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Fri, 25 August 2017
Today's episode of ConversionCast: digital marketing best practices being used by independent hotels, content driving B2B purchases, a roundtable conversation all about marketing mascots and their effect on a business, and last but certainly not least, the new Cheetos restaurant opening in New York City.
Do you and your business want to be featured on an upcoming episode of ConversionCast? Leave us a voicemail with your name, your website, and your hottest marketing tip at (612) 568-8732, and you might be featured on a future episode!
Click here to subscribe to ConversionCast and be sure you get the best in marketing news, tips, and advice from the team at Leadpages and Drip each week: https://goo.gl/vQ3pJw
This Week's Marketing News:
The Content Qualities That Most Influence B2B Purchasing Behavior:
Trivago Urges Independent Hotels to Get More Involved in Digital Marketing
Cheetos Is Opening a Restaurant, The Spotted Cheetah. And Yes, It Has a Cheetos-Heavy Menu
Also Mentioned:
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Direct download: CC_Season4_Episode_4.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:48am EST

subset: commoncrawl


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The second part of Copper & Blue's top-25 prospect rankings takes a look at the lower half of the Oilers' top-twenty. It features a couple of long in the tooth AHL prospects and some more recent but lower round draft picks with significant red flags that they'll need to overcome.
As before, we evaluate the players using a format of strengths, weaknesses, and 'Seal' value - the best case scenario, if everything works out right (reference here).
16. Johan Motin
Strengths: Motin boasts good size and strength, and although he's somewhat inconsistent taking the body he can also play the game mean.
Weaknesses: Skating ability isn't a glaring weakness, but it isn't nearly good enough to be called a strength either. On top of that, Motin has close to zero offensive ability and will always be a stay-at-home defenseman.
Seal Value: Motin could develop into a decent shut-down defenseman, particularly on the bottom pairing of an NHL team, just like… Aki Berg
17. Rob Schremp
Strengths: Has very good offensive instincts, particularly on the powerplay. He fires crisp passes and has an occasionally excellent shot, plus when he's on his game he can be an effective forechecker.
Weaknesses: He's worked hard, but remains a poor skater. Additionally, he isn't very aware defensively and both his commitment level and intensity flag.
Seal Value: If he puts it all together, Schremp could end up as a second-line and powerplay forward playing a sheltered role, much like… Mark Parrish
18. Toni Rajala
Strengths: Spectacular skill level and a goal-scoring knack. Good feet and hands, great agility. Releases the puck in a hurry. Outstanding passer.
Weaknesses: Extremely small, he's listed at 5'9" but he's likely 5'6". He's listed at 163 lbs, but is playing around 150. He's a perimeter player that gets overwhelmed in traffic.
Seal Value: He learns to think the game at a high level to overcome his size deficiencies, avoids injuries and blows the doors off of the league like..Paul Kariya
19. Olivier Roy
Strengths: Roy is a competitive and focused goaltender who also boasts great athleticisim and reflexes. He also telescopes out of the net well to challenge shooters.
Weaknesses: A smaller goaltender (just 6') Roy struggles to play more of a stand-up style and often commits to butterfly too early. There are also concerns about his ability to handle traffic in his crease.
Seal Value: If Roy can modify his game to be more of a hybrid goaltender, he has a good chance at a decent starting career similar to… Jocelyn Thibault
20. Ryan Stone
Strengths: He's willing to do the dirty work in all ends of the ice. He's strong on his skates and stout for his size. He hits hard and willing to drop the gloves and can score once in awhile.
Weaknesses: He's slow, isn't particularly adept at penalty killing, and isn't a strong forechecker. He's also injury prone, already suffering three distinct and significant injuries in his career.
Seal Value: He gets his big break on a team that needs some bottom six smash and turns it into a decade-long career a la...Jamal Mayers


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The primary study area for The I-81 Challenge is focused on I-81 from I-481 on the south to I-481 on the north along with the segment of I-690 from the West Street Interchange to the Teall Avenue Interchange. The overall study area for purposes of public participation and traffic modeling expands to cover the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA), which includes all of Onondaga County and small portions of Madison and Oswego Counties. Within these two study areas different study limits were selected for the analysis of capacity and safety data and general social, economic and environmental features.
To learn more about the study areas and their role in The I-81 Challenge, click here.
Comments are closed.


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Happy New Year: Join the 365 Day Blogging Challenge for 2011!
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-Tzu, author,Tao Te Ching
♫♥☼♪ ♫♪♫ Happy New Year To All! ♫♥♫ ♫☼♫ Happy New Year To You! ♫♥♫ ♫☼♫ Happy New Year To All! ♫♪♫ ♫♥☼♪
I plan to post something inspirational every day in 2011!
I've decided to join the WordPress challenge … by posting daily on this 2-year-old blog. 🙂 Rather than just thinking about doing it, I'm starting right now. I will be posting on this blog once a day for all of 2011.
I know it won't be easy, but it will be fun, inspiring, awesome and totally wonderful. I promise to make use of The DailyPost, and join the community of other bloggers with similar goals to help me along the way. I'll ask for help when I need it and encourage others when feasible.
If you already read my blog, do stop by and encourage me with your comments, likes, and goodwill along the way. 🙂
Thank you all for your support. 2011 is going to be a fantastic and abundant year!
Positive Motivation Tip: Show up! When you take the first step, the universe rallies to support you.
Potato Plant by SB via ars.usda
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive.©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
30/12/2010 7:28 pm
You are right…many of us have good intentions…but we need to follow through with the next step and DO IT!
I plan to blog every day also…and yes, it will be very hard, but I am going to try. And, I'll try to stop by yours to say hello 🙂
30/12/2010 9:10 pm
I look forward to being motivated and helping you in whatever way I can! Here we come 2011!!
30/12/2010 9:27 pm
What a wonderful challenge! I'm sure you will do great, and I look forward to even more lovely and inspirational posts from you. 🙂
Happy New Year!
31/12/2010 2:13 am
I'm here to support you too Elizabeth! Inspiration every day will certainly bear beautiful fruit. Happy New Year! 🙂
31/12/2010 3:51 am
Admirable! As for me, I would like to double my postings, which means averaging 3-4 per week. I will write every day, but prefer not to post every day. I'm sure if anyone can do it, it will be you!
All the best to you and yours in 2011!
richard permalink31/12/2010 4:55 am
have a great 2011 – thanks for the inspirational words. and pls remember that words that inspire are often best when accompanied by regular sleep.. all the best!
Bree permalink01/01/2011 5:55 am
This will keep you writing and learning.
You can do this and, like the others, I will support you.
Read the prayers of divine protection and keep God in front always.
Happy New Year!
01/01/2011 10:48 am
Love the idea of this challenge and I think i will be joining you in the endeavor. Best of luck!
lina holzbauer permalink03/01/2011 10:35 am
awesome blog, do you have twitter or facebook? i will bookmark this page thanks. lina
13/01/2011 4:39 am
I have a Facebook fan page Positive Kismet and my twitter page is mentioned on my About Me page.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
04/01/2011 3:06 pm
"Show up! When you take the first step, the universe rallies to support you."
I absolutely agree! I continue to be amazed by the way teh UNiverse supports me make I create intention and action!
– Shannon
15/01/2011 4:11 pm
Thanks for the info – nice post.
Colmer permalink17/01/2011 9:40 am
One of the most useful websites I have come across for knowledge within this particular niche market. I'll be coming back constantly for new posts.
Raymer permalink17/01/2011 5:41 pm
I came across your web page from twitter and it really is pretty informative. Thanks for discussing this kind of an incredible article.


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How to Write an Interview Thank-You Note: An Email Template
Kirstin on Fullback and Friends: I always believe that a thank you email following on from an interview, is an ideal way of making sure that you maintain the hiring managers interest in you whilst they are going through the selection process and decision making. Plus it can prove to be a great example of demonstrating your professionalism. https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-an-interview-thankyou-note-an-email-template


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Pakistani parliament's standing committee for information technology has taken a strict notice of airing of foreign soaps and TV serials on Pakistani channels in prime time( 7pm-10pm). The aim behind this notice is to prevent Pakistani media form foreign content, which includes, advertisements featuring foreign artists and the other and the most important is the Indian and Turkish Dramas. The committee has also requested the government to ban any of such content.
Almost every Pakistani artist and media personality has recorded his protest against these urdu dubbed foreign dramas by some leading channels. Television artists have contended that the foreign soaps will have an adverse impact on the domestic industry.
The meeting was attended by Information Secretary Rasheed Ahmed, PEMRA Chairman Abdul Jabbar, and television actors Qavi Khan, Laila Zuberi and Maria Wasti. The committee further suggested that PEMRA should strictly monitor television channels and cable operators and take prompt action for violation of rules.
The Panel asked the PEMRA to have a strict eye on these private Tv channels, and ensure the follow-ment of the "code of conduct" provided by the authority. Information Secretary Ahmed agreed with the proposal that foreign serials damaging local culture should be banned.


