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Living in Japan for 3 years Justin Popp fell in love with the eastern asian lifestyle, and was inspired while walking amongst 30 year old giant bamboo forests.
Back in Australia, Justin worked as a marketing exec in Melbourne for 10 years in campaign management and social media but made the sea change to Newcastle with his young family in 2015.
The family is loving the excellent weather, great schools and vibrant community of Newcastle.
"Newcastle is a little like Melbourne," Justin replies when we ask him about any similarities. "A mini Melbourne by the sea. Darby Street is Like Degraves, and The Junction reminds me of Brighton. Richmond may be Newcastle East"
Settling into Newcastle as a Stay at Home Dad, Justin began dabbling in his passion of bamboo. He set up a nursery in his backyard after sourcing an Australian Supplier and started retailing on Gumtree.
Now having grown to bigger premises, Justins passion and hobby has turned into a job that he loves; Zen Bamboo
We caught up with Justin and his plants recently and took a look through a few bamboo varieties he is growing here in Newcastle.
Justin has a relaxed outdoor vibe, with his "office" nestled among the plants and an enthusiasm for the job that only comes from doing what you love.
With horticultural training, he is expanding into landscape design, project managing bamboo gardens and services to contain and maintain the plants.
"Bamboo has gained a bad name due to the invasive nature of the old types grown here, and also dumping which then grows out of control." Justin explains
"But we now have clumping varieties available and also management systems"
Clumping species and narrow species are planted with a root corridor carefully planned out and managed by Zen Bamboo. Barriers keep the plants growing in corridors, exactly where you want them.
There are over 1500 different species of bamboo. Some, like the Oldhami Variety can grow up to 12m high and 10cm in diameter.
110 varieties have edible shoots, like the P.Dulcis variety which are delicious in stir fry and have a higher protein content than any other vegetable.
Food is not the only thing that makes bamboo such a valuable plant in the asian economy – It is utilised for many things from building materials, arts and crafts, beer, clothing and manufacturing.
Here in Newcastle though, we value it for its beautful tall green form, swaying softly in the breeze.
Being named in the Guinness Book of World Records for worlds fastest growing plant, it creates instant privacy and a feeling of calm, tropical relaxation.
Technically a giant grass, bamboo is also excellent at carbon capture; so a pretty garden can also contribute to the protection of the earths resources!
Love this? Check out our previous blog on a gorgeous Tighes Hill property styled with some of this gorgeous giant grass here


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Manny appeared on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" on Reelz (Mon-Fri 6PM ET, 3PM PT) and broke heartbreaking news ... telling us there won't be a follow-up to his two wildly successful albums.
"I stopped singing," Manny says ... "I like singing. I love music ... but I don't think music loves me."
Manny -- who's promoting his new documentary "Manny" -- says he's still very proud of his musical accomplishments ... saying, "My first album was platinum in the
Hopefully, he'll change his mind ...

subset: commoncrawl


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For more specific contact info, visit our contact page >
Welcome to the new website! Feel free to browse around.
Men, please support our daily minyanim! See the Times page for more details.
Get involved. Email your website feedback to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Details of our Shabbat times can be found in this week's newsletter.
Weekday Davening:
We hold daily minyanim. For details get in touch
Join us at the Borehamwood & Elstree Beit Midrash
Classes and talks to listen to wherever you want


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As a leading supplier of gene expression tools and services, Invitrogen plays a prominent role assisting researchers to further our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms. Invitrogen continues this commitment to the research community by developing leading tools and services to advance epigenetic research.
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- ProMiR II - searchable website for the identification of potential miRNAs in the vicinity of known miRNAs hosted by the Biointelligence Lab at the Center for Bioinformation Technology, Seoul National University
- miRex - searchable website for the identification of microRNA targets hosted by the Rajewsky lab at NYU's Center for Comparative Functional Genomics and the Max Delbruck Centrum, Berlin
- PicTar - searchable website for the identification of microRNA targets hosted by the Rajewsky lab at NYU's Center for Comparative Functional Genomics and the Max Delbruck Centrum, Berlin
- Cluster and TreeView – an integrated pair of programs for analyzing and visualizing the results of complex microarray experiments. Please note the licensing agreement particularly the differences between academic/non-profit users and commercial users.
- ENCODE - the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) ENCODE project, a public research consortium
- ChromDB - a database of chromatin-associated proteins for high curated plant genes.
- Histone Database - the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) database for histones and histone fold-containing proteins.


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Company's Espresso mobile solution is targeted at manufacturing and distribution executives who require immediate access to decision-making information, as well as employees who are not office bound and who require secure access to real-time data. The product's architecture is one of the first platforms of its kind to use a single source codebase for the business logic to create native applications for any mobile device, with built-in customization capabilities both for the end-user and for developers to engage. The product is purpose built and leverages HTML 5, Microsoft technology and tools. These applications are available from Company's App Store.
SYSPRO, www.syspro.com


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Techstars Kansas City graduate, SaRa Health is cutting through the noise of the San Diego startup scene, already shining bright among the healthtech mecca's competitive entrepreneurial ecosy... Read more
A new video from KCSourceLink highlights the faces of Kansas City entrepreneurship — featuring makers, innovators, tech founders and social entrepreneurs — and their connection to the resour... Read more
Kansas City's unequal playing field for children and inconsistent access to early education programs has a distinct ripple effect into the business community, Matt Condon said, advocating fo... Read more
Money alone won't truly satisfy an entrepreneur, nor will it build a stronger Kansas City, said Matt Condon — lessons learned from the late Ewing Kauffman. "Having a successful company isn't... Read more
It was a year of refinement, said Chris Goode, as well as a time to rejoice amid highs and lows at Ruby Jean's Juicery. Startland checked in with the founder, along with his fellow 2018 Star... Read more
Timing is everything, said Matt Condon, announcing this week $15 million in new financing to help scale his Overland Park-based company's reach into markets from coast to coast. "Our nationa... Read more
Techweek Kansas City on Friday released its Techweek 100 list of the premier leaders pushing innovation in Kansas City. The collection of cultivators, ambassadors and innovators is a who's w... Read more
Within Kansas City's startup community, one question remains as confounding as it is combustible. "What is a startup?" Purists say it's a disruptive tech firm. Egalitarians maintain the term... Read more
Editor's note: Startland News selected the top Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2018's companies. To view the full, ranked list o... Read more
A prominent Kansas City entrepreneur with some serious startup chops is now serving as the new chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Matt Condon, CEO of Bardavon Health Innov... Read more


text: The sense of fashion and style is vital for Teenagers. As they are progressing through adolescence, teen outfit inspiration plays an important role in that age of life. Expressing yourself in a unique way is necessary for your own development. It lets you acknowledge who you want to be and how you want to represent yourself to the world. A great way to play with self-expression is to develop your own sense of dressing. The clothes you wear create your personality. They allow you to make your unique impact on the world and give a glimpse of who you really are. Putting together a Minimalist yet trendy look every day can be difficult these days. However, outfit inspiration play a vital role at helping you learn what looks and pieces you like. Also, they lead you to the kind of style you want to create for yourself. Here's a gallery of the latest teen style ideas for girls. Enjoy! Experiment with these Amazing dressing ideas and innovate a fabulous look by trying the cool hairstyles of this season and some trendy DIY tattoos for yourselves. Don't forget to share your chic look with us!


