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Helen Mirren is a screen-Queen yet again as new play goes global
Queen of the world: Helen Mirren in The Audience
A global audience will be able to see Helen Mirren's tour de force as the Queen in the new West End play The Audience, because it's coming to a cinema near you!
The gripping show, written by Peter Morgan and directed by Stephen Daldry, is in previews at the Gielgud theatre.
I caught the first performance before I flew to the US.
Morgan's still tweaking it, and Daldry and his cast are still finessing and streamlining.
But it has sold close to £4 million worth of tickets — and its limited run on Shaftesbury Avenue means it is going to be huge.
The piece is funny and poignant, exploring the Queen's relationships with her 12 Prime Ministers, from Churchill to Cameron.
The Audience will be filmed and broadcast live from the Gielgud Theatre as part of the National Theatre Live programme on June 13.
It is live in the UK on that date, but screening times may vary in other parts of the world (NT Live is beamed to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, India and South Africa; visit ntlive.com for home and overseas venues).
If you can't get a ticket to the West End show, this is the way to see it — and I can tell you it's not to be missed.
Mirren did her first NT Live show when she played Phedre at the National Theatre.
The picture below shows the Queen and her younger self (Nell Williams) during John Major's term in office. Her Majesty and the Prime Minister have just clashed over the future of the royal yacht Britannia.
Can't wait to see how Morgan and Daldry shape the show for opening night March 5.
The evening I was in, two corgis (played by Lizzy and Rocky) were scene-stealing stars in the making.
The real Queen has to see this. It's one of the cultural gems of her reign.
Her Majesty returns: Helen Mirren will play Queen Elizabeth II on screen yet again as her new West End play The Audience, where she reprises her role as the monarch, will be filmed and broadcast live
Silver lined rumours for Jennifer
The word from Oscar voters seems to be that Jennifer Lawrence will win best actress for Silver Linings Playbook, director David O Russell's study of romance against a backdrop of mental illness.
I just love the heat leading man Bradley Cooper and Lawrence generate when they're on screen together.
However, a couple of Academy members cautioned that Emmanuelle Riva, the star of Amour (who will turn 86 on Oscar day), is gaining on Lawrence.
Oscar on-screen heat: Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook
There is also Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible) waiting in the wings to swoop if there's a split.
Ben Affleck's film Argo will win best film — unless Harvey Weinstein's brilliant late efforts on behalf of Silver Linings Playbook pay off, or Steven Spielberg's Lincoln sneaks in and grabs it.
Voters say Ang Lee (Life Of Pi) and Spielberg are neck and neck for best director.
00-heaven! Bassey steps up to celebrate 50 years of Bond
Bond bound: Dame Shirley Bassey, pictured on route to LA to prepare for her Bond-themed Oscars performance
Shirley Bassey, the Dame from Cardiff's Tiger Bay, is rehearsing to give what she hopes will be the performance of a lifetime at the Oscars.
Dame Shirley will be offering a salute to Bond films on their 50th birthday. She's been associated with Ian Fleming's creation for just as long, having sung the title number for three Bond pictures.
'It's a dream come true to sing at the Oscars,' Dame Shirley told me via email when I contacted her.
She has spent the week rehearsing her spot, having gowns fitted, and enjoying Los Angeles. She wants to look her best for the red carpet and the awards show.
Goldfinger, written by John Barry with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, was her first encounter with 007 in 1964.
Seven years later, Barry got her in to give life to Don Black's lyrics for Diamonds Are Forever. Barry told her to be seductive and to think of a man's most vital part when she performed.
Indeed, if you check out Black's words you'll get an idea of what Barry meant.
Then, in 1979, Dame Shirley collaborated on Moonraker.
The song choice for Sunday's Oscar show is being kept secret, though there are those who think Dame Shirley might sing a medley of all three.
It's a huge night for the James Bond franchise. Adele will be singing the Oscar-nominated — and Brit award-winning — Skyfall. (There was chatter about her performing with Dame Shirley, but I don't think that's going to happen.) And the movie has four other nominations.
Daniel Craig is expected to be at the ceremony, but the other actors who have played Bond will not be participating.
As I revealed last week, Sam Mendes is inching towards directing Bond 24 next year, but he won't sign on the dotted line till he sees a completed screenplay by John Logan.
Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, two of the most astute executives in the business, are on their way out to LA for the awards show. Broccoli told me it was such an honour for Skyfall to be awarded the Bafta for Best British Film — the first time a Bond film has won the prestigious honour.
She was particularly chuffed because, as she noted: 'Britain is the home of Bond' and 'we really appreciate the support from both the film community, and the UK public'.
She added: 'We're now really looking forward to the Oscars and are touched they are organising a special sequence as a tribute to our 50th anniversary.'
The Skyfall DVD has just been released and is already selling in staggering numbers.
Clint Eastwood, who was out and about dining in West Hollywood the other night. He was sitting at the very next table to me at the famed Il Piccolino restaurant and told me he's happy not to be in the running for an Oscar this season.
'I can watch it at home, which is the best way, believe me — unless you're nominated and have to be there,' said the star, who has his fair share of Academy Award trophies.
It took me a moment to realise he was dining with Joe Hyams, a one-time marketing legend at Warner Brothers. Hyams and his European counterpart Julian Senior used to make my life hell (probably had something to do with gate crashing a Superman picture in a helicopter so I could witness the superdude in tights, flying). But I loved them for it, because it was so much fun fighting with these big beasts of the business. They knew their stuff, and so few do now.
Anyway, Silvio De Mori, who runs Il Piccolino with Eddie Kerkhofs, told me they're catering the Vanity Fair Oscar supper party on Sunday and they'll be serving their mouth-watering signature pesto pasta.
The sauce, from a Genovese recipe, is made fresh several times a day. Left-overs (in the rare event there are any) aren't refrigerated — just chucked away.
Naomi Watts who looks terrific in a few minutes of footage I've seen from the film Diana, where she portrays Princess Diana, pursuing a romance with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.
The casting of Watts was a masterstroke and she gives the film class. The movie will open in the UK in the autumn, following (backers hope) a gala at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Samantha Barks, who gave her final performances as Nancy in Oliver! on stage in Bristol on Wednesday night. She arrived in LA yesterday and headed straight off to rehearse a Les Miserables musical number along with co-stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit and Helena Bonham Carter.
It's part of a huge musical celebration (as revealed here first!). They'll be singing One Day More, while Hathaway will perform I Dreamed A Dream. Director and choreographer Rob Ashford will be putting the actors through their paces.
Jennifer Hudson and Catherine Zeta Jones will also be strutting their stuff on the night, and Oscar host Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth will perform a special finale number.
Barbra Streisand will be performing, too, and there will be one or two other surprises.
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As the mercury level is on a rise throughout the country, why not make it to one of the Indian beaches and beat the summer? In a country that is surrounded by vast open seas and oceans, there is no dearth of playful beaches. And, when it comes to virgin beaches, India also has a myriad list of names that will make the best of your beach holidays!
Image Credit: Wikipedia
A contrast to the usual ones, these virgin beaches not only allures the visitors with their untouched beauty, but also fondles the visitors with their irresistible charm. Let's go through some of these sandy delights across the country and shed off all the heat and sweats this summer…
Marari Beach, Kerala:
Located in the quaint hamlet of Mararikkulam in Alleppey or Alappuzha, this scenic beach one of the most picturesque virgin beaches in the country. Unlike the other scenic beaches in Kerala, Marari Beach offers the much deserved peace, serenity and tranquillity amidst the playful waves and golden sands.
Image Credit: EaglElla – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Marari Beach is between late-December to March. While June-July and October-December experiences heavy showers, April-May witnesses a sudden rise in the temperature.
How to Reach: For those travelling by train, they can reach this beach from Alleppey (11km), and those opting for flights, can make it from Kochi Airport (60km)
Nearest Popular City: Alleppey (13km) & Kochi (44km)
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Famed as one of the best beaches in Asia, Radhanagar Beach is a must visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands is known for its untouched beauty and alluring charm. While the azure and groovy waters will tickle your senses, the serenity that dwells on this beach will surely make you fall for it.
Image Credit: ASIM CHAUDHURI – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Spring (October to May) is the ideal time to visit Radhanagar Beach.
How to Reach: It can be easily reached by a seaplane ride from Port Blair or boat rides from Havelock Island.
Nearest Popular City: Port Blair (72km)
Packages: Best Andaman Holiday Packages
For Best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Click here.
For best things to do in Andaman and Nicobar Click here.
For Perfect stays in Andaman and Nicobar Click here.
Budget-Friendly Honeymoon packages
For more information, Visit:– https://www.thrillophilia.com/states/andaman-and-nicobar-islands
St. Mary's Beach, Karnataka:
Besides being an important pilgrimage, Udupi in Karnataka also serves as the home to the gorgeous St. Mary's Island. Embraced by the enchanting charm of the Arabian Sea, the beachfront of this island with its amazing basalt rock formations is yet to be explored, and its virgin beauty can behold its visitors with an ease.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: December is the best time to visit this beach.
How to Reach: A 15 minutes boat ride from Malpe Beach will take you to St. Mary's Island.
Nearest Popular City: Udupi (12km)
Click for places to visit on your trip to Bangalore
Agatti Beach, Lakshadweep:
Lakshadweep might be the smallest Union Territories in the country, but when it comes to stunning islands and virgin beaches, it outshines almost all the other destinations. Among the 36 coral islands in Lakshadweep, the Agatti Island is known to be one of the most scenic and salubrious one. Also, the alluring charm and swaying beauty of Agatti's beachfronts truly makes it for a serene holiday experience.
Image Credit: swiss.frog – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Agatti Island can be visited almost round the year. However, May to September is considered as the ideal time.
How to Reach: Cochin or Kochi is the ideal place to embark on a journey to Agatti Island. From here, you can either take the sea-route or direct flights.
Nearest Popular City: Kochi (457km/90 Minutes Flight Journey)
[Also see places for backpacking in India]
Cavelossim Beach, Goa:
The Cavelossim Beach in Goa is a treasure trove, where the nature plays the different melodies of nature, the waves cater to its rhythm and the golden sands allow you to soak in the beauty and allurement. Overlooking the confluence of the gurgling Sal River and the great Arabian Sea, this virgin beach is jotted with quaint hillocks and lush greeneries.
Image Credit: Josefina Casals – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: This virgin beach bears a pleasant climate round the year. However November to March is considered as the ideal visiting time.
How to Reach: Dabolim Airport is around 25km from Cavelossim. You can also make it to the island from Margaon Railway Station (Junction) which is around 10km.
Nearest Popular City: Margao (18km)
Yarada Beach, Andhra Pradesh:
Away from the usual crowd, the Yarada Beach in Vishakhapatnam is a true artwork of the nature. Adorned by captivating hills and groovy thickets on three sides and the stunning Bay of Bengal on the other, this magical beach is still untouched from the hands of commercialisation and lies in the most pristine form.
Image Credit: Rajib Ghosh – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Starting from November, you can visit this beach till February. Avoid visiting during March-May or the summer and June-September or the monsoon.
How to Reach: Private taxi, auto or bus ride from Vishakhapatnam.
Nearest Popular City: Vishakhapatnam (15km)
Samudra Beach, Kerala:
Overlooking the other two beaches in Kovalam: Hawah and Samudra, the Lighthouse Beach proves to be an ideal retreat. Fringed with evergreen coconut groves and an ancient lighthouse (from where the beach got its name), this sandy retreat in Kerala is an ideal escapade from the humdrums of city life.
Image Credit: Mehul Antani – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Though this beach can be visited round the year, try to avoid summer or March-May as the temperature can rise up to 37 Degrees.
How to Reach: Train journey to Trivandrum Central (11km) or flight to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (10km) and then local ride to the beach.
Nearest Popular City: Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum (18km)
[Check out places for scuba diving in India]
Bangaram Beach, Lakshadweep:
