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September 1, 1996, Section 6, Page 24Buy Reprints
UNLIKE SO MANY OF TODAY'S MEMOIRISTS, WHO OFTEN SUM UP THEIR LIVES from the vantage point of their late 20's, Frank McCourt waited until he was in his 60's to write down his life story, a feat of literary restraint that he shrugs off dryly in his Irish brogue. ''I'm a late bloomer,'' he says. Forget that when he did finally manage to write about his life, in what would turn out to be his first book, the manuscript sailed down a stream of writerly acquaintances accumulated over a life spent among a significant percentage of the authors and journalists living in New York: McCourt's book was not a triumph of connections. He had a childhood worth writing about -- a sad, hard Irish-American childhood -- and a refreshingly unembittered voice with which to tell it, and that is why the book, just published by Scribner's and entitled ''Angela's Ashes,'' appears to be on a trajectory less associated with the output of retired public-school English teachers, which McCourt happens to be, than with that of youthful literary sensations.
McCourt is a young-looking 66, with white hair and a boyish face that might be that of a guy asking politely for directions. And about his book, as about much else, he seems relaxed and bemused. One recent afternoon at a table in the back of one of his favorite bars, the Lion's Head in the Village, McCourt was nursing a pint of Guinness and recalling when he first tried to write something about his childhood, which was about 40 years ago. He was going to school at N.Y.U., studying English while working on the docks at night, and he wrote a few stream-of-consciousness pages for one of his classes about what it was like to be 6 years old and poor and move from Brooklyn to Ireland, where your parents came from, where you're even more poor and where you wind up sleeping in one big bed with your mother and father and your five brothers and sisters, and then suddenly you realize that you're being eaten alive by fleas and that you have to help your dad drag the one big, old mattress out into the cold, wet Irish night. In ''Angela's Ashes,'' this episode goes like this: ''The Limerick moon was so bright I could see bits of it shimmering in the water and I wanted to scoop up moon bits but how could I with the fleas leaping on my legs. . . . A man on a bicycle stopped and wanted to know why Dad was beating that mattress. Mother o' God, he said, I never heard such a cure for fleas. Do you know that if a man could jump like a flea one lep would take him halfway to the moon?''
As McCourt remembers it, he had actually got a rise out of his N.Y.U. classmates with the autobiographical riff about fleas and others like it. They thought it was all very funny, despite the sadness and the sickness and the poverty. But back then McCourt gave up on the notion of writing a book, especially a book about his life, a life he felt shamed by and whose widespread dramatic appeal he was not too terribly confident about. Instead, he got a job teaching English at a vocational school on Staten Island. ''I tended to dismiss my own life when I looked at people like Hemingway and all,'' he says. ''I was comparing myself with various Pulitzer Prize winners. And, of course, I suppose I'm a bit of a victim of the Church in that I look at life as a matter of hierarchies, where one life is greater than another. I looked at Pete Hamill's columns, and I mean I envied them. I mean, I was only a teacher.''
After hours, meanwhile, he developed a very unteacherly existence. He fell in with a group of writers and newspapermen who drank and told stories through the 1960's at places like the White Horse Tavern and the Lion's Head, when those places were filled not only with literary types like Hamill but with the likes of Michael Harrington, the Clancy Brothers and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. One of McCourt's younger brothers, Malachy, went into the bar business and himself became semi-renowned when he began telling his stories on the Jack Parr show. Frank McCourt stood on the fringes of that world, all the while taking mental notes (which are to be the basis of his next book). He sang and told stories with Malachy in the bars and eventually told stories with Malachy in a cabaret show called ''A Couple of Blaguards,'' which opened in New York in 1984 and went on to Chicago, San Francisco and Ireland. Every once in a while, he wrote the occasional little piece -- on a Jewish cemetery in Limerick for The Village Voice, for example.
Still, he was not known so much as a writer among a certain age group of New Yorkers (especially among New York's circle of Irish-Americans) as he was known as Frank McCourt. Peter Quinn, a novelist who is the chief speech writer at Time Warner and a former speech writer for Gov. Mario Cuomo, accurately describes Frank McCourt's pre-book career when he says of both McCourts: ''Between them, I think, Frank and Malachy, in their various incarnations as actors, barmen, teachers, writers, raconteurs, etc., have summed up the New York-Irish experience. All that's left is for one of them to run for mayor, in which case I want to be appointed press secretary. What a chance to laugh yourself to death!''
The brothers McCourt are among a group of Irish-American New Yorkers who meet on the first Friday of each month at a bar called Eamonn Doran's -- this in rough accordance with the Roman Catholic tradition holding that those who receive communion on the first Friday of the month for nine months in a row can die in a state of grace. It was at one of these get-togethers a couple of years ago that Frank McCourt mentioned he had finally completed a healthy portion of his book. Among those who heard this was Mary Breasted, a novelist and former New York Times reporter who, in turn, introduced McCourt's book to her next-door neighbor and agent, Molly Friedrich, who liked it and so passed it on to Scribner's, and so on.
This phase in the life of Frank McCourt's book even became a story itself and managed to appear late last year in a Dennis Duggan column in Newsday, headlined ''Right Place, Right Time, Right Talent,'' Dennis Duggan being an old friend of Frank McCourt's from when McCourt was a teacher and Duggan was working for The Herald Tribune. In the column, the McCourt book sale doesn't end with its going to Scribner's; the publisher wants more, perhaps a trilogy. Meanwhile, there are to be further deals for ''Angela's Ashes''; Duggan wrote of a table of friends toasting McCourt on the eve of his journey across the Atlantic where he is to negotiate overseas rights to the book.
At the Lion's Head, McCourt rolled his eyes and displayed the Irish tendency to be suspect of a good thing. ''I'm amazed,'' he said, ''because I thought it was a modest book, modestly written, and that it might have a modest reception. I've often said that poverty is rarely portrayed well, and I tried to portray the stink of poverty, and you know, the other night I was opening pages, because it's been quite a while since I handed it in, and I was laughing, because of the way something was put.'' Then he conjured up an air of academic expertise and pronounced, ''It's an epic of woe.''
FRANK MCCOURT'S EPIC OF WOE BEGINS thusly: ''When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood. People everywhere brag and whimper about the woes of their early years, but nothing can compare with the Irish version: the poverty, the shiftless loquacious father; the pious defeated mother moaning by the fire; pompous priests, bullying schoolmasters; the English and all the terrible things they did to us for 800 long years.''
The book is named for Angela McCourt, Frank McCourt's mother, who tries her best to maintain a Depression-era household in Brooklyn. So poor are the immigrant McCourts, and so unable is Frank's father to hold on to a job, thanks mostly to his drinking, that the couple and their children head back to Ireland, where things are even worse. They live in the slums of Limerick adjacent to the neighborhood's sole lavatory. Frank's father disappears deeper and deeper into alcoholism, eventually drinking the money the Government hands them for food. Three of the seven McCourt children die of diphtheria and bronchial pneumonia. The situation is compounded by shame and, in McCourt's telling, a rather heartless Church. And yet all through ''Angela's Ashes'' the telling of the misery manages to be funny and wildly generous, it being told in the wondrous voice of an acutely observant little boy. Here the boy speaks of his father: ''I think my father is like the Holy Trinity with three people in him, the one in the morning with the paper, the one at night with the stories and the prayers, and then the one who does the bad thing and comes home with the smell of whiskey and wants us to die for Ireland.''
When ''Angela's Ashes'' ends, Frank McCourt is 19 and sailing back to New York -- which is precisely where McCourt himself picked up the story in New York in 1996 in the back room of the Lion's Head that afternoon. His first job here was at the Biltmore Hotel, where he was assigned to take care of 60 canaries that lived happily in bird cages in the Biltmore's public rooms until McCourt was derelict in his duty and 39 of the canaries died. The story, as McCourt tells it, involves him taping the dead birds to their perches and not being found out for several days until his boss notices a certain lack of singing. McCourt is then demoted to a construction job at the Biltmore but is fired when a dais collapses and a high official of a major insurance company falls to the ground and dies of a heart attack. McCourt can still remember his performance review on that day: '' 'McCourt!' Mr. Carey, the man in charge, says. 'McCourt, you have a real talent, you do! And if you wasn't one of my own, I'd kick your . . . back to Ireland! McCourt,' he says, 'Why don't you become an exterminator!' ''
This story will probably figure in McCourt's next book, which will wind its way through what seems like all of New York. McCourt likes to say that he is the only person he knows who has lived in each of New York's five boroughs. He lived first in Manhattan -- in Yorkville, then a German neighborhood, where he soon learned to dance in beer halls like the Rhinelander. From there, he moved to the South Bronx, residing in a place called Lynch's Irish Boarding House; next to Woodside, Queens, and then eventually to Brooklyn and Staten Island. In that time, he worked on docks loading meat and fruit into a refrigerated warehouse and was once accidentally fumigated with pesticides while trapped in a sealed chamber. He served in the Army in a K-9 unit during the Korean War. At one point, he even worked in a hat factory on Seventh Avenue, until he was fired for ''a lack of color sense.'' ''The guy says to me: 'Look. I like the Irish a lot,' '' McCourt recalls. '' 'Really. But they've got no art. I mean, you got your Rembrandts and your da Vincis, but did you ever see an Irish painting on the wall? I mean, you've seen a Rembrandt, but did you ever see a Reilly?' ''
At McKee Vocational and Technical High School on Staten Island, where he began teaching in 1959, McCourt was known not only for maintaining discipline in a school where teachers were often knocked about by students but for instilling a taste for Shakespeare in those more comfortable in machine shop. His reputation was such that in 1972 he was offered a job in Manhattan teaching English and creative writing at Peter Stuyvesant High School, one of the city's prestigious public schools, where he worked until retiring in 1987. (''He was spellbinding,'' says Lisa Bergtraum, a librarian in New York who writes short stories and poetry and who took McCourt's writing class in 1976.)
It was teaching writing at Stuyvesant that eventually encouraged his own memoir. ''I started with the standard English teacher stuff,'' he says. ''You know: Write what you know. Write about your family, and all that. And all these Chinese kids and Korean kids -- I mean, their families went through hell to get here. I said to them: 'Jesus Christ! You're trembling with history!' So they went home with tape recorders and started asking questions, and of course all the grandparents are suddenly suspicious. 'What's goin' on here?' I mean, Asia is not known as an outpost of confession. So we'd read their stuff on Fridays and sometimes we'd go into Mondays. And I'd say: If you write, I'll write. So I did. Little remembrances. And they said: 'Oh, Mr. McCourt. You should write a book. You had such an interesting childhood.' Which they only thought because they all had these middle-class existences with the CD's and the video players. But eventually I did.''
That McCourt's stories impressed his students and are now poised to impress readers does not surprise his friends, who have heard these stories for years and speak of him with such praise that you wonder if they maybe think he's dead. ''He's the single funniest human being I've ever met,'' says Terence Moran, who is a professor of communications at New York University and a member of the First Friday Club. ''He has a way of finding incredible humor in the worst situations.'' Dennis Duggan, the Newsday columnist, thinks McCourt is New York's Irish-American bard. ''He's a little like a seanachie,'' Duggan says. ''A seanachie is a kind of Irish storyteller, and Frank has an element of the seanachie in him in that he can go on for hours in such a manner that he will eventually reduce you to gibberish. I remember when I first met Frank, I thought, Here is somebody who isn't just a character but a character with substance. I meet a lot of characters, but to meet a character with substance is quite different.''
The stories McCourt's friends tell about him are numerous. Several people go on about the time he was roughed up by an offended holy Roman Catholic after saying a few too many words about St. Patrick. Somebody else remembers McCourt being called in by the wife of a former Israeli Consul General to cheer up her husband in times of Middle East crisis. (For their part, the Irish Consul Generals have historically been fond of McCourt's version of the lives of the saints.) And then there was the time Frank McCourt's hair caught fire. This is considered one of the great stories about Frank McCourt. It happened in 1976 in the midst of the taping of a cable television show about St. Patrick's Day. Each of the featured participants stood up before a long candlelit table to say a few words. When it came time for McCourt, one of the candles ignited his hair. Dennis Smith, the former firefighter who wrote the book ''Report From Engine Co. 82,'' was sitting next to McCourt and within seconds Smith was beating the head of McCourt, who did not know his hair was on fire. When the fire was extinguished, Smith said, ''I have partaken in no finer firefighting job in all my life than in fighting the fire in Frank McCourt's hair,'' a remark that went over very well. For his part, McCourt waited for the room to settle down, cleared his throat and announced, ''It just goes to show that if ever you are to be visited by the Holy Ghost, you should make certain you're sitting next to a fireman,'' a remark that went over even better.
A T THE LION'S HEAD THAT afternoon, while McCourt was still nursing his pint and reminiscing, his brother Malachy dropped in. Malachy is best known these days as an actor; his voice is featured on ''Selected Shorts,'' the weekly National Public Radio show. He is also known as the man who paddled the canoe that brought Ellen Frey, a public relations executive, to shore on the day two years ago that she and Frank McCourt married on the banks of the Delaware River. (They had met at the Lion's Head, and the cheering writer- and newspaper- reporter-studded crowd at the canoe landing site reflected that.)
Frank and Malachy soon got around to a favorite subject of theirs, which happens to be death, in particular their mother's. Malachy said: ''Having the advantage of this wonderfully miserable childhood that Frank has written about, and having experienced death and disease and all of that stuff, you have the advantage over everybody else. You don't have to fear it because you've seen it so close. So it was always a time of having a bit of fun -- a bit of gas, as we used to say.'' Malachy recounted the delivery of his famous line to their dying mother's doctor, who resisted their attempts to allow her to die: ''I said, 'Don't worry, Doctor, we come from a long line of dead people.' ''
Humor in the face of sorrow appears to have been a tactical emotional response their mother shared, as Frank illustrated by telling the story of her death -- Frank speaking all parts, including his mother's, for which he uses a high-pitched-and-mighty Limerick brogue. ''At one point she says, 'I want to die.' And I say, 'No you don't.' I say, 'This is December the 20th.' I say, 'You'll be out before Christmas and you'll be dancing.' 'I won't be dancing,' she says. 'I will not be dancing.' And then she says, 'There's women running around this country getting abortions right and left and I can't even die.' And I say, 'What's the connection between you and women getting abortions. 'Look,' she says, 'Here I am in the bed dying or not dying and you're tormenting me with theology.' ''
At this, the two brothers laughed and laughed some more. And then somebody said something that reminded Frank McCourt of another story.


