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Thursday, March 04, 2010
march four: marching forth
it's funny how we just sort of get swept into a Way, and that's that.
could have much to do with the fact that Maddie is still recovering from this cold she has (today was the first good/almost normal day), but life has been.... different.
lots of... sort of plugging along in the Regular way of things.
taking care of business.
taking things into shops for repairs.
cleaning patios.
cleaning the pond.
doing the cleaning in preparation of spring cleaning. (I know that sounds odd, but whatever.)
rearranging furniture.
taking loads of glass to the recycle bins.
matching thousands of pairs of socks. :)
it's like we've been on some it's-Saturday-afternoon-so-it's-time-to-clean-out-the-garage time loop for a week.
it hasn't been bad, mind you. just... i don't know. more transitioning, I guess.
Today I spend much of the day here.
Which was a pretty great place to spend the day.
I watched the birds outside the sparkly clean window.
that I could see out of because the bush has been trimmed..
I got to see when the sun came out, and scooted out the back door to admire it when it did.
I got to listen to Trev and Maddie sitting and sharing and loving while sharing a chair at his computer...
and I got to smile over how generous and gracious and polite children are when they're happy.
have you noticed? when all is right in their world, they say funny things like "Excuse me for just a minute, won't you?" and "would you mind very much if I....?" funny babies.
I suppose the children have been up to the same things they've always been up to... it's only myself that has stepped away from the regular Way of Things to do this Other for a bit.
at the moment my life - The Way of Things- seems to just have shifted a bit... instead of holding fast to the babes, I'm holding fast to this other stuff... lending my support and aid to the structure of the home (all those things I mentioned earlier).... feathering the nest, I think.
we're still here.
laughing and loving and being,
same as always.
and life is still very, very fine.
it just happens to smell like fresh laundry at the moment.
9 comments:
I love how much greenery you have around the house! I am a big fan of houseplants!ReplyDelete
I may be weird, but when my laundry room shows me that it does indeed have a floor, I love to sit in there and feel the warmth of the dryer & smell the clothes. I don't know, it just smells like home...
All good!ReplyDelete
LOL at the polite things they say when happy. I always smile when I have asked Miss D to do something or grab something for me and if she doesn't want to (and is in a good mood) I get "No Thank You" in a sweet polite voice. Guess it goes down better than a grump or whine haha.
SWEET! I love it when children are polite and share...ReplyDelete
really need to have a week like this! To make "space" and openess. Start the flow of stangnant water!ReplyDelete
- Penny3/05/2010 4:22 PM
I could use a little of that feather nesting potion too, if you have any handy...ReplyDelete
Love your laundry room! (is that pathetic?)
So sweet, your young 'uns...
Penny -ReplyDelete
I have the outrageously glamorous fortune to have my laundry connected directly to my den! (As in no walls between the two.)
I've of course wanted a wall for a few years, and have tried a few different things, including a five-panel screen, but my latest idea is a wall of green. :)
So far, so good, as it's beautiful in the morning light, and it encourages me to keep the laundry... uh... not showing itself (done.).
:) So I love it, too!!
"Feathering the nest," love it, your words just make me melt sometimes Stephanie!ReplyDelete
Sounds great! Your laundry room gets great light!ReplyDelete
Love your banner by the way.
Nothing wrong with fresh smelling laundry. I like that scent :)ReplyDelete
You won't smell much of that in my house lately though...
It's so entertaining to sit back and watch the kiddos be kids.
Have a great weekend!


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Your Parish Council is always looking for projects to improve the facilities available within the village. We are currently involved in three major projects which can be accessed from the menu.
If you have any ideas for a future project please get in touch with a councillor or the Parish Clerk.

subset: commoncrawl


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Frankly, I had no idea that making tamales was a Christmas tradition.
However, even though we are not Hispanic, my Mom did make tamale!
I remember vividly asking for tamales and potstickers for my requested birthday dinner. I was told that those things didn't go together, but nevertheless, she made them. Thanks Ma!
It was when I was fully an adult (at least in age...) that I was introduced to "Christmas tamales" when an employee brought me a still hot batch of tamales on Christmas Eve. I worked retail then and was the store manager (which is why people are working on that day.... sigh). The tamales were so good. My managers and I were so happy to have a delicious, hot lunch! A life saver!
So a couple of years later, when I was blissfully out of retail, I decided to make some of our own tamales for the Christmas holiday. Now it's a tradition for us to do together on Christmas Eve. Grab your peeps and set up an assembly line to make them and have some fun.
I've just shown the technique below and given me recipe for the dough, you can use a variety of fillings:
- Leftover shredded pork (moistened with a bit of broth if it seems dry)
- Cheese, or cheese and a sliver of jalapeno
- I used leftover pork Chile Verde, cooked and stirred until it falls into shreds.
Makes about 24 medium size tamales
Tamale Dough:
4 cups masa harina
2 1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup lard
1 (16 ounce) package dried corn husks
First thing, soak the corn husks in warm water for 30 minutes.
Some are nice and big and whole, perfect for tamales. Other husks are small and tatty, perfect for pulling into thin strips to tie up the ready to cook tamale.
I used my food processor to mix the masa flour, the salt, baking powder and lard first. Then added the broth while the machine was running. I used a spatula to push the mixture down once or twice to make sure it was fully combined.
NOTE: If you want to taste the mixture, go ahead and microwave a small amount for about 20-30 seconds. Let cool and check that you are happy with the seasoning.
Spread a little mixture on the wide end of the soaked and drained husk.
Spread the mixture all the way to one side, leaving a 1/2" inch on the other.
Use a sheet of plastic wrap to keep your hands tidy and make sure you get a nice flat surface for the tamale mixture. It should be between 1/2 inch and a 1/4 inch.
Using a spoon, add some of the filling down the middle. I used shredded pork, but cheese and jalapeno strips would well too.
Starting at the edge where the mixture is all the way to the outside, start to roll towards the center, folding the other side over the top.
Turn up the thinner end of the tamale, and use a thin strip of the husk to tie it shut on that end. You will steam the tamales upright, sitting on this tied end.
Use your pasta steamer basket over a large pot of bubbling water. Don't pack them too tightly as they do expand as they cook. Cook for about 1 hour.
Keep warm and covered and eat right away. They are easy to reheat, but I don't recommend microwaving them as they can get tough as it takes a while to get them hot all the way through.


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Every once in a while, a book crosses my desk and smacks me upside the head with a voice that I can't simply read and put away. This happened to me recently with the fantastic new book Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job by my friend (and fellow Rwanda traveler) Kerry Weber. In a recent endorsement of Kerry's book, I said:
"If 'change the world' is on your to do list, then Mercy in the City should be on your reading list. Kerry Weber's work is instructive, inspirational, filled with heart, and — perhaps most importantly — destined to rock your world. If you've ever desired to be Christ to those in need, but didn't quite know how to make it happen in the context of a busy schedule, this is the book for you!"
Today, I'm happy to share a brief excerpt from this fantastic book. And over at my Patheos blog, you can read my full interview with Kerry. And if you really want more and you live anywhere near Chicopee, MA, consider joining us in April for an awesome women's conference. But before that, go read this book! You can thank me in person while you're having Kerry sign your copy!
Mercy in the City
I live in New York City, arguably the fashion capital of the world, but most days I couldn't care less about that aspect of the city. It's not that I don't try to dress appropriately or, on occasion, fashionably; it's just that my interpretation of "fashionable" has sometimes not quite been in sync with the mainstream tastes.
To be fair, I didn't have to think about it too much growing up. At age five I donned a buttondown shirt and plaid skirt and wore some approximation of that for the next thirteen years of parochial school. My high school was perhaps the only one in America at which girls got in trouble for wearing their skirts too long. I don't know how or when the style began, but the favored way to wear the grey wool skirts was as close to your ankles as possible.
We were not allowed to wear printed T-shirts beneath our blouses, nor were we allowed to wear blouses that didn't bear the high school logo. No flip-flops, sneakers, bandanas, or hats. We expressed our originality mostly through socks and, in my case, unusual homemade jewelry, such as necklaces made from buttons or hair bows that sang Christmas carols.
Wearing uniforms was kind of awesome, as it meant never having to worry about what you were wearing in the morning, and never having to do back-to-school shopping. With such limited choices, I didn't worry much about wearing the wrong thing. Of course, I worried about a host of other things instead, just not clothes. I liked that the skirts were warm in the winter, although the same property held for summer, which I liked less.
Despite my love of the uniform, I still joined my classmates in longing for the one or two days a year when we were allowed a dress-down day. My senior year, I was slightly more rebellious—or at least quirky. A friend and I decided that we would buy the dress-down day pass (money went to a charity) and then break every uniform rule possible. And there would be nothing anyone could do about it. (This is about as rebellious as I got. I will not be writing a scandalous tell-all about my adolescence anytime soon.) So on went the tie-dye T-shirt beneath the non-sanctioned, white oxford blouse (for extra tie-dye visibility); on went the bandana and the flip-flops; and off we went to saunter around the school. I'm fairly certain most people didn't actually notice.
As original as New York is, certain neighborhoods or groups of people still seem to stick to an unofficial uniform. The hipsters in skinny jeans and sunglasses. The pencil skirts in Midtown. And it's a safe bet that on nearly any street in Manhattan, you'll see someone dressed in all black. I struggle with how much attention I should devote to choosing what I wear each day. If given a choice, I'll most often be in jeans and a T-shirt. At the same time it's a common belief that what we wear is an outward sign of the respect we have for others and even how we want to represent ourselves to others. (So my message, I guess, would be this: I want to be comfortable.)
It's undeniable that when I do dress up, when I wear a gown or a business suit, I feel a bit different somehow. Clothes can send a powerful symbol. St. Francis stripped off his own clothes to make a statement, to symbolically shed the life he planned to leave behind. Many women religious and clergy wear habits so that they might distinguish their life choice and be easily identified, so that people might seek them out for guidance or feel safe, as fellow passengers on an airplane. Other nuns and priests dress more like laypeople in an effort to make people comfortable and to seem less like the "other."
Clothes matter, and yet we can't be too attached to them. We have to be willing to separate who we are from what we wear. Christ said that if someone asks for your coat, give them your shirt as well. Some interpretations of this teaching argue that this is a way to embarrass the other person, that you'd end up naked before them, which, in Jesus' time, would have been more shameful for them than for you. But it also fits with Jesus' message that we have to be willing to give what we have, and sometimes to give to a point of discomfort.
Despite my lack of interest in fashion, sometimes I still have trouble cleaning out my closet when it gets too full. It's easy to come up with excuses to keep things: It's not like I am always buying new clothes, I think. Perhaps it is OK to hang on to my extra clothes, as long as they are older or inexpensive.
During high school we were told—warned really—that when we left the school grounds in our uniforms, when we wore them at a local restaurant after school or while on a field trip, we were representing Cathedral High School, that how we behaved while wearing these uniforms represented the larger group of students. Which makes me wonder: what about the clothes I don't wear, but still hold on to; what do they say about me?
In Colossians, we're told to clothe ourselves with love, over everything else, over whatever styles we're wearing, over whatever ways we're seeking to define or distinguish ourselves. Like a less itchy and less tangible version of a Catholic school uniform, this love unites us. And the way we wear that love represents the larger group of Christians. It is up to each of us to make it unique in the way we live out that love—the spiritual version of wearing goofy socks and homemade jewelry—but this love must have at its core the same basic pieces. "They will know we are Christians by our Love," we are told. But only if we wear it well.
Order Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase
Be sure to check out our Book Notes archive.
Copyright 2014 Lisa M. Hendey


