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Joan Clark
Joan B. Clark, 85, a resident of The Woodlands, Texas and formerly of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died Sunday, January 31, 2016. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Marian College, Indianapolis Campus. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Clark Butler and husband Curtis Butler of Medford, NJ and Cathleen Clark Perez and husband, Michael Perez of New Caney, TX, and grandchildren, Matthew Clark Butler, Lindsay Blaes Butler and Allison Blaes Perez. Her husband, James A. Clark, her son, James Kevin Clark and her brother, Rev. James F. Blaes, preceded her in death. Visitation and Funeral Liturgy will be on Thursday, February 4, 2016 beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by a small reception at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands, TX. Graveside service will be held at Mission Garden of Memory Cemetery in Clovis, NM on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Virginia's Hospice in her name, 12947 Lake Conroe Hills Dr., Willis, TX, 77318.


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Providing discounted, unlimited ride transit passes through area employers was a novel idea when the Metropass program began in 1998.
But twenty years after its inception, the program is attracting an increasing number of companies eager to encourage transit among their workforce.
Employees who work for participating employers can pay for a Metropass pre-tax through a payroll deduction. On average, companies kick in about a third of the $83 monthly cost.
When Metropass got its start, Minneapolis-based Ameriprise Financial and TKDA, a St. Paul engineering firm, were among the first to join. Nearly twenty years later, both companies continue to offer Metropass to their employees.
But they have a lot more company now. Around 37,000 employees from more than 360 employers now participate in the program. In 2017, Metropass holders took more than 12.8 million rides.
In October 1998, the first month the program was offered, Metropass customers took just over 90,000 rides.
Among those who ride with a Metropass is Janice Knight, an academic advisor at Capella University. Knight began using transit more than a decade ago to avoid costly parking in downtown Minneapolis. But there have been other perks to taking the bus.
"If I didn't ride transit, I wouldn't have met neighbors who also ride the bus," Knight said. "In fact, several of us get together to celebrate birthdays, happy hour and holidays."
Metro Transit works with Transportation Management Organizations (TMOs) like Move Minneapolis to identify employers who want to offer Metropass.
Of the 30 companies added last year, 21 were in downtown Minneapolis, including Select Comfort Corporation, Kraus Anderson and law firm, Jones Day.
Move Minneapolis also worked with Thrivent Financial, a Metropass member since 2005, to significantly increase the company's participation last year. Thrivent is building a new headquarters downtown, losing some parking spaces in the process.
In St. Paul, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Minnesota Science Museum and St. Paul Hotel are among the recent employers to join the Metropass program.
The program appeals to some suburban employers, too. More than 300 employees working at Amazon's Shakoppe distribution center are using a Metropass.
"Metropass is great for any metro-area employer," Revenue Operations Supervisor Lisa Anderson said. "There are so many benefits, like reducing the carbon footprint and handling the growth we're expecting to see."
John Penland, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Saint Paul, is another longtime rider who appreciates riding with a Metropass. Penland regularly takes the bus between Mitchell-Hamline and downtown St. Paul.
"After a while, you meet the same people and it becomes a community where you can catch up with colleagues or friends during your trip," he said.
> Learn more about the Metropass program
Metro Transit is testing new fareboxes that should help speed up boardings, marking the first advancement in farebox technology in 25 years.
"It's time. We've been using the same fareboxes since 1993," said Dennis Dworshak, Manager, Revenue and Fare Collections. "This technology represents a new generation of fareboxes that will save riders and operators time during the boarding process."
The new fareboxes allow customers to swipe transfer tickets like a credit card, instead of feeding them into a machine. While preventative maintenance has helped keep the older fareboxes running, jams can cause delays or even force a bus to be taken out of service.
The new fareboxes can also automatically scan and validate bills and feature a larger and brighter screen. Operators will have more ability to put the farebox controls in a position that is most comfortable to them, too.
The new fareboxes are expected to be installed across the fleet as funding allows. The new machines will also be included on all new buses. Tickets will be accepted by both farebox types during the transition.
A quarter of all bus customers purchase fares with cash and one-third of the time a local bus is in-service is dedicated to customer boardings.
The on-board Go-To Card validators were replaced in 2016 and have proven to be more reliable than the earlier technology they replaced.
Ultimately, the hope is that improved fare technology will make it easier for both customers and operators.
"We hope this new farebox will not only decrease the time spent boarding, but also increase the ability of the operator to focus on driving and building positive relationships with riders," Dworshak said.
Customer feedback can be sent to Customer Relations.
Metro Transit's first fare change in nearly a decade takes effect on Sunday, Oct. 1, and that's raised several questions among customers. Here are answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions and comments that we've received.
Fares have remained static for the past decade. But the past 10 years have also brought inflation and other factors that have lead operating costs to rise. As a result, fares now account for less than a third of Metro Transit's bus operating costs, a share that is common across the transit industry. The amount of money coming from the motor vehicle sales tax, a primary source of transit funding, is also falling short of expectations.
The transit system has steadily improved, too, with more light rail, rapid bus and High Frequency service and new waiting shelters, bus stop signs and real-time displays across the region. Maintaining buses, trains and facilities has become increasingly important, and costly, as the system ages. And Metro Transit's police department has grown to improve safety and security.
Revenue generated by this fare increase will raise a modest amount of funding, about $7 million a year, to help support current operations as Metro Transit continues to pursue future enhancements.
Fares should never be a barrier for those who rely on transit to access opportunity. To support those most in need, qualified, low-income residents can access discounted, $1 fares through the new Transit Assistance Program. Customers who think they may qualify can learn more and enroll at a Metro Transit Service Center or through one of several partnering organizations. Information is available at metrotransit.org/tap.
Metro Transit also provides significantly-discounted fares for individuals with disabilities, seniors and youth. In many cases, those discounts are more than half the full-priced fare.
Customers who put money on a Go-To Card will retain any stored value that was automatically added to their cards after October 1. This modest incentive -- $1 in added value for every $10 put on a Go-To Card -- was offered in part to encourage customers to consider using fare cards when they were introduced a decade ago. Today, nearly two-thirds of customers pay their fares with a Go-To Card.
Transit Police have already checked more than 1 million fares this year. Because officers regularly ride trains and buses, and repeat violators can be penalized or trespassed from transit property, instances of fare evasion are incredibly low. The costs associated with increased fare enforcement or limiting access to stations and transit vehicles is also significantly outweighed by the cost of the existing proof of payment system.
Free rides are occasionally provided to large events as a way of introducing potential customers to transit. These free ride offers also bring promotional value that often exceeds the cost of the free rides.
Allowing customers to take unlimited rides for 2.5 hours on a single fare provides sufficient time to travel to and from almost any destination in the region without having to pay a second fare.
Customers who are taking multiple trips should consider using a pass product instead of purchasing individual fares. A list of passes and their prices as of October 1 is available at metrotransit.org/fare-increase.
Still have questions? Contact our Transit Information Center or Customers Relations Department at 612-373-3333 or visit a Metro Transit Service Center.
From General Manager Brian Lamb
When people leave their homes, there are a few essential items they're likely carrying with them, including identification, credit or bank cards and a mobile phone.
Less likely to be in their pocket: a Go-To Card or the exact change it costs to board a bus or light-rail train.
Confusion about the fare and the need to have the right amount ready to board has long been a challenge for new or infrequent riders, sometimes discouraging them from using transit altogether.
Ticket vending machines that accept cash and credit cards at rail and rapid bus stations helped us begin to address this challenge. This week, we took another major step forward as we introduced a new Metro Transit app that allows people to buy and instantly use fares using a smartphone.
With the app, customers can purchase mobile tickets in advance and use them when they're ready to ride. These customers will prove they've paid their fare by showing bus operators or police officers a screen with a unique, moving image that can't be replicated or used after time has expired.
