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Former Orleans Parish School Board President Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison
|U.S. Attorney's Office March 11, 2010
NEW ORLEANS, LA—ELLENESE BROOKS-SIMMS, age 71, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to eighteen (18) months in federal prison for a federal felony involving fraud and kickbacks in the Orleans Parish school system, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten today. In addition, the defendant was ordered serve three (3) years supervised release during which time she will be under federal supervision and risks additional imprisonment should she violate any terms of the release.
The sentence of eighteen (18) months handled down today by Judge Feldman was the result of the court's acknowledgment of a specific request by the government for a lower sentence than normally would have been recommended by the federal sentencing guidelines. Specifically, while the sentencing guidelines would have recommended a sentence between 70 and 87 months, BROOKS-SIMMS faced an actual maximum prison term of 60 months provided for by law as a result of the conspiracy charge. Specifically outlining the government's description of defendant BROOKS-SIMMS' extraordinary cooperation—including immediate acknowledgment, acceptance of responsibility; assistance; the undercover recording of criminal conversations; testimony before the grand jury; and critical testimony at trial under direct and cross-examination directly resulting in Mose Jefferson's conviction and subsequent prison sentence—the government requested that the court hand down a sentence of 18 months.
According to court documents, on June 20, 2007, BROOKS-SIMMS pled guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program fraud. She admitted that from 2001 thru 2004, while an elected member of the Orleans Parish School Board, she secretly conspired with Mose Jefferson, a local businessman, to approve the purchase of an educational software program for the Orleans Parish School System. Jefferson received over $900,000 of Orleans Parish School Board money as his sales commission for selling the software program to the school board. In exchange for her assistance in promoting and approving the software program, BROOKS-SIMMS received approximately $140,000 as a bribe/reward from the Jefferson. Both BROOKS-SIMMS and the Jefferson funneled these payoffs through several bank accounts to disguise their illegality. On August 21, 2009, Jefferson was convicted by a federal jury after a two week trial and has been sentenced to serve ten (10) years in federal prison.
Speaking to today's sentence, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten stated:
"We hope that today's sentence, in which the government recognized the value of timely, truthful and full cooperation and assistance by the defendant, sends an unambiguous and powerful recommendation to all individuals who have violated the law, that while criminal conduct will be dealt with severely under federal law, acceptance of responsibility and truthful assistance will be appropriately recognized."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution has been handled by Senior Litigation Counsel Salvador Perricone and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Pickens and Michael Simpson.


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|photo credit: maxedaperture
Jupiter remains well placed for observing this month. It outshines everything except the Moon and Venus and is therefore easy to find in the south-southwest at dusk. Venus continues to re-emerge into the evening sky. Although it is low in the west southwest during evening twilight, Venus outshines everything in the sky except the Sun and the Moon, so viewers with clear views to the west southwest should be able to find it right after sundown. Saturn has also emerged into the morning sky; face east at dawn to see it. Late October is a good time to observe Mercury before dawn. Greatest elongation (that is, greatest apparent distance from the Sun) is October 22. You can look for about a week to either side of that date; Mercury is slightly brighter in the days following greatest elongation if it's at dawn. Mars is lost in the Sun's glare this month and will remain out of sight until 2009.
|photo credit: makelessnoise
The Big Dipper happens to be to the lower left of the North Star at dusk this month; you'll need a clear northern horizon to get a good look at it. Sagittarius, the Archer, known for its 'teapot' asterism, is in the southwest (Jupiter is in Sagittarius). Look for the enormous Summer Triangle, consisting of the stars Deneb, Vega, and Altair, high in the west. As familiar summer patterns shift to the west, the constellations of autumn take center stage. The Great Square of Pegasus is high in the east at dusk. The star in its upper left hand corner is also the head of Andromeda. Facing north, you'll see five stars in a distinct 'M' like shape—this is Cassiopeia, the Queen. Her stars are about as bright as those in the Big Dipper, and she is directly across the North Star from that Dipper. In fall, while the Dipper is low, Cassiopeia rides high.
Moon Phases in October 2008:
1st Quarter October 7, 4:05 am
Full Moon October 14, 3:03 pm
Last Quarter October 21, 6:56 am
New Moon October 28, 6:12 pm
Our George Observatory remains closed while Brazos Bend State Park recovers from Ike. The park hopes to reopen by October 11, and there is hope that our annual Astronomy Day at the observatory, set for Saturday, October 18, will proceed as scheduled. Astronomy Day features special presentations and activities for the whole family from 3pm to 10:30pm. Surf to www.astronomyday.org for more information.
Sunday, November 2, is the first Sunday of that month. Accordingly, we 'fall back' to Standard Time that morning at 2:00am. (We go from 1:59 am back to 1:00 am). Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, November 1. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

subset: commoncrawl


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The national Broadway tour of the musical version of �Mary Poppins� that opened an eight-performance run at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts Tuesday night had moments that could definitely be called �super(cali).�
The musical itself, however, also revealed itself to have �fragilistic� elements. We�ll explicate on the ultimate �expialidocious-ness� of it all a little bit later.
If one had a couple of reservations about �Mary Poppins� the theater show, they were not directed at the cast, who individually and as an ensemble approaching 40 performers gave an enthusiastic and audience-pleasing (close to a full house Tuesday night) effort.
The 1964 Disney movie starring Julie Andrews is so great and beyond reproach that almost any attempt to adapt the story to the stage is likely to raise some questions. It�s one of those ironies of show business and life that the one person who didn�t like the film was P.L. Travers, who wrote the Mary Poppins books. When Disney approached Travers about movie sequels, her answer was more or less to go fly a kite (notwithstanding the delightful song �Let�s Go Fly a Kite� from the movie and theater versions). It took the legendary theater producer Cameron Mackintosh to get what would be posthumous approval from Travers for a theater version, which opened in London in 2004 and Broadway in 2006.
Changes were made from the movie. While most of the best loved songs remain, there is quite a lot of new material, including songs and plot/character development (the latter probably to accommodate Travers, who wanted a bit more of an edge). But while the new songs are jaunty and pleasant enough, they are mostly second division, almost childish, compared to the movie classics that children and adults can enduringly enjoy such as �A Spoonful of Sugar,� �Chim Chim �Cher-ee� �Feed the Birds� and �Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.�
Fortunately, those numbers are in the stage musical, and the cast gave them good renditions Tuesday.
Tuesday�s performance, however, did not get off to the best of starts when about five minutes into the proceedings the curtain suddenly came down and an announcement was made over the speakers (not in the smooth English-sounding accent that had welcomed the patrons before the opening curtain) that there would be a delay because of technical difficulties. Evidently a set wasn�t properly in place at a scene change. But the matter was quickly taken care of and we could begin again to immerse ourselves in 1910 London and the arrival of an unusual � and, as we learn, magical � nanny into the life of a distant banker�s unhappy family.
Madeline Trumble as Mary Poppins infused the role with a likeable cheerfulness that was all her own (one wasn�t thinking Julie Andrews, in other words) and sang and danced with plenty of range and verve. The banker�s two children for Tuesday�s performance (Madison Ann Mullahey and Zachary Mackiewicz) also sang well and were believable in their roles as they entered into some unbelievable realms, courtesy of their nanny.
These almost surreal realms were well staged in such numbers as �A Spoonful of Sugar� (where a kitchen goes kaput and then gets put back together again), and �Jolly Holiday� (where statues came alive in a park), and the �Super �� song. The special effects were often terrific, and Mary � and her pal Bert � do fly, although it would have been nice not to so obviously see the wires.
The second act�s big set piece number is a formidable line-up chimney sweeps on a rooftop of London doing �Step in Time.� What a sight, one thought as one saw them all appear. But the routine itself didn�t seem creative enough in terms of the choreography � even though Bert dances on the ceiling at one point � and ultimately failed to provide the electrical sparks such a key sequence needs.
Almost unneeded, really, is some (albeit cursory) psychological probing of the banker�s rotten childhood. Karen Murphy (who may look familiar to longtime Worcester theater audiences) had plenty of vocal range and presence as an evil nanny (named, of all things, Miss Andrew), a new character to juxtapose against our beloved Mary, but again the point being made was a bit labored and obvious.
�Mary Poppins� (with the impromptu delay) came in at over two and three-quarter hours Tuesday. Did the many children in the audience have school Wednesday?
And yet the winning nature of the best songs and the way the cast and technical crew did their level best to sell everything made the time go pretty quickly. So yes, �Mary Poppins� is �expialidocious,� as in a good time.


