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New Icon Set released
YOOtheme is a well-known template and extension provider who helps you to create professional websites. But to make your website or interface design a real eye-catcher we got one thing missing: Icons! Icons are an essential tool to simplify user interfaces. We complete this with our beautiful and handcrafted icon sets for web and print projects. We got commercial icon sets and free stuff. Enjoy browsing through all the icons on our new icon club website!
Free Social Icons Set
Today we want to bring you the complete social bookmarks icon set as freebie, including all sizes and even the vector source files. Using social bookmarks icons on your website has never been prettier. Easily share and bookmark content and spread it all over the world! We provide our social bookmarks icons with a high brand recognition, looking straight-lined and equally fresh styled. Of course they are designed to match with all our club icon sets.


text: We can help you find graphic design part-time jobs that are right for you in your local area. There are plenty of great part-time job opportunities in graphic design and many employers love hiring college students majoring in design. Many part-time design opportunities are freelance opportunities and served by online companies like Fiverr and Upwork. However, there are always plenty of local part-time design jobs no matter where you live. Every business needs help with their logo, building out advertising and marketing materials, and creating business cards.

subset: commoncrawl


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Destination Trailers - Two Entry/Exit Doors
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Please contact us @ 928-350-2400 for availability as our inventory changes rapidly. Little Dealer Little Prices strives for accurate website information but is not responsible for misprints, typos, or errors on our website. Manufacturer or sample photos and specifications may be used in place of actual unit photos and specs. Monthly payments are an estimate only and do not constitute a commitment that financing or a specific interest rate or term is available. Prices exclude taxes, PDI, documentation and delivery fees, destination charges and fees. This offer expires when this information changes or the stock number is sold.
Manufacturer and/or stock photographs may be used and may not be representative of the particular unit being viewed. Where an image has a stock image indicator, please confirm specific unit details with your dealer representative.


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By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
Physicians who prescribe opioid drugs to patients with neuropathy (nerve pain) ought to consider recommending cannabis as an alternative therapy, according to a peer-reviewed paper published online this week in the Harm Reduction Journal.
"There is sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy for the use of (cannabis/cannabinoids) in the treatment of nerve pain relative to opioids," the commentary states. "In states where medicinal cannabis is legal, physicians who treat neuropathic pain with opioids should evaluate their patients for a trial of cannabis and prescribe it when appropriate prior to using opioids. … Prescribing cannabis in place of opioids for neuropathic pain may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with prescription pain medications and may be an effective harm reduction strategy."
The author notes that between the years 1999 and 2006, "approximately 65,000 people died from opioid analgesic overdose." By contrast, he writes "[N]o one has ever died from an overdose of cannabis."
In clinical trials, inhaled cannabis has been consistently shown to reduce neuropathic pain of diverse causes in subjects unresponsive to standard pain therapies.
In November, clinical investigators at the University of California, San Francisco reported that vaporized cannabis augments the analgesic effects of opiates in subjects prescribed morphine or oxycodone. Authors of the study surmised that cannabis-specific interventions "may allow for opioid treatment at lower doses with fewer [patient] side effects."
Neuropathy affects between five percent and 10 percent of the US population. The condition is often unresponsive to conventional analgesic medications such as opiates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Full text of the paper, "Prescribing cannabis for harm reduction" is available online here.
From The NORML Blog


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With a collective gasp, all of Dodger nation was shook by the news from early this morning that Tommy Lasorda was submitted into the hospital for a heart attack on Monday. Tommy was not at the MLB Draft yesterday where he was slated to announce the draft picks for the team. As TMZ noted, Lasorda's absence at the draft was noticeable and caused some to worry. Thankfully, as noted by the Dodgers in a just released press notice, Tommy is fine:
Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda suffered a mild heart attack Monday while in New York for the Major League Baseball 2012 First-Year Player Draft. Lasorda, 84, was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center for treatment.Doctors inserted a stent to correct a blocked artery in Lasorda's heart. He is resting comfortably and in stable condition."The doctors confirmed I do bleed Dodger Blue," Lasorda joked. "I'm looking forward to being back at the stadium to cheer on the Dodgers."
