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When Lawler Foods Ltd. opened its second plant dedicated to making round cheesecakes, little did the company know that square would be the shape of things to come. In fact, a little more than a decade later, demand for the company's new individual-size square cheesecakes hijacked much of the plant's capacity — not the most efficient use of the facility. Therefore, the Humble, TX-based bakery knew it once again needed to expand its operations, and in 2008, it opened a $10 million, 60,000-sq-ft addition on the back of its second facility.
Mike Lawler, president of the family-owned business, helped design the layout for the new production line along with the company's chief engineer Bruce Fowler and vice-president of operations Aurelio Jaramillo. "We probably redrew that line 40 times because every time we talked, we came up with something else," Mr. Lawler said, adding that this has been the most exciting endeavor he has taken on at the family-owned business. "These projects are risky, but that's part of the fun I suppose. Quite honestly, I'm waiting for the next one. I can't wait for the next big project."
Eventually, the company installed an automated line specifically designed for making square dessert products. "We took what we needed to do and blew it up so that we built in a whole lot of capacity for the next products that we would need to do," Mr. Lawler said. The expansion is large enough to house two or three additional lines, as the company looks toward future growth.
Currently, Lawler Foods, which markets products under the Lawler's Desserts brand, is seeking to fill capacity on its existing lines. Having been in business for 35 years, the company operates two plants, both of which are just a few miles east of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX.
In 1976, Lawler Foods was founded by Bill and Carol Lawler, Mike's parents. Prior to that, the couple was selling RL Schreiber flavors and spices to local food service accounts out of their garage in Denver, CO. when a local cheesecake manufacturer asked if they would sell his products to their customers. They agreed to do so, Eventually, the Lawlers decided to get involved with the cheesecake manufacturer further and purchased a small percentage share in the business. Then, they decided to move to Houston and manufacture and sell the cheesecakes for the company in this new market.
A few years later, the company was sold to another investor, who purchased the Lawlers out from their share. At that time, the Lawlers changed the recipe for the cheesecake, put their name on the box and started Lawler Foods. In 1982, the company opened a plant in Humble. This facility was expanded on several occasions until it became landlocked. It still serves as the manufacturer's first bakery, known internally as Building 1.
Although the founders are retired, Mike Lawler said his parents still have their fingers on the pulse of the business. "My dad is executive vice-president, and mom is president emeritus or CEO. And when she says, 'Jump,' we still answer, 'How high?'"
Lawler Foods continues to deliver the quality and service that it did as a small startup. "Our quality comes from our ingredients and our processes," Mr. Lawler said. "We take the time to do it right. We don't substitute in fillers or cheaper ingredients." Making a good cheesecake takes tender loving care, he added.
Lawler Foods produces about 300 various desserts, including cheesecakes, brownies, pies, cakes and torts. The company sells the majority of its products to food service accounts, with about 40% going to retail and club stores and remainder to international buyers.
The products' quality sets Lawler Foods apart from many other manufacturers in this highly competitive market, according to Mr. Lawler. "It is a lot better to sell a quality product for a little more than it is to sell a mediocre product for a little less," he said. "I think the hardest part we have in making a sale is getting the appointment. Once we are able to get in the door and get the product in their mouth, it's basically servicing their account from that point forward."
And the dessert manufacturer's sales staff doesn't just make the sale and then turn the account over to a customer service crew. "The person to whom they sold that product is a corporate buyer or corporate chef, and that individual is not going to want to talk to a customer service rep," Mr. Lawler said. "The customer wants to talk to the person who made the promise on the front end. What differentiates us is a superior quality, and we will not lose a customer on service."
Steve Kempa, Lawler's vice-president, sales and marketing, pointed out that food service customers don't like to see their products on someone else's menu. "As we call on our national accounts, they typically don't want one of our stock items," he said. "It's a good starting point to show them a dessert, but they want to make it a custom dessert that is signature to their chain. Our willingness to do that, since we have started with food service, has expanded that segment of our business."
On the other hand, some accounts don't want a specific dessert for a whole new set of reasons. "They don't want to have to be on the hook to commit to a volume to keep that production flowing," Mr. Lawler said. "They want something that is already on the shelf and to know orders will be filled because we are stocking it for other customers."
Lawler's R&D department features four pastry chefs, each of whom has his or her own specialties when helping to create and develop products for its customers. One is trained in commercial production and helps to transition products from R&D to full-scale startups. Another is trained in food science, and yet another worked in quality assurance before putting herself through pastry school because she wanted to be in R&D. Mr. Lawler called the fourth pastry chef "the maverick, who is willing to think out of the norm." And then after giving it a bit of thought, Mr. Lawler added, "They would probably all prefer to be referred to as mavericks."