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|System: X360, PS3, PC
|Review Rating Legend
|Dev: Spark Unlimited
|1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
|4.0 - 4.4 = Great
|Pub: Codemasters
|2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
|4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
|Release: Feb. 26, 2008
|2.5 - 2.9 = Average
|5.0 = The Best
|Players: 1-8
|3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
|ESRB Rating: Teen
|3.5 - 3.9 = Good
by Adam Brown
It seems like game developers are finally starting to abandon the completely overused WWII shooter genre of games. Call of Duty 4 wisely changed their series to a more futuristic setting, meeting with great critical acclaim. It seems that the only way to create attention for a WWII shooter now is to put an interesting twist on the established formula and storyline. A good example of this is the PS3 launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. It was still based in the WWII universe but with invading aliens and some futuristic weaponry. This is fairly similar to the approach that was taken by Turning Point: Fall of Liberty.
The crux of the storyline in Turning Point is based on an alternate version of a real historical event. On December 13, 1931, Winston Churchill was struck by a taxicab. In reality, Churchill survived this unfortunate mishap and went on to play a very important role in WWII's outcome. This game explores what could have happened if this crash had instead been a fatal one. With Churchill dead, Nazi Germany continued its domination and expansion, eventually winning WWII. In the 1950s, with Europe firmly under the control of the Nazis, they decide to set their sites on invading the United States of America.
While this may be an interesting variant on the standard WWII storyline, complete with a satisfying climax, Turning Point is still basically just a mediocre WWII shooter. The only real difference is that you are now fighting Nazis in the U.S. instead of in Europe. For the most part, weapons are slightly advanced versions of what you would expect from weapons in that era. There are some nice additions like a Tommy gun to spice things up a bit, but there isn't much in the way of interesting and unique weaponry.
Another problem that I have with this game's weapons comes when you try to utilize them. You can fire them normally with limited accuracy or you can use the game's "iron sight" to focus your aiming. When you use the "iron sight," you will lose most of your screen to the weapon. It is incredibly difficult to battle a barrage of Nazis if your gun is obscuring three quarters of your screen. I know this is most likely an accurate representation of these weapons, but it makes accurate aiming a very painful experience.


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VIDEO DOWNLOAD - The Nasty Boys Shoot Interview
It's time for a trip back to Pity City as we are about to get NASTY with an exclusive shoot interview featuring the legendary Nasty Boys Brian Kobbs and Jerry Saggs! Two of wrestling's most outrageous characters stopped by the the offices to record a blistering shoot interview that will have each and every fan finishing the DVD and starting it right back up again. It's that good! Hogan Knows Best star Brian Knobbs is legit one of the most intense people in the wrestling business, sort of like The Sandman after drinking ten redbulls and no sleep for 24 hours, and that passion put this interview right out of the ballpark! Together with partner Jerry Saggs, the Nasty Boys tell one amazing story after another about their stoic career including runs in WCW, WWF, AWA, XWF and Japan.
Absolutely everything you could possibly want to know about the Nasty Boys (and probably a few things no one should know) is discussed in complete detail, such as the time they fought UFC's Ken Shamrock and left him lying. Have you ever heard the inside dirt on the time Brian Knobbs fought Ric Flair in the China Club? You'll hear it here and nowhere else! The Nastys have been in involved in some of the most memorable WWF and WCW tag team programs and this shoot covers them all. The street fights with Kevin Sulllivan, Cactus Jack, and Maxx Payne in WCW. The memorable feud with the Steiners that ended up getting them a job in New York. The Legion of Doom. The Hart Foundation. Power & Glory. The NWO. All the major tag teams are covered!
This is the only shoot interview where you'll hear all the crazy rib stories from wrestling's true king of ribs? In all of our shoots, everyone points the fingers at the Nastys when it comes to disgusting ribs and in this shoot, Knobbs and Saggs come clean. Did they really take a dump in Jerry Lawler's crown? What happened with their matches with the Road Warriors? What's the true story about the infamous match with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash that put Jerry Saggs on the sideline? It's all here!
This is one DVD you won't want to miss as Saggs and Knobbs dish it out on everyone they came across from their early days in the AWA to the ill-fated XWF. Everything under the sun is covered including the Midnight Rockers, DDP, Jim Herd, Ric Flair, Sting, Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Eric Bischoff, War Games, the Sid vs. Arn fight, kayfabe, the indys, MMA, John Laurenitis, wrestling newsletters, the Internet, and much, MUCH more. Don't miss out as it's time to get nasty baby!
How did each of you get started
Talk a little bit about Allentown PA
What do you each remember about your early days on the indys
What were each of your goals when you got in the business
Did you guys plan on tagging together all along
How did you guys get into the AWA
Initial impressions of Verne
Initially you guys werent pushed, how was the transition made to take you guys from ehancement talent to a pushed team
Early memories of Leon White
Memories of Scott Hall from then
Memories of Curt Hennig
Memories of Nick Bockwinkel
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"Feel the city breaking
and everybody shaking
and we're staying alive, staying aliveâ€
-The Bee Gees
I'm 50 pounds lighter than I was last Christmas. I'll be down another 50 by Christmas 2013.
It took me until this year to realize that health and exercise require the same time and resource commitment as creating wealth.
People who become wealthy do it in a slow and steady fashion over a long period of time.
The same thing holds true with diet and exercise. It's not about fads, it's about changing lifestyles.
I lost the first 40 with a combination of golf lessons and better eating habits.
I've always had the mindset of treating exercise as something that happened "after work.†Since I always have more business projects than hours in a day, the time pressures would cause me to blow off time for exercise and grab lunch from a drive-through window.
It's taken some serious psychological rewiring to get me to make my health a priority. I've noticed some immediate benefits. Taking time to exercise allows me to disconnect from stress and come back at work with a renewed vigor.
Thus, exercise has not taken away from business. It's made me more productive than ever. And more aware of how an hour in the gym means better hours at work. Apparently I am much easier to work with after I have my workouts.
Not to mention adding years onto my life. I used to think I would not live to an old age. Now I am certain that I will. The mindset has completely flipped.
The first step to good health was getting me to do something. Like anything. I had not truly exercised in years and it showed. Golf was my natural choice because it is competitive and I enjoyed it before I deemed myself too fat to play a decade ago. I set some concrete goals for golf and achieved them all in 2012.
One of the goals was to walk a nine-hole golf course. Once I did that, I needed a different challenge.
Zumba kept popping up on my radar.
I grew up in an über-macho family where sports dominated. I played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. No male in my family danced. Outside of a few disco moves, I've never really danced either.
Thus, some extreme mental wiring had to take place to get me in a Zumba class. I kept running into professional women who raved about the benefits of Zumba and obviously getting into shape, but the one who finally got Zumba on my radar was Neil Burns.
Neil is my Facebook friend who once weighed 680 pounds. He is now 400 pounds lighter. Zumba was one of the techniques he used to get the weight off.
A former college football player, Neil was less of a stereotypical dancer than I am. He seemed like he would be the perfect Zumba buddy for me.
I followed Neil on Facebook and arranged to interview him. About the time I interviewed him, Neil was moving away from a club that offered Zumba.
That left me to attend Zumba on my own. Those who follow my writing recognize that I am fearless when it comes to breaking barriers, but being the only man in a Zumba class was terrifying.
That is until I met Onieta Stewart.
Onieta is an evangelist for the powers of Zumba.
She teaches an incredible number of Zumba and other exercise classes each week and leads them with an intensity and enthusiasm that is absolutely contagious.
She also "got†that I felt like a fish out of water. After I broke my class' gender barrier, a woman brought her husband to the next class.
Without Onieta, I can see how my trip to Zumba would have been a one-time experience.
Now I am attending on a regular basis. And losing weight. And getting in shape.
Because the key to the whole program is "Staying Alive, Staying Alive.â€
And having fun while you do it.
Don McNay is a Kentucky resident and the bestselling author of "Life Lessons from The Lottery: Protecting Your Money in a Scary World.â€