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subset: commoncrawl


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The latest "Science Ink" provides a closer look at the tattoo of Gabriel Pato, a Brazilian biologist. Per Zimmer's post, the message of his tattoo is simple: the brain is a network.
Neurons send signals to thousands of other neurons, and it is the number and the strength of those connections from which our thoughts emerge. There is no single humunculus-like neuron in which a person's mind resides. There is not even a single neuron for memories, or for smells, or for joy. Instead, our perceptions flow into layered networks, and out of those network come responses. If you like too far into the brain, you lose the forest for the trees.
Check out more tattoos in "Science Ink: Tattoos of the Science Obsessed" by Carl Zimmer.


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"I would like to take a moment to refer you to the great technicians and management of Falcon Refrigeration for any of your refrigeration needs. I have found them to consistently show exceptional levels of honesty and integrity, timely customer service, thorough follow up and proactive solutions to our business needs. I have dealt with many refrigeration companies in my 20+ years in the same industry and Falcon Refrigeration has easily been the best, I simply refuse to call anyone else."
Neil Martens
"Hands down Falcon is the best. Their dedication to customer demands and flawless execution in projects start to finish is why Falcon is on my speed dial. Their diverse technical staff is capable of it all. Over the last nine years Scott, Brendan and their crew helped design, build and continue to maintain all our environmental systems for our processing facility and retail stores including our new flagship, Kelowna outlet. Thank you Falcon for your trusted service. "
Helmut West
President of Vernon Sausage Company and Helmut's Sausage Kitchen.
"Nature's Fare Markets is proud to have grown our business over the past decade with the services and support of Falcon Refrigeration. Through the construction of three new stores and multiple expansions, Falcon has been our exclusive refrigeration service and supply provider every step of the way. They are available for us 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week with professional and courteous service which all us to focus on running our business. The team at Falcon are a top notch partner in our business and our community"
Randy Irwin
Corporate Retail Operations Manager
Nature's Fare Markets
"I have been working with Falcon refrigeration since they started back in 2004. At that time we used them and another well known company in town. Soon after Falcon made it unnecessary for me to call anyone else.
They have continually proven to be fast, reliable, professional, knowledgeable and through. I highly recommend them to everyone who is looking for the best."
Doug Mills
Maintenance Manager
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
Kelowna, BC
"I highly recommend Falcon Refrigeration. Falcon has serviced our location since 2004, their team is vey professional and is highly experienced. They are quick to fix problems and give good dollar value for work performed. They are up to date on new technology and can still fix and maintain older equipment."
Gord Mills
Store Manager
G&H Shop N' Save


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NFL player, Tyrann Mathieu, shows us exactly why you shouldn't leave your dog in the car on a hot day.
What More Info?
Here is an infographic showing how dogs' bodies react to heat (credit: Petplan )
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This Labor Day we wanted to focus the spotlight on service dogs, as well as to offer a better understanding of the law and how we as a community can protect the rights of these dogs and their handlers. Service dogs not only provide companionship to those who have disabilities, they also give them a better quality of life, allowing more independence and control over their own lives. These highly-trained dogs start their training in puppy hood. They then work tirelessly everyday to make sure that their person is safe, taken care of, and is provided with immediate attention in...
The Science of Sound WavesCustomers understandably get concerned as to the effect our devices have on their dog. Will it hurt them? The answer is a big "no". Read on to learn about sound waves and why this is the case.


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The 36-seater multi-axle Scania bus was flagged off from the Adil Shah Palace in Panaji at the hands of the Goa governor, Mridula Sinha. It will be sustained through biogas generated at the solid waste management plant at Saligao, she said.
Provided by Scania, two more buses running on ethanol were also launched on the occasion.
These three buses will be a part of the state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL)'s already existing fleet during the three-month pilot project in Goa.


