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MARTIN Olsson looks set to be out of action for at least a month after suffering a freak training ground injury on Friday.
Rovers' Swedish international missed this afternoon's draw at home to Leeds after taking a ball to the eye yesterday, with Appleton revealing he could be facing a month on the sidelines.
Colin Kazim-Richards will have a scan on Monday after limping out of this afternoon's clash with an ankle injury, with Dickson Etuhu and Lee Williamson already ruled out for the next month at least.
Rovers struggled to create too much this afternoon as they remain seven points adrift of the Championship top six.
Manager Michael Appleton, said: "I thought it was a good game to watch and a good game to be involved in, even though the scoreline didn't suggest that.
"It was two teams going toe to toe and hammer and tongs against each other and there were chances for both sides.
"It was a game both teams wanted to win but ultimately both had to settle for a draw.
"I thought we were good in possession at times and looked a threat. I thought we looked much sharper than we did in midweek."


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Welcome to my music portfolio. My name is Sergey aka Iichi Kohuro. I'm glad that you are interested in my compositions. I hope you enjoy my songs and you'll appreciate it`s soul impartially.
Any of the compositions provided may be changed according to the customer. Please, if you buy a song, do not forget rate and, if possible, comment on it.
Thank you for your attention:)

subset: commoncrawl


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Mafia II PC Game Review
Mafia II is a third-person shooter that puts you into the shoes of a poor, Sicilian immigrant, Vito Scarletta. Vito has just returned home from serving overseas in the liberation of fascist Italy — to avoid serving his jail sentence — to find his family in debt. The debt must be repaid by the end of the week, and, his childhood friend, Joe Barbaro, conveniently happens to have questionable connections that he assures Vito will help clear the debt by that time. As such, Vito is sucked into a world of quick cash.
Joe's connection turns out to be one of the three Mafia families that vie for control of the city. Vito will find himself working for each of them at some point, and will be doing much of the same things for each one — driving to various locations, shooting everyone in sight, and driving back back for more of the same.
Closer Look:
Though the game play is simple and the story is a very typical Mafia-type one, it is gripping. However, some parts of the story feel unfinished, out of place, and quite a few jobs, and even entire chapters, feel as though they should've been briefly explained in cutscenes.
Hitler and prison-sex, for instance.
It's not all bad, though. Nearly all the jobs will see Vito engage in gun combat and this is something Mafia II does rather well. Fights reach a quick crescendo, but are ultimately satisfying, and the controls are simple — click to aim, click to shoot, click to punch, double or triple-click for extra punches. Gunfights make large use of the environment, as rushing enemies will simply get you killed, so using cover provides you the best chance of success. Again, this is very simple — press a button to stick to a wall or box, strafe, aim to peek out, shoot, repeat. Surprisingly, the simpleness doesn't make the fighting dull. The fights are actually very fun.
Beat 'em up, blow 'em up.
Or knock 'em off their feet.
A Brief Note On PhysX:
Mafia II makes use of the NVIDIA PhysX engine to enhance impacts, explosions and the like. With PhysX enabled, gun fire and explosions are accented with smoke, car crashes are greeted with smoke and debris, and crates and pillars chip away and scatter debris that sometimes makes Vito's cover object become smaller or less effective. The debris is worked into the game mechanics as well, as debris that hits Vito can cause him to take damage. PhysX can be enabled with the 'Medium' or 'High' settings. The difference between the two settings is the amount of PhysX objects that are created, with 'Medium' producing less than 'High' for less powerful cards.
Disabling PhysX, however, removes some of this. The largest difference is that, although debris is still seen flying about, there is less of it, and debris is no longer PhysX objects and do not inflict damage, making occasional portions of the game less dramatic. PhysX isn't a particularly integral part of Mafia II, but there is a slight difference in combat with PhysX enabled and disabled. Below are some comparison screen shots with PhysX enabled on the left and disabled on the right.
If you're having difficulty seeing the difference, it's not your fault — there just isn't a huge difference. More debris and smoke is all you get along with a performance hit. If you look closely in the middle two comparisons, you can notice the difference between the PhysX objects and the animations. This, as mentioned, is the only real game changing element of PhysX, in which Vito will take damage if the objects hit him.


