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The Happiness Handbook
Description: Jenn Flaa is a satellite engineer who began her career working at NASA testing space flight hardware and software. She then started a few successful businesses and earned clients like eBay, Dell, Microsoft and the US Air Force. If that isn't unique enough, Jenn is also the lead vocalist for the rock band, Urban Fiction. So what qualifies Jenn to write a book about happiness? Well, she's happy for starters. The Happiness Handbook, a definitive guide to finding true joy and living your extraordinary life, is a short, casual read packed with universally relevant action steps. Readers learn key steps from author breakout Jenn Flaa's multi-year journey. She began her transformation as a chubby, miserable divorcee, owner of a struggling high tech company, and singer that hadn't sung in a decade. She is now a successful author, entrepreneur and rocker chick who is living large as the CEO of two thriving companies, singing lead in a rock band and is blissfully happy in a fulfilling relationship. The Happiness Handbook offers readers an engaging approach to the age-old challenge of communication in relationships, guiding them through a fun process to identify, articulate and receive what makes them happy – and most importantly – teaching them the happy dance!
Price: $14.99 Visit the Website
Description: Young Henry Parks' life is forever changed when he witnesses a mysterious object fall from the night sky and crash into his father's field. Henry shares this secret with his younger sister, Kirsten, and together they soon discover it holds a powerful energy. But their excitement turns to terror when an ancient – and angry – beast appears followed by a series of random but interconnected events, which appear to be the handiwork of a malevolent regime known as "New Management." Henry and Kirsten choose different paths to resist the "New Management" that has taken over their city and their lives. Pressure is mounting and there are many secrets that must be discovered. All Henry knows is protecting the crystals and the ancient gifts that hold the power to fight is the only way to discover the truth and understand why their city is destroyed every thousand years. Henry Parks & The Crystal Blades, a terrific story for readers of all ages, is a memorable journey from youth to maturity and a spellbinding tale that guides readers to an amazing – and unforgettable – conclusion.
Price: $14.99 Visit the Website
Unbridled Greed By Barry Johnson
Description: A sizzling debut thriller that exposes the seamy and unscrupulous world of health care fraud, Unbridled Greed features protagonist Bryan Hampton, a longtime Department of Justice investigator. A tough, tenacious DOJ investigator, Bryan Hampton is hot on the trail of a greedy doctor suspected of insurance fraud. But when this major medical fraud investigation is suddenly and shockingly derailed by politics, greed, and bribes, Hampton decides he's had enough of Chicago's dirty politics and cronyism—let alone fighting corruption on both sides. Hampton transfers to Las Vegas and teams with Paul Dixon, with whom he shares a common goal: aggressively fighting the health care fraud and abuse that victimizes countless patients and robs every American household of thousands of dollars each year. Soon, Hampton and his team uncover a massive fraud scheme operating beneath the bright lights of Sin City. But this highly organized and highly sophisticated band of fraudsters will stop at nothing—violence, torture, and even murder. As he launches a pulse-quickening quest for justice, Hampton will realize the peril of fighting this good fight. This might be the fight of Bryan Hampton's life—or, if he's not careful, it could be the fight for his life….
Price: $14.99 Visit the Website
"Burden Of Truth" By Terri Nolan
Description: When investigative journalist Birdie Keane last saw the love of her life--LAPD cop Matt Whelan--she was caught in his passionate embrace, looking forward to a future with him and free from her alcohol addiction. The next day, Matt is dead. Suspicious of Matt's supposedly accidental drug overdose, Birdie follows the twisting trail of clues he left behind. Each stunning revelation brings her closer to the dark past of the man she thought she knew. Was he a dirty cop? Did he know the truth about a cold case she's currently researching? When Birdie uncovers what Matt was hiding, she must make an impossible choice. But the deeper the secret, the higher the price, and Birdie must face the ultimate betrayal she never saw coming.
Price: $14.99 Visit the Website
Diary Of A Single Mom
Description: Image Entertainment and One Village Entertainment proudly present a moving and very contemporary story of struggle, determination and, ultimately, self-empowerment with Diary of a Single Mom. Directed by Robert Townsend (The Five Heartbeats, Meteor Man) and first broadcast on TV One, the DVD release will be available January 10, 2012. SRP is $14.98, and pre-book is December 13th. Diary of a Single Mom chronicles the seemingly endless challenges and ultimate successes of three urban women struggling to create lives that not only sustain them and their extended families, but also inspire others toward self-determination and compassion in their own lives. The film stars Leon (Waiting To Exhale, The Five Heartbeats), Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Lady Sings the Blues), Richard Roundtree (Shaft, Se7en), and Valery Ortiz ("Two and a Half Men"), whose characters bring hope, humor, wisdom and gentle guidance to the often stormy seas of Ocean's daily life.
Price: $14.98 Visit the Website
What My Husband Doesn't Know
Description: Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: DISK) is proud to announce the release of "David E. Talbert's 'What My Husband Doesn't Know,'" the latest in the celebrated, award-winning playwright/author/producer/filmmaker's wildly successful stage plays that will be released on DVD and Digital Download in conjunction with BET and David E. Talbert Presents. Jet Magazine exclaims "A dramatic tale of LUST, LIES and TEMPTATION," the DVD has an on sale date of February 7, 2012 at an SRP of $14.98. Pre order date is January 10, 2012. In "David E. Talbert's 'What My Husband Doesn't Know,'" Lena Summer is the envy of all her friends. Big house. Successful husband. It's the perfect life...or so it seems. But with her husband's demanding career as a construction mogul, the other side of her bed is too cold too often. When a handsome young foreman from her husband's company arrives to work on their home, the spark she's been missing quickly rages into a wildfire. The play co-stars film and television heartthrob Brian White (Stomp the Yard) and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and Broadway's historic hit "Chicago." The production also stars theatre and television legend Clifton Davis (Any Given Sunday, "Amen," "Pal Joey") and volcanic vocalist Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness.) With "David E. Talbert's 'What My Husband Doesn't Know'", the playwright brings to life a mesmerizing tale that puts a very contemporary twist on the fabled Fatal Attraction theme.
Price: $14.98 Visit the Website
Description: For some of us, the golden boomer age and beyond has tarnished a bit with health issues, loss in general and major disappointments. Well, put away the pills and wipe those tears because there is a fun way out! Jan Marshall's uplifting new satirical survival book, Dancin, Schmancin with the Scars: Finding the Humor No Matter What shows us the way painlessly…and you don't even have to know how to dance. "Dancin is a code word for anything pleasurable in your world," says Marshall, who touches on her own scars after surviving cancer and brain tumor surgery. "The Scars, well they are the scars and may always remain in some manner but can be minimized by finding the humor and absurdities around us – that is, after we deal and heal with the pain." Dancin, Schmancin turns life's daily hassles into a ridiculous scenario by using exaggeration, satire and tad bit of truth. There are tips on senior dating and where to find love (it involves a prescription!), the importance of appreciating the libido of bald men, the benefits of catching cold, and techniques for living a truly joyful life. Dancin, Schmancin will make your day and keep you smiling!
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
"Death Goes Postal" By Rosemary And Larry Mild
Description: A mesmerizing mystery that enchants from the first page to the last, Death Goes Postal heralds the advent off a charming new series. Filled with captivating characters and a plot to die for, Death Goes Postal takes readers on a wild—and wildly entertaining—ride. Death Goes Postal features reluctant amateur sleuths Dan and Rivka Sherman. Presented with an offer too good to refuse, the Shermans give up their successful professional careers to become owners of The Olde Victorian Bookstore in Annapolis, Maryland. But owning this bookstore turns out to be anything but by the book. Rare fifteenth-century typesetting artifacts leave a horrifying imprint in their wake: mugging, robbery, kidnapping—and murder. Risking life and limb, Dan and Rivka must piece together cryptic clues to solve this perilous puzzle and unmask the ruthless suspect behind the crimes. Will Dan & Rivka close the book on this crime spree once and for all?
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
Vampire Defense By James D. Bell
Description: Brilliant young trial lawyer John Brooks is working hard—but hardly getting any notice. Brooks' friends think he needs one big case that will show off his talents and help him make a name for himself. Defending Hal Boyd might be just the case. Charged with arson and four counts of murder, Hal Boyd, the Butcher of Belhaven, is the central figure in a grisly murder mystery that has gripped the nation. Eager to cover the case, media from the world over descend on Jackson, Mississippi. But this case could turn into a career-ender when Brooks announces his unorthodox defense: Not guilty by reason of insanity, as his client actually believed the person he killed was a vampire. The media ridicules the "Vampire Defense" rendering Brooks and his defense team the laughingstock of the legal profession. But ridicule soon becomes the least of Brooks' concerns when he discovers a satanic cult intent on exacting murderous revenge against Hal Boyd and his defense team. And what follows is a dangerous, deadly, and dizzying onslaught of kidnapping, rage, and murder. One thing is for certain: it will be a long, harried, and harrowing ride before this defense attorney rests…
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan: A Love Story
Description: Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan is the story of the adventures—and misadventures—of one blind New Yorker and his two fearless guide dogs. A charming, heart-warming, and sensational story, Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan shares a dog's eye view of the city that never sleeps. Humorous and heartwarming, inspiring and enlightening, Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan, at its heart, is a love story about the incredible dogs who lavish the gifts of independence, freedom, dignity, and safety on their human partners. Moreover, Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan also pays tribute to the trainers, instructors, and fine humans who work with Seeing Eye Dogs, and enlightens readers on how guide dogs are trained. Much more than a book that simply celebrates the love of dogs, Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan honors the extraordinary canine heroes who keep their owners safe in a daunting urban environment such as New York. Told in a spirit that honors these incredible canine citizens, Two Seeing Eye Dogs Take Manhattan sheds light on these guide dogs, described appropriately as the "canine equivalents of the Navy Seals."