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dMu // "Synaptic Self"
dMu is the name of an ancient Tibetan tribe and later became the adopted name for an ominous earth demon. The demon beats a ceremonial drum used in Bon sorcery held by a short dagger raised menacingly. Adorned in goats horns, a chaplet of bells and a rosary of lākṣā beads, sacrificial offerings are made to propitiate dMu to avert the dropsy.
Iluso Records present the fourth release to their catalogue; Synaptic Self by dMu.
Channeling the dark arts of Tibetan mythology, drummer/composer Mike Caratti composed the music for the album, which features the renowned Josh Sinton (Ideal Bread, Nate Wooley Quintet, Anthony Braxton's TriCentric Orchestra) on baritone sax and bass clarinet, and rising star Álvaro Domene (Desvelo, Briggan Krauss, Zöbik-3) on guitar, whose exceptional performances give life to this demonic experiment.
A guttural eruption of sounds from the worlds of avant-garde jazz and death metal, the album moves with the same menacing purpose as the dMu who graces the album cover, taking listeners on a gripping journey to an unknown world where the elements of contemporary creative music are distorted beyond recognition.
The album was recorded and mixed at East Side Sound Studio in NYC by Grammy Award winning recording engineer Marc Urselli.
dMu are: Josh Sinton (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet), Álvaro Domene (guitar) and Mike Caratti (drums and compositions).
CD and Digital Album available for purchase at Bandcamp


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Monroeville Convention Proposal - Start Planning Your Events!Start planning your meeting or event with our experienced and professional planning staff. Whether you are creating a trade show for 5,000 people, a conference for 100 or your dream wedding, we have the spaces and services you need to bring people together in new and innovative ways. Please fill out the following request for proposal to plan upcoming Monroeville conventions and events, and a member of our team will contact you promptly.
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|Simple Weather Alert
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|Android OS
Free Download Best Weather Alert Apk for Android smartphones, tablets and many other devices that work on android Operating System. If you want to download this Apk for Androids then tap/click on the below download button given at the end of this page.
Global Can of Worms, LLC is providing Best Weather Alert Apk to Android users. Simple Weather Alert Apk is android application that allows its users to get alerts about the weather. Weather Alert Apk also notifies the Android users about the latest weather alerts such as rain, cloudy, sunny, tornados, floods and lightening.
Best Weather Alert Apk monitors your device while working in backgrounds and notifies you about the weather. Best Weather Alert Apk works with the help of NWS, which stands for National Weather Service.
When app will get latest news alerts, it will automatically pop up a notification on the status bar so in order to view the details you have to touch or click on the notification then you can read all the details about weather.
Furthermore, you can set bell or vibration for the extreme alerts so whenever you get any extreme weather alert your device will notify you by vibrating or ringing bell.
However, for normal weather alerts, you do not need vibration or high ringing bell therefore you can set to normal by going into preference option in the app.
You have to locate or enable the GPS or Location to get alerts otherwise app cannot monitor the weather.
Features of Simple Weather Alert Apk:
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If you want to get every single weather alert then download Best Weather Alert Apk for your android devices. In order to download tap/click on the below download button give below.


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Hello Guest! It's with a heavy heart that we must announce the removal of the Legacy GMC Archive. If you wish to save anything from it, now's the time! Please see this topic for more information.Dismiss Notice
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From the George Mikan rookie card to Pistol Pete, Dr. J, Bird and Magic and Michael Jordan, the rich history of vintage basketball cards comes alive in a new website that offers information and links to auctions for some of the greatest hoop cardboard ever produced.
Evansville, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/08/2013 -- Hoop heads, take note. A new website devoted to your hobby is now live. Vintage Graded Basketball Cards, the new resource is dedicated entirely to collecting classic basketball cards and features links to the most popular cards and sets being offered on eBay.
The site provides collectors with background information on some of the most historic, famous and collectable cards issued. A comprehensive array of articles is available on sets from Fleer, Topps, Star Company and even the first mainstream basketball set produced by Bowman Gum in the late 1940s. The site offers a wealth of information on the sets and cards that are most popular with long-time collectors including a list of the ten best basketball rookie cards of all-time.
Vintage Graded Basketball Cards is a one-stop resource for the new collector and those with extensive experience in the basketball card arena. It's essential for individuals to be in possession of the most accurate pricing in the rapidly changing field of basketball cards and the site offers examples of how and why cards increase in value. The site provides users with numerous photo examples of available cards to assist collectors in building a meaningful collection.
The first basketball cards made their debut in 1910. After being printed for two years, players disappeared from the face of cards and didn't reappear until 1932, courtesy of C.A. Briggs Chocolate. Until Bowman's hoop debut that featured the now valuable George Mikan rookie card, basketball cards were few and far between--and were usually issued as parts of multi-sport sets. Topps tossed up one set in 1957-58 and Fleer in '61-62 providing rookie cards for players such as Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Topps returned in 1969-70 and kept at it for a dozen years before the hobby went through more basketball withdrawal and the vintage era effectively ended.
Sports fans will find data and statistics on collecting, values, and cards featuring rookie cards of Basketball Hall of Famers. For those new to collecting, the site offers advice and suggestions on some cheap vintage basketball cards with which you can start a collection. Visitors to the site will learn about the basketball card grading system and why it's important to get older cards graded.
For many youngsters, basketball cards introduced them to a lifelong love of a hobby that proved to be quite lucrative in later years. Others rekindled their interest after seeing the relative bargains afforded collectors of old basketball cards as opposed to vintage baseball cards.
Vintage Graded Basketball Cards offers a history of basketball cards, collecting, pricing information and links to merchants that can help collectors find the most highly sought cards and sets.
About VintageGradedBasketballCards.com
Vintage Graded Basketball Cards was launched to provide background information on some of the most popular older trading cards ever produced. Readers will learn about the six-figure sales prices for gem mint 1948 George Mikan cards, get the history of the unique, oversized cards produced by the Topps company in the late 1960s and early 70s and the latest on the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan that still commands big bucks. Created by collectors for collectors, the site also provides live feeds of eBay auctions for the classic basketball cards featured on the website.
Contact Info:
Vintage Graded Basketball Cards (http://www.vintagegradedbasketballcards.com)
(812) 455-1686


text: Beautifully Flawed || Allie interviews her friend Sarah Hill, who is also a regular speaker at our Anchored In Love Conference. Portrayed by Carrie Underwood in the movie "Soul Surfer," Sarah Hill was instrumental in helping surfer Bethany Hamilton through a tragic shark attack that left her with one arm. She leads one of the biggest student ministries on the island of Kauai and is a sought after speaker. Sarah has walked through numerous storms in her life such as an abusive childhood, a broken neck and back from a surfing accident and most recently the loss of her sister to cancer. In this episode Sarah shares about her story, the profound beauty of our flaws, and the most pressing issues she sees facing young women today. She also offers practical encouragement for how to daily stay anchored in Christ amidst the daily grind and life's storms.


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Directions and Map, Patient Forms
Driving Directions
Local Landmarks
Across from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church & School
New Patient Forms
Your first visit to our office establishes a vital foundation for our relationship with you. During the first visit, we make sure to obtain important background information, like your medical history, and give you time to get to know your doctor. Below is some information about our office, such as a map and directions, practice hours, payment policies and more. You can even save some time at your first visit by printing out and completing the patient forms in advance and bringing them to your appointment.
Mission Statement
Our practice is working together to realize a shared vision of uncompromising excellence in dentistry.
To fulfill this mission, we are committed to:
- Listening to our patients and their concerns
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- Ensure a comfortable and compassionate professional environment
- Strive for continuous improvement at all levels
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Please print and fill out these forms so we can expedite your first visit:
In order to view or print these forms you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Click here to download it.
What To Expect
Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It also will help relieve any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling. Educate yourself on your symptoms by reviewing the content on this Website. We look forward to your first visit.


