text:
The aftermath: What happened to the displaced shanty residents
On Dec. 7, when Westlands Water District sent bulldozers to level the shanties, Martín Hernandez Mena was miles away, pruning pistachio trees with his nephew.
It was his third day of fieldwork in almost as many weeks since he'd left the shantytown with only a bag of clothes, a poster of the Virgin Mary and an ashtray in hand. He was staying in a back room of a small Mendota house where his nephew, Tomás Perez, lives with his wife and four children.
He tries not to dwell on his time in the shantytown.
"When you're out there, you start to think that you can make it on your own, that if you just find work, you'll survive," Mena said. "But it's no life out there."
Mena isn't sure how long he will stay with his relatives — he doesn't want to impose on his nephew, who is finding fewer field jobs himself.
But he doesn't know where else he can go.
The days he can't find farm jobs, Mena goes to the church, where he helps María Hernandez pack meals for his former neighbors. Some, like Mario Rodriguez, had moved just down the road from the ditch to live in the brush along the railroad tracks.
Rodriguez, who had been working feverishly to finish an order of chairs before the railroad could kick him out, said he wasn't sure where he would go next. Sometimes he wishes he would be arrested. At least in jail there would be food and a bed.
Maricela Montejano was hospitalized for pneumonia after the eviction.
No one had heard from Edgar Torres Castro, who ambled away from the shantytown asking anyone who would listen to take care of his books.
— Marissa Lang, firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
La Casa Del Sole, Noumea
Casa del Sole is situated in the middle of the most popular beaches of Noumea within proximity to Noumea town center, museum, aquarium, restaurants and night life.
With 127 self-catered apartments, Casa Del Sole proposes one bedroom and two bedroom apartments. Fully equipped, it is an inviting and affordable choice for business trips, vacations and weekend getaways. Rejuvenate your mind, body and "sole" during your stay at Casa Del Sole.
Discover pampering amenities throughout Casa Del Sole, including the convenience store opened everyday where you will be able to enjoy your Parisian breakfast, a swimming pool and an elegant venue for weddings, banquets and meetings of 249 square meters with a breathtaking view over bay Des Citrons.
We are looking forward welcoming you at Casa Del Sole, the place you'd rather be!
We inform our customer the re opening of the swimming pool.
Following the depression OMA the gard rail has been damaged.
Due to an important need of carpenter in the territory we are currently waiting for an intervention.
The head manager decided to re-open the swimming pool due to the up coming good weather forecast while waiting the exact delay for the reconstruction of the gard rail.
However please keep away of this area and take care of children who may run around.
Please apologize for any inconvenience
The director
Practical information
- Services within the hotel
- Free Amenities
- Apartments
- Hotel Amenities


text:
Do you have a rice cooker?
I really love mine, and here is why:
1) Versatility
Even if your family doesn't eat a lot of rice, I highly recommend this doodad. Rice cookers cook steel cut oats and almost any grain you can think of like a dream. A rice cooker is way more of a kitchen multi-tasker than one might think. Don't believe me? Check out this article on 21 Surprising Things You Can Cook in a Rice Cooker and prepare to have your mind blown.
2) Convenience
Here's the thing: cooking most grains requires bringing water to boil, adding the grain, lowering the temperature to a simmer, then turning off the heat and serving the grain almost immediately. While this is a simple process in theory, who among us hasn't had many an "OH F*^@!!" moment while trying to prep a dinner that includes a grain. Don't get the heat timing right and the bottom of your pan is burned, along with a layer of rice. Don't time the finish perfectly with your protein and veggies, and you can easily get overcooked grains, or a gluey, room temperature mess instead of a lovely hot side dish. So frustrating. With the rice cooker, grains are cooked to perfection every time, and the "keep warm" setting keeps them piping hot without overcooking them until you are ready to serve, even if that is an hour later than planned. To me, this is priceless.
Also, most rice cookers have a timer setting, meaning you can set up your rice cooker with the ingredients for steel cut oats the night before, set the timer for two hours before you wake, and come downstairs to a beautiful breakfast with zero effort the next morning. Or put everything together for this Israeli couscous dish before heading out for the afternoon, and set the timer to coincide with your planned dinner. Genius.
3) Ease
Nothing is easier or more foolproof than rice cooker cooking; it is kind of like magic. Not only is our rice cooker super simple to clean, but it only takes minutes to throw everything into the cooker and press start, and once that is done, you're just not calling for take out, no matter how much your motivation may fade. Start a batch of rice, and even if you lose the will to do anything else except open a can of beans, provided you have some good condiments and an avocado on hand, and you've got Burrito Bowls. Stick some quinoa in there, and you're halfway to a trendy hippie salad of nutritional superiority. Or make this gorgeous, simple Israeli couscous dish, shove your husband out to the grill with some chicken or a piece of fish, throw a salad together, and you've got a downright elegant dinner situation.
Sales pitch= over.
I just love this thing.
And our $80 model is over ten years old and still works like a charm, but there are also less expensive versions out there, and this doesn't have to be a pricey item.
Okay, now the sales pitch is really over.
The traditional preparation of Israeli couscous is easy enough... it only takes fifteen minutes on the stovetop, but I've always followed the Smitten Kitchen instructions for prepping it, which include spreading it out on a cookie sheet to cool. I hate the annoying extra dishes that this creates and the messy transfers, and like every stovetop grain recipe, you really have to nail the timing for success. With an impulse bought box of Israeli couscous in the pantry and a simple starch-veg-meat dinner planned, I decided to play around with a slow cooker preparation and see what I could do.
We had this dish again on Sunday night as a side to one of our favorite easy dinners, Gyros a la Trader Joe's. Sunday was a perfect example of why I love our rice cooker. We had a packed weekend and I was exhausted on Sunday night. I was able to quickly throw this dish together while I gave the kids dinner, and then my work was done. The motivation I had to cook at 5pm was long gone by 7, but the couscous waited patiently in the rice cooker, still hot and delicious two hours after I got it started. The whole house smelled great, which motivated B to go out and light the grill instead of dialing for pizza, and soon we had a really lovely (mostly) home cooked meal to start/end the week.
homemade tzatziki, but alas, not this time around. I do have to highly recommend this quick little chopped salad I put together though: chopped romaine and tomato, sliced Greek mixed olives, cubed avocado, and homemade croutons in a white balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.
But wait! The point of this post is the couscous! Which not only complimented the gyros well, but also was the foundation and motivator for the rest of the meal, thanks to it bubbling away in the rice cooker while we put the kids to bed. And, it was really as easy as chopping these shallots.
So, here's how you do it...
Rice Cooker Israeli Couscous with Shallots
Serves 4
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 cup Israeli couscous
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
freshly ground pepper
1) In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2) Add the minced shallots and sauté quickly until they soften, about 5 minutes.
3) Add the couscous to the pan with the shallots and cook for a few minutes until the grains are lightly toasted and coated with oil.
4) Transfer the couscous and shallot mixture to your rice cooker. Add the water and spices. Set the timer to the regular and start.
5) When the cooking cycle is complete, open the cooker and stir the couscous to fluff it up. Taste for seasoning and add more spices if desired. You may also wish to add a little more olive oil for a richer flavor.
6) Serve immediately or allow to rest on the "keep warm" setting until you are ready to serve.
This is a fairly basic recipe for Israeli couscous that is flavorful enough to serve on its own, but basic enough to act as a base for other creations. Some of my favorite things to do with Israeli couscous:
|Couldn't resist sharing this gorgeous shot via Food52


text:
What is pelvic floor physiotherapy?
A highly effective and non-surgical approach to managing pelvic dysfunction where a thorough history and physical examination, including internal palpation, is performed. Manual therapy, along with prescribed exercises, are utilized to promote healthy pelvic function and get back to your normal.
Even though pelvic floor challenges are common, they are treatable. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help you regain control, maximize function, recovery and improve your well being.
Internal pelvic floor muscle training has Grade A Level 1 evidence and it should be first line treatment before surgery is considered.
Do you suffer from:
• Urinary, gas or stool incontinence
• Pelvic/hip/low-back Pain
• Painful Intercourse
• Pain during Pregnancy
• Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder pain syndrome
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Pressure or heaviness in your vagina or rectum
• Prostatitis, Pudendal Neuralgia, Endometriosis
Let We-Fix-U effectively help you get back to yourself again!
Did you know…
• More than 3.3 million Canadians are living with urinary incontinence
• 1 in 4 (3) women have urinary incontinence
• 1 in 9 men have urinary incontinence
• 25-50% of women have prolapse and approximately 19% get surgery
• About 10% of men in their 40s and 25% of men in their 70s experience moderate to severe urinary symptoms
• Even teens and athletes experience pelvic dysfunction
• Poor pelvic health leads to decreased self-esteem, depression, social isolation, impedes physical activity, institutionalization, heavy economic burden
• Research recognizes that pelvic floor exercises are an integral part to promote good pelvic health
Urinary Incontinence is common but is NOT normal!
• Your Pelvis Health Physiotherapist is a highly trained, sensitive medical professional who will discuss these issues with you thoroughly before carrying out the treatment.