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
Midnight Sun, Arctic Moon: Mapping The Wild Heart Of Alaska By Mary Albanese
Description: Mary Albanese, a young woman from upstate New York, began the adventure of a lifetime when she abandoned her safe and conventional path to follow the quiet but insistent inner voice that called to her—and carried her far. Irresistibly and inexplicably drawn to Alaska, Albanese, who was trained as a teacher, thought the pieces were beginning to come together when she learned of a teacher shortage in Alaska. Intent on her desire to go north, Albanese applied to every school in that sprawling state, but didn't receive a single job offer. Still, Albanese felt that Alaska was waiting for her—and knew that if she didn't go there, her life would never feel complete. With a one-way ticket to Fairbanks and a long-held belief that "if at first you don't succeed, try something that's harder," Albanese arrived in Alaska and found herself becoming a geological explorer. Midnight Sun, Arctic Moon: Mapping the Wild Heart of Alaska is her story. Midnight Sun, Arctic Moon chronicles Albanese's journey and the unexpected path that led her to become an arctic geologic explorer, from mapping remote wilderness areas, to surviving the harsh life Alaska had to offer, to probing the depths of her own heart.
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
Why Hitler May Not Be In Hell... Minister's New Book Reveals Why There Is Life After Death - For Everyone!
Description: For every human being, the fear of death is an everyday reality. Yet…it isn't just the fear of death itself but what happens afterwards. The great unknown. For centuries the Christian Church has taught that Hell waits for those who have done evil and haven't repented and Heaven is the reward for those who do good and honor God with their lives. So why is it that the Bible tells a very different story? Former journalist, minister and author James Glover took on that question and shares his mind-blowing revelations in his newest book Global Grace: Everyone Gets a Second Physical Life! Global Grace begins by asking twelve of the hardest questions that have ever been posed concerning the teaching of the Christian faith such as "If God exists, why does He allow so much suffering?" and "Are Hitler and others who committed great atrocities going to be resurrected, too?" It then provides answers to those questions by separating the most significant elements of the Bible and putting them back together chronologically and in plain language, pointing out the common points of creation and human experience. Global Grace is amazing book for readers of all faiths.
Price: $14.95 Visit the Website
Astrology Of The 13 Signs Of The Zodiac - Ophiuchus: The New Sign Of The Zodiac Circle
Description: If you've been going through life thinking you were a Virgo…think again. Physicist Vasilis Kanatas has proven that a shift in the Earth's alignment has not only changed zodiac dates, but has also added a 13th sign, Ophiuchus. Kanatas, author of Astrology of the 13 Signs of the Zodiac Ophiuchus: The New Sign of the Zodiac Circle, proves that a very tiny annual movement of the axis of the Earth called "Precession of the Equinoxes" prompts corresponding discrepancies in the predictions of astrology, which move further and further away from reality with each passing year. By extension, the constellations of Zodiac are also in different positions from those assigned to them by Western Astrology, and a new zodiac constellation, Ophiuchus has been identified in the path of the Sun on the ecliptic. With this shift also comes a change to most people's zodiac sign and a corresponding much more accurate horoscope. Astrology of the 13 Signs of the Zodiac (www.astrology13.com) examines: • The new sign of Ophiuchus • What the changing of your Zodiac sign indicates • Finding your new Zodiac sign, Ascendant and Sunspots • How the new astrological theory affects how we see ourselves from new astrological point of view
Price: $14.28 Visit the Website
Catherine Lanigan's "Angel Tales"
Description: Learn how to travel through life on an active angle watch, open to the many ways in which angels contact us, with this thought provoking collection of true-life miracles. Weaving a tapestry of inspiring stories from readers and her own personal experiences, New York Times Best Selling author Catherine Lanigan (Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile) takes you on a beautiful and spiritual journey. Angel Tales will inspire you to pursue your own divine path and leave with a sense of peace and hope. While skeptics may dismiss stories like this as "coincidences" or "just imagination, Catherine Lanigan believes these interventions or deeds are those of angels and evidence of divine in our lives. Most everyone can recall a situation where something was so out of reach and like magic it came together, or they were about to be hurt in some type of accident and miraculously they were saved. Angel Tales is a collection of these and other "chills" inspiring stories.
Price: $14.00 to $14.99 Visit the Website
The Green Bride Guide: How To Plan An Earth-Friendly Wedding On Any Budget
Description: Kate Harrison, who has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy, planned her own green wedding in 2007 and then wrote the best-selling green wedding book The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008). In 2009, she founded www.greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change and support the local green economy. The Green Bride Guide is the leading online resource for eco-friendly wedding ideas, product and services. Their Green Wedding Directory has over 1,500 green wedding service providers, such as restaurants that serve local, organic food and limousine companies that use hybrid vehicles. The Wedding Shop http://www.greenbrideguide.com/wedding-shop has a large selection of eco-friendly wedding invitations, favors, and reception décor. The site's Green Wedding Registry has over a thousand home goods and other gifts hand selected for their quality and environmental savings. For further information on the Green Bride Guide™ go to www.greenbrideguide.com.
Price: $13.99 to $14.99 Visit the Website
"A Time To Heal" By Seye Oke
Description: A sweeping and inspirational novel of historical romance, A Time to Heal is the story of Tori and Chidi, two young lovers bound by the covenant of marriage but separated by the realities of ethnic differences. Newly wed and settling into life as a married couple, Tori and Chidi soon find their relationship, and everything they hold dear, tested in the face of a civil war. An incredible story about faith, hope, and the healing power of love, A Time to Heal is inspirational, moving, and unforgettable. An extraordinary story that brilliantly juxtaposes the turbulent times of a violent civil war and the inner tumult of its characters, A Time to Heal is a bold and inventive tale that takes readers on a journey like no other. A mesmerizing and exciting story that carries an important message, A Time to Heal is a beautiful and triumphant tale.
Price: $13.95 Visit the Website
Hands On Sexy Feet
Description: As the countdown to Valentine's Day is looming over all of us and pressure is running high to plan the perfect dates and get the perfect gifts, Hands on Sexy Feet, a new book invites a new perspective and more interactive way of heating up the biggest day of romance all year. Michelle Ebbin, leading wellness and massage therapy expert, has created a product that will lead to many successful and steamy Valentine's dates this February. With her extensive knowledge of reflexology, Ebbin has managed to write her newest book to bring out reflexology's sensual side with step-by-step instructions easy enough for anyone to follow. With Hands on Sexy Feet on the bedside table this Valentine's Day, couples are bound to find this Valentine's experience much steamier than the last. This is a great last minute Valentine's gift or suitable for any romantic occasion!
Price: $13.32 Visit the Website
Vanilla Bondage Kit
Description: The use of dominance is a fantasy enjoyed by both men and women. Inspired by best-selling Fifty Shades of Grey, doesn't everybody love a little vanilla? The Vanilla Bondage Kit makes it easy to bring your fantasies to life. Silky vanilla-colored and scented blindfold included. Set contains silky ties that can be used as wrist and/or ankle restraints. Realistic ice cream pint packaging makes this sexy kit a perfect gift.
Price: $13.00 Visit the Website
A Guide On Navigating Transitions To Make The Rest Of Your Life Count
Description: As you look at what might be ahead in the next year, the next five years, even the next fifteen or twenty, there's one fact you absolutely can count on: life will change. How can you set priorities, seize opportunities, and make sure that you live and love well? Veteran Christian counselor and bestselling author H. Norman Wright says now is the time not to "just let life happen" but rather to ask, "What's next, Lord?" and then to step forward wholeheartedly. Wright has packed WHAT'S NEXT? with crucial questions, straightforward steps, and wise guidance. It will help you make transitions that enable you to embrace and enjoy everything God has given to you and designed for you. You'll discover more about -Parenting through the never-ending seasons of "kids" at all ages -Maximizing the second half of marriage or singleness -Retiring, restructuring, or redirecting your work life -Finding and fulfilling purpose throughout the coming years -Leaving the legacy you want to leave -Navigating life's "last chapter." What's Next?: Navigating Transitions to Make the Rest of Your Life Count H. Norman Wright Available at www.bethanyhouse.com, Amazon or wherever books are sold.
Price: $12.99 Visit the Website
Description: Andrew Williams, author of The Carlyle Deception, takes readers on an international roller coaster ride through Afghanistan and the hottest of the Middle East 'hot spots' into the unconventional world of Lambert Greene, an ordinary guy who must make the transition to cunning chameleon after being thrust into a hostile foreign environment. Greene, a San Francisco business owner and dedicated family man, learns he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Facing a dark prognosis, an overwhelming burden of medical bills and the prospect of his family's future being torpedoed with debt, he agrees to take on a high-risk/high- reward covert assignment by driving Special Forces resupply trucks in Badakhshan, the remote northeastern province of Afghanistan and one of the world's most dangerous trouble spots. What makes The Carlyle Deception a unique read is that it is set in current time and involves real places with actual weapons and equipment. Readers will see, hear and feel everything Lambert does as Williams takes them on a realistic journey to the most dangerous places in the world.
Price: $12.99 Visit the Website
An Uncommon Friendship: A Memoir Of Love, Mental Illness, And Friendship
Description: When Stewart Young becomes mentally ill with a variety of disorders, his mind betraying and lying to him, he fights his demons in an attempt to save his own life. His wife, Monique Colver, has her own demons as she takes care of him as best she can while maintaining her own equilibrium. When the marriage ends because of his intense crushes on other women, she continues to take care of him, and their friendship remains strong, despite the isolation, rapid mood swings, hallucinations, and the occasional psychotic episode. An Uncommon Friendship: A Memoir of Love, Mental Illness, and Friendship is their unique true story. Colver gives an in-depth view of mental illness at the most personal level. Through a combination of diary entries and emails written by both of them as Stew fought his illness it gives an intimate view of the progression of his illness and the recovery that appears so close, yet is so far away. It also covers: • The impact mental illness has on a marriage/relationship; • The burn out and isolation that caregivers face • Navigating the way through the maze of doctors, psychiatrists and medical red tape; • The important role of laughter and hope
Price: $12.99 Visit the Website
Death Of The Republic
Description: An intriguing new novel, Death of the Republic, by F. Scott Andison, presents a compelling case that a Nazi-like takeover of the United States is a realistic possibility. Andison's novel is set during the background of the 2020 presidential election, where handsome, articulate, independent presidential hopeful Robert Strong is mounting a second bid for the U.S. presidency, and is widely expected to make a strong showing. Meanwhile, Strong's primary backer and brother-in-law, billionaire Sherman Gale, is under investigation by both the FBI and CIA for his activities on his 300,000-acre fundamentalist Christian community in Wyoming. As the novel unfolds, Chu falls blindly in love and learns the hard way that nothing is what it seems. Indeed, Gale believes God's demand that Strong ascend to the presidency is merely the first step in a larger covert "Plan" which Gale is determined to execute at all costs. According to the Kirkus Review, Gale's "Plan is frighteningly ingenious and leads to many impressive twists, most saved for the book's final act."