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Teavana -- If you don't want to buy something, too bad.
My experiences are hit or miss. We have three Teavana stores in my region and I still wander in from time to time, but only to see what's new. I've worked retail so I can understand high sales goals, but some of the selling points they illustrate to make a sale border on ridiculousness. The one in Fair Oaks seems to have the friendliest staff, while the one in Tysons is located in a popular wing so gets deluged with guests, that the employee to staff ratio was like 1:5. I used to work in that mall and I would occasionally go in for tea, but it took so long to get an employee's attention that eventually I moved to the Nordstrom E-Bar for my tea fix.
The location I thought had the hardest sale was in Columbia Mall. In fact, I bought so much tea when I was there, that I haven't found a reason to go back to Teavana. Need to destash!
I always end up over-buying at teavana when I go, so I only make the trip about once a year because until I finish them I tell myself I cannot go back.
I do like teavana's teas for the most part, some are hit and miss though.
I've only had the experience of going to two different stores, and the one that is located upstate new york is a lot friendlier and the people there and i usually have nice chats since they're college students just like myself. When i go to the one in my mall on long island they are really just unresponsive and just there to take orders, and don't talk at all to anyone.
I think they definitely have a strong market strategy though, when the upstate ny store just opened the guy was really strong in trying to sell me this $18 honey and even opened a new bottle just to give me some to try even though the whole time i was pretty much like "no thanks, im good"
Is it possible to get tea samples at Teavana unsweetened? I'm really excited about ours opening… but not if the cup of matcha I'd get would be sweetened. I'd like to know what to expect before actually going… because if I can't get unsweetened matcha or other teas, I won't be going.
Teavana doesn't usually put out samples of matcha. I don't know if they put sweetener in all of their other teas. At the Teavana near me, the samples that are put out generally include a Tie Guan Yin, a flowering tea (that is sweetened) and a blend of mate and rooibos.
I guess "sample" is the wrong word. I've seen tasting notes where people have purchased (or so I assume) a cup of matcha in store. I'm totally ok w/ paying for it- I just want my unsweetened matcha at the mall. :)
I think you can order any of the teas they have available, prepared any way you want. I haven't been to a Teavana in a while, but I wouldn't think unsweetened matcha would be a problem.
Thanks for the input VegTea. I sure hope you're right- I'll find out in a couple weeks!
Cofftea: If you can still order a drink there you can order it how you'd like it. I am not sure if they are still serving drinks or not. I went there around Christmas to get a cup of tea and an employee said we don't do that and pointed at a sign, I was to mad to read the sign so I'm not sure if it was temporary or not. The last time I went a few months ago I just wanted to purchase some tea and leave so I didn't inquire about them serving drinks or not.
It is true that for about a month during the holiday season they stop making drinks for purchase. They do start up once the holidays have passed.
That's weird. You'd think they'd, especially with their alleged hard core upselling, sell those at a high selling time like holidays.
You would think. Although it is not th case. I learned this a few years back and has continued every year since. Of course I asked about it as well. They just said they are too busy to make drinks so they stop during the holidays.
Funny because when I had my experience at Christmas the employees were literally leaning on the counter gossiping.
I understand when they are busy during the holidays. But it does irk me when no one is in the store and they still can't. Granted if they do it for one they have to do it for all. But I wish there was still an exception to the holiday rule! :)
Or just no holiday rule. I'd think they'd love any chance to nickle and dime and upsell customers.
That's what I'm thinking. I think they should just have someone in the shop just to make the to go tea….think of all the sales they are missing out on! Or maybe they could do it just for their valued customers….something.
I work at teavana, been so for about a year. If your teavana salesperson is nice (and it's a slow day) sometimes, we can give samples of whatever tea we feel like making for you… just be polite, show a genuine interest, and let us take you through the journey. I love making maccha (direct romaji spelling) samples, as long as you've eaten beforehand. No, we do not get commission. Yes, our sales are tracked and promotions/etc. are based on those, and we get a small bonus if our sales exceed a certain value.
I'm new to this particular tea forum, if anyone has any questions about the sales tactics, or has been alienated by the company policy, or wants to vent about a bad experience or ask me where we source our tea from, please, send me a message! It is really easy for an employee to misunderstand their customer, the customer to misunderstand the employee's intentions, and for an employee to misunderstand company policy.
Let me first say, Welcome to Steepster!
Teavana introduced me to real tea, so, for that, I'm thankful. I think what a lot of people experience at Teavana is the hard upsell which can be intimidating to someone new to tea. My first Teavana purchase was about $40, an amount I don't fork over easily. Sad thing was that most of it was those stupid tins. The salesperson made it seem like I had to purchase the tins because she didn't offer any other sort of container to transport the tea home. I even bought the bigger ones and then saw how small 2 oz looks in them. Once those teas were gone I got rid of the tins in favor of more reasonable (not to mention cuter) ones from world market (both in size and in price).
It also would be nice if Teavana was upfront about the fact that their samples have sugar in them. I got hooked with the chai/chai sample and was especially impressed because I thought it didn't have any sugar in it and was, therefore, calorie free (or nearly). They didn't even tell me the full cup I paid for once had sugar so I figured that was how the tea tasted. Imagine my dissapointment when I made my first cup at home. I've since learned my own levels of sweetness preference, but just be honest so customers know what they're getting.
That said, I now know how to handle Teavana when I go in there. It took a few visits, including my second one where I marched in there, didn't look at anything else, only made eye contact with the employee waiting on me, and ordered my predetermined teas and missed out on the joy of smelling new teas. I don't get the pressure anymore so I don't mind shopping there but I'm still a little ticked about the almost $20 I spent on tins that have since been donated to the thrift store or tossed (one got mold under the inner lip after washing!) and I don't really appreciate the health claims (and make sure to set people straight on Teavana's facebook page – sorry the weight-to-go will not magically cause you to lose a zillion lbs).
Hope this helps you understand it from a consumer's point of view. The world of loose leaf tea can be overwhelming enough to a newbie without being pressured into buying things that may not be right for them.
xhado123, what do you mean "as long as you've eaten before hand"… that's absolutely ridiculous.
LefTea, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "real tea"… yes they do sell loose leaf, but when a majority of their offerings and sales tactics are "a million and one combinations in which to buy our products" (yes, I know- REALLY exaggerated lol) AND then serve all their samples sweetened, that's not "real" tea to me. I think a person should try a certain tea w/ no additives first before adding other flavors or sweeteners. But that's just one opinion. I applied for our new store and the application even made me feel like I would be expected to have a hard sell. How much experience did you have with "real tea" before going to Teavana? I just have a hard time fathoming a person not being able to taste sweetener in a beverage. But that also could just be because I'm extremely sensitive to sweetener. The health claims also tick me off! Granted one of the reasons I drink (unsweetened) tea is in place of less healthy alternatives, but I do not drink it as a tonic or miracle cure.
The tins have an excellent seal on them, I recommend testing this for yourself. store other things in them, like potato chips or something that usually goes stale rather quickly. You'll definitely notice a difference. Yeah, they do cost a little bit, but I've tried other tea tins I can find at my local shops. The metal on metal seal in most other tins are not going to keep tea fresh for more than two months, and because I do shop at other places, I have over 200 different types of tea at home. It'll take me almost a year to drink through all of it at my current rate. (side note, I'm really quite a fan of a vithanakande FOP I found at a local shop, it's such a smooth tea, without additive it still tastes like someone added creamer to it!)We're actually supposed to mention that all samples, save our cast iron sample, have sugar in them. It's part of the recipe that makes them taste great. I always let people know what they're getting, but this is a control issue the company is having, when they're doubling their store numbers, it is difficult to control employee quality.
Do not wash the tins, that's a terrible idea for any tea tin. All tins have creases where moisture can get trapped, use a dry cloth. I'm really sorry a teavana employee didn't mention this to you, usually it's part of my explanation. As for the health benefits, I'm straight with the customers – I don't drink the fruity infusions if I want the effects. The health benefits are in the tea, and I always always always show a teaspooon of straight tea vs. a teaspoon of a flavoured tea, to show how much healthier the straight tea is.
Cofftea, what I mean as 'so long as you've eaten beforehand' is that maccha has a huge B12 and B6 amount in it, a metabolism boost like nobody's business. It also does a number on blood sugar and pressure. I've had coworkers going into diabetic shock, drinking maccha on an empty stomach. Their blood sugar drops, they get irritable really quick, and we send them to the back to grab a cookie. It's a serious concern, and I usually offer a customer a teaspoon of sugar or a cookie to munch on for safety concerns. I personally had almost too low of a blood pressure count one day after two 16 oz cups of it, and came near to passing out right on the floor where I stood. I do not take it lightly anymore.
The health reasons are great reasons to start drinking tea, if you drink a specific tea regularly, there are some pretty interesting clinical studies shown that the health benefits we mention are there. In a double blind study, after two months of drinking Jasmine Dragon phoenix pearls (no sugar), the antiangiogenetic (not sure I spelled it right – the rate at which capillaries are regulated to a normal length) process increased by almost 60% (UofM research).
Well for one thing, the statement " It's part of the recipe that makes them taste great." is completely opinion and not fact at all. If I were to speak of that recipe I'd probably state it "It's part of the recipe that would make me do a spit take right there on the floor." As for your info on matcha, I find that really interesting as I consume about 50g of matcha a week, mostly on an empty stomach and have never had that reaction. The only adverse reaction I've gotten is if I drink too large of volume or prepare it too thick, my stomach can churn a bit. Not even 3 cups of coffee a day bothers me… the only time caffeine bothers me is in the summer when I occasionally drink 8 or more "first steeps" of black tea several days in a row.
Welcome to the board xhado123
Cofftea, by real tea, I meant non-bagged. Since all I had ever had were lipton or celestial seaons bags (and it's not like I drank tea much because I found it flavorless even with lots of sugar), I just thought the sweetness of the samples was due to the difference between bagged and loose. Since no one told me (and I had several samples over the course of a few days as I happened to be at that mall frequently that week) that there was sugar in the samples, why would I assume that there was anything other than tea? I appreciate that you drink tea unsweetened, but I prefer mine sweetened (although the samples at teavana are even getting a little too sweet for me as my palate adjusts).
Xhado123, you sound like a great employee, both for the company and the customer. You just have to realize that you seem to be the exception rather than the rule there. I've been to my local Teavana many times since that first sample and never once has anyone mentioned sugar in the samples, or the full cup they brewed for me, nor was I told about proper cleaning of tins (theirs or otherwise). I agree that the seal on those tins is great, but I'm guessing unless you have an extraordinary palate you're not going to notice a difference in taste between tea stored in those tins or tea stored in other airtight tins and the ones I have from World market were much cheaper, are much cuter, and suit my size needs much better.
I also appreciate your care with the matcha samples. I had my first matcha latte last week on vacation and had to drink it in shifts due to the caffiene. I can sometimes be sensitive to caffiene so I think it's great that you're careful to ensure that the customer is safe.
Xhado, when you talk about people going into "diabetic shock" and experiencing low blood sugar as a result of matcha consumption, I wonder three things:
1. Did you test these people's blood sugar with a glucometer to confirm that they were experiencing hypoglycemia (a blood sugar level of 70 or lower) or did you simply assume this was happening because the person suddenly felt shaky or their heart was pounding?
2. Was the matcha sweetened with sugar as most of your samples are? (if so, VERY unlikely anybody drinking it could have a hypo).
3. Are you aware that caffeine tends to increase a person's blood sugar level, not lower it?
I don't mean to pick on you, Xhado, but there's a lot of misinformation out there about diabetes, "diabetic shock," "diabetic coma," blood sugar levels and what raises and lowers them. And as a person who is living with type 1 diabetes, it bothers me to see misinformation like this spread, as though it is proven medical advice. Nobody should assume they hare having a low (hypoglycemia) simply because they feel shaky. The symptoms of low blood sugar and high blood sugar are actually quite similar — and the symptoms of a caffeine "rush" are similar to the heart-pounding sensation of a low blood sugar. The only way to know if you are having a low is to test yourself. Also, if someone is in "diabetic shock" or a "diabetic coma" they are passed out cold and can only be revived by a shot of glucagon or medical personnel putting them on a glucose drip. A person who is still able to walk and talk is not in "diabetic shock." Additionally, someone who does not have type 1 or type 2 diabetes does not go into "diabetic shock." That term is reserved for people who actually have diabetes. A non-diabetic person can experience hypoglycemia, but it does not happen often because a person who does not have diabetes or pre-diabetes has a normally functioning metabolism (including functioning islet cells in the pancreas, which is something someone with type 1 diabetes does not have) that adjusts blood sugar levels for the intake of food and caffeine.
For what it's worth, I own a tin of Teavana's matcha and regularly brew myself strong matcha lattes — sweetened with Splenda and stevia. Matcha never makes my blood sugar drop, although I do sometimes feel mildly energized from the caffeine.
My own freakishly massive consumption of matcha and the fact that diabetes runs in my family made me wonder the same things Infusin_Susan, I just had no clue how to phrase my thoughts. Thank you.
