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From stats of pest control the ants most business and homeowner are having trouble with are Pavement Ants and Pharaoh Ants, and for the purposes of maintaining simplicity refer to both Pharaoh and Pavement ants as Little black sugar ants. Ants are controlled and killed the same way taking advantage of their appetites.Getting rid of little black ants, however,its is as easy as getting rid of sugar ants.
Not all professional exterminators charge equally for their services, so it would be a good idea for property owners to look around for quotes prior to choosing the professional. Browse online sites that search for exterminators within your area and offer quotes. "Deal with an ant colony by yourself", the costs could be quite low. Fortunately, liquid bait is readily available for purchase at major retailers and hardware stores. The cost of an ant trap or a liquid ant killer is cheaper
Small Ants in House | Getting Rid of Ants Around Houses
Sugar ant control is very much a matter of daily routine during the months when sugar ants are a problem (March through September), particularly in the kitchen.Ants invade your kitchen cabinets and crawl all over your sweet treats grabbing bits of sugary goodness to take back to their little hillside borrow that leads deep into their nest. The sugar is then distributed to other ants and the queen ant to feed on so she can be nourished and produce more little sugar ants.
Signs of little black sugar ants Infestation
The presence of foraging workers or reproductive swarmers flying around or inside is a strong indicator of a pavement ant infestation, especially during colder months. Small piles of soil particles that look like sand also indicate the existence of a pavement ant colony, as the insects push dirt and debris out the entrance of the nest as they construct or expand
the underground colony. The piles are commonly found straddling cracks in the floor/foundation or driveway/sidewalk.
Pest control for Pavement small sugar kitchen house Ants
While pavement ants are not known to cause structural damage or major health problems, the ease and frequency with which the insects enter homes in Washington State becomes a nuisance to area residents. Because of the ants not being picky about food it is willing to eat almost anything, Pavement ants can contaminate and ruin a lot of food found in pantries. The chemical trails created by foraging pavement ants enable the rest of the colony to locate the food source, resulting in the emergence of
unsightly hordes/trails of ants and causing further contamination. Throughout the year, indoor nests of pavement ants can produce winged reproductives that swarm by windows and other light sources, creating an unwelcome sight and potentially forming new colonies in or in areas around a structure.
Ways to Prevent Sugar Ants from Invading the Home
Older homes seem to attract sugar ants the most because they have more cracks to sneak through, but ants can just as easily find a way into newer homes too. Keeping homes clean is not enough for keeping these tiny insects away.
Sealing up the foundation and any cracks around windows and doors. Replace decaying wood frames and shingles. Roof is old and damaged, it is best to replace that too.
Spray the foundation with a natural pesticide to help prevent the ants from even thinking about invading your home. Finding sugar ant outside the home or building, destroy it right away to prevent future visitors.
Keep Sugar Ants out of Food Products
Place opened boxed and bagged goods such as cereals, cookies, fruit snacks and chips into sealed containers or bags.
Store flours and sugars in airtight baking storage containers.
Store honeys, syrups and molasses product in the refrigerator and just gently warm them up when you need to use them.
Never leave sticky sugar snacks open on the counter because this will attract them to other food products in your home.
Store breads and baked goods in the refrigerator or bread boxes that seal up.
Wash dishes immediately instead of letting them sit around.
Never dump sugary foods down the garbage shoot in the sink because it will leave a sticky residue and attract ants.
Taking out the trash as soon as its full or right before bedtime can go a long way to preventing ants from crawling into the kitchen.
Never leave sticky foods outside near entry ways that lead into the kitchen.
Keep open sodas, juices, coffees and teas in the refrigerator.
Wiping down kitchen surfaces such as the microwave, stove, refrigerator, counter tops, tables, chairs and floors can keep sticky sweetness away, which helps keep the ants away.
The most common ant baits used to get rid of sugar ants are called sweet baits, and the most common ingredient found in sweet ant baits is boric acid, or Borax. Most household ants (pharaoh ants, pavement ants, and little black ants included) are prone to the poison known as Borax. Borax is a mineral mined in the deserts of California, refined and dissolved into all manners of ant bait systems. It is generally non-toxic to humans, though I wouldn't recommend inhaling or ingesting large amounts of it. It is a slow-acting poison, which means that when the ants eat the bait (usually corn syrup), the poison doesn't kill the ants right away. The ants take some of the sweet bait back to the colony with them and dispense the poison meal to other ants. This is how colonies of ants are exterminated, and sugar ants are the easiest ants to kill because they're small, voracious scavengers. If you want to get rid of sugar ants or kill a sugar ant colony quickly, I prefer Terro brand sugar ant baits. You can also find Terro baits an affordable price from Amazon.
Natural Sugar Ant Control
Using vinegar to clean instead of bleach is a good way to naturally control sugar ant invasions. Acetic acid, the acid in vinegar that makes it smell so strong, not only naturally deodorizes (or odorizes, as the case may be), but is one of nature's most powerful cleaning agents. We recommend using vinegar instead of bleach on How to Clean Things all the time, and nothing can be more repulsive to sugar ants than a little white vinegar. Make sure you use White Vinegar, and not apple cider vinegar or something like that. The less sugar the better.
How to get the job done to eliminate the army of pavement ants invading the home or business. Call AMPM Exterminators to utilize the years of experience to exterminate the ant infestation l. AMPM Exterminators makes war with armies of ants every day of the week 24/7.
Professional pest control company with exterminators for bed bugs, little black sugar ants, carpenter ants, rat control, house mice, rodent control,birds,beetles, moths, flies, termites, wasps,yellow jackets and hornets.Ampm Pest control service takes pride in family and pet friendly effective pest control in king county areas of Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond,kirkland, Renton, Everett, Bothell and Issaquah. Bed Bugs extermination services, Mouse Control, Rodent, Carpenter Ants, Spider control are available to residential including single family residences, apartments,commercial including hotels, restaurants, schools and industrial
establishments including warehouses and grocery stores.Attic and Crawlspace Rodent Restoration including cleaning, sanitizing and insulation removal & repair after rats,mice,squirrels,birds,bats Infestation.Find answers to questions about cost facts, information, and discover pest control tips, It is much easier, faster and cheaper to get rid of any pest.Every home is different repair costs may vary.After years of experienced inspections,our clients deserve customized solutions for their ants problems with control spray kill removal services. Learn about ants control pricing process.
small tiny little black kitchen house ants often discovered foraging in your kitchen are often lumped together under the name "sugar ant." And while it's true that sweet, … The common household ants infesting in your kitchen likely belong to one of four species of tiny ant: the little black ant .Killing Ants in the building with Chemicals Spot control is the best method for killing ants. They tend to concentrate in a small area and spot application isolates the chemical zone and minimizes damage to beneficial insects who also call the grass home. Ants treatments include bait, spray or granular form. Locate the nest and apply the chemical as indicated on the label. Granular forms require activation with water, so it is best to irrigate after applying the chemical. In all cases, wait until a treated area has dried before allowing children and pets into the toxic zone. Ants can be a blessing and a curse, so consider the severity of the problem before resorting to chemical treatments. Their activity is also a natural pest control and can increase the tilth of soil, acting as wild aerators to loosen the dirt around roots and enhance growth.
Pest Control & Removal of sugar Ants
Pests, such as pavement ants, are attracted to moisture. To prevent black pavement ants, eliminate standing water around the home. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pavement ants use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around your house. Ensure firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home because pavement ants like to build nests in stacks of wood. Indoors, clean up spills and crumbs on counter tops and kitchen floors.
Pavement ants are one of the most common species in the U.S. So common, in fact, they are often not viewed as much of a nuisance…until they decide to invade your outdoor picnic. Pavement ants earned their name due to their tendency to burrow under sidewalks, driveways and building slabs, piling the resulting dirt in mounds on top of the pavement.
An introduced, soil-nesting species of ants, it is widely believed that pavement ants were transported to the U.S. in the holds of European merchant vessels during the 1700s to 1800s. The ships were filled with soil to provide weight on the overseas voyage. Once in port, the soil (along with the uninvited and unwelcome ants) was removed, and replaced with goods to carry back across the Atlantic.
Sugar ants are one of the biggest problems for residents of the Pacific Northwest. Exterminators effective ant control techniques: Ants control,ants exterminators,ants removal service,pest control,ants elimination,Little black ants,sugar ants,Getting rid of house ants


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It's DIABLO TIME!
It's Diablo Time!
C'mon grab your friends,
We'll go to very
Distant lands
With Jake the Monk
And Finn the Hunter
The fun will never end,
It's Diablo Time!
Hey Guys! I know I haven't updated in a LOOOONG time, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be tabling at San Diego Comic Con this year in Small Press Booth N-11!
The piece above is a crossover I've dubbed Diablo Time! The idea started out as a gift for my friend, Emmy, as we both LOVE Adventure Time and Diablo!
[EDIT: 7:49am 6/15/12] Hey Everyone!! Amazing news! On 6/13/12 my friends had pointed out that Kotaku had featured my Diablo Time print! I am SO grateful and excited to have all the support and appreciation of everyone who Liked, Shared, Twittered, Tumblr'd and spread the word about my work!! I'd personally like to thank my friends at Blizzard, all my pals at Zynga and EA, and especially all my close friends, particularly Mike and Emmy! THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS!!!
You can find the print on my Etsy site HERE! ^___^
Hope to see you in July!!

subset: commoncrawl


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The versatile wardrobe piece you can wear 7 days a week
See Gallery
Layering is a crucial component of fall style, and your best defense against the season's up-and-down (you know -- sunny one day, chilly and overcast the next) weather patterns. This fall, we're really craving versatile blazers for wearing over dresses at the office during the week, with stilettos on Saturday nights, and with boyfriend jeans on Sunday mornings.
The power of a beautiful blazer is that you can wear it just about anywhere, save perhaps the gym. It's the ultimate layering piece, and if you do your picking right, you can get by with just one (although, if you're like us, you'll definitely want more than that). Jones New York has a blazer for every style and taste this season, and our contributors agree. Click through the gallery to see all the ways they're wearing their Jones New York blazers this fall.
Compensation for this post was provided by Jones New York via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Jones New York or AOL.