I was glad to read that Tommy is back to his old self. For those interested, TMZ has some exclusive footage from this past Sunday evening as Lasorda regaled the patrons at a Brooklyn Italian restaurant with his wonderful singing.


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When it comes to getting great curl definition that lasts, there are two important factors to consider: your product selection and application technique.
Even though I'm a product junkie with no rehab stint in sight, even I can admit that technique is more important. You can have the best curl defining products at your fingertips, but if you're not utilizing and applying them properly, you'll blame the product for the outcome of your style.
There are several methods for applying curl definers to hair, raking, smoothing, praying hands, and more. But there is one method that has been delivering the best results — defined curls from root to tip that are plump, juicy, de-frizzed, and far from stringy ramen noodle style.
Ouidad's Rake & Shake Method
The Rake & Shake was developed as a technique to define curls, encourage clumping without sacrificing too much in the way of volume. The method guarantees even distribution of product and minimal frizz–and promises perfect curls every time.
I came across the Rake & Shake Method about a year ago while poking around online learning more about Ouidad as a brand and salon. I became curious about the method, but wasn't quite sold on how successful it would be with my multi-textured, type 3-something curls. The videos I found from Ouidad showed ladies with looser textures (like 2A hair"> getting their Rake & Shake on–but I was hard pressed to find a video of it on more highly textured hair. So I decided to do what I always do when I get curious about the claims a brand, product, or method makes–try it out myself!
The Rake & Shake method is really simple, and involves only a few minor adaptations from how you probably already apply product to your hair for wash and go styling. Really, it's modified shingling.
What you'll need
In this video, I styled my wash and go with As I Am Leave-In Conditioner, Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel — the yellow one. You can use Ouidad styling products to do the Rake & Shake (the consistency and slip of their Tress Effects and Climate Control gels is perfect for raking and shaking">, or experiment and get the technique down with products you already have at home.
In this video, my hair is freshly co-washed and deep conditioned, and divided into five sections to make things easier. I applied my leave-in and JBCO in the shower, so I'm keeping a spray bottle handy just in case my hair starts to dry.
Remember, the best wash and go's happen on WET hair! Capturing the curl while it's still wet will guarantee you a longer lasting result.
Got your products ready? Let's go!
How to Rake & Shake
1. Take a generous amount of your curl definer of choice and apply it to the root, then smooth and rake it through the entirety of the larger section. Really work it in so it coats all the strands. Then, take a smaller section within that larger section and move the rest of the hair out of your way.
2. Starting at the root, rake your fingers through your hair. Rake thoroughly 3 or 4 times, so that your hair is evenly clumped between your fingers. This is going to give you more plump clumps of curls.
3. On the last rake, stop just short of letting the hair go. Holding on to the ends, gently shake the hair up and down a few times to set the curl. Make sure that you're holding the hair in an outward motion, away from your scalp. This ensures that your curls will be defined to the root, but won't fall flat.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 throughout each section of your hair.
5. Air dry, diffuse, or use a combination of both. I personally prefer to air dry (I live in LA. it's still 80 degrees every day">.
Took me all of 15 minutes to rake and shake my entire head. Now air drying, that's another story. Regardless of what product I use, it's an all day process. As you can see, the results in this video really cosign on the claims that the Ouidad folks make. Rake & Shake has given my curls new life! No more frizzy roots, no more randomly stringy ramen noodle curls. I even found that while letting my curls air dry, I didn't have to pin them back like I normally would to create that elongation in the front (thanks to the fact that it shrinks considerably more than the back half of my hair">. For all the ladies like me with multiple textures, this is a total game changer.
Watch my tutorial
A lot of times, we naturalistas get comfortable in our styling boxes based on texture and type. I'm sure many type 3 and 4 ladies have heard of the Rake & Shake, but skipped past it based upon not being able to identify with the hair model in the video. Hopefully my video can help bridge the information gap a little–some techniques and methods can be universally applicable.
Will you be trying the Rake & Shake?


