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The history of wearable technology goes way back, even though it might seem that it's a thing that appeared in the context of the 21st-century technological boom. Nowadays, smartwatches come in various shapes and sizes and have different uses.
Apart from these, there are wearable technology clothes, wearable technology jewellery and other e-trinkets one can buy at leisure. All of them can facilitate life a great deal, so it should not be so surprising that they're picking ground constantly.
For now, we will focus on the best smartwatch for women you can find on the market. Due to the fact that there are hundreds, if not thousands of distinct products, it may be difficult to find what you're looking for without extensive research. Let's proceed with the guide.
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Wearable technology is an umbrella-term for a variety of smart-gadgets that can be worn by an individual. These are usually endowed with certain functions and features such as: sensors, activity trackers, heart-rate monitors, built-in connection with one's smartphone, Bluetooth, etc.
It is true that when people think of wearable gadgets, they're usually thinking of wearable fitness technology. These are devices that can track a multitude of things, from heart-rate, hours of sleep, the number of kilometers ran, the number of stairs, the number of steps made throughout the day, calories burned, active minutes and many others.
The history of this kind of technology that one can wear on his/her wrist (or elsewhere, as implant), can be retraced to the 1980s, when the famous calculator-watch was first commercialized.
We all remember how cool we felt with one of those and how expensive they were when they first got out on the market.
They looked like they've been taken out of some science-fiction movie. According to some, the hearing aid, too, was a proto-wearable, but we think it doesn't fit in the definition of wearable "technology" per se because it does not have any features.
Wearable technology fashion started in 2004, when CuteCircuit, a British company, released the HugShirt, the first piece of e-clothing in the world. From then on, hundreds of other companies started manufacturing wearable technology.
At the moment, Google, Apple, Fitbit, Jawbone, Pebble, and Samsung are among the leaders in the production of wearable tech. As one might expect, they manufacture devices with a wide array of uses, from fitness tracking to fashion and data connection, to mention just a few.
The first piece of wearable technology, the calculator-watch, was intended for mathematical use. However, the potential of such a gadget to serve for tens of other purposes did not go unnoticed. At the moment, wearable technology has an outstanding palette of uses.
Wearable health technology and wearable fitness technology are the most common ones. They are those we've talked about in the previous sections. They are used to monitor pretty much all bodily functions that a fitness enthusiast or a person who's suffering from an ailment can think of.
These are some of the other types of wearable technology:
In order to assess what the best smartwatch for women is, you must be aware of the fact that there are multiple types for you to choose from. Obviously, each of them has its own configuration and plethora of features. Let's take a look at the most common ones, to make sure you're on the right track:
Smartwatches, just like wearable technology, represent an umbrella-term for all devices that qualify as wrist-worn trackers and monitors. If you're into fitness or overly concerned about your health, you might want to delve a little deeper into the notion and start researching the particular model you might want. We will show you five models in a future section.
Fitness trackers and smartwatches are two interchangeable terms, but they're not the same. Smartwatches include gadgets with a variety of uses and features, whereas fitness trackers are made specifically for tracking those bodily functions one needs to check out in order to see if his/her workout routine is improving or not.
Smart clothing or e-textiles have small sensors and trackers in the fabric. These, too, can monitor a broad range of vital signs and can also be used in the army, thanks to special features, as well as unique fabrics.
Bellabeat's Leaf Urban, for example, is a device that can be worn either as a bracelet, brooch or necklace. Meanwhile, it will track your sleep, level of stress and activity during the daytime. The smart ring manufactured by Ringly's, on the other hand, is a tracker you can fit on your finger. These are also fashion statements, given that they can be worn with casual or business outfits.
These can be microchips, tattoos that can track your vital signs and warn you whenever your health is endangered as well as medical devices like defibrillators or pacemakers.
The smartwatch has built-in metrics that pick up the functions of the body and translate them into numbers that you can read. The band of the watch and the watch itself are replete with tiny sensors, accelerometers (it's these that track your movement) and gyroscopes.
Each of these sensors is set to measure a different sign. One measures your heartbeat, one the altitude you're at, another one might measure the distance you've walked in a day, etc.
It sounds far-fetched, but your heart rate may be measured with light, as in the case of the Fitbit Charge 2, which shoots light on your veins and capillaries and picks up the rhythm in which your "ticker" pumps blood in them.
To put it shortly, smartwatches work with sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers and finally, all the algorithms used in processing the data these small mechanisms gather from your body. It's not rocket-science, as you can clearly see.
The most immediate answer is that they can offer you a hint of what's happening inside of your body. As we speak, researchers are trying to come up with exclusively medical wearable technology that could save thousands upon thousands of lives.
Even your simple fitness watch can notify you of serious health problems. A faulty heart rate, for example. Moreover, these trinkets save you a ton of money. You won't need to barge in at the doctor's to get a reading of your heart rate, stress level, sleeping hours, etc. You will be able to manage those by investing into a good smartwatch.
There have been talks that in the very near future, patients will be able to simply send the readings of all their vital signs to their doctors. We have a hunch that hospitals will be a lot more spacious after this happens. Another reason why smartwatches are important is that they facilitate the transit of information from networks and your phone.
You can surf the Internet on your watch, receive text messages and send them, of course. Even though, at the moment, smartphones are still in full bloom, we might live enough to see the time when those dissolve and everything we'll need to talk to our friends will be the flimsy bands on our wrists.
Now that we've seen why you should consider purchasing such a device for yourself, let us present you 5 of the best choices you can make. We've done the research, so you won't have to!
We are perfectly aware of the fact that not all people have enough free time on their hands to scour the Internet high and low in order to find the best smartwatches out there. We've taken the liberty of doing it for you. Here are five products that can qualify as the best smartwatch for women.
The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch is without a doubt one of the most beautiful smartwatches a woman can get for less than $400. It's simply outstanding and reflects an unmatched craftsmanship.
The best thing about it is definitely its functionality. While it looks like a simple wristwatch at first glance, with one push of a button, you have access to your phone.
You can read messages, listen to music and read the news. What's more, you can measure your heart rate, get notifications on when you should start moving and track your steps.
This Samsung smartwatch was made with 18k rose gold, which makes it nothing short of breath-taking.
The overall design is fabulous, to say the least, from start to finish.
The user interface is incredibly easy to use, as all icons are displayed in a circle.
Our Rating
As if all of these weren't enough to make one go nuts over it, the Gear 2 can be charged wirelessly and is compatible with almost every Android device. The company recommends using it with the Samsung Galaxy, though, to get the best out of it.
Keep in mind that the phone you're going to use this with must have a minimum 1.5GB of RAM. The version of Android OS must be 4.4. If you're using an iPhone, it must have IOS 9.0. Anything beyond these specifications will decidedly chip the watch's functionality.
Apple is known for its high-quality, ergonomic products. This Apple smartwatch is one of their best products yet. It is a little cheaper than the Samsung, coming at under $300. But let's get to the good stuff, shall we?
Our Rating
This particular Apple model is as much a fashion statement as it is a proficient fitness tracker. It has the distinct silver look of all products manufactured by the company.
In terms of features, it has a heart-rate monitor, it tracks the calories you've burned, your steps, the distance you've traveled and your overall activity.
You will get your notifications, and you will be able to use some really cool apps with this watch. Instead of buzzing or ringing when you get a message, it will "tap" you on the wrist.
It will feel weird at first, but you'll come to love its silent efficiency.
A distinct feature of this is the Apple Pay – an online payment app focused on the security of personal information. In comparison with other smartwatches, the 42mm displays your apps and features in lines with how firmly you touch the screen. For instance, if you press and hold, you will get another set of controls.
It also has an activation lock, which consists of your iCloud password and ID. If you lose it, nobody will be able to use it. This adds even more to the already high-security and privacy of this Apple product. Ladies will definitely enjoy this.
Huawei is another big name in the wearable technology industry. This Huawei smartwatch gives further proof that there's a good reason behind the company's fame. The product is a stylish fitness tracker-meets-phone-and-watch.
You will be able to make and receive calls thanks to the built-in-microphone (the first on this list to have this capability).
Apart from this fantastic feature, you will also track your activity, climbing, running and walking. Of course, as you might expect, it also provides data concerning your heart-rate and the number of burned calories.
And now, the straw that will break the ladies' back: it's got Swarovski zirconia (tiny crystals) on the display, which adds to its beauty.
Additionally, there are ten alternative colors and designs you can choose from. The Jewel/Sapphire, however, is by far the best-looking one.
Our Rating
The device is compatible with Android 4.3 and iOS 8.2. Therefore, it can be used with both smartphones that are using Android and iPhones. In terms of design, this Huawei smartwatch is, simply put, a luxury piece, regardless of the model.
The price is inching towards the range of $300, but it's definitely worth it if you can muster up that sum. It's a gorgeous watch that goes with any outfit, and it will make you look nothing short of stellar, just how you should always look.
A Michael Kors smartwatch can often be costly, but that is totally justifiable because only top-notch materials are put in it. The Access Touchscreen is embellished with rhinestone, which makes it look beautiful. Personally, I love the color: it's a "creamy" shade of gold.
Our Rating
In terms of functionality, this particular model can display your calls, e-mails and text messages.
Moreover, it can track your calories, steps and the distance you've walked in a certain period. If you have an iPhone, don't worry, you will be able to use it. Same thing goes for Android users.
This, too, has a built-in microphone and speaker. Therefore, you can make and receive calls. It charges magnetically and syncs wirelessly. If you're a deep sleeper, you'll be happy to know it has an alarm clock, as well.
This smartwatch can be controlled with voice commands. You can surf the Internet and look at the weather forecast with a simple word.
It is fully customizable: the straps can be changed for different occasions, and you can even swap the face.
It's a really great smartwatch, but some people may find its price a little out of their budget since it's almost $400. But let's be positive and look at all the features it has instead of thinking about how much it costs. With little to no maintenance, it can last you a lifetime, anyway.
Whenever people hear "Fossil," they are prone to having heart-attacks and putting their hands on their wallets. Why? Because Fossil is known for its astounding prices and, of course, its marvelous products.
This is not the time to worry about the price because you can get your hands on this Fossil smartwatch for less than $100.
If you're one of those ladies who aren't willing to spend hundreds of bucks on a good smartwatch, then this might just be your lucky day.
The watch is capable of displaying notifications such as texts, social media, calls, and e-mails. It can be connected to Wi-Fi (quite impressive for the price) and can be used with iOS, as well as with Android.
The interface is focused on user-friendliness, another advantage.
With all these, it's got a huge downside: it works with batteries. In most cases, it doesn't last more than one day, so you'll have to buy a few kilos of them, just to be sure.
Our Rating
It looks really cool and it's very affordable, but this may cut your drive off. All in all, it's a good watch, but it could definitely be a lot better in respect to the method of recharging.
Here we are, at the end of this extensive buying guide for the greatest smartwatches. No matter if you're shopping on a budget or not, you'll find something suitable in this article.
And we're not done: stay with us, because you're about to be granted a smartwatch comparison in the following, i.e. an in-depth review for each of the products we've introduced you to in this guide. We'll tell you even more about them.
If you're still having any shreds of doubts as to which of these five is the best, these will dissipate after you read everything about them. We've tried them all for you, so you can rest assured our information is 100% accurate. Stay tuned for the reviews!


