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Price £12.99
Includes free standard delivery
About this product
Make sure all the family are seen with the Family High Visibility Vest Pack from the AA. Containing two adult high visibilty vests and 2 children's high visibility vests, the vest pack conforms to the safety requirements of the European Standard EN 471 and exceed the requirements for EN 1150 regarding high visibility clothing for children.
A must-have for every car, these high vis vests are also great for children to wear when playing outside, cycling or walking to school, and when out and about in adverse weather conditions.
Will you be driving in France?
The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.
This regulation, which we understand does not apply to two and three wheeled vehicles, will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.
If you intend hiring a car in one of the countries that require reflective jackets it's important to be aware that not all suppliers provide reflective jackets as standard with their cars. We advise checking with the hire company concerned before you travel. Our country-by-country advice includes details of specific national requirements - you should check this for the countries you're visiting.
Will you be driving in Europe?
Don't forget to carry the necessary equipment in your car. Click here to find out what you need and take advantage of great offers in our Car Accessories section
Product specifications
Size 310mm x 200mm
Author AA Car Essentials
Publisher AA Media
We have several delivery options available. Please tick the most suitable option at the checkout.
Standard delivery:
Free of charge (UK, Northern and Republic of Ireland. Usually delivered within 7 working days)
Next working day delivery: (UK Mainland only, subject to ordering before 2pm)*
Anytime - £4.00
Before 12 Noon - £8.50
Before 10am - £15.50
Unfortunately we are unable to deliver to PO Boxes or BFPO addresses.
Returns policy
If you wish to return a product purchased online, please contact us and notify us promptly by the following means:
Email us at: email@example.com
(Kindly note that this email address is for online shop queries only, any customers with AA Membership queries should contact 0343 316 4444. For all queries regarding Driving School gift vouchers, please call 0800 607080 and select option 2)
By post:
AA Shop Online Team
AA Media Limited
14th Floor, Fanum House
Basing View
Depending on the product to be returned we will advise you of the course of action to be taken. Please provide us with all details of your order including your name, the order number, products to be returned and the original delivery address.
In all circumstances, the returned product must be accompanied by a copy of the original delivery note or receipt.
Returning faulty or incorrectly supplied items
In addition to your right to cancel the contract described below, we will accept returns if:
(a) The product was damaged or faulty: we will arrange for a returns label to be sent to you. Refunds or exchanges will only be given once the product is confirmed as faulty. Once the product has been confirmed as faulty by the AA we will either replace the product or provide a refund; please inform us which option you prefer. If you require a replacement, we will wait for the damaged / faulty product to be returned before dispatching a new product.
(b) The product was incorrectly supplied: If we made a mistake and sent you the incorrect product, we will arrange for a returns label to be sent to you, or for collection at our discretion. On receipt by us of the returned product(s) we will give you a full refund (including the cost of 'Standard' delivery, if you incurred 'Next Day' delivery costs these will not be refunded)
Under these circumstances full refunds shall be made no later than 14 days after the day on which we receive back from you any goods supplied, or 14 days after the day on which you provide evidence that you have returned the goods.
You must take reasonable care of the goods and packaging whilst they are in your possession to ensure that so as far as practicable they are returned in 'as new' 'as delivered' condition, suitable for resale
Cancellation of unwanted items:
For products ordered via telephone, text, mail order or via our website, if you are a consumer (not a business) you are entitled at your discretion to cancel the contract for the supply of the products ordered provided that you notify us within the period of 14 days that follow the day of delivery. We will refund the full price of the products including any initial 'Standard' delivery costs as soon as possible following your notice of cancellation, no later than within 14 days. Please note that non-standard (Next Day) delivery charges added at the time of your order cannot be refunded and unless otherwise directed you are responsible for the cost of 'return' delivery.
To cancel your contract you must contact us by email or post (during normal working times on week days) giving us notice of your wish to cancel.
(i) You must take reasonable care of the goods and packaging whilst they are in your possession to ensure that so as far as practicable they are returned in 'as new' 'as delivered' condition, suitable for resale.
(ii) Unless we otherwise directed, you shall arrange to return the products and you shall be responsible for the cost of 'return' delivery.
(iii) Products must be returned promptly and we recommend that you obtain a certificate of posting when you return the products. These are available free at the post office or via most parcel carriers.
(iv) The returned product must be accompanied by a copy of the original delivery note or receipt.
On receipt by us of the returned product(s) we will give you a full refund (including the cost of 'Standard' delivery, 'Next Day' delivery costs will not be refunded). We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is earliest.


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Home is the nicest word there is.
– Laura Ingalls Wilder
It takes a lot of living to make a house a home
It doesn't make any difference how rich you get to be
How much your chairs and tables cost, how great your luxury
It isn't home to you though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow your soul is wrapped round everything.
– Paraphrase of Edgar Guest poem, Home
A home is one of the most sacred of places.
It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world's perils and alarms.
It is a resting-place to which at close of day the weary retire to gather new strength for the
battle and toils of tomorrow.
It is the place where love learns its lessons,
where life is schooled into discipline and strength, where character is molded.
– J.R. Miller
Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
– Bashō Matsuo
All journeys eventually end in the same place, home.
– Chris Geiger
Nor need we power or splendor,
wide hall or lordly dome;
the good, the true, the tender-
these form the wealth of home.
– Sarah J. Hale
He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Home is where one starts from.
– T.S. Eliot
All language is a longing for home.
– Jalaluddin Rumi, 13th-Century Persian poet
My home is my retreat and resting place …
I try to keep this corner as a haven
against the tempest outside,
as I do another corner in my soul.
– Michel de Montaigne
Home is people. Not a place.
If you go back there after the people are gone,
then all you can see is what is not there any more.
– Robin Hobb
…Home is where, when you cross its threshold, you finally feel at peace.
– Dennis Lehane
A home without a cat — and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat —
may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?
– Mark Twain
Home should be an oratorio of the memory,
singing to all our after life melodies and harmonies of
old remembered joy.
– Henry Ward Beecher
We are delighted to be included in Time Magazine's Best-of-the-Year Picture Books
~ Please look for our Portrait App which will be available soon. ~

subset: commoncrawl


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i just ordered some winny which are balkan pharm,,, i hope they good to go
I've read a lot of differing opinions regarding the quality of Balkan Pharmaceutical gear, but hardly anything from anyone who has actually used it. Do any of you guys have any personal experience with BP's test e? If so, can you share your thoughts and experience with it?
i just ordered some winny which are balkan pharm,,, i hope they good to go
Last edited by TGB1987; 05-09-2011 at 03:32 PM.
Please do not talk about sources on the open board I edited your post to make it ok. back to the topic. I have used Balkan Pharm Test C with decent results. I have had a few buddies that used their products with decent results as well. I have heard many mixed reviews on them though to so I would just hope for the best and try to use good sources. One source in particular is known for scamming people with Balkan but they are not sponsers here.
I know people used to work with BP owners. Their company is registered offshore in one country, while production is UG in a different one.
All information provided by me is for research purpose only. I do not sell illegal compounds nor can I supply anyone with a source for raw materials.
Thanks, guys. I began a cycle of BP test e last week. I got my supply from a reputable source who also uses the same products himself. The product id number even checked out ok on the BP Web site. I just started poking around the net (and here as well) and discovered that a lot of folks had a lot of less than positive things to say about BP and their products, which got me concerned.
I've been taking this stuff since last week (three pins of 250) but I still feel totally the same. I guess this is normal with test e, but I am concerned. Maybe I shouldn't be, but until I start to feel or see tangible results, I will probably remain concerned.
You think youll feel test e in 2 weeks? Give it 4 or 5 weeks before you judge them, i see to many people saying the test e they are using is bunk because they didnt feel it in a week, at week 5 youll know if its legit or not
I used BP clen and was good stuff. Test shoud b ok as well m8
I personally used their sus and tren and loved it.
The guy is the original og in internet gear
he actually has a license in moldova to produce anabolic s
it was about three years back
yes, i have heard the different stuff also, but my experience was great and it took a short time to come also,
but please come to hb1 lol!
Good luck whatever you decide
Used balkin.good gear....used sust good gains
It is decent underground gear, it is just not HG as advertised.
All information provided by me is for research purpose only. I do not sell illegal compounds nor can I supply anyone with a source for raw materials.
Yeah I think most of the bad reviews u hear are not about the quality of the gear itself but its usually about people ordering it and not receiving it....I get upset even talking on this subject
Hey, thanks again, guys. Good to hear from folks who actually have personal experience. Really appreciate you putting my mind at ease.