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In last week's blog I touched on the value of professional development. This week I wanted to present some helpful tips on getting the most out of your conference/workshop experience.
Online Streaming: Find out if a conference offers live online streaming before you register. Many times online streaming is free or a fraction of the cost. Not only will you save money on traveling, you'll also save on time. Online streaming gives you the option to choose which speakers you want to listen to.
Network: Connect. Connect. Connect. Attending a conference or workshop is the chance to meet people in person. Nervous about introducing yourself? Warm up by finding someone that you've met before. Take plenty of business cards and hand them out. An intern once asked, "When is the right time to exchange business cards?" There is no 'right' time. Do what feels comfortable in the conversation. Sometimes handing them out as you shake hands is a great way to break the ice.
Ask Questions: Review the agenda before the conference starts. Have a list of questions you hope to get answered from a speaker or during a breakout session. Engage with others by asking them what they expect to gain from their experience.
Follow-up: Follow-up works two ways. Compile your notes and present them to your employer. They want to know what you learned and if it was worth your time. Be honest about your experience. If the event wasn't what you were expecting you'll have gained a better perspective on the type and caliber of events you should attend in the future.
Follow-up with the connections you made. Send a note with your business card to those that you want to continue a business/personal relationship with. You never know how that person might affect your future.
What tips would you give someone before they attend a conference or workshop?


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Reuters – Iran's prosecutor called on Sunday for tighter checks on women who fail to observe Islamic dress code in public, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Under Iran's Sharia law, imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution, women are obliged to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothes. Violators can receive lashes, fines or imprisonment.
"Unfortunately the law … which considers violation of the Islamic dress code as a punishable crime, has not been implemented in the country in the past 15 years," said general prosecutor Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei.
"Under the law, violators of public chastity should be punished by being sentenced to up to two months in jail or 74 lashes."
Filed under: Iran News, Iranian protests, lashing in iran, revolution, ایران iran


text: Protect your most important bow hunting asset with a bow case from Anything Sportsman. Shop hard bow cases or soft bow cases from top brands like SKB, Plano and many more. Keep your bow and arrows protected year round with discount bow cases from Anything Sportsman, and insure that next time your hit the field or archery range your equipment performs as it should.


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Meriweather entered the plea July 19 and was fined $300 plus $81 in court costs, according to Arlington County General District Court records. His driver's license was suspended for 60 days and a 180-day jail sentence was suspended.
Meriweather was for pulled over in Arlington County on April 26 for speeding and failed a field sobriety test, according to police. He was arrested and charged with DWI and refusing to take a breathalyzer test.
Under a no contest plea, the defendant does not contest the charges, but is not required to plead guilty.
A two-time Pro Bowl player who signed with Washington this offseason, Meriweather is expected to start at strong safety for the Redskins.


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Obama versus Congress on Guantanamo
A young girl holds a picture of Bobby Sands in a republican march to mark the 20th anniversary of the IRA hunger strike at the Maze prison in Northern Ireland May 27. REUTERS/Archive
Barely a week after Margaret Thatcher's funeral in London, her ghost is stalking the corridors of power. At his press conference on Tuesday in Washington, President Barack Obama was asked about Guantánamo Bay prisoners refusing to eat. In doing so, the veteran CBS reporter Bill Plante, who asked the question, exposed a running sore in the Obama administration. He also invited direct comparison between Obama and Lady Thatcher – who faced a similar dilemma in 1981.
As a candidate in 2008, Obama, a distinguished Harvard-educated legal scholar known in the Senate for his common sense and humanity, promised to quickly close the prison for 166 terrorist suspects in the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The existence of a U.S. detention center that ignores the basic legal right of habeas corpus and the failure to bring prisoners to trial after so many years "erode our moral claims that we are acting on behalf of broader universal principles," he said. He went on to repeat his pledge, yet five years on, Gitmo is still open for business.
The president's embarrassment can be blamed, in part, on his naïveté. For a while after his inauguration in 2009 he appeared to be under the impression he had been elected the most powerful man on earth. It has taken four painful years for him to realize that the division of government guaranteed by the Constitution prevents him from doing not only what he wishes but what a majority of Americans have mandated.
Under the guise of saving money, Congress has stymied the president's plan to try those believed guilty of terrorist offenses on U.S. soil and to release the 86 innocents who have been held without trial for years. Despite their insistence that they believe in America's system of justice, it appears that many congressmen have little faith in it.
About a month ago the Gitmo detainees started taking matters into their own hands. Using passive resistance methods championed by Mahatma Gandhi, they decided en masse to stop eating.
This is not the first hunger strike at Gitmo, but it is the largest and most concerted. Of the 166 Gitmo inmates, 100 are refusing food. These include many of the 86 detainees who, according to a task force of CIA, FBI and Pentagon officials, are not terrorist risks and should be let free without charges, as well as some of the 46 the task force said were dangerous and should be detained indefinitely.
This time, the prisoners insist, they are going to get a result. America must decide whether to try them, free them or allow them to die.
Obama's dilemma is that he is responsible for holding the prisoners, yet he dearly wants to bring to a swift end one of the most troubling episodes in the history of U.S. justice. But a quick fix is not in his gift. Unless he can find a solution, he is condemned to spend the next few weeks watching 100 prisoners trying to starve themselves to death. When he told the White House press corps, "I don't want these individuals to die," he meant every word, for the majority of them are blameless and would die under American supervision in barely legal captivity.
What has Thatcher to do with Obama's predicament? In 1981 she faced a similar problem with imprisoned Irish republican terrorists, many of them tried and convicted of acts of vicious terrorism and mass murder. Looking for an issue with which to embarrass the British government, the killers went on a hunger strike over whether they should be termed "political" prisoners or common criminals.
Using the intransigence that was her stock-in-trade, Thatcher refused to compromise. After six grueling months, the fasting was called off. By then, 10 IRA terrorists had starved to death. Thatcher appeared to have won her point. It seemed the rule of law had been restored and the terrorists roundly defeated.
Obama has little to learn from Thatcher's obstinacy. There may be terrorists among those now on hunger strike at Gitmo, but about half are already deemed free to leave – if only the administration could find a country to take them. The hunger strikers are not bringing pressure to bear on Congress, which is capable, if it wished, of quickly resolving many issues involved. Instead, the president, pinned between his own base, the obstructive members of Congress and 100 men willing to commit suicide, is feeling the heat.
He must know, however, that Thatcher's example, painted at the time as another display of the Iron Lady's indomitable resolution, was politically ruinous. The Irish deaths dragged on for months, with weeping mothers making last-minute interventions to prevent their sons from killing themselves. Each death was met with violent demonstrations by thousands on the streets of Northern Ireland.
Some now suggest that, rather than bolster British rule, the Irish hunger strikers helped advance the republican cause.
The process of trying to save those who are determined to starve themselves to death is not pretty. Nor is the emaciated state of those in their final days of life. Keeping someone from death by force-feeding them is disgusting and barely ethical. The strikers know, as did the Irish terrorists, that it is by attracting publicity, however horrifying, that they may find a solution to their woes.
By trying to kill themselves in the full glare of the press, they are humanizing a problem that many in Washington had hoped would be quietly forgotten. The worse the physical condition of those refusing food, the more pressure will be put on the administration to end the misery.
When the first death is followed by a second, then a third and a fourth, you would have to be a Thatcher to defy the public's anguished reaction to such needless, pointless death.
The asymmetric warfare used by terrorist organizations like al Qaeda has brought to the fore suicide as a weapon of maximum impact. The September 11 hijackers, armed with promises about the carnal delights of the life hereafter, were prepared to kill themselves. The Irish terrorists, whose murderous attacks on civilians were cowardly, found some sense of valor in taking their own lives in a British jail. Little wonder, then, that suicide has become the weapon of choice for last-ditch terrorists. It makes soft targets indefensible and normal life difficult ‑ and instant martyrs out of those who volunteer to die.
By preventing justice from being done at Gitmo, members of Congress are undermining the American values of democracy and decency they affect to admire and that terrorists so despise. Denying prisoners a trial draws attention to the torturous techniques employed by allied forces to obtain "intelligence" during George W. Bush's "war on terror," fans the embers of resentment against us and subverts America's reputation for fairness and justice.
Obama's problem is trying to separate in the public mind the 86 wholly innocent detainees slated for release, who simply demand justice, and the handful of terrorists who would rather commit suicide than spend their lives in a maximum security prison in the United States.
By advocating on behalf of the Gitmo detainees, the president runs the risk of being painted as soft on terrorism. But by failing to address the Gitmo issue, he shows the full extent of his impotence. Elected twice on a clear program of reform, he is being held hostage by a Congress that thinks a majority in the House and a third of senators is enough to ignore the public will and bring government to a standstill.
The Gitmo prisoners are the latest victims caught in the cross fire of a broken system of government. One thing is certain: Thatcher would not have put up with it for a second.
Nicholas Wapshott is the author of "Thatcher" (1983) and "Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: A Political Marriage" (2007). His most recent book is "Keynes Hayek: The Clash That Defined Modern Economics." Read extracts here.
PHOTO (Insert A): Activists, standing in front of the White House in Washington, demand President Barack Obama close down the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, April 11, 2013. REUTERS/Larry Downing
PHOTO (Insert B):British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher answering questions at a news conference in London, June 8, 1987. REUTERS/Roy Letkey
PHOTO (Insert C): Irish flag waves in front of a picture of Irish Republican activist, Bobby Sands, who died after a 66-day hunger strike in the Maze 20 years ago, May 4, 1081. Ten prisoners starved themselves to death on hunger strike over policital status. Picture taken May 3, 2001. REUTERS/Archives
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
Until they are tried, how do we know they are terrorists?
Who cares about Guantanamo, or anything related to it?
I suggest some dark, moonless night we simply pack up our "military base" — if that is still what you want to call that embarrassing joke of a US presence in Cuba — and slink away into the night.
Thus leaving the Cubans with their land back and the problems that goes with it.
I have 3 problems with this issue.
1. "This is not the first hunger strike at Gitmo, but it is the largest and most concerted. Of the 166 Gitmo inmates, 100 are refusing food."
1A. We can learn how to fix this via lessons learned from previous hunger strikes, and more importantly, if it wasn't for the media (AKA the bane of all government unless or especially during election times) this would be handled as "You don't wanna eat? Then don't stinkin' eat!"
2. "There may be terrorists among those now on hunger strike at Gitmo, but about half are already deemed free to leave – if only the administration could find a country to take them."
2A. If I was put in jail by another country for alledly commiting crimes against that country, and somewhere down the line I was deemed not guilty and free to go back to my country, but my country wouldn't take me… I believe that suggests that I am in fact unworthy of that countries values i.e. in most countries I am criminal and a severe one at that.
3. This last one is just something I noticed,"Of the 166 Gitmo inmates, 100 are refusing food. These include many of the 86 detainees who, according to a task force of CIA, FBI and Pentagon officials, are not terrorist risks and should be let free without charges, as well as some of the 46 the task force said were dangerous and should be detained indefinitely."
3A. 86 + 46 = 132, not 166 or 100… just saying.
It's really not all that complicated. Obama does have the power to release any prisoners he may choose–as commander-in-chief, he doesn't need approval from Congress. It's easy to say you want to do something, but does he possess enough moral rectitude and courage to actually act?
Many of these innocent prisoners in Gitmo have been confined under terrible conditions for 10-12 years and subjected to all manner of illegal torture and beatings at the hands of the U.S. Most were torn from their homes by illegal renditions with little basis in many cases for doing so. If no country will take them, we have a moral obligation to assimilate them into our country and provide the necessary financial, medical and psychological help that is required.
Where it does get complicated–if not impossible–is trying those suspected guilty of crimes against us. Once the U.S. strayed from the path of the rule of law, it became lost, and finding a way back is difficult. Any evidence obtained under torture is inadmissible in a court of law. And the U.S., instead of owning up to it's illegal acts and putting on trial any and all who ordered, aided or abetted, or committed such acts, now doesn't want to open this can of worms in a court of law. Consequently, those suspected of crimes, and even those deemed innocent, will continue to be denied justice and left to rot. And the door is left open for a free pass the next time our government breaks the law, whether it's committing heinous acts like torture or something else.
The utter disregard for the rule of law, the lack of morality, and the lack of courage should shame other Americans as it shames me. And they should know that diminishing the rule of law only diminished our security.