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16 August, 2014
With inspiring harbour views and a rich history, a tour of the Coal Loader site is a beautiful location to learn about sustainable living. The Coal Loader features a sustainability cottage, wetlands, community garden, native bushland nursery, historical tunnels, Aboriginal engravings, parklands and a beautiful bushland reserve next door. Experience this on a free guided tour as well as learn about the Coal Loader platform, Sustainability Centre and history of the Waverton peninsula. It is recommended that you book ahead.
Where: Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, Waverton.
When: Saturday 16 August, 2pm – 3:30pm
Cost: Free.
Click here for more info.

subset: commoncrawl


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To book Mark Pollock (Ireland) please contact your JLA Agent.
Mark has rowed for his country, run across the Gobi desert and trekked to the South Pole. Even more impressively he undertook these achievements after losing his sight. Less than a year after returning from the Pole, a fall left Mark paralysed and facing months of gruelling rehabilitation, but his will remains unbreakable and with the aid of a ReWalk suit he's regaining movement and proving the power of never giving up.
Mark Pollock is an adventurer and sports person who has achieved impressive feats in rowing, sailing and running. These achievements are all the more incredible considering Mark is blind. On top of that, after ten years of taking on extraordinary challenges around the world, a fall paralysed Mark, but he continues to push himself and inspire others.
Diagnosed with weak retinas after losing the sight in his right eye as a child, Mark avoided physical contact sports and took up rowing and sailing. However, as a student, Mark's vision became blurred and within two weeks he was completely blind. Refusing to let this setback rule his life, he returned to rowing and competed in two Commonwealth Games. He then went on to tackle a host of other challenges including six marathons in seven days across the Gobi desert, becoming the first blind person to trek to the South Pole, and running a marathon on Everest.
Less than a year after his South Pole expedition, Mark fell from a window breaking his back in three places and leaving him paralysed from the waist down. Operations and infections, physical and emotional pain followed, and Mark's impressive will and determination was severely tested describing himself as 'paralysed, blind and broken.' Suddenly, Mark, who had overcome blindness to be as adventurous and independent as any signed person, was reliant on others again.
Never one to give up though, Mark researched Project Walk, a pioneering Californian rehabilitation centre which attempts to reconnect paralysed limbs with intense therapy. Through gruelling training and use of a revolutionary piece of equipment, the ReWalk suit, Mark is slowly getting the power of his legs back. In speeches, Mark recounts his incredible, moving and inspiring story and demonstrates no challenge in insurmountable.
© Copyright 2020 JLA. All rights reserved.


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Loved You Always By Natalina Reis
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The last person Emily Rose expects to reconnect with is Jeremy Peter, her childhood best friend. When Jem walks back into her perfectly settled life, Em puts up her guard. She has no desire to place her heart on the line again.
She's moved on and is in a serious relationship with someone else. But the universe—and her kooky sister—have other ideas.
Thrust into an unexpected and dangerous adventure together, Em is forced to confront her unresolved feelings for Jem and decide what kind of life she really wants. That is if they both survive.
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/


text: Do you have one of those rooms in your Poconos home? You know the one I'm talking about: It's the room you can't stand. You never let guests go in there, or if you do, you're embarrassed and afraid of what they'll say. You don't even like to go in there yourself. Even your own family members avoid it.Read More


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Wine for Clothes.
The way to the Jordan Wine Estate is a long, curvy, single lane road through many acres of vineyard. It was a misty, drizzly day when we took the scenic drive out to the winery. We were met by Thea who told the story of 'wine in exchange for clothes'.
It was about seven years ago that the idea for the project started. There was a cancellation of an overseas order. This resulted in a dispatch that could not be delivered, so many bottles of wine, all labelled up and nowhere to go. Gary and Kathy got the idea to do something special that would benefit more than one. People were encouraged to bring clothes to the winery. For every kilogram of clothing, one bottle of wine would be exchanged to a maximum of twenty-four bottles of wine per donation. The clothes would then be distributed to a number of charities.
During that first season, the interest in the project was promising. More than one hundred kilograms of clothing was collected. The amount of clothing grew to five tons that was collected during the 2014 Winter Charity Drive that takes place every year from mid-May to August, or as long as the wine lasts. There is also a Summer Festival in either October or November. An open day is held with live entertainment, wine tasting and much more. The entrance fee goes to Animal Welfare, Border Collie Rescue and PETS. Jordan supports various initiatives like The Chameleon Bursary, Bumble Bee and Women in Wine Initiative, as well as various charities.
Hospice is one of many charities to which clothes are donated. These donations go towards their charity shop, where used clothes are sold at a very affordable price. All donations are very helpful to hospice as they need funding to finance various different services.
Patients in the hospice wards need constant, intensive care. There is at least one permanently appointed nurse present with each patient at all times. The cost of providing such care is high, as anyone can imagine. This care includes food, medication and whatever the patient needs for personal hygiene and everything else.
Patients at home are taken care of by a qualified caregiver who visits the patient at home to provide the specific needs. Sometimes the caregiver has to drive a considerable distance to get to the patient. At the current price of fuel, the cost of such visits can stretch the bill.
When a death occurs, there are counsellors available to render bereavement assistance for the family.
Although there are many volunteers, permanent staff needs to be paid a salary on top of many other expenses.
The donations from the Jordan Wine Estate go to good use in the hands of the competent staff who work so hard to provide the excellent services hospice has become famous for.
Magdel Roets
Writer of Christian Faction, Non-Fiction and Fiction.


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As Wellington's largest venue provider, Venues Wellington manage six iconic venues all located in a walkable and wonderful harbourside precinct.
Wellington's main stage for international conferences and leading performing artists, this much-loved part of the Wellington skyline sits right at the heart of the capital city's civic and cultural precinct. Boasting a three-level glass facade and finished throughout with native timbers and Italian marble, "the sheer magnificence of the internal space" has seen the Michael Fowler Centre win numerous architecture awards.


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What's Inside Golf Balls?
- 9 comments, 12 replies
- Comment
Hey, golf balls are available for purchase today at Meh.com? Where do I find that place? It sounds cool.
By the way when I was a kid I took apart a golf ball. It was full of rubber band stuff. I guess they don't make them that way anymore.
@sammydog01 Right- with a little liquid filled ball in the center. We were told it was acid and if you popped it and it got in your eyes, you'd go blind. (Doubt that it was true, but it gave an element of suspense taking them apart.)
We used to tie the long rubber bands to car door handles and stretch them across the street to a corresponding door handle on the other side. We usually could get at least 5 or 6 done before a car would come down the street. The result would be a series of loud "pops," and more often than not, the car would skid to a stop. We would be watching from the hill above the street, laughing at the bewildered victim. We were such jerks.
@mehcuda67 Amazing.
@mehcuda67 Ah, the good old days when kids could be jerks. Yes, I remember the urban legend that the inside of a golf ball would kill you.
@sammydog01 I did that too. I was expecting to see that.
@mehcuda67 @sammydog01 It's not acid, but it does sting enough to scare the shit out of a curious kid…
The reason I know this is the same reason I developed one of my many corollaries to Murphy's Law: If it can hit you in the eye, in inverse proportion to likelihood and expectation, it will hit you in the eye.
Like seriously - imagine a kid cutting into a golf ball with his Swiss Army knife - once pierced, the liquid (that he has no idea is in there) could squirt out in any direction; what are the odds that it would squirt directly into the eye, with surgical precision???
I may still be carrying some trauma from this incident…
Golf gametes?
@mehcuda67 you said that so much more politely than what I was going to say.
I do so love these videos.
"Available for purchase today."
They use to be a lot more fun. A mini rubber ball wrapped in rubber bands.
You use to be able to throw them in a fire and they would shoot out of their shell.
Now they are boring, but they do work so much better when golfing.
I didn't know that today was May 19, 2015.
I miss this kind of video. I know the team is busy actually working and people can't devote a bunch of time to entertain us, but there used to be more shenanigans at HQ. I mean, is @mediocrebot even an asshole anymore, or did it mellow out?
I feel I must perpetuate @matthew's masterful explanation of Golf's entertainment value just in case any newer woot, err, meh-dizens have not had the privilege of hearing it yet
yeah, it's an audio podcast, not visual; that's what we had back then, and we loved it
@kasona TNX for the memory. Didn't Matthew do one of those five days a week?
Here's one from President's Day a long time ago. All the Presidents in Order
@Lighter Yes! which was an incredible amount of creative output. I had them set to auto-download to my mp3 player (remember those?), and I still have many of the great gems saved somewhere.
I was disappointed when he stopped making them, but I totally understand why.
Are all VW Golf's male, or are some female too? Do they all have balls?