Price: $12.99 to $19.99 Visit the Website
Description: Jacob Foxx's speculative debut sci-fi novel The Fifth World takes readers into the early twenty-second century where the earth is dying, reeling from the effects of a brutal nuclear war. To save humanity, an international alliance called the Consortium seeks to build a new homeland on a distant plant called Gaia. To send the first wave of pioneer settlers, the Consortium constructs an enormous starship called the Ark, which will allow them to reach Gaia and begin rebuilding humanity. Biologist Becca Newman labors on the Ark Project concerned that her brother Alex will be among the first crewmembers to settle on Gaia. After the starship launches from Earth and heads through deep space, the ship vanishes. Her brother is presumed dead and the only hope for humanity's survival is lost. Fourteen years later, she learns that the Consortium made a mistake. Not only did the Ark make it, but her brother is still alive. But as she is reunited with him on Gaia she realizes that other visitors from Earth are not welcome. The colonists are quite happy in their solitude and are prepared to fight to remain free of Earth's control.
Price: $12.95 Visit the Website
The Naughty Bucket List
Description: MAKE YOUR LIFE AN EROTIC ADVENTURE This ultimate list of sexy suggestions dares you to break from your normal routine and experience the thrill of something, someplace or even someone new. Open to any page and you'll find imaginative ideas for embracing pleasure, getting more intimate with your partner, and enjoying some naughty fun. From mild to wild, there are hundreds of thrilling sexual escapades to cross off your dirty to-do list, including: •Hook up with a childhood crush •Play a game of strip poker as foreplay •Get it on standing in front of a mirror •Score in a football field end zone •Meet for a lunch-hour quickie •Do it on a hot day in the cool rain and many more…
Price: $12.95 Visit the Website
30 Days To Prosperity: A Workbook To Manifest Abundance By Gail Thackray
Description: Are you searching for a holiday gift for a loved one that can be more than a materialistic overrated holiday gift? If you are, this will be a perfect gift to boost your loved one's quality of life for a fresh start this new year! Gail Thackray is a life coach and spiritual educator who lectures on abundance and prosperity. Many people report that her manifesting workships have completely changed their lives. This personalized workbook will change your life forever with a simple easy-to-follow guide. -End financial struggle in 30 days or less -Have more money to enjoy life -Manifest what you truly want -Do what you really enjoy doing -Create wonderful new opportunities This Christmas, give a key to your loved one to put them on the path to prosperity with this unique workbook program!
Price: $12.95 to $13.95 Visit the Website
This Mother's Life
Description: One size fits it all... A thought-provoking, humorous, serious book about a working mother's life. Ever read someone's diary? Now you can…without feeling too guilty. Take a journey through one year of this mother's life by reading her thought-provoking entries. Travel through her mind and observe her inner thoughts. Witness her frustrations of job-hunting and separation, her questions about relationships, passion and life, as well as the love for her children. Watch her balance the tensions between family, work, and two cultures, while dealing with questions of politics and women's rights. Learn with her as she goes from disappointment to fulfillment, while she remains a young girl in her heart and never forgets her original dream
Price: $12.95 Visit the Website
Every Day Love: The Delicate Art Of Caring For Each Other
Description: By Judy Ford A Handbook for the Heart Falling in love is easy; sustaining love is difficult. From the euphoric twinges of a new romance to the comforting reassurances of fingers entwined and connected, our longing for love is universal. Nationally renowned counselor and author Judy Ford says: "I've been studying relationships for over twenty-five years and I can testify to the fact that people still have much to learn about the nitty-gritty of loving." Within these pages, for the first time, Judy Ford presents her field-tested "love lessons" mined from private practice and workshops to help readers build and preserve successful relationships. Life is short. It goes by fast. Love matters every day.
Price: $12.44 to $15.95 Visit the Website
Description: As anyone who has ever lived with cats knows well, they are wise, wonderful, mysterious, and intelligent animals. Lana Reid, award-winning author and public speaker based in Los Angeles, has lived with cats her entire life. Over the years, Reid realized that no matter what challenges came along, her beloved pets always seemed to have an innate ability to confront them and survive unscathed. Reid was so inspired by watching her feline friends get through whatever struggles they encountered with wisdom and grace that she wrote Survival Tips My Cat Taught Me. With its combination of humor and practical advice, Survival Tips My Cat Taught Me illustrates how applying the innate wisdom of cats to a variety of difficult situations can help humans face their struggles and achieve personal growth. In Survival Tips My Cat Taught Me, each chapter is broken down into a specific lesson that can be learned from cats, such as: • When you get thrown in the water... Swim • You Have Claws for a Reason • Meow – Loudly • When Hunting, Wait…Wait…Wait... Then Pounce • Try to Make Sure Your Crap Gets in the Litter Box • Chase the Light on the Wall Because You Believe You Can Catch It • Climb!
Price: $12.00 Visit the Website
Tie Me Up Tape
Description: Did you know that fantasy play can help enhance your sexual experiences? You and your partner can explore your wildest fantasies with Tie Me Up Tape, a product used to gently restrain you from one another. Because this non-stick tape sticks only to itself, it is more than safe to use and easily comes off without pulling hair or delicate skin. 60 ft. (18 m.).
Price: $12.00 Visit the Website
Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show - Another Great Product From The Mother Company (for Children Ages 2-6) Available For Download And DVD)
Description: RUBY'S STUDIO: THE FRIENDSHIP SHOW Another great product from The Mother Company, the latest DVD Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show (for ages 2-6) available now via download at RubysStudio.com (DVD available December 14, 2012) just in time for the holidays. In "Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show," lovable host, Ruby, welcomes kids into her magical art studio for a day for creativity, fun and friendship. With the help of adorable animated segments, art projects and inspired original music, Ruby guides children through an adventure of learning about empathy, conflict resolution, The Golden Rule, and other ways to make and nurture lasting friendships Through colorful old-school animation, viewers explore the ins-and-outs of friendship with meaningful humor and fun. "The Friendship Show" Social & Emotional Benefits: • Empowers kids to make and strengthen their friendships through empathy • Provides children with tools to resolve conflict and confront bullying • Encourages children to treat others the way they'd like to be treated Parents can benefit, too The Mother Company has added a Pop-Up Parenting optional DVD feature that offers invaluable advice from renowned parenting expert and author, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Check out "Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show" in the sneak-peek available at RubysStudio.com.
Price: $11.99 to $16.99 Visit the Website
My Feelings Activity Book (for Children Ages 2-5)
Description: My Feelings Activity Book From The Mother Company's Ruby's Studio imprint - which includes books that help reinforce important life lessons in a beautifully designed & engaging format. My feelings Activity Book is a beautiful 30-page hard cover picture book for ages 2-5 with enchanting images and empowering messages. Colorful photos of handmade felt creatures engage young children as they learn about the origins, universality and variety of feelings. Based on the "A Little Lesson On Feelings" segment in the award-winning children's show, "Ruby's Studio: The Feelings Show." From The Mother Company a children's multi-media company, devoted to helping parents raise good people. The Ruby's Studio imprint is designed to help children with their social and emotional learning. In addition to it's Ruby's Studio products, The Mother Company includes a comprehensive parenting advice website (www.TheMotherCo.com.) helping parents find the tools and discussions to alleviate some of the stress of everyday parenting. The website features world-renowned expert articles from the likes of parenting guru/authors Dr. Andrew Weil, Kim John Payne, and Dr. Laura Berman, on topics of discipline, behavior, and family harmony.
Price: $11.95 to $12.95 Visit the Website
Seal It With A Kiss: Tips, Tricks, And Techniques For Delivering The Knockout Kiss
Description: By Violet Blue Kissing Is an Art Form A great kiss can stop traffic, start a five-alarm fire, and feel like Times Square on New Year's Eve. Get your smooch on with all the different tricks and tips found in Seal It with a Kiss. Bestselling author and columnist Violet Blue helps you choose—and perfect—your very own unforgettable kissing style. Learn how to time a kiss perfectly, how to deliver (and receive) a first kiss, a how to ask for kisses with body language. Recognize when someone wants to kiss you, when to build tension, and when to take your kiss to the next level. Discover all the secrets and foolproof techniques for the perfect kiss in this indispensable guide to an overlooked sensual art.
Price: $10.98 to $12.95 Visit the Website
The Sexy Little Book Of Sex Games
Description: Want to bring more excitement an spontaneity into your lovemaking and form a deeper sexual connection with your partner? Then The Sexy Little Book of Sex Games is for you. Packed with electrifying suggestions, this fun little guide helps you get frisky with foreplay, spice thing sup with sensual foods, turn up the heat with oral sex, add sizzle with erotic massage, experiment with playful positions, get creative with role-playing games, and so much more. The Sexy Little Book of Sex Games gives you everything you need to know to tease, tempt, and tickle your lover in new and exciting ways.
Price: $10.95 to $12.95 Visit the Website
Whisper Of Crows
Description: Somebody smart once said, "that which is real, is that which never changes." Kanaan James is a disturbed teenage boy obsessed with his childhood friend Abigail Caulfield. A horrible accident leaves Abigail stricken with amnesia and Kanaan, desperate for her attention, convinces her they are soul mates, running from the law. In the midst of a passionate love affair, while hiding in an old abandoned house deep in the woods, Kanaan is forced to test the boundaries of his own humanity.
