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Thoughts on Amazon Prime Day
Yesterday was Amazon Prime Day, a day on which Amazon offers Black Friday-style sales to its customers in an attempt to capture their back-to-school dollars. We bought some things: a car seat, some hair brushes, a replacement Kindle Paperwhite. None of those are items we would not have bought in a big box or chain store, so I figured we might as well get them cheaply.
But this year, I also didn't buy some things that I normally would have. I passed on several toys that I want to give the girls for their birthdays and for Christmas. That is because lately I have experienced a growing ambivalence about Amazon, to the point that this year I have decided to do one small thing about it.
My First Experiences with Amazon
On one hand, growing up a bookworm in rural Kentucky was wonderful. There wasn't much else going on, so books made it possible to learn and go anywhere. On the other hand, I simply couldn't get enough books. I lived within walking distance of the branch library, which shared half of the police station. But, as one might imagine from such a locale, the collection was rather small. I quickly read through all offerings of interest to me.
The nearest bookstore was an hour away. It was always a delicious treat to visit and see the books my weird little heart wanted, not what the library thought there was demand for. I would spend hours browsing the shelves. Those occasions were rare, though. Money was even rarer. I worked throughout high school, but only for a part-time high school help salary.
When Amazon arrived, it was a revelation. I was suddenly able to have any book I wanted. Moreover, the books were so much cheaper, which meant I was able to buy more! All it took was a $25 gift card (the free shipping minimum). As silly as it may be to thank a corporation, I am grateful to Amazon for giving me access to so many ideas in a time when I lived in a content desert.
Fast forward to a decade later, and Amazon has killed most brick-and-mortar bookstores. It seemed like they might eradicate them completely, but the remaining indie bookstores have banded together to create something of a renaissance. They are now less so places of pure commerce and instead highly-curated stores geared toward community-specific needs. These bookstores are incredibly cool and such a joy to browse. Still, I can't help but feel sad that there used to be so many more of them.
Amazon Now
My experience of books and Amazon are only one example of my growing ambivalence about Amazon in general. While Amazon used media as its launchpad, they have since moved into most imaginable markets. Most recently, they added fashion, prescription drugs, and fresh groceries. None of that is inherently bad. Although they will likely surpass them in the next 5-10 years, Wal-Mart still sells more stuff than Amazon.
Like Wal-Mart, Amazon relies on low-income labor in its facilities. Having done some holiday temp work in a fulfillment center, I believe the stories of subpar working conditions and poor benefits. Both Amazon and Wal-Mart choose to operate in areas where otherwise there are not a lot of jobs (like rural Kentucky where I grew up). While I know folks are grateful for the jobs, it doesn't mean they have to be bad jobs, particularly given how much money the companies make. European workers were striking this Prime Day, over those conditions and lack of benefits.
The big concern I have with Amazon specifically, is that they are pretty much the only source when it comes to e-commerce, and use it to brutal, innovation-stifling advantage. While they don't sell more overall than Wal-Mart, they account for about half of all online retail, period. This lets them bully publishers on their pricing models. Small retailers that begin to trend often have no choice but to take part in Amazon's third party seller network. If they refuse, Amazon is known for duplicating the product or idea for themselves and selling it on their much larger platform, shutting down the original retailer. No one else has a chance, because no one else has such an online presence to capture the trends in their infancy.
The fact that makes me want to pull out my tinfoil hat the most is Amazon's cloud storage model, which accounts for 10% of their business. Their cloud storage business houses the Netflix streaming files and the papers of the Pentagon. If Amazon's infrastructure goes down, we not only lose our entertainment but our government. (Which actually happened one day last year.) That seems inherently unhealthy for our society.
(For a bigger, more entertaining summary of the freaky weirdness that parts of Amazon has become, check out episode "The M Word" of Bad With Money With Gaby Dunn.)
What I'm Doing About It
We still bought some things for Prime Day. You may have, too. I offer no shame for anyone who needs to buy from Amazon because they live in a content desert, or who just doesn't have the cash to get products from anywhere else. I personally decided that if I would have gotten it from a box store anyway, I might as well buy it and keep the cash for other pursuits.
But for most discretionary items, like toys, books, and games, we have wonderful local shops. This is intentional; one reason Mr. Steward and I decided to live in the city that we do because of its vibrant local economy. Yet, last Christmas (which is when we do the bulk of our non-grocery/non-secondhand spending) I can't remember if we bought a single thing that did not come from a chain store. I want to fix that this year, by pursuing a completely locally-sourced Christmas.
We are privileged to have this option. We are lucky to live in an area with enough small, local shops to make this a possibility. We're also lucky that we have a large enough income that the roughly 30% markup we'll have to pay on items is something we can afford (although I am also hoping this drives us to simply buy less for Christmas). But I've come to believe that since we are the exact demographic who can do it, we should. I enjoy these local shops, and want to support them. The best, most direct way is to buy stuff there, even if it hurts my frugal heart to know I could have gotten it cheaper from Amazon.
Sometimes the monetary cost is cheap, but the social cost is too high.


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Sitting on the cement stoop of my little house in the city in my polka dress (some fashion statements never go away) eating pixie sticks and thinking about how imperfect everything was I smiled. The smile came from a pact I created at that very moment of misery. Some people make promises, but I was so serious about my goal I created a rule that I would only show up in life with my best foot forward! I thought I was a genius because everyone around me was falling apart and clearly not showing the best of who they were. It was Summer 1989, and my new sugar infused power pact with myself was all about being perfect in front of the world. My idea was not *just* a promise, but a perfect and fruitful lifestyle. At that very moment, I grew up, and I was only 9. I couldn't wait to be better than everyone else. I knew it was my duty to be everything different than my current surroundings and I started building a life that reflected the perfect outcome. In fact, I remember being so ready to conquer the game of life that I asked my mum when I was allowed to move out and become an adult. I let her know I was ready immediately. Lol!
Fast forward ten years later and I was already moved out and in the workforce proving myself to the world. We never really have the patience to live in today and to breathe in the air of our current reality, do we? I had so many goals and was knocking things like college degrees and fancy titles off my life list like I was Muhammed Ali of the office life! I became one of the youngest assistants promoted to manager at Rolling Stone and had tried almost every sport, modeled, played the cello, learning about every significant person ever, and accomplished any and all art techniques out there. I come to life with a fearless strut, and a laser focused energy. I was training myself to be amazing, so I thought. I was doing things that my family was never meant to achieve. Our status was a bit more mundane, and I always made sure to hide that as best I could. I should have been feeling great because that was the plan. But, all I could think about most of the time was how no one really knew me, and I was exhausted from being spectacular all the time. It is kind of weird writing about this by the way! It feels as if I am telling a story about someone else. She was scared, fearful, and didn't like anything; but no one knew that, and it was her job to make sure it stayed that way. Out in the world, she (me) was meant to be seen as perfect. (Whatever that meant!)
Through all my wins, I always felt like a failure. I never even went to my college graduation. There were always flaws and always a disappointment with every step I took. It wasn't easy being me and at some point, the idea of taking a drink after work or during rough times became routine. Everyone needs to let off a bit of steam, right?! Well, after the economy crashed in 2008 I lost my job, and that was like losing my identity. I no longer was the cool girl who worked at Rolling Stone or the bread winner. I lost everything including my home. I felt like I was turning to vapor and would soon be blown away by a strong wind. All I had left was me, and I did not know who I was anymore. I had indeed created a monster who was obsessed with showing up in life in the "perfect" way. I wasn't even sure what the definition of perfect meant to me anymore and it was getting harder to succeed. In fact, I mostly failed myself, my family and the world for a while during this part of my story.
At some point, we found a little place in the country, and I sat and listened to the wind a lot. I would watch the trees move around and see the clouds float by and think about how it would feel to be a bird up there free from the all the troubles and bad decisions I made. I went cold and in essence, quit my life for a while. All I wanted to do was listen to nature and be. I started dressing down and not wearing makeup. I mean, you don't have to get dressed up for the deer, do you?! Ha! At some point during this year long meditation, I decided that I hated everything that I had been doing which felt overwhelming. When you build your entire life around a concept and philosophy that all of a sudden doesn't work, it seems like a black hole. Everything became super scary because I was about to let the world in on a secret…. that I am not perfect and I am okay with that. I thought the world would reject me, but at this point of my story I was a shooting star, and I was on fire and being shot through the sky whether they liked it or not! Yep, and of course, I knew that I would fail and no one would like the real me. I was wrong.
So who is this "real" me?
She is a macaroni eating flirt that laughs and jokes around all the time lounging in her unicorn pajamas outside on the deck with her movie star sunglasses, jazz playing, dog hair on her shirt with an oversized cup of gourmet coffee. I am clumsy sometimes (okay all the time), and I would rather be laying in the grass with my shoes off with my family around and picking tomatoes and peppers out of the garden than just about anything else. I make mistakes all the time and don't embarrass easily thanks to my past life. I eat too much candy and love watching old movies into the night when I probably should be reading about philosophy, working, or learning about important world events. I have skin problems and weight issues I hide and am currently trying to solve. I don't care about material things as much as I used to but cannot have enough crystals around my house. I fear bees, flies, and mosquitos and will over react around them! I don't follow the rules hardly ever and can be a total control freak. Ha! I was once was vegan for a couple of weeks but can't help but to love a big steak and potatoes dinner. Hey, I am from Michigan people, we eat steak here. Even though I am in love my media company and all the amazing things I do, I dream about being an athlete in the Olympics. (dreams can come true for anyone who puts in the works even if they are closer to 40 than they've ever been. Lol!) Most of all, I love to have fun and create an exciting atmosphere.
The cool thing is that I would NEVER have gotten to a place of knowing and accepting the true blue me had I not created that first Facebook account. I always thought social media was not for someone like me. I was private. But the truth is, I was private because I held onto many fears and the impossible pact I made long ago that I would only show the perfect side of me. When I began revealing layer by layer who I am and what I am all about, I found women from around the world who accepted the entire package. They love the goofy, the serious, the mistakes, the experiments, all the good and the bad. And that still floors me to this day that I sit and write my story down.
But why did I finally decide to show every facet of who I am? Great question! Little by little as I revealed my essence to the world, my soul path became evident, and my purpose grew in strength. I knew that I wanted to service women entrepreneurs by helping them achieve visibility and empowerment through brand identity. I knew that I was an artist and began to create again. I found lifelong friends who support me and a global media company that is fun and filled with everything that sustains me personally and professionally. The more I embrace and share who I am and what I do, the more successful I become. In the past, my success always felt like a room with the walls closing in and a ceiling that never budged. Now, the sky's the limit, and I feel like the bird in the sky I watched for hours among the clouds with only possibilities instead of worries and doubt.
Are you hiding behind a bunch of requirements, rules, and ideals, that you believe will show off the most perfect representation of who you are and create the life you are dreaming of? Maybe it is time to breath and experience what it is like to be in love with who you are. I am not saying this is simple but planting the seed is a start. Begin by simply logging into Facebook today and live-streaming with the intention of just being you and saying hello to the world in all your imperfect perfection.
My advice: It is absofuckinglutely okay to grow in front of the world.