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Cairo, Egypt
As long as you're willing to loosen your senses and lose yourself to this majestic city, you can discover the sweetness of Cairo; the coziness of small cafes and the pleasure of strolling along narrow streets. It would be impossible to accurately describe Cairo fairly; it is truly one of a kind. Cairo, Egypt is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours a day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wears and services. The city provides great culture; including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, Sawy Culture Wheel, Ahmed Shawky Museum as well it should, being one of the largest cities in the world. It also provides accommodations fitting every budget from the grandest in the world, such as the Four Seasons and the Cairo Marriott to budget hotels and hostels. When you're done with the sightseeing and morning exhaustion, embrace Cairo's incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East can be here. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copper-ware, leather work, glass, ceramics and mashrabiya. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekalat al-Balaq; for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers Bazaar; for appliqu-work, Mohammed Ali Street; for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip. This is, and has been for over a thousand years, truly a shopper's paradise. Go for shisha (water pipe) in one of the old cafes on the street, you can try cool flavors like apple, coconut or even Red Bull. Get yourself a nice meal of koshari for as little as 4 pounds, and eat like a true Egyptian. Have a nice Faluka ride down the Nile, and enjoy the cool breeze glancing at the different Felucca decorations. In a city as lively as Cairo, with diversity, culture and good-hearted people who are always willing to help, you'll never run out of things to do. Articles On Cairo, Egypt What's New ? Featured Hotel of the Month : Cairo Hotel - Zamalek Last Updated: September 27th, 2011 |


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CANDY CORN. Original Halloween art doll by Danita.
CANDY CORN. Original Halloween art doll by Danita.
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This is an original art doll made by Danita. Body is paper clay, hand sculpted and painted with amazing detail. Cracks all over the face and body give it a weathered, vintage look, like it's very very old.
The doll is a unique work of art, made with lots of attention to detail and love from Danita. A unique piece of art, it will look amazing sitting on your favorite shelf or showcase display, and it can be hanged from a tree like a beautiful ornament.
Arrives carefully packaged in a vintage looking gift box. Unpacking it is just like going back to childhood and getting a gift!


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Alvin, TX Dentist
We are pleased to provide Invisalign® as a safe, effective, and discreet option for straightening misaligned teeth. You may be able to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile using this non-invasive, aesthetic straightening option.
Traditional orthodontic treatments often include braces, with unattractive metal brackets and bulky silver wires. However, Invisalign aligners are worn over the teeth and can be removed to allow you to eat, brush, and floss normally during your orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a comfortable, convenient, and easy to use solution for straightening your teeth.
Invisalign provide other health benefits in addition to straightening teeth. Teeth that are crowded, gapped, or misaligned are more difficult to keep properly cleaned and flossed. Over time, this can lead to a higher rate of tooth decay. Crowded and misaligned teeth are also more prone to issues like cracking and wear, due to improper occlusion (bite).
Straightening your teeth with Invisalign can protect against these issues. Additionally, misaligned teeth are more likely to develop periodontal (gum) issues. Orthodontic treatment can help keep gums firm around the teeth, protecting against bacterial infections that can lead to periodontal disease.
By choosing Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you can avoid many of the issues commonly associated with traditional braces. Our patients who choose Invisalign treatment are much less prone to experiencing pain, discomfort, or mouth sores than those with traditional braces. Additionally, the ability to remove your aligners to allow proper brushing and flossing can lead to a reduced rate of plaque buildup and tooth decay.
We can help you achieve straight teeth and a beautiful, healthy smile with Invisalign. Contact our office to schedule a FREE no-obligation consultation.


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Written by: Chris Kobin, Tim Sullivan, and Christopher Tuffin
Directed by: Tim Sullivan
Starring: Bill Moseley, Lin Shaye, and Christa Campbell
Reviewed by: Brett G.
Suck my Dixie!
You just cant keep a good hillbilly down, it seems. Five years after his Herschell Gordon Lewis redux, 2001 Maniacs, writer/director Tim Sullivan has returned with his pack of maniacal rednecks. This time, the blood-thirsty wild bunch hits the road to spread their own unique brand of southern hospitality to the Northern states. Get ready for a second helping of crass, blood, and boobs, as 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams has finally arrived. Its a field thats still full of red hot, homicidal southern belles and sheep-cornholing, and Sullivan once again invites you to come get a taste of the Old South and let the Old South get a taste of you!