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'Bug" is a different kind of woman-in-peril movie starring Ashley Judd, which has long been its own specific genre.
'Bug" is a different kind of woman-in-peril movie starring Ashley Judd, which has long been its own specific genre.
Judd is indeed in peril here once again, following "Kiss the Girls" and "Twisted" and the like, but she gets to prove she can actually act with some depth, and not just look pretty under strain. Whatever unexpected ability she shows in the early scenes of this paranoid thriller go utterly to waste, however, as the film spirals ridiculously out of control by the end.
The film comes from veteran William Friedkin ("The Exorcist," "The French Connection"), a director who has seen better days, decades ago. Friedkin still maintains a mastery of suspense for the first half or so — though he does rely a bit too heavily on that "Apocalypse Now"-style, ceiling-fan-as-helicopter effect — and "Bug" can be intriguing as a character study of two damaged people who find a whole new way to damage each other further. Until it just becomes silly, that is.
Judd stars as Agnes, a lonely waitress at a run-down bar who lives in an even rattier motel, subsisting on a diet of cigarettes, vodka and pot. Agnes' only friend is fellow waitress R.C. (Lynn Collins), who is pretty and gay and who flirts with her and makes her feel loved, or at least vaguely wanted. Sporadically, Agnes' brutish ex-husband (Harry Connick Jr. as a believable bad guy) breezes in and abuses her physically and mentally.
Agnes' pathetic life gets shaken up by a quiet drifter named Peter (Michael Shannon, whose presence and delivery are riveting). Peter hangs out at the bar one night and quickly moves in with Agnes. He's decent to her, which most people aren't; she listens to him, which most people don't. Their shared neediness is palpable. Their big love scene, however, is laughable.
Once Agnes and Peter fall for each other, it doesn't take long for him to suck her into his delusional conspiracy theories involving the military, scientific testing, chemical technology and ... bugs! Hence the title.
The movie is based on the play by Tracy Letts (who also wrote the script), and it feels like it. Much of the action takes place in Agnes' room, which slowly evolves — or rather, devolves — as the couple's fear and co-dependency grow.
If the idea of the bugs had remained as a metaphor, one that's open for interpretation, we would have been fine. But then a doctor (Brian F. O'Byrne) shows up at the door, along with a mysterious pizza that no one ordered. Eventually the room is covered in aluminum foil and insect-zapping strips, and "Bug" ends shrilly, overzealously, explosively. It's sound and fury signifying nothing, though it was probably intended to be profound.