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The real estate market in the capital has a variety of new buildings for every taste and color. But still, one should carefully approach the choice and carefully study the criteria for new housing.
1. Pay attention to the location of the new building. Are there nearby transport routes, is the ecology clean, is the nearby territory built up too much.
2. Planning solution for an apartment. Pay attention to the location of the rooms and the living spaсe, presence of utility rooms, storage rooms, bathrooms, loggias or balconies.
3. Is the infrastructure of the district developed? Check availability of schools, clinics, pharmacies, food and hardware stores, shopping centers, sports halls.
4. Evaluate the livability of the local area. Is there free parking, underground parking, children's and sports ground, walking areas, benches.
5. Security level. For example, a fenced area with video surveillance, round the clock security and concierge, or only an intercom is installed.
6. Good neighbors. At the initial stage, this topic does not seem that important, but cases of incorrect behavior of neighbors happen. Pay attention that the neighbors are similar to you in social status, interests, are neat and non-conflicting people.
7. Architectural design of the house and interior decoration of public spaces. This is an important factor, since it is a part of your comfortable living.
8. The availability of additional amenities is only a plus. For example, places for bicycle storage, wheelchair storage, equipped place of concierge.
After the characteristics above, you can competently assess the real value of the offer.
On the "Grand Realt" website you will find apartment offers in new buildings, and the company's specialists will help with decision and will guarantee full support during the purchase of real estate.


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- EBRD Board of Directors approves new property and tourism strategy for 2020-24
- Strategy focuses on green buildings, inclusive tourism and urban regeneration
- Approach aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement
Urban regeneration, green buildings and sustainable and inclusive tourism with links to the local economy are the priorities of the EBRD's new strategy for the property and tourism sector, approved by the Bank's Board of Directors.
In particular, the strategy will guide the Bank's investments and policy work for the period 2020-24 with an emphasis on:
- managing and developing green and sustainable buildings
- investing in an inclusive and competitive hospitality and tourism sector
- promoting urban regeneration initiatives for more competitive, sustainable and greener cities
- supporting the diversification of funding sources for real estate development and ownership through capital markets, thereby facilitating the sector's resilience.
To date, the EBRD has invested over €3.3 billion in around 200 projects in the property and tourism sector.
Vlaho Kojakovic, EBRD Head of Property and Tourism, said after the approval on 2 October 2019: "A vibrant property and tourism sector is crucial for functioning economies. We are proud that the new strategy supports economic growth and promotes social inclusion in the EBRD economies, aiming to respond to challenges such as urbanisation and climate change. Greener buildings, promoting inclusive tourism and supporting urban regeneration are at the heart of the strategy."
From 2020-24 the Bank will target investments in commercial, logistics and residential real estate, as well as in hospitality and hotels. The EBRD regions have enormous potential in tourism which remains widely untapped and needs to be developed carefully and responsibly.
Real estate stock is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 30 per cent of global emissions. Despite the fact that associated emissions from buildings need to be reduced by 80-90 per cent by 2050 to stay under the 1.5 °C warming limit, the EBRD's regions still lag behind advanced economies, in terms of adopting of sustainable development practices, implementing advanced environmental regulation and utilising climate resilient components.
In this spirit, the EBRD property and tourism strategy is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. It also enhances the role greener buildings and cities can play in addressing climate change challenges.
In addition, the strategy underpins the significance of the hospitality sector in driving economic growth and generating sustainable and inclusive employment opportunities. A sustainable tourism sector has the potential to become a leader in creating high-quality local jobs, especially for young people and women, strengthening local supply chains and increasing regional integration and resilience.
The new strategy will be presented at an event organised by the EBRD in Piraeus, Greece on 8 October 2019.


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Interview With Adirondack 46ers About Hiking All 46 High Peaks
8. Can you recount any funny, heart-warming, unusual, or scary experiences on any of your hikes?
B. Laszlo: On one camping/hiking experience we had a jet boil blow up.
We packed up the pieces, ate raw spaghetti and made a wind chime out of
the jet boil fragments when we got home.
Philion-Nichols: On our hike to Mount Marcy, a bear rummaged through
our gear in the lean-to and dragged my husband's backpack into the
Eric Epner: Guiding my mom in 1985 (when she was 43) up Marcy, fulfilling a "bucket list" item for her. Also, the first time I climbed Marcy was in April 1979, on one of my first "no adults" trips (I was 16).
Tom Zebrowski: Coming down from Rocky Mountain Ridge, alone, I came within 30 ft. of a black bear! We stared each other down and didn't lose eye contact or move (this is what I was taught to do) for about 30 seconds, but it seemed like a half an hour. The bear finally went on its own way and I think time-wise, I broke the record on the way down.
9. What advice can you give to aspiring 46ers who wonder how they will get them all done?
Tracey B. Laszlo: Enjoy the experience however long it takes. Like childhood it goes by quicker than you think and it is bittersweet when it is over.
Russell Martin: Don't bring dogs, children, or spouses (current or "to be") and run them up mountains they aren't capable of. Few things are more miserable that being with other hikes that aren't enjoying themselves.
Deb Cantales: Look into joining the Adirondack Mountain Club, as they have scheduled outings to the high peaks and welcome novices. Some of my fondest memories include hiking with the ADK's Onondaga and Rochester chapters and the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica. Through these clubs, you can meet aspiring 46ers.
Tom Zebrowski: You need a good teacher and hiking partners. Study the area very well, and be prepared for spending the night by carrying the proper gear (even if it is just a day hike). Never give up!!
10. Is there anything else you would like to add about being an Adirondack 46er?
Jonathan Lane, 34: As beautiful as some of the views are, it's often experiences from the rest of the trail that spark the greatest memories. And try to hike with someone interesting – good conversation will help distract your mind from aching feet during those last few miles of a long hike.
Russell Martin: Enjoy the hikes, the people, and the scenery, but don't be afraid to get away from the High Peaks to get the full picture. Getting away from the main trail and hiking other peaks will give a new perspective, if not just for the solitude.
Pam Youker: When you get them all done you will enjoy the physical and mental effects that you have encountered a GREAT amount. Your dry and warm house, home cooked food, and other conveniences will be more enjoyable to you when you are done!
Deb Cantales: Try to find time to help with trail work and to "give back."
Tom Zebrowski: To be very frank – besides getting married, having children, and being recognized for my athletic and business accomplishments, being a 46er is and will always be the best accomplishment that I will carry for the rest of [my] life!
This was the final post of a 3-part series on Adirondack 46ers. See Part I and Part II if you missed them.
Take a virtual tour of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks >>
Planning a visit to the Adirondacks NY? Why not stay in a quaint Adirondack Inn or Bed & Breakfast? If you prefer to sleep under the stars, check out Adirondack campgrounds and other fun things to do in the region!
Be sure to check out our guide to Adirondack trails, paths, and routes! Tell us – Are you ready to take on the 46er challenge?


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Umbra Professor Dr. Adrian S. Hoch has published her article, "Beyond Spirital Maternity: An Addendum to the Iconography of Sancia of Majorca," in the book La chiesa e il convento di Santa Chiara: committenza artistica, vita religiosa, e progettualita' politica nella Napoli di Roberto d'Angio' e Sancia di Maiorca, edited by Francesco Aceto, Stefano D'Ovidio, and Elisabetta Scirocco (2014).
The early 14th century Queen of Naples, Sancia, is often considered a frustrated woman because she lacked children. Yet she and her husband, King Robert, did have a son who died very young. Written and visual evidence compiled by Dr. Hoch confirms the existence of "principino Roberto" ("little prince Robert") visible on the front of his father's tomb (which was heavily damaged in World War II) in Santa Chiara Church in Naples. The infant prince's inclusion dramatically revises ideas about Queen Sancia as well as the dynastic succession of the royal House of Anjou.
Congratulations Dr. Hoch! For more information and to purchase a copy of the book click here.


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Floating is an installation method associated with the engineered hardwood flooring. There are three main methods that are being currently used during the engineered flooring installation by professional hardwood flooring installers in Toronto area. Now, floating installation method has a few significant advantages over other methods.
Several facts about the floating installation method:
a. It's the fastest method, which might be number one priority for those who choose to install engineered hardwood floors by him or herself, or so-called DIY-ers. A proud homeowners with the "do it yourself" attitude.
b. It's the easiest method for a few reasons. There are no glue involved. As a result, the manufacturer's guide is more easily to comprehend. The flooring installation process is less complex and does not require as much flooring installation tools as two other methods.
c. It could be installed over almost any sub-floors. Moreover, floating installation method is great for the below-grade areas such as basements. In part due to the wood material itself, engineered hardwood floors are highly stable and resistant to the moisture and humidity.
Engineered hardwood flooring l by itself is a very enduring and hip looking flooring material. When you paring the perfect installation method that works best for you and the flooring material, you getting a mix of luxury looking floors that last for decades. In addition, there are different size (both width and length) of the engineered floors planks. Today, a wide planks of the engineered hardwood floors are highly popular due to its sharp and solid look and lack of visible gaps. What else can you ask for?
5/28/2023 11:27:36 pm
Great reading yyour blog post
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James Robb, 71 is an Alabama-based self-taught artist. Blind in one eye, Robb has been practicing self-hypnosis since he was in his mid-20s, and adds, "My psychiatric diagnosis is magical thinking."
The Bible and catholicism are strong influences in the content of the work. "My beliefs and feelings are just too fantastic to put in print. 'The Lamb of God' taking away the sins of the world. This Lamb must be a real Bad Ass. Not some gentle creature."