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« Mob Wives Recap: With Friends Like These…. | Home | American Idol's Constantine Maroulis To Star in Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway »
The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Recap: Cape Town Showdown
January 29, 2012 08:49 PM by Megan Thompson
Tonight on Bravo it's an all new episode of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The ladies are off to Africa for a trip of a lifetime or possibly a trip from hell? Keep reading to find out if Marlo behaves herself.
The girls are off to Africa, in first class of course! Unfortunately for us, Cynthia is using her own video camera to capture every detail of the 16 hour plane ride. When Cynthia asks NeNe to define the "talls versus the smalls" divide among the girls, NeNe is happy to explain. "Talls are girls over 5'9 the smalls are almost midgets," laughs NeNe. Finally the women arrive at the airport and are weighed down with all their luggage.
Each girl has at least 10-12 pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage. "Shoes and Birkins always have to come with me," Marlo tells the ladies.
In route to the hotel, Marlo just won't shut up. Marlo is reading an etiquette book, so she is quizzing the girls about what is proper and what is not. "This chick has a criminal past I doubt very seriously Emily Post has a chapter in her book about aggravated assault," Sheree tells the cameras. Maybe Marlo can answer this question,"What is the proper attire for a mug shot?
"Fabulosity, luxury," is how NeNe describes the hotel/apartment that Phaedra booked. The girls are definitely rolling in first class. The women split up between two apartments, so of course it's the talls in one apartment and the smalls in another. Marlo is driving the concierge crazy about who has access to the apartments while they are gone. Marlo doesn't want anyone touching her Berkins or maybe she has something in those bags that we don't know about?
It's breakfast and while Marlo tells people the proper way to pass the food, Phaedra passes out gifts to all the ladies. Breakfast is pretty drama-free, until Sheree announces her evening plans. Sheree's friend is having a party for her tonight, but she is only inviting Phaedra and Kandi. Cynthia is annoyed by Sheree dissing her, but we all know she wouldn't want to leave her BFF – NeNe.
Back in Atlanta, Kim is hanging out with her mom and dad. Kim is missing her man, especially since he isn't around to feed the baby in the middle of the night. "It's just me, my two boobs and my three kids," Kim gripes to the cameras. On top of it all, Sweetie is acting like her fourth kid and not her assistant. Oh all the problems you have when you have assistants! I am pretty impressed Kim doesn't have a nanny – yet!
It's yacht time for the ladies in Cape Town. Once again, Marlo is spewing her etiquette lessons and Kandi has had enough! "Can someone please send this woman back to Atlanta?" Kandi tells the cameras. The boat ride suddenly turns into a group therapy session. NeNe wants to know what Phaedra's issues are with her. Phaedra tries to tell NeNe she doesn't have any issues with her, but NeNe isn't buying it. Everyone says they will try to be cordial with each other – that must be the alcohol talking.
The smalls talk about the therapy session they had on the boat. Phaedra tells Kandi and Sheree, "I don't have a problem with NeNe, but I'm no booty-licker." The girls laugh about a "booty-licker" and then on cue, Cynthia walks into the room. Sheree does invite Cynthia to the party, but tells her that NeNe and Marlo are definitely not invited. Like a school girl, Cynthia runs and tells NeNe and Marlo about the conversation she just had. Uh-oh, Marlo is not happy that she isn't invited. Marlo gets in Sheree's face and starts attacking her.
The fight ends with Marlo saying, "F%*k you, you stupid bitch." I don't know what etiquette book Marlo is reading, but I might have to borrow it. Sheree runs after Marlo and the fight escalates and continues to drag on. Sheree accuses Marlo of sleeping with 80 year olds, while Marlo is saying something about drug dealers. Cynthia didn't think this would be a big argument, or she wouldn't have said anything. Really Cynthia, do you know these women? The fight drags on so much, that it will be continued next week.
What did you think of tonight's episode? Are you on team Talls or Smalls? Let us know, leave a comment below.
Want more? Follow our tweets on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook! For other great Reality TV News, please feel free to check out SirLinksALot: The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
For more breaking news about celebrities and entertainment visit our sister site SheKnows!
Photo courtesy of Bravo
Topics: Bravo Reality TV Shows, The Real Housewives Of Atlanta |
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4 Responses to "The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Recap: Cape Town Showdown"
joann Says:
January 29th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
First, I want to say that Marlo should have felt a bit funny AND unwanted since she did not receive an invitation to travel from the person who was planning the trip. Second, then she approaches Sheree about the dinner party. Who goes where they are NOT invited and/or wanted. Is she that needy??? I'm so not politically correct…I would not have been able to hold my tongue when she showed up at the airport to travel to Africa. If she had booked a flight, I certainly couldn't stop her from boarding the plane, but she definitely would not have been included in my party!!! Third, I became so frustrated with the fight that followed Marlo asking about the invitation to the dinner. Why didn't/couldn't Sheree just say what she had to say (you're not invited) and let Marlo go? This 'tit for tat' exchange was sooooo childish and ridiculous.
honey boo boo child Says:
January 30th, 2012 at 12:57 am
team smalls all the way
D. Snyder Says:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:17 am
Team Smalls!!! Team Talls all need to be Team Fired! They are so annoying get them off the show!! I can not stand NeNe and I used to like her the first season or so. Some people might enjoy watching their petty fights and watching the talls constantly put others down but I don't!
Just Geri Says:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Team Talls of course. Sorry Marlo, no matter how much drama you'll attempt to start this season, you won't end up with a fulltime gig or paycheck next season. Remember Dwight?


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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Scottie Wilbekin is one of Billy Donovan's best defenders.
Now and ever.
Florida's junior point guard showed his defensive prowess last week by shutting down Texas A&M's Elston Turner and Missouri's Phil Pressey in lopsided victories that extended the team's winning streak to six games.
Turner, coming off a 40-point game at Kentucky, managed four points on 1-of-10 shooting. Pressey, one of them more dynamic point guards in the country, finished with two points on 1-of-7 shooting and had a career-high 10 turnovers.
Wilbekin wreaked havoc on both of them.
The eighth-ranked Gators (14-2, 4-0 Southeastern Conference), who play at Georgia on Wednesday night, lead the league in just about every defensive category. And Wilbekin has been the key to the whole thing.


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Jill Mikovich-Haight, DVM, Associate VeterinarianDVM, University of California, Davis
Dr. Jill Mikovich-Haight graduated from the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and joined the VCA Sacramento Animal Medical Group in April 2007 after working at an area emergency clinic for eight months. She loves the combination of general medicine and emergency that she gets to see at SAMG, as opposed to seeing all emergency cases.
During her veterinary training, she participated in research on feline infectious diseases and acquired a never-ending love of our feline friends. She also loves to see dogs. Her favorite cases to see are dermatology, internal medicine, emergency/urgent care, and who doesn't love playing with healthy puppies and kittens?!
Dr. Mikovich-Haight enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends including her dogs Spinner and Bailey, and cats Sabrina, Scarlett, Gus, and Jasper, all of whom are rescues from SAMG (except Spinner, who she has had since 2000).


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"Time travel has not yet been invented. But thirty years from now, it will have been."
Take a trip into the near future to witness one man's struggle against gangsters, mutants and, ultimately, himself in one of the most intelligent and imaginative sci-fi movies in decades.
The Flick: Looper
The Skinny: Writer-director Rian Johnson specifically wrote this sci-fi thriller with his Brick star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in mind for the lead. The movie was selected to open the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received rave reviews, with one critic declaring it the "best time-travel yarn since 12 Monkeys. And one of the best films of 2012."
The Players: Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe Simmons, a hitman working for a crime organization in Kansas whose task it is to dispose of victims sent to him from the future. When Joe's next victim arrives, he is shocked to discover that it is his own future self (Bruce Willis) and hesitates long enough for "Old Joe" to get the drop on him. Now, Joe has to hunt down and kill his older, more experienced self before his boss (Jeff Daniels) sends the "Gat Men" to gun him down for failing to kill himself. Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Gareth Edwards and Piper Perabo also star.
Looper | Bruce Willis | Rian Johnson | Joseph Gordon Levitt | Movie Trailer | Review


