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Monday, May 31, 2010
I was hit by a perfect story of busyness this weekend. Thank God for that third day of no school/no work for Alex, is all I can say.
(And by "no work," I mean "no work outside the home," lest the stay-at-home gods strike me down.)
Here's the problem with maintaining jobs and interest in, like, a dozen different enterprises: Every once in a while they all have deadlines at the exact. same. time.
Consequently, I didn't have any time to write this week/weekend.
Further consequently (it is too a cromulent phrase), now that I have a free few minutes, I have nothing to write about.
Don't feel obligated to comment. I'm just letting you know that I still exist.
If you do feel like commenting, why don't you let me know if you have suggestions for Camp Stimey topics for this summer. Last summer we did transportation, government, science, sports, and some other ones that I am too addled to remember.
The only topic I have so far is a week on the Human Body, which will include a day on Sexuality because I keep waiting for Sam to ask and he keeps not asking and I figure he needs to know because he's almost nine.
You may not want to come to the Camp Stimey Meet-Up that day.
21 comments:
I can't make the meetup, but you must post about it. I too have been procrastinating re: The Talk. The other day my 7yo turned to my husband and said "you have good sperm, Dad, so we [meaning my 3 boys] must have good sperm too. So we're OK."ReplyDelete
Uhhhhhhhh,.....I think someone might have beaten me to some education. Time to remedy that. Except I'm pregnant w/ my 4th and I don't want my son to look at me differently, and, well, you know. I'm interested to see how you handle it!
And my Quinn is a few months younger than your Quinn.
How about construction ? Visit different construction sites, observe the different machines, figure out the physics/mechanics that make them work, etc. Bring lunch in a cooler like the construction workers do. Compare/contrast road construction with building construction. The inter-county connector is being constructed just south of the Fairland Center and I'm sure you could find building construction just about anywhere. We have LOTS of construction over here near UMD.ReplyDelete
Oooh, construction!ReplyDelete
(Those are all the words I have left.)
The arts? Culinary endeavors? (I hesitate to call it cooking because I know about you and cooking. And I've seen MY kids cook.) Ok, maybe just the arts.ReplyDelete
I would pay CASH MONEY to see the photos and hear the stories of a COOKING WEEK.ReplyDelete
P.S. Cash money would have no monetary or cashial value.ReplyDelete
How about agriculture (with trip to farmers market - Bethesda has one on Thursday afternoons), recycling, and sustainability or green building?ReplyDelete
Hey, are we still doing history for Week 1 and heading to Williamsburg... or marine science and going to the Aquarium... or animals and going to the zoo... hey, did we ever decide?ReplyDelete
Weather was a great hit here last summer. I'd send you the posters I got but Joey insists keeping them up in his room. Space was the other big hit. Ditto for the materials (though you could come to my house and see the planets on his ceiling...)
With THE most exciting event ever happening (June 11- July 11) you cannot ignore THE WORLD CUP as a theme!ReplyDelete
I haven't gotten my registration forms for Camp Stimey yet. We are talking sleep-away camp, right? Right??ReplyDelete
Topics should include ecology and the horror that BP has wrought on the Gulf.
How about if you do a week about our food and where it comes from? Not in a creepy visit to the chicken processing plants kind of way, but in a making home made pasta, planting veggies, visiting a farm kind of way. There's a cool working farm in NoVA that specializes in educating kids that would make a good field trip.ReplyDelete
WOW! These are great ideas. I may have to start up Camp Here and Now.ReplyDelete
Also, I would like to be there on sexuality day. I think that's going to be AWESOME.
Long ago I told my kids exactly where the baby comes out, and ever so often one of them comes to me looking pensive and asks a technical question like "How does the vagina get so big" "Does it hurt?". It's super fun.
Geology week so you have an excuse to take them to Luray Caverns and/or the beach. :)ReplyDelete
Well, for the HUman Body week, you sould springboard off into medical technology/medicine week. You know, Madame Curie to Carl Zeiss and all that. (Erm, sorry, think we've spent too much time in hospitals, no?)ReplyDelete
Can't wait to hear how you handle the whole sexuality issue. ;-)
I know exactly how you feel. I try so hard to be better with commenting so people know that I actually AM reading... Not working out so well. And then when school is out for a couple of weeks it will all go downhill.ReplyDelete
My final IEP meeting for Oliver (we only got halfway through the first time and had to schedule another date) is next week so wish me luck!
- AnonymousJune 1, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Seriously? He needs to know at almost nine? Good lord, I have my head in the sand. We are almost nine and the thought never occurred to me. Does Camp Stimey have open registration for the sexuality series? If so, we're in.ReplyDelete
What about a country of interest? Then you can do history, culture, food, maybe a local event or something for each day of the week?ReplyDelete
Gridlock? You could sit in traffic on your way to the Hill. A two-fer on gridlock, right there.ReplyDelete
Chemistry? See the effect alcohol has on the brains of Stimey and an unnamed associate. (We take the munchkins to a Hill dive bar. Drink. Make Alex come pick us all up and drive us home.)
See? I'm full of the good ideas.
Well. "Good." "Ideas."
Robots. Gardening. Woodworking.(Good for math)Random things from the library week-use a random number generator and get it to give you a call number. Go to the library and whatever is under that number is what you study.ReplyDelete
My reader is still crowing about 1000+ unread items. Camp Stimey needs a road trip. Hey---if Team Kennedy can make it to GA and back, you gotta try it. ;-) In any case, I am reiterating my promise to butt in and join a CS event at some point this summer.ReplyDelete
Hi Stimey. What about doing a unit on water? Kids love water and there are tons of great resources online. Fire stations, environmental experimenents--tons of options.ReplyDelete
This is a resouce I once worked on. Enjoy.


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Ethane, polyurethane processing to grow in West Virginia
Brazil-based Odebrecht intends to explore the development of a petrochemical complex in Wood County, W.Va.
Brazil-based Odebrecht intends to explore the development of a petrochemical complex in Wood County, W.Va.
The complex, to be called Appalachian Shale Cracker Enterprise (Ascent), would include an ethane cracker, three polyethylene plants, and associated infrastructure for water treatment and energy co-generation, Odebrecht said in a press release.
While a purchase option on the anticipated project site in Parkersburg, W.Va., has already been secured, "Ascent's feasibility will depend on several important variables, including the contracting of long-term ethane supply, as well as financing, regulatory approvals, and appropriate governmental support," according to Odebrecht.
The company said it will lead investment and financing for the Ascent project, as well as the operation of water and electric utilities.
Once investment for the project is completed, Odebrecht subsidiary Baskem America would be responsible for petrochemical-related activities for Ascent, including the marketing of polyethylene produced at the plant.
The proposed petrochemical complex follows a rush of previously announced processing projects intended to enhance the long-term development and viability of shale oil and gas production in the Marcellus shale (OGJ, May 7, 2012, p. 88).


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Texas Architect, March-April 2012.
Title: Marking the Land
Author: Matt Fajkus, AIA
This article by Fajkus analyzes UT's Landmarks Sculpture program through reading of architecture and sculpture. The article begins, "Modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi famously said, "Architecture is inhabited sculpture." That raises the question: Is sculpture uninhabitable architecture? At the very least, his phrase draws a direct comparison between the two disciplines and invites speculation about the inherent relationship between sculpture, architecture, and the open spaces between."