But one of the toughest jobs in R&D is replicating a dessert. Sometimes customers will have a falling out with their vendor, Mr. Kempa said, and they come to Lawler's, without a recipe, wanting the company to make the same dessert. "They don't want it better," he said. "They want an exact match, and that is always difficult. But if that is the direction we give our R&D department, they will deliver and do a really good job at it."
For its plants, Lawler Foods typically hires unskilled labor and trains them. "That is not to say we don't hire people with experience, but that is both good and bad," Mr. Lawler said. "On one hand, you can pick their brains to see how they dealt with a particular issue at their former workplace, but you also have to deprogram from habits that you don't want in your facility."
The company also encourages employees to move around to various departments. "We are happy to have them learn a variety of tasks," he said. "A lot of our employees don't know what they are doing next week — they don't even know what building or shift they will be on. That is why our vice-president of production likes to bring them up in our culture. Their jobs are demanding, and they have to be flexible in the hours and jobs they are asked to do. They have to want to come to work. It is not an easy row to hoe, so we try to spoil them. We take good care of our employees and feel like it has paid back in spades."
The company provides superior benefits, including top-line health insurance, profit sharing and 401(k) administration. Also, the company tries to make the workplace enjoyable for its employees by offering picnics and other activities throughout the year.
Lawler Foods employs more than 400 people, and many of them often work around 50 hours a week. And because it takes care of its employees, the dessert manufacturer also can better serve its customers.
"I've gotten phone calls on Friday afternoon, saying they need two truckloads of products now," Mr. Lawler said. "And by Monday, they are on the road. Employees can be walking out on Friday thinking they have their weekend ahead, but we'll say, 'We need you to put two truckloads of product on the road in less than two days,' and they do it. Our employees will go that extra mile to make sure we can do the same for our customers. We let our employees know that we appreciate that.
"We spoil our employees, and we spoil our customers," he added. "And it's working because we're getting double-digit sales growth every year."
The original Building 1 is a labyrinth, and those unfamiliar with the operation could easily get lost in the many rooms where various processes take place. Although the 65,000-sq-ft plant may not feature the most efficient layout, the company uses this facility to make its most labor-intensive products: layer cakes.
"Layer cakes go through so many stages," Mr. Lawler said. "You mix, deposit, bake, cool and depan, and then all you have is a cake layer; you're not even halfway through yet. You've still got to make the filling and icing and to assemble, decorate, cut and store the cake."
While the company has three distinct packaging lines in its plants, it is much more difficult to pin down an exact number of processing lines because many pieces of equipment are rolled in and out depending on the dessert being produced. Building 1 features a wide range of processing equipment, including many different depositors, icing and filling equipment from Unifiller and Hinds-Bock, as well as a complete cake line.
Mixing room operators use 11 140-qt vertical mixers to create a variety of batters. Generally, longer-tenured employees are assigned to the mixing room because that part of the process requires more knowledge, Mr. Lawler said. "Any variability in our process is in this room," he added, watching employees batching ingredients and operating the mixers.
Seven deck ovens bake products made at this plant, including both round and sheet cakes. On the day Baking & Snack visited the company in mid-January, employees were making layered carrot cakes, and one worker was prepping whole carrots to be shredded for the cakes. They also were assembling carrot cakes, injecting the cake layers with a caramel filling before the layers were iced and stacked on top of one another.
In the cutting room, employees loaded White & Dark Chocolate Mousse Cakes that had been made the day before into six FoodTools cutting machines. After slicing, operators manually loaded the cakes into boxes, which were then date-coded. Next, the products went through a McLean X-ray system as well as Mettler-Toledo Safeline metal detectors before being stacked onto pallets.
The company designed operations in Building 2 to be much more streamlined. Raw ingredient receiving is on the north side, and finished products ship out the south end. A similar layout was used when the bakery expanded three years ago.
Building 2 sits on 21 acres, with a good-size pond on the front of the property. Two 100,000-lb-capacity sugar silos are located on the north side of the building. A service alley separates the older portion of the building from the expansion. This corridor runs the length of the facility and houses generators, chilling equipment and other support systems for both sections of the bakery.
This plant was initially built to make cheesecakes, cheesecakes and more cheesecakes. The mixing room features 20 140-qt vertical mixers, and a Comas cheesecake line deposits the batter into pans that are automatically loaded onto trays and manually slid onto racks.