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Rockbox mail archiveSubject: Re: rockbox on a Sandisk e280?
Re: rockbox on a Sandisk e280?
From: erik burggraaf <rico3_at_mnsi.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:22:45 -0500
Well, of course they do if you are living in the states. Ebay Canada
It's a good deal. I don't need daisy book features enough to pay
So for people who need it to talk and don't want to be bothered, this
On 2009-11-07, at 10:36 PM, Dave wrote:
> Argh. eBay has a bunch of Sansa e280s on sale right now for about
Page was last modified "Jan 10 2012" The Rockbox Crew


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If you eat healthy, you can lower your bad cholesterol a great deal while keeping your good cholesterol at a healthy level. Just like there are foods that increase your bad cholesterol, there are some that help to lower it as well. Read this article to learn what you can do by changing your diet to lower your cholesterol.
Nuts are a great food to begin eating a lot of if you are trying to increase your good cholesterol levels. Nuts are full of the good fats that work to eliminate bad cholesterol from your blood, and also contain the good cholesterol that your body needs. Nuts are also good for getting in the protein you need without all the bad fats that come with most meats.
One of the best ways to lower your cholesterol is to add garlic to your diet. Adding garlic powder is not going to cut it, as it is mixed with a high amount of salt. What you need are the actual garlic cloves. Doctors recommend toasting it in the oven and then eating it folded inside a piece of bread. If this taste is too strong for you and prevents you from eating it, you can also be creative and add it to meals you would have already eaten. For example, you can crush the clove and then add it to your favorite marinara sauce after it is on your plate. Even if you mix it with margarine that is cholesterol free, that is better than not getting the garlic at all.
Drinking alcohol is commonly thought of as being bad for your health, but this is only true if you drink it in excess. Having one glass of red wine each night with dinner or following dinner has been shown to be very good for a healthy heart. It contains antioxidants that help to remove bad cholesterol from your blood. They also help your body to retain the right amount of good cholesterol. It is important to remember, though, that having more than two glasses of red wine per night will actually cause more harm than good, so stick to the rule of one glass per night for optimal health benefits.
Whole grains are crucial for having healthy cholesterol levels. When grocery shopping, you may have noticed that there are numerous products that have heart labels on the box. This symbol is to inform you that the food is good for your heart. A couple of popular products include whole grain oatmeal and various cereals. Whole grains work in conjunction with other healthy foods to improve your overall health and should be eaten instead of the white flour-based breads and other products that are currently available in your grocery store.
Now that you have read this article, you surely have learned something about what foods will help you lower your bad cholesterol levels. There are many more options out there, and you can find information about them in many places. Put these tips to use to get closer to your goals in regards to your good and bad cholesterol levels.


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"I found this little hat," Mario says to another employee at the shop downstairs after he's done rattling up the security gate.
"I seen that hat yesterday," the guy answers, taking it from Mario and examining the little grey beanie.
"No, that would mean it was out overnight," Mario looking a little disgusted.
"Man, I dead ass saw that hat on the street yesterday," handing it back.
One year ago: Accommodation
Two years ago: Schrodinger's Lottery Ticket
Four years ago: I got nothing
Six years ago: Sick Holiday
Seven years ago: My Mini Spooner
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Opening the Shop
Posted by Scott Lee Williams at 11:38 PM
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Beefeater 13850 S3000s premium 304 Stainless Steel BBQ grill that has s lifetime warranty and won't rust outdoors in the humid elements. Beef Eater barbecues have a highly modular design that is very attractive and has a modern look to it. The Beef eater S3000S comes with Rust free porcelain coated cast iron grid and griddle. There are also accessories like side burners, rotisseries, covers, parts readily available. Some of the actual features on the Beefeater Barbecue is they comes with Stainless steel Vaporizer panels to reduce flare up (We do want some flare-up for flavoring but we don't fires underneath).
Stainless steel heat deflectors keep the heat above the Lifetime Warranty Stainless Steel burners to conserve energy
Stainless steel drip tray to catches all the grease and garbage. The drip tray is easily accessible from the front of the grill no need to change a can or an aluminum drip tray.
Lifetime guarantee on the barbecue body with a lifetime guarantee on the Stainless Steel Burners.
Hose and regulator are included on the L.P. Models.
Suitable for LPG (Propane) or natural Gas your choice, just select which when you are ordering.
Quartz Start Technology (flame thrower) igniters on all burners (usually ignites on the first try) and has an igniter on each burner. (The best igniter on the market).
Beef Eater now comes with all new Stainless Steel Lifetime Warranty Burners (new 2010 models)
The Rust Free Cook tops are Porcelain coated cast iron. The Beefeater comes with a cast iron Cooking grid and griddle and cast iron distributes and holds the heat like cast iron, but much easier to clean and keep looking new. Also keep the heat right on the meat instead of being radiated from underneath.
The hood and body have brushed Stainless Steel Finish and gives an attractive look to the grill. The 304 grade Stainless Steel won't rust and has a lifetime warranty.
Ergonomic control panel which is Stainless Steel, Large, easy to grip knobs, Safety: The knobs cannot be accidentally knocked to the on position (must be pushed in and turned at the same time) for those of you with young ones or frequently have young ones come over, Knobs angled upwards so they can easily be seen and accessed and you know where they are easily, Knobs are protected from grease and oil spatter from underneath.
Roasting Hood
Award winning design, Incorporates warming rack good for toasting your bread or for light cooking like vegetables and temperature gauge built right into the hood, Balanced design for easier opening and closing and has a zero clearance hood (only two inch clearance behind the grill for hood opening) which is awesome for bbq islands with a backsplash.
Stainless Steel Vaporizer & Heat Deflector System Vaporizers reduce flare up and allow juices to return to the food. Made from stainless steel and formed to prevent warping which in turn makes them last longer. Reflectors reduce energy use by keeping the heat above the burners.
Click here to print or save cut out chart


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Superstar Universe, LLC Graphic Art Portfolio
See examples of our Graphic Art work below. This portfolio shows key pieces from our professional methods for our Graphic Design artistic work portfolio. These visual artworks display a wide range of our skills with examples including illustrations, typography, drawing, painting, photo manipulation, and print. The purpose of this work is to show clients or employers our talents or sell our Graphic Art. All images have been resized for the Web instead of Print. Watermarks are for online portfolio preview purposes only and are removed from actual print.
Learn more, request information, ask for more samples, or place an order, contact us!


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Beechmount Takes First Balmoral Championship
Another great turnout of Irish Moiled Cattle was seen at Balmoral Show 2015. This is the 3 rd year Northern Irelands only native cattle breed has been present at the show after an absence of nearly 70 years. The move to the new Balmoral Park site has been a great bonus to the Irish Moiled Breed and the quality of the exhibits continues to increase.
Mr Richard McConnell from Glenwherry, Co Antrim had the honour of judging this year's Irish Moiled classes. Richard is a long standing member of the Board of Directors and former chairperson of the Irish Moiled Cattle Society.
First of the classes to be judged was the Cow class with 4 strong entries and it was Beechmount Snowy from Robert Boyle, Millisle who took the top spot over Roeshall Lizzy in second from Nigel Edwards, Tempo. The springing, soon to be 2 nd calver of Robert Boyle sired by Clandeboye Lorcan, showed great style around the ring with both cows being of good 'beef' types with 3 rd place going to Glassdrummond Cherry 44 th from Sam Smiley Ballynahinch.
Next up was the senior heifers born in 2013 and it was once again progeny of Clandeboye Lorcan that caught Mr McConnell's eye with Beechmount Bambs from Robert Boyle taking 1 st place with his other entry Beechmount Daisy 2 nd this time by Springfield Maestro in second place. Curraghnakeely Sylvia The First exhibited by Michelle McCauley, Ballynahinch stood 3 rd.
The largest class of the day was the Maiden heifer class with a total of 9 strong entries. Taking 1 st place was Glassdrummond Cherry 74 from Sam Smiley, this well grown and perfectly marked heifer was the stand out winner of the class, she is by Hillview Tom out of the famous Cherry cow family. Following in 2 nd was Curraghnakeely Pandora exhibited by Michelle McCauley closely followed by Knowehead Holly from Valerie Orr, Ballygowan.
There were 2 entries to the senior bull class both from Albert Baxter, Newtownstewart. And it was home bred bull and herd stock sire, Beauty Hill Brigadier in 1 st with Cloughbane Copper a 2 year old bull in 2 nd.
In the junior bull class some promising young herd sires where evident and in 1 st place was the well muscled Donardgrange Superstar exhibited by Nigel Edwards, followed by the well grown Beechmount Nordic in 2 nd and Beechmount Titan in 3 rd both sired by Robert Boyles Clandeboye Lorcan.
In the pairs class it was Michelle McCauley with 2 well balanced senior heifers who took 1 st place and the Tully Farm Trophy for Champion Irish Moiled Pair with Robert Boyle in 2 nd and in 3 rd was first time exhibitor Victor Campbell from Magheragall, Co Antrim.
Onto the overall championship and winning The Pennielea Trophy for Champion Irish Moiled was Robert Boyles cow, Beechmount Snowy, a very well deserved and first Balmoral Show championship for the Boyle family. This rounded off perfectly what was a very successful show for the Beechmount team of homebred animals.
The Reserve Breed Championship and Junior Championship was won by the promising maiden heifer Glassdrummond Cherry 74 th from Sam Smiley. This young female from the renowned Glassdrummond herd is very much one to watch in the future.
The Irish Moiled Cattle Society wish to thank RUAS for once again hosting classes for the breed at Balmoral Show and to Brian Burnett for his continued support.
Cow or heifer born on or before 31 st Dec 2012
1 st Beechmount Snowy – Robert Boyle
2 nd Roeshall Lizzy – Nigel Edwards
3 rd Glassdrummond Cherry 44 th – Sam Smiley
Heifer born in 2013
1 st Beechmount Bambs – Robert Boyle
2 nd Beechmount Daisy 2 nd – Robert Boyle
3 rd Curraghnakeely Sylvia The First – Michelle McCauley
Heifer born on or after 1 st Jan 2014
1 st Glassdrummond Cherry 74 th – Sam Smiley
2 nd Curraghnakeely Pandora 7 th – Michelle McCauley
3 rd Knowehead Holly – Valerie Orr
Bull born on or before 31 st Dec 2013
1 st Beautyhill Brigadier – Albert Baxter
2 nd Cloughbane Copper – Albert Baxter
Bull born on or after 1 st Jan 2014
1 st Donardgrange Superstar – Nigel Edwards
2 nd Beechmount Nordic – Robert Boyle
3 rd Beechmount Titan – Robert Boyle
Pairs -
2 nd Robert Boyle
3 rd Victor Campbell
Breed Champion – The Penniela Trophy
Beechmount Snowy
Reserve Breed Champion
Glassdrummond Cherry 74 th
Junior Champion
Glassdrummond Cherry 74th


