Exchange member organization elects to follow the margin rules of either CBOE or NYSE, it shall be bound to comply with such elected margin rules, as applicable, as though they were part of the Exchange's margin rules. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ Miscellaneous Securities include cross rate currencies and cash index participations as defined in proposed Rule 722. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The election of appropriate margin rules enables the Exchange to eliminate Rules 724 and 725 because the topics of those rules-- guaranteed accounts and daily record of required margin, respectively-- are covered in the elected margin rules and retention of 724 and 725 would therefore be duplicative.\6\ The Exchange likewise proposes to shorten Rule 723 by retaining the unique prohibition on free-riding while eliminating the duplicative day-trading margin language. The language proposed to be deleted duplicates similar provisions in CBOE Rule 12.3 and NYSE Rule 431. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ See CBOE Rules 12.4 and 12.12, and NYSE Rules 431 and 432. With the creation of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') through the consolidation of NASD and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration operations of the NYSE, NYSE Rules 431 and 432 are now part of the FINRA rulebook which currently consists of both NASD Rules and certain NYSE Rules that FINRA has incorporated (Incorporated NYSE Rules). See http://www.finra.org/ RulesRegulation/FINRARules/index.htm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The elected margin rules contain the portfolio margin pilot programs that were initiated by CBOE and NYSE in 2005 and are currently codified in their margin rules (the ``Pilots'').\7\ As stated above, the Exchange believes that the portfolio margin rules noted herein most likely will be used by Phlx clearing firm members for which the Exchange is not the designated examining authority (``DEA''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 52032 (July 14, 2005), 70 FR 42118 (July 21, 2005) (SR-CBOE-2002-03); and 52031 (July 14, 2005), 70 FR 42130 (July 21, 2005) (SR-NYSE-2002-19). The Exchange notes that the OCC has amended its rules and by-laws to accommodate the Pilots. See, e.g., Exchange Act Release No. 52030 (July 14, 2005), 70 FR 42405 (July 22, 2005) (SR-OCC-2003-04) (establishes new OCC ``customers' lien account'' for customers of clearing members that are margined on a portfolio risk basis or pursuant to a cross- margining arrangement in accordance with exchange rules). See also infra note 8. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whereas current Phlx Rule 722 requires that margin must be calculated using fixed percentages, on a position-by-position basis, the Pilots permit a broker-dealer to calculate customer margin requirements by grouping all eligible products in an account(s) based on the same index or issuer into a single portfolio. Products eligible for margining according to the portfolio margining methodology of the Pilots include listed, broad-based, and market index options, index warrants, futures, futures options and related exchange-traded funds. The Pilots were subsequently extended and modified by expanding the scope of products eligible for portfolio margining to include margin equity securities, unlisted derivatives, listed options and securities futures.\8\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 56107 (July 19, 2007), 72 FR 41377 (July 27, 2007) (SR-NYSE-2007-56); 56109 (July 19, 2007), 72 FR 41365 (July 27, 2007) (SR-CBOE-2007-75); and 56108 (July 19, 2007), 72 FR 41375 (July 27, 2007) (SR-NASD-2007-045) (orders extending the Pilots until July 31, 2008). See also Exchange Act Release No. 54918 (December 12, 2006), 71 FR 75790 (December 18, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2006-13); Exchange Act Release No. 54919 (December 12, 2006), 71 FR 75781 (December 18, 2006) (SR-CBOE 2006-14); and Exchange Act Release No. 54125 (July 11, 2006), 71 FR 40766 (July 18, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2005-93) (orders expanding the scope of products eligible for portfolio margining). The Exchange could have adopted the Pilots and relevant updates piecemeal but instead has determined to incorporate them by adopting the margin rules of CBOE and NYSE as described herein. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This proposal to incorporate CBOE or NYSE margin rules is similar to the approach used by the International Securities Exchange (``ISE'') and the Boston Options Exchange (``BOX'') requiring their members to elect and follow CBOE or NYSE margin rules and incorporating such rules by reference into their own rules.\9\ The Exchange believes that the proposal to have its members elect appropriate CBOE or NYSE margin rules, in conjunction with retaining the needed portions of the Exchange's current margin rules, should enable it to maximize and maintain its competitive position among options exchanges to the benefit of investors. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \9\ See Exchange Act Release Nos. 48355 (August 22, 2003), 68 FR 50813 (August 22, 2003) (SR-BSE-2002-15); and 49260 (February 14, 2004), 69 FR 8500 (February 24, 2004) (approval, among other things, of ISE rule incorporating CBOE and NYSE margin rules). The Exchange has, under separate cover, submitted a letter seeking an exemption under Section 36 of the Act from the rule filing procedures of Section 19(b) of the Act with respect to changes to the proposed incorporated CBOE and NYSE margin rules going forward. See generally Exchange Act Release No. 49260. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 38489]] 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \10\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \11\ in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest, by streamlining its margin rules commensurate with industry practice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change, as amended, will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http:// www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or Send an e-mail to email@example.com. Please include File Number SR-Phlx-2007-33 on the subject line. Paper Comments Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2007-33. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/ sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2007-33 and should be submitted on or before July 28, 2008. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\12\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8-15198 Filed 7-3-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P


text: The Women Investment Education Program (WIEP) evening workshops are planned for 6-8 P.M. for six weeks starting on September 1. The workshops will be held in the Sunflower Room at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center. These workshops are geared for Widows, Divorcees, Married Women or any women who wishes to know more about investing but are too intimidated to ask anyone. The cost of the class is $20. Register at www.sedgwick.ksu.edu 660-0100 ext. 0127.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 6 - Wichita State 4
Records: ORU (1-2) - WSU (2-2)
Location: J.L. Johnson Stadium - Tulsa, Okla.
TULSA, Okla. - Three players tallied a trio of hits as the Oral Roberts baseball team picked up its first victory of the season in a 6-4 win over Wichita State Wednesday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
The Shockers (2-2) kept things interesting in the ninth as they loaded the bases with a leadoff hit-by-pitch followed by consecutive walks. Wichita State would score one run in the inning though, on a walk that forced a runner to the plate.
Junior Brady Womacks entered with the bases loaded in the ninth and picked up the save for the Golden Eagles.
Leading the way for ORU (1-2) was senior first baseman Rolando Martinez. Martinez finished the day 3-for-3 with his first career home run in the second to push ORU ahead, 3-1. Prior to Wednesday, the Bakersfield, California native was hitless in two games this season.
Nick Roark continued to build on his early success this season, pounding WSU for three hits. Nick Rotola also picked up three hits on the day.
In total, 10 pitchers were used by ORU. Transfer Billy Lovvorn picked up the win with a quality two and a third innings on the mound. The Fort Smith, Arkansas native faced eight batters in his stint on the mound, not allowing a hit while striking out two.
Holden Cammack entered in the eighth and retired the side for the Shockers with three straight strikeouts.
Tyler Gibson was charged with the loss, dropping the junior to 0-1 on the season. The right-hander gave up three runs, including a two-run homer in the second.
Inside the Box Score
- Each team stranded 11 batters on base in the game.
- The Golden Eagles tallied 11 strikeouts on the day. Freshman Josh McMinn and Cammack accounted for three apiece.
- ORU scored in each of the first four innings of play.
- Michael Hungate and Nick Roark continued their streaks, each picking up a base hit on the day.
- ORU struck for 13 hits on the day while holding Wichita State to three.
Up Next
ORU will head to Dallas this weekend for a three-game series against Dallas Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
For the latest information on ORU baseball, follow @ORUBaseball on Twitter or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Golden Eagles Front Row App at ORUAthletics.com/frontrow or in the App Store.


