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While not strictly applications, some ebooks are so interactive and full of enhanced content that they're just as valid for an App of the Day as any dedicated software. After all, the superb interactive Alice in Wonderland may be classified as an app, but it's as good a children's book as anything offered on Kindle or iBooks.
And it is the latter of those ebook applications that we turn to as the host for today's App of the Day, the superb, and now free...
Yellow Submarine
- Format
- iPad, iPhone, iPod touch (through iBooks)
- Price
- Free
- Where
- iTunes
Based on what is technically a kids' picture book released in 2004, the interactive version of The Yellow Submarine adds so many extra features that it's an entirely different proposition. The art is the same, as are the words, however, almost every page has something that you can move, prod or play, with a few surprises along the way.
Now, we're massive fans of The Beatles here at Pocket-lint Towers, and even have collectable figures of all of the members in their Yellow Submarine form, so this ebook was always going to be a favourite. But, we've even overheard others comment on how cool it is, and kids will love it even if they've never even heard of the band.
As well as the ability to touch items in the scenery, provoking animations or audio clips, spattered throughout the book are video clips from the movie which play important scenes. Plus, you can choose to have the entire book read aloud by Dean Lennox Kelly (ex of Channel 4's Shameless, among many other TV shows). You can even touch specific words and phrases and jump through his narration. Other, bold words will plau audio files, such as the noise a character makes or a snippet from a song. Naturally, everytime you touch the words "Yellow Submarine" you hear the chorus of the eponymous track.
There are 44 pages in total, with the last couple dedicated to flogging you the soundtrack through iTunes. But hey, Apple is currently offering up the book completely for free at the moment, and there's no other advertising or sponsorship throughout the main body of the ebook. We can live with a few links at the end.
In fact, we would happily live with sponsored stuff in the middle, if that's what it would take. The Yellow Submarine interactive ebook is a godsend to fans of the band, the movie and the iconography. Yeah, The Beatles didn't actually do their own voices (with Twiggy from The Royle Family lending his as Paul) in the original film, but it's a wonderful, trippy experience that young and old can enjoy equally.
It certainly holds pride of place on our iDevices. Now, excuse us while we go and play with our Blue Meanies.


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Botany, Water Bowls & Aqua Socks: Funny Wiz Khalifa & Currensy Interview
Curren$y & Wiz foolin around. Pause! Who touched on it!? - Canalp
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subset: commoncrawl


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Hood River County voters joined the rest of Oregon in giving solid approval to two tax measures on Tuesday's mail-in special election ballot.
In unofficial results provided by the county elections office Wednesday, voters passed both Measure 19 (education stability fund) and Measure 20 (cigarette tax increase.)
On Measure 19, the vote was 2,669 to 1,894, or 57.6 to 40.8 percent. (The remaining 1.6 percent of ballots were "undervotes," meaning voters did not cast a vote on Measure 19.) Statewide, 62 percent of voters approved the measure.
Measure 19 would transfer $150 million from the state education endowment fund to a school stability fund, to defray cuts to state schools.
On Measure 20, the vote was 3,158 to 1,465, or 68.2 percent to 31.6 percent. (Undervotes on Measure 20 accounted for the remaining 1.2 percent.) Measure 20 increases the cost of a pack of cigarettes by 60 cents, from 68 cents to $1.28, and is expected to raise $70 million in the next biennium. Statewide, the measure received a 68 percent yes vote.
A total of 4,635 Hood River County voters cast ballots, for a 44.1 turnout. This is well above the unofficial statewide response of 33 percent of ballots returned.
In a related development, the Legislature on Tuesday agreed to send voters an income tax increase measure in a special election Jan. 28, 2003. (Wednesday's Hood River News editorial, page A4, incorrectly stated the vote would be in 2002.)
The measure would raise $315 million this budget year by increasing the personal income tax rate from 9 percent to 9.5 percent, and the corporate tax rate from 6.6 to 6.93 percent.
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About Yaktrax Winter Traverse Traction Pull-Ons (For Men and Women)
Closeouts. Yaktrax Winter traverse traction pull-on grips help eliminate wintry slips, slides and falls.
- 1.2 mm steel coils dig into ice and packed snow
- Easily slip onto boots or shoes
- Weight: 4.8 oz.
- Made in China
- May or may not come with carry bag
- Made in United States of America or China
Specs about Yaktrax Winter Traverse Traction Pull-Ons (For Men and Women)
- Material: 1.2mm steel coils, polyelastomer
- Weight: 4.8 oz.
- Gender: Men,Women
- Made in United States of America or China
Do you own this product? Write a review and help others with their buying decisions!
4.520092 5 Overall Rating: 4.5 Based on 1294 reviews
Most Helpful 5-Star Review
Excellent traction on solid ice
Reviewed by bearsnob from Oregon on Sunday, December 30, 2012
I remember asking several hikers about these years ago. I specifically wanted to know how they performed on solid ice because it seemed to me that they might cause you to slip and fall if the wire coils did not dig into the ice. No one had a good answer for me. Well, I now have the answer: they w... Read More
Good tractionVerified Buyer Reviewed by Stylish walker from Massachusetts on Friday, May 19, 2017Got spelled by a couple ice storms this winter. I didn't have these the first time around, but did for the second -- and they sure did help with traction. I was basically skating on the ice without them, but had the ability to walk normally with them on. Only use them occasionally so I hope they last a few years.
Adds confidence to walking on snow and ice.Verified Buyer Reviewed by Hate Winter from NY State on Wednesday, April 12, 2017This is my third pair. My first two pair are still in great shape. I like to put them on the shoes or boots and leave them on so I don't have to take time switching the Yaktrax to different boots or shoes. These give me great confidence walking on snow and ice. I wouldn't be without them.
Keeps me uprightVerified Buyer Reviewed by Maggie's Mom from NH on Thursday, April 6, 2017Without my Yaktrax I couldn't walk my dog through the woods every day without falling on the ice. They have made winter in NH tolerable.
Great valueVerified Buyer Reviewed by Becky the hiker from St. Louis MO on Monday, April 3, 2017Do use these on some slushy slippery conditions in Colorado and they worked great.
Need snow and Ice to test them out have not had none so farVerified Buyer Reviewed by snow from ky on Wednesday, March 29, 2017Will not know until we get some snow and ice probably next Winter did not have any this year to do any testing or to use them
YaxYatrax gives great traction for safer walking.Verified Buyer Reviewed by nyrobee from NH on Monday, March 27, 2017Yaktrax winter traverse traction pull ons are inexpensive and easy to use. They slip on and off fairly easily, but are tight enough to stay on my shoes. The price was great, shipping quick and as always, a great buy from Sierra Trading Post!
Yaktrax ruleVerified Buyer Reviewed by Mtn Barb from Colorado on Monday, March 27, 2017These Yaktrax are the best. Much easier to use than my older black model. They are more compact yet stretch effortlessly to go on my boots and stay on. I use them on my ski boots for uphill walking to extreme terrain. Highly recommend.
Essential for compact snow and iceVerified Buyer Reviewed by RuralGrl from San Francisco on Monday, March 13, 2017Had to use these in Tahoe. Snow everywhere. Ten-foot banks. BF thought these looked silly until he fell on the frozen slush in the parking lot. Now they're awesome! No more slipping.
YaktraxVerified Buyer Reviewed by Anna from New York on Wednesday, March 1, 2017Size small was a perfect fit on my women's 6 winter boot. These aren't super heavy duty, no spikes, but they are perfect for when things get icy and messy, and even pretty good in deep snow.
Work GreatVerified Buyer Reviewed by PontiacPeggy from Washington on Thursday, February 23, 2017I should have ordered these last fall. The day they arrived was extremely icy and I was able to safely walk to the mailboxes. I hope that there will be no more ice and snow but if there is, I am ready. I ordered a Medium and they fit over my size 10 boots with no problem. Haven't tried them with tennis shoes. Glad I bought them.
Question & Answer
Questions about this product? Get answers from community and staff experts.
"size thoughts? i wear a woman 9"
I'd go with the medium if I were you. I'm a size 6 which is technically just *under* the range for the Small, which is (6.5-8.5), but they work just fine for me: no chance of them coming off; they don't feel loose or insecure at all. I didn't have a choice because that was the smallest size. Anyway, going with the range they recommend makes sense, and I'd suggest the M based on this.
The small works for my wife and she's a size 9.
If you hover your mouse over or click on the sizes the corresponding numeric size will be displayed.
According to the size charts a small should be fine. I wear an 8-1/2 and small works fine on my clunky chunky big soles boots as well as sneakers with a slimmer silhouette.
According to the size charts a small should be fine. I wear an 8-1/2 and small works fine on my clunky chunky big soles boots as well as sneakers with a slimmer silhouette.
So do I. A medium works for me, but if you are going to put them on very large clunky snow boots you MIGHT need the large.
"If I wear a size 10 boot, women, should I get a small or medium? "
Good question. The size chart says up to women's 10 should get a small, 10.5 gets a medium. I do know my husband (size 10 M) can't wear my smalls.
I think you should consider what footwear you'll be pairing with the Yaktrax. If it has a big footprint and thick sole, try medium. If you are using it with shoes with a slim sillouette (like dress boots or sneakers) then small should be fine. Or just buy both and return (or give away) one.
In actuality, you could probably use either of these and they would both work as they do have stretch and grip due to the rubber. You should also take into account what type of foot wear it is going to be worn with. If you are going to be wearing winter boots, then I would say go with the medium as boots in general are a larger item. If you are going to be wearing them more with tennis shoes then they wouldn't have to stretch as far.
"If I wear a size 10 boot, women, should I get a small or medium? "
Yaktrax.com has a sizing guide -- you'll have to look under the individual products, since their sizing varies. I wear a size 11 women's boot and bought the medium.
I can say that I am a "perfect 6" and Small is just fine for me, fit is very secure, even though its listed as fitting size 6.5 minimum. So medium will probably be fine for you.
In actuality, you could probably use either of these and they would both work as they do have stretch and grip due to the rubber. You should also take into account what type of foot wear it is going to be worn with. If you are going to be wearing winter boots, then I would say go with the medium as boots in general are a larger item. If you are going to be wearing them more with tennis shoes then they wouldn't have to stretch as far.
My wife is a 9 and uses the small. They expand quite well and that size may cover a 10? I would think the medium would work fine too but may not be tight enough to stay on under duress.
Medium for sure...they come up and around toe that helps keep them on, front and back
Medium or large depending on the type of boot.
"Is the cost per pair? The photo shows a single one, and does not state a pair. "
It is for a pair, the pair comes nicely boxed!
Yes, it is a pair of Yaktrax.
Oh yes a pair... and a friend of mine said I'm going to be sooo happy with their performance. I always he had yak traxs and stepped up to a more aggressive pair.
Yes, it's a pair.
Yes, these come as a pair.
"How snug are they? Boyfriend has size 8 in sneakers. Hard to believe a S will fir both he and I. I am a size 7.5 femalr"
These stretch really well and are designed to hold tight. We recommend going with the listed sizes.
"How do they stay on your boots?"
They are elastic and stretch over the to and heal of your boot or shoe.
"Sizes are listed as S,M,L for men and women. What shoes sizes do each of these fit for men and women?"
If you hover your mouse over or click on the sizes the corresponding shoe size will appear. I.E. S (M Shoe Size 5-8½, F 6½-10) M (M Shoe Size 9-11, F 10½-12½)
"I don't see what shoe sizes S and M correspond to..."
If you hover your mouse over or click on the sizes the corresponding shoe size will appear. I.E. S (M Size 5-8½, F 6½-10) M (M Size 9-11, F 10½-12½)
"Will the L fit over a men's size 13 hiking boot? Also, i have had a pair with no problem, but people keep commenting on the lack of durability--has anyone had issues with breakage?"
If you hover your mouse over or click on the sizes the relevant shoe size will appear.|I.E.
I have been using Yak-Trax for many years -- I'd say at least 15.
Yes, they definitely break and always have. That said, however, the quality of the material has changed, for the better, during that time.
The likeliest issue for breakage is probably having to walk a bit on concrete or other hard surfaces (including mulch-chips and some other landscape materials) -- which all us townies and city-dwellers have to do, from time to time when we hit dry patches where the icy surfaces have melted off. Yak-Trax simply aren't designed for that. (Extra caution is needed if you have to step indoors with them on, especially on tiled surfaces -- VERY slick! Walk completely flat-footed and take them off right away.).
If the steel wires hang in the way if a piece of web breaks, snip the wire up close with pliers or wire-cutters, making sure they won't snag. Use them as long as they do their job. I've had some go for a couple more winter seasons with a piece of the web broken...
Still, I find them to be far superior to any other similar product. I buy several pairs at a time.
"I am a women's size 5, will the small be too big over a hiking boot?"
If you hover over the "Sizes Available" with your mouse, a tap will appear and provide you with the correct numeric sizing. I hope this helps.


