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But proven program not in Chelsea's Law
A state board reviewing ways to better manage sex offenders when they get out of jail calls the "containment model" the most important thing California can do to reduce recidivism.
The program augments traditional supervision — house searches, job-site visits, surveillance — with lie-detector tests and targeted behavior-modification treatment.
But there's no mention of it in Chelsea's Law, the offender crackdown named for slain Poway teenager
The bill's author, Assemblyman
Fletcher's legislative district has set an example for the program. Seven years ago, San Diego County was among the first in California to use the model.
In one local case, a man convicted of indecent exposure who was on unsupervised probation went to a therapist who ordered a sexual-history polygraph. During the test, the man admitted he had been stalking young girls.
The man was brought into court and put on formal probation with GPS monitoring. He said he would rather just finish serving his sentence behind bars. So that's where he went.
"It works that way on a regular basis," said Phyllis Shess, a deputy district attorney involved in the program. "You have eyes on them from many different directions, all focused on keeping them from re-offending. They don't fall off the radar."
But that radar only covers those on probation from county jail — lower-level offenders — and not the generally more dangerous parolees from state prison. Parolees generally aren't subjected to polygraphs and don't receive treatment geared to their particular sex offense.
That leaves huge holes in the safety net, critics say — holes that John Albert Gardner III might have fallen through.
Gardner, 31, pleaded guilty Friday to killing Chelsea and Escondido teenager Amber Dubois — the latter just five months after his parole ended for molesting a 13-year-old neighbor in 2000. He spent five years in state prison for that earlier conviction and three years on parole.
Even though Gardner wasn't being supervised at the time of the slayings, Susan Storm, a retired county Probation Department official, said she thinks the containment model might have made a difference.
Regular polygraphs during Gardner's parole could have alerted authorities to illegal or risky behaviors and led to tighter scrutiny or even a return to prison, Storm said.
Treatment with a sex-offense specialist could have provided Gardner the resources and tools to get help or control his behavior when he got close to acting out, she added.
"It's frustrating to see what happened, because we know from the model what works with sex offenders," Storm said. "The research has been done. The recommendations have been made. But the political bureaucracy at the state level keeps dropping the ball."
Her concerns are echoed in a draft report from the California Sex Offender Management Board, which is examining issues raised by the Gardner case. It called the containment model "the most important thing California can do to reduce sexual recidivism."
Experts in California have been touting the model for years, but it hasn't gained much traction, partly for financial reasons, partly for logistics. The state has more sex offenders than any other, with about 70,000 living in communities. Of those, 6,700 are on parole and 10,000 are on probation.
Instead of a coordinated approach, according to the board, the state has a "piece by piece" assemblage of laws and administrative policies, many implemented in the heat of the moment after high-profile child murders.
"As a result, money and time have been wasted on policies and programs that do not make our communities safer, but are politically popular," the board said in a draft report.
Colorado, by contrast, has had the containment model in place since the mid-1990s. Its provisions apply to supervised sex offenders regardless of where they did their time behind bars.
Christopher Lobanov-Rostovsky, a sex-offender program manager for Colorado's Division of Criminal Justice, said the model there has three main components: supervision by specially trained probation and parole officers, the polygraph and treatment.
"We look at it like a triangle, with one side the supervision, one side the polygraph, one side the treatment. And the offender is in the middle," he said.
Lobanov-Rostovsky said no model can hope to prevent every sex offender from committing new crimes, but a 2003 report on the Colorado program showed that it reduces recidivism there. Other jurisdictions have reported similar results.
San Diego County began moving toward the containment model in 1999, when it received a $50,000 grant to document current practices here and research "promising" approaches elsewhere. Colorado was one of the programs studied.
Two years later, authorities received a second grant, for $250,000, from the federal Office of Justice Programs to implement containment. They created a Sex Offender Management Council, which set evaluation, treatment and polygraph standards — standards for who could manage the offenders and how.
Storm, who helped create the San Diego County program, said collaboration among the various agencies — law enforcement, prosecutors, victims' advocates, probation, defense attorneys, treatment and polygraph providers — is crucial to the model's success.
"When everybody's talking and sharing information, the offender doesn't have as many avenues to be deceitful," she said.
The polygraph, in particular, allowed for offenders' stories to be double-checked.
"That really started to shed light on their behavior," Storm said. "We were learning things that were huge."
Polygraphs are controversial. A lack of scientific consensus about the reliability of the device generally bars test results from being used against someone in court. But judges have upheld the polygraph as a tool in monitoring sex offenders.
Mack Jenkins, the county's chief probation officer, said about 400 polygraph tests were given by a private contractor to a like number of sex offenders last year. "It helps us pick up on things more quickly," he said.
The offenders pay for the exams, with public subsidies for those who can't afford them. They also pay for treatment.
Several studies have shown that intensive, offense-specific therapy reduces recidivism. Parolees usually get traditional mental-health care, not sex-offense therapy.
Treatment of any sort isn't a politically popular approach.
"Any politician who got on our train is afraid they would be thought of as soft on crime," said Dr. James Reavis, a San Diego psychologist and founding member of the Sex Offender Management Council.
Reavis said the containment model catches offenders in "a web of external controls." Treatment is one of the strands. It offers offenders the opportunity to identify the factors that led them to commit their crimes and gives them tools to manage those factors, he said.
"When it's working properly, the containment model is great," Reavis said. He cited as an example a patient who acknowledged using pornography, which in the past had been part of a "slow slide back into an offense cycle." Reavis told the man's probation officer, who ordered a polygraph test.
"We want to intervene before it gets worse," Reavis said. "And if it gets worse, we will lock him up."
Storm said officials involved with the containment model in San Diego County traveled to Sacramento and tried without success to persuade authorities to adopt the program statewide. Money has been a concern, although in a recent report, the California Sex Offender Management Board suggested reallocating money away from GPS monitoring — $60 million annually — to polygraphs.
GPS, the board said, tells you where someone is. Polygraphs tell you what they might do.
Staff writer Michael Gardner contributed to this report.
John Wilkens: (619) 293-2236; email@example.com


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subset: commoncrawl


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I follow a number of fanartist tumblrs, but what I don't follow is people who include a lot of explanation and tutorialing. Maybe Tumblr isn't the right place for it, or maybe starting from fanart, so focussed around getting immediate emotive art out to the audience, isn't the best angle. And deviantArt—how to sort for anything, including quality?
I do like the premise of Muddy Colors, but the comments are weaksauce, and also bring out the worst in me. I'd love a lot of sci fi Tom of Finland posts to go up, and the standard "that's not sexy!" or "some women totally look like that!" people to ... whatever they do. Let's get varying objectifying female ga....
THAT'S NOT MY POINT. Sites like Muddy Colors, a collective, or Umami Design which I've just started looking at and am quite charmed by. It started off by looking for new Drawing Challenges, but then I got sucked in and am maybe gonna try a few of his method suggestions.
I did also start poking around Rural Route 1 (since I want to focus on improving my pen and ink work), but more philosophy (religion to be exact) than I can handle without distraction.
Can you suggest sites that do tutorials or work-in-progress walkthroughs? Stuff that's process oriented, so I can get more exposure to how people do their magic.
Oh, and fie on those who not only make click to save hard, they disable right clicking over images entirely. THIS IS HTML. You have a long way to go before you make that picture inaccessible to us (thank dog for the prevalence of Inspect Element, but I will printscreen in a pinch, so fuck off). Someone will (probably has already) soon, though.


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'I'm all in favour of death': Ian McKellen on Corbyn, the fight for gay rights and his one-man show
Through snatched mouthfuls of tomato soup in an office at the back of Finsbury Park's Park Theatre, Ian McKellen is explaining why Hollywood actors feel they can't come out of the closet. "It's the same reason no Premier League footballer is out yet: because they're worried about their fans' reaction," insists the 78-year-old star of The Lord of the Rings.
"And it's the same for the Cardinal who can't come out because he's gay, or the teacher who thinks he'll lose all his authority if people know he's gay." Stretching out his legs – his bootlaces rainbow-coloured, like the ribbon on his straw boater – McKellen stares into the middle-distance and sighs. It's a sigh that's filled with a lifetime's...
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Highly trained College Persistence Advisors support students through every academic, personal, and financial challenge they may face as low-income, first-generation college students. The impact is powerful: SEO Scholars achieve a 90% college graduation rate and are prepared to pursue economically viable, productive careers or graduate-level education.
"'No back row in SEO' is the mantra that helped me. I realized that sitting further in the back only distracted me more. Sitting in the front of the class is the main reason why I did so well this semester!"
-Onike B., CUNY, Brooklyn College
The Program includes:
College Readiness Workshops
Scholars attend a series of workshops, before the beginning of their first year, and during college. Topics include adjustment to college life, homesickness, health issues, time management, course selection, relationship-building with professors, and effective study strategies.
One-On-One Support
Every scholar receives continual and individualized one-on-one academic, personal, and career guidance throughout their college years.
Career Exploration & Networking Events
Scholars work with their advisors to explore multiple career paths, based on personal preferences and academic aptitude. The process is ongoing, dynamic, and fully utilizes the wealth of resources from SEO's robust network of current Scholars, alumni, and friends.
We serve 850 College Scholars, attending 198 colleges and universities, in 26 different states.
Internship Placement and Career Development
Students who participate in two summer internships during college are twice as likely to be fully employed within six months of graduation than those with no internship. Source: Mount Holyoke College, Career Outcomes Study 2013-15
Intensive Career Advising
To ensure that SEO Scholars have access to career critical internships we provide Scholars with intensive career advising. This includes ongoing resume drafting and updating, cover letter guidance, and in-person and web-based mock interviews, all aligned with internship search and placement support. In the summer of 2018, SEO College Scholars participated in internship style programs, or started full-time employment, at more than 100 companies, non-profits, government agencies, and other employers.
of SEO Scholars graduate from college