subset: commoncrawl


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The new Devo Spice "Live In Front of 13 People" DVD is finally available! Features an hour-long Devo Spice concert as well as a 30-minute Worm Quartet concert, professionally filmed at an unintentionally-intimate show at Broadway Comedy Club in NYC in 2012, as well as several bonus Devo Spice / Sudden Death videos! Yours for a mere $14.99! Pick it up in the WQ Store!
Hope you glorious people are enjoying existence! I'll have more announcements of various sorts soon! Exclamation points are the only valid way to end sentences!


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Our Co-Founder, Susan, worked in international development for over a decade before starting One Earth. First working in research at Bath University and then to build more resilient livelihoods and helping small scale farmers through community based extension and better access to markets with international NGOs.
After starting a family she didn't want to travel so much but still wanted to do something worthwhile, helping smallholder farmers.
When Susan and her husband Patra had kids and they found that drinking smoothies was a great fun way to get extra nutrients into their diets! Who knew it was so hard to get kids to eat their greens!? They didn't want to keep buying loads of different packets that would fill all of their cupboards and they wanted to make sure they were giving their family the best quality nutrient dense foods on the market. So they went to a specialist herbalist and product development team that have previously worked for the likes of Pukka Tea, Neil's Yard Remedies and Yeo Valley. They meticulously researched the best dried fruits, seeds, algae and leaves the world has to offer.
Eating an array of different nutrient dense foods is perfect for getting a whole array of vitamins, protein, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants which we need into our diet. Eating fresh wholesome meals is the best way to do this. Our blends were developed to be added to fresh smoothies, eaten with yoghurt or added to soups to provide a nutrient boost when you need it.
We have four blends for adults focused on energy, skin health and deep nourishment. And two aimed at the whole family- packed with nutrients that support the immune system and brain function whilst still tasting great for children (Chocolate and Vanilla)
We got them laboratory tested and it turns out they are some of the most nutrient dense 'superfood' blends in the world!
We are now on a mission- to get everyone, kids, teens and adults, eating more fruit and vegetables. Smoothies are a great way to do this! Adding extra nutrient dense dried and freeze dried foods are just an even better way of boosting nutrients!
At the same time, supporting the livelihoods of our suppliers and sustainability of the planet's health and society's wellbeing is of upmost importance to us. We work closely with B'Ayoba, our Baobab suppliers in Zimbabwe, who now work with over 10,000 people who bring their wild harvested fruit to their processing centres. So stay tuned from more updates from them as well as our other suppliers!


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3 Challenges:
- Get Sketchy GS#54-Sketch
- One Stop Craft Challenge Challenge 96-Photo Inspiration-Monarch Butterflies
- One Stitch At A Time Challenge Blog Challenge #29-Blooms-Butterflies-Bling
Thanks for viewing,
Beverly G ♥
Love that butterfly - adds dimension tot the card
Love that butterfly - very dramatic!! Thanks for joining us at OSAAT this week and good luck in the challenge, love Jacky x
Beautiful card Beverly and love your butterfly. x
That's such a pretty card!
Thanks for joining us at One Stitch at a Time this week.
Love the butterfly and card :) Thanks for joining us at OSAAT


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Sections of the first resection showed a fibrillary tumor with a distinctive palisading pattern in many of the fragments (Image 1, Image 2, Image 3). In other areas this pattern was lost and the tumor had microcystic features with overall low cellularity (Image 4). In some areas there was juxtaposition of the palisading pattern and a fibrillary pattern (Image 5). There were no mitoses.
The second resection showed only rare areas of palisading cells (Image 6). Most of the tumor now showed a loosely cellular astrocytic neoplasm with prominent microcystic changes alternating with more fibrillar areas (Image 7 and Image 8). Again, there were no mitoses.


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How much exercise do you really need in order to be fit? Apparently, it's far less than we've been told by government health agencies, who reckon on 20 minutes a day.
Researchers have discovered that people who walk or cycle for just half that amount - 72 minutes a week, or just over 10 minutes every day - improve their overall fitness by 4.2 per cent.
Double the exercise time and your fitness level will improve by 6 per cent, while those who walk or cycle for 27 minutes every day can see an 8 per cent improvement.
The other good news is that everyone - in all the exercise groups - saw a 2cm average reduction in their waist measurement, and that's without changing their diet.
However, none of the group - made up of post-menopausal women who lived mainly sedentary lives - lost weight, and their cardiovascular risk factors didn't reduce, either.
So some level of fitness is attainable for pretty much all of us, just as long as we're prepared to walk 10 minutes every day.
(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2007; 297: 2081-91).
E-news broadcast 31 May 2007 No.364


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Available for $4.99 on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
In a sexual dystopia where people are property, intelligent women aren't a threat. They're one more item on the balance sheet.
Remedial Programming has been Dr. Lana Swanson's department for years. She oversees the important work of re-focusing a generation of intelligent women on trivial, unimportant matters like looking great and having lots of sex. It's a fun job if you enjoy seeing potential rivals turned into sex-obsessed bimbos, and Lana does it well.
But when a rival from a new department sets her eyes on Lana's stock of human resources (a term used all too literally in the dark world of the not-too-distant future), the clock starts ticking on a race to see who's the smarter woman — and who still will be, once all the programming's done.
From cover to cover, "Remedial Programming" is a wild ride through the hot, steamy underbelly of a sex-obsessed society. Don't miss the latest and darkest in sexual dystopia sci-fi from erotic author A. Vivian Vane!


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This quiche makes its own crust, that is part of its charm. You can use canned asparagus and canned mushrooms which speeds up making this recipe.
Asparagus Mushroom Quiche
1 can asparagus, drained
1 small can sliced mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped and sauteed
1-1/2 c evaporated milk
1/2 c Bisquick baking mix
3 eggs
1 c shredded cheddar cheese (save 1/2 c for top of quiche)
pinch nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 10-inch quiche dish. Place sauteed onion, mushrooms and asparagus (arranged in spokes of wheel fashion) in bottom of dish. In large bowl, beat remaining ingredients until smooth, 15 seconds in blender on high or 1 minute with hand mixer. Pour into dish. Top with the other 1/2 cup cheese. Bake until center is done about 45 minutes. Serves 6.
The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
450 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 688-5563 or toll free (800) 282-8011


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What is Baptism?
Baptism is the way we join the Christian family (the Church) and are given our Christian name(s). This is why it is also called Christening. If you wish simply to give thanks for the birth of your baby, a service of Thanksgiving may be appropriate and is readily available.
What happens at baptism?
We use the symbols of oil (a sign of God's love), water (a sign of new life and of washing clean) and light (a sign of hope) to mark a child or adult becoming part of the Christian family.
Who do I contact to arrange the baptism?
The Vicar is in charge of organising the service. You are invited to attend St. Martin's Church between 10-11am on Saturday mornings to book a baptism.
Who can be baptised at St. Martin's?
Anyone can be baptised who is living in the Parish or who has strong links with the church, for example a regular attendee of services here.
What is the cost of the baptism ceremony?
The baptism service is free; but there is a small charge for certificates and candles.
When can the baptism take place?
We hold baptism services on the second and fourth Sundays of most months, at 12noon or 12:30pm.