Price: $9.99 Visit the Website
Brand Delusions By Bill Leider
Description: Brand Deulsions offers an entertaining new look at modern organization culture, business and personal branding. With interconnected, complex, and well developed characters everyone can identify with, Brand Delusions takes a look at branding from the vantage points of everyone in a company's hierarchy. A page turner filled with information you wish you had learned in college, and lessons you can apply as a manager, employee, executive, or entrepreneur, Brand Delusions is a must-read. Available online (Ebook: $9.99. Soft-Cover: $19.95).
Price: $9.99 to $19.95 Visit the Website
"A Southern Solution" By Alan Beck
Description: Laugh Or Else It Will Hurt Given all the turmoil in our country today about the economy, our debt, foreign policy, you name it - there is only one possible solution, says satirist Alan Beck. Laugh. "If you can't laugh at it, it's only going to hurt," says Beck. "Conveying the message of our downward spiral is important as we seem to stall at any important decisions in our society." A Southern Solution is a dark satire about the disappearing American Dream. The main character's plans for a lazy, margarita-fueled retirement are thrown into chaos when a zany cast of characters steps into the picture. Both the FBI and the Chinese government seem to have bigger plans for him, and Kopfklopper soon finds himself in a dizzying whirlwind of political intrigue. As he works his way through the mess, he finds the key to balancing America's national budget without negatively impacting anyone, and now the clock is ticking as he decides whether to become the next big politician or to stick with his new life of leisure on the beach. Beck believes A Southern Solution will appeal to mature audiences disillusioned with the current political, economical and ethical state of America, much like his main character. He takes serious events happening around the world today and puts a humorous twist on them in order to engage readers, rather than bore us with a recap of the events we live through day after day.
Price: $9.99 Visit the Website
Deadrise: A Ben Blackshaw Novel
Description: Award-winning writer Robert Blake Whitehill's amazing breakout thriller Deadrise: A Ben Blackshaw Novel... Diving the Chesapeake Bay for oysters after a late season hurricane, former S.E.A.L. Ben Blackshaw discovers the recent wreck of a speedboat mired on the bottom. It's jammed with millions in gold bullion, and one other box that turns out to be a suitcase dirty bomb…its time counting down to zero just twenty-four hours away. But the real shock is yet to come. At the helm of the wreck bobs a corpse; a man Ben has not seen in fifteen years: his father. That's when Chalk and his jackals descend upon the god-fearing people of Smith Island. To repel Chalk's invasion, Ben and his Smith Island irregulars must set aside a corrosive mistrust of each other brought on by the influx of untold wealth. After a rocky start, Ben finally persuades a small cadre– including his smart, no-nonsense Natural Resources Police officer fiancé LuAnna, and his impassive oyster culler Knocker Ellis - that their recent hardscrabble times could be set right if they manage to keep this orphaned gold for themselves, and somehow stop that nuclear bomb before it blows them all out of the Chesapeake.
Price: $9.99 Visit the Website
Masque Sexual Flavors
Description: As seen in the pages of Redbook, Women's Health and Cosmo, Masque Sexual Flavors is the first oral sex strip that dissolves on the tongue, blocking the salts, proteins and bitter tastes sometimes associated with oral sex on a man and helping improve the overall experience for both partners. Designed with couples in mind, Masque aims to increase intimacy between partners and encourage sexual exploration. Masque is available in watermelon, mango, strawberry and chocolate flavors. The oral sex strips can be purchased on the company's website, www.yourmasque.com, on Amazon.com or at select retailers for $9.95 per pack. Each pack contains three individually-wrapped gel strips. Masque Sexual Flavors is the first oral sex product of its kind, developed to neutralize the tastes associated with oral sex on a man. Several years of research went into testing and manufacturing the oral sex strips. Masque operates its business with one goal in mind: to make quality products to enhance personal intimacy and bring couples closer together. For more information, visit http://www.yourmasque.com. Follow us on Twitter: @YourMasque
Price: $9.95 Visit the Website
Hillbilly Herald Self-Titled Album
Description: The Hillbilly Herald self-titled album is the rock-n-roll lovers dream gift! Staying true to Rock n' Roll, Hillbilly Herald is bringing back "The Show" with in-your-face guitar slingin', raspy-voiced singin', drum ringin', rock-n-roll, and taking the US by storm. Packing in world-renowned venues like the Viper Room, Roxy Theater, and the House of Blues, the band, fronted by Jimmy Herald (vocals) seems unstoppable. The band's success has been largely the result of Herald's balls-out attitude towards rock-n-roll and his determination to move the group forward. Herald was given the gift of insight by Slash himself over 5 years ago in a bar in Los Angeles. He had never been interested in performing; had never picked up an instrument or written a song in his life, until Slash came into his life. Slash told Herald that his persona was perfect for the lead singer of a rock band. And thus, Hillbilly Herald was born. The current lineup consists of Mark "The Cat" Hill (Lead Guitar), Adam Wolf (Bass), Hawaiian Brian (Guitar), and Louie "Sea Biscuit" Riel (Drums). For more information on the band: www.hillbillyherald.com
Price: $9.90 Visit the Website
Poignant Memoir On Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Description: Beside The Mountain: Finding Strength and Courage Through My Father's Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease by Stefania Silvestri is a poignant new memoir detailing Silvestri's struggle as a caretaker from the age of 14. Her father was first diagnosed with the disease at age 48 and quickly declined, eventually not being able to do much of anything for himself. One reviewer/caretaker has said: "As a child of a parent who is suffering from Alzheimer's, Stefania has thrown a life preserver to all of us who are drowning in the trials of this disease. We know we are not alone, and that there is hope to surviving."
Price: $8.99 to $10.99 Visit the Website
Description: Robin Howard author of the Jim Long Space Agent Astral Adventure series believes that when we enter into the worlds of science fiction and fantasy we are leaving the normal physical world that's just the respite we need from today's hectic times. As a young boy, Howard was captivated by the 50's era of science fiction and fantasy. Battle of the Archangels, the newest release and book five of his incredible action series, continues the adventures of space agent Jim Long - a character, complete with matchstick figures and storylines, conjured up in Howard's 13-year-old mind. Battle of the Archangels takes readers on a unique science fiction experience that is seamlessly interwoven with fantasy, the author's own supernatural experiences and a touch of the paranormal to create a trip through time they won't soon forget. Agent and astral traveler Jim Long is ordered to explore a slowly fermenting and escalating disorderly chaos amongst planets with peaceful advanced civilizations. For readers of all ages, Battle of the Archangels goes beyond an amazing science fiction tale to explore the meaning of existence between God, humankind and Archangels to prove there is more to life than we will ever know in this lifetime.
Price: $8.70 Visit the Website
SPA WARS: The Ugly Truth About The Beauty Industry
Description: "Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry" the new book by Consumer Advocate, Beauty Myth Buster and Certified Esthetician Lora Condon brings together the funniest true stories and the professional insight gleamed from over 15 years in the Spa and beauty industry. Irreverent, insightful, hilarious and actionable, "Spa Wars" is an invaluable tome for beauty junkies and wellness purists alike.
Price: $7.99 to $14.95 Visit the Website
NEON ALLEY A 24/7 Animation Channel (subscription Based)
Description: NEON ALLEY a 24/7 animation channel (subscription) Register www.NeonAlley.com For the anime lover in your family - the gift that keeps on giving - a subscription to Neon Alley, a 24-hour anime channel featuring the world's best titles (dubbed in English and uncut), exclusively on the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system. Available for a low $6.99 per month. Neon Alley's schedule includes a mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime, uncut and dubbed into English, and presented in HD (when available). Neon Alley will premiere weekly exclusive episodes of BLUE EXORCIST, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, the critically acclaimed BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I - THE EGG OF THE KING and TIGER & BUNNY. Fans can catch their favorite blockbuster anime from the beginning, including DEATH NOTE, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE, VAMPIRE KNIGHT and more. Viewers can easily find out what's showing on Neon Alley with an electronic program guide showing the schedule for the week ahead. Members can also share real-time thoughts and status updates using social media technology from Tout (Tout.com), some of which will air on the network. Neon Alley is brought to you by VIZ Media, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, anime and graphic novels in North America. www.viz.com
Price: $6.99 to $7.99 Visit the Website
Wonderword Puzzle Books
Description: Wonderword puzzling books are excellent gift-giving options for all ages and are the perfect size for stocking stuffers. For more than 30 years, Wonderword has delighted and challenged puzzle players every day. Legendary puzzle creator David Ouellet builds each puzzle by hand. Puzzles are themed, often bringing in pop culture and trending topics. Wonderword volume books are available at the low cost of $6.95.
Price: $6.95 to $11.95 Visit the Website
Adult Coloring Book
Description: RxColor Who said coloring is just for young children? Certainly not Dr.Shyla High. Dr.High, who has forged a successful career as a Dallas based cardiologist, is the fiery creator of a therapeutic coloring book – RxColor ww.rxcolor.com. While recovering from a skiing accident, Dr.High came up with the idea of a coloring book for adults: "I realized that no accurate diagnosis or effective medicine can fill those hours void of a basic need: the satisfaction of starting something at the beginning of the day and finishing it at the end of the day. Coloring is not only a way to use your creativity, but it is a great stress relief and way to cleanse your mind and soul." Having a copy of RxColor in front of me and a couple of crayons, I can't argue with Dr.High. RxColor is fun, a challenge and provides solid relief from stress. Much the same way children learn from their first coloring book experiences, RxColor allows adults to successfully express themselves, feel vital and active. " When people think of art, they usually think of the creative process and emotional process but it's important to recognize that art allows people with even Alzheimer's disease to use their preserved cognitive skills." Says Dr.High
Price: $6.95 to $7.95 Visit the Website
INDIAN AFFAIRS ~ Can Love Triumph Over Destiny?