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A real reptile rumble
A north Queensland wildlife expert says it's not unusual for pythons to snack on crocs but capturing the action on camera is a rare treat.
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Mount Isa made global news this week after locals photographed a three metre olive python battle and devour a one metre crocodile at Moondarra lake.
North Queensland wildlife expert Ranger Dan Bamblett says while it is rare to be able to witness the tussle, it's not unusual for pythons to make a meal of other reptiles.
"On the east coast most of our pythons are into your mammals and birds but as you head further west they do get into your reptiles.
"So definitely along the creeks and rivers the water pythons and the olive pythons do snack out on crocodiles and goannas and things quite a bit," he said.
Snake in need of a feed
Ranger Dan says from the photos the python looked to be in need of a meal and says the croc will probably take three weeks to digest and provide the snake with several months of sustenance.
"The only thing you might see come out, when that crocodile comes out the other end is maybe a few claws, maybe a tooth or two but all of the skull, the scales, everything will dissolve," he said.
Due to the size of its meal and the fact that crocodile bodies are quite stiff the python will be fairly immobile as it digests the meal says Ranger Dan.
"He is going to have a very very rigid length of his body to deal with so he is probably going to try and drag himself off to the side of the water body somewhere and just stretch out in amongst the grass or maybe in a little bit of a rock crevice and try and digest that crocodile," he said.
Keeping safe while snapping reptiles
Ranger Dan asks people to stay safe while photographing wild animals.
He recommends that people should keep a distance of at least three times the length of the animal away from snakes and crocodiles.
"It is neat to see people out there enjoying the outdoors and actually seeing these animals do that, but just remember don't get too close.
"But this is what Australia is all about so get out there and enjoy it," he said.
Check out more images of the tussle on ABC North West Queensland.
Listen to Ranger Dan talk about the encounter by clicking on the audio link on the right.
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Creative Corner
January 20 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join Artist Jon Farrell and learn more about drawing – from basic skills to more advanced – come join the relaxing, artistic atmosphere and be inspired. This class is free and open to all ages 8+. Every Sunday afternoon (except on long weekends) from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. @ Route 11 Creative Arts Centre, 101 Klassen St West, Warman Sk. No registration is required – just show up!


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What is the Pilates method?
Pilates is loved and practiced all around the world by some of the planet's greatest sports people, actresses, actors, models and amateur athletes. Claudia Schiffer, Lily Aldridge, Penelope Cruz, Hugh Grant, Serena Williams, David Beckham and many more swear by it. So what is all of the fuss about?
Founded in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates (who dubbed his method "contrology") – Classical Pilates – uses a series of controlled exercises, which engage the mind and transform the entire body. Posture is corrected, muscles are lengthened, stress melts away and many people around the world are completely smitten with the method as they see the positive changes it makes to their mind and body. As the founder himself once said: "In ten sessions you will feel the difference. In twenty sessions you will see the difference and in thirty you'll be on your way to having a whole new body."
As with many great things in life, the best way to understand the incredible ways in which Pilates can help you is to try it. And there's no better time than now – so book your class today and never look back…
"Pilates is not just for the fit. It is wonderful for injuries. My damaged shoulder was taken in hand, special exercises prescribed, attentive care always available. A younger member of our group recently had a hip operation and Pilates helped her recovery; another broke a leg and arrived for classes encased in plaster. Already she's back on her feet. I stop short of making medical claims. I merely report what I have seen." – Joan Bakewell, writer and broadcaster, on the secret of her health and agility at the age of 70.
Pilates classes on offer at the Hundred Wellness Centre
Pilates mat classes are performed on a yoga mat and help you to improve your core control and strength, balance and standing alignment. This addictive class features controlled exercises, which are performed in various positions on a mat – seated, lying down, on your side and on your front. We use various tools to help you to get into a position or challenge your performance including straps, poles, bands, balls and magic circles.
The exercises performed in the Pilates mat classes are at the foundation of the Pilates method and provide you with the ability to improve your total body strength and focus on the core and powerhouse.
The Hundred Wellness Centre Pilates reformer classes are performed on the 'Reformer' – a specialized piece of equipment, which uses a unique combination of springs, straps and a sliding carriage to carry out challenging exercises. The Pilates reformer classes are 55 minutes long and feature just 5 people per class.
At a Pilates reformer class you will use your center – or your powerhouse – to move your body weight with the reformer's spring-loaded carriage. This challenging and addictive fitness method helps you to improve balance and coordination. It also creates a unique strength and stretch effect on the entire body, which helps to achieve the long and lean look and/or recover from a training method that exhausts isolated muscle groups. Pilates reformer class goers soon see a uniformly developed body and a strong back and abdominal muscles.
Our Pilates pole classes are performed on a special wall unit, which is an adaptation of the trapeze table – a unique piece of Pilates equipment. Exercises are performed that help you to correct any imbalances, build strength, power and stability and help achieve greater mobility within the body and spine. You will use springs and straps to move and perform exercises, which range from gentle to advanced depending on your capabilities and goals.
Our Pilates circuit classes are a fusion of all of the Pilates we offer at The Hundred Wellness Centre in one high-energy session. You will get to experience the mat, chair, reformer and pole Pilates exercises. This class utilizes the best Pilates tools on the market including circles, balls, bands and foam rollers. This is a fun, challenging class ideal for exploring the main Pilates principles and fundamentals in one session.
The Hundred Wellness Centre invites you to take your Pilates training to the next level – and reap the benefits of extra-small sessions with our expert trainers. Invite your friends, family or partner to join you for these incredibly beneficial Pilates duet sessions, which can be taken using the reformer, the chair or the mat disciplines of Pilates.
This is a great and cost-effective way to experience the luxury of private Pilates sessions in Dubai – split the cost with a friends and prepare to be challenged.
Alternatively give us call us on +971043447333 and we will be glad to assist you.