Blue lagoons, enchanting coral reefs and pleasant ambience of the Bangaram Island makes it one of the most desired retreat in the Lakshadweep Islands. A scenic and picturesque atoll, it is among the very few places to visit in this chain of islands, and its beachfront is still to explore. It is also among the very few places in Lakshadweep that are open to both Indian and also non-Indian tourists as well.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: Winter or October-March is the ideal time to visit this beach. While March-May can be humid and hot as well, June-August experiences heavy showers and December-February gets cooler around this island.
How to Reach: Boat rides from Agatti Island will take you to Bangaram Beach; you can also board a ship from Kochi that takes around 20 hours to reach the island.
Nearest Popular City: Kochi (457km/90 Minutes Flight Journey)
Nagoa Beach, Diu:
Nestled amidst a quaint village called, this virgin beach in Daman and Diu resembles much to the shape of a horse-shoe. The largest among all the beaches in this union territory, it truly makes for a salubrious experience with the emerald water, playful sands and the lush greeneries around.
Image Credit: Owen Lin – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Make it to this beach during April to October
How to Reach: Taxi rides from Diu or train ride to Vereval followed by taxi ride.
Nearest Popular City: Diu (7km)
[Don't miss out list of beautiful waterfalls of India]
Serenity Beach, Pondicherry:
A walk along the Serenity Beach in Pondicherry is something that will help you relax and rejuvenate amidst the golden sands and waves crushing at your feet. Even if you do not want to indulge in any of the activities while at this beach, you can simply bask the sun and spend your day as lazily while witnessing the alluring charm of the Bay of Bengal.
Image Credit: Abhinav Bhatt – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: September to March or November to February is the best time to visit Serenity Beach.
How to Reach: Private taxi or cab rides from Pondicherry Domestic Airport, Railway and Bus Station. All of these are located within a radius of 5km.
Nearest Popular City: Pondicherry & Puduvai (both around 5km)
[Release your tension at the best places of Pondicherry]
Cherai Beach, Kerala:
The striking beauty and grace of this virgin beach in Ernakulam, Kerala, got it the fame of being the 'Princess of the Arabian Sea'. Measuring 15km in length, this charismatic beach in God's Own Country is an ideal destination for surfing, swimming and sun bathing. Though it is less crowded than Varkala and Kovalam beaches, one can enjoy water sports like speed boat rides, canoeing and water scooter rides on this beach.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: Depending on the weather and climate, January-February and October-December is considered as the ideal time to visit Cherai Beach.
How to Reach: Taxi rides from Ernakulam Junction (1km) or from Cochin International Airport (20km)
Packages: Best Kerala Holiday Tour Packages
Nearest Popular City: Kochi (34km)
Agonda Beach, Goa:
Relax, swim, enjoy sun-basking or simply just laze around the Agonda Beach in Goa; no matter what you indulge into, you will be promised with pleasant moments! One of the very few virgin beaches in the country that is ideal to stay cut-off from the hustle and bustles of life, it has been acclaimed as the 'Best Beach in India' and has also been included in the list of 'Top 3 Beaches in Asia'.
Image Credit: Klaquax – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: December-February is the peak time for visitors to this beach. However, if you want to avoid the usual rush, November-March will be the best time for you.
How to Reach: It can be reached within a 2 hours' drive from Dabolim Ariport and around 1 hour from Canacona Railway Station in Goa.
Nearest Popular City: Margao (39km), Panjim (70km)
Shiroda Beach, Maharashtra:
Though this stunning beach in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra is located very close to Goa, it still offers a calm and pristine ambience that is untouched by the maddening crowd. Also, while around this virgin beach, you can visit tourist attractions like Therekhol Fort, Aronda Backwaters and few other destinations.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: October to mid-February is considered as the ideal time to visit this beach.
How to Reach: Shiroda Beach can be easily reached by air from Dabolim, Goa and by Konkan Railway from Sawantwadi.
Nearest Popular City: Vengurla (16km)
[Click here to know about sightseeing places in Mumbai]
Elephant Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Around 20 minutes away from the scenic Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Elephant Beach is yet another wonder to explore! With astounding coral reefs, the playful white sands and the emerald water around the beach makes it a must visit beach in Andaman. Well, for the marine life and water lovers, a visit to Elephant Beach is no less than a dream come true!
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: October-May or spring is the best time to visit Elephant Beach.
How to Reach: A boat ride from Port Blair or Havelock Island will take you to this virgin beach.
Nearest Popular City: Port Blair (70km)
Dhanushkodi Beach, Tamil Nadu:
Situated at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, this virgin beach in the Dhanushkodi Town of Tamil Nadu is known for its magical beauty and mythological linkages as well. According to the legends, while on the pursuit to rescue Mother Sita, Lord Rama built the 'Adam's Bridge' or the 'Ram Setu' that connected Sri Lanka. Along with pleasant moments, the shallow and clear water around this beach also allows the visitors to delve deep and witness the exotic marine life around.
Image Credit: Feng Zhong – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: November to December and February is the best time to visit Dhanushkodi Beach. Temperature might drop down to extreme during January and can rise up during the summer.
How to Reach: Drive from Madurai Airport which is around 175km or from Rameswaram (20km).
Nearest Popular City: Madurai (188km)
Benaulim Beach, Goa:
Goa has got a lot of places to visit but its beaches make it special. Not all the beaches in Goa is about party, maddening crowd and electrifying ambience. The party capital also has some of the most pristine and tranquil virgin beaches in the country; Benaulim Beach is one of them. Along with spending quiet and lively moments, you can also indulge in some of the water sports and activities like dolphin spotting, parasailing, jet skiing, boat rides and some other activities as well.
[Also check out 100 beautiful tourist attractions in India]
Image Credit: peter barwick – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Best time to visit this beach is the monsoon or October-March.
How to Reach: Karmali Railway Station and Dabolim Airport are the nearest points to reach Benaulim Beach.
Nearest Popular City: Margao (10km)
Muzhappilangad Drive in Beach, Kerala:
One among the very few drive-in beaches in the country; and the only one in Kerala, the Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is the most popular. Measuring around 4km in length, it runs parallel to the NH-66 and is a true delight for the visitors who love to drive along the long stretches of golden sands. Guarded by fascinating black rock formation, it is also a safe and ideal place where you can get into the azure water and have a fun-filled day.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: January-March and July-December is the best time to visit Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach.
How to Reach: It can be reached either from the Thalassery or Kannur Railway Stations; 7km and 15km. For those travelling by flight, they can drive to this beach from Kozhikode International Airport (100 km).
Nearest Popular City: Kannur (15km)
Ganpatipule Beach, Maharashtra:
Known to be the most gorgeous virgin beach along the Konkan Coastline, Ganpatipule Beach in Maharashtra is a treasure trove for those who seek peace, serenity and silent moments while on a beach. Located in the quaint town of Ganpatipule in the Ratnagiri district, the beachside is embraced by lush greeneries, scenic coconut groves and the far-away evergreen agricultural fields.
Image Credit: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Late October/November to mid-February is the best time to visit this beach. Try and avoid visiting in May as the temperature rises abruptly and June-October as it is the time for monsoons.
How to Reach: Ganpatipule Beach is well connected with Nivali Village (32km) by road and Bhoke has the nearest railway station.
Click here places to go on your Pune trip
Nearest Popular City: Ratnagiri (25km)
Cola Beach, Goa:
Jotted with swaying coconut groves, the serene and pristine ambience of the Cola Beach in Goa is something that will soothe your mind and soul with an ease. Located only 5km from the Agonda Beach in Goa, this virgin sandy retreat is a true contrast to the usual beachside hassles and crowd in the state.
Image Credit: Skinnyde – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: If you are planning for a visit to the Cola Beach, you should plan it between October and February.
How to Reach: A taxi or cab ride from Madgaon Railway Junction (31km) or from Dabolim Airport (48km) is the best way to reach this virgin beach.
Nearest Popular City: Panjim (67km)
Ramakrishna Beach, Andhra Pradesh:
Also known as the RK Beach, the Ramakrishna Beach is among the very few virgin beaches in Andhra Pradesh. Located within a close proximity to Visakhapatnam, this heavenly retreat is known for its untouched beauty and the INS Kursura Submarine Park, the home to the Kalvari-class submarine in India.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: October to March is considered as the best time to visit the RK Beach.
How to Reach: A short drive from Visakhapatnam is the easiest way to reach this virgin beach.
Nearest Popular City: Visakhapatnam (16km)
Bekal Beach, Kerala:
Kerala is truly the God's Own Country. Be it the silent backwaters or the alluring virgin beaches, this scenic land proves to be a true delight for its visitors. One among the many different beaches, the Bekal Beach in Kasaragod region of Kerala is known for its kaleidoscopic and exotic beauty. Shallow water, pleasant climate and the fortifying Bekal Fort on this beach make it a must visit retreat in Kerala. In addition, one can enjoy goa carnival with your family and friends.
Image Credit: Hari Prasad Nadig – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Winter or December-February is the best time to visit Bekal Beach.
How to Reach: One can reach this beach from Mangalore Airport (50km) or from the Kasargod/Kanhangad Railway Station (12km).
Nearest Popular City: Mangalore (69km)
[Also check out some of the beautiful places in Mangalore]
Mochemad Beach, Maharashtra:
Around 10km from the quaint town of Vengurla in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, the Mochemad Beach is yet another marvel of the nature! Pristine and untouched by the outer world, this sandy retreat is located in a village with the same name and is tucked away between the route from Shiroda to Vengurla.
Image Credit: Thomas Alex – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Summer and monsoon are not preferred due to the extreme temperature and heavy rainfall in this region. Ideally, October-February is the best time to visit this virgin beach.
How to Reach: A taxi ride from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station (55km) or from Dabolim Airport (50km) is the best way to reach Mochemad Beach. If you plan to travel by road, you can follow the Vengurla route.
Nearest Popular City: Vengurla (9km)
Varca Beach, Goa:
A paradise in Varca, Goa; this virgin beach is ideal for the leisure seekers. Located in the South Goa district, Varca Beach is such a destination, where every moment brings you joy and merriment along with the crushing waves and the pleasant sea breeze. Also, while on this beach, you can always visit the sacred Our Lady of Gloria Church that is located within a close proximity to the beach.
Image Credit: CK – Flickr
Best Time to Visit: Whether summer or winter, Varca Beach always offers a pleasant climate. However, the best time to visit this beach is between November-March.
How to Reach: Dabolim Airport is situated around 32km and Margao Railway Station is around 14km from the beach.
Nearest Popular City: Benaulim (2km)
Talasari Beach, Orissa:
Jotted with scenic palm and coconout groves, Talasari Beach in the Baleswar district of Odisha is also among the most stunning virgin beaches in India. Located in the northernmost corner of Odisha, this beach is known for its rewarding sunrise and sunset views. Not thronged like the other beaches in the state, it has retained its pristine beauty and charm in the best possible ways. Amazing sand dunes all across, mild waves and the lush greeneries around add to the magical beauty of the Talasari Beach.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Best Time to Visit: October-December and February is the best time to visit Talasari Beach.
How to Reach: If you are travelling by air, Bhubaneswar Airport (300km) will be best option. For those opting for train journey, Jaleshwar (36km) has the closest railway station. One can also drive to the beach from Digha; it takes around 4 hours to reach.
Nearest Popular City: Digha (10km)
Ganga beach, Gokarna:
Unlike most of the Gokarna beaches, Ganga Beach is one of the secluded paradise and is still untouched by the hands of commercialisation. Fringed with ancient lighthouse and scenic groves all around, this virgin beach in Gokarna, Karnataka is located within half an hour from the popular Om Beach.
Best Time to Visit: Though Ganga Beach can be visited all-round the year, November-February is considered as the best time to visit.
How to Reach: For those travelling by air, Dabolim Airport is the closest airport to this beach. If you are travelling by train, Gokarna Road Station will be the nearest point to reach Ganga Beach.
Nearest Popular City: Mangalore (7km approx.)
Don't like beaches? Visit the amazing places in Arunachal Pradesh in your next holiday tour of Arunachal Pradesh.
[Also see resorts to stay in Gokarna]
Explore a thrilling holiday with various Leh Ladakh packages at Thrillophilia. Book today & avail discounts! Also, check out the distance between Manali and Leh and enjoy the packages of a bike trip to Leh.
If you are planning to visit Bhutan , Here are the popular tourist places to visit in Bhutan