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I've installed some new anti-spam measures. If you're having issues send me an e-mail.
Image uploads fixed
Image uploads should be working again, or rather the fancy server-side stuff that happens to the images. Was why some of the avatars were huge and why previews/thumbnails for freshly uploaded images weren't showing.
Just updated a lot of the code for the site. Let me know if anything is not functioning properly.
Site Maintenance
The site was just moved to a new server so a few functions will not work properly for up to 24 hours (primarily file uploads and the like).
Amtgard 7 should be functioning correctly for now. Amtgard Armorers Guild and the new Amtgard Event Calendar are under construction, though they are still quite a way from being done.
If you notice any strange errors, send a message to email@example.com.
Site is Ready for content.
New site is more or less ready to go.
Thursday or Friday I'm going to start pulling all the content I have onto the new site. Once it's all done I'm shutting down the old one so please let me know if you have any problems with the new site.
Still waiting for a gallery module to be finished so that mass uploads will be possible. Once I have that, the fancy new theme will be made, but the default one will work for now. Once those are in place, the Armorers Guild is next on the list.
Think I figured out the issue with the auto-promotion on the blogs. They should stay on your own page until they are promoted to the front page by someone in the "content creator" user group.
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The Job - The Life
November 5, 2018
The National Crime Agency has signed up to take part in The Job & The Life, UK's first force-wide policing survey to assess trauma management and working conditions. It is being independently delivered by the University of Cambridge as part of the Trauma Resilience in UK Policing project.
This is a confidential survey which does not require name or staff number – however, it is important that the National Crime Agency is selected when choosing the force that you work for. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and is open until 30 November 2018.
Your NEC strongly recommend that you take part in this survey as it will enable the agency to understand the potential risks that our members face which will inform an appropriate response. This could have a really positive impact for our members in the support they receive.
The survey can be found here www.thejobthelife.co.uk
Faye Lowe (Dip.Couns, MBACP)
NCOA National Health and Safety Officer.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead


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Amid the plunder of tropical forests, satellites and cellphones offer a ray of hope. A Globe and Mail exposé shows how satellites are capturing the disappearance of Brazil's forests in real time and have reduced deforestation by 82 per cent. Meanwhile, a New York Times feature speaks to how cellphones can can help with illegal logging, offering traceability from the forest to the big box store.
Closer to home: the PPWC (formerly Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada, now the Public and Private Workers of Canada) says status quo in forestry in BC is a non-starter; Bob William's report on the case for regional forest management continues to get press; the emerald ash borer has killed tens of thousands of trees in Ottawa; pressure mounts on Congress to restore Alaska's roadless rule exemption; and a Q&A with USFS Chief Tony Took addresses funding for fire-fighting.
Finally, Canada and Mexico are applying pressure on the US on a day that may or be key for NAFTA.
— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor


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2017 RadioActivity Video
- Details
- Hits: 8571
Scott Johnston, a first time RadioActivity attendee, put together a very nice, comprehensive RadioActivity 2017 video.
To view the video, click here.
2017 RadioActivity - Ed Lyon Transformer Presentation
- Details
- Hits: 6257
Ed Lyon again provided us another radio repair session at RadioActivity, this year covering transformers.
To view the presentation, click here.
Nice video about the National Capital Radio & Television Museum
- Details
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Video about the NCRTV MuseumThe Baltimore County Public Library System has made a very nice You Tube video about the National Capital Radio & Television Museum. Check out the link below:
MAARC created this museum and continues to support it. The Club should be proud of this legacy. Note that MAARC members can become Museum members for the discounted price of only $20. The museum website is www.ncrtv.org.
Brian Belanger
Author and MAARC Club Member Alan Douglas has Passed Away
- Details
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MAARC member Alan Douglas, age 72, recently passed away. Alan was a frequent contributor to the Antique Radio Forum, and the author of four books: "Radio Manufacturers of the 1920's - Volumes 1, 2, and 3", and "Tube Testers and Classic Electronic Test Gear".
Read more: Author and MAARC Club Member Alan Douglas has Passed Away
NCRTV Museum Gets Recognition
- Details
- Hits: 6092
The National Capital Radio and Television Museum, which originally was originally founded by MAARC, recently got some local recognition. Check out the article, and then plan a visit.


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Ambullneo Vineyards Fang Blanc Santa Maria Valley 2007, Central Coast
White Blend
California, Usa
$39.75 (357541)
Critic Reviews (3)
An unspecified white blend of exceptional complexity to be sure, with mature but not old, honeyed, ripe orchard fruit...Sign In to see Critic Reviews. Not a Member? Please Sign Up.
With a spooky name like 'Fang Blanc' the wine would have done well in the prior to Halloween release. However, the...Sign In to see Critic Reviews. Not a Member? Please Sign Up.
This is a mature, golden chardonnay with an opulent, ripe nose of crème caramel, pineapple-papaya tropical fruit and...Sign In to see Critic Reviews. Not a Member? Please Sign Up.
Community Reviews (1)
Picked this one because it was on a serious sale and the age of the wine was intriguing. Incredibly happy with this pick. It's Cali in the glass, with the big, ripe tropical (papaya and mango) notes, caramel, honey, and hazelnut notes. It's full-bodied with surprising acidity, keeping it well balanced and much lower alcohol than one would expect with a wine of this style. Very long finish, there's a ton of complexity on this one. I haven't been happier in a long time with an unknown wine purchase in a long time. Tasted August 2014.


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Working with Hannah & Phil was amazing. Honestly... they are two of the most sweet and kind humans I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Then again, most of our clients are pretty damn sweet! We've been really lucky.
Hannah was referred to us by her mother, Peggy, who hired Sage to help design a Christmas party a few years back. Peggy works close to my home so I bump into her every now and then and we generally end up chatting for quite a while before we both realize we have to get back to whatever it was we were doing to begin with, haha!
The bouquets were composed of a mix of white blooms with pops and pale purples and lots of greenery to give that fun, freshly-picked look to the arrangements.
Hannah and Phil chose the Infinity Convention Centre to host their wedding. Hannah really wanted to bring in a romantic garden feel to the space so we went with flowers and greenery for all of the centrepieces. We mixed high and low arrangements on the dynamic floor plan which was made up of both long and round tables.
It was such a pleasure to work on this wedding! Wishing you guys all the very best on your new adventure!
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January 2020


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A little blue humor with your blue light special?
I remember being in a Kmart a hazy handful of times in the '70s seeing a blue siren flash after an announcement over Kmart's intercom. It was exciting, and an obvious gimmick to get some quick attention while having a little fun.
Something similar is happening now with Kmart's latest ad campaign, dubbed "Ship My Pants." Highlighting the retailer's offering of in-store shipping, excited customers riff about shipping their pants, drawers, a bed, and… you get the idea.
I love some wacky wordplay, so I'm naturally a fan of the ad. I don't know that I'll be shopping at Kmart any more because of it, but I'll definitely be smirking the next time it happens, or maybe even the next time I drive by a store.
It reminds me of the "Make 7up Yours" campaign from the '90s…
I noted the similarity to Kmart through Twitter, and they acknowledge the connection.
@rsmithing Same idea! Thanks for the compliment #ShipMyPants
— Kmart (@Kmart) April 20, 2013
My take away is that, although this might be a bawdy approach, it gets us discussing the brand when there was absolutely no chatter before. It's getting a boatload of press – positive, even – which was precisely what it was intended to do, so kudos to Kmart's PR team for deft handling. In the case of Old Spice, this did get me interested in the product, and it will be interesting to follow Kmart's business as consumers start to, um… ship their pants.
What do you think? Can you recall a similar campaign? Would this make you more or less likely to shop at a Kmart or similar advertiser? Let us hear from you in the comments.
Related articles
- Kmart's 'ship my pants' ad causes shockwaves and smiles (usatoday.com)
- Kmart's 'Ship My Pants' ad: Genius or epic fail? (ragan.com)
- Kmart and Draft FCB's "shippy" commercial delivers boffo results along with controversy (Gods of Advertising)
- Kmart's Hilarious New Ad Will Make You Ship Your Pants (dailyfinance.com)
- Ad of the day: Kmart Ship My Pants (adageinspired)
- Blue Light Special: "Ship My Pants" (IMC Student Blog)
- Lessons for Communicators From Kmart's Wildly Successful "Ship My Pants" Viral Video (prnewsonline.com)
- Kmart Will Ship Your Pants (Commercial Society)
- How Kmart Used Social Listening (And Some Nerve) To Create A Ship-My-Pants Funny Viral Hit (fastcocreate.com)
- Kmart Just Got Cool: They Shipped the Bed (Al Getler)
- Dove – Playing Off Women's Insecurities One Day at A Time (Table For One)