Its once again time for the annual Guts and Glory Jubilee in Pleasant Valley, Georgia. Mayor Buckman and company eagerly await a new pack of Yankees to sautee and dig into; however, they soon find that the local sheriff is shutting the show down this year. He soon gets introduced to the town favorite barrel roll game, which turns him into mincemeat. The town is disappointed about their cancelled festivities, but Buckman figures that if no one will come to the old south, theyll just take it to them! They end up in Iowa, where a traveling reality TV show crew also happens to be. The show is about two spoiled rich sisters who travel across America for no apparent reason. Their next destination is Georgia, so when they stumble across the transplanted Pleasant Valley jubilee, their producer decides to cut costs and film there instead.
Field of Screams proves that you can take the hillbillies out of the south, but you cant take the south out of the hillbillies. Despite the change in setting, this is pretty much its predecessor, only amped up to 11. This is both a good and bad thing--its a much sillier film than the original, and much less focused. It feels more like a collection of jokes and gags that have been loosely strung together more than anything. Theyre a mixed bag, too, as some of the humor is just too silly, and it seems like the worst sequences are the longest. There are some genuinely funny bits, though--the two sister characters are a good send-up of the vacuous American celebrities that are famous just for being famous, and theres also a good bit of Southern-related humor (check out Custards Last Chicken Stand). Im sure much of the humor and crass will be deplored by mainstream critics--theres a black cook named Jemima, and theres a sequence where another black girl is hanged and its played for laughs.
Its obviously not meant to be taken seriously, of course. The film certainly has its demented heart in the right place, even if it does miss the mark sometimes. Really, you should know what to expect if youve seen the original, but this one lets you know what youre in for about three minutes in, where one of the little redneck bastards gleefully cries kill that motherfucker! Mayor Buckman obliges, treating us to a re-creation of the infamous barrel roll sequence from the original Two Thousand Maniacs, and the film pretty much had me at that point. Theres plenty of blood and guts spewed all over the place, and the boobs are in abundance (Christa Campbell notably returns as the Milk, so-named for obvious reasons). In some ways, this one feels more like a proper Herschell Gordon-Lewis film than the original because it feels a bit more hastily thrown together and is so gratuitous. True to form then, the gore sequences are easily the highlight of this one and surpass the original in terms of demented creativity. Theres a pretty awesome bit where a lesbian gets more than she bargains for when she gets some snatch literally.
The zany cast of characters are fun enough too. Theres a noticeable replacement--Robert Englund is swapped out for Bill Moseley in the role of the mayor--but it really isnt too distracting because the carnage is at center-stage. Moseley exhibits the same exuberant, demented chops that made him a cult favorite in roles such as Chop Top and Otis Driftwood. A few more faces show up from the first film, such as Lin Shaye (as youve never seen her before!) in the role of Granny Boone. The victims themselves arent quite as memorable, with the exception of Alex Luria in the role of Jesus, and Asa Hope and Katie Marie Johnson arent afraid to show off their goods in the sister roles. At the end of the day, most of them are just there to show up on the cannibal clans dinner plates anyway. The audience knows this, and, more importantly, Sullivan knows this, so he keeps the gags coming at full force throughout.
Indeed, the film rarely lets up once it gets going, for better or worse. At the end of the day, theres more better than worse, but its still a bit too silly and overdone at times. Its like theres no filter, and the film is filled to the brim with insanity. Not surprisingly, the film promises that the south will indeed rise again, and if Sullivan serves up another round, Ill be at the table. First things first, however--to sink your teeth into this one, youll need to check out First Look Studios DVD release. Its an unrated disc that features a nice, clean anamorphic transfer thats nearly flawless. The audio isnt quite as praiseworthy, as the 5.1 track oscillates in volume throughout and never quite sounds loud enough. It doesnt hinder the film, but it is a bit distracting. Special features include a commentary with Sullivan, a behind-the-scenes feature, a shock and roll slideshow, and the films trailer. When you check it out, be sure to stay through the films credits, where youll be introduced to the latest addition to Pleasant Valley, who will no doubt follow in his parents demented footsteps someday. Sullivan has made another worthy addition to the Maniacs legacy--its not quite as good as his first outing, but its definitely worth a look for fans of that film. Rent it!