The bakery makes many varieties and sizes of cheesecakes. It started with a standard 60-oz variety but has since added the 80-oz Elite and the 108-oz Colossal, which measures nearly 4 in. tall when baked. The plant bakes these cheesecakes in one of 13 Cutler rotary deck ovens.
The finished product is frozen in an spiral blast freezer before moving to cutting and packaging.
Its newest line is the company's most automated, employing four 300-l planetary mixers. Batter is pumped to the depositor, which makes sheets of cheesecake product. These are then baked in a 100-ft tunnel oven.
"Tunnel ovens used to be a dirty word for baking cheesecakes," Mr. Lawler said. But that's no longer true, he added.
A conveying systems links various processing steps. After exiting the oven, products feed into an spiral cooler, and after cooling, they cross a mezzanine level, where decorating equipment could be added if needed, before entering the spiral blast freezer. Products exit the blast freezer at waist level and flow into a food cutting machine. This machine portions and collates the cut cheesecake pieces to make variety packs that are sold at wholesale club stores.
This line also can be reconfigured to make other products. During Baking & Snack's visit, the facility made miniature cheesecake pieces that become inclusions in other desserts. A cutting machine diced thin sheets of cheesecake into mini cubes.
Soon after the company built this line, "out of dumb luck," as Mr. Lawler put it, more customers began asking for cheesecake products cut into cubes. "We don't build for what we need today, but we build what we need or hope to need five years from now," he said. "So we have a lot of capacity built into this line." Asked what the future holds as far as the next new line or product, Mr. Lawler answered, "I wish I knew. We would start building it now so we could have it ready to go."
But one thing is certain: Lawler Foods is ready to go when it's time to add the next new line. "Within the next five years, there will be a second production line in that building, for sure," he added.
Lawler Foods recently replaced every lighting fixture in its operations. "It is a sustainability issue, but it also saves us money," said Mike Lawler, the company's president.
When asked to identify the specific type of lighting installed, his response was, "Expensive lighting." Nonetheless, Mr. Lawler said that the payback for the new lights is expected to be less than one year.
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Corner Mat
The Cafelat corner tamping mat is our unique and innovative solution for those baristas who like to tamp with the portafilter on the edge of the table. This is an idea Paul had a few years ago, but it took our designer Karina to really transform what could have been an ordinary looking product into something that is cute and incredibly functional. The compact size is great for even the smallest barista workstations and the part that overhangs is small enough not to obscure doors or drawers that may be underneath.
When using the mat it is important to modify your technique to avoid any chance of injury, should the portafilter slip for any reason. When holding the portafilter up against the corner tamping mat, push the portafilter in towards the counter away from you. With the tamper in the other hand tamp downwards as you normally would do. This technique ensures the portafilter remains fixed.
Material : Silicon Rubber
Height incl. base :21cm (W) 14.5cm (D) Overhang 4cm
Colour options : Black
Product Weight :430g
Packaging :1 complete mat per box

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to the official online home of salmon from the Faroe Islands
This is a website of the Faroe Fish Farmers Association (FFFA), which represents the entire aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands. Here you can gain insight into the Faroese aquaculture industry as a whole and learn about farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands is a small, remote island group located in the middle of the North Atlantic with a population of less than 50,000 people. Despite its small size, the Faroese aquaculture industry stands out as a boutique producer specializing in top quality Atlantic Salmon. The industry is committed to maintaining the highest levels of fish welfare and sustainability; this is clearly reflected in the high quality of farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands is the perfect location for premium salmon production. Its remote location is complemented by pristine clear waters, cool steady sea temperatures, strong currents and accessible fjords that cut deep inland. Drawn to this perfect mix of conditions, wild Atlantic Salmon from all over northern Europe make their way north of the Faroe Islands to feed.
The Faroese people have lived off the ocean for centuries and have a deep respect for the ocean and the environment. The aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands is committed to sustainability and sound stewardship of the environment. The industry worked closely with the Faroese Government to design and implement one of the most stringent aquaculture regulatory regimes governing veterinarian best practices in the world. The goal of the comprehensive legislation was to create the most predictable and sustainable salmon production environment in the world. The legislation ensures strict compliance with the highest level of fish welfare and environmental protection possible. This exclusive veterinary prevention programme has been so effective that farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands are completely free of antibiotics.