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Christina Dodd Celebrates The First Twenty-Nine Years Of Her Writing Career
Yes, it's true. On February 2, 1990, I got The Call from my agent. HarperCollins wanted to buy my first book, CANDLE IN THE WINDOW. The time was 3:30pm.
This is an Event Worth Celebrating, so let me share Some Thoughts About Writing. Warning — this is Serious. (Christina waits for the dust from the stampede to settle, looks around at the empty room, and shows the qualities that have helped her survive so long in publishing —an immense ego and a willingness to talk into a vacuum.)
10. After ten years in the business, an author has A Well Established Career. After twenty, an author is an Expert, a Venerable Institution … a Crone. Pardon me while I go to pluck the stiff white hairs off the chin of my current manuscript.
9. From my vantage point, everyone in publishing is doing better than I am. From everyone else's vantage point, I'm doing better than they are. The truth is somewhere in between — and an author who's published is not going to get any sympathy at all from an unpublished author who's written for ten years, finished three manuscripts and has twenty-five rejection letters. Believe me. I know. I was that author.
8. Editors are sometimes right.
7. How well an autographing goes is not an indicator of how well your career is going. Thank God.
6. I've published fifty-eight full-length novels (soon to be fifty-nine), ten short stories, and six novellas in suspense, paranormal and historical romance. Some books are hard to write. Some books are easy. Some books are beloved by many. Some books are reviled by the vile. As the author I never have an idea which books will be my most popular. Never. I have to give up trying. Soon.
5. Some people write mean reviews. I don't read them.
4. Some readers simply don't like my writing. That's okay, everyone has their right to their own taste — as long as they don't write mean reviews about my books.
3. Some readers love my books. Some of them write good reviews. Some of them write me heartfelt letters of appreciation. Some of them come to meet me and say wonderful things, occasionally with tears in their eyes. Some of them buy my books and never let me know. God bless them every one.
2. I can't remember my characters' names, and I live with them day and night for months while I write their books. You might say I have a photographic memory … but I forgot to insert the memory card. So I apologize in advance, but I'm hopeless and I'm never going to remember your name, either.
1. I am never going to understand what people mean when they say I write funny books. I write serious, meaningful, emotional, suspensefull books that somehow get translated into funny.
1. When a Writer/Crone lies about having ten points to make but there are actually more, it's not a lie. It's "Fiction."
1. Nine out of ten people in the U. S. want to write a book. One out of that nine thinks s/he'll do it "when s/he has a free weekend." In many states, it's a misdemeanor to kill this person.
1. Publishing is divided into two distinct occupations: Writing Books and Being an Author. Writing Books consists of being alone for months on end, creating imaginary people who converse, face challenges, and make love. Being an Author consists of introducing yourself to sometimes incredulous booksellers, talking to total strangers as they enter Wal-mart in the hopes of selling them a book, and interacting with publishers and editors in a manner that will convince them you're sane enough to write fifty-seven more books. This is why authors are schizophrenic.
1. It's well worth pondering that most people don't have a cool job that consists of being alone for months on end while creating imaginary people who converse, face challenges, and make love. It's worth the schizophrenia.
1. The more you write, the faster you write, the more skilled you become.
1. Spend every last dime of your first advance taking your family to DisneyWorld. Especially if you're poor. Publishing your first book is a life-changing event. Treat it like one.
1. The best thing a writer can have if she wants to be successful is a mother who believes she's wonderful. A husband who believes she's wonderful and supports her for ten years while she tries to get published helps, too. Failing those things, the most important thing an author can have is an absolutely brutish belief in herself and her talent, and she can never ever allow the facts to change that faith.
1. The Girl Scouts have a song with the lyrics that go, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." The Girl Scouts know a lot about publishing. And people. And my friends.
Thank you for a truly fulfilling twenty-nine years, and I look forward to writing the next fifty-nine books … for you. Girl Scouts know a lot about publishing. And people. And my friends.
(This blog was originally written on 04/18/07 for Squawk Radio, and I continue to update it because it says everything I think and love about publishing, writing, my writing friends, and my wonderful readers.)


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One of the best Premier League seasons came to a slightly lacklustre end today but Manchester City ran out deserved winners.
West Ham didn't put up much fight but City just had too much class today and have done all season long – with Liverpool's surprise factor arguably getting them by in a number of games.
Here is why we think City deserve to be crowned Champions once again this season.
City have been strong at the back this season, something that has evidently been Liverpool's downfall.
Vincent Kompany has led by example as always and is among the best central defenders in world football, with Martin Demichelis improving no end as the season has gone on.
Joe Hart in behind them is back to his best too and while their attacking players get the credit, the defenders have been impressive.
Kompany the best defender and captain in the Premiership.
— Glenn Agliotti (@GlennAgliotti) May 11, 2014
Kompany and De Michelis best Centre back pairing in the league
Yaya, silva and fernandinho best midfield 3
Aguero and dzeko best strikers.
— The Instigator (@ben_brooke96) May 11, 2014
Manchester City have had to deal with a Champions League and Capital One Cup campaign as well as the Premier League – something that Liverpool have not had to worry about.
City can replace their entire 11 and still have a strong team, with all the talk of B teams in the Football League it would probably be a C team for the Sky Blues.
Four top class strikers and a whole host of midfield options is something that the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool have missed this season.
Best squad takes the Premier League title. Congratulations to Manchester City. #MCFC
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) May 11, 2014
Congrats to city! U can never argue that they have the best squad in the EPL. Truly deserved!
— Abdou Karim. (@AbdouBeck) May 11, 2014
Fernandinho has got to be up there with one of the best signings of the summer and Martin Demichelis has turned into a vital cog in their game.
Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure have taken all the plaudits but Manuel Pellegrini's work last summer has to be applauded and is something that other clubs such as Manchester United really struggled with.
It is all well and good saying that they have all the money – but you have to spend it well.
You all laughed at the price tag. Signing of the season is Fernandinho
— James Tait (@OfficialTait) May 11, 2014
Must admit. Fernandinho has been one hell of a signing for city.
— Pierre (@petersize10) May 11, 2014


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Rusted and aged metal word on shiplap style wood. Sign is white and distressed with brown stained frame. Measures approximately 24"x24". Please note that each sign is hand crafted and color and aging of metal may vary. Wood may contain knots, scratches and other imperfections giving it age and character. Sign pictured above is an example of the product and not the actual sign you will be receiving. A sign will be handcrafted just for you at the time of ordering.
"Barn" 24" Shiplap and Metal Sign


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|Disney Planes Pilot Pals™ Dusty Crophopper Remote Control Plane MSRP: $39.99 Available: August 2013
Disney Consumer Products' merchandise program will be incremental to the Cars franchise with a robust lineup featuring of toys with broad retail support. The diverse product assortment draws inspiration from key, iconic film moments and features Dusty and his international racer friends with elements of global aviation.
With an innovative line of exciting toys bringing new characters and adventures to life, the Planes merchandise line will provide new play options for Cars fans.
|Scare Off Sulley Manufacturer: Spin Master MSRP: $69.99 Available: Fall 2013
|The Duplo Jake's Pirate Ship Bucky Playset
|LONE RANGER Lego sets
|Manufacturer: Tollytots MSRP: $19.99 each Retailers: Kmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, Walmart Available: February 2013
Read more...
Don't forget to check out our LIVE Toy Fair coverage from Jedi Mouseketeer/Sorcerer Radio Network correspondent Dany Howze!
Follow at Twitter.com/JediMouseketeer
"Like" us on Facebook.com/JediMouseketeer
Book your next Disney vacation or cruise with Kristen Hoetzel of Magical Journeys Travel!


text: These days, you probably don't get a lot of chances to try your hand at Where's Waldo. Thankfully, CorridorDigital has given us a splendid alternative to stealing a book from the children's area in the dentist's lobby. Shot with GoPro cameras and presumably some form of necromancy, Where's Waldo 360 enables viewers to click and drag to scour several scenes for that sneaky stripey bastard. Just be sure to turn up the video quality so you don't mistake Waldo for a barber pole again.