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We are so very lucky that the South is home to some of the most beautiful locations to tie the knot–many of which are filled with rich history and generations of love stories that have passed through their doors. Catherine and Nelson's gorgeous venue not only has those sweet details, but so much more! Their venue story goes all the way back to the summer before Catherine turned five–this sweet couple actually celebrated their marriage on the land where Catherine grew up, and where her parents intentionally built cottages (one for each of the children in their family), an adorable chapel, and their family home. Catherine grew up imagining herself walking down the aisle in Grace Chapel to join the man of her dreams in marriage–swoon! I'm sure of all the weddings the Heritage Haus has hosted, this one in particular will never be forgotten.
Gracious, we're happy our Blue Ribbon Vendor Loft Photography shared this sweet day with us!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went to several appointments with my mom, my mother-in-law, and friends, but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Many of the dresses were so close, but were missing that something special. Finally, I made an appointment to go to a different store by myself. The second I put on my dress, I knew it was what I had been looking for, and I purchased it that day.
My bouquet held white peonies, patience garden roses, white ranunculus, vendela roses, silver dollar, and seeded eucalyptus. The bridesmaids' bouquets mimicked mine and included brunia berries to accent the slate color of their dresses. The same flowers were used throughout the wedding–attached to chairs along the chapel aisle, in a garland adorning the chapel entrance, dotted around the pavilion for cocktail hour, and in the reception table arrangements.
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? It all started the summer before I turned five when my parents moved our family from Houston to the small town of Dripping Springs, Texas and bought a house on a 30-acre plot of land. My mother is a dreamer and a creator, and she had a vision to build on our property. Although the intent was to create this estate for our personal family use, I don't think anyone could have imagined just how special our home would become to so many people. It was a very slow process: the cottages (one for each of the children in my family), then Grace Chapel (which was dedicated by our family pastor who performed my wedding ceremony), and then the rest fell into place. I adore my family home. I have lived there for the majority of my life and have countless cherished memories of growing up out in the country. I had imagined walking down the aisle in Grace Chapel to join the man of my dreams in marriage so many times when I was growing up. It meant so much to be married there and share my home with my closest and dearest family and friends.
My most memorable moment was waiting for the doors of the chapel to open. Standing with my dad on one side of the doors and the anticipation of becoming a wife and standing with my husband on the other side was a moment in time that can never be recreated.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We were married in my family chapel on the property where I grew up. A pair of antique cypress doors from my mother's home state of Louisiana mark the entrance of Grace Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by our longtime friend and pastor, who had baptized me when I was a child. Several pieces of silver that have been passed down through generations of my family were incorporated into table settings and displays.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? It will all get done, so enjoy this moment! If your budget allows, a wedding coordinator will help tie up loose ends and ensure your day runs smoothly. I loved my coordinator! Try not to stress about the small details (even though you probably will). Inevitably, those will be the things you don't notice as much on the wedding day. Focus on building your love and encouraging each other, because this is the beginning of the rest of your life.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Dancing! Nelson and I are typically not the first to bust a move on the dance floor, but the band's energy and our wonderful DJ kept the party flowing and full of life! We didn't stop dancing until the very end, and even our guests chanted for an encore from the band.
How did y'all meet? Tell us your love story. I had just moved to Houston the month before I met my husband. One night, at a fun local bar my friends and I used to go to, this tall guy came up to talk to me. After chatting for a while, we found out that we had mutual friends. I explained to him that, being new to town, I was looking to get to know people and that I wasn't ready to date anyone. He got my number and the phone calls rolled in (he even called me that night and left a hilarious voicemail that I still replay to this very day!). He would call me at 2 P.M. on the dot each day when I got off of work to ask to hang out. I made lots of excuses about being busy, but after a full week of his phone calls, I came up with what I thought was the perfect solution: we could be running buddies! I figured that if he saw me sweaty and in workout clothes, he wouldn't want any romantic relationship with me. We ran together regularly for a month, and talked about our jobs, families, friends, and everything in between. Since we had become friends, I invited him to a Super Bowl party at my house. After the game was over, he asked if we could take my dog for an evening stroll through the neighborhood. When we were approaching my house at the end of our walk, he stopped walking, leaned in, and kissed me. Completely shocked, I said "I can't believe you just did that." It probably wasn't the response he was looking for! The rest has been history!