Created in partnership with tech company moovel, the app also provides access to our website's most popular trip planning tools. In the future, it will give customers a simple way to let us know about immediate concerns and to receive alerts about the routes they most often use.
Operators and police have been trained to recognize valid mobile tickets over the last several months and a number of employees have successfully tested it in the field over the last few weeks.
Time will tell how the successful the app and mobile ticketing will be in attracting new customers, but there are several reasons to believe it will be a powerful tool. Consider:
> Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults own a smartphone, and a third have used them to make a mobile payment. Our largest customer group, Millenials, are even more likely to own a smartphone and use it to make purchases. For many low-income residents, smartphones are the only reliable access to online resources.
> The Twin Cities has become a top tourist destination, attracting more than 30 million visitors a year. An even greater number of visitors will arrive in the coming years for the Super Bowl and other large events. While special fare products that serve travelers have been introduced, mobile tickets are more immediate and convenient.
> About 72 percent of our website's visits are from mobile devices and 16 percent of fares are sold through our online store. Use of a new service that allows customers to access NexTrip information by text message has grown exponentially since being introduced last June.
There are advantages for our operations, too. Cash-paying customers take more time at the farebox when boarding and face longer lines when buying tickets after large events. Customers who use mobile tickets will board just as efficiently as those using Go-To Cards.
While there are several clear advantages, the number of customers expected to use mobile tickets is likely to be small – we hope they will account for around 5 percent of all fare payments within the next year.
But getting customers to purchase their fares through the app on a regular basis isn't really our goal. Instead, we want the app and mobile ticketing to move transit up on the list of options people consider when making a trip, eventually earning their trust so Go-To Cards become just as indispensable as their smartphones.
Learn how to download the app, create an account and purchase mobile tickets at metrotransit.org/app
Revenue Operations Supervisor Bill Wilken has seen quite a few changes since he began his career cleaning buses more than 40 years ago.
Many of them were of his own making, too.
After transferring to Sales Operations in the early 1980s, Wilken led the opening of the original Minneapolis and St. Paul service centers, the conversion to electronic fare payments, set up the Metropass program and launched Metro Transit's original online store.
He has also helped simplify fare products, expand Metro Transit's retail outlets, introduce Go-To Cards and shepherd multiple fare increases (regular adult fares were just 30 cents when Wilken's career began; today, adult fares start at $1.75).
For his efforts, Wilken was recognized this week with the Minnesota Public Transportation Association's Distinguished Career Award. The award was presented at MPTA's annual conference in Rochester.
"As much as I appreciate this award and as grateful I am for it, the greatest reward I have is the thank you I get from customers that we serve," Wilken said in accepting his award.
Nick Eull, senior manager of Revenue Collections, nominated Wilken for the award. It's not only Wilken's effectiveness as a change agent that makes his career stand out, he said.
"Through all of this change and advancement of technology, Bill's mission has always been the same – make it easy to pay the bus, and later train, fare, and treat those funds with respect," Eull said. "From that goal he's never wavered."
Wilken said he's been fortunate to work alongside many talented individuals. Beyond having a strong team, he said he's found success by committing to process improvement, understanding what customers want and having clear goals.
"When I started, most fares were paid in coin," Wilken said. "Today, we offer a whole host of prepaid transit fare programs. This evolution was achieved through the process of continual improvement with help from dozens of people."
More recently, Wilken has played a leading role in planning for and coordinating fare sales and crowd management at Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium and TCF Bank Stadium.
Wilken lives in Chanhassen with his wife Marcia. Outside of his work, his hobbies include disc golf and flying. Wilken also ran a marathon at age 60 and has earned a red belt in Taekwondo.
The last Metro Transit employee to receive MPTA's Distinguished Career Award was Maintenance Manager Silas Sharp, who retired earlier this year. Sharp was honored in 2013.
> Awards and Recognition
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Watch the on demand archive presentation by clicking the link below. The resources for this presentation, including handouts, are listed below the presentation archive.
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Baruti Kafele makes the case that the "attitude gap" that often affects underperforming students can only be closed if educators first help students develop the will to strive for excellence.
In this thought-provoking webinar based on his latest book, Closing the Attitude Gap, Kafele offers practical strategies and illustrative anecdotes drawn from his 20-plus years as a teacher and principal in inner-city schools.
Participants will be provided with a wealth of lessons and valuable insights that educators at all levels can use to fire up their students' passion to learn.
Recorded October 8, 2013
Topics: struggling students | student engagement and motivation
A highly regarded urban public school educator in New Jersey for nearly 30 years, Baruti K. Kafele has distinguished himself both as a classroom teacher and as a school principal.
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Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN | How Cellulose Insulation Can Save Money AND The Planet
Let's be real: Minnesota summers are hot. And it's not just the heat that's bothersome, but the extreme humidity that makes them so grueling and unbearable. Therefore, it's incredibly tempting just to want to sit inside with the air-conditioning on all day, everyday, until the summer is over. However, the energy costs to air-condition your whole house are not only tremendously high, but wasting all of that energy is also bad for the environment. Simply having a properly insulated house can do wonders for you to help you stay cool during summer and will help you cut back on some of the money you're wasting on air-conditioning. Proper home insulation is a not only a great alternative to air-conditioning and fans during the summer, it's also a greener alternative because it requires no power or electricity to keep your house cool. Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN
Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN | Cellulose Insulation–The Greener Alternative!
If you're looking to insulate your house this summer, consider hiring some insulation contractors to insulate your home with cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation Blaine MN is made mostly from recycled materials, primarily newspaper, and requires significantly less energy to manufacture than other types of insulation, such a fiberglass insulation. Cellulose insulation can be used to insulate various different things: attics, walls, entire buildings–and, it's even a good for adding on to existing insulation as well.
Cellulose insulation Blaine MN is an eco-friendly, non-toxic and long-lasting insulation option that can provide excellent insulation to your property as well as help you save a ton of money which would otherwise be wasted on environmentally destructive heating and cooling options, such as air-conditioning, fans, and central heating–all of which use up electricity. Cellulose insulation is impervious to fire, it's insect repellent, rot resistant, resistant to mold, it decreases noise travel, and, again, it's made from environmentally friendly and recycled materials! Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN
Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN | Save Money AND the Planet!
Xcel Energy and Centerpoint Energy are now giving energy rebates to home owners who improve the air sealing insulation in their homes. Century Insulation performs these inspections in Blaine MN and all over the Twin Cities area (and beyond) for these rebates after looking for places where there might be drafts or leaks in the house walls or attic. If found, Century Insulation will install any necessary insulation that may be needed, and then these energy companies will provide you with your energy rebate! Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN
So, if you haven't already, call Century Insulation for an inspection this spring or summer to have your house checked, and kill two birds with one stone by keeping your house cool this summer and saving on your energy costs (not to mention saving the planet)!
Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN | What Else We Can Do For You!
Century Insulation can help keep you cool and go green this summer in Blaine Minnesota. Our other services include spray foam insulation, fiberglass insulation, and attic insulation. If you're not sure which one is best for you, feel free to contact one of our insulation contractors to come and inspect your house and help you determine which solution works best for you! Cellulose Insulation Blaine MN
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Last night's curious incident in which Bill Simmons's thoughts on "The Decision" went off into the ether led us (and many commenters) to draw comparisons to the final episode of The Sopranos.
Certainly that's a series weighing on our minds since this week's sudden death of star James Gandolfini, and it seemed perfect enough to speculate on where Simmons went—especially since when the coverage from Miami returned, the Sports Guy was nowhere to be seen. (He did, eventually, return, though we're still waiting to hear what he was about to say. We're not holding our breaths.)