Description: Turning conventional wisdom on its head, Washington socialite Alessandra O'Quinn and her lover, Indian shaman Manuel Mondragon, defy time, space, politics and family to come together in the sweeping canvas of the 1920's New Mexico outpost of Taos. The question is: Can they defy destiny to stay together? The story follows Alessandra, who has been exiled to Taos to either recover from tuberculosis or die. Her lover, Manuel, battles for her health and her love as Alessandra in turn battles her father and her husband for her right to independence. Alessandra willingly takes on the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of the Taos Indians who have been fighting for rights to Blue Lake - the lake revered by the tribe who believe their ancient culture was created out of its sacred waters. As a place of ritual worship, the Indians also believe the lake is essential to their religion and everyday life. Against this beautiful, historic backdrop, pass Mabel Dodge Luhan, Willa Cather, Dr. Carl Jung, Georgia O'Keeffe and D.H. Lawrence, among other prominent personages of the day.
Price: $5.99 Visit the Website
Bared To You: A Crossfire Novel
Description: "If I were to recommend any book today to readers who enjoyed 50 Shades...this would be the first one I would offer. ...scorching love scenes."--Dear Author THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness... He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily... Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we could become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private worlds...and desires.
Price: $5.99 to $15.00 Visit the Website
If You Love Reading Romances, Paranormal Fiction, Witch Stories And More Read RITE OF PASSAGE By Kevin Symmons
Description: For fans of The Discovery of Witches and Twilight, discover author Kevin Symmons. June, 1947, Sebago Lake, Maine. Robert McGregor has the perfect life until he meets Courtney Wellington at a reunion. Courtney is the stuff that dreams are made of: exquisite, vulnerable and desperately alone. But Courtney's identity is more extraordinary than he could imagine. The 40th in a line of powerful witches, Courtney and her friends have elaborate plans for Robbie. He's been chosen to wed her in a ceremony foretold a millennia ago. A ceremony to keep humanity from chaos and self-destruction. Though fearful and suspicious, Robbie is drawn to the young beauty. When Courtney is kidnapped by a rogue sect of Druids, she becomes a pawn in a deadly struggle. A struggle that will span the Atlantic, threaten their lives and lead to a confrontation effecting the fate of humanity. Rite of Passage combines classic romance with gripping action. Surprise and deception confront Robbie and companions as they struggle to wrest Courtney from the sinister Druids. Unbridled passion, non-stop action and plot twists will keep you turning pages well into the night
Price: $4.99 to $13.99 Visit the Website
FarFaria, The Popular Children's Storybook IPad App
Description: FarFaria, dubbed the "Netflix for children's books" by USA TODAY, is an iPad app that helps kids develop a passion for reading and encourages families to read together. Aimed at children ages 2 though 9, FarFaria's library boasts over 250 beautifully illustrated, captivating stories, with five new titles added weekly. FarFaria's rich experience offers children unlimited access to an exciting world of stories, including offline reading, the popular "Read To Me" feature, and "Reading Level Badges" to help parents identify stories appropriate for their child. FarFaria's subscription price remains at just $3.99 per month, and new users can download a free trial with full access from the iPad App Store.
Price: $3.99 to $39.99 Visit the Website
Book: Paint Stop Boom
Description: Paint Stop Boom, a new thriller by Anna Sarelas, features two remarkable characters—a hero and an anti-hero—who are players in a deadly terrorism game. As terror mounts in Sydney, Australia and tragedy swells, extraordinary heroes rise while adversity impacts the cowardly. As a result of numerous bombings, grief stricken widows, siblings and parents join a supernatural phenomenon which empowers them to save lives, families, landmarks and the nation's otherwise resolute infrastructure. "Paint Stop Boom is a story of activism versus complacency," says Sarelas. "The book examines the clash between those who care about the greater good and those who don't, and the difference between those who just live for themselves and those who want to save the world." The mystery that unfolds in Paint Stop Boom is a unique puzzle that offers readers clues everywhere and then attaches them to one another in an amazingly original fashion.
Price: $2.99 Visit the Website
Description: With over 40 successful novels to her credit the spirited and sexy characters Elizabeth Lennox brings to life in her newest release The Earl's Outrageous Lover proves that love and passion rarely follow a predictable path. Jessica Mallory is outrageous, flamboyant and carefree. And… she has a wealthy father who is still trying to control her even from the grave. According to her father's will, if Jessica isn't married by age 25 – a scant two weeks away – his companies will all be dismantled, putting thousands of employees on the street. Not wanting to see so many people lose their livelihood, Jessica unwillingly puts aside her dream of finding true love in a quest to marry in fourteen days. Lord Edward Livingston - scheduled, organized and deliberate - has been enlisted by his uncle to find Jessica a suitable husband from his aristocratic bachelor pool. But even when Edward first meets her, and the crazy woman is wearing red cowboy boots, he finds himself falling for Jessica despite his better judgment. Everything about the gorgeous Jessica is the exact opposite of what Edward thinks he needs in a wife and yet neither can fight the attraction they have for the other.
Price: $2.99 to $6.99 Visit the Website
Evil Town- An E- Book
Description: Washington D.C. is a beacon for freedom and justice in an unjust world. In Evil Town by John David Bethel, it is also home to the world's most corrupt and evil politicians. Conspiracies and secrets run rampant as the leaders of the free world do what they have to in order to raise their personal profits and bend the will of the public to their own desires. Caught in the middle of all this is Clegg Caffery, the seemingly last honest politician in Washington. Senator Caffery is in a unique position to shift power in the senate if he is willing to stay on for additional terms. Caffery wants to stay, but his wife wants to go home to Florida and their old life. Others need him to stay, and will do whatever is necessary to make sure that he does. Phil Bolos Writer and Book Reviewer/ Founder of www.thewritersfastlane.com The book is available at www.eviltownthebook.com and offers readers multi-format, DRM-free ebooks, ready for immediate sampling and purchase, and readable on any e-reading device, computer or laptop. Readers can sample the book for free before committing to a purchase. It is also available on Amazon Kindle and Nook.
Price: $2.50 Visit the Website
The Sexy Little Book Of Sex Games And The Sexy Little Book Of Oral Pleasure
Description: Need a map lately to find pleasureville? Sexual techniques are always changing and evolving. It's easy to get lost. No need to be shy - Dr. Ava Cadell, Ph.D., answers any and all questions throughout the chapters of her latest books, The Sexy Little Book of Sex Games and The Sexy Little Book of Oral Pleasure. The Sexy Little Book of Sex Games is perfect to add some excitement to the act. It describes new and exciting ways to use food and props in the bedroom, teaches couples the importance of sensual talk as well as fun and flirty games and role play. The Sexy Little Book of Sex Games adds flavor and diversity to any relationship, making couples feel closer than ever. The Sexy Little Book of Oral Pleasure is a how-to guide for both giving and receiving oral pleasure. The techniques in this book are meant for both men and women, shy and adventurous. Tips for setting the mood, creating unforgettable memories and advice that will give satisfaction an entirely new definition. This series is the perfect pick me up for any relationship looking to heat things up. They will also answer all questions pertaining to the pleasure department.
Price: $0.00 to $12.95 Visit the Website
Slacker Radio
Description: Slacker Radio offers the world's most complete range of radio services. The Slacker experience includes more than 200 expert-curated music stations, customizable programming from ABC News, ESPN Radio programming and live sporting events, comedy, custom artist-hosted showcase stations and leading music festival stations along with the ability for listeners to create their own personalized radio stations from a music catalog that is more than 10 times larger than Pandora. Slacker has three complementary service tiers, from the entirely free Slacker Basic Radio and the ad-free Slacker Radio Plus to the on-demand music access of Slacker Premium Radio. Slacker enables music lovers to play highly personalized music online at the Slacker web site, in Ford vehicles with SYNC AppLink, on connected home devices or on-the-go with free Slacker Personal Radio applications. Slacker mobile applications are available for iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry smartphones and more.
Price: $0.00 to $9.99 Visit the Website


text:
This is just a quick note as it took me a while to find. I assumed that vmware_balloon.c would write stats into /proc, like most Linux kernel modules do.
That's not how vmware roll, however. To find out how much RAM has been claimed by VMWare's "Balloon" driver from within the guest OS itself, use the vmware-tools command:
# vmware-toolbox-cmd stat balloon 4460 MB

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ethics & Practice when Reporting on Suicide
In this video, Al Tompkins presents: "Ethics & Practice when Reporting on Suicide."
In this video, Al Tompkins presents: "Ethics & Practice when Reporting on Suicide."
Experts explain factors that contribute to suicide, and the best methods of prevention.
In this video, journalists Michael de Yoanna, Jesse Green, Sabrina Rubin Erdely and Maiken Scott take in a panel discussion: "High Impact Reporting on Suicide."
In this video, Professor Ari Goldman leads a discussion: "Public Death, Private Grief."
A fact-sheet of both national and international statistics relating to suicide
Journalists defended their independence and revealed their struggles in an emotional finale to Dart Center's "Covering Suicide" workshop at WHYY in Philadelphia.
Journalists, clinicians and researchers filled the studios at WHYY in Philadelphia to discuss how to address "a national emergency": the rising suicide rate.
A package of video interviews and audio recordings from the two-day Dart Center workshop, "When Veterans Come Home," that was held in Philadelphia in 2011.
Freakonomics Radio investigates suicide and suicide contagion.
A three-part curriculum to help prepare journalism students for the difficult process of covering suicide on or near a college campus.


text:
by Hugh Gilmore
Depending on who is counting and why, there are about 60 tribes and at least as many languages in Kenya. The lingua franca that allows intermingling among linguistic groups is Swahili, the "national" language (Swahili is an invented language derived partly from Bantu, with Arabic and Indian intermixtures – created originally to facilitate the export of slaves and ivory).
Twenty years ago or so I lived in Kenya, doing a study of wild baboons. Before I left the States I started to learn Swahili, via a very up-to-date textbook. By the time the plane set down in Nairobi I knew some basic phrases and the rules for generating a few more. Two things inhibited my further linguistic growth after I arrived.