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$46.75 $55.00
Standing three times the height of a man, these towering war machines bear powerful weapons and are as lethal at range as in close assault. A chapter's Dreadnoughts are treasured relics, only awoken in great need. Encased inside every Dreadnought lies a mighty Space Marine hero, who has suffered grievous wounds in battle, saved only by his internment. Venerable Dreadnoughts bring their wisdom to the Chapter in times of peace, and immense battlefield experience in times of war.
This box set contains one multi-part plastic Space Marine Venerable Dreadnought. This 84-piece set includes: a plasma cannon, an assault cannon, a twin-linked lascannon, a heavy flamer, a storm bolter, two different power fists including an ornate one, and a set of smoke launchers. Also included are: two different sets of ornate leg guards, three different helmets, six purity seals, two different pennants, a range of different sarcophagus armour plates, several sarcophagus designs, and a host of Crux Terminatus and other Imperial icons.
$42.50 $50.00
This is the complete guide to your army, with 104 pages of background, covering the long and storied history of the Adeptus Astartes and the distinct traditions of the First Founding Chapters and their Successors. Thereäó»s also new background focused on the Primaris Marines and the Ultima Founding, from Chapters brought back from the brink of destruction like the Crimson Fists to new heroes like the Rift Stalkers. Thereäó»s detailed livery to inspire your own paint schemes, as well as a breakdown of squad and company markings, from those of the more Codex compliant Chapters like the Ultramarines to the unique battle-iconography of the Black Templars.
The codex is packed with new units, too. We canäó»t tell you about all of these yet, but we can guarantee youäó»ll see everything from Dark Imperium, our new Primaris Space Marine heroes, the Reivers, the Repulsor and the colossal Redemptor Dreadnought. There are also all the characters and units you know and love, including Chapter-specific special characters that will unlock yet more avenues for army building and themed forces. Again, Space Marine players will have a very powerful and complex force at their disposal, with some truly terrifying combinations available to those who make the maximum use of Primaris and non-Primaris units; one of our favourites is combining Reivers with High Marshal Helbrecht and Chaplain Grimaldus to create a savage assault army capable of striking the fear of the Emperor into the heart of the most obstinate heretic. All in all, there are 85 datasheets in the book äóñ the codex is almost the size of the Warhammer 40,000 book.
$12.75 $15.00
Designed to make it easier to keep track of Tactical Objectives, psychic powers and Stratagems in games of Warhammer 40,000, this set of 72 cards äóñ each featuring Artwork on the reverse äóñ is an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any Space Marines gamer. Included:
- 7 psychic power cards, with the 6 powers from the Space Marines Librarius psychic discipline and the Smite psychic power;
- 26 Space Marines Stratagems as found in Codex: Space Marines, featuring 7 Chapter-specific Stratagems (1 each for Ultramarines, White Scars, Black Templars, Imperial Fists, Iron Hands, Salamanders and Raven Guard), along with a further 3 that can be used by any army;
- 36 Tactical Objectives, including the 6 Space Marine specific Objectives from Codex: Space Marines.
$76.50 $90.00
$12.75 $15.00
A strong core of reliable and adaptable warriors that can lay down fire while advancing or holding down terrain is an invaluable aid to any tactician. In the case of strike forces bolstered by Primaris battle-brothers, this role is fulfilled by the Intercessor Squads.
Designed to be as easy as possible to assemble for new hobbyists while being detailed enough for the hardiest veteran to appreciate, this is a set of 3 Easy To Build Primaris Intercessors. Push-fit, with no glue required, these are incredibly straightforward to put together, and come on pre-coloured blue plastic sprues.
In this kit, youäó»ll find 2 Primaris Intercessors and 1 Primaris Intercessor Sergeant clad in Mk X power armour. Each is armed with a bolt rifle and carries frag and krak grenades, with one holding an auspex with a detailed keypad and display. The Sergeant has is identifiable by his detached helmet, which hangs mag-locked to his belt, and features extra details such as a reliquary and holstered pistol.
This plastic kit comes as 18 components, and is supplied with a transfer sheet and 3 32mm Round slotted bases. Rules for these miniatures are included in the box.
$12.75 $15.00
All Space Marines are experts of the rapid strike, but Reivers take these skills to the next level. They are specially trained and equipped to launch brutally effective and unexpected assaults. They do this with a sudden fury and shocking violence, for the Reivers fulfil the role of terror troops that sow fear and confusion amongst their foes.
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Designed to be as easy as possible to assemble for new hobbyists while being detailed enough for the hardiest veteran to appreciate, this is a set of 3 Easy To Build Primaris Reivers. Push-fit, with no glue required, these are incredibly straightforward to put together, and come on pre-coloured blue plastic sprues.
In this kit, youäó»ll find 2 Primaris Reivers and 1 Primaris Reiver Sergeant clad in Mk X power armour. The Reivers are armed with heavy bolt pistols and combat blades, with a selection of frag, krak and shock grenades on their chest plates and belts. Each features a skull design on the helmet äóñ even the Sergeant, who features a bare head, has a faceplate with a skull motif. Skulls are very much a theme of the Reivers; their chestplate feature their icon, a skull with crossed swords.
This plastic kit comes as 18 components, and is supplied with a transfer sheet and 3 32mm Round slotted bases. Rules for these miniatures are included in the box.
$34.00 $40.00
First Strike is the ideal first purchase to those new to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby äóñ an exciting fusion of collecting, painting and playing with highly detailed Citadel miniatures. The box is packed with everything needed to begin your hobby journey äóñ 2 sets of miniatures to battle with, and a double-sided gaming mat, a scenery piece, a book of rules and all the extras you need to play:
The Miniatures
15 easy to build push-fit (no glue required!) miniatures in blue and green coloured plastic, representing the heroic Ultramarines and putrescent Death Guard:
- 3 Primaris Intercessors äóñ clad in Mk X power armour, they are each armed with a bolt rifle and carry grenades. 1 model is a Sergeant, who leads the unit äóñ he has a holstered pistol and is easily identified by his bare, unhelmed head;
- 3 Primaris Reivers äóñ again clad in Mk X power armour, these Space Marines carry heavy bolt pistols and combat blades äóñ they distinguished by the sinister skull motif on their helmets, with the Sergeant featuring a half-skull faceplate.
Death Guard
- 3 Plague Marines äóñ each festering and bursting out of their armour due to the malign corruption of the Plague God Nurgle. 1 wields a boltgun, 1 is armed with a blight launcher and 1 äóñ the Champion, who leads the unit äóñ has a plasma gun, power fist and plague knife;
- 6 Poxwalkers äóñ these are the cursed victims of the plagues, transformed into living weapons. Each is armed with an improvised close combat weapon, with hammers, chains, planks of wood and metal pipes with nails in represented.
Gaming Content
Everything you need to learn to play with your new miniatures is included in the box:
- a 24-page booklet containing the core rules for playing Warhammer 40,000, with each phase of the game explained in a clear, easy to follow manner from the initial setup to one sideäó»s victory;
- a 56-page book that guides you through the background, history and current state of the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy, with introductions to the Primaris Space Marines and Death Guard, as well as 9 other armies. It features step-by-step guides to painting your miniatures, with guides to the paints and brushes you need, along with a showcase of beautifully-painted miniatures to inspire your hobby journey. It also includes explanations of the different ways to play Warhammer 40,000, along with training missions that gradually introduce the core concepts to the total beginner;
- a 2äó» x 2äó» double-sided gaming mat äóñ one side is specially designed with icons showing you where to place miniatures in order to play the training missions, and the other has no markings, so you can play your own games. Each side is printed in full colour with an evocative design of a ruined Imperial city;
- a scenery piece! The inside tray of the box is designed to look like a set of armoured containers, meaning it can be placed on your mat as a piece of scenery for your miniatures to battle over;
- datasheets for the miniatures in the box äóñ these are handy cards with the information on movement and weapons for each model printed on, meaning less flipping through books for information and more actual gaming;
- 6 6-sided dice, and a 6äó? translucent measuring ruler, each vitally important for games;
- a decal sheet for your Ultramarines, featuring army and troop iconography;
- 9 32mm and 6 40mm round plastic bases for your miniatures to stand upon.
$67.99 $80.00
Containing 31 Primaris Space Marines and Death Guard miniatures, Know No Fear is a fantastic starting point for the newcomer to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby äóñ an exciting fusion of collecting, painting and playing with highly detailed Citadel miniatures. Contained within this fully-packed box is everything needed to take you through the process of learning to play games of Warhammer 40,000 äóñ miniatures, rulebooks, scenery, a gaming mat, right down to the dice and rulers:
The Miniatures
31 detailed plastic Citadel miniatures from the Primaris Space Marines and Death Guard range, in blue and green plastic, ready for you to assemble:
Primaris Space Marines
Mighty warriors and fearless protectors of humanity, equipped with the greatest weapons and armour the Imperium can provide, the Space Marines are heroes one and all.
- 1 Primaris Space Marine Captain, resplendent in cloak and iron halo, holding aloft a master-crafted power sword in one hand and wielding a boltstorm gauntlet on the other;
- a 5-man Primaris Space Marine Intercessor Squad äóñ the heart of a Primaris Space Marines army äóñ armed with bolt rifles and bolt pistols;
- 1 3-man Primaris Space Marine Inceptor Squad äóñ shock troops who slam into the fight with jump packs screaming äóñ armed with assault bolters;
- 1 5-man Primaris Space Marine Hellblaster Squad äóñ the finest marksmen, able to lay low entire armies on their own äóñ armed with plasma incinerators and bolt pistols.
Death Guard
The Death Guard trudge inexorably into battle amidst the drone of endless swarms of flies. Bloated, rotten and riddled with disease, these revolting traitors are virtually immune to pain.
- 1 Death Guard Lord of Contagion , a huge, terrifying Chaos Space Marine covered in spiked, corrupted Terminator armour armed with a plaguereaper.
- 5 Death Guard Plague Marines äóñ 4 armed with boltguns and plague knives, 1 plague champion armed with bolt pistol, plaguesword and power fist;
- 1 Death Guard Foetid Bloat-drone äóñ a huge machine held aloft by rusted turbines äóñ armed with plaguespitters and a plague probe;
- 10 Death Guard Poxwalkers äóñ the rotten, shambling core of the army äóñ armed with improvised weapons (hammers, claws, bayonets and metal pipes are featured.)
Gaming Content
Everything you need to learn to play Warhammer 40,000 going with your new miniatures is included in the box, including a 96-page book featuring:
- an introduction to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby äóñ collecting, building, painting and playing with Citadel miniatures;
- a guide to the state of the galaxy in Warhammer 40,000 äóñ the Imperium of Man, the forces of Chaos, the Xenos threat and their terrible intertwinings;
- an overview of the heroic Primaris Space Marines, with a focus on Captains, Intercessors, Inceptors and Hellblasters;
- an overview of the Death Guard, with a focus on the Lords of Contagion, Plague Marines, Foetid Bloat-Drones and Poxwalkers;
- background information setting up the epic conflict between the Ultramarines and Death Guard in the Ultramar system äóñ the home of the Ultramarines;
- a step-by-step painting guide, beginning with a guide to the fundamentals äóñ the brushes and paints to choose äóñ and giving you the tips and techniques needed to paint the miniatures included in the box;
- a äóÖstart playingäó» guide äóñ this is split into 6 missions, each of which introduces more miniatures and more advanced concepts into the flow of the game, taking you from a basic fight between a couple of models to full-blown combat between all 31 included in the box! The missions are designed to be intuitive, and the new player is encouraged to add rules at their own pace;
- a set of core rules äóñ these are the fundamental rules for playing Warhammer 40,000, split into easy to follow phases with a mission designed to ease you in;
- datasheets for every miniature äóñ these are handy cards containing the rules for each model in the box; - a 2äó» x 4äó» double-sided gaming mat äóñ one side is specially designed with icons showing you where to place miniatures in order to play the 6 missions included in the book, and the other has no markings, so you can play your own games. Each side is printed in full colour with an evocative design of a ruined Imperial city;
- a scenery piece! The inside tray of the box is designed to look like a sealed Imperial bunker, meaning it can be placed on your mat as a piece of scenery for your miniatures to battle over;
- 6 6-sided dice, and a 12äó? translucent measuring ruler, each vitally important for measuring movement and other in game tasks;
- a decal sheet for your Ultramarines, featuring army and troop iconography;
- 15 32mm, 10 25mm, 4 40mm, 1 50mm and 1 60mm round plastic bases for your miniatures to stand upon, with 3 45mm plastic flying stems for the Inceptor Squad.
$38.25 $45.00
Falling from the sky with lightning speed and stunning aggression, the ferocity of the Space Marine Assault Squad is rarely matched in battle. Countless shells of bolt pistol fire slam into the enemy as the squad charges forward with no hesitation whatsoever, hacking and rending at any survivors with whirling chainswords, barging them to the ground with their heavy power armour and shattering their skulls with close-quarter brutality.
This box set contains everything you need to make five multi-part plastic Assault Marines, with amazing scope for customisation. One miniature can be assembled as a Space Marine Sergeant - two bare Sergeant heads are included on top of the seven Marine heads. The entire squad can be modelled with or without jump packs, as five complete assemblies are included with and without harnesses and backpacks. There are five running leg assemblies, twelve shoulder pads and an array of Purity Seals, scroll cases and ammo pouches.
Weaponsäó? these guys are armed to the teeth. Included in the box:
Five Space Marine Bolt Pistols;
Five Space Marine Chainswords ;
Three Plasma Pistols ;
Two Space Marine Flamers ;
One Space Marine Grav Pistol ;
One Space Marine Heavy Chainsword (Eviscerator) ;
One each of Power Fist, Power Sword, Power Axe, Lightning Claw and Thunder Hammer;
One Space Marine Combat Shield;
One Melta Bomb.
The squad can truly be assembled to reflect your play style and aesthetic choices with this massive variety - and youäó»ll have a huge surplus of weapons to add to your existing Space Marine collection. Includes five Citadel 32mm Round Bases.