I didn't realize there was another Steepsterite with type 1! It's pretty exciting to see someone else correcting these things as there is such a mass of misinformation about blood sugar-related issues. I've been living with type 1 for 15 years and still get other sensations confused with lows, and lows confused with other things, so that feeling certainly isn't exclusive. Though I've never seen such effects, I've been told several times to watch for caffeine raising my blood glucose so I also doubt it's possible for it to cause hypoglycemia. I appreciate that you want to ensure the customer is careful as I know matcha can upset some people's stomachs, but hypoglycemia probably has nothing to do with it.
I never sweeten maccha, so I'm curious now as to what it is I'm actually feeling. Maccha on an empty stomach leaves me dizzy, slightly nauseous, and according to people who see me like this, 'very pale and sickly looking'. I feel weak, unable to lift a glass teapot without shaking terribly. I've had customers call in after leaving the shop within my first few months complaining of similar symptoms after drinking maccha, and my coworkers have experienced the same thing. Any thoughts, then, as to what it is?
I prepare my maccha with one chusaku of maccha for about an 8 oz serving. My water is 140 degrees, strained into the chawan and then wisked with the chasen. Consumed within 30 seconds of preparation, as the green tea is continuing to brew within, and can get pretty bitter.
It might have more to do with the metabolism boosting an empty stomach. I'm going to do some research now, and see what I can find in terms of previous studies. Thanks for correcting me, Infusion Susan, I now have new things to learn!
xhado123, you might just be sensitive to the caffiene. I too get shaky if I have too much caffiene with too little food.
I don't think xhado123 meant to offend anyone with the diabetic shock comments. Like you said, the feelings of low or high blood sugar can be similar to those felt by someone sensitive to caffiene.
I know around tea forums it's hip to hate on Teavana, but xhado123 seems like one of the employees we'd all love to find there instead of what we often find (although I do agree with whoever said some of xhado123's responses are a bit on the pushy side).
In other words, can't we all just get along?
Xhado123, that indeed does sound like caffeine jitters that can happen with an empty stomach and sensitivity to caffeine, but I don't have any biological perspective on why. Maybe drinking it more slowly would help? Matcha has never upset me but I drink it a fair bit slower than that as I don't think I could stomach it going down that quickly. I've never found that it goes bitter, though.
I agree with Jessie. Definitely sounds like caffeine jitters. I prepare mine much thicker- 1tsp/8oz and also drink it much slower than any other matcha drinker I know and have never found it to be bitter. Chunky? If you don't re-whisk, possibly. You may also be having a reaction to the tannin level or it may be affecting nutrient levels like iron or vitamin B.
I had a whole incident with Teavana last week when trying to place an order online – something I've done tons and tons of times before. I don't want to go into all the specifics here, but a little bit of customer service goes a long way. I've never been treated poorly by any other tea company, let alone a grocery store selling Bigelow boxes, than I have at Teavana. For newbies, it's a nice place to stop in and look around, but hold tight to your wallets. At my store, the prices listed are NEVER what the bill comes to, and overly pushy sales people who don't really know what they are talking about makes it extra irritating. I chalk it up to my location; I live in the DC Metro area and the Teavana is located in the Bethesda Mall, where everybody thinks they are more important than everybody else.
Bottomline: it's great if you have a nice customer service base at your local Teavana, but even the online shopping experience is poor. I'll take Adagio, Harney & Sons, 52teas, Chi of Tea, basically any other tea company over Teavana.
I agree. I'm going to go in there with an open mind and positive attitude and give them a fair shot, but I'm really only expecting Teavana to give me my cuppa matcha when I go to the mall (which is really only once or twice a year anyway lol) and possibly some teaware.
I'm going to break form a bit and let you know what we're supposed to say, directly from the training manual. "Tell the customer the exact price of the tea on the scale. Be sure to let them know of our 10, 15, and 20 percent discounts, and how that applies to the price of their teas." The price you are told should always be the one that comes up at the register. We are trained to verify the weight and price, this is actually by law, by asking if the price is OK. They do it at the deli, or anywhere else but the gas station, that sells anything by weight and measure. Why this irritates tea customers I have no idea, maybe it's the tone of voice or something an overzealous salesperson said earlier that made them feel uncomfortable.
I have heard really mixed reviews on the online system, I always tell customers that they're better off to come in and talk to me, because a) I know them already, I know what health benefits they need, I know they've already heard our tin demo and b) I don't exactly trust other salespeople in our company to treat everyone right.
Our tea knowledge is not supposed to be grand. We aren't trained, for example, that our Keemun is a Hao Ya 'A' grade. In our training on cast iron, we aren't told that each individual mold makes twenty teapots, and has to be remade by hand. Our training does not include the Zisha/Yixing gongfu tea ceremony. Unfortunately, it's an extremely sales-oriented training experience. however, a good salesperson knows better than to just 'get the add-on'. I always make recommendations based on what I've been told you need as a customer, and based on my personal experiences and tastes. And that includes discounts and free drinks, with a manager's permission.
And yes, even by being nice and fair to all of my customers, I am one of the better performing salespeople in my store. I have more repeat customers who get what they need. Having worked there for a year, I'm starting to see people from last year who bought five pounds of their favourite tea (the fifth one is free, with the discounts), wanting a refill and recommendations on similar teas. I always make sure that what a customer walks out of the store with, it's something they want, it's something they need, and it's something they'll be really happy with for a long time.
The Teavana I visit has some really rabid employees. I was on the lookout for a traditional English kettle and said so, and the woman launched into a lecture on the difference between a kettle and a teapot! As if I had never made tea before in my life! Then she kept pushing me to buy the Zojirushi electric pot, which is fine and wonderful and my daughter wants one but I wanted a pretty English kettle – period! The end! At the other store I go to buy tea, I can hardly get waited on. All the employees are serving the coffee people. I guess they are jumpier. :)
The kettle thing can get annoying. When we hear 'traditional english kettle', most customers think they're asking for a bone china teapot. We mostly have chantal, glass, and stainless steel kettles. The zojirushi was one of my favourite purchases, and really makes tea brewing a cinch, but if you don't want one, our training manual says we should move on to what you're actually interested in… statistics show you're more likely to buy something if you want it ;)
I love working for the company. Our teas are top notch, I've done my research on many of the grading scales, and the history of the cast iron forges who make our pots. The worst part about it is having people turned off on having easy access to things like a Bai Hao Yin Zhen, hold the twigs. I've ordered some great teas from adagio, and purchased a great deal of teas from local shops, but usually they do not have the highest quality. It's a high quality, don't get me wrong, but Teavana has a great relationship with our farmers, and so we usually are allowed a better access to higher quality tea. it pains me to see another 'real' tea drinker walk away from a Hao Ya 'A' Keemun because we also sell flavoured teas.
The teas may- or may not be. Top notch. But blending several together does nothing to prove that. I have no problem w/ flavored teas or even a few blends, but they should accent the inventory, not dominate them, IMO.
I've heard almost nothing but bad things about Teavana, to the point that I never really want to set foot in a store (which…doesn't actually matter, as I live in Canada), nor do I plan to ever support them by purchasing from them online. But I do kind of have to say that your replies, xhado123, are the exact kind of hard upsell I've come to expect from Teavana. You believe in the company you work for, and that's awesome! But some of your replies are coming across a bit pushy (in my opinion) and kind of proving the point of the people complaining about just that in Teavana stores.
As for the OP, reading the replies here has made me love my DavidsTea even more. I've never been pressured into buying something more than what I've wanted, the girls at my local shop know me by sight, have taken the time to get to know me, and are friendly to everyone that walks in. When you walk in, they always make sure you have a sample and when it's your turn to be helped, they take their time, happily answering any questions you have. The first time I visited, I just stared at the wall for a few minutes. When I told the girl helping me I was new to looseleaf and didn't know where to start, she pulled down so many teas for me to sniff. I left with only five bags of 26g of tea, on her recommendation. I try those teas now and I'm amused at how different my appreciation of them has become, due largely to the wonderful customer service I receive there. I've never been "upsold" a teapot there, but when I did ask about the ones they had, the girls were incredibly knowledgeable about their stock and when I decided not to buy (I collect teapots, but I've discovered I much prefer to find cute ones at thrift stores), it was no issue. I simply said "You know, thanks for the information, but I don't think I'm going to buy," and it was as simple as that. No guilt, no "are you sure?", just "Okay! Can I get you any other teas?" That's another thing, I have never gotten the feeling that it's just a job for anyone who works there, they all seem to be really passionate about DavidsTea and tea in general.
So don't judge all looseleaf stores by Teavana's warped example. My recommendation to the person who posted this (a year ago lol), is to do some research in your area and see what little local tea companies they can find. I love DavidsTea, but I also proudly support Tealish, Pippins, and any number of other little tea shops in Toronto. You never know what you may find! In Kensington Market, which is basically a flea market on a much grader scale, there's a little candy store my wife and I have been frequenting for years now. We were in a few months ago and discovered that the many, many jars on the wall were actually full of looseleaf tea! So, take a look around and keep an open mind.
I don't think anyone has said, implied, or does, judge all loose leaf stores by Teavana. If they do, that's not fair.
From the original post:
"Is it just me, or does every Teavana do this? Furthermore, is it just this company alone or is it every other bulk tea store?"
Wow, Nate it sounds like you had a terrible experience.
I can't comment on Teavana (at least not until they completely take over Speacial Teas here in Victoria) but I can agree that there is a marked difference between the Tea places I have been to here in Victoria BC. Murchie's the sales people were great, my first time going in I must have looked confused the sales woman approached me and asked me if I needed any help and when I told her "I don't know what I want, or where to start" she continued the conversation with: "Well what do you like? Chocolate, citrus? Sweet? Savoury?" and that launched us into a converstation of comfort foods and favourite foods which lead to what teas would best fit my palate and where to start with my exploration. She also let me know that not only did they sell whatever amount I wanted but she let me know how many grams would be a good start so that "the teas don't go to waste in your cupboard, and you can take more home to test out". Needless to say I know I will always go back.
DAVIDsTEA was a similar experience, but by this time I knew what my safety flavours were and it made the experience at this store exciting, but again I will always go back because although this company staffs based on previous months sales, they hire people who are not only excited to share tea, but relaxed enough to know how to provide and incredible customer experience.
Silk Roads, although self serve leaves little to be desired, but at least the staff is cheerful and stick with a bright cheery "Hello" and mind their own business while I browse.
Now Teaopia… Oh God, you can not get me in there again, not by a long shot! They have a lot of teas available that I would really and I mean REALLY would like to try, but the sales girl made the initial experience well, upsetting. That being said, I am not about to write off Teaopia, though I will not fequent them because of the manditory 50g minimum, but I also know that some people are meant to be in Retail and some… well just are not, and it is not fair to judge a company on the slim pickings of applicants.
That being said, I hope you don't completely give up on Teavana, it's not always the company that is the problem it is what they have to work with when hiring people.
MaddHatter, I have to agree with you there, the only difference is that I do visit Teaopia, mainly because it is in Mayfair where I work. I would much prefer it to be a DAVIDs. That said, the staff at Mayfair all know that I work there and they are all very pleasant and helpful to me. The 50g minimum bothers me, but I primarily go there to get tea to go. There are enough teas I have tried this way that I might get 50g one day, but I tend to get bulk from DAVIDs…I just like them better. I've softened my view on Teaopia a bit since they first opened…I think that the current batch of employees at Mayfair really try hard to be friendly and helpful.
I tend to have a hit or miss experience when I visit my local Teavana. Sometimes I get the two ladies who know me and know what I like. They make a few suggestions about something I might like. But they never force me into buying any tea I don't like. Sadly one of them is in China for school this year and the other must work random hours now that school is out. I must say when I went in earlier last week I had a great experience with a new person. She didn't try to push teas on me and knew when to back down.
Flash forward to tonight. There was I tea from Teavana I'd been dying to try so my husband suggested we stop in. I don't turn that down ever as he hates the mall and dreads Teavana due to the pushy sales folks. So he did his own thing while I went in search of tea. The young man I talked to was very nice and got me the tea I wanted right away. But then jumped right into 'why not make this a pound?', right I have never had it before – that sounds like a big reason not to try a pound.
I told him my husband would divorce me in a heartbeat. I also said I'd never tried the tea so really 2oz would do. He seemed ok with this and asked if I wanted anything else. I did want to try the Monkey-Picked Oolong iced to go. I really can't justify spending $25 an ounce on tea. Plus there's that whole my husband might flip on me spending that much. So he went ahead and prepped my tea, but then started heavily pushing the Oolong on me. I thanked him and said no, he didn't seem happy. I really hate pushy sales folks.
Looks like I might have to call ahead to see if my awesome sales folks are in before stopping by from now on.
It is starting to sound like places are really taking their "up sales" tactics to horrific levels. Before I left Safeway everyone was getting trained to do that, it seems horrible to walk up to someone and say: "How are you today? are you finding everything you need? Oh I see you have chicken in your baskart, did you know we have a number of Safeway Select Marinades that would compliment your chicken." I hated it! Though I was always lucky enough to find the people who had just chicken in their baskart and are wandering around aimlessly with a party of 20 people to find the next day … easy to help, and it was never what I would call an "up sale" more of a lets do this together and you will have the best dinner party ever.
I think when companies are pushing the "up sale" rule they are forgetting that key component of: "Anticipate the needs of the customer"