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AoEM Tarr Legend Army of Elite Mercenaries Tuesday 02/01/2007, 03:03
I think that the rate of 3 Cr cards given per week is inappropriate cos if we take you have 3:25 chance of winning and about 1:4 to end up in top 25 (there are about hundred skilled players out there) you will have to play about 10 years before collecting all Cr cards... Sure, you can also buy them on market - but it will be somewhere over 10 milion clintzs (which will cost about 3.000 euro) or you will have to play two regular tournaments per day for about 15 years always ending in top 10 to earn 9M clintz... so I think that the Urban stuff should find another way how to distribute Cr cards among us players or increase number of cards given per one ELO tournament... I've already spent about 100 euro on this game and believe me that it is more than enough for student like me... I like this game much but I wont spend neither 3000 euro nor 10 years of my life just to collect Cr cards... I hereby call upon other players to support me in my request!!!
AoEM Tarr Legend Army of Elite Mercenaries Wednesday 03/01/2007, 04:27
Celdin - youre right - if Cr cards were easy to get, people will loose interest of the game - if you read my post carefully - did you see the sentence with 10 years? well I think if I had whole collection in a month I will loose interest, but waiting 10 years has somehow the same effect - loosing interest... If I got one Cr card per month I think that should be quite appropriate... I can buy the new cards (each 14 days 4 cards) for clintz I earn shopping on a market and regular tournament but I wont wait such a long time to get all Crs. Its hard to get to top 25 and 3:25 simply *****. (smart people know what those * mean). I think that maybe ten Cr cards for ten players from top 50 per week and each player will be limited by two collectors won per month should be much better... this will put more Crs into game and still people wont get whole collection soon (will take about a year to collect it - and you must won each month)
KV Celdin Titan KINGS OF VALACHIA Wednesday 03/01/2007, 12:10
There are more then 1 way of getting collectables u can alsow buy them...i know, i know, they're selling for insane amount of clintz but once you get a decent amount you can juggle with it and double/triple them in a mather of days, i think "playing with the market" is alsow a part of the game, olmoast as enjoyable as playing in evo mode against strong oponents (the fair kind)
6SimS-Sven Master UTOPiA Wednesday 03/01/2007, 14:45
Yes ur right BUT hear this cz_tarr maybe in 10 years for example you have dieter or crystal or any card u have may become a cr card....
AoEM Tarr Legend Army of Elite Mercenaries Wednesday 03/01/2007, 16:57
I know i have earned couple thousand clints smuggling on market... its very funny buying under-priced cards and selling them for few hundreds profit in a minute... but half a milion for one card is simply too much - ive spend about 100 euro and hundreds of hours playing and now iam saving to buy Lyse Teria - i have saved 150.000 by selling cards I gained from boosters but the time I last looked there Lyse Teria had about 950.000... maybe the right way instead of increasing Cr cards rate in tournament would be this: what about there is another way of getting Cr card... there are boosters where you get 3 cards (8 in full pack) randomized for 20 (50) credits - what if there is some kind of random Cr card booster... you will buy this "pack" the same way as boosters but it will cost lets say 250.000 clints and there will be one random Cr card. This will lower the cost but still - enormous amount of cards wont be distibuted cos 250.000 is quite a lot so it will still be hard to get them...
Morder4Life Senior Thursday 04/01/2007, 06:16
I agree with you Tarr.
It's really hard to get money for cards like Lyse Teria, Manon, And even Lao.
6SimS-Sven Master UTOPiA Thursday 04/01/2007, 18:06
I dont like market prices...there should be like price check or price guide so we know if we got ripped off or we bought cheap...
shinakuma-EVO Senior Friday 05/01/2007, 19:00
Cr cards are over priced and hard 2 get ive only had 2 cr cards in my whole time of playing and thats only a couple of sigmunds
shinakuma-EVO Senior Friday 05/01/2007, 19:02
Also the idea of luck factor should be on no elo games wat so ever so people who dont understand how to play elo wont get anywere
0-Ianzro Novice NASTY NOYP! Saturday 06/01/2007, 14:56
I think fraggle has to make monthly events....who can randomly win a cr card on the end of da month?wat do u think
AoEM Tarr Legend Army of Elite Mercenaries Saturday 06/01/2007, 21:07
Well i think if random player will win cr cards that wont solve the problem - some noobs will win very expensive cards and if they sell it for 500.000 they can buy all non-cr cards and some skilled players will be waiting years before they win one... i think that it can be like this: each weak there will be one cr card given to a random player who has 4 or 5 stars (won tournament, have 95 percent of collection etc.) - so player who play long time (will have all stars except for the "tournament won" one) or those who won regular tournament and play less time or dont have full collection wil be in... no newbies there and still not some "elite" group of ten player winning all the time