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7 Terrifying Horror Novels That'll Keep You Up All Night
Horror films are an easy way to access the spine-tingling sensation we crave every Halloween. But if you're looking for sustained terror -- a story to return to night after night; something that builds and builds and then shrieks all at once -- there's nothing so satisfying as a good scary book. Words have their own way of worming into the psyche and festering there. It's hard to shake a good literary scare.
With Halloween just around the corner, we selected seven horror novels guaranteed to give you the spooks. Each offers a very different type of terror, from psychological ghost stories to genre-bending tales of the undead to bizarre families you won't soon forget.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Opening lines: "I still get nightmares. In fact I get them so often I should be used to them by now. I'm not. No one ever really gets used to nightmares."
Brief synopsis: A tattoo artist named Johnny Truant discovers the manuscript for an academic study on a documentary film called The Navidson Record, about a Virginia farmhouse with a curious anomaly: the internal measurements of the home are larger than the external ones. While reading and annotating the manuscript, Johnny descends into a madness of unclear origins.
What makes it scary: House of Leaves is famous for having a bizarre layout, some pages containing only a few words and others with zig-zagging, maze-like paragraphs. Reading the book is like solving a puzzle, and the ergodic structure may frustrate readers looking for a straightforward horror story. But if you're able to get past all that, you're in for a treat. The descriptions of the Navidson home -- with doors appearing out of nowhere, and a mysterious hallway that leads to a dark labyrinth inhabited by an unseen monster -- are surreal and eerie, like a cross between The Blair Witch Project and a Greek myth. Johnny's narration is equally unsettling, his insanity spiral mirroring the book's elaborate design. It's a hard book to describe coherently; you have to experience it to really know it. Also, a fun word of advice: Listen to Poe's album Haunted while you read along. The singer is Danielewski's sister and wrote the record as a companion piece to the book.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Opening line: "First of all, it was October, a rare month for boys."
Brief synopsis: Two young boys become fascinated with a mysterious traveling carnival that comes to their Midwestern hometown one October. Lead by the sinister Mr. Dark, the carnival tests the boys' fears and has an odd effect on the locals.
What makes it scary: Bradbury is better-known for science-fiction novels like Fahrenheit 451, but Something Wicked This Way Comes is one of his best and most complete works, a deeply personal story about small towns, childhood friendships, aging, and the complicated relationships between fathers and sons.
Bradbury's lush prose gives the novel a dreamy quality, which easily transitions to the nightmarish. By orienting the story in the pubescent headspace of the boys, Bradbury preys on specific youthful fears -- like witches and skeletons, and disbelieving adults -- and skews the world that we know a few degrees past comprehension. That betrayal of reality is far scarier than any ghost or monster, and Something Wicked This Way Comes mines that sensation to great effect, specifically with Mr. Dark, whose mere existence feels illogical. Though the book is technically a coming-of-age story, the horror is almost more palpable for adults who can see the carnival as a metaphor for the trauma of growing up.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Opening lines: "The blaze of sun wrung pops of sweat from the old man's brow, yet he cupped his hands around the glass of hot sweet tea as if to warm them. He could not shake the premonition. It clung to his back like chill wet leaves."
Brief synopsis: After a young girl named Regan MacNeil is possessed by an ancient demon, two priests -- one a young local struggling with his faith, the other a veteran with personal ties to the evil -- are summoned by the girl's mother to perform an exorcism.
What makes it scary: The 1973 movie adaptation is considered one of the scariest films ever made, so as you can imagine, the book is not for the faint of heart. Blatty adapted the novel for the screen and the story is largely the same, but the book feels more like an infestation of the mind.
The visceral scares of the film are more graphic in their textual form; Regan's invasive body horror is relayed to the reader in unflinching detail -- if you thought the crucifix stabbing scene was ghastly on screen, wait until you read Blatty's description. The psychological turmoil the event has on Regan's mother, Chris, is all the more effective when you're in her head, as the novel allows. And the build-up to the possession is also better developed; the demon's presence at first manifests as a poltergeist-like disturbance, giving the book a haunted house vibe, before it transitions into something more sinister. It's not an easy read, but it will absolutely scare the wits out of you.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Opening line: "No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream."
Brief synopsis: A paranormal investigator, hoping to gather evidence of the supernatural, invites a small group of psychically inclined strangers to a haunted mansion in the New England countryside. The house has a strong effect on one of the participants, a woman named Eleanor Vance, who is targeted by the spirits that dwell there.
What makes it scary: Jackson is an absolute horror master and one of the great underrated American authors. Though she is most famous for her short story "The Lottery," it's Hill House that made her as a genre staple. Stephen King called the book "one of the most important horror novels of the twentieth century" and, in his nonfiction book Danse Macabre, praised its famous opening paragraph ("Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone."), saying, "There are few if any descriptive passages in the English language that are any finer than this." The book's blunt descriptions of the odd goings on at Hill House cut like a knife. Strange writing on the wall, foul odors, loud banging; it's typical haunted house stuff, but Jackson's biting -- and sharply humorous -- prose makes for an unforgettable psychological experience.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
Opening line: "'When your mama was the geek, my dreamlets,' Papa would say, 'she made the nipping off of noggins such a crystal mystery that the hens themselves yearned toward her, waltzing around her, hypnotized with longing."
Brief synopsis: The Binewski family run a traveling carnival populated by their children, who have all been genetically modified to have birth defects so they can freak show acts. Narrated by the youngest Binewski daughter, Oly -- an albino humpback dwarf -- the novel recounts the rise and fall of the family business, and their bizarre and morally deprived daily life.
What makes it scary: Geek Love isn't technically a horror novel. There are no paranormal elements, no manufactured scares. But it's a gruesome, sick book, more depraved than you can even imagine, and all the more delightful because of it. Dunn -- who recently passed away -- achieved cult status after the release of the book, which was notably beloved by Kurt Cobain, and prompted director Terry Gilliam to declare, after reading it, "It made me ashamed to be so utterly normal."
Geek Love is a sprawling story about the grimy underbelly of Americana, where the horror elements are so normalized that they don't always register. A cult springs up around one of the Binewski siblings, Arty, who convinces his followers to amputate their limbs to achieve "purity." There are deprave sex acts, moments of incest, and murders. The scariest imagery comes from a man with a mutilated face who joins the carnival after an act of violence. But Geek Love is also surprisingly tender at times; you hate the deranged Binewskis, but admire their solidarity, and their utter rejection of normalcy. It's horrific for how it conditions the reader against that normalcy. It's hard to look at the world the same way after reading this book.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Opening line: "Louis Creed, who had lost his father at three and who had never known a grandfather, never expected to find a father as he entered his middle age, but that was exactly what happened..."
Brief synopsis: The Creed family moves to a large house in Maine that, unbeknownst to them, was built near an ancient Native American burial ground that has the ability to resurrect the dead. After the tragic death of his young son, Louis Creed buries him in the cursed cemetery -- a decision that comes with dark and dangerous repercussions.
What makes it scary: King considers Pet Sematary his most frightening book, claiming that, upon finishing it, he was worried he had gone too far. "Put simply, I was horrified by what I'd written," he would later confess.
While the book doesn't exactly cross the line of good taste, it does probe the boundaries of morality. The death and resurrection of a toddler is the horrific centerpiece, but Pet Sematary is loaded with gruesome imagery, from the gory ghost of one of Louis's patients, to his wife Rachel's memories of her meningitis-afflicted sister. The story eschews any harmonious takes on death and goes right for the most heinous, carnal elements of loss. The dark ending only solidifies the book's inherent nihilism, but, oddly, it's not a slog -- like all good horror, it questions the very nature of existence, leaving the reader with plenty of gnarly questions to chew on.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Opening line: "Robert Neville was never sure when sunset came, and sometimes they were in the streets before he could get back."
Brief synopsis: Robert Neville is the sole survivor of a pandemic that has turned most of the world's population into vampire-like beings. By day, Neville kills the sleeping infected and desperately searches for a cure. By night, he hides in his barricaded house while the undead gather outside and call his name.
What makes it scary: Though the general public may associate Matheson's masterpiece with the unfortunate Will Smith film adaptation, that's doing a disservice to one of the scariest and most influential pieces of horror literature to ever exist. I Am Legend re-defined the entire zombie genre, inspiring filmmaker George Romero to create his seminal film, Night of the Living Dead. Before I Am Legend, "zombie" meant a person hypnotized by voodoo magic, but after, thanks to the book and Romero's film, it was more commonly associated with global pandemics and resurrected corpses. The book has been adapted for the screen several times -- the best and most faithful of which is 1964's The Last Man on Earth, starring Vincent Price -- but the films all lack the special alchemy of isolation and desperation that make the book so frighteningly real. They also lack the book's most haunting moments, like Neville being stalked by his undead former neighbors, who call out to him, rap at his doors and windows, reminding him of the terrible status of the world he's desperate but hopeless to save.
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Easy Clips for Machine Embroidery
Need to keep fabric out of the way while in the hoop? I bet you've got something in the house that will work perfectly! Try clam clips for hair, black office binder clips, or Wonder Clips for quilting if you have them. I prefer the clam clips because they are easy to maneuver on-the-fly if needed and can fit around a wad of fabric to keep it from slipping under the hoop. These are especially helpful for smaller items like tiny Onesies that have to be almost flipped completely inside out to stitch.
I keep my clips, and other small sewing room items, in repurposed clear glass candle jars. Why throw that beauty away when the candle is gone? A half hour in the freezer easily removes all the old wax and after a run through the dishwasher, it's ready for re-use. I like jars with wide open tops I can get my hands in. These are designated for my embroidery. No gummy hair spray residue please!
Here's the finished tee for my granddaughter. She adores her bunny! The design is from UrbanThreads.com.