subset: commoncrawl


text:
No 5 Castle Crescent, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye. IV55 8WE
(to be returned to: firstname.lastname@example.com)
Dear Guests,
Thank you for booking with us and we hope you have a wonderful stay both in our house and our beautiful Island. In order for us to make the transfer as efficient as possible we would ask that you complete the following booking form. This ensures that nobody is left hanging around should your travel arrangements change unexpectedly (e.g. late or cancelled flights, car breakdown etc) and allows us to make alternative meeting arrangements and key drop/collection so we would be grateful if you would read, complete and return the form as soon as possible.
Your Info for us:
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Number of children and age;
(We put little sweets for the kids in the welcome hamper)
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Please specify breed, sex and age;
Estimated time of arrival at property
(Note no entry prior to 4pm);
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Booking guide, Terms and conditions and cancellation guide
• I/we agree to leave the house clean and tidy and undertake to keep all furniture, fixtures, furnishings, content and decoration in the same state of repair and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted) as they were at the beginning of the let, and to report all breakages and damage to the Owner's.
• I/we undertake to occupy the house for a holiday only, and to vacate it at the end of the period booked.
• I/we agree on behalf of me and my party that the holiday is taken at my/our own risk, and that I/we will take out any appropriate personal/travel insurance.
• I/we accept that once the booking has been confirmed the rent for the whole period will become payable. A non-refundable deposit of £100 is due upon confirmation with the balance payable six weeks before the start of the rental period.
Lets commences at 4.00 pm on arrival date and end at 10.00am on departure date. Weekly bookings normally run from Saturday to Saturday.
• Full contact details for the guest organising the booking are required plus names and ages of other guests
• Central heating, electricity, other services, Egyptian cotton bed linen and towels are included in the letting cost.
• Booking deposit required £100 with remainder paid in full, 6 weeks before arrival. (Your booking is not confirmed until funds have been cleared. This deposit is non-refundable.) For bookings made within 6 weeks of the arrival date, full payment is due at time of booking.
• Charges are from £395 to £750 per week or part thereof (please refer to our Rates & Availability chart for details, and contact us with proposed dates to change status to 'offered'. Please note that firm bookings require a booking form to be submitted and £100 non refundable deposit to have been paid.
• All care will be taken to ensure that your holiday is as private, as peaceful and as satisfying as you would wish in this beautiful place.
• Obtaining keys. We can arrange to meet you at the house should you know your arrival time or will leave the house open and the keys left in a safe place should we be unable to meet you.
• To help us maintain the high standard of the property, clients are asked to respect the house, gardens and the fittings, furniture and equipment. They should be left in the same clean, tidy condition and state of repair at the end of the letting period as at the beginning. Please advise us if any breakage or damage should occur during your stay.
Replacement will be charged at cost.
• All guests are responsible for their own travel insurance and that Robbie & Barbara are not liable for any injury or damage to your belongings during your stay.
• House rules; No smoking, pets only by prior arrangement – Only well behaved dogs are welcome by prior agreement in the house. Owners must keep their dog under careful control at all times and not allow the pet on the furniture.
Maximum occupancy: 6 persons.
Smoking is not permitted within the house.
• Parking is available outside the front of the property in car space designated for no 5
• 'Act of God' clause – Please note that Robbie and Barbara cannot be held responsible for natural disasters and other events out of our control. Guests should take out adequate travel insurance to cover them in the event of such circumstances
It is taken that you agree to abide by these conditions once you have made a firm booking and we have accepted your deposit.
The renter is responsible for any material downloaded from the internet at the property during the period of occupation of the property. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Payment details
Bank Transfer available, account details given once booking confirmed by completing and sending the booking form.
Cheque (in Sterling)
Cheques should be made payable to:
Mrs Barbara Maclean, 10 Castle Crescent, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8WE
We also accept paypal payments.
What to do if you need to cancel a booking;
Should you need to cancel your booking, please note that you may be covered by your travel insurance for cancellation due to circumstances such as:
• death (either of a member of the holiday party or a close relative), illness, redundancy, jury/witness service, being unable to travel due to the weather (ie flooding and heavy snowfall) or an accident en-route.
You should let us know as early as possible that you need to cancel, we will endeavour to arrange an alternative date for you if possible. However, if it is unavoidable that you have to cancel, please see our table for details of how much refund we will honour. Time frame for refunds;
Days until arrival Refund;
56+ days Full cost less £100 non refundable booking fee
29-56 days 50 per cent of total cost less £100 non refundable booking fee
15-28 days 10 per cent of total cost less £100 non refundable booking fee
0-14 Nothing refunded
We require a confirmation of receipt of any refund.
Should Robbie & Barbara have to cancel your booking for any reason, you will be offered a full refund, if we are unable to offer you an alternative date.
Property Details, 5 Castle Crescent, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV56 8WE
Meeting and key collection:
Our property post code is IV55 8WE. It can be found on Google Maps; simply copy and paste the Google Map link into your browser http://maps.google.com/ and paste our property post code to view its location.
Once we have received your completed form, we can confirm final arrangements regarding time and meeting point and collection of key etc.
Please Take a Copy and Give Us a Ring!
Remember to take a copy of this sheet with our contact details so you can ring us if your travel arrangements change and a printout of the Google Map to ensure you don't get lost.
We would be most grateful if you would give us a call half an hour before you arrive at the property so we can be there to meet with you and if you have been delayed, please make sure you let us know asap.
Our contact telephone numbers are 01470 521330 / 07598 130354 alternatively you can email us at email@example.com.
We look forward to seeing you and hope you have a good, safe journey.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Kind regards
Robbie & Barbara MacLean