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Welcome to my blog. I document my adventures in travel, style, and food. Hope you have a nice stay!
It's been nearly 20 years since we rented our first villa in Europe. At the time we thought it might be a more affordable way to enjoy Italy (and subsequently France) in 5 Star accommodations at 2 Star prices. And, bring your best friends along to eat, drink and tour along with you. Seven rentals later, I know we were right.
Renting a villa is a fabulous shared experience. The process of recruiting friends willing and able to commit six months in advance has been, I admit, occasionally a bit challenging. But, we have had few dropouts over the years and I believe everyone who came along loved the experience. The process starts in January for a September rental. We usually chose that month as the hordes of tourists have gone home, the days are warm and the nights cool. The grape harvest is coming in and reservations at great restaurants are much easier to come by. A $5,000 per week a five bedroom villa is only $1,000 a couple, $500 per person for 7 days in someones lovely restored home. Most good hotels charge that a night.
Where to begin?
You need a leader, a budget divided by bedrooms and a core, committed group. There are hundreds of villas to look at, reviews to scour, maps to ponder, emails to send out and, in some cases given the recent economy, negotiations to be done. Once you decide on a broad area (say, Tuscany: East or West, in a city or out in the country), you then drill down to anchor towns (Lucca in the West, the three Chianti towns more East, Umbria towns in the South), factor in the number of bedrooms and add in your specific groups needs (pool, killer kitchen, bathroom for each bedroom, wi-fi, etc.). Our house rule began with 'no kids' but that is likely to change. We also insisted every couple rent a car as the villas can be more than a bit remote without one. A couple without their own car can become a pain by the end of a week. We found that out. Using rental providers like 'La Cure' and 'Salogi' you short list villas to your group by late January and submit a couple of choices. Then, once confirmed you make a 30% deposit with balance due in July. There will always be a damage deposit to share on arrival, sometimes a charge for the telephone. Pools are standard, maid service is included, having a cook is extra. Bills for wine, food, etc. are signed and go into a pot to be divided up on the last day. Rentals commence Saturday afternoon and end at noon the following Saturday. Despite our group being accomplished cooks we have always had a closing ceremonies dinner at the best restaurant we can find. Here are the villas we have stayed in.
'La Capanna' - 1997
Our first villa rental was 'La Capanna' outside the village of Fabbrica about halfway between Florence and Lucca. It was rustic compared to later choices but we have some great memories and its proximity to must see towns like Volterra, San Gimignano and Montecatini Terme was awesome. We did find it was too far from Florence and in those early trips everybody wanted to be in Florence at least a few times over the week. The pool was great, the tennis court was terrible and lost balls in the bush required use of the long sticks provided due to the Vipers, small, black poisonous snakes who resided there. We learned this from Leopoldo, the stylish lawyer owner, who also advised that gates must be kept closed and carpet salesmen must be kept away as they are all robbers casing the joint. Even out here in the middle of nowhere. A very nice first rental experience but far from our best villa. At today's cost it rents for €2,800 a week in September.
'La Pozza di Volpaia' - 1998
This will alway be a favorite. Situated in the tiny village of Volpaia just a mile or two from the charming town of Radda en Chianti and on the SS 22, the gorgeous back road into Florence, Volpaia is a wine village. The winery owner rents this and two other villas. There is a small cafe and grocery store in the square about 100 yards up the hill with one or two new restaurants on the road in. The main house is old but recently redone as a few years ago the fireplace was being repaired and it fell into the wine cellars below. There is a pool house with another bedroom and bathroom. The pool has stunning views of the vineyards and valley below with a short stroll through an olive grove to a tennis court surrounded by lemon trees. Down the hill is another great winery, 'Badia de Coltibuono', with a fabulous restaurant, classy old hotel geared to a world renowned cooking school. All this in a 12th century monastery. This trip was our first attempt to find the Prada Factory Outlet and we failed. Later we learned it is in Montevarchi, an industrial town about 20 KM's south. At today's prices a rental costs €2,990 to €5,990 a week depending on season.
'La Madonnina'- 1999
Our first disappointment. We were mistakenly impressed by the photos and taken in by the low price. While it looked stylish it was just dirty and difficult to get to. The entrance road required a steep negotiation of a rocky trail that forced you between the corner of a large house and a big tree. Two guests this year rented BMW's and Audi's that could fit but with not more than two inches to spare. The house, to our surprise, was part of a farm complex complete with barking dogs at all hours and sputtering, early morning tractors with a rooster chorus. The pool umbrellas had a degree of 'Walking Dead' rot I've never seen before or since and two of the bedrooms were in the basement and were, in a word, swampy. Still, this was the Lucca side of Tuscany and Lucca, a great town for eating, shopping and walking, is just 20 KM's away. Then, there is the coast a couple of miles further on with the simply gorgeous village of Forte di Marmi. Farther north past Pisa and Spezia are the 5 waterside villages that form Cinque Terre and past that the ultra swish Portofino. This is the one villa I didn't take the lead on. It is also the one villa I would never go back to. But Lucca and the Ligurian coast are spectacular and as bad as this place was, we got to see wonderful things. At todays prices a rental costs €1,980 to €4,500. Who cares. Don't go.
'Villa Montoro' - 2003
Given our above villa experience you might think we soured on the villa idea but, in truth; we were busy with other things for a few years. When our group, with 6 new members, wanted to do it again we jumped on it. This time we were very particular about the villa and chose Villa Montoro in the hills above Greve in Chianti. Greve is a wonderful old town with a triangular central square unchanged for a century that hosts one of the best Saturday markets in Tuscany. It also has the most amazing butcher shop, the Macelleria Falorni, one of the oldest in Italy. Montoro is a grand old house that sports multiple terraces and a great formal dining room with a family tree woodcut wall hanging that goes back centuries. The kitchen sports a marble topped table perfect for rolling pasta and the pool and grounds are just about perfect. Right on the SS 22 it's only 30 KM's from Florence, 42 KM's from Sienna and the villages of Panzano and Verrazzano are close by. The second weekend in September is the Chianti Festival where you buy a glass for €10 and the wine, food and fresh pressed olive oil is free all weekend. Lovely villa, great town with good access to everything you want to see, taste and smell. At todays prices a rental costs from €3,430 to €5,950 a week depending on the season. Yes, it's expensive by comparison but it is worth the difference.
'La Sassaia ' - 2006
To this point, every villa rental had been in the Fall. For some reason we decided to give the Spring a try. We had wanted to go back to Pozza di Volpaia but after we booked they called and told us about the fireplace falling into the wine cellar while under repair. Although by Western standards there was more than enough time to repair the damage the rules and regs in Italy would take 10 times as long. Nearly a year as it turned out. Our new choice was La Sassaia. Farther south than we had ever been, near the village of Sovicille and a full 60 KM's south of Florence. But, closer to Cortona and Montepulciano; places that, to this point, we hadn't spent enough time in. This villa was truly a home. The pictures on the wall, the albums, the coffee table books told a great and warm history of this family. One of our guests was a sommelier and arranged a vineyard visit farther South to Montalcino for a tasting of amazing Brunello de Montalcino. Much great wine purchased and consumed. We had far and away the best closing dinner of all our trips in Sienna and our chefs, as usual, prepared some stunning meals. But, we all agreed the Spring was not our favorite time. To see the vineyards bare and not grown in was a little sad and the pool wasn't open for the season yet. I think it's a nicer place than we all gave it credit for, but; surely better in the Fall. At €6,290 a week now it has become bloody expensive and going in less than the best season is not recommended.
'La Maccinaia ' - 2009
After a break we were on again. While there were rumblings about trying Provence, when booking time came we all wanted to do Italy again. This time we found a truly amazing villa. La Maccinaia is way up on a hill south of the main Chianti towns and 34 KM's West of Sienna. The property was bought for €750,000 and millions put into restoring it by the owner, an odd character named Karl who is a big deal in the European Union. The house and grounds are immaculate. The bedrooms are perfect and the kitchen, while hardly the best functioning one we've had, is a model of sexy European style. There is a guest house that sleeps another six and the place can sleep as many as 18 with use of bunk beds for kids. The rules in Tuscany require the exterior to be maintained as it always looked but the interior can be gutted and updated to near perfection. Karl is getting into the wine business and has planted his first field a few years ago. The villa agent advised us that we were invited to his 'Vendimia', the traditional harvest of the grapes. We anticipated a rustic experience in the vineyards with the locals but Karl had other plans. He invited us as he needed the kitchen and the guest house for his kids and pals from New York who, with the help of a few locals, picked his small field of grapes that day. Dinner was prepared by the chef for the EU who had cooked for Thatcher and Bush. It was an awesome first night that went nearly until dawn in front of a roaring outdoor fire. Karl and entourage departed the next day. This was a week of outstanding cooking; on our part too as we had attended the Badia di Coltibuono cooking school the week before. Every night was a food fest with different couples taking the lead. We did arrange one mid week dinner at La Bottega del 30 where we were more than an hour late after getting lost. They still welcomed us and we were seated in a ruined part of the old building with no roof but with a roaring fireplace. Then, the woman owner (a fantastic cooking school chef herself) dazzled us with one of the most amazing dinners any of us have ever had. Our own closing dinner at a little spot in the nearby village of San Vincente was hardly memorable after what we ourselves had prepared and our dinner at Bottega. La Maccinaia is a superb villa and worthy of its high cost today of €6,080 to €10,520 a week depending on the season (keeping in mind it can easily sleep 12-14 in bedrooms and more in the bunks).
'Boulbon' - 2010
Finally, France. We had talked about a villa in France for a very long time. This year, we did it. We chose Boulbon because we chose Avignon as our centre point just 15 Km's away and their easy TGV access to Paris. Not everyone agreed with the choice in the end. Boulbon is a big place on a grand property but it's not old. More like a California ranch house, it is a 5 bedroom, single story house with bedrooms at both ends and kitchen, dining and living in the middle. I liked it but others felt it was too removed from places like St. Remy or, antique heaven of Isle Sur La Sorgues. It isn't far at all but the land area south of Avignon where we are is not the prettiest in France and the drive is flat and featureless a good part of the time. We did find a gem of a village called Eygalieres not far away where they have a cute market and an interesting Saturday morning tradition of serving fresh oysters on the terrace of the local bistro. For the farmers it appeared as they were a pretty rugged looking group. The town has a few other very cool looking restaurants and by my definition, it's a very livable little place. Our group took side trips to Carpentras and then the lovely Relais and Chateaux 'Crillon le Brave' while stocking up on Chateauneuf de Pape and Gigondas wines along the way. There is a stunning abbey; Abbaye de Frigolet just a few KM's away in a giant park. As usual, many great dinners including a memorable candlelit one in front of a roaring fire when the power went out. All in all, a nice villa in a quiet part of Provence but a long way from St. Tropez in all possible ways. In its favor, the place is not too expensive for France given that every property is more money than Italy. At €3,675 to €5,530 a week, depending on season, it is good value for 8 people.