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Attendees at this weekends NRL games have been declared exempt from public gathering bans, with all 4 attendees able to self-isolate by taking a quarter of the stadium for themselves.
The announcement is great news for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had pledged only yesterday that he would still be attending this weekends match, no matter how much doctors begged that he stop browsing cheap plane flights to Hawaii and actually listen to what they were advising him.
"Yea look, every time we mention that maybe we should stop people getting together he starts telling us that the cricketers are on top of it. I have no idea what that means, but it appears his entire strategy for beating this thing is to gather everyone at the SCG on a weekly basis, which I cannot stress enough, is even worse than his initial plan to shake everyone's hands."


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Here are some of our dear colleagues and coworkers in Christ in the Roma Bible Union, Roma Bible Society and Operation Mobilization.
Below: one of the most touching parts of the conference was when the Roma brothers initiated a time of special prayer to pray for God's blessing on their Chinese brothers who had initiated and organized the conference. As one young leader said, "Who would have ever thought that a group of Chinese believers would have such love in their hearts for the Roma people."


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Welcome to the new website of The Lens.
Today is our first anniversary, and we're happy to start our second year with this newly designed website, courtesy of our design-minded, tech-savvy friends at FIVE65 Design.
Our first year was about establishing ourselves as a viable, incisive and successful newsroom, and we did that. We've broken a number of stories and, just as importantly, we've broadened the conversation on many others.
Moving forward, we'd like to involve you more in our site. We've started a section at the lower left of the home page called "ya Heard?" where we invite one-liners, zingers and wry observations. These are the things that come to you as you read the news, watch a game, or daydream at a stoplight. They're designed to be anonymous and quick. Give it a shot, and as long as it's not completely tasteless or over the line, we'll add it to our site. Of course, commenting on stories will continue.
We'd also like to invite op-ed pieces from our readers, to run alongside the ones by our resident opinion writer, Mark Moseley.
We've added a section, "Daily Watchdog", that features investigative stories from other publications covering the Gulf Coast and Louisiana. We're also featuring stories from our partners at WVUE-TV, Fox8 News.
In what we hope will be a boon for the community, we're running not just a calendar of upcoming meetings, but also posting agendas when they're available. Part of this stems from our coverage over the summer of charter schools that weren't following the state open-meetings law and making all their information available.
We've also provided a place at the lower right portion of the page for those without Twitter accounts to follow our regular updates from public meetings we attend. If you're not familiar with these, you'll find them by turns pithy, informative or just fun.
Through our partnership with WVUE-TV Fox8, our jointly reported stories have reached an audience well beyond our web reach. Likewise, our print partnerships with The Louisiana Weekly and The Trumpet help deliver our stories to those who may be on the other side of the digital divide. Soon, we'll launch a similar partnership with Jambalaya News, a Hispanic publication that prints each story in both Spanish and English.
However you choose to read our stories, we hope you'll continue to send us news tips and offer praise or criticism as you see fit. Each of these makes us a better operation.
Thanks for reading,
Steve Beatty, managing editor


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Our Law Firm provides Legal Assistance for:
A criminal charge can ruin your life. In addition to jail time, your criminal record will be on file forever. It can come back and haunt you as you look for a job, a place to live, or even apply for a bank loan. Don't take a risk in court. Roberto A. Bihar and his skilled, dedicated team will fight for you.
As an experienced criminal defense, probate, and DUI attorney, Roberto A. Bihar represents clients in criminal defense cases, probate matters, and DUI cases. He and our team are ready to protect your rights and secure your future. With over 1,000 criminal cases in 10 years, we have the knowledge and experience to successfully represent you.
Our law firm is based in Waterford Township, MI, and represent clients in communities such as Holly, Clarkston, White Lake, and beyond.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Meet Roberto A. Bihar, PLLC
In January 2009, Roberto A. Bihar began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph G. Fabrizio. Through Judge Fabrizio, he learned and grew as a legal professional. He graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School cum laude in 2012, passed the bar exam, and joined Karlstrom Cooney, LLP as an associate attorney. Today, Mr. Bihar provides counsel in criminal defense, license restoration, traffic offenses, and probate law.
In addition to working doggedly on his clients' behalf, in DUI and criminal defense cases, Mr. Bihar receives appointments from the Oakland County probate court and acts as a public defender for the 52/2 District Court and the 52/1 District Court.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mr. Bihar is fluent in Spanish and provides legal counsel for Spanish-speaking clients in their native tongue.
- Madonna University – Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, 1999
- Madonna University – Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, 1999
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School – Juris Doctor, 2012
- 52/2 District Court – Law Clerk, 2009-2012
- Karlstrom Cooney, LLP – Attorney, 2013-2014
- Bagley & Langan, PLLC – Of Counsel, 2013- present
- Roberto A. Bihar, PLLC – Owner, 2014-present
- Knights of Columbus Council #13600 – 3rd Degree Knight, 2014-2017
- Knights of Columbus Council – 4th Degree Knight, 2017-present
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Monday - Friday
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I had the opportunity last weekend to attend the 4th annual Killer Nashville mystery writers' conference. I was fortunate earlier in winning a competition sponsored by Tony Burton's Crime and Suspense magazine, which paid my registration fee.
Accompanied by my 17-year-old grandson, Michael, we drove to Tennessee (more than 800 miles one way), not knowing what to expect. Let me say right off the top, it was worth the effort.
The event attracts writers, filmmakers, publishers, agents and fans from across the nation and Canada. It includes programs on various phases of writing and publishing as well as seminars on investigative techniques and forensics by representatives of law enforcement agencies.This year's guest of honor was New York Times best-selling writer J.A. Jance, author of four popular crime fiction series and winner of the American Mystery Award. She gave an interview and presentation Saturday followed by a book signing and dinner in her honor.
One of the key presenters this year was Lee Lofland, nationally acclaimed expert on police procedure and crime scene investigation, who conducted six sessions. I attended several of those, had opportunity to talk one-on-one with Lee and bought a copy of his book, "Police Procedure and Investigation."I also attended seminars on blood spatter, the mind of the psychopath, poisons and poisoners and another on the state of the publishing business.
Something I wasn't expecting to do (but enjoyed) was being a panelist on The Dark Muse: Inspiration and the Mystery Crime Writer. The panel was moderated by Philip Cioffari, filmmaker and author of "Catholic Boys." Others on the panel were Radine Trees Nehring, author of the Carrie McCrite mysteries, and Dr. A. Scott Pearson, author of the medical thriller, "Rupture."
Not only did I meet some people I've only corresponded with in the past--like Tony Burton, Chester Campbell and others--I talked to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents, attorneys, a private investigator and many other writers.
In addition to all the writerly activities, I also spent some quality time with my eldest grandson and had dinner with Becky and Rick Crow, who drove in from Missouri to meet us. Becky and I share ancestry but had never met in person.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Killer Nashville
Posted by jrlindermuth at 4:10 PM
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View Sculpture Map
TITLE: "We"
LOCATION: 1041 W. 111th St.
SIZE: 13'x4'x1'
SPONSOR: ComEd
Above photo shows selected year in exhibit
(Thumbnails show other years)
Click Here to View Sculpture Location
Guided audio tours with artist narration of sculptures.
© 2013-2023 Chicago Sculpture Exhibit. CSE is an Illinois not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation.