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A Minnesota man pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that he entered the U.S. under false pretenses by concealing his military service and concealing crimes committed during the Bosnian war in the 1990s.
A Minnesota man pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that he entered the U.S. under false pretenses by concealing his military service and concealing crimes committed during the Bosnian war in the 1990s.
Zdenko Jakisa, 45, of Forest Lake, is charged with one count of possessing unlawfully obtained documents. He was allowed to be released Monday with conditions as his case proceeds in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.
A federal indictment unsealed last week said Jakisa obtained his permanent resident card illegally when he didn't disclose that he had served in the armed forces of the Croatian Defense Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina, that he had been arrested for breaking the law in Bosnia, and that he had "committed crimes of moral turpitude."
Michael Plotnick, a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, testified Monday that Jakisa's entry into the U.S. as a refugee from Bosnia in 1998, and his status as a legal resident, would have been impacted if he had been truthful about his past. Jakisa became a lawful permanent resident in 2002.
Authorities in Bosnia say he is wanted for questioning in an investigation into war crimes there. The prosecution office in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, told The Associated Press that Jakisa is suspected of "war crimes against civilians," and is one of several people under investigation. Mostar prosecutors did not provide details.
Plotnick testified that Jakisa killed his neighbor, a Serbian woman, in September 1993 by firing an AK-47 into her window. Plotnick said Jakisa then intercepted a Bosnian Muslim man who was trying to flee the house, took the man to his own house, forced him to undress, threw a knife at him and robbed him. After a standoff with police, Jakisa was arrested and threatened authorities with a hand grenade while he was being processed, the special agent said.
The murder case was pending when Jakisa came to the U.S. as a refugee, and Jakisa was convicted in absentia and sentenced to six months in prison, Plotnick said. Jakisa is also accused of threatening the judge on the case, and other crimes in Bosnia.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Janie Mayeron said the murder conviction and other allegations of violence give her great concern, but she allowed Jakisa to go free with conditions, saying agents have been investigating him since 2010 and didn't deem him a flight risk until now.
Jakisa's attorney in the United States, assistant federal defender Reynaldo Aligada, Jr., argued for Jakisa's release, saying he is connected to the community and co-owns a taxi business with his wife. His attorney in Bosnia-Herzegovina said she didn't know why Jakisa is wanted.
"No charges have been raised against him, so I would not know what he is suspected of," attorney Angela Puljic told the AP on Friday. "For now he is wanted by the prosecutor because he is under investigation and needs to be questioned."
Jakisa has a lengthy criminal record in Minnesota, including multiple convictions for driving while impaired, disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Plotnick testified Jakisa has resisted arrest in some of these cases and threatened to kill authorities.
A handful of supporters were in court to support Jakisa, including his wife, who left the courthouse Monday without commenting to reporters.
More than 100,000 people were killed during the Bosnian war, which also turned half of the country's population of 4.3 million into refugees.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and the City of Buffalo have submitted a joint proposal in response to the request for proposals issued by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority for its 384 acres of waterfront land holdings on Buffalo's outer harbor. The joint proposal was filed by the 4 p.m. Dec. 17 deadline.
Together, the two entities propose that ECHDC acquire title to the property offered in the RFP and that the city and ECHDC will enter into a memorandum of agreement regarding specific responsibilities for the operation, maintenance and future development of the property.
"The city and ECHDC share an interest in revitalizing the City of Buffalo waterfront," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia in a joint statement. "We believe that an appropriate mix of land uses throughout the property will ensure public access while providing business growth opportunity that create jobs and a return on investment - both financially and quality of life - to the taxpayers of the city and state of New York. We look forward to discussing this joint proposal with the NFTA and working toward the transfer of the property to ECHDC."
"With this agreement, we can continue to build upon what the public really wants at the water's edge: an opening of the door for substantial capital investment at the outer harbor toward the goal of greater public access to our region's most substantial natural resource," said Congressman Brian Higgins.
The NFTA earlier this year decided to sell the outer harbor property, as it continues to focus on its primary mission of running the region's bus system, Metro Rail line, and operations at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport. In August, the NFTA sent out bid packages to the City of Buffalo, Erie County, ECHDC and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Erie County and the state parks agency both declined to bid.
The selection of the successful purchaser will be made by the NFTA's board of commissioners. The NFTA's goal is to select the successful purchaser by February 2013, followed by execution of any necessary agreements to facilitate transfer of title. Given this timeframe and the NFTA's goal to maximize public access and ensure minimal disruption to the users of waterfront facilities, the NFTA will operate the small boat harbor for the 2013 boating season.
The details of the joint proposal will not be made public until the NFTA has reviewed the proposal.