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SAN LUIS OBISPO – UCSB came back to tie the game after being down 5-0 to Cal Poly, but was eventually defeated by Chris Hoo's game winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to break a 7-7 tie Saturday night at Baggett Stadium.
The loss dropped the Gauchos' record to 20-6, 2-3. The Mustangs improved to 25-5, 4-1 with the victory.
UC Santa Barbara's offense was on a roll, scoring their seven runs on 16 hits. Tyler Kuresa and Robby Nesovic paced the Gauchos' offense, combining to go 7 for 10. Woody Woodward and Andrew Calica each had two hits, and every other starting position player chipped in a hit as well.
Through the first five frames, the game looked to be a wild one as the leads never lasted for long. The Mustangs quickly broke out to a 5-0 lead after two, scoring four of those runs with a two-out rally in the second inning. The Gauchos would storm back in the fourth with a six-run rally to take the lead 6-5, capped off by Cameron Newell's two-run double. Cal Poly's Tim Wise took back the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single. UCSB would tie the game by manufacturing a run in the fifth by the book. Calica led off the inning with a single, and after stealing second, proceeded to take third on a sacrifice bunt by Jackson Morrow. Ryan Clark would drive Calica in with a groundout and tie the score at 7-7.
The score would stay tied at 7-all thanks to excellent relief pitching by UCSB's Kenny Chapman and Cal Poly's Reed Reilly. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, they were not able to score before the Mustangs walked off in the bottom of the ninth with a one-out RBI single by Hoo off of closer Dillon Tate.
Nesovic was the starting pitcher for UCSB along with being the designated hitter, but had a rough day on the mound. He only lasted for two innings, allowing five runs and ended up with a no-decision. Justin Calomeni had an equally rough day as the starting pitcher for Cal Poly, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing five runs as well.
Chapman had an excellent performance out of the bullpen for the Gauchos, pitching 4.1 shutout innings with four strikeouts. Dylan Hecht picked up the loss after allowing a baserunner to start the ninth inning and dropped to 2-1 on the season. Reed Reilly stood in UCSB's way from adding to the scoreboard, pitching three shutout innings and subsequently picked up the win, improving to 1-1.
The Mustangs were led offensively by Mark Mathias, Jordan Ellis, and Brian Mundell, each collecting two hits. All of their starters got on base at least once.
UCSB will face off with Cal Poly in a rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m.


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About Environment Virginia
Environment Virginia protects the places we love, advancing the environmental values we share, and winning real results for our environment. What's our key to winning? People like you. Stand up for clean air, clean water and the open spaces you care about by making a donation today.
Who we are
Environment Virginia is a citizen-based environmental advocacy organization and a project of Environment America. We believe there's something special about Virginia — something worth protecting and preserving for future generations. Whether it's hiking Old Rag at Shenandoah National Park, canoeing on the Chesapeake Bay or swimming at Assateague Island, Virginia's natural wonders enrich our lives in countless ways. Yet the places we love and the environmental values so many of us share are too often threatened by powerful industries, shortsighted politicians and more.
Defending our environment requires independent research, tough-minded advocacy and spirited grassroots action. That's the idea behind Environment Virginia. Together with thousands of supporters from all walks of life, we take the kind of action that wins tangible results for our environment.
Environment Virginia Research & Policy Center
Click here to go to the web site of Environment Virginia Research & Policy Center, our sister 501(c)(3) organization.
What we doFunded by supporters like you, we research the challenges confronting our environment and educate the public about what's at stake. Through our research reports, news conferences, interviews with reporters, op-ed pieces, letters to the editor and more, we raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sensible solutions. Our canvassers meet people where they are — in public places or door to door — raising awareness, recruiting new supporters and activists, and raising funds to support our work. When decisions are being made about our environment, our elected officials hear plenty from the oil companies, developers and other powerful interests. We make the case for our environment and help people like you make your voice heard, through petitions, emails, letters, phone calls and more, all delivered to the right people just when it matters most.
Become a member
Join thousands of your friends and neighbors in protecting our air, water and open spaces by becoming a member of [current-domain:name] by making a contribution today.
Environment Virginia is a project of Environment America, Inc.These pie charts reflect the final audited FY17 financial information for Environment America, Inc. and Environment America Research and Policy Center, Inc.
FY17 Expenses
73% Program
FY17 Income
54% Citizen
Help protect the places we love, the values we share
In our emails, sent once or twice a week, you'll receive: • alerts on new threats to Virginia's environment • opportunities to join other Virginians on urgent actions • updates on the decisions that impact our environment • resources to help you create a cleaner, greener future
- To breathe clean air and drink clean water
Polluters are breaking the law and, too often, the government fails to stop them. Over the past 25 years, our national litigation team has filed dozens of lawsuits against companies that dumped illegal amounts of pollution into our nation's air, rivers, bays and harbors — resulting in more than $250 million in court-ordered penalties and pollution reduction actions. With member support, Environment Virginia is holding polluters accountable. LEARN MORE
- To power our lives with 100% renewable energy
We're promoting a bold, clear vision of a greener, healthier world — one powered solely by energy harnessed from the sun and the wind. We're also taking steps to help build that future right now by encouraging campuses, cities, our state, and Congress to commit to 100% renewable energy. Already, more than 50 cities across the country have adopted that goal, along with universities from Colorado State to Cornell. LEARN MORE
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Our parks, forests, mountains, oceans and the wildlife that call them home help make this country special. Now they need our help, as bees die off by the millions, public lands and waters are opened up to drilling and mining, and plastic pollution in our oceans puts wildlife at risk. Environment Virginia is calling for bans on bee-killing pesticides and single-use plastic, and standing up for the wild places and creatures we love. LEARN MORE


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Oroville >> A doctor faces a felony fraud charge for allegedly creating a false document to get out of a speeding ticket.
During an appearance at Butte County Superior Court Thursday, Dr. Nickesh Pravin Shah, 46, of San Francisco, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on felony charges of preparing false evidence and offering false evidence at a trial, according to a press release from the Butte County District Attorney"s Office. Shah acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to send his case to a felony jury trial by waving his rights.
On April 3, 2013, Shah was driving at 95 mph on Highway 99 near Estates Drive when he was pulled over by a California Highway Patrol Officer, according to a press release from the District Attorney"s office. Shah told the officer he was on his way to a medical emergency, but the CHP officer called the clinic Shah worked for in Chico, and learned there was no medical emergency. Shah was just running late to work so he was cited for speeding, according to the press release.
Two weeks later, Shah allegedly fabricated a letter from the clinic claiming he was indeed going to a medical emergency and submitted it to the Butte County District Attorney"s Office for dismissal of the speeding ticket, according to the DA"s office.
A trial was held on Nov. 22, 2013 to determine if Shah had been speeding in April, and the alleged fabricated letter was introduced as evidence to excuse the ticket, according to the press release. The District Attorney"s Office showed the letter was fake and Shah was found guilty of speeding and fined $500.
On Jan. 10, the District Attorney"s Office filed charges for preparing false evidence and offering that same false evidence into trial.
On April 3, exactly one year after the speeding ticket, Shah will be back in court to set a date for his trial.
"Our office"s mission statement is to do justice, as no one is above the law nor beneath its protection," according to a statement from District Attorney Mike Ramsey. "Justice requires that we take seriously any attempt to subvert our court system by submitting false evidence. This doctor lied his way from a simple infraction and fine into a felony and potentially three years in county prison."


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A Brief history
Goren Farm has been in the family since 1955 and was farmed as an extensive dairy farm up until 1990. Since then the fields have been set to hay meadows to develop a natural balance with nature. No chemicals have been used on the farm and no fields have been ploughed in living memory.
Julian arrived at Goren in 2001; he was just 28, and had come from London where he had a career in IT and oil exploration. The farm belonged to an old family relative who had been living more or less as a recluse in a couple of rooms of the farmhouse which, although a listed building, was dangerously close to falling into dereliction. Julian had decided to come and live in this 70 acre plot of land and try to save the house and help Ken, but it was the meadows which were to shape the future path of both Goren Farm and Julian and his family.
What had struck him about these fields was the complexity and variety of plants growing in them. Having been raised in a Devon farming family, he knew the signs, and he was inspired. The native wildlife had flourished over the years, partly due to Ken's gentle and old fashioned approach. Rejecting modern farm machinery, all Ken had was a small blue tractor, a sickle, a billhook, a Devon shovel, a bowsaw and a mattock. Inspired by his meadow moment, and wanting to restore what remained of the formal gardens, Julian enrolled in a horticultural course at Bicton College. When a neighbour commented on the amount of weeds growing in the meadows, Julian began to wonder who might want the seeds and how he could utilise the diversity of native plant species growing naturally at Goren. It was only a matter of time before the wildflower business began.
The ecological balance in the fields has been complemented with a herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle and a small flock of Polled Dorset sheep. Hedgerows are managed to produce wood and allow a habitat for wildlife, as well as providing shelter for the farm animals. The orchards have been restored and replanted with new saplings among the veteran trees and cider is produced in the traditional way, filtered through straw. Now that the new trees bear fruit, apple juice has been brought into production too. The water supply for Goren originates from a spring line mire and is tapped using a labyrinth of stone drains buried under the fields. The walled area has been restored as a vegetable garden and some of the produce is sold locally. Most of the buildings date back to 1820 or earlier and have changed little. Careful restoration of these buildings is underway, utilising local materials and traditional methods.
The wildflower meadows are open to the public throughout June and events are held over the weekends with paths cut through the meadows to wander and enjoy - this is in collaboration with the National Garden Scheme and proceeds go to charity. Wildflower seed is harvested directly from the ancient meadows from 1st July and sold to private individuals, local community groups and the National Trust.
The farm uses enthusiastic volunteers throughout the year, recruited through the 'willing workers on organic farms' scheme, (WWOOF). The aim is to keep working the farm using the traditional methods and share the experience gained with customers and the community alike.
In 2009/10 Goren Farm was given a commendation in Britain's Most Beautiful Farm Awards at the House of Lords, which they were honoured to receive. This was awarded on merit for conservation, sustainability and profitability in farming.
Produce for sale
Typical diary of events throughout the year