text:
The Georgia Supreme Court upheld Reinaldo Rivera's conviction and death sentence Monday.
It's now up to the serial killer who left a string of victims in the Augusta area to decide whether he will appeal further.
Since his arrest in October 2000, Mr. Rivera has repeatedly said he wanted to die for his crimes. He even asked a Richmond County Superior Court jury to give him a death sentence, and it did.
Mr. Rivera was sentenced to die for the September 2000 rape and murder of Marni Glista, a 21-year-old Army sergeant stationed at Fort Gordon.
"You can say I am thrilled and elated," said Wendy Knopp, Sgt. Glista's sister, on Monday. Mrs. Knopp, from Washington state, said her family is anxious to reach the final step.
Sgt. Glista was found Sept. 4, 2000, barely alive in her Augusta home. She died five days later after doctors declared her brain dead and disconnected the life support.
Mr. Rivera, 43, later confessed to Sgt. Glista's murder, three other slayings and the Oct. 10, 2000, attempted murder of a teenager.
"The opinion is a welcome conclusion to a tragic chapter in our community's history," District Attorney Danny Craig wrote in an e-mail Monday.
Mr. Craig and Assistant District Attorney Ashley Wright prosecuted Mr. Rivera in Augusta. Murder charges are pending in Columbia County, where the remains of Tabitha Bosdell were found, and in Aiken County, where the remains of Tiffaney S. Wilson and Melissa Dingess were found.
Evidence of the four killings was introduced at Mr. Rivera's trial in January 2004. That was one of the perceived errors defense attorneys Peter Johnson and Jacque Hawk noted in Mr. Rivera's appeal.
The Supreme Court, however, ruled that challenge and several other issues did not amount to unfair treatment.
The court also rejected the defense attorneys' complaint that it was wrong for the judge to allow Mr. Rivera to take over his defense and tell the jury he wanted death.
"I couldn't stop before, and I still can't stop," Mr. Rivera testified at his trial.
"I just still fantasize about, about hurting people ... I fantasize about still hurting the same girls that I killed. That's how disturbing it is."
Neither Mr. Johnson nor Mr. Hawk returned telephone calls Monday.
Mr. Rivera, a father of two who worked at the Bridgestone/Firestone plant, told investigators he had raped many women in his life. He began killing in the Augusta area because he was afraid he would be caught.
Mrs. Dingess, 17, was the first to die July 17, 1999, after disappearing from her Graniteville home.
Mrs. Wilson, 17, died Dec. 4, 1999, after encountering Mr. Rivera at a North Augusta shopping center where she had taken her infant daughter for a Christmas photograph. The baby was later found unharmed.
Ms. Bosdell, 17, disappeared June 29, 2000, on her way to a job interview. As with Mrs. Dingess, investigators learned where to find her remains from Mr. Rivera.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or email@example.com.


text:
Hello Dear Customers,
The point of this page is to compare free shopping carts like Zen Cart, Oscommerce, Magento, WP Ecom, and others to Paid Shopping Carts like 3D Cart, Big Commerce, and Volusion. We feel that you should be better educated about the differences before making a big decision because once you made that decision, the only way to switch is to start all over again with the coding.
Please see below:
We can definitely help you create a fantastic website for your Ecommerce store. There are many options we can provide to you, much of these options are based on your budget.
1) We can create a custom E-commerce website for you at the rate of $999, no templates, from scratch. We will integrate it with the shopping cart of your choice.
2) We can modify a template of your choosing for $799 and integrate it with the shopping you have chosen.
3) We can load up to 50 products in the cart for free and each additional product can be loaded for $1, or if you have a shopping cart currently, we can import all the products from a database (if compatible) for free. If cost is an issue: we can show you how to load the products yourself, and you can save money that way too. We would then just load up to our maximum allowed for free.
Now, as for the shopping cart, we have some different solutions for that as well:
A) We can use an open source shopping cart like zen cart, magento, oscommerce, presta shop, or opencart. Pros: more control of customization, no monthly fees, and you can host it on your own server. Cons: Because they don't charge monthly fees that also means they don't come with any support at all. Anytime you need something done, you will need to pay a web developer, anytime you need security upgrades, technology upgrades, or anything, you need to hire a developer. The UI (user interface) is complicated because it was meant more for developers, so if you plan to control the site yourself in the administration panel, you will need more training, and support. The final three cons are even more profound: You still need to pay for hosting yourself, you still need to pay for an SSL certificate yourself, and now you need to find a PCI compliance scanning company to issue you a certification and pay them for regular scanning of your shopping cart. If you don't do that, you will be in violation of PCI compliance rules, and could be subject to HUGE fines of up to 50K if someone's card is compromised from your site.
B) The second option is highly suggested: We can use a paid cart like big commerce, 3d cart, or Volusion. Every con in option A is a pro with this choice, and every pro in option A is a con. You won't have to worry about PCI compliance, buying hosting, SSL, finding tech support if you have a problem, and more. They even keep redundant backups of your site for you, so if something happens to their server, your site will stay intact and not be harmed. These carts were also created for novice computer users, and in case there is any confusion they have video tutorials and customer service / support. In exchange, you will need to pay a monthly fee of $19 – $60 depending on the number of products and which shopping cart solution you pick.
I know this can be highly confusing, so many options, but I guess it really depends on your particular needs. If you want to check out the feature lists before making a selection, they are listing on each website or you can also take the free trial and take 30 minutes going through it and watching the videos. If time is an issue, I can also email all your requested features to each cart provider, although I think they all include your features, I can double check with them.
We have no preference which direction you choose, but the latter of the two is more commonly a better choice.


text: On Mer, 2004-12-01 at 15:32, Mike Hearn wrote: > a) On mixed networks how do you represent the difference between "Web File > Shares" and "Network Neighbourhood Shares" in a sensible way in the UI > > b) Is it easy to implement this g-u-s protocol on Windows? > > c) If the answer to b is yes, who is going to do it? d) Is there a political goal as well "Share" "Share with Windows users" for example has nice implications about windows.


text:
This is a temporary page with some information about our company. Check back soon for more detailed information about current and upcoming projects.
Turning Point Films is a division of Turning Point Productions Inc. This company was launched to develop and produce independent movies.
We are currently seeking investors, distributors, and producers who are interested in independent film.
Our focus at this time is in low budget genre driven films that are above all entertaining and fun to watch. In that goal we are developing solid concepts and maintaining the highest production standards.
If interested, please contact
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Standing upon the success of our E-liquid brand, Ruze Vapor Shop opened in October of 2017. We boast a clean and modern look, with a magnificent selection of devices, hardware and e-liquids to choose from. We are proud to offer the largest collection of Pacific Northwest manufactured juices, along with select respected national brands as well. We are community-minded and love meeting new people. Come on in and check us out!Read More
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text: Add to Wish list Add to Cart Quick view Compare Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, 16x20 Plaque - 8x10 Action photo and 6 football cards $75.00 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers All-Time Great! A great item and perfect for collectors of any age! Includes an 8x10 action photo and 6 baseball cards with brass nameplate. Final product MAY vary -... Add to Cart Add to Wish list


text:
(Adds more quotes from CFO)
By Maytaal Angel
LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - Russia's Evraz, one of the country's largest steelmakers, said on Wednesday it has no plans for further share buybacks in a 'challenging market' and would need to see a reduction in net debt before considering paying dividends.
Russia's economy is expected to shrink by 2.5-2.8 percent this year under pressure from a fall in oil prices and from Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine.
Evraz said in April it would return up to $375 million to its shareholders as part of a tender offer after its 2014 core earnings rose on a weaker rouble.
However, the market situation has deteriorated this year.
"We have no plans for further share buybacks. We believe we are in a much more challenging market environment overall ... so we'll be prioritising deleveraging and keeping a liquidity cushion over all other capital deployment options," its chief financial officer, Pavel Tatyanin, told Reuters in London.
He added that the company's dividend policy had also changed slightly, as it battles falling global steel prices ST-CRU-IDX and a contraction of up to 20 percent in the construction steel market in Russia.
In order to consider paying dividends, Evraz would not only need to see a net debt to earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) ratio below three, but would also look for a reduction in overall net debt every six months. The net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.5 at the end of 2014.
"We may consider paying out dividends but our key priority is deleveraging," Tatyanin said.
Demand for construction steel in Russia has been hit hard by sanctions, which have hurt investment demand and limited the availability of funding for end users who buy steel from Evraz.
"We're seeing a decline in demand for construction products of between 20 to 35 percent this year versus last in the Russian market (and) we do not see a recovery coming soon," Tatyanin said.
Margins at Evraz and other Russian steel companies benefited from a decline in the rouble against the dollar last year, as their costs fell in dollar terms.
The Russian currency has largely stabilised this year, but Tatyanin does not expect the stability to last.
"The rouble to dollar rate in our budget is 60 (for 2015). The rouble is around 55 these days so we expect to benefit from a higher rouble-dollar rate going forward," he said.
In North America, Evraz has for now suspended its plans for an initial public offering (IPO), due in part to weaker demand, especially from the oil and gas industry where prices have fallen sharply.
Evraz said this month it had temporarily halted work at its North American Pueblo production plant due to weaker demand.
Reporting by Maytaal Angel; Editing by Dale Hudson and Susan Thomas