text:
Anna Marie Hoffmann Brinke "Mamacita"
Related Links
Acting Career
The Archive
The Chronicle
Pepsi Cola
Anna Marie Hoffmann was born on July 26th,1898 in Germany to August and Pauline Hoffmann.
During World War 2, Anna lost contact with two brothers, and spent much time and money attempting to locate them, however, was never successful.
Anna had nine children; one son, Rüdiger, who later died in a glider crash, and a daughter who committed suicide by drowning in a bathtub.
In 1957 Anna's husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack, and she moved from Werdohl, Germany to Long Island, New York to live with her daughter, Erna and family. Her daughter Erna was born on May 3rd, 1923.
Anna came to work for Joan Crawford in the summer of 1961 following Joan's inquiry to a friend's maid as to who would be a reliable maid for herself.
The lady referred Joan to her own mother, Anna.
According to Anna's grandgrildren, (who refers to Anna as "Oma") Joan and Anna were very close and shared a close companionship, however, Anna did become frustrated with Joan on a number of occasions and threatened to leave her employment several times and would call her family to come for her.
Anna usually enjoyed a once per month weekend-long visit with her daughter Erna, and her family who lived on Long Island, New York.
One of Anna's favorite foods was potatoes, however, Crawford would not allow them in her home due to dietary restrictions, so during these weekend visits, Anna would start the visit by boiling several pounds of potatoes, and preparing them in various ways for each meal throughout the weekend.
Anna knew very little English, and was not always able to communicate or understand people, however, when Joan had parties at her home, she was always chatted up by celebrities such as Cesar Romero, who would joke with Anna in the kitchen.
Because Anna knew little English, to be polite, she would laugh and smile when the guest would laugh, taking cues from their expressions.
On July 26th, 1973, Joan gave Anna a lavish 75th birthday party that Anna remembered very fondly, and called it one of the best days of her life.
In December 1973, Anna visited family for Christmas, and upon her return, she gave Joan a resignation letter (displayed below) indicating that she was returning to Germany for some dental work, and to address other health issues, however, she also cited that she would return later if her services were needed. Ultimately, Anna never returned to work for Joan.
According to Anna's family, she left Joan's service because she was "tired of things being thrown at her", and that Anna left following Joan having had thrown objects at her twice shortly before 1974.
Following leaving Joan's employment, Anna did return to Germany to live, and later returned to the United States to live with her daughter Erma and family in Texas.
Joan and Anna never lost communication with each other, sending holiday and birthday greetings to one another, with the last communication being dated March 28th, 1977, only six weeks before Joan's death.
Anna passed away while living in Wichita Falls, Texas on May 2nd, 1979 at the age of 80.
She had been in the hospital for several weeks prior to her death. Anna's official cause of death was cancer that had spread to the liver.
Above: Photos Of Anna circa mid-1950s prior to her employment with Joan Crawford.
Pictured with Anna is her grandson, Mark.
of the family of Anna Marie Brinke)
Above: A signed photo of Joan to Anna, whom Joan referred to as "Mamacita", and often simply as "Mama".
(From the personal collection of Webmaster Bryan Johnson)
Above: Photos of Anna going about her daily tasks for Joan. (Photos from Joan Crawford's autobiography "My Way of Life")
Above: Anna Marie Brinke (Circa 1963)
© All original Joan Crawford research and original text herein is property of Webmaster Bryan Johnson and is copyright protected by
the United States Copyright Act of 1976.
Copyright © Bryan Johnson
A March 22nd, 1974 letter and personal note to Anna's daughter, Erna, following Anna leaving Joan's employment.
A candid photo of Anna working in her family's kitchen. (Courtesy of the family of Anna Marie Brinke)
Above: Anna's two-page resignation letter to Joan.
(Circa January 1974)
Above: Anna's "thank you" letter to Joan for her 75th birthday party.
(Circa July 1973)
Two letters circa December 1973 from Anna to Joan telling her about Christmas and thanking Joan for her generosity.
Above: An August 2nd, 1976 "thank you" letter from Anna to Joan (with the mailing envelope with Anna's Germany return address).
Above: Anna's death certificate. (Courtesy of the family of Anna Marie Brinke)
An excerpt regarding Mamacita from Joan's 1971 "My Way of Life":
"I think it's time to explain that Mamacita isn't a Spanish girl, she's a German lady who raised nine children and has many grandchildren.
I took a house in Westhampton nine or ten years ago - a place to take the children for the summer. I had no one to help me and I didn't want to spend two months making beds and scrubbing bathrooms. I called a neighbor who put his maid on the phone. "I know someone for you," she said. "But I don't know whether you can put up with her. She's never heard of a bucket and a mop."
"Handsies, kneesies?" I asked.
"Yep," she replied.
"Bring her over tomorrow morning. That's just my cup of tea. I never did think you could get into corners with any mop - Who is it?"
"My mother," she said. "I'll bring her."
The next morning I was on the phone when they arrived. I turned for a moment and said "Start in my bedroom and then down here," and then I went back to the phone. When I hung up I wanted to call her to come quickly to take the dogs out but I realized I hadn't asked her name, I had just returned from Rio Janerio, where all I had heard was mamacita, papacita, cousincita, everythingcita, so without thinking I called out "Mamacita!".
Back she cried "Ya, Ich coming!"
The name has stuck ever since. In all the countries we have traveled together, in all languages, everyone calls her Mamacita.
We had language problems for a while, and it gave me the best exercise I've ever had in pantomime. I had to act out everything I wanted her to do, speaking slowly and distinctly about each action, each idea. I'd say, "Guest lady, this room. One bed only."
She'd watch mu mouth carefully, then watch my elaborate little scene. Finally a beautiful smile of comprehension would spread over her face and she'd say, "Oh, ya! Ya! Ich do!"
Inevitably, when we're traveling, she's referred to as my mother.
"What would your mother like to drink, Miss Crawford?"
"Gin and tonic, please."
She'll giggle and nudge me, very pleased. "He thinks I'm your mama!"
I let it go. I don't know what I'd do without Mamacita. No new situation ever flusters her. And new situations turn up every day."
In 2017, actress Jackie Hoffman portrayed "Mamacita"
on the FX television miniseries "
Feud: Bette & Joan
*Special thanks is due to the wonderful family of Anna Marie Brinke for spending many hours discussing Anna with me, sharing
many memories and stories with me, and also for generously sharing photos of Anna for use on this website.
With the benefit of their invaluable assistance, a more fully formed portrait of this lady can be revealed than had been previously known.
Jackie Hoffman with the Webmaster (on right).
(April 2017)
Above: Anna Marie Brinke's grave site at the Crestview Memorial park Cemetery in Wichita Falls, Texas. (May 2017)
(Special thanks to "The Concluding Chapter Of Crawford" reader Kelly Gregg for volunteering these photos to the website)
Above: A photo of Anna's husband's grave in Germany.
(Special thanks to the Family of Anna Marie Brinke for this photo)
Above: Joan's final Christmas greeting to Mamacita.
Following her forced retirement as a member of the board of Pepsi-Cola, Joan's economic
could not afford the thousands of Christmas greetings she sent each year.
Her 1974 Christmas greetings all bore this same message regarding her Christmas greetings for the future.
(From the personal collection of Webmaster Bryan Johnson)
Above: Joan's final communication to Mamacita, a thank you letter for the flowers Mamacita and her family had sent Joan for her birthday on March 23rd.
(From the personal collection of Webmaster Bryan Johnson)
Above: Anna wearing one of the fur coats given to her by Joan (circa 1963). To the right, the same coat as it
today as part of the Webmaster's personal collection
Above: Anna reading a German newspaper while en route on the Pepsi-Cola jet.
Above: Anna following her retirement from Joan, still enjoyed the pleasures of cooking. Right, Anna's smock as it appears today in the Webmaster's private collection.


text:
Martin Marietta's Salisbury Shop, which provides mechanical and operational support for aggregates and other facilities across the company, recently held a luncheon to celebrate three years and more than 210,000 work hours without a reportable incident.
The shop employs 36 full-time workers, a third of which have been with Martin Marietta for fewer than three years.
"It's been a challenge for us," said Damon Allen, director of production services. "To have three years under our belt is amazing and the result of necessary changes to our safety culture. I'm proud of what we've accomplished."
Salisbury Shop Employees include:
Damon Allen, Paul Arbucci, Donnie Barger, Nathan Barnhardt, Aaron Byerly, Ron Campbell, Charlie Cox, Jerry Deal, Walter Ferrell, Bobby Foust, Wes Fulk, Garret Goble, John Gullett, Nathan Hardister, Brian Hawkins, Chris Johnson, Richard Johnson, Gary Kitchen, Joseph Litaker, Jarrett Lockhart, Don Mahaffrey, Braxton McDaniel, Clinton McDaniel, Greg Moore, Cindy Neely, Derrick Neely, Fred Overcash Jr., Tom Paller, Willie Payne, Luke Phelps, Randy Robertson, Austin Shrewsbury, Tim Shue, Matt Shumaker, Lloyd Stirewalt and Ellen Thompson.