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TITLE: ShichifukujinTITLE TRANSLATION: The seven gods of good luck. CALL NUMBER: FP 2 - JPD, no. 1461 (C size) [P&P]Restricted access; material extremely fragile; please use online digital image. REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-DIG-jpd-01642 (digital file from original print) RIGHTS INFORMATION: No known restrictions on publication. SUMMARY: Print shows the seven lucky gods in Japanese mythology. MEDIUM: 1 print : woodcut, color ; 36.5 x 24.9 cm (top panel), 37.9 x 24.9 cm (bottom panel) CREATED/PUBLISHED: [between 1830 and 1844] CREATOR: Utagawa, Toyokuni, 1786-1865, artist. NOTES: Title and other descriptive information compiled by Nichibunken-sponsored Edo print specialists in 2005-06. Format: vertical Oban Nishikie pillar print. Forms part of: Japanese prints and drawings (Library of Congress). SUBJECTS: Gods--Japan--1830-1850. FORMAT: Pillar prints 1830-1850.Ukiyo-e Japanese Color 1830-1850.Woodcuts Japanese Color 1830-1850. REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print DIGITAL ID: (digital file from original print) jpd 01642 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/jpd.01642 CONTROL #: 2008660446
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DeSoto, TX Real Estate
Population: 41,100 Live, work and play in DeSoto, a progressive community with a small-town feeling, rich in diversity and the cultural arts. Located in the "Best Southwest"- the southwest corner of Dallas County, DeSoto offers fine housing, friendly neighborhoods, a great school system, updated parks, restaurants and shopping. The City of DeSoto was honored to be named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2006. View Properties in this Community > Ebby Halliday Offices Serving this Community: Southwest Dallas/Ellis Co. > Other Ebby Offices > Education DeSoto Independent School District Area Colleges and Universities Cedar Valley College Dallas Baptist University Mountain View College Northwood Institute Paul Quinn College Southwestern Assemblies of God College Shopping Southwest Center Mall Unique Specialty Shops Plaza at Cedar Hill The Parks at Arlington...
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How to streamline your invoicing process
Small Business Guides
9 min read
Invoicing is an important part of small business accounting. But the payment process will always be problematic if you don't set up your invoices properly. So what can you do to ensure that invoicing is easy and your customers pay promptly and regularly?
Take the time to invoice properly
There's much more to invoicing than simply sending out requests for payment. The key is to get your invoicing process right from the start.
It's likely as a small business owner, you're short on time, with many other elements of your business to set up, maintain and monitor. But making the effort to get the payment process right at the beginning will pay off in the end – literally. When your invoicing process is efficient and pain free, it's likely that your cashflow will improve.
Develop the right mindset about getting paid
The majority of small business owners have worked as employees in the past, before deciding to set up their own company. The transition from employee to owner is not just practical and financial – it's also psychological. In addition to this, if you're having to now create invoices, you'll realise how much time it can take to create and send them.
Employees become used to being paid regularly without having to think about it. The money appears in their bank account or they receive a cheque on the date it's due. They never have to ask for payment – their pay simply arrives.
But business owners have to proactively chase payments – otherwise, they don't get paid. And for some people, this can be a difficult adjustment to make. Consciously, you know you're owed the money. But actually asking for it can feel daunting and stressful.
It's common for small business owners to initially feel cowed into a feeling of subservience when it comes to asking for payment – particularly in dealings with larger organisations. But the fact is, they have taken your time and/or your product. This means they have a legal and moral duty to pay you according to the agreed terms.
So don't be meek – be polite but firm. Your clients aren't doing you a favour by paying. They must pay you, no matter how big or small they are.
Keep accurate records of your work
You can't invoice if you don't have accurate records of the work you've done for your customers. Keep track of the time and materials expended on a client's project and make sure you invoice for everything!
Use time-tracking software and time-sheets if you need to record the number of hours or days spent on a project. Be sure to record all Bills of Materials too. Some software will handle this for you.
If you record the work done as you go, it will save you having to remember the details at a later date. It also means you'll be less likely to forget to include something in your invoice.
It's common for small business owners to initially feel cowed into a feeling of subservience when it comes to asking for payment.
Work out how regularly you want to invoice
Should you invoice regular clients on a monthly, fortnightly or weekly basis? It might depend on the type of work being done. For example, services contract work could be invoiced on a weekly basis, while a manufacturing project may be invoiced fortnightly or monthly. This is something to negotiate with your client.
However, be wary if a client insists on an invoicing interval longer than than a month. Unless the circumstances clearly justify it, that may mean they have cashflow issues.
Work out what your accepted payment methods will be
While some payment methods mean extra fees for your business, you should balance the costs against the ease of payment for your customers.
As a general rule, when you make it easier for your customers to pay, it will encourage them to pay sooner – and that's always a good outcome. For example, some accounting software will add a 'Pay now' option to online invoices if you've integrated a payment service like PayPal. This means that you can send customers invoices online with the option of getting paid instantly.
It's possible to differentiate yourself further by accepting new crypto-currencies like Bitcoin and other alternative methods of internet money transfer. However, at the moment it seems that many businesses doing this are more interested in the publicity than the practicalities. The exchange rate to 'real' currencies can be wildly variable.
Clearly define your payment terms
Make sure you define your invoice payment terms clearly on all invoices, for example "14 days from date of invoice" or similar. Put the actual due date for payment on the invoice too. Don't leave your clients to calculate when 14 days from the 23rd February happens to be.
You can remind them of penalties for late payment and let them know exactly how much more it will cost if the payment isn't on time.
But often a more effective approach, is to offer a small discount for early payment. This sounds more positive and your clients are likely to respond more quickly.
Be human when you invoice
It seems like a small gesture, but often talking to the people in the accounts departments of the companies you're invoicing can make a difference. All it takes is a polite phone call to introduce yourself as the primary contact for payment matters.
This will often achieve much more than bland emails sent to people who don't know who you are. A small investment of your time talking to the people who make the payments could prove invaluable to you. It may also help smooth out any payment problems that arise in the future, and it might even get you more work.
Invoice as soon as the work is done
It might sound silly, but some companies forget to invoice for smaller jobs due to the pressure of work and being short on time. They may also leave it for months and then start going through their records to check what they're owed.
This is an inefficient way to run a business because it damages cashflow and reduces revenue from work that's already been completed.
Also, if the invoice date drifts too far from the work that was carried out, your client may have some awkward accounts reconciliation to do. This is because the two events may fall into different tax years. So always invoice promptly, or as soon as the agreed work has been completed.
Invoicing should become a fundamental part of your business operations. Some accounting software will schedule invoices automatically for you, and even create and print them or email them to your clients.
Be taken seriously and create professional-looking invoices
At its most basic, an invoice is a written demand for payment. In theory it could contain nothing more than your company's name and address and the amount owed. In practice you should include much more information than that if you want your business to be taken seriously.
10 items to include on your invoice
- Full names and address
Your full company name and address and your client's full company name and address.
- Invoice date and reference numbers
The date of the invoice and your invoice number or unique reference number for the work you've carried out. Ask for this to be used for payments, so you can reconcile accounts easily. You also need to include your customer's job number, purchase order number, sales order number or other reference, so they know exactly what they're being invoiced for.
- The name of the person responsible for processing the invoice
This might not be the person you deal with on a work basis. A common mistake is to address invoices to the wrong person, which can delay payment.
- An entry for sales taxes
In most cases, enter a separate entry for sales taxes which you must account for and pay to the government. Professional accounting software will handle this for you automatically, and also keep track of these payments and receipts so that you can fill in your return for the tax office.
- Legal requirements
These will vary from country to country and state to state, so check the law that applies and make sure you include everything they specify. You may need to include details such as the names of all the company's directors, the company registration number, the company's sales tax number and the registered company address (which may not be the same as the trading address).
- Discounts
Include any discounts you've agreed with the customer.
- Cost details
Add a column showing:
- details of the number of items or hours/days chargeable.
- the cost per item or hour/day, aligned with the above entries.
- the total amount for each entry, with an overall total at the bottom.
- The invoice total
The grand total payable including sales taxes and discounts.
- The invoice due date
The date that you need payment by. Make sure this is very clear.
- The payment methods you accept
Payment methods, including your bank account details, and payment terms.
Good quality accounting software will have templates to help you to generate invoices with all the necessary information. This is an advantage because you won't need any design or layout skills to produce professional-looking well-designed invoices.
Keep track of late payers
Once invoices have been issued, keep track of who's paid and who hasn't. Chase the ones who haven't, though again it's usually best to do this politely.
Good accounting software can provide ageing reports that will break down what you're owed in order of age of invoice, showing you at a glance who owes you money and how much. It may also let you send emails to the slowest payers, so you can remind them of your payment terms and the due date. Some accounting software will also show you when your customer opened the invoice online. Customers won't be able to pretend they haven't received your invoice when you can see they opened it weeks ago!
Break down large jobs into smaller invoices
If you're working on a project that involves a significant amount of your company's time and/or expenditure in materials costs, it's worth invoicing in chunks. As an example, you could do one-third up-front, one-third halfway through the job and one-third on completion.
You can negotiate with your client to decide on deposit and balance payments that suit you both. That way, if your customer runs into financial problems part way through the project, you won't lose everything they owe you, or all the time and money you've spent doing the work.
Invoice foreign companies correctly
Your business may have clients in other countries. And even if your client's office is in the same country as you, their bank might not be, especially if they're a multinational corporation. Standard bank account numbers are designed to allow bank transfers within the same country, so they won't work for transfers between banks in two different countries.
For that you'll need internationally valid account numbers such as IBAN, BIC or SWIFT codes. Your bank will be able to tell you which of these codes to use for your business account. Make sure you include them on your invoices.
Choose the right currency to invoice in
You might find that a complex aspect of invoicing foreign companies is deciding which currency to use. Usually you would decide this as part of contract negotiations with a new client. The most important things to consider are bank charges and exchange rate fluctuations.
Banks charge fees to send money in different currencies, and their exchange rates are rarely the best available. So your client may end up paying twice – once for the bank fee, once via the exchange rate. You may decide, as part of your contract with that client, to share the costs out of goodwill or agree to use a currency exchange firm. However, you should take financial advice first.
Good accounting software will allow you to account for invoice payments in multiple currencies and to/from different countries. It will also allow the application of sales taxes which are often zero-rated or low-rated for foreign clients, but must still be accounted for in your records.
Get the process humming, and you'll get paid faster
This might all seem like a lot to think about. But once your invoicing process is properly set up, it should run smoothly and without too much intervention.
A combination of the right attitude, processes and accounting software will help you to invoice your clients properly, and encourage them to pay you on time.