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text:
Tar Heels Military Appreciation Day:
The University of North Carolina athletic department has teamed with UNC campus ROTC units - Air Force, Army and Navy - to honor all current and former members of the United States military at the Carolina vs. East Carolina football game in Kenan Stadium on Saturday.
To purchase tickets please visit the ticket page on GoHeels.com and enter the promotional code: FB13-MILITARY or call the ticket office at 1-800-722-4335.
Stay tuned to GoHeels.com for more information on Military Appreciation Day.
Co-ed Softball:
2013 Fort Bragg Co-ed Softball Program is currently underway and will end Nov. 15, at� Pope field Sports Complex.� The Sports and Fitness Branch will provide individual awards for the regular season champion and the first and second place teams for post season tournament play. For more information, call Steve Johnson, FMWR intramural sports coordinator, at 396-1217.
5K Walk/Run:
The quarterly Fort Bragg 5K Walk/Run is scheduled for Saturday, 9 a.m., at Hedrick Stadium. The event is open to military/government ID card holders and Family members. No registration is required and participation is free of charge. Strollers and dogs are welcome. Wellness and healthy living vendors will be on location.
For more information, call 396-1217.
Unit-level flag football:
Unit-level intramural flag football is currently underway until Nov. 12. Games are played daily at the Ritz-Epps Sports Complex and various fields around Fort Bragg and Pope Field. For more information, call the sports office at 396-1217.
Golf tournament:
The 2013 Ryder Club Championship Golf Tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Ryder Golf Course. Entry fee is $35 per player. Cart and green fees are extra. The tournament is open to all active duty, retired military and Department of Defense employees and their dependents and guests who are at least 16 years old. Participants must have an established handicap or play with zero handicap. Entry deadline is today. For more information, call 907-4653 (GOLF).
Rock the Rink:
Come enjoy Cleland�s version of a skating block party. The event is scheduled for Saturday, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and will feature music and door prizes. Admission is free and includes free ice skate rental and access to the ice rink, inline rink, skate park, rock climbing wall and bounce house. Rollerskates, inline skates and skateboards are welcome. Participants must wear helmets. For more information, call 396-5127.
Corps Golf Scramble:
The XVIII Airborne Corps Golf Scramble is set for Oct. 4, at Stryker Golf Course. Entry fee is $140 per team and $35 per person. Entry fee includes green fees, carts, range balls, lunch and prizes. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. All paid entries must be sent to Stryker Golf Course by Tuesday at noon. The field is limited to the first 25 teams. To register, e-mail the players� rank and full names to Jeff Johnson, firstname.lastname@example.com, or call 396-3980.
Fall and winter hockey:
The 2013 Fall and Winter youth ice hockey season is set to begin Oct. 15 and will continue until March 1, 2014. There will be a pre-season evaluation Saturday, at Cleland Ice Rink. Youth leagues are open to children from ages 6 to 17. Registration fee is $327 for Child and Youth Services cardholders and $375 for non-Department of Defense civilians. A sports physical, proof of age and documentation for special medical needs is required for registration. For more information, call Cleland Ice Skating rink at 396-5127.


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All MFE Middle East inspection equipment is maintained by highly experienced inspection specialists with an extensive industry specific knowledge base. MFE Middle East will ensure you get the right equipment for your specific application delivered on time, and in the proper condition, so that your inspection is fast, accurate, and cost effective.
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Non-Destructive Testing Equipment Rentals
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10th Birthday Party
We had to set up 3 tables because we couldn't fit everything on just one table.
Alfredo meatballs.
Each of the girls got to paint their own mini tea sets & take them home.
linked up at:
This is so cute I can hardly stand it! Love it!!!
Marcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com
Love the party! I'm throwing my 3 year old daughter an Alice in Wonderland themed party in September. How did you make the door for the photo booth? I just love it!!ReplyDelete
We used a cardboard box & cut down one side. We opened the box and left the sides & bottom on it to help balance it on the table for pictures. We cut a door shape in the middle of one side, then covered it with cardstock. We cut cardstock to look like trim & inked all the edges to make it look old. Let me know if you have any more questions. Have fun planning your daughter's party. Such a fun theme. :)Delete
Where did you buy the paint your own tea sets from?ReplyDelete
The paints we used came with the tea sets.ReplyDelete
your sisters pin link doesn't work I click it and it says oop who is she on pinterest youReplyDelete
your siters pinterest board is oopsReplyDelete
link has been fixed. Thanks for letting me know. :)Delete
Do you have instructions on how to make the paper flowers you mentioned in the beginning of the article?
Jody Engen-Solberg
The flowers were store bought crepe paper flowers and we just twisted tissue paper for the green stems. We hung the flowers from the ceiling with clear thread and taped the stems to the floor.Delete
We're so glad you stopped by! We read ALL your comments because we LOVE to hear what you have to say!
If you have any questions please leave your email or link it to your comment & we'll get back to you as soon as we can.


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Interactive Historical Map Viewer
The Interactive Historical Map Viewer lets you experience the University of Southern Mississippi's Maps Digital Collection in a whole new way. Born from a partnership between Southern Miss' Special Collections and Geography department, the web application gives users the ability to see historical maps in a modern geographic environment.
The viewer contains a selection of historical maps from the Map Collection that have been georeferenced and layered over a current basemap. The transparency of the historical map can be manipulated to compare the two layers. The viewer includes information relating to the title, description and format for each historical map which is displayed alongside the selection. The result is a tool that offers a unique way to visualize differences between past and modern mapped landscapes.
Perhaps one of the most noticeable differences between historical and contemporary maps is the change in cartographic aesthetic. The contemporary, minimalistic approach to geographic representation is a stark contrast to the detailed and intricately illustrated maps of the past.
Currently, twelve maps are included in the viewer with represented areas including Mississippi, Louisiana, the eastern United States, and Central and South America. The original images and metadata can be found in the Maps Digital Collection.
If you have questions about the web viewer, please contact Jennifer Brannock at firstname.lastname@example.com or 601.266.4347. To see more Items of the Month, click here.
Text by Nicole Lawrence, Mississippi Digital Library Specialist
NOTE: This tool is no longer in operation as of November 2016.


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In the wake of a movie theater shooting that left one person dead, do you feel that society is becoming more violent? What do you think needs to be done?
This is a place to discuss the news, politics and the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. You can come in and feel at home. You can start commenting using Disqus as you do all over the site. Beside this Public Square, we will publish more focused discussions on current events. Find them at Epoch Forum
If you have a discussion starter you wish to see, write in in a comment and flag it. We will take note of it. We do our best to satisfy everyone's taste, but we do not promise to post every suggested discussion.
We trust our community to be civil and polite, but don't test us.


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Introducing the HOC3 H2O – S the first waterski/wakeboard platform with completely tune-able suspension! When asked to develop a waterski platform with suspension how could we refuse? Utilizing the latest CAD software, machining technology, and advanced materials fabrication we were able to adapt the best suspension technology into a platform built to perform at the highest levels. Whether you want to ski leisurely or take your slalom, freestyle, or distance jumping to the next level the H2O – S can do it all with ease. The remote, adjust on-the-fly, shock allows the rider to switch dampener settings, to accommodate different riding styles, with the easy of simply moving a lever while skiing.
Designing HOC3's Dynamic Flex System (DFS) into the platform was a must. Until now the sport has suffered from inadequate mounting solutions which restrict a board or skis flex and increases stiffness. This reduces performance and increases the likelihood of breaking the board or ski. The DFS system allows the board or ski to perform at its highest level by allowing flex and reducing stress.
In order to take advantage of these features the skier has to be able to adjust the platform to their body size and riding style. The H2O – S's platform was designed to be adjustable for ride height,seat angle, and has an unmatched ability to fine tune your center of mass in the smallest increments. The H2O – S Take your waterskiing to the next level!