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Finally I've got an African book on my list! In April (yes I know this post is a little backdated) I read Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who is a Nigerian author.
Americanah tells the story of Ifemelu who is preparing to move back to Lagos after many years in America. Her decision to move back home prompts her to dwell on life before and after moving to America, the changes she's seen in herself and the world around her.
When she arrived in the US to attend college, Ifemelu discovered that America wasn't quite the land of plenty that she had been expecting. She had an exceedingly difficult introduction to live in the states and one of the main issues she struggled with was American views towards race. She says at one point that she wasn't 'black' until she moved to America because race isn't a thing that exists in Nigeria but all of a sudden she was having to deal with stereotypes and ignorance at every turn. To the extent that she starts what turns out to be a very popular blog about race in the USA, excerpts of which are peppered throughout the book.
I enjoyed this book (although I have to admit that one or two of the blog extracts got me a little riled because they could be very judgmental towards white people and could be somewhat offensive, I do however get the point) and I thought it was interesting to see someone both leave and then return to their own country and the struggles to fit in that go with both scenario. Adiche's writing is incredibly powerful and her descriptions made me feel as if I know Lagos myself!
A minor quibble would be that this book is sold as a love story between Ifemelu and Obinze and a 'will they-won't they' scenario after their return to Nigeria whereas in actual fact this is a situation that takes up less than a third of the book. Fine by me but if that's what you're in to you might be disappointed!
Interestingly, I've just finished reading Half of a Yellow Sun, an earlier novel by the same author, which I enjoyed even more. The story is set in the Nigerian-Biafran war of 1967, a conflict I'd never heard of and is told by three people who have very different experiences – the rich, beautiful Olanna, her house boy Ugwu and her twin sister's lover, the white man Richard. I enjoyed this book much more, I learned a lot about something I was completely unaware of as well as getting to really know and care for some wonderful characters who I felt much more interested in then I did with Ifemelu. I read Half of a Yellow Sun for my book group (even though I'm probably going to miss this month's meeting as well) but it was so well timed that I delayed this post so that I could include it at the end.
And now, because I know you guys love this part as much as I do…the graphs!
And of course the map:


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I just found my forever home and a girlfriend,too!
Message from Marcy, SaveABunny's Founder
Dudley just came back from several months in a foster home where he was a free roaming bunny. His foster parents are traveling throughout the summer and could no longer foster this big, goofy guy.
We are hopeful that Dudley can find a home soon, because he will surely get depressed and cranky having to go back into a smaller set-up as we have limited space here at our foster center.
if you are interested in adopted a big bunny with a big personality, who sometimes thinks that he is a dog, please meet Dudley soon.
He's a gorgeous bunny with LOTS of energy and love to share.
A message from Dudley's foster parents:
>>>Hello Bunny lovers,
We are thoroughly enjoying our Dudley bunny experience. Dudley's personality so far seems to fit into our little quirky, safe, fun home animal life. In our limited bunny experience yet seasoned animal experience he appears to be comfortable; ie: eating, curious/inviting of other beings we look forward to acclimating him to life in our home and preparing him for his forever home. Questions will no doubt follow via email or phone. Steve and I were very impressed with the save a bunny movement and will pass a very positive word on to the rescue community. Thank you for your professional commitment.>>>
NOTE: Dudley is truly an amazing rabbit. He's handsome, fun and goofy. He is getting depressed and we are eager to find him a fabulous home where he can be an integral part of the family with mostly cage-free time. You will love him! Please meet him soon!
Hey! My name is Dudley. I am a very charming and engaging big, neutered bunny boy. I LOVE being with people and getting a LOT of attention. You can pet me for hours. Actually, I get a bit annoyed when you stop petting me! I am super social and outgoing and a fun-loving guy.
I am a favorite of some of the volunteers here at SaveABunny with my friendliness and big fat bunny head and muscular bunny body. I'm a hoot!
I run over to the front of my pen to meet you and quickly settle in for kisses,love and pets from you. I'm a very fun and engaging boy and will make you laugh smile and be glad you adopted me.
Please visit me soon!


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A Dentist Who Can Help You Achieve A Dazzling Smile
Especially for those of who live in appearance-conscious Los Angeles, the impression you make can be a very important part of your identity. And, regardless of where you live, an important part of your appearance is your smile. There's no getting around it. Showing off a well-cared-for set of teeth can be a huge bonus, both in your professional and personal life. Maintaining teeth can be a challenge, however – a challenge that is best addressed with the help of a great dentist like Dr. Farzad Feiz of Calabasas Dental Group and California Dental Care in West L.A.
Dr. Feiz is considered by many Southern California residents to be the best option for tooth bonding in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. This is because Dr. Feiz is thoughtful and caring enough to make sure his patients get the very best in this type of restorative dental treatment. And with such treatments as his top-tier tooth bonding and whitening, your smile is likely to dazzle those around you.
Dental crowns in West Los Angeles are also available from Calabasas Dental Group and California Dental Care, and are another excellent way to make sure your smile is the best it can possibly be. This is because dental crowns are placed over damaged teeth, and can help complete your smile while providing vital protection. Veneers in west Los Angeles like dental crowns, can have the same effect on your smile as well, and are also available from Dr. Feiz and his dedicated team of dental professionals.