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Where Does Zinfandel Come From?
Red zinfandel is a wine that comes from the zinfandel grape, a popular choice to grow in California. The grape is easy to grow in the mild climate and thrives in the wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma. The resulting wine is high in acidity with a moderate level of tannins and a juicy, fruity flavor from being grown in the warm California sunshine. This combination gives it a bold taste that appeals to those who like a bigger flavor in their wine. It also tends to have a higher alcohol content than other reds and one that is especially higher than white zinfandel, which has a much milder flavor.
How to Drink Red Zinfandel
Red zinfandel pairs well with many meat dishes like poultry, pork and spicy barbecue flavors. It also works well as an accompaniment to garlic, pepper, saffron and other strong spices. The mild sweetness of the wine makes it ideal for a versatile wine to keep in the home for various dinner pairings. Many people explain the taste of red zinfandel as having flavors of citrus and cherry while also giving off notes of berry, star anise and black pepper.
At TheLiquorStore.com, we have a large selection of red zinfandel and other red wines. Our prices are excellent, and we offer our customers expert advice on finding the right wine or spirits for their dinner parties or celebrations. Check out our site to view over 3,000 different varieties of wine, spirits and related gifts for any occasion.
When you're looking for an intense flavor, make zinfandel your wine of choice. What makes this red wine so special is the choice of grapes. They have black skins, which contribute to the wine's robust flavors. TheLiquorStore.com is proud to carry these unique wines so that you can impress your family and friends at the next gathering.
Frey Zinfandel 750ml$14.99
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Top flight deals to Phuket (HKT)*
Fly to Phuket with KLM
Together with our global network, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers flights to Phuket serving Phuket International Airport (HKT). If you have any questions about your upcoming flight to Phuket, you can ask us a question at any time of the day or night on Facebook Messenger, Twitter or WhatsApp!
Top Phuket attractions
- The Phuket Trickeye Museum: an interactive 3D painting museum, exhibition space & tourist attraction featuring large trompe l'oeil wall paintings.
- Old Phuket Town: a historic district where you will find shrines, temples, ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, and impromptu private and public museums.
- Phromthep Cape: a picturesque cape and lookout point known for its stunning sea views, especially at sunset.
- Thai Boxing (Muay Thai): why not watch a match in the home of this martial art?
- Naka Market: a fascinating jumble of second-hand goods, curios, pirated items, live animals and a large amount of great local food to sample.
- Phang Nga Bay: a stunning natural landscape with emerald-green waters.
- Big Buddha: a 45-m tall white marble statue on the mountain, offering panoramic views of the island.
- Phuket FantaSea: this is a cultural theme park which opens in the evenings.
- Phi Phi Island: a group of beautiful islands featuring classic tropical beaches, stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life.
- Wat Chalong Temple: the most important Buddhist temple in Phuket.
As the largest island in Thailand, Phuket is a very popular tourist destination for people from all over the world, and it's no wonder. Phuket has everything you could dream of for your holiday: beautiful beaches, wonderful sightseeing, wild nightlife, nature activities, delicious food, and ancient cultural traditions.
What's the best way to get around Phuket?
As a popular tourist destination, Phuket has many different options for getting around. Be wary, as both can be very expensive on the island; look for metered taxis if possible, and negotiate rates. There are also local buses (songthaews), which run from Phuket Town to the beaches around the island. Alternatively, you can rent a car or motorbike for greater freedom to explore.
What's the weather in Phuket?
It will usually feel like summer when you're in Phuket, as it is located close to the equator. The average high is 32°C (90°F), and the average 'low' is 25°C (77°F). You might experience bouts of rain during the monsoon season in September and October; but with average temperatures of 28°C (82°F), the rain will cool you down! The dry season is from December to March, and the wet season is from April to November. You can do most of the activities any time of the year, as it usually rains only once or twice during the rainy months.
Weather in Phuket
Powered by: OpenWeatherMap.org
28 °CThursday13/08/2020
29 °CFriday14/08/2020
29 °CSaturday15/08/2020
29 °CSunday16/08/2020
28 °CMonday17/08/2020
28 °CTuesday18/08/2020
29 °CWednesday19/08/2020
*All amounts are in EUR. Taxes and surcharges are included. No booking fee is applicable, but a payment surcharge may apply. Prices shown may vary depending on fare availability. You will see the final amount when selecting your payment method.


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Top flight deals to Mumbai (BOM)*
Fly to Mumbai with KLM
Together with our global network, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers flights to Mumbai, serving Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM). With our convenient departure and arrival times, you'll be sure to make the most of your trip to Mumbai, so book your tickets with us today!
Top Mumbai/Bombay attractions
- Taj Mahal: India's second-most photographed monument and a fairy-tale blend of architectural styles.
- Gateway of India: a 20th-century monument overlooking the Arabian Sea.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: a historic railway station and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park: a beautiful park which covers more than 100 km2.
- Elephanta Island: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Elephanta Caves.
Mumbai (known formerly as Bombay) is the largest city in India. This densely populated metropolis on India's west coast is the centre of Bollywood, the incredibly popular Hindi-language film industry. You'll find the world's most expensive home in Mumbai. Soak up the magnificent architecture, and wander off the beaten track to discover hidden gems like temples and bazaars. You'll be so taken with the sheer excitement and buzz of the city that you won't want to leave! For extra tips, hotspots and much more, take a look at our great travel guide for Mumbai.
What's the best way to get around Mumbai?
Explore the city on foot for an authentic experience, or take a train or a double-decker bus when you need to rest your legs. The bus service in Mumbai is considered to be the best in India, connecting every corner of the vast city. If you're feeling particularly brave, you could even try an auto rickshaw ride!
What's the weather in Mumbai/Bombay?
Don't pack your favourite jumper, because Mumbai is known for its heat and high levels of humidity. Monsoon season lasts from June to August, while the rest of the year stays very dry and warm - around 24-30°C (75-86°F).
Weather in Mumbai
Powered by: OpenWeatherMap.org
27 °CFriday14/08/2020
27 °CSaturday15/08/2020
28 °CSunday16/08/2020
28 °CMonday17/08/2020
28 °CTuesday18/08/2020
28 °CWednesday19/08/2020
28 °CThursday20/08/2020
*All amounts are in EUR. Taxes and surcharges are included. No booking fee is applicable, but a payment surcharge may apply. Prices shown may vary depending on fare availability. You will see the final amount when selecting your payment method.