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Row Vs Column store – What's all the fuss about?
Welcome back readers to the next beginner's guide to HANA where we try to understand what row store and column store mean in terms of data storage.
To all those excited folks who just want to see the development steps in one of the modeling tools, I understand your anxiety but trust me when I tell you by experience that you are chasing the wrong goals. Understanding how databases behave is really important in your well rounded growth as a back end developer and architect.
Patience is the key. Trust me that you'll grow and learn everything you need as we progress – one step at a time.
Coming back to the topic, we all know what a table is. We have been drawing them since our school math classes and then in excel spreadsheets soon after.
The most common way of storing data in a database is in the form of a table. For example, have a look at the below representation of a table. This is what we call a logical representation – a way for regular folks to draw and represent rows and columns of data.
But have you ever asked yourself how this information is stored in a database? Disk memory can be envisioned as a continuous array of blocks where each block can store 1 cell/value of data (from a table in this case).
Row Store
Row Store
Traditional database storage of tables is generally row store.
Let's understand this with the figure where you can see how the table above is stored in the database.
As you can see, it is stored sequentially as Row1, Row2, Row3 and so on.
Each row of data is stored one after the other in perfect sequence. From this image, you could start to see the evident problems to read data. Even if I want to read only one column of this dataset, my read skims through the entire data array. The picture of a table changes dramatically when looking at it in terms of memory, doesn't it?
Column Store
Some databases support another additional form of storage called the column store. Each column in the table acts as an individual table, an
d gets stored separately.
Why would you do that? Excellent question. Thank you for asking.
When each column acts as an individual table, each of these individual mini-tables can be indexed (=sorted) and compressed (=process of removing duplicates).
This makes sure that each of these tables only contains a unique entry.
The below example illustrates how it works but does no real justice in portraying the real advantage. To realize this, imagine a table with a million rows. Most of the columns would have only a few hundred or thousand at most of unique values. Compression makes sure you save disk space and indexing makes sure you find things faster.
Note: Databases supporting column store entries also support row store.
Now at this point you might be wondering if the Column store is such a magical gift to mankind, why bother with a Row store at all? Before you decide to kill it with fire, let's analyze the pros and cons.
Major Differences between Row store and Column store
|Row Store
|Column Store
|Memory usage
|Modifications require updates to multiple columnar tables
|Slower even if indexed
|Smaller dataset to scan, inherent indexing
Now there are deeper concepts to Row stores and Column stores. For example the Delta merge process for column store wherein a column store consists of a main store, a primary delta store and a secondary delta store which is actually a row store. Did I lose you there? Don't lose sleep on these concepts for now. I would come back to these eventually once you are a bit more mature on this technological journey.
For those curious technical nerds out there, if you don't want to wait for my explanation, I would recommend reading the below:
- Delta Merge Concepts
- An excellent MIT paper elaborating how row store and column store work in detail
By the end of this post you would have now:
Gained a basic understanding how row and columnar databases work.
Help this website grow by sharing this document on social media by using the icons below.
Stay tuned for the next tutorials. Happy Learning!
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knitting and life
I have also joined the knitting olympics (button in the sidebar). I have to cast on during the opening ceremonies on Feb. 10, and have it finished by closing ceremonies February 26. My project will be a baby layette. A good friend is due way to soon for me to procrastinate any longer! I have joined Team USA, and will have that button on later today also.
On a somber note. The wonderful lady that I made a shawl for at Christmas, passed on Friday morning at 6A. I am honored that I was on duty and there to help her and her loving family thru such a difficult time. I have been in long term care for 30 years and yes, I can usually distance myself a bit, it is self-defense if you know what I mean, you can't take all that pain so personally all the time. However, I had to take a break in the back room to get myself together. I did shed tears with the family, and I will be visiting the Funeral Home tomorrow.
To Grace: You touched many lives, and did so with grace and dignity. Fly with angels now Gracie, you will forever live in my heart.