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GREENCASTLE — The schedule isn't getting any easier for the Greencastle-Antrim varsity football team.
Coming off a 21-7 loss at Northern York last week — the Blue Devils' first divisional defeat since 2009 — G-A now welcomes an up-and-coming West Perry squad to Kaley Field for a Mid-Penn Colonial Division showdown Friday night at 7:30.
Entering the second half of the season, both teams have had their triumphs and tribulations, with the Mustangs (3-2, 1-1 MPC-Colonial) holding a one-game advantage over G-A (2-3, 1-1 MPC-Colonial) in the overall win column.
Each has also split their first two Colonial contests, as West Perry lost to Shippensburg (31-22) before beating winless Big Spring (35-14) a week ago. On the flip side, the Blue Devils were unable to build upon any momentum gained from their 50-3 trouncing of Gettysburg in Week 4, surrendering 14 points in the fourth quarter against Northern, allowing last Friday's contest to slip away in the closing moments.
Despite having won the last five meetings against West Perry, dating back to 2007, G-A head coach Chuck Tinninis understands the current challenge awaiting his team Friday night.
"We had a few bad breaks last week and came up on the short end of a good football game," Tinninis said. "Overall, I thought we played hard and now we have to put that behind us. West Perry is another solid opponent that is going to pose another big challenge. Our job is to be ready for it."
Aside from limiting turnovers, two keys will likely determine whether or not the Blue Devils are able to get back on track against the Mustangs. Offensively, G-A needs to showcase consistency by moving the ball on the ground while attempting to utilize both the legs and arm quarterback Austin Scott. Defensively, the game plan will revolve around containing West Perry signal caller Zach Smith, who has accounted for 15 total touchdowns thus far, including nine rushing.
"As always, we have to take care of the ball and play smart on offense," Tinninis said. "We need to control the line of scrimmage in order to get our running game going and everyone needs to take care of their assignments. Their quarterback (Smith) is a very good athlete, and as he goes, they go. They're a physical team that's well-coached, so we need to be up for the challenge."
Anchoring G-A's ground attack will be the trio of Ashtin Byers, Adam Moore and Hunter Szaflarski. Byers and Moore have split the majority of the workload to this point, combining for 87 carries and 462 yards, with Szaflarski being implemented more out of the backfield in recent weeks. The probable return of Josh Young and Kareem Aiken, who have both been sidelined with injuries, should also bolster the Blue Devils' 'ball-carrier-by-committee' approach.
West Perry will likely counter with a rushing attack heavily reliant on Smith and fullback Kurtis Rider, a duo that has shouldered a significant amount of the Mustangs' production. Both have routinely reached double-digit carries through the first five games, with Smith racking up 478 yards to Rider's 399.
The Mustangs also offer a capable receiving corps with the combination of Chase May and Keeghan Morrison already catching 35 passes for 520 yards and six touchdowns.
G-A's big-play ability through the air rests in the hands of Joel Zola, with three of Zola's nine receptions on the season resulting in touchdowns.
Of note, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Friday's game will serve as G-A's annual 'Pink Out' event with spectators encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. Shirts recognizing the occasion will be sold at the gate while supplies last, with donations also being accepted to benefit the cause.
Friday night's remaining three Colonial Division contests include: Waynesboro (2-3, 1-1 MPC-Colonial) at Shippensburg (4-1, 2-0 MPC-Colonial), 7 p.m.; Gettysburg (1-4, 1-1 MPC-Colonial) at Northern York (4-1, 2-0 MPC-Colonial), 7 p.m.; James Buchanan (0-5, 0-2 MPC-Colonial) at Big Spring (0-5, 0-2 MPC-Colonial), 7 p.m.


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A sheer amount of akwardness that amounts to a large amount of what might or might not be a situation in which a position of a certain magnitude might have arisen with the effect that the people in said situation are so thoroughly immersed in what could be classified as that thing with
The sheer amount of akwardnessishityocity was so overwhelming I pooed a little.
by dethfan May 20, 2009
Spencer had a akwardnessishityocity in class during the Pledge of Allegiance.
by Dannydank0 May 20, 2009


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Shop Local…Shop Chamber! The Urbandale Chamber has made it easy to find businesses in the area. The businesses reflected in this list support the Urbandale community through their Chamber membership. You can search by business type, alphabetical, keyword or contact! If you prefer a pdf of the directory, you may find it here:
Employment/Background Screening
Narrow search by:
Manpower is a world leader in employment services, providing permanent, temporary and contract-to-hire placement; employee assessment and selection; training; and consulting.
1719 Grand Ave, Ste 100
Des Moines, IA 50309-2323
- Map
- (515) 288-6745
Midwest Professional Staffing is a local positive, high-energy staffing firm which values establishing and keeping long term relationships with our clients and candidates.
13375 University Ave. Ste. 303
Clive, IA 50325
- Map
- (515) 453-9575


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Hot off its acquisition by EchoStar, parent company of the Dish Network satellite service, Sling Media is back in the saddle with a new product, the Slingbox Solo. The latest Slingbox model is essentially a streamlined version of the Slingbox Pro. Like that 2006 model, the Solo ($180 list) can handle standard and high-def video streams via pass-through AV input/outputs, but the HD input no longer requires the purchase of an add-on dongle. The Solo loses the built-in analog TV tuner and discrete audio inputs found on the Pro, but it gains a smaller, sleeker frame. Oh, and there's a USB input--but it's currently "reserved for future use." In other words, if you already have a Slingbox Pro--or even a Slingbox AV--there's no real compelling need to upgrade to the Solo. But if you have yet to take the plunge, the Slingbox Solo is an ideal place-shifting option, and an enthusiastic recommendation for anyone who wishes to stream their TV and home video content to any broadband-enabled computer (Windows or Mac) or any smartphone (Windows Mobile or Palm OS) in the world.
Stream your TV anywhere
Before we focus on the specifics of the Slingbox Solo, it's worth taking a broader look at the Slingbox technology as a whole. The Slingbox enables you to stream your home TV programming to your broadband-enabled computer or smartphone. Both the Slingbox (source) and the device running the SlingPlayer software (receiver) need to be connected to high-speed broadband networks--a cable or DSL line or a 3G wireless network--but the distance between the two isn't a factor. As long as you're getting normal broadband access speeds, you can watch your Slingbox playback anywhere--be it in another room of the house or halfway around the world, literally.
SlingPlayer software is available for Windows (2000, XP, or Vista) and Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later, for PowerPC or Intel machines) computers on the included disc, or as a free download. Furthermore, mobile SlingPlayer versions are available for many Windows Mobile smartphones and handhelds (both touch-screen and non-touch-screen models) and certain Palm OS models (Treo 700p and 755p). Already preinstalled in some phones sold in Europe, a SlingPlayer for Symbian phone is now in beta testing here in the U.S. Each mobile software package needs to be purchased on Sling's Web site for a onetime fee of $30, but you can try before you buy--just download the 30-day trial software from Sling's Web site.
Sling Media is said to be working on players for additional platforms--the BlackBerry and iPhone have been mentioned--but no official announcements have been made. But the key for any current and future viewing platform is broadband capability, be it Ethernet (for PCs), Wi-Fi, or 3G high-speed cellular networks. Meanwhile, those who prefer a bigger screen will want to hold out for the SlingCatcher. Due by the end of 2007, this "reverse Slingbox" will be able to stream content from any Slingbox and display it on another TV--so you can access your living room DVR recordings in the bedroom, for instance. It will also offer a function called "SlingProjector" that will mirror what appears on the screen of any networked PC.
Design of the Slingbox Solo
The Slingbox Solo is about the size of three DVD cases stacked together, and it retains the trapezoidal shape of all previous Slingbox models. But the Solo's got a decidedly more polished look and feel--it's jet black (albeit with Sling's trademark red accents on the side), and the metal grille along the top and side gives it more of a classic high-end audio vibe. Except for the three red indicator lights on the front face, all the action is around back. There's no power switch either--once plugged in, the Slingbox is designed to be always on, just like a cable modem or router.
The Solo's rear panel boasts composite, S-Video, and component video inputs and outputs, so it can sit between your cable or satellite box (or DVR) and your TV. That's a step up from last year's Slingbox AV, which lacked pass-through connectors. While you can set up the Solo to receive video from three separate sources (say, a cable box, DVD changer, and Apple TV), you're limited to just one set of stereo audio inputs. Using Y-cable adapters provides a workaround, but you'll get a mash-up of multiple audio streams if you don't power down the other connected sources. We opted to stick with a single AV source--our DVR cable box--but some users opt to use the Slingbox for remote security (no audio needed).
The component video connections of the Slingbox Solo have no trouble processing HD video (720p and 1080i, but not 1080p). An HDMI connector would've been nice, but that would introduce pesky copyright protection and digital-rights management issues. Nevertheless, be aware that some cable boxes can't support parallel HD video output (simultaneous HDMI and component video), so if you already have the cable box connected via HDMI, you might need to use component (passed through the Slingbox to the TV)--or just opt for S-Video instead.
Setup and installation
In addition to connecting the Slingbox between the cable/satellite box and the TV, you'll also need to connect it to your home network. With no built-in Wi-Fi, the only choice is the wired Ethernet connection. If you don't have a network cable in the vicinity, you'll need to opt for a wireless bridge or power-line networking interface. We've had much better luck with the latter, which sends network traffic over your home power lines. Sling offers its own SlingLink Turbo products, or you can opt for similar models from Netgear, Linksys, and the like.
Once you have the Slingbox base station wired up and ready to go, you'll need to install the viewing software on a PC (Windows or Mac). The initial setup must be done within your home's local network. The software follows a bulletproof, wizard-style install path; if you have a plug-and-play (UPnP) router, the whole process should take just a few minutes. The latest iteration of the SlingPlayer software setup includes a great video-optimization wizard, which automatically calibrates the software settings to your PC's CPU and graphics card. Once it's up and running, the software gives you a video window not unlike that of QuickTime or Windows Media Player, just with channel-changing controls. If you've connected the Slingbox to a TiVo, a cable or satellite box with a built-in DVR, or even a DVD recorder, you'll also get video-transport controls: pause, rewind, fast-forward, and so on.
Streaming performance
In terms of performance and usage, the Slingbox Solo seemed indistinguishable from its 2006 predecessor, the Slingbox Pro. But that's a compliment, not a criticism--the previous-generation Slingbox models were already the best-in-class place-shifting products available, and the Solo ably lives up to the pedigree. We were able to watch our living room TV--with full access to all our channels and recorded DVR programming--on the bedroom PC, on our work PC (10 miles away), on a laptop, or on a Sprint Mogul (anywhere we had access to the EVDO network or Wi-Fi).
On a Windows or Mac screen, the SlingPlayer software offers several "skins," and you can easily set up favorite channels for one-touch access using the familiar channel logos. But where the interface of the SlingPlayer really triumphs is the onscreen remote control. Essentially, you're getting a nearly identical version of the handheld remote of whatever set-top box the Slingbox is connected to. During testing, we were able to toggle between the DirecTV HR20, the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD (cable), and the Dish ViP622, each of which had their corresponding remotes available on the screen. The obvious upside is that there's no learning curve--if you can use your home remote, you can use the SlingPlayer software as well.


