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There should be no such thing as idle cash. Put it straight to work with the CitiBusiness® Savings account that's right for you.
CitiBusiness® Savings Account
Keep it simple with a CitiBusiness Savings account —it offers competitive interest rates and is FDIC-insured (up to $250,000 per depositor).
Right for you if:
- You require NO minimum opening deposit
- You want to earn a competitive interest rate
- You need to make an unlimited number of deposits every month. Transfer limits apply.Footnote 1
CitiBusiness® Insured Money Market Account (IMMA)
This account delivers the best of both worlds. Not only will you earn a highly competitive, tiered interest rate, you'll still have access to your funds whenever you need them.Footnote 1,Footnote 2 Plus, IMMAs allow unlimited monthly deposits.
Right for you if:
- You want higher or tiered interest rates
- You want to maintain liquidity
- You need unlimited monthly deposits
CitiBusiness® Certificate of Deposit
A smart way to earn better interest on your savings.
When you really want to make extra cash work for you, a CitiBusiness Certificate of Deposit offers competitive rates. Our FDIC-insured CDs (up to $250,000 per depositor)are fixed term savings accounts. We offer maturities from 7 days to 10 years that may allow you to earn a higher rate with a longer term. . Minimum opening deposit and transfer limits apply.Footnote 3
Right for you if:
- You're ready to make your cash work harder for you
- You're looking for competitive interest rates and a variety of maturity options


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Each week we post a round-up of some of our most exciting national and international PUP book coverage. Reviews, interviews, events, articles–this is the spot for coverage of all things "PUP books" that took place in the last week. Enjoy!
Planning to hop on Uber to find a ride during your upcoming weekend trip? Was it a tweet from a coworker or a status update from an old college friend that put this ride request app on your radar? PUP author Misiek Piskorski appears on Bloomberg TV to examine the story behind how Uber came to flood your Facebook newsfeed. He also takes a closer look at the company's $17 billion valuation. How do companies like Uber and Twitter make money? Piskorski lends his insight.
The segment mentions Piskorski's new book, A Social Strategy, which was reviewed in the Financial Times. Maija Palmer says:
For companies that are struggling to measure social media, Piskorski offers a different way of looking at the problem, and his three tests – the social utility test, the social solution test and the business value test – provide a way to check if a project is working.
In the book, Piskorski examines what makes social media so different from traditional media, and he argues that answering that question is the key to making social media work for any business. In A Social Strategy, he provides the most convincing answer yet, one backed by original research, data, and case studies from companies such as Nike and American Express.
A Social Strategy was also reviewed on PopMatters and featured on Crowdly.
Take a break from drafting witty tweets about the upcoming weekend, and take a look at this interview with Piskorski on Yahoo! Finance. You can also view Chapter One of A Social Strategy.
To celebrate World Oceans Day, the Guardian's GrrlScientist reviewed Stephen and Anthony Palumbi's The Extreme Life of the Sea. The review says that "regardless of your level of knowledge, this quietly joyful and informative book has something of value for everyone."
The Extreme Life of the Sea takes readers to the absolute limits of the ocean world–the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans. It dives into the icy Arctic and boiling hydrothermal vents–and exposes the eternal darkness of the deepest undersea trenches–to show how marine life thrives against the odds. This thrilling book brings to life the sea's most extreme species, and tells their stories as characters in the drama of the oceans. Coauthored by Stephen Palumbi, one of today's leading marine scientists, The Extreme Life of the Sea tells the unforgettable tales of some of the most marvelous life forms on Earth, and the challenges they overcome to survive. Modern science and a fluid narrative style give every reader a deep look at the lives of these species.
You can preview the book, which GrrlScientist calls "sweetly enthusiastic, enlightening and witty and, at times, inspired," by viewing the prologue. Check out this fun video from author Stephen Palumbi — it will get you in gear to celebrate the ocean's fastest creatures.
On Thursday, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo spoke about the Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram more than 60 days ago, and he said he believed that some of the girls "will never return." Reuters reports on Obasanjo's interview with the BBC, where he said he would consider it a "near-miracle" if all of the girls were returned to their families.
As PUP author Jacqueline Bhabha says in her recent Project Syndicate op-ed, it is nothing new that young Nigerian women are taken from their homes; each year, thousands of Nigerian girls are forced into prostitution:
Six of every ten people trafficked to the West are Nigerian, and at least 60% of trafficked sex workers in Italy and Belgium are Nigerian girls. Across Europe, North America, Russia, and the Middle East, these young women are visible to all who bother to look – and have been for decades.
Why is no one outraged? The inconsistency is rooted in the girls' circumstances: the schoolgirls are innocent victims crying out for protection, while the child sex workers are illegal immigrants, slated for deportation as soon as they are caught.
View the entire op-ed, which is entitled "The Nigerian Schoolgirls Near You."
Bhabha is no stranger to the research behind issues like this. A professor of the practice of health and human rights at the Harvard School of Public Health, director of research at Harvard's François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, and the Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Lecturer at Harvard Law School, Bhabha argues that our societies have a deep-seated ambivalence to migrant children–one we need to address head-on. Her new book Child Migration and Human Rights in a Global Age offers a road map for doing just that, and makes a compelling and courageous case for an international ethics of children's human rights. View the introduction here.
Finally, we bring you a review from this week's Wall Street Journal. Yuval Levin calls Peter Schuck's Why Government Fails So Often "an essential manual for 21st-century policy makers." In the book, lawyer and political scientist Peter Schuck provides a wide range of examples and an enormous body of evidence to explain why so many domestic policies go awry–and how to right the foundering ship of state.
Schuck argues that Washington's failures are due not to episodic problems or partisan bickering, but rather to deep structural flaws that undermine every administration, Democratic and Republican. These recurrent weaknesses include unrealistic goals, perverse incentives, poor and distorted information, systemic irrationality, rigidity and lack of credibility, a mediocre bureaucracy, powerful and inescapable markets, and the inherent limits of law. To counteract each of these problems, Schuck proposes numerous achievable reforms, from avoiding moral hazard in student loan, mortgage, and other subsidy programs, to empowering consumers of public services, simplifying programs and testing them for cost-effectiveness, and increasing the use of "big data."
Michael Barone includes Schuck's book in a recent column discussing the VA, and the book is included in a feature in the Miami Herald on the same subject.
Check out Chapter One of Why Government Fails So Often.

subset: commoncrawl


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Don't Be So Fast to Judge a Cat by Its Color, New Study Warns
Just like humans, domestic cats are often judged by their color, and the media and folklore help perpetuate these stereotypes.
... feline typecasting can have a negative impact on adoption rates at animal shelters...
"To date there is little evidence that these perceived differences between differently colored cats actually exist, but there are serious repercussions for cats if people believe that some cat colors are friendlier than others," said Mikel Delgado, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology at UC Berkeley.
While most people surveyed said personality informs their decision about which cat to adopt, the characteristics they ascribed to cats based on their coat color indicated that color consciously or unconsciously played a key role in their final choice of which kitty to take home.
... reactions to black cats can be so strong, she said, that few adoptions take place at the shelter when there are more than a few black cats in the adoption room.
Views: 342
A great set of photos and commentary here:
Top 10 reasons to adopt a black cat
I love black cats!! They are my favorite!
Thanks for the link Grinning cat.
I read that whole article you linked - so interesting and fun to read.
I have to go and get some black cats now.
A short time after I lost my beloved Siamese, I decided to get a new kitten, and went to the shelter. Well, the only kitten they had (it was just after Halloween a year ago) was this little black thing, so I adopted him. I'm pretty sure he was feral, because he was found wandering along a street, and too young (maybe 4 or 5 weeks) to be separated from his mother. So I took him, and he's still a work in progress — at first, I couldn't even touch him without his biting and scratching, and now I can pet him freely, and we are working on being held. I have exactly NO regrets about adopting this little hobo — and he has a forever home. I wish all feral kittens, of any color, could be neutered and adopted — they're harder to work with than kittens from pet or pedigreed mothers, who have been handled from birth, but very worth it!
Good to hear how you worked at the problem! They are always worth it - the love and care that you put in come back to you. I had one of those feral kittens; the nest was abandoned by her mother and Poeka was found among dying siblings, only three weeks old. We had to teach her almost everything; eating, washing, house rules, getting picked up without panicking, playing. Luckily our MauMau helped training Poeka too, but even so, there was a lot she refused to the end of her days, like cleaning ears, and swallowing medicine. One thing was special about her: she seemed to keep the idea that she was still a kitten - and always confused the other cats with her kitten play. She would punch everyone left and right with her back up and tail bristling - not really the way to make friends when you're grown up. But she stayed with us for 18 years, and I still miss her.
Great article.
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New Zealanders who follow official encouragement to file their Census returns online today may be met with a "busy" message.
About 7000 temporary staff will have handed out 6.4 million Census forms by tonight - 1.8 million dwelling forms and 4.6 million individual forms for a population estimated at 4.46 million plus visitors, who must also fill in the forms.
Census spokeswoman Vikki Carter said 35 per cent, or about 2.2 million, were expected to be returned online, but the system was designed to cope with no more than 200,000 an hour.
"The system can handle up to 200,000 forms being submitted per hour before it slows," she said.
If that number is exceeded, "respondents will receive a notice advising that the site is busy. The site will be limited to a maximum number of users to ensure the site provides a good user experience," she said.
"If our 'site busy threshold' is reached, those users already on the site will be able to complete their forms successfully. It is only new users that will receive a busy notice."
The Minister of Statistics, Maurice Williamson, yesterday encouraged people to use the online option.
"It's quick, easy and secure."
Ms Carter said more than 500,000 forms had already been filed online by yesterday afternoon, and Statistics NZ did not expect all the rest today.
"While there is a Census day, and we want as many people as possible to do it on Census day, there will be a few people who, for one reason or another, do it later," she said.
About 30 per cent of Australians filed their Census returns online in 2011. The proportion was only 16 per cent in Britain in the same year, but 54 per cent in Canada where people were mailed an internet access code instead of a questionnaire.
A Herald Online poll last week found 58 per cent of Herald website readers planned to file their returns online. Only 31 per cent intended to return paper forms and 11 per cent said they would not file returns at all.
The $72 million Census is New Zealand's first for seven years after the planned 2011 Census was cancelled because of the Christchurch earthquake. The questions are identical to the last Census in 2006 except for minor wording changes such as replacing Scotland with India in the options listed for birthplace.
Filling in the forms is compulsory for everyone in New Zealand today, with a fine of up to $500 for non-filers. In 2006 70 people were prosecuted for not filing returns. Despite this, the non-response rate has risen from 4.4 per cent in 1996 to 5 per cent in 2001 and 5.2 per cent in 2006.
The final net under-count was estimated at 1.6 per cent in 1996, 2.2 per cent in 2001 and 2 per cent in 2006.
But demographer Ian Pool said this was still "very, very low" compared with most countries and the Census was still the only source of information on detailed subsets of the population.
He said New Zealand was too small to follow some European countries that have replaced their censuses with sample surveys.
"In South Africa, a 10 per cent sample gives you five million people. In New Zealand it gives you 400,000."
'2016 Census will put us in sync'
Demographer Ian Pool wants us to fill in Census forms again in three years so we can get back into sync with other Commonwealth countries.
The Census that was due in 2011 was postponed until today because of the Christchurch earthquake, and Statistics NZ says the next one will be in 2018. But Professor Pool, an emeritus professor at Waikato University, says it should be in 2016 instead to coincide with Australia.
Australia's 2011 Census found 483,000 people living in Australia who were born in NZ, plus others born there to Kiwi parents.
"The comparisons are extremely important. There is an obviously critical one for New Zealand with Australia," he said.
Most Commonwealth countries have held censuses a year after the turn of each decade since 1801.
Professor Pool said that if New Zealand moved to a new rotation from 2013, comparisons would be much more difficult.
On the web:


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You wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive, so why would you book a vacation without first checking out where it is you'd be calling your home away from home? In my opinion, where you lay your head at night is sometimes just as important as the sights and activities you experience during the day.
No one wants to sacrifice cleanliness, luxury, or amenities to get a cheaper price for a vacation. That's why we work extra hard at Friendly Planet Travel to get you the comfort and luxury you deserve at the end of the day for prices that would put you in a flea bag motel with most other travel companies. And it's something that we're incredibly proud of.
As such, I'll be introducing you to a number of the hotels we work with in various cities throughout the world, so you can see for yourself. Just like our "All Aboard" series, this "Bedroom Abroad" series will give you a little taste of the standards that we expect from our hoteliers.
In keeping with this week's Greek theme, first up is the four-star Titania Hotel in Athens, Greece. The Titania is a true urban oasis, nestled in the historic and commercial center of Athens. Located between the city's major squares, Syntagma and Omonia, the hotel has been a paragon of Greek hospitality for over 30 years. Recent renovations set this Athenian institution apart aesthetically, technologically, and functionally.
The majestic lobby with its marble floors and intricate mosaics depicting Hellenic themes, the comfortable and modern guestrooms, the award-winning restaurants, the newly renovated shopping arcade, and the unrivaled views of the Acropolis are just a few of the features that make the Titania Hotel one of the premier places to stay in Athens. Not to mention, Titania's prime location in the heart of Athens puts the city's historical sites, cultural attractions, shopping venues, vibrant nightlife, and public transportation within easy reach.
As for the Titania's recently refurbished 385 guestrooms, they can best be characterized as comfortable, elegant, and functional.Tastefully decorated and thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience, all rooms feature air-conditioning, high-speed internet access, satellite TV, mini-bar, and safety deposit box. The luxurious en suite bathrooms come stocked with toiletries and a hairdryer. Non-smoking rooms are also available.
Onsite dining includes La Brasserie, a cozy venue serving lunch, dinner, and light snacks. For fancier fare, the Titania's elegant rooftop Olive Garden Restaurant serves gourmet cuisine in an upscale, yet subdued setting. The award-winning Olive Garden Restaurant has won the admiration of food critics for its wide array of superb dishes from all over Greece and the Mediterranean, in addition to its exclusive international wine list.
For more information on the Titania Hotel, please feel free to contact anyone from Friendly Planet Travel, or have a look at the Titania Hotel's Web site. I'd also be happy to put you in contact with a Friendly Planet Travel vacationer who has stayed at the Titania.
Your Bedroom Abroad: Titania Hotel in Athens, Greece
You wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive, so why would you book a vacation without first checking out where it is you'd be calling your home away from home? In my opinion, where you lay your head at night is sometimes just as important as the sights and activities you experience during the day.


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One of the last things Fred John Kleman Jr. ever did was tell a speeding driver to slow down.
Minutes later, he was dead in what witnesses characterized as an extreme case of road rage - the furious driver sped back to the scene and ran Kleman down, then tried to beat him with a metal bar, according to state police.
"He was saying to slow down because we were worried about how they race up the street," said Kleman's girlfriend, Cathy Huk, 54, who said she knew the Plymouth man for about 13 years. "He was just telling him to slow down and that guy wanted to kill him."
State police arrested Lorenzo Burgos, 21, of 469 Third St., Plymouth, on charges of homicide by motor vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, two counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of careless driving and reckless driving.
Those who knew Kleman questioned the charges of vehicular homicide and manslaughter, which carry significantly lighter sentences than a murder conviction. The most serious charge, vehicular homicide, carries a maximum sentence of 3½ to seven years in prison.
"It wasn't manslaughter. That was premeditated murder," Huk said. "He said he was going to murder him, because after he hit him (with the car), he tried to hit him with a pipe. How can that be just manslaughter? It wasn't an accident that he was going over there. He was going after all of us."
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said she could not comment specifically on how prosecutors decided on the charges, although she noted the charges could change.
"We charged based on the facts that were presented to us and the information we had," Salavantis said. "If that information changes while conducting the investigation, the charges can always be amended."
Police say Burgos hit and killed Kleman Jr., 42, of 256 E. Main St., about 7:50 p.m. Wednesday near 125 Nottingham St. in Plymouth Borough.
According to a state police affidavit, police were called to the scene to a report that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian and another vehicle and that the driver got out and ran toward Main Street.
Authorities at the scene found Kleman mortally wounded and two smashed vehicles. Kleman was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township, where he was pronounced dead at 9:04 p.m.
Neighborhood resident Mike Olexy Jr. said he was talking with Ronald Faye Miller and Kleman about his Jeep when they saw Burgos' white Toyota Celica speeding up the hill.
Olexy told police a child was crossing the street farther up the hill, so Kleman stepped out into the road to get the car to slow down, according to the affidavit.
"Slow down, this isn't a racetrack," the affidavit quotes Kleman as saying.
Witnesses reported Kleman tapped the trunk of the car as it passed. The driver slowed down, flipped Kleman the middle finger and drove off, according to police.
But minutes later, the car came back down the hill, intentionally swerving toward the group, police said.
"He came down, swerved," Olexy said. "We were all talking. I was like, 'Ronnie, move!' We ran into the driveway and he hit Freddy."
Huk said she was also on the street when the car sped back down the hill but was able to get out of the way.
"He was heading for all four of us but he wanted Fred," Huk said. "I moved out of the way and the two other young men moved out of the way, and he got Fred right onto his windshield. By the time I turned around, I seen him already on the sidewalk."
The car hit a parked Hyundai Santa Fe and the driver got out saying, "Where's he at? I'm gonna kill him," the affidavit says. The driver ran around to the passenger side, and Olexy's uncle, Michael Merth, tried to detain him until police arrived, investigators said. The driver, however, broke free and ran off.
After fleeing the scene, Burgos ran first to a bar on Main Street where he tried to call police, the affidavit says. Unable to use the phone there, Burgos went to Convenient Mart on Main Street and called 911 to turn himself in, police said.
During questioning, Burgos admitted being the driver, saying he had been on his way home with two of his fiancee's children when the incident took place, the affidavit says. Burgos reported hearing a "boom" on his car as he passed Kleman and that in response he flipped him off, police said.
Burgos claimed Kleman then squatted in the road and began waving both middle fingers at him, motioning for him to come back, according to the affidavit.
The driver went home and left the car running while he dropped the children off and told his fiancee what happened, police said. He told his fiancee he was going back to fight the man who flipped him off, and she told him not to go, the affidavit says.
Burgos told police he grabbed two metal bars used for a jack and got back into his car, according to the affidavit.
The plan, Burgos told police, was to speed toward the man who flipped him off and "slam on the brakes" to stop just short of him, the affidavit says. But as he approached at about 30 to 40 mph, he told investigators he hit the accelerator instead of the brake, or possibly both, and was unable to stop because the tires were bad, according to police.
Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker arraigned Burgos on Thursday morning and ordered him jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with bail set at $1 million.
A preliminary hearing was set for 1 p.m. Aug. 21.
email@example.com, 570-821-2058


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Nathan Gold needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 112 designs submitted by 35 freelance designers.
We are a technology training company that specializes in teaching people how to give power demos.
The Demo Coach http://www.democoach.com/staging4
I am looking for a cool Web 2.0 design for our site named The Demo Coach.
Have a look at the site to get a better idea of what we are doing, but please keep in mind the words "power", "action", and "confidence" when creating the logo.
- A logo for our new site
- Feel free to change the way the words The Demo Coach look on our home page header. It is only a place holder for now.
- Please try and use the color scheme we have on our home page which are Blue: #468FAF and Gold: FDB012.
- The Demo Coach not in all upper case letters.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Collecting Drawings: A Public & Private Affair
2012 Symposium
September 28–29, 2012
Free and Open to the Public
Registration Required
Limited Seating
Collecting Drawings Symposium Video on YouTube (in 19 parts)
Curators, collectors, and dealers discuss the intricate relationship between the private and public spheres of collecting art. The symposium is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, Drawn to Excellence: Renaissance to Romantic Drawings from a Private Collectionon view September 28, 2012–January 6, 2013. Support for the Emily Hall Tremaine Symposium has been provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Fund through the initiative of Dorothy Tremaine Hildt '49.
Image Credit: Gaetano Gandolfi. San Matteo della Decima 1734–1802 Bologna. Marta Gandolfi,c. 1778. Black, red, and white chalk with stumping on brown paper. Private collection.