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"My husband has left me a young woman but I assure you that I will not leave. I will be like Ruth in the Bible. Her mother in-law asked her to go and find another husband but she refused. I promise that I will not let him down," she vowed.
Esther Akello, wife of the late MP Cyrus Amodoi Imalingat during the requiem mass for the late Imalingat at Christ the King Church on March 17, 2017. Photos by Nicholas Kajjoba
When a man dies and leaves behind a young, beautiful widow, society expects her to remarry and start a new life. But this is not what Esther Akello, wife of the late MP Cyrus Amodoi Imalingat has in mind.
Citing the story of Naume and Ruth in the Bible, Akello assured Imalingat's relatives and mourners gathered for the requiem mass for the late Imalingat at Christ the King Church that although she is still young, she will remain faithful and raise her children.
"My husband has left me a young woman but I assure you that I will not leave. I will be like Ruth in the Bible. Her mother in-law asked her to go and find another husband but she refused. I promise that I will not let him down," she vowed.
With two young children and numerous orphans, Akello appealed to Imalingat's friends and relatives to stand and pray with her raised them.
"Please my husband's friends, Parliamentarians, relatives, don't leave me alone. Help me raise the children and the orphans. I am not saying you bring me food, but always call and find out how we are doing," she said.
Just like a young couple, Akello described the late husband as a loving, kind and humble who was always there for them and the people of Toroma, a Constituency he represented since 2011.
Several speakers including the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa and the children described the late Imalingat as a humble, honesty, prayerful and strategist man who believed in the wellbeing of others.
"I knew him as a humble and honest man. I was shocked when at one time; he was accused of vandalizing a bridge. I thank God that the truth came out and he was declared innocent," former MP Francis Epetait said.
Speaking on behalf of the Teso Parliament Group, MP Patrick Okabe described his colleague as a humble man who was never ashamed of using public means despite the fact that he owned two cars.
This was in a way of explaining what has been trending on social media, with critics condemning the MP for using private means when Parliament spends over sh200m on each MP for cars.
"You cannot stop death from occurring. Whether you fly in the first class or economy, you will die. Imalingat had two cars but preferred to travel in Taxi. Let's stop this kind of debate," he said.
Imalingat died on Tuesday together with 11 others in a car accident involving three vehicles along the Kampala-Jinja highway.
Eyewitnesses said the Tuesday night accident happened when a truck headed for Kampala from Jinja lost control and rammed into two commuter taxis.
One of the taxis was travelling from Busia to Kampala while the other was reportedly moving in the opposite direction.
Nankabirwa also condemned such debates saying whether he was driving himself or he had borrowed a car, he would still.
However she remembered him as a humble, organized and prayerful man who joined Parliament at very young age.
"It is a tragedy for Parliament to lose two of its members within a period of one month. However we know this is the plan of God otherwise he would have intervened. He was a strategist who knew the risks of standing on NRM ticket during elections. He instead stood as independent and won," she said.
She handed over a contribution of sh10m from President Yoweri Museveni.
The late Imalingat will be laid to rest on Sunday at his ancestral home in Magoro, Kanapo Village, Katakwi district.


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Do you hear animal noises in the walls? See what is could be, here.
American Animal Control mouse removal programs: Most homes and businesses have had some type of mouse problem at one time or another. No one wants a mouse in their home or business. Mice enter in through very very small construction gaps, openings in foundations, behind siding, and on the roof line in many areas as small as the eraser on a pencil.
We can't guarantee that a customer never has another mouse in their home due to many factors. Homes settle, homes age, and homes always will have maintenance issues.
There are many ways people get rid of mice. This is the American Animal Control way:
We offer mouse bait stations outdoors. Our focus is primarily mouse entry prevention. We must locate and close up all possible entrance points to stop mice from entering. Once mice are in the home or business the best way to remove them is traps. Trapping mice is very time consuming and labor intensive. This type of mouse removal program ensures our customers they usually will not experience the smell of dead mice rotting in the walls, floors, attics or crawlspaces. The problem with poisons indoors is you never know where the dead mouse will end up or how long it will smell once it has died?
Our American Animal Control mouse removal professionals locate and seal up all possible mouse entrance points and optionally provide our customers with an ongoing mouse trapping monthly service that assure our customers if and when a mouse or mice show up they will be trapped and removed in a timely fashion.
American Animal Control offers a complete comprehensive mouse entry prevention and mouse trapping service consisting of 4 steps.
- Step #1 Mouse entry inspection. Locate all possible entry points. Mice most generally enter at the foundation level. Screens in foundation vents can easily be damaged and ripped open. Construction gaps at the time a home or structure built provide entry for mice. Many of our clients who have new or newer homes will have mouse problems. Many contractors build with the main objective to keep weather out and overlook the small openings that allow mice to enter. Many homes have not been properly maintained or are aging and are needing a little TLC. Inside corners, outside corners, brick molding, soffits, eaves, and roof vents, are all possible entrance points for mice.
- Step #2 Mouse entry point closeup. Close up all possible entrance points from top to bottom on entire structure. Closing up all possible mouse entrance points sometimes can be very difficult. A trained eye is very important to effectively prevent mice from entering. From sealing, screening, and mortaring various entrance points to sometimes replacing rotten wood on soffits and roof edges. Many homes its a simple fix, others require lots of time consuming work to get shut down. This is why most people go for the "quick fix" of poisons and battle mice forever.
- Step #3 Mouse Extermination - Trapping and removal for existing mice. Once the mouse entry has been properly performed. Traps should are set in crawlspaces, attics, basements, and garages to remove any mice that may still be in the home or commercial building. This can be a long process and requires many visits back and forth to a customer's property. Weekly visits at first, then monthly check ups are required to assure all mice have been trapped and removed.
- Step #4 Maintenance plan. Once the mouse entry exclusion has been preformed and all mice have been trapped and removed. A quarterly maintenance service is highly recommended. After all the hard work of making your home "mouse free" has been done, why take the chance of ever going through this procedure again? Houses and buildings always have maintenance issues and should be inspected regularly to ensure that no new mouse entry points have become available.
American Animal Control LLC has serviced thousands of customers homes over the years for many different animal control issues. Almost all have had mouse problems. Our trained service technicians will provided you with the most extensive mouse entry inspection available. Our #1 priority is to solve your mouse problem and stay on top of any future mouse problems that may arise. If your tired of just poisoning mice and are ready to get to the source of your mouse infestation, give us a call. We truly want to help. You don't have to live with mice! Call on American Animal Control for Mouse Extermination.
Please Like our mouse removal service on Facebook: American Animal Control Facebook
Mouse Infestation In The Walls
Granger, Indiana – Our client has a mouse infestation in the walls. Our wildlife removal technician Damon did an entry point inspection on the home to find that mice are entering in the ridge vent of the house as well … Continue reading →
Mouse Entry Inspection and Mouse Removal
Forest Beach, Michigan – Soffit vents are damaged allowing for mice and bats to enter into the home. Will need Pest Guard to stop and prevent entry. Ridge vent is warping and allowing for mice and bats to enter. The … Continue reading →
Mouse Removal - Poison STINKS, AAC Has A Better Method
Beverly Shores, Indiana – Our technicians did a mouse entry close-up on this client's home. A pest control guy was here as well and put down a bunch of poison for mice. When we arrived, it was obvious mice found … Continue reading →
Animal Noises in the walls caused by mice
Are you hearing animal noises in the walls? Do you hear scratching in the walls? If so, it's time to call a local mouse exterminator with a proven track record for effective nuisance animal control. (877) 264-3638 Noises in the … Continue reading →
Fort Wayne Mouse Removal & Exclusions
Mice can get in the house through the smallest of gaps! Any crack or construction gap is a potential for wild animals including mice to get into the house. The first thing our team will do when you call us … Continue reading →
Mouse Extermination - How to get rid of mice
If you're sure you have a mouse infestation in the walls, you need the best way to get rid of mice. Our rodent removal experts do thorough inspection of the building interior and exterior. We locate entrance points, feeding areas … Continue reading →


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Troy for Outdoor Use
Troy is a multi-faceted design from the Dutch designer Marcel Wanders for Magis. The chair collection includes various chairs for private or public use, which are fitted for a range of application depending on the seat shell and frame material.
The polypropylene seat of the Troy chair, which is available in many colours rests on a steel tube frame, which repeats the restrained form of Troy. With a polyester varnish the Troy chair is suitable both for the indoor and outdoor area. Thanks to the stackability (max. 6 chairs) Troy can be stores in a space-saving way, if necessary.
The multifaceted Troy chair is available in many different variations with different frames and in a variety of trendy colours.