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Okay, this is just so lame that I'm going to speak out on the issue of Microsoft's bid for Yahoo. Google's basically crying foul because Microsoft still has loads of cash lying around and they're slowly coming to the realization that it will not be long before they no longer have a monopoly on the lucrative OS/Office Suite market. Might as well as buy up some prominent Internet properties while the going's good.
I'm not saying that this buyout would be a good thing. I agree with Google that I'd rather not see Yahoo! suck even worse by getting absorbed into the Microsoft blob, especially not with the way the collectively screwed us all with the abomination that is Internet Explorer.
However, I beg to differ that Google's looking out for our interests. I see a lot of innovation in the search engine area but I haven't witnessed any openness on Google's part. They do a lot more for the community than a lot of other companies but there's a good reason why Google's campus looks like a playground with free food. They're swimming in money that wouldn't be there if everything was open source. Google makes money the same way Microsoft does, by monetizing the software they developed in house. One is deployed to an army of servers and another gets mass distribution through retail.
Microsoft's been making some strategic plays like getting a stake in Facebook and I'm sure that Google understands full well that as far as cash cows go they're still a one trick pony compared to other competitors that have diversified since the first crash.
So Microsoft's hostile bid for Yahoo! raises troubling questions. This is about more than simply a financial transaction, one company taking over another. It's about preserving the underlying principles of the Internet: openness and innovation.
Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC? While the Internet rewards competitive innovation, Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies—and then leverage its dominance into new, adjacent markets.
Could the acquisition of Yahoo! allow Microsoft—despite its legacy of serious legal and regulatory offenses—to extend unfair practices from browsers and operating systems to the Internet? In addition, Microsoft plus Yahoo! equals an overwhelming share of instant messaging and web email accounts. And between them, the two companies operate the two most heavily trafficked portals on the Internet. Could a combination of the two take advantage of a PC software monopoly to unfairly limit the ability of consumers to freely access competitors' email, IM, and web-based services? Policymakers around the world need to ask these questions—and consumers deserve satisfying answers.


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Pacific Science Volume 12, Number 2, 1958
Pacific Science is a quarterly publication devoted to the biological and physical sciences of the Pacific Region.
Copyright by University of Hawai'i Press. All rights reserved.
Browse the Collection
Recent SubmissionsNotes. First Pacific Record of the Whale-louse Genus Syncyamus (Amphipoda: Cyamidae) Notes. An Unusually Large Salp Records of Scattering Layers from New Zealand Seas Contributions to the Knowledge of the Alpheid Shrimp of the Pacific Ocean: Part III. On a Small Collection from Onotoa, Gilbert Islands Studies on Luminescence in Marine Snails Revisionary Notes on the Phoxocephalidae (Amphipoda), with a Key to the Genera A New Hedyotis from Kauai, Hawaiian Islands Two New Doliolids from the Eastern Pacific Ocean Some Trematodes of Fishes from the Central Equatorial Pacific Distribution and Ecologic Aspects of Central Pacific Salpidae (Tunicata) view more...
Date issued


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When you are dealing with legal matters such as working on a construction project, there could be many hurdles in the way that are needed to be taken into account and resolved. Not everyone is well-rehearsed when it comes to the laws of construction, and if you are someone who lacks experience then you can easily find yourself in a lawsuit. That is why if you are working on a project then it is important to have a construction lawyer by your side so they can provide you the required guidance and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
There are more problems that could occur at the time of construction than you think. There are many legal issues attached with constructing a building or a house which people easily forget to take into consideration. That is why in this article we are going to discuss that why it is important to have a construction lawyer in Melbourne by your side and how they can make your make your project smoother.
Property Clearance
Often times when you start constructing a project on a property, you might not know if there are any legal issues attached to it. There have been many instances that once the project has been completed, a lawsuit has been filed on the project because of legal problems. That is why, in order to avoid such problems it is important to have a professional by your side such as a construction lawyer who can verify everything and get you proper clearance for the property before you initiate any construction projects.
Proper Guidance
There is a lot of legal work that is required to be carried out when you are construction a project. Most of the times, someone who does not have knowledge of law can find it extremely difficult and frustrating. That is why, by having a construction lawyer by your side you can get the guidance you need in order to smooth-sail your operations and make sure that all the necessary paperwork and formalities are completed along the way to avoid any sort of inconveniences in the future.
Peace of Mind
Often times even if all the legal work is carried out one would think that why they should spend money on hiring a construction lawyer. However, the peace of mind one gets by having a professional by their side is simply worth the investment. Knowing that even if any legal problems arise you will always have someone licensed to immediately help you resolve the issue. Dealing and constructing new projects requires many factors to be taken into account, that is why make sure that all your operations are smooth-sailing by having a construction lawyer by your side to enhance the efficiency of your project. For more information, please log on to https://www.baysidesolicitors.net.au/.


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Paragon International Insurance Brokers Ltd is a leading, independently-owned insurance broker, operating in the Lloyd's of London, Bermuda, European and International Specialty markets.
Our focus is on areas that present complex risk management and risk transfer challenges, because this is where we can add most value for our clients. These areas include:
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ZELIENOPLE � The Strand Theater in Zelienople has received a contribution of $100,000 from an anonymous donor.
Ron Carter, president and executive director of The Strand Theater Initiative, said it was the most generous gift The Strand has ever received.
�It was just overwhelming. I�ve always felt that The Strand is a unique and special place, but to have this incredible validation from someone else ... there are no words to show my appreciation for this type of gift,� Carter said.
The Strand Initiative, the charity that owns and operates the theater, has far bigger plans beyond the $2.5 million renovation it completed in 2009. Two more phases are planned. They include the construction of a full stage house to accommodate a much deeper stage, wing space and dressing rooms, as well as a two-level parking deck with a multipurpose center for black box theater, dance and acting classes and private functions. The total cost to complete both phases is estimated at $6.5 million. The recent donation has given the nonprofit�s capital campaign a major boost.
Before live performances Carter tells the audience about The Strand and the need and he always quips, �If any of you want to write us a check for $6.5 million we will quickly finish the project.� He said this generous gift proves that it is possible to expand The Strand dream.
�People may not think of theaters as legitimate charities, because we don�t cure diseases or feed the homeless. Of course those are of monumental importance, but the arts are important, too. The Strand Theater Initiative has a mission as well: to improve lives, drive the economy and provide educational opportunity wherever possible, using the arts as a catalyst. This donor recognizes that, and through this amazing gift, others will too, hopefully,� Carter said.
�And it means so much beyond the obvious monetary value. This is the type of contribution that makes other foundations, corporations and philanthropists sit up and take notice. This is what causes others to pause and realize what a gem we have right here in Zelienople, and how possible it is to expand the dream.�
The Strand reopened to the public in 2009, after 25 years of darkness and decay. Since that time, the cultural center has presented a wide variety of live and cinematic programs. Such household names as Debbie Reynolds, John Oates (of Hall & Oates), The Celtic Tenors, B.E. Taylor, Joe Negri and Joan Osborne have graced its stage. In addition, The Strand has presented movies ranging from Gone With The Wind� to �Iron Man 3� on its 25-foot screen in digital HD and 45-speaker surround-sound.
Despite its intimate size, the outstanding quality of The Strand�s programs has drawn patrons from 16 Pennsylvania counties and 17 states. When the expansion is completed, it will allow the theater to create even more extravagant, full-scale theatrical programs, and establish a fully appointed cultural center in Pittsburgh�s northern reaches.
Originally, the gift was to be placed in an interest-bearing account while the capital campaign continued, but the donor agreed to a proposal that Carter made to pay off the mortgage on the property at 121 N. Main St., which the theater owns and factors largely into the expansion plans. With that done, the monthly mortgage payments can be applied to the theater�s bottom line, with a portion of it going back to the capital campaign.
�We hope that this sends a clear signal to other potential donors that The Strand is a valued part of the community and will consider joining the initiative and help us complete the expansion,� Carter said.