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Mistake #8 Accepting an Initial Offer
If you hire an attorney early in the process, you will avoid the mistake of accepting an initial offer from an insurance company. A first settlement offer from the insurance company is almost certainly a lowball offer, and it is not one you want to take.
Remember our mantra: An insurance company is a business whose model is designed to prevent high payouts to victims.
The initial offer is no good, and the insurance company knows it. Thanks to this book and the advice of your lawyer, now you know it too.
There are many factors that go into receiving a fair offer following an auto or motorcycle accident. For example:
- Is there a possibility or even a certainty of future lost wages?
- Could future injuries be so serious that it is possible the individual will never work again?
- If so, how could such an accident victim possibly have an understanding of how the legal system could compensate for such a horrific and serious accident?
A lawyer, on the other hand, will have the knowledge and experience necessary to understand the value of the case.
This expertise is essential, especially when there are long-term injuries or even permanent disabilities. When you may have future medical costs, treatments, and future pain and suffering, it's nearly impossible to know what your claim is worth without talking to a lawyer.
Even if an insurance company's offer seems like a lot of money now, you may end up realizing that they shortchanged you with a lowball offer when you run out of money for medical treatments years later.
Future considerations can be difficult to take into account when you and your loved ones need money now. But this natural urge to receive money right away is precisely what the insurance company is counting on. Fight this urge, and you will be far better off for having done so.
Why Waiting for the Settlement You Deserve is the Right Choice
Signing a release that is based on an offer that is too low is a permanent choice. You do not get a second chance. That's why it's so important to get the settlement right the first time.
If injuries worsen over time or the injuries were not properly investigated before you settle, you and your loved ones may not even know the full scope of what you just agreed on upon.
What may have been a soft tissue injury at the time of settlement may turn out to become a herniated disc that requires extensive treatment. You need to understand the extent of your medical condition before your case is settled.
Accepting an early offer makes it difficult for you to properly assess your potential damages. That means the insurance company will never provide an offer to cover those potential damages because a thorough investigation has not yet brought those facts to light.
Expect the insurance company to make the offer sound appealing while impressing upon you how urgent it is to resolve the matter. The reality is that the more thorough the investigation, the more likely it is that the insurance company will actually pay out a fair offer.
Insurance companies do not want you to hire an attorney, for obvious reasons. Claims that settle with a lawyer bring in more money for accident victims, and insurance companies know this. It is in their best interest to rush to provide you with an offer that seems so fair that you question the need to even consult a lawyer.
You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to slow down, take a step back, and make a quick phone call to a lawyer you can count on. If you are reluctant to make that call after an accident, it might be because you think the claim will drag on for years. Fortunately, that is rarely the case.
Your lawyer should serve as trusted counsel who provides you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. If you ever decide that the time is right to settle and you are tired of waiting, that is your decision to make. That said, you will almost certainly receive a better offer after your lawyer has investigated your case and fought the insurance company on your behalf.
Most claims are resolved quickly once you have finished your medical treatment and there is a more complete understanding of the total short- and long-term medical costs, lost wages, and any special damages.
There is a reason most auto accident cases settle out of court. I estimate that roughly 97 percent of the accident cases I have handled have been settled. With more than 28 years of experience at all levels of the federal and state court system, I can assure you that the reason my cases don't go to court is that I get the insurance company to deliver a fair offer.
If they don't, I take the case to trial.
The final decision is yours to make. If you are ready to settle, you can do so. A swift and fair resolution is possible if you have a bit of patience and put your case in the hands of a Rhode Island lawyer who can take the fight to the insurance company on your behalf. If you are concerned about the time waiting for compensation, simply ask your lawyer for more information about the expected timeline. Your lawyer should provide you with timely case updates and should have at least some general notion of how long the case should take to resolve.
Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer
9 Common Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Auto Or Motorcycle Insurance Claim
Finding the Best Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer
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Justine, the hypochondriac disillusionist who can channel her fear into others, is faced with growing moral quandaries in this book.
She loves Otto and wants to please him – but is unsure how she can fit in his so rigid black and white view of the world or live up to the high faith he puts in her. At the same time Packard remains compelling – Packard with his shades of grey and his dubious means always justified by the ends.
And she has to continue to disillusion the highcap criminals that Otto has imprisoned – not doing so could lead to Otto imprisoning Packard – and dying from the stress of holding all the forcefields in place. But Ez, her latest target, doesn't seem guilty – and when Justine's already finding it hard to justify the disillusionment of the guilty, it's even harder to deal with disillusioning someone who may be innocent. But this highcap can control dreams and control people through dreams – in the past she was thought to force people to become cannibal sleep walkers. And she's in Packard and her heads – does she dare not disillusion her, even if she is innocent?
And worse, there are the Dunces. A trio of serial killers stalking Midcity who are targeting highcaps – and are immune to highcap powers.
This book has a very strong theme of moral questioning. Of black and white thinking over shades of grey. Of whether ends justify the means. Of choosing between what's right and self-preservation. Of survival vs freedom, of freedom vs morality , of the unintended consequences of well intended actions. There are a dozen well examined and deep issues all along these lines – from Justine trying to be free from Parker, to Otto's very rigid view of the world, to J's discomfort about disillusioning anyone and exacerbated by the idea of disillusioning an innocent person. There's the battle to be free from parker and the consequences of that when it causes Parker to be unable to fulfil his deal with Otto. There are Parker's lies and whether they are justified for the sake of his freedom and what he has endured. There's a debate on Parker's past and whether he was judged too harshly. There's – well, there are dozens of these deeply fascinating and complicated debates that really mke you think
Over and over I wondered what I would do in that situation. I wondered whether something was a necessary evil and J was being nit-picky or whether she had a real point. I wondered over practicality and whether they were being naive and ignoring reality – I also wondered whether the excuse of pragmatism was being abused for selfish justification. I wondered how many ends there would be that required so many dubious means. I wondered at whether it was right to judge someone who was so desperate and so pressed. I wondered whether Justine 's moral ponderings were in fact a glorious luxury – that she could indulge in because she is free from her hypochondria and because it allows her to disavow blame for anything she does onto Packard.
I wondered a lot, and found the debates and questions interesting and fun to pick over – after all, I enjoyed reading jurisprudence text books in law school, I enjoy this kind of thing.
However, all of this moral musing was not balanced by a large, extensive plot. As such the plot, the action, the actual meat of the book is overwhelmed by a large amount of character introspection and navel gazing. I don't know if I read this book or was lectured by it. I don't know if I was reading an Urban fantasy novel, or being treated to a philosophy text book. The story just couldn't compete with the navel gazing. Which means, story-wise, the pacing is clunky and slow, dragged down by endless maunderings and debates and guilt and angst fests. We have paragraph after paragraph of Justine's internal monologue with not a whole lot happening
It's like trying to get things done with a hyperactive Jimminy Cricket on treble espressos constantly butting in. It didn't lead to the story flowing well and, even as someone who likes these kind of debates, I was kind of wishing that J would just get on with things and stop treating us to another round of moral tail-chasing.
And that is a major problem with the book. The plot, when we find it, is interesting and appealing albeit not particularly deep, nuanced or exciting (partly because of the pacing). We have an investigation of a threat and the analysis of Justine's disillusionment actions – but even then Justine, the character we follow, isn't an overly active participant in either. She's worried whether EZ is innocent, but she then passes on investigation of that to Simon. She's worried about her dreams, but it's Packard who takes steps to protect them. She's worried about the serial killing Dunces, but she's only pulled into the investigation late in the game. And even then the only information she adds to the search is info she stumbles over rather than actively seeks. In some ways the plot seems to swirl around Justine while she sits in the middle of it navel gazing.
We learn more about Otto and Packard's past, which is interesting, and also learn more about the nature of disillusionment and exactly what it means and what it can do once it has been freed from their assumptions. The insight into their past is interesting but nothing that wasn't already hinted at and served more to add to the moral tail-chasing
Inclusion-wise, this book is heavily erased, being nearly entirely straight and white. Justine isn't especially pro-active though she does fight for her freedom, she also spends a lot of time pining after Otto, worrying about her morality and generally being a passive character more than an active participant in the plot. While the previous book did a wonderful job of looking at mental illness, this has been rather lost in this book since they can all zing their problems away.
All in all, I found this book to be dissatisfying, especially after the first book intrigued me. Not enough happened, not enough advanced (and the advancement we did get happened very close to the end of the book) there wasn't enough activity in the book to justify its length. It had lots of text without the story to fill it – and the story that there was wasn't original or special enough to be worth digging for – even if it was amusing and engaging. It was hard not be frustrated by the book, and a trifle bored at times – which is a shame, because with this world and concept I know this could have been a much better story.