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Life Insurance is a contract between a policy holder and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money pre-agreed on the contract in exchange of a premium upon death of the insured person (the policy holder). The amount is usually paid to the beneficiaries, who are the family of the policy holder or a financial institution if the contract is assigned towards an amount due by the policy holder.
Life Insurance are usually fall into two major categories:
- Protection Policies – Designed to provide a benefit, typically a lump sum payment, in the event of a specified event. A common policy of this type is term Insurance.
- Investment Policies – Main objective is to faciliate the growth of capital.
Our Company can place various life policies through various insurers locally and internationally. Our life sales team are happy to discuss with you the need for Life Cover, mostly Term Life products.


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PASCAGOULA, Miss. (April 10, 2014) More than 900 Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) America (LHA 6) march to the ship to take custody of it. The U.S. Navy officially accepted delivery of the amphibious assault ship from Huntington Ingalls Industries during a custody transfer ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss., April 10. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships and is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2014 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker)
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Wills and Probate News
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners of England and Wales has recently published a report expressing grave misgivings over services provided by Wills writers.
It highlighted that the majority of the public assumed that Wills writers were properly insured and regulated. This was often not the case. 63% of those involved in the survey had experienced Will writing companies going out of business and disappearing with their clients Wills.
Additionally two-thirds of those that responded had come across hidden fees which were not outlined in the stated price of the Will including hefty executor and probate charges which only come to light once a person has died. Just over a third also said that they had come across cases where incompetence had led to significantly higher tax bills which of course impacted upon beneficiaries.
The survey concluded that Will writers must have an appropriate qualification and they must have proper insurance cover in case of errors. They made the point that soon consumers would be granted protection.
Generally it stated that people making Wills should be aware that banks and Will writers routinely offer very cheaply made Wills knowing full well that the catch is in the overall percentage of fees that they charge once a person has died and once probate has been obtained by themselves or their nominated probate connections. In one case it was noted that a total charge of 4 percent of the whole estate had been levied upon the dead persons assets. Effectively this was something that the dead persons beneficiaries were going to be paying for as a result of such large fees being charged.
The Law Society has now called for a level playing field to give consumers greater protection. In the interim it is without a doubt the case that people who want to make a Will are much better protected by taking proper independent solicitors advice. Solicitors are fully professionally qualified, have the appropriate full insurance cover and are also usually located in professional probate departments within their respective firms.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues contained within this article then please do not hesitate to contact us


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Displaying leadership for our veterans
Five decades before Sweeney became the president of the foundation that would raise millions of dollars to construct two Fisher Houses in Cleveland, he fought in a controversial war as a sergeant within the 11th Brigade, Americal Division. As a 22-year-old raised in a military family, Sweeney rode helicopters over the jungles of Vietcong as he dodged machine gun fire. He lost friends, slept on sandbags, endured artillery fire five days a week. Though Sweeney speaks rarely in detail of his wartime years — which earned him a Bronze Star — he's unafraid to capture its severity in brief.
"Every war sucks," he said. "Plain and simple. It's cruel. It's arbitrary. Only the truly lucky ones come out of combat. It's a special experience, I can tell you that."
After a two-decade career as a deep-voiced news anchor for Baltimore's WMAR and, later, Cleveland's WKYC Channel 3, Sweeney retired in 1992 to care for his boys, Tuck and Connor.
Come 2011, Sweeney was asked by Susan Fuehrer, the director of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA, to spearhead a special team to raise funds for the first Fisher House suites in the area. Sweeney was taken aback: He'd never heard of the concept.
"I had no idea what the hell she was talking about," he said. "Why would I? They weren't around when I was in uniform."
Although the first Fisher House opened up 25 years ago at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the push for improved psychiatric care for returning vets has long been a conundrum in the United States. "Shell shocked" soldiers who survived mortar shrapnel in World War I were occasionally sent back into combat if their disorder was deemed "nervous" — an emotional collapse — and not a physical wound. By the time President Richard Nixon had resigned, psychiatrists were just starting to analyze Vietnam vets for signs of physically manifested trauma, though it would take another decade for the American Psychiatric Association to add "post-traumatic stress disorder" to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," in 1980.
Soldiers were finally being understood. Yet, still, there was an entity widely left out of DSM mental diagnoses: their families.
In 1990, while the VA was starting to treat polytrauma via the neurologically focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment, Zachary Fisher, an 80-year-old owner of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, shifted gears to found an organization of military "comfort homes," all under the belief that "a family's love is the best medicine." (Vets families were also, Fisher noticed, sleeping on VA couches.)
Seventy-two Fisher Houses would pop up globally, though not in Cleveland. Most today are near military bases and VA medical centers, and operate as state-of-the-art, 16-suite hotels fashioned with modern-designed interiors, full kitchens, play rooms and lasagna dinners.
"It's a holistic approach to reintegration," said Dr. Joseph Baskin, a psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic who worked for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA for 12 years. "But it's certainly not a one-size-fits-all. I'm sure there are some people who might be better off apart, who don't want to impose on their families."
Published at Sat, 02 Sep 2017 08:00:00 +0000


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Holy Sh!t Hoodie$110.00
A soft, mid weight fleece hoodie, with a generous fit for comfort. Embroidered in LA.
Cotton/polyester blend fleece
100% cotton 20 singles face yarn
Jersey lined hood
Split stitch double needle sewing on all seams
Twill lettering
Twill neck tape 1x1 ribbing at cuffs & waistband
Metal eyelets
Model is 5'11", 37" chest, 28.5" waist, and wearing a Medium


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The Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge are two of the most talked about devices of right now. In fact, only this morning, what seemed to be the first real-life leaked images appeared. The most interesting of which, was an image which clearly showed the Galaxy S7 Edge from the front. The other image which emerged slightly earlier, showed what at the time was thought to be the Galaxy S7 from the back. Both images seemed to conform to the recent speculation which has suggested the devices will not differ too greatly in overall design compared to their generational predecessors.
Of course, while they do seem to be some of the first real-world images, a number of leaked images have been coming in over the past few weeks and most often from smartphone case manufacturers. This is largely due to what is believed to be the ability for companies to gain access to early design images, which they can then work off to ensure accessories and cases are ready to go at the time of launch. The most recent of which came towards the end of last week when cases for the Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 from VRS Design (formerly Verus) came to light.
Following on from those initial images and there seems to be a whole ton of VRS Design images for the Galaxy S7 now available. In fact, not just for the Galaxy S7 but also for the Galaxy S7 Edge as well. Primarily, the cases are very similar for both the Galaxy S7 devices with the only notable difference being the Edge cases offering more of cutout to accommodate the nature of the curved edges on the device. However, both sets of cases do again seem to heavily be consistent in terms of design with the previous images (including this morning's). Further adding to the notion that these images coming through are very much in line with what should be expected when the twin Galaxy S7 devices are eventually unveiled on Feb 21 at MWC in Barcelona. In the meantime, you can check out the full set of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge VRS Design case images in the galleries below.
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge


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Main page - Our MEP
23.03.2016 A call to defend freedom of expression in Latvia
Dear Sir or Madam,
I want to draw the attention of the honourable human rights organisation to the potential threat for the freedom of expression and association, related to the new draft which will be adopted by Latvian Parliament on April 7, 2016. The new norms of Criminal Law will make possible to punish by real imprisonment for peaceful expression of ideas, which do not conform with the position of the government and dominating ethno-nationalist vision of Latvia.
On 3 March 2016, the Parliament of Latvia adopted in the first reading draft amendments[1] to the Criminal Law tabled by the two standing committees (on Legal Affairs and on National Security) and prepared by three Latvian security services. These amendments drastically change the chapter on the "Crimes against State".
The new draft (No. 514/Lp12) criminalizes any, also non-violent action against Latvian independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, state power or state structure (the new Article 80. In the annotation to the bill, it is claimed that overthrowing state power can also refer to non-violent actions) as well as "establishment of organization" aiming to act against the same interests of Latvia (new Article 80.1), The draft criminalizes also "public calls for an action against state independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity, overthrowing state power or changing the state structure" (new Article 81), as well as "assistance to another state or foreign organization" in its "harmful activities against the security interests" of Latvia (new Article 81.1). All these provisions envisage a sanction of up to 5-8 years' imprisonment, even in the absence of violence or calls for violence.
The amendments have been considered in accordance with the urgent procedure, which means that draft is to be adopted in two, not three readings. Therefore, the next reading (scheduled for 7 April) will be a final one. The President cannot veto a law adopted in such procedure; he expressed some concerns about the draft.[2] Besides, the President is currently ill, but Acting President, Inara Murniece, voted in favour of amendments.[3]
The bill's Annotation and an article by the head of the parliamentary National Security Commission, Solvita Aboltina, both invoke[4] the notions of "hybrid war" and "information warfare" to justify the amendments. So, the bill is obviously intended to apply to the field protected by freedom of expression. Ms. Aboltiņa wrote: "The draft law will criminalise the activities aimed against vital interests of the Republic of Latvia". The draft's Annotation expresses the same thought: "…the draft provides criminal penalty for any activity, which does not conform to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and threatens the vital interests of the Republic of Latvia". In the conditions when the state vital interests are defined by current government, the draft may become a tool of oppression of any critical view concerning state policy and any peaceful attempt to change the Constitution.
Not only opposition activists, but also some of the mainstream media[5], have expressed the opinion that upcoming criminalization of vague offences will have a chilling effect on public criticism of government policy.
Similar vague terms in criminal legislation have been criticized by the Council of Europe's Venice Commission in 2014.[6] The European Court of Human Rights, too, has pointed in a series of judgments, that peaceful advocacy for radical reforms and even for secession is protected.[7]
Finally, legal advisors of the Parliament itself have drawn attention to the fact that some of the actions intended to be criminalized are actually protected by the Constitution.[8]
I consider the draft amendments to undermine the freedom of expression. Procedurally, I find that the bill deserves careful consideration without urgent procedure. Besides, there is a reasonable proposal by a former head of the Constitutional Court - to submit the bill for evaluation to the Venice Commission before final decision.[9]
I want to ask for your kind assistance in organising the international influence on Latvian authorities in order to reject the controversial draft.
Yours sincerely,
Tatjana Ždanoka, Member of the European Parliament
[1] http://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS12/SaeimaLIVS12.nsf/0/30EDC058E283C869C2257F6A003B9620?OpenDocument (LV)
[2] http://rus.tvnet.lv/novosti/politika/320129-prjezidjent_popravki_o_prjedotvraschjenii_ugrozi_gibridnoy_voyni_nuzhdajutsja_v_pjerjerabotkje (RU)
[3] http://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS12/SaeimaLIVS2_DK.nsf/0/7653F275B8B6C0EDC2257F6B004B52F1?OpenDocument (LV)
[4] http://www.delfi.lv/news/comment/comment/solvita-aboltina-gatavi-sargat-latvijas-suverenitati-ari-informativa-un-hibridkara-apstaklos.d?id=47133375 (LV)
[5] http://nra.lv/viedokli/elita-veidemane/166341-aferists-un-valsts-drosiba.htm and http://www.pietiek.com/raksti/pat_par_publisku_aicinajumu_grozit_valsts_iekartu_plano_cietumsodu_lidz_pieciem_gadiem (LV) http://www.ves.lv/elita-vejdemane-o-takoj-demokratii-kak-v-latvii-dazhe-stalin-ne-mechtal/ (RU)
[6] http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD%282014%29025-e Context of the relevant amendments in paras. 11-13, analysis in paras. 107-131, conclusion in paras. 138-139. Advocacy for fundamental reforms has also been deemed to be legitimate in other opinions of the commission: http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD%282014%29010-e (para. 73), http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD%282004%29025-e (para. 7), http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD%282014%29043-e (para. 49)
[7] Socialist Party and Others v. Turkey, no. 21237/93, 25 May 1998, para. 47; Stankov and the United Macedonian Organisation Ilinden v. Bulgaria, nos. 29221/95 and 29225/95, 2 October 2001, para. 97; Tanase v. Moldova, no. 7/08, 27 April 2010, para. 167; Murat Vural v. Turkey, no. 9540/07, 21 October 2014, para. 66
[8] http://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS12/saeimalivs12.nsf/0/8A909A49142C54D2C2257F79003C51AA?OpenDocument (LV)
[9] http://www.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/kutris-bargie-sodi-par-noziegumiem-pret-valsti-janodod-vertesanai-venecijas-komisija.a173992/ (LV) http://rus.tvnet.lv/novosti/politika/320136-popravki_k_ugolovnomu_zakonu_o_prjestupljenijah_protiv_gosudarstva_sljedujet_pjerjedat_na_ocjenku_vjenjecianskoy_komissii (RU)


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Relief sculpture by Kamiel De Waal
Footware design samples by Catherine Willems and Aisha Kuijk
Leonie Montjarret - speculative plant experiments
Resting Pad (for putting on shoes) - Maya Onzia
PLA + hair - Pepa Ivanova
Ventrilio - Jerry Galle
Shifted layers - PLA-textile sandwich - Giovanni Franzini
Collage by Kamiel De Waal
Assembled tuning mechanism for a mandoline, by Mattias Wielfaert
3D printed textile experiment by Giovanni Franzoni
Pepa Ivanova printed a thin skin / landscape like membrane in UV-sensitive material.
Where she is shining UV light on the object, it quickly turns a bright pink. For a picture of the print in bright sunlight, check Instragram #formlab_ghent
A collet made on a resin printer turns a vinyl cutter into a pen plotter
A first test with beeswax
A scanned wine branch by Kris Catteau
Testing 3D printed reference target spheres for terrestrial LiDar scanning
New work by Jonas Dehnen in progress
Kris Catteau doesn't want do drum anymore. He's automating his set with solenoids.
A digital rag in preparation for Max's journey
Tessa Langeveld 3D printed a sheet of paper
Chris Houben terminator... In de zak
Architectural model for the research project of Jo Boonen
Key cutouts for Benjamin Maertens' replica of a 17 century clarinette
Another one in Jonas Dehnen's Fraktur series
Bilal makes a dome to protect his scultpure
The toolpaths for a new work in the Fraktur-series by Jonas Dehnen
Testing out the filament extruder
The second slice of the 'Ressurrected Object' installation is ready for 3D printing
Jan Verstraete, instrumentenbouw, kopje viola da gamba
Test maquette door Vincent Impens
The toes of Rienke Mornie
A scultpure of Hilde Onis after flocking
Floor De Width tries on her gostly gasmask
Hilde Onis is on the final stretch in completing her pink super-dorito
Kamiel De Waal met vaas
Mathias Vincent gives his work a yellow touch
Ressurected Object, by Jerry Galle is exhibited at the Design Museum in Ghent for the exhibition "Fibre-Fixed" (until April 21st 2019).
Laura Vandenbroucke's tubular thermoform test
LouLou Jaoo Da Costa cuts out drawings in wood for her sculptural paintings
Lieven Bauwens in scaffolding.
A print of Daniel García Andújar for his exhibition at KIOSK: Plus Ultra
The mighty sword of the Holy Roman Emperor.
A print of Daniel García Andújar for his exhibition at KIOSK: Plus Ultra
A naked Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
Printed in preparation for a show of Daniel García Andújar at KIOSK: Plus Ultra
The show opens Friday 21st of September 2018 at 7pm
Pepa Ivanova on a quest to uglify 3D print aesthetics
Fashion students made some thermoforming tests with flexible sheets
Testing out a 3D printed Petri dish sized mountain range in a timelapse.
A collaboration from Laboratorium with Formlab.
Here are some new children in Janne Claes's experimental marzipan family
The stacker S4 just arrived at the Formlab!
Looking into RoboDK to create a 3D printing toolhead for our robot arm.
RoboDK is a development kit that will read a Gcode file from a slicer and create a motion path for the robot arm. The motion path will be created in such a way that it avoids singularities and self collisions.
Thanks to Edwin Carels, the Fallen astronaut by Paul Van Hoeydonck decided to carefully study the Formlab made moon regolith at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam.
Jerry stole some calibration-prints from Formlab. He showed them to his AI script and asked it to write a description of it. Read the results on his webpage:
Janne Claes started her first experiments making her objects edible. This print in marzipan failed, giving the object a textile-like appearance.
Jo Boonen print modellen van hoogbouwsites in Gent voor zijn onderzoekproject BLOK
Régis Dragonetti schreef een mooie introductietekst over het Formlab. Het verscheen in de publicatie 'Onrust', maar is ondertussen ook online te lezen.
Thomas Willemen working on a scaled down version of a scultpure.
Pieterjan Boucneau assembles his multi part bridge study 'Ponte Sul Basento'
Lukas Haanoule worked on some experiments with found objects and purpose made moulds
Marta Calatayud Arroyo needed a bacteria cradle to find out how differents species of bacteria living together influence each other.
Dirk Van Gogh proudly presents his Coffee cup + soup bowl design
Photos by Katrin Greiner Photography
Jerry's 3D printed sculptures are still a few days on display in the 'Volatile Truths' exhibition at Rainbow Unicorn in Berlin.
23′ Download, 8'47, B/W, 2015
After some confusion displaying its title, a terraformed comet gradually approaches in 3d space. The terraformed stone's trajectory is narrated by computer generated text talking about its imaging and resulting ownership. The approaching shape is a result of a 23 minute mashed up Nasa download. The downloaded files were converted into one 3d printable object with gravity aids, thrown back into space.
Jerry is on to something
Bram De Man scanned the back of a Biancato guitar to analyse its curvature
The vacuum form machine and the robot arm arrived just in time for the new school year!
The second print of Ives worked out perfectly
Maria inspecting a new print.
Laboratorum and Formlab's second collaboration coming up.
HISK student Lisa Wilkens printed this extruded word 'Mehr'
Anouk De Clercq designed a sleeve that would both house the book 'Thing' and the USB stick containing the video.
A failed print from Ives Maes looks quite mysterious!
Clamp element for a scultpure by Carsten Henrion
Cadine Navarro: Sound Landscape
Printed during the JODI workshop. This is the print before wax removal
Formlab in it's new location! (more space for more chaos)
Same address:
Kunsttoren, 1st floor
Offerlaan 5,
9000 Ghent
Tentoonstelling in de Zwarte Zaal als afronding van de workshop van JODI
Gescande banaan door Kamiel De Waal
Experimental #3D Lab / JODI
more concept, less technology
#to print or not to print:
is scanning the new photography? is scanning a performance?
is scanning just functional and makes 3d modelling obsolete?
is scanning a transition between digital and real ?
is selfie scanning cool? what is meta scanning?
is scanning a tool for 2d, 3d or 4d representation?
is scanning resolution important? is scanning dangerous?
is it important for a scanner to be mobile? is a scan a 3d copy?
is scanning just a fad gadget? is scanning a mechanical activity?
do you need a license to use a scanner? who cares about scanners?
is scanning the new realist sculpting? is scanners a movie?
is the result of a scan an image or code?
can we scan shit? can we print with shit?
does scanning convert reality into digital reality?
is a scanned object a 3d copy?
is a 3dprint a copy from a digital model ?
is a 3dprint an object or code ?
is a 3dprint object an infinite 3d copy ?
is 3d print a conversion of digital into reality ?
is 3dprinting a small plastic sculpture ?
is 3dprinting a performance ?
is 3dprinting just functional ?
is 3dprinting a home revolution ?
is 3dprinting a popular trend ?
is 3dprinting a good investment ?
#Experimental 3d printing and 3d scanning workshop organized by formLab and Mediakunst. The focus is on making art and not so much on the technical aspects of this fairly new technology. The workshop will take place in the first semester of 2016 (23/01 until approximately beginning of March) at the Mediakunst studio's. More details will follow.
#Attention there is only room for a maximum of 10 students.
JODI (BE/NL) is an internationally acclaimed duo of net art pioneers. They create works in which they combine online and plastic interventions, using both internet vulnerabilities and the content of online social platforms. http://wwwwwwww.jodi.org/
Follow the progress here: https://jodi3ddddd.wordpress.com/
New Species, by Elisa d'Urbano
New Species is a series of sculptures showing two different growing stages of a hypothetic organism. The contrast between the organic shape, the structure inspired by the natural behavior of plants or simpler organisms, and the artificial material (PET), reflects the human desire to create alternative forms of life with technology. A liquid inside the sculptures gives them the vivid color.
Getting to know the 3D scanner
Fold Unfold Fold Again, Lore Horré
Rébecca Brunet
23′ Download: Using and reusing data of a 23′ minute Nasa download in progress.
Een werk van Jerry Galle
De EMO-25 printkop heeft een klein testje in plasticine afgewerkt. De naden zijn nog ruw, maar de rest is behoorlijk glad.