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West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan has admitted his surprise of talk linking manager Sam Allardyce with the sack this week, as reported by Sky Sports.
The Hammers skipper will lead the Irons out at the Etihad today where a win could gift Liverpool the Premier League title.
Nolan is West Ham's top scorer this season and has played under Allardyce at Bolton, Newcastle and now the East Enders, with their relationship clear for all to see.
The experienced midfield man claims the whole squad is behind Allardyce and that they were shocked that he could be leaving after today's game.
"It shocked a lot of the boys. We found it all quite surprising to be honest and we are still quite shocked that people can write that stuff," Nolan said.
"If you ask anyone in that dressing room, the gaffer has got the full backing of every one of us. It's a sad occasion when we are talking about him getting sacked after the magnificent job he has done over the last three seasons and I've been a part of that with him.
"I've seen the difference he's made from when he first walked in – the state of the club from then to what it is now – I'm sure the owners would recognise the magnificent job he's done.'


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Posting ID : A1068541393
Date Posted : 2015-08-19
Category : Motorcycles Scooters By Owner
Might consider trades for a dirt-bike or 4wheeler
Runs and drives, bought as a project and getting tired of it. And my house is getting crowded with other people and their stuff so now I don't have the time or space to work on her anymore.
Comes with:
1set of Race tires, in addition to current tires on bike
1 OEM stock pipe (required to pass emissions) and current cut-off straight-pipe
Valves checked at some point soon
Headlight grounding checked-- it just started to blow the fuse last week, havent looked into it much, will work on as I have the time.
Clutch discs replaced (I have the replacements just haven't had the time or space to do it)
Things I've done to it:
Re-upholstered seat
New front rotors
New hand/throttle grips
replaced both front brake calipers (certified, used)
replaced both front brake + Clutch cylinders (certified, used)
New brake pads, front and rear
New Pro-taper handle-bars
After market Gauge cluster installed (needs temp and RPM, but Fuel and speedo work)
Handlebar mounted mirror installed
New X-ring chain installed about 6months ago
Full linked brake system flushed and new fluid within the last year
Re-wired all blinker lights to function properly
Aftermarket headlight installed
Bike has a salvage/Rebuilt title
Approximately 30,000 miles
Gets about 47-50mpg
-Fuel injected-
Test drives require Cash in hand.


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MTB On-the-Bike Skills Training
Basic requirement for Level 2 and Level 3 Coach License
April 29th, 2018 - 9AM to 1PM
Carson City Sheriffs Office
911 E Musser St, Carson City, NV 89701
- 101 On-The-Bike Skills - Level 2 Minimum Requirement - $35.00
A more advanced 201 On-the-Bike is available during the Leaders Summit Weekend.
- 101 On-The-Bike Skills - Level 2 Minimum Requirement - $35.00
The MTB 101 training is designed for new and experienced coaches looking for effective skills and techniques for running team practices. This event provides the opportunity for participants to learn the "nuts and bolts" of running safe and fun team practices and preparations for race season. Expect a brief interactive lecture followed by practical application during the "on-the-bike-skills" class. Class includes continental breakfast and coaching 101 field guide. Please come prepared to ride after lunch.
This one day event will fulfill continuing education units and On-The-Bike Skills requirements for NICA Coach Licensing Level 2 & 3. Additional prerequisites for NICA Coach Licensing Level 2 & 3 can be found on NICA's Coach Licensing Program page (HERE). Please complete the online based "Risk Management" and "NICA Student-Athlete Coaching Philosophy" webinars and tests prior to attending this class. They're free and can be completed in the comfort of your own home. You do not need to complete the other requirements before attending the Ride Leader Training.
Prerequisite Online Training
Required training to be completed before Leaders' Summit
A complete list coaching and volunteer requirements can be found online at Nationalmtb.org
Questions? Contact League Director Doug Bedient directly at - firstname.lastname@example.com


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This particular quote request is specifically designed for Mercedes S Class, which is served by JC Limousines in Baulkham Hills NSW 2153, Australia. Limousine company will send you a free quote, that you can agree with or reject. Limoscanner imposes on any obligations to buy any of the services. And the quotation submitted is absolutely complimentary.
Notice: You may also receive quotes from other companies offering Sedan services,
after you send this request.
See other
vehicles in Baulkham Hills NSW 2153, Australia
To reserve this Mercedes S Class, you only need to pay .
The remaining amount you can pay to the driver upon pick-up.
Your contact and personal info will not be shared to the vendor, until you choose to do so. We respect your
Or, if you remember your current password, just enter it here
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Hakone Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden in Saratoga, California, USA. It claims to be the oldest Japanese-style residential garden in the Western Hemisphere. Notable features include a bamboo garden, a Zen garden, a strolling garden (the Hill and Pond Garden), tea houses, and the Cultural Exchange Center, a replica of a 19th century Japanese home and storefront.Gardens
Links: www.hakone.com
By: neotrix


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Big Bang DocumentaryWednesday, July 26th, 2006
The following copy for this NOVA documentary, Origins: Back To The Beginning, is from Google Video:
Has the universe always existed? How did it become a place that could harbor life? What was the birth of our planet like? Are we alone? NOVA presents some startling new answers in "Origins," a groundbreaking four-part NOVA miniseries hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History.
This episode starts with a bang–the big bang in which everything began. "Origins: Back to the Beginning" explores how the colossal forces of the early universe made it possible for habitable worlds to emerge. The clues begin with a race among scientists to capture echoes of the big bang's ferocious energy in a microwave "whisper" from deep space.
The race pits underdog astronomer Tony Readhead and his improvised against NASA scientists and their state-of-the-art satellite probe. The resulting computer animation of the big bang's echo is as close as we can get to a "photograph" of the primordial universe. Tyson also catches up with one of astronomy's most
exciting recent findings: the discovery of the first planets outside our own solar system. Detecting more than 100 of these over the last few years, astronomers have developed an ingenious technique for
deducing if they might be suitable for life. The show runs 57 minutes:


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Cat Banjo {Raleigh} is having a killer sale that's ending today: they taking an additonal 50% off already marked down summer merchandise through Sunday, September 25th (that's today!). In addition, they are sending you home with a free Pashmina Scarf with any $50 purchase!
What a way to head into fall!
Cat Banjo is located in Raleigh's Cameron Village at 2043 Cameron Street and is open from 12:00pm until 6:00pm on Sundays.
Lisa Jeffries
A good old-fashioned Southern girl - at home in the modern world.
Latest posts by Lisa Jeffries (see all)
- After Christmas Sale Round-Up - December 28, 2017
- 2017 Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday Shopping Guide - November 23, 2017
- Readers, Our Annual Black Friday & Holiday Weekend Shopping Guide Returns! - November 21, 2017


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Kamview to host 2nd Annual Run or Walk for Reijo
Invite your family and friends. Registration will be from 5 to 6 pm with the run/walk starting at 6:30 pm. Please come early so we don't have to delay the start for late comers.
There will be 2 courses marked – 3 km and 6 km. Please feel free to walk/run either of these distances or any other distance of your choice, as long as you stay on the marked trails, as some of our other trails are under construction.
A minimum donation of $10.00 per participant is suggested with all donations going to the Reijo Puiras Legacy Fund. The Lappe Ski Centre has started the Reijo Puiras Legacy Fund to continue the advancement of cross-country skiing in the region.
There will be lots of great draw prizes handed out that evening.
There will be a Bake Sale hosted by NTDC with 50% of their profit going to the Legacy Fund.
"The more racers we have," Reijo once said, "the more Wayne Gretzkys we're likely to find."


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The 1N4057 through 1N4085A series of temperature compensated reference diodes provides a wide selection of nominal voltages ranging from 12.4 V to 200 V with low temperature coefficients of either 0.005%/C or 0.002%/oC for minimal voltage change with temperature. This is achieved at the specified test currents of:
- 10.0 mA for the lower voltages 12.4 V to 33 V
- 7.5 mA for the next higher voltage grouping of 37 V to 100 V
- 5.00 mA for 68 V to 100 V
- 2.5 mA for the highest voltage group 105 V to 200 V
Microsemi Corporation offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor and system solutions for aerospace & defense, communications, data center and industrial markets. Products include high-performance and radiation-hardened analog mixed-signal integrated circuits, FPGAs, SoCs and ASICs; power management products; timing and synchronization devices and precise time solutions, setting the world's standard for time; voice processing devices; RF solutions; discrete components; enterprise storage and communication solutions, security technologies and scalable anti-tamper products; Ethernet solutions; Power-over-Ethernet ICs and midspans; as well as custom design capabilities and services.
Microsemi is now a subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc.