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Spiced Lamb Burgers with Caramelized Onions & Spicy Fried Potatoes (Cloves)
The sun-dried unopened flower buds of a tropical evergreen tree, cloves lend intense spicy flavor and sweet, vibrant heat to these lamb burgers, which are topped with caramelized onions. Accompany with spicy fried potatoes.
For the caramelized onions:
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- Salt, to taste
For the spicy fried potatoes:
- 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp. black peppercorns
- 1 tsp. Spanish smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 lb. yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon Gold
- Peanut or canola oil for deep-frying
- 8 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs
- Sea salt, to taste
For the lamb burgers:
- 1 Tbs. cloves
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 2 Tbs. minced fresh mint
- 2 Tbs. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 Tbs. finely diced onion
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 lb. ground lean lamb
- Olive oil as needed
- 4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
To make the caramelized onions, in a large, heavy fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onions, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, 25 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
To make the spicy fried potatoes, put the cumin seeds in a small fry pan and set over medium-high heat. Toast the cumin, shaking the pan, until the seeds are fragrant and dark green, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into a spice grinder and let cool completely. Add the peppercorns and pulse the grinder a few times, then process until the spices are finely ground, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a wide bowl and stir in the paprika and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
Put the potatoes in a saucepan, add cold water to cover by 2 inches and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes. When they are cool enough to handle, peel them and let cool completely, then cut into quarters or wedges.
Line a platter with paper towels. In a deep, heavy fry pan over medium-high heat, pour in oil to a depth of 1 inch and heat to 365°F on a deep-frying thermometer. Add the parsley sprigs and fry, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 30 seconds. Using a long-handled mesh strainer, transfer to the paper towel-lined platter. Carefully add the potatoes in a single layer and fry, turning them with tongs as needed, until browned in several places, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to the platter to drain, then put the potatoes in the bowl with the spices. Using 2 forks, toss gently to coat the potatoes with the spices. Season with salt, add the fried parsley and toss again.
To make the lamb burgers, put the cloves, cumin seeds and cinnamon stick in a small fry pan and set over medium-high heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour into a spice grinder and let cool completely. Pulse the grinder a few times, then process until the spices are finely ground, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a wide bowl and stir in the mint, parsley, onion, salt and cayenne. Add the lamb and, using your hands, gently mix the ingredients together. Form the lamb mixture into 4 patties.
Lightly oil a stovetop grill pan and set over medium-high heat. Cook the lamb burgers, turning once, about 10 minutes total for medium. Transfer the burgers to the buns and top with the caramelized onions. Serve immediately with the spicy fried potatoes. Serves 4.
Adapted from a recipe by Williams-Sonoma.


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Monday, 8 April 2013
Would you - should I - Photoshop?
So what has brought on these thoughts about Photoshop? The return of my mobile phone today, and the photo that I have just uploaded. I mentioned the purple top that I was wearing and now I can show you that top, however when I looked at the photo my double chin was very much in evidence. Unlike the stars in Elle magazine, I'm showing my age a bit. What if I bought Photoshop and brushed away these signs of age?
As you can see, I decided against this strategy for several reasons.
1. Any friends looking at my blog would immediately think "Sue doesn't look that good, even on her good days!"
2. I checked the cost of Photoshop and the cheapest version seemed to be over £100. For £100 I could buy myself a new summer dress and a bright lipstick, that would make me feel far better than trying to deceive you all
3. My own self-esteem. I'm a great believer in making the most of yourself, no matter what age you are, but touching up a photo to make myself look better is deception. I wouldn't feel good about deliberately trying to hide my age.
So here I am, wrinkles and all, proudly on display!
8 comments:
And I agree :) lol. With age comes the grace of wisdom xoxoxReplyDelete
Thanks, Suha. My view is that, so long as I continue to enjoy good health, I will enjoy myself and not worry too much about the advancing years. Worry lines are ageing anyway! ;-)ReplyDelete
With age comes wisdom.. wisdom is priceless..so wrinkles or not your a wise owl and you can teach us all.ReplyDelete
Thanks, William. However there is another saying "There's no fool like an old fool" and also "She's old enough to know better!" Hopefully though most of us do learn from our mistakes.ReplyDelete
All well said... but a photographic tip is to have the photographer stand above you so you look up slightly to the camera, it stretches the necks little and the results can be flattering...ReplyDelete
Thanks for the tip, Jacqui, which I read too late for today's post! My camera is ready for collection from the store in Murcia - hopefully repaired and as good as new - so John won't be having to take photos with my mobile phone after Friday.ReplyDelete
Just found your wonderful blog and I agree with your thoughts on photoshop. I would rather spend tha money on a hat!ReplyDelete
Thanks Style Crone. I've just been admiring your blog and your amazing hats! I wish a) that hats suited me more and b) that they didn't flatten my fine hair. I have a family wedding to attend in June but suspect that I'll be going hat-less. As always.ReplyDelete


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The people – and pets – have spoken! Below are just some of the wonderfully kind words fellow pet owners have shared about their travels and experiences with us. So if you have any qualms about where to holiday next, have a read of our reviews and be inspired!
"The staff at PetsPyjamas were just lovely, the hotel was wonderful and staff could not have been more accommodating, To be able to have our big gorgeous Golden Retriever Harvey with us, even at meal times was just amazing, Harvey was every bit as looked after as we were. Thank you so so much!" – Ellie
"This was the first time we had taken our dogs to a hotel, and was very impressed with how well they were treated and welcomed. We also had a great stay, food was fantastic, staff were friendly and helpful." – Cathy
"We had a wonderful stay at the Woodlands Lodge Hotel. Cookie was welcomed with a big hug by the staff and her goodie box waiting in the room was a great treat for her. The bedroom was comfortable and made our stay really good. The New Forest was just outside the rear of the hotel for some great walks seeing horses, cattle and deer." – Mick
"Both Jess and Millie thoroughly enjoyed their stay at The Westleton Crown. Both dogs were greeted on arrival with a bowl of biscuits and their own blanket. All the staff were super dog-friendly, giving the dogs biscuits each time they met. Jess and Millie enjoyed tucking into their very own Suffolk sausage. The surrounding countryside was superb for walking with beautiful beaches not too far away. We even took them on the 'ferry' from Walberswick to Southwold. We are already planning our next trip. A big thank you to all the staff at The Westleton Crown who made our mini break so lovely and in particular being patient with Jess." – Joy
"Just returned from an amazing week at The Landings Cottage in Yorkshire. From the outset I note the ease of booking and personal yet professional service. First time we have used PetsPyjamas but won't be the last. Sue at the cottage looked after us fantastically but then left us alone so we could feel so at home. (She was always just a phone call away if we needed anything). Bear, our Black Labrador rescue dog has never been so happy. It was a joy to see him playing in the land behind the property and we knew he was safe as it was all secure. Bear settled on his bed every night without any problems. My children had everything they needed and the local pubs were lovely. We have already booked again for early next year as we are looking forward to the log burner roaring and the AGA keeping us toasty. Thank you to all!!" – Aubrey
"I spoke to Briana a number of times before booking as she did her best to find us a suitable bank holiday approach. Despite our requirements changing, she was friendly, helpful and ultimately found us somewhere that worked out perfectly and we're already planning when to go back. A genuinely great customer service experience." – O.Obaro
"First time using Pets Pyjamas and we are pretty impressed. Simon was excellent, offered choice within parameters we had set and we were very happy with our selection." – Peter
|"Booked a couple of nights away, and was delighted with the trip, and with the assistance we had when we phoned to arrange it." – Tess
|"Used PetsPyjamas; brilliant service provided with excellent accommodation for our Golden Retriever at The Acorn Inn." – David
|"The very friendly and professional team booked a room for me and my dog to stay in one of their dog-friendly hotels. An outstanding service!" – Rosie
"I booked a weekend away for my husband myself and our dog. The original hotel I chose was not available but PetsPyjamas found me another hotel using the criteria I specified. The hotel was perfect and my dog received a warm welcome and a travel pack from PetsPyjamas. I will certainly book through PetsPyjamas again." – Janet
"The Pet Concierge team were so helpful and found the perfect dog-friendly holiday for us! We highly recommend this service and we'll be booking another holiday soon!" – Maddie
|"The food was excellent at The Moonraker, which was also a comfortable and dog-friendly stay. Dog owners should note that rooms are in an outbuilding, only across a courtyard from the main house. Many thanks to PetsPyjamas for coordinating the trip and for the doggie welcome pack - the treats went down, well, a treat!" – Adam
|"Needed a room at the last minute that would accommodate both me and my Cairn Terrier, Lewis, but was struggling to find somewhere. I tried PetsPyjamas on the recommendation of a friend and was throughly impressed! Not only did they find me a lovely room in Suffolk, but dinner, breakfast and breakfast for Lewis were all included!" – Barney


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The Johnny Cash Project is an interactive project directed by Chris Milk and created by Radical Media which allows visitors to create their own interpretation of a Johnny Cash music video. Participants using the websites drawing tool can create their own portrait of Johnny Cash from a still frame reference from the video for "Ain't No Grave" his final studio recording.
Definitely a unique and fitting tribute to the Man in Black.
Sidenote : My introduction to Johnny Cash was via Mark Romanek's powerful music video for the track "Hurt". Still one of my favourites.


