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Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman
Some of the best fashion photography events happen not only in studios, but also out in the streets of the city. Through photographer Scott Schuman's lens, the dapper designs of ordinary people which would ordinarily go unnoticed are captured for posterity and presented on The Sartorialist blog.
The Sartorialist, which recently won LIFE.com's first annual Photo Blog Awards, stemmed out of Mr. Schuman's own experience in the fashion industry. He saw something missing between what he saw in the showrooms and the streets, and thought that he could try to bridge that gap. He started to carry a digital camera and documented the people out of the studio whom he thought would be inspirational to designers. He began the Sartorialist blog in 2005 to share his findings, and the results have been extraordinary.
Unlike other photography sites and fashion blogs, The Sartorialist doesn't just concentrate on the usual 20-40 year old demographic; all kinds of peoples, cultures and ages are represented. It's not just an apparel and accessories site either; the focus is always on the people and how they wear their clothes and not the other way around.
The photography style employed is quite simple; the subjects are presented in close-ups, three-quarters or full body attire. Some of them sit, some of them are on bikes, but most of them just stand naturally. Because of the nature of their settings, Mr. Schuman has to work fast with what he's presented. He only uses natural light and doesn't go out of his way to pose them in a particular way.
Mr. Schuman takes photographs in the streets of many cities, but most of the photos are taken in New York, Paris, Milan and Florence in between his visits to the fashion shows there. Although there is a universal feel to all of these portraits, each of these cities have their own individuality that you can start to see as you go through the blog.
The subjects and their clothing all make the photographs work. There is nothing special the Mr. Schuman does save for the fact that he spends hours on the streets patiently looking for those two or three shots that will make the blog. His passion for fashion clearly radiates in every post and it becomes clear that photography is only the medium through which his passion can be shared.
Over the years, The Sartorialist has become even more famous as one of the best fashion websites that's still active today. However, something must be said of the documentary quality that Mr. Schuman displays in his photographs. While most comments on his blog focus on the fashion that the subjects wear, years from now these images will be celebrated for preserving the culture of these cities through the photographic form. They are both objective and beautiful at the same time. The full-length photographs in particular are reminiscent of photographer August Saunder's typologies many decades ago.
These are just a fraction of the treasure trove of images accumulated from over five years of documentation by Mr. Schuman. You can find more of these excellent photographs over at The Sartorialist blog. If you want to go over the best photographs while you're away from your computer, Scot Schuman has also published The Sartorialist book.
24 comments:
- Fang said...
So those are just unsuspecting people he picked from the streets? He's got himself a new fan, right here.
- June 23, 2011 at 9:24 PM
- The Angry Lurker said...
What some people wear and call fashion has always amused me, some of them are nice but some dressed in the dark.
- June 23, 2011 at 10:06 PM
- Generally Disgruntled said...
I would look damn good in a sweater vest. All the fashion photos you been showing off make my wardrobe look like even more crap than I already knew. I need to get more fashionable
- June 23, 2011 at 10:55 PM
- Igneel21 said...
pretty awesome, i really would love to wear some of those longcoats but the weather here wouldnt allow it
- June 23, 2011 at 11:44 PM
- Shutterbug said...
I hope to do more street photography and maybe I will start another blog to showcase my work!
- June 23, 2011 at 11:51 PM
- D4 said...
The concept of just normal people out on the street is wonderful. He's got a great deal of talent to pull off such great photographs in the short time.
- June 24, 2011 at 12:34 AM
- Astronomy Pirate said...
Street fashions, a lot of those people look pretty cool. Not including hipster girl on the bike.
- June 24, 2011 at 2:30 AM
- -E- said...
i'm amazed how many pretentious tw**s there are out there walking around.
- June 24, 2011 at 5:34 AM
- Unknown said...
I think I prefer the ones with a 2d wall or corner behind the subject to the 3d blurry backgrounds.
- June 24, 2011 at 5:49 AM
- Unknown said...
Wow, that's really interesting and I like how even though he's not the typical fashion blog he finds such unique fashion and outfits. I think it's cool that he doesn't pose them either and with some of the couple shots it's interesting because I was wondering if they were dating, married, brother/sister or what the relationship is. INteresting
- June 24, 2011 at 6:00 AM
- Jblogger said...
these are great
- June 24, 2011 at 6:07 AM
- Anonymous said...
I'm going to check out his blog. Seems like a really cool idea.
- June 24, 2011 at 7:13 AM
- Bart said...
you sir a gentlemen and a scholar.
- June 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM
- Intraman said...
I love these kinds of photos! In Japan there are litteraly dozens of magazines dedicated to what they call street fashion although the photos are not always as good as what this guy does.
- June 24, 2011 at 2:06 PM
- VersionDouble said...
some of those are fantastic, i love the range of people he photographs. amazing.
- June 24, 2011 at 6:37 PM
- r.alsharif said...
The pictures are truly amazing! I couldn't help but notice that most of the people in them are wearing trench coats!
- June 24, 2011 at 7:10 PM
- duffboi said...
That is awesome seeing fashions that everyday people choose. Good stuff!
- June 25, 2011 at 1:17 AM
- Travie said...
I love these!
- June 25, 2011 at 7:17 AM
- Skimbosh said...
I can't believe how much I hate the way they are ALL dressed.
- June 25, 2011 at 7:28 AM
- ed said...
makes me wish i was fa
- June 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM
- Bart said...
well technically a little less, cause thers also the full beard, and the hockey hair bearded pics... and some other ones, ive posted quite a few, still owe many hundreds though
- June 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM
- Bel said...
I've always loved the Sartorialist. He's a style icon for the modern era.
<3 Belly B
- June 25, 2011 at 5:27 PM
- HiFi said...
When I get old, I'm gonna dress up like that first guy up above. Why? Because I've always wanted to.
- June 28, 2011 at 5:41 AM
- i said...
I love this kind of impromptu photography. Some of the best scenes are just acts of randomness or interesting people outside that you might never have imagined. Really enjoy these, thanks!
- July 6, 2011 at 8:18 AM


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I don't want to leave any genre of bikes out, so I've been asked to announce:
The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Finals in Windham New York, August 26th-29th.
Here is some press on the event:
Windham, N.Y. –In addition to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) races at the Mountain Bike World Cup Finals presented by Shimano, several family-friendly activities are scheduled for the week of the races.
A huge Block Party, set for Friday, Aug. 27, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., will be located on a section of Route 23 in downtown Windham that will be closed to vehicular traffic. The party will feature a variety of activities and vendors and is free to the public.
Featured performances include a bike stunt show by Mike Steidley, eight-time National Trial Champion and stunt rider; a classic rock and blues performance by local powerhouse band Johnny Moon and Starz; a KANJAM tournament (a revolutionary disc tossing game perfect for all ages); a demonstration by the Albany All Stars Roller Derby; and a fire stunt show by PrimalMatic PyroAddicts.
"The Windham World Cup Festival is the perfect venue to introduce people to the sport and culture of mountain biking while exposing them to the excitement of world-class international competition,†said Nick Bove, race director of the Windham 2010 Mountain Bike World Cup. "Racers ride hard but like to play hard too. This is when families and casual riders can mix with their favorite racers and explore some of the fun that Windham has to offer.â€
Additional festival activities include: "Race the World†citizen races for non-UCI pros and amateurs; indoor and outdoor expos showcasing bikes and accessories, local crafts and retail products; a "Big Wheel†race; a kids' fun race and a free outdoor concert by Chris Barron and The Time Bandits. Barron, best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spin Doctors, now also tours with The Time Bandits, and performs an array of songs from Barron's solo album, "Pancho and the Kid,†as well as some Spin Doctors' classics.
The 2010 World Cup Finals attracts the world's top professional cyclists in three disciplines of racing including cross-country, downhill and "four-cross (4X). The U.S. last hosted a mountain bike World Cup in 2005 at the Angel Fire resort in New Mexico; the finals have never before been held in the U.S.
For more information on the Windham World Cup Festival events, visit www.racewindham.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Comparing life to a mortgage….
We are born with nothing. We have no clothes. We rely on our parents or guardians to provide for us. When we become adults, many of us will purchase a home. We start careers or businesses. Most will need to rely on a mortgage – and know that if we live long enough we'll see our investment grow. Then, one day, we'll be able to cash in on that investment for a different life somewhere else – or leave behind a nice inheritance to whom we please. We work, we invest, we end up with a profit and – we hope – time to enjoy it before we are too old or too sick.
I'm thinking that the real payments in life aren't the ones we make to the bank. Every time we are devastated by some illness, pick ourselves after some disaster, or even suffer at the hands of our own mistakes we make a payment to ourselves. Our internal bank of wisdom and compassion grows ever larger. The more we keep going, the more we endure, the more adversity we overcome the richer we become.
The catch is that, quite unlike the home equity we can cash out and spend, by the time we have enough wisdom to really do something with it we are too old and have burned so many bridges we can never return to reap the rewards for ourselves.
The only sense I can make of my comparison is that the only consumption, or spending, of this amassed wealth is through helping others. We live our lives, we learn our "lessons", and maybe we get a chance to tell some younger person, or some person more poor in wisdom and experience, or someone who simply wants to listen to the lessons we learned.
The only illness or infirmity that can keep us from spending this type of wealth is our own bitterness and reluctance to accept the events of our lives as the lessons they are – or perhaps the short sightedness of those who need to hear it.