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The deal is another example of a well-established trend: big companies paying big bucks for design expertise.
The race for design talent continues and the market is hot. To hire or to acquire is the question that executives in many organizations are facing today. The answer is never as simply as it may seem. The news headlines continue to show big companies taking over design studios. The latest one, McKinsey & Co. acquires product and service design company Lunar as "the latest evidence that design is an essential ingredient, approach, and result for businesses that regularly deliver outstanding products and services" according to John Edson, LUNAR president. This is the tenth merger or acquisition in the last couple of years. Earlier in 2015, BBVA bought Spring Studio and in 2014, Capital One acquired Adaptive Path among others.
John Maeda, Design Partner at KCPB, highlights "the rising importance of design in the entrepreneurial ecosystem" in his Design In Tech Report published in March 2015. The data included in the #DesignInTech report clearly indicates that organizations and their executives are paying attention to design. The motivations may vary, as some leaders may be designers themselves and clearly understand the value and the importance of design. Other business leaders may be facing the pressure from the market because their products need design to maintain their advantage or risk disruption against more nimble, dynamic, design-driven competitors.
Implications for McKinsey & Co.
McKinsey's gains are clear. They get a global, award winning staff to expand its growing Digital Practice. They will continue to combine their management consulting expertise with a broader and larger design talent base to deliver digital strategy, organizational diagnostics and innovation acceleration.
Benefits for Lunar
It appears that Lunar will maintain to a large extend their operational independence. Lunar keeps their clients, their name and their offices in San Francisco, Chicago, Munich and Hong Kong. They also get access to a substantial portfolio of large potential clients.
The future…
We will continue to see aggressive investment trends. Companies will address their UX and Design talent gaps by:
- Hiring design resources
- Partnering with design consulting firms; and
- Buying design agencies to reach the staffing levels to appropriately deliver the design services needed within their organization.


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|Place of Origin:
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|one set
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940nm infrared RF Roller Vacuum Velashaping slimming stretch mark removal device in Clinic
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Nubway four handles fast slimming infrared vacuum rf rollers velashape machine
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Now we have the new upgarded in this model, it add the cavitaion handle. please see the pictrure, more information to contact me. the contact way at the last.
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Infrared RF Vacuum Roller technology combines infrared light, bi-polar radio frequency energy and vacuum, which cause deep heating of the fat cells, their surrounding connective tissue and the underlying dermal collagen fibers. This type of efficient heating and vacuum stimulates the growth of new and better collagen and elastin which results in localized reduction in skin laxity, body volume, and an overall improvement in skin structure and texture.
Scope of Treatment: Body Contouring ; Cellulite Removal ; Body Slimming ; Circumference Reduction ; Skin tightening ; Face Lifting ; Wrinkle removal ; Skin Texture & Tone.
Who would be an ideal candidate for this treatment?
The treatment is recommended for normal to overweight patients who suffer from unsightly cellulite in the pelvic region, around the hips, abdomen, or lower limbs. For optimized results, these patients should also be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The treating clinician has the final determination for choosing the best candidates for the treatment.
How many treatments needed?
For body and limbs, 8-10 treatments each session, each 4-5 days for one treatment, 30 minutes each treatment.
For face, 10 treatments one session, once a week, 15-20 minutes each treatment.
For eye wrinkle, 10 treatments one session, once a week, 15 minutes each treatment.
How long the results will last?
We recommend 10 treatments as a session, there will be improvements differently after each treatment. Results can last up to a few years depending on age, lifestyle and hormonal changes, maintenance sessions are recommended to extend the effect of the results, we recommend once a month after desired results have been obtained. 1-5cm will be reduced on thighs, 2-6cm on abdomen and waists.
What are the contraindications ?
There are no major contraindications for the treatment. For patients with pacemakers/defibrillator, pregnant or nursing or severe health problems, it is recommended to defer to their physician prior to commencing treatment.
Beijing Nubway S & T .co. ltd was established in 2002, is a collection of production, research and development and sales medical equipment manufacturers.We have a number of optical techniques, medical aesthetics clinical, mechanical design, product design and other disciplines of high quality talent. Nubway is one of the earliest work in the laser, IPL, radiofrequency, ultrasound, high-frequency technology manufacturer.Our products covered 808 hair removal,freezing slimming machine,ND YAG hair removal more than 80 kinds of products.
The product around the world won the support of Chinese and foreign customers, laying leadership in the medical beauty equipment in China. Company is being established in the industry's leading position in the world step by step.
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facebook: Wendy Nubway


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Students in the College of Engineering's Experimental Engineering course are developing hands-on experience with a source of sustainable energy—The University of Iowa's 37-foot wind turbine, which rises over the southeast corner of campus.
IIHR Research Engineer Pablo Carrica teaches the senior-level course. Carrica, who is also an associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, attracted the funding for the wind turbine—a $39,778 grant from the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND).
The Skystream 3.7 wind turbine is a teaching tool that can be raised and lowered for students to set up experiments. Data from the turbine feeds continuously to a computer lab and is accessible online in real time. Carrica says it's an excellent way for students to learn about experimental methods and procedures, including physical measurements, standards of calibration, estimation of error, and experimental planning.
Other UI courses can make use of the turbine as well, including Wind Energy, Fundamentals of Wind Turbines, and Wind Power Management. Students in these courses gain valuable experience, Carrica says. "The turbine may help stimulate student interest in pursuing careers in wind energy, in addition to better preparing students for potential employment in this growing area," Carrica explains. Iowa has established itself as a national leader in wind-generated energy, and ranks second among U.S. states in current wind energy output.
Although the 2.4 kW wind turbine is relatively small, the energy it produces is fed into the area power grid for campus use. It's an important part of the University's overarching sustainability goals, which UI President Sally Mason has called a central aspect of the University's mission.Tags: IAWIND, Pablo Carrica, UI engineering, wind, wind turbine


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As more and more individual test start to pop-up, the new Samsung Galaxy S5 – the 'ugly duckling' of the newest flagship devices – gets yet another accolade…in our source's battery testings, they claim that it has the battery life that equates to "the endurance of a tablet." Not bad praise coming from a respected tester of smartphones, PhoneArena. And this comes only a week after DisplayMate (the most trusted name in display testing) called the Galaxy S5's display "the best…display that they have ever tested," and this included even LCD displays. Could it be that Samsung has actually built a solid device, despite the jabs being given to it about the "Band-Aid" looking back on the device?
When Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S5, they promised 10 hours of internet browsing, 12 hours of HD movie time, or 21 hours of 3G talk time per charge, and from their tests they say, "we can attest that the Galaxy S5 meets and exceeds those promises." PhoneArena claims that most manufacturers and third-party services run their tests at only 150 nits of brightness, while their normal practice is to run their tests at 200 nits, adding even more strain on the battery. In addition, many of their tests are done using a lot of white backgrounds – the killer of battery death for an AMOLED screen like the Galaxy S5's – and yet it was still able to break the flagship record, which includes the new HTC One M8 and even the top-rated LG G2.
What made them even more curious is how Samsung's 'little' 2800 mAh battery was able to beat out tablets with much larger batteries – then they remembered that Samsung had worked out a deal to use the new PowerXtend battery-saving algorithms in a new device…which turns out to be the new Galaxy S5. The PowerXtend suite is made up of three distinct properties – WebxTend, which promises a 25-percent increase – NavXtend, which also promises a 25-percent increase – and finally, GameXtend, which allows up to 50-percent better battery life. All three of these proprietary algorithms works to better the device's "hardware management and load-balancing" that is supposed to increase the battery life on Android devices.
This is quite exciting to see these new techniques for extending battery life work, and we can only hope that other manufacturers will adopt this same method – the longer our smartphone battery lasts, the happier we are. Take a look at the chart below and please let us know on our Google + Page what you think of this latest battery saving technique and also, what kind of battery life are you experiencing with your own Galaxy S5.


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A very good thing indeed. My pace this past week has been quick… and long… Averaging over 5 miles a day. And by yesterday, my body was kaput. I met a friend for lunch and after eating we walked and walked. Coming home I was not like the proverbial horse that goes faster when turned toward home. Nope. The last few blocks home were a stumbling and trudging mess. And I pretty much skipped dinner and fell into bed.
We had lunch in the Galerie Vivienne. It's one of the oldest of the passages in Paris. These were the original shopping malls. Little walk ways through buildings with shops on either side. In 2014 I visited many of them. My list shows 22; I have been to 12, I believe. My search for passages took me to Blvd. Saint Denis. Not the best area. One time I counted 20 prostitutes that I could easily recognize. Chatting together in broad daylight and talking over prices with any number of men. This Saturday we were in a better neighborhood. I just saw tourists!
In these more upscale passages I did find two great crystal and rock stores. And two interesting shops I will return to for paper flowers and electric candles. Ya. These were the most realistic electric candles I have ever seen – with flames that moved. I just have to retrace my steps. By the end of the afternoon, my body was so fatigued I think my memory was affected.
But Friday night I had an excellent meal at Veget'Halles – a vegetarian restaurant that we happened upon by accident. And it is The. Best. Ever! Roti de champignons – mushroom loaf with blackberry and ginger sauce. To die for. I will be back.
Because I still was tired this morning, I passed up the visit to the marche and instead stayed horizontal on the couch. And by the late afternoon when I had a rendez-vous with a new French friend, I actually felt good. Yes, rest is a very good thing.
Tomorrow is another holiday. Surprise. I am off to a museum and then shopping at E.Leclerc – I think it's the French Target. To buy saline and contact solution… the saline bottle that costs $2 at Target is 9 euros here – and it's the cheapest place!
And then early to bed once again.