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Exhibitors & Sponsors
as of December 14, 2019
• CATCH Global Foundation, Inc.
• Dairy Council of Florida
• EVERFI Inc.
• Florida Agriculture in the Classroom
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Florida Department of Health
• Florida Tobacco Prevention Training for Educators
• Goodheart-Willcox
• Kindness Matters 365 Foundation
• QuaverSEL
• SHAPE Florida
• The Children's Health Market
• The One Love Foundation in Honor of Yeardley Love
• Triumph Steps
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
• US Games
The Florida Education Foundation (Foundation) is supporting the 2019 Healthy Schools Summer Academy (Academy) at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland on June 12-13, 2019.
The Academy is a professional development opportunity for teachers of health education and physical education content with special emphasis on subject area courses with integrated health education benchmarks. District administrators, school nurses, health education teachers and physical education teachers are encouraged to attend this informative 2-day event. Academy sessions will provide information and resources focusing on Florida standards, social and emotional education and skills, safe and supportive environments, health literacy, nutrition, physical activity and subject area integration.
The Foundation is extending an opportunity for your organization to be involved with this Academy. There are several ways this can be accomplished.
EXHIBIT SPACE: Exhibit space in the lobby/exhibitor area (6' x 2' rectangle table provided). Set up time is 9:30 -11:00 a.m. on June 12 and breakdown by 3:00 p.m. on June 13, 2019. Exhibitor spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost for a table-top display is $200 and includes:
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: The following sponsorships may be provide as an inkind doantion or as a fiscal donation.
|In-Kind Option
|Financial Option
|Welcome Snack
on June 12
|Provide a healthy snack for all participants and staff.
|Morning Snack
on June 13
|Provide a healthy snack for all participants and staff.
on June 13
|Provide a healthy lunch for all participants and staff.
|Afternoon Snack
on June 13
|Provide a healthy snack for all participants and staff.
|Provide lanyards for all participants.
|Provide bags for all participants.
Quantity to be determined 3 weeks before the event (estimate of 225 participants).
|Door prizes
|Provide a door prize to be given away at the closing session.
|Bag Stuffer Item
|Provide promotional items to be inserted in the participants' bags.
Great option if a company can not physically attend.
Quantity to be determined 3 weeks before the event (estimate of 225 participants).
Thank you for considering being an exhibitor and/or sponsor at the 2019 Healthy Schools Summer Academy.
If you have any questions regarding exhibitor registration, please contact Nichole Wilder.


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I came across this remarkable interior yesterday while pouring through my archives…it is from the 2007 March-April issue of Southern Accents…I'm in love with the artful restraint of the interior design…it allows the exceptional beauty of architect Ruard Veltman's vision to take front and center…a few key examples of careful editing include leaving the space above the living room fireplace blank…trimmed in carved limestone, the huge mantel-less fireplace is the room's sculptural focal point…adding a painting would have weakened its impact…in addition, there are no window treatments on the ground floor! Designers Dupuy and Gibbens realized they were unnecessary…the house is sheltered from view enabling the design duo to celebrate the striking texture of the walls and perfect geometry of the windows…please enjoy this masterclass in artful restraint! (p.s. ~ notice the graceful curve of the arm on the antique settee above…for me, this sculptural form is such an important piece of the puzzle…the golden fabric and aged wood work in perfect harmony with the rest of the space!)
photos and resources from Southern Accents, March-April 2007


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Boiler Repair & Installation Hornchurch, Essex
Homeowners in Hornchurch enjoy the best of both worlds: a semi-rural location with all the benefits that urban expansion brings. So, if you live in Hornchurch, the chances are you want to improve, not move. Or possibly you have bought a "fixer-upper", as you have joined the many other commuters who live locally and you are in the process of completing a renovation in Hornchurch.
Either way, boiler installation in your Hornchurch home will be important, to create a system built to last, with maximum efficiency. Which means you need the professional services of The Boiler Replacement Company.
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Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Education Law
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Real Estate Law
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
You are very important to us, all information received will always remain confidential. We will contact you as soon as we review your message.
To provide or update your profile, contact:


text: Although this may sound like a soda that's got dirt on it- it's much more insidious than that. When you hear a reference to "Dirty Sprite,". Kids are talking about the latest teen party drink. It's also called "Drank" or ""Lean." It's a combination of Sprite, candy (usually Jolly Ranchers) and prescription drugs or codeine cough syrup. There are YouTube videos of teens creating the concoction, and even sweatshirts with the recipe printed on it. Experts warn that Dirty Sprite can be addictive and tell parents that it's best to keep prescription meds locked up, as well as discarding ones that have expired.


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To ensure a perfect fit you can also have your dress made and fitted to your exact measurements at the Sally Eagle Bridal Boutique in Wellington, New Zealand.
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text: Dylan Landis is the author of Rainey Royal, a novel, and Normal People Don't Live Like This, a collection of linked stories. Her fiction and essays have appeared in the 2014 O. Henry Prize Stories, The New York Times Book Review, Harper's Magazine, Tin House and Bomb, and she has received a 2010 National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in fiction. In a past life she published six books on interior design. Most recently, she was on staff at the Writers Workshop at the Community of Writers in 2017. www.dylanlandis.com


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Product description | Item No. 33758
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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation Niall Collins has criticised the Government for its failure to spread high paying jobs across the country through the targeted use of IDA premises and lands.
Deputy Collins was commenting after receiving a parliamentary reply from the Minister that shows that two out of every three IDA premises or lands were unoccupied at the end of 2017.
"In figures released to me this week, it became evident that the IDA are not maximising their existing stock of buildings and lands to bring well-paying jobs to the regions", said Deputy Collins.
"Of the 153 lands in the possession of the IDA, just 54 are currently in use. The fact that 65% are being left idle should be a wakeup call to the Government and the IDA.
"The vast majority of the sites lying idle are in counties that have remained stubbornly prone to high unemployment rates despite a growing economy.
"Roscommon, Mayo, and Waterford, for example, all have a number of lands or premises that are lying unused. All three are struggling to attract employment opportunities for their people.
"All three are losing workers to foreign emigration or migration to cities such as Dublin or Galway.
"If the Government is serious about its regional Action Plans for Jobs, then it will direct the IDA to do more, and make better use of its existing lands by attracting FDI to the regions.
"Equally, if the IDA is unable to secure investment, thought should be given to transferring the management of these lands to Enterprise Ireland for use by indigenous enterprises or start-ups.
"The elephant in the room that the Government refuses to acknowledge is broadband, or more appropriately the lack of broadband in many parts of rural Ireland.
"Companies will not move to, invest in, or support rural counties if they cannot get high quality broadband. This week's announcement of a further delay in the roll out of the National Broadband Plan will surely limit how many jobs can be created in the regions.
"Minister Humphreys must do better; she needs to make it crystal clear that the IDA's continued overlooking of rural Ireland needs to stop; and above all else, she must impress upon the Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications the absolute need to get the finger out and deliver the National Broadband Plan," concluded Collins.