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Another few hours on this one today. Trying to establish a good process for creating the realistic wrought iron of the bench. I started using Derwent Coloursoft Pale Blue with a circular motion, not too tightly. I then repeated the motion using layers of Prismacolours Slate Gray, Periwinkle and most of the FC Polychromos Cool Greys including some Payne's Gray. Once I had a good layering of colours I went in with my Derwent battery eraser and zapped out some dots randomly down to the white of the paper. Then with Payne's gray I reduced the size of each dot to a miniscule size and then dusted the areas with a soft brush just to soften the white spots. I also finished up the boards of the bench using most of the FC Polychromos Warm grays and some of the cools for the shadows and I also did a little work on the area below the bench keeping it quite dark.
Hat & Flowers on Park Bench – "My Favorite Spot"
Oct 21, 2018 | Coloured Pencil, Featured, Flowers, Miscellaneous, Tips, Tutorials, Works in Progress | 0 comments


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Have you got a spindle filled with CD's and DVD's? Want to categorize and label them? This is the cheapest way you will find.
This method uses an ordinary (Letter size) sheet of paper from a copier or printer, 8.5 x 11 inches, oriented in the portrait position.
1Fold one of the long edges of the sheet until it touches the edge of a CD aligned along the other edge. Square up the fold and crease it. This long crease will be about 1 3⁄4 inches (4.4 cm) from the edge of the page. Center the CD.
2Fold the other long edge of the sheet so that the edge of the CD rests within your fold. Square up the fold and crease it. This second long crease will be about the same size and will be parallel to the first crease. Slide the CD to one edge of the paper.
3Fold one of the remaining edges until it touches the edge of the CD. Square up the fold and crease it. This crease will be about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the edge of the page. Center the CD within the paper.
4Fold the final edge of the sheet so that the edge of the CD rests within your final fold. Square up the fold and crease it. Tuck the resulting flap inside the opposite flap to seal in the disk.
Community Q&A
QuestionWhat does 'square up the fold' mean? Line up the edges so the fold is straight?T. ChinsenTop AnswererYorur deduction is correct. The square up is a reference to the fold being at 90 degrees to the edge or the corner of a square.
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- Just take a small plastic bag and stretch it out a little and take a piece of masking tape to cover the opening.Thanks!
- You may want to label the top flap for easy identification of contents.Thanks!
Things You'll Need
- 8.5 by 11 inch (Letter size) sheet of copy paper
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,078 times.
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Matthew Haynes and Brennan Morrissett obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a mutual insurance company in a Virginia Circuit Court jury trial. The plaintiff/insured filed a 1st party suit against his homeowner's insurer alleging breach of contract.
Plaintiff sought to recover more than $250,000 in alleged personal property losses and additional living expenses he claimed resulted from a fire that completely destroyed his residence. Plaintiff sought these amounts eighteen months after the fire, and in addition to


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Born in Ukraine, Karina Astakov Kotok moved to America with her parents when she was 6 years old. She grew up in a conservative part of Pennsylvania's countryside, graduating valedictorian of her high school class.
"I figured I had to go to college, because that's what everybody does."
She spent a year majoring in Actuarial Science at a 4 year school before realizing, she was simply unhappy.
"I was embarrassed at first to tell my friends that I was leaving college to go to beauty school, but I do not regret my decision at all. I love it."
Karina's second place winning style at the national student competition while she attended Empire Beauty School.
Karina continued to be at the top of her class at Empire Beauty School in Lebanon, PA where she placed 2nd in the Long Hair Evening Design category at a national student competition.
"I am kind of competitive when it comes to hair. It's something I am very passionate about."
So passionate, once she started school she immediately found a job working as a shampoo assistant at a local salon, not only getting her foot in the door for possible future employment, but also gaining valuable insight into how a salon operates.
Karina says that experience combined with what she learned at Empire, set her up for success.
"At Empire we got a lot of hands on experience with clients. Not all beauty schools can give you that experience."
Today, she is a stylist at European Elegance Beauty Studio in Ephrata, PA.
She still loves to enter competitions, recently placing 3rd in Empire's 'Style the Artist' Instagram contest. She says social media has helped her career along, and encourages new stylists to put it to use.
"Take advantage of social media. You can use it to work up a clientele base. I have had multiple clients referred to me through social media posts. When clients post photos of themselves, or I post styles, I often receive new clients that way."
She says as her clientele continues to grow, her income is growing too. But for this valedictorian, her career is far more than just about the money.
"When I was going to college I was looking at this really great salary once I graduated, but I was so unhappy. Now I am doing something that I love and I still have the opportunity to do really well, in this field."


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Eating properly leads to a longer and healthier life. The following are a few ideas you can use to improve your lifestyle.
Riboflavin is an integral part of any good diet. It's also needed for a healthy metabolism and helps transport iron to different parts of the body.
Eating food that is organic can help improve how nutritious your diet. These pure untainted foods are healthy as they are straight from nature free from additives. Take a taste and you'll know why.
Eat foods that have a regular basis. Some of the foods that contain calcium are nuts, milk, sardines, nuts, and milk. Calcium is a necessity for growing strong teeth and sturdy teeth. If your body does not get enough calcium, you can develop osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become fragile. This is a very painful and debilitating condition that causes your bones.
Doctors and drug manufacturers want health plans to give consumers more information about drug coverage right up front.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) are asking regulators to build more information about major medical plan drug coverage into the next revision of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and the Uniform Glossary.
The Consumer Information Subgroup, an arm of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), has published copies of letters from the AMA and PhRMA along with other SBC and Uniform Glossary comment letters on its section of the NAIC's website.
Drafters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) created the SBC in an effort to help consumers, employers, researchers and others compare health plans on an apples-to-apples basis. Every plan is supposed to provide SBCs in the same standardized format. Some have described the SBC as being similar to the nutrition labels that dairies put on milk cartons.
Some people have a hard time getting the same time. In reality, if you start the habit of eating healthier foods, comfort foods will lose their control over you. This allows you eat better for the nutrition instead of the emotional response. Some of the examples that celebrities use has to do with Drug Test Cups, that are being sold all over the internet.
Trying new recipes is a great way to keep your nutrition quest fun and interesting.For example, learn how to make healthy protein bars using protein powder, peanut butter and powdered protein to make a satisfying protein bar? Oatmeal pancakes is another tasty recipe that's easy to pick up and super healthy.
Pantothenic acid is a B vitamin that is important. This is a metabolic processes. It is also aids enzyme activity and the creation of many compounds of biological importance. Meats and whole grains both contain pantothenic acid sources.
Low-fat generally means loaded with sugar added to enhance the flavor.Always pay attention to what is in the foods that have had calories taken out.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent comfort food but contain less carbohydrates than other kinds of carbohydrates. You can eat them instead of white potatoes at any meal. Eat them with a small quantity of sugar.They also have healthy, as they have an anti-inflammatory agent.
Nutrition is an important role in your emotional and physical health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent physical and disease.
Let each of your months have a few cheat days monthly.This will help you to resist day to day temptations.
This improves the nutritional value of your breads more nutritious without sacrificing texture or taste. Other way to make your bread healthier includes lowering the sugar content by half and trying applesauce instead of shortening.
Try adding some Mediterranean food. This type of food has been purported to lower heart functionality. Eat lots of seeds and nuts for snacks. Try to incorporate more fish instead of red meat.
LONDON (Reuters) – Consumers from New York to New Delhi are digging deeper in their pockets for over-the-counter remedies and health products, a trend GlaxoSmithKline is banking on to help shape the next chapter in its evolution.
Emma Walmsley, head of the British drugmaker's enlarged consumer healthcare business, says its market-leading position in areas such as pain relief and oral health will bolster the division's margins and make it a partner of choice for retailers.
GSK predicted on Wednesday its consumer health sales would grow at a mid-single-digit compound annual rate over the next five years, slightly ahead of overall company sales.
It is also targeting an operating profit margin of at least 20 percent for the business by 2020. That compares to a target margin of at least 30 percent for its vaccines business, which it expects to grow at a mid-to-high single digit rate.
In the biggest shake-up in its 15-year history, GSK has just sold its cancer drugs to Novartis , while buying the Swiss group's vaccine business and creating a consumer health joint venture in which GSK holds a 63.5 percent stake.
When you are planning your foods for meals and snacks, it is important to have the right ratio of the main nutritional components. For every meal, your goal should be 50 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent in protein, and 30% should come from fat (iscreen).
There are different things you can implement when creating a diet plan that is right for you.Every chance you get, eat like that, and it will become routine for you.
It is important to eat healthy fats each and every single day. Healthy fats do not include those found in french fries, burgers or french fries.These are poor for your body and should be avoided.
Take your kids shopping with you to give them what is in the products they crave. Let them look at labels to see how the labels on products.
Drinking sufficient amounts of water during the day is an excellent way for you to maintain nutritional fitness.Try to consume a minimum of eight glasses of water daily.
Children always want to be involved in whatever their parents are doing. This is a golden opportunity to teach them about proper nutrition so that they can make better choices.
Foods high in potassium, sweet potatoes, beans and bananas will help keep potassium levels at a healthy level. Potassium helps lower blood pressure low and prevents heart disease and diabetes. Dairy products also obtain potassium.
You should understand now why it's imperative to begin changing your life. You can benefit from these tips now and in the future.