First, though Swahili was the official national tongue, Kenya had been an English colony prior to independence, and English had remained the language of commerce. When money talked, it spoke English, decreasing my need to master the language.
The second factor was that in those days no one in remote areas spoke true Swahili as his native tongue. Although the national radio broadcast in Swahili, all the rural folks spoke what is called "up-country Swahili," a dialect that shunned textbook grammar in favor of simple, quick communication.
My friends over there directed me to two Swahili phrase books that I sometimes consulted, more for amusement than efficiency. The most practical way to learn a language, as everyone knows, is to learn from necessity by listening. And so I did, enough to get by anyway.
A few weeks ago something reminded me of those books. I tracked them down on the Internet, received them this week and finished reading them yesterday.
They are: "Up-Country Swahili: Swahili Simplified," (originally published in 1936), by F.H. LeBreton, and "A New English-Swahili Phrase Book," (ca. 1950), by B.J. Ratcliffe and Sir Howard Elphinstone. I'd forgotten how antiquated they were, and how reflective they were of the early colonial days in Kenya.
Colonialism was nasty and brutish over there, but certainly not short. For more than 80 years, determined English settlers in Kenya built ranches, plantations, farms, industries and a way of life based on the subjugation of the indigenous Africans. In many ways, a fair number of colonists managed to attain lives of luxury and privilege – but never lives of ease.
They fought the elements, the terrain, disease, heat, drought and wild animals. But most of all, they fought a daily battle to control native people who did not want to live "foreign" ways at the dictates of European masters for the sake of a few coins and the constant erosion of their personal rights.
The Swahili grammar and conversation books I recently read are filled with sample phrases. Each of them could easily be made into a short story.
Okay class, please translate: "This cook is very lazy."
Next: "The companion of the teacher is a drunkard."
Or: "They are witch-doctors."
"You have ironed these clothes very badly."
"The cook is beating the witch-doctor with a stick."
"I am hitting the drunkard with a stick."
On page 21 of "Up-Country" you'll find a useful review section: "Using this chart, do the following exercises verbally, as fast as possible: TRANSLATE: I am hitting you. You (pl) strike us. They will hit them. We struck you. You have hit us." And so on, through the possible declensions.
Each day's daily disturbances needed translating: drowned goats, stolen bundles, sick children, yaws, snakes. The cook has burnt the meat. The fool can't follow instructions. Push the car till the motor turns. Saddle my mule. Did you lose my letter? I cannot stay here because the meat smells. A hippopotamus has destroyed our hut. The latrine is full of fleas. That man is a witch doctor – see that frog in his pocket? You have broken all the eggs again, where are your eyes and ears? The other day some hoes were missing. I am informed there is a plague in the town. The elephants have trampled the furrow and the water is running away. Boy, my razor and scissors are spoilt (SIC); they are still dirty with your black hairs.
Understandably, these are samples of the phrases the "wazungu" (Europeans/white people) needed to maintain their upper hand. But the books' real sadness lies in the phrases that are missing. Nowhere will one find: Nice job. That is a beautiful sunset, is it not? Your food was delicious. How is your family? Life is a wonderful mystery, is it not? What hopes or dreams do you have? What school will your children attend?
These books are filled with phrases that allow one to talk about the dangers of living among wild animals, of the fears of crop failure, and of daily contact with exotic illnesses. In addition to talking of danger and disease, though, they also illustrate the nature of disrespect.
They also show how severely the colonial world was divided by the color of human skin and that white prevailed over black. (In the early editions of "Up-Country" the word "Europe" is always capitalized, the word "africa," seldom is.) I'm amazed by all one can learn besides language from texts like these.
If you ever want to invent a parlor game where one must infer what a colony's history was like by reading its grammars, these books would be a great place for you to start.
P.S.: Typing "enemies ofreading.blog- spot.com" in your browser's address line will lead you to expanded versions of many of my past columns.


text:
FTP Download
Detailed information about the available data and file formats can be found here.
The data can also be downloaded directly from the Ensembl Protists FTP server.
Database dumps
Entire databases can be downloaded from our FTP site in a variety of formats. Please be aware that some of these files can run to many gigabytes of data.
Looking for MySQL dumps to install databases locally? Instructions for loading MySQL dumps onto a local MySQL server can be found on the Ensembl website.
Each directory on ftp.ensemblgenomes.org contains a README file, explaining the directory structure.
Programatic data access
Data can be accessed programatically in a number of ways, including the REST service and Perl API. For full details see the Programatic access documenation.
Multi-species data
|Pan_compara Multi-species
|Protists Multi-species
|Ensembl Mart
Single species data
To facilitate storage and download all databases are GNU Zip (gzip, *.gz) compressed.
Detailed metadata on the genomes provided by Ensembl Genomes is available from the FTP site in TSV, JSON and XML formats (format details).
Ensembl Protists: TSV | JSON | XML
Ensembl Genomes (all divisions): TSV | JSON | XML
About the data
The following types of data dumps are available on the FTP site.
- FASTA sequence databases of Ensembl gene, transcript and protein
model predictions. Since the
FASTA format does not permit sequence annotation,
these database files are mainly intended for use with local sequence
similarity search algorithms. Each directory has a README file with a
detailed description of the header line format and the file naming
- Masked and unmasked genome sequences associated with the assembly (contigs, chromosomes etc.).
- The header line in an FASTA dump files containing DNA sequence consists of the following attributes : coord_system:version:name:start:end:strand This coordinate-system string is used in the Ensembl API to retrieve slices with the SliceAdaptor.
- Coding sequences for Ensembl or ab initio predicted genes.
- cDNA
- cDNA sequences for Ensembl or ab initio predicted genes.
- Peptides
- Protein sequences for Ensembl or ab initio predicted genes.
- Non-coding RNA gene predictions.
- Annotated sequence
- Flat files allow more extensive sequence annotation by means of
feature tables and contain thus the genome sequence as annotated by
the automated Ensembl
annotation pipeline. Each nucleotide sequence record in a flat
file represents a 1Mb slice of the genome sequence. Flat files are
broken into chunks of 1000 sequence records for easier downloading.
- Ensembl database dumps in EMBL nucleotide sequence database format
- GenBank
- Ensembl database dumps in GenBank nucleotide sequence database format
- MySQL
- All Ensembl MySQL databases are available in text format as are the SQL table definition files. These can be imported into any SQL database for a local installation of a mirror site. Generally, the FTP directory tree contains one directory per database. For more information about these databases and their Application Programming Interfaces (or APIs) see the API section.
- Gene sets for each species. These files include annotations of both coding and non-coding genes. This file format is described here.
- EMF flatfile dumps (variation and comparative data)
Alignments of resequencing data are available for several species as Ensembl Multi Format (EMF) flatfile dumps. The accompanying README file describes the file format.
Also, the same format is used to dump whole-genome multiple alignments as well as gene-based multiple alignments and phylogentic trees used to infer Ensembl orthologues and paralogues. These files are available in the ensembl_compara database which will be found in the mysql directory.
- MAF (comparative data)
MAF files are provided for all pairwise alignments. The MAF file format is described here.
- GVF (variation data)
- GVF (Genome Variation Format) is a simple tab-delimited format derived from GFF3 for variation positions across the genome. There are GVF files for different types of variation data (e.g. somatic variants, structural variants etc). For more information see the "README" files in the GVF directory.
- BED format files (comparative data)
Constrained elements calculated using GERP are available in BED format. For more information see the accompanying README file.
BED format is a simple line-based format. The first 3 mandatory columns are:
- chromosome name (may start with 'chr' for compliance with UCSC)
- start position. This is a 0-based position
- end position.


text: The ever-evolving tale of the invisibility cloak makes us want to hang our heads in our hands sometimes, so fraught with frustrations does it seem. Well, another chapter's been added to the tome: researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have devised a way to extend the invisibility principle, allowing an illusion to sit in place of the invisible object. So, say you wanted to use an invisibility cloak to mask the presence of your bottle of beer on the table, the new concept -- or 'shroud of lies' as we call it -- would enable you to make it appear that there was a glass of water sitting there, in place of the beer. So how does that work, exactly? Normal, every day invisibility cloaks bend light around a central cavity, whereas the team has now worked out mathematical rules for bending light in other ways, allowing a material to be designed to bend light in the exact way a spoon would, so that the light hitting the material would distort, making it look like a spoon was there. Theoretically, all of this is rather simple and quite sound, though it turns out that there are numberless mechanical obstacles standing in the way of producing such devices. The new illusion-producing device would have to be capable of working without interfering with the invisibility cloak itself (which, if you recall, also can't properly be said to exist). There's no word on when any of this will ever come to fruition of course, but we remain always hopeful.


text:
By Tessa Raebeck
As if anyone needed another reason to drink wine, the 2013 vintage is the best local winemakers on both forks have ever seen.
"It's really spectacular," said Roman Roth, winemaker for the Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. "You hear about these fabled vintages like '76 and '45 – this is one that we have."
"The entire East End is producing great wines," agreed winemaker Juan Micieli-Martinez of Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead.
Winemakers were nervous last spring, when May was a particularly rainy month and June was the second wettest on record. They soon found their worry was preemptive.
"Then came the most fantastic summer," said Roth. A heat wave in July followed by a generally dry, long summer helped the winemakers to overcome the wet spring.
The summer was good, but the fall was better.
"What almost always makes a fine harvest – an excellent harvest – is a sunny, dry fall," explained Larry Perrine, winemaker at Channing Daughters Winery in Bridgehampton. "It doesn't have to be hot, but it's sunny and dry. And basically from Labor Day on, it didn't rain. It rained the day after Labor Day and then it didn't rain for the next seven weeks."
The dry weather moves the ripening schedule of the fruit forward, preventing any rot. Because the fall was dry without being too hot, the tender varieties were not adversely affected. The yields were substantial and the quality superior across the board, ensuring that the 2013 vintage is excellent for whites, rosés and reds.