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Cut to the Chase. The 'Dominant' Personal Training client in action. DISC [article] 2
About Tom…
Tom strode into reception. He sat at a table in the gym café, straight posture, business suit, and took in his surroundings. I approached him and introduced myself. He had a firm handshake, an assertive tone of voice, and maintained direct eye contact. 'He's a D' my brain was shrieking. Being an 'S' I was trembling inside, but I knew what I had to do. I straightened my posture, shook his hand firmly in return, and put on my most efficient and confident voice.
"Thanks for coming in Tom. Let's head into the consultation room and have a look at why you're here".
Tom was 50, a high powered business man – a partner in his firm. He radiated authority, and as he stated his reasons for being here, he slapped his hand on the table to accentuate each point.
"I've hurt my back; I want you to fix it. I want to lose some weight, and increase my fitness. I want to cycle around Lake Taupo in November. I want to personal train with you 3 times per week if you think that's enough, and I expect to see results".
While my knees shook under the table, I matched his tone of voice, and slapped my hand on the table – accentuating my own points in reply.
"Great Tom. We'll train 3 times per week at this time, for one hour per session. You will need to do 2 sessions per week on your bike to compliment this to achieve your cycling goals. You'll also need to do some stretching at home, and we will incorporate some rehabilitation exercises in your sessions to help your back. The cost will be $180 per week, and we will start with a fitness test to see where you are at, and how much work there is to do".
After a brief and no nonsense screening, Tom was out the door, preparing to dominate the cycling and back rehabilitation world. I was in the foetal position under the table, but I knew I had achieved a small victory. Over the following 5 years – Tom would prove to be an educational goldmine for how to train a high 'D' client.
Tom's strengths
Tom was a very determined, motivated and competitive client. He was extremely goal orientated, and the prospect of cycling around Lake Taupo kept him firmly on track, especially as a few of the blokes in the office were doing the race (he wanted to beat them, of course). He responded well to direct and concise instructions, and, as D's are task focused, concentrated intently on the training session at hand. Being a hard worker, he never missed a session, and if he had to reschedule he always made it up. Tom was fun to train in that he loved being pushed hard. His adherence to his program was excellent, especially the intensity of sessions and the completion of his stretches as he directly related those two factors to the achievement of his goals.
Tom's Weaknesses:
Tom wanted things done quickly; he was not so interested in the finer details of training. This caused a few minor stand offs when selecting what weight to lift, as Tom often found the weights I selected were 'too easy'. Being a stickler for technique – I had to hold my ground and keep the weight at a level where he could learn the correct posture and movement – before we upped the intensity. Early on I learnt to include a couple of machines in Toms programs that he could lift reasonably heavy weights without compromising his back, and I snuck the stability and core exercises in around these. Another helpful hint I found was to stroke Toms ego when I could – "Tom, you can obviously lift more than this, I just want to check your technique on the first set before we put the weight up".
D's can at times come across as domineering and insensitive, especially if working with an 'S' type who is much more sensitive (that's me!). As a D is very task focused, Tom often did not consider how anything he said or did would affect my feelings. He also liked to be in charge of whatever he was doing, which created a challenge for me in our sessions. When training Tom I had to be very mindful to 1) not take anything he said personally, and 2) be assertive and take control of the session when required. When doing this I had to remember that D's want their point of view validated, and to feel listened to and important.
An example of this could be:
Tom: "Interval training is the only way to improve my fitness"
Me: "That's a great idea (validate point). While starting out, lets focus on building up endurance – 160km is a long way around Lake Taupo (me being assertive). Then we will move into more of a speed phase like you've suggested (make Tom feel listened to and important – it was his idea!)".
The moral of the story
Tom and I had a great training relationship, but if I had not understood DISC we may not have made it past day one! At times during our training, I could have felt insulted and submissive had I not understood what makes the D style tick, and how to adjust my own behaviour to suit his. However, as I matched Tom's style from the start and responded to him in a way that he understood and respected, we made a great team. Most importantly, the great training relationship ultimately led to great results! Tom went on to rehabilitate his back, cycle around Lake Taupo in a time that he was happy with, and most importantly - beat the boys from work!


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"Where is a cop when ...
Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
September 23, 2008
How many times have you said that? Well, tonight he was right behind me.
I was in McHenry and was driving on a side street past a park on the south side of Route 120. As I approached a crosswalk, I spotted a kid on a bicycle who was pedaling hard for the crosswalk. It was obvious he had no intention of stopping or even slowing, and I slammed on the brakes.
Fortunately, I was able to stop without hitting him as he tore across the street in front of me. I gave him a blast on the horn, and he flipped me off as he rode away from the street. I thought to myself, "I'd like to chase him down and get him ticketed." But how does a man in a VW keep up with a kid on a bike?
About one block further on I stopped at the stop sign at 120. Guess who was right behind me? A McHenry Police car! Yea!!!
The kid had ridden up to 120 and then back to the east, so he was riding right into the cop's arms. As the officer crossed the street to meet the kid, I offered to witness, but he said he'd take care of it. I'm sure he did.
I'll bet it will cost the kid $100 in court for that little act. I'm glad I didn't hit him (and that he didn't hit me), and I hope he learns his lesson.
|Connect with The Crittenden Automotive Library


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How to take a garden with you
There are many difficulties that one may face when moving. Except the common stress of preparing and packing things, imaging that you may need to pay a special attention to a living things, for instance, pets or plants. Have you considered proper conditions for your little pocket garden? If the answer is 'not yet', then this article would be helpful.
Now, when it comes to plants we cannot just drop them into the nearest random box and get them to the place safe and sound, just like that.
What can be a big deal?
Well, the whole process is a big deal itself. We are here to help you in this stressful process in order to make it less stressful and more ordered and organized. Primarily, to make your moving experience non-dramatic, whether you relocate to a neighbor state or a new country, check the local law. Because we are law-abiding citizens, right?
It might sound strange, or not, but some states have their own regulations and bans on plants and its materials. So, just before preparing your new pots, check out U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements or contact the office, so that you won't be charged with transportation of a plant that spread some harmful disease.
The next step is to transplant your plants to new neat plastic containers. Note: make some holes in containers so that your will allow light and air to penetrate. The most preferable term is three weeks before relocation. Don't forget about sterile soil for a plant, and remember the major thing: never transplant plants on the moving day or the day before it. They won't have the time they actually need to adjust to a new soil and can be stressed, just like you.
You can save your old pots and take them with you. All you need to do is to wrap them with bubble wrap and put them in a box. Separately for every pot is preferable. The same rule is applicable to a plant packing. However, small plants can be boxed together.
On the week before moving, get your plants "clean". This means to prune them, get rid of dead leaves, dust and pests. In addition, which is the last but not the least, don't forget to water them. Note: find out more about the climate of the place you relocate. Some plants may not take root in an unusual medium, and some may not stand a way too cold or warm atmosphere. Speaking of watering, do not overdo, water your plant on the last two day before moving or so.
One last thing
To sum up all of the above, a couple of final tips: put labels on your containers and boxes, write down a Latin botanical name of a plant and its preferable conditions. If you figured out that some of your plant won't pass it or are forbidden by the law, don't hurry with the decision to leave it! You can always make a giveaway to your neighbors or friends or donate them to local botanic amateurs, for example.


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Major automotive advances of the twenties included four-wheel brakes, safety glass for home windows, and pneumatic air-crammed tires – to mention just some. Next means you may make cash is by promoting the automobiles you purchase at an auction or via a buyer wholesale to different dealers, or again to the public sale. This town is nice for cruising from one end of the Strip to the opposite in one of our automotive rentals in Las Vegas You never know what kind of treasures it's possible you'll come across. Whether it's rental vehicles, vans or 4 wheel drives you're looking for, we now have a solution for every occasion and every finances. Cars that stayed true to their original design stand out as true leaders, just like the Beetle or Golf.
And lastly, the bottom (red) section of our automotive calculator presents the output, how the prices of operation for our six example automobiles stack up towards each other. However, contemplate the danger that the numbers here for the EVs could wind up very totally different – in either course – once these automobiles have been on the road for a few years. I have not tried the diesel ones, however, I've been told that they d/c making them for sale in Canada in 2008.
All elements thought of, the final analysis has persistently supported the existence of a robust visitor site visitors pattern, the primary driver and cause why Miami International Airport consistently ranks within the top 20 worldwide for overall operations. Omega's collision injury waiver reduces your extra down to nil, providing peace of mind for drivers 21 years+ at one of many least expensive charges in the NZ automotive rental trade.
And the diesel-powered VW Jetta TDI, whereas not profitable any of the gasoline-efficiency comparisons, held its environment friendly head up well for a automotive with significantly extra engine energy than the opposite petroleum-fueled automobiles within the working. Great job together with your information, I can let you know're very knowledgeable about it. I wish there were more car reveals dedicated to the 1920's automobiles instead of the later models. As a consequence, Denver has change into one of Southwest Airline's fastest rising markets. I dont care what number of instances they apologize, their cars have killed so many people.
Disney has 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Orlando The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom, Disney also presents two water parks, a large adult entertainment complicated that includes golf equipment and eating places, Cirque du Soliel, and Disney's Wide World of Entertainment. Get a Dallas car rental and take a look at Reunion Tower in downtown, take an AT&T Stadium tour in the suburb of Arlington, and shop livestock in the stockyards of Fort Worth. I solely must sell 6-eight automobiles a month to make an incredible living and NOT have a boss!


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Jsish can be seen in action in these online demos:
Note: Tested on Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
If you have downloaded Jsish, it comes with builtin applications and demos. For example, to use the Jsi debugger with its Web-UI interface use:
jsish -D tests/while2.jsi
Or try the Sqlite-UI with:
jsish -S nw2.db
Here are some additional examples:
jsish -w http://jsish.org/index.html; # Download file
jsish -W index.html; # Serve out an html file.
Note, the implementation scripts come from /zvfs, so no access to the local filesystem is required.
The online apps (above) are from jsi-app, collection of applications all of which can be run from fossil, eg:
fossil clone https://jsish.org/jsi-app jsi-app.fossil
jsish -a jsi-app.fossil Ledger
See Deploy


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Children at Moorooka State School can learn piano privately, during school hours, in individual or group lessons. Music enriches children's lives and contributes to their development.
Learning an instrument such as the piano has many benefits such as improving fine motor skills, self-confidence and creativity. Piano lessons are designed to be enjoyable and aim to develop technical skills as well as a love of music.
Learning to play the piano builds a solid musical foundation which benefits students if they wish to later learn a band or orchestral instrument.