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With the warm weather rolling into Denver, can a fleet of gourmet food trucks be far behind? Last year, the truck trend took the town by storm — but by the end of 2010, things were looking stormy, with Sean and Denon Moore complaining that their Denver Cupcake Trucks had been grounded by bureaucratic roadblocks, and other once-mobile entrepreneurs charging that red tape had tangled their operations, too.
That's when Denver decided to create a Food Truck Guide, a new document that pulls together all the rules affecting mobile food vendors, rules currently scattered across a number of city departments, including Planning, Excise and Licenses, Public Works, Environmental Health, and Parks and Recreation. But at a January Denver City Council committee meeting where a draft of that document was first discussed, there was so much confusion that city councilwoman Carla Madison was volunteered to head a task force that would assess the status of gourmet food trucks in Denver and explore possible regulatory changes.
The group's first meeting was held last Wednesday at the Downtown Denver Partnership offices.
At the meeting were a variety of interested parties, including downtown reps and city officials, Pete Meersman of the Colorado Restaurant Association, and truck operators/restarateurs/entrepreneurs including Denon Moore; Josh Wolkon of Steuben's and Vesta Dipping Grill, whose Steuben's Food Truck helped set this fad in motion last June; and Jim Pittenger of several Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs carts and, with any luck, a brick-and-mortar spot opening any day now at 2148 Larimer Street .
Although mobile food vendors are currently banned from the Central Business District (not including LoDo) except for areas along the 16th Street Mall, where vendors contract with the Denver Partnership, and in Skyline Park, where Parks and Rec allows some carts, most of the conversation stayed out of downtown itself. Instead, it focused on three areas for fast fixes: the stipulation that you can only have one truck per zone lot; the rule that trucks must be separated by 200 feet, even on private property; and the prohibition against vendors selling their wares after 9 p.m. While those rules might have made sense a decade ago, when the city last overhauled regulations affecting loncheras, they don't work with gourmet food trucks, which often congregate together in pods at lunchtime and at late-night parties.
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Madison is optimistic that her group will be able to steer some changes through council, and soon. "I want to make sure this gets done by spring," she promises.
Just in time for gourmet food trucks to again descend on Denver. We'll keep you updated on the progress of those changes; in the meantime, look for the latest version of the Food Truck Guide on Cafe Society later today.
This piece was first published in Cafe Bites, our e-mail newsletter that goes out early every Wednesday; directions for subscribing are at the top of our home page.


text: How to Attract IT Students at College Job Fairs by Tcradick | Wednesday, February 14, 2007 | 0 comment(s) From our experience running booths at college and university job fairs, there is a simple sure-fire way to attract and recruit IT and IS students to your booth.Include the word "technologies" or "technology" in your company name or in big wording on your display materials.The funny thing is, Vibrant generally doesn't go to college career fairs to recruit IS graduates, because we require several years experience in the field before we consider a systems engineer candidate (we're looking for entry-level sales and customer service).Regardless, the IT students and electrical engineering majors see the word "technologies" in our company name and introduce themselves almost every time. We certainly hope someday they'll be our clients, but it's difficult to explain that we don't have an immediate opportunity for them.So, if you're an IT exec, in-house recruiter or independent recruiter looking for new blood from the college ranks, you might want to send some cards and materials to an exhibiting reseller. If you're interested in Midwest students, we would surely be happy to hand those out to the plethora of IT students that drop by our college job fair booth.Here are a few more tips for running a college career fair booth:1) Stand in front of your booth. This is another pretty simple tip, but it really works. It's easy to hide behind a table, but you're more approachable if you don't. The concrete floors and cheap carpet of exhibit halls will leave your knees and back begging you to sit down, but don't give in!2) Give away fun stuff. It creates a conversation starter and will get some people to your booth that won't otherwise. Candy is a staple, as are pens. At our last career fair, we gave away big inflatable bats (we were hiring sales people and "looking for a few big hitters"). Every once and a while I would take a walk around the fair with one over my shoulder and scores of students wanted to know where they could get one. There are endless giveaways for tech types, too.3) Bring lots of water. If your booth is a success, you'll be talking all day and you will get parched (lip balm?).4) Try to set up next to the big corporations (if you aren't one). You'll get tons of overflow traffic from the students who have lined up to hand their resumes in to the corporate black hole (err… on-file resume collection).Good luck, and again, contact me (corey at vibrant dot com) if we can refer any IS students your way. This entry was posted in Vibrant Posts. 0 Comments Add a Comment to this Post You must be logged in to post comments.


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Filed under: children, family news, homeschool, Jeremy, Utah
Such a boring title, however, somehow it just doesn't seem fair to give any one of the events of the past few months the honor of the title of a blog over another. As if homeschooling, or traveling or life back in the military, or any recent event deserves the title more than the other.
Our God has been faithful to confirm the call that Jeremy felt starting last year to return to the Air Force over and over since we began our journey out West here to Utah.
Here is some of the beautiful country we drove through on our way here:
Within hours of arriving on base, after a sweet long trip across country visiting friends and family (after a hectic DITY – Do-it-yourself move, AKA "the best way to find out how much you really can do in 48 hours") we were assigned a perfect house on base, next to neighbors with children our kids' ages, and even a few homeschooling families. Within minutes of getting keys, the children had all assigned rooms. Elijah got the smallest room with a view of the Great Salt Lake and the mountains in the West, so he can watch the sun set from his bedroom window – AMAZING!! (Yes that is his screen. . .another story and another blog about that sometime soon.)
We prayed hard (it wasn't long, we really didn't have long before school started) about what to do about school for our children, we decided to homeschool again. In another blog I will share more about that for those who wish to be tortured with all the fun details! Simply put, we are LOVING it to no end!
Jeremy has been able to stay busy and is adjusting well to life back in active duty. He preaches most Sundays at the Chapel, which he has been most thankful for, and has met some godly men who he can learn from and grow with.
We are learning a lot about the culture here, as it is predominately and historically Mormon. We are so thankful that we serve a God who does not live in temples built by human hands, and who is not limited in His work by our ideas or understanding! My heart has grown more thankful in the recent months for the grace and mercy of God . . .
Until next time, grace and peace.