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Welcome on the website of Oprins Plant.
We are a European nursery renowned for supplying high quality plants & high level service to our professional customers.
Oprins Plant aims to stand out with plants having features that matter to the consumer.
Our bamboo plants are produced with innovative techniques, resulting in bamboo's that are very attractive, vital, and NON-invasive.
This allowed us to become the largest European producer, and we supply a vast range of customers – from very small to very big – who buy in confidence from us.
Our Dark Green© (also branded as i-LEXIT® ) is enjoyed in the garden as an alternative for boxwood. Gardening should be fun and that starts with choosing the right plants without troublesome maintenance to keep them healthy.
Besides non-invasive bamboo and Ilex, we also have a range of other products. If you want to find out more about our company and products, please look around on our website, and we're happy to help out every professional with needs for more information.


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S: Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Used In Sports
FC: Should Performance Enhancing Drugs Be Allowed In Sports? A Persuasive Writing By Tyler Lane
2: Should performance enhancing drugs be allowed in sports? This question is being asked a lot in the sports world. Personally, I think that performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sports but be regulated. Using performance enhancing drugs can lead to many great things. They can help you achieve goals, and also help live your dreams. There are reasons that I think performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in professional sports. You have to make requirements to play some sports. It will also make the sports more interesting.
4: Reason 1: Many sports have requirements that must be met. | Many sports require certain weights, and muscle strength. Many times, you need help getting to those requirements. This is where the drugs come in. You take the right amount of drugs, and then you meet your requirements. This will help your chances on getting to where you need to be, so that you can play your favorite sport, or do your job.
5: The performance requirements set by the federations at the elite level of sport almost demand access to certain "banned substances" in order to assure the health and vitality of the athlete throughout his or her career and – more importantly – into his or her life after competition(Sisson) | "Anabolic steroids can improve competitiveness and performance"(NY Health)
6: Reason 2 | Sports will be more interesting if drugs are being used. For instance, let's look at football. If a running back took drugs to increase his speed and agility, it will make the game fast pace, making it more interesting to see how the defense plans to stop him. It can also help the defense or offense get bigger so they can make larger hits on the opposing players. In baseball, if players took steroids to increase their arm strength, it will cause for bigger hits, and faster throws. When the sports become more interesting, this brings in more television viewers,and more fans to the games. This also brings in opurtunity for a increase in TV rating and sales in tickets and merchandise.
7: "Professional sport has become theater. All the public wants is a good show and an occasional world record." (Sisson)
8: Many people think that when the players take these drugs, it gives them an unfair advantage in the sport. Others also say that there is a serious health risk involved. More reasons people think that steroids shouldn't be used in sports is that it is unsportsmanlike, and it makes the athletes not seem like the role models they are supposed to be. Some fans think that it is wrong to put the players who use performance enhancing drugs into the hall of fame because they did not earn it fairly. | Opposing Views
9: "There is no coherent argument to support the view that enhancing performance is unfair; if it were, we would ban coaching and training."(ProCon) | "For many male high school athletes, pro athletes are major influences. They are the role models."(ProCon) | "Performance enhancers, like steroids and other forms of doping, have a negative effect on long-term health."(ProCon)
10: Conclusion At the end of it all, performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sports. The significance of the drugs would create many good things in the sports world. There are requirements that must be made,and these drugs will also help the sports be more interesting. I hope that if you disagreed with drugs being used in sports, I have changed your mind.
11: Works Cited | ProCon.org Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports? Sports and Drugs.ProCon.org 6-5-2009 web 1-6-2011 | http://marksdailyapple.com Should We Allow Drugs In Sports? Mark's Daily Apple 7-21-2010 6-7-2011 Mark Sisson | http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/1210/ Anabolic Steroids and Sports: Winning at any Cost New York State Department of Health 8-3-2011 5-6-2011


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La Spezia: il Golfo dei Poeti (Poet's Gulf)
It may seem like a legend, a fairy tale from other epochs brought to the world from the voices of travelers.
It makes you think about the impossibility of ever finding again a place that cradled a myth so far away and singular. However, the Mediterranean sea, the sea of our life, has become sweeter and benign so domestic and gathered as a lake is, a small coastal territory that has kept alive a secret for many centuries: it's here that poetry has found its horizon and its home. Between the pinkish shadows of its hamlets, in the bland movement of its hills, beyond the very deep blue of its sea, this discreet land reveals with your footsteps the miraculous dream of Shelley, Petrarca and Montale, the mystery of the perfect harmony of a unison song between man and his sea, his land.
This is the Gulf of the Poets, the Gulf of La Spezia. A unique microcosm, so close to the usual tourist route, but so far from the common places. Whoever crosses its borders of steep cliffs and high pine groves, knows that he's beginning a voyage of astonishment and wonder, even after so many centuries, scenery that still penetrates one's gaze until it mingles with the soul of the one walking it.
The first village you come to, as you travel westwards from La Spezia, is Le Grazie, which lies in an enchanting natural inlet quite close to the important archaeological site of "Villa Romana del Varignano", which is open to visitors. One place you really must stop at is Portovenere, which is recognized by UNESCO as part of world cultural heritage.
The picturesque Genoese-style village of Portovenere (twelfth century) is full of typical coastal charm. You can admire the Genoese castle and the Church of San Lorenzo (consecrated in 1130 and entirely rebuilt in 1931-35).
At the far end of the promontory of Portovenere stands the ancient Church of San Pietro, which was built in 1277 on existing sixth-century foundations. You can leave Porto Venere by boat to visit the island of Palmaria, a marine reserve lying in the centre of the "whale sanctuary". You can then visit Tino and the ruins of the Monastery of San Venerio.
The festival of San Venerio, a religious hermit who lived on the island of Tino, in front of Portovenere, is held on 13 September every year. The island itself, a jewel in the Gulf of La Spezia, is occupied by a naval garrison but can be visited on the occasion of religious services in remembrance of the saint. You can visit the remains of the abbey, the small cloister and the reconstructed church. Not far from Tino is the small island of Tinetto, where you will find the ruins of a fifth-century church. The island of Palmaria is a splendid nature reserve.
Portovenere's host of beaches and coastal rocks make it an ideal place for a holiday with a difference. The network of paths running across the island are ideal for rambling in the greenery. All kinds of water sport can be practiced in the Gulf.
There is no shortage of accommodation in Portovenere and its beaches have many facilities.
The typical dishes of Portovenere (seafood and an infinite variety of fish) are quite rightly famous throughout the western part of the Gulf and are served in nearly all restaurants. The seascape of the Gulf near Portovenere is marked by rows of wooden poles: these are part of the breeding grounds for mussels, which are another fundamental ingredient of La Spezia and Portovenere cuisine.
Where to stay in Portovenere
Hotels, guesthouses, apartments and villas in Portovenere: search and make a reservation here.


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A reported anti-Semitic hate crime at the University of New Hampshire earlier this month never happened and the student who reported it has been arrested and charged with lying to authorities, police said yesterday.Here's the report that appeared when the allegedly bogus complaint was made:
Breanne Coventry Snell, 24, of Midlothian, Va., is charged with two counts of giving false information to police and one count of unsworn falsification. Each charge is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison.
Earlier this month, Snell reported to police that she had been attacked near the Whittemore Center around 6 p.m. on Oct. 3 after leaving a meeting for Hillel, a Jewish student organization. She told police two men shoved her up against a fence and used a number of anti-Semitic slurs related to Nazism.
"It didn't happen," UNH Police Chief Nicholas Halias said yesterday.
Snell was arrested around noon yesterday at the UNH police station after officers called her in. She has since been released on $2,000 personal recognizance bail.
A University of New Hampshire student was reportedly assaulted earlier this month in what may have been a hate crime.Engage are investigating a possible breach of their copyright.
The student, whom police did not identify, had just left a meeting for the Jewish student group Hillel around 6 p.m. Oct. 3 when two men grabbed her near the Whittemore Center, shoved her against a fence and made derogatory comments about Jews related to Nazism, said UNH Deputy Police Chief Paul Dean.
Police are investigating and do have two suspects, though Dean would not name them and no one has been charged. Right now the incident is considered a simple assault punishable by up to a year in prison, but if it is proven that the assault was racially motivated it could be deemed a hate crime and the penalty increased to two to five years in prison.


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Local Information: Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford
Leave today behind and begin an unforgettable journey through 9000 years of Irish history!
Enter a special place, where Ireland's heritage comes alive with sights and sounds that shaped a country and helped to shape the world.
Note: Map is an approximate indication ONLY. Please contact Irish National Heritage Park for directions and precise location prior to your visit.


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3x14 'On My Way' episode description!Friday, February 03, 2012
In a deceitful bid to secure a Regionals' victory for his Dalton Academy Warblers, New Directions' arch rival Sebastian tries to blackmail Rachel to pull out of the singing competition. When a devastating event shocks the McKinley community, it causes the students to reevaluate their priorities, and inspires Mr. Schuester to reveal an uncharacteristic moment from his past. Meanwhile, a reinvigorated Quinn tries to regain her position on the Cheerios, Finn and Rachel make a sudden decision about their future together, Kurt helps a troubled friend through a difficult situation, and Will gets a surprising new ally.