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THORSDAY: Norse Myths You Won't See in Marvel Comics
Know ye that on Frigga's Day May the Sixth, the God of Thunder, Thor shall bring the might of his hammer Mjolnir to yon multiplexes, where he shall woo the Maiden Portman of the Black Swan and match wits with the great Hopkins, Lover of Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti! But the forces of "Real-D" and CGI realize for us mortals the halls of Asgard, we found ourselves questioning — what stories of the classic myths were likely to not find their way into yon comics and films?To find out more, we did depart to ye local library, where we carefully read through the volumes we found in the children's section in the ancient tomes of poetry transcribed by the hallowed Vikings themselves! And from them did we discover the true and bloody tales of Asgard that yon Comics Code Authority did keep from the pages of the tomes of True Believers of the House of Ideas! Thus was born: NEWSARAMA'S TALES OF ASGARD Thor's Battle Against
the Ettins, by Mårten
Eskil Winge (1872).Dare venture into these strange and brazen myths to discover that which Marvel Comics once shunned, perhaps with good reason! To aid us in our quest, we did recruit the strongest of warriors, yon Kieron Gillen, scribe of many of Marvel's recent tales of the Aesir, including Thor, Siege: Loki, Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter and yon forthcoming Journey Into Mystery, along with his work on the mutate'd heroes of Uncanny X-Men and S.W.O.R.D. We warn ye: What thou learnest in these tales thou cannot unlearn. Onward! Yon Noteth: Do not lookest for yon tale of Loki tricking Thor into thinking he was pregnant, as recounted in The Sandman. T'was merely an invention of yon Neil Gaiman, as many perusals of the skalds did reveal. Greatly did this disappoint the warriors of Newsarama, who had a lovely line about wishing to see this drawn by Jack Kirby or Walt Simonson. Ymir's Progeny: The creation of Asgard was told in the old Marvel comics, but they never quite got around to how Ymir gave birth to the race of Frost Giants and trolls while he slept… when a male and female Frost Giant came>to life from his armpit, and a six-headed troll grew out of his feet. The incestuous pairings of these creatures created the monsters who menaced Asgard over the years. In fairness, they did include the bit about how Odin's dad, the first of the Aesir, was created by a giant cow licking the ice of Ginungagap. Kieron Gillen: This proves a crucial lesson about the importance of proper deodorant use. I hope everyone will bear this in mind for the coming convention season. Remember: improper personal hygiene can lead to Frost Giant invasion on the third day of San Diego. We Live on a Corpse: According to early myths, Midgard (Earth) was created by the Aesir out of Ymir's body, with his flesh becoming the soil, his bones the mountains, and the stones from his teeth. The sky was capped off by his skull. Does this explain humanity's fascination with zombie movies? Gillen: Honestly, the idea of this article is 'myths we never use in Marvel Comics,' but I'd be all over this given half a chance. Like, totes. Odin. Odin's Nine Nights of Hanging: How did Odin become the All-Father? Well, according to the Rúnatal section of the Norse poem Hávamál, he hung himself from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights while pierced with his own spear. In the process, he gained wisdom that granted him power over the Nine Worlds. Note: Do not try this in real life. That's how that guy from Kung-Fu died. Gillen: The guy from Kung-Fu should have known better than to pierce himself with Odin's spear. Brother's Keeper: Why do Thor and Loki have such issues? Well, Odin wasn't the best example. After his brother Mimir was decapitated, Odin kept his head alive and used him as a sounding board. Yep, not a great track record for handling siblings. Gillen: Odin was always looking to get ahead. I'm sorry. Seriously, Odin's Just a Dick: After the death of the god of poetry Kvasir, his blood was mixed into a heady mead that granted its drinker the gifts of poetry and wisdom. When it was discovered to be in the hands of a dwarf named Baugi, Odin employed some subterfuge. Taking the form of a snake, he snuck into Baugi's cave and made love to his daughter Gunnold (described as a nice and innocent dwarf), receiving the offer of three drops of mead as payment. Odin instead drank all the mead and turned into an eagle, spitting the mead back into jars in Asgard. The Aesir were happy to have what was now probably a very funky blood-mead back, and Gunnold hasn't been mentioned again. Still, this explains where Loki gets his trickery. Gillen: I think we're being overharsh on Odin here. Who among us can say we've never transformed into a snake in order to sleep with a dwarf and then morphed into an eagle to vomit drinks for all our friends? I know I can't. Thor in Drag: Let never it be said that Loki never helped Thor out. In the Norse poem Þrymskviða, Thor finds his hammer's been stolen by the Jotun (Frost Giant) Þrymr. Loki helps find out what happened, and discovers that Þrymr wants to use the hammer to woo the lovely goddess Freya. Freya's not down with that, so Loki helps Thor infiltrate Þrymr's fortress by… disguising him as a maiden. The wedding nearly goes through, but Thor manages to get his hammer back and lay some serious smackdown. On a personal note, I parodied this for another comics site a decade back with a guest illustration by Walt Simonson. He was surprisingly willing to draw Thor in feminine attire. That's a professional right there. Gillen: To state the obvious: Thor does have lovely hair. And Doctor Doom's managed to square being one of the most feared men in the Marvel Universe while wearing a green mini-dress for years now. I see no problem with more heroes cross-dressing. Loki. Loki's Eight-Legged Horse Baby: Well, Loki got his own drag race that also involved transgender transmogrification. The Aesir wanted a wall built, but the Jotun who volunteered wanted Freya's hand in marriage (Freya was popular), along with the sun and moon. Loki suggested giving him a ridiculously short deadline to prevent this, but unfortunately the Jotun met his deadline. In danger of being lynched, Loki tried delaying the Jotun by… turning into a mare and seducing away the Jotun's horse Svaðilfari. The Jotun missed his deadline and tried to destroy Asgard, but Thor gave him a whuppin'. Loki, meanwhile, gave birth to an eight-legged horse that Odin rode named Sleipnir, the Glider. Jeez, he didn't even get to keep his own horse-spider-baby? Loki can't get a break. Gillen: I think we're being overharsh on Loki here. Who among us can say we've never, etc, etc. In other notes, I now want to have a horse-spider-baby. Life is cruel. Loki's Gender Confusion: In the classic Norse poem Lokasenna, Odin accuses Loki of spending eight winters beneath the earth as a woman and bearing children. Dude, you took his horse-spider-baby! Lay off the judgments! Loki is a very confused god, and not just because of the Frost Giant background. Gillen: The idea of Loki being a woman is ludicrous. It would never work. Loki in Intestines: Lokasenna concludes with Loki, having been a smartass to all the gods and referencing their failures, being bound with the intestines of his own son Nari. He is then imprisoned beneath the earth with a snake dripping venom into his eyes. His strains to break free are what cause earthquakes… though eventually he'll cause far worse by bringing about Ragnarok. Gillen: Equally, I can't imagine any comic using this myth and being taken seriously. Quite simply impossible. It's Nari I feel sorry for in this one, though: "You're punishing my dad? Oh — Well, he probably deserved it. And… you're going to do what to me to tie him up? Wait a minute." And One More from Loki, Courtesy of Matt Fraction: Years ago on this site, I asked Matt Fraction, now writer of The Mighty Thor, what his favorite Norse myth was: "The one where Loki makes the Frost Giant's daughter laugh by tying a donkey's leash to his nutsack and letting it drag him around is maybe my favorite myth, only because it's so bawdy and inappropriate and funny and we tend to think of these myths as these stodgy, airless fables about ideas and ideals and not, y'know, written by and for people that love a good scrotum joke. "Rejoice! Apparently nut humor was as much a hoot back then as it is today." Gillen: Asgardian Jackass strikes me as an easy pitch. Get me to an editor, quickly. Read ye yon works by Kieron Gillen each month, and seeth yon Thor in theaters this Friday! There will likely be no horse-spider-babies. The All-Father doth weep. Visit Newsarama on FACEBOOK and TWITTER and tell us what you think!
Twitter activity Tweets by @Newsarama


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Manufacturer: Cashel (View all products by Cashel)
Model: Crusader Fly Mask w/o Ears (View all Crusader Fly Mask w/o Ears reviews)
Category: Fly Control
Purchase: I bought this fly mask at an endurance race for $29.99. I bought it because I was tired of the fly masks that rub and are rough.
Likes: I love this fly mask because it is SUPER soft and padded very nicely. My little Arabian loves this mask because of the super pliable and supple feel to it. The velcro strap under the chin is very flexible, allowing my to tighten it without bothering my horse. I have to say that the fit is very good, too. I have a very refined Arabian and the cob size fits her and her slightly larger Arabian friend beautifully. I use it primarily for trailer rides to endurance races, and the look of the mask is very eloquent going 60 mph on the freeway.
Dislikes: Despite being a little pricey, the mask is well worth it.
Quality: The mask is very well made and I have yet to have a problem with it :)
Summary: At the risk of sounding like an ad, the Crusader Fly Mask is made perfectly, and with the different sizes and ear options, both my horse and I are perfectly happy with it.
Rating: 5
Author: Ginger
Date: 2007-06-18
Usefulness Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
6 reader(s) voted.
Cheval international Inside out insect allergy control Fly Control
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Turtleneck Fly Turtle Fly Control
Dumor Equine spray no Fly Control
Kensington Protective Products KFM300 / Fly Mask with Fleece Trim with Ears Fly Control
Spaulding Labs. Spaulding Labs Fly Predators Fly Control
gordon oil base fly spray gordons oil base fly control for horses Fly Control
gordon horse and pony oilbase fly spray Fly Control
Cashel Crusader Fly Mask Fly Control
Farnam Mosquito Halt Fly Control
Cashel Fly Mask with ears Fly Control
Absorbine Ultrashield Bonnet w/ears Fly Control
Zephyr's Garden No-Fly Zone Healving Salve Fly Control
Flyarmor mane and tail band Fly Control
Kensington Bug Eye Fly Mask (long w/ears) Fly Control
Schneiders Dura-Mesh Fly Mask with Halter Combo Fly Control
Dumor Fly Spray Fly Control
Manna Pro Calm Coat Fly Spray Fly Control
Farnam Endure Fly Spray Fly Control