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Frequency is discussed in physics and defined as "the number of periodic oscillations, vibrations, or waves per unit of time: usually expressed in hertz": abbrev. : (from the the free dictionary under physics). People also respond to the frequencies around them such as sound, color, magnetic and electromagnetism. It is in our structures that surround us, bridges, houses, cars. When we are around different frequencies we respond differently. Some sounds make us feel good such as music and some make us feel agitated such as jackhammers.
In the metaphysical world people believe that crystals can soothe them. In Feng Shui people believe that the placement of objects in certain areas will bring you good luck. There is also color therapy and sound therapy. There is the belief that magnets can heal you. What about acupuncture?
When you think of crystals, you think of their cut and their color and their clarity, just like diamonds, but a lot cheaper. But if you think about it color has a frequency and so do crystals as well as rocks. Maybe people are responding to the frequency they sense within that particular crystal or stone.? Maybe the placement in their home combines with the electromagnetism that is created within the walls from the electrical current running through the house? Maybe that frequency is interacting with the different frequencies in that persons body. Each part of your body has a different mass- your liver, your heart, your kidney--wouldn't they also have different frequencies?
What about feng Shui and the placement of certain items representing wood, steel, water and air wouldn't they also react with the electromagnetism throughout the house in different ways, therefore possibly creating a frequency in one area that is more pleasant to that specific person? Each of those items also have their own frequency. Maybe it's not really luck but a positive reaction to a more positive environment-the vibrations that we are feeling.
What about the idea of magnetic therapy, maybe it is more on a cellular level and the frequency is very small, but still interacts in a way that is positive. Has anyone ever been around a really big magnet and noticed that your fatigue seems to go away? I'm talking about a very large machine that you can't have at home
Some people believe that certain colors are better for you than others, maybe it's not just the colors, but the way we see and feel them, that we are reacting to. The different frequencies that our particular bodies respond to. Who is to say that that particular color's frequency doesn't react better to some people than others. What about every day rocks, each has it's own frequency and people have put attributions on certain stones like amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, etc... How do we know that certain parts of our bodies or certain parts in the brain are not reacting to them and of course their frequencies. Maybe even vibrating to a point where the frequencies are the same and then you get resonance(an alignment of molecules that then scatter). This is what occurs when the wind's frequency is the same as a bridge and the bridge then collapses
There is also the treatment of drums and their beats, some say to drive away evil spirits, but what if it is just helping to realign some of our frequencies or the frequency of the electromagnetic current in our cells.
Could it really go down to a cellular level? I am curious if different blood types have different frequencies? There is a new ideology that persons with certain blood types have some advantage over other's, maybe their frequency is more in tuned to the world around them, maybe it's not.
But the musical balls that the asians produce are generally metal and have a pleasant bell like sound, maybe it's just us being in tuned with that vibration. The way it feels when it goes through your auditory canal a harmonious vibration.
Does superstition and mysticism have some merit in the scientific world? Can some of the mystic world have an explanation that would make some of these ideologies more valid.?
I think it is funny that at one point acupuncture was condemned and now the western world is finding out that the practice of acupuncture have merit. Unfortunately although it has been proven in Europe that the use of physical therapy and acupuncture when utilized in tandem can allow a person to heal quicker, the United States is slow in utilizing both at the same time. Acupuncture is based on the electrical lines within the human body called chi and how the needles assist in opening up those channels. This to me would seem to indicate that even in this practice frequency is being utilized.
I am not an expert on any of this, this is just me questioning why people see things they can't explain and condemn them. Instead of condemning them this article may give them another way to look at those ideologies and perhaps give them some credit for having possible scientific validity.


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5 Balanced Dinner Menus to Fill Your MyPlate Icon
With the recent announcement that the food pyramid will be replaced by the new MyPlate icon, Americans are more aware than ever that it's time to start eating their vegetables.
While the plate icon offers a visual, user-friendly guide to help people make better food choices, some of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, like eating more fish, beans and whole grains, are not addressed.
Before you start cooking dinners based on MyPlate, keep the size of your plate in mind and check your portion sizes. According to the Mayo Clinic, reasonable portion sizes include:
- One serving of protein should be three to six ounces (three for women, six for men) and about the size of a deck of playing cards.
- One serving of whole grains should be the equivalent of one slice of bread, 1/3 cup brown rice or 1/2 cup whole-wheat pasta.
- One serving of dairy is equivalent to an 8 ounce glass of milk or 1 ounce cheese (about the size of four dice).
- One serving of fruit and vegetables should be approximately 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw.


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Why Malo Matters in Napa Now More than Ever
It is almost impossible to go wine tasting in Napa Valley and not hear about what percentage of the Chardonnay you are tasting underwent a mysterious transformation known as malolactic fermentation.
Stop the Hating: Four Cal Chards to Recommend
A few days ago the wine critics of the Rupert Murdoch-owned, reliably patriotic Wall Street Journal posted a highly critical, take-no-prisoners, anti-American piece called "No Flag-Waving for U.S. Chardonnay." I'm not kidding, it was vicious. Take a look: "U.S. Chardonnay, especially under $20, has been lousy for a long time now . . . over the past several years, we have been outraged—that's not too strong a word—at the junk that's selling for up to $20. It has little real fruit, far too much oak flavor and harsh tastes. Too often, it has reminded us of fingernail polish that has been mixed with oak chips while it aged in the tank truck along the highway." Ouch!


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Honningsvag Arctic Circle Norway Stock PhotoArctic,Built Structure,Color Image,Commercial Dock,Day,Fishing Industry,Honningsvag,Horizontal,Nautical Vessel,No People,Non-Urban Scene,Norway,Outdoors,Photography,Physical Geography,Quayside,Scenics,Sea,Travel,Travel Destinations,Trawler,WaterPhotographer Travel InkCollection: Gallo Images Honningsvag claims to be the northernmost city in Norway and even in the world. People have lived in this area as far back as 10,300 years ago. The sea was probably the main food supplier for this prehistoric settlement.


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The Women's Caucus is a diversity caucus organized within the League of California Cities. The Women's Caucus endorses and supports the League of California Cities (LCC) mission to restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy in order to enhance the quality of life for all Californians and to support policies that directly promote the development and redevelopment of safe and healthy cities. Our mission, as a bipartisan and multicultural group of elected or appointed officials and their colleagues, is to support women in public office, support issues that affect and benefit women, and provide a network of support for both men and women at the local level who are working to overcome barriers for women.
The League of California Cities Women's Caucus is proud to announce to you the launch of its' new website www.cawomenscaucus.org. This website is focused on providing information to our members, sponsors, and opinion-shapers around California about the activities and priorities of the Women's Caucus.
Membership is open to anyone who adheres to the Caucus mission and goals. To join, download the membership form, complete and send with membership dues to:
League of California Cities
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Sacramento, CA 95814
Please email Jennifer Malutta or the Women's Caucus with any inquiries about membership information and/or caucus activities.
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Website by PMC


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If you're looking for a delicious Vegan Dessert to to dazzle guests with, this one might be for you. Yes, we are still working our way through a case of pears, thankfully they're good eating and the work isn't too hard. This simple recipe is quick to make, easy to pop in the oven at the last minute and will delight even young guests.
Maple Roasted Pears with Pecans
6-8 firm ripe pears, I used D'Anjou
1TBSP lemon juice
3 TBSP maple syrup
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt or kosher salt
preheat oven to 350˚
wash and dry the pears
slice them into 4 pieces, I sliced off two whole sides and then the remaining pieces
put them in a bowl and drizzle on the lemon juice
then toss with the maple syrup
add the pecans and set aside
lightly grease a baking pan and pour in the pears
roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so
remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt and serve hot
The pears can be prepared ahead up to the point of tossing with lemon juice, then refrigerated until you are ready to roast them. This would make preparation even easier.
Peace and Love--


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Despite its Eurozone woes, Spain
remains an expat retirement hotspot. (Imagine living on this street in Frigiliana--a town in Andalusia.) Deal hunters are scooping up apartments in
failed developments, now being sold by banks for one-third of the 2007-2008
list price. For example, you can get a two-bedroom, two-bath on the Costa del
Sol with distant views (on a clear day) of the ocean less than a mile away for
Photo: Kathy Collins/Getty Images


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£919.20 – Magis S.S.S.S Sweet Stainless Steel Stool – Magis
Designed in 2012 by Phillipe Starck (with the technical collaboration of Luigi Barei) the S.S.S.S Sweet Stainless Steel Stool by Magis is now available at Design55. The alliterative abbreviation stands for Sweet Stainless Steel Stool. Its designer said this of it – "Miracles are possible! When we designed the SSSS and the Magis family said they would make it in stainless steel, I thought – Impossible! But they have done it. They are magicians!" This sublime stainless steel bar stool is sleek, stylish and seriously sophisticated. It is a breath-taking collaboration of poetry, technology and dream. Solidly made and weatherproof it is suitable for public, private or commercial use – inside or out. The SSSS is swiveling and height adjustable with a gas piston. This beautiful, innovative and practical bar stool from the legendary Starck (whose awards are too numerous to mention) is sure to achieve iconic status. Be one of the first to acquire one. Dimensions: Base diameter: 37.5cm. Height: 55 x Max Height 83cm. Seat Height: 51 – 79 cm. : Brand – Magis : Shop – Design 55 Online : Department – Chairs : Model – magis-ssss-stool : MPN – 110012230344442267651927701240. Magis S.S.S.S Sweet Stainless Steel Stool is available to buy at Design 55 Online today!