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HTC One ME Smartphone Features Specifications Price Release Date : Best Smartphone company HTC had now released their new latest smartphone HTC One ME. This phones comes with metal body, a single 20-megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash and 4 mega pixel front camera. HTC One ME is going to be a Mid Budget Smartphone which loaded with some unique Features and Specifications. HTC One ME smartphone includes 5.2-inch full-HD display with Octa-core 2.2 GHz Processor. HTC One ME comes with 3GB of RAM, an Mediatek X10 GPU which runs on 5.0 Lolipop Android OS, 32GB built-in storage variants with expandability via microSD card (up to 128GB), Bluetooth 4.1, and a 2840mAh battery. Now below get complete details of HTC One ME Smartphone.
HTC One ME Smartphone Features Specifications
Technology : GSM / HSPA / LTE
LAUNCH : Announced 2015, June
Status : Coming soon. Exp. release 2015, June
Dimensions : 151 x 72 x 9.8 mm (5.94 x 2.83 x 0.39 in)
Weight : 155 g (5.47 oz)
SIM : Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
– Fingerprint sensor
Type : Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size : 5.2 inches (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution : 1440 x 2560 pixels (~565 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch : Yes
– HTC Sense UI 7.0
OS : Android OS, v5.0.2 (Lollipop)
Chipset : Mediatek X10
CPU : Octa-core 2.2 GHz
Card slot : microSD, up to 128 GB
Internal : 32 GB, 3 GB RAM
Primary : 20 MP, 5376 x 3752 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
Features : Geo-tagging, face/smile detection, HDR, panorama
Video : 2160p@30fps
Secondary : 4 MP (1/3" sensor size, 2µm pixel size), 1080p@30fps, HDR
Alert types : Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker : Yes
3.5mm jack : Yes
– Dolby Surround sound
WLAN : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth : v4.1, A2DP, apt-X
GPS : Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
NFC : Yes
Infrared port : Yes
Radio : TBC
USB : microUSB v2.0
Sensors : Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Messaging : SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email
Browser : HTML5
Java : No
– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– DivX/XviD/MP4/H.264/WMV player
– MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV/FLAC player
– Document editor
– Photo/video editor
BATTERY : Non-removable Li-Po 2840 mAh battery
Stand-by : Up to 598 h (2G) / Up to 626 h (3G)
Talk time : Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G)
Colors : Meteor Grey, Rose Gold, Gold Sepia
HTC One ME Price Release Date
HTC had officially released its new smartphone One ME and will be available in the month of June. HTC One ME will be available at the price of Rs 35,000 (approx.) in India. HTC One ME is Mid Budget Smartphone which is loaded with many best Features and Specifications. The best feature of this smartphone it comes with 3GB of RAM, an Mediatek X10 GPU which runs on 5.0 Lolipop Android operating system.
We Hope you really like this awesome article of "HTC One ME Smartphone Features Specifications Price Release Date". Aim of our website is to provide you complete real and true details of this new latest smartphone. If you really like this awesome article then share with your friends on facebook, whatsapp, twitter and much more, from the share this option given below in green box. Stay Happy


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Bamboo Drawer Organizers, Set of 5
- Overview
Bring order to vanities and dressers with these drawer dividers, sized to hold everything from hair clips and cufflinks to watches and socks.
- Small Square (2): 3" square, 2" high
- Small Rectangle: 3" wide x 6" deep x 2" high
- Large Square: 6" square, 2" high
- Large Rectangle: 3" wide x 12" deep x 2" high
- Hand constructed of bamboo.
- Natural finish.
- Set of 5; two Small Square organizers and one each of the other sizes.
- Dimensions & Care
- Small Square (2): 3" square, 2" high
- Small Rectangle: 3" wide x 6" deep x 2" high
- Large Square: 6" square, 2" high
- Large Rectangle: 3" wide x 12" deep x 2" high
- Wipe clean using a soft, dry cloth.
- Keep the product dry.
- Shipping & Returns
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3-5 business days.
Next Day Delivery and Processing
We can arrange for next day delivery to most destinations within the contiguous 48 states, for an extra charge of $26.00 per address. If we receive your order by 6pm PT Monday through Friday, you'll receive your order the next business day; orders placed on Friday after 6pm PT through Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Note: Next Day Delivery service is not available for some oversized items, White Glove Delivery, out of stock items, personalized items or for items shipped directly from the manufacturer.
View the complete Shipping and Delivery Information page.
You can return eligible item(s) within 30 days of receiving an order or 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery items for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required. Monogrammed items and Made to Order furniture or rugs are not eligible for returns. Review the full list of ineligible items and our refund policy below before starting the process.
Easy Ways to Return:
- Stores - You can return most non-furniture items to your local Pottery Barn store for free.
- Bring to UPS Location (under 70 lbs) – See our full Easy Returns Policy to start the process.
Ineligible Items
Items non-eligible for returns or exchanges:
- Monogrammed items
- Mattresses
- Gift cards
- Made to Order items, including custom rugs and furniture
- Final sale items (with prices ending in $.X7 or $.X9)
- Items damaged through normal wear and tear
Questions? See our full Easy Returns Policy.


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- muSHANG
The Aries~~are quick, daring, self assertive, and full of spunk. Seldom defeated because defeat is not recognized. Are energetic, active, very impatient, and have lots of energy and initiative. Rely mostly on yourself. Are proud, ambitious, useful, and have a desire to achieve through force. Be hasty,inconsiderate, brash, destructive, and domineering. Will say things without thinking. Can be arrogant and rush, presumptuous, and own interests will come first : )
Blog List
I am by your side yuy
Shadows fill an empty heart
As love is fading,
From all the things that we are
But are not saying.
Can we see beyond the scars
And make it to the dawn?
Change the colors of the sky.
And open up to
The ways you made me feel alive,
The ways I loved you.
For all the things that never died,
To make it through the night,
Love will find you.
What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?
The sun is breaking in your eyes
To start a new day.
This broken heart can still survive
With a touch of your grace.
Shadows fade into the light.
I am by your side,
Where love will find you.
Now that we're here,
Now that we've come this far,
Just hold on.
There is nothing to fear,
For I am right beside you.
For all my life,
I am yours. (love this song ermm...)
Posted by muSHANG
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Blog Archive
- ► 2010 (172)
- Making Mistakes, finding myself, and more mistakes...
- what the crap this morning....
- al0nE iN tHe daRk looKING soMethiNg loSt PART 2
- karen banget!!!
- ala...next week got test..
- May the force with u!
- What can i make u big SMILE again?
- Emm..More on being non-judgmental.
- what a jerk!
- learning by doing
- atoiiii.....going crazy, where are you my dear?
- Water rafting in Sungai Sedim, Kedah
- All time favourite bands-Samsons
- kittenz see u at the crossroads...perhaps
- I wonder who I am
- Coming through
- And then, I'm a hypocrite again!
- With my youngest brother~
- Visit Melaka
- Don't believe ....
- Love to travel weeee~~
- jerk hehe~~
- 100 Ways to Cope with Stress: Try it!! ^_^
- I am by your side yuy
- Ong Bak 2
- Sail to Langkawi~~
- I'm a n0Body boRed liKe hELL
- al0nE iN tHe daRk looKING soMethiNg loSt
- ▼ February (28)


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F# ADR Demo Project: https://github.com/taylorwood/ADRDemo
One of the greatest values we can provide to the customer is quick and complete visibility into the contents of their loan file, which would otherwise be an opaque stack of papers that a human would need to search exhaustively to find a particular document. A typical loan file is comprised of hundreds of discrete documents: legal documents, structured forms, appraisals, credit reports, tax documents, disclosures, financing documentation, etc. Some documents are fairly standardized and predictable, such as the URLA/1003 and the 1008, and some differ significantly by state or originator. Some documents are only one page and some can be dozens or hundreds of pages long. The loan files we process are typically 500-1,500 pages in length and contain hundreds of individual documents. We usually receive a loan file as a single PDF that may as well be a monolithic stack of papers: no table of contents, bookmarks, or any index information at all.
There is plenty written already about classification and recognition algorithms, but I will give a brief overview of how we employ a variety of these techniques in concert to provide incredibly accurate indexing for the types of documents found in loan files.
Nearly every loan file PDF we receive consists only of scanned images. The images can be of varying quality, from pristine digital scans to documents that have been through so many fax machines they're indistinguishable from a Rorshach test. In order to gather textual information from these PDFs, we must first invent the universe (thanks Carl Sagan), but really, we must first rasterize the PDF, process the resulting images to adjust for binarization/rotation/skew, and then perform Optical Character Recognition on the images. We have developed a distributed, highly scalable processing pipeline using RabbitMQ (see our previous blog post) to perform these tasks in our server farm. The output of our OCR processing tells us what text each image contains and its precise location down to the letter. Now that we have textual data, we can think about what techniques one might use to classify textual data.
In order to perform statistical analysis on text, we must tokenize the text. This is basically the process of converting a word into something you can reason about mathematically: a number, obviously. A three-word document, "Taylor is hungry," might be converted into three tokens: Taylor = 1, is = 2, hungry = 3. After tokenization, you're left with what is essentially a "bag of words." Any analysis of this bag of words is naive in the sense that it doesn't quite matter which order the words came in, i.e. "Hungry is Taylor" would be considered identical to "Taylor is hungry" based solely on their token content. However, it's possible to mitigate this naiveté using n-grams. We use a variety of values for n here, usually 1-3. Using bi-grams for example, "Taylor is hungry now" would tokenize to: "Taylor is", "is hungry", "hungry now."
One of the text classification techniques used by our Automated Document Recognition is a variation of one of the oldest, simplest, most popular, and most effective techniques: TF-IDF weighting, which stands for Term Frequency – Inverse Document Frequency. I will summarize it as a method of counting the number of times a particular word appears in a text (a particular document), and augmenting that information using the number of times the same word appears in all texts (referred to as the corpus). In our corpus, words like "loan" and "address" are so ubiquitous they're almost meaningless, which is why the IDF part of this technique plays an important role. Using TF-IDF we are able to create a type of signature (a very long vector of TF-IDF weightings) for each text. Once we've determined the signature of a particular text as can use a variety of similarity functions, such as cosine similarity or logistic regression, to compare it to the signatures of all other known documents. Another advantage of statistical text analysis is that it can be quite forgiving when it comes to classifying "noisy" documents like the aforementioned fax-machine-ravaged images that an OCR engine may not read very well. TF-IDF weights can be used as inputs to many popular classification techniques like Singular Value Decomposition, logistic regression, etc. We can also use decision tree algorithms to accurately identify multi-page or partial documents.
How do we determine what samples to use and types of documents to index? This is where supervision plays a part in supervised machine learning. The machine learns to recognize the types of documents we care about because we supervise the learning process by using known samples of documents we want it to recognize. For instance, let's say we have 10 training samples of a variety of Trust Deeds. We can train the machine using these samples and the machine can internalize the patterns and "learn" what a Trust Deed is made of textually. The real power of this system is that it can recognize documents it's never seen before, after being trained on just a few known samples of the respective document type. Managing the training data for your classifier can be a science and art unto itself, and is often more important than the type of classification algorithm you choose.
Another key feature of our ADR system is the implementation of a positive feedback loop, or validated learning. Since it's impossible to teach our machine everything it will ever need to know from the start (new document types will be added, forms will change, etc.), we must be able to adjust the system's knowledge on the fly. Using targeted manual review of current ADR results, we are continually expanding the scope and improving the confidence of the ADR system with each new loan file we process.
In practice, our ADR system has dramatically increased both the scope of documents we index and the efficiency with which we index them. There was a time when loan file indexing was a completely manual process for us, and probably still is for a lot of other companies. Fortunately, using data mining techniques we were able to leverage much of this manual indexing as training data for ADR. It would normally take a human worker well over an hour to index a complete loan file, and the consistency of the indexing might vary wildly depending on the worker even if they were only indexing a few critical document types. Our ADR system now indexes hundreds of types of documents at hundreds of pages per second and requires no human intervention!
–Taylor Wood, Senior Developer & Lead Architect at MortgageTrade™