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Microsoft SQL Server Needs Flash Acceleration
Your business depends on mission-critical databases running Microsoft SQL Server®. Database administrators need to provide adequate performance, capacity, and reliability to ensure your business can operate effectively. Flash SSD technology from SanDisk® or HGST can be a powerful tool to achieve these goals. Instead of scaling out into massive arrays of servers with additional hardware and software licensing costs, or investing in an expensive and hard-to-manage, ultra-performance SAN, you can use local SSDs to increase query performance, provide needed capacity, and ensure reliability—simply and cost-effectively. With SanDisk- and HGST-brand SSDs powering your Microsoft SQL Server applications, your database administrators can increase productivity, serve end users faster, and use server hardware more effectively at a lower total cost.
SanDisk- and HGST-brand SSDs can handle your most demanding Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) workloads, delivering both performance and capacity in single and clustered Microsoft SQL Server® workloads.
What SanDisk- and HGST-brand storage devices can do for your business
Reducing Top-Line Costs
HGST- and SanDisk-brand SSDs bring storage capacity and performance to a new level by dramatically speeding up I/O operations. Faster I/O allows each server in your cluster to handle more transactions and process more data at a faster rate. Handling higher workload volumes faster and with fewer CPU resources enables you to consolidate the number of servers you need. Server resource consolidation means cutting capital costs and decreasing power and cooling expenses, plus the often-overlooked savings of reduced software license fees.
Increasing Bottom-Line Value
HGST- and SanDisk-brand SSDs are built to drive better business outcomes. By speeding up I/O-bound workloads, our SSDs can allow for deeper, more complex query generation and processing in real time. Existing I/O-bound queries can also speed up, increasing user satisfaction with system performance.
No One "Right Way" for Microsoft SQL Server on Flash
There is more than one way to deploy HGST- and SanDisk-brand SSDs into Microsoft SQL Server clusters, giving architects the freedom to craft the ideal design for any given business need. Depending on individual needs, flash storage can be applied to accelerate specific workloads or to take over all database storage needs.
Pain Point: Speeding Up Servers without Needing High-Availability Flash Storage
The easiest and least disruptive method of accelerating SQL workloads is to simply provide individual servers with local SSD storage. This method allows any existing data availability arrangement, whether it is a highly available SAN, a multipath SAS JBOD with Windows® Storage Spaces, or an Always On Availability Group, to be untouched. A direct-to-CPU connected NVM Express™ (NVMe™) SSD, such as the Skyhawk™ Ultra from SanDisk brand or HGST's Ultrastar® SN200 and SN260, with high-write lifetime can be added to all existing servers for temporary usage (TEMPDB). Complicated business queries with large intermediate result tables can take advantage of this temporary local storage for a significant performance boost. Because this storage is used only as a scratch space for the server, no high availability or replication is necessary.
Pain Point: Accelerating Databases on Windows Storage Spaces
Many traditionally deployed SQL Server installations already use a shared RAID + JBOD approach with Windows Storage Spaces to ensure a highly available, redundant database for business needs. Standard Windows fault-tolerance technologies ensure continued availability of service while RAID helps protect from data loss. This same, well-understood method can also be used with SAS SSDs to provide an immediate performance boost to I/O-limited workloads. With up to multi-terabyte models available and full support for RAID controllers and 12G SAS multipathing, the HGST-brand Ultrastar SS200 provides capacity for existing and future database workloads as your business needs change.
Paint Point: Slow Queries in Always On Availability Groups
Another way to provide a highly available, flash-based Microsoft SQL Server instance is to use Always On Availability Groups. This enables Microsoft SQL Server to perform database-level replication, either synchronously or asynchronously, depending on your application's needs, between separate servers with private storage. Database administrators can then deploy local SSDs through SATA, SAS, or NVMe, while still ensuring data is available and replicated in case of failure. This architecture is also effective for business applications with read-heavy access patterns, because Always On allows multiple read-only copies of the live database on different servers. For example, you can run a high-CPU-usage analytics query against a dataset on a read-only mirror of the live database without impacting the performance of real-time users. In these workload types, front-loading NVMe-based HGST Ultrastar SN200 SSDs can provide the highest levels of performance for mission-critical applications. If maximum capacity per server is essential, you can use multiple HGST Ultrastar SS200 SAS drives with a RAID controller, providing over 3 terabytes of storage per 2.5" drive slot in a server or SAS JBOD.
The criticality of your Microsoft SQL Server environment makes HGST- and SanDisk-brand SSDs a requirement for your data center, not an option. They can deliver microsecond data access latency, lower memory utilization, and greater CPU and server utilization. HGST- and SanDisk-brand SSDs are built to drive better business outcomes by reducing cost, increasing efficiency, and streamlining your SQL Server data center. This makes your systems more manageable and optimized for productivity and growth.
|SanDisk SSD
|Pain Point
|Ultrastar® SS200 SAS
|Skyhawk™ Ultra NVMe
|Ultrastar® SN200 NVMe
|Speeding Up Servers without Needing High-Availability Flash Storage
|★ ★
|★ ★ ★
|Accelerating Databases on Windows Storage Spaces
|★ ★ ★
|Slow Queries in Always On Availability Groups
|★ ★ ★
|★ ★ ★
|Legend: ★ Good ★★ Better ★★★ Best
|Ultrastar® SS2200 SAS
|Ultrastar® SS2200 SAS