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Video Details
Duration: 3 minutes and 51 seconds
Country: United States
Language: English
Genre: Music Video
Producer: ERIC SERMON
Views: 85
Posted by: thezang on Feb 5, 2009
Erick Sermon's music video for his single "Music" which was featured on the What's The Worse That Could Happen soundtrack. Samples "Turn On Some Music" by Marvin Gaye. "I wish music could adopt me....
Caption and Translate
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The Battle to Keep Things Business as Usual
Does your organisation need to find a tool that can help it to steer a smooth course through a changing political landscape?
We are half way through 2017 and it is business as usual. But this year, perhaps more than any other year, ensuring that it is business as usual has meant being agile enough to cope with some fairly fundamental changes. For many, maintaining business as usual is like the image of the swan moving serenely and effortlessly over the surface of the lake, while underneath its legs are frantically moving to propel it forward and steer it around any obstacles.
Businesses have always needed to be agile to fulfill the desires and needs of their customers. These days, a large part of executive decision-making must come from the need to adapt to changes to the global and local political landscape. In the UK, the Brexit vote, the resulting negotiations and a General Election bring with it new policies that directly or indirectly affect businesses. In the US, the change of political administration in January and the very different approach that the new US President is taking, will also affect global business in various ways.
Some political changes are hard to plan for and some may come with little warning. Some may be targeting businesses and others will have an unforeseen or unexpected impact. Your organisation does not have to paddle furiously beneath the water to make sure it is business as usual. The key is to have a tool in place to help plan for uncertainty and to enable a fast reaction to anything that does impact your business. Technology really can be key in helping you achieve this, and a good Customer Relationship Management solution may be just the tool you need.
CRM will help you with customer contact management, but it can be so much more. It can help sales and marketing and build brand loyalty.
It will help you to streamline processes and help you to make informed decisions about the market you are in, about your customers and about your future growth.
Whether you are a CFO, CTO, CIO, CSO, CMO or a CEO, CRM can be just what you need to keep your business gliding efficiently and effortlessly into a certain future.
To learn more about how CRM can help your business to be more agile in a changing political landscape download our executive briefing.


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Perhaps I'm just indecisive, but I finished reading Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow the other day and I still can't decide if I liked it or not.
It's creepy in a way that I liked. There are dead things in the woods and the worst of them are White Hands. You better not let them touch you or Bad Things Will Go Down For Sure. It reminded me of this one time my dad told me a story about how hungry ghosts have long necks and it was so, so creepy but I couldn't really explain why. And he told me it was creepy because I knew it was true. Excellent.
And yet, I almost quit a few times (I didn't because I didn't have anything else to read with me.) But I think I liked it more after I finished than while I was reading. Hmmmm. Do I like it or not?
I think it's the plot I have mixed feelings about. I liked the premise and the atmosphere and the characters, but it has one of those plots that go from bad to worse to more worse. It's not like I require all sunshine and rainbows all the time but I do like there to be at least a few breaks in the bad news now and then.
I dunno, maybe switch it back and forth with a book of cupcake recipes or something?
Gratuitous footnote: WordPress is apparently under the impression I'm posting about neckties and suggests I tag this "Half-Windsor Knot."


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In Lucknow , for the progressive process of the city the home architects are involved as the state government along with dynamic contribution of private ventures starts it. Home architects goal is on getting healthier infrastructure along with an importance towards the simple way of accessibility of houses for residential and marketable purposes. In Lucknow , the demand for the houses on rent and for sale have entered the important housing companies in the market where these companies are coming up with the housing projects promising a world class livelihood standard at affordable prices.
The role-played by a home designer cannot be noticed in such important projects. While they are the one who get the foundation to these projects with the exact balance in between the image and position realism. Whatever the desires and requirements are made by the customers on planning the building and its environment is constructed with a lot of verification. The resulting work of the home architect will be dependent on the prolonged existence and the external outlook of the house r with detailed work. During the time of the construction the job of the home architect is not an easy task that requires lot of estimations in the given period.
As a result the home designers should have knowledge of computer is mandatory in this case so they are in search of the guidance of important software. As the market has occupied by the designing software and you can get excellent number of home designers in this field of work. In order to decrease the time taken in estimations and boosting in productivity, each every home designer company is making use of such residential architect software.


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Willow Pond Lodge and Lake House are ideal settings for family reunions, corporate retreats, group workshops, or relaxing getaways. Willow Pond Lodge and Lake House is located 2 hours north of Seattle on Whidbey Island between the towns of Coupeville and Greenbank. Detailed directions will be supplied with your reservation.
For more information and reservations, please e-mail us at: email@example.com
You can also contact us at:
Tel: 206-283-0746
Fax: 206-281-4389
Please fill out this form and we will respond as soon as possible.
* denotes a required field


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|Green Tea (Photo credit: bkajino)
The New York Times International Weekly
Science & Technology
Tea and Fat Burning
Green tea extract is one of the most popular workout supplements on the market, used widely by athletes looking to increase fat-burning effects of exercise.
One of the key compounds in green tea is Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, a potent antioxidant.
Supporters say it reduces fat gain and enhances fat-burning. But the amount found in a cup of green tea is not enough to have much effect.
Green tea extracts, more richly concentrated with EGCG, may not be much better. In a study published in December in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, scientists looked at its effects on a group of 31 healthy men. Over a weeklong period, one group consumed a supplement twice daily – the equivalent of eight cups of green tea a day – while another group was given a placebo. A third group was given a placebo for six days and then the extract on the seventh day. At the start and end of the week, the men rode stationary bikes at "an exercise intensity known to elicit maximal fat oxidation."
The researchers did extensive testing, all of which indicated that the green tea extract did not have a meaningful effect on the body's ability to burn fat.
Article taken from TODAY Paper, Saturday Edition, 05-Jan-2013


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Apple's iPhone X was previously subject to criticism from users due to its display locking up simply because of a drop in temperatures. Apple immediately released a statement to acknowledge the odd issue and said they'd release a software update to fix things. Today, that software update has arrived in the form of iOS 11.1.2 which can be downloaded by all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users.
Here's the update's release notes:
iOS 11.1.2 includes bug fixes for your iPhone and iPad. This update:
- Fixes an issue where the iPhone X screen becomes temporarily unresponsive to touch after a rapid temperature drop
- Addresses an issue that could cause distortion in Live Photos and videos captured with iPhone X
There's clearly not much new, but at least that weird bug has been squashed.
To install the update on your device, head over to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap "Download and install" next to the iOS 11.1.2 listing and you'll be good to go. I recommend jumping on a Wi-Fi network first alongside plugging in your device beforehand as a) you don't want data overcharges on your bill and b) you don't want your phone or tablet to die during the installation process.


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First Church of God, Plant City Florida
Welcome to the website of the First Church of God in Plant City, Florida. Thank you for searching for us. I am glad that you have done so! Allow me to invite you to come and worship with us. I promise that you will receive a very warm welcome and the worship will warm your heart as well.
At the First Church of God (Anderson, IN affiliation) "we preach Christ crucified." Our teaching is focused on truth as it is revealed in Him.
- He is the "word that became flesh."
- He is the "image of the invisible God;"
- He is "the Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world.
- He is "the way, the truth and the life "
- His is "the Name that is above every Name."
- He is the Lord of the church.
- He is the One who "will come back" and take us to be with Him forever.
- He is the focus of the Gospel, the Good News of God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
The list goes on and on.......and it's all Good News! We rejoice in our calling to share it!
Come and celebrate His goodness and greatness with us.
Pastor Tom Tufts


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News 31 May 2018
After almost a decade working as the Development Cooperation Advisor for the Pacific Islands Forum, Alfred Schuster appeared more relaxed than most at the Pacific Heads of Mission Breakfast at Auckland's Hilton Hotel on May 25.
His nine-year stint at the Forum in Suva ended in April and he appeared more than happy to be a bystander and catch up with former colleagues and acquaintances while he's "between jobs".
Alfred says he left his role feeling content, having contributed in managing relationships between Pacific governments and major donors.
"Government leaders said there was a need to improve the nature of our engagement with donors, not just with setting priorities as to where the money should go, but also how we're doing it in relation to the procedures and partnerships that were put in place," he says.
"My role was to ensure they were keeping to the principles of best practice, ensuring money invested was through the government and not their own businesses or entities."
A graduate from the University of Auckland with a Master's Degree focused in Political Science and Government, Alfred has established a career in international affairs, which includes sustainable development, political science, analytical skills, programme evaluation and international relations.
Taking a meticulous approach, Alfred's interest includes a strong focus on community and social services. He has also witnessed a noticeable improvement in how Pacific governments operate.
"They're clearer on what their needs are in terms of infrastructure, health and education," he says.
"Climate change is also increasing in significance throughout the region, and governments are looking at what resources are needed to improve and prepare countries better in response to growing disasters. Fund-proofing has become clearer because their policy frameworks are a lot more robust."
Alfred concludes a common issue is ensuring leaders are consistent in their advocacy for the genuine priorities. That includes buy-in from others within the region.
"That's easier said than done," he says.
"We're always good at coming together when the potential threat is an external one, but when it's within the group itself, we find it hard to apply the same principles that we use to advocate against others. The key is finding policies we can all agree on and benefit from."