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The Northshore Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors is made up of the following members as of Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 (individual Board Member responsibility is outlined in the Bylaws and Operating Procedures):
All NYSA Officers can also be reached by sending correspondence to the NYSA Office.
The NYSA Board Meeting is held at 7:30pm on the first Tuesday of each calendar month. It is open to all NYSA members. Contact the NYSA office (425/486-5106) for the location, to place something on the agenda, or leave a message for one of the Board Members.


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Pictured above are two soaps that I've recently made. The top soap is called "Solar Energy" and the bottom picture is "Jasmine Dreams".
Solar Energy was not made using solar energy, OK? It is more of a color and fragrance thing. I wanted to emulate the colors of sunsets or fiery colors...sun related somehow and the fragrance oil I added to it is called "Energy" which is a fresh, citrusy...BAM! type fragrance. A waker-upper. Not overwhelming, but makes its presence known all at the same time. The picture was taken less than 24 hours after making the soap. I had just cut them into bars so they are still a bit rough around the edges.
The second soap is a gentle, tropical floral fragrance with just a hint of green tea in the background. Jasmine dreams has pink and white swirls throughout the entire bar. I love jasmine as a fragrance so these are a favorite of mine. Like the Solar Energy, I had just cut them into bars shortly before taking the picture.
Both of these soaps will be curing into a gentle, lathery soap over the next six weeks and will not be ready until August 27th.
An announcement will be made when they are ready and an immediate 20% discount to anyone who purchases one of these soaps in the first week they are on sale. This discount is ONLY good for those who have read this blog and mention this blog at the time of sale.
Anyone interested in reserving any or both of these soaps in advance, please let me know at either of my shop sites.
Each soap is 3 1/2 oz. each and are $3.75 regular price
With 20% discount, you receive each bar for $3.00 (not including shipping of course)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Get ready for August! Upcoming Soaps.
Posted by Trish's Soapy Blessings at 5:23 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: august, discount, handmade, Jasmine Dreams, sale, soap, Solar Energy
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Specials found only on my blog site
With each soap order, I send out specials. I also have specials that are posted on this site only that you can redeem on either my etsy or silkfair site.
Want to keep up on any specials? Sign up for my blogger newsletter.
This special lasts until July 31st, 2008
FREE SHIPPING! Applies to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
The next applies to anyone in the world: Buy two, get one free! Third item must be of equal or lesser value than your lowest priced purchase. AND YES, free shipping is still in effect for U.S. and Canadian residents.
This offer also good through July 31st, 2008.
Posted by Trish's Soapy Blessings at 8:36 AM 2 comments Links to this post


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Michelle Obama's African Visit
In 2009 in Accra, Ghana, the President highlighted our nation's commitment to Africa's future, underscoring that in this globalized world, Africa's democratic development, health and security is connected to our own.
[Global: Africa]
First Lady Michelle Obama is traveling South Africa and two other African countries towards the end of June, The White House has announced.
Additionally, Mrs. Obama will travel to Botswana during an official visit to Africa from June 21 -- 26 focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness.
The trip is a continuation of Mrs. Obama's work to engage young people at home and abroad, from mentoring students in the United States and encouraging them to gain international experience, to encouraging young people to excel academically, serve, and lead during her visits to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Accompanying Mrs. Obama on this trip will be her mother, Mrs. Robinson and her daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
This visit to two critical countries will underscore that the United States has an important stake in the success of Africa's many nations and underscore the historic connections between the American people and those who live on the African continent.
South Africa is a vital global partner for the United States, as political leader and economic engine on the continent, and a historic example of democratic transition in Africa and around the world. Botswana's enduring democracy, bolstered by its commitment to using its vast natural resources to invest in its people and grow its economy, models the potential for good governance, and strong institutions to advance prosperous and stable societies.
In addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady's events will amplify the President's support for democracy, development and economic opportunity across Africa. During her trip, Mrs. Obama will deliver the keynote address to a U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa.
Forum participants include young women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries.
The Forum will build on the Obama Administration's ongoing engagement with the next generation of African leaders and the momentum of the August 2010 President's Forum with Young African Leaders held at the White House.
Mrs. Obama's engagement with the people of South Africa and Botswana, as well as women and youth leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa, will further strengthen the already deep connections between the United States and African nations, The White House said.
The Obama Administration has focused on expanding ties across the region's people, based upon mutual respect, mutual responsibility and shared interests. In 2009 in Accra, Ghana, the President highlighted our nation's commitment to Africa's future, underscoring that in this globalized world, Africa's democratic development, health and security is connected to our own.
Africa's future will be shaped by its growing and dynamic youth population. Building stronger and more enduring relationships with Africa's emerging young leaders, tapping the strength and potential of African women, and investing in the health and well-being of its children upholds core American values and advances American interests.
From long standing family and ancestral ties to significant engagement by our houses of worship, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and businesses, the American people have deep ties and enduring relationships with Africa's many nations and a strong interest in the wellbeing and prosperity of its people.
In addition, each year more than 30,000 African students study in American schools, colleges and universities, while more than 10,000 American students study in schools across Africa. The United States government also sponsors a range of exchange programs supporting African leadership, economic growth and cultural ties between our two people.
"Speaking Truth To Empower."
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I think you have "Filtered HTML" turned on here. If you switch to "Full HTML," it will probably...
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A tourist on a farm asked the farmer why one pig had a wooden leg.
The farmer said, "That pig is the bravest pig I ever saw."
"So why does he have a wooden leg?" the tourist asked.
"One night, our house caught on fire, and he came inside and woke us all up."
The tourist asked again, "So, why does that pig have a wooden leg?"
"You can't eat a pig that brave all at once!"


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The town of Golden Meadow is cracking down on Mardi Gras paraders who throw beads too hard and is looking into the town's liability after a recent incident.
The town of Golden Meadow is cracking down on Mardi Gras paraders who throw beads too hard and is looking into the town's liability after a recent incident.
Golden Meadow Mayor Joey Bouziga said the Town Council passed a resolution Monday to request an opinion from the town's attorney on what, if any, liability the town faces if a reveler is injured by a parader's throws.
Much of the discussion centered around complaints from the Krewe of Neptune's parade on Fat Tuesday, Bouziga said.
A Neptune float was emptied by law enforcement after complaints of overly aggressive bead throwing, he said. A person attending the parade reported being hit hard in the face by one of the krewe's throws.
When deputies for the Sheriff's Office approached the float, Bouziga said, nobody would take credit for the throw, so all of the riders were pulled.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office could not comment on specific complaints about the parade but confirmed it generated numerous complaints of overly aggressive throwing.
It was unclear if any arrests were made after the parade.
"I had reports to my office of many different instances I was not very happy with," Bouziga said. "Some floats were normal, but some got out of hand."
Krewe Vice President Chuckie Cheramie said he had heard of the complaints but had not yet discussed them with his krewe.
Cheramie argued most parades receive similar complaints each year.
Bouziga said these complaints are not completely unheard of during parade season, but the Neptune parade generated more than any in recent memory.
"It seems like it escalated a little too much this year," Bouziga said. "You have people on the side of the road with the kids. We want safety of the people. It's our obligation to make sure rules are followed."
Though Neptune was the focus of Monday's meeting, it's clear problems with throwing too hard were not exclusive to that parade. Reader comments and complaints poured into the Daily Comet and The Courier Facebook pages earlier this month.
"My complaint would go against the Krewe of Hercules because these men, even though they have supposedly been told time and time again not to throw like they are purposefully trying to hurt someone, (they) do it anyway," said Jennifer Felarise, in response to a Facebook post. "It's a shame that people go to enjoy parades, and some leave with headaches and bruises, possibly black eyes and concussions all because some drunken idiots think its funny."
Toot Theriot, Neptune's former president of 48 years, said he has noticed more issues with aggressive throwing in recent years.
He blamed that escalation on young people who drink too much.
"They start early with the excessive drinking," said Theriot, who resigned from the position last year. "It can get dangerous."
Theriot said the issue is something each krewe must confront to avoid a potentially crippling lawsuit.
"All the money invested in the parade and floats — one lawsuit could knock all that out. Somebody could get injured one day and that is what will happen."
Bouziga said the inquiry into the krewe's behavior is to protect the safety of paraders and those watching.
He emphasized officials with the krewe are as determined as anyone to root out the problem.
"They want to work it out," Bouziga said. "They don't like that kind of foolishness either."