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Sapphire Radeon HD6670 Review
Just Cause 2 is a third-person shooter that takes place on the fictional island of Panau in Southeast Asia. In this sequel to 2006's Just Cause, you return as Agent Rico Rodriguez to overthrow an evil dictator and confront your former boss. When you don't feel like following the main story line, you're free to roam the island, pulling off crazy stunts and causing massive destruction in your wake, all beautifully rendered by the Avalanche Engine 2.0. In the end, that's what the game basically boils down to — crazy stunts and blowing things up. In fact, blowing things up and wreaking havoc is actually necessary to unlock new missions and items.
- 4xAA
- 16xAF
- Global Settings = High
- Water Detail = Medium
- Dark Tower Time Demo
Higher = Better
In the Just Cause 2 testing, you can see that once again, the Sapphire HD6790 at stock testing had around a 9-16 FPS advantage on the HD6670.


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Mail a letter, save a tiger?
If the world gets saved one small act at a time, the U.S. Postal Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society may be onto something. They've just unveiled a new stamp that aims to make protection of endangered species as easy as mailing a letter.
The new Save Vanishing Species stamp costs 55 cents, 11 cents more than a regular first class stamp. It features the face of a tiger cub, and net proceeds contribute to projects supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These projects work to conserve tigers, rhinos, great apes, marine turtles and African and Asian elephants.
There is no impact on U.S. taxpayers, and it is the fourth so-called semipostal issue by the Postal Service. The stamps should be available in September at post offices and at Wildlife Conservation Society parks.
The announcement is a victory for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which had fought for legislation to create such stamps and manages the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, including its flagship, the Bronx Zoo in New York City.
It's been a good week for that well-known zoo overall. For the second time since March, a zoo animal went on walkabout before being safely recovered. This time it was a green and brown peahen (a female peafowl, the peacock's counterpart) who — of course — had a designated Twitter feed while she was out on the town. She tweeted that she got some pointers from a Bronx Zoo cobra that had a celebrated period of freedom back in March and had a similarly popular Twitter feed.
After her return, the peahen tweeted: "Btw news media, you have it wrong. I let them capture me so I didn't have to walk back."
Image courtesy U.S. Postal Service
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
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- Red Bull news
Webber ponders Red Bull future
- News:
Webber won't quit - Horner
- Feature:
'I made a mistake, I'm not proud of it'
- Report:
Vettel leads Red Bull one-two after bitter battle
- Drivers:
- Mark Webber
- Teams:
- Red Bull
Mark Webber admits he will consider his future with Red Bull in the wake of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel's decision to ignore team orders and overtake Webber to win the race in Sepang left Webber fuming and claiming on the podium that Vettel "will have protection as usual" from the Red Bull hierarchy. Later, Webber was asked if the developments will make him consider his future with the team and maybe even in Formula One, to which Webber responded: "My mind, in the last 15 laps was thinking that many things, yes. Many, many things."
Expanding further, Webber said his anger wasn't solely based on the actions of Vettel in Malaysia.
"Let's just say there were a lot of things going through my mind in the last 15 laps of the Grand Prix, lots of different reasons, not just from [the race] but also from the past. We'll see what happens. We've got three weeks before the next race."
Webber added that he will spend some time between races in Australia to contemplate his future.
"I think it's very early days right now, it's very raw, obviously, and we need to work out how the team goes best forwards from here. That's obviously going to be discussed this week. I will be in Australia on my surfboard, the phone won't be engaged, see what happens."


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Supreme Court Blocks Recognition of Utah Same-Sex Marriages
High Court Issues Temporary Order at Request of Utah's Governor
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday said Utah for now doesn't have to recognize hundreds of same-sex marriages performed during a short window of time when they were allowed in the state.
The high court, granting an emergency request by Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert, issued a brief order postponing the effect of a lower-court ruling that said the state had to recognize the same-sex marriages immediately.


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In their natural state, diamonds are quite dull. To bring out their inner lustre, each diamond must be individually cut and polished to create facets. These facets reflect the light and unlock the stone's hidden brilliance.
Black Diamond Tennis Bracelet
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An 18ct pink gold tennis bracelet featuring 5ct of heat-treated black diamonds. (Also available in 18ct white gold.)
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In their natural state, diamonds are quite dull. To bring out their inner lustre, each diamond must be individually cut and polished to create facets. These facets reflect the light and unlock the stone's hidden brilliance.
Diamonds are created when carbon crystallises deep underground. If any other elements are present during this process, they affect the diamond's colour. Diamonds are considered more rare and valuable the closer they are to being colourless.
At American Swiss, we use the G.I.A. (Gemmological Institute of America) scale to grade the colour of our diamonds. This allows you to understand the colour of your diamond and the resultant price when you are looking for the perfect stone.
When a diamond is formed, tiny particles of dust and other minerals can be trapped inside it. These are known as inclusions.
Clarity refers to the internal purity of a diamond – the fewer the inclusions, the more rare and valuable the stone. However, these inclusions make each diamond unique – a fingerprint billions of years old that belongs only to you.
Carat refers to both size and weight of a diamond.
All diamonds above 0.50ct are certified by an independent laboratory.
Because diamonds have such high value, they have become a dangerous commodity used to fund civil wars and oppressive regimes. When they are used in this way, they are known as 'conflict diamonds'.
With our support for the Kimberly Process, an internationally recognised standard, we guarantee that all our diamonds are conflict free and can be worn with the pride they deserve.
Platinum is the most precious and valuable of all metals. Its natural white sheen makes it a considered setting for precious gemstones and its hardwearing nature makes it the perfect metal for jewellery.
At American Swiss we offer a limited range of platinum jewellery, but we do make to order. Please contact us if you are would like to know more.
Gold has been valued and revered for thousands of years and its bright yellow shine is instantly recognisable. However in its pure form, gold is too soft to work with. To make it suitable for jewellery other metals (alloys) are added to pure gold, making it more durable. This can result in not only a stronger metal but also other colours such as white and rose gold.
Sterling silver is a timeless classic and has been a celebrated metal and form of currency since humans first discovered it. Similar to gold, silver must have other metals added to it to be strong enough for jewellery. While silver is best known for its brilliant polished shine, it can also come in a matte finish, allowing for a range of effects and designs.
By following a few simple rules you can keep your jewellery looking as beautiful as the day you bought it.
- Always remove your jewellery when washing your hands or applying perfume and makeup. Never spray perfume on top of jewellery, especially pearls.
- Store your jewellery separately to avoid scratching.
- To keep jewellery clean, rinse in hot water and dry gently with a lint-free cloth.
- Rhodium plated jewellery must be replated annually.
For those occasions when your jewellery needs a little more care, remember that American Swiss offers free cleaning services for all jewellery.


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Santa arrives by carriage this Saturday at Roger Williams Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo rings in the holiday season this Saturday, when Santa makes a grand entrance in a horse-drawn carriage at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the zoo's parking lot. His wild arrival will be the first of several appearances at the zoo.
Santa's arrival is free to the public. After Santa arrives, he'll head up a festive holiday parade through the zoo that will also include some of his elves, Very Merry Dickens Carolers, characters from Ten31 Productions, Classic Story Book Characters, various local mascots, and more! The parade will conclude in Jambo Junction with Santa singing a carol with the crowd.
The zoo is offering hay rides in the parking lot this year. Starting at 9 a.m., the rides are approximately 10 minutes long. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for children (ages 2 to 12), and free for children 2 and under, and may be purchased at the ticket booths in the admissions plaza.
Following the parade, visitors will be treated to a fun assortment of holiday themed photo opportunities in the Wilderness Plaza and Hasbro's Our Big Backyard with characters from the parade (Santa excluded). The parade and photo opportunities are free with zoo admission.
In addition to Santa's arrival, the zoo has more fun with Santa in store for families looking to enjoy a more personal experience with the Jolly Old Elf. Guests will be able to visit with Santa himself while enjoying a tasty treat and fun activities for the whole family. Visits will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., Nov. 24 & 25, and Dec. 1 & 2. Tickets may be purchased as guests enter the event, which will be held in the zoo's greenhouse. For pricing and further event details, visit www.rwpzoo.org. Parents attend for free.