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Personal and mental health are the most important things that somebody has, however, damage or loss of your property through many different scenarios can also be a huge problem. Damage, loss or robbery whilst travelling can ruin your entire trip and leave a bad feeling towards any future plans you may have had. Sometimes it can be something small like your favourite t-shirt but other times it can be more serious such as your passport or laptop. Here we will look at some things you can do to protect your property. Some are obvious and others not so much.
Use the lockers available:
This is one of the more obvious ones, but one that is almost always forgotten about. Most hostels, parks and tourist attractions now have the option of storing your luggage. Always put your non-essentials into a locker, it will mean less weight for you to carry around and you can relax knowing your belongings are in a secure location.
Have somebody stay with your valuables:
Although it doesn't always work, having somebody stay with your bags while you are enjoying your activities acts as a huge deterrent for thief's. Thief's don't want to deal with the hassle of somebody seeing them or reporting them to the police and having someone trustworthy with your stuff means you can relax.
Mark your bags:
There ae dozens of ways to mark what belongs to you. You can use travel tags which can be tracked, put a ribbon on your luggage or attach badges to what is yours. This means you can spot what is yours quickly, it stops confusion on public transport and if you must report its description to somebody it will have something unique which the person can look for.
Get insurance:
When all else fails at least you can claim back some of the expenses on the belongings your lost or any injury that you may have had. Consider your options when choosing insurance. Ask important questions, what does it cover? For how long? What are the limits? What is the procedure for making a claim. These are essential and will help you make an informed decision on what is the right insurance for you. Hopefully you will never need it, but it helps to have a backup.
Always read the label:
Another piece of advice which is often forgotten. Read the labels on everything you buy. Sometimes it may look waterproof when it really isn't or it could be bleach and not detergent. Nobody wants to ruin their belongings by making a simple mistake that could have been prevented with a little reading. Don't be afraid to ask questions either, it is better to look silly than to ruin your favourite outfit
So on your next trip, think about your own safety and then that of your belongings, hopefully these tips will help protect what is yours.


text: This is the perfect pipe to share with the Yin to your Yang! It comes in a custom bamboo box. This Art of Smoke Pipe will have some cosmetic imperfections. Since each pipe is hand finished there are bound to be a few that don't pass our inspection. These cosmetic imperfections do not interfere with the functionality of the piece in any way. (Regularly $60).


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Leveraging a strong foundation of key supplier relationships, an extensive product portfolio and an ever-expanding distribution network, we stand committed to providing our customers a one-stop sourcing advantage for all of their chemical needs.


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Mâr (#)
Fr.: Serpent
The Serpent. An inconspicuous, irregular constellation situated on both sides of → Ophiuchus. The constellation is divided into two unequal parts, originally called Serpens Caput "Serpent's Head" at 15h 30m right ascension, 15° north declination, and Serpens Cauda "Serpent's Body" at 18h 30m right ascension, 0° declination. The brightest star, Alpha Serpentis, is of second magnitude. Abbreviation: Ser; Genitive: Serpentis.
From L. serpens "snake," from pr.p. of serpere "to creep," from PIE *serp- "to crawl;" cf. Skt. sarp- "to creep, crawl," sárpati "creeps," sarpá- "serpent;" Gk. herpein "to creep," herpeton "serpent;" Alb. garper "serpent."
Mâr "snake, serpent;" Mid.Pers. mâr "snake;" Av. mairya- "snake, serpent."


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FIRST THOUGHT: Money, Honey
During a casual conversation with a new friend, his perspective on something struck me. He said that money is great (duh) but it can't turn you into a decent human being. Attaining wealth highlights your personality, he explains, so if you're a selfish individual, more funds in your bank account will emphasize that selfishness. There are also plenty of good-hearted people whose good-heartedness becomes center stage with a little cash behind it. The moral of the story? Don't look at someone's net worth and assume one thing or another. Get to know them. What they say and do speaks volumes more than how many zeroes are in their paycheck.
Let's talk numbers. As of August 2018, 219 women have won their primary in an election, whether it's the Senate or House. A historic number of women were elected to Congress in November 2018! According to a study by FiveThirtyEight, ABC News and Ballotpedia, a big reason why these political gals have won their seats is due to their experience in government, with 56 percent having previous experience as elected officials.
WOMAN TO WATCH: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
One such woman you've certainly heard the buzz about is our Woman to Watch today, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The 29-year-old is the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress and will represent New York's 14th district, which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens. The first representative of the district was a white dude, followed by another white dude and then—you guessed it—another white dude, and so on and so on. It took years for a woman to represent the district, and now, Alexandria is the first woman of color to represent the primarily Hispanic area.
But that's the past. Alexandria's about the future. People were struck by her candor, her boldness. She wasn't afraid to say what she thought, even when many believed the statements to be radical. Politics is often careful. It's not commonplace to hear differing opinions, but Alexandria isn't afraid.
She was born in the Bronx, but her family's roots are in Puerto Rico. She worked on immigration issues for Senator Ted Kennedy and has a robust knowledge of her area as a community organizer. Rallying for issues you believe in doesn't pay much (or anything at all), but when her father later died from cancer, Alexandria began working several jobs as a server to help her family.
Alexandria's relatable financial situation has been at the forefront of her campaign and largely appeals to voters like her. She has less than $7,000 in the bank and, like so many fellow millennials, is in five-digit student loan debt for her degree in economics and international relations. Alexandria faces a difficulty many of us face: finding an affordable place to rent in DC, where the average price is nearly $3,000 a month.
When Alexandria was elected, though, she dethroned a representative with a two-decade-long career in politics (and to think her last job was slingin' drinks at a bar!) She believes part of what helped her win was that she focused on the issues, ones that she herself has experienced. Her campaign slogan famously rang in the ears of women all around the country: "Women like me aren't supposed to run for office."
What's stunned the nation is Alexandria's anti-establishment mentality. It's no secret how polarized our politics are, but Alexandria reminds us we have to think about and research the issues well, and we have to be brave enough to fight for those issues that touch our hearts the most. What's important isn't what a news anchor or a celebrity tells us is important. What's important is what hits home, what aligns with our values and what we want for future generations.
We've got to finish the day with a quote by the woman herself, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
"I see people like me, who thought someone like me couldn't be in politics, now are saying, 'Oh, wait, I don't need to take money from corporations to run. Maybe I'll run, too.'"


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First and foremost, there have been recent changes in the law concerning what is defined as marijuana and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) under the Texas Health and Safety Code. I discussed these changes in the law in a recent blog post TX Hemp & Marijuana Law – New Laws for 2019.
Essentially, the new law states that any plant or substance derived from a plant, that has a THC concentration less than 0.3% is no longer defined as a controlled substance (or marijuana) for purposes of the Texas Health and Safety Code's punishments for related offenses.
1. TX crime labs Cannot quantify how much THC is in ANY substance
None of the Texas crime labs that are used to test for the presence of controlled substances has the ability to test for the QUANTITY of THC. The only thing that they can test for is the PRESENCE of THC. The GC/MS laboratory analysis are very sensitive, and can detect even 1 mg of THC, however, they DO NOT have the ability to quantify how much THC a suspected substance has.
This creates a HUGE problem for District Attorney's Offices across the state. Simply put, they cannot prove that the suspected substance is actually controlled and regulated as a PG 2 substance, marijuana, or Hemp, because it has a THC concentration below the threshold level.
2. New law has enactment date of September 1, 2019 – HOWEVER, statutory construction dictates it be applied to ALL future cases.
Without nerding out too much…follow me on the statutory construction of a new law like the Texas Hemp Farm Act to understand WHY THE NEW LAW IS RETROACTIVE:
- The new law is outside the Texas Penal Code
- The new law is ambiguous because it has an enactment date, but no enabling legislation or a savings provision (basically this means that the new law does not specify to what offenses it applies to; eg, if a person is arrested before the enactment date and tried after the enactment date.
- When a law is ambiguous, the Texas Government Code gives guidance in the interpetation and application of a new statute under Chapter 311, TX GOV CODE.
- Under the Texas Government code: "If the penalty, forfeiture, or punishment for any offense is reduced by a reenactment, revision, or amendment of a statute, the penalty, forfeiture, or punishment, if not already imposed, shall be imposed according to the statute as amended." TX GOV CODE 311.031(b)
- Since the penalty or punishment for substances with less than 0.3% THC is reduced, the new statute applies, despite when the alleged offense was committed.
- Applying the new Statute requires that the jury find beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance you were alleged to have possessed contained a THC concentration over 0.3%.
3. If they cannot prove the quantity of THC in a given substance, they cannot prove guilty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The labs cannot tell the difference between 95% THC and 0.00001 % THC.
Call LeGrande Law for a FREE consultation
If accused of a drug crime, including Possession of Marijuana or Cannabis Oil (THC), you need an attorney with proven results, winning cases. Attorney Tristan LeGrande gets results – CALL NOW for a Free Consultation!
Contact attorney Tristan LeGrande


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Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates schools where all students succeed. Find out how to get started with PBIS.
Tier 1 practices and systems establish a foundation of regular, proactive support while preventing unwanted behaviors. Schools provide these universal supports to all students, school-wide.Learn More
Tier 2 practices and systems support students who are at risk for developing more serious problem behaviors before those behaviors start. These supports help students develop the skills they need to benefit from core programs at the school.Learn More
At Tier 3, students receive more intensive, individualized support to improve their behavioral and academic outcomes. At this level, schools rely on formal assessments to determine a student's need.Learn More
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Center on PBIS supports schools, districts, and states to build systems capacity for implementing a multi-tiered approach to social, emotional and behavior support. The broad purpose of PBIS is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of schools and other agencies. PBIS improves social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups. Find out how to get started with PBIS.