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Proceedings of the conference "Nature Conservation Beyond 2010" : May 27-29, Tallinn, 2010
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2010)
HISTORY OF NATURE CONSERVATION IN ESTONIA. The historical development of nature conservation ideas can be divided into a number of phases. A simple division identi - fies five phases in the international development of ...


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Since the 2010 report was transmitted to Congress on August 5, 2010, two laws were enacted that are expected to have direct financial effects on the OASDI program.The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, Public Law 111-240, was enacted on September 27, 2010. It allows business owners to deduct the cost of health insurance incurred in 2010 for themselves and their family members when calculating their 2010 self-employment taxable income. The amount of self-employment taxes collected by the combined OASI and DI Trust Funds is estimated to be reduced by about $1.3 billion in calendar year 2011. The financial effect of this law over the long-range period is estimated to be negligible.The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-312, was enacted on December 17, 2010. Two provisions of this law directly affect the financial status of the OASDI program. First, this law extended the temporary lowering of Federal income tax rates scheduled through tax year 2010 for two additional years, through 2012. This first provision is expected to have a small financial impact over the short-range period and a negligible financial impact over the long-range period, due to reduced taxes paid on OASDI benefits in 2011 and 2012. Second, this law reduced the OASDI payroll tax rate for 2011 by 2 percentage points for employees and for self-employed workers. This law provides for reimbursements from the General Fund of the Treasury to the OASI and DI Trust Funds to make up for the reduction in payroll tax revenue. Therefore, this second provision is estimated to have no financial impact on the OASDI program over the short-range and long-range periods.The financial projections shown in this report include the effects of these laws. Sections IV.A.4 and IV.B.7 of this report provide further analysis of the nature and magnitude of the effect of these laws on the financial status of the OASDI program.
|SSA Home | Privacy Policy | Website Policies & Other Important Information | Site Map | Actuarial Publications
|May 13, 2011


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Last week I went to see The SpeakEasy Stage production of Other Desert Cities. The play tells a story of a once promising young novelist who has returned home after several years to celebrate Christmas with her family in Palm Springs, CA. However, the daughter's return home turns tense after she announces that she's published a tell all memoir about a family tragedy from the past.
The narrative of family tensions and travails are things we can all relate to, but the depth of the frustrations and personal tragedy addressed are thankfully uncharted territory for me. The humorous lines interspersed and mostly delivered by the role of recovering alcoholic, Aunt/Sister played by Nancy Carroll go a long way to release that tension and provide many unexpected laughs. Leaving the theater, I was left with the thought, we all need to be a bit more forgiving because reality isn't always what it seems. If that message strikes home for you as well, you may want to go see this production.
Other Desert Cities performances run through Saturday, February 9th. You may purchase tickets at The Calderwood Pavilion box office on Tremont Street in the South End or by phone, 617-933-8600 or online at SpeakEasyStage.com.


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Knit your own case
A cute little case for your Fuji camera. This only takes a couple hours at the most, including sewing on some decoration and adding the snap fasteners.
The stitches you need to know are casting on, knit, purl and casting off. If you don't know how to do any of these stitches I advise you to search for a video tutorial. YouTube is usually a good source for this.
This is an ideal gift because you can use left over yarns and spare sequins and beads from other projects to decorate.
Here is how I did it.


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If Americans needed any further evidence of the blatant bias and disregard for the truth displayed by the increasingly discredited establishment press, the coverage — or lack thereof — of two recent demonstrations in Washington, D.C., provided a perfect illustration. One tiny protest was seeking more gun control and was promptly plastered all over the front pages. The other march, which was virtually ignored by the press despite record-breaking attendance, sought protection for the lives of unborn children.
On Friday, as The New American reported, more than 500,000 people, according to reliable estimates, converged on the capital for the annual pro-life March for Life. They came from all across the country in support of protecting the lives of unborn children to mark the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which improperly purported to legalize the killing of babies by inventing "rights" not listed in the Constitution or anywhere else.
Despite the massive size of the historic march, the media barely noticed it. According to the non-partisan Media Research Center, the marches did not garner a single "syllable of coverage" from ABC or CBS. While ABC could not find the time to mention the demonstration for life on Friday evening, though, it was certainly not because there were too many other critical stories to tell.
"Anchor Diane Sawyer made time for an update on the supposed controversy over complaints Subway's 'foot-long' subs are sometimes only eleven inches long. Horrors," noted Brent Baker, vice president for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. "Sawyer allocated 28 seconds to this."
There were plenty of newsworthy events going on at the March for Life, too. "Can a nation long endure that does not respect the sanctity of life?" asked U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), one of the many lawmakers who spoke at the rally. "Can a nation conceived in liberty carry its head high if it denies protection to the youngest and most vulnerable of its citizens?"
If the record-breaking march complete with top national leaders was mentioned at all in newspapers, it was barely a footnote. The few outlets that did cover it often used pictures of a few pro-abortion supporters to illustrate the article, drawing fury from readers. Many media outlets did not a have a single word about the massive demonstration at all.
In fact, the huge story was ignored so completely that it never even hit the "top stories" section in Google news, offering further proof that the establishment press all but ignored the enormous demonstration. Most of the major papers and "media" outlets simply pretended like the March for Life never happened.
Imagine, though, if over 500,000 people had marched on Washington for higher taxes on the rich, gun control, in support of killing babies, or other statist causes. Analysts say the press would have been all over it for weeks, asking lawmakers why they were ignoring the will of the people. When more than half-a-million Americans demand an end to the legalized slaughter of millions of babies, however, not even a peep was heard from most of the establishment press.
Compare that media coverage to the attention lavished on a pitifully miniscule "march" the next day demanding more infringements on the unalienable right to keep and bear arms, which was the top story on Google news for hours. When "thousands" of people — some media estimates acknowledge fewer than 1,000 actually participated in the demonstration despite other claims — the tiny event favoring more restrictions on the Second Amendment became instant front-page news across America, complete with lies and distortions about the numbers in attendance.
USA Today, the largest newspaper by readership in America, had its homepage covered with articles about the "puny" rally. "Thousands rally in Washington for gun control," read the headline of the paper, which was quickly ridiculed in the comment section of the article. "Despite chilly temperatures and snow-covered ground, supporters came from around the country came to make their statement," the paper "reported," despite the same chilly temperatures endured by hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers assembled the day before that never got mentioned. CNN and every other "mainstream" media source had similar lies about the numbers in attendance while acting as virtual cheerleaders for the cause.
The Washington Post, while celebrating the rally in prominent articles, offered a slightly more realistic estimate on the numbers, saying "nearly 1,000 people" had joined the march. CBS was also more accurate when it said that "close to a thousand" had demanded more restrictions on unalienable rights. Analysts, and especially gun rights supporters and pro-life activists, however, ridiculed the press for putting its hostile and deceptive bias on full display for the world, helping to further discredit the already widely mistrusted establishment media.
In a series of exposés, the Media Research Center, which recently said the media elites were "unhinged," pointed to the complete silence on the March for Life compared with the attention showered on its pet causes. Despite ignoring the pro-lifers on Friday, "on Saturday night, both [ABC and CBS] newscasts highlighted a pro-gun control protest in DC which CBS anchor Jim Axelrod pegged at drawing 'close to a thousand people,'" the MRC's Baker wrote.
The same phenomenon was observed last year and, basically, every year that hundreds of thousands of Americans have converged on D.C. to protest legalized abortion, even though polls show most Americans are now pro-life. Even some members of the establishment press have admitted their overt bias when dealing with pro-life causes, yet they continue to masquerade as "unbiased" reporters.
"I think that when abortion opponents complain about a bias in newsrooms against their cause, they're absolutely right," Boston Globe legal reporter Ethan Bronner was quoted as saying by the Los Angeles Times in 1990. "Opposing abortion, in the eyes of most journalists ... is not a legitimate, civilized position in our society."
Indeed, MRC has published a collection of some of the most outrageous quotes from the establishment press regarding their hostility toward pro-life causes. It also pointed to polls of "mainstream" journalists showing that they are way outside the "mainstream" when it comes to their far-left views — over 90 percent of the nation's "top journalists," the so-called "media elite," supported legalized killing of children.
Considering just the two examples from this weekend, it is hardly a surprise that Americans no longer trust the establishment press. In fact, according to a Gallup survey released in September of last year, the distrust of the media has reached a new record — 60 percent of Americans now have little or no trust in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly.
Among Republicans, only one fourth trusted the media, along with 31 percent of independents. Democrats appear to be the most gullible, with over 50 percent saying they trust the press. Still, the media's credibility ratings are cratering faster than their advertising revenue and readership figures.
"Media sources must clearly do more to earn the trust of Americans, the majority of whom see the media as biased one way or the other," Gallup said about its poll results. "At the same time, there is an opportunity for others outside the 'mass media' to serve as information sources that Americans do trust."
As the phony, media-drive gun-control "debate" continues, and as the press continues to ignore the grievances of millions of Americans to push the establishment's anti-liberty and anti-American agenda instead, those numbers are likely to continue plummeting. Out of the ashes of what critics have started calling the "lamestream media" or the "dinosaur press," however, the alternative media are rising, growing by leaps and bounds even as the deceitful establishment "news" outlets continue their death spiral into irrelevance.
Photos: AP Images
Related articles:
Record Half-million Rally for Annual D.C. Pro-Life March
Media "Talking to Itself" on Gun Control
Outrage as Media Exposed Allowing Romney, Obama Camps to Censor News
Media Research Center Celebrates 25 Years of Exposing Media Bias
Elites Push Government-funded "Public" Media
Lame & Lamer: Media Excuses for Ignoring a Surging Ron Paul
Media Bias: Demonizing the Right
Media Censorship of Pro-life Rallies Backfiring
Media Censors Huge Pro-Life Event (No Surprise Here!)
New York Times a "Propaganda Megaphone" for War, Says Former Reporter
Newsweek's Last Print Issue Is December 31