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ThemeForest Photogenic WordPress Photography Theme 7499593
Site Template \ WordPress Theme \ Creative \ Photography
Photogenic \ Support \ Photos \ Options \ Upload \ Galleries \ Instagram \ Multiple
WordPress Theme - Photogenic WordPress Photography Theme 7499593 by obox @ ThemeForest
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text:
Transport and development go hand-in-hand. Virtually everything traded, must be transported, and almost everyone needs wheels to get to work or school. Simple, affordable transport generates income opportunities in developing countries, as well as saving lots of time and back-breaking work.
In Britain, millions of bikes are thrown away or lie unused in sheds, whilst many people in Africa have no access to transport of any kind. People spend hours each day walking to collect water, firewood or to access health care, school and employment. A bicycle lightens this burden and dramatically improves their wellbeing as well as work and education opportunities helping to bring social change. A bicycle cuts travel time to a fraction and can carry passengers and heavy loads. Bikes give families the extra time to earn, learn and enjoy life.


text:
Well it isn't. It takes work. It isn't just a matter of gathering up all these things that delight you, that open your mind, or that challenge your thinking. You need to choose. You need to discriminate. You need to curate.
That's the difference between someone who curates and someone who hoards: a hoarder gathers somewhat indiscriminately with little purpose besides gathering and possessing. A curator gathers that which adds value.
I want to add value to my life and to the genealogy community. I want to interact with those like minds, those curators, those genealogy passionistas.
And so I'm learning that I do need to pick my battles, I do need to decide how and when and why to engage, and I do need to let things go and take their own course without my involvement. No matter how much others beg me to get involved.
I also need to trust. If you know the story of the gathering of the manna from Exodus, you know that you could only gather what you could use that very day. The manna would spoil and turn rotten the next day. I need to trust that I can gather what I need for the day and that there will still be more abundance tomorrow.
Lesson learned: Do not waste time on negative people and thoughts. Focus on the good that is in today and the promise of that same good tomorrow. You'll be better for it and so will your genealogy.
Photo: The Gathering of The Manna, ca. 1460-70, Musée de la Chartreuse, Douai, France via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons 3.0 license.
© 2012, copyright Thomas MacEntee


text:
For Adult Only (Khusus Dewasa)
Egotastic! The Sexy Side Of Celebrity Gossip
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text:
Local journalism is tough but worth it
I feel like a really young dinosaur.
I need that perspective to keep feeling young even though I have been in this industry for 20 years.
Since May 4, 1994, I have seen a lot of things. The 23-year old who took over a newsroom thought he knew a lot. The 43-year old sitting in my office today would laugh at that kid.
We didn't even have email when I started in this business. But our fax machine that printed on thermal paper was wonderful.
Now I have to check Twitter to catch final results on a sporting event I had to leave early to make sure I had photos of another event so that I can have the results to include in the video I post online before I go to bed. At least I'm not still sniffing chemicals in a cramped little darkroom hoping my photos turn out.
Technology advances I made in that newsroom in my hometown included using a 14.4 bps modem to connect to a bulletin board site to download a sports column that a radio guy wrote each week. We felt so state-of-the-art.
It seems like the combination of digital and print delivery of news started slowly but it has advanced at a breathtaking rate.
I remember planning a print product in my head as I took photos and did interviews at the scene of the Murrah Building Bombing in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. I can't imagine having to live-tweet that event with so much death, destruction and disinformation.
But another event I saw first hand was the May 3, 1999 tornado that came down from the sky as multiple vortices about a mile from the old beat up car I was driving. I wish I would been able to update Twitter and Facebook as those multiple vortices came together into one massive tornado that left a mile-wide swath of devastation through our county all the way across the state.
Instead, we had to call off the chase in time to gather all the color film my newsroom shot and head to a one-hour photo developer in hopes of getting photos in the newspaper the next morning.
Today, with just my phone I would have posted photos and videos to our website and sent them out across a massive social media network while the tornado was still on the ground.
Times have changed.
I have covered floods, fires and many murder scenes. I have been the state's journalist witness to multiple executions and I have spent more hours covering meetings than I even care to count.
I have covered state champions, national champions and seen many broken hearts of athletes whose dreams were crushed when they came up just short.
I was on the sidelines with a camera in hand when a team of boys I had coached for 10 years saw their dreams come true when they won a state championship in baseball.
I was a single guy when I started this journey. I can honestly say that at 23 I never thought I would have spent 20 days in Ethiopia and returned with a son by this point in my life.
So many things have changed in 20 years. But one constant never will.
Local news is important.
I will never win a Pulitzer or be a millionaire. But neither of those really motivate me that much.
I hope in 20 years I have been able to touch just as many lives with good news, bad news and opinion columns as I have the past 20 years.
This job isn't for everyone. You should see the things I have been called in letters to the editor. Of course those things pale compared to those said online or to friends.
I have been cautioned by police officers that people I am writing about are dangerous and I have even had a group of law enforcement officers caught in an illegal gambling scheme threaten me in ways that kept my head on a swivel for months.
But I have a stack of thank you notes from people who the newspaper helped with events and emails from people who said a story or column had an impact on them.
This job isn't easy and, if it were, I don't think I would love it as much. Local journalism is tough but worth it.
I just hope in 20 years, 63-year old Kent is a little more impressed with 43-year old Kent than I am with the kid who took over a newsroom two decades ago.
Bush is the publisher of the Butler County Times Gazette and can be reached at: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Ethiopia Gets Additional Funding for Climate ProjectsNov 11, 2013
A 7.6 million USD grant for two United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-led initiatives in Ethiopia, focusing on conserving biodiversity and promoting alternative sources of energy, has been approved by the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) council.
The projects focus on Mainstreaming Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation in the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy and Promoting Sustainable Rural Energy Technologies for Households and Productive Use.
"These projects will enhance Ethiopia's ability to build greater resilience and successfully adapt its sustainable development and poverty alleviation pathways to a changing climate", said Samuel Bwalya, Country Director of UNDP Ethiopia underlining the importance of these new initiatives.
Implementation of the Mainstreaming Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation in the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy project will be done through piloting the "polluter pays" principle and collecting payments for biodiversity conservation in selected sites by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and its regional bureaus as well as the universities in Dilla, Wollega and Arba Minch. This approach will help put in place safeguards to ensure biodiversity is protected amidst the flurry of rapid economic growth and development.
The Promoting Sustainable Rural Energy Technologies for Households and Productive Use project will encourage investments in small-scale renewable energy technologies and strive to create a 2 megawatt power increase from solar power and introduce at minimum 100,000 cook stoves. The execution of this project is expected to contribute to strengthening the regulatory and legal framework on rural energy in Ethiopia and support designing a sustainable financial mechanism for renewable energy technologies.
Through GEF funding, UNDP's intervention has expanded in the past few years in the areas of sustainable development of protected areas management, coping with drought and climate change, strengthening autonomous community adaptation and biodiversity conservation support.
The approval was made during the GEF council meeting on 7th of November 2013for GEF Funded projects.


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Arbor 3D Model (3ds,Gsm) - Free Download
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Joan Marshall
After finishing her undergraduate studies at the College of New Jersey in 2006, Joan Marshall was accepted into the Peace Corps and served in the African nation of Togo from 2004 to 2006. As a Peace Corps community health extension agent her duties varied from teaching health in local schools to assisting with vaccinations. Joan's favorite job was as supervisor of the student health club because, in her own words, "The young members were so vibrant and hopeful, so motivated and curious." Togo was an unforgettable part of her life.
Following her Peace Corps service, Joan backpacked through Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, and settled temporarily in the Philippines. She then took a position teaching English in South Korea, where she came to the conclusion to pursue a Master's degree. Duquesne provided an opportunity to keep working in the global development field. While waiting to hear about her acceptance into the Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy, Joan returned to Togo to work at an HIV/AIDS clinic.
Joan began her studies in the Policy Center in January 2008 and graduated in 2010. Throughout her time at Duquesne Joan worked as a Peace Corps Fellow at Brother's Brother Foundation, a humanitarian organization that ships donated medical and school supplies to many countries around the world. Joan was responsible for Web communications and administrative support.
After graduating Joan continued working for Brother's Brother for a time, then was offered and accepted a position with Catholic Relief Services in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
by Larry Austin
Students at Grand Island High School will raise money for local veterans with the first-ever Vikings for Vets 5-kilometer event.
The Grand Island High School Student Council and Student Advisory Council have organized the 5K, with proceeds to benefit WNY Heroes Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and troops, including the disabled.
Kelly Ruminski, president of Student Council at Grand Island High School, said the council considers veterans a vital group to support.
"We just thinks it's important. These veterans have given and sacrificed their lives, their abilities, to serve us," she said.
The race will take place the day before Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 10, at Veterans Park, 1717 Bedell Road, beginning at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
Non-runners can support the effort as well, Ruminski said.
"Even if people aren't running, they can walk it or just donate money," Ruminski said, adding that the council is also looking for race sponsors.
Student Council at the school is generating greater involvement in with community with charitable works and volunteerism.
"We are the voice of the school," Ruminski said, noting that Student Council is in charge of events such as the Homecoming Dance and Spirit Week, and raising money for different organizations through fundraisers such as last year's Christmas tree sale. The race is one of many fundraisers the council will conduct during the school year, but this event is not restricted to students and staff in the district.
"This is for everyone, the whole community," Ruminski noted.
Entry forms can be found at the Grand Island Recreation Department at the Nike Base on Whitehaven Road, at Grand Island Memorial Library and at Grand Island High School.
Email Christina Podlucky at [email protected] for more information and to donate money, or visit online atwww.vikingsforveterans.weebly.com.