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Full list of Interview results
Control and Arrest (POSA)– 7
Dealing with suspects before and during arrest is one of the most dangerous elements of law enforcement. Sgt Garcia overviews some of his interview, cuffing and control techniques to safely effect arrest.
Conducting gang interviews–
Andy Eways discusses important considerations when officers conduct interviews of gang members.
"Ask the..." police chief–
Interview with LCPD chief Richard Williams.
Interview and Interrogation Techniques– 1
Dave Smith interviews Lou Tessmann about the importance of proper interview and interrogation techniques. They discuss the importance of establishing a rapport with the suspect, the ability to read body language, and to prioritize officer safety.
TASER X2 Feature Overview and Demonstration–
Ray Minor, Director of Training Operations at TASER International, shares information about the X2 with PoliceOne Editor in Chief Doug Wyllie. Some features include dual lasers, an immediate follow up shot and conscious design.
Retired NYPD Captain on police culture, corruption, and solutions–
Sierra Adamson interviews Dr John Eterno, retired NYPD Captain, about the main problems with the NYPD which he attributes to management and culture within the department.
Coban Technologies discusses EDGE HD at IACP 2012–
Coban Technologies discusses the details of the EDGE HD system, for better quality video, and its importance in providing vital evidence for LEOs.
TASER Volunteer Testimonials–
Volunteers experience the TASER in a controlled environment at TASER headquarters in Arizona and share their experience!
Steve Tuttle of TASER Intl. discusses On-Officer Cameras–
Steve Tuttle, VP of Communications at TASER International, addresses concerns that LEOs may have for on-officer cameras. TASER aims to utilize their technology and partner with agencies to protect LEOs. The first-person perspective of officers is critical for the best recorded evidence.
Why Should You Go With TASER?–
Jeff Kukowski, Chief Marketing Officer of TASER International, tells Dave Smith why TASER is the best choice for agencies. The TASER experience is a partnership with law enforcement and TASER works with agencies and experts to provide the exact solutions LEOs need. TASER's mission is to protect life and to protect truth.
Chief Jeff Chudwin: Illinois Tactical Officers Association–
One of the nation's top tactical associations is led by Chief Jeff Chudwin from Olympia Fields, IL. Chudwin is a former state attorney, champion shooter and highly regarded author and PoliceOneTV got a chance to chat with him recently in this exclusive interview.


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The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, a 2017 Eisner Awards-winning graphic novel by Sonny Liew, is a magnum opus of storytelling about the life and times of Singapore on its yellow brick road to independence. "Bukit Chapalang" (Hodgepodge Hill), the comic strip within the graphic novel, began as a straight retelling of Malay folktales. It features Lee Kuan Yew (Sang Kancil, a mouse deer); Lee's nemesis, the popular socialist Lim Chin Siong (Sang Kucing, a cat); and The Tunku (King Tunku), among others. It's set around the time of Singapore's proposed merger with Malaysia.
At the time, almost everyone believed that a merger with the Federation of Malaya would be necessary for Singapore's survival once full independence had been granted by the British. The Malayan mainland could serve as a hinterland for the fledgeling island state, providing both natural resources and a larger common market.
The leaders of Malaya, however, were not exactly keen on the idea. Absorbing Singapore's large Chinese population of 1.3 million would mean altering Malaya's "racial arithmetic": the Malay population would be outnumbered by the Chinese, thereby transforming the electoral landscape.
Such a change would threaten the political dominance of the Malay ruling elite. Attitudes towards a merger shifted only after PAP candidates were defeated in two successive by-elections in 1961, sparking fears that a more radical party might ultimately prevail in Singapore. In Chan's comic, "Mouseketeers" were used to represent the Malays, while the Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was depicted as a benevolent orangutan.
Note: Apart from its role in curtailing the perceived communist threat, a merger between Singapore and Malaya was also seen as both inevitable and a historical necessity by many. Along with the strong historical, cultural and geographical ties connecting the two territories, a merger also presented the allure of a common market, whilst providing a roadmap to independence that was acceptable to the British. See John Drysdale, Singapore: Struggle for Success (Australia: George Allen and Unwin, 1984), pp. 258–60, 294–5. There was, however, some opposition to the merger. Indonesian leader Sukarno saw the formation of the Federation of Malaysia as an attempt by the British to maintain colonial rule and influence in the region, and started the Konfrontasi (Confrontation) campaign. The military operation was aimed at destabilising the new federation, and numerous armed infiltrations were launched in the Borneo territories and the Malaysian Peninsula, with indiscriminate bombings in Singapore, including the MacDonald House bombing on March 10, 1965. Konfrontasi formally ended with the signing of a peace treaty in 1966, soon after Suharto replaced Sukarno as president. See Marsita Omar, "The Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation."
The Tunku's fears were heightened after Lim Chin Siong and his supporters formed the Barisan Sosialis following their expulsion from the PAP in 1961. Believing the Barisan to be a communist party, he was concerned that Singapore might become a "Little China" under Lim, a base and stepping stone from which communism could be propagated to Malaya.
Both the Tunku and Lee Kuan Yew saw the merger as a means of preventing such a scenario, since the conservative Malayan government would then be able to crack down on any left-wing ambitions. In order to preserve the existing balance of races, the British Borneo territories of Sabah and Sarawak, with their large non-Chinese populations, were subsequently incorporated into the plans for the union.
The Barisan Sosialis strongly objected to the proposal, fearing for their political survival if the merger was to go through, while questioning whether the terms of the merger were ideal for Singapore. In response, Lee Kuan Yew decided to hold a Referendum on Merger.
Note, above: Within Singapore, the Barisan Sosialis opposed the merger on various grounds, some of which were self-serving, and others perhaps more forward-looking. They were outmanoeuvred by the PAP in any case. For a closer look at the events leading up to the national referendum on merger in September 1962, see Drysdale, Singapore: Struggle for Success, pp. 283–312, and Albert Lau, A Moment of Anguish: Singapore in Malaysia and the Politics of Disengagement (Singapore: Times Academic Press, 1998).
The referendum ostensibly offered voters three choices. But as then Deputy Prime Minister and PAP stalwart Toh Chin Chye would later admit, "[T]he ballot paper was crafted by Lee Kuan Yew… frankly, they were all votes for merger… Few understood [it]. Few even knew where Sabah was… But we got away with it… It was a win-win situation for the government."
The PAP's strategy and tactics during the lead-up to the Merger Referendum would be described as acts of "Machiavellian brilliance," while the Barisan's reactions were muddled at best, often playing right into their opponent's hands.
When the Barisan called for supporters to cast blank votes in protest, for example, they found that the PAP had already included a clause in the referendum bill, which allowed for blank and uncertain votes to be counted towards merger.
Note: See Chew, Leaders of Singapore, p. 92 on the formulation of the ballot papers for the referendum on merger, and Willard A Hanna, The Formation of Malaysia: New Factor in World Politics (New York: American Universities Field Staff, 1964, c. 1962), p. 116ff. on the PAP's strategy during the lead-up to the referendum.
As it turned out, 71 percent of the votes were cast in favour of the PAP's option "A", whilst only 25 percent had cast a blank vote. The PAP had demonstrated their political mettle, and the Barisan Sosialis had been thoroughly outmanoeuvred.
Meanwhile, the governments of Britain, Malaya and Singapore all believed that it would be in their best interests to have the leaders of the Barisan Sosialis arrested. None of them wanted to shoulder the blame for such an unpopular action, however, and there was a period of hand-wringing as each side jostled to have another assume responsibility.
An attempted leftist revolution in Brunei led by Sheik AM Azahari in December 1962 finally provided a pretext for arresting Lim Chin Siong and more than a hundred other alleged subversives. Lim's lunch meeting with Azahari in Singapore days before the revolt, together with the Barisan's declaration of solidarity with the uprising, were held up as evidence that the radical party was ready and willing to resort to armed insurrection.
With the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, the PAP had achieved their goal of merger. A convincing victory in the Singapore elections followed that same month. The party now felt emboldened enough to contest the 1964 federal general elections in the Malaysian mainland, despite assurances by Lee Kuan Yew that they would not do so.
Note: The PAP's victory in the 1963 elections included wins in the predominantly Malay constituencies of Geylang Serai, Kampong Kembangan and the Southern Islands. This was despite the opposition from candidates of the Singapore Alliance, which had received the backing of Federal leaders, including Tunku Abdul Rahman himself. This ability to appeal across racial lines emboldened the PAP to take part in the Malaysian federal elections of 1964, a premature and, ultimately, disastrous move that resulted in raising antagonism among many federal political leaders, and eventually contributed to Singapore's ouster from Malaysia in 1965. For more, see Lau, A Moment of Anguish. Lee Kuan Yew had made an initial commitment to the Tunku that the PAP would not take part in the first Malaysian elections, but the exact nature of this agreement remains disputed (see Sonny Yap, Richard Lim and Leong Weng Kam, Men in White: The Untold Story of Singapore's Ruling Political Party [Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings, 2009], pp. 264–5). In any case, Lee would state in a speech that "we will not take part in the 1964 elections in the Federation." (Sunday Times, Sep 29, 1963).
The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) was one the three political parties that made up the ruling coalition, and the appointed representative of Chinese interests in the Federation. The PAP had hoped that a show of strength in the federal elections would demonstrate their appeal to Chinese voters, thereby convincing the Tunku that they could replace the MCA as a worthy coalition partner. This move, however, antagonised the MCA and its leader Tan Siew Sin, and further fuelled fears amongst conservative Malay leaders like UMNO Secretary-General Dato' Syed Ja'afar Albar that Lee Kuan Yew's ultimate ambitions lay in becoming the Prime Minister of all Malaysia.
Note: The movement towards merger as a means of containing the influence of the radical left in Singapore had arguably led to hurried negotiations where certain issues had been glossed over. Amongst these was the role Singapore would play in federal politics. UMNO leaders appeared to envision, at best, a slow integration of the PAP into their conservative and communalist style of governance, while the PAP leaders sought a much quicker timetable in which they could take an active role in Malaysian politics. The latter's consequent push towards a greater voice and influence would lead to conflicts with threatened pro-Malay elements within the Federation, as well as the conservative Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). See Turnbull, A History of Modern Singapore, pp. 287–90.
Despite larger turnouts for their election rallies, the PAP performed dismally, winning only one of nine seats contested, whilst the MCA made significant gains. Incensed by what they saw as broken promises, and the overreaching ambition and impatience on the part of the PAP, the ruling coalition in Malaysia now sought to crush them in Singapore itself, with Syed Ja'afar Albar leading a virulent campaign to discredit the PAP and Lee Kuan Yew amongst Malay voters in Singapore.
Note: Although the PAP performed poorly in the 1964 Federal elections, they had effectively presented themselves as a potential threat to UMNO's approach to politics. The latter now sought to attack the PAP within Singapore, with its secretary-general Dato Syed Ja'afar Albar spearheading attempts to exploit and stir up discontent amongst Singapore Malays. See Turnbull, A History of Modern Singapore, pp. 290–2 and "The Alliance Strikes Back" in Lau, A Moment of Anguish, pp. 131–60.
There was to be more trouble on other fronts. The Malaysian Minister of Finance was none other than MCA leader Tan Siew Sin, who now used his power and influence to make it difficult for Singapore to receive the financial and economic benefits it had hoped would come with merger. Meanwhile, Syed Ja'afar Albar and Lee Kuan Yew continued their war of words.
Note: MCA president Tan Siew Sin was able to use his position as Federal Finance Minister to curtail Singapore's economy whenever he felt that the MCA's importance as UMNO's main ally was threatened. His proposals, such as a punishing tax plan raised during budgetary parliamentary debates in November 1964, would badly hamper Singapore's own Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee's plans for Singapore's industrialisation. Goh eventually became a prime mover behind Singapore's split from Malaysia, convinced as he was that, for all the intimidating challenges it would face, Singapore would stand a better chance of achieving economic growth and swifter development as an independent nation free of Federal interference. See Turnbull, A History of Modern Singapore, pp. 287–300 and Lau, A Moment of Anguish, pp. 214–17.
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (2015) is published by Epigram Books.