text:
|Hardcopy (shipping and handling)
Historical Version(s) - view previous versions of standard
Translated Version(s): Russian
More D02.04.0L Standards Related Products Standard References
Significance and Use
5.1 Test methods to determine oxygenates, benzene, and the aromatic content of gasoline are necessary to assess product quality and to meet new fuel regulations.
5.2 This test method can be used for gasolines that contain oxygenates (alcohols and ethers) as additives. It has been determined that the common oxygenates found in finished gasoline do not interfere with the analysis of benzene and other aromatics by this test method.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of oxygenates: methyl-t-butylether (MTBE), di-isopropyl ether (DIPE), ethyl-t-butylether (ETBE), t-amylmethyl ether (TAME), methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), 2-propanol (2-PrOH), t-butanol (t-BuOH), 1-propanol (1-PrOH), 2-butanol (2-BuOH), i-butanol (i-BuOH), 1-butanol (1-BuOH); benzene, toluene and C8–C12 aromatics, and total aromatics in finished motor gasoline by gas chromatography/Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FTIR).
1.2 This test method covers the following concentration ranges: 0.1 volume % to 20 volume % per component for ethers and alcohols; 0.1 volume % to 2 volume % benzene; 1 volume % to 15 volume % for toluene, 10 volume % to 40 volume % total (C6–C12) aromatics.
1.3 The method has not been tested by ASTM for refinery individual hydrocarbon process streams, such as reformates, fluid catalytic cracking naphthas, etc., used in blending of gasolines.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as Analytical Standards
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 27.060.10 (Liquid and solid fuel burners); 71.040.50 (Physicochemical methods of analysis)
UNSPSC Code
UNSPSC Code 15101506(Gasoline or Petrol)
|Link Here
|Link to Active (This link will always route to the current Active version of the standard.)
Citation Format
ASTM D5986-96(2015), Standard Test Method for Determination of Oxygenates, Benzene, Toluene, C


text:
Live Oak Landing
229 Pitts Ave
Freeport, FL 32439
(877) 436-5063
Location: 30.43048, -86.11936
Other Amenities & Services
Recreational Facilities
Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
On-Site Rentals
Customer Reviews
Reviews: 3
Helpful Reviews: 3
Reviews: 12
Helpful Reviews: 11
Reviews: 4
Helpful Reviews: 3
Reviews: 1
Helpful Reviews: 1
RV Guest_CanoeU70
Reviews: 8
Helpful Reviews: 8
How to Read Good Sam Directory Ratings
The three-number rating that accompanies each campground listing in the directory gives readers an at-a-glance assessment of a campground's amenities, cleanliness and environment.
How to read the Good Sam Rating 10/10 /10.
All three ratings categories are measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.Less than 1 percent of parks or campgrounds receive the coveted 10 / 10 / 10 rating, which indicates superior facilities that are well maintained, clean, well-appointed restrooms and a highly appealing appearance.Campgrounds are inspected annually by dedicated RVers like you.
Completeness of facilities
10 / 10 / 10
The first campground rating evaluates completeness and quality of facilities.In this category we rate interior roads, sites, registration area, hookups, recreation, swimming, security, laundry, store and building maintenance.
Cleanliness and physical characteristics of restrooms and showers
10 / 10 / 10
The second rating category concerns the cleanliness and physical characteristics of toilets, walls, showers, sinks/counters/mirrors and floor. If a park achieves a full point in each of the above, it receives a star (), indicating exceptionally clean restrooms.
Also rated are physical characteristics of restrooms, including interior construction, adequate supplies/odor free, adequate number of facilities, exterior appearance and location in relation to park spaces, and interior appearance.
Visual Appeal and Environmental Quality
10 / 10 / 10
This category addresses the park's setting and site layout, function and identification of signage, overall exterior building maintenance, noise, trash disposal, litter and debris around the grounds and sites, and appearance of grounds, sites and entrance area.
From Jct of US 331 & CR-3280, E 1.2 mi on CR-3280 to McDaniels Fish Camp Rd, S 0.8 mi (L)


text:
Well the FUN begins!!! All the last minute details are falling into place!! This is promising to be a fantastic weekend!! Dust off your Pirate Garb, strap on your Faerie wings, unfog your Steampunk googles....PIRTAE
BILLBOARD's UP!!!
Pirate Fest Billboard is up at US 95 near the I-15 interchange!! Probably 60,000 + cars a day go by there!!! Cool Billboard Eh???
The Pirates are Invading!!!!!
AUTHOR's ROW
Well an aspect of Pirate Fest that we were really planning to have starting year two is making an appearance year ONE!!! Author's Row!! Our own Pink Pirate is an avid reader and especially likes the Pirate books!! She started making inquiries to see about creating an Author's Row to highlight and celebrate books and authors who inspired her. She was hoping that maybe some of these authors would come out to meet their fans, meet new fans, sell and sign their books, and as the saying goes; If you build it, they will come.
Details are still in the works with several authors but you will get to meet:
Kerry Lynne author of The Pirate Captain and
Maxwell Alexander author of many graphic novels.
Hurricane Robb Zerr author of Memoirs of a Buccaneer
K.P. Hayden author of Darksail sent us books since he is unable to attend but wishes to share with you his tale. (You will find this book in our merchandise booth. See you next year K.P.!)
With more authors starting to join the Authors Row this is going to be a great book launch. So to read some of her reviews click on the tab to the left that reads Pink's Book Locker. Then come meet what could become your new favorite authors at Author's Row inside Pirate Fest Las Vegas.
Local Pirate Cpt. JW Shinbones has a Pirate YouTube Channel. In the latest episode, they make a "Special Announcement" about Pirate Fest. They try and compare Pirates to Las Vegas!!!
Check it out!! These guys are having WAY too much FUN!!!
Capt. Rich is one of the Creators of this here Pirate Festival. Since he never shuts up, figured he should do the Blog!
December 2018