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Remember the boy who was on a school bus talking to his friends and said that he wishes he had a gun to protect them? The bus driver over heard him and took back to the school, where the principal suspended him for just saying the word gun.
Or what about the six year old boy that pointed his finger at another kid and acted like he was shooting him? He was suspended also. Then there was the 5 year old girl that threatened to shoot another kindergartner with her Hello Kitty Bubble Gun when they got home from school. She was also suspended.
In all of these cases, kids were instantly suspended for making threats, innocent playful threats, against other students. The suspensions came before any investigation could be completed.
But there seems to be a difference justice for school administrators than there is for students. Neifi Juan Acosta is the principal of New York Intermediate School 232. He is a shining example for his students as he is known for his fiery temper and angry outbursts.
Last November, Acosta was conducting a meeting with his staff and faculty concerning what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. During the meeting Acosta went on a tirade, yelling at his staff and faculty about how much stress he is under and how frustrated he was. He angrily told the attendees that they were in God's seat of judgment. One of the attendees reported:
"It got very fire and brimstone, very fundamentalist."
Someone at the meeting asked Acosta if he was angry at the students or the faculty and he answered faculty. Then Acosta was reported to have said:
"I know what I'll do, I'll call a conference in the cafeteria, and I'll put on a vest like the terrorists do and I'm going to blow you all up."
A number of the faculty that attended the meeting filed complaints against Acosta. It took investigators until January to start investigating the complaints. During the investigation, Acosta placed laminated posters with Bible verses on the classroom doors of faculty members that were scheduled to be interviewed by the investigators.
Six months after the angry threat was made, Acosta is still on the job. He has not been placed on administrative leave nor has he been suspended. How can the school board keep this man in his position of principal? He cannot control his temper which is a very poor and dangerous example for his students. If anyone anywhere in this country makes a threat to wear a vest full of explosives and blow up a bunch of people will instantly be arrested for making terrorist threats.
A 6 year old is suspended for playing and using his finger as a gun and this principal is not suspended for making a terrorist threat to his staff. A 5 year old threatens to shoot another 5 year old with a toy gun that shoots bubbles when they got home and she is suspended, but Acosta threatens to kill his entire faculty and he's still on the job.
While I believe all of the student suspensions are wrong and were handed down too hastily, but on the other hand, I don't understand why Neifi Juan Acosta was not suspended or placed on administrated leave pending the investigation. Obviously, justice is not equal for students and school administrators.


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- Home
- About IAGA
- Events
- Membership
- Sponsorship
IAGA is proud to once again have supported the World Regulatory Briefing (WrB) held in conjunction with Clarion Events and the ICE Totally Gaming Exhibition February 5 through 8, 2018. An integral part of the World Regulatory Assembly (WrA), a series of events that deliver high-level networking opportunities and share knowledge through a comprehensive review on current and future gaming regulation, the WrB provided 2018 attendees extraordinary insight into the world of gaming regulation.
WrA Cocktail Reception
Monday, February 5, 7 - 9 p.m.
The WrA Cocktail Reception took place at the Natural History Museum, beginning with a Champagne Reception followed by drinks and canapés. This popular event was exclusively for members of the WRA's supporting associations, regulators, TEN members, MPs, Legislators. Government Officials and other invited guests. Watch for details on the 2019 event and make plans to attend!
World Regulatory Briefing


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Bed ideas
In the frame
Functional but oh-so fresh, these beds certainly don't snooze on style. Here's our pick of the dreamiest bed styles for a more fashionable 40 winks...
Want to make you're bedroom feel bigger and brighter? Opt for a white bed frame as your sleep centrepiece.
Shop: White Bed Frames
Soft touch
There's something seriously sumptuous about an upholstered bed which dials up any bedroom to boutique boudoir status.
Shop: Upholstered bed frames
Into the wood
The all-rounder; a wooden frame looks lovely with both classic and contemporary decor.
Psst... lots of our range is made with solid wood (including this light oak lovely on the left).
Shop: Wooden Bed Frames
Keep it simple
It looks like the laid-back aesthetic of the Scandi trend is here to stay (hurrah!). A minimalist frame brings it into your sleep space.
Shop: Simple Bed Frames
What about these?
Other sleepy shoppers are looking at...
Shop by size
For extra stretching or if space is tight.
More inspiration
Style advice, features and design tips to help you transform your home.