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Rincon League 6-8 Goal Pro-Am
2019 Summer Schedule
We are looking forward to a great 2019 season. The dates for the tournament are listed below. If you would like to be on the email update list, please email me and let me know!
· James Colt Classic- July 4-13
· Summerland Cup – July 18-27
· Malibu Cup – August 1-10
· Carpinteria – August 9-24
For questions, please call
Laura Linfoot Townsend
[email protected]


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To Edit your free Tawk.to Personal Profile Page. Follow these Steps:
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Addressing Climate Change Challenges Collaboratively
Published on
The seminar was led by keynote speeches from the Minister of Chancery at the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Denmark, Ms Jane Aheto, highlighting the importance of bi-regional collaboration in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. This was followed up with 'closer-to-market' presentation by Ms Mette Ravn, on the opportunities for investment in large-scale renewable energy projects in Africa, and the importance of building human capacity in Africa to help develop and deliver these projects, with African partners.
The panellists added to the discussion, highlighting the need for academic research collaborations to focus more on defining and ensuring the achievement of project 'outcomes', beyond the delivery of scientific outputs which are little value if not acted upon, linked to technology developers and investors.
Dr James Haselip from the UNEP-DTU Partnership said; "The event brought together speakers from the political and commercial worlds, combined with the more academic and policy-oriented discussions of CAAST-Net Plus on Africa-Europe collaborations in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The main aim was to communicate the importance of bi-regional collaboration, and related issues, to a broader audience which included diplomatic, United Nations and academic staff based in Copenhagen. New contacts were made and awareness was raised about opportunities for expanding Africa-Europe collaborations in climate change science, understanding how this links to technology development and the non-linear process of innovation".
Some experiences were shared from the AfricaLics's activities in climate change and renewable energy, presented by Senior Advisor at the Globelics Secretariat, Ms Margrethe Holm Anderson, as well as the IREK project led by Aalborg University in collaboration with UNEP DTU Partnership. The IREK project developed a policy brief on building capacity in the Kenyan wind and solar sectors.
Click here to read Tweets from the event


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about us
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On Oct 31 2017 Moongazer Passed away. We are trying to shut everything down. Please no more orders. Any questions are to be directed to marcus email. email@example.com
Custom Electric Mandolin, Mandola, Ukulele, Kits, Parts, and Finished Instruments.
As a small shop we are able to offer a personalized service.
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In 2017 I will celebrate my 50th year in Lutherie. This experience is behind the selection of materials and parts offered here. I believe the choices represent value Without a compromise of performance. This is why I use the same materials and parts in my builds
Quality is the key word here.
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Arlington, VA, 14 June 2012: Join the National Genealogical Society for a weeklong guided research trip to the world renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Researchers can choose to attend 21–28 October 2012 or 6–13 January 2013. NGS offers a substantial discount with early bird pricing if you register for the 21–28 October trip by 15 July and register for the 6–13 January trip by 15 October.
The hosts for the October 2012 trip are Sandra MacLean Clunies, cgsm, and Shirley Wilcox, cgsm, and the January 2013 hosts are Marie Varrelman Melchiori, cgsm, cgLsm, and Shirley Wilcox, cgsm. These experts, all certified genealogists, are available to the attendees all week long to help them focus their research work and to take the utmost advantage of the Family History Library resources.
The library's noteworthy records include deeds, wills, military, tax, and vital records from the United States, Canada, and around the world. Researchers will have access to numerous commercial computer databases, more than two million rolls of microfilm located on five floors, hundreds of thousands of microfiche, an immense collection of genealogical books, and outstanding area maps.
The land package includes:
• Seven nights at the adjacent Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
• Six full days of research at the Family History Library and guidance from NGS Experts
• Sunday evening orientation and social
• Monday evening group lecture
• Wednesday evening pizza party
• Saturday evening group meal
• Shuttle van provided between airport and hotel
Airfare, meals (other than those shown above), and all personal expenses are not included in the package price. Each trip is limited to 30 attendees.
Registration costs vary depending on date of registration, room occupancy, and National Genealogical Society membership status. Registration fees are as follows:
Early Bird Registration Fees
Double/Shared Room
On or before 15 July (for 21–28 October 2012)
16 July and after (for 21–28 October 2012)
On or before 15 October (for 6–13 January 2013)
16 October and after (for 6–13 January 2013)
Single Room
On or before 15 July (for 21–28 October 2012)
16 July and after (for 21–28 October 2012)
On or before 15 October (for 6–13 January 2013)
16 October and after (for 6–13 January 2013)
For more information, visit the NGS research trip web page at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conferences_events/research_tips/slc_research_trip/slc_research_trip_general_information
The trip hosts Sandra MacLean Clunies, cgsm, Marie Varrelman Melchiori, cgsm, cgLsm, and Shirley Wilcox, cgsm, are seasoned experts in conducting research.
Sandra MacLean Clunies, cgsm, is an experienced researcher, author, and lecturer, and has been board certified as a genealogist since 1993. She is a life member of NGS and NEHGS, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists' National Capital Area Chapter.
Shirley Wilcox, cgsm, served two terms as NGS president and has been board certified as a genealogist since 1973. Shirley was president of the Association of Professional Genealogists (1991–1993), president of the Virginia Genealogical Society (2007–2011), served on the Board for Certification of Genealogists (2000–2009), and currently serves as a member of the Board of Assistants of the Mayflower Descendants in the District of Columbia.
Marie Varrelman Melchiori, cgsm, cgLsm, specializes in records in the National Archives in Washington, DC. Marie has lectured at National Genealogical Society and the Federation of Genealogical Societies national conferences since 1988. She has lectured on military records for Samford University's IGHR and the Salt Lake Institute.
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.


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Located in Raymondville, Casitas Los Olmos is another innovative and sustainable affordable rental housing project by the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville and bcWorkshop. Rental applications for this 80-unit multifamily development are being accepted for one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units.
For more information, contact Casitas Los Olmos Onsite Manager Elizabeth at:
(956) 254-6243
Office Location: 219 W. Hidalgo, Raymondville, TX 78580
Office hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Casitas Los Olmos in the News:
Officials hold groundbreaking ceremony for Casitas Los Olmos, the first apartment complex to be built in Raymondville in 10 years - Valley Morning Star
Family housing project under construction - The Raymondville Chronicle
New housing project gets closer to construction on FM 3168 - The Raymondville Chronicle
New multifamily housing project in the works for city - The Raymondville Chronicle
Raymondville to discuss building apartment complex - Valley Morning Star
© 2017 CDCB All Rights Reserved.
Community Development Corporation of Brownsville
901 E. Levee St. Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 541-4955
los olmos
380 FM 3168, Raymondville, TX 78580


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The next generation of cosmetic surgery.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, just steps from the boutiques and restaurants of Yorkville, FACE Cosmetic Surgery is dedicated to providing surgical and non-surgical facial aesthetic solutions for both men and women.
251 Davenport Rd. Toronto, ON M5R 1J9
Meet Dr. Jamil Asaria
Who needs a facelift
What is a Facelift
Modern Facelift
Risks of Facelift
Facelift Recovery
How to Choose the Surgeon
Surgeon's Credentials