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By Arwa Lodhi
This summer, someone proposed I join them in a hot yoga class. Given that it was 27 degrees outside, that seriously did not appeal. But now that the weather is cooling off fast, I'm changing my mind…
I am also looking for new yoga clothes for my regular class – it's getting damn chilly in that studio, and my open backed yoga tee is simply not comfy enough. But during my search for yoga gear, I was shocked to see that so many brands that people obsess over (yes, Lulu Lemon and Sweaty Betty, I mean you!) are actually not only made with polluting polyester, but are very likely made in sweatshops. That's not very ahimsa! (the yogic term for doing no harm, if you were wondering).
What's more, many yoga mats are made from PVC – a highly toxic chemical. You actually breathe in the fumes from this when you're down in poses like Child's Pose. In fact, PVC, (polyvinyl chloride) can cause damage to the liver, reproductive system, central nervous system and respiratory system. The process of making PVC produces dioxins and PCBs, both serious carcinogens. PVC products also release off-gas volatile compounds and, when burned in a garbage incinerator, emit highly toxic smoke. But that's not all – the chemicals added to mats to make them "sticky" are phthalates, and to make them durable, toxic metals. Both can leach out of the mat with use and into your skin. Both cause cancer.
So the next time you're looking for new leggings or a fashionable yoga bra, consider one of the following sustainable clothing brands. Each of these companies are committed to sustainability, strong work ethics and use eco-friendly materials that are good for you, other people and the planet. Meditate on that!
1. Yoga Democracy
Recycled fibres embellished with quirky prints define this conscious yoga brand. We love that their waistbands are slightly higher, meaning you get more support when you're in positions like plank, and more superficially, any hints of 'muffin top' are completely banished.
2. Teeki
Produced locally and ethically in America, Teeki uses recycled plastics to create its surprisingly breathable yoga gear. Who needs to wear glum neutrals in yoga class? Teeki's styles explode with colour and life, bringing more joy to your practice.
3. Prana
Probably the most well-known eco-friendly yoga brand, Prana was founded on a belief in sustainability. They use environmentally friendly materials like hemp, cotton and recycled polyester, and all their packaging is recyclable, too. Only Fair Trade Certified factories produce Prana's goods, and since their founding in 1992, Prana has been doing great things, like creating the Natural Power Initiative to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the development of renewable energy.
4. Inner Waves Organics
This family-owned business is all about comfort and connection to the earth. All of its clothing is manufactured in the US and made out of super soft eco-friendly materials that are designed by yogis for yogis. They use low impact dyes for their fabrics and choose coloring facilities that completely recycle their water. Their tags and packaging are fully recyclable, and the brand also gives away some of their profits to the Give Back Yoga Foundation, serve meals to the homeless, and teach donation-based yoga classes.
5. Shining Shakti
Want groovy yoga clothes to help you channel your inner hippy? Shining Shakti makes them! This is a brand for the eco minded woman who cares about her carbon footprint – Shining Shakti uses organic, eco-friendly materials that come from farms in the USA. In fact, their entire manufacturing processes take place in America, too. They dye all of their products by hand, too!
6. Anjali
Fair traded soy, modal and cotton and recycled polyester are the materials this NYC-based brand uses for its dreamy yoga clothing line. They dreamed of a made-in-the-US-line of environmentally and socially responsible yoga clothing. They dreamed of creative designs that could be worn in and out of the yoga studio. Six years later, that dream became a reality. Anjali says they are constantly creating designs that aim to remind people of their inherent beauty and goodness.
7. Lily Lotus
Sustainability Score: 5/8
The Overview: Lily Lotus design a wide range of stylish clothing meant for the modern, active woman. Each item is designed to be comfortable and easy to wear, and features a comfortable fit and glamorous style. All of their clothing is manufactured in the USA from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and bamboo, using only sustainable business practices.
8. Woron Store
You know when you're in a headstand and your top flies up and you can't really chill because you're afraid your boobs are on display to all and sundry? Woron Store solves all your problems with their gorgeously stretchy, breathable body suits. Though not designated as a 'yoga brand', the Scandinavian based Woron Store also provides awesome tights and asymmetrical tees that are perfect for any yoga class.
9. Pepper & Mayne
Love feeling like everything's tucked in securely when you do your yoga workout? Pepper & Mayne's compression garments will let you truly relax. Their supportive bras come with a built-in under bust and removable padding for greater versatility, and everything is made from eco-label approved factories in Europe and Nepal.
10. Girlfriend Collective
This specialist brand creates tights from recycled plastic bottles, and even gave away some of their first creations for free, strongly believing that those who wore them would love them so much, they'd start a frenzy on social media – and they did! Girlfriend Collective's designs are as perfect for yoga classes as they are for dancers. In fact, their clothing is so gorgeous and comfy, we'd wear this just going out for coffee!
11. Cozy Orange
Want chic urban style that's still practical for yoga class? Look no further! Cozy Orange only uses environmentally friendly materials like recycled tactel, nylon and polyester to make its clothing, and holds its manufacturers in Cambodia to a high sustainability standard. They also donate a portion of their proceeds to World Vision International and Water.org.
12. Recycled Wetsuits Yoga Mats
Ok, it's not clothing, but your yoga mat is super important to your practice! Did you know most yoga mats are made of very eco-harmful PVC? Not very Zen, and sure as heck not very nice to be breathing in their fumes in your child's pose. So it's these gorgeous mats to the rescue! They may be a bit more pricey than toxic mats, but they're made from recycled rubber wetsuits and will leave no footprint in landfills, or toxic fumes in your lungs as you 'remember your breath'…
13. Laene Scandinavia
These stylish tops and pants by Laene allow for the free movements required by any yoga workout, and are constructed from the intelligent botanic fibreTencel, which is organically farmed from eucalyptus trees. Tencel's heat controlling and moisture managing properties are better than any synthetic fibre on the market, creating a comfortable fit akin to a second skin. It is antibacterial, anti-odour, easy to wash and dries fast, so there is no need for tumble drying or dry-cleaning.
14. FROM Clothing
This new ethical fashion brand based in the UK is a demonstration of how an integrated socially responsible approach to business can work towards contributing to the well being of our planet. The outfits are designed and manufactured according to an eco friendly criteria for the active and yoga lifestyle, using beautiful fabrics which feel soft against the skin, are kind to our environment and sourced from sustainable resources – a minimum of 90% of the raw materials used are made from either ethically sourced, certified organic and/or sustainable sources.
15. OM Girl
Another great brand to enjoy your yoga sessions with is OM Girl Clothing.These clothes are made from the finest materials, soft and colourful, and are entirely custom-dyed. In line with the brand's chosen name, green living is the philosophical and spiritual foundation to Om Girl: the ancient principle of Ahimsa, which translates roughly as "non-harming", is translated in a cloth manufacturing process that is focused on minimising its impact on the environment.
In practice the label teams up with like-minded brands to offer organic and/or sustainable product options. Furthermore, Om girl offsets its entire carbon footprint through Carbonfund.org and hosts its web server in a green data centre, avoiding the use of paper, prevent the damage of trees.
This site uses affiliate links with brands we trust, and if you make a purchase using a link, we may receive a commission.
Did you enjoy this post? Want to show your gratitude? Please support us on Patreon!