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Netflix is going after the drugs in its latest original series. Wagner Moura -- Brazil's top film star according to Netflix -- will play drug trafficker and politician Pablo Escobar in the original series, "Narcos," from Jose Padilha and Gaumont International Television.
The series will reunite Padilha and Moura who teamed up before on "Elite Squad," a Brazilian action and political film that was followed by a sequel titled "The Enemy Within." Indiewire's Chief Film Critic Eric Kohn wasn't too hot on the sequel, saying it "has less success than the first installment [...] but still keeps the snazzy combination of spectacle and polemics in check."
The series will be executive produced by Padilha, Eric Newman ("Children of Men"), Chris Brancato ("Hannibal"), and the team of Doug Miro and Carlos Bernard. Shooting is scheduled to begin soon in Colombia before premiering in all Netflix territories in early 2015.
"Jose and Wagner together created one of the most sophisticated and chilling portraits of criminality and official corruption ever in their 'Elite Squad' movies," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. "Their version of the Escobar saga will be like nothing ever seen before."
Padilha said, "Our idea is to tell the true story of how cocaine became such a huge problem in the U.S. and Europe -- and how it all started here in Medellin."


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The verdict is now out on who'll be coach again, though. Jerry Sloan, the Jazz organization announced in a press release today, will be coming back for his 22nd season as head coach.
As has been recent tradition, Sloan agreed to a one-year contract with the Jazz for the 2009-10 season.
I guess it's time the Jazz realize that the players they have (especially the youngsters) don't mesh with the coach. And if the coach is sticking around forever, there needs to be changes to the roster. At least if you plan on winning it all anytime soon.
Loyalty is great. But when it's resulting in the same, disappointing results year after year… something has to change. It's up to the higher up guys to decide what changes. And they have to act on it.
Not to take away from J-Slow at all. He's a great coach, and has been a huge boon for the Jazz. Even if he's unable to win it all… which is what the fans want. I'm not the biggest J-Slow fan out there (I hate how he doesn't develop the rookies, and how he gives too much time to subpar vets because of loyalty or "toughness" or something, and etc.), but you can't ignore what you have. We have a solid coach.
We have the solid coach We have a solid PG. Other than that… it'll all be up in the air after this season ends. Time for the front office to make their move.


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Imagine taking all the dread and horror of "Alien" and replacing it with a loquacious, stoner vibe and that is, pretty much, what you get with "Dark Star." Co-written, starring and edited by "Alien" co-creator Dan O'Bannon and directed by John Carpenter, "Dark Star" is a shaggy dog film about a low-rent crew busting their hump in space, destroying planets for The Man. The space crew workers' ever-malfunctioning ship (no toilet paper) faces increasing obstacles, like a pesky alien mascot (really just a painted beach ball) who won't go where he's told and the belligerent sentience of one of their world-killing bombs. The picture's finale features bearded space hippies trying to calm down this freaked-out "Thermostellar Triggering Device" through a dialogue of rather heavy post-grad philosophy. While the director's later films such as "The Thing" and "Escape From New York" would feature memorable endings of their own, few films in the Carpenter canon can compare with mass death spawned by robotic Cartesian doubt. Carpenter's early synthesizer score only makes it better.
Science fiction perverts love to talk about sex robots, but no one wants to address the dangers of robot rape. In this strangely effective adaptation of Dean Koontz' "Demon Seed" by Donald Cammell (the oft-forgotten co-director, with Nicolas Roeg, of "Performance") Julie Christie isn't just violated, she is impregnated by an artificial intelligence that her own husband (Fritz Weaver) created (Robert Vaughn co-stars). The Proteus IV computer program has the sum of all human knowledge in it, so you know that isn't going to end well. In classic sci-fi manner, Proteus tries to test its limits, especially after it is relegated to simple chores around the Weaver/Christie place. Proteus refuses to shut down, bunkers in the basement and mutates into a surprisingly chilling form that kinda resembles golden air conditioning ducts contorting like a Rubik's Snake. Storywise, "Demon Seed" is trash, but it is treated so seriously and the design (not just the villain, but the science labs and early computers) are so nifty that one can't help but get sucked in.
A remake of "Logan's Run" is one of the more elusive projects in Hollywood. It's been in the works for over a decade, with filmmakers including Bryan Singer (who got as far as pre-production back in 2006), Carl Erik Rinsch, Joseph Kosinski and Nicolas Winding Refn, not to mention what feels like a dozen screenwriters coming and going, without the film ever getting any closer to actually getting made. But there's probably a reason that it continues to be developed; the premise has the perfect mix of great concept, and middling, dated first-time execution. Based on the novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, it's set in 2274, where the last of humanity live in a sealed dome city run by a computer. It's a carefree life for the inhabitants, but with one catch: at 30 years of age, the denizens inside are vaporized, with the promise that they'll be reborn. Logan 5 (Michael York) is a Sandman, whose job is to track down those who refuse to accept the ritual of Carousel when they reach the big 3-0, but he falls under the spell of a beautiful Runner (Jenny Agutter, who spends most of the film wearing basically nothing), and is soon out to bring the whole racket crumbling down. The concept of a world of nothing-but-youth is a killer one, but the film (from "Around The World In 80 Days" helmer Michael Anderson) never makes the most of it, preferring to be a fairly standard chase movie, with only a typically excellent Peter Ustinov (as a veteran Runner living outside the dome) giving a sense of what it would really be like. The sets and the fantastical sci-fi milieu are undeniably impressive (even when it's dated and funny looking), but the filmmaking never really rises to the challenge. Additionally, the film is engaging in its opening (sometimes silly) sci-fi setting, but gets increasingly slow and dull when the characters reach the "real world" (Ustinov can only help so much). Perhaps most crucially, York is clearly too old for the role as it is. This is one case where a remake might be able to improve on the original.
Are we so sure about Ziggy Stardust not being based in reality? David Bowie does a pretty convincing job in Nicolas Roeg's surrealist sci-fi classic of playing a stranded alien trapped on Earth and forced to become a technology mogul in order to rebuild his spaceship and send resources back to his dying planet. Bowie's "Thomas Jerome Newton" however, gets lost in the excesses of the era (as, coincidentally, had so many of the period's finest directors, musicians and actors) his vices eventually swallowing his ambitions and clouding his focus. Gradually his native curiosity turns into an insatiable appetite for alcohol, television and fetishistically exploring his alien pansexuality (cue one of the most fucked-up sex scenes to ever hit the screen) as he slowly, in typically Roeg-ian hypnotic fashion, falls from grace. Featuring great support from Buck Henry, Rip Torn, Candy Clark and even Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell in a cameo, Bowie's turn, in his first lead performance, is so intense as to feel pretty definitive, though surprisingly he wasn't the first person considered for the role. That honor goes to the late novelist/director Michael Crichton who, according to Roeg, had the requisite height, because "imagine if aliens came down to Earth, they'd actually be quite tall." Roeg's adaptation of the Walter Tevis novel may be surprisingly insular considering the picture's global implications, but its moody, nightmarish tone and hallucinatory sequences turn "The Man Who Fell to Earth" into a hypnotic, trance-inducing experience beyond your average genre "experiment."
"A vision of chaos and destruction that could come true. Perhaps it's happening now!" So warns the trailer to "No Blade of Grass," Cornel Wilde's British breakdown-of-society exploitation picture. Shot a few years after Wilde's survivalist masterpiece "The Naked Prey," "No Blade of Grass" doubles-down on the man vs. nature struggle, with a virus attacking the food supply, plunging the world into anarchy and cannibalism. An eye-patch wearing Nigel Davenport leads his family out of imploding London to the countryside, which he foolishly thinks will be safer. There he runs afoul of biker gangs and rapists. Being British, however, they are at least well-spoken in their threats. "No Blade of Grass" is a nice mix of "Day of the Triffids," "Mad Max," environmental panic and anti-Government paranoia (they're keeping the facts from us, naturally.) Davenport's tough guy paterfamilias is standard fare for Hollywood, but the British-ness of this film is enough to keep it unique.