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We are a group of speech-language pathologists that apply the best practices of our profession in a warm, friendly and motivating environment. ITS clinic offers speech and language therapy for children of all ages. Our clinic is approximately 1600 sq. feet, with five therapy rooms. We respect each child's individuality and work with the family and other professionals always with the child's best interests in mind. Our team are all highly experienced and have all undertaken extensive advanced studies in their given areas of expertise. At ITS we are skilled at blending our professional experiences into practical hands on approach when addressing each individual child's speech and language needs.
Our Mission
Our Mission
We are committed to providing our patients and their families with the highest quality Speech-Language Pathology services in a motivating, enriching and therapeutic environment.It is our mission to seek and apply the best, individualized therapy solution tailored to each child's speech and language learning needs.
Our Approaches
Our Approaches
As a child and family center practice, our focus is to improve speech, language, and communication skills. Therapy is geared to facilitate, encourage children and their families to attain targeted goals in all settings.
Therapy is child-centered and family-friendly, embracing evidenced based developmental approaches. We believe that in order for children to receive the maximum benefit from our services the family must be actively involved with the therapy process. Therefore we encourage parents to observe and actively participate in their child's therapy sessions.
Speech therapy sessions are conducted during or after school on a weekly basis. Our therapists provide therapy at the clinic, in the home, and at your child's daycare. During the summer, for those children who receive speech therapy services during the school year, we offer speech therapy that will focus not only on maintaining the skills the child has achieved during the school year but building upon those skills. Often times during the summer months, children regress due to the absence of school based speech therapy.
We do not teach skills based on popular prescribed programs, rather we apply evidenced based approaches that are applicable to each individual child.
Our goal is to improve your child's quality of life with continued progress through personalized and proven methods of treatment.
Insurance Information
Insurance Information
We are a vendor for San Andreas Regional Center. While we do on occasion accept payments from commercial insurance, it is not our standard practice. However, we will provide you with all necessary documents to file your claims and we can even assist in filing the claims, but the payment from the insurance goes directly to you. Please speak to your insurance representative directly regarding your insurance coverage, even if we have already done so for you. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative in order to avoid any misunderstanding and confusion.Please click here to view some Insurance Suggestion Guide
Contact (408) 241-2229 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Full length chiffon dress from Tiffanys Serrenade, the Saffron has a pleated bodice and a ruched skirt. A double flower detail sits on the satin waistband below the crossover pleated top. It has a sweetheart neckline and comes with a matching wrap. Built in bra cups and the option to attach the supplied straps. Great choice of colours (see last image) and sizes from a 2 to a 30. "Order Now" to let us know your colour and size so we can confirm a delivery date for you before completing the order.
Standard UK delivery of orders over £149 is free. All other UK orders are as below:
UK tracked 48 £3.95
UK tracked 24 £5.95
Next day delivery £7.95
Saturday delivery £9.95
Delivery to Europe starts at £7.95 and the rest of the world starts at £12.95
Our full Delivery & Returns Policy can be viewed here.
We accept Visa (including Electron), Mastercard, Amex, Maestro, Delta and PayPal.
All credit and debit card transactions are subject to validation checks and are authorised by the card issuer. If the issuer of your card refuses to authorise payment to us, we will not be liable for any delay and / or non-delivery of your order.
We are pleased to accept orders online, by telephone or in our store. No orders will be accepted or processed without a valid card payment in the name of the registered cardholder.
We use secure socket layer (SSL) technology for all transactions to ensure that your details are safe with us. All information provided is encrypted so it cannot be read by third parties.


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Revenue growth may be one key metric investors will keep an eye out for when Amazon.com reports earnings, but Amazon Prime shipping subscribers are a major driver of the online retailer's revenue growth, and it's another measure worth paying attention to, according to one analyst.
The problem is that Amazon (AMZN) is reluctant to disclose its subscriber numbers or subscriber growth, said Colin Sebastian, Internet analyst at Baird Equity Research.
There are about 10 million Amazon Prime subscribers, according to Sebastian's estimates. And those subscribers spend three to four times more than the typical Amazon customer, he said on "Big Data Download."
RELATED: Social Media and Retail: A Sign of Things to Come?
"That makes them more valuable from a long-term value perspective. It also means those consumers who are loyal tend to start their shopping on Amazon instead of sites like Google or Yahoo! or even bricks-and-mortar stores," Sebastian said.
The total number of items listed on Amazon grew by nearly 10 percent in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, according to Baird's quarterly survey of products on Amazon. Yet the percentage of items on Amazon listed as Prime eligible held steady at just 10 percent, according to Baird.
RELATED: Analysis: Facebook Ads Are Cheaper, Better
Increasing the number of Prime-eligible products offers a huge opportunity for Amazon, according to Sebastian, particularly when the company receives inventory from third-party sellers and takes care of the shipping, a service called Fulfilled by Amazon.
"This is important because it improves the overall experience for customers," he said. "In terms of Prime subscriptions, it also has significantly increased the number of products that...qualify for Prime shipping. And that in turn, in a virtuous cycle, drives prime subscriptions," Sebastian explained.
-- Baird makes a market in Amazon's shares.
-- Comments, Questions, Suggestions? Tweet Us @BigDataDownload


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LISTENING TO 5th STEPS
For those who are participating in a recovery process such as AA, AlAnon, The 12-Step Spiritual Journey, or Celebrate Recovery, we have trained spiritual directors who are willing to listen to your 5th step and offer God's healing grace.
5th Step: Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Restoration Ministries provides a safe and confidential place to bring voice to our wrongs, and experience in the process greater freedom, grace and love. Confession is good for us.
11th STEP: PRAYER & MEDITATION
Our prayer and attentiveness to God empower and sustain our life and desire for wholeness and freedom.
11th Step: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.
Those participating in one with one spiritual direction, our retreats, and weekly Listening Prayer gatherings credit these opportunities as deepening their work and attentiveness to the 11th Step.


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We will be back at Renegade Craft Fair at the Bridgeport Art Center on December 3 + 4 from 11–6. Find a wonderful selection of handmade goods from some of the best makers and finish off your holiday shopping! We will be located on the first floor at booth 33.
See you there!


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Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm
Tickets are $15
Mbira Magic: the Neoafrosoul of Piwai
From art and culture site Noirologie:
With her hands concealed inside a gourd resting in her lap, glistening droplets of sound cascading into the air, it's easy to imagine something otherworldly is happening when Piwai performs. And there is: the act of an artist reclaiming her musical roots.
"Christian colonizers in southern Africa brainwashed the Shona into believing their own music was evil," she says. "I was born in a Christian household, so I was apprehensive about playing the mbira. But it's been a spiritual awakening for me." The ancestral notes she plucks from the mbira's tines are a signature element of her neoafrosoul style—a mixture of complex african rhythms blended with jazz, soul, and latin flavors.
Piwai has never wanted to be center stage, but the packed crowds at Ashkenaz affirm that's just where she belongs. She feels a sense of mission to bring the melodies of southern Africa to more audiences, especially now. "The music lifts people's spirits," she says. "It's a little bit sad in a way that we don't have more of it in the Bay Area. It's either drumming or Afrobeat, usually. But I'm hoping to keep getting better and bring more of it forward."
Piwai was surrounded by music from an early age. Her first influences include music from the Shona and Ndebele people of Zimbabwe, Suthu and Zulu tribes, and the Zimbabwean Catholic Church. She joined her first choir at the age of 10, wrote her first song at 13, and hasn't stopped since. Piwai went on to study with renowned percussionists Yagbe Onilu and Butch Haynes, trained vocally at the Jazz School of Berkeley, and delved into the mbira – a traditional African instrument associated with profound spiritual union – with maestro Cosmas Magaya.
This cinematic set will showcase the individual and combined talents of KYN, Kamerin, and Ghostlore. The artists' collaborative performance will transport you through a series of emotional and acoustic landscapes as they reflect on both the mundane and the profound, the beautiful and the heartbreaking aspects of today's world.
KYN (Yari Bundy & Josh Casey) is an electronic music duo exploring lush sonic landscapes and rhythmic structures both familiar and experimental. Their music is often described as beat driven sound design with cinematic overtones. KYN performs music that is innovative in scope yet instinctively emotive in practice.
Kamerin (Kamerin McDonald) is an Oakland-based folk-pop singer songwriter who is not afraid to show their vulnerability in their music. A classically trained vocalist, Kamerin lush vocal harmonies with with electroacoustic synthesizer sounds and catchy beats to send you melting backward into some childhood nostalgia you didn't know you had.
Ghostlore (Tim Kim and Kamerin McDonald) began as a vocal improvisation duo providing live dance accompaniment. Rich with twisting and turning vocal melodies and harmonies, their material is hauntingly sweet and sorrowful all at once. At times their sound is as minimal as two voices alone; at others it is a densely layered soundscape of vocal, violin and synthesizer loops. The duo deeply values and creates space for improvisation within their work, bringing a sense of spontaneity, honesty and playfulness to their lovingly crafted sound.
Barbara Nerness is an artist and math teacher residing in Berkeley, California. She blends a background in mathematics, programming, music, and photography to create geometric visualizations that move with sound, transporting the listener to new spaces.


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American Consumers Are Taking Control Of Their Power Use - for PSFK.com
The American consumer is leading the march toward energy efficiency in this country. They're embracing government-sponsored programs such as Energy Star and technological advances like the Internet of Things (IoT) and solar panels to reduce their annual energy usage and put money back into their pockets.
Read the whole article here.


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Learn the Steps to Jailbreak the iPod Touch!
Learn the Steps to Jailbreak the iPod Touch! – The iPod Touch is no doubt one of the best
Learn the Steps to Jailbreak the iPod Touch! – The iPod Touch is no doubt one of the best
Top 5 Entertainment iPad Apps. The iPad is a great versatile device that can do anything you want it
Just how far would you go to flaunt your own unique style? For a lot of people, they do
When you travel during the holiday period, make sure that you'll take that the weather channel free app ipod.
Did you resolve in getting and staying in body figure this year? This can be fulfilling if you are
Although it has been a few years since it's release, the iPod and iphone has taken the world by
Ms. Pac-Man couldn't have celebrated its twenty five years long stint of surviving in the market, than by becoming
Free Applications for Your iPod Touch, Know it Here One of the most fascinating gadgets of all times is
NFL for iPod Touch Keep up with all the news from the NFL through the iPod Tuch. This application
How to Restart the iPod Touch?. To err the human and to err more the electronic devices. If your
Best Quality of Apple iPod Battery. With radically transforming technology, rushing to buy many coolest gadgets is always rapidly
How to Use iPod Wizard. Giving an individual outlook to your iPod device is easily achievable by a program
Preparing to install an iPodWizard – an iPod Wizard tutorial: Preparing For The Install You will need to get
How to Take Picture With Your iPhone. Have you ever been in a situation where you have wanted to
Keynote Remote App for iPhone. Recently you'll be able to keep the complete hold of the presentation of Keynote