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On the next day, Qing Shui bid farewell to Tianhe Clan. The old man from Tianhe Clan also informed him that later on, they would travel to Yehuang Country.
Tianhe Renmo didn't go along with Qing Shui right away. He didn't want to bother Qing Shui and Yuan Su. It was just that he still didn't know about the relationship between Qing Shui and Yuan Su. Other than that, it was also because Qing Shui didn't want to let them know about his Nine Continents Steps Effect too soon.
Other than when he was in Tianhe City, Qing Shui used the Nine Continents Steps Effect to make haste for the rest of his journey. In just a moment's time, they had already arrived in Yehuang Country City. Yuan Su, who experienced the Nine Continents Step Effect for the second time, found herself totally shocked. She was starting to find this man more and more mysterious. They hadn't met for many years and during those years, a lot of things about him had changed. He had become more mature. Certainly, a lot of things seemed to have stayed the same too. He was still the man she was once familiar with.
Soulsearch also felt extremely happy seeing both of them back. Li Ji was going to give birth at anytime. It should be on the following week. Soulsearch was really agitated. He was really looking forward to that child of his.
Initially, he was already considered to be an old man. But Qing Shui wanted to help Soulsearch gain back his look back when he was in his middle age. This was also the symbol of Qing Shui's medical expertise. It was because of this incident that Qing Shui's reputation rose up.
Now, Qing Shui added more demonic beasts. He mixed in the Tiger Bone Soup from the past, the All Aspect Nourishment Soup and so on together into it. Of course, the current one was a lot more powerful compared to the one before.
Other than that, recently, Qing Shui would also constantly revolve his Ancient Strengthening Technique to refine his body. He operated the strength of the Shield Attack within his body all the way to its maximum. The energy of his Ancient Strengthening Technique had long since been revolving independently. It was just that now, Qing Shui was trying to make it revolve even faster. It was a few times faster than normal speed.
Unknowingly, he had already started to feel the enormous barrier. This place was a dead end. The only way was to gain access to the barrier in front.
He was finally here. This barrier was just like the dragon's gate and he on the other hand, was the tiny carp fish. Once he hopped over it, he would turn into a Divine Dragon. A lot of people had managed to reach up to this point but in actuality, how many of them would actually manage to hop over the gate?
All the small barriers for Qing Shui could basically be broken through very easily. He had never been obstructed by small barriers before. He could simply just revolve the strength of his Shield Attack and Divine Force to easily break through.
On the second day, before the sky turned dark, Tianhe Renmo was already here. He was in a restaurant near Imperial Hall. Originally, he had planned to buy a courtyard here, it was just that this was against some of their rules. Hence, doing this might cause Yehuang Country to eject him.
The people from Tianhe Clan would immediately be noticed by others when they came to Yehuang country. Some of the aristocratic clans from Yehuang Country would pay attention to Tianhe Clan's movements from time to time.
Once these aristocratic clans found out that Tianhe Clan was here for treatments in Imperial Hall, they would stop being so sensitive. In the history of the World of the Nine Continents, there were a lot of examples where countries were wiped out very quickly. Some of them would even be caught unprepared and as a result got attacked.
Hence, normally, the leading clan of a particular country was prohibited from sending along a huge troop of powerful warriors into other countries. Furthermore, when they arrived, it would be best for them to first greet the clans.
Unknowingly, time had yet again passed. Tianhe Renmo recovered in less than half a month. Basically, he was considered to have healed completely. He was at Grade One False God. This was the youngest False God Warrior Qing Shui had ever met.
Tianhe Renmo who became a False God Warrior didn't actually change anything between him and Qing Shui. The gratitude he held for him had never disappeared. Now, the two of them addressed each other as brothers. Similarly, Qing Shui also felt really happy. Tianhe Renmo's achievements in the future would definitely be limitless. Tianhe Clan would definitely fall into his hands. In the future, undoubtedly, he would also assist Qing Shui.
Qing Shui wouldn't put his hopes on other people. Hence, he would only let some people help him wave flags and shout battle cries occasionally, to help him make the atmosphere more intimidating, so that some of the thieves and rascals would act more obediently.
It shouldn't be too far away. Qing Shui was already able to feel it. Between six months to a year, he should be able to break through to False God. As a matter of fact, he might even be able to achieve it in three months.
The last time he went home, due to time constraints, he only managed to stay for two to three days. He had not visited Western Oxhe Continent during that time. Now that he was free and his strength had also increased a lot, he decided to pay Western Oxhe Continent a visit and also go back home once.
The people from Tianhe Clan left.
After five days, Soulsearch's baby was finally born. It was a strong little boy. Back then, Soulsearch had already mentioned about making him Qing Shui's godson. Qing Shui also happily agreed to it. Now, he even wanted Qing Shui to decide on his name.
Qing Shui had worried over this name for a long time. Eventually, he managed to come up with one. Sou Yi. He decided to include the word 'Yi' in his name in hope that in the future, he would be able to do everything easily. Other than this, there wasn't any deeper meaning to it.
The little baby was really strong and healthy. He was around four kilograms when he was born. He had huge eyes that looked like Li Ji's. His nose looked identical to Soulsearch's. Based on physical appearance, the little baby still looked really firm and handsome.
Qing Shui also didn't show any formality. He interacted with the little baby and infused his Xiantian Qi into him. This way, it could prevent the little baby from getting sick. In the future, he would be able to achieve Xiantian Realm without having to cultivate that hard. Of course, being Soulsearch's son, Xiantian realm was something which he wouldn't put in his eyes. Despite this, he still felt really happy. At least he would be able to achieve Xiantian Realm now.
The reason being that a lot of disciples from aristocratic clans would still have warriors who couldn't even beat Xiantian Warriors. Even if they had the Xiantian Golden Pellet, it was still useless. Let alone not everyone could use the Xiantian Golden Pellet. It was considered to be a rare medicine. A medicine which was very hard to be refined.
Every baby would cry loudly the moment when they were born. That first voice he made would breathe out the Xiantian Qi within his body. But Qing Shui could help seal this qi.
A few maids were hired in the small courtyard. They were all in charge of taking care of Li Ji and the kid.
After three days, Qing Shui bid his farewells to Soulsearch and Yuan Su. After that, he used the Five Elements Divine Flag and immediately arrived in Central Continent.
During this time, Qing Shui would go back to his house once every month. But every time he went back, he would still feel really happy and excited. His mother and close relatives were all there. So were his women as well as children.
When he went back to Qing Clan, he had still yet to receive any news about Yiye Jiange. Both Wenren Wu-shuang and Di Qing were pregnant. They were already a month along. Seeing that he could come back now, Qing Shui stopped trying to rush to bring them to Western Oxhe Continent. In fact, they might be safer staying here.
Also because of this, Qing Shui decided to stop controlling it. They liked children, if they wanted babies, he would just let them be. Once their children got older, they would also be able to relax.
Just like Wenren Wu-shuang, things were better when her sister was still here. But now, she was the only one who remained. Having a child would also be considered having someone to place her hopes on. It could help make her live more happily. Just like Zhu Qing, compared to before, she had changed a lot. The same went for Canghai Mingyue, women mustn't be childless.
The moment when Qing Shui saw Di Qing and Wenren Wu-shuang, who still hadn't changed much, he realized that there was a kind of beauty on their faces which words couldn't describe. It was the pure and kind type of beauty. In just a while, the two women seemed to have grown up and looked a lot more mature. That was a change in their temperament. They looked really graceful and elegant.
Those who went into seclusion had all come out. But there was still no news about Yiye Jiange. It had been a long time. Unfortunately, Qing Shui noticed that despite having the energy to look for her, he didn't know where to start from. A palace, was it a palace on land or underwater? Which continent was it in?"
Throwing away these thoughts, Qing Shui gave them some medicinal pills. He was also really generous to let them take the Double-dose Prescription. Qing Qing's entire family of three were also present. The Four-eared Macaque was still very small. But it possessed formidable strength. Qing Shui didn't know if Qing Qing was aware that this thing was actually a formidable existence.
The other one was the Greencloud Up-step Pellet. Yuan Su was indeed the person with the most talent in this field. She replenished all of the medical prescriptions. Not only that, those which she replenished were all medicinal herbs which were relatively easy to find.
Seeing as everyone from Qing Clan was improving, Qing Shui felt really happy deep down. They were his close relatives, they all had the same blood flowing within them. On top of that, there were also his women.
Qing Zun and Qing Ming were growing really fast. Qing Yu was really independent, unlike Qing Yin, she liked swords. Furthermore, she was very talented with sword skills. The little brat really liked clinging onto Qing Shui just like how she used to when she was young.
Qing Yin, Qing Yan, Qing Yu, Qing Yun, four daughters. Qing Yin and Qing Yan looked identical whereas Qing Yu and Qing Yun shared some similarities with each other. Both Luan Luan and Yu Chang were all grown up but when around Qing Shui, they still behaved like they did when they were young. They hated parting with this father of theirs, a lot. Even if Luan Luan had a blood-related father of her own, it still wouldn't stop her from feeling that way.
No one had talked about incidents involving Yu Chan. She was Qing Shui's blood-related daughter. Qing Clan was her home.
The entire family was very lively and comfortable. This was a family. This kind of feeling was something which only people travelling far from home could feel when they blended themselves back into the family they were familiar with. It was a kind of happiness which words couldn't describe.
Among the medical prescriptions which Yuan Su gave him, there were some particularly suitable to be used for the majority of people in Qing Clan. Even for the children, it was also very useful. There was still quite a plentiful amount of lifespan for his grandfather and Lin Zhanhan. Added on that currently, their cultivation was improving quickly, considering the many years he has left, he was confident he could let them live even longer, turning Qing Clan into an aristocratic clan.
Qing Shui set aside some time and entered the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal. He still needed to refine medicines, cultivate and help them store Yang Pills and Origin Returning Pills. On top of that, he also needed to refine the Greencloud Up-step Pellet.
The time was once again sufficient for him to consume the Origin Returning Pill. The Origin Returning Pill, which Yuan Su gave him, was indeed considered a tiny divine grade medicinal pill. He had already consumed two in the realm. Now, his raw strength had surprisingly achieved a terrifying strength worth 45 sun.
Upon using it this time, Qing Shui finally sensed it. This should be his last time taking it, or rather, he could still take the pill one last time.
He was also able to figure out why aristocratic clans could cause the strength of their clan to increase significantly so quickly. As long as they got the appropriate chance and inheritance, just like how he had his Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal, by making use of them along with the Origin Returning Pill, they would be able to make rapid progress.
Origin Returning Pill, Yang Pill, Double-dose Medicinal Pill. All of these needed to be stored in large amounts. In the future, he could raise the strength of his clan by relying on these. The next generation would find it relatively easier to increase their strength. They had good genes. Other than that, it was also because they had inheritance from himself. Unfortunately, they still didn't for now. He hoped that he could discover it in the two final forms of the Nine Animals Mimicry Technique.
Just like Tianhe Clan's inheritance, there was powerful Heavenly Crane Spiritual Qi within their bodies. But now, the Violet Gold Bloodline within Qing Shui's body was already a lot more powerful compared to before. He didn't know if his future children would also inherit his own Violet Gold Bloodline but he felt there was a high chance for it to be so. The reason being that now, he as well as his women possessed the Violet Gold Blood within their bodies.
It was likely that this was a chance. Violet Gold Bloodline as well as Golden Bloodline's inheritance were likely to be a sort of chance. For a group of people from the same generation, there could only be one or a minority of the people who could have Violet Gold or Golden Bloodline.
However there was only a few that had truly powerful Violet Gold or Golden bloodline. Qing Shui still needed to see the babies born to Wenren Wu-shuang and Di Qing, and if they possessed any of the bloodline.
Soulsearch's pinyin in chinese is Sou Hun


text: This is an incredibly powerful interview with Penney Peirce who talks about our currently reality of being swarmed with the information age and which is now turning into the time when me must turn to our intuition. Just think if we not longer needed the internet and we could depend solely upon the messages that flow to us through our intuition. Yes… the future will be GREAT!


text:
Kingussie, St Columba's Friary
Burial Ground (Period Unassigned), Friary (Medieval)(Possible)
Site Name Kingussie, St Columba's Friary
Classification Burial Ground (Period Unassigned), Friary (Medieval)(Possible)
Alternative Name(s) Kingussie Graveyard
Canmore ID 14076
Site Number NH70SE 2
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/14076
- Council Highland
- Parish Kingussie And Insh
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Badenoch And Strathspey
- Former County Inverness-shire
(NH 7584 0064) St. Columba's Priory (NR)
OS 6" map, Inverness, 2nd ed., (1903)
A Carmelite friary founded before 1501, the subsequent history of which has not been traced (D E Easson 1957). It was situated within the old graveyard but nothing remained in 1869 although walling is said to have been found during early 19th century repairs to the churchyard.
Name Book 1869; D E Esson 1957.
There are no visible remains of a building at the site.
An inscribed stone set into the graveyard wall at NH 7568 0078 states that 'here lie the hallowed remains of the old church of Kingussie, dedicated to St. Columba and according to tradition, planted by himself.'
Visited by OS (R L) 18 November 1966.


text:
Circa Survive's independent album Violent Waves will be released August 28. The preorder is available online for $5 and on iTunes for $9.99.
Tampa band Carrollhood (Tim McTague, Nathan Young & Reed Murray) has released their Afraid EP.
The track listing for Anberlin's upcoming album, Vital, was revealed today. You can view it here. Vital will be released October 16, 2012.
Anberlin has posted a lyric video for their new song Self-Starter. Watch it here.
Vital will be released October 16, 2012.
Anberlin debuted "Someone Anyone", from their upcoming album, Vital. You can stream the song below. Vital will be released 10/16/12.
Tenth Avenue North has released a lyric video for the title track of their new album, The Struggle, released August 17th. Watch it below.
The City Harmonic has announced an upcoming headlining tour. Read the press release and check out the tour dates below.
Third Day has released a behind the song and lyric video for their song I Need A Miracle, the first single off their new album "Miracle".
Featuring songs from Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, The Museum, Nine Lashes, Demon Hunter, Emery and many more of the labels' best artists.
After experiencing some delays, Anberlin's new song, Self-Starter has been posted along with new album details.