"All conditions were great," said Lisa Freedman, a PR representative for Martha Clara Vineyards, "as far as weather and Mother Nature – and there were no hurricanes."
Regions renowned for wine, such as Friuli, Italy or Bordeaux, France, have heavy rainfall during the growing season and a dry end of season. This year, the East End of Long Island got a taste of that perfect wine weather.
2010 previously held the crown as the best year in local winemakers' memory and 2012 was also a landmark year, but it just keeps getting better, they say.
"There's a lot of great wines up in the pipeline," said Roth. "But it will all be topped by this 2013 – that's for sure."
Since he started making wine in 1982, Roth has seen maybe three lots (batches separated by varietal, date picked or vineyard section) "that are really special" each year.
"But this year," he said. "We have thirty lots. The lots came in with the highest color, the deepest color, so it's an amazing opportunity where you have lots of options for great wines."
The first 2013 wines released will be the rosés in the early spring, followed fairly quickly by the aromatic, fresh white wines, such as sauvignon blancs. Fermented in stainless steel and bottled early, those white wines will be released by the spring or summer of 2014. Other whites fermented in oak, like Chardonnays, could take as long as 2015.
The reds take the longest, spending at least a year in the cellar. Channing Daughters is just now bottling its 2012 reds, so 2013 reds won't be available for over a year, most likely two. At Wölffer, the top 2013 reds won't be released until 2016. As Roth said, "good wine takes time."
The goal of the North Fork's Lenz Winery in Peconic is to release wine that "will be among the very best of its type, made anywhere in the world."
Several years ago, that would have been a bold claim for a Long Island winery to make, but these days, it appears to be quite realistic.
Micieli-Martinez calls it the "Napa-fication" of Long Island's wine industry, referring to the initial disregard of Napa Valley wines. It was believed California couldn't compete with French and Italian wines, but today Napa Valley is considered to be one of the world's premier wine regions.
"I think it contributes to the growing really positive perception…of the quality of Long Island wines and of New York wines in general," Perrine said of the 2013 harvest. "It does improve steadily the reputation of the wines as being first-rate, world class wines."
"It's truly a special year," the 30-year winemaker continued. "We'll always remember."
"It's just perfect," said Roth. "It's a dream come true, basically."


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The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has produced a larger version of the biometric passport.
The eJumbo, launched yesterday, has 48 pages compared with the 32 on the original ePassport. It will cost £77, while the regular ePassport costs £66.
A spokesperson said it has been developed largely for people who travel regularly and need more space for visas.
Home Office minister Joan Ryan said: "I am delighted that following the very successful switchover from digital passports to the new generation of more secure biometric ePassports last year, the Identity and Passport Service is now offering frequent travellers the new 'jumbo' 48 page ePassport.
"We are a nation of seasoned travellers, and issue more passports than any other country in the world bar the United States. 80 per cent of the UK population now holds a passport, and a record 6.6 million were issued last year alone. The 'eJumbo' will provide a popular alternative to the standard ePassport for Brits regularly travelling abroad, be it for work or pleasure."
The spokesperson said that about 60,000 Jumbo passports are issued each year, and the IPS expects a similar level of demand for the new biometric versions.
In 2006 IPS introduced the £66 32 page biometric ePassport, containing a secure chip storing the holder's personal details and a scan of their photo, as well as other improved security features. It said the new design is harder to forge, as the new security features show whether the passport is genuine or has been tampered with and the facial biometrics on the chip help link the passport holder to the document.
Security features include a watermark and a secure laminate that will rupture if peeled back on the biographical data page of the document. The visa pages have passport numbers which are laser perforated into the pages, a watermark, and fluorescent stitching thread.
About 4 million ePassports have so far been issued to UK citizens.
This article was originally published at Kablenet.
Kablenet's GC weekly is a free email newsletter covering the latest news and analysis of public sector technology. To register click here.


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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Facts About HIV
- Starting the Discussion
- Talking to Children of Different Ages
- Taking Care of Yourself
HIV can be a tough subject for parents, guardians, and caregivers to discuss with their children. However it is important that all families educate their children about HIV. There are many reasons you may want to discuss HIV and AIDS with your children: you or a family member is living with HIV (HIV+), your child is living with HIV, or you simply want to help your child understand HIV so that he or she does not become infected.
It is important to note that there can be times when it is not appropriate or safe for women to disclose their status to their children or families. For more information about telling others you or your child is living with HIV, see our article on Disclosure and HIV.
Around the world, young people ages 15 to 24 accounted for two of every five new HIV infections in 2011. An estimated 2.1 billion adolescents and young people -- the largest group ever -- are currently living with HIV. Young women aged 15 to 24 are infected at twice the rate as young men the same age.
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that young people ages 13 to 29 accounted for over a quarter of all new HIV infections in the US in 2010. Yet over half of young people who are infected do not know that they are living with HIV. A study conducted in 2009 showed that almost half of high school students in the United States reported having had sexual intercourse. Of these, over a third said they did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter and only about one in five has ever been tested for HIV despite recommendations for routine testing. These statistics serve as a serious reminder to parents that they cannot afford to avoid talking with their children about HIV. For more information, see The Well Project's Article on HIV Risk and Teens.
Children and teenagers find out about HIV from all sorts of places: TV, radio, friends, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Talking with your children about HIV is an opportunity to provide them with facts and correct any myths or incorrect information they may have picked up outside the home. It is also a chance to develop an open and honest relationship with your children.
The Facts About HIV
Many parents are uncomfortable talking to their children about HIV because they do not have the correct information themselves. Before you talk to your children about HIV, it is important for you to know the facts.
What Is HIV?
- HIV stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus"
- Without treatment, HIV will eventually wear down the immune system in most people to the point that they develop more serious infections
- Many people take powerful and effective combinations of medicines to fight the virus; however, there is no cure for HIV
What Is AIDS?
- AIDS stands for "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome"
- AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection
- Many people take powerful and effective combinations of medicines to fight the virus; however, there is no cure for AIDS
What Is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?
Someone can be infected with HIV for many years with no signs of disease, or only mild-to-moderate symptoms
The CDC identifies someone as having AIDS if he or she is living with HIV and has one or both of these conditions:
- At least one AIDS-defining opportunistic infection (see a list of opportunistic infections in our article on AIDS Defining Conditions)
- A CD4 cell count of 200 cells or less (a normal CD4 count is about 600 to 1,500)
When people are diagnosed with HIV, they will always live with HIV. Regardless of how low their viral load may be -- even if it becomes "undetectable" -- they will never go back to being HIV-negative.
For more information, visit What Is HIV?
How Is HIV Spread?
HIV is spread through the following body fluids:
- Blood (including menstrual blood)
- Semen ("cum") and other male sexual fluids ("pre-cum")
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
HIV is not spread through these body fluids:
- Sweat
- Tears
- Saliva (spit)
- Urine
- Feces
The most common ways HIV is passed from one person to another are:
- Re-using and sharing needles and other drug equipment ("works") for injecting drugs (including steroids or hormones)
- Unprotected/unsafe sex (no condoms or other barrier devices)
- Mother-to-child (during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding)
How Can HIV Be Prevented?
One of the most important messages you can share with your children is that HIV can be prevented. HIV cannot be transmitted except when certain body fluids are exchanged. Teach your children that they can greatly reduce the risk of transmission by:
- Avoiding contact with sexual fluids by always practicing safer sex (using condoms or other barrier methods)
- Abstaining from sex unless they and their partners are both HIV-negative and in a long-term, monogamous relationship
- Not injecting drugs, or if they do, always using new, clean needles and other drug equipment
It is also important to tell children that HIV is not transmitted by casual contact such as:
- Being a friend to someone who is living with HIV
- Hugging
- Dancing
- Sharing food or drinks
- Using a shower, bath, or bed used by a person living with HIV
- Kissing (between people with no significant dental problems, such as bleeding gums or open sores)
- Sharing exercise equipment or a swimming pool
For more information, see The Well Project's Article: HIV Transmission.
Starting the Discussion
Every parent has his or her own style when talking about important subjects. Some parents choose to have a specific time when the family will sit down and discuss HIV. They may give out printed information (e.g., books, info sheets) or other resources to help children to understand the facts.
Other parents take cues from their children and their surroundings to introduce the subject of HIV. For example, they may try to bring up the discussion when their children see or hear something about HIV on TV. Ask what the children have heard and what they know about HIV. This will help you figure out what they already know and what is left for you to explain.
Note: When talking with your children about HIV, questions about death may come up. Explain death in simple terms. It is important not to explain death in terms of sleep. It may make your children worry that if they fall asleep, they will never wake up. It is also important to offer reassurance and explain that while HIV is serious, it is preventable and treatable.
Talking to Children of Different Ages
It is never too early to talk to your children about HIV. In fact, by age eight (third grade in the US), many children have already heard about it. Talking to children about HIV is not a one-time-only conversation. Children will be ready to hear different levels of information at different ages. Often their questions will let you know that they are ready to hear more about it. The more open you are to questions, the more likely your children will be to ask them, and the greater your opportunity to give them correct information and help them to make healthy choices. Talk early and talk often to make sure that your children have the right information for their age throughout their childhood.
Children up to age four are learning the basics about their bodies. They do not understand the concepts of disease, death, or sex. However, you can set the stage for future conversations by introducing them to the concept of sexuality by providing the correct names for body parts. Most importantly, however, you want to give young children the message that you are open to their questions. When they feel they can ask you anything, they will be more likely to talk to you as they get older.
School-Age Children
Children five to eight years old are just learning about health, sickness, death, and sex. They can understand that HIV is a serious health problem that is caused by a virus, and that their chances of getting HIV are very small. You do not have to discuss sex at this age; however, you can teach children that some body fluids carry infection and should not be shared.