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Gerald Wilson
Camdenton High Class of 1949
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The Quiet Skies Caucus of Congress is pressing for the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct an "expedited review" of its noise standards and undertake new health studies on the impact of airplane and helicopter noise.
The caucus, co-chaired by D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, is an organization in Congress dedicated to reducing the impact of aircraft noise in communities across the nation. The group's members made their two requests in a letter last week to the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, hoping for funding through its fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill.
"As the FAA updates flight procedures across the country, the number of impacted Americans only increases," the caucus members wrote in their letter. "While we take our constituents concerns seriously, many of them feel the FAA dismisses those same concerns without due consideration."
The caucus recommends that the aviation agency partner with "an eligible institution of higher education" on health studies to investigate the impacts of airplane noise and air pollution on affected residents. The caucus also asks the agency to "evaluate alternative metrics" to current models and simulations in order to measure noise impacts.
Signing onto last week's letter were 18 Quiet Skies Caucus members, including Norton and her caucus co-chair, Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y. Meanwhile, Norton is working with the caucus to press the aviation administration for modified flight paths to Reagan National Airport, following noise complaints from communities along the Potomac River.


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We've Relocated!
We are excited to announce that we are now in our new building located on Stockport Place in Charlotte!...
Read More
Carolina Air Solutions, Inc. takes the safety and health of its employees very seriously. The philosophy as stated in the policy manual:
The safety and health of our employees is of utmost concern to Carolina Air Solutions, Inc. It is our policy to provide safe and healthful working conditions and to comply with prevailing safety and health laws and regulations.
In turn, it is the obligation of each employee, as part of his or her job, to observe the safety rules and to practice safety at all times.
The success of a safety and health program depends upon strong interaction and communication between members of management and our workforce. Carolina Air Solutions, Inc. will provide direction for this effort. It is our corporate goal to minimize workplace risks in the effort to eliminate occupational injuries and illnesses.
Carolina Air Solutions, Inc has partnered with Nain and Associates, LLC to administer our Safety and Health training and development programs. CAS relies on Nain and Associates, LLC to engage staff and employees to a high level of commitment of safety in the workplace. They have recently taught an OSHA 10 class to all field employees which certified all employees as OSHA 10 card holders. Other services provided to Carolina Air Solutions, Inc. by Nain and Associates:
Every field employee at CAS is provided with a truck which contains safety equipment and proper tools to perform every aspect of each job safely and efficiently. Every employee is encouraged and instructed to practice daily safety procedures that are specific to every work situation. The employees are the most valuable assets to CAS so every reasonable attempt is made to comply with all regulations pertaining to safety and health issues.
The Safety and Health Program at Carolina Air Solutions, Inc. assists management and non supervisory employees in controlling hazards and risks which will minimize injuries and damage to property. All employees are required to follow the guidelines set forth in the Safety and Health Manual to promote the safety of coworkers and customers and eliminate injuries or damage to property. All employees are also required to follow any safety and health regulations that customers have in place at their place of business.
"I wanted to thank you for your staff's service call this morning. As a teacher, I find my job is closely tied to the efficiency of my trailer's air conditioner. My students have Goldilocks syndrome...( a hard time focusing when it gets too hot or cold). This past winter has been a strange one and the temperature variations seem to have finished off the old unit. It went out in a blaze of glory with a horrible burning smell. Your team came to the rescue and were able to install a new unit so quickly and quietly that my Advanced Placement students finished their quarterly exam while they were installing it. As a high school teacher, I have found my kids can turn anything into a distraction. Somehow your crew managed to work so quietly they avoided my students' notice. More impressively, they had to work through a cold drizzle to do so. I cannot thank you enough. Please pass on my sincere appreciation for their speed and professionalism. "View All
– Alan Vitale
We are excited to announce that we are now in our new building located on Stockport Place in Charlotte!...
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The UNCC Director's Coin is an award that is presented to any Facilities Management, University Employee or external provider, sponsor, supporter, who exemplifies Facilities Management's SHARE values: Safety, Honesty and Integrity; Accountability, Respect for Others and Excellence....
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Copyright 2013 Carolina Air Solutions | Charlotte Web Design by Web Station Inc.


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How to Apply for Housing
Students interested in joining the On-Campus Living Community should complete an online Housing application available on their UAOnline student account. Space is assigned on a "first-come, first-served" basis, so it is best to submit your application as early as possible.
Steps to apply for Campus Housing:
- Log in to UAOnline
- Choose Student Services and Account Information
- Choose Campus Housing, Dining and Post Office
- Choose UAA Campus Housing and Dining
- From your Housing Self-Service page, click on the Applications and Forms button at the top of the page and choose the correct application
- Carefully review the Housing Agreement and sign at the bottom with your mouse or with your finger if you're using a touchscreen
- Click Continue and answer the Personal Information questions.
- Click Continue and add your Living Requests.
- Under Request Type choose Room Preferences and rate your room type preferences on a scale from 1 being your first choice up through 8. Be sure to click Add Request after ranking each choice to save it to your application.
- Click Continue and you'll be taken to the payment portal where you can pay the non-refundable application fee and the $300 refundable deposit (please note, your application is not complete until you have made these payments)
- Once you've made the payment, your application is complete. You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been processed (usually within seven days).
Availability of applications on UAOnline:
- Applications for an upcoming academic year open in February.
- Late applications for an upcoming academic year are available once the early application closes August 1st.
- Applications for spring semester open in October
- Applications for summer sessions open in March
Intentions Applications for Current Housing Residents
Each year in the spring, current housing residents have the opportunity to tell us their plans or "intentions" for the next academic year and either renew or cancel their contract for the next year. During Intentions Week, students who plan to return to campus next year can agree to a new contract and choose their room type preferences. Intentions Week for the upcoming Academic Year is in April. Residents who let us know they are not planning to return, but decide later they would like to live on campus can fill out a new application, but will need to pay the $60 new student application fee.
Please visit the Intentions page for more information about Intentions Period.
Roommate Requests
Students who would like to live with a specific person can request and connect with roommates through their UAA Housing Self Service page on UAOnline. In order to be eligible to make roommate requests, students must first have applied for student housing and received a confirmation that their application has been processed. Roommate request periods are open during specific times for upcoming semesters, and students who have applied for housing will receive additional information via email about the dates they are eligible to request roommates.
Please note that since room assignments for new students entering in the spring semester are dependent on spaces made available by mid-year cancellations, roommate requests for spring can only be accommodated if space allows. Students who would like to make a roommate request for the spring semester should email the UAA Housing Office (online roommate requests are not available for the spring semester).
Who Can Live in On-Campus Housing?
UAA's on-campus housing is home to approx. 800 residential students. To be eligible to live on-campus during the fall and/or spring semesters, you must be enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) credits each semester in the fall and spring semesters for undergraduates and three (3) credits each semester for graduate students. As the Housing community is a scholastic environment, resident students are expected to make academic progress throughout the school year.
At this time, UAA does not have co-ed or family housing available.