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Relationships of ethnicity, physical activity and diet with adiposity development in Aboriginal youth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Degree Level
The objective of this research was to study relationship(s) of ethnicity, physical activity and diet with adiposity development in Aboriginal youth. To meet this objective, three separate, yet inter-related studies were undertaken: 1) to comprehensively assess adiposity in Aboriginal youth and their age, sex and maturity matched Caucasian peers; 2) to assess the role of ethnicity and sex on physical activity (PA) levels and identify the proportion of Aboriginal youth meeting international recommendations; and 3) to explore relationships of ethnicity, physical activity and diet with adiposity. In study one, it was hypothesized that Aboriginal youth would have greater adiposity than their Caucasian peers. While much of the research to date has focused on body mass index, this investigation used DXA and waist circumference to show that Aboriginal youth had greater total and central adiposity in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts. Study two examined physical activity behaviors of Canadian Aboriginal youth in relation to ethnicity and sex. It was hypothesized that the physical activity levels of Aboriginal youth would be lower than their Caucasian peers; that the majority of Aboriginal youth would not meet PA and T.V. viewing recommendations; and that Aboriginal boys would have higher adjusted physical activity energy expenditures than girls. Findings indicated that physical activity levels of the two ethnic groups were generally comparable, that Aboriginal boys had greater activity energy expenditures than girls, and that a greater percentage of boys were meeting the international recommendations for physical activity and T.V. viewing. Study three built upon the first two investigations, to explore relationships of physical activity and diet with adiposity in Aboriginal youth. It was hypothesized that when age, size and maturity, and their interactions were accounted for, diet and physical activity variables would be related to adiposity (waist circumference, total body and trunk fatness). Results indicated physical activity was inversely related to adiposity level, independent of biological factors. Although energy intake was the sole dietary variable related to the adiposity measures, descriptives showed the eating behaviors (i.e., consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar sweetened beverages and other foods) of the Aboriginal youth were sub-optimal when compared to current recommendations. This research project is unique because it comprehensively assessed adiposity, diet and physical activity, and the relationships between these variables, in a relatively large sample of Aboriginal boys and girls. Furthermore, these relationships were established using a variety of measures (i.e., DXA, waist circumference, height and weight) while controlling for biological confounders. Overall, the results highlight the urgent need to promote physical activity and healthy eating in Aboriginal youth and set the stage for future research.
physical activity, youth, Aboriginal, diet, body composition
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College of Kinesiology
College of Kinesiology


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TLE Show at David Mikow Gallery, February 21
We are very excited to announce a new show of writing and artwork from the 2013 season of The Light Ekphrastic at The David Mikow Art Gallery in Catonsville. The show will have a special focus on contributors from the UMBC and surrounding community.
Opening Reception
Friday, February 21, 2014
5 – 7 p.m.; 6 p.m. artist/writer reflections
Light refreshments
RSVP on Facebook here
Contributing artists and writers include: Carol McGraw, Darren Cormier, Meredith Purvis, Linda Crosfield, Kirk Halgren, Gregory Wm. Gunn, Carly Richmond, Sylvia Fischbach-Braden, Lorraine Imwold, Carol A Stephen, Erin Barata Ouslander, Rachel Popham, Lynne Parks, Christine Green, Stephen Bradley, Grace Grafton, Marlayna Demond, Francine Rubin, Steven H. Silberg, Tim Nohe, Tim Galligan and Charlotte M. Porter.
The David Mikow Gallery is located at 1002 Vineyard Hill Road, Catonsville, MD 21228. For directions and more information, visit http://thedavidmikowartgallery.wordpress.com/.
Published since November 2009, The Light Ekphrastic is a quarterly online journal dedicated to the creation of new written and visual artworks through the collaboration between artists. The evening will include an informal discussion by artist/writer pairs about the ekphrastic processes they used to create new works inspired by the works of their partners.


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Ruth Castañeda is from Mexico City. She is a credentialed Elementary Teacher with a B. A. in Special Education in hearing and speech. She has a Master's degree in Educational Research. She worked as Speech Therapist and as a Special Education teacher for deaf children and young adults. She is an interpreter in Mexican Sign Language. She came to us with 23 years of experience as a Special Education and Elementary teacher in Mexico. She is a certified Elementary Montessori guide ages 6 to 12 and has a diploma as an Educational Therapist. Ruth started working at TRIS in January of 2004.
Wellington Franklin Pontes Filho has over 17 years of experience in education. He began his educational career as a middle and high school math teacher. Originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, Wellington holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, a degree in Education with an emphasis in Math from the Universidade Estadual do Ceara, and a degree in Special Education, specializing in the hearing-impaired, from the Universidade Estadual Vale do Acarau in Brazil. Wellington taught elementary through high school students before coming to the U.S. Ever since, he completed the AMI Primary Montessori training in Mountain View, California as well as an AMI Elementary Montessori training program in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Wellington has been working at TRIS since 2005, where he has taught in Primary and Elementary; he is currently teaching in Upper Elementary. During this time, he has trained many teachers in his classroom on classroom management, and how to use and integrate the Montessori philosophy in their lessons. Wellington has four children at TRIS. He believes that every child should be valued and treated with respect. An education should empower a child and help her or him make a positive contribution to our world. Wellington is thrilled to be working with an international community, dedicated teaching staff, and sharing his passion for math and Montessori education with his students.
Yesenia Cortez is from Mexico where she completed her university studies in Special Education at the Universidad de Colima. She has been teaching elementary age children since 2013. She enjoys reading and personal fitness in her spare time. She joined the TRIS team in the Spring of 2021.
Hugo Brousse was born in Marseille, a beautiful city in southern France. He holds a teaching degree in French as a second language from the "Université de La Réunion". He currently is enrolled in a distance learning program to earn his master's degree in language didactic from the same university. Hugo's passion is fencing. He was in the French national team for many years and still trains recreationally. He also loves sailing in the bay with his friends. He joined TRIS in 2016.Isabel Bustillos is originally from Mexico. Isabel holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Universidad Iberoamericana and a M.A. in Environment, Development and Policy from Sussex University. She comes to TRIS after having worked for ten years at Ashoka's Youth Venture, a global program that promotes youth leadership and social entrepreneurship. She has mentored hundred of students around the world to develop their social ventures. In addition she has dedicated much of her life to working on Environmental issues in Mexico and here in the United States. She joined TRIS in 2017.Hella Tsaconas grew up in the East Bay. She earned a BA from the University of Southern California in Gender Studies and a MA from the Department of Performance Studies at New York University based on her research on elite women's boxing. From 2014 to 2017, Hella taught undergraduate courses spanning feminism, anti-racism, and critical theory at NYU. She has also worked in academic editing and publishing. She enjoys biking Oakland with her family and she is a lifelong ballet dancer. Hella is delighted to bring her passion for teaching and learning to the TRIS community in the fall of 2018.
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If you are a tax-payer, then Gift Aid is the best form of supporting the poor, as it multiplies any donations you make to ripple the effect of your charitable action!
Gift Aid your donations
Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. It is a scheme introduced by HM Revenue & Customs, which allows us to reclaim the basic rate tax you pay as a UK taxpayer. Gift Aid is worth at least an extra 25p for every $2 you give. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you! Please remember that what you pay in income/capital gains tax, must at least equal the amount we will reclaim against your gift.
To Gift Aid your donation:
Select "Yes" to Gift Aid question at online donation form
Call our Supporter Care line on 0300 111 3001 (call to 0300 are included in your free minutes)
Questions about adding Gift Aid to your donations
1. What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. It is a scheme introduced by HM Revenue & Customs, which allows us to reclaim the basic rate tax you pay as a UK taxpayer.
It means that for every $2 you donate we get an extra 25p, at no extra cost to you. All that is required from you is a one-off declaration, which you can give by simply ticking a box on a form, online or by agreeing over the phone, and we'll do the rest.
You can make your donation by calling 0300 111 3001; or online here
Please remember to let us know of any changes to your name and address. You can contact us at any time by emailing at email@example.com by calling 1-202-657-6830.
2. Do I qualify for Gift Aid?
Gift Aid can apply to donations of any amount made by an individual, large or small – it all adds up! You can Gift Aid your cash, cheque, postal order, direct debit, standing order and bankcard donations. To be eligible for the Gift Aid scheme, you need to be a UK taxpayer. You need to have paid income tax or capital gains tax that is at least equal to the amount that we will be reclaiming, in the year that your gift is received by us.
Tax is claimed at the basic rate of tax, which is 20% before tax (25% on the net donation). This means that under Gift Aid for every $2 you give, the Islamic Aid can reclaim at least an additional 25p from HM Revenue & Customs.
On 5th April 2008, the PAYE income tax rate reduced from 22% on gross (28% on net). To make up for the shortfall on gift aid, the government provided an extra 3% top up on donations between 6th April 2008 and 5th April 2011 to allow charities to continue to benefit from 28p return for every $2. This extra 3% was removed from 6th April 2011, and the Islamic Aid has up to two years to claim at the 28% for any donations received before this change.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for donating by Gift Aid, or simply want more information, contact the HM Revenue & Customs directly by calling their Gift Aid helpline on 0151 472 6038 or visiting www.hmrc.gov.uk
3. Do I need to make a separate Gift Aid declaration for each tax year?
No, you only need to make a declaration once. Your single declaration will apply to all past donations made in the six years prior to this year and any donations you might make to us in the future.
Please do, however, remember to let us know of any changes to your name and address. You can contact us at any time by emailing at email@example.com by calling 1-202-657-6830.
4. What if I pay a higher rate of tax?
If you are a higher rate taxpayer we are still only able to claim the basic rate of tax on your donation. However, you are able to reclaim the difference between the amount we reclaim and the 40% you pay yourself through your tax return, or you may choose to donate it back to the Islamic Aid by completing the information on your self assessment form. All you have to do is remember to include details of your charitable gifts on your tax form.
5. What if I stop paying tax? Can I withdraw the declaration?
You can cancel the declaration at any time by emailing your full name and address, including your postcode, to email@example.com by calling 0300 111 3001 Find out more about Gift Aid on the Charity Facts website.
6. Can anyone gift aid their donations?
Anyone can give us permission to claim back the tax paid on their gifts, as long as they are a UK Tax payer and have paid as much tax as we will claim on donations made in the tax year in which they were received. This tax can be from income tax taken from your pay or from income / capital gains tax paid on a private pension or on savings interest.
7. I am a pensioner, do my donations qualify?
Income from state pensions is unlikely to qualify as you would need to earn above the personal allowance threshold to pay income tax. If this is your only source of income, we would always advise that you check with your tax office before completing a declaration.
8. Is there any extra paperwork for me to complete?
No. We reclaim the tax directly from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Simply tick the box on the form to confirm you are a UK taxpayer. That's all you need to do – although you may wish to keep a record of donations you have made in case you are eligible for further tax relief yourself or to ensure that you are paying enough tax to cover the donations you make to charities under Gift Aid.
9. Does my declaration cover all donations I have ever made to you?
We only have four years in which to claim the tax relief on your donations, so if donations you have made go back further than 4 years, we will only apply the tax relief to donations within the allowed period as set out by HMRC.
10. Do I need to declare anything in my tax return in relation to gifts I have already given?
No. You only need declare gifts made in the current tax year, as although the charity can claim back the tax on donations received up to four years ago, you can only benefit from tax relief on donations made in the current period. Please speak to your tax office if in any doubt as to your entitlement.
11. I pay tax at a higher rate; can the charity claim back the full amount?
We can only claim back tax at the basic rate (currently 20%* of the gross value of your donation). However, you can request a rebate for the difference on any donations made within the current tax year, when you submit your tax returns and opt to donate this to a charity of your choice.
12. Can I call you if I have any other questions?
If you have any further questions about Gift Aid – or if your circumstances change and you need to cancel the agreement – please call our dedicated Supporter Care Team on1-202-657-6830