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Club DVS owes its continued success to the generosity of our hard working team of Deviants, who donate their time to help keep all our attendees safe, and assist with the smooth running of the night.
On duty at each event we have reputable House Dominants, responsible Dungeon Monitors, talented Resident Riggers, and super friendly Ambassadors. All our staff are very approachable, they are immersed in the London fetish scene in one way or another, and truly care that all attendees have a positive experience.
Meet the Crew!
Alpha Female. Quietly confident. Delightfully Dominant. Decidedly direct. Like a Boss rather than like a bully, with a penchant for leading by example…. Completely immersed in the lifestyle as well as professional. Also known as the StrapOn Queen…..
She is exceptionally busy living and loving her BDSM lifestyle, and particularly enjoys spending time with respectful kinksters, be they female, male, newbie, experienced, Dominant, submissive, or any variation in between. Orientation is not important – personality and integrity, however, certainly is.
"They say you should find a job that you don't need a holiday from, well that is precisely what I have done." – Goddess Cleo.
@GoddessCleo – FetLife
@Goddess_Cleo – Twitter
Our resident Urban FoXtress; an integral part of the DVS team. She has many facets: Masochist, little, loyal friend, switch…. She's here to help, and revels in doing so. FoXy has been into the lifestyle since 2014. She's a sociable little thing who simply loves meeting new people, especially newbies, as she feels such an intense connection with them. She is fun, friendly and very approachable, and as like most foxes, she simply loves to play.
"I'm a sociable little fox and I'm here to help no matter what your issues. I'm fun, friendly and always willing to listen, so please do come say hi!" – FoXtress.
@FoXtress – FetLife
@_FoXtress_ – Twitter
You will meet the delightful Shreena because she will be your very first vision of loveliness as you enter the Club DVS venue. She is most easily recognised by her small stature and giant brown boobs. Treat her with the utmost respect, she has the power to decide whether you will be joining us for an evening, or not…… 😉
A lifestyle service submissive who loves evil Dom(mes) and "little" play (hence the nickname "Teena"), she has spent several years as "Organisatrix" for an LGBT charity, goth meet-up, and film company, and is a super helpful and valued member of the Club DVS Team.
"BDSM comes in many shades and shapes; you are unlikely to see me bent over a spanking bench or bound up in rope, but I have found a niche that fits so perfectly with the rest of my beliefs and lifestyle: being a very obedient and useful girl." – Shreena.
@icklekitty – FetLife
@shreenas – Twitter
DJ Blu has been involved in the fetish scene for the past two years, having met some lovely, caring and genuine people along the way. She is an open-minded switch that loves to please, and thrives off meeting new like-minded kinksters not unlike herself. Don't let her tough, hard look deceive you, she's really a big teddy bear, always willing to help others and give back to a community that has welcomed her with open arms….
"It's all about evolving and learning from each other..having an open mind in accepting each other's good and bad, my journey in kink is about having the freedom to 100% please the people I have in my life." – DJ Blu.
@Anahtar_now – FetLife
Max by name, Max by nature, this gentleman really does live life to the Max! Realising his inner desire and passion for kink, he loves nothing more than playing with like minded souls. Sensitive to the desires of his play partners, Max is both caring and powerful in equal measures, creatively transporting them way beyond their preconceived boundaries and on to dizzying heights of sensual pleasure.
He's an honest, genuine and safe person who always looks forward to new experiences, new connections and new friends, and watching him play is somewhat akin to poetry in motion. Plus, he's pretty easy on the eye as well, having dabbled in the male modelling world….
"Oh yes, when appropriate I am caring and sensitive, caressing not overpowering, and then some. I live life to the Max – I work hard but I'd rather play hard" – Max Long.
@Physical_Culture – FetLife
Specialising in foot worship, CBT and strap-on play, Mistress Sparkly has been on the London scene since 2009 and is a sadistic yet caring, sensual Domina. She enjoys guiding people and gently helping them discover more, not just about themselves, but also about their deviant nature during their own fetish journey. Mistress Sparkly loves to watch people discovering new thrills and seeing them go weak at the knees for her beautiful feet….
"I can often be found at London events, and I am proud to be a Dungeon Monitor at DVS, Toppers and Pedestal. Feel free to introduce yourself." – Mistress Sparkly.
A scene regular since 2013, Mr Box remembers all his first times, like his first event, his first scene, and therefore loves to help anyone new. He attends and plays at many London clubs and sometimes also travels further afield. He likes his BDSM to be fun and adores impact play, especially receiving but occasionally also giving.
He loves bottoming for new Mistresses when they want to give it a go, and as a Top he relishes introducing new people with a enjoyable gentle session.
"I'm a switch, but I'd describe myself as 90% submissive and 10% Top, although recently my topping side is coming out more." – Mr Box.
@MrBox – FetLife
Relatively new to the scene, domme tgirl and bootlover Vikky absolutely loves to hear the sound of good impact play, especially when she is on the wielding end of one of her collection of toys in a friendly dungeon. She is friendly, enthusiastic, caring and very approachable, and loves nothing more than meeting people and socialising. Sensitive and empathetic with newbies, she likes to ensure that they enjoy an experience that they won't soon forget.
"I love the LGBTQ+ inclusivity at Club DVS as I have occasionally experienced judgemental attitudes at some other clubs." – Vikky Wilds.
@vikkywilds – FetLife
Very much obsessed with all things rope, Chris has been involved with Shibari in London for the past 3 years, having learnt from the brightest stars in London and around Europe. Equally at home with floor work and suspension, technical, sensual or sadistic rope, Chris is also super keen to pass on his skills and knowledge, and introduce newbies to the wonderful connectivity of rope work. If you're someone who wants to learn the basics, something more advanced, or who just wants to see what all the fuss is about with Shibari, Chris is the man for you!
"I've been a kinkster for all my adult life, and for some time before…" – Chris
@Vibrating_finger – FetLife
For Opalfruit, the pleasure of rope lies in connecting with the person and delivering an experience, whether that's caressing them sensually with the rope, restricting mobility and movement or being mean and sadistic.
He has been doing Kinbaku and Shibari for over 6 years and has developed his own unique style. He has learnt from multiple Japanese Masters and top UK and European riggers, and is heavily involved in organising multiple rope events in both London and Birmingham. He has also been teaching rope for the past 4 years, and is keen to pass on his knowledge whether it be the basics, floor work or helping more experienced riggers to do suspensions.
Ask him about his addiction to hugs, rope and most importantly about his famous, world renowned rope game (Opalfruit's rope twister).
"Rope should be fun! One should knot get tied up with all the technicalities, come over and say Hi and I'll show you rope is a cinch, I'm a frayed knot everyone will get it the first time but if at first you don't succeed tie tie and tie again." – Opalfruit.
@Opalfruit – FetLife
Mune, pronounced MooNay, I'm the youngest of the riggers at DVS, honest!
learning rope since 2015, for about 18 months I did nothing else but practice, workshops, here, Andalusia, Berlin. Eventually even being asked to perform at Anatomie and the Slapstick Club.
I came to rope from the BDSM world, I think of it as sadistic glee; strict AND fun. So many ways to enjoy rope ; From hurty seminawa (torture or suffering) to comfy hishi (them pretty diamonds, like being tied into a hammock- apparently).
Suspension seems to be the pinnacle for tying and being tied, I love getting messy on the floor as much as inverting you in the air.
Tying someone who's never been in rope, exciting for both parties; the unknown and not knowing how they will respond.
@Mune – FetLife
Come meet our gorgeous team on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKClubDVS/lists/team-dvs/members