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Post inspection blues – and outstanding habits ..../
Jude Sweeting, Director of Quality & Enjoyment
It is disheartening for homes to hear post inspection that they are at the upper end of Good when they have spent months of personal investment to achieve Outstanding. And of course it is joyful to achieve an Outstanding rating where, in the exposure of an inspection, nothing seems guaranteed. In both cases however there is the aftermath of the inspection and some kind of rallying and refocusing.
Two weeks ago I had my first coaching call of the year with a home which achieved a CQC rating of Outstanding late last year. I left the call even more convinced that Outstanding is a leadership mindset, which produces behaviours that once 'turned on' become as natural as breathing.
The CQC rating is an important validation with powerful business consequences and we all need to understand what is needed to achieve this. There is much learning to be done as we seek to share an understanding of creativity and innovation in care services.
Arguably, authentically outstanding homes won't need to 'bounce back' post inspection. They won't need to spend lots of time 'managing' being unsuccessful or successful (after the final result and even if it seems unfair) as they already have a higher investment in the process of innovation and creativity than the outcomes these produce. They just will continue to be innovative in their behaviors because they have lots of evidence that pleasing outcomes will follow in abundance. Stretching is not just for inspections (or even Christmas) it is a habit of success.
Where there is a post inspection sense of'returning to business as usual' or even 'its now time to refocus' it is important to get back to 'clean slate' thinking.
So what was it about the post inspection Outstanding home on this call with their home manager and activity leader that gladdened my heart? It was a sense of unstoppable creative confidence with tangible indications that innovative behaviours are routinely automatic:
- Natural future focus: 'yes we had the (CQC) celebration party before Xmas, it was lovely, but that was ages ago'
- Noticing impact and feedback: 'our new electronic care records mean that I had 4 staff attending an afternoon social event last week – that is unheard of!'
- Willingness to learn, exploit, hoan, combine and build: 'I'm seeing that if we do more work matching staff with residents we can use the 'new' time for more outings and 'in home special times'."
- Commitment to relationship building using the whole team: 'we used the tool you sent us and 20 of the staff have done their relationship circles – I've been really amazed that some of the residents who I had on my outer circle (less energizing relationships) were in the centre circle for a number of staff – there's a lot we can use here'
- Inclusion and curiosity underpin investment in enquiring: 'I will complete the tool with all the staff so we can see it all'
- Risk–taking and working to be leader proof: 'we had to resuscitate a resident recently and I stood back to allow other staff to put their learning into practice. Often the home manager is expected to do the CPR. I'm doing this to encourage staff problem solving too by saying'I haven't got time – come back and tell me what you have done'
- Playfulness that encourages the heart of positive relationships: 'I asked staff to share a proud achievement in their lives and created a game for the residents to guess which member of staff had done this thing. They loved it – when the residents weren't sure who we were talking about I re-introduced the member of staff to them'
To the Moon!!


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This is the first Q&A in a series, wherein I'm asking friends I've met in the wine world about their experiences taking WSET and their career in wine. I hope you enjoy! Today, I'm chatting with Colina, who was a superstar in our WSET Diploma classes.
Q Congratulations on achieving the WSET Diploma! What's the biggest improvement you've seen in your wine-abilities since completing the program?
A: Thank you! I would say that the biggest improvement I have seen is my ability to speak to wine in a way that everyone can understand. At the winery we are constantly explaining the winemaking process to people of all levels of wine education and it's really fun to make that approachable for all. I feel like I can do that in a correct, and in-depth way due to the diploma training, while still making it interesting and approachable.
Q Which unit did you find the most challenging and why?
A: Unit 3 was definitely the most challenging for me. I think it's because of the sheer volume of knowledge expected and the minutiae of regions that I previously didn't even know existed, like the wines being produced in Japan, Romania and Croatia. One of the biggest obstacles is not falling into the so-called 'rabbit-holes' and remembering to always think of the entire world of wine.
Q How did the Diploma compare to WSET Level 3, and was there anything that surprised you about the curriculum?
A: I remember at the time when I was taking WSET Level 3, I felt so intimidated and overwhelmed. This was especially true for me as it was the first time I had done a blind tasting under exam conditions. Comparatively to the diploma, now, it feels like it was a piece of cake. I think the most important difference for people considering the diploma coming out of Level 3 is that the Diploma demands a large piece of your time, I would not recommend having a full-time job while doing it, if you can keep your work week to <20 hours, do it. It's not only having the 10 hours/week, to devote to studying, it's having the time and energy to fully immerse yourself, not to mention the group tastings that are invaluable.
Being a part of a tasting group is one of the best tools I was fortunate enough to have, but it does take a time commitment. The other aspect that requires more time is sourcing the wine. While I really LOVE shopping for wine, it can be a bit of a challenge when you're looking for some of the more esoteric pieces, luckily Calgary is such a great market there were few things I was unable to taste.
Q You did very well in the program. Could you share your favourite study tip? {I believe I remember you mentioning writing notes on different surfaces!}
A: Forgo everything. I mean everything. Take whole days where you literally eat, sleep, study, nothing else, have meals prepared in advance for this. For the days when you can't do this I ended up writing study notes on my glass shower door and also on my sliding glass patio door. For a while I had all of the major appellations in Burgundy listed on my shower door so I could memorize them in the mornings. Always be running through the pieces of information that are memory work, whether it's in a line up at a grocery store, while you're driving, always keeping them top of mind.
Q What was your career/role while going through the program, and what do you do now? Did having the Diploma factor into getting your new job?
A: Ha, this is a bit of a loaded question for me. When I decided to start the programme I was a server at a restaurant in downtown Calgary, moved to another restaurant to manage, then went back to serving at a different location (as I didn't have the time I needed to commit to the programme), subsequently took on a role managing a wine boutique and the time needed to study disappeared again, so as I had initially budgeted I was able to take the last month and a half of the diploma off of work to focus on studying.
After the programme I was at a crossroads. Do I stay in Calgary, the city I was born and raised in with an amazing wine culture and incredibly informed and passionate professionals? Or do I try something completely different and see the production side of the wine industry? My curiosity took me to the Okanagan where I am now employed at a working Vineyard/Winery as a tasting room and administrative assistant.
The Diploma factored into the new job as it really sparked the curiosity wanting to know more, but also has a significant amount of weight when an employer sees it on your resume. I was fortunate enough to have several options to choose from before deciding which vineyard/winery I would be working at.
Q Can you tell me a little bit about a typical day at the winery? What're the best and most challenging parts of your role?
A: If there is one thing I know, there is no typical day at the Vineyard/Winery. Being a part of a small team is always a quality I have loved in the roles that I've had, the versatility of the role and the teamwork that goes into it is motivating. Since I started almost 3 months ago I have done a range of tasks including website development, hosting tastings in our tasting room, suckering vines, bottling, shipping, balancing accounts, making arrangements for the new on-site vineyard vacation rental and, oh ya, removing snakes and birds from the tasting room. Everyday is a new adventure truly, and the variety is amazing.
Q You recently moved from the city to wine country. What're your favourite things about living in the heart of the Okanagan?
A: It was a big change, and to be honest it is in line with a lot of my values. I have always tried to eat local as much as possible, where in the city that can almost seem like a novelty at times, here it is just a way of life because of the amazing access to local products. The trail systems here are outstanding, there is never a shortage of activities to fill your time with. Really, if you get the opportunity to move to paradise all you can say is 'yes!'
Thank you for reading, and thanks Colina for your most excellent responses. You can follow Colina on Instagram @colina.k.marshall or Twitter @colina_marshall.
Please leave your comments below, I love reading them!
Cheers, Rachel


text:
Recipe: studyproject_upgrade_forge
Label: The Lore that Burns
Start Description: None
Description: I've increased my mastery of the Lore that Burns, which we call by its aspect, Forge.
Action: study
Requirements: 1
Table Requirements: None
Extant Requirements: None
Aspects: 1
Mutation Effects: None
Alternative Recipes: Nothing
Linked Recipes: Nothing
From Recipes:
Slots: None
Warmup: 0
Maximum Executions: 0
Deck Effect: None
Internal Deck: None
Ending Flag: None
Signal Ending Flavour: None
Portal Effect: none
Craftable? No
Hint Only? No
Signal Important Loop? No
Comments: None


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"I fully support a single global currency." Paul Volcker in 2007
Vanderbilt University in Nashville held a financial research conference on April 18 with headliner and ex-Fed chairman and current Obama advisor Paul Volcker sparing with Vice Chairman Donald Kohn and New York Fed chief William Dudley on the Fed's policies.
It was a scripted, controlled event aimed at lulling the public into thinking that there is an actual debate within the financial elite on the state of the economy and how to reverse the downturn.
Volcker is quoted;
...the U.S. economic recovery will be a "long slog" but that the rate of decline "is going to slow."
a "long slog" but that the rate of decline "is going to slow."
"None of us has seen a decline in economic activity at the rate of speed seen late last year."
"The lack of a good strong recovery works against a strong financial system," he said. The financial system "is not quite comatose, but it's on life support."
Volcker said a review the Federal Reserve's role, something traditionally regarded as taboo, now seems inevitable given the fallout from the long-running financial crisis.
"For better or worse, we are at a point where the Federal Reserve Act is going to be reviewed," said Volcker.
The wide range of proposals, from giving the Fed much more supervisory authority to stripping it of part of its current authorities, "are just an indication of how wide open that question is going to be." {more}
Would that review include passage of H.R.1207 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009?
To amend title 31, United States Code, to reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States and the manner in which such audits are reported, and for other purposes.It's highly unlikely. Send an email to your congressman urging support of this bill and see what the response is.
In an interview the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Greenspan, admits that the Fed is above the law and answers to no one. That's exactly how they intend to keep it.
A true debate on the Fed would include outsiders who have the questions that the Fed does not want to answer. Consider Steve Lendman in his analysis Barack Obama: Crime Boss and wonder how the Vanderbilt conference sparks would have flown had Mr. Lendman, or any number of Fed opponents, been invited and allowed to present an opposing viewpoint.
The insiders of the Federal Reserve can debate among themselves all they want, creating an illusion of openness, but the bottom line is that the secrets of the federal reserve are not to be exposed in public discussion where the masses might finally understand the workings of this criminal enterprise.
The 'higher' education institutions, as Vanderbilt did yesterday, the controlled Congress and the media will see to it.