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So surely you've heard about the latest kerfuffle: the realignment of the Zodiac. The addition of a new sign, Ophiuchus (the serpent bearer), knocked every other sign out of whack and for a week there, the interwebs were abuzz: If you woke up a Taurus, you were an Aries by the time you went to bed. To paraphrase a San Francisco Chronicle headline, the Zodiac shift knocked people off their axis.
(One Facebook pal wondered — with a bit of snark — how the folks with their signs tattooed on their forearms — or wherever — would weather the storm. She also wondered why so many people cared.)
Here's what we learned from an interview in that Chronicle article , written by Erin Allday, who quoted child psychiatrist Dr. Laura Davies (who incidentally went from a Virgo to a Libra, which didn't bother her all that much):
"People want to understand themselves, and they want to understand each other. Astrology was sort of a shorctut to understanding," Davies said. "We all know our sign, and we know one or two things about it. If it changes, it means we have to rethink things. Suddenly that's not me anymore."
Indeed, one of our friends squawked: "I take comfort in couching my flaws in a cosmic get-up, ya know??" Later, Alldin's story quotes Patty Morris, a psychology student at John Kennedy University who also studies astrology. She says astrology is just another tool we mortals use to understand ourselves:
"When we try to look within ourselves, things can get really murky. People appreciate these systems that have codes and descriptions that they can relate to," Morris said. "When people have a relationship to something, like being a Leo, when it's debunked, it's like the bottom is dropping out of you."
The whole realignment, it was beyond shocking. (At least till it was pretty much debunked by CNN.) But it made me think: is our sign yet another version of our iconic self, the image we construct that we sometimes let define us? Hello, I'm a Taurus. The bull. I'm practical, trustworthy, determined and affectionate. I'm also stubborn and opinionated. Well, then. I'm an all-around good person, but when I get set in my ways, you know, I can't help myself. It's in the stars. I'm always right, right?
And so, if we believe in this stuff, our decisions, our personna — are defined. The stars say so, after all. Which makes me wonder. Is the reason we buy into this stuff, why so many of us freaked out when we thought that our sign wasn't our sign, that it's easier to look outward for self-definition? Is the Zodiac, not unlike the iconic self, a sort of armor we use to protect ourselves when we can't figure out who we are – or which way to go? Is it a way to pretend we have control?
All of which led me back to Facebook, on a much more serious note, where one of our fans posted a link to a piece on Peace X Peace, written by Priscilla Warner in the wake of the shootings in Tucson. Trying to understand a senseless tragedy that took the life of a 9-year-old girl, Warner came to an epiphany:
Last year, I attended a retreat with Pema Chodron, a brilliant Buddhist teacher. Pema is someone I always imagined as a brave, fearless warrior. The titles of her books terrified me: "When Things Fall Apart," "The Places that Scare You."
I hoped she would teach me some lessons about coping when things fall apart, when events and circumstances scared me. "Strength doesn't come from running away from fear, armoring ourselves or putting on a mask," she told the hundreds of people who came to learn from her. "We can't try to run away from feelings or avoid them. Strength comes from allowing ourselves to not grow a thick skin, to be willing to take a chance and not have anything to lose."
Pema quoted her revered teacher, Chogyum Trungpa, who said, "A rainbow is made of sunshine and tears mixed together." He told a bride and groom, "Pleasure is not a reward, and pain is not a punishment. They are just ordinary occurrences."
In other words, life. Which is often out of our control. Which led me to an epiphany of my own. Sometimes we've got it right. But other times, no matter how much we want to be in control, we don't. Sometimes we're wrong. It's an incredibly liberating feeling, that sense of letting go.
Especially if you happen to be a Taurus.


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The Catskill Mountain gnomes who Rip Van Winkle encountered were fond of bowling and magical brews. These days they're hanging out in hot tubs and getting massages after dining in style…of course, still while imbibing magical Catskill brews.
Winter's the perfect time in the Catskills to indulge yourself in both active and therapeutic recreation. You'll find luxurious Catskills escapes come in many guises. I was fortunate to spend nights at the serene Emerson Resort and Spa and the funky-chic Roxbury Motel. Each is family friendly yet also a sophisticated anomaly in this charming old Dutch colonial haven.
The burbling Esopus River and East Branch Delaware River and rounded mountains are extraordinarily calming. The entire Ulster and Delaware county region is laced with streams and rail beds, many of which carry antique trains or have been converted to trails. These flows continue the formation of the Catskills, which aren't mountains in the usual sense but rather are remnants of a carved plateau. That's why so many of these green mounds have nearly uniform height.
At its core, the Emerson is an ayurvedic retreat. "I thought I'd have to travel back to India to find a space like that," said my travel companion, who hails from that nation.
Behind the imported, ancient Indian hand-carved gate at New York's first Mobil Four-Star Spa you'll discover ten treatment rooms adorned with antique fixtures and sculptures of deities and a striking raw stone sculpture centerpiece. Guests can stroll between these private sessions and steam showers, saunas, a fitness room, relaxation lounge, and outdoor hot tub. To take healthy wisdom home with you, there are Yoga classes too.
When you're ready for more fanciful fare, dizzy yourself with the world's largest kaleidoscope at the Country Store just yards away. But steady yourself on your feet for serious shopping — the Country Store is stocked with distinctive jewelry, gourmet delights, glassware, antiques, women's apparel, furnishings, accessories, and more.
At the Emerson's restaurants it's as pleasurable to fill your belly as it is to fill your luggage and spirit. The glowing red mountain lion eyes of the Catamount's imposing sign announce "carnivores welcome." But vegetarians and vegans will find very satifying choices. I had the pleasure of feasting on a tofu and veggie stir fry while I enjoyed the company of Lisa Berger of Ulster County Tourism, who had sauteed Atlantic salmon.
Over at the Roxbury Motel, in Delaware County, each room is a unique and elegant work of art, reflecting a broad palate of periods and influences. If you're a more playful sort, a sleepover can transport you to an ancient cave, the helm of a starship, or into a coconut cream pie one can imagine was whipped up by Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island."
The decor reflects the engaging and fun personalities of its delightful owners, Gregory Henderson and Joseph Massa. The two met through New York City's theater life and so it's no surprise that they brought stagecraft to create shared dreams into which they personally welcome each guest.
But this dynamic duo is in touch with the rooted tranquility all around them too. This past weekend they were moved to post this little video of the East Branch Delaware River running past the Roxbury Motel:
Just contemplate that snowy stream for now, until you too can head up for a spa retreat in the Catskills!