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EuroGrand Casino Review Score
Appearance - 8
Ease of Use - 9.5
Live Casino - 9
Game Offer - 9
Welcome Bonuses - 8.5
High Quality
When choosing EuroGrand Casino, a fun playing experience is guaranteed. The casino games are of high quality, one of many benefits this online casino offers.
In addition to an instant play version of a live casino with an enormously large offer, EuroGrand Live Casino also offers you the ability to download the application and enjoy an even more beautiful play environment. After playing, you can quickly and easily place a bet with your winnings on the live games by choosing one of the many different payment methods. Do not wait but enjoy!
EuroGrand Live Casino: Background
What can you tell me EuroGrand Casino in general?
How does the Live Casino of EuroGrand Casino look like?
Can I play Live Blackjack or Live Roulette at EuroGrand Live Casino?
What is EuroGrand Casino latest Welcome Bonus?
What other games can I play at EuroGrand Casino?
How good is the Customer Service of EuroGrand Casino?
Can I play Live Casino at EuroGrand Casino on my mobile?
The website of Eurogrand Casino gives a dark and serious impression. The borders are completely black, making the golden letters stand out clearly. There is a big animation visible in which the amount of the jackpot is displayed. Below is a wide range of games with a menu that allows you to choose new games, popular games, or games with large winning chances. There is hardly any text on the homepage. There is a drop-down menu at the top of the page that also allows you to download the EuroGrand Casino App. In addition, there is a button for promotions, games, a VIP club, payment and one for support.
If you are looking for the live casino then take some time. There is no link to the live casino on the entire EuroGrand Casino website. Apparently, the live casino is not yet a popular concept in EuroGrand Casino. The biggest focus is now on other standard online casino games (e.g. regular table games and slots). There is by the way a page with all the games on offer. Here you have to choose between the different casino games, and by clicking on any of them you will see all the options within the game selected by you. With both Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat there is a Live option at the bottom of the screen. The live games themselves are already hard to find, but if you then click on one of these, you will notice that you will be asked again if you want to download the application. If you refuse this, you will not be able to play this game. It does not seem, at first, to have an instant game option, but this turns out not to be different. Scroll down on the homepage and then select the live casino option in the "games" bar. This way you will still be able to see a number of live casino games that you will be able to play right away. This is obviously very cumbersome and also not pointed out clearly. If you are a new player on this site please beware.
Striking is that there is no live chat opportunity on the homepage and that it is difficult to find it on the site. If you go to the support page there is a live chat button, but when you click here, the site indicates that you must download the application before you can use it.
EuroGrand Live Casino Environment: Dealers, Tables, Options
Surprisingly, the offer of live casino games is rather large. EuroGrand Live Casino offers less common games and game versions as a live version of Casino Hold'em, and there is also a possibility to participate in a Live Roulette game with a French dealer. In addition to these options, Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Unlimited Live Blackjack, Live VIP Roulette, Live Baccarat and 7-seat Live Baccarat are offered. Also good to know is that when you have clicked on one of the options in the drop-down menu and wish to return to the homepage, you can only get back by clicking the EuroGrand Casino logo on the top of the page. Although this casino is sometimes lacking user-friendliness, the layout is very slick. Once you download the application, you will no longer encounter any defects. The application looks slick and offers all the options that were initially missing on the original website. Please note: You need Flash Player 11.3 or up to play the live casino games in the application.
Live dealers at EuroGrand Live Casino
After the live casino developed by PlayTech appears, it stands out that there is a choice of a wide selection of different live dealers. Especially after selecting Live Roulette in the live casino world, you will see a range of different tables. Generally speaking, these will be women who speak English. There is also an option for playing French Roulette, which means that the language will be French. In addition, the live casino of EuroGrand Live Casino is open 24/7 for you, which makes it possible to shift to any of the game tables at any time of the day. The female dealers in the live casino have a classic appearance and are beautifully dressed. They wear a chic black dress with a subtle cutout. They have loose hair which is perfectly cared for and subtle lipstick. In one single case you will participate in a game with a male live dealer. In this case, he will be dressed in a short sleeved shirt, a bow tie and a black waist coat. What strikes is that the dealers are generally very friendly and interested. After a dealer change they usually ask me how the players are doing and then start the game enthusiastically. Also, in principle, they are very talkative dealers, they do not fear to start a nice conversation with you. You have to keep in mind that sometimes there will be a lot of talking during the game, but this certainly makes for a more interactive and real casino experience.
EuroGrand Live Casino Environment
The casino itself has looks cared for and professional. In most cases, you will take place in a space of the live casino where multiple live dealers can be seen and where you will feel like you are in a light environment. The floor looks like cream-coloured stone and the walls are also light and classical. Especially when playing Live Roulette this will be clearly visible. On your screen, a wide view of the casino will be visible, and there will be an entire roulette table visible. At the bottom of your computer screen is a classic animation of the roulette table programmed and on either side of the live image of the casino there is a black border. On one side of the picture, a distracting animation of a slot game will be visible and, on the other side the statistics. Ultimately, there is only a limited space left for the live image of the casino.
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Eurogrand Live Casino Atmosphere Impression
Live Tables at Eurogrand Live Casino: Blackjack and Roulette
Live Roulette
Because of the amount of space occupied by animations, while playing a Live Studio Roulette game, only a small amount of space will be left over to broadcast the live image. As a result, the image of the casino on your computer screen is very small and less visible than normal. It also makes that you do not really get the idea that you are at the casino or at the dealer at the table, but more that you are watching a television screen. Unfortunately, this does not benefit to the casino experience. While playing virtually all Live Roulette games, there will be switched between the live dealer's image behind the roulette table and the image oblique on top of the wheel when the ball rolls in. The remaining time until the bet time expires is displayed by a time frame at the top of the image which will start counting from about 18 seconds. Should this take you too long and you have the need to play a faster game of Live Roulette, that's no problem! EuroGrand Live Casino also offers you the opportunity for Live Speed Roulette. This means that you have up to 10 seconds to place your bet and the progress of the game will be a little faster. In the case of Speed Roulette you will not play in the live casino environment, but you will be in a secluded space with a futuristic background and a live dealer. Another possibility is to move to an exclusive roulette table. In this case you will play in a secluded space with a dealer.
Live Blackjack
While playing Live Blackjack, you will also be seated at a table at the live casino. In this case, the background and other live dealers are virtually invisible. However, Live Blackjack in EuroGrand Live Casino also has a classical and professional appearance. The table below the live dealer has a green lining with brown, wooden borders. Compared to Live Roulette, Live Blackjack is a lot more clear. There are virtually no texts or other distracting factors in the picture. By the way, there is a button providing access to the history, but it will only pop out when you click on it.
In addition to the above "standard" options, the EuroGrand Live Casino also offers a completely different option. Should this all be too slow for you or you're looking for more of a challenge in the game, there's not only the possibility to play an accelerated game of Live Roulette, but you can also choose to play a Dual Live Roulette game or Even a Multi Live variant of Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette. This means that you can open multiple games simultaneously on your screen and that you will see three different game tables next to each other. You choose which games will be opened at the same time, and when you decide to change the table. However, it is important to take good care of and act quickly as the games will not run simultaneously.
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Throw a pie in the face of the world's best surfer.
That's just what a bunch of kids did at last week's 15th annual Menehune Mayhem on Maui, Hawaii. Maui native and world-class big-wave surfer (also a ROAM Founding Contributor) Ian Walsh started the surf comp so 450 teens and tweens could learn about surfing, environmental stewardship, and their own cultural heritage. This year the two-day event involved education and amusement … examining the impacts of plastics in the ocean, a dunk tank, and pitching cream pies into good ol' Ian's face.
Menehune Mayhem 2018! Video: Take Shelter Productions
Posted by Ian Walsh on Wednesday, April 18, 2018
"We don't just say to them, 'Don't use single-use plastics,'" notes Ian. "We give them reusable water bottles, show them why we use them, and how to take care of the beach. These kids are the future stewards of our oceans and planet."
>> ROAM Moment footage by Take Shelter Productions