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The resort is offering free-lift-ticket promotions this season, seeing it as a win-win for everyone. Skiers and snowboarders get a chance to experience the quality of the downhill sport to be had at Eagle Point. And the resort gets known by the community of skiers, many of whom will return as devoted fans. Eagle Point is handing out free lift tickets every Thursday to anyone who shows up for the whole 2012-2013 winter season. Nevada residents get 3 free lift tickets days on 1/16, 2/13, and 3/13 as well. And if you are a California resident, you can ski and snowboard for free all day all season long.
It gets better. I was there for three days, and I never saw a lift line. The slopes were active but not crowded. On one day, several inches of powder fell, then cleared to brilliant skies.
The ski/snowboard experience at Eagle Point is divided among 3 general zones each served by a different main lift. (There are five lifts all told.) You can see on the map how they break down. The beginner slopes are served by the Skyline lift, the intermediates by the Monarch lift, and the black diamond slopes by the Lookout lift as well as two snowcats. The longest run is a combination of beginner and intermediate slopes for a total of 1.5 miles. The runs are tree-lined with plenty of aspen around, making them prettier than nearby Brian Head and less prone to the extreme wind that can close the top. For downhill fun of a different sort, Eagle Point Resort also has what may be the longest tubing run in the country.
Time for a confession. I went to Eagle Point not knowing how to ski very well. This review is so strong because I had such a great time, I learned so much, I saw people having fun on the slopes, and heard what they said afterward. It isn't just the sports. It is the people. You can tell the employees are treated with respect by the direct and confident warmth they have when doing their jobs. I believe that the folks who run this resort are building something for the long term and I want them to succeed so I can go back again.
I spoke with a friend, a lifelong skier who spent a day on the black diamond slopes at Eagle Point Resort to get his impression of the mountain and the skiing. From him, I learned that there was one downside to the lack of crowds. On the most difficult slopes, if it isn't skied enough, the powder can turn a bit crusty. Plus, bump runs need traffic so the moguls can form. He felt that some of the runs at Eagle Point have the potential to be fantastic bump runs, but they need more use to get there.
The people I dealt with at Eagle Point, from the rentals staff to the instructors to the restaurant personnel to the shuttle drivers, were universally warm and welcoming without being intrusive. I had the feeling that they all were given a great measure of autonomy, which they took to heart, acting with proprietary pride. I suspect this is the result of Eagle Point's unique genesis as a resort, reborn in 2010 on the site of two older resorts that closed in 2002, and its surprising owners. The current owners are three friends from the world of finance and who brought Wall Street business acumen and a Midwest work ethic to the egalitarian Rocky Mountain outdoor lifestyle. I saw the on-site partner, Shane Gadbaw, park cars and shovel snow alongside his staff when it was needed. He was willing to listen to the ideas of others, unafraid of making mistakes as he learned, careful about the practicality of plans for the future, but holding a vision to build a place of lasting value to the local community as it respects the environment and serves the lovers of this winter sport.
If you have skied in Utah for a long time, you probably know about the previous resorts in this location. Mt. Holly opened in the early 70s and later became Elk Meadows before closing down in 2002. The area called the Tushar Mountains gets an average of 400 inches of snow a year and has some of the most challenging slopes in Southern Utah, so it was only a matter of time before the resort was reborn. Eagle Point is quietly building itself into the Southern Utah magnet for winter and summer mountain vacations with its ski slopes, trails, and access to the Fishlake National Forest in cooperation with the National Forest Service.
The two lodges at Eagle Point serve very different purposes. The Canyonside Lodge handles the check in for folks staying in one of the Eagle Point's 120 condos and cabins. Some are owned by the resort. Many are privately owned but managed by the resort. Eagle Point Resort opens on Wednesday nights for check in and dinner, operates through the weekend, and closes down on Monday morning after the last visitors have had breakfast and checked out.
The Canyonside Lodge is where the Outpost Grill serves absolutely great food. Almost everything is made from scratch from the highest quality ingredients. The kitchen pulls off a nice trick of presenting familiar and comfortable dishes with touches that are brilliant. The lamb, perfectly grilled so that the outside is crisp but the inside is juicy, instead of being served with a mint jelly, comes with a mint "pesto" made with fresh mint and pistachio nuts that brings a minty accent to the lamb but with a sensational freshness. The fried macaroni-and-cheese appetizer sounded a bit too much to me, but it was so creamy/crunchy delicious that I would have been happy having that as my whole meal. Somebody in that kitchen is a genius with salads. I had one that was a mix of greens in a mustard vinaigrette that was amazing. The brown mustard was evident in the grains but it never dominated the dressing, adding a depth to the flavor without tasting "mustardy." A complementary sweetness in the salad, instead of coming from added honey in the dressing, bloomed as you ate the dried cherries mixed in with the greens and nuts.
The on-mountain Skyline Lodge is more about the equipment and the mechanics of sport. There, you buy lift tickets (if you don't qualify for the free ones). Equipment is rented and repaired. Instructors meet you and take you out for classes and individual lessons. Upstairs, there is a snack bar (though I understand it will soon have a kitchen for making fresh pizza) with giant windows and family-style tables for a mountaintop cup of cocoa or a light meal. Lockers for personal belongings, a small retail shop and rest rooms complete the amenities there. Mostly, it is the place to get ready to hit the slopes and a resting place between runs to get warm and refuel.
Many people drive to Eagle Point. It is a few hours from Las Vegas and a bit over 8 hours from Los Angeles. The final stretch of road up from Beaver, Utah is a scenic state highway that has gone through a major improvement. Still, it is a winding road that climbs a few thousand feet over 18 miles and can be intimidating if you don't have four-wheel drive or snow tires. If you come from far enough away to fly, the nearest airport is in St. George, Utah. The Powder Shuttle offers service from St. George and from Las Vegas for reasonable prices and they post their specials and contact information on the Eagle Point Facebook page.
All-in-all, I had a great time and really enjoyed my stay at Eagle Point Resort. The outdoor experience was lively without being hectic or crowded. Off the slopes, I don't go for the party and nightclub scene. I prefer cooking a meal with my friends and having meandering conversations that go on into the night, so Eagle Point is a perfect place for someone like me. It is important to have a restaurant option or a bar for a change of pace, and the Outpost Grill at the Canyonside Lodge fit the bill. And finally, for me, it is a big plus that the people at Eagle Point are truly warm and kind. If this sounds like a place you would like to visit with your family or friends, don't wait. Even if you don't ski yet, you won't find a better place and time to learn than right now, especially if you live in California and qualify for all-day every day free lift tickets, at Eagle Point Resort in Beaver, Utah.
Eagle Point Resort
Beaver, UT 84713
[email protected]
INFO & RESERVATIONS: 855-EAGLE-PT (324-5378) or 435-438-3700


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The US Fed will remain the test case for whether any central bank can 'normalise' interest rates. We expect it to try, but fail – regardless of who is US President. And, even the volatility that could accompany a Trump-led paradigm shift (which is our risk case) does not point to an aggressive Fed. Neil Williams, Group Chief Economist at Hermes Investment Management, discusses the macro implications of the Presidential election in his November Ahead of the Curve.
Macro implications of the Presidential election...
We set out the Presidential candidates' main macro differences. Our table below, which is intended to be illustrative rather than exhaustive, summarises them. Secretary Clinton's proposals are stimulatory, but closer to the status quo. Mr. Trump's likely, more front-ended fiscal splurge would be muted by the threat of protectionism, and the possible hit to US asset prices.
First, US debt and fiscal policy. Neither candidate expresses urgency for fiscal contraction, citing growth enhancement, albeit via different channels, as the main priority. Trump promises a virtually unconstrained fiscal splurge and domestic growth-focus (lower trade dependence, migration cuts) to achieve a 3½%yoy real growth rate within the next decade. Clinton advocates a more evenly spread-out stimulus, and thus a more sustained GDP-lift.
Raising the $18.1trn debt ceiling will be first test for the new administration...
However, the stock of net debt remains high, at 90% of GDP. And the highly visible 'debt ceiling' - which sets the theoretical cap on government financing, is a record $18.1trn. Extending it out to 15 March 2017 eased obfuscation in election year, but now leaves it as first test of the new administration - especially as fresh commitments have since unofficially breached it, to $19trn.
It may be easier for Trump to delay raising it further, blaming it on his Democrat predecessor. However, unless dealt with effectively, the threat of government shutdown, unpaid obligations, and default risk would offer an additional route to the recession already implied, ahead of the 2018 mid-term elections, by the US Treasury curve. In practice, 'default' is likely only indirectly via inflation, given all the debt's denominated in US dollars. Yet, if akin to previous shutdowns, such as August 2011, equities and US sovereign ratings could again suffer.
Trump would have to water down his proposals to get them past Congress...
Second, Congress would also oppose his aggressive anti-trade proposals, including 45% and 35% tariffs levied respectively on China and Mexico, and a review of NAFTA. The risk is he enacts 'Super 301' (section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act) to impose tariffs without Congressional/WTO approval on countries engaged in "unfair" trade practices.
In which case, expect a broadening to other countries whose 'cheaper' imports then fill the gap (e.g. EMs), global retaliation, and a flow-back from Mexico (which relies on the US for 80% of its exports and the bulk of remittance inflows), a likely China currency devaluation, and Canada. Clinton's become more equivocal on free trade - which needs watching - but is closer to the status quo.
As she is on immigration, her plan supports Senate legislation passed in 2013, whose 'path to citizenship' would, according to CBO estimates at the time, increase the labour force by about six million over a decade. By contrast, Trump's threats to ring-fence Mexico (literally), and increase the deportation of illegal immigrants (intended to be 11.3 million over two terms, 7% of the workforce, or 3-4 times the maximum achieved per annum under Obama) would, unless offset, surely accelerate the shrinking labour supply, and cut potential growth.
The wrong sort of inflation...
The cut to the labour pool from Trump's policies could admittedly provide a spur to wages needed to re-steepen the Phillips Curve. Yet, the hit to consumers and firms from the cost-push inflation that protectionism spawns suggests any demand lift from a more isolationist US would probably be short-lived. In which case, the FOMC would be loath to hike again.
Meanwhile, a new global risk emerges. Rather than the financial distrust in 2008's crisis, markets may increasingly need to brace for political distrust, given the risk of beggar-thy-neighbour policies - from the US election to an upsurge of anti-European populism - is increasing.
In which case, without care, an unhelpful jigsaw piece that prolonged the 1930s depression, but was largely absent from 2008 - retaliatory trade protectionism - might yet come crashing into place.
Presidential scenarios: possible macro implications
To read the full report click here.
US election implications for emerging markets
Tension breaker: how the risk plot could turn in Q4
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"Big Brother: All-Stars" (KRQE-13 7 p.m.) So, these people have to live in a house where all their phone calls are monitored, and they're under 24-hour surveillance. ... How does that make them different from any other U.S. citizen these days?
"The Dudesons" (Spike 8 p.m.) A quartet of Finnish dudes stick their testicles in mousetraps, light each other on fire, jump over moving cars, fling poo and otherwise prove that "Jackass" is now the official international language of stupid.
"Raising the Roofs" (Spike 8:30 p.m.) Finally, a reality show about the home life of actor Michael Roof. Who the hell is Michael Roof you ask? Well, he played Toby Lee Shavers in xXx: State of the Union and Dil Driscoll in The Dukes of Hazzard. Apparently, his family consists of some fat idiot hillbillies who drink beer and fart a lot. Color me fascinated.
"Psych" (USA 8 p.m.) USA finds another monosyllabically titled detective show to pair with "Monk." In this one, a young super-sleuth with uncanny deductive skills gets hired by the police department after convincing them he's really a psychic (which he isn't). Corbin Bernsen is in it, if that makes a difference to ya.
Slayer (Sci-Fi 7 p.m.) A soldier (Casper Van Dien) is forced to hunt down his best friend when the guy gets bitten by a vampire and turned into one of the living dead. Man, I hate it when that happens.
"Chapelle's Show" (Comedy Central 10 p.m.) CC has miraculously stitched together a few new episodes from the season that Chapelle ankled. Enjoy it while you can.
"Reno 911!" (Comedy Central 11:30) The 4th season gets underway tonight. Four magic words: Carrot Top guest stars.
"I Love the '70s: Vol. 2" (VH1 6 p.m.) I'll be the first to admit that VH1 is flogging a dead horse here. But it happens to be a horse I like.
"Pee-wee's Playhouse" (Cartoon Network 12 a.m.) Pee-wee Herman returns to TV for the first time in decades as CN reruns late-night episodes of his classically warped kiddy show.
"Hi-Jinks" (Nickelodeon 7:30 p.m.) D-list stars (Alan Thicke, Richard Kind, Meredith Vieira, Gilbert Gottfried, Ted McGinley) are recruited to trick kids in the second season of Nick-at-Night's answer to "Punk'd."
"DMX: Soul of a Man" (BET 7 p.m.) Rap star DMX, freshly released from jail, tries to simplify his life by moving to the tiny town of Carefree, Ariz. By sheer coincidence, there's a reality show film crew following him.
"Project Runway" (Bravo 7 p.m.) Yeah, I waste a lot of breath insulting TV reality shows. But I gotta admit, this fashion-conscious elimination show (entering its third season tonight) is pretty addictive. Hey, at least the people involved actually do something.