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Cheap Dunlop tires
Great tires!!! Great tires for the buck. A very reliable set of tires and I half to admit that I was skeptical about the carbor fiber being in the tires but these proved to be phenomenal in every aspect. Great grip and longevity. These tires lasted 7, 000 miles on my 2002 Honda CBR954rr. Great tires don't miss out. These tires have great handling. They lean so well. Much better than stock. If these are your first set of tires after changing stock, don't be scared when you first feel it LEAN. You don't need a lot of pressure for these babies to dip you in your turn. I love them!!!
Great Weekend Warrior Tire This tire is great for the weekend canyon carver, plenty of grip and heats up pretty quickly. Haven't had the chance to see what it can do on the track but will soon and I have plenty of confidence it will perform well. So far I have put about 1000 miles on it so I will see how long it lasts, I only take the bike out for weekends so it should last me quite some time.
50/50 Track Day Tires on a Party Barge? You Bet! I had some trepidation about putting these on my 606lbs. touring rig. My OEM tires were Michelin PR4 GT's which were excellent. The PR4 GT rear tire lasted 5, 551 miles. The front would have lasted another 3, 000 miles based on how much tread it had left. I wanted to try something even stickier, and the Q3's were $160 cheaper than another set of PR4 GT's. I figured why not? Turns out these tires work great on heavy bikes too. I ride the canyons and sometimes there are puddles of gravel freshly fallen from the cliff sides. More than a few times I've committed to a corner at a moderate lean angle and rode right though the gravel with no drama. I can actually feel the tires roll over the small rocks, pick 'em up, and throw them out the back. These tires are 100% confidence inspiring. I just took off the rear tire at 3, 777 miles because it was starting to slip under heavy throttle. The front tire looks like it will last another 2, 000 miles. Considering how inexpensive these tires are, they're worth every penny, and are a good value. I'd rather pay less for these Q3's and get new tires more often than the longer lasting PR4 GT's. Check out the photos of my tread wear from 3, 777 miles of riding. BTW, I'm 300lbs. and my front wheel is usually hovering so if you're a normal rider on a 450lbs sport bike these tires will last quite a bit longer. Check out my video to see how these tires were ridden. I did a 271 mile ride from NC to VA in the rain going 80 mph on 95 and they handled as if it was dry i love these tires From what I gathered from Anthony's reviews, I took these over Pirelli's because they are engineered to last longer (just slightly) on the street whereas Pirelli's are (just slightly) better engineered for the track. Regardless, both were highly recommended to me by my track coaches and so far these tires feel grippy and handle well. I'm certain that with either tire brand I went with both would suit my needs very well and I'd be happy. Loved the Q2's, love the Q3. Great tire for WHAT IT IS It's a high performance tire. Tons of grip, great wet or dry, great feel, inexpensive and american made Downside? Tire life. I have a torquey V-twin sportbike and I'm a big guy that rides hard. I get 2500 to 3000 on a rear, 3500 to 4500 on a front. Highly recommend these
Discount Cheap!!! Tire Silicone Case for HTC ONE X Purple
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Does discount tire have cheap tire and wheel packages.
Discount Tire does offer cheap tire and wheel packages. The only caveat however is that you would have to purchase your tire and wheel package separately. There are no combination packages on the official website.


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From The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/opinion/sunday/the-blessings-of-atheism.html
By SUSAN JACOBY
Published: January 5, 2013
In a recent conversation with a fellow journalist, I voiced my exasperation at the endless talk about faith in God as the only consolation for those devastated by the unfathomable murders in Newtown, Conn. Some of those grieving parents surely believe, as I do, that this is our one and only life. Atheists cannot find solace in the idea that dead children are now angels in heaven. "That only shows the limits of atheism," my colleague replied. "It's all about nonbelief and has nothing to offer when people are suffering."
This widespread misapprehension that atheists believe in nothing positive is one of the main reasons secularly inclined Americans — roughly 20 percent of the population — do not wield public influence commensurate with their numbers. One major problem is the dearth of secular community institutions. But the most powerful force holding us back is our own reluctance to speak, particularly at moments of high national drama and emotion, with the combination of reason and passion needed to erase the image of the atheist as a bloodless intellectual robot.
The secular community is fearful of seeming to proselytize. When giving talks on college campuses, I used to avoid personal discussions of my atheism. But over the years, I have changed my mind because such diffidence contributes to the false image of the atheist as someone whose convictions are removed from ordinary experience. It is vital to show that there are indeed atheists in foxholes, and wherever else human beings suffer and die.
Now when students ask how I came to believe what I believe, I tell them that I trace my atheism to my first encounter, at age 7, with the scourge of polio. In 1952, a 9-year-old friend was stricken by the disease and clinging to life in an iron lung. After visiting him in the hospital, I asked my mother, "Why would God do that to a little boy?" She sighed in a way that telegraphed her lack of conviction and said: "I don't know. The priest would say God must have his reasons, but I don't know what they could be."
Just two years later, in 1954, Jonas Salk's vaccine began the process of eradicating polio, and my mother took the opportunity to suggest that God may have guided his research. I remember replying, "Well, God should have guided the doctors a long time ago so that Al wouldn't be in an iron lung." (He was to die only eight years later, by which time I was a committed atheist.)
Continue reading at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/opinion/sunday/the-blessings-of-atheism.html


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COSTA RICA Moisturizing Body Water ($48) is a body spray with a gorgeous tropical fragrance that is a combination of peach, apple, melon and pineapple blended with jasmine, cedar and musk. A few sprays of this and WOW – I am instantly transported to Costa Rica! The scent is beachy yet elegant, and it's soft and not overpowering. Absolutely perfect for summer.
COSTA RICA Moisturizing Body Water is also great for hydrating dry skin. The main ingredient is jania, which is a sustainably-cultivated red vegetal coral that provides skin with intense hydration. It leaves my skin feels wonderfully soft and fresh, something I really appreciate since it gets very dry and itchy during long hot days.
The combination of beautiful tropical scent and soothing hydration for skin makes the Phytocéane COSTA RICA Moisturizing Body Water a real winner and one of my favorite products this summer. You can find this as well as all the other fantastic Phytoceane products at lespausa.com. – Lisa


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The All Progressives Congress (APC), has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shut up because it has no moral justification to criticise this government on state of health of the nation's economy.
The PDP had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign following the disclosure Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics and Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun that the country was in a recession.
But on Thursday APC launched an acerbic counter-attack on PDP, accusing it of bringing the current economic recession upon the nation.
The party in the statement signed by its national scribe, Mai Mala Buni, said 16 years of PDP rule was a disaster, which prepared the ground for the present economy turbulence.
It said, the statement by PDP on Wednesday (that Buhari should resign), "is the latest in the party's insensitive plot to deflect attention from the voodoo economics and reckless fiscal policies the country was subjected to during its 16-year rule.
"The warning signs were glaring to the immediate-past administration but it chose the path of economic sabotage by looking the other way and squandering the country's commonwealth – a reckless decision that has brought the country to its knees", APC stated.
The statement issued in Abuja continued: "For the umpteenth time, the PDP lacks the moral basis and credibility to comment or condemn the government on the economy after the mess it left behind. Instead, the PDP must apologise to Nigerians.
"Nigerians will recall that even the immediate-past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, confessed that the zero political will to save under the immediate-past administration is responsible for the challenges facing the country.
"Under the new flexible foreign exchange policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in June 2016, we now have a single market-determined exchange rate which enables suppliers of foreign currencies to bring in their money and take the same out at market-determined rates. The new foreign exchange policy being implemented will ensure our economy recovers in the medium to long term.
"As contained in the assented 2016 National Budget, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is aggressively formulating and implementing policies aimed at diversifying Nigeria's economy from oil to other sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
"The administration is also proactively tackling increased attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region which has led to disruptions in crude production.
"The President's shuttle diplomacy has yielded positive effects on the country's economic policies. As a result, several agreements concluded during the visits are positively impacting on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.
"The fight against corruption remains a top priority for the President Buhari APC-led administration. In spite of desperate attempts by some partisans to discredit anti-corruption efforts in some quarters, the war against corruption is being won and has been well-received and supported. The generality of Nigerians agree that the days of impunity are over.
"Through the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the President Muhammadu Buhari APC-led administration, revenue leakages have been greatly plugged.
"The new petroleum products supply and pricing framework which eliminated corruption-tainted subsidy payments has among others greatly solved fuel scarcities by ensuring availability of products at all locations in the country; reduced hoarding, smuggling and diversion substantially and stabilise price at the actual product price; encouraged investments in both Refineries and Retails; provided Government more revenue to address social and infrastructural needs of the country.
"In line with the critical infrastructural focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, an unprecedented 30 per cent of 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects.
"As the administration works assiduously to build a new solid foundation, credible image and pull the country out of the present hardships, the APC appeals for patience and cooperation from Nigerians", APC pleaded.
APC to PDP: Your Misrule Prepared Ground for Recession
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shut up because it has no moral justification to criticise this government on state of health of the nation's economy.