text:
In this section you will see the orange flower arrangements.Our florist prepare day by day bouquets and flower under a standardized catalog offering freshness, quality and guarantee in sending flowers. Only with us you will get the best quality service in delivering flowers in Ciudad Obregon Sonora Mexico.
24 Vibrant Mixed Colors Roses #4524 vibrant colors roses in a Crystal vase


text:
This is a list of my academic publications to date. Some of the papers are available for downloading, others can be accessed via the journals/books they are published in.
Journal Articles
Orlando J, Attard C, 2016, Digital natives come of age : the reality of today's early career teachers using mobile devices to teach mathematics, Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 28, no 1, pp 107-121
Attard, C. (2014). "I don't like it, I don't love it, but I do it and I don't mind": Introducing a framework for engagement with mathematics. Curriculum Perspectives, 34(3), 1-14.
Attard, C. (2013). "If I had to pick any subject, it wouldn't be maths": Foundations for engagement with mathematics during the middle years. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 25(4), 569-587.
Attard, C. (2012). Applying a framework for engagement in the primary mathematics classroom. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 17(4), 22-27.
Attard, C. (2012). Transition from primary to secondary school mathematics: Students' perceptions Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, 2(2), 31-44.
Attard, C. (2012). Engagement with mathematics: What does it mean and what does it look like? Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 17(1), 9-13.
Attard, C. (2011). Engagement with mathematics: The influence of teachers. Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, 1(1), 31-39.
Attard, C. (2011). "My favourite subject is maths. For some reason no-one really agrees with me": Student perspectives of mathematics teaching and learning in the upper primary classroom. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 23(3), 363-377.
Book Chapters
Attard C, Ingram N, Forgasz H, Leder G, Grootenboer P, 2016, Mathematics education and the affective domain in Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia: 2012-2015, Makar, Katie, Dole, Shelley, Visnovska, Jana, Goos, Merrilyn, Bennison, Anne, Fry, Kym, Singapore, pp 73-96Attard C, 2014, iPads in the primary mathematics classroom : exploring the experiences of four teachers in Empowering the Future Generation Through Mathematics Education, White, Allan L., Tahir, Suhaidah binti, Cheah, Ui Hock, Malaysia, pp 369-384, [ORS ID: 234921]
Attard C, 2015, Introducing iPads into primary mathematics classrooms : teachers' experiences and pedagogies in Integrating Touch-Enabled and Mobile Devices into Contemporary Mathematics Education, Meletiou-Mavrotheris, Maria, Mavrou, Katerina , Paparistodemou, Efi, U.S., pp 193-213.
Attard C, 2014, Engaging with the Working Mathematically strand through the use of iPads in Implementing the New NSW Mathematics Syllabus: Off to a Flying Start!, Attard, Catherine, White, Allan L., Burwood, N.S.W., pp 8-14, [ORS ID: 234800]
Attard, C. (2012). The influence of pedagogy on student engagement with mathematics during the middle years of schooling. In A. L. White & U. H. Cheah (Eds.), Transforming School Mathematics Education in the 21st Century (pp. 140-157). Penang: SEAMEO RECSAM.
Lomas, G, Grootenboer, P, & Attard, C. (2012). The Affective Domain and Mathematics Education. In B. Perry & C. Vale (Eds.), Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2008-2011 (pp. 23-38). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers
Attard C., & Orlando J., 2014, Early career teachers, mathematics and technology : device conflict and emerging mathematical knowledge. Paper presented at the Curriculum in focus: Research Guided Practice (Proceedings of the 27th Annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia), Sydney.
Attard, C. (2013). Introducing iPads into Primary Mathematics Pedagogies: An Exploration of Two Teachers' Experiences. Paper presented at the Mathematics education: Yesterday, today and tomorrow (Proceedings of the 36th Annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia), Melbourne.
Attard, C, & Curry, C. (2012, July). Exploring the use of iPads to engage young students with mathematics. Paper presented at the Mathematics education: Expanding horizons, (Proceedings of the 35th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia) Singapore.
Attard, C. (2011). The influence of teachers on student engagement with mathematics during the middle years. Paper presented at the 34th Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Alice Springs, NT.
Attard, C. (2010). Students' experiences of mathematics during the transition from primary to secondary school. Paper presented at the 33rd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Fremantle, Perth.
Attard, C. (2010, 2-3 December). Students' perceptions of mathematics teaching and learning during the middle years. Paper presented at the MAV Annual Conference, La Trobe University, Bundoora.
Attard, C. (2009). 'My favourite subject is maths. For some reason no-one really agress with me': What Year 6 students say about mathematics. Paper presented at the 32nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Wellington, NZ.
Attard, C. (2009). Student perspectives of mathematics teaching and learning in the upper primary classroom. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMED 2009), Penang, MA.
Attard, C. (2007). Improving the motivation and attitudes of boys in upper primary school through the use of student directed learning: An action research report. Paper presented at the Second International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) 2007, Penang, Malaysia.
Research Reports
Attard C, 2016, Research Evaluation of Matific Mathematics Learning Resources: Project Report, Slate Science Incorporated.
Attard C, 2016, Mathematics + Money = Engagement: Financial Literacy as a Tool to Increase Opportunity and Engagement with Mathematics for Students from Low Socio-Economic Areas: Final Report, Financial Literacy Australia
Attard C, 2015, Engaging Teachers to Engage Students with Mathematics: Building Teacher Capacity through Sustained Professional Development, Bennett Road Public School
PhD Thesis
Attard, C. (2011). Influences on student engagement during the middle years of schooling. (Doctoral thesis), University of Western Sydney, Sydney.
Articles Published in Professional Journals (not peer reviewed)
Attard, C. (2013). Thanks for the iPads, but what do we do with them? Integrating iPads into the teaching and learning of primary mathematics. Curriculum Leadership, 11(1). http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/integrating_ipads_into_the_teaching_and_learning_o,35917.html?issueID=12708
Attard, C. (2012). Teaching with technology: Exploring the use of robotics to teach mathematics. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 17(2), 31-32.
Attard, C. (2012). Making mathematics relevant: Putting the 'home' back into mathematics homework. Curriculum Leadership, 10(5). http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/making_mathematics_relevant_putting_the_home_ba,34694.html?issueID=12565
Attard, C, & Northcote, M. (2012). Teaching with technology: Using mobile technologies to support student learning (Part 2). Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 17(1), 29-32.
Attard, C. (2011). Teaching with technology. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 16(2), 30-32.
Attard, C, & Northcote, M. (2011). Teaching with technology: Using mobile technologies to support student learning (Part 1). Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 16(4), 29-31.
Attard, C. (2011). 'If you like the teacher, you'll 'get' maths more": students talk about good mathematics teachers. Curriculum Leadership, 9(6). http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/default.asp?id=33017&issueID=12371
Attard, C, & Flanagan, L. (2010). Investigating ways: Using mathematics investigations to support mathematical thinking in the primary classroom. Reflections, 35(1), 5-8.
Attard, C. (2010). Using picture books as starting points for mathematical investigations. Square One, 20(2), 13-14.
Attard, C, & McDaid, K. (2009). Tasks to motivate and engage during the middle years. Reflections, 34(1), 7-11.
Attard, C. (2008). Maths madness in Malta. Square One, 17(4), 8.
Attard, C. (2008). Motivation and engagement in middle school mathematics. Reflections, 33(1), 23-27.
Attard, C. (2004). Gender equity in the mathematics classroom. Square One, 14(2), 4-7.
Attard, C, & McDaid, K. (2004). Multiplication madness. Reflections, 29(1), 15-16.
Attard, C, & McDaid, K. (2003). How do we know what they learned? Reflections, 28(1), 17-19.


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BLUE Freedom® Grain-Free Indoor Chicken Recipe For Kittens
For pet parents who want to feed their furry friend a diet without grains, there's nothing better than BLUE Freedom. It's free from the grains and glutens that can trigger allergic reactions in some cats. Made with the finest natural ingredients, BLUE Freedom features:
- Delicious, protein-rich Deboned Chicken
- Whole carrots, sweet potatoes and peas
- Bluberries and cranberries
- NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, NO corn, wheat or soy and nothing artificial
And because growing kittens have special needs, BLUE Freedom for Kittens is formulated with ingredients chosen specifically to help them grow up strong and healthy.Available in 5-lb. bag.
Exclusive LifeSource Bits®
BLUE LifeSource Bits are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists that support:
- Immune system health
- Life stage requirements
- Healthy oxidative balance
And LifeSource Bits are cold-formed to help retain the potency of their ingredients. This means that we minimize the amount of heat that LifeSource Bits are exposed to during the manufacturing process. It's the same concept as when you cook vegetables at high heat — the longer you do, the more heat-sensitive nutrients are lost.
Product Benefits
Brain & Eye Development
DHA and ARA, important fatty acids found in mother's milk, along with Choline, support healthy development of cognitive learning and retinal function.
Healthy Muscle Growth
High-quality protein from Deboned Chicken, plus Chicken Meal, Fish Meal and Egg helps develop strong muscles.
Energy for Growth & Play
Essential proteins and carbohydrates help meet energy requirements for healthy growth and play.
Healthy Immune System
Essential vitamins, chelated minerals and important antioxidants help support the immune system.
Healthy Heart & Eyes
Taurine is an essential amino acid that kittens require to help with heart and eye development.
Healthy Skin & Coat
An optimal balance of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids helps develop a shiny coat and healthy skin.
ALWAYS Starts with Protein-Rich CHICKEN
- NO Chicken (or Poultry) By-Product Meals
- NO Corn, Wheat or Soy
- NO Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
Guaranteed Analysis
|Crude Protein
|36.0% min
|Crude Fat
|18.0% min
|Crude Fiber
|4.0% max
|9.0% max
|0.05% min
|0.20% min
|1.3% min
|1.0% min
|0.14% max
|3,500 mg/kg min
|0.20% min
|Omega 3 Fatty Acids*
|1.0% min
|Omega 6 Fatty Acids*
|3.0% min
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
Nutrition Statement
BLUE Freedom Indoor Chicken Recipe Food for Kittens is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth.
Feeding Guidelines
Calorie Content: 3,814 Kcals/kg, 441 Kcals/cup
*Use a standard 8-oz. measuring cup.
Note: Individual kitten's requirements may vary due to age, breed, environment, and activity level. Adjust food as required to maintain optimal body condition, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.