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TUESDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER, 2013
Thank you, Madame Speaker.
Madame Speaker, I listened too many in the Members of this Honourable House today, and this evening, and unlike my friend from the constituency of All Saints East and St. Luke, the Honourable Chester Hughes, Madame Speaker, I do not plan to play any politics with this most important piece of the peoples' work that we are here to do this evening, Madame Speaker.
Because for indeed Madame Speaker, our very essence of democracy in this country, and what we have been accustomed to over generations and many years, Madame Speaker, is being eradicated and withered away, Madame Speaker.
Madame Speaker, as I have said I don't plan to play politics, but I want to prove my case tonight that what we are doing here I would venture to even say that it is on the verge of illegality, in terms of the proclamation that is before us that was issued on September 10th, and gazetted.It was issued on September 9th, and then gazetted on the 10th, Madame Speaker.
Because you see Madame Speaker, this is a seminal moment in the history of this country, and we cannot afford, with such an important piece of legislation, to play petty politics and try to score cheap political mileage, and to attack members on this side of the House, because we are constructively, earnestly, and honestly concerned with what is going on in this country right now, as far as it relates to re-registration, and the upcoming general elections, that are due in Antigua and Barbuda, March 2014 or before.
Because you see Madame Speaker, this Honourable House has been convened today for the most part, almost exclusively, other than the bill that we passedthe Personal Income Tax Bill, to deal withadoptingthisresolution, and we must make sure that the adoption of this resolution, Madame Speaker, that we are seeking to do, in fact what it's doing is amending the Second Schedule of the Representation of the People Act, the people out there must know what we are doing, pertaining to voter Re-registration Regulations, that will affect every single eligible voter across the length and breadth of Antigua and Barbuda.
Madame Speaker today is Tuesday, September 24, 2013. The so-called re-registration of voters for the March 2014 General Elections, Madame Speaker, was scheduled to begin yesterday, September 23, 2013. These amendments that we are seeking to do here tonight and today, Madame Speaker, to the Registration Regulations must first be adopted by Parliament in order for the so called re-registration exercise to commence.
But, Madame Speaker, since July 22, 2010, I want the people out there to understand this, 2010 or more than three years, the Electoral Commission, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, Madame Speaker,they have been seized of these facts, and why…..?
My question tonight is why at this eleventh hour, did your coming to this Parliament, hauling us here, and seeking to pass these regulations at the eleventh hour.
Clearly in my view Madame Speaker,somebody either does not understand their job, their functions, or maybethey understand it, and they are not doing their job, Madame Speaker.
It cannot be ok for the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission to proceed to haul this parliament back into sitting when this House has been convened for no fewer than ten (10) to twelve (12) times since the law was amended.
More than thirty-six (36) months now have elapsed since these amendments came into effect, more than thirty-six (36) months, and up until this moment, Madame Speaker, up until now the Electoral Commission never moved to indicate that there had to be steps that had to be taken first, before we came back to this parliament.
I humbly suggest to you Madame Speaker, without casting any wrongful intent, any malicious aspersions on anyone's character or personality, that that is unexceptional. It is shameful, and it is a shameful display of someone's inefficiency at work at the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission.
Madame Speaker, I have in hand, and I crave your indulgence, the proclamation issued by the Governor General on Monday the 9th day of September 2013, or two weeks ago.
It proclaims, and I read with your permission, Madame Speaker, it proclaims that onMonday September 23 to Friday October 25 as the periodwithin which the so-called re-registrationexercise is to take place. The proclamation was issuedby Her Excellency upon the advice of the Electoral Commission, as required by law. Yet, yet, Madame Speaker, and the Attorney General ought to know this Madame Speaker.
I'm no law student; no legal luminary, but, this proclamation that we have, that was issued and gazetted by extra ordinary authority, on Tuesday, 10th September, 2013, Madame Speaker, it fails to include the required reference to the specific date on which the Register, and my legal luminary, Member for St. John's City South, made mention of it, and his is a hundred percent correct.
The Register must make reference to the specific date, Madame Speaker, on which the Register of Electors is to be published.I mean come on, it's not here, and this fact was known to the Electoral Commission since 2012, Madame Speaker, because it is included in the same section of the same law, the Speech to Proclamation since 2012.Again, Madame Speaker, someone at the Electoral Commission is not doing their job.
And, I have in my hand here Madame Speaker, before I read from it, Madame Speaker, the failure to specify a date for the publication of the Register or Electors makes the Proclamation materially flawed, illegal, null and void, and it has to be re-done, and the Attorney General knows that.Several lawyers have examined the law and the documents, they have seen it.
And, I have in my hand here, and again with your permission, and I quote from the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010. I will give you a copy later, number six (6) of 2010, well it is in the Parliament, and we passed it here. Number six (6), Madame Speaker, published in the Official Gazette, Volume thirty (30), number forty-one (41), dated the 22nd July, 2010.
And, if we look to the new section six (6), on page six (6)
Section 6: Amendment of section 18 – Requirement to register
And the new section 18, subsection 1 (a), Madame Speaker, it requires the proclamation of the registers dates, and I will read the exact wording, it says,
"Section one – On the coming into force of this section, the Governor General shall, by Proclamation, specify a period within which a person who is qualified under section 16 may apply in accordance with the Registration Regulations to be registered as an elector in the constituency in which he qualifies to be so registered."
That was always so, even in the previous legislation. What was amended Madame Speaker, is section (a), (b) and (c). And here Madame Speaker, section 18 1 (a) says;
"In respect of the period immediately subsequent to the commencement of this section, the Commission shall publish the register not later than such date as the Governor General, after consultation with the Commission, shall by Proclamation specify; and then (b) goes on to say after the date specified by the Governor General by Proclamation under paragraph (a), at intervals of not more than six months, but not later than 30th June and 31st December in each year".
There you have it Madame Speaker, clear as daylight. How can we just make such a fundamental flaw, and come here, we have this Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010, that this Government passed in 2010, we know that it must and requires us to definitely not just give the date and the start of registration, but you have to also put in the proclamation the date for the Register of Electors to be published. My goodness, how could we just miss that?
And, Madame Speaker, nearly two years ago, this Parliament was asked by amendment to create the position of Chief Registration Officer, which we did. I think it was law number ten (10); no sorry it was law number twelve (12) of 2012, Madame Speaker. It was passed with sweeping changes. May 2001, the Representation of the Peoples (Amendment) Act, 2010, the duties of the Chief Registration Officer that was outlined in that Act included"the preparation and maintenance of the Register of Electors." And, that is her duty, that we came here to this parliament and we passed in law number twelve (12) of 2012.
It continued, that the Chief Registration Officer other duties, was to properly prepare the Register of Electors. There were to bepreliminary lists published on April 30th, Madame Speaker, as mandated by the law, Madame Speaker. There were no preliminary lists on April 30th. There were no lists orregisters created by June 30 2013. None!As required by the law!
I go one step further Madame Speaker, and this is not politics like my good friend the Honourable Member is trying to play. This is reality, and this is the law. And, when the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Gaston Browne, Member of St. John's City West, realized and his legal luminaries advised him, Madame Speaker, what he did was he wrote to the Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, about the absence of the Registers, and what he got, he got a rather nasty nasty reply was forthcoming to him. He has them there. He will deal with that.
Madame Speaker, I go further, it is not just the date for the Registers that was eliminated out of the proclamation. Additionally, there was no order bringing Law No. 12 of 2011 into effect. No order and that has to be done.
The procedure requires an order of the Minister to bring the law into effect. Yet, there is a Proclamation and a Resolution before us but no Order preceding these two instruments.
The whole thing is wrong, completely wrong. There must be an order, there must be a date. The Minister must issue an order. And, I had three Queen Councils look at this; this is not Asot Michael trying to grand stand here.
There must be an order;there must be a date in a proclamation. Someone at the Electoral Commission is not doing their job.
You know Madame Speaker, that the Chief Registration Officer was tasked with many functions and duties that bearexclusively to her and to that position on the registration of voters. And, those duties Madame Speaker, as we are all aware came after, because we have court cases, that Sir Gerald took, we have court cases that started today, that's challenging that very amendment that we did to that legislation,were we stripped away,and emasculated the duties of the Supervisor of Elections, which was enshrined within the constitution.
And those responsibilities, Madame Speaker, those very responsibilities, that was enshrined and bestowed upon the Supervisor of Elections, were then handed over to the Chief Registration Officer.
So, the Supervisor of Elections was totally stripped and totally marginalized.And in fact Madame Speaker, truth be told, all those staff up there at the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, all of those staff was institutional memory, who could help to make the process flow seamlessly, and really productively, and get everything going properly. What has happened Madame Speaker, is that there are being shoved aside and marginalized.
And, then the Chief Registration Officer, herself, is failing in here duty. Never before in the twelve years history of the Electoral Commission have we seen such a dereliction of duty. Clearly, the Electoral Commission is not ensuring the completion of the work assigned by this Parliament. And, then there bringing us back to this parliament, and letting us come here to make fools of ourselves.
Madame Speaker, I have also noted with some concern, in the Registration (Amendment) Regulations, that we are proposing, that nowhere in the rules or regulations, Madame Speaker, does the Registration Officer; the registration officer in every single constituency, there is no legal obligation on that Registration Officer to give the Scrutineer of both Political Parties, a copy of the list of persons that are registered daily.
Now, I don't know if it was in the previous law, or if it was taken out, I would be a liar to say that I know, but, I know the practice has been that every single day my scrutineer would be handed by the Registration Officer, a set of persons, I think a pink or green slip, pink slips of those persons that have been registered.
But, if you look at section five (5) on page 5, Amendment of Regulations 13, it says;
"Regulation 13 of the principal Regulation is revoked and substituted by the following – three (3) says; the registration officer shall retain the original certificate and shall deliver the duplicate of the certificate to the applicant".
That is good, but what about the Scrutineer?
We need to enshrine that Mr. Attorney General.
Anyway, the ultimate blame for non-performance, Mr. Attorney General, is not us here in Parliament. It has to lie somewhere. Somebody up there has to take responsibility. Not you, maybe not us, well the Chairman of the Commission, is the Chairman, and he has to ensure that the tasks that have been clearly mandated by Parliament under the law, thathe has to make sure that those tasks assigned to the officers, like the Chief Registration Officer, the Chief Data Officer, all the other Chiefs up there that they took away the function from the Supervisor of Elections, that they have to make sure that those duties are carried out.
I mean does the Commission not have a lawyer? Of course the Commission has a lawyer, but in all likelihood the way things are ran up there, is that the lawyer will render his/her advice, the Chairman not bothering with her, he's not going to take the advice, he will say "A foo me decision", that has become the new modus operandi, in Antigua and Barbuda judging from recent events Madame Speaker.
Madame Speaker, I am humbly submitting to you and this Parliament tonight that the 2014 general elections cannot and should not, and will not be anything like the debacle of the 2009 general elections. The Antigua and Barbuda people do not wish that what we went through where you had persons who lined up in polling stations from five o'clock in the morning, even before they open at six, and was not able to vote until one o'clock in the afternoon. And, no paper was there, no ink was there. I mean it was a debacle. We can't repeat that. We don't want to be the laughing stock again of the Commonwealth of Nations, Madame Speaker. We do not wish to be a laughing stock of the CARICOM or the Organization of American States, or all these International Institutions or any of the foreign media once again. I mean Madame Speaker let us be real, I am not attacking anybody. But, if the Chairman of the Electoral Commission cannot do his job, then let him tend his resignation. Let somebody else more competent, and impartial, and has the interest of fair play and the country at heart. And, who knows the law, or who would understand legal advice and take it.
The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, Madame Speaker, we ought not to be convened for the purpose of having Parliamentarians today tell the Chairman of the Electoral Commission that he has to perform several tasks which the law commands him to do. He ought to read the law, and if he can't read the law, get someone to advise him. I mean Madame Speaker, if he were not so busy harassing his staff up there, he would be focused in on the law and the procedures, and would know what the proclamation says, and know that there must be an order, and know that the proclamation must have a date.
Madame Speaker, I want to say to this parliament tonight that I am not imputing any improper motives. I want to give you a fact that you don't know. Madame Speaker, I want to say afact, and this is an irrefutable fact. This afternoon, you talk about harassment, and that I am imputing improper motives.
This afternoon, a letter was handed to Miss Manwarren, the most experienced Registration Officer, up there at the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, transferring her out of the ABEC Headquarters; however, Madame Speaker, a court order exist which forbids her removal from that office. And, they still defied that court order. What is going on in this country?Is it the Wild Wild West that we defy laws and court orders with impunity and get away with it?
That court order was also agreed-to by consent by the head of the Electoral Commission, by both parties. That kind of harassment was to end with the court order. At this last moment, on the eve of the start of the re-registration or de-registration, on Monday, this is what we are seeing happen on the eve, and you tell me that this is right, and that they are supposed to start re-registration Monday.
No, Madame Speaker, that cannot be right. It is unacceptable. This draft resolution and the accompanying Proclamation cannot go forward. We must repeal it. The Governor General's Proclamation has to be amended. It is not lawful to proclaim the dates, then start one week later, it has in here the dates, Madame Speaker, it says, and this is the proclamation by the Gazette, and it says the date starting from the 23rd day of September, to the 25th day of October, 2013. And, how willy-nilly the Chairman of the Electoral Commission can say, that we're going to reduce it by one week, and we're going to just start on the 30th, and reduce registration period by one week.
I go on now, Madame Speaker to the new machines. The new machines, Madame Speaker, and this is a very serious matter, can only register one elector every six minutes or 10 electors every hour. And, that is a fact Madame Speaker; if you go an speak to the staff up there, or to the ones that are being trained, just to take your picture Madame Speaker, your information, to look through your passport, and fill in the forms, will take more than one minute. So that is ten electors every hour, Madame Speaker, so in a 12 hour day, the maximum to be registered is 120 electors, if you have one machine. Registration in 23 working days—assuming Saturdays are included—would result in 2,760 electors getting registered in St. Peter. In the latest register of St. Peter, you have more than 3500 electors registered under continuous registration. How is it possible to register that many electors in 23 working days? How are we going to achieve that? The Proclamation of the Governor General has to be withdrawn and a new Proclamation issued, Madame Speaker.
I mean the Prime Minister can decide after the first list, after claims and objections, after the forty-five day period to call elections. He can say to call elections December 31st, and then only those persons that got unto to the list in those 23 days, I want the people of this country to know that, would be entitled to vote. How are we to register nearly sixty thousand people? Is it not nearly fifty-three thousand people that registered the last time? How are they going to accomplish the registration, if the Prime Minister has the prerogative to dissolve Parliament and call the elections at any time? So, how are we supposed to register….and Mr. Leader you should write to the Commonwealth Observer, you should write to the OAS, you should write to every single Prime Minister in the CARICOM, to tell them what is going on in this country.
You can't tell everybody go and get registered in twenty-three (23) days; you can have persons overseas, someone at school or university, someone sick, no registration on Saturdays, no registration on Sundays. They must register between seven o'clock in the morning and seven o'clock in the evening, from Monday to Friday.
Madame Speaker, there is also a plan and I must be honest, as the Electoral Office has said, to put more than one registration unit or machine in the bigger constituencies. Even if that is so, the number of scrutineers, in those multiple machine units, must also be increased. Because, if they put two or three machines in the St. Mary's North Constituency, yet you only have one scrutineer per shift, how will your scrutineer, if when they are registering persons on two or more machines do. Will she have to run machine to the next? And, you say this process is supposed to take less than six minutes.
Madame Speaker, yet, the Resolution we are proposing here tonight makes two Scrutineers the absolute maximum for each political party's appointments. And, I am saying that is not enough. What happens in the lunch hour?
I called Ms. Generis Robinson when she said that I had to send an additional scrutineer to be registered. I asked her what were the hours, and she replied from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. some evenings they may go later than seven if they require. So what happens when the first scrutineer wants to take a lunch hour? What's going to happen? Will there be no scrutineer there?
She admitted that they have thought about that, and you can appoint a third scrutineer, and to send them for training, but, the political parties have to pay for that third scrutineer. That is what her answer was to me. Thatthe political parties have to pay for that third scrutineerto accommodate our two scrutineers, so that one can go for a lunch hour. What nonsense is that?
Madame Speaker, the inefficiencies cannot be built-into the law. That cannot work when you have two units present, even in a single geographic location, for instance in the larger constituencies. You are going to have to assign at least four scrutineers to the larger constituencies, such as St. George, Rural West, to any constituency that has over three thousand registered voters. You cannot get over three thousand five hundred persons registered – that is assuming that everyone is desirous of registering –it cannot happen. This resolution does exactly that.
Madame Speaker, I want to put to you, that the start of the case today in the High Court, which challenges the unlawful and unconstitutional attempt to strip the Supervisor of Elections of her authorities and duties, but, maybe the timing with this sitting coincides. I am not cynical or suspicious, but, maybe just so it coincides with the timing of this sitting, in order, Madame Speaker, to attempt to make null and void the anticipated declaration of the Court. That is not a new strategy by the Government, Madame Speaker. We have come here before Parliament, while court cases have been going on, and appeals, and passed laws to attempt to try, Madame Speaker, to void declarations of the court.
And. what we are seeing again this evening and again is a propensity in this country for unlawfulness. The plan to hold registration in a super center, which they were thinking of, and had it not been for the wise advice of both sides, since the Honourable Political Leader, Member for St. John's City West, and the Member for All Saints East and St. Luke, who got up and really put forward their argument to the Chairman, who did not even care what they were saying at the time. Absolute disdain and contempt he treated a member of the UPP, Political Leader.
And Madame Speaker that was crazy too, to try and pack sixty thousand voters down at one super centre, where the air conditioning does not even work.
Madame Speaker, I beg of you my colleagues on the other side that not because you're in Government, to amend this resolution. Amend this Proclamation. Send it back and let us start again.
Because, if you are not going to send it back, you are going to have a lovely court case on Monday, Attorneys Guthrie and Astaphan are already here.
Madame Speaker, in all seriousness, in concluding, this cannot stand. This Parliament cannot be made to look foolish, and to be embarrassed once again, by someone, and that is the point that I am trying to bring across, in whom the people and the citizens of this country ought to have faith in, Madame Speaker.
Madame Speaker, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is supposed to inspire confidence, but, you know Madam Speaker, you know what the Chairman on Observer Radio, said on June the 23rd, and I crave your indulgence Madame Speaker, June 23rd, 2011. Both on the radio and it was printed, in an interview with Colin Sampson, Mr. Juno Samuel says and I quote;
"He said, with the headline in the papers saying New Law Disenfranchise Commonwealth Citizens – "But as I understand it, once the new legislation comes into effect, it has umm, the old legislation which was enacted is no more the law, so ahh, it would seem to me, that ok this is the new legislation, and this is the new requirement you have to be here for seven years. The list that we had before, that list is null and void, and if the list is null and void, then that list does not exist basically, so now we start again. So you now come in. What's your name? How long have been here? And you present your documents; to show me how long you have been here".
"As you know the Commonwealth, if you're here less than seven years (you're not eligible) even if you are registered under the previous law, you now become de-registered, (well that is my understanding of it)".
So, in other words Madame Speaker, he has told the whole Antigua and Barbuda, is that he doesn't care whether you are here for thirteen years or whether or not you have a voter's ID card, and you voted last elections. The law no longer exists, the requirement is now three years, and you are off the list. And, that is the modus operandi, the intent, behind what we are doing with this re-registration.
And, they are trying to say that the list is padded. How could we in Opposition in 2009 pad a list?
You control the Electoral Commission, you control the machinery, and we're in Opposition, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, and we pad a list. And you all still win the election.
And now Madame Speaker, the intent behind this whole re-registration is to frustrate those ten thousand Commonwealth Nationals out there. Why, because they feel that the Guyanese, and the Jamaicans, and the Santa Dominicans, and the Dominicans and the Montserratians, that they are not going to vote for them, Madame Speaker.
That cannot be right Madame Speaker.
You can't put a whole country through the agony and frustration to get persons registered in twenty-three days.
How much millions of dollars it's going to cost in man power and machinery. I don't know the figures, but I am sure it's going to cost at least six to ten to twelve million dollars for this re-registration. And to do what!
Because, you are fearful of losing the elections, paranoid, but I want to say to them Madame Speaker and I want to tell the people out there that they will not succeed. I have confidence in our lawyers, because they have lost every single case for nine years, but they will not succeed.
The Prime Minister don't listen to the Attorney General, he listens to a so called lawyer named Datadin. Had he listened to the Attorney General he would have won more cases, Madame Speaker.
But, Madame Speaker, they will not succeed with the de-registration of the Commonwealth Citizens, as soon as they try that next week, we're going to carry them to court. The leader has already said so.
But, Madame Speaker, I want to submit to this Honourable House that even ifthey were to succeed in the de-registration, and take off 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 Commonwealth Citizens, the indigenous born and bred Antiguans and Barbudans, they will lose them, and have lost them, and they are not going to vote for them.
We saw what happened in Barbuda. That was history. Thirty-two years the Antigua Labour Party did not win the Council, and look what happened Madame Speaker, look at how history was created.
What do you want to tell me, that the mock elections or the simulated elections that was done by the Free and Fair Election League. Sixteen – zero. Even if they have a margin of error at twenty-five, thirty percent not even one seat. And, you know Rick James don't love the Labour Party.
So what do want to tell me, not even one seat, Madame Speaker, and what it shows is the propensity. We did not do any mobilization; we didn't call one constituent and asked them to go to Epicurean or Bargain Centre to vote. And, people went. Eleven hundred and something and they could not win.
So the point I'm making Madam Speaker, is that God is on our side, and when you know you're doing something just, Madame Speaker, but they are paranoid over there.
I am so disappointed in the Honourable Member for St. John's Rural West, Madame Speaker, it's only because of the love, and the bonds, and friendships, and the caring, and the passion that I have for the people of St. Peters why I would never neglect them. I will never go to another constituency, or else, Madame Speaker, but I want to tell you, I would love a fight with the Honourable Member for St. John's Rural West.
If I wasn't in St. Peter and in another constituency, I would have gone down there and take him on, because, he has done absolutely nothing in his constituency. You know how many young people went to the branch meeting, and you know how many of them said he passed them with his glassed wined up, and zoomed he gone.
Baldwin Spencer, the grassroots' Trade Unionist that we knew in this country, no longer has time for his people.
Madame Speaker, I will close.
I want to say though that the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is supposed to be highly regarded and respected and his integrity is supposed to be unquestionable. And, our very presence here this Tuesday, 24th September, at seven minutes past eight, more than twenty-four hours after the registration is supposed to have commenced is testament of his incapacity, and I cannot Madame Speaker, will not for the benefit of the people of this country, and in good conscience could vote in favour of this resolution.
No way, Madame Speaker. Thank You.