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Music in the side room by ADAM ADAM at 7PM. No cover!
Band Members
Adam Guthrie, David Hornbuckle, Tym Cornell, Aaron Hathcock
Short Description
ADAM ADAM, the performance persona of Pain guitarist Adam Guthrie, showcases his compositional versatility via unorthodox arrangements, eclectic instrumentation & pop sensibility conceived to deliver an emotional throw down live & in the studio.


text:
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Article: Adjustment Of Status Following An Admission Does Not "Re-Start" the Five-Year Clock For Purposes Of The Moral Turpitude Deportation Ground by Kathy Brady
Article: What Part of Your Oath of Office Don't You Understand?
by Charles Kuck
Article: Law Firm Marketing: E-Mail Gives You a Big Edge with Prospects - But Only if You Respond Quickly by Trey Ryder
Bloggings: Mexican Asylum Seekers Form Coalition by Jason Dzubow
Bloggings: BALCA: Elevating Form Over Substance by Joel Stewart
Bloggings: Chinese Immigration Executives Hold Roundtable Meeting with American EB-5 Attorneys and Economists in Guangzhou by Brian Su
Bloggings: Hospitality Immigration - What is the H3 Visa? by Jacob J. Sapochnick
News: Secretary Napolitano Announces Launch Of E-Verify Self Check
News: USCIS Publishes E-Verify Self Check Fact Sheet
News: USCIS Publishes Transcript Of E-Verify Self Check Press Conference
News: CRS Report On Unauthorized Alien Students,
Higher Education, and In-State Tuition Rates: A Legal Analysis
Focus: Marketing Audit Report
The advent of the internet has changed the playing field for marketing efforts for every business. While some of the old channels of marketing still work, many do not; while some of the "new" channels of marketing produce great results, it is not easy to figure out how to make this happen. Has your firm's marketing strategy been optimized to play well on this new playing field? ILW.COM is pleased to offer law firms a NEW service - a "marketing analysis report". We will conduct a review of your entire marketing efforts and make suggestions on what changes (if any) to make. The Marketing Analysis report is available for an incredibly low introductory price - only $499! Sign up for your Marketing Analysis Report here. For the fax form, see here.
Headline: RT @postgraduado The Sound Strike Panel on Immigration a huge Success! The Sound Strike down hate http://t.co/0NEldhW
Headline: RT @ICFJ Beyond the border: Covering the Immigration Phenomenon through Digital Media. Apply before May 2! http://bit.ly/gQeM85
Headline: RT @Prison_Health Protecting the Rights of Persons w/ Mental Disabilities in the Immigration Court & Detention System http://ht.ly/4g4pV
Headline: RT @TheNiLPnetwork NiLP FYI: Utah's New Immigration Bills Nothing New http://conta.cc/h7qAnm
Headline: RT @skazjournal Utah bucks conservative trend on immigration - latimes.com http://lat.ms/ic3dZH
Headline: RT @FLImmigrant Arizona Flinches, will Florida follow? http://fb.me/SEwN9Ps9
Headline: RT @calvinhyj: RT @Multi_American: Is revealing immigration status the new coming out? http://bit.ly/huHzdR
Headline: Arizona Is Immigration Debate's Ground Zero With Hispanic Majority In View http://ow.ly/4jwJ7
Headline: Undocumented youth declare themselves http://ow.ly/4jwFm
Headline: Students Ask for Recognition in Film http://ow.ly/4jwCQ
Headline: Could anti-immigration laws hurt Florida tourism? http://ow.ly/4jwjQ
Headline: Immigration curbs proposed in Michigan http://ow.ly/4jw8Z
Headline: Immigration Amendment Bill submitted to parliament http://ow.ly/4jw5C
Headline: Immigration helping in recovery http://ow.ly/4jw2Y
Headline: Immigration measure clears Colo. House http://ow.ly/4jvLx
Headline: Federal lawyer took bribes http://ow.ly/4jvJP
Headline: ICE Launches Self-Verify http://ow.ly/4jvB2
Headline: Judicial Watch Goes to Court to Protect AZ Illegal Immigration Law http://ow.ly/4jvqz
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Josh McDaniels
Joshua Thomas McDaniels (born April 22, 1976) is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). McDaniels was one of the few members of the Patriots' coaching staff that has been there for all six of their Super Bowl wins; he was with the team initially from 2001 to 2008, serving in multiple capacities. He is the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.
McDaniels in 2009
|New England Patriots
|Offensive coordinator
|Personal information
|April 22, 1976
Barberton, Ohio
|Career information
|High school:
|Canton McKinley (OH)
|John Carroll
|Career history
|As coach:
|Career highlights and awards
|Head coaching record
|Regular season:
|11–17 (.393)
|Coaching stats at PFR
In 2009, McDaniels was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. At the time of his hiring, 33-year-old McDaniels was the youngest head coach in the NFL, although less than a week later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers named Raheem Morris, who is five months younger, as their head coach.[1] McDaniels was fired by Denver after a 3–9 start in 2010. He spent the 2011 season as offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, but he was released by the Rams for the 2011 playoffs to serve as an offensive assistant for the Patriots in their run to Super Bowl XLVI, before returning to the team as offensive coordinator that following season.
- 1 Early years
- 2 Playing career
- 3 Coaching career
- 4 Coaching tree
- 5 References
- 6 External links
Early yearsEdit
McDaniels is the son of Thom McDaniels (the 1997 USA Today High School Coach of the Year and often described as a "legend" of Ohio high school football).[2] Attending his father's practices during his youth has been credited with inspiring McDaniels to enter coaching.
Playing careerEdit
Recruited out of Canton McKinley High School by Greg Debeljak, McDaniels attended John Carroll University, where he played football, primarily as a wide receiver, from 1995 to 1998. Though a quarterback in high school, he was beaten at that position at John Carroll by Nick Caserio, who joined the Patriots staff in 2001 (the same year as McDaniels). His other teammates included London Fletcher, formerly a linebacker with the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins, as well as Brian Polian, the former head coach at the University of Nevada-Reno, and Tom Telesco, general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coaching careerEdit
Michigan StateEdit
McDaniels began his coaching career as a senior graduate assistant at Michigan State University in 1999 under Nick Saban, parlaying his dad's friendship with Saban.[3][4] After assisting Michigan State, McDaniels moved to Cleveland and worked as a plastics sales representative.[3]
New England PatriotsEdit
McDaniels joined the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant. From 2002 to 2003, he served as a defensive coaching assistant for the team, working with the defensive backs in 2003. In 2004, he became the team's quarterbacks coach. After offensive coordinator Charlie Weis left the team following the 2004 season, the Patriots did not name an offensive coordinator for the 2005 season. According to The New York Times, in 2008, it was McDaniels who called the offensive plays for the 2005 season, although suggestions to that effect were made in 2005.[2][5] After the season, McDaniels was officially promoted to offensive coordinator, while retaining his responsibilities coaching the team's quarterbacks.
In the 2007 season, with McDaniels at the helm of the offense, the Patriots set NFL records, scoring 75 touchdowns (67 on offense, 50 passing and 17 rushing) and 589 points, leading to rumors that McDaniels might leave the Patriots for a head coaching job.[6] McDaniels withdrew his name from consideration, however, during the Patriots' January 2008 playoff run. Shortly after the Patriots' loss in Super Bowl XLII, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gave McDaniels a five-page typed report on what it takes to be an effective head coach and run a winning organization, which McDaniels termed "his bible." Throughout the 2008 season, the two would meet to discuss the report and allow McDaniels to ask non-coaching questions that he brought to later head coaching interviews.[7]
Starting quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2008 season. McDaniels directed the Matt Cassel-led Patriots' offense as the team finished the season with an 11–5 record.
Denver BroncosEdit
On January 11, 2009, the Denver Broncos named McDaniels their head coach, replacing Mike Shanahan.[8] The Broncos introduced McDaniels, who agreed to sign a four-year, $8 million contract, as their head coach in a press conference the next day.[9][10]