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2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Mongolia
|United States Department of Labor
|Bureau of International Labor Affairs
|Publication Date
|10 September 2009
|Cite as
|United States Department of Labor, 2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Mongolia, 10 September 2009, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4aba3ed0c.html [accessed 27 May 2016]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
|Selected Statistics and Indicators on Child Labor
|Population, children, 5-14 years, 2005:
|Working children, 5-14 years (%), 2005:
|Working boys, 5-14 years (%), 2005:
|Working girls, 5-14 years (%), 2005:
|Working children by sector, 5-14 years (%):
|– Agriculture
|– Manufacturing
|– Services
|– Other
|Minimum age for work:
|Compulsory education age:
|Free public education:
|Gross primary enrollment rate (%), 2007:
|Net primary enrollment rate (%), 2007:
|School attendance, children 5-14 years (%), 2005:
|Survival rate to grade 5 (%), 2006:
|ILO Convention 138:
|ILO Convention 182:
|ILO-IPEC participating country:
* Accession
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
Children in rural areas of Mongolia herd and tend livestock, collect animal dung for fire, and gather fruit and nuts. In urban areas, children sort vegetables, wash cars, polish shoes, rag pick, and work as porters. Children 5 to 17 years are engaged in coal, gold, and fluorspar mining. One third of children working in gold mining work underground. It has been reported that some children work with mercury and explosives. The National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia estimates that there are 40 to 50 horse racing events each year, and at each event, approximately 2,000 children between 6 and 16 years are engaged as jockeys. Child prostitution is a problem in Mongolia. Children are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation, as well as for labor exploitation. Girls are trafficked internationally.
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The law sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years, with some exceptions. Children 15 years may work with the permission of a parent or guardian. Children 14 years of age may work in vocational education programs, with the consent of a parent or guardian and the State central administration responsible for labor issues. Minors, those under 18 years, may not be employed in any occupation that harms their health or mental development. Minors also cannot be employed in a job listed on the Government's "List of Jobs Prohibited to Minors." This list was updated in 2008 to include hazardous workplace conditions in both formal and informal sectors. Children 14 and 15 years may not work more than 30 hours a week, and children 16 and 17 years of age may not work more than 36 hours per week. Children must pass a medical examination prior to employment. They are prohibited from working under abnormal conditions, overtime, on public holidays, or on weekends. Employers found to be in violation of these prohibitions will be fined. Labor inspectorates are in charge of enforcing these prohibitions. USDOS noted that the low number of inspectors and the increasing number of enterprises resulted in limited enforcement of labor laws. There are currently 87 labor inspectors countrywide.
Forced labor is prohibited in the Constitution. Mongolian law prohibits the use of children in exploitive activities, such as forced labor and begging. Forcing a child to work is punishable by imprisonment of up to 4 years or a fine.
The minimum age for military conscription is 18 years. There are no laws that regulate the activities of children under 18 years at military schools, such as the participation in military practice and use of military techniques.
Trafficking of a minor for exploitation is punishable by imprisonment of 5 to 10 years; if the victim is trafficked internationally, the prison term increases to 10 to 15 years. In March 2008, the anti-trafficking provision was amended to allow the prosecution of recruiting, holding, and transporting trafficking victims. As a result, prosecutions and sentencing of offenders increased.
Production and distribution of pornographic materials involving a person under 16 years are punishable by imprisonment of 1 to 3 months or fines. Inducing a child under 16 years to engage in these crimes is also punishable by imprisonment of 3 to 6 months or a fine; if committed by an organized group, the punishment is imprisonment for up to 5 years. The crime of inducing a person to engage in prostitution through fraudulent or violent means is punishable by fines or 3 to 6 months of incarceration. The keeping of a brothel and pimping are punishable by a prison term of up to 3 years or a fine. If the crime is committed by an organized group, the punishment is a prison term of 3 to 5 years.
Current Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government of Mongolia is implementing the National Program for Child Development and Protection (2002-2010). The objectives of this program include the protection of minors from trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and the eradication of worst forms of child labor. The Mongolian Government is also continuing the National Program on Protection from Trafficking of Children and Women with the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation for 2005-2014. This program aims to establish a legal system for preventing human trafficking and sexual exploitation, increase the community's awareness of these issues, and provide better assistance to victims. In 2008, a Government's resolution gave local authorities the responsibility of removing children from mining and providing them with social services. Additionally, the Government adopted the Subprogram for Developing Small-scale Mining, which aims to eliminate child labor in the mining sector by 2015. The Government Action Plan (2008-2012) was adopted. This plan includes the objectives of ending hazardous child labor, child trafficking, forced labor, child prostitution, and other illegal activities by 2012.
The Government supported anti-trafficking training for civil servants, such as the police, immigration officials, and border officials. In addition, the Government distributed NGO-sponsored anti-trafficking pamphlets in passports and train tickets. The Government is also working with IOM on a program to assist with the repatriation of trafficking victims and the provision of counseling and other services.
In response to the global economic crisis, in January 2009, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions, and the Mongolian Employers Federation signed a MOU, which creates a social partnership to prevent the use of child labor as a means of cheap labor.
The Government of Mongolia is implementing a 4-year USDOL-funded USD 2.9 million ILO-IPEC project to support the Government's Timebound Measures through 2009. The project is designed to strengthen the country's ability to take action against the worst forms of child labor, and to develop an area-based intervention model at the local level. The project aims to withdraw 2,400 children and prevent 2,600 children from the worst forms of child labor through the provision of educational and related services.


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NEW DELHI: Anguished over "perennial disarray" in Parliament over FDI in retail, India Inc's prominent leaders today asked common people to stand up against "false drama" on the issue.
In a strongly-worded joint statement, HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh and Rajya Sabha MP and former Unilever chief Ashok Ganguly said, "a slowing economy seems to pale in comparison to the larger crisis at hand- that of a Parliament that is completely unable to function in the way these sacred institutions were set up to be." A democracy encourages openness and permits and dissent, but perennial disarray and disruption is sacrilegious," they said.


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See All Contributors »
Heilman vs. Marquez. Beautiful afternoon for baseball.
Makes you wish you were there
sox won.... heilman is lookin pretty darn good so far, him and marshall are gonna be in quite the battle for the 5th rotation spot
It's Marshall's to lose which I don't he will
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Getting the Most Out of the Marcellus by Exporting Ethane
February 23, 2014
For the past century, West Virginia has mined the coal that has built America and provided low-cost electricity for our region....
save the coal.we're gonna need it.
2 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
yea..save it all. I say close the borders. stop all imports and exports. We can be thriving self sustaining nation once again. if you have nothing to offer on your application to come in then you are rejected. no more deadbeats.
2 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
And with all of the excess natural gas being processed here, why then are my gas bills for heating jumping through the roof??? No pun intended. I have seen my bill for Mountaineer Gas Co double each month (and yes, I understand it was far colder this year) for what??? Aren't they supposed to give us a break on cost since we are THE largest producer now?? Hellooooo...where's the justice in that? What's worse is I keep my heat at 67..SIXTY-SEVEN degrees and I am still seeing $160 a month for gas bill??? Something VERY wrong here!
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"Specifically, we are planning to invest $14 billion over the next 10 years to develop the Marcellus Shale right here in West Virginia. With this increased development comes increased opportunity and responsibility. That responsibility is something we have and always will take very seriously at CONSOL Energy, and why I am writing today."
Read the above excerpt carefully. This article was not written by a reporter - it is a direct reprint of a corporate press release. In other words, self serving propaganda! Yet, it appears on the front page of the WI essentially verbatim. The WI is serving as the dummy for the ventriloquist.
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The following is an excerpt from Bloomberg magazine:
"Even with crude prices above $100 a barrel, U.S. independent producers will spend $1.50 drilling this year for every dollar they get back from selling oil and gas and will carry debt that is twice as much as annual earnings, said Ryan Oatman, an energy analyst with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc., an investment bank in Houston.
By contrast, the net debt of Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest energy explorer by market value, is less than half of the cash earned from operations last year. The company will spend 68 cents for every dollar it gets back this year, according to company records and analyst forecasts compiled by Bloomberg."
Note, the cost of producing is substantially greater than the return on investment. In terms of product produced the companies are losing money. The real profit is made from selling stock to people who do not check the books and swallow the hype of the producers.
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Track & Field Wraps Up Competition at Panther Tune-Up, EIU
Feb. 16, 2013
Complete Results (Panther Tune-Up)
EIU Friday Night Special Results
Feb. 16, 2013
MILWAUKEE - The Karkalis twins stole the show for the UIC track & field teams at Friday's Panther Tune-Up. Angelos Karkalis brought home the individual title in the 800-meter run, while Photis Karkalis took second in the 1-Mile Run. At the EIU Friday Night Special, Rebecca Zaiter broke the school record in the 1-Mile.
Angelos Karkalis crossed the finishing line in 1:55.15, convincingly outpacing the field of nine runners. Meanwhile, Photis Karkalis ran the 1-Mile in 4:21.00. Gunnar Sterne also finished second in the 800-meter run (1:55.85), while Aimee Schuh placed third in both the long jump (5.05 meters) and 60-meter hurdles (9.12 seconds). Zach Harman (12.20 meters in the weight throw) and Jordan Banks, who leaped 12.81 meters in the triple jump, both collected third-place individual tallies.
Zaiter accounted for 10-of UIC's 15 team points at the EIU Friday Night Special. In just her first time competing in the 1-Mile Race, Zaiter broke the indoor school record in the 1-Mile Run, crossing the finishing line in 5:03.06. Grace Millhorn also collected five team points, posting a time of 10:42.25 in the 3,000-meter run.
The Horizon League Indoor Championship will be held at Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown, Ohio, from Feb. 23-24.