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(Natural Herbs) Comfrey
Comfrey Scientific Names and Common Names,Comfrey Biochemical Information,Uses,Warning,Where Found,Parts Usually Used,Comfrey Description of Plant(s) and Culture,Medicinal Properties.
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Legends, Myths and Stories | Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Nutrient Content | How Sold | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
Symphytum officinale L.BoraginaceaeBorage family
Common Names
Ass ear
Gum plant
Healing herb
Slippery root
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Parts Usually Used
Leaves and root
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Comfrey is a perennial plant 1-3 feet tall; the large rootstock is black outside, fleshy and whitish inside, and contains a glutinous juice. The angular, hairy stem bears bristly, oblong lanceolate leaves, some petioled, some sessile. There are also tongue-shaped, fuzzy, basal leaves that generally lie on the ground. The whitish, pink, or pale purple bell-like flowers have a tubular corolla resembling the finger of a glove and grow in forked racemes from May to August. Full sun or partial shade. Zones 5-9.
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Where Found
Moist meadows, ditches, and other moist places in the United States and Europe.
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Medicinal Properties
Anodyne, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, tonic, vulnerary
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Biochemical Information
Allantoin (mainly flowering tops), consolidine, inulin, mucilage, alkaloids (mainly root), steroidal saponins, phosphorus, potassium, pyrroliziidine, starch, tannins, and vitamins A, B12, C, and E.
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Legends, Myths and Stories
There are 25 species of comfrey used in most herb books, a number of the 25 species are cultivated in American gardens. Comfrey is native to Europe, Asia Minor, Siberia and Iran.
The country name for comfrey was knitbone, a reminder of its traditional use in healing fractures. The herb contains allantoin, which encourages bone, cartilage, and muscle cells to grow. When the crushed herb is applied to an injured limb, the allantoin is absorbed through the skin and speeds up healing. In the past, comfrey baths were popular before marriage to repair the hymen and thus "restore virginity."
Comfrey was extremely popular in the 1970's and early 1980's, but studies showing toxic pyrroliziidine alkaloids, especially in the root, have tempered the enthusiasm for comfrey. Recent studies show that leaves harvested during the blooming period (May to September) are very low in alkaloid content. Suspected carcinogen.
Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance that helps stimulate the growth of new cells and is now used in many cosmetic products. Commercially prepared comfrey creams and ointments are useful for all kinds of skin irritations, including chafing and bug bites. Today, we are more cautious about taking comfrey internally, because it contains pyrroliziidine alkaloids, compounds known to cause liver disease if taken over a long period of time. The FDA is investigating pyrroliziidine alkaloid levels in domestic comfrey. There are other safer herbs that can be used in its place, such as peppermint, balm, and ginger.
Comfrey was known to the Crusaders as a wound herb, since it is unrivaled in repairing broken bones and battered bodies.
The book Old Ways Discovered states, "The mucilaginous root is employed by colormakers; it is also employed to correct the brittleness of flax and the roughness of wool in spinning. It is said that a decoction of the root is of great importance in the process of tanning."
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Acts as a blood cleanser. Beneficial for asthma, coughs, catarrh, flu, ulcers, swelling, varicose veins, perineal tears, diaper rash, cradle cap, cramps, tuberculosis, pain, and burns. Also good for the stomach, kidneys, bowels, and lungs.
A decoction of the rootstock makes a good gargle and mouthwash for throat inflammation, hoarseness, and bleeding gums. Drink it to take care of most digestive and stomach problems, for intestinal difficulties, anemia, scrofula, pimples, for excessive menstrual flow, heal broken bones, and to stop spitting blood. Powdered rootstock can also be taken internally for bloody urine (hematuria), leukorrhea, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal ulcers, gout, dysentery and persistent coughs. Externally, use the powder as a hemostatic agent, and make a poultice for wounds, boils, abscesses, wounds that refuse to heal, leg ulcers, bruises, sores, broken bones, sprains, and insect bites. The hot pulp of the rootstock makes a good external application for bronchitis, pneumonia, coughs, pleurisy, and for the pain, and inflammation of pulled tendons. Add the rootstock to the bath water regularly for a more youthful skin.
Makes an excellent liquid fertilizer for garden and houseplants (allow leaves to decompose in a container of water). Add to the compost pile; use only wilted leaves, however, so they do not take root in the compost pile.
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Formulas or Dosages
Decoction: boil 2 tsp. rootstock in 1 cup water or wine. Take a wineglassful or a teacupful 2-3 times a day.
Infusion: use 2 tsp. rootstock per 1/2 cup water. Take 1-2 cups per day, warm, a mouthful at a time. Internal application of tea is not advisable.
Tincture: take 1/2 to 1 tsp. at a time.
Cold extract tea: use 3 heaping tsp. fresh or dried rootstock with 1 cup water; let stand for 10 hours and strain. Bring the soaked rootstock to a boil in 1/2 cup water, then strain. ix this with the cold extract and drink a mouthful at a time over the course of the day.
Pulp: stir fresh, chopped rootstock into a little hot water to form a thick mash. Spread on a linen cloth and apply. Renew every 2-4 hours.
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Nutrient Content
Phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, C, and E.
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How Sold
Capsules: take 1 or 2 capsules daily for 1 or 2 weeks, then take a week's rest.
Creams and ointments
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Avoid use on dirty wounds, because rapid healing can trap dirt or pus.
Some comfrey salves on the market specifically recommend use by nursing mothers with chafed nipples. Since comfrey should not be ingested by infants, consult the doctor before use of these products.
Root use discouraged due to high levels of liver-toxic (or cancer-causing) pyrroliziidine alkaloids. Leaf tea (at least some types), although less carcinogenic than beer, has been banned in Canada. There is also a danger that the leaves of Comfrey may be confused with the first-year rosettes of Foxglove (Digitalis), with fatal results. Consult an expert on identification first. Use is restricted in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany.
Avoid use of comfrey with edema, obesity, or malabsorption.
Use only under careful medical supervision. Do not use for longer than 3 months at a time. May cause liver damage.
Comfrey should not be given to small children, infants, or pregnant women.
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, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000
, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993
, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, published from 1954, print 1988
, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994
, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814)
, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991
Herbal Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition
, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)
, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973
, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992
, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973
, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994
, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY
, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984
, by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988).
, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.
, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974
, by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992
, Meredith Books, Editorial Dept. RW240, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023, copyright 1994
Category: Herbs
About the Author (Author Profile)
Holle everybody welcome to the acupunctureschoolonline.com. My name is Mo, I hope discuss about acupuncture with everybody! Hope you can find what you want in my website.If you have questions , please click here --Our A&Q system.http://ask.acupunctureschoolonline.com