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Lisa Kristine photographs slavery
Humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine of Mill Valley had captured the dignity of indigenous people in 100 countries on six continents, yet never realized that modern-day slavery was in the shadows everywhere she traveled.
That all changed when Kristine, whose color-saturated photos are set to go on world tour this year, met an abolitionist while exhibiting her work at the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit. The advocate told Kristine that 27 million people are enslaved worldwide - more than twice the estimated number of people taken from Africa during the Atlantic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries.
"I almost fell over," said Kristine, whose images hang in the Palace of Bhutan, have been auctioned at Christie's to benefit the United Nations, and have drawn accolades from the Dalai Lama. "It blew me away that I, whose whole job is to see, didn't know."
Within a week, she was in the Los Angeles offices of the advocacy group Free the Slaves, offering to use her 19th century, 4-by-5 camera to expose slavery: the impoverished children and adults given false promises of money, education and a better life, only to be tricked into indentured labor and held in captivity by fear, force and coercion.
Illegal mine
In Ghana, Kristine climbed 200 feet down an illegal gold-mine shaft to find men with crude flashlights tied to their heads, forced to endure dust and dark for 72-hour stretches.
Escorted by local representatives from Free the Slaves, she found children in the Himalayas lugging slabs of slate heavier than themselves down the mountains, via crude harnesses attached to their foreheads made from sticks, rope and torn cloth.
At a brick kiln in Nepal, she photographed workers in 130-degree heat and choking dust, stacking 18 bricks on their head at a time and walking the loads to waiting trucks.
"All I could see was Dante's 'Inferno,' " Kristine said.
She saw trafficked children in tattered shirts reeling in 1,000-pound fishing nets on the shore of Lake Volta in Ghana, freezing in the early dawn after all-night fishing expeditions.
Avoiding patrolmen with automatic weapons, she quickly snapped off a few shots with her 35mm camera of men, women and children panning for gold in huge, watery pits contaminated by mercury in Ghana.
'No end in sight'
"These slaves are in plain sight, some are hidden deep in the jungles - some of them don't even understand they are enslaved because they have been laboring all their lives - with no pay, and with no end in sight," Kristine said.
The images she brought back stunned the world, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who wrote in the preface to her 2010 book, "Slavery":
"On behalf of God, (I have a hotline), thank you for all the people you are going to liberate and thank you for all the rest of us who will be truly free only when those in bondage are finally free."
After visiting her Sonoma gallery, a young girl started a lemonade stand to fight slavery, and collected money for Free the Slaves, Kristine said.
Soon, her slavery images will embark on a multiyear, world exhibition, "Enslaved," in conjunction with several nongovernmental organizations, including Voices for Freedom and Free the Slaves. (The tour locations have not been revealed yet.)
A film in production about a Nepalese girl trafficked to India includes a character based on Kristine, played by Gillian Anderson.
Kristine is often asked whether any of the people she photographed has been set free.
"Kofi," she says.
She photographed Kofi taking a bath at a rescue center for trafficked children in Ghana after he had been forced into fishing. After his photo was taken, he was reunited with his family, and abolitionists taught his parents to turn away traffickers who come knocking with false promises of good jobs for their children.
False promises
Such promises are also made in this country, Kristine said, describing what she found in shopping malls in Washington, D.C., where affable men approach young girls and sweep them off their feet - and right into the sex trade.
"That's why I won't ever let my children hang out at the mall," said Kristine, who along with her partner has adopted a son, 6, from Guatemala, and a daughter, 4, from Ethiopia.
In addition to her global slavery exhibit, Kristine also has a new book coming out, "Bhutan - Repository of the Spirit," with a forward by the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Tshering Pem Wangchuck. She has a flight booked to India this month to document a gathering of neuroscientists and 10,000 monks interested in studying the effects of contemplation and compassion on the brain.
It's a subject close to Kristine's heart. The day after she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, the city native spent the next five years photographing and meditating in Europe and Asia.
"I photographed every day. I did tai chi. I spent 30 days in silence, the last 1o in a cave - a lot of sitting on pillows to ultimately confront myself," she said.
And the trip left her with a four-word mantra: "I am a photographer."
"I would do this anyway, even if nobody paid me for it. It's just worked out that photography has been very gracious to me."
(This article has been corrected since it appeared in print editions.)
The photography of Lisa Kristine: www.lisakristine.com.
Meredith May is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Diving & Marine Conservation Volunteering in Thailand - Monthly Updates
- Project Overview
- Additional Project Info
- Divemaster Course Add-on
- Monthly Updates
- Management Plan, Data & Reports
Conservation in Thailand - Monthly Update March - April 2015
In March and April, our volunteer numbers increased with 31 new arrivals! We have excellent new volunteers who are willing to learn and help protect the environment. We were also pleased to welcome the 13 volunteers who were part of the Global Gap programme, who volunteer in five of our destinations with the Marine Conservation Project Thailand being their final project.
We have worked hard these past few months to provide Thailand and their communities with a better and healthier environment.
But it was not all work! In April, Thailand celebrates Songkran, a big national holiday and festival during which the whole country parties and takes part in a huge water fight. We had a great celebration day with all the volunteers and a big water fight in Ao Nang City.
Marine Conservation Project
All surveys and activities are being carried out regularly and volunteers are happy to be involved in events that really make a difference.
Endangered Species Sightings
The endangered species surveys continue to be carried out consistently. An additional 57 entries have been logged on our internal database and the Shark Guardian website.
Continued analysis of the data indicates a 1 in 4 chance (39%) of encountering one or more endangered species when diving. The chances of encountering endangered species continue to be higher around Phi Phi islands rather than around local islands.
A more detailed analysis of the data shows a 15% chance of encountering a shark, 13% chance of encountering a turtle and 16% chance of encountering a ray. In all instances, encounters are usually solitary.
Fish Population Survey
The fish population survey is being conducted steadily almost every diving day. Volunteers applied themselves and worked hard to pass their fish identification exam on their first or second try, in most cases. This allowed the project to have one or two survey teams available during most days to conduct the surveys.
The underwater training booklets have been printed and are available for every volunteer. These booklets are provided to the volunteers as a learning aid during both the fish ID training and the surveys themselves, to clear any possible momentary doubt.
Eight volunteers have successfully completed the training and proceeded to gather data. A total of 42 data logs have been submitted, almost doubling the size of our database.
Dive Against Debris
Trash collection on diving days continues as normal. No exceptional amount of trash has been collected on any of the normal dive sites, yielding a total of 78.5kg extracted during these past two months (1.6kg average).
On the weekend of the 25-26th May, Projects Abroad participated in the "6th Cleaning the Fish Homes" event, organised by the Thai Government. This consisted of joining a number of other divers (mostly government employees) to remove trash from tourist hotspots in the Phi Phi National Park Area, mostly on Koh Phi Phi Don (Monkey Bay) and Koh Phi Phi Leh (Viking Cave). The event was a huge success and our team of 23 divers managed to extract a total of about 330kg of trash.
Dive Operation
In March, five new volunteers joined the Marine Conservation Project Thailand and in April, 14 volunteers joined our project. On top of that, 13 volunteers who are part of the Global Gap programme arrived to take part in their final project, making a total of 27 volunteers.
We had volunteers complete several diving courses, including the Open Water Diver Course, the Advanced Open Water Diver Course, the Rescue Diver Course and the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty.
We also introduced a new diving schedule to the project in April in order to better prepare the volunteers for when they start the fish surveys.
Mangrove Reforestation
Mangrove conservation continues to be one of our main priorities on the project. Projects Abroad continues working with the local NGO, Mangrove Action Project (MAP), which allows the volunteers to help restore old shrimp farms back into mangrove forests.
On 13th March 2015, Project Abroad volunteers helped with restoration work. The main objective of the day was to do some hydrological improvement on EPIC Site #1, clear the litter from EPIC Site #2 and install the monitoring plots at the sites, which will be used over the next few years to monitor the progress of the restorations.
The group was split into two, with one half working on the hydrological improvement at Site 1 and the other half working on litter pick-up. MAP decided to reward the volunteers by taking them on a boat trip through the mangrove channels of Koh Klang, so that they could appreciate what a healthy mangrove ecosystem looks like.
On April 10th, 14 volunteers from Projects Abroad arrived at EPIC Site #1 on Koh Klang to help local villagers with the digging of several new small canals to improve hydrology.
The overall aim of this day was to to dig new canals in order to improve the hydrology at EPIC Site #1, allowing more water to spread across the site at high tide and enabling water to easily leave the site at low tide. A group of volunteers cleared a stretch of beach where there is the potential for a new beach forest planting to take place, to help reestablish the bio-shield from tropical storms.
Beach Clean Up
On March 27th, volunteers have collected over 166kg of trash on the beach of Nopparatara island. 85% of this trash comes from tour operators returning from their daytrip and leaving their trash on the beach near the low tideline. By the end of the day, this trash gets washed up in the ocean.
On April 17th, 255kg of trash was collected at Longbeach. This was the first ever beach clean on this location. All the trash was picnic-related and found in the vegetation area.
Education and Awareness
Thai Class
During the last couple of months, conservation volunteers have started having Thai Classes as an activity. We teach our volunteers basic Thai words, sentences and how to ask questions. This will help with our activities when we work with the local community and will also be useful for volunteers on a daily basis.
Summer Camp
During the summer school break in Thailand, many of the children attend a summer camp where they can take part in different activities. Our conservation volunteers, together with a community project and the local community, held an activity for the children.
The theme of the activity was trash and recycling. Together with the volunteers, we taught the children how important recycling is and how it would help their community. First with a video presentation and afterwards, in order for the children to better understand the key concepts, we played a game with them. First, we split the class into small groups and afterwards, the children were given pictures of different trash and they needed to figure out which trash should go where. Working like this allowed the children to understand how important recycling is and also how to work together as a team.
Cigarette Campaign
One important issue regarding trash and pollution that people are not aware of is cigarettes. When cigarette butts become litter, they have a negative impact on the environment. The filters are made of a plastic that can take up to ten years to decompose. When a cigarette comes in contact with water, it can pollute up to 70 litres of drinking water, as it gets wet and releases the nicotine and tar that it contains.
Volunteers helped to clean up cigarettes along Ao Nang beach, the main beach in town. They collected 12,925 cigarette butts in 2.5 hours. This was only about half the beach and it was only what was lying on top of the sand.
In order to create awareness of the problem, the volunteers also hung up signs to tell tourists where they should put their trash.
Painting Wat Klong Son Temple
We continue our commitment with the local community by working on the Wat Klong Son temple, a temple in a local area that doesn't have much support compared to other temples around. There are only a few monks living there and most of the building is still under construction. Together with the volunteers, we helped to paint this temple. In the following weeks, we will return to Klong Son temple to continue our painting job until is completed.
This isn't just to help the local community; this is also the way the volunteers learn about Thai culture, especially how to behave and act to the Buddhist monks. For example, Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of a woman.
Sea Turtles Project
In March and April, we had a fantastic opportunity to learn about sea turtles as the volunteers had the opportunity to visit Phuket Marine Biological Center (PBMC) and learn more about the problems that the sea turtles face. Together with the PBMC, the volunteers helped with cleaning turtle tanks, applied medicine on juvenile turtles, as well as observed tube-feeding for a non-eating rehabilitating turtle. They also helped to release a turtle into the wild!
The next stop was the Phuket Aquarium, where volunteers had a closer look at the fish morphology that they have been learning about during their survey workshops. They completed a scavenger hunt that included answering questions about specific fish found there and drawing fish anatomy and markings as they see them swimming through the exhibitions.
Songkrang Day
Songkran 2015 festival took place on April 13th through the 15th, and it commemorates the country's traditional New Year. The Songkran Festival is also known as the Thailand Water Festival, originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and to pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha. Nowadays, the festival has transitioned into three days of water play fun, splashing locals and visitors alike with buckets of water, water hoses and super soakers as they gather in the streets.
The day started with a presentation in our resort where the volunteers could learn more about Thai traditions and the origin of Songkrang day. Afterwards, together with the care project volunteers, the volunteers went to visit one of the main temples and attended a ceremony. Once they received the monk's blessing, all the volunteers went to pour water on the Buddha's statue to ask for good fortune.
We finished the activity with a nice meal together at the resort before going to Ao Nang, where everybody joined in with the big water fight.