Tell us all about the proposal! Nelson, our dog, Teddy, and I drove up to Colorado last June to stay at my family's summer home–a fun getaway from the Texas heat! The second day we were there, we took a scenic drive with Teddy on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was so incredible! After nearly three hours of sightseeing, we finally reached the top. I offered to drive back down, since the roads were so narrow that Nelson hadn't gotten to fully enjoy the views on our drive up. On the way down, he kept insisting that I stop at the lookout points we had already visited. I, being tired, told him I wanted to keep driving so we could get home for lunch. I could tell something was up when he didn't let up about stopping, saying he wanted Teddy to have one final run around outside. Finally, I pulled over into a thicket. I was hungry, tired, and exasperated that we had already stopped at every lookout point there possibly was, so I told Nelson that I would wait in the car while he and Teddy played. That definitely didn't work, because he came up to the driver's door, opened it for me, and said he REALLY wanted me to get out and play with them. Thankfully for Nelson's sake, I got out of the car and started walking toward the thicket. When I turned around, Nelson reached for the zipper on his fishing shirt pocket, got down on one knee, and proposed.
When did y'all get married? April 18, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 180
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. The recessional song was "Blackbird" by The Beatles. The first time I went to Nelson's apartment when we were dating, he played that song for me on his guitar. I am very emotionally attached to music, and every time I hear that song, it reminds me of the excitement and joy of the relationship we were building. Our first dance was to "In My Life" by The Beatles. The lyrics of the song resonate with me–I've been on many adventures in my life, some even taking me across the world, but those experiences all brought me to Nelson. "Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them, in my life, I love you more."
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something old was my grandmother's pin, attached to ribbon on my bouquet. The pin was given to her as a young woman by her father. My something new was my wedding gown. I borrowed my mother's pave diamond earrings, which were a gift to her from my father on the day I was born. My something blue was my sapphire ring, a keepsake belonging to my husband's aunt that was given to her by her father.
What's next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? Taking on the role of husband and wife bears a lot of responsibility. I am excited about the opportunities God has in store for us to grow and learn together, whatever those may be.
Photographer: Loft Photography / Planner: Jessica Upton / Ceremony Venue: Heritage Haus / Florist: Wild Bunches / Cake Baker: Cakes by Lori and Sweet Treets / Caterer: Whole Foods Catering / Rentals: Whim and Marquee / Band: London Calling / DJ: Josh of Penguin Entertainment / Invitations: Crane / Save the Dates and Programs: Minted / Bride's Gown: "9258" by Alvina Valenta / Bride's Veil: Ivory Bridal Atelier / Hair Stylist: Lauren Hoy / Makeup Artist: Lauren Davis of Hint of Shimmer / Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids' Dresses: "G849C" in Slate by Amsale / Menswear: Jos. A. Bank / Transportation: Cynthia's Manhattan Limousine
Loft Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!