text: In making the sale of drainage bonds the board of drainage commissioners shall prepare a notice of such sale containing the usual and appropriate information regarding the terms and provisions of the bonds, and shall publish the same for at least a period of two weeks in at least one paper of general circulation published within the State and in at least one other newspaper of large circulation among the buyers of bonds, in which they shall invite sealed bids from prospective purchasers to be opened on a certain day, and may require a cash deposit to accompany all bids, and shall reserve the right to reject any and all bids. In such notice the commissioners may hold in reserve information as to the date when the first installment of principal shall fall due, the annual installments of principal to be paid, the number of years within which the serial bonds are to be paid, the form of the bonds, and the name of the bank or trust company at which the interest coupons and the installments of principal are to be made payable, and shall state that the information and data so withheld may subsequently be agreed upon between the drainage commissioners and the purchaser of the bonds; or the board of drainage commissioners in their advertisement asking bids may make optional propositions in the respects above recited, inviting bids as to each kind of bond so proposed. The board of drainage commissioners shall accept the highest bona fide bid for such bonds and issue and sell the same accordingly, provided the highest bid shall equal or exceed the par value of the bonds with any accrued interest thereon. If no satisfactory bid shall be received, the board of drainage commissioners may readvertise the bonds for sale in the manner above provided, or they may accept any private bid for the bonds at not less than their par value, with any accrued interest thereon. The board of drainage commissioners shall in good faith make diligent effort to sell the bonds at a price not less than their par value, with accrued interest. Bonds of any drainage district heretofore sold or contracted to be sold by the Local Government Commission in the manner provided by the Local Government Act, either alone or in conjunction with the board of drainage commissioners, shall be deemed to have been lawfully sold or contracted to be sold. (1909, c. 442, s. 34; 1911, c. 67, s. 11; 1917, c. 152, s. 15; C.S., s. 5357; 1941, c. 142.)


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Latest insights from our experts
Dog attacks horse
My previous blogs on dangerous dogs and horses have attracted a few questions. The law differs according to whether a dog is merely out of control or actually attacks, whether this happens in a public place or on private property, whether it causes injury, and, most fundamentally, whether the victim is human. For some questions and answers on dog attacks and what can be done about them.Below are some of the questions we are most often asked by horse owners.
Q What can I do if a dog attacks my horses in their field?
A Assuming the dog is in the field without permission and not on a right of way, a Complaint can be made to a Magistrates Court under The Dogs Act 1871 that the dog is "dangerous and not kept under proper control". The Dogs Act 1906 classifies as "dangerous" for the above purposes any dog "proved to have injured cattle or chased sheep" and "cattle" for this purpose includes horses mules asses sheep goats and swine. This form of Complaint can be brought regardless of whether the dog is on public or private land.
Q What can the Magistrate do about it?
A Make an Order that the dog be kept under proper control or destroyed. The penalty can be imposed for non compliance of such an Order. The Magistrate's discretion is very wide although destruction orders are rare. There is no power to impose a fine.
Q Does "sheep worrying law" apply to horses?
A Yes. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 creates an offence of attacking livestock or chasing them in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering. Livestock includes cattle sheep goats swine horses and poultry. However this Act only applies on agricultural land and does not apply at all if the dog is on its owner's land and the livestock are trespassing (ie have escaped). The penalty is a modest fine although the dog can be seized and the owner will have to pay all associated expenses to get it back.
Q If a dog attacks my horse while I am out hacking, what can I do?
A Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies if the attack happens either in a public place or a place where the dog is not allowed to be. A criminal offence is committed by the owner of the dog (or the person in charge of it) if the dog is "dangerously out of control" or if it injures a person or "there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will do so". Cases of actual injury will be penalised more seriously. However the crucial point about Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – from a horse owner's point of view – is that it is aimed at the protection of people rather than horses. So if a rider trying to protect their horse is put in fear of or at risk of injury, that may well be enough to bring Section 3 into play. But if the rider is not at risk and not in fear of injury, the only remedy may be a Complaint under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871.
Q Can I get compensation if my horse is injured or ruined?
A Yes, if you bring a civil claim under the Animals Act 1971 in the County or High Court. The provisions of the Animals Act 1971 relating to damage caused by horses are notoriously problematic. However Section 3 on dogs causing damage by killing injuring livestock is very clear – the keeper of the dog is liable for the damage. Again, livestock includes horses and again there is no liability if the livestock are attacked when straying onto land owned by the keeper of the dog. The main drawback of using the Animals Act is that the legal costs may very well be disproportionate to the compensation.
If you have been affected by a dog attack on your horse or if your hacking is restricted by nuisance dogs, please contact Jill Headford for advice.
Want to know more?
Request a call back or ask us a question using our quick-contact form.
Alternatively you can call us on 01392 207020.