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MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The CEO of America Movil, Latin America's largest telecommunications company by subscriber numbers, said on Wednesday that AT&T Inc's acquisition of Time Warner will do little to change the telecoms landscape in the region.
U.S. telecoms company AT&T closed its deal to buy media company Time Warner for $85 billion last month.
"I don't think it's going to affect the market in Latin America," America Movil Chief Executive Daniel Hajj said on a call discussing the company's second-quarter results.
"There's going to be more production of content, and everybody is going to have access to all of the content."
America Movil, which is controlled by the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, reported on Tuesday a 94-percent drop in net profit due to currency-related swings.
But data revenue rose and the company added 1.1 million lucrative post-pay customers during the quarter, suggesting the fundamentals of the business are strong.
On Brazil, one of America Movil's most important markets, Hajj said the company is still evaluating whether to make a bid for Cemig Telecom, a unit of Brazilian utility Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais .
"(If) the price looks good for us, then I think we are going to do it," Hajj said. "And if not, then we are going to step out."
The company also said it will focus more in the coming months on Chile, where its market share has been slipping.
Hajj added that America Movil may challenge Chilean resolutions on telecoms, including a recent Supreme Court decision on spectrum, in international arbitration.
The resolutions "create a lot of uncertainty for the future development and our future investments," he said.
In Mexico, America Movil is recovering from a landmark telecoms reform intended to lessen its dominance, but the regulatory landscape for the company appears to be improving.
Hajj said he expects the administration of president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who takes office on Dec. 1, to focus on improving coverage in rural areas.
He added that he was hopeful that the company will soon obtain a license in Mexico to offer television, a service it has long been blocked from.
Reporting by Julia Love and Sheky Espejo


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(Departing from Tobermory)
Sea Life Surveys have been studying marine life on the west coast of Mull for 30 years. Our experienced guides are here to educate you on the oceans' cetacean life, bird life, and local history, so any questions please ask.
The craft is licensed to carry up to 50 persons and has ample indoor and outdoor deck space including the top deck which gives a better vantage spot for viewing wildlife.
Our craft has toilets, a tuck shop serving tea, coffee which will be available throughout the trip. Our guides are fully trained in all aspects of onboard safety.
For availability and to book, please phone 01688 302875
Tobermory wildlife cruise
Aimed at everyone from toddlers to grannies, this 1.5 hour trip leaves Tobermory Bay heading Northwest past one of the family Stevenson's lighthouses, you will then cruise alongside a fish farm learning about salmon farming as well as getting the history of Bloody Bay where the farm is located, learn the secrets of the famous Spanish Galleon that sank in Tobermory bay. You have the chance to see Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles and of course many seabirds. Harbour Porpoise are also often seen. Visit a seal colony on calve island before learning the history of the waterfall in Tobermory bay prior to your return to dry land. 1.5 Hours.
Adult £25 Child £12.50 Family Ticket (2+2) £65
4 hr Whalewatch explorer
Why not come and join us on our 4 hour voyages fun for all the family looking for some of the oceans greatest cetaceans? Primarily we see Minke Whales, Basking Sharks, and Harbour Porpoise on a regular basis. Not so common but occasionally spotted are Dolphins, Orca, and Sunfish which we mostly see between the Isle of Coll, Isle of Muck and the entrance to the Sound of Mull.
All the sightings you see with us are logged and recorded for research purposes helping us to understand the behaviour and movements by cetaceans in the scottish waters of the Atlantic ocean. there is also much bird life to be seen – Puffins, Gannets, Razorbills, and many more sea birds. There are also White-tailed and Golden Eagles to be seen around Mulls shores.
Adult £60 children £30 family ticket (2+2) £155
Trip Departs
6 hr Whalewatch explorer with island landing.
This 6 hour trip gives you the opportunity to dip your toes into the more open water past Ardnamurchan Point with the chance to encounter the larger marine wildlife found around the West coast of Scotland during this trip the most commonly seen of the larger wildlife are the majestic Minke Whale or the 2nd largest fish in the World: the Basking Shark.
You will also stop en route looking for White Tailed Sea Eagles, Harbour Porpoise and the range of Seabirds that spend time feeding in our waters.
whilst out viewing the islands that surround Mull weather permitting you will be able to land on one of three islands depending on wind Direction Muck, Coll to view the tranquil splendor of these islands or the isle of lunga to see the puffins.
During your journey there will be knowledgeable guides on board to assist you so that you have a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience.
trip departs 10.30 am
Adult £80 Child £40 Family (2 adults & 2 children) £195.
For more details and to book, call into the Tobermory booking office in Ledaig car park.
Phone Tim on 01688 302875 or Email: [email protected]m


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MARKUS WORMSTORMMarkus started to release music though New York based label Sound-Ink at the age of 19 and has since remixed and collaborated with artists like Waddy Jones (Die Antwoord), Sibot and MF Doom (as Victor Vaughn). His Cape Town based studio serves as a hub for emerging musical talent and delivers music trend forecasts and music production.
Some of his clients include EA Games, Google and Mars One. In his personal capacity he scores music for films and games. Markus's collaboration with New York times illustrator Christoph Neimann produced a game called Petting Zoo which sold over a million copies and was called "absolutely fabulous" by USA Today. In 2015 Markus won a Safta Award for Best Original Score for his debut feature film Four Corners.


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Child-care activist Jennifer Parrish says number of children in subsidized child care fell by 20,000 in Illinois after labor union began representing providers
Whether independent home-based child-care providers in Rhode Island should join a labor union is a hot-button issue in Rhode Island right now.
In the last General Assembly session, legislators passed a bill -- signed into law by Governor Chafee -- that requires the state to bargain collectively with the nearly 600 providers if they opt to have a union. The providers are scheduled to vote Oct. 26-30 whether to be represented by Service Employees International Union 1199.
The union-organizing campaign prompted Jennifer B. Parrish, a child-care provider in Minnesota, to write an essay published Sept. 5, 2013, by The Providence Journal in which she expressed her opposition to union representation of home-based child-care providers.
One of Parrish's points caught our eye: "Six years after unionization, 20,000 fewer children in Illinois were being served by the Child Care and Development Fund program."
Contacted by PolitiFact Rhode Island, Parrish said union involvement prompted child-care providers to leave Illinois' federal- and state-financed child-care program, so fewer children were served. The providers' resistance to paying up to $900 in annual union dues was a significant factor, Parrish contended.
Parrish said dozens of licensed child-care providers in Illinois have told her that they shunned union affiliation and left the subsidized program.
We had two questions: Were 20,000 fewer children being served and, if so, was the decrease related to unionization?
First, a little background. Conservative and anti-union groups have vigorously opposed efforts in several states to unionize home-based child-care workers. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear a challenge to the Illinois unionization law. A federal judge halted a unionization campaign in Minnesota, pending the Supreme Court challenge.
In Rhode Island, unionization opponents tried unsuccessfully to delay a union vote.
To check Parrish's claim, we first went where she went, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, which publishes state-by-state data regarding the Child Care and Development Program.
We were interested in the six-year period that Parrish cited, from Oct. 1, 2005, (Illinois workers became unionized in 2006) through Sept. 30, 2011.
In the 2006 federal fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2005, a monthly average of 82,200 children were served in Illinois by the federally subsidized program. By 2011, the figure had dropped to an estimated 63,000, a decrease of 19,200, or nearly 24 percent -- very close to Parrish's 20,000 number.
But there's a couple of important caveats. First, the federal program counts children in all kinds of child care, not just home-based care, the focus of Parrish's commentary.
When you focus only on home-based care, the number of children served fell from 36,168 in 2006 to an estimated 27,090 in 2011. That's a decrease of 9,078 -- a 25-percent drop. That's a substantial decrease but it's less than half of the number Parrish cited.
And the second caveat: In addition to the unionization effort, several factors could have contributed to the drop, including changes in the rules regarding who is eligible for a subsidy.
Tellingly, the number of all child-care providers in that period fell about 11 percent, while the drop in unionized home-based providers was only 3 percent.
Parrish acknowledged in an interview that other factors were at play but insisted that providers' reluctance to be union-affiliated was a significant factor.
Because of the government shutdown, we couldn't get any federal officials to discuss the figures. And neither the governor's office nor the Illinois Department of Human Services, which oversees the child-care subsidy program, responded to our questions.
Two Illinois child-care advocacy groups confirmed there were decreases in the numbers of children served, but they disputed Parrish on the reasons for the decreases.
Larry Joseph, director of the fiscal policy center of Voices for Illinois Children, and Sessy Nyman, vice president of policy and strategic partnerships for Illinois Action for Children, both attributed the decreases to the economy, to a tightening of state qualifications for home-based providers, to a tightening of eligibility requirements for children, and to an increase in the co-payments for children's parents.
Joseph said he knew of no evidence linking the decrease to unionization of providers.
Said Nyman: "We do lose families in a bad economy." Parents lose their jobs or work fewer hours and do not need a child-care subsidy because they are home to mind their children, she said.
She called the union link "an assumption" based on political ideology.
(Voices for Illinois Children and Illinois Action for Children said they count the SEIU, which represents Illinois child-care providers and wants to represent Rhode Island child-care providers, as an ally.)
Our ruling
Child-care proprietor Jennifer B. Parrish said 20,000 fewer children, were served in an Illinois child-care program subsidized by the federal government, after a labor union began representing child-care providers. That was very close to the decrease in the number of children served by all child-care programs.
But we found that the decrease in the number of children in home-based care -- what Parrish was talking about -- was actually about 9,100.
Parrish offered only anecdotal evidence that the drop was related to unionization and two Illinois advocacy groups said it was more likely caused by other factors, such as the economic downturn and tightening of state qualifications for providers and eligibility requirements for children.
Because the statement contains some element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression, the judges rate it Mostly False.


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Reader Chris was minding his own business after work when he happened upon an Alfa Romeo 159, rumored to be the vehicle that'll spearhead the brand's return to the US market. Take it, Chris.
"Saw a new Slfa Romeo 159 in Redmond, WA about an hour ago on the Microsoft Campus. i was leaving my office to take my '88 Trooper (2nd car ... great ski/dog hauler) to Novus for windshield repair when i spotted a new, grey Alfa 159 with white tape on bumpers/lower doors cruising slowly through the MS campus. Unfortunately it was two lanes away and I fumbled the camera phone and dropped it on the floor, so no accompanying pic. I know Spinelli's a bit of an Alfa freak so thought you'd like to know. Wonder if this is any indication that alfa is a bit closer to returning to the US?
We'd take that as a yes, Chris. But then, we're Alfoptimists, as opposed to Alfoptometrists, which is a whole 'nother field.
On Alfa Romeo's Return to the US Market [Internal]


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'Adams' Elderberry Sambucas canadensis Variety description: An old selection (1926) from upstate New York of the native elderberry. Very juicy, exceptionally large purple berries. Late ripening and a heavy producer. Pollinates with other native elderberries. Very large flower heads.
This is a 8'' cutting for rooting, not a plant. Ships early spring.