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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Weekending & A GiveawayJuly 27, 2015
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90 comments
Wow, looks like a fabulous weekend. That hotel looks amazing! And so cool you got to meet Kate! Hopefully I get to meet her later this year, woohoo!!! Love your green dress and the lil one getting her nails done is so cute! Have a fabulous Monday, gorgeous!ReplyDelete
Your weekend looks great--so glad you and Kate had a good time! That view is beautiful!! :)ReplyDelete
I love that your niece just wanted to spend time with you for her birthday--that in and of itself is a gift...so sweet! :)
You guys have so many amazing roof top bars, it's so unfair! We have like one... if you really count it as a roof top lol! Your new Target looks amazing! Our sells wine and beer too and I love that they have the mini Sofia cans. So cute! And glad you finally got to meet up with Kate!! Happy Monday!!ReplyDelete
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Love that Monday quote and your olive shirtdress. So much fun at the rooftop bar. =)ReplyDelete
WOW, those rooftop views are gorgeous!! Looks like another great weekend :)ReplyDelete
Annie Reeves
Can I say Amazing weekend with a capitol A!!! Your niece is precious, what a great auntie you are! And look at you and Kate all model gorgeous and your model husbands too, can't forget them! Your dress is fabulous! Clean and Eat is a perfect Sunday to me!! Happy Monday, may this week be terrific!!ReplyDelete
Ohhh I want some pink Relax!! I've never seen that before! I'm so happy that you got a Target! Only of my only requests when house hunting was that it was within 10 mins of a Target lol. I saw on Kate's Snapchat that she was in Boston but I didn't know you guys met up - that is so awesome! Happy Monday!!ReplyDelete
All the things you take for granted when you don't live in a city anymore. I remember how much I missed running and parking at Target or actually being able to just drive to my hair appointment. I do remember when I moved to Fl as was like "there is seriously alcohol in every single establishment I walk into....even a CVS!" Looks like you had a wonderful weekend!!! Yeah for Blogger meet up!!! Can't wait for ours in like less than 2 weeks crazy!!!!ReplyDelete
So sweet that your niece just wanted to spend time together! YAY for the new Target!!ReplyDelete
love that you got to meet her! she is the best! and who doesn't love mexican food? nom! we have one of those in Atl. and omg a new target--sign me up!ReplyDelete
What a wonderful weekend!! The rooftop bar looks amazing!! Pretty neat you were able to spend so much time with other bloggers :) I also love that you spent quality time with your niece- so special!!ReplyDelete
The view on the rooftop bar looks amazing! So awesome you got to meet up with Kate. Your nieces braid came out awesome, good job! A little pampering is always a good thing!ReplyDelete
It looks like it was such a fun weekend! Love that you had the chance to get your nails done together, what a great memory!ReplyDelete
Looks like a fun weekend!! You always find the best views!!! Yay for a Target!!! That is exciting!!ReplyDelete
Your weekend looks great!ReplyDelete
Radiofrecuencia facial
I have those earrings but instead of turquoise they're pearl white.ReplyDelete
yay for a target! so fun. all that food looks ahhhmazing. and how sweet are you to spend one on one time with your niece! looks like a fabulous weekend.ReplyDelete
The rooftop pool looks absolutely amazing!! Sounds like the perfect weekend in the city!!ReplyDelete
ahh city targets are the best! nothing like having alcohol AND all the things at your disposal. also give me all the lobster rolls please! i found a place near my office that has amazing ones and i thought of you when i had one last week! and lastly - looks like a fun time was had with kate and loomis! so fun to meet fellow bloggers. :)ReplyDelete
What a fun event! It looks like you had an amazing weekend!ReplyDelete
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Mini champagne bottles are definitely necessary, they'd be the perfect thing to stick in a picnic basket! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend, that rooftop looks like such a fun spot!ReplyDelete
prosecco in the park
I want to go to a city target! Never been! I like target more than any other store, I mean they just have it all! I could spend hours walking around hahaReplyDelete
Omg all that food looks amazing! And lobster rolls! I love a good rooftop bar! I wish we had more here in Orlando! Such a fun weekend!ReplyDelete
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Looks like you had such a fun weekend! Good work on your niece's fish tail braid! That food looks glorious!ReplyDelete
What a nice weekend - I think it's adorable how you and your niece did something together for her birthday! I envy all you aunties out there. :) Hooray for Target, that store seriously looks amazing. Glad you and Kate got to meet up, too! Happy Monday!ReplyDelete
What a fun weekend!! How awesome that Kate and you got to meet up!! Loving those mini bottles of pink moscato, a fave of mine.ReplyDelete
What a fun weekend. Rosa Mexicano is so good. so jealous that you checked out the new target. I cannot wait to go. That is so fab that they have wine. Glad you and your niece had a nice time together. Miniluxe is such a great place, I recognized the nail polish display. Lol.ReplyDelete
Those are some great skyline views of Boston- I'll have to go there next time!! Glad you had a great weekend- I know you've been looking forward to that Target opening :)ReplyDelete
Your weekend sounds perfect!! I want a city Target. They should open one in Philly. lol That would be pretty close by to where we are. The mini champagne bottles are soooo adorable! I see you're totally the cool aunt! I bet your niece just loves spending time with you! Great job on the braid! Happy Monday!! xoReplyDelete
All your food pictures look AMAZING! I am so hungry now. :)ReplyDelete
What a fun weekend! I love meeting blogger friends in real life :)ReplyDelete
That rooftop pool looks awesome! Yay for city Target!! Love all your pretty pink things :) Glad you had a good weekend girl!ReplyDelete
Yay for meeting blogger friends! Cool about City Target! What makes City Target different from regular Target!?ReplyDelete
Such a great weekend! I was basically drooling over your Insta of the brand new Target; is there anything better?! What a fun aunt you are, too!! It looks like you ladies had so much fun Saturday night! I love blogger meet ups! When we get to Boston one of these days!!ReplyDelete
I love your niece just wanted to spend time with you... that's precious.ReplyDelete
& my 10 yr old niece is OBSESSED with mani & Pedi's :)
What a great weekend! I got to spend part of the weekend with 2/3 of my nieces, too! They are the best, aren't they?ReplyDelete
Sounds like a great weekend...PS I have a Target OBSESSION!ReplyDelete
omg - that shrimp. Mmmmm! How cute is it that you spent quality time with your niece pampering. She'll always remember that I'm sure! and I WISH my target sold alcohol. That would make my life SO much easier :)ReplyDelete
trish - tales from trish
awww i love that you spent time w/ your niece for her bday. so sweet! i love doing that with my little cousins.ReplyDelete
So sweet that you and your niece had a fun date! That hotel is gorgeous and yay for the Target! I spend way too much time (and money) there!ReplyDelete
xo Southern Style
So fun! I love rooftop bars. Your niece looks precious-i'm sure she enjoyed the qt :)ReplyDelete
xoxo, Traci
I saw those pics of you and Kate on Insta! Love it! How fun it is to hang with blog friends in real life? I wish we could have a big conference for our whole group, lol!ReplyDelete
The food and presentation at your blogger event looks phenomenal! What I would do for a lobster roll right now! lol Sounds like you and Kate had an awesome dinner and night together. So glad you two got to meet while she was there! Rooftop drinks are the best when you're in the city.ReplyDelete
Such a fun weekend! Those lobster rolls look amazing and jealous of your fun blate! XxReplyDelete
looks like an awesome weekend, and that food, YUM!! the sofia champagne cans are amazing, I take them to the beach every time I go!ReplyDelete
Ok the presentation of the food really was on point!! Love that you had a great weekend!ReplyDelete