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Happy Birthday to Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, who turns 11 today! The youngest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, she is the younger sister of the Princess of Orange and Princess Alexia, the youngest member of the 'A-Team', and third-in-line to the Throne. Princess Ariane's godparents include Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. She resides at the Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten estate in Wassenaar and attends Bloemcamp primary school. Princess Ariane enjoys horse riding, hockey, drawing and playing the piano. I wish HRH a very Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns!


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In Visual Studio 2008 when using Visual SVN there is a slight issue when using database projects. Visual SVN doesn't know to check in the database project file itself so it will lose the database project whenever a fresh checkout is done against the repository.
So if you are using Visual SVN & VS.NET make sure to go into the actual directory structure and "Add" the database project file into the overall committed solution.
Technorati Tags: Visual SVN,Visual Studio,VS.NET,VS,Subversion,Database Project
del.icio.us Tags: Visual SVN,Visual Studio,VS.NET,VS,Subversion,Database Project


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Constant updating of the software we all use with the latest security patches and updates is a critical part of avoiding scams and identity theft threats. Whenever new security updates and patches are issued, we provide access to these so that you can update your software to provide better security on your computers, smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices. Updating your software with the latest security patches and updates as soon as possible is important because identity thieves and scammers are always finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in the software that we all use. Delay in updating your software could lead to disastrous results. However, it is also important to be sure that you are downloading legitimate patches and updates rather than being tricked by an identity thief or scammer into downloading malware under the guise of downloading a security patch or update. These new updates from the Department of Homeland Security include critical new updates to Adobe Flash, Google Chrome, iTunes, Safari, Windows 10 and Internet Explorer. I have been warning you for years about flaws in Adobe Flash that have been exploited by hackers and identity thieves against individuals, companies and government agencies including the U.S. State Department and the White House. Problems with Adobe Flash are nothing new. In 2010 Steve Jobs vociferously complained about its security and it has routinely been cited as being extremely vulnerable. Despite security patch after security patch, new problems keep coming up. It appears that just as companies retire certain programs when it is just too difficult to patch them, this may well be the time for Adobe to retire Flash and if it doesn't, you should consider retiring it yourself and replacing it with another plugin that performs the same function, but is safer.
Here are the links to lists of all of the recent security updates as posted by the Department of Homeland Security: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/bulletins/SB16-200 and https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2016/07/21/Google-Releases-Security-Update-Chrome and https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2016/07/18/Apple-Releases-Multiple-Security-Updates
Some alternative plugins you may wish to consider to replace Adobe Flash include GNU Gnash, and Silverlight. Silverlight can be downloaded free directly from the Microsoft at this link: https://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/ while GNU Gnash can be downloaded free at this link: http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash/


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La barca
The boat
For years we sailed San Francisco Bay in a boat called Canto del Mare (Song of the Sea). When we started sailing in Italy, we had to master a new maritime vocabulary, starting with the names for various Italian boats (imbarcazioni italiane):
*Rowboat — barca a remi
*Sailboat — barca a vela
*Sailing ship — veliero
*Motor boat — motoscafo
*Cruise ship — nave da crociera
*Ferry — traghetto
*Hydrofoil — aliscafo, from ali for wings
*Steamboat, waterbus (in Venice) — vaporetto
*Raft — zattera
We also had to learn words to use on board. Starboard (to the right) translates as tribordo; port (to the left), as babordo. The bow or front of a barca is called the prua; the stern, the poppa; the helm, the timone. Also good to know: giubbotto salvagente (life vest). The word cambusa doubles as the name for a boat's galley and for an on-board cook.
During our sailing days in San Francisco, my husband would take the helm (stare al timone or, figuratively, prendere il comando) as capitano and navigatore. The crew (l'equipaggio) consisted of me. Although I'd never make the grade as a sailor (marinaio), I learned how to hoist (issare) and lower (calare) the sails (le vele)—not always easy in rough seas (mare mosso). These days I'd probably qualify only as a mozzo (ship's boy).
Even on dry land, you may hear una barca di (a lot of) nautical sayings. On land or sea you and your companions might be stranded by a storm and end up nella stessa barca (in the same boat). In hard times, you may have to do whatever you can to mandare avanti la barca (send the boat forward or keep afloat) or barcamenarsi (manage or cope). But if you're prone to mal di mare (seasickness), you may want to stick to navigare su internet (sailing/browsing the web).
Words and Expressions
A gonfie vele — at full sail, things are going very well
Marinaio della domenica — Sunday or fair-weather sailor
Club nautico –- boat club
In tempo di tempesta ogni buco è un porto — any port in a storm
Tirare i remi in barca –- to back down, give something a rest (pull the oars into the boat)
Lupo di mare –- old salt, sea dog (literally, sea wolf)
Persona navigata –- experienced, world-wise
Dianne Hales is the author of MONA LISA: A Life Discovered and LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.