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Australia - the sixth largest country in the world, is also known as the "continent country" where landscapes are among the most breathtaking in the world. Australia offers a huge variety of excursions, discoveries, sports and opportunities to learn English. The unique combination of beautiful scenery offered by Australia (Great Barrier Reef, the mystical Uluru ...) and the lifestyle of its people will make this an unforgettable experience.
Adelaide , the capital of South Australia, is a multicultural and modern city with a wonderful lifestyle. With a population of one million people, it has earned a reputation as a world-class centre for education, the arts, science and technology. A pleasant Mediterranean climate adds to its relaxed and friendly environment, and its excellence in the performing and visual arts has made it the Festival City of Australia.
Adelaide is situated on the coast with miles of white sandy beaches just twenty to thirty minutes from the city centre. Adelaide is a safe, friendly destination always packed with interesting things to do.
Established in 1987 and a leader in English language training, our partner school is a member of the International Association of Language Colleges, Cambridge CELTA and many others. It is a global recognised training centre.
Offering a wide range of courses for adults (18+) to choose from, flexible courses, small class sizes and a balance of student nationalities, the school aims to help you communicate in English as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The campus is situated in the cultural heart of the city, only a 5 minute walk to shopping centres, shops, restaurants, cafés, public transport and beautiful parks. It is located in a recently renovated heritage building that was built in the 1920's. The campus features 16 spacious classrooms, a large computer centre, student common room and kitchen, and a student self access centre. Our spacious air conditioned classrooms and excellent facilities will enhance your learning experience.
All teaching staff meet the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) requirements. All teachers have specialist English language teaching qualifications. They are enthusiastic, motivated and caring professionals.
The job advice service is very popular with our students on Working Holiday and Student Visas. A weekly update of jobs available in Adelaide is posted on the student notice board each week. More information on our page Jobs and internships in Australia and on the school's pdf: Work Australia : Finding work after your course (PDF, 183.2k)
On the first day of each course, students complete a full placement test before being placed in the appropriate level. All levels are accepted, from beginners to advanced. Students' progress is monitored every four weeks. At the end of the course, students are awarded a certificate indicating their level of achievement.
Minimum stay is 2 weeks. The average class size is 12 students (maximum 15).
- General English Programme - 20 lessons per week.
They are designed to improve students' English language communication skills to prepare for future study, work, travel or career changes. Core classes concentrate on developing grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, writing and pronunciation skills in real-life situations.
- Intensive English Programme - 25 lessons per week
Students can specialise and choose one or two Special Studies from a wide range of Special Studies options. These include: examination preparation (IELTS, TOEIC), academic study skills, Business English, English for Hospitality, conversation and pronunciation, advanced writing / grammar.
Super-intensive English - 25 hours + 5 hours of individual lessons per week. This programme combines lessons from the Intensive English course (general English in the morning, specialised lessons in the afternoon) and one hour long individual lesson per day to ensure a personalised progression.
IELTS Preparation Course - 25 lessons per week
The IELTS Preparation programme is an intensive 12 week course designed to prepare students for the 4 main areas of the IELTS exam (speaking, listening, reading & writing). The International English Testing System, (IELTS) assesses the level of English of non-native English speakers who require English for academic or professional purposes.
Cambridge Preparation Course - 25 lessons per week
Our school is an experienced Cambridge Preparation Centre. Students have achieved good results in these examinations. Individual counselling, weekly progress reviews and additional self access assist students achieve as much progress as possible. FCE and CAE courses are held three times per year - January, March & September - and last 12 weeks.
English and Golf - 20 hours of English + golf
Golf is an accessible and popular sport in Australia. Adelaide has a large number of both public and private golf courses. Most South Australian country towns have well cared for golf greens attracting both local residents and visitors. The English & Golf programme provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice golf whilst also improving their English language proficiency.
A 6 or 12 week full-time course. Students complete a full-time General English course, 20 hours per week, 2 golf lessons per week and 10 rounds of golf (18 holes) during their English & Golf course. The 10 x 18 hole golf games are played on Friday afternoons (and/or other days as appropriate for the Golf Club). Students are issued with a golf pass on their first week for the 10 rounds of golf (18 holes).
English and a job/internship: If you want to make the most of your stay by combining language lessons with work experience, see our programme work or internship in Australia. The school also provides more information here: Work Australia : Finding work after your course (PDF, 183.2k)
A minimum of three student activities and excursions are arranged each week. Typical activities include weekly film afternoons, weekend camping trips to Kangaroo Island and Flinders Ranges, dolphin spotting and sea-kayaking trips off Adelaide coast, weekend surfing lessons and excursions, opal mines in the Coober Pedy outback, etc.
Popular longer trips can also be organised - the Perth Outback Adventure, following the Great Ocean Road Adelaide (Melbourne trip) or an Outback camping trip to Alice Springs.
Accommodation is booked with host families.
This is the most effective way for students to communicate regularly with English speakers and to better understand the Australian culture. The families are chosen by our local representative according to the strict hosting criteria, availabilities and the student's preferences (near the city centre or school).
The families are very welcoming and share their daily lives with students and enable them to practise their English everyday outside of the classroom.
Students have a single room, the bathroom is generally shared and they have their meals with the family on full-board.
Dates & Prices 2019
Stays take place from Sunday to Saturday or from Saturday to Friday.
Bank holidays (the school is closed and lessons will not take place): 1st & 26th January, 9th March, 3rd & 6th April, 8th June, 5th October, 21st December 2015 to 1st January 2016.
Start dates for the general courses: 5th January, 2nd February, 2nd March, 30th March, 27th April, 25th May, 22nd June, 20th July, 17th August, 14th September, 12th October, 9th November, 7th December. Other start dates (on Mondays) available on request.
Golf & English programmes: every Monday.
Exam preparation sessions:
- IELTS: Dates to be confirmed.
Cambridge (FCE/CAE): from 5th January to 13th March (10 weeks), 16th March to 5th June (12 weeks), from 7th September to 27th November (12 weeks).
Exam dates:
- FCE: 13th March, 9th June, 1st December.
- CAE: 4th March, 10th June, 2nd December.
Prices include:
- Chosen programme
- Accommodation with host family, single room, full-board
- All administrative and enrolment fees
- Participation certificate
- Placement test
- Course materials
Prices do not include:
- Transport
- Airport transfer
- Medical insurance, compulsory for stays of 12+ weeks
- Possible exam fees (around AU$365)
Practical info
- Airport and arrival station: Adelaide Airport (ADL)
- (Payable) transfer from airport available (see price table)
VISA Information
Do you need a Visa for this programme? For information please consult our page Visa Information.
Do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or email if you require any further information.


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The city of Livingstone, Zambia, is best known as the home of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. More than 2 million people visit the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site each year, making tourism the largest industry in Livingstone and the main source of income for many of its 140,000 residents.
This presents an extraordinary market opportunity for the smallholder producers who live near Victoria Falls.
Small-scale farmers in the Livingstone area are cultivating seedlings and growing produce that is being consumed by thousands of tourists staying at Livingstone's high-end hotels, thanks to the advisory services received through the Horticulture Innovation Lab, a USAID-funded initiative that is bringing together partners to increase smallholder horticulture production and connect farmers to markets in urban centers throughout Africa. The Livingstone project is the result of a partnership between Rutgers, Purdue, and Stellenbosch Universities, and Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plan Products (ASNAPP).
Program participants receive training in the entire horticultural value chain, from seedling production to cultivation and post-harvest handling and commercialization. The project begins with the development and cultivation of high-quality seedling varieties. In the village of Kazuni, community members received training in the construction and use of high tunnels for seedling production.
Locally grown seedlings are purchased by neighboring communities where grower co-ops, such as the Nsongwe Women's Horticulture Project, grow peppers, broccoli, cabbage, and some indigenous vegetables which are purchased by the luxury hotels and lodges in Livingstone.
In the project's first five years, more than 100 metric tons of vegetables valued at $170,000 were sold, primarily to the local hospitality industry. When Ann Steensland of Global Harvest Initiative visited the Nsongwe project in February 2016, the women reported that they now incorporate more vegetables into family meals and as a result, they and their children were much healthier. A project evaluation in 2015 confirmed that food security and dietary diversity have increased in the participating communities. Increased income is being used for medical treatment, school fees, and to build or expand homes.
The Chicago Council's Growing Food for Growing Cities series points out that the majority of urbanization actually occurs in small and midsize cities, like Livingstone. As the Horticulture Innovation Lab's work in Zambia demonstrates, these rural and urban areas are deeply intertwined, creating market opportunities for smallholder farmers.
For more information about innovative policies, programs, and practices that foster agricultural productivity in Zambia and the United States, see the Global Harvest Initiative's 2016 Global Agricultural Productivity Report® (GAP Report®), Building Sustainable Breadbaskets.


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This is a unique pack that uses top seal technology to lock in fresh Sunset® flavour.
The bowl is made from recycled materials and is 100 per cent recyclable.
It is sealed with a high graphic film, using up to 20 per cent less materials than traditional clamshells. It is extremely user friendly as it's easy to peel and the design allows consumers to see as much of the product as possible.
Products available in the Eco Flavour Bowl include Sunset Angel Sweet™, Splendido™, Zima™ and the newly designed Wild Wonders™.


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Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead.
The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child's exposure to lead. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. Lead hazards in a child's environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely.
How are children exposed to lead?
Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem. Approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.
Who is at risk?
Children under the age of 6 years old are at risk because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths.
Children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk. Additionally, children of some racial and ethnic groups and those living in older housing are disproportionately affected by lead.
What can be done to prevent exposure to lead?
It is important to determine the construction year of the house or the dwelling where your child may spend a large amount of time (e.g., grandparents or daycare). In housing built before 1978, assume that the paint has lead unless tests show otherwise.
To further reduce a child's exposure from non-residential paint sources:
This information was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention Tips. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm. Accessed January 13, 2014.
The information in this document is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for personalized professional advice. Although the information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, MedLink Corporation, its representatives, and the providers of the information do not guarantee its accuracy and disclaim responsibility for adverse consequences resulting from its use. For further information, consult a physician and the organization referred to herein.


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Topic Page: Christchurch (N.Z.)
City on South Island, New Zealand, 11 km/7 mi from the mouth of the Avon River; population (2001 est) 316,200. The second largest city in New Zealand, it is the principal commercial and industrial centre of the Canterbury Plains. Traditional industries such as farming, meat-packing, tanning, and the manufacture of woollen goods are still important, and other industries include the manufacture of carpets, clothing, tyres, fertilizers, glass, and footwear. The city derives its name from Christ Church College in Oxford, England, where some of the Anglican founders of the city had studied.
Christchurch was founded in 1850, and is home to the University of Canterbury (1873) and Lincoln University (1990). Other significant places of interest include the Anglican cathedral (1904), the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1905), the Canterbury Museum (1870), and the Robert McDougall Art Gallery (1932). The city's port is a bay in the sheltered Lyttelton Harbour on the north shore of the Banks Peninsula. Land has been reclaimed for service facilities, and rail and road tunnels (1867 and 1964 respectively) link Christchurch with Lyttelton.