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Name: Kevin
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Location: Toronto
I'm just out of college and have a ton of bills and no real job prospects at the moment. A friend suggested I do some escorting to make ends meet. Guys tell me that I'm hot and I like sex, but I don't know if I could pull it off. Suggestions?
You betcha I have suggestions…a lot of 'em, don't 'cha know.
Being hot and liking sex are great assets if you decide to turn pro, but you'll need way more than that. Being a sex worker is not like having sex for love or even having recreational sex. You will be exchanging sex for money and that makes it a business proposition. Therefore you'd be wise to approach this with as much forethought as you would any other career move. It is, after all, the world's oldest profession.
If you do decide to set up shop, so to speak, you'll need the capacity to have sex with a much wider range of people than if you were looking for a date. And probably just as important, when there's an exchange of money, the john becomes your customer. And you know what they say about the customer always being right. The truth of the matter is that all pro sex is client directed. It's not about you even when it looks like it's all about you.
So let's say you're a really great fuck, fun to be with too. You'll also need the emotional distance and psychological resilience to cope with the intimacy issues this line of work creates. This is precisely the point where most fledgling sex workers flounder. They either give too much or not enough. Some actually resent their clients for renting them. I know, this is totally absurd, but it happens all the time. This lack of clarity will cause you to have trouble establishing healthy boundaries between you and your john.
Regardless if you are a cheap street hustler turning tricks to support a drug habit or an expensive rent-boy who is servicing the rich and famous, the pitfalls are the same. A lot of sex workers are self-destructive or have huge unresolved sex issues that they try to compensate for by making people pay them for what they usually give away.
If you still think this is a line of work for you, Kevin, be aware that your mind and body are your greatest business assets. Take care of them. Nurture them. Keep them clean, fit and toned. Hygiene, both physical and mental, is a must. Body awareness, not the narcissistic type, and safe-sex practices are your frontline defense against STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Make it your business to be tested for HIV and the other common STIs on a regular (every 3-6 months) basis.
Stay clean and sober while on the job. More sex workers get busted for drugs rather than hustling. Know how to handle a drugged out client. You'll probably see a lot of those. Know that they can take forever to get off, and can sometimes be paranoid and dangerous.
Speaking of getting busted; you know this line of work is against the law, don't you. That of course doesn't stop lots of people from plying their trade. But the successful ones will have their wits about them, particularly in terms of how they market themselves. Never suggest, in any forum — written or spoken, that you are offering sexual favors for money.
Be fiscally responsibility. Plan for the lean times…and there are always lean times. You'll probably be a hot property at first; ya know the whole "new meat" phenomenon. Don't let this go to your head. Count on there being cuter, younger, hotter competitors getting off the bus tomorrow. Try to cultivate a number of regular clients. Have a thought to how and where you will market yourself. And I fully encourage you not to do this full-time, at least not at first. If you find it difficult to meet your financial goals, you'll be tempted to do more and more risky things just to make ends meet.
Sex work is often more about being psychologically present than a sexual performance. Your clients will often be more lonely and isolated then they are horny. Treat them with respect. Improve your mind. Make yourself interesting. Stay abreast on current affairs and the popular culture. Develop other skills like massage and bodywork.
You should have at least one trusted friend who knows your whereabouts at all times, or who has access to your appointment book. Protect yourself: use a pager or cell phone and never make a date with anyone who won't share his/her phone number with you. Always make a call back before you head out. Keep an appointment book, in code if you must.
Carry a travel bag or backpack with you to all your "dates". This should contain the basics: condoms, lube, massage oil, handi-wipes, toys, etc. But you should also have an extra shirt and mace (or other protective equipment). Keep all your belongings — clothing, phone, watch, and wallet — together and near your bag. Know where that bag is at all times and be ready to pick up and leave if there's trouble.
I also suggest that you connect with other sex workers in your area. There is strength in numbers. Other rent-boys will provide you with essential information about troublesome clients and help you get the lay of the land, so to speak.
Finally, here's a few of great resource for all sex workers — The Sex Workers Outreach Project, BAYSWAN, and St James Infirmary.


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Thanks to a friend for keeping this blog free of scams, hoaxes, and inaccuracies:
Sad to say, the video is a fake. Here's a comment I received back from a friend who was a Phantom Phlyer back in the day:
> It is a fake. The aircraft shown is an R/C model. The wing "broke off" in a low G maneuver such as you would need if you had some pins that needed pulling. There were no control cables which would need to be yanked out of the disabled wing. The gear would be flattened on a real aircraft with that hard of a landing.
> There are many comments on the internet by R/C people how they recognize the aircraft and the maneuver.
> It is a faked video.
You did ask to be informed if anything you posted was questionable.


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Food Delivery Startup Munchery Raises $28 Million Following Successful GrubHub IPO
Online food delivery has become big business.
GrubHub Inc. and Just Eat PLC recently made public market debuts, and American upstarts like EatClub Inc., Spoonrocket Inc. and Zesty Inc. have raised venture funding.
Internationally, PedidosYa S.A. delivers in countries across Latin and South America, and Delivery Hero Holding GmbH operates services across Europe, Asia and Australia.
Now, venture-backed startup Munchery Inc. is pulling ahead of the pack in North America, fueled by $28 million in Series B funding.
Sherpa Ventures led Munchery's Series B round, joined by e.ventures and Menlo Ventures (also early backers). The funding included angel investors known in the food and hospitality world, including Roy Choi, the chef behind Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles, and Jon Favreau, renowned actor, writer and director of the forthcoming film "Chef."
Another way that Munchery stands out in this crowded market is with a hybrid approach to producing some of the food that it sells and delivers.
First, it offers meals created by select local chefs, who cook those entrees during their kitchens' otherwise un-utilized hours.
But Munchery also employs a full-time staff of culinary professionals, including eight chefs and 20 staff assistants. Their latest culinary addition is Scott Newman, former executive chef of Rubicon in San Francisco.
According to chief executive and co-founder Tri Tran, Munchery started producing some of its own food in order to handle spikes in demand.
A typical restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area will serve between 150 to 250 people per dinner. Munchery makes 1,500 deliveries, including about 5,000 different items per dinner.
"We can't just call on a chef who is busy serving their patrons at lunch to make more orders of the grilled chicken, or the miso salmon dish, or whatever is selling well that day," the CEO said.
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Conrad Chu said Munchery's technology has also helped the company to win over a diverse client base.
Munchery customers range from professional athletes, celebrities and executives, to senior citizens on a fixed income, single workers and families, he said. The service is also used by patrons who cannot easily go out to restaurants and groceries due to health limitations.
One example of the company's proprietary technology is its order- and change-management system that allows customers to tweak a detail about their order without calling the kitchen.
"You may be running late and decide you want your food delivered to a friend's house, not your house. So on our system, you can change the delivery time and address. It's the kind of flexibility that you wish you'd get from FedEx , Amazon or UPS," Mr. Chu said.
Munchery entrees--priced between $9 and $13 each--are delivered partly cooked, and customers are expected to heat them up the last bit at home. This stops food from arriving in a soggy, over-cooked state. The company charges about $4 per delivery no matter how many meals are included in an order.
Following the one-for-one model made popular by Warby Parker and TOMS Shoes, Munchery donates one meal to the San Francisco and Marin Food Bank for every meal ordered on its site.
Shervin Pishevar of Sherpa Ventures says, "At this point, Munchery is the largest restaurant in the world if you go by the number of orders it's doing in San Francisco alone from one kitchen."
Mr. Pishevar also called Munchery a "kitchen in the cloud," that will likely be "bigger than Chipotle, an $18 billion business."
The company and its investors expect Munchery to use the $28 million Series B funding to bring its food delivery service to Seattle, other large markets in the U.S. and beyond.
Restaurant industry sales for 2014 are expected to reach $683.4 billion, according to forecasts by the National Restaurant Industry Association.
Earlier, Munchery raised $210,000 in seed funding and $4 million in Series A funding, bringing its total capital raised to $32.21 million.
Write to Lora Kolodny at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter at @lorakolodny
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Mathematics- project course (large)15 credits
Linnaeus University's campus is located roughly 15 minutes with bicycle from the city centre. Campus is like a small society in its own right, with the university, student accommodation and student life all in one place. Everything happens on campus – here you become part of a creative knowledge environment and an eventful student life.
What will you find when exploring Växjö? There is a great selection of restaurants and cosy cafés. There is a large lake in the city centre, beautiful nature is always nearby. Many students enjoy the combination of the city centre in Växjö and life on campus. This is where your dream of the future begins!