Children nine to 12 years old think a lot about their bodies. Many of them are entering or going through puberty. At this age children also feel a lot of peer pressure -- pressure from other children their age to try new (and possibly dangerous) things. Now is the time to tell them how HIV is spread. Since HIV is commonly spread by sexual contact, now is the time to give your children correct information about sex. Tell them about the importance of safer sex. Let them know that needle or syringe sharing for injection drug use, steroid injection, tattooing, or body piercing can put them at risk for getting HIV. Teach preteens that they have choices in life and that the decisions that they make today could affect them for the rest of their lives. You may also want to tell your children that it is okay for them to talk to an adult they trust (parent, teacher, older relative) if they feel unhappy, pressured, or bullied.
Thirteen- to 19-year-olds are often more concerned with their self-image and friendships than what their parents have to say. Many teenagers take risks and feel that "it can't happen to me." During these formative years, it is important to continue to provide your teen with accurate information about HIV and safer sex. You may wish to provide resources such as books and videos that they can view on their own. For more information, see The Well Project's article on What Parents and Providers Need to Know about HIV Risk and Teens.
Taking Care of Yourself
Talking with children about HIV can create anxiety for parents. Educate yourself and have resources on hand. You will feel more comfortable if you know the facts. Try to relax and let the conversation flow naturally. It is important to begin talking with your children at an early age, so that you all become comfortable with the subject and the words used to talk about it. You can use this opportunity to create a supporting and loving environment in which your children will feel comfortable asking questions and empowered to make healthy life choices.


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There's No Avoiding Google+
Google Inc. is gaining ground against Facebook Inc. thanks to a controversial tactic: requiring people to use the Google+ social network.
Google over the past year has boosted the Google+ operation by integrating it with the company's top-tier properties, including its Web search engine, Gmail, YouTube, business listings and the Android mobile-operating system.
People using Google to search for photos or customer reviews of a restaurant, for example, automatically are steered to the restaurant's Google+ page. In the fall, Google began requiring people who want to post their reviews of restaurants or other businesses to use their Google+ profiles to do so. The same rule applies for reviews of physical goods or mobile apps obtained through Google.


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Copyright © 1999-2020 Legacy Diecast Models | Call toll free (877) 534 2733
Buy the best die-cast cars, trucks and motorcycles online from LegacyDiecast.com! Where to buy diecast cars, tanks and planes. Best selection of die-cast models and display cases. Look for great deals and cheap prices on selected sale items.


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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis are getting married.
A spokeswoman for Wilde confirmed Saturday that the couple is engaged. Joy Fehily released no other details.
The engagement was first reported by People.com.
This will be the second wedding for both actors. Wilde finalized her divorce from documentarian Tao Ruspoli in 2011 after eight years of marriage. Sudeikis was previously married to "Pitch Perfect" screenwriter Kay Cannon. They divorced in 2010.
Wilde, 28, rose to fame on TV's "House M.D." Her film credits include "Tron: Legacy" and "Cowboys & Aliens." Sudeikis, 37, is a star of "Saturday Night Live." He hosted the MTV Movie Awards in 2011 and appeared in the film "Horrible Bosses" that same year.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Much has been made of California's $20 billion deficit the state's inability to close it. But there's no limit to the extent that powerful interests will attempt to sway the public to meet their needs through the voting process.
For such groups, money is no obstacle to making their case.
Take Proposition 16, officially called The Taxpayers Right to Vote Act, which is on the June 8th ballot. The name is bit bizarre to begin with, since most of us thought we already had the right to vote. The title notwithstanding, this ballot initiative would require cities with municipally-owned utilities to obtain a two-thirds vote of approval from the voters before purchasing renewable energy.
If the initiative passes, about 70 municipally-owned utilities in California will be forced to call public votes before purchasing renewable energy. No such votes are required when a city buys water, enters into an agreement with a garbage collection company, or purchases new firefighting equipment. But the purchase of renewable energy is another matter, particularly if it threatens the profits of the state's largest energy provider.
The force behind Proposition 16 is every bit as important as its content. Proposition 16 has been promoted almost single handedly by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), the largest public utility in the state that serves 15 million customers in northern and central California. PG&E spent more than $3 million to acquire the necessary number of signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. Since then, the company has spent more than $30 million on its campaign to persuade the electorate to pass the initiative. The opposition, a handful of public interest and consumer groups, has spent less than $100,000. Clearly, passage of this proposition would make life considerably easier for a utility that thrives on monopoly.
PG&E isn't the only company to use its muscle to influence the vote. Proposition 17, entitled the Continuous Coverage Auto Discount Act, was placed on the ballot through the efforts of Mercury General Insurance.
Like PG&E, this company spent more than $3 million securing signatures and has thus far committed another $5 million to securing voter approval which would give it the opportunity to hike rates of customers who temporarily cease the purchase of automobile insurance--a practice was outlawed in another initiative 20 years ago.
The bottom line is this: In politics, everyone has the same vote, but not all interests have the same abilities to persuade those who vote.
Who's Broke in California? Not Powerful Interests
Much has been made of California's $20 billion deficit the state's inability to close it. But there's no limit to the extent that powerful interests will attempt to sway the public to meet their needs through the voting process.


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NRF Predicts 3.4% Increase in Retail Sales
The National Retail Federation this week predicted that retail sales will rise 3.4 percent in 2013. The group also predicted that online sales will rise between 9 and 12 percent this year.
"What we witnessed during the holiday season is an indication of what we are likely to see in 2013. Consumers read troubling economic headlines every day and look at their bottom lines at the end of the month, and they don't like what they see," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement.
"Pushing fiscal policy decisions down the road will lead to even greater uncertainty, and will continue to impact consumers' desire and ability to spend on discretionary items. The administration and congress need to pursue and enact policies that lead to growth and economic expansion, or it could be another challenging year for retailers and consumers alike."


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City of Grand Island, NEHome Menu
City Calendar
Pajamatime (Family Story Hour)
- Date: December 10, 2019 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Location: Grand Island Public Library
1124 W 2nd St
Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
Pajamatime (Family Storyhour) is for preschoolers and their families. This program takes place from 6:30-7:30 PM in Bookingham Palace. Families will play with educational toys, listen to stories, do crafts, music, and other hands-on pre-literacy fun! The library models and recommends Every Child Ready to Read, an initiative of the American Library Association. For more information, call the library at (308) 385-5333.


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[Verse 1]
Hot damn, hot damn, hot damn, hot damn, hot damn
Hot damn ho, here we go again
Suckers steal a beat when you know they can't win
You stole the beat—are you having fun?
Now me and the Aud's gonna show you how it's done
You are what I label as a nerver plucker
You're plucking my nerves you MC sucker
I thought I oughta tell you, better yet warn
That I am like a stock and my word is bond
Like James, killing everybody in sight
The code's three-six, the name is Lyte
After this jam, I really don't give a damn
Cause I'mma run and tell your whole damn clan
That you're a...
[Hook x2]
Beat biter, dope style taker
Tell you to your face you ain't nothing but a faker
[Verse 2]
Hit me why don't ya, hit me why don't ya
Milk's bodyguard is my bodyguard too
You wanna get hurt? Well, this is what you do
You put your left foot up and then your right foot next
Follow instructions, don't lose the context
Thirty days a month your mood is rude
We know the cause of your bloody attitude
[Verse 3]
Your style is smooth, even for a cheating mic
You shoulda won a prize as a Rakim sound-alike
Here's a Milkbone, a sign of recognition
Don't turn away, I think you should listen close
Don't boast, you said you wasn't bragging
You fucking liar, you're chasin' a chuckwagon
The only way you learn, you have to be taught
That if a beat is not for sale, then it can't be bought
When you leave the mic, you claim it's smoking
Unlike Rakim, you are a joke
And I think you ought to stop, before you get in too deep
Cause with a sister like Lyte, yo I don't sleep
[Verse 4]
When I'm in a jam, with my homegirl Jill
My cousin Trey across the room with a posse of girls
So I step in the middle, shake it just a little
Wait for some female to step up and pop junk
Give my cousin a cue, treat the girl like a punk
Now I'm not trying to say that I'm into static
But yo if you cause it, yep, we gotta have it
Cause I ain't going out like a sucker no way
So I sit around the way for you to make my day
We can go for the hands, better yet for the words
Cause you'll be ignored, and at the same time I'll be heard
Throughout the city, the town and the country
The beat is funky, my rhyme is spunky
There is no delaying in the rhyme I'm saying
Neither are there flaws in what my DJ is playing
So sit back Jack, and listen to this, it's 10% dis
Cause I'm just about ready to fly this fist against your lips
But I'll wait for the day or night that you approach
And I'mma serve and burn ya like a piece of toast
Pop you in the microwave and watch your head bubble
Your skin just crumble, a battle's no trouble
Get my homegirls Joanie and Kiki to get stupid
This thing called hip-hop, Lyte is ruling it
I hate to laugh in your face, but you're funny
Your beat, your rhyming, your timing, all crummy
On the topic of rapping, I should write a pamphlet better yet a booklet
Your rap is weak homegirl, and it's definitely crooked
Others write your rhymes while I write my own
I don't create a character when I'm on the microphone
I am myself, no games to be played
No script to be written, no scene to be made
I am the director, as far as you are concerned
You don't believe me, then you'll have to learn
This ain't as hard as MC Lyte can get
Matter of fact, you ain't seen nothing yet
So never let me step into a party hardy
Talk to some people and then hear from somebody
'You wanna battle?' cause you know where I am
You don't wanna come in the 90's and see me at a jam
When a mic is handy, ten feet away
I stretch my arm like elastic, hand like a magnet
Set assure, you know I don't play
When it comes down to it, the nitty gritty
For a sucker like you I feel a whole lot of pity
Here's the timeline:
In Check the Technique, Lyte notes:
We went into INS [Studios] two days later and [made this track]. It was pretty easy—we just sat there and thought of the worst things we cuold possibly say about somebody [laughs]. It's titled that because that's only ten percent of what I could have said. I didn't even know Antoinette. It was strictly a war on wax. She tried to dis me back but the hype on me was so big that no one cared if she had a rebuttal to it. I think she was from Queens. We actually had a battle once at the World. I won. Even then, it was understood completely that it was just business.