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PlentyOfFish is a hugely popular on-line dating system slammed by over 45 million visitors a month and 30+ million hits a day (500 – 600 pages per second). But that's not the most interesting part of the story. All this is handled by one person, using a handful of servers, working a few hours a day, while making $6 million a year from Google ads. Jealous? I know I am. How are all these love connections made using so few resources?
Site: http://www.plentyoffish.com/
Information Sources
- Channel9 Interview with Markus Frind
- Blog of Markus Frind
- Plentyoffish: 1-Man Company May Be Worth $1Billion
The Platform
- Microsoft Windows
- Akamai CDN
- Foundry ServerIron Load Balancer
The Stats
- PlentyOfFish (POF) gets 1.2 billion page views/month, and 500,000 average unique logins per day. The peak season is January, when it will grow 30 percent.
- POF has one single employee: the founder and CEO Markus Frind.
- Makes up to $10 million a year on Google ads working only two hours a day.
- 30+ Million Hits a Day (500 – 600 pages per second).
- 1.1 billion page views and 45 million visitors a month.
- Has 5-10 times the click through rate of Facebook.
- A top 30 site in the US based on Competes Attention metric, top 10 in Canada and top 30 in the UK.
- 2 load balanced web servers with 2 Quad Core Intel Xeon X5355 @ 2.66Ghz), 8 Gigs of RAM (using about 800 MBs), 2 hard drives, runs Windows x64 Server 2003.
- 3 DB servers. No data on their configuration.
- Approaching 64,000 simultaneous connections and 2 million page views per hour.
- Internet connection is a 1Gbps line of which 200Mbps is used.
- 1 TB/day serving 171 million images through Akamai.
- 6TB storage array to handle millions of full sized images being uploaded every month to the site.
What's Inside
- Revenue model has been to use Google ads. Match.com, in comparison, generates $300 million a year, primarily from subscriptions. POF's revenue model is about to change so it can capture more revenue from all those users. The plan is to hire more employees, hire sales people, and sell ads directly instead of relying solely on AdSense.
- With 30 million page views a day you can make good money on advertising, even a 5 – 10 cents a CPM.
- Akamai is used to serve 100 million plus image requests a day. If you have 8 images and each takes 100 msecs you are talking a second load just for the images. So distributing the images makes sense.
- 10's of millions of image requests are served directly from their servers, but the majority of these images are less than 2KB and are mostly cached in RAM.
- Everything is dynamic. Nothing is static.
- All outbound Data is Gzipped at a cost of only 30% CPU usage. This implies a lot of processing power on those servers, but it really cuts bandwidth usage.
- No caching functionality in ASP.NET is used. It is not used because as soon as the data is put in the cache it's already expired.
- No built in components from ASP are used. Everything is written from scratch. Nothing is more complex than a simple if then and for loops. Keep it simple.
- Load balancing
– IIS arbitrarily limits the total connections to 64,000 so a load balancer was added to handle the large number of simultaneous connections. Adding a second IP address and then using a round robin DNS was considered, but the load balancer was considered more redundant and allowed easier swap in of more web servers. And using ServerIron allowed advanced functionality like bot blocking and load balancing based on passed on cookies, session data, and IP data.
– The Windows Network Load Balancing (NLB) feature was not used because it doesn't do sticky sessions. A way around this would be to store session state in a database or in a shared file system.
– 8-12 NLB servers can be put in a farm and there can be an unlimited number of farms. A DNS round-robin scheme can be used between farms. Such an architecture has been used to enable 70 front end web servers to support over 300,000 concurrent users.
– NLB has an affinity option so a user always maps to a certain server, thus no external storage is used for session state and if the server fails the user loses their state and must relogin. If this state includes a shopping cart or other important data, this solution may be poor, but for a dating site it seems reasonable.
– It was thought that the cost of storing and fetching session data in software was too expensive. Hardware load balancing is simpler. Just map users to specific servers and if a server fails have the user log in again.
– The cost of a ServerIron was cheaper and simpler than using NLB. Many major sites use them for TCP connection pooling, automated bot detection, etc. ServerIron can do a lot more than load balancing and these features are attractive for the cost.
- Has a big problem picking an ad server. Ad server firms want several hundred thousand a year plus they want multi-year contracts.
- In the process of getting rid of ASP.NET repeaters and instead uses the append string thing or response.write. If you are doing over a million page views a day just write out the code to spit it out to the screen.
- Most of the build out costs went towards a SAN. Redundancy at any cost.
- Growth was through word of mouth. Went nuts in Canada, spread to UK, Australia, and then to the US.
- Database
– One database is the main database.
– Two databases are for search. Load balanced between search servers based on the type of search performed.
– Monitors performance using task manager. When spikes show up he investigates. Problems were usually blocking in the database. It's always database issues. Rarely any problems in .net. Because POF doesn't use the .net library it's relatively easy to track down performance problems. When you are using many layers of frameworks finding out where problems are hiding is frustrating and hard.
– If you call the database 20 times per page view you are screwed no matter what you do.
– Separate database reads from writes. If you don't have a lot of RAM and you do reads and writes you get paging involved which can hang your system for seconds.
– Try and make a read only database if you can.
– Denormalize data. If you have to fetch stuff from 20 different tables try and make one table that is just used for reading.
– One day it will work, but when your database doubles in size it won't work anymore.
– If you only do one thing in a system it will do it really really well. Just do writes and that's good. Just do reads and that's good. Mix them up and it messes things up. You run into locking and blocking issues.
– If you are maxing the CPU you've either done something wrong or it's really really optimized. If you can fit the database in RAM do it.
- The development process is: come up with an idea. Throw it up within 24 hours. It kind of half works. See what user response is by looking at what they actually do on the site. Do messages per user increase? Do session times increase? If people don't like it then take it down.
- System failures are rare and short lived. Biggest issues are DNS issues where some ISP says POF doesn't exist anymore. But because the site is free, people accept a little down time. People often don't notice sites down because they think it's their problem.
- Going from one million to 12 million users was a big jump. He could scale to 60 million users with two web servers.
- Will often look at competitors for ideas for new features.
- Will consider something like S3 when it becomes geographically load balanced.
Lessons Learned
- You don't need millions in funding, a sprawling infrastructure, and a building full of employees to create a world class website that handles a torrent of users while making good money. All you need is an idea that appeals to a lot of people, a site that takes off by word of mouth, and the experience and vision to build a site without falling into the typical traps of the trade. That's all you need 🙂
- Necessity is the mother of all change.
- When you grow quickly, but not too quickly you have a chance grow, modify, and adapt.
- RAM solves all problems. After that it's just growing using bigger machines.
- When starting out keep everything as simple as possible. Nearly everyone gives this same advice and Markus makes a noticeable point of saying everything he does is just obvious common sense. But clearly what is simple isn't merely common sense. Creating simple things is the result of years of practical experience.
- Keep database access fast and you have no issues.
- A big reason POF can get away with so few people and so little equipment is they use a CDN for serving large heavily used content. Using a CDN may be the secret sauce in a lot of large websites. Markus thinks there isn't a single site in the top 100 that doesn't use a CDN. Without a CDN he thinks load time in Australia would go to 3 or 4 seconds because of all the images.
- Advertising on Facebook yielded poor results. With 2000 clicks only 1 signed up. With a CTR of 0.04% Facebook gets 0.4 clicks per 1000 ad impressions, or .4 clicks per CPM. At 5 cent/CPM = 12.5 cents a click, 50 cent/CPM = $1.25 a click. $1.00/CPM = $2.50 a click. $15.00/CPM = $37.50 a click.
- It's easy to sell a few million page views at high CPM's. It's a LOT harder to sell billions of page views at high CPM's, as shown by Myspace and Facebook.
- The ad-supported model limits your revenues. You have to go to a paid model to grow larger. To generate 100 million a year as a free site is virtually impossible as you need too big a market.
- Growing page views via Facebook for a dating site won't work. Having a visitor on you site is much more profitable. Most of Facebook's page views are outside the US and you have to split 5 cent CPM's with Facebook.
- Co-req is a potential large source of income. This is where you offer in your site's sign up to send the user more information about mortgages are some other product.
- You can't always listen to user responses. Some users will always love new features and others will hate it. Only a fraction will complain. Instead, look at what features people are actually using by watching your site.
originally posted on http://highscalability.com/plentyoffish-architecture


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VP Osinbajo's Wife Reveals She Baked Her Daughter's Beautiful Wedding Cake, Shows It Off Online (PHOTOS)
Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo has shocked Nigerians after she revealed that she baked the cake her first daughter, Damilola used for her wedding which took place over the weekend.
The a 4-tier cake was simply decorated and adorned in white with patches of yellow and wedding rings to top it off.
Sharing different stages of the cake, her Excellency wrote:
The cake I baked and decorated for my daughter's wedding day. Trimmed the cake board with crochet…..The things our great mothers taught us!
More photos below:


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von Charmaine S•
May 23, 2019
I have learnt so much
von Kamal S•
Jun 11, 2019
Good I Enjoyed this course
von Ike c v•
Apr 30, 2019
very educative and well presented
von Magdalene M A•
May 20, 2019
I've been educated!
von Sriya B S•
Apr 04, 2019
Very informative
von Thayalani N G•
Apr 10, 2019
Although it is a very informative course but it is quite boring but then again the information on nutrition, eating habits, encouraging children to participate, were interesting. However, I do not see the relevance of this topics when it comes to the entire course. Its just my opinion.
von Emma I R•
Dec 03, 2019
Very good
von Jamie L L•
Oct 21, 2019
Good overview of interrelated topics, however, only on a very basic level. Not a very challenging course but covers all necessary information and I enjoyed it.