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Enter Our Photo Contest »
It's time to show off your garden filled with American Meadows products!
Show meShowing plants & seeds that grow in my area:
For a blaze of beautiful reds ever afternoon, plant this one. When frost threatens, you can dig the bulbous roots that will have formed, and save them (like dahlias or glads) for next spring.
About the Four O'Clocks or the "Marvel of Peru." This wonderful tropical wildflower has been gracing gardens for centuries. Your grandmother probably grew it, and knew the big secret of the older seeds. They are famous for rapid growth and producing glossy-leaved plants having flowers in several colors--on the same plant!
The names tell the story. The blooms open in the afternoon, thus the common name "Four O'Clock." And the botanical name, Mirabilis jalapa should tell you the plant comes from a Spanish-speaking area. "Mirabilis" means "wonderful" in Latin, and the Spanish-appearing "Jalapa" (the j is pronounced as an "h" in Spanish) is a town in Mexico.
Then there's that other common name: "Marvel of Peru." This exotic descriptive name tells you the plants grow wild in the Andes, and the "Marvel" part refers to the fact that they do produce flowers in several colors on the same plant. Seeds were sent to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 1500's.
In your garden, you have a choice of which color(s) you want to grow. Yes, the wild plants do have flowers in several colors, but they're rangy, somewhat weedy plants, too. The hybrids we plant today are organized by color and make neat, bushy growth, rarely over about 24."
The bulbous roots. Four O'clocks grow rapidly from seed, and another curious thing about this annual is that they quickly form a bulbous root, much like the common potato. In frost-free places (like Miami), they can be left in the ground year-round, and these big roots simply grow larger and larger over the years. Where there are freezes, the "bulbs" can be lifted in fall, and replanted in spring, giving you large, rapidly developing plants and lots of quick color.
|Associated SKUs
MJRDQP (1/4 Pound)
MJRDLB (1 Pound)
|Common Name
|Four O'Clock
|Botanical Name
|Mirabilis jalapa
|Seed Life Cycle
|Light Requirements
|Full Sun
|Flower Color
|Mature Height
|12-36" tall
|Bloom Time
|Spring to summer
|Ships As
|1/4 lb covers 181 sq ft.
1 lb covers 725 sq ft.
|Seeds Per Pound
|Soil Moisture
|Dry, Average, Moist/Wet, Well Draining
|Soil Type
|Clay Soil, Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Drought/Dry Soil, Moist/Wet Soil
|Native To
|South America
|Native To
|Latin America
|Ideal Region
|Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, Pacific Northwest
|1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
|Easy to Grow, Fragrant, Extended Blooms
|Is It Storable?
|Yes - You can store your seed in any cool (not freezing) dry place that is not subject to extreme temperature variations.
|Yes - Learn More
|Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada
Most orders ship within 48 hours or less.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Orders for in-season products ship within 48 hours or less. Depending upon your order date, we may hold your shipment to combine it with other products on your order, if applicable. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you need express shipping or have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email.View Shipping Rate Chart
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Best Uses
Reviewed by 3 customers
Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Four O'Clock Seeds Red:
I was given these seeds four or fine years ago. Planted them where the large group is shown. They have reseeded themselves every year and spread almost the length of the bed. I get a lot of very positive comments about the beautiful vivid colors.
Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Four O'Clock Seeds Red:
Beautiful bright red. Hummingbirds love them. Continues to bloom for months.
Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Four O'Clock Seeds Red:
I got alot of flowers growing out of this seed, it was wonderful. I've never gotten such good results from seed. They bloomed and grew very well in both containers and plots.
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
Enter your Zip Code to find your USDA Planting Zone
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bedding sets for master bedroom
The oustanding photo, is part of bedding sets for master bedroom which is sorted within master bedroom bedding ideas pinterest, master bedroom quilts, popular master bedroom bedding and posted at August 28, 2015 3:52:08 pm by admin
The right master bedroom bedding ideas is one way to achieve comfort and serenity in your master bedroom. The bedroom is the most important room in addition to a living room in a house, because in it, you spend a lot after a day's work outside the home. It required serious concern about the arrangement and design of the interior regardless of whether the house is luxurious or just a simple house, because by observing the bedroom, it is expected the better quality of your health.
How to Determine?
Well, bedroom bedding, bed linen and bed cover, is one of the accessories in the bedroom that will embellish and beautify your bedroom. Nowadays, this is very impossible if the bedroom is not using bed linen, because it will lead to rapid deterioration and worn mattress. How do you determine the master bedroom bedding ideas? Before buying bed linen, one thing that should be noted is the color of bed sheets you have to be really in harmony with the theme of the room space. Is this important? Of course this is very important because after all, the beauty in the bedroom will appear if everything in it is mutually harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
How does the master bedroom bedding ideas can be said to be harmonious? Bedroom bedding say as match if this has a matching color with the color theme of the bedroom. Let's say, if the bedroom paint is brown, then you can choose a sheet with motif in elements brown color or brown base color. But if you want to give a vivid color to your room atmosphere, not hurt you to choose the bed linen with bright basic colors but still has elements that match the color of chocolate. Thus, the harmony in the bedroom will appear.
You should know that to get the master bedroom bedding ideas that are compatible, you do not have to merely highlight the same color. However, you can also take elements of other colors, with a note, the color you choose will not be giving the impression of far from harmonious. Because in essence, the harmony that appear in the bedroom through a bed sheet and a color theme is intended to be able to create the feel of a lovely bed.
Choco and Caramel Bedding
One master bedroom bedding ideas that you can apply is the master bedroom themed warm Chocó and caramel. Blend the two colors is perfect for those who want to get the feel warm and keep cool in the bedroom. Both colors are also suitable for those who want to show that this room is a room of people who've grown. Both men and women are suitable to use a mix of these colors for the bedroom. Pair with warm bed linen and pastel-colored bedcovers to get warmer bedroom.
Basically, all colors can give the impression of elegance and beautiful if you can combine them with various other elements well. Whatever the choice, be sure that the master bedroom bedding ideas that you choose are the color to match the theme of the bedroom, so it will create more beautiful bedrooms.
The oustanding photo, is part of bedding sets for master bedroom has dimension 594 x 334 pixel, You can download and obtain the bedding sets for master bedroom images by right click on the clicking the right mouse to get the high resolution version
Here is crucial clue on make Master Bedroom Bedding Ideas. We have the resource for make Master Bedroom Bedding Ideas. Check it out for yourself! You can acquire bedding sets for master bedroom and see the Master Bedroom Bedding Ideas: Match the Color! in here.