text:
The Airport Bridge Club lesson at 10:45 a.m. today, Saturday, March 29, continues a review of the Convention Card with the aim of simplifying complicated conventions. A pairs game follows at noon. The club has Swiss teams at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 30. Call 603-6943.
* * *
The Buffalo Spring Sectional Tournament begins Friday, April 4, in the Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Williamsville. There are pairs games at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday and next Saturday, April 5, and Swiss teams at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 6.
For information, call Liz Clark at 652-0256 (email firstname.lastname@example.com) or Sue Neubecker at 876-2630 (email email@example.com). For partnerships, call Judie Bailey at 636-6148 (email email@example.com).
To see the flyer, click this link.
* * *
Mini-lessons are offered before many games at the Bridge Center of Buffalo. Call 834-4222 for info.
* * *
The email newsletter from the Airport Bridge Club now comes from a new address, firstname.lastname@example.com. The club requests that you add this to your safe domain list. To be added to the email list, call 836-7016.
* * *
Western New York Unit 116 has updated its schedule of unit-sponsored games for 2014. It includes:
Club-hosted Unit game – 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, Bridge Center of Buffalo.
Barometer Pairs game – 7:15 p.m., Monday, May 12, Bridge Club Meridian.
Strawberry Social and pairs game – 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 28, Lockport Duplicate Club.
Annual picnic and game – Time TBA, Sunday, July 20, Erie County Fairgrounds.
Annual meeting and game – Saturday, Dec. 6, Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Williamsville.
* * *
Tournament calendar
Rochester Spring Sectional – Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, Webster. Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12. For info, click this link.
Toronto Easter Regional – Doubletree By Hilton Hotel, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, April 15, to Sunday, April 20. For info, click this link. See "Event Schedule."
Cleveland All-American Regional – Holiday Inn (Cleveland) South, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Monday, May 20, to Sunday, May 26. For info, click this link.
Buffalo Non-Life Master Sectional – Bridge Center of Buffalo, 3362 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31.
District 5 Summer Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (STaC) – Monday, June 9, to Sunday, June 15.
Rochester Summer Sectional – Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13.
Hamilton Sectional – Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 453 Limeridge Road East, Hamilton, Ont. Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. For info, click this link. See "Event Schedule."
Burt Garrell Syracuse Regional – Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. Monday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 10. For info, click this link.
Buffalo Fall Sectional – Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Williamsville. Friday, Sept. 12, to Sunday, Sept. 14. For info, click this link.
Great Lakes Sectional – Erie, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21.
Rochester Fall Sectional – Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12.
Buffalo Regional – Events Center at the Erie County Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg. Tuesday, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 26. For info, click this link.
Finger Lakes Sectional – Canandaigua. Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9.
District 5 Winter Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (STaC) – Monday, Dec. 8, to Sunday, Dec. 14.
Cleveland Rock and Roll Regional – Holiday Inn (Cleveland) South, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, to Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015.
Buffalo Winter Sectional – Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Williamsville. Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, to Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015.
61st Niagara District Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Convention Centre, 327 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, Ont., Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, to Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.
Buffalo Spring Sectional – Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Williamsville. Friday, April 17, 2015, to Sunday, April 19, 2015.
Buffalo Fall Sectional – Main-Transit Fire Hall, 6777 Main St., Willliamsville. Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, to Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015.
* * *
Bridge club websites:
Click names for links.
* * *
The Duplicate Bridge column is compiled weekly by News Staff Reporter Dale Anderson. The print version normally appears in the Life & Arts section in the Saturday edition of The Buffalo News. If it's not in its usual place, try the Sports section.
The online version contains unabridged scores and a longer list of notices. Deadline for submission of scores and notices is Tuesday night.
Sometimes the online version does not materialize on the Buffalo News website. When that happens, you can find it as an appendix to Dale Anderson's bridge blog at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/
Email firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com. Office phone is (716) 849-4420.
* * *
A Silver Life Master since 2011, Dale Anderson has a career total of nearly 1,700 master points. He blogs about his progress toward Gold Life Master (2,500 points) and other bridge adventures here.
* * *
Duplicate scores
Week of March 17 to March 23
ACBL Sanctioned Clubs
Week of March 17 to March 23
ACBL Sanctioned Clubs
Airport Bridge Club Monday morning – Howell. A: Barbara Pieterse and Paula Kotowski, 70.63%; Barbara Libby and Jim Mathis, 56.88%; B: Elaine Kurasiewicz and Bill Boardman, 56.88%; C: Art Schumacher and Barbara Multerer, 47.50%.
Airport Bridge Club Monday afternoon – North-south, A: Bob Kaprove and Paula Kotowski, 55.83%; B: Usha Khurana and Dale Anderson, 53.33%; C: Michael and Ruth Kozower, 50%; east-west, A/B/C: Joyce Greenspan and Sharon Chang, 62.08%.
Airport Bridge Club Tuesday morning – North-south, A: Bob Andersen and Barbara Libby, 59.17%; B: Barbara Pieterse and Paula Kotowski, 58.68%; C: Linda Vassallo and Wilson McClaren, 43.78%; east-west, A: Harry Cheung and Liz Clark, 61.06%; B: John Kirsits and Nancy Kessler, 55.41%; C: Joe Rooney and Ross Markello, 48.03%.
Airport Bridge Club Wednesday morning – Howell. A: Bill Boardman and Paula Kotowski, 62.50%; B/C: Marietta Kalman and Judy Kaprove, 57.74%; Rita Sofia and Janet Frisch, 52.98%.
Airport Bridge Club Thursday morning – North-south, A: Judi Marshall and Jim Mathis, 63.97%; B: Allen Beroza and Barbara Libby, 61.64%; C: Ed Drozen and Eleanor Whelan, 51.93%; east-west, A: Liz Clark and John Ziemer, 60.76%; B: Nancy Kessler and Ross Markello, 60.16%; C: Florence Boyd and Bob Kaprove, 51.11%.
Airport Bridge Club Friday morning – Howell. A: Jerry Geiger and John Ziemer, 63.89%; B: Bob Kaprove and Ken Trock, 62.50%; Mike Kisiel and Paul Ganley, 52.78%; C: Nancy Torrell and Marilyn Sultz, 52.08%.
Airport Bridge Club Saturday afternoon – Howell. A: Bob Linn and Bill Boardman, 60.83%; B/C: Bob and Judy Kaprove, 55.75%; east-west, A: Ruth Jones and Ruth Hnath, 61.08%; C: Jim and Gloria Brown, 54.67%.
Airport Bridge Club Sunday afternoon – Howell. Manju Ceylony and Shakeel Ahmad, 59.26%; (tie) Rich Cramer-Benjamin and Ron Henrikson, Cleveland Fleming and partner, 48.15%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Monday noon – 99ers. North-south, A/B: Liz Schulman and Mary Blanchard, 60.83%; C: Henry Borkowski and Chris Ludwig, 55%; east-west, A/B: Ernie LaFranier and Terrence Camp, 66.67%; (tie) Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, Betsey Pankewycz and Neelam Kohli, 54.17%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Tuesday noon – Non-life masters. North-south, A/B/C: Betsy and Richard Heuer, 60.71%; Marcia Wright and Elizabeth Neuner, 57.44%; Marjorie Plumb and Natalie Abramson, 57.14%; James McClure and Elizabeth Young, 55.06%; east-west, A: Chip Kean and Usha Khurana, 61.61%; B/C: Lynn Witmer and Jeff Thier, 53.57%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Wednesday morning – North-south, A/B: Fran Kurtz and Harry Meyers, 55.09%; Berta Brown and Joanne Kelley, 54.63%; C: Pat Lakeman and Barbara Landree, 51.16%; east-west, A: Jim Gullo and Judy Graf, 62.04%; B/C: Betty Metz and James Tao, 55.79%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Wednesday evening – Howell. A: Christy Kellogg and Bert Hargesheimer, 57%; B: Jack Cukierman and John Bielinski, 55%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Thursday noon – 0-750 Game. North-south, A/B: Eugene Nawotniak and Violet Makhija, 58.63%; Joe Miranda and Elizabeth Neuner, 57.14%; Ann Coughlin and Elizabeth Young, 54.76%; C: Mary Blanchard and Liz Schulman, 48.81%; east-west, A/B/C: Mary Ann Joyce and Pam Righter, 63.10%; Andrei Reinhorn and Sharon Chang, 58.33%; Marcia Wright and Pat Kilbury, 56.25%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Thursday evening – North-south, A: Bert Hargesheimer and Pat Rasmus, 59.38%; Mark Pascale and Chris Urbanek, 57.29%; B: Nancy Wolstoncroft and Linda Burroughsford, 55.47%; C: Beena and Madhav Deshmukh, 55.09%; east-west, A: Kamil Bishara and Dian Petrov, 58.80%; B: Ten-Pao Lee and Carol Bedell, 58.33%; C: Henry Chudy and Peter Patterson, 56.71%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Friday morning – North-south, A: Stan Kozlowski and Christy Kellogg, 55.58%; B/C: Art Matthies and David Donaldson, 54.49%; east-west, A/B: Claire Gareleck and Bob Olin, 59.87%; Liz Clark and Joan Rose, 54.83%; C: Janet Dimet and Sharon Wilcox, 53.30%.
Bridge Center of Buffalo Saturday noon – Howell. A: Mike Ryan and Judy Graf, 61.31%; B/C: John and Martha Welte, 60.90%; (tie) Howard and Joan Rose, Stan Kozlowski and Chris Urbanek, 59.30%; Bert Hargesheimer and Christy Kellogg, 57.69%; Tom Koralewski and Davis Heussler, 54.17%.
Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – James Downing and David Floyd, 60.42%; Joanne LaFay and Lillian Gotshall, 59.72%; Joe Rooney and Art Schumacher, 53.47%; Bob Farwell and Darcy Young, 52.78%.
Bridge Club Meridian Monday morning – North-south, Walt Olszewski and Eleanor Whelan, 58.63%; Jerry Geiger and Pat Rasmus, 57.74%; Ted Kahn and Dian Petrov, 55.36%; east-west, Donna Steffan and Fred Yellen, 60.12%; Dorothy and Ed Rupp, 56.55%; Carol Bedell and Betty Metz, 55.36%.
Bridge Club Meridian Monday evening – Unit 116 "Green IMPs" Game. A: Jim Gullo and Eugene Harvey, 53 IMPs; B: Linda and Paul Zittel, 48 IMPs; C: Gary Schmitt and Gaurang Sheth, 38 IMPs.
Delaware Wednesday evening – North-south, Alicia Kolipinski and Sandy Marcussen, 62.3%; Edna and Ron Fill, 51.5%; east-west, Lance Pollock and Art Morth, 57%; Ed Lechner and Anne O'Connor, 56.5%.
Lockport Duplicate Tuesday evening – Howell. A: Dale Schlyer and Beena Deshmukh, 62%; B: Walt Olszewski and Madhav Deshmukh, 61%; C: John Meindl and Pat Lanighan, 48%.
Lockport Duplicate Saturday afternoon – Howell. A: Miriam Regnet and Roy Crocker, 63.5%; B: Edie Moran and Anne Clancy, 55%; C: Kathy Fenn and Bob Lederhouse, 54%.
Other clubs
ABA Humboldt Bridge Club Tuesday evening – Pearl Harris and Jean Herndon, 68.56%; Vivian Harris and Dolletha Holmes, 50.69%.
Amherst Senior Center Thursday morning – North-south, Joe Day and Tony DiTusa, 69%; Tim Hartnett and David Young, 58%; east-west, (tie) Marian Roecker and Mary Ann Urbanski, Shirley Cassety and Sam Grossman, 59%.
Canterbury Woods Duplicate Wednesday – North-south, Bernie Myer and Joe Fiori, 67.5%; Pris Bretschger and Sallie Steele, 50%; Bernice Baker and Fred Nadel, 48.3%; east-west, Betty Bowling and Bette Seifert, 62.7%; Nita Ferrell and Ruth Killeen, 51%; Vera Arrison and Ruth Lansing, 47.1%.
Clarence Senior Center Thursday – Howell. Ann Goodyear and Wilson McClaren, 56%; (tie) Carol Neuhaus and Bill Rogers, Kathy Borcik and Judy Thielman, 51%.
Town of Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday – Margaret and Bob Rivard, 61%; (tie) Julie Ameroso and Edna Fill, Nancy Hoffman and Eileen Bisantz, 58%.