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Letter to send to TDCJ
Before sending the following letter, please read underneath the ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED, It will give you more understanding
sample letter to send to the following please write separate letters to each of the following, or fax also put your name and address and sign and date your letters, thankyou also you can send to any other addresses that you feel maybe able to help, maybe state reps and others
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Executive Director
Brad Livingston
PO Box 99
Huntsville TX 77342
Phone: 936-437-2101
Fax: 936-437-2123
Deputy Executive Director
Bryan Collier
PO Box 99
Phone: 936-437-6251
Fax: 936-437-8925
Debra Booker
PO Box 99
Phone: 936-437-8035
Fax: 936-437-8067
This is a sample letter, that you can change or adapt to your own words
It seems that the situation deteriorates more and more at the Polunsky Unit. The living conditions are already very difficult and do not respect human dignity; a minimum right to be accorded to all. Riots take place regularly every day due to protests of prisoners certainly, but every day, a shocking and unnecessary rule is imposed to oppress some more prisoners. Be aware that some staff do not accept the idiocy and absurdity of a person's behavior and excessive unhealthy named Mc Mullin, the new Major! It is time to react and make the right decisions to curb the escalation of violence and harassment at the Polunsky Unit. Deprivation of personal effects, drastic reduction in food, delay in the mail, excessive use of tear gas, cut hot water, manic behavior of some staff are... well recognized. However, it is not necessary to add more to what is already inhuman. Keep in mind that these are men and women convicted, innocent perhaps for some of them, and serving their sentences or await death, the punishment was given and is applied. Needless to treat them worse.
As an authority, you must set an example to be credible in the eyes of all. Be aware that the spotlight is focused on Polunsky Unit more and more... I personally ask you to take immediate actions to stop this unacceptable situation.I appreciate your attention to this critical matter and look forward to hearing from you.
sign your name
I-60 Supplement
T0: TDC –CID Administration FROM: The Death Row Inmate Population.
and Ranking Officials over Death Row
Inmate population
Texas Death Row Inmates are banning together and protesting in various ways as never before. This is because of New pseudo policies, which as should be noted the VAST majority of staff members disagree and see as pointless and counter-productive. In fact, it seems that the only 2 people pushing the heightened level of oppression are Major Smith, and Assistant Warden Lester, but not limited to them. In the history of Texas Death Row there has never been so many Use of Forces and staff assaults in such a short period of time. This is the result of one thing and one thing only; the sudden dramatic rise in extreme psychological and physical violence that is being forced upon us. We just wish to be left alone and allowed to peacefully exist without being viciously attacked as the Texas Death Row inmate population has been lately.
Every ranking official involved with the Death Row building operations will be given a written copy of this list of "Issues To Be Addressed" and all issues will be discussed with them extensively. This has been done repeatedly unofficially. With this document, all ranking officers will be officially notified. If they so choose to violate TDCJ-CID policy, American Corrections Association (ACA) standards, state and federal law they will do so of their own free will, knowingly, willingly, and with intent, The issues to be addressed are detailed in the following pages.
Warden Simmons, Asst. Warden Butcher, Asst. Warden Lester, Major Smith, Captain Dickens, Captain Bolton, Captain Miller, Lt. Newberry, Lt. Tully, Lt. McGee, Lt. Worthy, Lt. Duff, Lt. Cabiness, Sgt. Belknap, Sgt. Timmons, Sgt. Valentine, Sgt. Ferris, Sgt. Andrews, Sgt. Macias, Sgt. Beverly, Sgt. Williams, Sgt. Mc Daniel, Lt Helm, Sgt. Ancina, Sgt. Griggsby, (All C.O´s will be made aware of the issues as well).
Board Policy (B.P.) 3.9I, Administrative Directive (AD) 3.72, Use of Force Plan, PS-22, Death Row Plan and many other TDCJ policies-extensive, state laws (TX – Government Codex, etc.), extensive federal law (Hudson vs. Mc Millan, 503 U.S. I ( I992 )). An extremely detailed and exhaustive list of TDCJ-CID policies, ACA Standards, state and federal laws is available upon request.
NOTE: TDCJ-CID employees are subject to being charged criminally and/or held civilly liable in state and/or Federal Court for violations of state and/or Federal law. (TDCJ-CID policies and ACA standards are based on state and federal law). Polunsky unit staff members have been committing these violations daily.
In accordance with TDCJ-CID policy, ACA standards, state & federal law the Texas Death Row inmate population would like to bring the following issues to the attention of the ranking staff members in change of the security operations of Death Row. The following list of problems can easily be resolved by on-site ranking staff members and we respectfully request that they do indeed be resolved in an expedient manner. The issues of relevance are as follows:
Unsanitary Conditions on the pods:
Staff members have not been following policy concerning the cleaning of the pods. We request that adequate cleaning supplies be provided an appropriate number of S-S-I´s be assigned to cleaning duty and the pods be properly cleaned and sanitized per policy, there should be no mould in the showers, backed up drains, caked on dirt and dust on the dayroom bars and filth on the floors furthermore, there should never be a single day where an officer comes up with some unjustified excuse for not having the pods cleaned properly.
Necessity Items 1:
Soap and bippy (scouring powder) used to be passed out weekly without exception, and extra soap and bippy would be kept in the picket and passed out as needed for example if an Officer, while rushing to serve chow, accidentally spills the thick greasy liquid that accompanies many tray items which happens quite often, the C.O would give the inmate extra soap and bippy to clean his food slot and door. Recently, soap and bippy has not been passed out, For a decade, since Death Row has been on this unit, this has never been a problem until recently
Necessity Items II (clothing):
Recently, the necessity items that have been passed out have been exceedingly dirty and dingy. Death Row is issued a pair of boxers with 2 strings on each side no elastic, these boxers usually are issued with some or all the strings missing or are too small in the thigh area. They issue General Population inmates' regular boxers with elastic. The boxers issued to death row serve no purpose in maintaining security and should be discontinued. Also, previously we were allowed to keep our jackets and blankets year round and they would be washed about every 3 months. Because of the way the AC/Heating systems functions it is sometimes extremely cold in our cells during the summer when blankets are taken, we're left with only the two thin sheets that's issued to us. Our jackets are the only protection from rain when on the outside recreation yard. (Regardless of the season. We request our jackets and blankets! be given to us year round.
Shower Slots:
For 10 years never once was the handcuff removal slots closed when inmates are showering, until recently. The exhaust vents in the showers do not work correctly when the slots are closed and this creates a terribly oppressive situation where the showering inmate cannot breathe correctly. Several inmates have passed out in the shower and many have vomited or become nauseous. There is absolutely no valid reason to close the slots on the showers. Furthermore the open slot is where people place their clothes. Now, the only options are to either place ones clothes on the filthy shower floor where they will get soaking wet or have the C.O.´s violate policy and place the items on the dayroom bars or hang them out on a door fixture.
Mail Issues:
Problems with ingoing and outgoing mail have dramatically increased recently. Mail is being held in the Mailroom for outrageously excessive amounts of time. TDCJ –CID policy (correspondence rule B.P. 3.91) states that incoming and outgoing mail is to be processed and delivered within 24 hours (48 hours for inmates under specific official security threat watch) We respectfully request that the mail problems be immediately resolved.
Property Issue:
Property officer Martinez: The problems with C. O. Martinez are so very extreme that she is a major problem in and of myself and this deserves to be listed as a major issue. Ms Martinez is incapable of engaging in her job in a professional manner. She routinely violates TDCJ-CID policy. As a matter of what seems to be natural course for her. She is responsible for unjust confiscation of property as well as unjust denial of release of property (during visitation and/or otherwise). Ms Martinez routinely holds property released and sent via mail for extremely long periods of time. We respectfully request that she be immediately be replaced by an officer who can carry out property duties with an appropriate degree of professionalism. TDCJ-CID policy – specifically A.D. 3.72 – clearly states that "Access to each property room shall be limited to the assigned property officer and other limited personnel designated by the warden" (A.D 3.72 SEC. IV B.2). In previous years the other personnel was always the small number of ranking officers on the Death Row building (i.e Sgts, Lts and the Captain assigned to the building). Now, the Major has given the property officer sole access and control over the property room. This is the root of the main problem concerning property issues. And this has been extremely demoralizing to ranking officers. We respectfully request that the limited number of death row supervisors be given 24 hours 7 days a week full property room access. It might seem strange to that we are requesting something that all the ranking officers and C.O's have been vocally in favour of, but we are simply thinking rationally and trying to resolve problem and prevent future problems from occurring.
Level II and level III Property:
A dramatic rise in destruction, unjust holding, arbitrary confiscation and disappearance of property, when a person when inmates have been dropped to Level II or Level III has occurred recently. Previously, when a person was dropped to L- II or III he was given all of his hygiene items in his possession at the time of levelling. Now, it seems staff are trying as hard as possible to limit hygiene items. On numerous occasions staff only gave levelled inmates a small portion of their property for example, inmates are giving 2-5 bars of soap leaving the other 20 in the in the property room box. There are two options to curb this problem: 1). When inmates are levelled give them all of their hygiene items or 2). Assign several new staff members to the job of daily bringing inmates replacement items from their property when the inmate runs out. We respectfully request these property issues be resolved.
Hardback books for L-II and L-III Inmates:
There is no written policy that prevents inmates from possessing hardback books on Level II or Level III, in fact, policy clearly state that we are allowed to possess all publications and literature including hardback books on L-II or L-III. for the last 3 years, in clear violation of policy, staff are attempting to prevent inmates from having hardback books on Level. Furthermore, many of the larger books are religious and/or educational, and by policy Religious and/or educational endeavors cannot be restricted due to disciplinary status.
Arts and Crafts:
TDCJ-CID policy clearly states "piddling (craft) privileges will not be considered a leisure activity that may be suspended as a (disciplinary) penalty" (GR–106, pg. 17). Policy states that we are not allowed to purchase arts and crafts items – in accordance with our In–cell Arts and Crafts program, on L-II and L-III but previously we were allowed to keep those items which we possessed when levelled. We request that this be the case again.