text: ADDIS ABABA - Hunger in Africa continues to rise after many years of decline, threatening the continent's hunger eradication efforts to meet the Malabo Goals 2025 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2). New data presented in the joint UN report, the Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, released ton February 13, indicates that 237 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from chronic undernutrition, derailing the gains made in the past years. The joint report by the Regional Office for Africa of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was launched today in Addis Ababa at an event presided by FAO's Deputy Director-General Climate and Natural Resources, Maria Helena Semedo. It shows that more people continue to suffer from undernourishment in Africa than in any other region - evidence suggests that in 2017, 20 percent of the African population was undernourished. "The worsening trend in Africa is due to difficult global economic and worsening environmental conditions and, in many countries, conflict and climate variability and extremes, sometimes combined. Economic growth slowed in 2016 due to weak commodity prices, in particular for oil and minerals. Food insecurity has worsened in countries affected by conflict, often exacerbated by drought or floods. For example, in Southern and Eastern Africa, many countries suffered from drought," FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, and ECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, said in their joint foreword of the report. Of the 257 million hungry people in Africa, 237 million are in sub-Saharan Africa and 20 million in Northern Africa. The annual UN report indicates that compared to 2015, there were an additional 34.5 million more undernourished people in Africa, of which 32.6 million in sub-Saharan Africa and 1.9 million in Northern Africa. Nearly half of the increase is due to the rise in the number of undernourished people in Western Africa, while another third is from Eastern Africa. At the regional level, the prevalence of stunting in children under five is falling, but only few countries are on track to meet the global nutrition target for stunting. The number of overweight children under five continues to rise and is particularly high in Northern and Southern Africa. According to the regional report, progress towards meeting the World Health Organization's global nutrition targets is slow at the continental level. In many countries, notably in Eastern and Southern Africa, adverse climatic conditions due to El Niño led to a decline in agricultural production and soaring staple food prices. The economic and climatic situation has improved in 2017, but some countries continue to be affected by drought or poor rainfall. Greater efforts and collaboration needed to achieve SDG 2 The report reveals that more efforts are needed to achieve SDG2 and the global nutrition targets amidst the important challenges faced by the continent, such as tackling youth employment and climate change. Agriculture and the rural sector must play a key role in creating decent jobs for the 10 to 12 million youths that join the labour market each year. Another present and growing threat to food security and nutrition in Africa, particularly to countries relying heavily on agriculture, is climate change. The effects of climate change, reduced precipitation and higher temperatures negatively influence the yields of staple food crops. At the same time, there are significant opportunities for agriculture in developing intra-African trade, harnessing remittances for development, and investing in youth. Remittances from international and internal migration play an important role in reducing poverty and hunger as well as stimulating productive investments. International remittances amount to nearly $70 billion, about three percent of Africa's GDP, and present an opportunity for national development that governments should work on to strengthen. The signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement provides an opportunity to accelerate growth and sustainable development by increasing trade, including trade in agricultural products. Although agricultural intra-African exports rose from $2 billion in 2000 to $13.7 billion in 2013, they remain relatively modest and often informal. The report highlights that opening trade of food also carries risks to consumer and producer welfare, and governments should avoid using trade policy for multiple objectives but rather combine trade reform with additional instruments, such as safety nets and risk-mitigating programmes, to achieve food security and nutrition goals. Call for greater action to address the threat from climate variability and extremes This year's Regional Overview, entitled, "Addressing the Threat from Climate Variability and Extremes for Food Security and Nutrition," illustrates that climate variability and extremes, in part due to climate change, are important factors underlying the recent rise in food insecurity and severe food crises on the continent. Many countries in Africa are at great risk to climate-related disasters and suffer from them frequently. Over the last ten years, climate-related disasters affected on average 16 million people and caused annually $0.67 billion in damages across the continent. Although not all of these shorter-term climate variations may be attributable to climate change, the evidence presented shows that more numerous and more frequent occurrences of climate extremes and a rise in climate variability are threatening to erode gains made towards ending hunger and malnutrition. FAO and ECA stressed, "Greater urgency in building resilience of households, communities and countries to climate variability and extremes is needed. We need to face myriad of challenges to building institutional capacity in designing, coordinating and scaling up actions for risk monitoring and early warning systems, emergency preparedness and response, vulnerability reduction measures, shock-responsive social protection, and planning and implementing resilience-building measures. Strategies towards climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction must be aligned as well as coordinated with interventions in nutrition and food systems across sectors." In terms of developing climate adaptation strategies and implementation, the report highlights the need for greater efforts in data collection, monitoring and implementation of climate smart agriculture practices. Continued efforts through partnerships, blending climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and long-term financing can bridge humanitarian and development approaches. Key facts and figures · Number of hungry people in Africa: 257 million or 1 in every 5 people · Children under five affected by stunting (low height-for-age): 59 million (30.3 percent) · Children under five affected by wasting (low weight-for-height): 13.8 million (7.1 percent) · Children under five who are overweight (high weight-for-height): 9.7 million (5 percent) · Percentage of women of reproductive age affected by anaemia: 38 percent · Percentage of infants aged below 6 months who were exclusively breastfed: 43.5 percent · Percentage of adults who are obese: 11.8 percent |