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Just a reminder that our sixth - yes, sixth! - challenge takes place on Monday 2nd November at The Cuban Citypoint.
There's still time to create a prize-winning spice themed cupcake, so why not dust off your baking tins and produce something magical? The more the merrier!
If you're interested click here for all the details.


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A Look Back: Design
Celebrating our 15th anniversary.
The notion that great minds think alike does not apply to this selection of architects and designers. As we bring our 15th anniversary celebration to a close this week, we revisit the people, and stories, behind the spaces we've featured over the years.


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A respite from the fantasy-like quality of reading imposed by my two challenges. So on to science fiction in the realm of epidemiology for a little more reality hashed into the fiction.
Author : Juris Jurjevics
First Publication Date : August 18, 2005 (Hardcover)
Publisher : Viking Adult
No. of Pages : 416
The Story :
Something has killed four prominent scientists at the Trudeau station, a marvel of a habitat built for the harsh environs of the Arctic. Top scientists around the world who had come to the station to study this inhospitable frontier, are at a loss to explain the gruesome deaths of their colleagues. The unknown "bug" leaves its victims with their pupils missing and their bodies horribly contorted from excruciating spasms.
As an answer to the station's plea for help, top epidemiologist Dr. Jessica Hanley braves the perils of the Arctic in winter to discover the nature and cure for the new disease. No mean feat this, but on top of it, Dr. Hanley discovers a plan to sabotage her mission. She must protect her work to find the "bug" and its cure as quickly as possible.
The Review :
The Trudeau Vector is a biothriller with loads of fascinating trivia. It's the trivia that thrills primarily over the formulaic plot. It seems the author didn't think much of the story line and simply followed what worked in the past with others. He also does that "evil Russian" subplot to add to the thrill of the chase. Corny but then again your concentration isn't riveted on this angle. It's all on what malignant vector this author had cooked up.
What I think Jurjevics wanted to do was pack the book chock-full of info about the Arctic and epidemiology. It really isn't tedious if you were interested in the premise of diseases and environments in the first place.
Take these little factoids:
"…Remember, viruses can't really die. They are not alive; they can't reproduce unless they have living cells to hijack and turn into virus factories. But toss the pieces of a virus in a test tube with living cells and it recombines, self-assembles, resurrects." — p. 191
"Inuit can't do milk. We don't have the extra enzymes to process it…" —- p. 282
"…So what else is unusual about Inuit physiology, besides no body hair?"…" An extra artery near the heart. Supposed to keep us warm. We're mostly right-handed, rarely left. And we have small hands…" — p.283
Some of you may want to know about the characters. Well, character building is mediocre at best but not bad; however, Jurjevics does not make it clear what his characters are thinking. For instance, the reader will be surprised why Dr. Hanley would suddenly feel like going to bed with one of the Trudeau scientists without a hint nor clue as to why she would. Perhaps, depth is not much of an issue where thrillers are concerned, as action pacing is of prime importance. In this, Jurjevics succeeds as the action unfolds in very good strides so that you do get engrossed in the novel.
For a debut novel, The Trudeau Vector is quite good and comes across as very well researched. On the premise that it is so, then I have learned new things. And I do love my fiction interspersed with hard facts.
However, I must say that the conclusion, about 5 pages toward the end, left me a bit unsatisfied as its resolution was somewhat anti-climactic. I guess I preferred a great bang of an ending to this one. But then, the conclusion was plausible. So not much complaint from me.
My Mark : Very Good


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INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning forever will be thought of around these parts as No. 18, the quarterback who led the Indianapolis Colts to an NFL championship.
He'll be remembered, too, for his record four MVP awards, his 50,000 yards passing and his 200 consecutive starts. Most of all, Manning will be the guy in the horseshoe helmet who turned around a franchise and transformed a basketball-loving city into a football hotbed that hosted the Super Bowl.
Despite all of that and barring a last-minute change of heart, the Colts planned to release the 35-year-old Manning rather than pay him a $28 million bonus. The Colts have scheduled a noon news conference Wednesday, saying only that Manning and owner Jim Irsay will be available.
A person with knowledge of the decision said the team was preparing to announce it will part ways with its QB, who missed all of last season after a series of operations on his neck.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because no official announcement had been made. Manning's impending departure was first reported by ESPN earlier Tuesday.
While the Colts are widely expected to begin moving on by taking Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, Manning will become a free agent — and, if healthy, certainly will draw interest from other teams.
Arizona, Miami, Tennessee, Washington and the New York Jets all have been rumored as possible destinations; Manning's former offensive coordinator in Indianapolis, Tom Moore, worked for the Jets as a consultant last season.
It's still possible, however unlikely, that Manning could return to Indy at a lower price.
"This isn't an ankle, it isn't a shoulder. Oftentimes the NFL is criticized for putting someone out there at risk, and I'm not going to doing that," Irsay said in January. "I think he and I just need to see where his health is, because this isn't about money or anything else. It's about his life and his long-term health."
When Manning and Irsay flew to Indianapolis together late Tuesday, the player declined to address questions about his future with the team.
"We'll see y'all tomorrow," Manning said. "We're good. We'll talk tomorrow. We'll do it the right way tomorrow."
Word of the breakup — though not unexpected — still caught one of Manning's closest friends, Colts center Jeff Saturday, off guard.
"I never thought it was a foregone conclusion," Saturday said. "I was always hopeful they'd get something worked out, and that he would be back in a horseshoe, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen."
Manning has said his goal was to play his entire career with the Colts, but a damaged nerve that forced him to have neck surgery kept him out of action for all of 2011, and not coincidentally, his team's record plummeted to 2-14.
"I can't tell you what an honor it is to go start-to-finish with the same organization here in Indianapolis. That is something I have always wanted to do as a rookie coming out," Manning said in July, after signing a five-year, $90 million contract. "Of course, you never know if that is possible, but after yesterday it is official that I will be an Indianapolis Colt for my entire career. I will not play for another team. My last down of football will be with the Colts, which means a great deal to me."
But things changed since last summer. With the bonus payment due Thursday, the neck problems, and the fact that the Colts figure they can rebuild behind Luck, Irsay seems to have deemed it too risky — and too pricey —to keep the franchise quarterback.
If Manning goes, it marks the end of a remarkably successful era.
He started every meaningful game for 13 seasons in Indianapolis — 227 in a row, including the playoffs — and took the Colts from perennial also-ran to one of the NFL's model franchises and the 2006 Super Bowl title.
In the two decades predating his arrival, the Colts won 116 games, one division title and made the playoffs three times. With Manning taking snaps, the Colts have won 150 games, eight division titles, two AFC championships and the franchise's first league championship since moving from Baltimore in 1984.
Indianapolis broke the NFL record for most regular-season wins in a decade (115), and tied Dallas' mark for most consecutive playoff appearances (nine).
Manning is one of four players with more than 50,000 yards passing, one of three with more than 350 TD tosses, and one of two quarterbacks with more than 200 starts in a row. He broke all of the franchise's major career passing records, previously held by Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas.
In 2009, Manning led the Colts to the cusp of NFL history with a 14-0 start, fueling talk of an unbeaten season.
But it's been mostly bad news ever since.
The Colts pulled their starters against the Jets and lost the final two games that season. Indy then wound up losing to New Orleans in the Super Bowl. During the offseason, Manning had the first of his neck operations.
Then, after making an early playoff exit in the 2010 season, Manning underwent another neck surgery to repair a damaged nerve that was causing weakness in his throwing arm.
When the nerve did not heal as quickly as expected, Manning had two vertebrae fused in September, an operation that forced him to miss a game for the first time in his NFL career. There are still questions about the strength of Manning's arm.
Still, he has insisted he intends to play football next season.
"My plan hasn't changed," Manning said during Super Bowl week in Indianapolis, where his future was the main topic of conversation. "I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do, and I'm doing that. I'm rehabbing hard."


text: Ingenuity meets versatility and a large dosage of Texas team spirit with this patented dual-textured face/club jacquard towel. Made of highly absorbent cotton velour to wick away moisture and featuring woven UT graphics this 16?€ x 24?€ towel is the best way of showing off your Longhorns pride on the green. In addition it features a carabiner clip so you can attach it to your bag and innovative woven ribs designed to capture dirt from your clubs. Get out there and show them how much your team means to you!


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Possible Duplicate:
Why would plastic anchors pull out of the wall?
I have drilled holes in my concrete wall (good hard concrete) with a regular 8 mm concrete drill. They all seem like good holes and I've taken care to remove all remaining dust from the holes by blowing inside with a straw. My 8 mm plugs also go in with just the right amount of friction.
But when I start mounting the cupboard and really want to tighten the last bit, instead of just getting more secure, the plug starts creeping out of the wall! I've tried a couple of different types of concrete plugs, but they all yield the same result.
Is it a good idea to take some kind of filler material and jam it in together with the plug before mounting?