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A mesmerizing, prophetic tour de force of investigative journalism exposing the pervasive thuggishness of the Argentine military elite. Originally published in 1957, this is the first English-language edition.
In the wake of a Peronist challenge to the country's leaders on June 9, 1956, a dozen alleged Peronist revolutionaries were dragged out of a gathering in a house in Buenos Aires, driven by bus to a deserted field by government officials and shot. When Walsh, a young journalist and novelist steeped in detective fiction, heard that there were survivors from the massacre, which took place not far from his flat, he was profoundly shaken, resolved to unearth the facts and expose what he calls a pernicious culture by the criminal minority of Argentine society "that can only stay in power through deceit and violence." Over the course of a year, Walsh obsessively pursued the victims—the severely wounded Juan Carlos Livraga and other survivors, their families, informers and "anonymous heroes"—to root out the truth of what happened that fateful night. Walsh's meticulously detailed style is remarkable, and he ably portrays each victim, his family life and struggles, and he sorts out the sequence of events on the night and the later charade of bringing the military officers to court. The author's exposure of the outrageous usurping of justice and truth would prove only the tip of the criminal iceberg as Argentina's subsequent "Dirty War" progressed, earning the courageous journalist notoriety. On March 25, 1977, the day after he posted another incendiary text, "Open Letter from a Writer to the Military Junta" (included here), he was murdered.
A chilling, lucid work, beautifully translated by Gitlin, which serves as a great example of journalistic integrity.


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News archive
Level launches a new page on Facebook!
Level is new publishing a new updated page on Facebook. Follow our jobs, receive tips about how to develop your career, get information about the recruitment industry etc.
You find us at www.facebook.com/levelrecruitment.
Don't forget to like our new page and tell your friends about Level Recruitment.
Level Recruitment - Recruitment on a higher level!
Level launches new logo, company profile and website
Today Level has launched a new website and a new company profile.
We have worked hard to find a profile that reflects our company, with our values and identity. At the same time we want you as clients and candidates to feel at home and recognize us.
We hope that you enjoy our new look and are happy to get any feedback from you in regards to our company profile and website. Please send your feedback to email@example.com . Don't forget us at Facebook and LinkedIn!
Level has moved to a new office
Level has moved to a new office at Skeppsbron 26.
Our new premises is right next door with our old office, but provides us with better space for interviews and meetings. We are situated on the third floor of this building from the beginning of the 17th century with a stunning view over the intake of Stockholm.


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I am big on healthy living and I am also big on green living so water filters are a product I totally get behind. I can't recommend them enough. I love having a water filter on my kitchen sink so that I can get fresh filtered water right when I want it in any quantity I want it. I don't have to refill the pitcher anymore and I can fill up my reusable water bottles with ease. I can taste the difference in the water- and the filtered water tastes so much better!
Aquasana AQ-4600/4601 Under Counter Water Filter Review:
I chose to try the Aquasana AQ-4600/4601 Under Counter Water Filter. It comes with its own dedicated faucet with 3 faucet finish choices– chrome, brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. My husband had the honors of installing this water filter and he said it was pretty easy installation and a better design than others he has had the pleasure of installing. I must say I think that it looks fabulous and I love that the faucet handle turns so that I don't have to hold down the handle while I wait for a pot to fill.
Now let's get down to how it works. A leader in water filtration technology, Aquasana water filters use patent-pending Claryum™ Filtration Technology to provide superior contaminant reduction. Their drinking water filters remove more than 99 percent of the chlorine, lead, herbicides, pesticides, industrial solvents and cysts found in tap water while preserving healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. I really like that they give me the number 99% rather than just saying if does the job. In comparison to my old pitcher filter, I love being able to get as much filtered water as I want without waiting for it to filter. I also love that the Aquasana water filter is so effective and filters out more than just basic contaminants leaving great tasting water.
Here is another huge benefit:
Aquasana filters are long-lasting and economical – the filter cartridges provide six months of clear, healthy water for as little as ten cents per gallon.
NSF-certified Aquasana drinking water filters have been named a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest for six straight years and one of "America's Healthiest Gadgets" by Health magazine in 2010 and 2011. Plus, they've been chosen as a Consumer Reports "Best Buy" in 2010 and 2011. I think it is a great buy too- easy to install, works great, and makes it easier for me to keep my family green and healthy at the same time!
Aquasana Discounts: Aquasana is having a big sale through July 30th, so it is a great time to save!
Aquasana would like to provide one of my lucky readers with a shower filter!
Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter Giveaway:
One lucky reader will receive one AQ-4100 Aquasana shower filter system which removes 91% of chlorine in your shower water for softer skin, shinier hair and a healthier shower. ($84.99 value)
Aquasana Giveaway Dates: July 17- July 30, 2012 Midnight CST
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED– THE WINNER IS #167, christine jessamine


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Walter Hill's Bullet to the Head has this week premiered at the Rome Film Festival where it was greeted as a defiantly old-fashioned throw back to the VHS-era of buddy cop schtick. To promote the film, Sylvester Stallone took part in some interviews and during one, with Best Movie (thanks to AntoBlueberry), spilled his big ideas for the next Expendables movie – his other 80s-fuelled nostalgic indulgence.
While maybe not the sci-fi picture I was previously expecting, Sly's plans do seem set to shake the formula up considerably. He said:
The Expendables… they're broken up, they're shot, they've had it, they're done. We have to hire new us, we have to find new Expendables, but there are none! They don't make people like us anymore; they are all like robots. So I can go out and hire five young guys, but they're the new army, they got drones and technology, but they're not like us. Remember in Tropic Thunder? Just like those guys!
Or maybe that won't work. He's got another idea too:
There's another combination, and it involves girlfriends. Say I got divorced, say I am married to Sigourney Weaver, then she gets half the Expendables, she gets what I call The Expendabelles. So I need help and I have to go to her. And I'd like to have like Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano. It'll be something like that, very different.
Sounds like the plan, for now, is to do one or the other or just something in that vein, not to mix both of those ideas together in one – one Expendables sequel couldn't take both nerds and girls.
I can't see the robo-drone alternative gaining too much traction – not unless the tech is proven ineffective pretty early and the beefcake come parachute in to save the day once again.
While he doesn't seem to have settled on how to stir the pot just yet, Stallone is at least aware things do need a change:
The main thing is it can't be about us! We're done. We need to bring in new blood. And you bring in geeks and girls and women, people who are different.
Not "about us"? Well, that's pretty drastic. Maybe he's finding it hard to get the old guys to sign on for more of this gruelling business, or maybe he's just reacting to numerous reviews with Grandpa or Zimmer Frame or just Embarrassment writ large in the headlines.
Millennium Films were chasing sales for The Expendables 3 at AFM so whatever it's about, it's going to happen. If I just accept that as a given, I guess I'll root for a really disruptive new formula…
…so have you considered stop motion yet, Sly? Motion capture? Getting some kids in Epping Forest to Swede their own version?


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Quote of the Day: "When the mind is exhausted of images, it invents its own." ~ Gary Snyder
Song of the Day: Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Exercise of the Day: Barre
Affirmation: "I am the measurer of my worth, and I say I am worthy."
Tip: Bacteria be gone! Debug your desk. As many as 283 species of bacteria can thrive in ordinary office dust, including nasty streptococcus, the main cause of strep throat, and staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, according to a recent report. Wipe down your workstation, keyboard, and phone regularly with a non-toxic disinfectant such as PureGreen24.


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3 Day Basic Bushcraft Survival Course Darwin Documentation
Thank you for registering for the 3 Day Basic Bushcraft Survival Course being held in Darwin on 28-30 June or 30 Aug - 1 Sept.
Please right-click to download the relevant files linked below - these outline what will take place, what you will need to bring and what is required of you. Only download the joining instructions for the date you are booked.
Consent Form
We would be grateful if you could please complete and return the Course Participant Consent Form to us as soon as possible. Please include the course name and date on the form.
Pre-Course Information
The equipment and clothing list are suggestions only. If you have suitable or equivalent items already bring these along, you don't have to spend a fortune and purchase a whole new kit. Equipment can also be purchased on the Gear Supply website www.gearsupply.com.au and entering the promotional code Bushcraft to receive 15% off.


text: Your one-stop-shop to achieving a completely wired home! Whether you are looking to build or renovate your property, we can help provide the appropriate direction, advice, and solution at the right cost. We are fully confident that our projects will result in improved appreciation of your home or business. We look forward to hearing from you and adding to our long list of satisfied clients.


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Welcome to the website of the Network of European Political Communication Scholars
We are a group of 18 social scientists, all of whom share an interest in political communication research from a comparative international perspective. Each member is an expert on a particular European country, meaning there are currently 18 countries represented in the network. On this website, you can find out about our "mission" and how that shapes our work.
On the 10th anniversary of our foundation, we have taken the opportunity to look back on our successes to date. We have summarized this story in the "activities and achievements" section of this website. It explains a lot about our identity, commitment, motivation and our ambitions.
The 10th anniversary also marks the transition to a new phase – NEPOCS 2.0, so to speak – in which the focus is on new goals. This transition coincides with a phase of organic change in the composition of the group. We said goodbye to some deserving members and in return accepted some new ones. On this website, you will find both the list of "current members" and our "alumni section" with former members. NEPOCS is more than just a professional network; it is also a circle of reliable friends. We will stay friendly with our alumni as well.
In its new composition, NEPOCS is an exceptionally strong, internationally networked group characterized by its expertise and creativity in the field of comparative international political communication research. This became very clear at the first meeting of NEPOCS 2.0 in June 2018 in Zurich, where we started planning our next projects. On the one hand, we want to continue the extremely successful work of the first 10 years, and on the other hand, of course, we want to break new ground.
NEPOCS meetings are characterized by an unusual intensity and energy, which whet the appetite for the future. We recently had great meetings in Antwerp (2018), Trondheim (2019) and Poznan (2019), and we look forward to our next meetings in Bremen (2020) and London (2020).