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Waterworks Amplified is an annual juried exhibition of artwork created by Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) members. NWWS members are exceptional artists and this exhibition specifically showcases their extraordinary talent and creativity.
Join us at the opening reception and awards ceremony for this popular show Thursday, October 24, from 5-8pm, to meet the artists, see great art and enjoy refreshments. This event is free and all are welcome!
Image: 2018 Award Winner "Eating Crow", by Rene Eisenbart
Return to Calendar
Location: Gallery
More Information


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PIKE anglers can enjoy a lively session with top speakers Phil Kirk and Peter Haywood, who will be in the region on March 4 to discuss 30 years of fishing.
They appear at Coxhoe Working Men's Club (7.30).
The event is hosted by the Darlington, Teesside and Durham regions of the Pike Anglers' Club of Great Britain. Entry is £2 (members) and £3 (non members), including tackle stand, buffet and raffle. Contact Craig Patterson 07984 164746, or send an e-mail to peter@ patterson5177.fsnet. co.uk


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Fabergé Museum
|15 May 2009
|Baden-Baden, Germany
|Collection size
|over 1,500 items
|Alexander Ivanov
The Fabergé Museum is a privately owned museum located in the German spa city of Baden-Baden, dedicated to items made by the Russian jewellery firm Fabergé. It was opened by Russian art collector Alexander Ivanov on 15 May 2009.[1]
The museum's collection contains over 1,500 items made by Fabergé. Items in the collection include a rare silver decanter in the form of a rabbit and the last Imperial Easter Egg, the Karelian Birch egg, made of Karelian birch with gold and diamonds for Easter 1917. However, Czar Nicholas II was deposed before he could give it to his mother. When Ivanov first bought the Karelian egg, some experts resisted because its existence wasn't known previously. Ivanov now has documents found in the Russian state archives proving that the egg is genuine.[2]
The Fabergé company was founded in St Petersburg in 1842, and it was an official supplier to the Russian Imperial court from 1885 to 1917. It also supplied high-end luxury goods to the Russian and European aristocracy. Besides the czars, clients included the Queen of the United Kingdom and the royal family of Siam (now Thailand). Fabergé was closed after the Bolsheviks seized power in 1917. The company's artworks became popular again in the 1960s with Western collectors, led by Malcolm Forbes. Prices reached records in the early part of the 21st century, thanks to Russians such as Ivanov who took a fancy to fine artworks of the country's heritage.
Ivanov said his museum building cost about 17 million euros to buy and renovate, including a 1 million euro security system. He chose Baden-Baden, near Germany's western border, because it is "quiet and nice, middle in Europe, close to France and Switzerland, a resort for the rich, and historically it has always been the most popular resort for Russians."[2]
Ivanov said that one reason that he opened the museum in Germany was due to safety concerns. He told Britain's Independent newspaper: "It's very difficult [in Russia] because of all the administrative barriers [...] You have to be indebted to someone, and you can never feel that your collection is safe – not from the state, not from bandits, not from anyone. In Germany we spend serious money on security of course, but at least you know that the state itself won't do anything."[3]
The museum's first year was marked by a bitter court conflict. In April 2009, just a month before the official opening, a company calling itself Faberge Ltd. that is registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by the Gilbertson family of South Africa filed a lawsuit over rights to the Fabergé trademark. This made the Fabergé museum's first year a difficult one. While the case was pending, the museum couldn't use the Fabergé name, which meant no advertising or even a sign on the door. In January 2010, a German court ruled in favor of the Fabergé Museum, and it immediately began to resume functioning with full right to use the Fabergé name.[4]
In May 2012, the Fabergé Museum opened a new permanent exhibition titled Gold of the World. It consists of just over 100 gold items from various civilizations and continents that date from the 6th century B.C. up until the mid 20th century. Among the items are an ancient Iranian chalice, ancient Greek jewelry, Fabergé cigarette cases, Aztec and Inca gold jewelry, and a very rare 18th century British gold trophy.[5]
Rothschild Fabergé egg[edit]
The most significant item in the museum's collection was the Rothschild Fabergé egg, which was made as an engagement gift from Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild to her brother's fiancée. Ivanov bought it at Christie's auction house in London on 28 November 2007, for £9 million,[3] because he thinks that it is the "finest ever" made by Fabergé.
However, in December 2014, Russia's President Vladimir Putin gifted the Rothschild Fabergé egg to the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Days before this gift was made, British and German customs officers raided the Fabergé Museum looking for the egg. The museum said that the officers' actions were politically motivated, coming amid tensions between the West and Russia, and hoping to ruin the gift ceremony and embarrass Russia's head of state.[6]
- ^ "Открытие Музея Фаберже". Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Tycoon Ivanov Reveals $1.5 Billion Faberge Surprise for Germany". Bloomberg.
- ^ a b Russian billionaire feathers his Fabergé nest egg, Independent
- ^ Ivanov Vies Faberge, Boosts $2 Billion Museum Collection, Bloomberg
- ^ "Fabergé Museum opens a new permanent exhibition dedicated to gold jewelry over the past 2,500 years", Art Daily
- ^ "Putin, the Oligarch, and the Tax Dispute Over a $14 Million Fabergé Egg". 16 December 2014 – via www.bloomberg.com.
External links[edit]
- Media related to Fabergé museum (Baden-Baden) at Wikimedia Commons
- Fabergé Museum website


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Aussie Sun Seekers Bag Long Haul Bargains This Winter
Sunshine is on the cards for thousands of Aussies according to research from Cheapflights.com.au that reveals an increasing number of locals have been locking in cheap fares to classic Northern Hemisphere destinations this winter.
Data from the leading flight search and deals publishing platform shows the number of searches for flights in June jumped 149 per cent from those in May, with June being the most popular winter month to travel.
Looking at advanced booking behaviour since February, Cheapflights.com.au found London, Paris and Los Angeles were the most popular international destinations from June through August. New York and Singapore also consistently featured in the top five.
Nathan Graham, Regional Sales Manager ANZ at Cheapflights, said: "Despite the weak Australian Dollar and rumblings about low consumer confidence, Aussies' wanderlust cannot be quashed with competitive airfares keeping travel firmly on the agenda.
"As winter sets in, we expect to see increased interest in locations closer-to-home for last minute getaways, but for now it is clear many Aussies have set their sights further afield this year."
To help locals save time, hassle and money on their next adventure, Cheapflights.com.au has the following travel tips:
Don't sleep over: Save on accommodation by travelling at night! Booking travel this way will not only help your wallet, it will ensure you maximise possible sight-seeing time.
Search for one traveller to start: When booking flights for a group or family, start searching as if you are looking to travel as an individual. This way you'll see all the results, and if there are a few seats left at a lower fare (and you don't mind potentially travelling separately), you can at least grab them and get a partial deal.
Go left: Scientists aren't sure why people are more likely to turn right than left (perhaps it's because more people are right-handed?), but when faced with the choice at the airport security line, go left as those lines tend to be shorter.
Cash in on freebies: There are loads of perks available on flights, from amenity kits on Virgin Atlantic to postcards and playing cards with Singapore airlines – just make sure you do your research before jumping on board so you know exactly what to ask for. Not only will you lighten the load and have extra room in your carry-on, but you will also save money by not having to buy these little luxuries.
Nab free tickets: Most monuments, museums and attractions offer free entry once a week or month. Research each place you plan to visit in advance, and then time your visits to coincide with free or reduced admissions.
Don't roam: Avoid racking up charges on your mobile by switching off 'data roaming' and only using Wi-Fi, which is available at many of Australian travellers' top destinations while in public places such as airports as well as on public transport. Using free messaging apps like WhatsApp and navigating with offline maps including CityMaps2Go and the hidden feature on Google Maps will also reduce your bill.
Get carded: Pack your student ID or an International Student Identity Card to grab a bargain from reduced museum entry to discounted clothing. If you're not a student, you can still get discounts – anyone 30 years old or younger can get an International Youth Travel Card, and full-time teachers or professors can get an International Teacher Identity Card. And if you're a retiree or a veteran, many places will offer you discounts as well.
For more travel inspiration, or to book your next holiday or flights, visit Cheapflights.com.au.