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Hitachi NV75AG Lightweight Framing/Siding Coil Nailer
Hitachi's New Lightweight Coil Nailer is designed to drive 3" nails which are the most commonly used length for framing, siding, fencing, decking and many other construction applications.
Standard Equipment:
- NV75AG Framing/Siding Nailer
- Safety Glasses
- Allen Wrenches
Optional Accessories:
- Coil Siding / Fencing Nails
- "M" Style Coupling System
NOTE: This tool uses the 1503-DL Male Coupler Plug with 3/8" Thread
- 115158 50' Air Hose
- Straight & Coiled Air Hose
- Nail Type: Full Round-Head 15 Degree Coil Wire-Weld/Plastic Sheet Collated
- Nail Gauge: .099, to .131
- Range: 1-3/4" to 3"
- Magazine Capacity: 300
- Operating Pressure: 70-120 psi
- Air Inlet Type: 3/8" NPT
- LxWxH: 10-5/8"x 5-1/4"x 13-1/4"
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- At 5.5 lbs the NV75AG is lightweight and well balanced for easy maneuverability.
- Top load pop-out magazine, easy to quickly replenish nails.
- Tool-less depth of drive adjustment, for precision nailing/flush driving.
- Drives both wire collated and plastic sheet collated nails for added flexibility.
- Adjustable air deflector, directs the air exhaust in any direction.
- Plastic shield, deflects wire collation for added safety.
- Long-lasting rubber grip, for added comfort.


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Mountain biking in Echuca - The Murray Edge Trail
If you are looking for some great cross country mountain bike action give the Murray Edge trail at Echuca a try.
I couldn't find anything on the net about mountain biking in Echuca so I decided to head up there last weekend to see what trails I could find. Once you get up there you realize what a great place it is for off road biking, with heaps of trails through the state forest and along the Murray river.
The best trail starts at the river right next to the historic port area. Go through the town until you reach the bridge to Moama and then turn right and pick up the trail heading upstream. Riding on the Victoria side of the river.
The trail follows the river edge through open Eucalypt forest, with plenty of fast single track around river bends and through gullies. The terrain is all very flat but there are plenty of dips, a few mildly technical bits. There are a few trenches to jump over and plenty of narrow ledges to ride along, some above 20' drops down to the river.
There are some open areas with good jumps, bridge crossings, forest gullies, and a few swampy channel crossings. The trail is all fairly hard but in few spots it was getting dry and powdery. It would be great fun after a bit of rain as well.
The trail follows the river bends, zig zagging through the forest. You can ride for 20-30 kms outbound then take a break by the river before returning to Echuca. There is no water available on the trail so you have to carry it with you. You can stop at the Yarraby Holiday Park for some water on the way back or stop in at their kiosk.
The country is very quiet the further out of town you get, but you come across a few camper trailers camped by the rivers edge every so often. Theres also plenty of boat traffic going past, paddle steamers and house boats etc. You could also drive to the Bama state forest and start from there.
Best time to go is in the colder months, summer would be too hot. Suitable for anyone with average ability. Didn't come across any other riders or walkers out on the trail but there were a few horse riders idling along.
Give it a try if you want some fast cross country trail riding over a 20-60km ride. Echuca is an undiscovered MTB area with trails that have been carved out along the mighty Murray river since the since the pioneer days. An awesome ride!
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Mountain Biking Echuca
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Re: Mountain Biking Echuca
Postby clackers » Tue May 22, 2012 1:59 pm
Thanks for all the tips, Matthew ... I'm a Swan Hill boy originally so do get up that way now and again ...
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Re: Mountain Biking Echuca
Postby Mulger bill » Tue May 22, 2012 11:56 pm
That sounds like great fun, wonder if I can wangle a 2 day pass from family responsibilities...
Thanks for posting MK
Thanks for posting MK
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Mountain Biking Echuca
Postby silentbutdeadly » Wed May 23, 2012 9:02 am
There many, many many excellent XC trails in the river country of NW Victoria. There's even the odd race track....
Ours is not to reason why...merely to point and giggle
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Re: Mountain Biking Echuca
Postby danmol » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:35 pm
The upstream track that Matthemk described is a good track to head out on. To ride the full extent of the track on the upstream side of Echuca you head out on the track from under the Echuca-Moama bridge and keep following it until you get to the abbotoirs (slaughterhouse) and then ride between the ab's and the river - this will bring you out near the East boat ramp. Keep riding out of town on the bitumen for about 300m and then take River Rd, this will open up the rest of the trails. Just be careful of cars along River Rd (gravel) people are known to move along it pretty quickly as it leads to fairly popular camping sites.
You can also ride downstream of Echuca. Head over the bridge on Warren St (towards Swan Hill/Kerang/generally West) and then right onto Campaspe Esp (sandy road) this can take you out into another forest. I haven't fully explored these tracks, but I'm sure that there's at least 5k's out there.
You can also ride downstream of Echuca. Head over the bridge on Warren St (towards Swan Hill/Kerang/generally West) and then right onto Campaspe Esp (sandy road) this can take you out into another forest. I haven't fully explored these tracks, but I'm sure that there's at least 5k's out there.
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Shinobi Ad Blurbs (DOS)
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5 point score based on user ratings.
Advertising Blurbswww.xbox.com:
As the ninja Shinobi (Joe Musashi) you must stop who the criminal organization called "Zeed" who has kidnapped the children of the Oboro clan. Test your ninja skills through five missions of increasing difficulty as Musashi must make his way to Zeed's headquarters and free all the hostages. Zeed's leaders, known as "Ring of Five", are determined to stop you as you'll face one at the end of each stage. This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
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In the wake of an FDA report citing 5-Hour Energy drinks in 13 deaths during the last four years (as well as news of deaths linked to Monster and Rockstar energy drinks), Forbes posts answers to FAQs in "What you really need to know about 5-Hour Energy drink."
Among the questions: "What's in these drinks?" Forbes says there are 160 to an estimated 242 milligrams of caffeine in energy drinks such as Monster, Rockstar and 5-Hour Energy. But some of the problems tied to energy drinks are not due to the caffeine, Forbes says; rather, they are related to phenylalanine, a potentially toxic amino acid.
Phenylalanine "cannot be adequately broken down by people with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria," Forbes says. "In such individuals, the amino acid gets converted to a chemical that can cause seizures."
Forbes also points out that whatever else is in a person's system can interact with a high-caffeine supplement. Neuroscientists are concerned whether caffeine can increase the lethality of ecstasy, amphetamine and methamphetamine.