McDaniels's tenure with the Broncos was marred early on by a controversy involving an alleged trade offer from the Patriots involving the team's quarterback, Jay Cutler, which would have sent Matt Cassel to Denver. On March 9, 2009, according to ESPN, a conference call involving McDaniels, team owner Pat Bowlen and Cutler failed to resolve the issues. Cutler said he did not trust McDaniels and the organization following the trade controversy.[11] On April 2, 2009, the Broncos traded Cutler and a 2009 fifth-round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Kyle Orton, first- and third-round picks in 2009 and a first-round pick in 2010.
2009 seasonEdit
The Broncos started their first season under McDaniels with six straight wins, including an overtime win over the Patriots in Week 5, before suffering four straight losses. In the last game of the season, McDaniels and the Broncos still had a potential playoff berth on the line, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 44–24, Denver's third straight home loss to a division opponent. That left the Broncos with an 8–8 season record. Controversy surrounded McDaniels for his benching of Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall for the game due to disciplinary reasons; Marshall would be traded to the Miami Dolphins after the season.
2010 seasonEdit
McDaniels' second season in Denver ended with a 3–9 record. The Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, and on the next day, McDaniels was fired by the Broncos.
Videotaping scandalEdit
On November 27, The Denver Post reported the Broncos were under investigation from the NFL, after it was reported that Steve Scarnecchia, the team's director of video operations hired by McDaniels in 2009, videotaped a San Francisco 49ers' walkthrough practice, during the teams' Week 8 game at Wembley Stadium in London, England.[12]
The same day, the NFL fined the Broncos and McDaniels $50,000 each, and Scarnecchia was fired as a result of the incident. Scarnecchia told NFL investigators he acted alone and "knew it was wrong" to tape the walkthrough practice, after the rest of the Broncos' staff had left the stadium. Scarnecchia later presented McDaniels with the six-minute video, but McDaniels declined to view it, and it was not shown to any other Broncos staff member, and therefore the NFL determined the Broncos had not gained a competitive advantage from it. An anonymous source alerted the Broncos on November 8, who conducted an internal investigation before alerting the NFL. NFL Security then began its investigation, which included a forensic analysis of the computer from which the recording was later deleted by Scarnecchia.[13] Both the NFL and the Broncos determined that McDaniels knew nothing about the incident.[14]
However, the NFL fined McDaniels due to the fact that he did not immediately report the incident to the league office, as required by policy. The NFL also fined the Broncos, as "clubs are ultimately accountable for the conduct of their employees."[13]
McDaniels later issued the following statement:[15]
"I apologize for not promptly reporting the improper conduct of our video director before our game against the 49ers in London. The actions of this individual are in no way representative of the values and integrity held by myself, our players and coaches, and the entire Denver Broncos organization. I understand the punishment from the National Football League and support its commitment to the integrity of the game. We have addressed the situation internally to assure that nothing like this happens again."
According to The Denver Post, the videotaping incident was a major factor in McDaniels' firing a week later; while the Broncos did not deem it something that merited being fired for cause, they considered his failure to report the incident "unforgivable."[14]
St. Louis RamsEdit
On January 18, 2011, McDaniels agreed to become the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams under head coach Steve Spagnuolo. In Super Bowl XLII, Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, while McDaniels was the offensive coordinator of the Patriots. Spagnuolo stated, "I've always recognized that he is one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. We think he is a great addition to our organization." Also, during the same news conference, it was announced McDaniels would have no hand in any personnel decisions.
Return to New EnglandEdit
Following the 2011 season, the Rams fired Spagnuolo as head coach. While McDaniels was under contract for the 2012 season, the Rams informed him that they would not hold him to his contract, and would allow him to leave.[16] The Patriots then hired McDaniels to act as an offensive assistant coach during their 2011 playoffs, and to replace Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the 2012 season. O'Brien left the Patriots after the 2011 season concluded to become head coach at Penn State, but maintained playcalling duties through Super Bowl XLVI.
During the 2014 season, McDaniels was a part of another championship for the Patriots, winning Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. During the 2016 season, McDaniels coached the offense in another Patriots championship season, this time winning Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[17]
On February 6, 2018, McDaniels was announced as the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.[18] However, McDaniels withdrew from the position on the same day and announced that he had decided to stay with the Patriots.[19][20] After McDaniels' decision, which was met with backlash on Twitter and by ex-players and coaches, his long-time agent, Bob LaMonte, terminated his representation of McDaniels.[21]
McDaniels was with the New England Patriots for all six of their Super Bowl championships: Super Bowl XXXVI, Super Bowl XXXVIII, Super Bowl XXXIX, Super Bowl XLIX, Super Bowl LI, and Super Bowl LIII.
Head coaching recordEdit
|Regular season
|Win %
|Win %
|2nd in AFC West
Coaching treeEdit
NFL head coaches under whom Josh McDaniels has served:
- Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams (2011)
- Bill Belichick, New England Patriots (2001–2008; 2012–present)
- Nick Saban, Michigan State (1999–2000)
Assistant coaches under Josh McDaniels who became NFL head coaches:
- Eric Studesville (interim), Denver Broncos (2010)
- Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers (2013–2016)
- Adam Gase, Miami Dolphins (2016–2018), New York Jets (2019–present)
- ^ "Youngest NFL Coaches (Modern Era) - Football History - Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site". www.profootballhof.com.
- ^ a b Battista, Judy (January 30, 2008). "Coach Follows Dream to Football's Summit". New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ^ a b Merrill, Elizabeth (April 29, 2009). "Josh McDaniels, the new coach of the Denver Broncos, has a definite Patriots way about him". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Josh McDaniels". New England Patriots. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
- ^ McDaniels role in focus Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Accessed September 29, 2007.
- ^ Smith, Tim (January 30, 2008). "Pats assistant Josh McDaniels likely to be candidate for head coaching jobs". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ^ Trotter, Jim (October 7, 2009). "McDaniels takes Belichick's lessons into Sunday showdown with Pats". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
- ^ "Sources: Broncos to hire McDaniels". ESPN.com. January 11, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
- ^ "Broncos to Introduce McDaniels". DenverBroncos.com. January 12, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ Gasper, Christopher (January 13, 2009). "McDaniels takes reins of Broncos". Boston.com. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
- ^ Williamson, Bill (March 11, 2009). "Source: Jay Cutler's situation with Denver Broncos worsens". ESPN. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ Legwold, Jeff; Krieger, Dave (November 27, 2010). "NFL investigating Broncos' possible filming violation". denverpost.com. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "Broncos, McDaniels fined $50K each". Associated Press. ESPN.com. November 27, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Mike Klis (December 8, 2010). "McDaniels fired as Broncos coach after controversy, losses pile up". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ "Statements from Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels". Denver Broncos. November 27, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- ^ "Column".
- ^ "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ Wells, Mike (February 6, 2018). "Colts hire Josh McDaniels as head coach". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Statement By The Indianapolis Colts On Head Coach Search". Colts.com. February 6, 2018.
- ^ Schefter, Adam (February 6, 2018). "Sources: Josh McDaniels changes mind, will stay with Patriots and not take Colts job".
- ^ "Josh McDaniels' agent quits after being stunned by decision". ESPN. February 7, 2018.
External linksEdit
- Media related to Josh McDaniels at Wikimedia Commons
- New England Patriots profile