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Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals
Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Building: 13-4-417
Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the major healthcare threats across the world and is putting at risk the ability to treat common infections in the community and hospitals. Resistance to antibiotics not only increases length of illness but also increases risk of death. According to WHO's 2014 report on global surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) are estimated to be 64% more likely to die than those with a non-resistant form of the infection.
Approximately 65% of all human bacterial infections form biofilms, which can be up to 1000 times more resistant to antibacterial treatment and the body's defence mechanisms than planktonic bacteria of the same species. Two of the most common biofilm-forming bacteria responsible for upper respiratory tract infections are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and effective formulations aiming to treat infections caused by these pathogens are currently lacking.
Over the last 30 years, no major new types of antibiotics have been developed and reached the market. It is thus important to increase the clinical efficacy of existing and newly introduced antibacterial drugs by optimizing treatment regimes, drug combinations and formulations.
The aim of my project is to improve efficacy of antibiotic formulations for treatment of chronic infections of the sinuses caused by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa though identifiction of possible synergistic and antagonistic interactions with other antibiotics and non-antibiotic substances. Furthermore, I am investigating ways to improve the delivery of antibiotics to the infection site though use of polymeric or lipid formulations.


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Microfinance Loans for the Farmers
ISLAMABAD: The government is considering setting up the Pakistan Microfinance Company, in line with the business model of renowned Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, in an effort to provide small loans to farmers and businesses.
Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus, is a nobel peace prize-winning microfinance and community development bank that lends small amounts of money to people without seeking any collateral.
In a meeting of the federal cabinet held on September 15, a participant told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that in a bid to reduce the cost of loans, a credit guarantee scheme for small and marginalised farmers was already in place and its scope was being extended to benefit 300,000 households with small landholdings.
"An amount of Rs100,000 will be provided without collateral under this scheme," the official said.
This would lead to total disbursement of Rs30 billion whereas the government had set aside Rs5 billion in the budget to provide risk cover to the financial institutions extending loans without demanding any guarantees, he said.
The cabinet was also told that the federal government was mulling over setting up Pakistan Microfinance Company by following the business pattern of Grameen Bank.
This year, the government is pushing up the size of overall agricultural credit to Rs616 billion compared to Rs516 billion last year, an addition of Rs100 billion, which will primarily be meant for small farmers with landholdings of up to 12.5 acres.
Despite historically low interest rates in the country, consumers are not enjoying the benefits as they are forced to borrow at a rate as high as 18% per annum.
In order to ease the pain felt by the small farmers, the government has decided to reduce the cost of production loans by 2%.
The State Bank of Pakistan and provincial governments will also join hands and start one-window operations to facilitate and promote credit flow to borrowers in the agriculture sector.
Apart from this, the collective value of Production Index Unit will be increased from Rs2,000 to Rs4,000, which will enable farmers to acquire more credit for the same landholdings.
In the cabinet meeting, government officials said total impact of the agricultural support package, announced by the prime minister few days ago, would be Rs341 billion, including Rs147 billion as direct financial support and Rs194 billion as credit flow to the farmers.
The government will also take long-term measures such as passage of different legislations through parliament like the Seed Act and Plants Breeders Rights Act, which will place the agriculture sector on a growth path in the long run.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2015.


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Video: Ye olde kitchen challenge
Watch or download our video about cooking ancient recipes
Today we take recipe books for granted as they gently guide us, in great detail, through the process of creating delicious food. But a few hundred years ago, the only place to find recipes was in the homes of the wealthy, literate classes – a rough written record of their dining exploits.
In this film, archivist Helen Wakely presents senior sous-chef Zack Mila with such a recipe from 300 years ago. In the absence of vital details, such as cooking times and temperatures, is Zack's experience enough to bring the past back to delicious life?
Running time: 5 min 25 secs
Downloadable resources
- Ye olde kitchen challenge video transcript [PDF 127KB]
- Ye Olde Kitchen Challenge video [FLV 40MB]
- BP_YeOldeKitchen [MP4 30MB]


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Apr 29, 2016
The 1975 announce Australia shows
The 1975 are now on a world tour following the release of their second album "I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It". In between festival dates and the North American leg of the tour, they will be performing in Sydney and Byron in July.
Get tickets here.


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Something fast to eat on cold nights:
some shredded cabbage (in a bag is fine)
2-3 apples
mustard (we use spicy brown)
red wine vinegar
Procedure: put some olive oil in a pan, chop the apples and fry them with a little pepper. Throw the shredded cabbage on top of it and fry further. Put in some mustard and stir. Then toss a glug of red wine vinegar in the pan, cover, and let steam a few minutes. Good with chopped up turkey kielbasa in it.
CJ asked me also to blog about his strawberry pineapple cheese pie. (This is a layer of shredded cheese on a plate, with frozen strawberries and pineapples on top, microwaved until melted and thawed respectively.)


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Thanks to some faithful and diligent genealogy / family history enthusiasts out there I have some good news to report. About two weeks ago my email contact information was posted in a mailing list. The message said that if there was enough interest I might be able to find a way to get the Hispanic family history conference to more people than just those that are able to attend in Salt Lake City.
I was inundated with emails (nearly 50), which would make up at least 1/4 to 1/3 of the number that will most likely attend in person. I made some phone calls and sent out some emails, and about a week ago I was contacted by LDS Public Affairs asking for my permission to let Roots Television to tape one (maybe more) of my classes. I only had one request, that the classes be made available via the internet, not just television. Today I just learned that the taped classes will be posted online for all to use. I hope that you all pass the word along, because the more interest Roots Television sees in Hispanic genealogy could very easily influence them to gather and/or produce more classes on the subject.
Thanks everyone that made this wish come true...I hope that you all benefit from the conference regardless whether you can attend the conference in person or not.


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Unique Promotional Products
Always being proud of our work, we tend to like showing it off. We're continually using the highest-quality materials and products, because we have high standards for ourselves.
Below are our current trending and best-selling personalized products in just a few of our most popular product categories.
Looking for more unique branded items than promotional hats and logo mugs to promote your business? We've got you covered! Call us or head over to our Product Recommendations page for us to brainstorm ideas of unique and innovative promotional product ideas!