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LeAnn Rimes Reveals Struggle With Psoriasis
Posted on September 5, 2008
LeAnn Rimes has revealed her lifelong struggle with psoriasis. The disease is under control now, but she suffered for years.
See told People that her psoriasis gave her scaly patches that would crack and bleed. LeeAnn says, "Not only does that take a physical toll on your body, but it takes an emotional toll. I was very self-conscious."
LeAnn stars in a new psoriasis PSA called Stop Hiding. She says her husband, Dean Sheremet, helped her speak out about the condition. In the video, LeAnn says psoriasis, a chronic immune disease, affects over 7 million Americans and it can make them feel like hiding. She says she refuses to hide. Take a look:
Photo: National Psoriasis Foundation
More from Watchers Watch


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Work in one of the oldest and most vibrant cities in Europe alongside talented and engaging people who are as keen to change the world as you are. Help shape the future of what we build and be an active part of it. What we do here creates the foundations of Uber's products and engineering.
Uber is changing the way cities move globally through our transportation and mobility solutions. The Uber Engineering team in Sofia works with cutting edge technology that is solving real business challenges for Uber`s global operations. Established in 2014, the team focuses on developing systems that enable core business transactions, provide intelligence powering global business decisions, keep Uber operating in compliance with tax regulations everywhere in the world.
Senior Software Engineer
What do you do at Uber?
I build and support software systems that help users of the Uber platform adhere to tax and compliance regulations across the world.
How long have you been with the company?
October 13, 2014 was my first day at Uber. Since then, I have visited Uber offices on three continents, relocated to two (hopefully soon three) local office locations, and have worked on two major products.
How did you get into engineering?
Everything started in high school when I got into competitive programming. After all these programming contests, it was logical to continue doing what I like. I studied Computer Science at Sofia University and eventually became a professional software engineer.
Why did you join Uber?
I was attracted to Uber by the spirit of autonomy and passion for building embodied across the company. The possibility to work for a Bay Area company from my home country, Sofia, was hard to turn down. All this combined with the chance to have access to cutting edge technologies and the opportunity to work on a product impacting millions of people encouraged me to join Uber.
How would you describe the Uber team in Sofia?
Curious, collaborative, and friendly. Great people to have a technical jam or just to chat with.
Engineering Manager
What do you do at Uber?
As an Engineering Manager on the Tax & Compliance team in Sofia I'm responsible for building high-performance teams that can handle some of the toughest scalability challenges in the world.
How did you get into engineering?
I wanted to write software ever since I was 10 years old. I had the luck to stumble upon teachers who cared and followed my passion ever since.
Why did you join Uber?
I didn't know how important Uber is and how it's truly changing people's lives until interviewing with the company. Luckily, the people then managed to convey to me how awesome Uber is and I didn't hesitate to join.
The importance of our work to so many people around the world and the freedom to do it without bureaucracy is what keeps me in the company.
Engineering Manager
What do you do at Uber?
I'm leading several small teams that are responsible for a large part of the post-trip data processing and reporting. The work of the teams is very important for the riders, partners and restaurants using the Uber platform, and we collaborate daily with product and engineering teams around the world.
My main responsibilities and priorities are to help the teams deliver faster, help the teammates with their career growth, and to find very talented people who can be a good fit for the company and the team.
Why did you join Uber?
I was already interested in the idea of Smart Cities from my previous company and I liked Uber's vision of transforming transportation and making cities better. Learning a bit more (from the Uber Engineering blog) about the engineering challenges being tackled - the huge scale, volume and availability requirements - further solidified my decision to join.
What keeps me here is the great team I'm part of and the very smart people around the world I work with every day. There are also many interesting ongoing initiatives within the company - from autonomous cars and VTOL, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to Knowledge Graphs and work related to Smart Cities.
5 open roles


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For all your recycling needs - Keep it Clean, Make it Green!
Welcome to the Concrush Website. You will find a wealth of information regarding our products, recycling and tipping facilities.
Save time by having access to the latest information on our product range through this online facility.
If you prefer, you can contact us on (02) 4958 3777, or send us an email. We will respond promptly to your email enquiry during week-day business hours.
Or come and see us! We're open Monday to Thursday from 7:00am - 5:00pm (weighbridge closes at 4:45pm), or Friday and Saturday from 7:00am - 4:00pm (weighbridge closes at 3:45pm) at 21 Racecourse Road, Teralba, Newcastle. Contact us and find out where we are.
Concrush will be closing over the Christmas/New Year period. We will be closed from
We deliver too! You can contact us on 4958 3777 between 7:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday and 7:00am and 12:00 noon Saturdays to arrange delivery instructions within the Lake Macquarie/Hunter Region.
To find out more about our products and pricing please call us on (02) 4958 3777. Our friendly staff will be more than happy to help you! We also have project specific pricing available.
If you have an issue to discuss or wish to make a complaint please contact Helen on
(02) 4958 3777 - Option 2.
Emergency Contact: Kevin Thompson - 0408 687 093


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2014 Spring
Keetje Kuipers
Keetje Kuipers has been the Margery Davis Boyden Wilderness Writing Resident, a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, and the Emerging Writer Lecturer at Gettysburg College. Her first book, Beautiful in the Mouth, won the A. Poulin, Jr. Prize from BOA Editions and was published in 2010. Her second book, The Keys to the Jail, was published in 2014. Keetje is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University.
Katie Cappello
An Arizona native, Katie Cappello lives and writes in Lodi, a small farming town in northern California. She is the author of Perpetual Care (Elixir Press, 2009) and the chapbook A Classic Game of Murder (dancing girl press, 2009). Her work is featured in Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry project and the forthcoming anthology, 99 Poems for the 99 Percent.


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KindyLinQ is a free play-based program where 3-year-olds can play, sing, create and socialise with their parents, other children and experienced educators.
Want to know more about our risk-based approach to early childhood regulation? What the department does as the regulatory authority is explained in simple terms in a new policy document.
Find out how Queensland children are developing as they enter their first year at school — view state-level data from the Australian Early Development Census 2018 Queensland data snapshot report.
Access the early years health and development online training suite for free, flexible professional development on hygiene practices, infection control, healthy eating and physical activity, injury prevention, safety promotion, and social and emotional wellbeing.
In Queensland, kindy is a part-time educational program where children learn through play in the year before they start school. Enrol your child now for 2020.
Whether you are already an early childhood educator or just starting out in your early childhood career, an early childhood teacher degree will open up your professional career.
Early learning opportunities for every child.
Families engaged in their child's learning across the early years.
Kindy is the best start in life. It's important for our little people's future.
Kindy is the best start in life. It's important for our little people's future.
There are thousands of services that make up the early childhood education and care sector
in Queensland. Approved early childhood education and care services are regulated under
either the National Quality Framework or the Education
and Care Services Act 2013 (QLD). The service type determines the legislation, if any, that
applies to a service.
Age-appropriate pedagogies support early years teachers to apply a range and balance of
teaching approaches and characteristics of quality teaching in their classroom practice.
Teachers are supported to align curriculum, age-appropriate
pedagogies and assessment to maximise children's engagement in learning and to enhance
Learn about grants, tenders, and funding opportunities provided by the Queensland Government
to support the delivery of early childhood education and care services.
Discover the range of Queensland Government initiatives that help support individuals who
want to work in early childhood, or who are current working in the sector and want to
upgrade their qualifications and skills.
Subscribe today!


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Humphrey's Pyjama Week03 October 2016
The Children's Trust and the popular pre-school brand, Humphrey's Corner, are teaming up once again to bring preschool groups across the country, the enormously successful, Humphrey's Pyjama Week! For a voluntary donation of £2 per child, children can wear their pyjamas to nursery or school and participate in a number of fun and educational themed activities, whilst raising funds for Humphrey in his PJ'sThe Children's Trust. Each nursery/school that takes part will receive an adorable, FREE event pack. To find out more and to register your nursery today, please visit our official Humphrey's Pyjama Week webpage by clicking here.


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Bowman High (BHS) Class of 1994 Alumni List
Help us Update the Bowman High 1994 Class List by adding any names missing from the list below:
Registered Alumni
1994 Class List
Know Bowman High Class of 1994 graduates that are NOT on this List? Help us Update the 1994 Class List by adding missing names.
The most popular movie of 1994 was The Lion King which has grossed over $422,780,140 since its release. The TV series 60 Minutes was the most popular show of 1994.
Hit Songs From 1994
Hit Movies From 1994
Hit TV Shows From 1994
Reunions and Bowman High School News
More 1994 alumni from Bowman HS Wadesboro, NC have posted profiles on Classmates.com®. Click here to register for free at Classmates.com® and view other 1994 alumni.
If you are trying to find people that graduated in '94 at Bowman in Wadesboro, NC, check the alumni list below that shows the class of 1994.
Don't forget to upload your Bowman High School pictures and check on the latest info about any Bowman High School reunion.


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It's called the Not Forgotten Memorial Commemoration in Manteca, and with an expected crowd of 30,000 people it is the largest Memorial Day event on the West Coast.
Organizers in Manteca say city streets will be lined with 2,400 American flags to mark Memorial Day.
But the biggest tribute to this nation's fallen will be on Sunday at Manteca's Woodward Park.
Seven thousand white crosses representing people who lost their lives in the defense of their country since 9/11 will be on display with the names and pictures arrayed on 12 panels.
Manteca minister and Vietnam Veteran Mike Dillman says he started the event 10 years ago so the fallen would not be forgotten.
"Within a 50 mile radius of Manteca we have 61 families that have lost a son or daughter since 9/11," Dillman says. "We call them the heroes in our own backyard that have given their lives for our freedom."
The event starts at 8 a.m. with a 5k run, and lasts all day.


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GOJO 1000 ml Refill PURELL NXT Hand Sanitizer
Manufacturer : Go-Jo Industries
Part Number: 2156-08
Manufacturer: Go-Jo Industries
Minimum Quantity: 1Description: PURELL¨ Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause illness. Works in as little as 15 seconds. No water or towels needed. Specially formulated with moisturizers to leave hands feeling soft and refreshed.