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Vending machines have seen a recent spike in popularity as farmers seek to cut out the middle man and sell direct to the consumer. Olivia Midgley asks three farmers to describe their experiences of setting up a raw milk enterprise and asks for advice on getting a vending machine off the ground.
The UK dairy industry may be experiencing one of the toughest crises in living memory, but more and more farmers are seeing it as an opportunity to break away from the pack.
Whether it be community schemes set up to trade in farm produce, to vending machines or direct raw milk sales, farmers are grasping opportunities to cut costs and more importantly, turn a profit.
Jeremy Holmes, founder of the hugely successful Yummy Yorkshire ice cream brand, based in Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, says the fall in milk price, coupled with massive global over supply, has forced producers to seek alternative markets.
"I don't think you can keep putting money into your cows when we're in the dire situation we're in at the moment. We couldn't see the point of milking 100 cows and getting 18ppl. You have to think outside the box and look at what you can do on your own farm."
Mr Holmes said he had been forced to take the difficult decision to reduce cow numbers by 50 per cent this summer. He will use the extra space to expand the ice cream parlour and provide extra customer parking.
"We have to work at what is making money for us," said Mr Holmes, who produces about 2,900l a day and supplies Medina Dairies.
I saw an advert in Cow Management magazine last summer and was absolutely inspired by it. I went to see Jonny in Suffolk and straight away I loved the machine's simplicity. It had a constant flow of customers. I thought if he could make it work on a little B Road, then we, [on a busy A road] definitely could.
I thought it was a big risk going to raw milk because if we ever had a health scare we did not want the Yummy Yorkshire brand being brought into it. The vending machine is solely part of the Delph House Farm enterprise.
Like Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream, Delph House Farm is a trusted brand and I think this played a big part in the popularity of our product. People trust us so they will try it.
DF Italia machines range from about £4,500 to £10,000
Ours was £9,000 that the farm has not got so we had to dig deep. It was a slow start but after a concentrated advertising campaign it has started to really take off.
A licence from the Food Standards Agency costs £90 for the year.
It's not as simple as you might think. It's a completely different concept from milking cows and filling up a tank and forgetting about it. Cleanliness is absolutely paramount. If you are not careful and there was an outbreak of listeria, E.Coli or salmonella, it would do untold damage to the industry. It would cause panic and probably wipe out the sector before it properly got going.
The Food Standards Agency reviews the safety of raw milk every year.
Unannounced, the FSA inspects our whole dairy outfit every other month and takes a sample of the raw milk. As there is no pasteurisation and the milk is effectively going straight from the cow to the consumer, it is very important to get this right. We used to process milk years ago so we know cleanliness is vital.
We are using artificial insemination with semen from Semex to cross breed our Holstein Friesians with the Brown Swiss. This is to get some more protein and butter fat content into the milk, to make it even higher quality.
Raw food and the paleo diet are becoming more and more popular so raw milk can play a big role in that. It's also very popular in the ethnic market – we have a customer who makes ghee from it.
One guy's kids have stopped drinking Diet Coke and now just drink raw milk.
It is non-homogenised so the good fats haven't been broken down.
At our Christmas market last year we gave tasters of raw milk.
Anyone who comes to the farm is asked if they would like to try some.
We also advertise in the local paper and regional magazines. We spend money on adverts and editorials which is important when you're promoting a new product.
We are also very active on social media.
Mr Holmes installed his vending machine last October and is already seeing the benefits.
"I think vending machines are absolutely brilliant for the industry," he added.
"We have people coming from all over to buy milk from us. Someone buys 20l to make her own cheese, but most buy it just to drink."
Arla producer David Berry, who milks 120 cows with his son Philip in at Boggart House Farm in Barton, Lancashire, began selling raw milk last November following major investment in a state-of-the-art robotic milking parlour.
Under the 'Barton Brook Dairy' label, the Berry family are already selling 40l a day on average at £1.30/l.
"You have to look for more outlets," said Mr Berry.
"We started by bottling the milk ourselves and refrigerating it, then people came in, put their money in the honesty box and took their milk.
"It costs us 30ppl for the milk, bottle, lid and label. Bottling 80 to 100l a day is a very time consuming job so we have been doing a lot of research into vending machines."
Mr Berry said he wanted to ensure there was demand for the raw milk before making the investment.
"We are now starting to do the volumes where it would make sense," he added.
Both farmers have called on the expertise of Jonny Crickmore who milks 300 Montbeliarde and Montbeliarde crosses at Fen Farm Dairy in Bungay, Suffolk.
Fen Farm was the first in the UK to install a raw milk vending machine five years ago.
The machine sells milk at £1/l.
Mr Crickmore said: "I am passionate about putting dairy farmers in control of the milk price, rather than it being in the hands of the processor or the supermarket.
"It's a cheap way of adding value to your product and providing you get it right, a good, simple way to diversify."
Mr Crickmore started importing the DF Italia machines from Italy a year ago.
Since then he was helped set up 11 around the UK.


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Green Toys Chef Set
Reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions...it's all part of the recipe for aspiring gourmets who use the Green Toy Chef Set. This classic collection of kitchen essentials is made from 100% recycled milk jugs, and includes a stock pot with lid, skillet, spatula and ladle. It meets FDA specs for food contact, is dishwasher safe, and is guaranteed to produce hours of Good Green Fun™! No BPA or phthalates.
DetailsFood Safe


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Granted, 50 shades of grey may now be the norm, but every once in a while, things will turn black and white. And that'll definitely be the case on Friday, Dec. 5, as the Black Sheep celebrates A Black Day's new EP release, while Zodiac holds its White Riot: A Winter White Party.
On the ABD side, "We're proud to be finishing up the new tracks," says Jayoin, who — along with fellow emcees Milogic, Hott and Kevin Mitchell — released a full-length album back in March. "We feed off each other's energy in the studio, and the live show has taken leaps forward. We are moving in a good direction, and the journey is a blast. I'd face the walking dead with my ABD brothers."
In addition to celebrating the new EP, The Dark Side of Paradise, the show will serve double-duty as a toy drive for the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots, which is only appropriate since three of ABD's four emcees are ex-military.
"This is important to us, because the community has given so much to us, as a group and as individuals," says Mitchell. "On a personal note, about a year ago my family and I were victims of an apartment fire caused by an upstairs neighbor. We lost almost everything, and it was a heavy time for us. But this beautiful community of people never let us fall, and because of them, we were back on our feet very quickly. I love this community and it will always be in my heart."
In addition to a headlining set from A Black Day, the all-ages show will include performances by the Robby Wicks Band, Grim & Darling, Clydesdale Entertainment, Stoney Bertz, and Emily Strange. Hosting duties will be handled by 98.9 FM's Cliff Cage, aka Grey Sinatra.
The following evening, Dec. 6, Toys for Tots will be marching down to Sunshine Studios for another fundraiser. This one features Alien Ant Farm, who scored a No. 1 modern rock hit back in 2001 with their rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." Their cover version was also included in American Pie 2 during the scene where Jason Biggs glues his hand to his nether regions. (You can watch the clip on YouTube, although I don't know why you'd want to.) L.A.'s Stars in Stereo open.
Whichever of the two shows you go to, don't forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy to get $5 off admission.
We also promised a white riot at Zodiac and, no, The Clash will not be there, but the very talented New Vintage Jazz combo will. Arguably the only band to cover both Thelonious Monk and Soft Cell, they'll be entertaining a club full of attractive people all decked out in entirely white attire. It will sound good, look good, and take place, as mentioned at the start of all this, on Friday, Dec. 5.
Fading back to black one last time, this week's Black Friday celebration will be more than just an annual exercise during which Walmart shoppers trample each other for toaster ovens. It'll also be an occasion for a post-Thanksgiving Record Store Day celebration in which vinyl collectors in cardigan sweaters and Neutral Milk Hotel T-shirts trample each other for exclusive 12-inch singles and picture discs from the likes of Conor Oberst, Johnny Thunders and — as always — The Flaming Lips.
My personal pick this time around would be Wu Tang Clan's C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) 10-inch picture disc on ninja-star-shaped gold vinyl.
You can find all the releases, along with where to buy them, at recordstoreday.com.
Send news, photos and music to firstname.lastname@example.com; follow our updates at tinyurl.com/indyreverb.


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Sleeping arrangements can make or break a family getaway. For my family, I prefer the boys to have their own space, and Michael and I have ours. Of course, there are times when budget doesn't allow for more than a guest room, but I'm a firm believer that space is invaluable, especially for a mom's sanity.
You have plenty of accommodation options at 'Tween Waters including newly refurbished studios and guest rooms, but I'm going to focus on the roomier options, including the 19 sherbet-hued cottages and the luxurious, multi-bedroom suites.
About The Cottages
With their aesthetics and comfort, these freestanding cottages truly offer a slice of island life, like nothing else on the island. Each boasts its own inviting décor and each one has a unique name, symbolic of the island, like Hibiscus, Snook and Ding Darling. You can stay bayside, gulfside, or in the midst of everything with a courtyard view, and you can choose a one, two- or three-bedroom, with a full kitchen, even a fireplace. Reserve in advance for an authentic Captiva experience.
The Suite Life
These one, two- and three-bedroom suites are so spacious and offer so many extras, you won't ever want to leave! The full kitchen is perfect for preparing your own snacks and meals; the enclosed patio brings the outside in and provides the perfect place to enjoy your morning paper, or a nightcap; and separate bedrooms with flat screens provide comfort and privacy. It's a home-away-from-home setup that's ideal for families. For a quieter stay, choose a bayside location.
Interactive Tools
To help find the type of accommodations that will suit your family the best, click the accommodations link. You can view photos of the décor, layout, and furnishings.
Innsider Tip
Be sure to ask about any Internet or seasonal specials (like stay five nights, get one free). Most of all, have fun!


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KATHMANDU, Dec 20: Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has awarded the contract to study feasibility study for setting up a chemical fertilizers plant in Nepal to an Indian firm. According to a press release issued by IBN, Radesh Panta, CEO of IBN, signed contract agreement with Padmanabhan Nair, international business president of Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka (iDeCK), on Friday.
As per the contract, iDeCK, in association with Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) and Shah Consult International Pvt Ltd, will conduct the feasibility study. The Indian firm will submit feasibility study report within twelve months. Among others, the study will cover economic and financial analysis after establishing the fertilizer plant, appropriate technology for the plant, details about employment generation, and environmental and social impact assessment and mitigation measures.
Establishment of chemical fertilizers plant is expected to be a milestone in Nepal's agricultural sector as the 66 percent of the country's total population is involved in farming. One-third of Nepal's GDP comes from the agriculture sector.
IBN has said that the country needs 500,000 tons of chemical fertilizers annually but only about half of the demand is met though imports. IBN had invited expression of interest in September 2014 for the purpose. A separate study commissioned by the Ministry of Agricultural Development in 2012 had estimated the existing annual demand for chemical fertilizers at around 700,000 tons. The country imported 195,000 tons of chemical fertilizers in 2013/14. The figure excludes informal imports made by farmers on their own.
A feasibility study carried out by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1984 had suggested to the government to set up a plant with annual capacity of 100,000 tons.