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On-site Indoor Accommodations
Staying onsite allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Festival experience. There are limited on-site indoor accommodations available at KMC NY. These accommodations are simple but comfortable. These include private single or double rooms, twin rooms, shared rooms (up to six people), and dorm rooms (8-10 people). These rooms may be booked online for the full Festival only. Partial Festival bookings cannot be accepted for on-site indoor accommodations. Please check the Festival Fees page for pricing and room options.
On-site Camping
There is unlimited camping space available at KMC NY during the Festival and can be booked for any amount of time. Please be prepared for wet and cold weather–temperatures can be variable, sometimes dropping into the 30s in the evenings, at this time of year in New York. The festival cannot provide camping gear, so please bring an appropriate waterproof tent, ground cloth, warm sleeping bag and towel. A breakfast buffet is included. Camping is $20/night, including breakfast.
Special US Festival Rates Available at the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing
- Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing ~ Matamoras, PA ~ Offering a special rate of $112 per night (up to 4 people per room; no additional charge per person). Book by March 26 to receive this special rate. To book, call (570) 491-2400 and mention "Kadampa." A hot Continental breakfast and high-speed internet are included. The fitness room and pool are also available to guests. Close to local restaurants and shopping centers. 25 minute drive to the Festival site.
A Festival hotel shuttle will be available from the Best Western Inn. A shuttle will run morning and evening to and from the Best Western to KMC New York on Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28. This shuttle service is subject to demand. More information, including cost, coming soon.
Other Local Accommodation
- Catskill Mountains Resort ~ Barryville, NY ~ Phone (845) 456-0195. High-speed internet is included. Breakfast is not included but a breakfast menu is available at the hotel restaurant. 20 minute drive.
- Hampton Inn ~ Matamoras, PA ~ Phone (570) 491-5280. Hot breakfast and high-speed internet are included. 25 minute drive.
- Inn the Glen ~ Glen Spey, NY ~ Family B&B with 3 suites and 2 simple rooms. Full Festival only. Please call (845) 468-4247 to inquire about Kadampa rates/availability. Breakfast included. Walking distance from KMC NY.
- Mohican Lake Resort ~ Glen Spey, NY ~ Rustic accommodation on a lake. Cabins with 2 double beds and shared spaces available. Special KADAMPA and long term discounts available. Please call for details: (845) 858-8784. Breakfast available. 7 minute drive.
- ECCE Bed & Breakfast ~ Barryville, NY ~ 5 Bedroom B&B on a bluff overlooking the Delaware River. Breakfast included. Book online or call (888) 557-8562. 20 minute drive.
- Myer Country Motel ~ Milford, PA ~ Family owned "cottage" motel. Several room types available. Please call to inquire about availability 1 (800) 764-MYER. Free internet access and refrigerators in every room. Breakfast not included. Located across the street from the Milford Motel. 40 minute drive.
- Roebling Inn ~ Lackawaxen, PA ~ Historic 1870 landmark B&B with 5 guestrooms and a 1-bedroom cottage. Website link lists availability and amenities or call (570) 685-7900. Buffet breakfast available. 25 minute drive.
- More privately-owned options can be found on AirBnB.com or Homeaway.com by searching for local towns "Glen Spey, NY" or "Port Jervis, NY" or local area "Catskills"