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Our Services
Looking for Stone Product Services?
Are you looking to build a rustic or modern kitchen using quality stone products? Looking for a place to buy the perfect stone bench tops? Need custom stone furniture for your renovations? Whatever your project requires, we've got the knowledge and expertise to help you reach your goal.
As a leader in the industry Aurora Stone strives for the highest levels of customer satisfaction, as we endeavour to work closely with you by providing innovative solutions to your project requirements.
Quality Monitoring and Processing
As a business, we understand that quality work is one of your top priorities. For this reason, we appoint supervisors specifically for quality control. We supervise every part of the process, from the initial quote to the manufacturing process, to the installation of the finished product.
No detail is too small for us. With thirty years in the industry, we're here to make sure that you get the best service and product for your money.
In addition to supervising the manufacturing process, our employees have travelled across the world to keep up with the latest trends in stone products and masonry, as well as hand-selecting the finest materials for your project. Whether you're looking for something fresh and new, or prefer to stick with a classic like our popular natural stone bench tops, we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.
A Wide Range of Services
We're here to help you every step of the way. When you get in touch with us, we'll give you a free measure and price quote to get started. We'll also help you create and collect templates for your project, so you can design that perfect stone kitchen, restoration, or commercial store front.
When it comes to manufacturing and installation, our services are unparalleled. Our fast, efficient work and industry leading customer service has cemented our status as one of the top businesses in the industry. Our many years of experience ensures that we can give you expert advice on your next project.
Ready for Your Free Quote?
If you're looking for stone manufacturing or installation, don't hesitate to give us a call. We've worked on projects all around Western Australia, making us the right choice for your next residential or commercial project. Call today to receive a free quote.
Making template
Aurora Stone provides clients with services in constructing and collecting templates as well as a free measure and quote.
Manufacturing and Installation
Aurora Stone is able to provide services in supplying, manufacturing and installing all domestic and commercial stone products. These include but are not limited to:
- Bench tops for kitchens & bathrooms
- Splash backs & wall cladding
- Staircases
- Fireplaces
- Tiling to internal & external surfaces
- Alfresco kitchens and garden feature walls
Delivery and Pickup
Aurora Stone operates its own fleet of vehicles, so you can be assured that we can deliver all materials on time and in excellent condition.
Professional Advice
With over 30 years of experience in stone and tiles, you can trust that Aurora Stone can provide reliable information, advice and solutions to any of your enquiries.
Importing Stone from overseas
The directors of Aurora Stone and Viva Natural Stone have travelled around the world to hand pick the newest products on the market and to find the latest natural stone in slabs and tiles that will appeal to the best interests of our clients.
Liaison with quarry's, builders and architects
By connecting the quarry, builder and architect at the early stages of the project, Viva Natural Stone is able to provide a vital connection between the design and construction phases.
Commercial Contracting
We are the most reputable stone manufacturer in Perth, which is evident by our list of current and completed projects, which are a testimony to our ability to perform jobs to the highest possible standards. Viva Stone prides itself on delivering all projects on time and within budget.


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on the air
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
on (the) air
Broadcasting live, as on television or radio. Please try to control your language, we can't have any cursing while we're on air. Places, everyone! We're on the air in five, four, three….
on the air
broadcasting (a radio or television program). The radio station came back on the air shortly after the storm. We were on the air for two hours.
on the air
see under off the air.


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Girl Knitting by Albert Anker
Girl Knitting by Albert Anker is creative inspiration for us. Get more photo about related with by looking at photos gallery at the bottom of this page.
We are want to say thanks if you like to share this post to another people via your facebook, pinterest, google plus or twitter account.
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The BBC's news website was yesterday borne down under an impossibly vast volume of traffic, and remained offline whilst technicians shook their heads, whistled inwards between their teeth like 1950s workmen, and said "Tricky; looks like this could be expensive guv".
Apparently the problem was that a huge number of hits was generated by an innocuous seeming article, about an American study suggesting chocolate consumption might help keep you thin.
Moments after the article appeared, every fat person in Britain virtually fell off their chairs, slamming their pudgy fingers on the mouse or keyboard repeatedly, in their haste to open the webpage.
BBC Health correspondent, Fats Waller, sat down on a chair which creaked dangerously, and tried to explain what had happened, "The problem [wheeze] is that [wheeze] – sorry there were like nine stairs up to the office – [wheeze] phew, I think the website isn't [wheeze] – look; sorry I'm a bit short of breath, can we discuss this later?"
Using a special keyboard with extra-large keys, navigable by fingers the size of aubergines, scientist Orson Welles tweeted "Chocolate is good for you? I'm on my way down to Mr Patel's and today it's going to be two plastic bags, not just the usual one! I'll be running marathons in no time."
Britain's most popular man, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said "I think there's a danger that through populist headlinemongering – yes, that's right, I said 'headlinemongering' – the BBC is going to give the impression that it is fine to indulge in – Aaaarrrghhhh!" as unfortunately a large herd of roly-polies crushed him in their effort to get to the Ministry's seriously over-used snack machine.
People all over the country very slowly stampeded into shops, and bought up entire shelves of chocolate bars, leading supermarket chains Tesco and Sainsbury's to ask the government to set up a chocolate rationing system.
"Fuck the drought," said a spokesman for the campaign, "We're going to be out of chocolate if we aren't careful. In a country where two thirds of the adult population is overweight! Do you have any idea how bad this could get? Have you seen 28 Days Later? Where everyone is eating each other? That's what it will be like!"
Large commedienne Dawn French (who isn't funny, so perhaps we should just say 'Large Dawn French') said through a mouthful of food, "MMmmff mmf mmf mf, unh unh mf MMF mmf".
Which is of course indisputably true.
TMB would like to announce that we utterly refute allegations that we are in any way endorsing fattism. We're much thinner than you.


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Miniskirts, fishnet stockings, feather boas. It all sounds sexy - 'til you realize it's being sported by that every-girl-wants-one Bratz doll. If you're hoping that this sexual offense is an isolated incident, it's not. From "naughty and nice" shoe ads featuring a schoolgirl clad, lollipop licking pop star to "wink wink" thongs sized for 7- to 10-year-olds, big business is out to sexualize your youth.
Add to this the fact that almost every type of media has long been doing the same, and we've got major problems. With television, movies, magazines, video games, sports media, music videos, and the Internet bombarding young people with sexual messages and imagery daily, the consequences are damaging.
According to a report by the American Psychological Association, sexualized images seen in advertising, merchandising, and the media are causing harm. Youth are suffering from a number of physical and mental effects, with their well-being, sexuality, attitudes, beliefs, and cognitive functioning all impacted for the worse.
The body of research has reported that:
• Self-objectification takes away from one's ability to concentrate, leading to impaired performance on mental activities. One study found that female college students who were asked to try on a swimsuit versus sweater before taking a math test did significantly worse on the test. (No difference was found for males.) Researchers concluded that their mental capacity was disrupted by body thoughts and comparisons to sexualized cultural ideals.
• Imagery depicting sexualization and objectification lead to shame, anxiety, and self-disgust, all undermining one's confidence in and comfort with one's body. Such leads to the three most common mental health problems in females: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.
• Self-objectification impacts sexual health negatively, with adolescent females less assertive, e.g., decreased condom use when sexually active, and having unrealistic or negative expectations about one's sexuality.
• Females who consume a great deal of mainstream media content are more supportive of sexual stereotypes that depict females as sex objects. Feminists may find this forgivable in considering that girls are basically being taught to model femininity that's sexual, e.g., assuming a bodily posture indicating sexual readiness. They also regard physical appearance and attractiveness at the heart of a woman's value.
Yes, these findings are disheartening. But collectively, parents, caregivers, and other important people in a youth's life can counter these negative effects. This begins with the following...
Take responsibility as a parent. It's harsh to hear, but parents contribute to a youth's sexualization in making it a goal for their youth to be physically attractive. They reinforce the need to be appealing and sexy in buying products and clothes intended for such. Some even support or encourage plastic surgery in attaining a certain standard of beauty.
So don't be afraid to say "no" when a child requests a toy, article of clothing, type of make up, or whatever "must have" that can contribute to negative sexual messages. Just be sure to explain why you will not support their request, especially as they get older.
Have rules around media exposure. Control a child's exposure to sexual imagery and pop culture content related to such. Encourage creative play that doesn't involve turning on the boob tube or media exposure.
When you do tune into the media, know the rating systems used for content violence, language, and suggestive themes. Limit screen time and watch the programming with your child. Use any inappropriate scenes as teachable moments. Here, you process what has taken place, imparting your values in countering the negative messaging.
Know what your child is up to outside of your home. Get to know what's being watched by your child's peers and in their homes. Look at the content yourself or read descriptions about it. Parents and caretakers, work together in making sure that all of your homes are positive environments for youth.
Work with your youth's school. Schools should be encouraged to provide media literacy training in fighting the effects of sexualization. Youth should be taught the skills needed in exposing themselves to media. Such efforts should be complemented with extracurricular activities that boost one's self-esteem, as well as comprehensive sex education.
Find good role models for your youth. This can even be you, especially if you work at fostering a caring relationship, one where a youth will seriously weigh your opinion to that of others. Having positive people to look up to will help in fighting narrow or negative stereotypes about the genders and allow for greater comfortability when it comes to embracing the self.
Become a sex educator. It's important to talk to your kids about sex, one's sexuality and what it means to be sexually healthy and in a healthy, intimate relationship. Equipping your child with your views on sex will help to counter any brainwashing effects of what they're seeing.
Get your hands on So Sexy So Soon. This book, by Drs. Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne, guides parents and caregivers from the early years to the "tween" years in grappling with youth sexualization. It's packed with ideas on how to protect your youth from negative sex messaging, including those around gender, relationships, body image, and sexual violence.
Finally, last, but certainly not least, talk to the young males in your life about how they're being sexualized. While one study in Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research & Treatment found that 85% of magazine ads sexualize girls rather than boys, it's important not to overlook how males are being victimized. The sexualization of females can have a negative impact on them as well.
Research in Psychology of Men and Masculinity reported that being exposed to narrow ideals around female sexual attractiveness may make it hard for some males to find a partner he finds "acceptable." He may also find it difficult to wholly enjoy being intimate with her.
With the percentage of ads which sexualize youth increasing every year, we need to start countering the messaging - and aggressively at that. It's up to us, and not advertising, merchandising, or the media, to create an environment in which everyone can feel sexually healthy.