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By Lieutenant Chris Piombo
Lodi Police Department
The most common law enforcement theory over the last 30 years has been the community oriented policing model. This model is designed to create partnerships between the police and the community to effectively combat crime and solve public safety issues. Some examples include neighborhood watch groups, police volunteer groups, reserve or auxiliary officers and school resource officers. The Lodi Police Department has created numerous partnerships over the years with organizations like the Lodi Unified School District, Rancho San Miguel, Walmart, Lodi Adopt-a-Child and many others. These partnerships create a sense of unity and utilize both of our resources to meet the needs of the community. So with that being said, we need your help.
As you've recently read in the Lodi News Sentinel gang related violent crime, property crimes including burglary, and UCR part 1 crimes have increased drastically over the last 2 years. We've discussed a number of reasons why this is the case in several recent behind the badge articles. Some reasons include there are more parolees on the street, the jails are full, and there are less court resources. So what can you do to help?
We are looking for our community to partner with us to help address these issues. The simple steps include securing your belongings. Making sure to lock you car doors and secure your homes is a great first step. Making sure that you don't leave valuables in your vehicle. The second and more important step is to create a sense of community in your own neighborhoods. Taking the time to get to know your neighbors is a great way to learn what is common in your neighborhood. You will see the vehicles that normally park on the street or in driveways. You will recognize your neighbors and their families. This way you will recognize things that may be out of place such as a suspicious vehicle or person that might be loitering or casing the area. But the most important step is to contact the police department when you recognize criminal activity or suspicious persons. Without being notified we may not locate or be able to respond adequately to address these problems.
If you would like to be a become a bigger part of your community and help us maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Lodi please consider one of the many forms of volunteerism. It could be as simple as being a mentor to our kids by coaching a sports team or as a member of any one of the many groups such as the Lodi Improvement Committee, Police Partners, Neighborhood Watch, or Lodi Adopt-a-Child that take an active role in our community's well-being. For more information on neighborhood watch groups or the Lodi Police Partners please contact Jeanie Biskup at LPD. With your help we can continue to make Lodi a special community.


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Wat Phra That slipped off the bank of the river more than 150 years ago and is now only visible when the river is low during dry season.
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The chedi is quite far out in the river and appears as nothing more than a brown decaying triangle rising above the current.
A yellow flag is tied to its upper tip to make it more easily spotted, and a white replica of the original has been recently built on the adjacent land.
From Tha Sadej market, it's about a 20-minute walk or five-minute bicycle ride east along the river promenade to get here. While the chedi itself is not really worth the effort, it makes a convenient stop en route to Sala Kaew Ku.
What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Nong Khai.
Check prices, availability & reviews on Agoda or Booking
Read up on where to eat on Nong Khai.
Check out our listings of things to do in and around Nong Khai.
Read up on how to get to Nong Khai, or book your transport online with 12Go Asia.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Nong Khai? Please read this.
Buy a SIM card for Thailand—pick it up at the airport when you arrive.
Browse the web securely while travelling with TunnelBear. Try with a 7–day free trial.


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I'm interested in building two fault tolerant/redundant NFS servers with failover at Amazon EC2. I'm familiar with tools/technologies like DRBD, Heartbeat, etc. Does Amazon provide any specific way of achieving this through their platform?
A suitable example might be that files are kept on a separate, redundant EBS -- if a failure occurs, a new instance is automatically launched from a pre-built AMI, the EBS volume is mounted, and the IP address is transitioned seamlessly.
Is this possible? Are there better platforms than Amazon? Can you give me a broad idea of the underlying architecture we're talking about to pull this off?


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Ollie the Owl Pinata
Ollie the Owl Pinata
This Owl Pinata makes a great Mexican-inspired party game for kids. A pinata is fab for adding entertainment to children's parties, whether you want to make your mache shape into a clown, animal or a rocket, it's so simple to make your own – And this cute Ollie the Owl is sure to have them giggling with delight. Or, if you cant face the little one's smashing him up, why not make one as an unusual home decor item? No matter where you choose to use your Ollie, you'll sure to have great fun making him together!
Pinata – A decorated figure of an animal containing toys and sweets that is suspended from a height and broken open by blindfolded children as part of a celebration.
You Will NeedCraft EssentialsHow to Make
- Blow up a balloon and place on a jug or bowl. Mix one part flour with two parts water in a bowl into a smooth paste. Tear up pieces of newspaper and put in the bowl of paste to make the paper mache. Apply the wet newspaper all over the balloon, leaving an opening at the top. Leave to dry overnight, then repeat with two more layers.
- Pop the balloon and remove through the hole in the top. Paint the dry paper mache owl shape with white paint and leave to dry. Draw an 8 cm diameter circle on the bottom of the owl's body and cut out with a craft knife. Cut out three 10 cm diameter circles of white crepe paper and stick each over the hole in the bottom.
- Draw an outline of a chest on the owl's body. Cut out 6 cm circles of bright crepe paper and, starting at the bottom, glue them to the chest, overlapping each as you work along, and upwards.
- Cut seven 3 cm strips of white crepe paper for the feathers and, starting at the bottom, glue these feathers all over the owl's body and face.
- For the eyes, cut out two blue paper circles, measuring 7 cm in diameter. Then cut out two 5 cm-diameter white paper circles, and two 2.5 cm-diameter pink paper circles. Stick the paper eyes onto the owl followed by two large googly eyes. Cut out a yellow card beak and stick to the owl. Cut out two white paper feather tufts and stick on top of the owl's head.
- Punch a hole either side of the opening at the top of the owl, and thread some string through to hang it up with. Now fill with sweets and /or little toys.


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In my first year of harvesting from my peach tree, I learned a few lessons. I was so intent of picking my peaches at the absolute prime level of ripeness that in the process of testing the fruit for ripeness and picking them off the tree, the fruit would get bruised or slightly squished. At first I didn't mind and enthusiastically ate the blemished fruit immediately. But when it started to feel like I was in a competitive peach eating contest, I decided to to switch tactics and instead make peach jam. One of my favorite things about making homemade jam is that you can take advantage of the flavor from perfectly ripened fruit, control how much sugar to add, and add in spices like cinnamon to make it extra special.
Fresh Peach Jam
Makes about 5 half-pint jars
(from Canning for a New Generation- Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry)
12 ounces Granny Smith apples (about 2 large)
4 pounds peaches, peeled, pitted, and diced (about 6 cups)
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Prepare your jars for canning (by sterilizing them).
- Cut the apples into quarters, and cut the cores from them. Put the cores and seeds in a cheesecloth bag, tie it off, and set aside.
- Gently combine the peaches and sugar in a wide, 6 to 8 quart preserving pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, and cook until the juices just cover the peaches.
- Pour the peach mixture into a colander that's set over a large bowl. Stir the peaches gently to drain off the juice.
- Return the juice to the pan. Add the apple quarters and cheesecloth bag. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Boil stirring occasionally, until the syrup is thick and reduced. This takes about 15 minutes.
- Return the peaches (and any accumulated juices) to the pan. Add the lemon juice and cinnamon, stir gently, and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer, stirring frequently until the peaches are very tender.
- Remove the jam from the heat, and stir gently to evenly distribute the fruit in the liquid.
- Remove the cheesecloth bag and the apples.
- Put the jar lids in a medium-sized bowl. Ladle boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Using a jar lifter, remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel.
- Ladle the hot jam into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top.
- Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars. Remove the jar lids from the hot water, and drain the water off the lids. Put a flat lid and ring on each jar, and adjust the ring so that it's just finger-tight.
- Return the filled jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to process.
- Remove the jars to a folded towel, and do not disturb for 12 hours. After 1 hour, check to make sure the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each; if it can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed, and the jar should be refrigerated immediately. Label the sealed jars and store.


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A Cowboy at the End of the World: Perceptive Travel — February 2015.
There was no trail.
Only mountains reaching over a vast, desolate landscape; trees and tall grasses that broke through the snow; rocky cliffs that overlooked the estancias (ranches) of Chilean Patagonia. We saw no other people as we followed our baqueano, or cowboy, on horseback across the rugged terrain.
It was this complete isolation, the wild and wide-open spaces that first captured my attention when I arrived in Patagonia two days before. I'm a Texas girl, used to large expanses of topography. But the completely untamed feel of this place on the road to the end of the world was unlike anything I had experienced elsewhere.
Read the full story at http://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0215/patagonia.html


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President-Elect, Barry Jones did real good at this NWTF still target shoot in myrtle beach. There were 3 divisions and he won 2 of them, muzzle loader and 12 ga open. Here he is feeling real happy and a little proud for the wins. Barry shoots for Indian Creek Choke Tubes.
News >


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Mystone Ardesia Stone Look Tiles
Mystone Ardesia imitates the natural stone by recreating the compactness and graphic patterning and chromatic effects of sedimentary slate in dark and extremely elegant colours. Ideal for floor and wall surfaces in indoor and outdoor spaces with the facility to create unbroken visual continuity between indoors/outdoors, these tiles can also be used in private and residential spaces, public and commercial spaces such as stores, restaurants, bars and hotel lobbies, and to create ventilated curtain walls and raised floors.
- Antracite
- Bianco
- Cenere
- Naturale/Matt
- Outdoor
- 30x60
- 60x60
- 75x75
- 75x150
- 50x100 - 20mm
- Skid resistance
- Frost proof
- Resistance deep abrasion
- High performance
- LEED Credits
- Greenguard Certification
See all collection's tiles
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