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Alyson Hannigan Talks About Date Nights
Alyson Hannigan's Tips For the Perfect Mom's Night Out
1. Plan a Night Out at Least Every Two Weeks
Alyson Hannigan knows the value of a night off from mommy-duty. Though the mom of one — daughter Satyana, 2 — says her tot is a "love bug, (she) always wants to be in our arms," the actress makes taking a break from the terrible twos part of her regular routine. The How I Met Your Mother star sat down with me to discuss her latest project with StubHub to encourage moms to take a night off with their friends through a Mom's Night Out program.
According to the program's research, 83 percent of Americans think being a mom is the hardest job, but nearly two out of five mamas haven't had a night off in the past year. Through Mom's Night Out, Alyson and StubHub have designated select Summer events across the country as the perfect opportunity to gather friends together, hire a babysitter, and head out for the night. And if an evening without kids isn't enticing enough, a portion of proceeds from all ticket sales will be donated to Adopt-A-Classroom. Keep reading for Alyson's recipe for the perfect night out.
Photo courtesy of Alyson Hannigan


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Philosophy is all about questioning reality. Epistemology is about questioning our knowledge of reality and metaphysics is about reality itself. Philosophical scepticism can lead people to make bizarre hypotheses, such as the idea that we might be brains in vats, or victims of Descartes' evil demon, or whatever. So my question is: where does philosophical scepticism end and downright mental abnormality begin?
Solipsism, external world scepticism and the like are commonly considered by philosophers, and they are not considered delusional. And yet, 'solipsism syndrome' and 'the Truman Show delusion' are recognised as mental illnesses. The content of these beliefs seems similar, so why are solipsism and external world scepticism considered rational whereas solipsism syndrome and the Truman Show delusion considered mental illnesses?
The best answer I can think of would be that philosophical scepticism is based on rational questioning and that it is not firmly held, like a delusion would be. Whereas, the Truman Show delusion is fixed and is based on irrational inference from events to the belief that reality is not what it seems/reality is based around you/whatever. But this is not totally satisfying for me. How can we so clearly draw the line between "rational questioning" and "irrational inference"?
This question has some personal relevance to me because I am often led to think in unusual ways about things, and I am not sure whether I am being epistemological or whether I am downright mentally abnormal. For example, if I watch a film I have already seen, and something seems different from how I remember it, I can sometimes be led to wonder whether this could be like a sign from God/whatever that the reality I experience is not 'true reality', and God/whoever is 'up there' is trying to show me this, by showing me the internal contradictions inherent in the reality I experience. And later, I realise that a much more rational explanation would simply be that my memory was poor with regards to what happened in the film, and then it bothers me that I would even think along the 'sign from God' lines, and I am left genuinely frightened for my mental health. I have actually explained the way I sometimes think to two 'professionals' (a physician and a psychologist) who I was seeing for largely unrelated reasons, and they have both assured me that I am not crazy and that I don't have schizophrenia or any serious mental illness.
Aside from the assurances of the physician and the psychologist, two things make me slightly more confident about my own sanity: 1. When I think in the way I described above, it is not as if my thoughts are fixed, deeply-held delusions which affect the way I live my everyday life, they are just momentary ideas which I later go on to self-analyse myself about; and 2. It is considered 'normal' to believe in ghosts and horoscopes and New Age bullshit, and how things like a baby surviving a tornado or the Pope surviving an assassination attempt are signs of divine intervention, which I think are at least as irrational as the way I sometimes think.
Still though, I have no idea where rational epistemological scepticism ends and psychiatric delusion begins. Does anybody have any better suggestions with regards to how to demarcate the two? And has anybody else been led to think in the way I described above, and been worried about whether they were being epistemological or whether they had something wrong with them?


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A Christmas Carol
The third 'performance capture' animation from writer-director Robert Zemeckis Discuss this article
The third 'performance capture' animation from writer-director Robert Zemeckis – following The Polar Express and Beowulf – takes Dickens's cautionary and sentimental 1840s novella and delivers a visually arresting but surprisingly ghoulish and family-unfriendly ghost ride.
Not unlike the latest Harry Potter, it opens with a fantastic, technically superb aerial swoop over the teeming streets of London but, from there on, seems uncomfortable on the ground. To an extent, this Christmas Carol is a case of style – and stylisation – overwhelming substance. The technology's developing competence in delivering texture and vertiginous line and scale deny any sense of intimacy in the film's settings, from the oceanic swathes of planked floorboard that Scrooge paces in his lending-house, to the restlessly changing angles from which poor, trusting Bob Cratchit's (Gary Oldman) festive table is viewed in his cold, humble dwelling.
Likewise, despite staying true to Dickens's dialogue, the characterisations are opaque, as facial expressions and people's eyes are often creepily indistinct. How can we judge, for instance, Jim Carrey's acting when he has provided a database of performances in his six incarnations? He plays Ebenezer Scrooge as a lonely schoolboy, heedless young lover and elderly curmudgeon and is also the ghosts of past, present and future – which means that possible pathos and sympathy is trumped by the surreal spectacle of endless metamorphoses.
That said, cinematographer Robert Presley and the design team provide many instances of graphical triumph, influenced by silent cinema, the spirit of Tim Burton and – in Scrooge's moment of torment in the dockside murk and mist – David Lean. What the film suffers from is a want of common comfort, despite its nominally redemptive, happy ending.By Wally Hammond
Time Out Doha,


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Black-footed Cat, Small-spotted Cat
(Felis nigripes)
Facts about this animal
The Black-footed cat is the smallest cat species of Africa and one of the smallest wild cat species in the world, with average shoulder height of 26 cm and head-body length of 42 cm. Their low-slung and stocky form is an adaptation to slip through short grass and dwarf bushes while finding refuge in the burrows of springhares, or inside hollow termite mounds, both when in danger from larger carnivores and for retiring during the daylight hours. Adult females average 1,3 kg, males 1,9 kg reaching a maximum of only 2,5 kg. The head is broad with pronounced large ears. Adults are attractively patterned with black blotches on the body, which join to bands on the shoulders and back. The legs are ringed with broad black bands. The tail is characteristically short, less than 40% of the head-body length, between 14-20 cm. The ground colour of adults varies from off-white to reddish tawny.
Gestation period is 63-68 days and the birth weight averages 77 g. The kittens are born with eyes closed, which they open between days 3-10. Kittens in their native South Africa are born in the warmer months of the year, between September and May. In captivity kittens are born year-round. Litter size averages 2 but may vary between 1-4. Sexual maturity (in captivity) is seven months for females and nine months for males.
Black-footed cats are mostly crepuscular and nocturnal and their social system conforms to the typical solitary feline system, with females maintaining almost mutually exclusive home ranges from other females, which are over lapped by male ranges. Annual home range size is 10 km² for females and 22 km² for males. They are highly opportunistic hunters taking mostly vertebrates. 72% of their diet is comprised of mammals, 26 % birds, 2 % invertebrates. During one night they travel distances of 8-20 km, leaving up to 600 urine spray marks.
Longevity in human care is up to 16 years, while cats in the wild probably only live to 4-6 years.
Did you know?
That wild black-footed cats have stalked breeding ostriches? This bold behaviour probably led to the San bushmen's tales that they would even attack giraffe. Black-footed cats are very successful hunters with about one vertebrate prey animal caught every 50 minutes and 10-14 rodents or small birds caught in a night. This represents about 250-300g of food, about 20% of the cat's body weight, but record intakes can reach 450g per night.
|Name (Scientific)
|Felis nigripes
|Name (English)
|Black-footed Cat, Small-spotted Cat
|Name (French)
|Chat à pieds noirs
|Name (German)
|Name (Spanish)
|Gato de pies negros
|Local names
|Afrikaans: Klein gekolde kat, Swart poot kat, miershooptier
Damara: Nulaibeb
isiXhosa: Ingwe yeziduli Nama
seSotho: Tsetse
seTswana: Sebala, lototsi, sebalabala, sebala-manokwane, keketlane
|CITES Status
|Appendix I
|CMS Status
|Not listed
Photo Copyright by
Alex Sliwa
|Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa. Possibly Angola.
|Arid brushland and semi-desert
|Wild population
|Approx. < 10'000 (1996)
|Zoo population
|28 reported to ISIS (2008). 63 in the International Studbook with 17 Institutions participating
In the Zoo
How this animal should be transported
Transport crates should be sufficiently large to meet legal requirements and sufficiently strong to prevent escape or damage to the crate and animal. Basic design should allow free flow of air through multiple sides of the container. Preferably, a double door design at least on one end of the crate should be used. The "inner" door should have bars or wire mesh to contain the animal, and the "outer" door should consist of a thin panel of expanded metal or plywood that provides safety for the handlers and isolation for the animal. The doors should travel vertically to facilitate animal transfer and contain a secure locking system. The crate should drain well, and absorbent bedding should be used to prevent the animal from being exposed to or lying in urine or excreta.
The shipment should be organised in a way to minimise stress. The animal should have access to its transport crate for 2 weeks before shipment, preferably being fed within it. If an extended trip is anticipated, water and food as may be required should be provided while the animal is in transit.
For air transport, Container Note 82 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Alex Sliwa
Why do zoos keep this animal
Formerly a widely kept small cat species. Its population has decreased dramatically due to long-standing disease problems. Current international studbook population is 63 animals in 17 institutions. They are representatives of their dry temperate Karoo and upland grassland habitat, which is threatened by habitat destruction through overgrazing and desertification. Their small size is special and they make a good display, even with limited space available.
Due to a 6-year field study using radio-telemetry we know more about the ecology and behaviour of this small cat species in the wild compared to other small species. Their good looks, body form and conservation concern make an interesting story for the education of visitors. The black-footed cat is generally uncommon throughout its range. Threats include killing by dog packs used for jackal control, habitat destruction through overgrazing and accidental poisoning.