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The winning entry was submitted by:
Congratulations Rebecca, you have won a copy of "Best Forgotten".
Please contact us with your address details so we can get your prize to you.
Thanks again to Paula Vince for being our guest this month, and for selecting the winner :)
Stay tuned in September for our next book giveaway!


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Please help me eradicate my Bermudawire Grass (affected area covers roughly an 8'*8' square area) mixed within my tall fescue.... As such, I have a few questions;
1) I recently purchased Turflon Ester and a Bayer Bermuda Control Product. Are these a good products to use to kill the Bermuda/wire grass?
2) The label on the Turflon Eater and the Bayer product talks about Bermuda/wire grass suppression and control although the label on the bottle mentions "Ornamental Turf Herbicide". Does this mean the killing of the Bermuda/wire grass as I would like?
3) Can you recommend a good "over-the-counter" product (purchased at Home Depot and/or Lowes) that will kill the Bermuda grass?
4) I have read to wait until the Bermuda grass starts turning green and growning before applying the herbicide. If I start now, while the Bermuda/wire grass is still brown, will it accellerate the killing of the Bermuda grass?
5) How will I know when the Bermuda grass is completely dead?
6) Once the Bermuda grass is dead can you recommend a method of removal (pulling up by hand, dethatcher, heavy rake, sod removing machine....)?
7) How soon can I start re-seeding (tall fescue) or soding the affected area after the Bermuda grass is dead?
Please help...
Thank you


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Thank you to the City of Pasadena for this comprehensive rundown of Black History Month events:
Celebrate Black History 2017 in Pasadena by attending the parade and other special events, lectures and activities beginning Saturday, February 4, through Sunday, March 19, 2017. the City and volunteer Black History Parade & Festival Planning Committee present a full schedule of events in celebration of the achievements by black Americans in the recognition of African-Americans in U.S. History.
Pasadena is proud to host one of the largest Black History parades in America, set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on February 18 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Robinson Park Recreation Center at 1 p.m.
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
February 1-28: "Black History Month Displays"
- 38th Annual Pasadena Martin Luther King Community Coalition's Art Contest Winners featuring artwork of students grade 4 through 12. Central Library/Centennial Room, 285 E. Walnut Street.
- A historical view of African-American families as seen through African-American literature and the Civil Rights Movement. Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
- A Game of Color, an exhibit of photographs, artifacts, and artwork spotlighting the Negro Leagues, which thrived from he 1920s through baseball's integration in 1947, and which featured the greatest African-American ballplayers of that era.
- Eight Ballplayers from the Negro Leagues, artist Tina Hoggatt's suite of linocut and letterpress portraits of African-American baseball icons.
- A display of books available to check out on the Negro Leagues. Present by the Baseball Reliquary and the Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College. La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
- Book display featuring stories of prominent African-Americans. Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.
February 10: "Celebrate Black History Month"
- Expand your knowledge of Black History. Join us for an all-day crayon-coloring event featuring the portraits of prominent African-Americans, and then check out books on their stories. For ages 5+. All materials provided, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.
February 11: "Only the Ball Was White Film Screening & Discussion"
- A screening of the 1981 film Only the Ball Was White, which documents a bygone and bittersweet era in baseball. The film features interviews with many players who were legends in the Negro Leagues, but were denied the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues, including Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Jimmy Crutchfield, and Quincy Trouppe. Presented by the Baseball Reliquary, 2-4 p.m. La Piñtoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
February 12: "Black Film Showcase: 13th"
- Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. The film is named after the Constitutional Amendment that abolished slavery except as punishment for crime. 2 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Pasadena Alumnae Chapter.
February 18:
- "35th Annual Black History Parade & Festival"
Begins at 10 a.m. at Charles White Park in Altadena, heads south on Fair Oaks Avenue and ends at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. After the parade, the Black History Festival is held on Hammond Street on the north side of Robinson Park from noon to 4:30 p.m. Food available for purchase, activities for kids, displays, music, and other free fun.
- "Robinson Park Recreation Center Ground Breaking Ceremony"
Begins at 1 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Join local dignitaries and the Robinson family in breaking ground for a major rehabilitation project. The Center renovation project is being designed and constructed to better serve the recreational needs of the community.
February 20:
- Black History Month celebration and luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. Includes soul food and jazz music representing the pride, dignity, grace, and inspiration of African-American heritage. Sponsored by the Pasadena Senior Center Ebony Ladies of Distinction. Tickets: $7, available at the Welcome Desk. For more information, call Dr. Malika Henry at 1.626.840.4493 or email email@example.com. PasadenaSeniorCenter.org/special-events.
For more events after February 18, visit CityofPasadena.net/PasadenaBlackHistory.


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How have you seen the state of information security change over the past one year?
Indian organisations have detected 117% more information security incidents over the previous year. The number of such security incidents shot up from an average of 2,895 incidents to 6,284 in 2015. This is a sharp deviation from the global trend, which saw a 39% increase in security incidents over the previous year.
Indian firms have seen a steady increase in the average number of incidents detected over the past five years, with a CAGR of 68%.
The financial loss incurred by Indian companies because of security breaches has also doubled. It stood at $1.3 million on an average last year. This year it has increased by 104 percent and is estimated to be $2.8 million on an average.
And what do you think are the factors that led to the speedy detection of security incidents?
Indian organisations are rethinking their cyber security requirements and preparing for advanced threats. Organizations have invested in technologies that have helped them detect security breaches which went unnoticed earlier.
The drastic improvement in cyber technologies has helped organisations detect more incidents than before. An organisation can now detect attackers as they enter its network, whereas earlier it could only catch attackers on their way out, if at all.
Since the Indian companies have started investing in cyber security technologies they are now able to detect more incidents through better end point protection, anti virus, event monitoring system and web application software.
Another reason for the detection of more incidents is the convergence of information technology, operational technology and consumer technology, which has helped organisations adapt and evolve business models.
What are some of the new trends in information security?
Over the last two years incidents of insider threat saw a steady reduction. This year there has been an increased number of such threats from employees, suppliers and customers.
An insider caused nearly 15 security incidents for every 10 incidents caused by an outsider. Yet, a majority of businesses are unprepared for insider threats.
Most of the Indian companies do a poor job of identity management. For example companies don't remove access after an employee has quit the organization. Generally, across the globe MNCs have set up a good identity management system to minimise insider threat. India is yet to invest in that area.
Insiders have an advantage as they have authorised access to information and hence have no need to breach any security controls. They also understand the organisation's competitive environment better than any other external actor. They know exactly where to look for the company's most valuable information.
Former employees were a major security threat. This indicates that the companies need to establish greater rigour in their exit-related processes and make sure that all accounts and access of the users are deactivated upon separation.
With the advent of internet, enterprises have extended the access to their suppliers and customers. But they don't have a proper backend system to manage the access that is being provided to the customers and suppliers. This leads to security incidents.
For almost 50 percent organizations, suppliers and customers as likely sources of security incidents.
Some organisations are exploring the use of data analytics for identity and access management to monitor employee usage patterns and flag outliers. In this scenario, the data analysis solution looks for patterns around the employee access entitlements and then identifies unwanted access.
How are emerging technologies like cloud and big data impacting the security landscape?
There's a trend unique to Indian market – when it comes to security a lot of companies are looking for cloud based solution. If they move to cloud they can get a lot of threat intelligence. if an organization moves on a cloud platform from Amazon, Microsoft or Google these cloud providers have their own threat intelligence center on cloud that helps enterprises protect their data better.
Big data analytics is another technology that improves security standards within the enterprise. A data-driven approach can shift security away from perimeter-based defences and enable organisations to put real-time information to use in ways that can help predict security incidents. Data-driven security enables companies to better understand anomalous network activity and more quickly identify and respond to security incidents. It can also be effective in reducing or quickly detecting employee security incidents by monitoring their behaviour for suspicious activity. In India, over 1/4th of the CIOs have plans to employ big data analytics for improving their security programmes in the next 12 months.