Note: If inmates are doing arts and crafts, then they are not causing problems.
Leaking Cells:
This has been a problem that's been addressed for years to no avail. This is part of larger problem that can only be described as a sort of antagonistic battle between the maintenance department –which is out in general population far from the Death Row building, Death Row inmates and Death Row staff. Quite a number of times D. R. Staff has presented maintenance with a list of all the cells that leak. They will come eventually, perhaps fix a few cells and say they've fixed more or all. 12 building, F- pod 63 cell is a perfect example of how quick and easy it is to fix a cell that leaks. F-63 leaked horrendously, Maintenance came scraped off the old paint, soap, and toilet paper people have stuck on the problematic area on the ceiling, back wall! Quickly washed it, and applied a beige sealer to the crack. This only took about 14-20 minutes and completely fixed the problem. We respectfully request that this be done to ALL leaking cells on 12 building immediately.
Levelling Prior to a Disciplinary Hearing:
Until recently Death Row Inmates were never dropped from Level I to Level II before a disciplinary hearing. This new pseudo- policy is in direct violation of TDCJ-CID policy, ACA standards, states & federal law. The only way a person can justifiably be immediately moved to L-II or L-III status is it they fall into one of the following categories: 1) He/she is a current escape risk. 2) His/ her presence would create a threat to the physical safety of other offenders or staff, or 3) It is necessary to maintain the integrity of an investigation, i.e. to preserve the integrity of information either in the offenders possession or another offenders possession. Now, against policy, people are being levelled for the most insignificant cases imaginable such as passing a newspaper (which is not even a real justifiable case). Being levelled is an extreme form of punishment which entails an offender having his recreation time immediately cut in half, his visits immediately cut in half, all of his commissary items taken (except hygiene and writing supplies) including his radio and hot-pot and losing his special visits if they were already scheduled (which can mean friends and family members losing hundreds or thousands of dollars on pre-bought plane tickets) All before being found guilty of any disciplinary infraction. Unjust levelling is not only an assault on the inmate, but an assault on the inmates friends and family.
Passing between inmates:
For the entire 35 year history of modern Texas Death Row inmates have been allowed to pass items such as books, food, magazines and newspapers amongst each other. Now certain Ranking officers have initiated a new pseudo policy, really a manipulation of policy, attempting to ban us from passing anything amongst each other. Even something as serious as legal material. Attempting to prevent us from sharing books, art, legal material etc with each other is oppressive and we ask that this new pseudo policy be immediately stopped.
Officers passing between inmates:
Death Row officers have always been allowed to pass items between inmates. For example if one inmate is helping another on G.E.D studies and has a large G.E.D book he will ask an officer if he/she can give it to the other inmate. She/he'll inspect the book for contraband and pass it along. Policy states it's up to the officers discretion to do so or not. This has changed and officers are receiving disciplinary cases for passing in between inmates.
Food Service:
Violations of food service policy has increased lately. The trays we are served differ from those served to general population inmates. Many of the serving carts are broken and do not heat up the food properly. Preliminary investigation has shown that all of the food carts are broken and some beyond repair. It should be noted that the same food carts are in use that were in use when Death Row arrived here over 10 years ago. TDCJ policy states that we are supposed to be served the exact same thing that is served in the Officer´s Dining Room (ODR) but this does not happen. We never receive the condiments that general population and staff receive. The portions are smaller and on numerous occasions the food has been served spoiled. We respectfully request that these issues to be fixed and monitored, the food service menu be followed, and policy not be violated.
Telephone Calls:
All other inmates in the Texas Prison System are allowed telephone service except those on Death Row and inmates who are in Administrative Segregation (who are there for violating TDCJ rules). We are theoretically allowed only 5 minutes call every 90 days only, if our request is acknowledged which could take weeks and/or months. We respectfully request to be allowed the same telephone access as the general population.
Death Watch Levelling:
Previously, if an inmate who was on disciplinary status (L-II/L-III) received an execution date the ranking staff members would give him the option of immediately being upgraded back to L-I status and if of course the inmate committed any rule violations that warranted him being dropped to L-II or L-III when on Death Watch this would occur. We respectfully ask that this be re-enacted.
Visitation List Changes:
Visitation lists are allowed to be changed once every 6 months. This time frame is unnecessary and arbitrary. It serves no basis for security. We respectfully ask that the time frame be cut down to at least once a month to once every other month.
Shaving Razors:
For years Death Row offenders were allowed to purchase razor's from the unit commissary and was issued a state razor once a week and/or as needed. Recently this has changed. Razors are no longer sold on commissary and are issued 3 days a week, while the inmate enters the shower and returned back to the officer when he exits. This has created a major health risk. Razors that have been used have been issued back to different inmates and when inmates try to break the razors up, returning every piece to the officer, to ensure the razors won't be used again, he's served with a disciplinary case. We request that razors once again be issued to us as before.
Commissary Issues:
The Disciplinary Rules and Procedures are very clear, when an inmate is given commissary restriction as a result of a disciplinary hearing this does not include "legal correspondence materials or hygiene items"
(GR-106 VII. A 1. C.2) These items have been routinely restricted. We request this practice end. Death Row inmates are currently only allowed to spend $85 every 2 weeks (L-1) This includes food, clothing, hygiene and electronic items, After purchasing necessary items like legal material, stamps and hygiene, there's no money left on the spend to purchase food and clothing. We request that either the spend be raised or that electronic (special purchase items) and legal material not come out of the $85 spend. L-II and L-III offenders only get to make commissary once every 2 weeks with a spending limit of $10 correspondence (including stamps and legal material) and select hygiene items. This rule was enacted when stamps were 27c. Back then $10 was enough to buy the 30 stamps max were allowed every 2 weeks and correspondence material we need. Being that stamps has raised to 44c there's no way to purchase 30 stamps with $10 and the correspondence material needed. We respectfully request that L-II & L-III offenders be allowed to buy, 30 stamps, no matter the price and $10 in legal material material i.e. paper, envelopes, pens, writ envelopes, etc.
Inmate Legal Visits:
For the decade that Death Row has been on this unit, in accordance with TDCJ-CID policy, we have been allowed inmate legal visits. For some men, these visit are the only legal advice they receive due to the inadequate representation from our attorneys. These visits have stopped for no reason. We request that we be allowed these visits again.
Excessive Use of Force:
Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in excessive Use of Force (UOF). For example, for the first time a Death Row inmate was assaulted with a "bean bag" concussion weapon and knocked unconscious, another was beaten with a metal riot baton and another was hit 11 times with the pepper ball launcher (a paintball gun that shoots gas balls), then gassed with two cans of crowd control gas, and sprayed in the face with pepper spray. The Pepper ball launcher shoots gas balls at such a high power when it connects it breaks the skin. The bruises it leaves are atrocious. There have been violations of the TDCJ "Use of Force Plan" as well as the "management and Utilization of state–Issued Chemical Agents" policy SM – 05.03. Furthermore, after a UOF, and indeed at other times, there have been many violations of the "offender management Restrictions" policy SM–01.29. We request that these violations stop and UOF be monitored by a higher office.
Texas is the only state that does not allow its Death Row inmates to have T.V's. We respectfully request to be allowed to purchase televisions. (Note: General population inmates have T.V.'s).
Pay Raise for Staff:
Administrative officials have consistently spent literally millions of dollars on pointless so-called "security upgrades" to the Death Row building, for example, replacing the outside large security lights with longer extremely expensive gigantic stadium-style lights and repairing the already secure metal barriers/angle-iron between our walls with more metal, all pointless. Yet, the C.O. have not received the pay raises they have been requesting. We ask that all Death Row. C. O.'s be given an immediate 15% pay raise. If millions can be spent on nonsense, then the Administration can spend a small amount on a pay raise for those who work at what has been called "one of the most secure prisons in the U.S." This would help alleviate some of the oppression that the Death Row staff are suffering from and make this environment better for all of us.. Let us reiterate that we do not hate or even dislike most staff members here, we want this environment to be better for all.
Grievance Procedure:
There has been an increase lately of problems with the grievance procedure, including non valid responses to meritorious issues and disappearances of grievances. We request this stop immediately and grievance staff at the Polunsky Unit follow proper TDCJ-CID policy, including the "Grievance Operations Manual". Furthermore, it should be noted that many inmates feel that because the grievance procedure "is a joke" their only option is to engage in acts of protest such as Use of Forces and some have been pushed to violence.
I-60 Requests:
I-60 Request Forms are not responded to now about 90% of the time. Once again, the "formal" avenues that are in place are no longer valid at. We do not want to be engaged in protest actions, but we have been forced to because certain staff members have made the formal channels of resolving complaints completely invalid.
Shakedown Team:
Two special shakedown Teams have been created which consist of approximately 7 officers on two separate cards. These teams were created in order to search for weapons, cell phones and drugs, yet their main mission has become to oppress and harass us. The team tears any property up and operate in a rouge and out of control manner. On numerous occasions, they've used their power to retaliate against an inmate. We would like them to focus on the main reason they were put together and act in a more professional manner.
Inadequate Medical Treatment:
The Medical treatment here is at such a low grade it's ridiculous. Sick call slips are not answered and when they are you can't see a doctor. When a medical problem is brought up the inmate is still told that it won't kill him or told to take Non-aspirin. On numerous occasions inmates has been prescribed psychotropic medication for pain or some type of physical medical problem. We respectfully request the medical issues be paid more attention to.
All the issues presented above have merit. Most of the issues can be proven by the million dollar cameras that's now mounted on the walkway ceilings.
We highly request that these issues be investigated thoroughly and fixed until then, The Protest Continues.....
POLUNSKY UNIT D/row
3872 Fm 350 South
Texas 77351
*Any media requests please contact Christopher at the above address"