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known as LGS Shuttles, Bow River Shuttles operates a vehicle shuttle service
for boaters and flyfishers on the lower Bow River, downstream of Calgary.
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Launched at COP21*, the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) serves as a platform for dialogue, cooperation and coordinated action between the geothermal industry, policy makers and stakeholders worldwide.
As stated in the Joint Communiqué on the Global Geothermal Alliance, the GGA is a coalition for action to increase the use of geothermal energy, both in power generation and direct use of heat. It calls on governments, business and other stakeholders to support the deployment of realizable geothermal potential. The Alliance has an aspirational goal to achieve a five-fold growth in the installed capacity for geothermal power generation and more than two-fold growth in geothermal heating by 2030.
What the GGA is designed to do?
* The 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Paris, France, in December 2015
Argentina, Bolivia, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Switzerland, Solomon Islands, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Tonga, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
African Development Bank, African Union Commission, AGH University of Science and Technology (Poland), Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (Chile), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Association GeoEnergy Celle e.V. (Germany), Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), Centro Mexicano de Innovación en Energía Geotérmica (CeMIEGeo), Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), Eastern African Power Pool, Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (Croatia), European Geothermal Energy Council, Geothermal Canada, GEODEEP - Geothermal Cluster for Heat and Power (France), Geothermal Resources Council (USA), Geothermal Power Plants Investors Association (Turkey), Iceland GeoSurvey, Iceland Geothermal Cluster Initiative, Inter-American Development Bank, International Geothermal Association, International Renewable Energy Agency, Islamic Development Bank, Macedonian Geothermal Association, National Energy Authority (Iceland), New Partnership for Africa's Development, Nordic Development Fund, Organization of American States, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Serbian Geological Society, Southern Africa Power Pool, Pacific Community, United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations University - UNU GTP,United States Energy Association (USA), University of Geneva, World Bank.
The GGA is an inclusive and neutral multi-stakeholder platform that brings together public, private, intergovernmental and non-governmental actors that share a common vision of accelerating the deployment of geothermal energy for power generation and other applications.
Member countries include geothermal resource-rich countries with established or emerging geothermal markets, along with other countries that wish to support the activities of the Alliance.
Requests by interested countries and institutions should be sent to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the coordinator and facilitator of the GGA, by way of an official written request addressed to IRENA's Director-General.
Member countries and partner institutions are not required to contribute any membership fee. The costs associated with GGA activities, including coordination meetings, shall be borne by participants.
The GGA Action Plan was endorsed by Members and Partners in May 2016, based on the principles stipulated in the GGA Joint Communique. It is set to coordinate closely with existing structures, programmes and facilities that share the common objective of promoting geothermal energy deployment at the international, regional and national levels. The Alliance will operate based on activities linked to the priority action areas identified in the GGA Action Plan, and will be supported in implementation as well as funding by committed Members and Partners.
Action Plan1
Resource and Market Assessment
Mapping of geothermal resources as well as identification of existing and potential geothermal markets and near terms projects in the pipeline.
Action Plan2
Needs and Obstacles Assessment
Scoping of the needs for assistance in removing obstacles of policy, regulatory, funding or capacity building nature.
Action Plan3
Enabling Frameworks
Supporting the development of effective enabling frameworks and associated mechanisms to achieve national objectives for geothermal energy deployment.
Action Plan4
Global Geothermal Network
Establishing and improving a robust global network of geothermal energy experts building upon existing networks; promoting geothermal energy's role in supporting decarbonisation strategies and the implementation of climate plans (NDCs).
The Global Atlas for Renewable Energy is a free online resource-assessment tool inclusive of maps on geothermal energy as well as solar, wind, marine and bioenergy resources. It facilitates a first screening of areas of geothermal investment opportunity
The BBA Geothermal Transparency Guide is an online tool which provides an insight into the legal frameworks governing exploration and development of geothermal energy, as well as an overview of data on energy production and capacity. Currently, 16 countries endowed with geothermal resources are featured in the database, with further countries to be included.
The Sustainable Energy Marketplace is a virtual platform that gathers project developers, financiers, service and technology suppliers to work together to realize projects related to geothermal and other renewable energy sources. The Marketplace provides a visibility to geothermal projects and facilitate investment opportunities
The International Geothermal Company and Expert Pool is a matchmaking platform to enable networking and recruitment opportunities for entities in need of consultants - and consultants/ company representatives looking for opportunities to become involved in geothermal projects.
IRENA Project Navigator is an online platform providing comprehensive, easily accessible, and practical information, tools and guidance to assist in the development of bankable renewable energy projects. In particular, the Project Navigator features a component dedicated to the geothermal power.
The Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) is a comprehensive tool for assessing the conditions existing in a country for the development and deployment of renewables, including geothermal energy, along with the actions required to improve those conditions. RRAs for the GGA Members: Djibouti, Fiji, Nicaragua, Peru, Phillipines, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia
The Geothermal Training Programme of the United Nations University (UNU-GTP) is a postgraduate training programme, aiming to assist developing countries in capacity building within geothermal exploration and development.
The basic programme consists of a six-month annual training for practicing professionals from developing and transitional countries with significant geothermal potential. Priority is given to countries where geothermal development is under way, to maximise technology transfer. The sessions cover highly specialised studies in eight different lines, in geothermal geology, geophysical exploration, reservoir engineering and borehole geophysics, chemistry of thermal fluids, environmental science, geothermal utilization, drilling technology, and project management and finances.
The programme has operated in Iceland since 1979. It is a cooperation between the United Nations University and the Government of Iceland and is hosted by the Orkustofnun (National Energy Authority of Iceland).
The hallmark of UNU-GTP is to give university graduates engaged in geothermal work intensive on-the-job training in their chosen fields of specialization. The trainees work side by side with geothermal professionals in Iceland. The aim is to assist developing countries with significant geothermal potential in building up groups of specialists that cover most aspects of geothermal exploration and development. Thereby, enabling their capacity to develop and utilise their geothermal resources.
UNU-GTP also offers successful candidates the possibility of extending their studies to MSc, or PhD degrees in geothermal sciences or engineering in cooperation with the University of Iceland and Reykjavik University. Furthermore, annual short course series in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are given in East Africa (held in Kenya) and Latin America and the Caribbean (held in El Salvador).
Further information available at: www.unugtp.is
With its extensive geothermal history, CEL-LaGeo employs many experts working in the geothermal field. The vast technical, scientific and managerial capacities have been shared through various courses and workshops to young professionals from El Salvador, Latin America and the Caribbean in the framework of the Geothermal Training Programme of the United Nations University (UNU-GTP).
The 5-month Geothermal Diploma, with its seven editions, has contributed to make El Salvador a reference country as a centre of excellence for geothermal energy in the region. CEL-LaGeo and UNU-GTP signed a cooperation agreement to jointly implement a study programme carried out by Salvadoran and Icelandic experts during its latest two versions in 2016 and 2017. To date, a total of 689 professionals from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Montserrat, Nevis, Nicaragua, Peru, San Vincent and El Salvador have taken part in the geothermal short courses and the Geothermal Diploma imparted in El Salvador.
Further information available at: www.lageo.com.sv
The first high-level conference of the Global Geothermal Alliance took place on 11 September 2017 in Florence, Italy. The meeting was attended by 230 high-level public, intergovernmental, non-governmental and senior private sector representatives. Under the terms of the 'Florence Declaration' – an outcome of the meeting – governments reaffirmed the commitment to work together to identify and implement measures that will significantly increase the speed of geothermal energy development around the world.
Agenda, presentations, and pictures of the conference are available here
11 – 12 January 2020 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
In the framework of the 10th session of the IRENA Assembly taking place on 11 and 12 January 2020, IRENA will organize a side event bringing together the Global Geothermal Alliance's members, partners and other relevant stakeholders. Further information will follow in the coming weeks.
05 – 06 December 2019 | Belgrade, Serbia
Under the umbrella of the Global Geothermal Alliance, IRENA is co-organising a capacity building event in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to be held in the framework of the HVAC&R Congress and Exhibition taking place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 4 December to 6 December 2019; and back-to-back with a complementary event led by the EBRD on the Renewable District Energy in the Western Balkans Programme (the ReDEWeB Programme).
The event aims to increase the knowledge of local and national policy-makers and key stakeholders, on options and existing tools to facilitate fuel switch to low-temperature renewable energy in district heating and cooling in cities, particularly geothermal energy.
05 – 07 February 2019 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
IRENA, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the World Bank co-organised a technical session with the Geological Survey of Ethiopia (under the Ministry of Mines) and UN Environment. The group trained local stakeholders on the UNFC specifications to geothermal energy and gathered information for the application in pilot fields in Ethiopia. The event was organised in the framework of a project currently undertaken by IRENA, IGA and the World Bank's ESMAP, under the umbrella of the Global Geothermal Alliance.
12 January 2019 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Side event of the Global Geothermal Alliance was held in the framework of the Ninth Session of the IRENA Assembly.
This meeting, took place on 12 January from 13:15 to 14:15, and provided the opportunity to share insights and experience on geothermal power and heat as well as to facilitate networking between GGA members and partners as well as other key stakeholders.
05 – 07 December 2018 | Saint Lucia
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECS) together with International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the World Bank organised the Geothermal Energy Roundtable and United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) Training Course for Geothermal Energy on 5th -7th December 2018, in Saint Lucia.
The event brought together key experts and decision-makers from the region to help advance and initiate regional cooperation for geothermal energy. The dialogue was followed by a training workshop that introduced the UNFC classification as part of a project currently undertaken by IRENA, IGA and the World Bank's ESMAP, under the umbrella of the Global Geothermal Alliance. Programme and summary report are available on the OECS's website here.
24 April 2018 | Reykjavík, Iceland
Two events of the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) took place in framework of the Iceland Geothermal Conference.
For presentations of both events click here. For the Outcome paper of the "Regional Cluster workshop: Strategies for future collaboration" click here.
The first event on "Geothermal Direct Utilisation and Food Security" offered participants the chance to identify the key factors behind successful experience and presented partnership opportunities for projects and programmes related to the direct uses of geothermal energy with focus on food and agriculture.
The second GGA event, "Regional Cluster workshop: Strategies for future collaboration", aimed to strengthen collaboration between regional and national industry platforms. The purpose of this event was to identify strategies which can be jointly developed or supported by industry clusters to promote geothermal development globally.
20 – 23 March 2018 | Flores Island, Indonesia
The International Geothermal Association, IRENA, and the World Bank/ESMAP organised a technical session to collect data and train Indonesian government officials and project developers on the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) to geothermal prospects on the island of Flores. The session kick-started a joint project undertaken in the framework of the Global Geothermal Alliance.
31 January – 02 February 2018 | Nairobi, Kenya
The workshop, organised with the support of the Government of Japan, gathered participants from governments, utilities, public and private companies as well as international, regional, and local financial institutions. The event allowed to assess the geothermal market status in East Africa, identify the main options to overcome the barriers that countries and project developers still face in the region, share best practices and innovative models to finance operations, including geothermal risk mitigation mechanisms, and explore how technical assistance can effectively support the scaling up of geothermal energy in the region.
Key findings available here.
22 November 2017 | Online
IRENA organized a webinar on 22 November 2017 on the development of bankable geothermal power projects. Experts in the field discussed best practices to assist project developers in developing bankable geothermal power projects. View the webinar
16 November 2017 | Bonn, Germany
Organised within the framework of the UNFCCC COP23 in Bonn, this High-Level Roundtable on will gather high-level representatives to examine how geothermal energy can play a role in the achievement of decarbonisation goals and in the implementation of nationally determined contributions. The event will also offer an opportunity to discuss how the GGA can further contribute to facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices, mobilising finance to unlock geothermal investments and providing modern and sustainable energy services for all countries.
07 November 2017 | Frankfurt, Germany
ICG Invest Geothermal addresses today's burning issues in geothermal investment in creating and fostering an investment and financing ecosystem to provide a line of informed public and private equity to fuel growth. Organised by ThinkGeoEnergy and Enerchange in partnership with GGA partners EGEC and World Bank, the event will be focusing on important elements of investing in geothermal energy development, such as risk mitigation, early stage financing, market incentives, blended financing options, multi-player projects and exit strategies.
21 – 22 August 2017 | San Salvador, El Salvador
During two days, 21-22 August 2017, representatives from the governments of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama as well as geothermal experts from the region and beyond exchanged views on the state of play and the key areas of support required to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy in Central America. The second day of the workshop included the presentation of best practices from around the world and a visit to the Ahuachapán Geothermal Field and Power Plant.
23 – 26 October 2016 | Sacramento, USA
The event brought together geothermal leaders, developers, and exhibitors to exchange expertise and discuss geothermal developments in USA and abroad. It also featured an opportunity to familiarize the US stakeholders with the activities of GGA.
19 – 23 September 2016 | Strasbourg, France
Organised every 3 years, the European Geothermal Congress is the largest geothermal event in Europe. It also offered a platform to organize the GGA Meeting on Risk Mitigation and Project Financing
18 January 2016 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
The first gathering after the official launch of the initiative, aimed at collecting views on the priority areas of action for the Alliance.
08 December 2015 | Paris, France
The Global Geothermal Alliance has been launched at the COP 21 by a coalition of countries as well as development and industry partners.
15 – 16 June 2015 | Nairobi, Kenya
The event served as a platform to discuss the concept of the Global Geothermal Alliance initiative.
The report identifies the main risks and barriers limiting investment; it also supplies a toolkit for policy makers, public and private investors, and public finance institutions to scale up their investments in renewable energy.
This technical report provides an overview of the current knowledge on GHG emissions from geothermal power plants. It gives guidance to project developers and financial institutions on to how to estimate emissions, ex ante, from geothermal power projects.
This publication aims to increase awareness, share experiences and lessons, and provide recommendations for expanding geothermal heat use in the agri-food sector. The analysis in this document suggests critical factors for the development of projects in the field.
This report presents a comparative assessment of an array of approaches that have been applied around the world, with varying degrees of success, to mitigate resource risks and catalyze investments in developing the geothermal sector.
This study presents strategy for developing geothermal potential through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the Eastern Caribbean.
Note:Publications prepared by the GGA Members and Partners
Global Geothermal Alliance is supported and coordinated by the International Renewable Energy Agency
Please contact us at:
Tel : +971 2 417 9000
IRENA Headquarters
Masdar City
PO Box 236
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