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Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
How to make oatmeal raisin cookies that are soft in the middle, a little chewy on the outside and full of warm flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Jump to the Oatmeal Cookies Recipe or watch our quick recipe video showing you how to make it.
These cookies are very easy to make and you don't need any fancy equipment – only a hand mixer. We love easy recipes like this one. Plus, you can adapt it — we like using regular and golden raisins, but you could add dried cranberries, dried cherries, nuts or even chocolate chips.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to make the best homemade chocolate chip cookies. This easy recipe makes cookies with crisp edges and chewy middles.
How to Make the Best Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
You can make these cookies in minutes. Below are our top tips for making them.
Start by beating softened butter with sugar until creamy. Egg and vanilla is added and then we can move onto the dry ingredients. For the dry ingredients, we call for flour, oats — we prefer rolled oats for their texture, warm baking spices, and some salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture in a few batches and then stir in raisins. We love using a combination of golden and regular raisins. In addition to that, we actually plump up the raisins before adding them. Just add some hot water to the raisins and leave them for a few minutes. In this time, the raisins rehydrate a little and plump up.
You can make the cookies as big or little as you like. Just before baking, we lightly press balls of dough down onto the baking sheet to help them spread and bake into perfectly shaped cookies. After some time in the oven, the cookies smell incredible and are ready to be devoured.
For more cookie recipes, check out our Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies, our Soft Ginger Cookies with Chocolate Chips and our Rich Buttery Shortbread Cookies.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, review it, and don't forget to tag a photo #inspiredtaste on Instagram. Happy cooking!
We have partnered (December 2012) with OXO to help raise awareness about a wonderful charity dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer. We were not paid for this recipe or post, however, OXO products were provided for use in the making of our recipe and video. We're honored to be a part of this opportunity. To learn more, please visit Cookies For Kids' Cancer. You can also learn more about OXO's involvement (two of their employees started it) as well as ways you can help.
Recipe updated, originally posted December 2012. Since posting this in 2012, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear and added a quick recipe video. – Adam and Joanne
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
This oatmeal raisin cookie recipe makes cookies that are soft in the middle, a little chewy on the outside and full of warm flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. They are very easy to make and you don't need any fancy equipment – only a hand mixer. We use two types of raisins in these oatmeal cookies for color and extra texture (the golden raisins are slightly softer). You could, however, choose to only use one kind and they will still be fantastic.
You Will Need
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup hot water
3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup (200 grams) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup (100 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
3 cups (270 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
- Bake Cookies
Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Add raisins to a small bowl then cover with hot water. The hot water helps the raisins to become plump and juicy. Set the bowl aside for about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar with a hand blender until creamy, about 2 minutes. (You can also use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment). Add the egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract then beat until combined, about 1 minute.
In another bowl, use a whisk to combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Next, add the oats then stir until well combined. Add the oat mixture to the butter and sugar mixture in thirds, beating after each addition until incorporated.
Drain the raisins then gently press down or squeeze them to remove any extra water. Stir them into the cookie batter. (Use a spatula or spoon for this, not the mixer).
Drop dough by two tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. (You can also use a large cookie scoop for this). Then, wet the tips of your fingers with water and gently press cookies down until they are about 1/2-inch thick. If some of the cookies have no raisins showing on top, steal a few raisins from the bowl and add to the tops of the cookies (they are prettier this way).
Bake cookies 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown, the center is still soft. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 10 minutes then move to a cooling rack and cool completely.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- This cookie recipe has been inspired and adapted by Joy of Baking's Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste
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February 17, 2019, 3:05 am
i tried your recipe today and I love it! Thanks for sharing!
January 30, 2019, 2:07 pm
i was just looking and it caught my eyes,i will definetly try it
December 4, 2018, 9:45 am
The first time I made these they were awesome then I doubled the recipe and they weren't as good why?


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|Centre Bookings
|Privacy Policy
more grants...
Centre Bookings
Our headquarters in Sandleheath is available to hire for a range of uses. If you're interesting in booking the centre then please visit our online booking system.
Group HomepageSandleheath is a successful Scout Group located near Fordingbridge - on the edge of the New Forest.
Being a Sea Scout Troop enables the young people to participate in a range of water activities, as well as a range of 'traditional' Scout activities - such as Camping and Hiking. Many also complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
To see some examples of the activities that we have been involved in, please read the group newsletter - 'Waterlines':
Recent photos
The youngest members of the group are Beavers, aged 6 to 8. If you want to add your name to the waiting list for Beavers please use the 'Beaver Section' recipient on the contact form.
For other enquiries please contact us or ring Ros White on 01425 654025.


text: Take a terrain as smooth and flat as a blanket. Weave into it lush farmland, glittering lakes, historic villages, bustling markets and one seriously famous university. Eastern England is one long expanse of rural wonderful, dotted with regal and atmospheric towns. A Middle Ages boom in wool and weaving industry created a wealth in the region that can still be felt in its soaring cathedrals, like the ones in Ely and Peterborough, and its pretty medieval towns, such as Stamford and Lavenham. Cambridge is the deserved star of the Eastern England show, with its old-world architecture, renowned reputation and down-right beauty. Ramble through the green lands, stopping in whatever town suits your fancy, all the way until you reach the tranquil coast. Stately seaside resorts ooze Edwardian charm, while marshy nature reserves lure bird watchers. Crisscross your way back through the glittering waterways of the Broads, and discover just how much history and nature can be sewn in to one flat expanse.


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Compare cheap flights to Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is an administrative area in Monaco. It is most popular for the Monte Carlo Casino, which is frequently visited by rich tourists who are into gambling from different countries all over the world. But this is not the only thing that you could see in this place, as it also boasts of beautiful scenery near the sea and other attractions.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Monte Carlo?
Flights to Monte Carlo
While Monte Carlo does not have its own airport, the nearest one that you can take is Côte-d'Azur International, which is located in Nice, France. This would not be a problem as there are various modes of transportations that you can take from this neighboring country to Monte Carlo including train, taxi and bus. Distance is about 24 miles or 40 kilometers. In taking a taxi, it is recommended to call in advance, as those that you get from the street often charge higher.
Exotic Monte Carlo
There are several hotels to choose from near the sea area that will give you a fantastic view of the blue waters and the yachts. One of the most popular attractions here is the Oceanography Museum. It has over 90 tanks with various sea creatures. Just adjacent to the museum is Exotic Garden, where you can find different flowers and plants that can relax your senses. The grand Cathedrale de Monaco that was built in the 19th century is another place to visit. Palais du Prince on the other hand is the official residence of the family, where you can watch the changing of the guards ceremony everyday at 11:55 am.
Have a fun time in Monte Carlo. Book a flight with Skiddoo and enjoy traveling at the cheapest cost.
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Karl-o-gram #3, 2009, pencil on paper
Value, Where Quality and Price Meet, pencil on paper
How to Have a Socially Responsible Orgasm and Other Life Lessons
Karl Haendel's exacting graphite drawings cull imagery from personal and cultural sources that touch on Americanproduction, consumption and conservation, as well as his painstakingly labor-intensive studio practice. The artist has likened his working process to that of a political commentator or editorialist, and this exhibition provides both a meditation on authorship and a cautionary tale for these recessionary times. Finding the recent national interest in recycling to be framed by a particularly American consumerist mindset, Haendel revisits World War II propaganda that encouraged the rationing of gas, food and other materials. Slogans like "Food is a Weapon: Don't Waste It!" hang alongside renderings of barking dogs, Humpty Dumpty, steam-engine trains and police tape, offering a potent set of symbols for industry and conservation alike.Haendel accompanies these images with suggestions of a depleted economy too long dependent on overproduction and overconsumption, from his largely unframed, rough-hewn, teeming installation, to the graphite and spray-paint drawings that interpolate abstract patterning with representational crumples.
Ken Johnson:
Karl Haendel is a drawing machine. He has filled this gallery with more works of graphite on paper in more different styles and dimensions — from letter-size to near-mural scale — than you'd think any one person could be capable of. Yet it all comes together as one big installation that meditates on the perilous state of the planet. Among the 86 works covering the walls are photorealistic pictures of snarling dogs and objects like clothes pins and pencil stubs blown up to many times their actual size, exactingly made copies of New Yorker cartoons and images of military missiles extending from floor to ceiling. Several patriotic World War II-era posters are reproduced, including one illustrated by a hand holding a rifle that announces, "America Needs More Meat." Interspersed among all the precise drawings are Cubist-style abstractions made by stenciling and spray painting on sheets of paper that have been crumpled and smoothed out. Mr. Haendel even breaks into three dimensions, with room dividers covered by illusionistic penciled bricks and a pair of trunk-size blocks elaborately drawn on to resemble giant boxes of Morton's Kosher Salt. Several images of Humpty Dumpty based on found illustrations and photographs offer a clue to what this is all about: the world is teetering on the brink of disaster. If the worst happens, it will be hard to put back together. Impressive as the exhibition is, in pieces and in toto, all that gray graphite can be a little tiring. Two words for Mr. Haendel: colored pencils.
Michael Wilson:
MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE PRODUCTION. The slogan appears on a rendering of a World War II–style poster urging American industry to ever-greater fertility, but might equally be applied to Karl Haendel's artistic approach. Stuffing the gallery with dozens of his meticulous, often vast, graphite drawings—augmented by a few large sculptures and a scattering of spray paintings on paper—Haendel places himself firmly, if ironically, in the maximalist camp. Juxtaposing his interpretations of vintage propaganda with depictions of rockets and steam trains, Charlie Chaplin and Humpty Dumpty, pencil boxes and scalpel blades, the artist offers commentary on the culture of excess via an aesthetic of overload. And if the total effect is oppressive, the feeling is at least consistent with the point. The temptation to make art about current events is ever powerful, but often yields work that dates quickly. Haendel's project, with its allusions to consumerism and waste, conflict and danger, might suggest a response to the recession, but sensibly maintains a broader ambition. The artist incorporates historical references, but mixes them with enough iconography of a broader stripe that viewers are unlikely to leave with a sense of having been lectured. Formally, this is an absorbing blend; the exactitude of the drawings is at odds with their rough-cut presentation (many are unframed or stapled to boards), and stands in contrast with the experimentation with crumpling, stenciling, and overpainting that characterizes the exhibit's works in other media. Sometimes, more is more.
Andrea K. Scott:
Haendel mixes one part Pop, one part Pictures Generation, and adds a dash of neo-Constructivism (thanks, in part, to Walead Beshty, whose photogram appears in the show). Large-scale graphite drawings are arranged in a staggering floor-to-ceiling installation. Works that are evocative of American Second World War propaganda (a cross between James Rosenquist and Barbara Kruger) suggest straight appropriation, until you read their satirical messages: "Save waste fats for explosives—take them to your meat dealer." Haendel's debt to the media distillations of Jack Goldstein, the graphite stylings of Robert Longo, and the grisaille deconstructions of Troy Brauntuch are obvious. But he brings a fresh and funny approach, as evidenced by his show's tongue-in-cheek title.


text:
Crosby and Lawrence
Traditional service – extensive knowledge.
Crosby and Lawrence has a rich history of involvement with Marlborough College since its founding in the late 1800's by two College rackets masters. The shop is open to both students as well as the general public.
Easily accessible, the store sits at the bottom of the High Street, a few yards across the street from campus. An experienced and knowledgeable staff help outfit the College and surrounding community with school uniforms, playing kit and sporting equipment.
Crosby & Lawrence is a well-established resource for the College and community that provides a comprehensive line of services including nametaping (Shell and Lower Sixth between 1st May -1st September), racket restringing and bat grip replacement. The store supplies Old Marlburian ties and gifts and all Marlborough College uniform as well as a full range of all season sporting equipment for rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, swimming, running, walking, snooker and darts. Discounts are available for all local sports clubs, serving military personnel, and College staff.
For advice and orders:
Call: 01672 892 498
Email: email@example.com
Crosby & Lawrence, 67 High Street, Marlborough, Wilts. SN8 1HF
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 – 5:00
Online Shop:
Items from The Marlburian Collection can be purchased online here.
Follow the shop on Twitter here.