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GIBONNI - 24 karata! 18 velikih (1991-1998)
Croatian Pop-Rock | MP3 | CBR 192 kbit/s | 44.1 kHz | Stereo
Croatian Pop-Rock | MP3 | CBR 192 kbit/s | 44.1 kHz | Stereo
Zlatan Stipišić Gibonni is a Croatian singer, musician and composer from Split. Gibonni began his career in 1980s in a heavy metal band Osmi Putnik.
Gibonni switched to solo career in 1990 with songs that were combining elements of rock, modern pop and Dalmatian folk songs. He soon created huge following, especially among Croatian youth, as well as promoting Catholic and traditional values.
One of most famous songs written by Gibonni is Cesarica. Cesarica is a song that he wrote for Oliver Dragojević, and which was very big hit, and became croatian evergreen.
In 2003 Zlatan Stipišić was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Greating from Croatia!
Free of password.
Gibonni - 24 karata! 18 velikih (1991-1998)


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Kyoko radioed in a few times but there was no response from Cha Jun Sung. The radio function on the PDA is delivered through the helmet, so there is no need to worry that it leaks out.
He needs to speak in order to respond, but he could be detected by the male. He can hear it. It is just a situation where he cannot respond.
"There's no response."
"It's okay. He won't be able to respond because the Slayer is nearby."
If they had started battling in the mountains, they would have heard noise. This quiet atmosphere would not have lasted. It seems they are hiding.
The sisters and the Lifers assigned each person a direction to create a lookout for where the Slayers might come from. They are prone to surprise attacks. They need to stay alert.
Their view is clear, so they can prepare for any approaching danger.
They will be strengthened if they combine with Cha Jun Sung, but they do not have the nerve to enter. Nature is an unfriendly environment for people who are used to civilization.
A massive body weighing hundreds of kg is stepping on the ground. The heavy footsteps make noise. The Lifers all looked to one direction.
Their mouths go dry. They could see the male clearly. They are about 60 to 70m apart, and it does not come any closer.
The male drew a circle around the Lifers. It seems to be calculating something in its head.
"It's measuring the distance."
"Since it followed the force, it'll have seen a lot of guns and know what it's like!"
The Slayer's intellect is that of an elementary school student's. A bullet goes through trees, rocks, and the ground. It makes anything in its radius a mess.
It understands that it cannot get hit. It cannot see the bullet, but it has the ability to detect the direction of the muzzle.
Slayer is more about the body, so it is the type that wins with speed rather than strength.
The male was going around in circles and stopped moving with its back to the prison.
"Our place to retreat is blocked."
"The Slayer in the front, mountains in the back? Is it trying to stifle us?"
The prison is blocked. If they are pushed back in battle, the only place they can go is the mountains. The moment they go in, it is the male's world. It had thrown them far out.
Another change happened. It is an unwelcome change for the Lifers.
The female walks out of the prison, covered in blood. On its blade is a Lifer from the prison.
"Save….. Me."
The Lifer struggled to put his hand out. Unfortunately, they cannot take the hand.
Chills ran down the spine of Lifers who followed Koharu. It is a terrible situation as it is, but they would have already been dead if they had remained in the facility.
The blade came out. The Lifer's eyes rolled back as he went lifeless.
The female recovered its ability to fight after eating meat and regaining the nutrients it had lost. It had gone back to its original state.
The only weapons they can trust are their guns. The male went farther away in order to avoid the bullets. It is a distance at which they can guard themselves from the Lifers.
It is impossible to take on both adults between 5 people. They cannot expect to live. Even Kyoko and Koharu who had gone through the 2nd stage of body modifications cannot last more than a few minutes.
The sisters' physical ability is half that of Cha Jun Sung. Aspects like their muscles, bone structure, height, and weight are significantly inferior to that of men. It is a woman's limit.
Their abilities were proportionately converted in the virtual version, so men and women were equal. But this is reality. There is a difference.
There is no need to think of it being unfair. Just as mutants and humans are different, men and women are different. Women cannot catch up to men in regards to their bodies.
The female speaks to the male. The male looks from the Lifers to the mountains. Then it protected its vital spots with both of its blades.
An object came flying from a distance to go through the large child, and broke the female's blade. They relayed this to each other in their own language.
The baby that was hiding in the trees, could not endure the frustration and came down. The young ones never listen to their parents.
"Shoot that one first!"
A Lifer looking in the direction of the baby, held his gun. They cannot avoid battle. Then they will have to kill the baby and reduce their numbers.
When the Lifer was about to shoot the baby, the male ran towards it as though flying, while the female went at the Lifers.
The male covered the front of the baby and raised its blades diagonally.
The bullets bounced off the blade and started flinging out. It is an awkward angle to shoot at, so they only left a few scrapes. They were just letting the powerful attack flow past.
The baby listened to the male and ran away to the prison. The male blocked its back so it would not be attacked. The baby needs to go away so they can properly fight.
The female's blade scratches the surface. Their skin rips and scars form if they are hit. Koharu, Kyoko, and the shooting Lifers rolled on the floor.
It is not an attack that they can easily avoid. They cannot even see the swinging blade. If they feel like it is coming, they need to throw their bodies out of the way.
It is trying to rip them apart. The purpose is to reduce their fire power.
If it focuses on 1 person, he or she would be easy to kill. But that means that the other Lifers would have room to act, making it possible to be attacked.
Mutants do not lay out a great scheme to fight. They are born with an instinct to fight that humans do not have.
Koharu avoided the blade and cut through the female's thigh with her twin daggers.
A slight trace – weapons like daggers cannot leave much of a wound because of its thick flesh and muscles.
The female paid more attention to the powerful Koharu than it did to the other Lifers.
It is sleek and tricky. The blades aim for her neck. As they grew close, she put her head down to avoid them. A piece of her hair was cut and fell to the floor.
The male escaped the shower of bullets and went to help the female. Since they have scattered the prey, they just have to go and catch them.
Pew pew!
The male ran away before reaching the Lifers when it received a signal of danger. A bullet came from the direction it was going to move in.
It came from the mountains. Park Jin Hyuk's fire support. The Slayers were wary of the mountains. They will not fall to the same trap twice.
A few more shots fired, but the male put more distance between the mountain and itself to identify the direction of the bullets. It only needs 0.1 seconds to react.
"It's a scam. How does it get out of the way?"
"It's not looking to avoid the shots. It knows that it's the target, so it's moving its body to avoid the flow. It's like a reflex."
That is also why it is putting more distance. If it is close, it cannot react. It gets hit before it can. It needs to maintain the minimum distance in order to respond.
"Keep shooting?"
"It can't attack the Lifers because you're supporting them. If we weren't here, I'm sure they would have been ripped apart already."
It is difficult to detect the Slayer's movement with the inferior senses of humans. People would die without knowing where the attack was coming from.
Cha Jun Sung put the Wolf Kill to his hand. Park Jin Hyuk is enough for the diversion. With the greatest amount of power, he must go out and work his body.
"Let's just make them go back."
It is important to show that they are not easy prey. Even if they cannot kill the Slayers, they could quit the mission.


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Posts tagged 'pork'
The Argonaut newspaper features our Los Angeles cooking classes.
Patricia Rose travels the world through her Westchester cooking classes. That's what the Argonaut newspaper wrote after interviewing me for the story in this week's issue serving the local Westchester to Santa Monica audience in the Los Angeles area.
I was thrilled to have our cooking classes at the Holy Nativity Community Hall featured this week in the Argonaut newspaper. Have a look. http://argonautnews.com/dishes-with-a-dash-of-culture/ The picture in the story came from our Soups, Stews and Bread class last January. (more…)
Easy Barbecue Ribs top Summer Favorites
I tried to drive into Costco on the 3rd of July and quickly realized I would not find a parking space, so I left asap. What was I thinking! I wanted to purchase some ribs to make on the weekend – not for the 4th. So I went back on the 5th after things had calmed down to get a package of Swift Premium St. Louis-style ribs to make these almost famous Best-Ever ribs that I found in Bon Appetit magazine. Watch out Famous Dave's! If you love pork ribs and want them fast, you've gotta try these. 10-20 minutes prep time and 3 hours in the oven. (more…)
20 Minutes to Best-Ever Barbecued Ribs**
I am always suspect of a recipe that calls itself Best-Ever anything…plus I get weak in the knees for great barbecue, but I am now sold! I read the Best-Ever Barbecued Ribs recipe that was on the cover of the July issue of Bon Appetit and I was mainly attracted to how easy the recipe would be to make in our Summertime Cooking Class. The class is only three hours long, so we needed a ribs recipe that would be quick and easy. **Even though the ribs took 2-3 hours in the oven, I was not daunted. I reasoned that I could do the simple prep by applying the dry rub to the ribs and have them in the oven as my students were arriving to class. Then they could finish up the job during the class. (more…)
A Tamale Party – Fresh Food in a Flash Style!
May 5 is Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican Celebration Day here in Southern California. Here's an idea! Have a Tamale Party! A Tamale Making Party is so much fun! Start with freshly prepared masa and some margaritas! You can't go wrong! (more…)
A Tapas Cooking Class and Valentine Party
I have a confession to make. I am in love with the dessert from our Tapas Cooking Class. This is trouble. It is so easy to make that I literally just spent three minutes in the kitchen making it and am eating it as I'm penning this post. It contains items that I have around the house a lot. Bananas…sounds harmless, I used Liqueur Gaetano, but the Penelope Casas recipe used orujo or grappa and I'm sure you could improvise with whatever is in your liquor cabinet. Start with a little butter, brown sugar and items in the freezer…leftover chocolate sauce that I can nuke, sliced or slivered almonds and ice cream, well duh!! No matter how you slice it, this dessert is a winner! From ordinary bananas, no less. After making it five times, I have the recipe memorized and it requires literally no effort! The recipe was inspired from Penelope Casas' One Pot Spanish. Perhaps the bananas are more special when you eat them in Spain's Canary Islands where they grow them until ripened. But the ones that start out green from Dole work just fine for me!
The Tapas party was a ton of fun as we were treated to tapas throughout the evening. Asparagus wrapped with ham, traditional toasts topped with manchego cheese, olives, anchovies, piquillo peppers. It turns out that the word tapa comes from the verb tapar (to cover) and Tapas (or the traditional toasts) were used to cover a glass of sherry at a bar so the flies wouldn't take a swim. The bartender learned that serving food encouraged more drinking, so they came up with more savory snacks to serve their customers.
Tapas like our Ham-Filled Mushroom Caps, Marinated Tuna Brochetas prepared by the team of Libby and Mike, the Spanish Tortilla made by Karen and Marty and the Pork and Raisin Empanadas. The Empanada team of Julie, Kate, Tracie and Vivienne had fun stuffing the small circles of dough with the pork and raisin mixture. These were gone in a flash! We enjoyed our Tapas while sipping down glasses of Sangria.
To round out our meal, Pat, Julie and Gerry made us the traditional Lentil salad with blue cheese on the side. I love this salad cooked with onion & garlic for flavor and topped with ripe tomatoes, green and red pepper. You cannot use American lentils for this dish, as they will mush together. You need to find French, Spanish or Italian lentils, which stay whole when boiled for about 20 minutes.
Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Banana & Chocolate Sauce
- 3 oz. good quality chocolate pieces
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1/4 cup butter
Banana Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 Tbs brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/4 tsp grated lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 3 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 2 Tbs Liqueur Gaetano or other liqueur or grappa
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
1. Make Chocolate Sauce: Bring water in bottom of double boiler to a rapid boil. Lower heat and place chocolate, cream and butter in top of double boiler. Stir until smooth and set aside.
2. Make Banana Sauce. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and nutmeg and stir. Add the banana slices to coat with sugar mixture for a minute. Immediately add the liqueur. Cook for a minute until sauce is thickened. Immediately serve over ice cream. Top with a little chocolate sauce and sprinkle with almond slices.
- Servings: 4
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- 586 Calories per serving
Barbecue Pork Sliders = Summer Cooking Class hit
I've been in lazy summer vacation mode during the month of July. Following the Summer Entertaining Cooking Class on July 7, I took off for a few chilly days in San Francisco and then a few warm days sailing to Catalina Island. Isn't summer great? Now I'm longing for some of the dishes we created at the Summer Entertaining Cooking class on lucky 7-7-11 like the Quick Barbecue Pork Sliders. I plan to recreate these at a friend's backyard barbecue next weekend. I've been reviewing the photos from our cooking class and as always the teams pulled together an amazing and delicious meal for all of us.
Here's a window into what we made – Border Grill's Peruvian Ceviche with Pickled Red Onions made by the mother and daughter team, Gerry & Christine. Umm-ummm! I had tasted this twice at the restaurant and kept dreaming about it. Now I can't wait to make this dish again. We used Pacific flounder from the Westchester Farmer's Market, which Tropical Seafoods confirms is a sustainable fish.
Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Border Grill, who lent me their recipe for our cooking class, have been big supporters of making sure we don't deplete our ocean's fish and suggest that you visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's http://www.seafoodwatch.org/ right on their recipe. (more…)
Springing in a Perfect Festive Evening!
Spring has Sprung! Our Spring Entertaining Dinner Party could not have been more festive and delicious.
Hannah, our adorable sous chef and flower girl, had our table decked out with spring flowers that she arranged in lavender Easter baskets trimmed with Easter grass found at the 99 cent store and white napkins tied up with daffodils and ribbon. (more…)