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Prayer Requests
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7: 7-11
Please Submit Your Prayer Requests


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The cloud remains dominant in terms of software and document distribution, and there are an increasing number of online solutions that enable managers to run their projects in a timely and efficient manner. Trello is a prominent example of this technology, which uses cloud principles to connect business owners and contractors regardless of where they are situated in the world. With this in mind, what are the exact benefits of Trello and how can it allow businesses to operate more proficiently while reducing it's costs?
- Real Time Interaction and Document Sharing: In days gone by, sharing documents was an all too complicated process, and the reliance of flawed technology such as fax machines and post often incurred delays that could significantly delay a project's completion. With Trello, documents and information can be shared in real time, and collaborators can interact live and maximize the efficiency of any individual project.
- An Innovative and Flexible Online Solution: The purpose of technology is to provide flexible and innovative solutions to problems, and this has been relevant throughout numerous niche sectors and industries. Just as firms such as Ukhost4U have delivered evolving web hosting solutions to clients, so too Trello has emerged as a malleable tool that can be used to house multiple projects simultaneously.
- Cost Effective Project Management: Given the tough and unforgiving economic climate, it is little wonder that businesses nationwide are striving hard to save money and minimize their monthly costs. Trello allows them to do this effectively, as project managers and coordinators require far less equipment and staff to share documents, distribute tasks and ultimately complete a project in it's entirety.
Trello is a tremendously purposeful and resourceful online tool, and is continuing to revolutionize project management in the UK. As the above video showcases, it is also simple to use and as open source software also free to access and install for small, medium and large businesses alike.


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One of the things I adore the most about candid portrait photography is that it allows everyone to just "BE"… Run, play, jump. Squirm, laugh, spin. The beauty is in the realness of the moments and in showing and capturing who you really are.
And, also too, the practicality of asking someone under the age of 12 to stop EVERYTHING they are doing and to pose perfectly is not a thing. Nope. Not gonna happen! 😉
So, embrace the moments. See the beauty in what's real. These are the memories you'll cherish the most.
Enjoy these wonderful candid portraits from a recent Mother's Day session in Downtown Atlanta <3


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The Problem of Energy Poverty
"There are more than 300 Million people in India without access to electricity from the grid. Clearly, the problem is huge" says Bhushan Trivedi. He founded Piconergy in January 2015 to solve what he refers to as 'The Problem of Energy Poverty'. People suffering from energy poverty are typically from the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) and have to rely on expensive, polluting and inefficient sources of power- Kerosene lights, Oil lamps, Candles, AAA batteries and rented bulbs. "These sources of light work out to be several thousand percent times more expensive than what you and I pay as conventional grid users", Bhushan remarks explaining the severity of penalty the poor have to pay for being poor. Living in energy poverty has multiple adverse effects on the poor. Not having reliable & affordable lighting severely hampers the daily lives of several households and curtails the ability of micro-enterprises to conduct economic activities thus stifling their socio-economic development. Further, use of polluting sources negatively impacts the health of children and women alike.
Bhushan knew he had to do something to address this problem. He put on his social entrepreneur cap and quickly realized that the optimum solution lay in offering basic lighting to the poor that is clean, affordable, reliable and functionally designed to suit their specific needs. After 3 iterations to the original product design based on extensive end-user surveys and discussions with more than 50 households, he came up with Helios- A solar PV-powered lighting and mobile phone charging solution. "We provide a sturdy battery box along with our solar product so that it can be easily mounted anywhere. Also we offer them protection plan that allows them a maintenance service on-demand thus helping them get maximum value on their purchase" says Bhushan. Piconergy offers different lighting options to different segments of customers depending on their end use.
Personal Journey
Bhushan is a quintessential big city bred person. Having grown up in Mumbai, he never knew about living with minimal or no electricity. During his stay in a rural area near Mumbai for his mechanical engineering course Bhushan closely witnessed the lifestyle of the local people and the daily challenges they faced due to lack of electricity. This led him to be interested in renewable energy as the way to the future. After graduating from his engineering college in 2010, Bhushan joined a solar energy company based in Mumbai as a Manager for their solar water heater projects. Here he learnt the nitty-gritties of solar business. However, most of his clients included companies that looked at solar energy more from the perspective of compliance and long-term investment than from a social or environmental angle. Soon Bhushan realized that he needed formal education if he had to pursue a career in energy and environment. In September 2011 he flew to the UK to study MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management at University of Salford located in Greater Manchester. His first real exposure to social impact came when he started working with Orbis Development Partners in October 2012 on their solar projects in Myanmar. It was during this stint that Bhushan witnessed the potential of a market-led approach to solve social challenges.
"I never wanted a 9-5 job for myself. Instead, I loved being on the ground coming up with energy solutions for the masses" says Bhushan recalling his motivation to start Piconergy. "Market-led social entrepreneurship model always fascinated me over one based on charity because it's more sustainable in bringing about change" he further adds. In early 2014, Bhushan conceived the idea of Piconergy. However it was in early 2015 that he made his first sale; after one full year of meeting several street vendors and communities, understanding their problems, designing possible solutions and convincing his target audience. He was the only person in Piconergy throughout its first year. "After selling 3-4 units of my product, I posted some photos on Facebook and soon people started showing interest in working with me" he says while explaining how he built his team of volunteers.
Bhushan with one of his enthusiastic customers- Kishan Patil who stays on a road-side shanty. Solar product placed on the roof of the bus stop for charging.
Bhushan with Patil family. Helios bulbs light up their modest dwelling.
Way ahead
With full-time staff of 2 and a team of several volunteers who offer their services on rolling basis, Piconergy has sold more than 50 units of Helios in underserved pockets of Borivali and Kandivali (Western suburbs of Mumbai) and a village in Rajasthan since its inception in January 2015. Having market-tested its product, Piconergy now intends to expand throughout Mumbai in coming few months. For this purpose it intends to partner with distributors in different parts of the city. "We are looking to select people from the urban BOP and train them in business skills to make them micro-entrepreneurs in their neighbourhood. We are particularly keen to work with women from marginalized sections" says Bhushan explaining agents of CARE (Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy) program.
In the next 5 years Piconergy plans to offer its product to remote rural areas of Maharashtra where the problem of energy poverty is even more acute. Its mission is to introduce more products based on CARE to cater to the needs and aspirations of the poor. Bhushan sums up succinctly, "My vision is lifting millions out of energy poverty and catalyzing their socio-economic development at minimal environmental cost."


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SAP forms closer link with LinkedIn
Following up on an investment in the professional networking community by its venture capital arm, SAP is forming closer ties between its community sites and LinkedIn.
SAP is forging closer ties between its online communities for customers, partners and professionals and LinkedIn.
SAP, which invested in the professional networking online community in October via SAP Ventures, is now deepening the relationship, allowing attributes displayed on the SAP Community Network to also display on an individual's LinkedIn profile. A new SAP Community Bio application on LinkedIn will show credentials and participation in the SAP Community Network. The dual-community connection will allow LinkedIn members to automatically have their profiles updated to reflect SAP Community Network credentials, including the SAP mentors.
"We have a point system that has become an important source of pride and information for individuals," said Zia Yusuf, head of SAP's Global Ecosystem and Partner Group. "We're allowing for your LinkedIn profile to display and incorporate those points."
LinkedIn, Yusuf said, can reach people in ways that SAP's own communities cannot.
"Why does an individual create a profile on LinkedIn? They describe themselves, connect to others, many of whom have nothing to do with SAP or with customers not directly related to
SAP environments," he said. "As you link that individual to our communities, you can reach out to his or her friends or networks."
SAP currently has almost 2 million members in its communities.
"I don't know whether that 2 million is 40% or 60% or 100% of the people who can or should benefit from our communities," Yusuf said.
In August, SAP and LinkedIn teamed up on a recruiting service to help SAP partners find and recruit talent.
SAP and LinkedIn will be creating more integrations and programs in the future, but this is not the limit of SAP's commitment to social networking, Yusuf said. SAP developers interact with customers and one another on SAP's sites as well as social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
"The main thing we're finding is, as these whole ecosystems and communities emerge, those efforts in particular are becoming part and parcel of how we're doing business," Yusuf said. "We haven't scratched the surface of what we can do going forward. We are genuinely excited."