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|2013-01-08, 06:44
|Link #41
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
Furthermore, if anything, Crow is better suited for long-ranged combat, as Dusk Taker found out when he used his wings in conjunction with the Pyro Dealer armament. After all, blunt damage usually occurs in melee.
A red avatar can fight in close combat if he wants to but this is not recommended as his body type is ill-suited for it. Likewise, a yellow avatar can do the same if the situation calls for it, even though it is a completely different attack type from what he specialises in, as we saw when Radio fought with Lotus.
The first time we saw Crow come up against an avatar that could naturally counter his avatar was in his fight against Roller, who specialised in dealing blunt damage. Even Kuroyukihime, with her vast battle experience, could not come up with a plan where Crow could properly defeat Roller. As Crow did not have his wings then and no way to deal long range damage, he had to run. Crow won his subsequent duels against Roller likely because his wings meant Roller would never be able to reach him on his bike. Thus Crow would simply be able to continuously make sweeps at him and then fly to safety.
The second and final time in the anime was with the sniper, which Crow countered by dodging.
What's the point of bringing up these examples, you ask? Well, it is simply to note that there has been no instances that prove my point, but also no instances to disprove it.
Furthermore, there is no actual need for Blood Leopard to be a vampiric cat. The characteristic which Pard is known for is not her vamipric abilities. It's her love for speed.
On a side note, Radio's colour makes him seem even more threatening to other avatars. His nickname is the "Radioactive Disturber", which is where the Radio part of his name comes from, rather than an actual radio (This is why he doesn't use sonics as his main form of attack). His colour has also been described as the colour of a radiation warning sign.
Last edited by Orange Duke; 2013-01-08 at 09:45.
|2013-01-08, 13:44
|Link #42
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
That may be exactly what Sky Raker is. I doubt that an avatar which jets around on a rocket pack is built for mass and muscle power.
Likewise, it's conspicuous that Silver Crow's arms feature booster jets which consume SP, allowing him to punch (or dive-punch) even faster.
Finally, given how enamoured Haruyuki was with clever victories and First Person Shooting games, and given how effectively he saw Dusk Taker use long-range weapons with his wings, and given his own difficulties with snipers... it's also conspicuous that he hasn't spent any upgrade points on a long-ranged attack at all.
The system may simply not be giving Silver Crow that option. The avatar might not have any potential for long-range attacks at all.
The odds of victory are decided by the particular form of your enemy's abilities, the distance at which you began the fight from each other, and the particular environment that was randomly generated.
If Blue Knight blindly tries to challenge Scarlet Rain to a duel, he has no idea how close she will be when the match starts. It's in his favor if she happened to be nearby, but if she was at the very edge of the Area, he's fighting an uphill battle.
If Scarlet Rain is looking to challenge someone to a duel, blindly or otherwise, she wants to Accelerate from the highest building in the area. Whatever stage is created, she'll have a good chance of standing on higher ground than her opponent, which usually means an easier time spotting them and a clear line of fire.
As for the stage, just see how the odds of Corral Merrow and Lagoon Dolphin versus Sulphur Pot and Nidhoggr changed completely when the environment became "Underwater". Charcoal Smoke would have been completely useless, so that Yellow ability would have been ineffective.
Crow's victory against Roller wasn't about advantages, but cleverness. It was a case-in-point that even with the odds stacked against you, fighting smart can win a battle. That flexibility was entirely Haruyuki the gamer and not Silver Crow the speedster.
Silver Crow is built to do nothing but hit-and-run, especially when using flight to dive at the enemy from the sky. His Headbutt is the only move that doesn't fit this fighting style, considering its telegraphed charge-up pose.
As seen with Roller (and later against another opponent), the Headbutt can only be effectively used when Silver Crow is grappling with his opponent. Whichever one is in control, the opponent is unable to dodge.
For the physically weak, ultra-lightweight Silver Crow, a grapple is the worst place to be, because he cannot dodge or escape and the crushing pressure goes right through his toughness. The Headbutt is his last chance desperation attack against someone who manages to get him in that situation.
It's especially desperate, considering that it requires a full Special Meter, which requires a lot of damage to charge up. And that full Meter is spent on a single all-or-nothing attack.
But clearly, the game's idea was that Crow would normally engage in close-range combat, or else he wouldn't get himself into such situations often enough for the Headbutt to be worthwhile.
I mean, the poor guy's got to be paying for it with weaknesses against electricity, heat, cold, and/or corrosion, and those are likely to come from long-range attacks.
I speak of the original Chrome Disaster.
She does have a transformation which makes her faster, but that form's crushing bite attack just emphasizes the cannibalism of her vampiric abilities. And the vampiric abilities in and of themselves do nothing to make her faster.
I would sooner attribute it to a conflict in the player. For example, some part of Noumi lends itself to Yellow tactics, but another part of Noumi lends itself to direct attacks at variable range.
Maybe the divide was Noumi "as he saw/desired himself" and "as he really was", or Noumi "as he was without trauma" and "as his trauma had shaped him".
For example, I doubt Noumi was born feeling empty and wanting to steal everything to fill his void. He used to be different. But the trauma inflicted by his brother became so deeply ingrained that it became part of who he was, and therefore affected his avatar.
Haruyuki, on the other hand, has a real talent for mental speed as well as a desire to become faster. Rather than his trauma distracting him from his talent, he seems to have used his talent as a shelter. Likewise, Taku stuck with kendo even despite the horrible bullying. He took shelter and strength within his passion.
Noumi took shelter within the trauma itself, and that may be why his avatar was contradictory. Instead of being what he wanted to be, he became a thief.
Perhaps Pard's vampirism and cannibalism don't reflect her real passion, but instead the form of defense she chose against whatever hurt her?
We'll just have to see.
Where do you come by this knowledge? The light novel? I'd like to be able to cite it myself, for others.
|2013-01-08, 14:06
|Link #43
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
I can imagine opponents choking to death on poisonous levels of radiation, unable to find their way out to safety because the world is spinning 'round and 'round, while a mad clown dances at the edges of the wheel, mocking them with his capering.
I wonder if irradiation counts as corrosion, against which Silver has no defense? Or disease/poison, against which Silver is strong? Maybe it's both, in which case it makes no difference.
According to a list in the 12th LN, Yellow Radio has the abilties of "Sense of Equilibrium" and "Acrobatics".
Perhaps even Radio can be affected by his own radiation and illusions, and his ability lets him find his way out?
And his acrobatics enhances his ability to dodge attacks without being particularly fast. Combined with the pain and dizziness of his indirect attacks, opponents would find it very difficult to hit him.
But maybe he couldn't use his radiation against the Red King and Black Legion, perhaps because it would affect his own Legion?
I wonder if Fire Cracker Deceit is just a personalized version of IS teleportation, different from Niko's only in terms of visual style?
|2013-01-08, 14:35
|Link #44
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
Don't forget that all of the kings, save Scarlet Rain, ascended through normal conditions available to any Burst Linker. Thus if it was true that metallic avatars have more potential than the kings themselves, someone like Iron Pound would already be a king. The instant death rule would not be a factor since he would be stronger.
Notice how both traumas are about contradiction, and this is reflected on their avatars.
But that would mean that these two being darker shades and also contradictory to their own colours is just a mere coincidence.
Back to square one, I guess.
It details the second King's Summit. I've picked out a few parts which support your thesis on Radio's capabilities.
However, uranium that has been slightly processed is indeed a yellow colour and is aptly named "Yellowcake". Kawahara must have been referring to that.
Last edited by Orange Duke; 2013-01-08 at 15:04.
|2013-01-08, 15:43
|Link #45
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
But being a lightweight is not necessarily a weakness in close combat; not if one is sufficiently agile. That's what it means to be a hit-and-run specialist.
Lagoon Dolphin seems to be a lightweight*, and has no resistance to piercing or cutting like Silver Crow. Granted, she's also not as much of an extreme case as him either, since she's not balanced around the ability to fly, but Silver Crow is still designed to divebomb rather than snipe.
* This is not entirely reliable. Lime Bell seems to be a lightweight because of her small and thin frame, yet she performs much more like a heavyweight considering her striking power and physical toughness. She's probably heavier than she looks, and suffers from low agility.
But speaking of metals and colors, here's what I found for Trilead Tetraoxide: http://www.webelements.com/compounds...etraoxide.html
"Colour: orange-red"
|2013-01-08, 15:59
|Link #46
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
The name occurs because Trilead Tetraoxide is a crucial ingredient for life-extending alchemic substances, and the same colour as the royal red/yellow for a prince's robes. It is strongly hinted at that Heir is in fact the crown prince of Japan, or at least one of the members of the royal family.
|2013-01-08, 16:16
|Link #47
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
|2013-01-08, 16:21
|Link #48
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
|2013-01-08, 16:23
|Link #49
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Referring to that linked post, Taku was surely an idiot for buying Spiral Gravity Driver.
A blunt-type special move, and it was incapable of doing as much damage to Silver Crow as a basic piercing attack did.
I also think Cyan Lightning Spike was a waste of potential.
Splash Stinger is awesome, though, but there's some confusion about whether its a normal or special attack. The wiki lists it as normal.
|2013-01-12, 06:13
|Link #50
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
Does anybody else think that the Seven Arcs are capable of changing their appearance to suit the avatar that is wielding them? Surely it can't just be a coincidence that the Impulse just happens to be blue, the Strife green and the Tempest purple, right?
Furthermore, this is the description of the Tempest in volume 6:
The Destiny, in its Disaster form, while changing shape did keep the colour of its original master though. Perhaps this was due to it being a corruption of the Destiny and not its pure form?
Last edited by Orange Duke; 2013-01-12 at 11:53.
|2013-01-12, 07:21
|Link #51
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
I feel sure that the Seven Arcs change shape to match the user, as the Armor of Catatrophe did. But not necessarily color.
Is not a broadsword a Blue-type weapon? Wouldn't a shield generally be Green, and a gun Red? The Mystic Reins are not yellow, but its stat page features a prominent Yellow circle, and it was being used by (and possibly originated from) a Yellow avatar.
|2013-01-12, 09:04
|Link #52
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Bringing up the healing avatar who removed herself from the game made me wonder something...
Orchid Oracle... what if SHE was that healer? Something screwy was going on, given the way she was able to return to the Accelerated World despite apparently having been deleted from it.
What if she was never deleted? What if she used an Incarnate System trick to fake her death, such that the system treats her as deleted, except for when she subconsciously decides to return?
Also, whatever color "Orchid" is supposed to be (Oracle is pink, white and yellow, and the flower is any number of colors), Paradigm Revolution is definitely a Yellow power. Volume 12 also names another power she has, which seems to be an illusion-based ability. So it's easily possible that her high-level abilities could include an indirect tactic like healing others.
But the point is that her color seems close to White. And the one Burst Linker Kuroyukihime hates most is one of the other rare healers in the game.
White Cosmos has the power to heal; presumably, to heal both herself and other avatars. This helps explain how she could make it as far as Level 9 without offensive abilities.
It still doesn't explain why she's White, as opposed to Greenish-Yellow like Lime Bell.
|2013-01-12, 09:24
|Link #53
Anomaly / 矛盾存在
Join Date: Jan 2013
Age: 25
This White thing, I have an alternative explanation: that they deal indirectly by affecting the stage, environment, and other burst linkers. Recall Radio's Silly Go Round, that could have simply had the same effect as rotating the victim's perspective round and round, but Haru and co. were unlucky enough to be in a deep crater when that happened.
|2013-01-12, 11:53
|Link #54
Join Date: Jul 2012
Age: 16
|2013-01-13, 08:31
|Link #59
Anomaly / 矛盾存在
Join Date: Jan 2013
Age: 25
I think it's more about reflecting the nature of it's owner. Crow's wings resembled devil wings while in taker's posession. Also, the light novels had Noumi saying a comment about his tentacles that 'The previous owner said it was from a starfish.' It's true there are differences between the LN and anime, but the colour saturation of Noumi's tentacles seem darker than I'd assume.
With only 4 pieces of equipment to go on from here, i don't think we can have a definite answer though.
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text:
Gardening - Natural bug repellent in your garden
The Best Bug Repellent is All-Natural
(ARA) If you ll be spending any time outdoors during the summer months, there are two precautions you need to take -- put on sunscreen to protect yourself and your kids from the damaging rays of the sun, and bug spray to keep biting insects at bay.
Most bug sprays on the market today are safe when used as directed, but Allen Jones, spokesman for Bite Blocker, an all-natural bug spray, points out serious problems with insect repellants that contain DEET, a chemical bug repellent developed 50 years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Army. The federal EPA claims it s safe when used as directed, yet most people are unaware of the problems sprays containing DEET can cause and simply use it as needed any way. They don t take the time to read the warnings in small print on the label, and the label doesn t explain the problems over exposure can cause. That should send up a red flag. I d much rather use a repellent that is safe to apply as needed rather than as directed.
See also:
Great Outdoors
Hanging Gardens
Longwood Gardens
Organic Gardening
Planting Grass
Plants For Sale
Plants In
The Gardens
Tropical Plants
What Plants