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Don't worry about brush packs until you've got the basics of PS figured out. Just a suggestion. You can download them if you want.
Interested in upping my map-making skills. Recently bought a tablet to (hopefully) make things a little easier. Tried to download the GIMP, but something went wroong with the installation and it didn't work, so I'm going to go with Photoshop instead. Was wondering if GIMP tutorials are usable (for the most part) with Photoshop? Are there brush packs for Photoshop that I should be getting? Any tips would be helpful. Great website!
Don't worry about brush packs until you've got the basics of PS figured out. Just a suggestion. You can download them if you want.
Welcome Aboard!
There will be some differences between GIMP & Photoshop tutorials (primarily layer effects). Create a WIP thread for whatever you are working on and pose any questions you have there, someone will be along to answer before to long.
My Finished Maps | My Challenge Maps | Ghoraja Juun, my largely stagnated campaign setting.
Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Welcome to the Guild!
Daniel the Neon Knight: Campaign Cartographer User
Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice!
Any questions on CC3? Post them with CC3 in the Subject Line!
MY 'FAMOUS' CC3 MAPS: Thunderspire; Pyramid of Shadows; King of the Trollhaunt Warrens; Demon Queen's Enclave
I try not to use any add-ons in my PS tuts, just straight out of the box PS stuff.
If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
-J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)
My Maps ~ My Brushes ~ My Tutorials ~ My Challenge Maps
I mostly use the brushes that came with PS; there's a pretty wide variety. I will admit, however, to using a brush pack that came with a Gnomon Workshop video I bought myself last winter. They're pretty awesome, as is the video...I'm not getting paid by Scott Robertson, just shilling for free, but check it out sometime: http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/sto...GITAL-DOWNLOAD
welcome to the guild, I'm also working mostly with the brushes supplied with photshop, but have added a few since then - mostly effect brushes. But you can do everything with the stuff in the box
regs tilt
:: My art on Deviant Art :: My work Catapult ::
:: Finished Maps :: WIP Breakwater - Gungnerhafn -Battle City :: Competion maps - A Ghastly Rest ::
:: FREE Tiles - Compasses :: Other Taking a commision - Copyright & Creative Commons ::
Works under CC licence unless mentioned otherwise


text: Due to high work hours and raising a newborn I find that I don't have the time that I used to have to dedicate to gaming. I work well with others and I play what weapon I think is needed for the situation. I play mainly as recon. Thank you for your consideration.