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Tag Archives: ink
Expanding Art on the Net
Last fall, my friend Toni and I helped each other to make Etsy shops. My Etsy shop can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HanaMeleArt. I'm very excited to have this shop as it is one more way to have my work available to … Continue reading
Buzzing along …
One of my goals as Springtime approaches, is to incorporate bees into three collage/paintings measuring 11″x14″. Above, you will see the beginning stages of my work using my blossom sketch, bees I've drawn and cut out pieces of paper. I … Continue reading
Paint Cut Glaze Paint Draw
Prior to the NoBo First Friday show (in the usual creative frenzy of thinking I will get even more accomplished before the show), I began nine more bluebirds for 5×7 paintings. I finished my first one last night! A section … Continue reading
Ruf Ruf
Cats on Rug with Clouds
How much fun can so many cats have?
Valentine Flowers
Bringing You Up to Speed
Due to a slow internet connection, I now post ZaOD, Feb. 14, 2014
Make Up Drawing
As the days become busier, this artist finds she gets to create make up drawings. This one was very fun to draw! Inspiration? You will see where it came from in the next post.
The Daily Sketch
At the beginning of January, I decided to take part in doing a daily sketch through The Artist Table. Almost every day I've been doing my daily sketch/drawing. This is a photo of what I did last night. I used … Continue reading


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Admin ·
Let's look фе "Configuration" menu item in details.
People -> Account settings
Here you can:
- Enable/disable user contact form. The form is availbale on the user profile page. When form is submitted the user get notification to his email.
- Replace default name for Anonymous user.
- Choose Administrator role. Each user on drupal site has one or more roles. You can allow or deny access to the pages and features for each role.
- Setup if the user can register account or if only administrator can make this.
- Setup the need of email verification when a visitor creates an account.
- Enable/disable password strength indicator.
- Choose what to do with the user`s content when the user deletes the account.
- Edit text of notification mails. Such as account created, activated, blocked etc.
- Add new fields to the users accounts.
System -> Basic site settings
Here you can edit site name, slogan, site email, choose front page, 404, 403 errors pages.
System -> Cron
You can run cron manually and setup how often cron should run.
Content authoring -> Text formats and editors
There is list of text formats. Text format is used when you type text in text area. For each text format you can choose for which roles format is available, choose text editor, Enable/disable image uploads, Limit allowed HTML tags etc. For Anonymous users you can choose more protected format (disable html tags for example) for site editors another format.
Development -> Performance
Here you can enable/disable caching. It's important for site performance. It is better to enable on the live site and disable on the dev site.
Development -> Logging and errors
Ability to hide/display errors messages and setup the count of Database log messages. It is better to enable messages on the dev site and disable on the live site.
Development -> Maintenance mode
It is recommended to put the site into maintenance mode when you enable or install or disable modules and themes, make db updates.
Media -> Image styles
You can add new image styles or edit existing. (When you add a new page with image field, you can display this image style on the full page and another image style on the teaser.)
Search and metadata -> Search pages
On this page you can check search index status and re-index content. You can setup how many pages should be indexed per cron run, also you can see the list of search pages. By default there are 2 search pages:user search page and node search page. You can add/edit/delet search pages.
Search and metadata -> url aliases
You can add / remove aliase for existing path.
Regional and language -> Regional settings
You can choose website country, First day of week, Default time zone, allow or deny Users set their own time zone, Remind users at login if their time zone, Time zone for new users.
Regional and language -> Date and time formats
Add/edit date and time formats.


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Coffee Snobs Move on to Homemade Roasts
Posted by TheShot on 21 Nov 2006 | Tagged as: Beans, Home Brew, Roasting
The Northwest Indiana Times ran a story today on the growth of those freaks of coffee consumption, home roasters: Northwest Indiana News: nwitimes.com – Coffee Snobs Move on to Homemade Roasts. Home roasting has been around for a while. In fact, a long, long while. Its most recent resurgence has come about over the past decade or so. However, home coffee roasting was pretty much the norm for centuries up until commercial coffee roasters arrived on the scene in the 20th century.
Even so, it's about time the mainstream media acknowledged the existence of true coffee snobs. Last month I got into a debate with syndicated columnist and "The Wine Guy", Brian Goodell, that coffee snobs did, in fact, exist. It's just that wine snobs are little like the Wampanoag around Plymouth Rock, thinking that the Pilgrims who just got off the Mayflower are just an aberration.
However, there's one comment in the article I have to question: "America's most finicky coffee drinkers tout their caffeine connoisseurship in many ways." Caffeine connoisseurship? Excuse me? Why do unimaginative writers always insist on resorting to lame jazz riffs on the word "coffee" by interjecting the word "caffeine"? This is akin to calling a "wine snob" an "alcohol connoisseur" — which takes on a wholly different meaning.
Also in the news today from the Associated Press: Coffee roasting how-to.
5 Comments »
5 Responses to "Coffee Snobs Move on to Homemade Roasts"
[…] InsideBayArea.com published an article today by a self-employed writer (and cooking class instructor) who named some of her favorite coffeehouses around the country: Inside Bay Area – It's more than just coffee — it's a bowl for the soul. Yes, she unimaginatively resorted to the ever-popular, ever-tedious caffeine riff (calling coffeehouses "caffeine dens"). But she claims to have sampled a lot of coffee drinks. […]
[…] Ignore the stating-the-obvious article title for a moment. Even ignore my latest tirade against unimaginative writers who use the caffeine riff as a synomym for coffee. […]
[…] Today's The Star Press also offers a capsule on Muncie's four best coffee options: Caffeine addicts sing the praises of Muncie's growing collection of shops | The Star Press – http://www.thestarpress.com – Muncie, IN (pardon my gagging over the title: another cliché caffeine riff that plagues so many unimaginative writers). In case you should ever find yourself lost in northeast Indiana. […]
[…] In the end, the caffeine angle is an amusing one — given that espresso, my coffee beverage of choice, is one of your better options. Culturally, at least in America, we errantly behold espresso as if it were an intravenous drip of pure caffeine. Writers and editors constantly riff on espresso as a euphemism for the most potent infusion of caffeine your veins can handle. Pulling an all-nighter? Six cups of coffee won't do, but six espressos will keep you awake from now until Christ's second coming. (For example, last year, San Francisco magazine even resorted to calling me a "caffeinista".) Yet if made properly — i.e., without all the water-soluble muck that comes tumbling out into your typical over-extracted American espresso — it has less caffeine than your average drip coffee. […]
[…] Now it's no secret that I've been ranting a lot lately about how caffeine addiction has been made synonymous with a love of coffee — in ways where we wouldn't presume that a wine aficionado is naturally an alcoholic. (The hideous wine analogy rears its ugly head yet again!) But come on… "Meth Coffee"?! I just read today that bath soap qualifies as an instrument of caffeine delivery: A New Type of Java Jolt: Caffeinated Soap. Is the Dove Unscented Meth Beauty Bar up next for a little Fight Club-like marketing? […]


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The client packages are going to become available to all server customers as soon as the RHN profiles get updated. That takes some time as it is a major repull of data. For python-imaging my proposal is to move it to the core server. Did you open a ticket about this package with RH support? Regards, Daniel On Tue, 2007-07-17 at 10:15 -0400, Konstantin Ryabitsev wrote: > On 7/17/07, Jesse Keating <jkeating redhat com> wrote: > > That said, somebody really needs to verify what I was told earlier, > > which is customers of EL5Server can use RHN and subscribe to the Client > > channels and get the content. Perhaps not vice-versa, but in this case > > it should be enough. Before we go down the road of doom, lets verify > > whether or not 5Server customers can get access to python-imaging > > through RHN. > > I don't think this is true. I have RHEL-5Server (academic) > entitlement, and I don't see "Client" listed anywhere in my list of > available software channels. I only see: > > # RHEL Virtualization (v. 5 for 32-bit x86) > # RHEL Supplementary (v. 5 for 32-bit x86) > # RHEL Hardware Certification (v. 5 for 32-bit x86) > # RHEL FasTrack (v. 5 for 32-bit x86) > # Red Hat Network Tools for RHEL Server (v.5 32-bit x86) > > And "python-imaging" is definitely not available to me: > > root bakserv:[~]# yum list python-imaging > Loading "rhnplugin" plugin > Loading "installonlyn" plugin > Setting up repositories > rhel-i386-server-5 100% |=========================| 1.4 kB 00:00 > Reading repository metadata in from local files > Finished > > The situation may be different for those who paid full enterprise > price for RHEL entitlements, but that doesn't change the fact that > unless EPEL provides "client" packages, I'll be left with broken > repositories. I will note, that it makes that much harder for me to > justify paying money to RH if I can have a better service using > Centos+EPEL. > > Regards, -- Daniel Riek, Product Manager Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Inc. E-Mail: riek redhat com, http://www.redhat.com/ Key-FP: 3DD7 C376 C3E0 1917 9A63 6343 5A26 2C59 6C07 6F32
Description: This is a digitally signed message part


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Why invest in Bonds with Capital Markets Elite Group?
Take advantage of the bond market with cutting-edge technology. Trade bonds through our Traders Elite Terminal without calling your broker.
Capital Markets Elite Group offers electronic access to US and European corporate bonds, US government securities, US Municipal bonds, non-US Sovereign bonds in Asia and Europe, fixed income futures and fixed income options, all from one account.
Commissions on Bonds
We have very competitive rates when trading bonds. The larger your trading volume is, the less you pay.


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For 2012 there were displays all month in Croydon Library, and a one-day display at Croydon University Hospital. The Rainbow Reading Group had a special visit from Pat Beech of the RNIB, Lisa Power spoke at the Spread Eagle, the civic reception was held in the Council Chamber, and the first Croydon LGBT Conference was held.
Hover over any image to see its description; click any image to see a larger version (and click the x in the bottom right of an enlarged picture to return to the main display).
Lisa Power of Terrence Higgins Trust, speaking at the Spread Eagle
Lisa was speaking at a meeting of Croydon Area Gay Society, one of a series of talks called "The Brief Encounter". For more about the talk, see www.cags.org.uk/pressrel-2012-02.htm,
LGBT History Month 2012 display in Croydon University Hospital
The centre panel shows LGBT figures from history: Sappho (Lesbian), Hadrian (Gay), Lord Byron (Bi), and the Chevalier d'Eon (Trans). The side panels feature local LGBT groups.