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It's been a few years since I first sat face-to-face with Jennie Allen, listening to her pour out her heart for ministry. Our Mexican food got cold while we were caught up in processing important things like our calling, the meaning of grace, the nearness of a God who makes Himself small on our behalf, and where in the world she got that fabulous necklace.
I'm going to be incredibly (and very vulnerably) honest with you. For those of you who have read here for awhile it won't be any great surprise to know that I have always struggled with the feeling of "fitting in."
As an elementary school student, I blamed it on a combination of anxiety and the lack of a velour Jordache shirt (I got one eventually. It was maroon, and every bit as fabulous as you would imagine it was. It did nothing for my social status but it was as soft as…well, fake velvet. So there was that.).
In high school, I finally made the cheerleading squad. Fully expecting this to be a social pinnacle, I was disappointed the first day I wore my uniform to school and everyone still treated me like I was still a mere mortal. Did NOT see that coming.
I also didn't anticipate the middle of the night prank calls, when they called me names and told me how much I was hated.
What stung the most was hearing my dad's labored breathing, having picked up the phone at the same moment I had, pulling him out of sleep and into my shadowed world. I won't forget that sound. Not ever. Because I knew he was more hurt than I was, and long after the dial tone stopped I was still crying and he was still listening.
The truth is, I have always played the part very well.
But inside, I'm restless and doubtful. I tend to feel like I don't actually have much to offer and I'm just painting enough of the image to make it look like it might one day be a masterpiece. Just show enough, but not too much.
I spend a lot of my time doing exactly that, and it's no coincidence that the word "sketch" has shown up here many times. It feels like an appropriate metaphor for me, and maybe for you as well.
When I show the basic outline, there's room for it to become something beautiful and profound. But the moment I reach for the bold red for the flames that night or the deep blue of my childhood swimming pond, I'm giving away the truth that might paint me instead.
Before the beginning of time, God stretched out life like a canvas, rounding the edges of our days and setting us on display for Himself. But even here, in the room where I'm supposed to feel comforted and connected and understood, I don't.
It's not just one room. It's a long turquoise-colored carpet in a Baptist church where I watched my feet go one in front of the other, praying they wouldn't follow me out. I pretended to be on my phone because I knew I was going to cry if I heard their voices together. My third week there in Bible class and they never invited me to lunch. It's a small thing, I know. But the small things add up.
Some of it is laughable now; all the times as a new believer (at the ripe age of 24) when I mistakenly believed that the land of the Christians was somehow different than all the other places. Should it be? Yes. But you and I know that's not always the case.
Why ruin a beautiful work of art with details like my personal theology or doubts about faith? Because if I can just manage the outlines, I won't have to bleed truth at the risk of being shut out.
There have been many conversations over the past several years where food has grown cold while words lingered and stirred my heart. And they have, in their entirety, convinced me of one very simple fact.
I am often much more consumed with the brushstrokes I'm making than the image He is displaying of Himself through me.
He is the artist, not I.
My job is to tremble at the thought of being a part of it, pointing there and not here.
While it's good and necessary to have convictions, we're missing the point when we allow them to completely alienate us from those we could learn from. And when we avoid the conversation because we're concerned with how it affects our presentation, we have put God behind a lens that makes Him blurry to a watching world.
When Jennie asked me to be part of a leadership team several months ago, I was surprised. I saw the list of other names and I couldn't figure out why mine was there. It isn't false humility; it's truly how I respond. I don't have a degree. I don't feel capable. I had to google post-millennialism once on my pink-striped IPhone during a conversation so I would know why I was nodding my head.
I am one sweater away, people. One sweater.
And I wonder if you would say the same.
You can't find your niche, your tribe, your cause, or your voice. Or maybe you have given up on finding those things because right now you just need to find silence in a house where kids scream and make art with your mascara (ON THE MIRROR, ON HER FACE, AND ALL OVER THE TOILET SEAT. Hypothetically speaking, of course.) and the word "purpose" feels loaded.
So instead of figuring out where we fit, we decide to draw boundaries instead. We use language and terms and issues to define ourselves by what we aren't.
And quite frankly, this little crew that's come together doesn't tend to be in agreement about a lot of it. Don't get me wrong; when it comes down to a Jesus-loving, gospel-saturated, God-seeking bunch, we're there together.
Some of the words I've avoided for years have come up in conversation. As I feel myself bristle at that thought of being associated with that particular theology, I realize how outrageously egotistical it is to presume I honor God with that line of thinking. No, I likely wouldn't have chosen these conversations, but that's the wonder of it all. On paper it looks a little like a chaotic mess of belief systems and convictions.
But in person it feels like home.
Over and over what I feel like He's saying to me (and to a lot of us) is this:
Have the conversations. Listen to the wisdom that's been given to you. Realize that your time is short and the kingdom is close. What are you doing with your hours and your breath?
There is a tension that exists in our day, and I have done a magnificent job of teetering between pretending it isn't there and feeling strangled by it.
But what if we didn't?
That's what she asked me over tacos and diet coke. And it's been years, but the question still burns in my soul.
What if we had some conversations and let God be God, directing and equipping women to live in ways that magnify Him? What if we set aside our preconceived notions and just gathered to listen and obey Him?
What if?
And so, we are.
I want you to be with us if you can, because we want your voice, your opinion, and your heart. This is the beginning of something that will prayerfully honor the Lord and speak forward into generations to come, and we're excited to be a part of it. I hope you will be as well:)
There are no pre-qualifications, no hoops to jump through, and no google prohibitions should the need for clarification arise. You're welcome here, regardless of your views on pressing issues or your inability to commit to velour this season.
Jennie explains the vision behind the gathering a bit HERE and also talks about how you can be involved on a local level or come to Austin and join us. Feel free to come to the IF: website as well if you just want to look around and make yourself at home.
If you choose to come to Austin on Feb. 7th-8th (and I so hope you do!), grab your tickets fast, because they are limited in quantity (not many) and price (whatever you feel led to give). We will gather together and link our arms and talk about God's work in and among us, and will gratefully accept the gift of togetherness for the sake of the gospel. And also we will laugh and eat a lot.
Tickets go up for grabs at 11:00 am TODAY for those on the email list. So exciting!!!!
Please pray that He would be glorified despite our meager offerings, and that we would continue to seek His face, His will, and His kingdom above all else.
With love,


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David Patrick Tentet
Check out the latest Festival programme here!
The Rite of Spring and Jeux: The Musical Legacy of The Ballets Russes. A 2015 Festival hit, David Patrick's "Rites of Spring" won critical and popular acclaim: "Spine-tingling in its power... it works, and brilliantly" (The Scotsman). Tonight he also debuts the world premiere of "Jeux", Debussy's last orchestral masterpiece. Its ethereal, mystic quality with vivid orchestral colours and free musical associations are presented with a sympathetic jazz sensibility. An Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival commission.


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ETSA Utilities is part of the way through a restructure of its IT operations that will see - among other measures - enterprise analysts embedded within the company's various business groups, which is intended to help facilitate better engagement between IT and the business.
The company, which is South Australia's primary electricity distributor, is also in the process of sourcing a strategic partner to assist in project delivery.
The partner will be expected to "provide arms and legs during peaks", reducing the requirement to cover peaks in demand for IT resources. The partner will also be expected to have an input into the utility's IT strategy, according to IT operations manager Peter Snedden.
"We're talking about [having] a multinational to help us," Sneddon told an IT service management conference in Sydney today.
ETSA's IT team falls under a corporate services division that spans across its four main business groups - construction and maintenance, field services, demand and network management and customer services.
Corporate services provides IT, legal, risk management and workforce development services among other offerings.
Sneddon said despite high satisfaction and service desk ratings, IT was viewed by the business as "not being strategic enough" and of introducing a "whole heap of complexity".
"Users would come to us and say 'Here's a solution we want you to implement'. There'd be no plan or strategy, but in a previous life we'd have said, 'Yes, not a problem'," Snedden said.
"We had about 1200 apps for 1800 people. We had different areas of a group within the business using four or five different drawing packages. It was ridiculous."
Sneddon said ETSA embarked on a major overhaul five years ago to position IT "to influence the business".
"Rather than just give them everything they wanted, we wanted to say to them, 'What about this?'," he said.
In the early days of the change, the IT team found itself "in the middle of the business trying to negotiate between the groups. We became the mediator [sorting out their different requirements]."
Establishing itself as a more strategic influence involved an amount of self-examination on the part of IT.
"We came back and had to look at ourselves," Sneddon said.
"We started to look at what IT were providing. For example, there were lots of little pockets of IT providing services to the business that some of us as individuals knew of, but the team collectively wasn't aware of. We had to learn about ourselves.
"Then once we knew what we could do, we wanted to find out more about the business - what problems and issues they had. We started having all these meetings where the business told us 'You're not strategic enough. We're going down this path but you're not helping us with that'.
Mediating the requirements of the various general managers, engineers and other staff wasn't easy, Sneddon said. But it was critical to establishing IT as an effective service provider to the business.
The process was ongoing, he said.
"We restructured IT and this is still happening at the moment," Sneddon said.
He described two 'views' in IT - an architectural view defined as "having a one-to-two year window" and a strategic view, which spanned five or ten years.
"We're facilitating that [strategic view] through enterprise business analysts," Snedden said.
"Each group has an analyst whose sole job is an account management role - what is the group doing, where is it going, have you thought about this and so on.
"It's about living in [the group's] pockets all the time, so when they do have an idea, the group goes to the analyst and says 'We're thinking about this, what technology is around [to support it]?
"That's where we've got to get to. It's a long journey but we'll get there."
ETSA is also making improvements on the hardware side of its operations.
Last year the utililty refreshed the servers and storage underpinning its SAP system and made Adelaide the new home of its hardware after deciding not to renew its part of an outsourced agreement with CSC.