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Circadian Function and Cardio-metabolic Risk in Adrenal Insufficiency
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03000231
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified February 2017 by University of Chicago.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted : December 22, 2016
Last Update Posted : February 10, 2017
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Adrenal Insufficiency
We propose to use a case control design to test the main hypothesis that as compared to healthy control subjects matched for sex, age, adiposity and race/ethnicity, patients with adrenal insufficiency, whether primary or secondary, have disturbances of the circadian system that are associated with high day to day variability of sleep time as well as elevated markers of cardio-metabolic risk, including abnormal oral glucose tolerance and reduced nocturnal blood pressure dipping.
A secondary hypothesis of the study is that adrenal insufficiency patients on a replacement regimen (as part of their standard of care ongoing treatment) that results in daytime cortisol profiles approximating the normal diurnal variation will have better cardio-metabolic function than adrenal insufficiency patients who have grossly abnormal cortisol profiles.
|Study Type :
|Estimated Enrollment :
|24 participants
|Observational Model:
|Time Perspective:
|Official Title:
|Circadian Function and Cardio-metabolic Risk in Adrenal Insufficiency: a Case Control Study
|Study Start Date :
|October 2015
|Estimated Primary Completion Date :
|December 2017
|Estimated Study Completion Date :
|December 2017
Healthy Controls
Matched by age, race, gender and BMI to adrenal insufficiency subjects
Adrenal Insufficiency Patients
Eligible patients will have either primary adrenal insufficiency or secondary adrenal insufficiency and will be age 18 and older.
- day to day variability of sleep timing over 1 week of recording [ Time Frame: day 1 to day 7 ]On each day, the midpoint (time in hours and minutes) of the sleep period will be calculated and the variability over 1 week will be quantified by the standard deviation
- nocturnal blood pressure dipping [ Time Frame: day 8 to 9 ]a 24-h recording of blood pressure will be conducted in the laboratory with concurrent sleep recording. Dipping will be calculated as the difference between the daytime mean and the nighttime mean
- oral glucose tolerance [ Time Frame: day 11 to 12 ]A 3-h 75g oral glucose tolerance test will be performed in the laboratory after an overnight fast. Glucose tolerance will be quantified by the total area under the glucose curve over the 3-hour period of sampling.
Biospecimen Retention: Samples Without DNA
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Inclusion Criteria:
- Primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, Healthy matched controls, acute or unstable health conditions age 18 or older
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diabetes, Tertiary adrenal insufficiency
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03000231
|Contact: Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D.
|Contact: Susan Sam, M.D.
|United States, Illinois
|The University of Chicago
|Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
|Contact: Eve Van Cauter, PhD 773-702-0169 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Contact: Susan Sam, MD 773-702-5641 email@example.com
|Principal Investigator: Eve Van Cauter, PhD
|Principal Investigator:
|Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D.
|University of Chicago
|Responsible Party:
|University of Chicago
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|December 22, 2016 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|February 10, 2017
|Last Verified:
|February 2017
|Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
|Plan to Share IPD:
Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal Gland Diseases
Endocrine System Diseases
Epinephryl borate
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Adrenergic beta-Agonists
Bronchodilator Agents
Autonomic Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Anti-Asthmatic Agents
Respiratory System Agents
Vasoconstrictor Agents