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Our Land is an innovative, collaborative project that is developing and promoting sustainable rural tourism in the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Protected Landscapes) of the South East. The project is co-ordinated by the South East Protected Landscapes (SEPL) Forum in partnership with responsibletravel.com, a Brighton based online travel agency with 10 years experience.
The overall aim of the project is to help tourism businesses offer activities and accommodation which not only celebrate the iconic landscapes in which they are based but also benefit the environment, culture and heritage of the area. The project believes this offer will: increase visitors' enjoyment and understanding of the landscape's special character, quality and biodiversity; benefit the local rural economy; and contribute to the growth in sustainable tourism by developing and promoting more sustainable tourism opportunities.
Partners: The South East's nine Protected Landscapes, responsibletravel.co.uk, visitor accommodation and activity providers
Timescale: April 2011 to March 2014
Further information
Information on the businesses signed up in the High Weald can also be found on our Places to Stay pages


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Listen now
Listen to the sounds of life
Feel the vibrations
Feel the tones
Feel the notes
That caress
Bring comfort
To your human bodies
And minds
Remember again
These beautiful notes
That make up this song of life
This song sung
By the most beautiful of voices
These voices that lie dormant in you
Waiting to be heard again
These voices
Waiting to sing again
Waiting to sing
Their songs of creation
Their songs of love
Their songs that awaken
That which is best within yourself
Best within all of
© 2013 M.N. Hopkins
Note: This was a paragraph of an inspiration writing that I wrote serveral years ago. I have always liked the message and flow of the words and decided to re-release it in the form of a poem this day of August 24, 2013.


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Malaysians are increasing becoming indebted over the years. Generally the debt repayment of 30% (1/3) of household income is acceptable. The Malaysian household debt service ratio was 9.1% in 2006 and rose to 49.0% in 2009 but dropped slightly to 47.8% in 2010. This means that on average almost half (50%) of a household's income goes to repaying debts. Thus after paying off debt there is not much left to spend on food, transport, education, and for emergencies. Should any problem arise to the income earner or lose his job, the family will find it hard to make ends meet and loans may be defaulted. Malaysians have become very vulnerable to any slight changes to their income.
The ratio of household debt to disposable income is 140.4 % for Malaysia, one of the highest in the world; above that of Singapore at 105.3 %, USA at 123.3 % and Thailand at 52.7% in 2009. This means that the loans taken by each household in Malaysia is on average 1.4 times more than its household income. These figures indicate that Malaysian poor are at higher risk of not being able to service loan obligations. Increasingly more Malaysians are spending using borrowed funds. 34% of Malaysian workers earn below Rm720 which is below poverty level. Why have Malaysians become poorer despite the economic growth in the 80s and 90s and Malaysia being resource rich?
- Wages in Malaysia grew at the rate of 2.6% per annum for the past 10 years while inflation which is much higher even though the official average inflation rate is 2.77%. The household debt is rising yearly at the rate of 11.1% annually. Therefore, unless there is a rise in productivity, wages, and household incomes, this trend is not sustainable and can end up in a debt bubble like what happened in the U.S. 40% of Malaysian workforce are made of foreigners and their presence here depresses and stagnates wages of low income householders. Malaysia is one the few counties which do not have minimum wages.
- Malaysian government has privatized all essential service like toll highways, electricity, water, medical, postal service etc to UMNO cronies thus increasing the cost of service. Collapse of public transportation forced many to purchase cars which forced people take loans. Abandoned housing projects with developers going scot free made many indebted with loan to pay. No public housing policy for the poor. All policies are to enrich the developers and UMNO cronies.
- The BN government has hijacked the NEP to enrich the cronies and made the rich richer and poor poorer. Billions spent on failed projects like NFC, PKFZ, Tuna port Batu Maung and grants to built highways. Ttax payer's money used to save cronies from bankruptcy which are all written off. It is said that during Mahathir's era itself 100 billion of government money spent for cronies. RMI trillion take out of the country in the last 10 years. No investigation made public. Government spends taxpayer's money without any accountability, transparency and due diligence. Billions and billions burnt without any effective results. Poor and weak Malaysians have to take care of themselves. Bribery and corruption increases cost of living.
- Government policies protect the rich employers and victimize the poor workers. Labor policies amended to remove workers rights and job security. The BN government is non consultative, biased against the poor and favors the rich. Unions were weakened and workers bargain power reduced. Racial segregation and cronyism deprived good workers opportunities and rewarded apple polishers. Illegal migrant workers flooded the country competing with unskilled Malaysian workers. Earnings remain stagnant.
- Spending beyond their means by people was encouraged and banks made credit easy. People became poorer and banks and MNC/GLCs richer. Nation building and cultivation of positive habits by Malaysians was never the policy and priority of BN government. Bulk of government subsidies goes to Independent power producers, toll concessioners and cronies and not the poor.
As of 2011, the household debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 77.6 percent, according to Bank Negara Malaysia. That roughly translates into a household debt of RM662 billion. Malaysians need new thinking and better governance to save Malaysia and its people. It's Time to change and make a difference for the present and future.
Senator S. Ramakrishnan


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11spd: This week's best new bike gear
New stuff from Hiplock, Planet X, Stan's Notubes and, ahem, Bike Balls
Does February make you shiver with every paper you deliver? Of course not! Nobody reads newspapers any more, they just scroll through Twitter on the toilet instead of doing actual work. (PSA: sterilise your smartphones, folks.)
This winter has been hard on cyclists (in the UK at least), but the first signs of spring are in the air. Roadies are eyeing their razors nervously, wondering when to do the deed, and mountain bikers are kicking back and saying "gnarly" a lot, because that's what they always do regardless of circumstances. It's Friday, it's almost the end of the month, so let's celebrate the coming season with a selection of the latest fancy flotsam and frippery to land at BikeRadar UK.
New mountain bike gear
Hiplok DX wearable bike lock
Hiplok carved its own niche when it introduced a range of wearable bike locks a few years back and this, the DX lock, is a secure alternative to the range of belt style locks from the firm.
Essentially, the DX is a D-lock with an integrated plastic clip that's designed to make it wearable. The lock simply slides over a belt loop or bag strap for supposedly easy transportation. A gold rating from security test house Sold Secure shows the double locking guts of this lock are up to some serious abuse and it's great to see three keys included in the box.
Full Windsor The Breaker multi-tool
You may well remember the previous multi-tool effort from London-based design firm Full Windsor. Called the Nutter, the tool made production after enjoying a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign. We at BikeRadar went on to review the Nutter, and scored it 3/5 stars in the process.
This is the latest effort from Full Windsor, and it follows another successful Kickstarter campaign. This tool is known as the Breaker, and despite being similar to the Nutter there are a few rather useful updates.
As you'd expect from the name, the Breaker includes a chain breaker. It also features various Allen keys and other useful tool bits that can be mounted and extended from two different slots – meaning big or small leverage can be chosen depending on the task at hand. There's also a tyre lever and even a bottle opener. Just like the Nutter, this tool tucks away neatly into a smart leather pouch when you aren't using it.
Upper Downs Neo jacket
Another Kickstarter success here, this time a premium waterproof from UK firm Upper Downs. The Neo gets its name from the Polartec's NeoShell material used in its construction, a fabric touted for its exceptional breathability and already used by high-end brands such as Sugoi.
Technical highlights include articulated sleeves, a detachable hood and what the company calls a tailored yet versatile cut. It's certainly costs a packet but it also looks the part and promises big things. As ever, we've got plenty of wind and rain to give it a thorough testing so stay tuned for a full review.
£269 / approx US$380 / approx AU$526
Bike Balls
It's safe to say that with this light attached you'll be able to go balls out on your commute like never before. We are talking about the Bike Balls light, an idea conceived in Canada, matured via Kickstarter and now available for you to attach to your very own bike.
This swinging silicone scrotum houses a single red LED that dissipates light as it jiggles freely beneath a saddle rail. If you don't fancy your balls rattling around quite as much then the pack also includes a couple of zip ties for a more secure fit.
Squeeze tightly and you'll cycle through three illumination modes. Oh, and you'll have to avoid dunking them, as according to the manufacturer, they're water resistant rather than waterproof – so that means no teabagging either.
Stan's NoTubes Race sealant
If any tyre sealant is going to get you excited then it'd probably be this one. Almost fifteen years in the making, the race sealant is what the folk at Stan's developed for professionals; its formula uses twice the amount of sealing crystals over regular Stan's sealant and its crystals are larger too. This should all add up to the ability to better and faster seal punctures including ones that are larger than the regular formula could cope with.
The flipside of all this increased sealing power does come at a cost, "it will clog the hell out of injectors," NoTubes states. The larger and more numerous crystals will also clog tubes and tubulars so, as NoTubes only recommends, it'll have to be poured directly into tyres.
New road gear
Planet X Pro carbon bike
Please do correct us if we're wrong, but we reckon it's possible Planet X's Pro Carbon has been in production for longer than any other carbon bike (without major changes that is, something like the Madone doesn't count), although at least one Boardman model is of a similar vintage. While it's never claimed to be the lightest or most technologically advanced frameset on the market, the Pro Carbon has long been one of the cheapest ways to get your butt on some carbon, with prices hovering around the £1000 / $1400 mark, give or take a couple of hundred according to spec.
In this new era of ultra high quality alloy it's debatable whether cheaper carbon is so worthy of your attention, but whatever your thoughts we think you'll agree that this new orange version of the Pro looks fantastic, and our photography doesn't even do the sheer loudness of the paint job justice. As pictured, with full Shimano Ultegra and sexy black-ano Vision Team 35 wheels, the bike weighs 8kg in a medium. Planet X also now offers a lairy green version, as well as pink, white, and two (!) shades of black.
£1199.99 / $1649.99
planetx.co.u /planet-x-usa.com
Pickle Juice shots
You know that feeling right before a big event, where your appetite's deserted you and it's taking all your will power to keep your breakfast down? At that moment, how would you feel about a shot of pickle juice? We're not sure either, but The Pickle Juice Company of Mesquite, Texas claims (with a study to back it up) that necking one of these 2.5oz/75ml bottles 15 minutes before exercise will prevent cramps, and that doing so during your workout can put a stop to ones that have already started.
It's entirely possible that pickle juice is the solution to all your cycling woes, but we imagine that most riders are going to take some convincing on the flavour front. In the meantime, please enjoy this video of Rob Spedding, editor of our sister magazine Cycling Plus, reviewing his first ever shot.
- Singles: $1.99 / £1.40
- 12 pack: $19.99 / £14
DT Swiss tubeless tape
This is not strictly a road product, but with everyone and their mum releasing tubeless versions of their road wheels and new tyres popping up all the time, it's certainly relevant. DT Swiss' new tubeless tape is now fitted to all its wheels by default, and it's available separately for conversions too. Brand manager Chris Brattle of UK importer Madison tells us that only a single layer of tape is required for a clean rim, and that it's strong enough to resist puncturing in the event that a spoke snaps. One roll will do for up to five rims, and the tape is available in widths to match all of DT Swiss' range.
Chris Hoy's Flying Fergus series
Remember that Chris Hoy chap? (Sorry, Sir Chris Hoy MBE.) You know the one: big thighs, gold medals, endearing Scottish manners… Well, with a little (or possibly a lot of) help from children's author Joanna Nadin, he's published the first two books of a series aimed at ages five to eight, titled The Best Birthday Bike and The Great Cycle Challenge. Aiming to inspire the cyclists of the future, the Flying Fergus series details the exploits of its eponymous hero, who takes up cycling on his Dad's rusty old bike, only to discover that it's rather more capable than it first appears. We covered the series' launch already, but as of this week, you can actually buy the books from the bookstore of your choice.
£4.99 each / $7 / AU$10
VeloPac RidePac wallet
Are you looking for a convenient way to carry your essentials on your rides? The neat little water-resistant RidePac, which is available in a range of themed designs, might be just the thing. This handy little purse/wallet is designed to hold – and protect – your smartphone, keys, change, credit cards, and any other bits and pieces you might need. It measures about 100x185x25mm so it will fit in most jersey pockets, and the softly padded phone compartment will take devices up to around the size of an iPhone 6. (We tried a Motorola Moto G with a 5in screen, and that fits fine too.) An inner zip pocket keeps your change and keys secure, ensuring that they're kept separate from your phone.
Endura FS260-Pro SL Shell
As anyone who's ever ridden in Scotland knows, a breathable waterproof jacket can become your best friend when the weather draws in. Step forward Endura, which has been busy updating its premium road clothing range. The FS260-SL Shell is the centrepiece, designed to be more durable than a race cape but still easily packable into a jersey pocket.
It's made from a three-layer Exoshell40 fabric, which promises to be completely waterproof, windproof and highly breathable (up to 40,000g/m2/24hrs). It comes with some neat features, including an easy opening vertical zip to give access to jersey pockets underneath, an external gel/wrapper pocket, and a hidden loop under the collar for quick and easy packing.
It's got an athletic cut for minimum flapping, and features reflective twin stripes on the sleeves for added visibility when it's blowing a hoolie. It comes in black or high-vis green – we prefer the latter.