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Ha pubblicato numerosi libri e articoli, fra i quali ricordiamo:
Yuval Noah Harari, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (London: Harvill Secker, 2016)
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Londres: Harvill Secker, 2014).
Special Operations in the Age of Chivalry, 1100-1550 (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2007);
The Ultimate Experience: Battlefield Revelations and the Making of Modern War Culture, 1450-2000 (Houndmills: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2008);
"The Concept of 'Decisive Battles' in World History", The Journal of World History 18:3 (2007), 251-266;
"Military Memoirs: A Historical Overview of the Genre from the Middle Ages to the Late Modern Era", War in History 14:3 (2007), pp. 289-309.
"Combat Flow: Military, Political and Ethical Dimensions of Subjective Well-Being in War",Review of General Psychology 12:3 (Septiembre, 2008), 2
and "Armchairs, Coffee and Authority: Eye-witnesses and Flesh-witnesses Speak about War, 1100-2000", The Journal of Military History 74:1 (enero 2010), pp. 53-78.


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There are unimaginable differences between the life of a travelling musician and the vast bulk of us residing in a comparatively static world. This concept has no doubt been the topic and inspiration for many an artist over the years and 2016 is the turn of Amelia White to convey her feelings via the medium of music and song. HOME SWEET HOTEL is the figurative title of her latest album and compactly casts an inward glance at life on the road with more than one eye in the direction of the opportunity cost of what's left behind. Ten original songs appear on this new record courtesy of Amelia and her team of writers, providing the focus for her equally adept ensemble of players to construct a soundtrack to complement. What materialises is an enlightening listen where Amelia successfully gets over her message with sustained swagger.
Previous comparisons with leading American female rock singers have been forthcoming in past press for Amelia and no doubt associations will continue to fly around. Not to be outdone here, envisage Lucinda Williams on a bright day and Amelia edges in that direction. A dark and moody undercurrent structures this album without covering it with melancholy. Instrumentally, the guitar rules in a light rock style which has become a signature sound for Americana music distancing itself from the mainstream. This record is fighting in a crowded market, but packs a sufficient punch to find a niche.
|photo by Stacie Huckeba
Running at just over half an hour, the album won't keep you for too long. However long enough to grasp the emotion in Amelia' voice, the royalty in the musical package and the feelings in her lyrics. 'Home Sweet Hotel' trebles up as the album's title track, stand-out song and heartbeat of the record. Conjuring up the sensibility of making a living in a transient way also appears in 'Leaving is in My Blood', which highlights Amelia's skill in honing in on such meaningful song titles. Completing a trio of songs which glide to the ground first after spinning this album a few times is 'Rainbow Over East-Side'. Referring to the area of Nashville where Amelia has found a community to support her art, this residing place has been the finishing line which began in Boston before heading to Tennessee via Seattle. With such quality music and inspiring song writing flowing out of this community, it seems an obvious match for someone as independently fired up as Amelia.
Once you tune into the cool rock groove of this record, the consistency will lock you in. 'Dogs Bark' does appear a touch experimental and the fiddle plays a significant part on 'Road Not Taken'. If anything the musical soul of the album exists in the penultimate track 'Right Back into My Arms' when the guitars take control. Maybe after all the pondering about life as a travelling music it's the lyrical sentiment of this track and the semi-tender 'Melissa' which meanders you deep into the psyche of Amelia White.
Just as OLD POSTCARD impressed in 2014, HOME SWEET HOTEL possesses that inner quality to succeed in making a significant mark. The good news is that Amelia is coming to the UK this summer and folks will get the chance to understand her music better in a live setting. As an artist with an impassioned approach to her writing, Amelia White will continue to gather praise and fulfil the insatiability of those seeking enhanced musicianship aligned with a strong lyrical presence.


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I hope you are all doing great and getting ready for an awesome and happy Summer! I am over here busy preparing new orders, stocking the shop and enjoying the prettys that I see everywhere! This whole planner community is amazing and I am just inspired by the talent and the great taste that all of you have. I was actually trying to follow one of the April challenges (for listers) and failed terribly! I am not sure that most of you know it, but I have almost gone full-blown with traveler's notebooks and I am liking them very much! They seem to be doing for me what I was not getting from ringed planners although they are just pretty, so maybe that's why I love them.
For the shop, I was asked if I could customize some inserts and dashnoards for the traveler's notebooks, and ended up with a successful rate of sales so I am very happy about that. I really need to show them off and write a post on their set-up. The good news is that I will share them soon! For a quick peek on these items, visit here, here and here.
But wait! The reason why we are here is because I want to show off this beauty of a notebook. It is actually a 52-week journal with the cutest pages and awesome prompts for journaling made by American Crafts from the Dear Lizzy Fine & Dandy line. They go from your favorite childhood moment, to your bucket list, to travels, to your favorite foods and some other super fun prompts!!
I tried to take great pictures and was having a hard time with the lights so I put a picture album together to show this beauty off! This is a great gift for someone who wishes to start in the world of journaling or who has already started and needs some inspiration (and pretty things) to keep going!
In case you are wondering, the Dear Lizzy 52-Weeks Journal can be found here, with some other new items from the Fine & Dandy line (here). There are only a few available, so if you like them, grab them !!
I hope you like this pretty thing and please share with me what you think of this cutie!


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a collection of holistic nutrition tips & tricks, plus many of Food on the Table's favourite recipes
Marshmallows are an occasional occurrence at our house, like Easter! The base contains only 4 ingredients and are a healthier alternative to conventional marshmallows which contain highly processed ingredients like corn syrup, refined sugars, preservatives, artificial colours and flavours. Non-foods I'd rather not feed my kid, his friends, myself, or anyone for that matter!
These marshmallows are light and fluffy and are also great for ROASTING!! Something we recently discovered, so I imagine I'll be making these for camping trips as well. Smore's anyone? Stay tuned for that one!
I'm going to be honest, these are quite easy to make but do require a lot of stirring and blending, so give yourself a good 30 minutes to make these, then they'll need setting time of about 1 - 3 hours. Trust me when I say that it's so worth it, you and the people you feed them to will love them!
This recipe is simply a base. Go nuts with flavours, textures, colours...whatever you're inspired to do. You can experiment with crushed nuts, toasted shredded coconut, cocoa powder, chai spice, cinnamon or ginger powder. Try flavouring with natural flavours like peppermint, lemon, orange and hazelnut. Give them some colour with turmeric, spirulina or beet powder. So many things to try!
1 cup water, divided
2½ tablespoons grass-fed beef gelatin
1 cup honey or maple syrup (or combination of both)
2 teaspoons vanilla
⅛ teaspoon unrefined sea salt
1-2 tablespoons arrowroot or tapioca powder
Standing or handheld mixer
Candy thermometer
Mixing bowl
Medium saucepan
8-inch x 8-inch baking tray or pan
Parchment paper
Post a pic of your marshmallows if you make them, I'd love to see!
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Yvette DuMouchel
One of my great joys in life is cooking! As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) & food lover I continue to explore the balance between healthy, traditional food preparation and tasty dishes.
Check out my new COOKBOOK! Planting Seeds of Nourishment with over 40 whole-foods based recipes and tons of nutrition info!