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Posts from — October 2011
Cool Components IV: LCD Pushbuttons
These pushbuttons aren't well suited for the typical system integrator. They're all designed to mount on a PCB, use a SPI interface (readily available on microcontrollers, but not on PCs or PLCs), and require complex programming.
Most models use a monochrome LCD with a backlights of varying complexity. Here's some product highlights from the three companies I know about:
NKK has the best distribution by far; their distributors include Mouser and Digikey. NKK has the widest product range, with prices ranging from about $45 to $80. NKK also the most support; for example, I've seen SmartSwitch articles in Circuit Cellar Ink.
- Basic buttons include 36×24 and 64×32 monochrome LCDs with single, bicolor, and RGB backlights.
- The OLED models provide 65536 colors with a 64×48 pixel resolution, with prices around $80.
- The OLED rocker switch is unique; it includes a white monochrome 96×64 pixel OLED display, and is also around $80.
ScreenKeys is an Irish company with some normal and one unique product.
- Basic buttons include 32×16 and 36×24 monochrome LCDs with bicolor or RGB backlighting.
- The unique product is the TFT128 button, which has a 128×128 pixel, 65536 color TFT LCD display. One minus is that the TFT128 uses a flat, LCD-style cable for communications. SparkFun used to carry it at a reasonable price (~$50 IIRC), but does not anymore.
[E³] Engstler Elektronik Entwicklung GmbH
[E3] is a German company that makes pushbuttons with 32×16, 36×24, and 64×32 pixel monochrome LCDs with RGB backlights. The RGB backlights provide either 64 or >10,000 calibrated colors.
The SB6432 is available on-line from FunGizmos for $36.
RJS currently offers pushbuttons with 64×32 pixel resolution, a profile similar to that of [E3] pushbuttons, and RGB backlights. (Added 5/18/2013)
I'd still like to have an excuse to use one of these buttons in a project; maybe someday…
October 27, 2011 2 Comments
TI Slashes Code Composer Studio Prices
I've had a fun time watching CAD pricing gyrations, especially Alibre's pricing. TI has also varied pricing on Code Composer Studio (CCS) Platinum; most of the time it's been $3595, it was $995 for a couple months, and it's been around $2000. All the time the annual maintenance was $600/year.
Now a new node-locked license is $445 and annual maintenance is $99/year. A floating license is $795 with annual renewal at $159/year. TI calls this Promotional Pricing, so the price may go up, but with the drop in the yearly maintenance, I think they'll keep the prices low.
Deelip and others think pricing too low is bad for CAD. I think there's a point to this: the CAD (and embedded) market size is only somewhat elastic, and there are significant switching costs, so if you cut prices too much, your market size won't increase much, but your revenues will go down.
However, TI is in the semiconductor business, not the software business, and the point of CCS is to sell more TI chips. Also, unlike the CAD space, there is significant open source competition (gcc and such). My guess is that TI will, over several years, significantly benefit from this; I suspect a major goal is to increase microcontroller developers' familiarity with the rest of the TI processor (MCU, MPU, DSP) lineup. For example, my brother is more likely to design in a TI C6000 or OMAP processor after this price cut.
CCS is a great value; it includes the IDE and development tools for all of TI's processors (MSP430 MCU, C28xx DSP, Stellaris MCU, C5000 DSP, C6000 DSP, TMS570 safety MCU, high-end ARM, etc) and a royalty free run time license for TI's DSP/BIOS RTOS. Most commercial embedded IDE's are quite pricey, typically starting at $1000 or more for a single architecture.
October 22, 2011 No Comments
Ooma Quirks
Overall, I'm still pretty happy with our Ooma system. However, I have run into a few quirks:
- If you want to use call screening (where you can hear the caller leaving a message on the answering machine), you either have to pay for Ooma Premier or put an answering machine on Ooma's output phone line and set it to answer before Ooma's answering machine.
- If you have a regular phone line connected to the Ooma, Ooma will use it when calling out all local calls, not just for 911 emergency calls. This can be a problem if you're on a metered local plan and make enough local calls.
- Apparently, this option can be changed, but Ooma won't make the change anymore.
- However, everyone on the forums recommends totally splitting your lines: Ooma connected to Internet only, local phone line connected to a different phone. You do get extra features for free this way, for example, caller ID.
- Ooma occasionally changes their web interface around. For example, the connection tone option (Ooma plays a special sound when the connection is made) has been removed.
Some final Ooma notes:
- The Ooma forums are pretty useful.
- Broadband options are a pain. For example, here in Silicon Valley, dry loop DSL costs about the same as DSL + metered local phone service: $40/month or so versus about $41/month ($22 + $19; unlimited local is ~$27). Cable internet without cable TV isn't any better. Clear isn't a good option unless I could bundle home + mobile, but their coverage doesn't work for me.
- So for right now, I'm sticking with DSL at home + metered phone, with the Ooma and local phones separate: the Ooma is connected to a cordless phone (plus maybe later an answering machine if Caller ID doesn't work well for call screening), and the phone line is connected to a different cordless phone/answering machine.
October 21, 2011 No Comments
XY Table Part 3: Major Components
What are the major components and why did I choose them from my stock of automation components?
- XY Table – a Parker Daedal simply because it's the only one I own. I can't find a part number on it, but it looks similar to a 806006CTE5D1L2C1M1E1. It's a beefy cross roller stage with 0.2″ pitch (5 turns per inch) ballscrews and NEMA 23 motor mounts.
- Joystick – a CH Products HF22S10-U USB hall effect joystick, because it's an awesome joystick. Besides, the USB interface is a lot easier to use than analog voltage or resistive interfaces.
- PC – a Shuttle X50 all-in-one because it's compact, has a touchscreen, and has plenty of USB ports.
- CAN Interface – a Kvaser Leaf Light, because it's really nice, I haven't featured it before, uses a USB inteface (the X50 has no PCI slots) and it's well supported by Copley. My Ixxat USB to CAN compact would also be a good choice.
- Drives – Copley Accelnet ACP-055-018 and Stepnet STP-075-07. I also have AMC and Elmo CANOpen servo drives, but Copley was my choice because I only have Copley stepper drives (and I want to show stepper performance versus servo performance) and only Copley includes high level software (CMO, Copley Motion Objects).
- Servo Motor – currently a MCG IB23000-E1 because this is a typical NEMA23 servo motor and I haven't used it before, so I can describe getting an unknown servo motor up and running. Besides, my Emoteq BH02300's are too fast. If it doesn't work (and someone has written "Bad Hall" on it), I'll substitute another servo motor after describing my troubleshooting.
- Stepper Motor – a Sanyo Denki Step Syn 103-771-16 because it was the first single shaft NEMA 23 stepper motor that I found.
- Power Supply – my trusty Logosol LS-1148. I'll be using the E-STOP input option.
- E-STOP – a IDEC AOLD39911DN-R-24V lighted 30mm mushroom switch. It's not really an E-STOP, but it should work OK, I like IDEC's quality, and I was able to pick up a couple for a good price on eBay.
- Development Tools – SharpDevelop, because it deserves to be highlighted. Microsoft Visual Studio would also be a good choice, and the Express Editions are free, but SharpDevelop has some unique features that can be useful even if you already have Visual Studio. Besides, I'm pretty sure the download is a whole lot smaller.
I do have enough equipment that I could use a traditional motion controller (Galil or MEI) and analog servo amplifiers (AMC), but I decided to go the CANOpen distributed route because it's a heck of a lot less wiring.
October 18, 2011 1 Comment
XY Table Part 2: Overall Architecture
What are the major components and how do they fit together?
Let's start at the top and work our way down:
- Motion commands are generated by the joystick; the joystick reports values separately for the X and Y axis.
- The PC reads the joystick X and Y values, translates them into velocity commands and sends them out over the USB to CAN interface.
- The CANOpen drives receive the motion commands, and send the appropriate voltage and current to the X and Y motors. (I use the drive to refer to an integrated motion controller and amplifier. I will be using one servo drive and one stepper drive.)
- The motors are connected to XY table ballscrews through a coupling and cause the XY table to move.
- Limit sensors on the XY table stop the motors if you try to move too far, preventing damage to the XY table.
- The E-Stop switch is there to turn off power to the motors (with no software involved) in cause of an emergency.
- The Power Supply drives DC power to the motors through the drives.
So the basic idea isn't too complicated, but there will be a lot to learn along the way to sucess.
October 16, 2011 No Comments
XY Table Part 1: Introduction
This new series is a tutorial on putting together a joystick controlled XY table from parts to a complete, working system. I want it to be a comprehensive tutorial on getting a two axis system up and running, including:
- The electrical part, for example, connecting to the motors and limit sensors.
- The mechanical part, for example, attaching the motors to the stage and setting the limit sensors.
- Setup and initial testing.
- Software, including sending commands to the drives and reading a joystick.
- Finding information on motors, stages, and such so you can use them.
Why write this? Because I haven't seen a similar detailed project. Automation magazines articles are almost always very general (why product X was great for project Y). I will not get into theory (such as matching inertia using gear heads, motor sizing, etc); this is an introduction, and the XY table will work fine driven by ordinary NEMA23 servo and stepper motors without noisy gear heads.
The tutorial will be detailed, but not a step by step recipe. Instead, I want to provide a detailed example and resources that you can apply to the particular parts you have. I hope it will be useful to people who have bought surplus automation equipment.
I expect basic familiarity with automation concepts such as servo motors, quadrature encoders, and such, but will provide some basic links — and don't forget, if you don't know something, google it!
I will be using a bunch of parts I already have, but I will also cover some of the many other possible ways of getting to the same end result.
October 10, 2011 No Comments
Why I Like Copley Accelnet Servo Drives
A couple years ago I was looking for a distributed servo drive, and selected the Coley Accelnet Panel. There are a lot of other good servo drives out there, but I like a lot of little details on the Accelnet Panel ADP drives, such as:
- The ADP uses a standard fieldbus, CANOpen, so I'm not tied to a proprietary network.
- Copley's free CMO software makes it easy to get started with CANOpen, assuming you can use COM objects. Raw CANOpen has a substantial learning curve.
- The ADP uses HD (high density sub-D) connectors, so I can buy affordable, molded cables. The HD connector is also robust; the MDR (Micro-D Ribbon) cables on the previous model (ACJ) are a nice idea, but I can't get affordable cables for them, and they do not have same level of mechanical robustness.
- The ADP uses RJ45 cables for CANOpen, with isolated DC/DC converters, so it's easy to daisy chain units using affordable cables, without having to worry about providing the right voltage to the CAN line driver.
- There are no cables used for normal operation coming out the top of the bottom; this fit our mechanical footprint much better than having to deal with cables coming out three sides (front, top, bottom). (The serial port is on the top, but not used during operation).
- The serial port, used for setup, has fixed settings (baud rate, etc) so it's also easy to communicate (I don't have to start guessing at baud rate, parity, etc on an unknown servo drive).
- The CANOpen address is set via a hex (0->F) rotary switch. I like being able to see what a servo drive's address is at a glance. DIP switches are second best; I can decode them, but it's not as easy. The worst is having the address set only using a serial setup port. (Note: the ADP switch is actually on offset, but we always keep the offset at 0. You can also ignore the switch).
- The ADP buffered encoder output is great, since we need to provide the encoder output to a custom board on about half the axes. We don't need to provide an encoder splitter, unlike in our older systems.
- Finally, 100% of the Accelnets I've bought from eBay have worked (and I've bought 7 ACPs so far), and that hasn't been true for some other brands.
October 9, 2011 No Comments
Advanced PLC Programming Books
I've finished searching for books on advanced Programmable Logic Controller programming. Mainstream programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and C# have a plethora of advanced books. However, I didn't find much on advanced ladder logic.
The book that seems the closest to what I'm looking for is Cascading Logic: A Machine Control Methodology for Programmable Logic Controllers by Gary Kirchof. I will be able to judge for myself soon, since a reasonably price copy is on its way to me. (And hopefully I'll have time to write a review soon.)
The second PLC book that impressed me is Programmable Logic Controllers: An Emphasis on Design and Application by Kelvin Erickson. It's meant as a college textbook, but it is pretty comprehensive (>1500 pages) and does have a heavy emphasis on real world techniques. I couldn't find it at a reasonable price, so I won't be reviewing it.
I am surprised by how many PLC programming books are meant as textbooks; I'd say at least half are. Also, I don't think any book covers advanced Structured Text, although a book might devote a chapter to it.
October 6, 2011 8 Comments
Initial Statechart Thoughts
I've finished my initial skim of Practical Statecharts in C/C++; my time was definitely well spent.
Startcharts are a type of hierarchical state machine. Hierarchical state machines allow state machines to be nested inside state machines, which allows behavior to be inherited (analogous to inheritance in object oriented programming).
State machines are a way of modeling systems based on transitions from one state to another, with the transitions caused by events or conditions being met. They are a very natural way of modeling many systems (for example, communications protocols) in semiconductors, embedded systems, automation systems, and more.
The UML (Unified Modeling Language) provides a standard statechart. The author, Miro Samek, implements a simplified version of the UML statechart in object oriented C or C++ using message passing with a publish/subscribe message bus. Although the author emphasizes implementation details, he does include some good advice on creating and structuring statecharts. On the other hand, his quantum physics analogies detract from the text.
I will have to carefully re-read it and try using the concepts myself before I deeply understand it, but here are my initial, somewhat unorganized, thoughts:
- The book is definitely aimed at embedded developers; the author is always focused on speed and small size.
- The book was definitely worth reading; overall, it's well written, and appropriate for its target audience.
- The concurrency method used (messaging with publish/subscribe) looks similar to the now-trendy actor approach (used in Erlang, Scala, etc).
- Not a good fit overall for my current project, but I think I will be able to use some concepts from the book.
- This book, and others such as Functional Programming in C#, show a great strength of general purpose "traditional" languages such as C, C++, and C#: you can use them with all kinds of different programming styles, including imperative, object oriented, functional, dataflow, and statechart. Try doing that with ladder logic!
- Actually, I do wonder how well I could implement hierarchical state machines in structured text. I definitely couldn't use the more advanced implementations (since they relay on function pointers, which structured text does not have), but it could still be worthwhile.
- Final note: I love this quote the author chose from Fred Brook's The Mythical Man Month: "…software structure is not embedded in three-space, so there is no natural mapping from a conceptual design to a diagram, whether in two dimensions or more … one needs multiple diagrams, each conveying some distinct aspect, and some aspects don't diagram well at all." That is why graphical programming is not inherently better than text.
October 5, 2011 2 Comments


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No matter whether you're a teacher, caring parents, or student, you should know one truth – a limit on the amount of homework assignments exists! However, not all school, university or college teachers understand that. As a result, many children suffer from the overloaded schedule. Instead of having a bit of rest after class, they need to go on working hard to gain the highest grade.
All homework assignments are equally important because each of them adds up to the great point average (GPA). This indicator shows student's overall performance during the entire school education. Based on this factor, college admissions officers make their decisions whether to accept an applicant or not. The post is based on the surveys conducted among teachers, students, and their parents to define the amount of homework assignments which is right for the proper learning process. Please keep in mind that some opinions are subjective.
First, we consulted experts from New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and teachers from several American schools to find out how much homework is enough. Some parents took part in the survey as well.
American teachers named day to be the best time to study, so students should avoid postponing their homework to the last minute at night. The human brain works worse at night. Besides, children should have a healthy sleep. Thus, if the homework assignments are too long, it is better to divide them into several smaller parts.
The best teachers worked together trying to define the most proper amount of time children of different age should spend on their homework assignments.
To practice other activities, it is important to manage time effectively. Here is the table with recommended amount of time school-aged kids and older students should spend on their homework to feel fine:
|10 minutes per day or night
|First grade
|20 minutes
|Second grade
|20 minutes
|Grade three
|30 minutes
|Grade four
|45 minutes
|Grade five
|50 minutes – an hour
The amount of homework assignments along with their volume grows with each new academic year. Taking this fact into account, the suggested homework schedule seems perfect.
Not all teachers want to follow the recommendations posted by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Second, many students do not recognize the important role of homework assignments in their life.
Spending time on learning at home is an important practice. While studying at school, teachers first of all want to make children feel responsibility. For young children, responsibility means:
- Following instructions
- Learning how to keep homework safe
- Completing all assignments like cases, math problems, and English essays (take a look at the examples here)
- Turning in completed homework assignments on time
Many families believe homework serves for the same goals. However, it has to do with the academic achievement too. Quality homework turned in on time guarantees a better grade at the end of the class/course.
When children come home and start spending time with their family or friends, they unintentionally forget part of the information learned in class. That is another reason to get engaged in some school related activities even after class. Homework assignments may improve memory and help to gain other important skills such as:
- Reading comprehension
- Time management
- Research
- Analytical
- Writing
Kids' parents used to be students in a different period of time, so they are not able to compensate what modern teachers can give. Because of the difference in epochs, students are given more homework assignments by their teachers. All disciplines have developed, so there are more problems and topics to cover. It impacts the amount of homework assignments.
The overloaded learning schedule makes students use online writing services to get free or cheap samples of papers as well as premium-level help with homework assignments.
Why Is It Important to Follow a 10-Minute Rule?
Every family should know that a 10-minute rule works! But what is it? It is the rule teachers follow to suggest after-class activities and practice in order to meet necessary educational goals.
They say that with every grade of school, kids' average amount of homework per night should go higher by no more than ten minutes. Spending 20 minutes a day on homework is enough for the elementary school children, but no less than 40 minutes would be sufficient for the middle and high school children.
How Can Parents Help?
If the caring parents feel their kids of the school age are given too much homework, they can help in several ways.
Spending time on conversations with teachers is the best solution to the problem. First, parents find out if there is really too much homework or their kids simply want to spend more time outside. Second, together, these people can arrange in-class and outside activities in a more productive way. Finally, they can work out questions which take less time to research.
A family must prioritize sleep and health over homework and other academic achievements. It makes sense that the majority of parents want their children to have the highest grades, but it's impossible if some unexpected problems with health occur.
LAUSD has its own homework policy which says related after-class activities can count for just 20% of a student's grade. Thus, spending time on solving health issues is more important than working on every single homework assignment.
Research Opportunities
No homework paper can be done without proper research activities. Even kindergarten kids may face the need to research. If the teachers cannot provide students with all important tools and opportunities, it's up to their family to help. Parents must be spending enough money on the corresponding literature to support the educational process of their children. They can share their own experience in the specific field or make sure their kids have access to school or city library.
Homework is an important part of your academic achievements anyway. If you feel there are too many assignments to practice during just one night, say it to the professional online writers. You just need to choose an academic level, the amount of pages, and topic/problem of the assigned homework. Feel young and free by placing an order with the top writing and editing service in the American world!