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Comfortable summer polo
Material Specifications: 100% Cotton
Wash with similar colours, in a machine or by hand in cold water.
Use only a mild soap.
Do not scrub.
Do not wash jackets.
Dry clean them.
Down jackets must never be washed.
Air-dry all clothing before storing it.
Packable clothing should not be stored in its packed form for too long.
Keep packable jackets and pants hung or folded in a cool, dry place.


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Number Should not Start with 0 and -,Alphabet is not Allowed
Complex requirements weave together the entire process of billing and coding for Rehab Billing .Adherence to these requirements along with keeping in tandem with the state regulations is imperative for ensuring reimbursements.MBC's services extend to more than 40 specialties in streamlining their workflow for effective billing. We cater to different requirements for Rehab Billing billing services which help in offering appropriate solutions to billing woes. Improve your revenue and reduce costs with our expertise gathered through years of experience.
Components & challenges of Rehab Billing:
Although rehab is among the most commonly used line of care in the US, there is no separate insurance plan available for rehab billing which makes way for several ambiguities and challenges both for care providers and patients.
Not being covered by any exclusive insurance plan, rehab billing forms a part of an insurance plan and one that insurance providers prefer to be a little vague about concerning the amount of coverage the insured is entitled to for rehab treatment. What further adds to uncertainty about coverage is that states are not very specific about how much coverage is compulsory for insurance providers to give drug detox.
Partial coverage and ambiguity of insurance plans on rehab treatment – together leave care seekers as well as providers confounded, perhaps setting them up to start the process of preparing insurance claims for rehab treatments on a wrong note, which means inaccurately identifying the coverage of a patient eventually leading to waste of the time spent on preparing such claims and mounting account receivables.
However, even after entitlement or coverage has been identified accurately, a care provider post identification (accurate or otherwise) needs to follow a series of procedural activities, including documenting and applying appropriate codes, where a single miss-step can again revive the specter of eventual claim rejection.
Outsourcing to MBC:
MBC's billers and coders combine the knowledge of insurance procedures with medical intricacies to provide care providers with an end-to-end solution for insurance billing and coding, starting from accurate identification of coverage through preparation and submission to post submission follow-ups to ensure timely payments.
Our billing and coding services are available in two flexible service models so that you can choose the exact model that works for the size and nature of your rehab centre. Since rehab centers are generally big set ups, you may already have an in-house billing and coding team which could do with some streamlining of processes they are following, some software applications that are in sync with their work environment and help them transact data with greater efficiency and ease, and some cross-competency training so that one member going on leave doesn't cause downtime with another member stepping in to keep the process going. We will be able to such streamline your revenue management process through our Revenue Management Cycle (RCM) consulting services which involve a thorough study to stop areas of revenue leakage, assess efficiency of software applications in use and identify needs for training.
Whereas our outsourced billing and coding services enable you to fully ship out your billing and coding responsibilities to us so that you can solely concentrate on healthcare.
MBC, the largest billing and coding consortium in the US, has helped care providers from across the 50 states of the US to improve their finances and boost the quality of care by helping them meet with successful reimbursement of claims and spending more time on healthcare.
Billing and Coding in a nutshell- The pictorial section will help you understand the 'this and that' of billing and management. Go through the infographs for an understanding of process, in short.
Our blog section can help you with information, experiences and opinions pertaining to the medical and medical billing industry.
Understand the billing and coding processes ranging through various specialties and states along with a plethora of healthcare related information.
Speak to one of our RCM Experts & get the best billing quote for your Medical practice.
We Serve...
Find us through more than forty specialties to help reduce your AR days to an average of 21 days, augmenting your revenue.
About MBC
Medical Billers and Coders is the largest consortium in the United States. We can help you save 35% of your cost in medical billing services and reduce your Account Receivables (AR) days to an average of 21 days.
Know the effects of ICD-10 and how to mitigate revenue loss.
A pictorial way to understand various Billing and Healthcare concept
Our Services
Medical billing is our core focus. For more than a decade, we have been providing medical billing services to various specialties across the 50 States of USA.
The impending transition to ICD-10, one of the most crucial changes in healthcare, the new coding system is here. MBC's professional services in ICD-10 can help you with end-to-end solutions for a successful implementation.
Empower your Knowledge
We are constantly working towards acquiring the latest industry trends to ensure accurate, efficient and complete healthcare services to our clients.


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OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - The official death toll from a mudslide that devastated a neighborhood in the Cascade foothills of Washington state last month rose to 39 on Wednesday, after search teams pulled out two more bodies from the mud and rubble, local county officials said in a statement.
A rain-soaked hillside collapsed above the north fork of the Stillaguamish River on March 22, unleashing a torrent of mud that clogged the river, swallowed up a stretch of a state highway and crushed some three dozen homes on the outskirts of the tiny community of Oso, 55 miles northeast of Seattle.
Among the 39 confirmed dead, 36 have been positively identified, Snohomish County officials said in a statement. The death toll had stood at 37 on Tuesday.
Twenty of the dead are male and 16 female. They range in age from 4-month-old Sanoah Huestis, who died with her grandmother, to 91-year-old Bonnie Gullikson, whose husband was among those who escaped the disaster with injuries.
All the victims died of multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office.
Recovery crews were still searching for another seven people officially listed as missing.
Rescue teams have found no signs of life in the mud pile since the day of the disaster.
On Tuesday, a U.S. Army soldier who took leave to search for missing family members believed to have been buried in the muddy rubble was found dead of an apparent suicide, authorities said.
Specialist Christopher Dombroski, 20, was found in the Capitol State Forest just west of Olympia, just over 100 miles southwest of the mudslide, with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Thurston County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Greg Elwin, a department spokesman.
Dombroski was the nephew of Steve and Theresa Harris, who are among the seven people listed as missing in the mudslide, said Lieutenant Colonel Joe Sowers, an Army spokesman.
Reporting by Jonathan Kaminsky in Olympia, Wash., Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis, Scott Malone and Gunna Dickson


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10 Ways To Use Dandelion Greens
I found myself working in the yard today, dedicating a few hours to digging up dandelions by the root. It's the best way for us to get rid of them without chemical sprays. Plus, it turns out that the oft-damned "weed" is useful:
The root of the dandelion can be used for medicinal purposes. Its flowers can be harvested for wine. And its greens have a bitterness that can be delicious (plus they're packed with iron).
Here, I've delved into our archives for recipes that specifically use dandelion greens or ones that would work with them as a substitution. Check these out if you're receiving dandelion greens in a CSA box or if, like me, you're culling them from your own yard. (For best results, do so when they're still young and tender, before they've flowered.)
- 1 Dandelion Pumpkin Seed Pesto
- 2 Linguine with Mussels and Dandelion Greens
- 3 Anelletti Pasta with Sausage and Greens
- 4 Warm Golden Beet Salad with Greens and Almonds
- 5 Roasted Beets and Sauteed Greens with Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese
- 6 Crispy Pan-Fried Beans with Wilted Greens
- 7 Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas with Lemon
- 8 Easy Braised Collard Greens with Bacon
- 9 Kale, Bacon & Egg Whole Wheat Breakfast Sandwich
- 10 Artichoke, Kale & Ricotta Pie
(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)


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Minnesota Governor Dayton 'Deeply Concerned' by Wilf's Legal Case in New Jersey
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday urged an authority overseeing the new Vikings stadium to take extra precautions as it finalizes an agreement with the team's New Jersey-based owners given their legal woes back home.
"deeplyconcerned" by a judge's ruling against Zygi Wilf and his family in a fraud and breach of contract case. The judge's ruling found that the Wilfs violated a civil racketeering law related to an apartment development deal.
"The Court's findings pertain to a case that is unrelated to the agreement negotiated last year with the Wilfs and the Vikings. However, since the Stadium Authority has not yet signed the final agreement, I would urge the Board to have its legal counsel assure them and the people of Minnesota that all of the representations made by the team and its owners are truthful and accurate," he said in the statement.
The Wilfs won approval last year for a new taxpayer-aided football stadium. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is hammering out final contract details with Vikings owners before construction starts.
Vikings vice president of public affairs Lester Bagley said Tuesday that any judgment will not influence the team's payroll or the development of a new billion-dollar stadium in downtown Minneapolis that is scheduled to begin this fall.
"This is a private business matter and involves a business dispute," Bagley said. "But it will not impact the Vikings or the stadium project."
Superior Court Judge Deanne Wilson ruled in a 21-year legal battle Monday that brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf and their cousin, Leonard, committed fraud, breach of contract and fiduciary duty, and had violated New Jersey's civil racketeering law.
The Wilfs were sued by partners in a 764-unit apartment complex in Montville. Ada Reichmann, of Toronto, and her brother Josef Halpern, of Brooklyn, said they were cheated out of their fair share of revenue from the project. They are seeking more than $50 million in damages.
Wilson said she will announce the rest of the ruling and the damages in the next two weeks.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.