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Vita Biosa
Vita Biosa
(33.9 fl oz)
A Danish herbal drink shows worldwide healing results in humans, animals, and the environment*.
Sold in 33 countries worldwide and growing, Vita Biosa® is the Original Probiotic from Europe. Made from a proprietary recipe, Vita Biosa® is a mixture of aromatic herbs fermented by a special combination of lactic acid and yeast cultures.
Vita Biosa quickly and effectively restores natural balance to the digestive system.
Vita Biosa is a mixture of aromatic herbs and other plants, which are fermented by a special combination of lactic acid and yeast cultures. Lactic acid bacteria are a group of related bacteria that produce lactic acid as a result of carbohydrate fermentation. The production of lactic acid gives a low pH value of about 3.5. The low pH prevents the development of harmful bacteria in the finished product. Vita Biosa contains no sugar, as the lactic acid bacteria have fermented the sugar, making it suitable for diabetics.
Vita Biosa is a living product, formed through natural processes. Vita Biosa is still "alive" when bottled and will, like wine, alter its flavour with increasing time and after the bottle has been opened. Vita Biosa can produce carbon dioxide, making an increased pressure in the bottle and a sparkling effect.
Vita Biosa is a uniquely formulated mixture of aromatic herbs and other plants, which are fermented by a combination of lactic acid cultures. During fermentation lactic acid is formed, which produces a low pH value of about 3.5. (The lower the pH, the higher the acid level.) At one point in the process, the aromatic herbs, which cause the lactic acid bacteria to duplicate that much faster, are removed from the liquid, and the fermentation process continues. The low pH creates the proper environment for the coexistence of both anaerobe (not requiring oxygen) and aerobe (requiring oxygen) bacteria, and prevents the development of harmful bacteria in the finished product.
These beneficial microorganisms have been known for centuries from brewing, baking, and so on. The bacteria are selected based on the criterion of their providing the micro flora of the intestines with the best possible conditions. Vita Biosa contains a high number of antioxidants.
Today Vita Biosa products are distributed in more than 29 countries.
The reason for Vita Biosa becoming so popular is its ability to quickly and effectively restore the natural balance in the digestive system. The liquid restricts harmful bacteria and thus gives the beneficial bacteria a better possibility to multiply and create healthy intestinal flora. The intestines have a close connection to the entire immune system, which accounts for the strong effect Vita Biosa can have on arthritis, migraines, asthma, lung diseases in general, certain eczema's and infectious conditions.
A well-balanced digestive system helps prevent and cure human illnesses. Feedback from customers tells us that Vita Biosa is effective in ailments such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, sinusitis, bronchial infections and psoriasis, among others. Users with cancer undergoing chemotherapy tell us that Vita Biosa and chemotherapy work well together, with analysis showing much faster recovery of blood cells.
Vita Biosa is manufactured in Denmark; the product developer is Mr. Erik Nielsen.
In 1995 Erik Nielsen visited Professor Teuro Higa of Ryukyu University in Okinawa, Japan, where he learned of a complex liquid based on different types of microorganism. Under the supervision of Professor Higa, that same year Nielsen began a simple form of production of that liquid at his farm in northern Zealand, in Denmark.
Nielsen's attempts to interest Danish farming researchers in the exciting possibilities of the product met with nothing but resistance. As the Danish University of Agriculture – who would normally be expected to conduct such research – was of the opinion that it was "unscientific" to mix microorganisms, experiments were conducted exclusively through about 800 farmers and gardeners, who used the product in conjunction with their practical production. A few of them were organic farmers, while others owned large, conventional and highly modern farms, where "Eureka!" and "miracle" cures are usually met with skepticism.
Among the farmers doing experiments were pig breeders. Not only do pigs in pens suffer from respiratory problems caused by the ammonium vapors deriving from manure, but pig breeders do as well. The breeders observed the pigs becoming healthier and more energetic after ingesting Erik Nielsen's mixture, so they started drinking the microorganism liquid themselves.
That observation led Nielsen to begin developing a liquid for human consumption. In the spring of 2000 the liquid was tested and named Vita Biosa, a new factory was designed, built and equipped to satisfy European regulations, and the microorganism was approved by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries in 2001 as a nutrient. Because Vita Biosa consists of a complex combination of microorganisms, the Ministry itself supervises production. In Europe Vita Biosa is the only product of its kind granted an official license.
Water, molasses from sugarcane, saccharose, fructose, dextrose, herbs and fermentation cultures.
Lactobacillus acidophillus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Streptococcus, thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus, lactis subsp. lactis biov. diacetyllactis, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides.
Pimpinella anisum (anise) 9%, Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice root) 9%,, Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) 9%, Ocimum basilicum (basil) 4,5%, Matricaria, recutita (chamomile) 4,5%, Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil) 4,5%, Anethum, graveolens (dill) 4,5%, Sambucus nigra (elder) 4,5%, Trigonella foenumgraecum (fenugreek) 4,5%, Zingiber officinale (ginger root) 4,5%, Angelica archangelica (angelica) 4,5%, Juniperus communis (juniper) 4,5%, Urtica dioica (nettle) 4,5%, Origanum vulgare (oregano) 4,5%, Petroselium crispum (parsley) 4,5%, Mentha piperita (peppermint) 4,5%, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) 4,5%, Salvia officinalis (sage) 4,5%, Thymus vulgaris (thyme) 4,5%. Total content of herbs less than 1 % of the volume.
· This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Mauritius. You should exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions.
- The cyclone season is from November to May. Cyclone information for the Indian Ocean region is available from the Mauritius Meteorological Service. Information on natural disasters can also be obtained from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System. See Additional information for advice on what to do in a cyclone.
- Ensure water-sport operators hold a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism and proper safety equipment. You should also ensure operators are able to contact the coast guard during activities which require venturing further out at sea such as swimming with dolphins or diving. Foreign tourists have died in accidents during water sports activities.
- See Travel Smart for general advice for all travellers.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued
- follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Entry and exit
The Mauritian government provides visas free of charge to visitors. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mauritius for the most up to date information.
Immigration officials at port of entry require all visitors to Mauritius to provide accommodation details. Failure to do so may result in denial of entry to Mauritius.
If you are arriving in Mauritius from a country known to have malaria, you will receive a follow-up visit from the Mauritian Health Department and will be required to undertake a blood test to check for the malaria-causing parasite.
If you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, evidence of a yellow fever vaccination is required.
In an effort to prevent the spread of Ebola into Mauritius, authorities have banned the entry of foreign nationals who have visited EVD affected countries in the previous 21 days For more information on the outbreak and other travel restrictions and preventative measures, see the Ebola outbreak in west Africa travel bulletin.
Make sure your passport is valid for your proposed duration of stay in Mauritius. It should have at least one blank visa page.
Safety and security
Crime levels in Mauritius are low, although petty crime against tourists, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and robbery, can occur. There have been incidents of assault, rape and murder, including in resorts. Street robberies near or at ATMs have also been reported. Take extra care when withdrawing cash.
The rate of crime is higher in downtown Port Louis, and in the coastal tourist centres of Grand Bay, Pereybere, and Flic en Flac. Security risks increase after dark especially on beaches, poorly-lit city streets and in other secluded areas. You should avoid walking alone at night. There have been incidents of tourists being assaulted and robbed while staying at beachside bungalows run by unregistered proprietors. Money and valuables should be secured at all times.
Mauritian authorities have taken steps to enforce law and order by introducing camera surveillance around the country, particularly in high tourist areas. The Tourist Police service (Police du Tourisme) can be telephoned on +230 210 3894 or +230 686 5500. The police emergency hotline is 999.
Civil unrest/political tension
Rallies and demonstrations occur occasionally in Mauritius. You should avoid demonstrations and keep clear of large crowds.
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. See our Terrorist Threat Overseas bulletin.
Money and valuables
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Local travel
Road travel
While road infrastructure continues to improve, most roads except the motorway, are narrow, uneven and poorly lit. Many lack guardrails and are bordered by deep ditches. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and stray dogs are additional road hazards. For further advice, see our road travel page.
Australians may be able to drive in Mauritius with a valid Australian driver's licence. For more information contact the Mauritius Police Force Traffic Branch on +230 2081212.
Public transport
Transport by bus (public and private services) is available between all main town centres from 5am to 11pm and in remote areas until 6pm. Taxis are also available during the day, but it is recommended that you book in advance if travelling at night.
Transport and tour operators
The safety standards you might expect of transport and tour operators, including adventure activities such as diving, may not be of the same level as in Australia. Prior to engaging in ocean sports activities, you should ensure water-sport operators hold a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Sufficient safety equipment may not be provided and recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Always use available safety equipment, such as lifejackets or seatbelts, even if others don't. If appropriate safety equipment is not available, you should use another provider. You should also ensure operators are able to contact the coast guard if necessary, particularly during activities which require venturing further out at sea, such as swimming with dolphins or diving. Foreign tourists have died in accidents during water sports activities.
Other issues
Accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities are limited in Mauritius. The government has partially implemented a law requiring wheelchair access to new buildings. However, many older buildings remain inaccessible to wheelchairs.
While there have been no pirate attacks in Mauritius' territorial waters, Australians are nonetheless advised to exercise caution when travelling in the vicinity as pirate attacks have occurred elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. For more information the International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports. See also our bulletin on piracy for more information.
Airline safety
The Australian Government does not provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths. See instead the Aviation Safety Network website for information on aviation safety in Mauritius.
Please also refer to our general air travel page for information on aviation safety and security.
You are subject to the local laws of Mauritius, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Research laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.
Lengthy delays in judicial proceedings are common and may result in individuals having to remain in Mauritius until their case is resolved.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. Penalties for drug trafficking include a prison sentence of up to 60 years and a fine. Bail is not usually granted for drug-related crimes. See our Drugs page.
Some pharmaceutical drugs are illegal in Mauritius. You should carry prescription medicines in their original containers and have a copy of the prescription available for inspection by customs officials. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mauritius for more information.
It is illegal to purchase counterfeited or pirated goods in Mauritius.
While the law does not prohibit homosexuality, the act of sodomy is illegal regardless of sexual orientation. See our LGBTI travellers page.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
'Roll your own cigarette' papers and rolling machines used to manufacture cigarettes are illegal in Mauritius.
Local customs
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Mauritius and you should take care not to offend, especially when visiting rural areas or attending a religious place (shrine, temple, mosque) or event.
Information for dual nationals
See our Dual nationals page.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
It is important to consider your physical and mental health before travelling overseas. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our health page also provides useful information for travellers on staying healthy.
Some pharmaceutical drugs are illegal in Mauritius. You should carry prescription medicines in their original containers and have a copy of the prescription available for inspection by customs officials. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mauritius for more information.
The standard of public medical facilities in Mauritius is variable. Most visitors choose to seek treatment with private doctors or at private clinics. Generally, up-front payment is required. While most hospitals and clinics are able to treat patients in the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation by commercial airline (usually to South Africa and at considerable expense) may be necessary for complex cases.
There is only one decompression chamber in Mauritius which is located at the Victoria Hospital in Quatre Bornes.
Visitors should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, malaria and chikungunya fever occur in Mauritius, particularly in the warmer months (October to May). The risk of malaria is considered low in Mauritius, but a small number of cases continue to be reported. There is no risk of malaria on Rodrigues Island. We recommend that you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times, wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis) are a risk with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to discuss your vaccination requirements with your doctor before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
In an effort to prevent the spread of Ebola into Mauritius, authorities have banned the entry of foreign nationals who have visited EVD affected countries in the previous 21 days. For more information on the outbreak and other travel restrictions and preventative measures, see the Ebola outbreak in west Africa travel bulletin.
Where to get help
Depending on your enquiry, your best option may be to first contact your family, friends, airline, travel agent, tour operator, employer or travel insurer. Your travel insurer should have a 24 hour emergency number.
Service Aide Medicale d'Urgence (SAMU) is a government organisation that provides free ambulance and emergency assistance. The emergency assistance phone number for SAMU is 114. Private emergency ambulance services are also available through private clinic Darne by calling 118 and private clinic Apollo Bramwell on 132. The police emergency hotline is 999.
If the matter relates to complaints about tourism services or products, contact the service provider directly.
The Consular Services Charter explains what the Australian Government can and can't do to assist Australians overseas. For consular assistance, see contact details below:
Australian High Commission, Port Louis
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Telephone: +230 202 0160
Facsimile: +230 208 8878
Website: www.mauritius.highcommission.gov.au
See the High Commission website for information about opening hours and temporary closures that may affect service provision.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the High Commission, you can call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
If you are travelling to Mauritius, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
The cyclone season is from November to May when flooding, widespread damage and disruptions to essential services may occur. Cyclone information for the Indian Ocean region is available from the Mauritius Meteorological Service. Information is also available on 8996 from landlines and 171 from mobile phones. These lines are only made operational when a cyclone warning is in place.
If you are travelling during cyclone season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.
In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your local shelter. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. During a cyclone you should stay indoors. You should be aware that car-insurance policies may become invalid during a cyclone. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. Familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our severe weather page.
Mauritius can also experience very high levels of rainfall that can lead to severe flooding. In 2013, Port Louis received more than 150 mm of rain in less than 2 hours. Eleven people died in the ensuing floods. Australians should monitor the weather through local and international media. Weather information is also available on the following websites:
- World Meteorological Organization and follow the link to Severe Weather Information Centre.
- Meteo France–Reunion and follow the link to Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the South-West Indian Ocean.
- NOAA National Weather Centre and follow the link to Climate Prediction Centre.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Additional Resources
For additional general and economic information to assist travelling in this country, see the following links:


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Blood Drive at Ludlow Elks Lodge 2448
Loading Map....
42.157185 -72.431671
Date(s) - 09/03/2013
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Ludlow Elks Lodge
The need for blood donation is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org. All presenting donors receive a free Big E ticket!