text:
So I'm really wanting to improve how I architect the software I code. I want to focus on maintainability and clean code. As you might guess, I've been reading a lot of resources on this topic and all it's doing is making it harder for me to settle on an architecture because I can never tell if my design is the one that the more experienced programmer would've chosen.
So I have these requirements:
- I should connect to one vendor and download form submissions from their API. We'll call them the
- I should then map those submissions to a schema fit for submitting to another vendor for integration with the email service provider. We'll call them the
- I should then submit those responses to the ESP (
CompanyB) and then instruct the ESP to send that submitter an email.
So basically, I'm copying data from one web service to another and then performing an action at the latter web service.
I've identified a couple high-level services:
The service that downloads data from
CompanyA. I called this the
The service that submits the data to
CompanyB. I called this
So my questions are these:
Is this a good design? I've tried to separate the concerns and am planning to use the facade pattern to make the integrators interchangeable if the vendors change in the future.
Are my naming conventions accurate and meaningful to you (who knows nothing specific of the project)?
Now that I have these services, where should I do the work of taking output from the
CompanyAIntegratorand getting it in the format for input to the
CompanyBIntegrator? Is this OK to be done in
Do you have any general pointers on how you'd code something like this? I imagine this scenario is common to us engineers---especially those working in agencies.
Thanks for any help you can give. Learning how to architect well is really mind-cluttering.


text:
Sometimes in life what is supposed to be simple turns out to be complicated, and what you imagine to be quite difficult turns out to be a breeze. Why does life behave so unpredictably at times? I can take myself for an example. A few weeks ago I had hip replacement surgery, something I have Read More
Who Thought Hip Surgery Would Be Like This?
August 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment


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Overview | Guidelines | Information Correction Requests and Appeals | Contact
|You are here: Guidelines > Information Quality > Objectivity
Objectivity refers to the accuracy, reliability, and unbiased nature of information. It is achieved by using reliable information sources and appropriate techniques to prepare information products. Objectivity involves both the content and the presentation of the information. Content should be complete, include documentation of the source of any information used, as well as,when appropriate, a description of the sources of any errors in the data that may affect the quality of the information product. The presentation of the information should be clear and in a proper context so that users can easily understand its meaning.
The Department strives to present information to the public in an accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner. In keeping with the OMB Information Quality Guidelines , all information products should undergo editorial and technical peer review to assist the Department in meeting this performance goal.
- General Information
- Research and Evaluation Information
- Administrative and Program Data
- Statistical Data
|Table of Contents