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Kevin Rapley
I had no idea about this script. How fantastic that we can decide upon the behaviour of loading our fonts, and even extend it. This will certainly be making it in to my boilerplate along with Selectivzr and Modernizr. This was an eye opener, and a nice introduction. It would have been nice to of seen some of the other features that can be achieved, however I will be investigating and playing with these. Great article, thanks.


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KIC in Talks to Buy a Portfolio of Amazon European Warehouse Assets
The Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) is in discussions on buying some logistical assets in Europe. Amazon.com (Amazon) is selling a portfolio of three, multi-storey warehouses for approximately €400 million. [ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
Increasingly asset owners across the Asia-Pacific region are studying the impacts of environmental, social, and governance factors on listed companies. As more Japanese pensions augment asset allocation to listed equities, the importance of corporate non-financial disclosures and practices becomes clear. These disclosures can have a material impression on company stock prices. In addition, Japan's Stewardship Code and Corporate Governance Code in 2014 and 2015 were launched, respectively. These codes helped the (environmental, social, and governance) ESG concept gain momentum in Japan.
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the largest public pension fund in the world, awarded a research mandate to Nissay Asset Management Corporation. The mandate entails studying ESG disclosures. The study will conduct a comparable analysis on ESG standards and practices, while taking into account input from both investors and companies. With around US$ 110.5 billion in assets under management, Nissay Asset Management is owned by Japanese life insurance giant Nippon Life Insurance Company.
As GPIF boosted its allocation to domestic equities, the asset owner took a deeper look into the impact of ESG on equity investing. GPIF is keen on improving efficiencies in Japan's capital markets. GPIF is a universal owner of stocks, similar in some aspects to what Norway's Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) does.
Norges Bank Real Estate Management, the real estate unit of Norges Bank Investment Management (oversees Norway Global Pension Fund Global), has signed an agreement to acquire a 100 percent interest in an office property located on 54-56 rue la Boétie in central Paris.[ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
Russia's sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and American oilfield services giant Schlumberger (SLB) have planned a deal to invest in Russia's Eurasia Drilling Company Limited. RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev made the announcement. [ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
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This is from Kids' Lit which is from the Menemsha Library and is a really awesome blog. You know, the kind that put you to shame? Yeah, it's that good!
These make great gifts to the Canadians in your life.
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton
Home Free by Sharon Jennings
The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade
A Thousand Years of Pirates by William Gilkerson
Watching Jimmy by Nancy Hartry
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
The Delicious Bug by Janet Perlman
Me and You by Geneviève Côté
Our Corner Grocery Store by Joanne Schwartz
Timmerman Was Here by Colleen Sydor
You're Mean, Lily Jean by Frieda Wishinsky
Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction
Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road by Priscilla Galloway
Born to Write: The Remarkable Lives of Six Famous Authors by Charis Cotter
Follow That Map! A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie
A Thousand Years of Pirates by William Gilkerson
Whispers from the Ghettos by Kathy Kacer
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best
Crusade by John Wilson
Haunted by Barbara Haworth-Attard
Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock
Watching Jimmy by Nancy Hartry
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.


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Guam Rail
(Gallirallus owstoni)
Facts about this animal
Resembling a grouse, this medium-sized rail is about 28 cm long and weighs 170 - 300 g. The plumage is dark brown and it has white stripes on its stomach. It's a flightless bird, but can flutter about 1 to 3 meters at a time! Rails live in pairs and breed throughout the year. They build shallow cups on the ground for nests for their three or four eggs, which they incubate for 19 days. Maturity is reached at the age of 4 months. They are omnivorous, eating leaves, seeds, fruits, small lizards, bird eggs, small mammals, and carrion.
Due to predation by the invasive brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) the Guam rail was extirpated from the wild in the early 1980's. It survived only in captive-breeding facilities in Guam and in 14 zoos in the USA.
In the 1980s, several zoos and government agencies corralled the last few Guam rails to start a zoo breeding programme. Guam rails breed well in zoos, and the current world zoo population is about 200. In 1989 attempts to establish an experimental population of rails on Guam's neighbouring snake-free island of Rota (Northern Mariana Islands) were initiated. Between December 1989 and August 1999, 267 captive-reared rails were released while evaluating the success of different release methods. Reproduction by ex aitu-reared rails on Rota was first documented in 1995. During the summer of 1999, at least three pairs of captive reared Guam rails successfully produced 5 nests with eggs and hatchlings. Rails are also now being released into the wild on an Air Force Base area in northern Guam where brown tree snakes are being actively controlled. In November 1998 16 captive-reared Guam rails were released into this area. By late December 1998 a first nest was discoverd. Although not all of the released rails survived, no losses could be attributed to predation by snakes or other predators. By October 1999, 9 rails made at least 16 nesting attempts, yielding 46 eggs. Apparently all but six of the eggs hatched.
Did you know?
that the Guam rail came to the Guam Island thousands of years ago and was able to fly at that time? However, since there were no predators on Guam, it slowly lost the ability to fly.
|Name (Scientific)
|Gallirallus owstoni
|Name (English)
|Guam Rail
|Name (French)
|Râle de Guam
|Name (German)
|Name (Spanish)
|Râle de Guam
|Local names
|Guam.: ko'ko'
|CITES Status
|Not listed
|CMS Status
|Not listed
Photo Copyright by
Guy Dutson
|Guam (Reintroduced), Northern Mariana Islands (Introduced)
|Forest, savanna, scrub, secondary grassland, fern thickets and agricultural areas, but not in freshwater wetland habitats.
|Wild population
|This species was extinct in the wild, but there's a reintroduction program on Guam and several specimens were introduced to Rota Island. Number of surviving animals and there offspring is not known.
|Zoo population
|None reported to ISIS (2008), but currently 14 zoological institutions in the US keep this species and participate in the Guam Rail Species Survival Plan.
In the Zoo
How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 11G of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Guy Dutson
Why do zoos keep this animal
The role of the zoos is to implement captive breeding programs under the Species Survival Plan (SSP) that aim to preserve the genetic diversity of the Guam rail. Another goal of the breeding program is also to produce young rails for the reintroduction program, while maintaining a population of 150 to 175 birds in zoos for reproduction in the breeding program.


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The F-Type's asymmetric cabin layout reflects the focus on the driver. The aim was to create an enveloping cockpit for the driver, with all the controls placed to hand and logically grouped, allowing maximum attention on the driving experience.
A small-diameter, flat-bottom, three-spoke steering wheel comes as part of an optional performance pack. Numerals on the tachometer are larger and bolder than those on the speedometer, to enhance visibility when shifting. A TFT LCD screen between the two dials provides further information for the driver.
The controls are dual-purpose: in cars fitted with heated seats, pushing the left- or right-hand dial will control the temperature for each seat.
The switches are finished in soft-feel matte black with white markings for maximum legibility, and the highlight accents are deliberately understated satin chrome or dark aluminum. The two S models feature darker finishes than in the standard V6 F-Type.
Sports seats feature power recline and height adjustment with manual control of fore/aft movement to hwlp weight reduction. Available Performance seats can be ordered with additional side bolstering for greater support during high-force cornering. Both seats can also be optioned with full power adjustment, including adjustable lumbar and side support. The car's driving position is 20mm lower than in the Jaguar XKR-S, dropping the center of gravity and allowing the driver to feel more connected to the car.
Two audio systems from premium British experts Meridian are available. They are offered in either 10- or 12-speaker layout with output of 380 or 770 watts, respectively. The top of the range is the Meridian Trifield System, which places both occupants at the center of their own perfectly focused sound field.


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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
Summertime religious revivals out of doors served as a camping outing for the whole family. Tents on platforms set up for summer residences were placed among the trees, as this one in the 1907 photograph, with a cobblestone fireplace, a wooden floor, and chairs and beds from home. The broad veranda allows for both indoor and outdoor housekeeping.
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See Also...
Gospel Meeting Tent
Camp Meeting Residence
Jacob's well
The Bridge, Lake Pleasant, Mass.
Lake Pleasant Cottage
Lake Pleasant
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