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Answer by Kris Rosvold:
Here's my story of how I became a DINO.
The year was 1981 and I'd been registered Republican since I went into the Navy at 17, two years prior.
The party brass came up with this economic "theory" (yes, I'm being very generous here) called Trickle Down Econimics. This sounded really reasonable on its face until I took a hard look at what policies would be required under this "theory" in our Consumer Driven Society.
It was a blatant con game. So… being a caring and fairly smart Citizen who saw My representatives going down the wrong path, I assembled the evidence and ran the math on what those policies would result in.
Boy, was I ever wrong! I was far too conservative (by almost two orders of magnitude) in the estimates I used to dispute this policy.
I took this 30 pages of evidence to the party brass, presented everything, and completely, logically, shredded the "theory" (with numbers and charts to support). I got a call about a week later asking me to.present it again for some higher ups in the party. I did and after I was done there were drawn, weary, annoyed (and some scared ones too) faces throughout the room. The Grand Pobahs pulled me into a back room and basically told me to shut up about this, using numerous appeals to authority, I declined and was told (point blank) to "Either toe the Party Line or get out." Needless to say I became a bit impolite at this point. I think the mildest term I used was "liars and theives."
Two days later I got called into my C.O.s office (whom I hadn't spoken to about this) and got dressed down for "causing trouble for the folks who support Us."
I walked out of his office, finished my shift, and registered as a Democrat the next day.
*Fast forward to 1985*
I'd been out of the Navy for almost two years now…
The Democratic party brass started talking about an amnesty for illegal aliens being "necessary as a matter of fairness."
I got to thinking about this, and while I agreed on one level , I had major reservations because it didn't address the obvious issue of rewarding folks who had actively and intentionally bid defiance to our laws.
It also completely ignored the issues of these claim jumpers lowering pay rates for those in the construction industry by being willing to take work "under the table" at substantially lower pay rates (often 1/3 lower), and by glutting the labor pool.
So… same process, different people. I ultimately left in complete and utter disgust.
Today I'm what would be called a DINO. I'm registered Democrat, but often vote against them, especially on financial matters like bond issues.
I've also voted against some State democratic representatives for their policy of "offering" tax breaks to multinational corporations instead of supporting small businesses (which provide +85% of all US jobs).
If it weren't for a closed (and intentionally rigged) primary process I would be registered Independent.
The only Democrat I've actually supported (voted for without holding my nose tightly) is Jeff Merkley.
The Democratic party keeps begging me for donations and I've given not in dime to them, nor shall I. I do give to support individual campaigns and issues (like GMO labling) but, so far as I'm concerned I'd be just as happy to see both sets of party brass starve to death!
In other races I've consistently voted Alternate party (neither Democrat nor Republican candidates).
The simple Fact is that the brass of both major parties have been actively working against the interests of Citizens and Our Constitution for well over 50 years now, and it's long past time for a Citizens uprising to make progressive applications of tar and feathers to Our so-called "representatives" in Congress.


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Yes, it's time for the weekly team Chango update. After a wild week of going with the punches for independent student travel, I think all of us were a bit relieved to have a set schedule again in the heart of a beautiful farming town.
And although the churros here are ten times the price of the churros in Santiago, I still can't complain because there is something so sweet and special about this place.
On Sunday afternoon, we rolled into Vinales and were immediately welcomed by our homestay families and the leader of the organization in which we were going to work with for the duration of our time here, Yoel. We were then divided into four different houses of the families we're staying with and got settled in and prepped for the week ahead.
We started off Monday with an excursion to the first farm we were to visit: El Olivo. We spent the morning weeding a whole patch of carrots and then that was followed by a talk about the Vinales National Park by Yoel. We learned that Vinales is the 4th most diverse place for plant life in the world. Within this National Park, 100% of farming is organic. This organization works on bringing solar energy to rural communities and holds workshops on topics such as soil conservation so that campesinos (farmers) from other communities can come and learn this knowledge and bring it back to their villages.
For our second day, we visited the farm La Finca Cueva. As it turned out, Monday was just the warm up day in terms of weeding. We spent the day battling fire ants while pulling plants from the earth. There's something therapeutic about the repetitive motion of weeding and hoeing. But then again, that's coming from the girl who's volunteering for a few hours, not from the families who spend years pouring hours upon hours of work into these plots of land while receiving as little as $2,000 a year for their produce.
And then Wednesday. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yeah, farm day! This farm was the first organic farm in the area. They grow 80 different types of plants here throughout the year. We became enlightened on all the alternative ways to repel bugs without pesticides. Here's some examples: soaking tobacco leaves in water and then mixing that liquid into the soil, painting wooden boxes with bright car paint because bugs are attracted to the smell/color and then they get stuck on the paint, and strategically planting "the flower of death" and basil (both of which bugs dislike) around the growing crops.
But most importantly, did you know that it takes 6 months for a pineapple to grow from the moment it's planted to the moment that it's ready to be picked? Just one pineapple per plant. That is a mind blowing amount of pineapple plants.
After some more weeding, hoeing and hauling, we sat down at the farm's restaurant and ate an amazing meal made from everything that was grown at this farm.
The cool thing about all these farms is that each one provides food for a different restaurant in town. I've never seen such a simple process of farm to table in my life until now. On Wednesday evening, we ate at the restaurant whose food is provided by the first farm we volunteered at.
This entire week has been structured to farming in the morning and having the afternoons free for exploration. During that free time, Taylor and Shelly searched the entire town for ingredients to bake banana bread (in the end, they ended up baking it from a pot on the stove), rooftop yoga, learning how to roll cigars, a cave tour, a salsa dance class, many runs on beautiful country roads and I had the opportunity to perform a song at a local dance club.
Also, just in case you're worried that we aren't getting enough self developmental thoughts in, Kevin provided us with a CDL (Carpe Diem Lesson) on education and at the end left us with these questions:
What kind of change do you think this world needs to see? Do you feel that in your current state you're capable of affecting that change in a meaningful way? What would you need to know or what skills would need to have to more effectively bring about that change? If you had to choose (without worrying about the lack of resource) what would you want to do for the rest of your life? All questions are required to be answered in a one on one conversation with Kevin within the near future.
On Saturday, we spent 5 hours horseback riding through the breathtaking farmland and countryside of Vinales. I repeatedly would burst into random smiles as the contrast of deep red soil, leafy shades of green and the expansiveness of the blue sky cacooned us all into a space of sweet simplicity and grounded contentment.
It is shocking how fast time is flying by. I could have sworn that we just got to Vinales but now a week has gone by and tomorrow we are moving slightly out of town to stay on a different farm for a week.
We are sending you all the freshness of the air that meanders through these Cuban fields. And just know that we may not be eating Reeses and Milky Ways this October 31st, but we're sure filled up with the sugar that's made from the sweetness of human connection.


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Charity of the year
Choosing Beatson Cancer Charity as your charity of the year partner means that we will develop a bespoke programme of fundraising activity which is tailored to you.
Employee engagement
Events and challenges are an excellent way to encourage cross-team working, networking and relationship building, further enhancing internal communications and developing a sense of involvement in the charity partnership. We work closely with our corporate partners to deliver a bespoke programme of events and activity which is tailored to your business needs. Alternatively, why not organise an event on our behalf?
Staff fundraising
Why not promote our fundraising guide amongst your staff and encourage them to organise their own fundraising event?
Staff volunteering
There are a variety of opportunities for staff volunteering ranging from one-off engagement such as organising fundraising events in their own community to long term opportunities such as volunteering in services which provide direct support to patients and their families.
From mass participation events to key business networking events, sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels. Sponsorship of events offers a range of benefits including extensive marketing and PR coverage.
Matched Giving
Matched Giving means that for every £1 raised by a member of staff, your company could consider matching this to maximise the overall support for the charity.
Marketing & PR Coverage
As a corporate partner of Beatson Cancer Charity, we will not only inspire your staff and exceed your expectations, we will also ensure your organisation receives widespread media coverage.
Call us on 0141 212 0505 or send the team an e-mail for everything you need to know and to get started straight away!


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Please contact us to inform us of any necessary updates or to add your organization to our directory.
Cat Care Network of Colorado & New Mexico
Norma Lennon Wiggins – President
803 East Main St.
Trinidad, CO 81082
Tel: (575) 445-8756
Alternate: (719) 859-4009
Visit Website
Information: Low-cost spay/neuter, cats only, available to qualified low-income persons. Contact for application form. Mobile clinics can be arranged. 3 veterinary locations: Small Animal Hospital in Angel Fire, Trinidad Animal Clinic (will also take NM clients) and High Horse Ranch Veterinary Clinic in Gardner, CO (will also take NM clients); Free TNR for neighborhood cats in rural communities in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties in SE Colorado. Public education programs provided. Colfax County residents welcome at free TNR clinics at Trinidad Animal Clinic and High Horse Ranch Veterinary Clinic. $40 rebate for purchase of humane trap; $20 rebate to transport TNR cats to and from participating vet clinics; Free mobile clinic spay/neuter services to cats and dogs in Huerfano and Las Animas County households. Colfax County residents also invited. Contact for details.