text:
Upon first listen, the Brooklyn experimental pop/folk band Grizzly Bear grabs and doesn't let go. Here is real, accessible emotion and more than enough astounding talent to convey it. The group's spare acoustic melodies over plaintive piano figures and dusty strings with pop elements carry immense power.
If there's any chance of James Brown's reincarnation, Black Joe Lewis would be a prime candidate. This twenty-something soul singer hails from Texas with his new band The Honeybears - comprised of blues-rockers with names like Sleepy, Sugarfoot, Rooster, Big Show, Wild Bill, and Slyder McKnight the Night Train. With a tight horn section, blazing guitar licks, and Lewis' raw vocals, the group and its frontman are quickly taking over the Austin garage rock scene and moving onto the rest of the country.
The World Cafe with host David Dye serves up an eclectic mix of music from blues, rock, and world, to folk, and alternative country with live performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists. This acclaimed program, distributed nationally to over 185 stations across the country through NPR Music, is produced by WXPN in Philadelphia.
David Dye is a longtime Philadelphia radio personality whose music enthusiasm has captivated listeners of World Cafe since 1991.
World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards including: two NFCB Gold Reel Awards, Album Network's "Best Triple A Air Talent," four Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly Awards," the Philadelphia Chapter of NARA "Hero Award" and numerous radio industry trade magazine citations.
Do you have a list of past WXPN Music Festival Lineups?
View Past Festival Lineups (PDF), a complete listing of all artists who have played The Festival going back to 1994 (excluding Kids Corner artists).
What time do the gates open?
Gates open at 5pm on Thursday, 4pm on Friday, and noon on Saturday and Sunday.
What are my transportation options?
You can view a complete listing of transportation options here.
Please note: There are other events happening on the Camden Waterfront the weekend of the festival. We strongly urge you to take public transportation whenever possible! If you must drive, leave early to avoid the crowds, and to get early bird parking prices.
Do you have bus service available from Central PA?
Yes, WXPN has made arrangements with Krapf's Charter for bus service from Central PA to the festival on Saturday and Sunday. You can find all the information here. Deadline for purchasing bus tickets is Monday, June 30, 2008.
I'm not from the Philadelphia area and will need to make lodging arrangements. Do you have information on area hotels?
For your convenience we have compiled a list of area hotels here. The Wyndham in Mt. Laurel is offering festival goers a special rate during the festival weekend. Find out more here.
Allowed/Prohibited items
Bags and coolers may be subject to search. We ask that you please leave the audio and video recording devices at home, as they are prohibited. In consideration of others, smoking is prohibited on the Festival grounds.
Here's a list of what you may, and may not bring into the Festival:
You may bring in the following items:
Low-back chairs permitted in designated areas
Rain umbrellas
Personal/non-professional cameras
Non-alcoholic beverages in plastic containers
Coolers (subject to inspection)
Cell phones are allowed, but as a courtesy to artists and other patrons, we ask that you please turn your phones off during performances
The following items are prohibited:
Glass containers of any kind
Beach umbrellas and tents
High-back chairs
Professional cameras with telescopic lenses
Alcoholic beverages from outside the festival (Beer will be available for purchase at the festival. New Jersey state law requires that you must be at least 21, and you must present valid and acceptable ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.)
Audio and video recording devices
Pets, except service dogs
Smoking on the Festival grounds
Illegal drugs
Weapons of any sort (firearms, knives, explosives, etc.)
Projectiles of any sort
Laser pointers
Can I bring my own food and water?
Yes, you may bring your own food and water. However, please leave metal knives and utensils at home. There will also be a variety of food and beverage vendors at the festival as well.
Is re-entry to the festival possible?
Yes, you may reenter the festival after obtaining a wristband for that day. Wristbands will be available within the festival grounds each day. Holders of 4-Day Festival Passes must get a new wristband each day for re-entry.
Will there be a special XPN member area at the festival?
Yes, there will be an XPN Members Only area where complimentary non-alcoholic beverages will be available, as well as several meet-and-greets with performing artists.
Is there an ATM located nearby?
Yes, there is a Commerce Bank ATM at 501 Mickle Blvd.
Is the Festival area handicap accessible?
Yes. Wiggins Park is handicapped accessible. There are handicapped port-a-potties and there will be a designated area for wheelchairs.
What about security? Is the festival safe for a family?
Security is always a priority at every event. As they do with every festival at Wiggins Park, Camden County officials provide a full staff of trained security and traffic officials, and visitor service representatives are stationed along the Waterfront. Both the Red Cross and EMS are present throughout the festival to attend to any medical needs. And police and fire officials are also present, and are an integral part of the overall safety and security procedures.
How can I get tickets to the festival?
Early bird ticket sales ended June 30, but you can purchase "print-at-home" tickets online, or buy tickets at the gate.
What's the 4-Day Festival Pass?
It's by far the best value we ever offered. With the 4-Day Festival Pass, a single ticket gets you access to every day of the festival (including Thursday night) for one low price. You must present the ticket each day you attend (there are four stubs on each pass). You'll also need to obtain a new reentry wristband each day you attend.
Will I need separate tickets to get into the Camden Children's Garden?
Your tickets for Saturday and Sunday include access to the Camden Children's Garden where Kids Corner is taking over for the weekend! All you'll need is to show your festival reentry wristband to be admitted to the Camden Children's Garden.
When is the Kids Corner in the Camden Children's Garden and what activities are available?
Kids Corner takes over the Camden Children's Garden at noon on Saturday and Sunday (July 12 & 13). View the complete list of Kids Corner activities
Can I get a refund or exchange my tickets? What if it rains?
There are no refunds or exchanges for any tickets. The festival is an all-weather event and no refunds will be issued in the case of inclement weather.
Are there assigned seats?
There are no assigned seats. All tickets are general admission. You may bring low-back chairs or blankets, but no high-back chairs.
Get all the Festival Details and Sign Up for XPN E-News
Don't miss any of the details. Sign up for XPN E-News and get automatic festival updates.
The Irish pop rock band Bell X1, originally known as Juniper, have experienced a multitude of changes on the path to the successful spot they currently hold. Though they were lead by popular vocalist Damien Rice, Rice ended up leaving Jupiter and was replaced by drummer Paul Noonan. Soon after the group changed their name and became Bell X1. Of their three studio-recorded albums, Flock, released February of 2008, has proven to be the most successful. The album reached #1 in Ireland and gained a huge following throughout the U.K.
Emerging from the collaborative efforts of Baltimore school friends David "Avey Tare" Portner, Noah "Panda Bear" Lennox, Josh "Deakin" Dibb and Brian "Geologist" Weitz, Animal Collective is rooted in experimental music. Pinpointing the Collective's style in terms of genre is a difficult task; with a track record of nine studio albums, they've spread themselves across a eclectic board of psych, folk, rock, noise, and more.
Working as waitress at the start of 2008, soul-pop singer Sharon Little was suddenly the opening act for big-name stars Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and T-Bone Burnett in their national Raising Sand tour. Though she could be called an overnight sensation, Little has been honing her distinctive, bluesy style for years.
Intricate, melodic, and vivid: the sound of North Carolina's Annuals is the epitome of sunny indie-pop. Their thoughtful harmonies, anthemic orchestration and percussion, and bright electronica has earned them rave reviews since their indie-label debut in 2006, the critic's darling Be He Me.
The Format is a band that won't let adversity get to them. The two times the band got dropped by their record label, they threw parties. In fact, their sophomore effort, Dog Problems, sounds carefree and happy. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}


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Savings on Shore Excursions!by the way - Viator will pay commissions to travel agents who book the tours for you - and this is a nice incentive for your travel agent to make some additional money at no cost to you. The cruise line do not pay agent commissions on shore excursions. However, if your travel agent recommends Viator, it is probably still a good idea to also double check the cruise line offerings on your own before you commit. | 04.05.12
Well-established tour operator Viator has a new web site specifically for cruise passengers to book shore excursions at a savings.
One big change that the Internet brought to cruising is the freedom to fully plan what you want to do in each port of call well ahead of your actual sailing date. Today, the cruise lines offer full shore excursion information on their web sites, where you can book your tours just as soon as your cruise reservation is confirmed.
In the old days, the only way you could pre-book a shore excursion was to open the tour booklet you got in the mail along with your cruise reservations, mark the tours you wanted to buy, and mail the form back to the cruise line. It was also common for passengers to race to the shore excursions desk as soon as they boarded the ship to put their requested "tour booking forms" into the drop box ahead of everyone else - in the hope that the tours they wanted would still be available.
A few years ago, we noticed a number of people coming into our CruiseMates forums to recommend tour guides to one another. Since it is now easy to book a private tour over the internet by email and PayPal, the options for cruisers to get specialized tour services almost anywhere in the world have increased dramatically. The only drawback to hiring a private tour abroad is the lack of any kind of guarantee from the tour provider.
Booking a private tour in a faraway place often requires a leap of faith, since it is next to impossible to judge the reliability of the tour provider when you cannot meet them in person, or talk to someone who has. This is the main reason why many people have chosen to stick with tours provided by the cruise lines: You always knew you could depend on the tour guide to pick you up, conduct the tour, and get you back to the ship on time. You also knew the cruise line had pre-qualified the tour operator for a certain level of quality.
Now comes Viator, a company that has been in the business of offering specialized tours around the world for many years. Just like the cruise lines, Viator has people who travel around the world to meet tour providers and develop relationships with them. In the past, Viator mostly sold its tours to independent travelers, although a certain number of cruisers have been using them for years.
But now Viator has figured out a way to present listings of optional tours for people on specific cruises, by ship and itinerary, and guarantee that any tour they offer will be fully manageable within the schedule of the cruise. All you have to do is go to www.shoreexcursions.viator.com and click on the tab for "shore excursions." From there, you specify your cruise line and sailing date, and you can select from a list of available shore tours that are often identical to those offered by the cruise line - but at better prices.
Viator has been in this business for years, so the quality and time constraints expected by cruise passengers have already been factored into the tour selection process. In essence, Viator has made it impossible for cruise tourists to make a mistake and book the wrong tour, as long as they enter the correct cruise ship and sailing date. Viator is well aware of the itineraries of the ships they are booking, and guarantees the tours they provide will be just as "safe" for the time constraints of the cruise passenger as those provided by the cruise line itself.
How much savings can you expect from Viator? It depends on which tours you are talking about. I just compared prices for shore tours on a specific sailing on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas to the Western Caribbean. In each case, the Viator tour was cheaper, and I assume the tour is of the same quality as that offered by the cruise ship. But the savings was usually only about $10 per person, or 10 percent on average. The Atlantis submarine adventure sells for $98.99 per person of any age in Viator, while Royal Caribbean charges $109 per adult and $78 for children. The Segway tour on Viator is $61.99 per person, while Royal Caribbean charges $78.
In addition, the number of tour alternatives from Royal Caribbean was greater - the line offers 68 tours in Cozumel alone, including excursions to the excellent Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, or a trip to the Xcaret ecological park. Both of these tours are on the Mexican mainland and are highly recommended by me.
All of Viator's tours were on the island of Cozumel, about five miles from the mainland. Now, I believe Viator offers the same mainland tours as I mentioned above, but they did not offer them to Allure of the Seas cruisers. Surprisingly, Viator does not even seem to offer the very popular Chakanaab Park on Cozumel. I did see a Cozumel tour on Viator that looks very interesting -- a "mini-sub" adventure where every person gets a singular powered underwater vessel, and this is not offered by Royal Caribbean (as far as I could see).
However, Royal Caribbean does offer something called the "underwater power scooter" on Cozumel. These appear to be the same thing according to this video. The Royal Caribbean brochure price is just $49 per person, however we do not have enough information to say whether this is the same tour.
So - the bottom line is that you can save some money and find some very nice tours on Viator, but I would not recommend limiting your tour selection process to just the Viator web site. Be sure to check out the cruise lines' options as well. If the Viator tour is cheaper I would book it. Often a smaller tour provider mneans you get more time having fun and spend less time waiting for other cruisers.