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I am an 30 year old Australian Bridge player. I have been an Australian Junior and Open rep.
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Check out my video highlighting BBO GIB robot cheating against me
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8 reasons to say YES to TranceCode pres. ReOrder / Starpicker / The WLT / Skydreamer
On May 25th the Romanian Trance community has a new reason to smile: TranceCode pres. ReOrder + Starpicker, The WLT and Skydreamer. The event will be, again, at Club Azzero and start around 22:00. I like they kept the venue, 'cuz last time was pretty...Read More


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Today is the day activists of the Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) were re-allowed into the asthana or inner sanctum of the iconic Haji Ali Dargah to offer prayers, after an arbitrary restriction imposed by the Dargah Trust in 2011 banning all women from it. The Dargah Trust deemed the historical practice of women touching the grave of male saints as distinctly un-Islamic and a "grievous sin" resulting in the 'corrective' measure five years ago. Arrangements were then made to stop women three feet from the tomb of the revered Saiyyad Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
In the court, the decision's justification was couched in more normalised rhetoric, with the defendants stating that intermingling of men and women in an enclosed place around the tomb causes discomfort to both the sexes – "mentally" for the men and "physically" for the women. the decision to forbid women's entry into the tomb sanctum was, therefore, to avoid this 'inconvenience'. It also controversially posited that the Quran unequivocally forbids the touching of the tomb of male saints by women – a postulation that has been widely challenged as baseless or extremely weak by activists and a variety of Quran scholars alike.
The ban was successfully challenged and overturned by the BMMA in the Bombay High Court, but the defense did not stop until the Supreme Court too outruled it on October 24.
After Shani Shignapur and Trimbakeshwar Shiva temples and now Haji Ali Dargah, 2016 has seen notable legal wins for women's rights in challenging and claiming access to religious spaces in face of regressive patriarchal restrictions. The temple of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala's Sabarimala is still a pitched battleground on this issue in which women of menstruating age are prohibited from entering the premises as Ayyappa is a Brahmachari (celibate) whom tradition decrees, in danger, of being distracted by women in their prime.
A woman in her reproductive prime has long been under fire of religion and culture for her inherent physical 'impurity' and capacity to distract and 'pollute' men, just by the virtue of her existence. Her biological, God-given, if you will, sexuality is coded and endorsed as a dormant yet potent threat to a celibate male God or Saint, in pockets of most major faiths. Women are banned from praying in a majority of mosques because of the 'fear' that their mere presence would distract men from the act of praying, the weakness that such a premise reflects upon male believers notwithstanding.
Historians have shown that after the Vedic age, the stratification of the Indian society along strict, caste lines required that women's sexuality be carefully controlled and guarded by the men — which not only relegated women as subordinate to male domination but also vilified their sexuality as a dark force. No matter that menstrual blood is life-giving and nourishes each and every that's born – even its connotation is a long-established, normalised byword for 'pollution' in these spaces.
At the heart of patriarchal domination, the concepts of shuddh (pure) and ashuddh (impure) conveniently shut out the women in their prime and reinforce the constant, ageless superiority of men. By this logic, a woman is maybe harmless when she is a little girl or after she is relieved of menstruation in the fifth or sixth decade of life– but a man is always shuddh and viable for performing the holiest of rights – the religious ones. Couched, established and brandished in the name of ritual and tradition – these restrictions were over time propagated not just by men, but women too.
However, such regressive relics no longer work for the emerging generation of institutional India, who have taken the stage with vibrant, high-voltage campaigns like 'Happy to bleed' to counter the hush-hush tones in which misogyny is prevailed by some bigoted and some incurably old-fashioned religious authorities. The rebuttal of the arbitrarily imposed ban on women's entry in Haji Ali Dargah five years ago is the latest example of this refusal.
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