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When Magic Oxygen Editor, Simon West, published his first book last year, he was bitten by the bug.
The book sold well and the process of taking it from raw file through to finished product was an arduous learning curve but one where he realised a great many things that have shaped the foundations of Magic Oxygen.
Traditional publishing methods – write the book, print the book, sell the book – have generally left the author with a fairly minimal slice of the financial pie. Strange really, when you consider they are the ones that do the lion's share of the creative work.
The print on demand method that we use changes the dynamic considerably and Simon does all he can to involve the author in some of the fundamental decisions regarding their body of work and it's potential earnings revenue. Decisions like the level of discount a publisher has to give to the bookshops of the world, standard practice of course, but what levels do you go to? These are questions you as the author will be involved in if you wish.
By working directly with us, the publishing house, you do of course, cut out the agent. Agents can work incredibly hard for you and they do have extremely good contacts, undoubtedly built up over years if not decades! That's all well and good if you are lucky enough to secure a meeting with a good one in the first instance and if you do, that they read your manuscript and then, that they want to proceed with it. Assuming all goes well, you'll then have another percentage nibbling away at what's left of the profit from your book after printing and other costs have been deducted.
Whilst we're not knocking the great job agents can do, some savvy self-marketing can also put you in a very good driving position to encourage sales. Sales that have a far higher return for the author. We have heaps of top tips and strategies to encourage sales and will be delighted to share the knowledge with you, but you must realise that if you are trying to penetrate the literary world with your book, you must take a good amount of responsibility for banging your own drum. For example, if you are interested in doing book signings and talks, you'll be best placed to speak to local venues to organise it!
Your super-swish 4 page website and related email addresses will certainly help put you on the world's stage and if you decide to work with us, we absolutely promise to do the best we can to make it a union that benefits all concerned! Roll on the Christmas party I say!
We are a compact and bijou creative team with lots of experience in the field and an attitude of, 'If we cannot do it, we'll find someone who can', so if you decide you want to see your book on a brand new techno-widget, or get it translated into Swahili, we'll be right beside you looking for a way to do it.
So, whether you are looking to seduce the literary world, thrill it, frighten it, teach it a thing or two or simply to tell your grandchildren how your mum made that incredible egg custard, we would be delighted to hear from you, drop us a line.
Baited-breathily yours,
The Team


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Hi All,
I have had a busy summer (post on that to come soon) and have made a few new items. Since Teacher Pay Teachers is having their fabulous Back to School Sale I thought I would share with you my newest creations.
My niece and nephew were here for a bit and inspired me to create these two items. They are both Minion crazy and I saw how excited they were to do some activities I had with Minions so I thought I would bring the Minion love into my classroom this September.
If you are looking for a math center idea or just a fun way for your students to practice their place value the Minion Wars game is perfect. There are 2 different versions included- one to hundreds and one to thousands. Each game is the same and has students trying to build the highest (or lowest) number to win banana points. At the end, the student with the most banana points wins!!!
I am always looking for new ways for my students to practice their sight words and they love games so I created Minion Sight Word Activities. There are sets of cards with suggestions for different ways to use them or games to play.
I also created a Black and White version of my popular Binder Covers. These are great because you can still have fancy binders and save on colored printer ink.
Now back to the sale details. My entire store is on sale for 20% off and if you use the TpT code BTS15 during checkout you get an additional 10% off. That is a total of 28% off!!!! If you have feedback credits to use, don't forget those as well. They give you even more of a discount!!!!!!
Happy shopping :)


text:
- Domains and Hosting
- Online Marketing
- Search Engine Optimization(SEO)
- Social Media
- Video Marketing
- Web Design
- Web Development
Blog Feed
Most Viewed Blogs
How to Design a Company Logo
16 Dec 2015
Dubai Web Design: Building a Responsive Site
27 Aug 2015
Web Designing Dubai: How To Present Substance In The Most ideal Way Imaginable
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Best Site Outlines: A Short Manual for Enhancing Your Site's Design According to SEO Dubai
24 Aug 2015
10 Ways on How to Improve Online Marketing Efforts
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06 Jan 2016
Helpful Steps on Creating a Successful Website
15 Jan 2016
The Reality in Resting Your Company's Virtual Future with Web Design UAE
02 March 2015 | Web Design
With the internet effectively connecting countries like never before, it's become easier and easier for big and small businesses to build their client base and eventually go global. On the flip side, the fact that there are many companies expanding online also means you're facing an upsurge in the number of competitors.
When it comes to standing out in the world-wide mall that is the Internet, one thing is very important, and that's your company website. It serves as the backbone for the system that's your marketing campaign. It is what every virtual visitor would chance upon and you basically have a couple of minutes to prove your worth before they gauge if your presentation is worth their time or not. That's how crucial your website's role is.
Think of the websites you've visited that caught your eye; you'd likely spent more time on them than on any other site with an unremarkable design or layout. Besides the design, how smoothly the site ran would have had an effect on how much you enjoyed your experience.
This perfect blending of operation and design, then, is what you'd want to aim for when you start thinking of putting together a website for your own business.
Why go for a web design company in Dubai?
First and foremost, it's a global city – an important part of the world economic system. Not only is it a travel hub, but it's also a common port for travelers and cargo. Its exposure to, and use of updated techniques and technologies in various areas is something awe-inspiring.
Second, you save cash in the long run. It's a form of outsourcing, so that means you do without the benefits required when keeping full-time or regular staff. Also, you pay for what you get – nothing more, nothing less – since fees are determined depending on the project.
Website designers and developers also have a can-do attitude that ensures they don't give up until they find something that works. For you, this means a website that you're sure can stand out from the rest, and will definitely present your business in the best light.
Besides the overall design, you'd also want to make sure your pages contain information that's relevant to your clients – both current and potential. Hiring an SEO company that offers not just web design UAE and search engine optimization services, but provides content as well will make sure this aspect is taken care of.
In addition, you don't have to worry often about updating said information; hiring a company in the long term means that they can update the website themselves. Eliminating these tasks from your own to-do list means you have more time to focus on what's important – and that's growing your business.
There are many things to consider before you search how to hire a web designer, let alone a company, and among the first of what you need to look at are the benefits. Thus, when you come to a decision, you won't soon regret it.


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s-Chair (Kvadrat upholstry)
€ 365,00 – € 565,00
This stackable chair is originally designed for the educational room of the Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch. The chair is sturdy and robust and has a very distinct design through which an open and honest usage is brought forward. The combination of oak with plywood elements gives this chair an uncomplicated though rich appearance.
Certified NEN-EN 16139 level 2
'Made in the Netherlands'
more information meer informatie
Do you have a question about this product?
Send us an email or call us on +31 (0)40 82 00 585. (Mon-Sat 09:30 - 18:00)


text:
Thousands of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and BAA's other UK airports after an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights was foiled.
Tight security measures introduced after details of the plot emerged caused chaotic scenes at many airports.
BA, which criticised BAA's handling of security at the time, has already said flight cancellations cost it £40m.
Compensation claim
On Tuesday BAA, which operates Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh airport among others, will outline the cost of the alert to its business when it publishes details of passenger figures for August.
The £20m figure is more than double the loss BAA suffered as a result of last year's industrial dispute at catering firm Gate Gourmet, where disruption was limited to Heathrow.
Following the alert on 10 August, passengers were barred from taking any hand luggage onto planes, except for one small plastic bag.
Although the rules were subsequently relaxed, allowing people to carry one item of hand luggage the size of laptop computer on board, the security measures were fiercely criticised by airlines.
Ryanair is seeking £3.3m in compensation from the government, claiming the restrictions were excessive, unevenly applied and damaged its business.
Long-term concern
BA, which cancelled more than 1,250 flights between 10 and 17 August, has also said it is considering seeking compensation.
The £20m cost of the alert represents only a small fraction of BAA's annual sales of more than £2bn a year.
But the impact the alert will have on people's willingness to fly in the longer-term is harder to verify and remains a potential concern to BAA's owner, Spanish company Ferrovial.
The alert came at a boom time for British airports with a record 15 million passengers using BAA airports in July.
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