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Remember this? Remember the havoc it wreaks on your bike?
This winter special is more than just a tune-up. It is a season-long maintenance package. It includes all of the goodies that are part of our regular Deluxe Tune-Up, namely:
- Full adjustment of braking system, including pads, levers, cable & housing replacement & lubrication.
- Full adjustment of shifting system, including derailleurs, levers, cable & housing replacement & lubrication.
- External adjustment of both hubs.
- Spot-truing of both wheels as needed to ensure good braking.
- External adjustment of headset.
- External adjustment of bottom bracket.
- Full check of parts and accessories to ensure safety.
- Chain lubrication.
- Tires inflated to correct pressure.
- Free installation on additional accessories purchased from us.
- Complete wheel dishing & truing. (We will also include inner tube replacement, if needed.)
- Complete drivetrain cleaning or replacement (as needed). There is a lot of variation here, depending on the needs of each individual bike & rider, so please call for details, or better yet, bring you bike in and discuss the repair with the mechanic. Labor assessments and estimates are always free.
But what makes the Winter Tune-Up worthy of its name is the ongoing maintenance we include in this service for the entire cold riding season, specifically until March 31, 2009. After you have purchased your Winter Tune-Up you are entitled to:
- Full bike wash and lube, as often as you wish (normally, $35 each time!)
- Adjustments and tuning whenever needed
- Free labor on fixing flats
- Free installation of parts and accessories purchased at Rapid Transit.
All our offerings also include a thorough evaluation, professional expertise of a mechanic who is also a rider, a burning desire to make your bike work well for you, a test ride to make sure what has been promised is delivered.
You can purchase the Winter Tune-Up for $155 for your multi-speed bike. Please call for pricing on single-speed and fixed-gear bikes


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Martin Furniture TV Stands
Martin Furniture Bailey 80" TV Stand
60" asymmetrical wall mounted Audio/Video console
Martin Furniture Harmon 40" TV Console in Weathered Greige
Martin Furniture Bailey 60" TV Stand A
48" Shallow wall mounted Audio/Video console
72" asymmetrical wall mounted Audio/Video console
72" asymmetrical wall mounted Audio/Video console
72" asymmetrical wall mounted Audio/Video console
48" Shallow wall mounted Audio/Video console
48" Shallow wall mounted Audio/Video console
60" asymmetrical wall mounted Audio/Video console
Martin Furniture Bailey 60" TV Stand B
Martin Furniture Heritage TV Stand in Hickory
Martin Furniture Avondale Wood TV Stand in Weathered Oak
Martin Furniture Navarro Deluxe TV Console in Clove and Auburn
Martin Furniture Ellington Deluxe TV Console in Blue
Martin Furniture
In 1980, Gil Martin left the company he was employed with to start a new adventure—furniture design. With just a table saw in his garage, Mr. Martin began what is now an international, industry-leading furniture design, manufacturer, and distributor of quality wood furniture. In 2003, Martin Furniture partnered with Kathy Ireland Home to add a whole new dimension to the working family home.
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Martin Furniture TV Stands
The focus on simple lines is evident with the TV stands designed by Kathy Ireland. Today's busy households need a place to organize their technology, while adding style to the family room. Martin Furniture TV stands, designed by Kathy Ireland, are the perfect marriage between function and style. The clean crisp lines, warm wood tones with glass doors make cleaning up at the end of the night almost fun. With a choice between floor-hugging credenzas and slightly elevated TV consoles on sturdy legs, there is an option designed to suit any need.
Perfect for that new plasma TV, the lower profile Martin Furniture credenzas offer a center channel shelf complete with interchangeable speaker grill panel. If you are looking to add to your cottage décor, the lovely routed molding detail around glass doors will certainly add a little bit of country feel to your television console. For added space-saving capabilities, look no further than the curvy appeal of the corner unit. Media storage combines with small space needs to give you an equally satisfying choice in television furniture. If you prefer a more modern urban feel for your family space, rest your LCD TV atop the classic black small-space TV credenza. Not only is it timelessly stylish, but it will keep all your media in one place, too.
Style shouldn't have to be difficult to mix and match. You'll have a choice of finishes ranging from cherry and distressed wheat to midnight smoke. With such classic colours, the Martin Furniture TV stands designed by Kathy Ireland will be sure to please even the choosiest designer.
A World of Furniture at Cymax
Cymax proudly offers a generous selection of home furnishings at prices that meet any home budget need. You can choose from top brand names such as Bell'O, Martin Furniture, Home Styles, Sauder, ZUO and more. With such a great selection of brands, the easiest part just might be delivery. Cymax offers free shipping on most items, placing your purchase under budget.


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My 40" "Elmont"-styled EZ seamless raglan has many miles on it since casting on three weeks ago.
First there was to and from the cottage for the opening at the first of the month...
and then a second lovely weekend just past...
Between cottage jaunts, a trip to New York City for a fun few days with my aunt to catch a series of wildly successful events featuring my (pseudo-sibling) cousin's art. The need to kind of "save our strength" for the art events meant we stayed in town and minimized our tourist activites so we enjoyed knitting time before, between and after the scheduled activities with Pseudo-Sib and his family. Then there were the hours spent in airports. Honestly I do not know how non knitters remain sane while travelling!
Things have also been hoppin' in the house...
..."Excavating" a large poodle from his winter "wear", (A two day affair)
Delivery of some furniture ordered back in the midst of the desperately cold winter. I'd almost forgotten we bought the stuff. Of course new pieces arriving means others have to depart! Followed closely thereafter with a feeling of "wow that looks so much nicer we should really also upgrade the 10 other things surrounding it" syndrome.
Then there's been the usual seasonal work on the garden, the house and the wardrobe and our family cluster of birthdays to celebrate. Lots of to-ing and fro-ing to sort it all out, after each day of which its been wonderful to indulge in a bit of easy knitting.
While easy knitting isn't always what I want the roughly 30,000 stitches contained in the body between hem and underarms may well have driven me crazy were I not simultaneously enjoying the distractions of a busy month.
Especially so after working the re purposed Aran yarn so quickly into the (still- to-be photographed) seamless yoke in April. Beside that project this knit is sub-snail's pace. Without the benefit of markers tracking increases and decreases I'd be hard pressed to detect any day to day progress.
With another week to go in the month and a fair amount still planned to jam into it, I've finished the body knitting up to the underarms, have worked out the details for the sleeves and cast on a relatively scant 52 stitches for sleeve one. I'm hoping, in comparison to the body, the sleeves will seem to fly into completion!
Today I've got window washing to do - I'd better "fly" off and get that started. Thanks for dropping by!


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