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CL&P seeks 5.9% rate hike
Connecticut Light and Power said Friday that it plans to seek a 5.9 percent rate increase from state regulators as it works to replace aging infrastructure and improve reliability.
The state's largest utility, which has about 1.2 million customers -- including those in New Canaan -- said any approved electric rate increase would not go into effect until December.
Under the proposal, customers using an average of 700 kilowatt-hours of power a month would see their bills rise by $6.76.
The power company says it is investing in new and stronger poles, wires, transformers and substations, which it says will result in fewer outages.
"Already, CL&P customers are seeing fewer and shorter power outages, as the system performed at its highest level in 2013 since the year 2000," the company said in a statement.
State Attorney General George Jepsen urged the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to carefully review the rate increase request.
"Connecticut's electric rates remain extremely high," he said. "My office will participate in this proceeding, and I will urge PURA to approve rates that are no more than just and reasonable, as required by law."


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Andrew Sullivan curls up with a book. He's "gone silent," he says.
There is a possibility here of such a huge scandal that we would be crazy not to take our time either to debunk it or move it forward for further examination.Huh? What's up? What "new data"? Just the book itself? The book is pablum. How long can it take to digest?
ADDED: This is pure speculation, but I wonder if Palin has threatened to sue Sullivan for defamation.


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alexandru asked a very good question after the last post, and it's one that's probably worth answering in detail, rather than as a return comment. In short, he asked, why make such a big deal out of start time? What's it matter how long it takes for a computer to start? Performance after the boot is what's important.
And that's true — I agree wholeheartedly. How well a system performs after it has started is the real issue. After all, a 450Mhz K6-2 that starts in 25 seconds is great — but if it takes two minutes to render a page in Firefox, then there's not much point. Slow is as slow does, Mrs. Blue.
And I agree with that in a large part because that's what determines whether someone throws out a computer, or keeps it for a few years longer. Start time and runtime performance are the biggest complaints about old computers. Ask anybody.
The problem I face is this: I can't really measure running performance. Sure, I can start Firefox, and time it against my wristwatch, and maybe have some sort of number to point at for improvements or regressions. But that's not very precise, and not very practical. And geeks dislike the impractical or inaccurate.
Now boot time, on the other hand, is very measurable, and I don't just mean with bootchart. This is something with a definite start and finish that's convenient to point at and say, "This works better."
And for me, the two ideas are analogous: A fast-booting system usually performs fast, and vice-versa. Slow, grinding desktops that take minutes to appear generally have a sluggish feel to me. Maybe it's my imagination, maybe not.
It's something I can best illustrate with, of all things, the Nvidia proprietary driver on my Geforce4 440 Go. This is something that should, in a vague and general sense, perform independently of the operating system. But I get a mediocre frame rate in glxgears in Ubuntu, a better number in Arch, and a fantastic rate in Crux. Guess which one boots fastest?
No, it's not a perfect correlation, and I admit it. But I can't deny that the customized systems I build start faster and have a faster "feel" about them than the stock, default desktops. I think most people with the same priorities would agree.
So I stick with what I can measure, and what I can reliably report.
There are other reasons for my fanaticism. I started working with computers on a machine that started in 2 seconds — the ubiquitous Commodore 64. And as Amiga owners will testify, it was nothing unusual to see their machines start in as little as 7 seconds — not bad for a machine with a 7Mhz processor. Slow-booting, sluggard systems are a recent innovation, but one that everyone seems to accept as status quo. Perhaps this is my own little war against the bloat.
And part of it is dissatisfaction with the trend in Linux operating systems. Ubuntu (and in particular Xubuntu) gets away with a lot of its bloat because most people have machines faster than 1Ghz. If we were all working with Pentium IIIs — and Pentium IIIs were much more commonplace when I started working with Linux — there would be more complaints about start times, system speed and so forth. (And in November 2005, there were a lot of complaints about start times and system speed.) Dual cores and high-memory, high-speed systems compensate for slow-running Linux systems, as well as the Windows ones.
As far as compiling software and taking the time to tweak things … I have time, and I enjoy the challenge, and I feel like I'm learning something, so I don't mind. I know there are lots of arguments one way or another, and most anything I suggest can be successfully negated (or at least lampooned) by sites like this one, but it doesn't stop me from trying different CFLAGS, or ripping out the heart of Ubuntu and replacing it with my synthetic version. I don't have to explain my art to you.
But that's where I'm at right now. It's been a long journey since that first Ubuntu installation, almost three years ago, and I never really planned on ending up here. But I like it. 🙂


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Flights to Sri Lanka with Qatar Airways
Sri Lanka is an ancient land famous for its seemingly endless beaches, rolling surf and the most refreshing beverage in the world – Ceylon Tea. Travel to Sri Lanka with Qatar Airways and you'll find stunning scenery, delicious cuisine, and friendly and genuine local people.
Sri Lanka is a country with plenty to offer in the way of natural beauty, deep history and a colourful and outgoing culture. Sri Lanka boasts an enviable location sandwiched between Southeast Asia and India, contributing to its unique fusion of cultures and influences. New generations of travellers are discovering just how exciting this 'stepping stone' can be.
There are no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites packed into this relatively small island nation, which gives you an idea of the natural and cultural riches to expect when you visit. Sri Lanka's history goes back over 2000 years, and ancient temples and crumbling forts bear testament to the relatively peaceful status the country enjoyed over the centuries.
Sri Lanka is especially rich in natural landscapes and wildlife. There are regular safari tours of the country's national parks, where you can see a whole range of exotic wildlife including water buffaloes, leopards, brightly coloured birds, and elephants. Sri Lanka also has some of the best sandy beaches if you just fancy a relaxing time.
When you are done exploring the attractions of Colombo, such as the Dutch Period Museum, National Museum and the Pettah Markets, head out to the rural areas to see what Sri Lanka packs beyond the walls of the capital. Tour the vast tea plantations and enjoy a few samples of the best tea in the world, or go trekking in the rainforests. For shoppers, Colombo has some excellent modern malls as well as the more traditional markets, which are best for hand-crafted souvenirs.


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Mar 6, 2014
From staff reports
Imagine having just three minutes to convince a panel of business experts that your entrepreneurial idea has what it takes to succeed in the real world.
That's exactly what several Ohio University students did during the Feb. 28 event "From Paper to Reality: Pitch Your Proposal - A Shark Tank Experience." The event was part of College of Fine Arts guest lecturer Meredith Pizzi's visit to OHIO.
Pizzi, who owns Roman Music Therapy, encourages artists to think and plan for their futures with the eye of an entrepreneur. The Shark Tank Experience was modeled after a popular ABC Television show "Shark Tank," where business hopefuls present their concepts to a panel of potential investors. No funding was provided for the OHIO students who presented, but they came away rich with professional feedback and advice on how to pursue their ideas.
Pizzi was hosted by The School of Music in collaboration with Arts for Ohio, the School of Dance, Film and Theater, The College of Fine Arts, as well as the American Music Therapy Association of Students and the Center for Entrepreneurship.
Students presented fictional or real business proposals for a panel of faculty and staff during the Shark Tank Experience event in Putnam Hall on Feb. 28. Photographer: Elizabeth Held.
Oho University faculty and staff along with guest, Meredith Pizzi, judge and offered feedback to students who practiced presenting business proposals. Photographer: Elizabeth Held.
TechGROWTH Ohio Associate Director Faith Knutsen (left), Ohio University Innovation Center Director Jennifer Simon (center), and Meredith Pizzi, right, judge and offer feedback to students who present their business proposals. Photographer: Elizabeth Held.
Meredith Pizzi had the entire room at the Shark Tank Experience hold power poses to gain confidence before giving their business presentations. Photographer: Elizabeth Held.


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Africa (Sub-Sahara) ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Exploration Angola has started oil production at the Kizomba Satellites Phase 2 project offshore Angola. The project involves the development of subsea infrastructure for the Kakocha, Bavuca, and Mondo South fields. Mondo South is the first field to begin production, and the other two satellite fields will follow later this year. The goal is to increase Block 15's production to 350,000 BOPD. Esso (40%) is the operator with BP Exploration Angola (26.67%), Kosmos Energy discovered gas at the Tortue West prospect in Block C-8 offshore Mauritania.
July, 2020