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Sony Releases Some PSP Price Details
Proving a few recent rumors surprisingly true, Sony Computer Entertainment confirmed the Japanese price and release date for its new PSP handheld last night. The unit will hit Japan on December 12 at a price of 20,790 yen including tax ($194), and Sony will be offering some attractive bundle deals as well.
The basic package will include the PSP hardware, an AC adapter, and a single battery pack. For the price of 26,040 yen including tax ($244), consumers will be able to pick up the PSP Value Pack...
To read the full article click here.


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Data Science, Machine Learning
Akash Sethi explains what a perceptron is:
In machine learning, the perceptron is an algorithm for supervised learning of binary classifiers. It is a type of linear classifier, i.e. a classification algorithm that makes its predictions based on a linear predictor function combining a set of weights with the feature vector.
Linear classifier defined that the training data should be classified into corresponding categories i.e. if we are applying classification for the 2 categories then all the training data must be lie in these two categories.
Binary classifier defines that there should be only 2 categories for classification.
Hence, The basic Perceptron algorithm is used for binary classification and all the training example should lie in these categories. The basic unit in the Neuron is called the Perceptron.
Click through to learn more about perceptrons.
Data Science, Machine Learning
Sandipan Dey explains what a kd-tree is and how it works:
The prime advantage of a 2d-tree over a BST is that it supports efficient implementation of range search and nearest-neighbor search. Each node corresponds to an axis-aligned rectangle, which encloses all of the points in its subtree. The root corresponds to the entire plane [(−∞, −∞), (+∞, +∞ )]; the left and right children of the root correspond to the two rectangles split by the x-coordinate of the point at the root; and so forth.
Range search: To find all points contained in a given query rectangle, start at the root and recursively search for points in both subtrees using the following pruning rule: if the query rectangle does not intersect the rectangle corresponding to a node, there is no need to explore that node (or its subtrees). That is, search a subtree only if it might contain a point contained in the query rectangle.
Nearest-neighbor search: To find a closest point to a given query point, start at the root and recursively search in both subtrees using the following pruning rule: if the closest point discovered so far is closer than the distance between the query point and the rectangle corresponding to a node, there is no need to explore that node (or its subtrees). That is, search a node only if it might contain a point that is closer than the best one found so far. The effectiveness of the pruning rule depends on quickly finding a nearby point. To do this, organize the recursive method so that when there are two possible subtrees to go down, you choose first the subtree that is on the same side of the splitting line as the query point; the closest point found while exploring the first subtree may enable pruning of the second subtree.
k-nearest neighbors search: This method returns the k points that are closest to the query point (in any order); return all n points in the data structure if n ≤ k. It must do this in an efficient manner, i.e. using the technique from kd-tree nearest neighbor search, not from brute force.
Sandipan implements a fairly classic problem in this space: the behavior of a group of flocking birds.
Vincent Granville argues that Google search is on a slow decline:
What has happened over the last few years is that many websites are now getting most of their traffic from sources other than Google. Google is no longer the main source of traffic for most websites, because webmasters pursue other avenues to generate relevant traffic, in particular social networks and newsletter – as it is easier to attract the right people and promote the right content through these channels. Think about this: How did you discover Data Science Central? For most recent members, the answer is not Google anymore. In that sense, Google has lost its monopoly when it comes to finding interesting information on the Internet. The reason is that Google pushes more and more search results from partners, their own products, possibly content that fits with its political agenda, big advertisers, old websites, big websites, and web spammers who find a way to get listed at the top. In the meanwhile, websites such as ours promote more and more articles from little high quality publishers and great bloggers that have a hard time getting decent traffic from Google. For them, we are a much bigger and better source of traffic, than Google.
I think this is a fairly optimistic view of the situation, as there's a difference between "I want to learn about a topic" versus "I want to learn this specific thing." I think Vincent's argument is much stronger on the former, but when it comes to the latter, the first thing I hear people say is that they're googling it.
Availability Groups, Powershell
Derik Hammer has a process to maintain logins, backup devices, linked servers, SQL Agent details, and more between Availability Group nodes:
A notable limitation of this process is that it does not update existing objects. Jobs which already exist but were updated, will not be altered. I chose to omit that functionality because it presents merge complications and problems. For example, the cleanest way to handle the process would be to drop and create the object each time the synchronization runs. If that happened, however, there would be gaps when logins didn't exist and applications would fail to connect, SQL Agent jobs would lose history, and/or the processing of a job would fail because it was dropped part way through executing.
With that limitation aside, this is a very interesting process and I recommend giving it a careful read. Derik also includes the Powershell script at the end.
Powershell, T-SQL Tuesday, Virtualization
Raul Gonzalez shows how to spin up a Hyper-V VM using Powershell:
There are a lots of command to create or manipulate VM's and I'm still only scratching the surface, but although I'm not a PS person, I have to admit that every time I want to do something, I find relatively easy to find a powershell command or a script for it, so I like it.
For instance, creating new virtual machines it's a simple as one command
And that's only the beginning, we can add the different virtual hardware like in the UI, Drives, Network Adapters and so on. And then configure memory, CPU and NUMA, etc…
This is the script which I'm more or less running to create my VM's, this in particular will be a Hyper-V Host itself, so there are a couple of interesting settings I'll tell you about later.
Click through for Raul's script.
Availability Groups, Powershell, T-SQL Tuesday
Tracy Boggiano shows off a script which checks Availability Group status of selected servers:
My favorite thing to automate using PowerShell is checking on the status of things on multiple servers. For example, after patching your environment running a quick query to make sure the version number is the same. In this example, we will use a cmdlet my coworker wrote in combination in my cmdlet to check the health of all the Availability Groups across our landscape or you could use it just check one. After all I do consider myself to be an HA/DR nut.
I've blogged about my coworker's Get-CmsHost cmdlet before but now he has and shared it on github so you can read more about here.
In my cmdlet I use the same code that used in the SSMS AG dashboard to check the status of my Availability Groups.
Tracy includes her cmdlet as well as several example calls.
Gianluca Sartori gives us a laundry list of potential problems with third-party database backup solutions:
2. Potentially dangerous separation of duties
Backup tools are often run and controlled by windows admins, who may or may not be the same persons responsible for taking care of databases. Well, surprise: if you're taking backups you're responsible for them, and backups are the main task of the DBA, so… congrats: you're the DBA now, like it or not.
If your windows admins are not ok with being the DBA, but at the same time are ok with taking backups, make sure that you discuss who gets accountable for data loss when thing go south. Don't get fooled: you must not be responsible for restores (which, ultimately, is the reason why you take backups) if you don't have control over the backup process. Period.
There is plenty of sound advice in this post. These points also apply to roll-your-own solutions as well, but the main focus is on enterprise backup tools, which are in many cases surprisingly shoddy.
Administration, Powershell, T-SQL Tuesday
Mark Wilkinson loves Powershell and he loves Central Management Servers and he loves combining the two:
Get-CmsHostsis a function I wrote as part of a custom PowerShell module we maintain internally at my employer. It is simple to use, but is the base of most automation projects I work on.
Simple Example
This example will connect to
srv-mycms-01and return a distinct list of instance host names registered with that CMS server that start with the string
srv-. This output can then be piped to other commands:
Read on for more examples and details, and then grab the script at the end of Mark's post.
Powershell, Security, T-SQL Tuesday
Brian Carrig shows how to disable the Named Pipes protocol using Powershell:
Windows and POSIX systems both support something referred to as "named pipes", although they are different concepts. For the purposes of this post I am referring only to the Windows version. By default on most editions of SQL Server (every edition except Express Edition), there are three supported and enabled protocols for SQL server to listen on – Shared Memory, TCP/IP and Named Pipes. The inclusion of named pipes has always confused me somewhat. In theory, named pipes allow communication between applications without the overhead of going through the network layer. This advantage disappears when you want to communicate over the network using named pipes. In all modern versions of SQL Server, named pipes does not support Kerberos, so for most shops you likely will not be using or should not be using named pipes to communicate with SQL Server.
Security best practices dictate that if you are not using a particular protocol, you should disable it. There is an option to disable this is in the GUI in Configuration Manager but since this T-SQL Tuesday blog post is about using Powershell it does not make sense to cover it here. Nor is it particular easy to use the GUI to make a configuration change across hundreds of SQL instances. Unfortunately, I have not found a good way to make this change that does not involve using WMI, if anybody is aware of a better method, I welcome your feedback.
Read the whole thing. You should have Named Pipes enabled if you're running a NetBIOS network. But because it's not 1997 anymore, you probably shouldn't be running a NetBIOS network.
Powershell, T-SQL Tuesday, Virtualization
Andrew Pruski shows us how to enable Hyper-V and create a Windows VM using Powershell:
I'm constantly spinning up VMs and then blowing them away. Ok, using the Hyper-V GUI isn't too bad but when I'm creating multiple machines it can be a bit of a pain.
So here's the details on the script I've written, hopefully it could be of some use to you too.
Click through for the script; it's ultimately just a few lines of code.


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« Back
The Country Club at Woodloch Springs
The Country Club at Woodloch Springs excels in golf group events.Woodloch's spectacular, 18-hole, championship, par-72 golf course winds its way over 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest, lush wetlands and broad upland meadows. The outstanding signature 14th hole requires a dramatic 220-yard carry over Hell's Gate Gorge, which is carved from the rugged mountainside by rushing water some 200 feet below.
- 732 Woodloch Drive
- Hawley, PA 18428
- Phone: 570-685-8102
- Toll Free: (800) 966-3562
- Fax: 570-685-8194
- Email: email@example.com
An eagle-eye view of this 4.5 star golf course.
Woodloch Springs live camera and videos!


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Check Your Size Here
Boys Christening Shoe Made of 100% Cotton Sateen
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Independent developer Fatshark released today new details on the first of five heroes to be playable in Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. Victor Saltzpyre is a ferocious and unrelenting Witch Hunter who disposes of his enemies with extreme prejudice. Trained from a young age in the Order of the Silver Hammer, Victor is an expert in both ranged and melee combat. Carrying a diverse set of weaponry with the capability of easily switching from pistol to sword and back to pistol again, Victor uses his quickness and agility to move swiftly around the battlefield, releasing devastating and precise attacks on the non-stop hordes of Skaven.
In Vermintide, the city of Ubersreik is under siege as players select from a band of five heroes with different play-styles and abilities, all equipped with unique gear and personalities. Working together cooperatively, players must use their individual attributes to survive an apocalyptic invasion from hordes of relentless, power hungry Skaven, across a range of environments stretching from the top of the Magnus Tower to the bowels of the Under Empire.
Visit the website: Homepage
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter
Like us on Facebook: Facebook
About Fatshark
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and established in 2004 independent developer Fatshark is comprised of a team of over 50 experienced games developers, who strive to create compelling interactive experiences. The team have previously developed titles including Lead and Gold, Krater and War of the Roses, as well as recently announced Warhammer®: End Times Vermintide™. For more information, visitwww.fatsharkgames.com


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HomeBanc (FL) Adds 21- And 31-Month CD Specials
In late December, HomeBanc, N.A. (HomeBanc) added two CD Specials: 21-month CD (1.50% APY) and 31-month CD (1.85% APY). The minimum opening deposit is $10k of new money, with a balance cap of $100k.
There is a limit of one 21-month and one 31-month CD Special per household. The fine print on the Current Rates page states,
Checking account required with $1,500 minimum opening deposit.
According to a very helpful CSR, all of HomeBanc's four checking accounts (Home Free, Classic, Prestige, and Pacesetters Club) qualify, as long as it is opened with a minimum $1,500 deposit. I asked if a new checking account was required, or would an existing HomeBanc checking account qualify. CSR stated that existing checking accounts do qualify, but must have a $1,500 minimum balance when the CD is opened.
According to CSR, the Early Withdrawal Penalty is six months interest for either CD Special.
Thanks to DA reader, blakeb, for his Forum post about Homebanc's latest CD Specials.
Headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, HomeBanc, N.A.'s market area is Central Florida, covering an area from Tampa/St. Petersburg to Orlando.
Opening either of the CD Specials requires an in-person visit to any of 13 Florida branches, which are located in Belleair Bluffs, Clearwater, Dunedin, Kenneth City, Lake Mary, Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Seminole, Tampa (2), and Winter Park.
Bank Overview
HomeBanc, N.A. (FDIC Certificate # 58194) has an overall health grade of "B+" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas ratio of 2.79% (excellent) based on September 30, 2016 data. In the past year, HomeBanc increased its total non-brokered deposits by $7.88 million, an above average annual growth rate of 1.03%. Please refer to our financial overview of HomeBanc, N.A. for more details.
Originally established in 2007 as the Community National Bank of the South, the Bank was rebranded as HomeBanc, N.A., less than a year later. As a subsidiary of the Tampa-based holding company, HomeBancorp, Inc., HomeBanc is currently Florida's 24th largest bank, with assets in excess of $1 billion.
How the CD Specials Compare
When compared to 241 similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that require a similar minimum deposit and are available in the Bank's market area, HomeBanc's 31-Month CD Special APY currently shares the spot with RTN Federal Credit Union's 37-month CD Special APY.
When compared to 240 similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that require a similar minimum deposit and are available in the Bank's market area, HomeBanc's 21-Month CD Special APY currently ranks in the top five.
The above rates are accurate as of 1/17/2017.
To look for the best CD rates, both nationwide and state-specific, please refer to our CD rates table or our Rates Map page.