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How to Get Rich Quick Meaningfully
Everyone wants to be wealthy as quickly as possible. Most people, however, don't know how to do it. Ben Stein wrote an excellent article at American Spectator on the secret of getting rich quick in a meaningful way. The secret? Gratitude.
Yep, gratitude. Start focusing on what you have and not on what you don't have. Once you start doing that, you'll feel like the wealthiest person in the world instantly. The funny thing about having an attitude of gratitude is that it might actually help you increase your wealth. By being grateful you tell others "Yes, I'm receptive! Send more my way!"
Here's a short list of things you can do today start developing an attitude of gratitude and thus start your path to instant wealth.
- Make a list of all your blessings.
- Begin and end each day thinking of the things you're grateful for.
- Tell others in your life you're grateful for them.
Pretty simple, huh? But simple, doesn't necessarily mean easy. Make it goal to start these habits. You'll be much happier and much wealthier.


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Welcome to Friday at the 2016 Honda Classic from the Champion course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens!
We at The Palm Beach Post will be here all day long with scores, news, updates and more from Round 2 of the tournament.
12:45 p.m.: Rickie Fowler is the clubhouse leader on Day 2 after shooting his second straight 4-under 66 to get to 8 under through 36 holes. First-round co-leader Sergio Garcia shot 1 under today and is currently in solo third place at 6 under. Jimmy Walker also shot 66 today and is one shot behind Fowler.
11:30 a.m.: Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are tied at 6 under. Fowler is 2 under on his round today through 13 holes. Starting on the back nine, he birdied the par-4 16th and the par-5 third hole. Garcia, who shared the first round lead at 5 under with Michael Thompson, is 1 under on his round through 13 holes. Thompson is 2 over on hs round today and fall to a tie for seventh.
9:30 a.m.: Jimmy Walker is 2 under through six holes and has tied Sergio Garcia for the lead with a total of 5 under par. First-round co-leader Michael Thompson has dropped to a tie for fifth. He is 2 over through four holes. Starting on the 10th hole, Thompson bogeyed No. 10 and No. 12, both par-4 holes.
8:30 a.m.: Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker, both one shot behind leaders Sergio Garcia and Michael Thompson, are on the course early today. Fowler is even par three holes and Walker is one under through two. Fowler is playing the back nine and Walker is on the front.
6 a.m.: Here are the groups and tee times for Round 2. Again, things get started pretty early today, with the first groups teeing off at 6:45 a.m. Round 1 leaders Sergio Garcia and Michael Thompson will be getting their rounds underway at 7:35 and 8:15 a.m., respectively.
Like Thursday, the weather is supposed to be lovely. But don't take our word for it: Check out the latest from our weather reporter, Kim Miller.
Please stick with us as we'll be updating this post all day with news from on and off the course. And you can always keep track of the updated leaderboard.
For more Honda Classic coverage, check out our spectator guide, read through a full schedule of events and take our Honda Classic quiz.