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Story highlights
- Highlighting the issue may help people form healthy relationships, an expert says
- The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey interviewed more than 16,500 adults
- Nearly 1 in 5 women report being raped in their lifetime
- More than a fourth of male rape victims say they were first raped as a child
More than one in three women have experienced sexual assault, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.
The same is true for more than one in four men, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. The survey, released Wednesday, was based on telephone interviews with more than 16,500 adults in 2010.
Supported by the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Defense, the survey was aimed at better describing and monitoring "the magnitude of sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence victimization in the United States," the CDC said. The report is the first of its kind to provide data on national and state levels, the agency said.
The data can assist in understanding the burden of violence in populations and address some of the health issues that may accompany it. Those may include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and suicide attempts, but also conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and gynecological or pregnancy complications.
"The health problems caused by violence remind us of the importance of prevention," said Howard Spivak, director of the CDC's Injury Center Division of Violence Prevention, in a statement. "In addition to intervening and providing services, prevention efforts need to start earlier in life, with the ultimate goal of preventing all of these types of violence before they start."
Among the victims of intimate partner violence, more than one in three women reported experiencing multiple forms of rape, stalking or physical violence. Among males, 92% reported experiencing physical violence from a partner, while 6% said they experienced both physical violence and stalking. However, nearly half of all women and men reported experiencing "psychological aggression" from an intimate partner.
Nearly one in four women and one in seven men said they had been subjected to "severe physical violence" by an intimate partner -- defined in the report as being hit with a fist or hard object, beaten or slammed against something.
Of the victims of intimate partner violence, nearly three in 10 women and one-tenth of men reported effects of the violence -- fear; concern for their safety; symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder; needing medical treatment or suffering an injury; contacting a crisis hotline; needing housing, victim advocate or legal services or missing at least one day of work or school.
As far as sexual violence, nearly one in five women -- translating to nearly 22 million women in the United States -- reported having been raped or the target of an attempted rape during their lifetime, according to the survey. More than half of them, 51%, said they were raped by an intimate partner and nearly 41% by an acquaintance. Of the victims of completed rapes, nearly 80% said they experienced their first rape before the age of 25 and 42% before the age of 18. About one in five white and African-American women and one in seven Hispanic women reported being raped at some point.
One in 71 men also reported being raped during their lifetime; of those, more than one-fourth, or nearly 28%, experienced their first rape when they were 10 or younger. More than half the men, or 52%, said they were raped by an acquaintance.
Linda Degutis, director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, said the organization was very concerned by how large the numbers were, and by how great an impact such abuse has on people's lives.
Highlighting the extent of the issue may help people to feel more comfortable reporting abuse when it occurs, she said, and aid them in forming healthy relationships.
"The solution is the same for both sexes, to develop relationships that are strong, that are stable and do not allow violence to be a part of the relationship or of resolving conflict in a relationship," Degutis said.
The report confirms "that sexual violence is one of the most pervasive and serious public health issues in the country," said Laura Palumbo, prevention campaign specialist at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
"We've been well aware of the kind of far-reaching effects of sexual violence and the frequency of it, but it's really helpful to have a current and widespread set of data that can confirm that for us. It's not news to people that have been doing this work, but it is really wonderful that we have now something really concrete that we can point to."
The information can "be used to spearhead prevention efforts," especially if it will be updated annually and trends over time can be tracked, she said.
Palumbo applauded the report's focus on male victims of sexual assault.
"For a number of reasons in our society, it's really difficult to believe that this happens to men," she said. "It's difficult for a man to be able to say that this has happened to him because our culture doesn't accept male vulnerability. Our culture really puts a lot of pressure on men to be able to protect themselves."
While recent child sex abuse scandals at Penn State University and in the Catholic Church have helped focus attention on child sex abuse, she said, male sexual assault "is consistently happening, and it's not focused on in the way that it needs to be."
Victimization by stalking was reported by one in six women and one in 19 men, to the point where "they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed," the survey report said. Two-thirds of women reported their stalker was an intimate partner, while 80% of men said the stalker was an intimate partner or acquaintance. The most common form of stalking reported was repeatedly receiving unwanted telephone calls along with voice or text messages.
The estimates for sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence are "alarmingly high" for adult Americans, with intimate partner violence alone affecting more than 12 million people yearly, the CDC said. "Women are disproportionately impacted. They experienced high rates of severe intimate partner violence, rape and stalking and long-term chronic disease and other health impacts, such as PTSD symptoms."
The study points to long-term health effects, "everything from irritable bowel syndrome to diabetes, things that will really have an influence on the quality and length of someone's life," said Palumbo. "... In many ways, there's a domino effect" of complications and needs after a traumatic experience, she added.
Such victims need coordinated services to ensure healing and prevent a recurrence, the report said, including strengthening the response of the health care system.
"One way to strengthen the response to survivors is through increased training of healthcare professionals," the CDC said. "It is also critically important to ensure that legal, housing, mental health and other services and resources are available and accessible to survivors."
Holding perpetrators accountable is also a key issue, according to the survey, which noted that survivors of sexual violence, stalking or intimate partner violence may be reluctant to report the behavior because of shame, embarrassment, fear of retribution or a belief that authorities may not support them.
Prevention efforts should also focus on families, particularly on fostering healthy relationships between parents and children and emotionally supportive environments, the survey said.
"These environments provide a strong foundation for children," the survey said. "... It is equally important to continue addressing the beliefs, attitudes and messages that are deeply embedded in our social structures and that create a climate that condones sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence."


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Posted by Dan Arndt
Another cold, snowy, and dull day here in Calgary. The Sunday curse has struck again, leaving us with a bitterly cold north wind, and the least bird activity we've seen all spring. While we did get some decent new birds for the year, and a couple of great surprises while walking in Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on Sunday, our participant numbers were still low, and so were the species we found.
While the wind was blowing and the skies were grey, our first new species of the day was the Eurasian Collared-Dove. I don't know that I've ever actually seen one of these birds inside the bird sanctuary, or so it was a nice find!
As we approached the river, we were on the lookout for the Mountain Bluebirds that I had seen earlier in the week, but instead we happened across a group of American Pipits on the river bank, with a brief stop out on the nearest gravel bar before heading up stream.
As we watched the pipits and scanned the far bank, we were lucky enough to spot a Franklin's Gull fly in and land among a few other gulls, but given how far it was, getting a clear shot was quite the challenge.
We soon came upon a lone Coyote raiding a Canada Goose nest, and saw him stealing away an egg. Sad for the geese, but there were many pairs successfully nesting in the sanctuary, and their numbers really are ever in question. This one was seen nesting in the same cavity that I've seen her in for the last three years at least.
Our last surprise of the day was a second small flock of Bohemian Waxwings going down to the river for a drink before flying off. They stopped briefly for us before flying off, hopefully symbolizing the end of the winter weather and bringing on spring in full force!
Good birding!


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DURHAM — Speaking before the Town Council Monday evening, 24-year town resident Henry Smith, was straight forward about his feelings toward the increasing number of signs bringing motorists to a complete halt in the college town.
"Im not happy with the proliferation of stop signs in Durham," he said.
Noting specifically the three-way intersection of McDaniel Drive and Mill Road, he said the decision to place more stop signs throughout the community is based on the opinions and concerns of only a handful of residents.
His suggestion, rather than posting red signs making vehicles stop and go as they travel from point to point, was to install blinking lights or even speed bumps in areas considered busy or dealing with a high traffic volume.
Otherwise, he said, it would only make sense to put the signs everywhere.
"Let us proliferate stop signs to every other intersection in town," he said.
He noted Churchill Road and the area near the town post office as spots that would potentially benefit from the action.
Sharing a story of when he was "slammed into by a pickup truck and sent "sprawling into the snow and ice," while crossing a street in town, Smith urged councilors to reconsider the use of so many stop signs, though he also stated that, his advice is rarely heeded by the council.
Some residents, however, have provided more positive feedback than what Smith shared at the council meeting. Town Administrator Todd Selig shared with Foster's a letter from resident Gayle Henderson which he received in support of the stop signs at McDaniel Drive and Mill Road, saying it makes crossing the road at that intersection a lot safer. Selig said this positive feedback is similar to the majority of feedback he's been hearing.
"This email is quite consistent with others we have received from those who wish to retain the three-way stop," he wrote.
"We hope that the town realizes that this three-way stop has had a positive impact on this family neighborhood. Slowing down the traffic and forcing people to stop is important to creating an environment where families want to live and walk. The town has made a lot of progress by adding the speed tables to various busy roads. Removing the stop sign would be encouraging students and others to go back to racing out of town down Mill Road," Henderson wrote.
Smith said fewer stop signs would also benefit the environment as forcing cars to stop and then proceed is only "spewing carbon emissions" into the air.
"Even to stop Kurz as he barrels up the road to the police station," he acknowledged, would be an effective use of the signs if the town is to continue placing them.
Durham Police Chief David Kurz was not available Tuesday to defend his driving habits or comment on Smith's displeasure with stop signs. Kurz was not expected back until Thursday.
"Please remove these signs, or let's proliferate!" Smith said.


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This has been a good week for me being at aviation events. I previously reported on my B-25 ride and then the weekend comes and it's time for the annual "Battle For The Airfield" at the Collings Foundation HQ not far from where I live. Since 1979 the Collings Foundation has assembled a collection of classic cars, historic aircraft and more recently military vehicles. The large bombers tour all around the country, some of the other flybable planes are based in warmer regions than New England,
There has been a lot said around win10, much of it reconstituted from others experience or from other views and not a lot from first hand experience. A lot has been said around privacy and the fact that win10 collects data and meta data about users habits and who has possible access to the data collected.
There has been some spirited and slightly heated discussions on the message boards around many subjects related to win10 some of which I have been party to and some that I have thought
I think most of us here enjoy aviation in all its aspects, not just limited to simulated flight on a computer. I have a friend who has developed an interest in hobby drones and he found a friend who already owned one, so he invited me along to get a demonstration.
This appears to be one of the most popular models available, the DJI Phantom III
This is not a toy and it's not cheap, at over $1000 for the model we saw.
Well, I think I have almost exhausted the recreation of my flying days. There are still a few flights I did not re-fly, and there are a few planes I did not revisit (including retractable versions of the Saratoga and Cherokee 180.) I may still fly those flights on the computer, but I will not blog them. I have decided to wrap this up by recreating my final flights in the planes I flew the most.
Cessna 150/152: This was the first plane I flew, but I realize I do not have one for FS2004.
A direct route from North Las Vegas to Double Eagle Airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico took me over the Hoover Dam and parts of the Grand Canyon, and near the Meteor Crater. This is a recreation of that flight on FS2004.
I depart KVGT in the daytime, and cannot resist taking another low-level tour of the Strip. This time I see even more, including Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, the Sphinx, and a billboard featuring Siegfried, Roy, and a white tiger. The attention to detail is impressive.


text: Come visit JustCo Got Questions? Once you complete the following form, you'll be able to chat directly with the operators of this community. If you already have an included.co account, please login first. When would you like to schedule a visit for? I'd like to schedule a visit on * at 08091011121314151617181920 : 0030 Your Contact Details First Name * Last Name * Email a confirmation to * Or in case of anything urgent call me on: * Choose a password * Enter Password Confirm Choose a password * Confirm Password Your new included.co account will also allow you to chat directly with this community operator regarding any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have. Alternative Date Alternative Time 789101112123456 : 0030 AMPM Message to Potential Guest If you are human, leave this field blank. There is no obligation to join this space when you book a visit. Use the visit to take a good look around; to speak to the community managers; and to get a feel for the space. It's important for us that you find a collective that works for you.