Sounds like such a great weekend! And how fun to spend the day with your niece getting pampered. Her braid is so cute! Love those fun office supplies, too! Happy Monday!ReplyDelete
xo, Rachel
What a perfect weekend you had! The target opening might have to be my favorite – that's a game changer! Meeting Kate must have been a blast too. I love rooftops and that sounds like such a fun event.ReplyDelete
I'm drooling over that seafood ! and YAY for new Targets !ReplyDelete
I love Target, soooo much. I go there at least once a week for my "staples". Yes, I could buy cat food somewhere else but why would I when I can get booze, shoes and a bunch of other things there??ReplyDelete
I LOVE Target! I bet that was super exciting! That rooftop pool is so breathtaking and that is such a gorgeous shot! Your niece is absolutely adorable and so happy to hear that you both had such a great time!ReplyDelete
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
what a fun weekend and how great that your niece just wanted to spend time with you - that is so special! The city Target looks awesome - there isn't anything better then a good trip to Target!ReplyDelete
I can't tell you many times I shopped for "office supplies I didn't need'! Lol! It's like, a thing for me. And it's usually from Target's dollar section! They get me every time!ReplyDelete
So awesome that you and Kate got to meet!!!!!!!!! City Target sounds fabulous, as does that food tasting that you got to go to. I haven't had a hot dog in so long. I really want one now!!! And Mexican. I always want Mexican. mmm!!! Good job on the fish tail braid!! I suck so hard at hair. Have a great week!!!ReplyDelete
I want to go to that new Target! I've been to the one in Chicago and it's so cool!ReplyDelete
I'd do anything to prance around that Target. Yes, prance, like a kid in a candy store. (; I REALLY love that olive colored dress you were rocking in these photos. What a lovely giveaway!ReplyDelete
Looks like a great weekend and how awesome that you got to meet up with Kate! Those mini lobster and hot dog rolls look amazing! xo Winks and EyerollsReplyDelete
Awww, you're such a great auntie! I saw your lobster roll post on IG and my mouth started watering. YUM! We're coming to Boston and then going out to Cape Cod in mid-Sept and I'm pretty excited to stuff my face with some delish lobster rolls!ReplyDelete
I saw some of your photos on instagram and was super excited to see what you did over the weekend. I love those wine bottles, I'd probably buy those just to have them, not to drink them. That's great you got to see Kate, I haven't actually met anyone from blogging in the real world, but I feel like I've made so many friends from blogging.ReplyDelete
liz @ sundays with sophie
Looks like a great weekend! Super jealous of your city Target and those sofia champagne bottles!ReplyDelete
Yayyyyyy for City Target! The excitement level for the grand opening must have been through the roof! And that event looked amazing, such amazing presentation of all the yummy food. And YAY for finally meeting up, so much fun with you pretty lady! And the views from the roof top bar were incredible, so gorgeous up there. Hoping we see each other again soon :)ReplyDelete
My Target has groceries too and I love it! Need to look for all those mini bottles of alcohol just because they are cute and pink... want! My daughters and I are obsessed with pretty office/school supplies. It must be genetic:) Cheers!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 27, 2015 at 1:41 PM
Ok, so your new Target gives me major anxiety but makes me insanely happy all at the same time. Such a cute bday outing with your niece! And what also makes ma happy...new school supplies!! And now I want a mini champs ;)ReplyDelete
The rooftop event looks spectacular! I love the view and that pool is a must! And who knew there was a city Target! Love it! XOReplyDelete
I wish we still had Target here -- it came to Canada and left so fast! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend -- love the display of food and the skyline view :)ReplyDelete
YAY for the City Target!! We have one here right in the Loop (along with a few others in the city) and it's awesome. That rooftop looks fab too, those views are beautiful! I'm glad that you had a fun weekend!! :-)ReplyDelete
OMG I didn't know "Relax" came in PINK!!!! I need to find that immediately - it's adorable, and probably so yummy!ReplyDelete
xoxo Danielle
For the Love of Leopard
CIty Targets change the world!!ReplyDelete
What a FUN weekend! So much good food, gosh I'm drooling! ;) And I love meeting bloggers from all over- blogging seriously is the best!!ReplyDelete
Such a great round up, Biana! The Mexican food looks amazing!ReplyDelete
Wishes & Reality
Sounds like you had such a fun weekend! I totally agree that one of the best parts about blogging is making new friends and meeting amazing people! ;)ReplyDelete
Thirteen Thoughts
SUCH a fun weekend!! So great that you and Kate were able to meet up! I'm still bummed I wasn't able to tag along on Nick's work trip to Boston this summer but I'm going to get there sooner rather than later ;) And of course, yayayay for Target!ReplyDelete
Oh fun! I loveee blogger meet ups! It's always so neat to meet the girls whose blogs you read on the daily! Those earrings have my name written all over them :) ps did you get my email by chance? I think you replied a few times but it probably got lost in your inbox! Let me know if i should resend:)ReplyDelete
xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants
Oh what fun! I love the mini Pink Moscato that you got. I could see myself buying one of those too. I just love all things pink with a touch of gold too! Belated happy birthday to your niece, her fishtail braid looks awesome!ReplyDelete
i remember when chicago opened their city target! it was SO exciting! i still love the location of that one :) so happy you had a great weekend and hoooray for blates! xo jillian - cornflake dreamsReplyDelete
Love these pictures! How fun you got to hang out with a blogger! Looks like a fun weekend!ReplyDelete
Sounds like such a fun weekend! Those roof top views are stunning!ReplyDelete
What a great weekend, I'm sure you'll be making tons of future trips to that Target!! That Colonnade Hotel rooftop looks amazing and a perfect way to spend a summer evening. Have a great week!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 27, 2015 at 10:28 PM
Grocery stores in Massachusetts don't usually sell alcohol? Are there specific liquor/wine stores?ReplyDelete
That rooftop bar is gorgeous! I would love to spend an evening there. I have never heard of City Target. How is different from regular Target?ReplyDelete
That rooftop pool and that food looks amazing! So much fun stuff to do in Boston. And I've never even heard of City Target (since I don't live in a city) but yay for a new one! Hope you had a great time with your niece...you can't ask for anything better than one on one time!ReplyDelete
I spy fancy hotdogs at the top. Love your olive colored dress!ReplyDelete
My goodness, I'm jealous of your weekends! I wish Kevin liked to go out. That food looked delicious. My friend was in Maine last week and did a day trip into Boston and ate lobster rolls! Yum!ReplyDelete
This seems like an awesome event. I haven't been to a rooftop bar in Boston yet and it's something I miss a lot about NYC. The food looks awesome too. Glad you had a good weekend.ReplyDelete
girl meets world
This makes me miss Boston; it's really a beautiful city. And speaking of a city, City Target? There's one here, in downtown Los Angeles, that puts a dent in my wallet every weekend!ReplyDelete
I seriously feel jealousy in my heart about your new city Target! A-MAZING!!!!!!ReplyDelete
I had breakfast with a former Mass friend when I was reading through this yesterday and she started reminiscing about the first time she visited a Target outside of the city. In the midwest you have to travel to the bigger areas to go to one, the small towns don't always even have a walmart or a real grocery store! Love all the pink drinks and that your niece wanted to just spend a girls day with you. *heart clench*ReplyDelete
All that food looks amazing! I miss Target! We don't have one on Guam so I miss out on all the cute stuff!ReplyDelete
That rooftop bar is absolutely amazing! Such a great spot. And I love a Target! Hope you're having a great week! xoReplyDelete
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