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Go to: => TOP Page; What's New?; ROAD MAP; Contact Us; Search Page; Emmaus Ministries Page
F. Earle Fox
St Luke's REC, Santa Ana, CA
Audio Version
1st Sunday of Lent -Feb. 25, 2012
Isaiah 48:12-21; Psalm 147; James 1:22-27; John 16:23-33
Today is the first Sunday of Lent. I am preaching this sermon against abortion and for life because the "40 Days for Life" began a week ago Saturday, and will continue through most of Lent. The lessons do not point in that direction, so I am using this sermon to go in a slightly different, but related, direction -- choosing life.
"Choose life..." is a theme running all through Scripture, expressed in many different ways. "Choose life..." It comes, in both Old and New Testaments, from the Voice of God Himself, urging His people to choose the path to life, to which He is calling them. Jesus tells us:
Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Mt. 7:13-14
Choose life -- resist the devil, as Jesus does in the Gospel.
But whichever He meant, it doubly underscores the need for us to commit ourselves (1) to rigorous truth-seeking and truth-speaking, (2) to obedience to His law, (3) to repentance and confession of our disobedience, and (4) to reception of His wonderful forgiveness and amazing grace. I think those four requirements are what make that gate seem so narrow and the road so hard. They one and all very difficult.
The fallen world is commanded to take the road back to reality, back to substantial being, back to security -- out of the endless morass and near-psychotic mentality of our human societies. Back to relationship reality -- how we get along with God and one another. Choose life.
But Jesus is saying is that the majority of the human race does not want to live in reality. It wants to live in convenience, pleasure, and power. It is not willing to be truth-seekers at any cost to itself. That "at any cost" part is essential, because the world, the flesh and/or the devil will soon confront you with just that situation where you are not willing to pay the cost of truth-seeking, and so, as Paul points out in Romans 1:18 ff., thereby subverting and derailing your trip into reality. You begin the great compromise... the wide and easier road which leads to unreality and death.
Choose life, Jesus is saying. Choose that which leads
to life -- at any cost to yourself. That is the pearl of great price.
Our Declaration of Independence lists life as the first of the inalienable rights - from God, not from civil government. That valuing of life comes right out of our Biblical heritage. If life is not protected, of what use are any of the other rights? It must be the primary protected. That means that there is a supreme obligation on all of us to protect the lives of ourselves and those around us. Our rights exist only because there are obligations protecting those rights. The obligation to refrain from murder protects the lives of all living persons, and therefore protects the "right" to life.
And that leads us to the abortion issue. Every preacher ought to preach at least one or two times a year on that subject until the scourge of abortion is lifted from America. And he ought to be clear: there is one and only one Christian position on the issue of abortion: If the entity in the womb is a person, then the person in the womb has the same protection of law as born persons. By any reasonable standards the evidence is clear: the entity in the womb is indeed a person.
Abortion has quite an "interesting" history. That very principle of protection of life was stated right in the Supreme Court 1973 decision, Roe v. Wade. The Court said, wrongly and foolishly, that it was not necessary for the Court to determine whether the entity in the womb was a person, but that if it could be proven that it was, then the decision to permit abortions would be immediately overthrown.
How could that determination, as to whether the entity in the womb was a person, not be necessary -- if its being true would invalidate the conclusion that killing children in the womb is OK? And how could the America public have let them get away with such horrendous twisting of law?
We Americans had become so ignorant both of our own legal system and of the law of God, that we did not see what they were doing to us. But that is changing. (I strongly recommend the currently available lecture series online from Hillsdale College in Michigan, on the American Constitution. Excellent. At www.hillsdale.edu .)
To understand the situation, we must go back 11 years from 1973 to 1962 when the decision, Engel v. Vitale, was passed -- telling God that He no longer had the right to talk to our children in the government-run schools, nor they to Him. More stupidity or deceit. Prayer was declared "unconstitutional". Prayer was not the issue. The issue was: Who is God? Who decides the difference between right and wrong? Who decides who shall live and who shall die? That is the prime question for all politics and lawmaking. Who is God? From where does all authority emanate?
The Court told God and the rest of us that God no longer ruled, that He was dismissed, and that they, the Court, were now responsible for those decisions. Engel v. Vitale and a few other anti-Christ decisions set the stage for Roe v. Wade, in which the Court indeed decided that a whole class of persons no longer were persons, that babies in the womb could be killed for any reason, or no reason at all.
The secular world was waging war against the sovereignty of God, and against the family which was the primary institution through which Biblical faith could be passed on to the next generations. And we, the Body of Christ, have let them get away with trashing the sovereignty of God and the family -- with hardly a peep of effective protest.
The truth is that Roe v. Wade is not the law of the land -- because the courts, even the Supreme Court, are legally incapable of making law. That is done by we, the people, through our elected representatives in the legislature. And nowhere else. But our Constitution had been high-jacked from us by persuading the public that courts could make law. That is not true, and has never been true.
Abortion was pushed through by radical feminists who wanted the freedom to be just as sexually promiscuous as they thought men were being -- without the unwanted baggage of children. And again, the Church, the Body of Christ, was impotent and silent. No effective protest from the Christian community.
We were impotent to defend God, family, and little babies because we had been secularized and dumbed down -- largely by our own public school system which had, after the founding in the 1960's of the Federal Department of Education, an almost uninhibited lock on the minds of most American children.
None of this was accidental. The government
school system was, right from its founding in the early 1800's with Horace Mann
and others, right up through John Dewey, and into our present situation,
designed to be a control system, not an education system.
Well, God has something to say to all this... whether they like it or not.
First, He has to say that every human being is made in His Image, male and female. We are all created, as He remarks, very good. He values us as His creatures. But we lost touch with our own value when the human race rebelled and fell into the world without God. Then God reasserted that value of us in redemption -- indicating the extent of that value by the shed blood of His Son. You don't get any more value than that.
Second, He has to say, "thou shalt do no murder." You shall not take the life of any human being who has not been duly and legitimately found guilty of a capital crime. Babies in the womb just don't qualify.
Third, God has to say, "Government shall be limited in its scope, and responsible to the people of the land. It shall not be another Egyptian taskmaster," ...as we are getting today.
Fourth, God has to say, "I have given the authority for the education of children to the parents, not to civil government. Civil government will butt out, not I."
In other words, our present government, which has inflated itself far beyond that appointed by God, is (under the jurisdiction and judgement of God) an outlaw government, and needs to be reined in, disciplined by we, the people. Under God, we, the people taken as a whole, are the highest officer of the State. Either we rein in our government, or we, the people, shall be punished by God. We will be dismissed, impeached -- as, for all practical purposes, we already are. America will suffer the same consequence that Rome suffered, for not submitting itself to the purposes of God. It died. We are already well down that track.
But in the grace of God, we can turn this
around. God means to win this war, and He will use us just as He did Moses
and others -- if we will submit ourselves to Him.
Abortion is a terribly contentious subject, but there is a graceful way of opening a discussion when facing a supporter of abortion. You can say to them, "If the evidence should show that God approves of abortion, and that the entity in the womb is not a person, then I will stand with you, and I will agree that we abortion protesters should pack up and go home.
On the other hand, if the evidence should show that God does not approve of abortion, or that the entity in the womb is indeed a person, would you be willing to reconsider your position on abortion?"
You can see the effect almost immediately. Their face relaxes, if they are waving a sign, they put the sign down, and become quiet. They are listening, they are thinking.
If I make myself vulnerable, if I am willing to admit the possibility, however small, that I might be wrong, and if I am willing to spell out the conditions by which I might be proven wrong, then he understands that I am not there to beat up on him, and that I am willing to put the issue to an honest contest of evidence. We fight not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers in high places.
I have never seen this kind of approach not work --
to at least begin the possibility of an honest discussion of a very
difficult issue. Just that beginning is a major step, and opens a crack in
their armor. But we first must take off our own suit of armor.
Then, if you get that far, what can you say? How does one show evidence for the entity in the womb being a person?
You can mention that all the scientific evidence points to certain facts of the situation. There is no contradictory evidence.
(1) The entity in the womb begins as a zygote, a one-celled being made up of the union of an egg and a sperm, the female and the male union. The zygote is not an appendage of the mother, even though it lives within the body of mother, and gets its nourishment from her. That one-celled being is an independent being, separate from mother, with its own DNA code combined from mother and father, which spells out precisely the various characteristics into which it will grow. It is a being in its own right.
(2) But, it is more than just a being. It is not a frog-being, it is not a deer-being, it is not a octopus-being, it is a human-being, i.e., a person, a somebody, not a something. What else could it be? It comes from human parents, not from a frog, deer, or octopus. At the first one-celled stage, it is a being already separate from mother, so it can be only a human-being.
(3) If all goes well, it will mature into an adult human being like the other 6 or so billion of us on planet earth. And only three things are necessary for that to happen: time, nourishment, and TLC (tender, loving care) -- the child needs to know that it is loved, that it means something to someone - or it will die. That is first mom's job, for which she is so superbly equipped.
(4) There is no special stage later than conception
at which the entity arrives, at which one can reasonably say, "Aha!
Now, at last, it has become a human being." It is one long,
continuous process from the conception of the initial zygote. We are therefore
left with only one time at which we can say, "This is the beginning of its
being human", i.e., at conception. There is no other time which can
reasonably be chosen. All other times are arbitrary, unreasonable, and probably
meant to establish a falsehood to justify abortion.
With a little practice, that discussion is easy to remember. But sometimes you do not get more than a few seconds -- for which there is a good sound-byte. "Sure, abortion is perfectly OK -- if God says it is OK for you to take someone else's life to solve your problem."
That is all you have to say. You have gently put the problem of whether she or he can take another life right in his or her face. You can wait for an answer, or, if you have no time, just walk away. The bomb has been dropped.
If they retort that they do not believe in God, then
tell them to use their own morality. The consequences of their saying that they
have such a right to take someone else's life will get them into a terrible
moral snarl.
We in the West have gotten ourselves into our own
moral snarls and
unhappy conditions because we, the Christians, have often in practice (if not in
theory) abandoned God. Almost all Christian leaders, both in the Church
and in politics, argue their cases pragmatically, not from Godly principle.
Most Christians do not know how to introduce Godly principle into the
secularized public arena. We have ourselves become secularized, trying to
paste our Biblical beliefs on top of a secular bottom foundation. Many, if
not most, Christians believe that random-chance evolution is probably the real
explanation for how things got to be the way they are, that life is essentially
impersonal and machine-like. And the rest do not know how to explain
otherwise, even if they believe otherwise. So we continue to lose
the public discussion.
But there is help and hope.
God holds the intellectual, moral, and spiritual high
ground. Secular philosophers and academicians do not hold any high ground. If we obey
God, and become honest truth-seekers before becoming
"position-defenders", we will find that the truth will defend itself much better
than we can. That is the meaning of honest science -- we give up our right
to be right and let the truth and the Lord of truth speak for themselves.
How? Through His word, and through the evidence which supports His word.
For those who have eyes to see, the evidence is everywhere.
We will hear Jesus' words to the disciples in last week's Gospel: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." If you are a truth-seeker, and the Spirit of truth is presenting the truth, what is going to happen? Truth-seekers will bump into the truth, and into Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Truth-seeking is the royal road to God.
And from today's Gospel: "These words I have spoken to you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
That is past tense -- "I have overcome the world..." Not, "I will overcome the world." It is already overcome. We need only to be grafted into Him, and to follow Him.
The first step for doing that is to become truth-seekers and truth-doers in all our pursuits, and encourage others we meet, of whatever persuasion, in whatever issue, to themselves also join in the truth-seeking and truth-doing venture. Offer the Gospel for them to chew on, but encourage them to ask honest questions, even to challenge you. We need each other, even sometimes our enemies, to keep honest.
The Gospel tells of Jesus' temptations in the desert, fasting and praying. The devil tempts Jesus to choose death. Jesus replies three times with obedience to the Father, choosing life.
In the Epistle, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to "receive not the grace of God in vain", thus choosing death, but to choose rather as "dying and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." Choose life.
And Isaiah urges the people to stop faking their faith, and to choose ways that honor God by actually loving their neighbors. "Is not this the fast that I choose...?" says God. Choose life.
The protection of the babies in the womb is simply a natural part and inevitable extension of choosing life in all other areas of our Christian faith. That is going through that narrow gate, and along that hard road. And it does lead to life.
Choose life by yourself making a difference, a testimony, a witness, a gift, a personal presence. That is going through that narrow gate, and along that hard road. And it does lead to life.
Choose life.
Father in heaven, these 40 Days for Life, these 40 days of fasting and praying, these 40 days of Lent, as You enable us, for the sake of the little ones, get us out of our arm chairs, off our couches, into the lives of others who need to know about You. Show us how to do an Isaiah fast – "to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free..." In Jesus name who left His place in heaven to get Himself into our lives who needed to know about You. Amen.
Audio Version
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Go to: => TOP Page; Sermons; Spiritual Life; Abortion; ROAD MAP
Date Posted - 02/25/2012 - Date Last Edited - 07/07/2012


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- June 7, 1921 - March 28, 2015
- Foley, Alabama
of Grace's Passing
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Grace was born on June 7, 1921 and passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
Grace was a resident of Foley, Alabama at the time of passing.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Summerdale Church of Christ.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alabama Gulf Coast Christian Academy, 18930 Co Rd 28, Foley, AL 36535, gccacademy.org.