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> Home
> Overview
> Applications
> Products
> Configurator
> Downloads
CombiTac modular connectors allow you to combine various contact types such as power, signal, data, thermocouple, coaxial, fiber optic, fluid and pneumatic connections in a single adjustable frame or housing. CombiTac is the perfect choice for modular connectors in numerous demanding applications that require versatile, reliable and long-life solutions with high numbers of mating cycles. CombiTac is a product of Stäubli Electrical Connectors, the electrical connector specialist of the Stäubli Group.


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Editable Insert Card Blush Pink Stripes & Gold Glitter
Digital printable files - INSTANT DOWNLOAD
No physical products will be sent.
$ 6.00
See product details below
& click on image to ZOOM IN
WonderBash was launched out of our love for celebrating (the big and little things) as well as endless curiosity for all the creative details that add a little sparkle to our day.
We design unique invitations and party decor that will help add that special touch to any event; from birthdays, baby showers and weddings, to everyday get-togethers. Our products are printable to allow us to focus on what we do best as well as keep our prices as low as possible - It's generally much easier and more affordable for you to pop into your local printing shop to print exactly what you need, than for us to handle it for you and then have to charge you for shipping across the country ;)
We hope to make the process easy and fun, with instructions included with purchase and record time email responses in case you need help at any point, so that you will keep coming back!
You can contact us at any time by visiting our contact page, or through social media. We'd love to hear from you!
--> The WonderBash mini team :)
Add a stylish insert to your coordinating stripes & gold glitter invites for an extra special touch! Great for any kind of additional information: Book requests, gift registry, diaper raffle, bridal shower trip information, recipe card requests, directions... etc.
With this instant download printable file -- YOU -- CAN IMMEDIATELY & EASILY ADD YOUR OWN WORDING by typing over the sample text with Adobe Reader to create an unforgettable party!
{What you will receive}
A digital, 5 x 3.5 inch printable card with a back print for optional double sided printing.
It is formatted for easy printing in 1 PDF sheet of Letter Size paper (8.5 by 11''), with four cards per sheet and can also be printed in size A4. You can print as many copies as you need at home or at a professional printing shop like Staples, FedEx Office, OfficeMax, etc...
---> PLEASE NOTE: You will be able to personalize the text and its size, color and style with any of the fonts available in your computer, or the fonts shown on the image above that are embedded in the file. You will not be able to edit any of the graphics, their color, or their location.
{How it works}
1. Add this design to your cart by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button, and continue with your purchase.
2. After checkout you will receive an email with a link to instantly download the file, and open it on your computer for easy personalization (Instructions can be found in our how-to page - link is included in the files). IMPORTANT: Files must be downloaded and edited on a computer, no smartphones or tablets and you MUST use Adobe Reader v.11 or higher to personalize & print this file. You can download the latest version for free here: Adobe.com/Reader
3. Enter your text, print, cut & celebrate!
PRINTING TIP: Choose glossy paper over matte, to make the digital glitter texture as glittery as possible ;)
ENVELOPE NOTE: If you'd like to mail your card with an envelope, we don't ourselves provide them, however we'd be happy to provide an amazon link suggestion for great quality envelopes at the right size and the right price.
COPYRIGHT: WonderBash - These items are for personal use only, you may not sell or share. Please see our store policies for terms & conditions.
Thanks for choosing WonderBash!


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Driving precision performance in the field
This growing demand for greater precision, productivity and sustainability means today's manufacturers are developing products with increased machine speed and efficiency, reduced or eliminated maintenance and downtime, and more automated and GPS driven processes. In turn, many OEMs are collaborating with suppliers and engineering partners like SKF to design new equipment that can help farmers:
Achieve greater precision
SKF sensors and technology help make farm equipment more productive, reliable and ergonomic.
Improve reliability
SKF Agri Solutions help optimize machine life, cut maintenance costs, increase profits.
Reduce environmental impact
Engineered solutions that reduce leaks, spills and grease usage for a safer environment.
Reduce maintenance
Integrated solutions to help increase productivity while reducing operating costs.


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[TERA PC] Summersilk season is here! Pick up Summersilk Robes in the TERA store until August 3. Plus, earn a free Summersilk Robe in our leveling event: https://bit.ly/TERA_summersilk
[TERA Console] To celebrate the launch of the Awakening update, participate in the Awakening Leveling Event! Details: https://bit.ly/awkn_events
[TERA Console] The Awakening update (v84) is now live on all console servers! Read the patch notes here: https://bit.ly/v84notes
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Average Ratings:
Anastas Belev
Comments: They completed my request to engrave the opener in Cyrillic. Customer Service was very nice and quick. Received the gift in 3 days even though I chose the least expensive delivery option. Great satisfaction, overall.
"Bottle and Can Opener Key Chain"
Comments: I needed a large quantity for my job's annual banquet, so I called memorable gifts to see if they can give me a quote. The were very attentive to my needs and responded with a decent discount which I couldnt refuse. I was very pleased with the final product.
"Nice keychain!"
Yvonne B.
Comments: Got this for a friend of mine and I was surprised at how nice it was. I've seen similar key chains that are usually made of a lightweight metal but the quality on this one is a lot better. I was happily surprised!
"Key chain"
Elaine Hughes
Comments: Great gift for 21st birthday! My brother liked it a lot, especially since it was engraved. It's a steal for the price.


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The summer season may not be over yet, but during the next few weeks, millions of kids will head back to school. Kids across the country will be studying math, science, social studies, reading, and much more. TIME For Kids wants to know: what's your favorite subject in school? Do you love to learn about U.S. history, or the solar system? Do you prefer reading a short story, or solving a word problem? Vote in the poll below for your favorite subject. Then, tell us why at email@example.com.
What is your favorite school subject?
source: timeforkids.com


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Multifunction car organizer diaper bag trendy portable baby changing bag
Product Specifications for military backpack
Item No.:
Unit Price:
As the picture or OEM colors
Packaging Details:
1. Flat packed 2. Each in a polybag 3. Suitable pcs in a carton
Can be your own logo. Printing, embroidery, metal plate, rubber logo, or others as you need.
Product Details:
Payments and Testing for camouflage backpack
Paypal, Western Union, Secure Payment (Alibaba)
Mass Production
T/T, Western Union, or irrevocable L/C at sight
Sample Time
7-10 days with logo, 5-7 days without logo
Production time
Usually 45 days after sample and order be confirmed
Can meet European and American testing standard if you need. Such as REACH, CA PRO-65, PHTHALATE FREE testing.
All kinds of factory audits (Send us inquiry for the audits))
Shipments for camouflage backpack
1) By SEA, AIR, or Express couriers directly (such as Fedex,TNT,UPS,DHL). 2) Can be shipped by your forwarder, or by our own fowarder, it depends 3) Destination Port: Xiamen port, Fujian, China 4) Can be LCL shipment, or FCL shipment
About us
Quanzhou NUMBERONE BAGS CO., LTD is a manufacturer and exporter of bags. We mainly produce backpacks, cooler bag, trolley bag, school bag, laptop bag, travel bags, diaper bags, handbags, waist bag and trolley bag etc.
Product test: AZO free, low lead, EN71, Reach, and Phthalate free etc.
Factory audit: All kinds of factory audits (Send us inquiry for the audits)
We have a professional sales team, that can provide you the competitive prices in 24 hours after receiving your requests. We also have a strong designer team, who can provide you OEM & ODM design.
Primary Business Type: Manufacturer and exporter
OEM Service: YES
Estimated Annual sales: US$9 Million – US$ 10 Million
Number of Employees: 300-500 workers
Focus Markets: Worldwide
Factory size (Square meter): 60,000
No. of R&D Staff: 20-25
Export Percentage: 100%
What could do for you?
1.Package with your logo customized.
We have most popular customized products packaging options. If you have a packaging idea, please let us know, we have the resources to make your idea a reality.
2. ODM & OEM available.
ODM: We can affordably create a 100% custom speaker design for you. Your imagination is the only limit.
OEM: Logo printing (Support print your logo to create your brand)
3. Price can be negotiated based on your mass order quantities.
4. 13 months warranty after delivery.
5. Sample charges will be refunded in next order.
6. Help customer open private model and offer exclusive sales
Q1. How many days to delivery the goods to me ?
Sample time : 3-5 days without logo, 7-10 with your own logo
Mass product time: usually 45days after sample and order be confirmed.
Q2. How long do I need to wait for my payment confirmation?
If you choose to pay by Western Union or Money Gram, we will confirm your payment in 24 hours; If you choose bank transfer (Bank Of China or HSBC), it will takes about 3 days to confirm, as long as we received the notification, we will confirm your payment as soon as possible.
Q3. How to become your dealer membership?
Once your accumulative order total amount achieves USD999, you will be our valued dealer automatically. As our dealer, you can get more discount than customer membership. Once you become to our dealer, you will obtain the discount forever.
Q4. I don't like your standard colors. Can I choose any color I like? If yes, any extra cost?
Yes. You can choose any color you want. And it is free.
Q5. How should we pay if we order from you?
For small amount, you can pay by PayPal. For amount more than USD$500, you can pay by Bank Wire
Q6: What is the packaging?
One bag in a polybag, suit pcs in a carton. Or you can OEM your own gift box.
Q7. Can I have a sample even pre-production before I send you the order?
Yes, We can send you samples for your approval first.
Or SEND "Inquiry" now for more new products!