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There's been a lot of interest in our Dell Venue Pro smartphone that runs Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS since Bill first shared official details last month.
Today we're making it available to customers in the United States. Customers can order via Dell.com, calling 1-800-308-DELL or by visiting one of Microsoft's retail stores. Like we've said before, in the United States we're offering the Venue Pro with T-Mobile USA service. Also like the Dell Streak, this smartphone will be SIM-locked to T-Mobile USA's network.
While we are not currently supporting it on other networks in the United States, we're definitely aware of the feedback from customers wanting the Dell Venue Pro on other networks. When we do roll it out in other countries, we will offer the Venue Pro through additional carriers. Venue Pro availability and carrier details will vary by region. In some locations, we do plan to sell an unlocked version outside the United States. I'll have a subsequent post on that topic to explain more when I have more details. I'm also going to work to keep folks informed on other issues they have raised.
Here are the pricing details:
So what makes this phone cool? Several things in my opinion… the slick Windows Phone 7 interface, the 4.1" AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass for added durability come to mind… but one that's really getting noticed is the portrait slider keyboard. In my limited time with one, I can say that the physical keyboard works well. And I definitely agree with Engadget's take on the virtual keyboard—Microsoft nailed it. I can see myself using the slider keyboard for cranking out e-mails and longer texts, then switching to the virtual one for web browsing and shorter texts, or tweets.
Windows Phone 7 uses a different approach than compared to other smartphone OSes that you may be familiar with. Wired recently published a good post that shows how Microsoft started over with Windows Phone 7. I also think Walt Mossberg did a good job articulating that approach in his review. WP7 organizes information in Live Tiles. For example, the People Hub will show multiple ways you've connected with a friend—you will see phone calls, texts, and even status updates from that person's Facebook feed all in one place. In my view (and Wired's Tim Carmody), it's the most seamless mobile Facebook integration I've seen yet.
When you look at the tight Office integration and other things like the Music Hub and the Games Hub that features Xbox Live integration, you've got a pretty versatile phone. Check out the Windows Phone 7 page to dig into the other hubs in more detail. Beyond all the Windows Phone 7 basics, other pre-loaded applications from Dell including PageOnce, Telenav, and T-Mobile's Family Room.
If you want to read about the Windows Phone 7 experience in a bit more detail, here are a few others that come to mind:
Dell Venue Pro Specifications
Thanks to all of you who have been waiting for the Dell Venue Pro. Feel free to ask questions in the comment thread here or on Twitter—just be sure to use the #DellVenuePro hashtag.
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Unrelated comments or requests for service will be unpublished. Please post your technical questions in the Support Forums or for direct assistance contact Dell Customer Service or Dell Technical Support.. All comments must adhere to the Dell Community Terms of Use.
I ordered the 16 Gb this morning for $199, free 2 day shipping, with a 2 year T mobile contract extension (upgrade price). Thanks to Damian posting on TmoNews.com, I got $50 off with the coupon code FMQLSTFF34SVV5 (good until 12/2)
Hey Lionel/Dell, great news!
I was wondering if you have any information regarding the release date in Sweden?
You mentioned that you can't give any specific info, but have you heard anything? Quarter, or in worst case year?
I'm a big fan and i would really appreciate an answer as soon as possible.
Best regards
Norberg: Unfortunately, I really don't have dates to share at this point. I will definitely make sure to keep customers informed when we launch in additional countries either here on Direct2Dell or at he #dellvenuepro hashtag.
I need a phone on the AWS 1700/2100 band but not locked to T-Mobile. I was really hoping that I would be able to purchase an unlocked phone directly from Dell and then connect it to a Canadian carrier. Your article says that "smartphone will be SIM-locked to T-Mobile USA's network". You also say that there are plans to "sell an unlocked version outside the United States". If I am understanding this right and I cannot connect a phone RIGHT NOW to a Canadian carrier, please let me know and I will mournfuly succumb to the android devices available up here.
Will your reportings let us know if Dell ever has a Canadian release date?
@shayneneal: Thanks for the comment, and your interest in the Dell Venue Pro phone.
Your understanding is correct: Right now, you cannot buy a version of the phone that will work in Canada. As we roll out in other countries, I will definitely plan on writing more posts and will work to keep folks informed via the #dellvenuepro hashtag on Twitter.
Hi Lionel. I have a couple of questions that maybe you could answer. Is there a chance that the Venue will be available to purchase in other retail stores such as T-Mobile or Target? I would like to take a look before purchase as I do not live near a Microsoft store.
Also I do not plan on storing music and maybe very little in pictures on the phone so would an 8gb phone suffice? Do apps take up lots of memory? Thanks!!
Lionel, Does the Venue Pro (or will it in the NEAR future) have UMA or the ability to make calls via wi-fi, as do Blackberries with T-Mobile? I really would like to know soon, as I want to order one, but coverage out our home is frustratingly spotty (regardless of carrier). Thanks!
I've been trying to purchase this phone with new activation for the past two days, and I keep getting an error during the credit check phase of the activation process. Nobody in the sales department has been able to help me with this. This is beyond frustrating. Has anybody else had problems activating a new T-Mobile account?
Is the $499 version only locked to T-Mobile insofar as that's the only network whose bands it will work on, or is there an additional lock? I'd like to buy the Venue Pro to use in the UK on a network with the right bands (e.g. O2) - but am unsure whether it's physically locked to accept only T-Mobile SIMs.
@Jaimo: Unfortunately, the Dell Venue Pro is only available through Dell.com and 7 Microsoft Stores. I'm not aware of any near-term plans for that to change.
Regarding your question re: memory... no apps don't take up much space. 8GB will be plenty if you are not worried about storing lots of pictures, videos or music locally.
@hcxsystems: Believe the answer is no. I don't have a unit though, so will need to check.
@cb5555: We are working with T-Mobile to resolve an activation issue that is tied to employee discounts. See my tweet here.
Thanks for the reply Lionel! To be clear, the Blackberries use built-in UMA capabilities to make wi-fi calls, but, unless I'm mistaken, T-mobile also has Android devices that can now make wi-fi calls using an app (or update) that I believe was developed by Kineto. If the Venue Pro does not have the capability built-in, might I suggest Dell please consider something similar? You can check out the link below to Kineto's press release regarding the T-Mobile Android app. Thanks!
There does not seem to be a mechanism for transferring a number from a different carrier with this phone. I went through the motions of purchasing and when I got to the end I cannot transfer my number. I contacted Dell support and they said it cannot be done by Dell. Does one have to take a brand new number? Kind of a deal breaker for anyone running a small business.
When is it coming to india? And please release an unlocked version or tie it up with AIRTEL. I cant wait for more than a month though
I really like the look of this phone. one question, t-mobile is starting to make available "4g" service, why buy a "3g" phone? people have have to make two year commitment, 4g service will surely spread over the next two years. is there not that much difference? Is there something I'm missing?
I'm not trying to tear down the phone, but trying to understand.
Lionel, will the Venue work just as a WiFi device without the Sim Card installed like the Streak, or must a activated Sim Card be installed to use the non-phone functions on the device?


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Reader's Digest Canada Announces the Grand Prize Winner of the 73rd National Sweepstakes
Edmonton, AB (April 20, 2011) ― Reader's Digest Canada is pleased to announce that Mrs. Renate Ackley is the Grand Prize Winner of the Reader's Digest 73rd National Sweepstakes.
As the first-ever Grand-Prize winner from Alberta, Ackley was in complete and utter disbelief when she received the letter announcing that she had won the Reader's Digest 73rd National Sweepstakes. "I was very surprised. I just couldn't believe it," said Ackley. "I've never won anything before so it really is quite unbelievable."
In celebration of her good fortune, a ceremony in honour of Ackley was held today for her and her friends and family at the Rutherford House in Edmonton, Alberta. "It's the best part of my job," shares Marisa Orsini, Prize Award Administrator at Reader's Digest. "Our sweepstakes has been changing lives for over 40 years and I was proud to present Mrs. Ackley with her $500,000 cheque today as our latest Grand Prize winner."
When asked what she planned to do with her winnings, Ackley said she will "share the money with family and in particular, buy my husband a new car since I have already scrapped two in the past!"
Since 1962 Reader's Digest Canada has given out more than 107,500 prizes for a total value over $25,000,000. To enter the Reader's Digest Canada 73rd National Sweepstakes, all participants had to do was to return their entry form by mail or by email as no purchase was required. All participants had to be Canadian residents, over the age of 18, and correctly answer a skill-testing question.
The Reader's Digest Canada 73rd National Sweepstakes was overseen by the accounting firm of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, LLP, Chartered Accountants.
Visit www.readersdigest.ca/sweepstakes for further information


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Nokia plans to extend Lumia line to 'phablets'
Nokia is thought to be aping Samsung's strategy and extending its Lumia line of smartphones to a larger-screen device
Nokia is set to add a larger smartphone, or phablet, to its Lumia line, with the firm thought to be working on a large-screen device comparable to Samsung's Galaxy Note.
The unnamed device will boast higher specs than the Galaxy Note, reports The Financial Times.
If true, the move suggests Nokia is borrowing Samsung's strategy of launching a wider range of smartphones with larger screens in a bid to capture as much market share as possible.
Nokia was formerly the largest handset manufacturer globally, but lost that title to Samsung last year, by numerous analyst estimates. It's still the second-biggest mobile manufacturer, mostly due to its strong feature phone business, but its smartphone market share remains in the single digits.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 is approaching ten million sales globally after about seven months on the market, while the Galaxy S3 hit 40 million shipments only six months after launch, pushing the firm to record sales. By contrast, Nokia sold around 13 million Lumia devices in the entire of 2012, according to the firm's quarterly results filings.
The firm is also thought to be working on updates to the Lumia 920, which launched last year to strong reviews, if not sales, with lighter, cheaper versions set to hit the market some time in 2013.
Nokia is also thought to be working on the first Lumia phone featuring its PureView camera technology, according to multiple reports. Thought to be code-named 'EOS', the new device will potentially pack a 41MP camera with flash. Nokia had already launched the 808 PureView, predominantly to show off the camera, but this would mark the first in the company's flagship line with the technology.
Nokia declined to comment on the rumours.