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2015 Porsche Macan Priced at $51,095, Turbo From $73,495
Porsche's smallest SUV can easily top $100k thanks to its crazy option scheme.
The 2015 Porsche Macan just made its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles auto show this week, and Porsche has already released full pricing courtesy of the Macan's online build-your-own tool. The 2015 Porsche Macan S starts at $51,095, and the more powerful Macan Turbo starts at a lofty $73,495 with destination.
The 2015 Porsche Macan S is powered by a 340-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, paired with all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Stepping up to the Porsche Macan Turbo gets you a larger, 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 400 horsepower. The Macan's starting price may seem high compared to the larger Porsche Cayenne SUV's base price of $50,595, but the base Cayenne has a less powerful, 300-horsepower V-6; the more equivalent 400-hp Cayenne S starts at $67,795 which makes more sense with the Porsche model hierarchy.
We would expect Porsche to release more Macan models in the future, most likely a base Macan with a naturally-aspirated V-6 and possibly a Turbo S model to sit at the top of the Macan range. Diesel and Hybrid models are possibilities as well, especially considering that the Cayenne lineup includes a Cayenne Diesel and a Cayenne S Hybrid.
The 2015 Porsche Macan's most direct competitors are the 2014 Audi SQ5 (with which the Macan shares its platform), the 2014 BMW X3 xDrive 35i, and the 2014 Infiniti QX70 5.0. These range in base price from $45,825 for the 300-hp BMW and $52,795 for the 340-hp Audi which compete with the Macan S, to $62,495 for the 390-hp Infiniti which more closely rivals the Macan Turbo.
As with all Porsches, adding options to the Macan drives the price up quickly. Plenty of the optional features on the Porsche Macan are things you would expect, like a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, numerous active safety features, and either Bose or Burmester upgraded audio systems. But options like the $3120 Aurum Metallic exterior color, the $1540 Alcantara headliner, and the $1490 carbon fiber interior package strike us as overkill. All in, a loaded up Macan S will top $90,000, with a Macan Turbo rocketing above $100,000 without even adding frivolities like a leather key pouch or specially-trimmed saddle brown seatbelts.
The 2015 Porsche Macan will go on sale in the U.S. in late spring 2014. Until then, check out the Porsche Macan's online configurator here.


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Consumers, farmers and other citizens traveled from across the state to Springfield last week to lobby for local food reforms.
As a part of Local Food Awareness Day, the group wanted to spread the word to legislators about issues on urban and rural composting. The day was sponsored by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a group that promotes the advocacy and development of legislation geared towards environmentally sustainable local food systems.
Wes King, policy director for the ISA, said the goal of Local Food Awareness Day was to create a presence around the concept of local food.
"We want to create a continuing presence and awareness that this is an important subject matter for economic reasons, public health reasons and the community," he said.
For community gardens compost – organic matter that has decomposed and can be used as a natural fertilizer – is an intricate part of farming practices. Soil in large cities is usually contaminated by heavy metals and other pollutants, making it difficult to grow anything on it. Current state environmental laws prohibit farmers in urban areas from accepting compost from other farmers. On rural farms it is illegal to bring in any agricultural waste not produced on the farm.
King said the average farmer or gardener cannot afford to bring in fresh soil, and the use of compost allows them to create the healthy soil they need. The ISA is working to remove these regulations, making it easier for projects in both urban and rural areas to have high-quality compost.
For Alex Poltorak, founder and CEO of Urban Canopy, a rooftop farm in Chicago, the changes are crucial to the growth of his farm.
As an urban farmer, Poltorak said he has less soil to work with in the city. He said most urban farmers try to mimic nature's natural process by using compost to create the fertile soil they need.
"That process right now is limited by state laws. To be able to compost, you need to be an eighth of a mile away from the nearest property line, which is difficult in densely populated areas like Chicago," he said.
Poltorak was one of the citizens able to meet with a legislator. He and fellow Urban Canopy farmer Craig Sadur met with Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero.
Sandoval offered his support and advice to the group, saying he understood the importance of local food, and he is thinking about becoming a cosponsor of the urban compost bill.
Yet, he did say he thought their approach of sending citizen lobbyists to the Capitol might not have been the most effective or organized.
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon spoke to those lobbying on Local Food Awareness Day. "It's pretty easy to have an impact in Springfield and be heard by your legislators," she said in an interview. "I'm glad that the folks involved in local food production are reaching out and making sure legislators know what a boost to the economy, food systems and health industry this could be."
King said in general he was pleased with the outcome and glad to have everyone involved.
In the future when legislation comes up, he wants lawmakers to be able to identify with the local food concept, potentially creating interest and support.
"It's a slow, incremental process, each year building more and more awareness," he said.
Contact Jacqueline Muhammad at email@example.com.


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Shadows of the Damned begins with a lengthy tutorial, but the game needs it. The actual shooting elements are bog-standard, but since you're taking a trip to the very bowels of the underworld to save your girlfriend, you're going to need to know how things work down there, and it's not very intuitive. Why do you shoot goat heads on the wall to dispel the darkness? Who knows, but you do. Is there a reason the damned will only eat strawberries, brains, and eyeballs before they'll let you through a door? I assume there is, but you never learn it. This doesn't take away the need to find strawberries, brains, and eyeballs to move through the world.
There are rules in the underworld, you see, and you have the help of a floating skull named Johnson who will explain them to you. He knows that there are very important people in hell, and their reward for dying with style is the ability to keep their genitals. All this may be fascinating, but you're only job is find your girl, and she's being killed and resurrected countless times in front of you, just for the sake of everyone's misery. This isn't a game for the lighthearted.
Shadows of the Damned
xbox*, ps3
- Release Date: now
* = platform reviewed
It is, however, very funny. In one section Johnson, who also transforms into your many weapons, dials a sex phone line in order to get... erect. This turns him into an even longer, more powerful weapon that you use like a turret. Your character's name is Garcia Hotspur, but he usually places a curse in the middle, just for good measure. He's covered in scars and tattoos, and he's not in the business of taking crap from anyone.
This is a game that stands proudly in the grindhouse tradition, and even your saved game is referred to as a "road movie." The music adds a lot to the mood, and the game exhibits a certain style that makes it feel very different from the third-person action games we're used to. The tension between light and dark is a major gameplay mechanic, and if you stay in the inky blackness for too long, you lose energy. You can collect hearts to temporarily protect yourself against the dark, and if you need more energy, you have to drink a bottle of booze. To return an area to the light, just find and shoot the aforementioned goat's head. Barrels filled with "pressurized" light are a good way to take out groups of the bad guys.
Through all this you learn the stories and the ways of the underworld, and even with all the penis jokes and humor in the dialog between Hotspur and Johnson, it's a fascinating place, filled with creepy demons to meet and kill. The boss battles are also something to experience, with some large, crazy-looking undead enemies to destroy. You'll have to use all the weapons at your disposal to fight your way to your goals, and they sound and feel great. After killing each boss or finishing each chapter you're given a blue gem, which is used to automatically upgrade your weapons. By finding red gems you can choose how to upgrade the damage, reload speed, or capacity of your guns.
The weapon system is interesting: each weapon is created by Johnson as he transformed, and as you switch between them, the torch you hold when not holding a gun changes color. It's a neat way of showing what gun you have equipped, even when you're not aiming it.
The shooting is wonderful, the enemies are diverse enough to keep your interest, and the weapons all feel powerful—wait until you see the fully upgraded machine gun—but the game does have some problems.
Was this not quite finished?
While the game plays very well, you'll find some disappointing issues with the presentation. Screen tearing is a problem, and textures sometimes take way too long to fill in. Sometimes the voices don't match the flapping lips at all, and at one point Johnson seemed to be saying a line that was meant for Hotspur.
At one point I ran into either a bug or a terribly designed puzzle, and I had to reload from a previous save to advance. There were a few places that sound dropped out entirely. None of these things were enough to hurt my enjoyment of the game, but they were still annoying occurrences.
The game's ending does seem to drag on for a bit, but the final scenes are worth the wait. This is very much a game that's about the journey, not the destination, and it's very exciting to be playing a new IP with a character that's much fun, and written by people who know how to make middle-school humor funny.