The Faroese aquaculture industry has a long and proud history, with roots dating back to 1967. This heritage, combined with ideal natural conditions and a commitment to sustainability and quality, is now being recognized around the world, and salmon from these small islands in the middle of the North Atlantic are exported to six continents. The high demand for farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands, combined with the relative small size of the archipelago and the country's historic commitment to long-term sustainability, means that Faroese producers have a hard time satisfying demand. Farmed salmon is a vital part of the Faroese economy, representing half of the country's export and providing valuable jobs for rural communities.
The aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands is well consolidated, both horizontally and vertically. There are only 3 companies that produce and export farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands. The vertical integration allows producers to have full control over the quality of the salmon from roe to export.
To maintain fish welfare and freshness, it is imperative that the transport time from on-growing site to brood stock station is as short as possible. Due to the small size of the Faroe Islands, these transport times are extremely short, guaranteeing optimal freshness and quality. Although the Faroe Islands is located in the middle of the North Atlantic, fresh salmon from the Faroe Islands can reach the US market within just 72 hours of harvesting.


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NETGEAR AirCard 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot is ideal for mobile workers, travelers, students and families on the go to connect up to 10 WiFi devices to access Internet up to 100 Mbps
SAN JOSE, California — December 2, 2013 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) (www.netgear.com) announced today that it has launched its first unlocked version of a 4G LTE mobile hotspot device available in Europe. The NETGEAR AirCard® 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot (AC762S) ( www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/mobile-broadband/mobile-hotspots/762S.aspx ) enables anyone on the go to access a WiFi connection powered by 4G LTE/Dual-Carrier HSPA+ speeds. Whether using a laptop, tablet, smartphone, Kindle, game console or digital camera, you can experience the fastest network speeds available for a more seamless mobile experience.
The AirCard Mobile Hotspot is a high performance 4G LTE device that supports up to 10 simultaneous WiFi connections, providing ample support for commuters, mobile workers, students, travelers, a work team carrying multiple connected devices into the field, and families looking to expand their Internet capabilities at home or on the go. It can even serve as a replacement for your broadband connection in a secondary home. It also supports 2G and 3G networks to provide continuous connectivity in geographical areas where 4G LTE is not yet available.
Previously available only through telecommunications operators as part of a mobile broadband service subscription package, an unlocked version of the AirCard Mobile Hotspot is now available in France, Germany, Italy and the U.K., expanding to additional European countries in the future. An unlocked device frees you to choose a wireless provider of your choice and to change providers at your will, without any long-term service contract. You can simply buy the data plan that best fits your lifestyle or work needs, plug in your SIM card, and begin using the AirCard Mobile Hotspot.
"The expectation to be connected at all times is revolutionizing the way people live and how businesses operate," said David Henry, vice president of product management for NETGEAR Retail Business. "Whether you're at work or at play, our AirCard 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot makes it possible to enjoy the same seamless experience of fast downloads and smooth streaming regardless of your location."
In under a minute, your WiFi devices can connect on the go to the built-in 802.11b/g/n wireless access point. Supporting download speeds up to 100 Mbps* and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps*, the maximum speed of the AirCard Mobile Hotspot varies by operating environment and your operator's network capacity. The fast network speed enables a noticeably smoother experience with data-heavy applications such as HD video streaming, file transfer and networked gaming. It offers a shared microSD™ slot so you can add an SD memory card in order to centrally store and share files among your wireless devices.
Setup of the NETGEAR AirCard Mobile Hotspot is supremely easy, as there's no software to install and most settings are pre-configured for Europe's most common telecommunications networks. You can connect additional devices with the push of a button. The LCD screen displays real-time information for monitoring the connected WiFi devices, battery life, network name, data usage, and more. You can conveniently (and remotely) manage the Mobile Hotspot through the free AirCard App for iOS and Android™ smartphones and tablets, as well as for the Kindle™.
Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR AirCard 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot (AC762S) is available in Europe through major retail stores and online at an MSRP starting at 149,90 euros in Germany, France and Italy or 129,99 GBP in United Kingdom.
The NETGEAR AirCard App is available for download from Apple iTunes®, Google Play™, and Amazon Appstore.
More Information
Learn more about NETGEAR AirCard 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot at: www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/mobile-broadband/mobile-hotspots/762S.aspx
About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies top service providers with retail-proven, mobile broadband solutions for their customers on the go. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and Powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 45,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 39,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in over 25 countries. More information is available at www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.
©2013 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and AirCard are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holder(s). Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
*Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product's compatibility with any future standards.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
NETGEAR U.S. Media Contact:
Jennifer Kelly, Weber Shandwick for NETGEAR, (415) 262-5935, email@example.com
U.S. Sales Inquiries: (408) 907-8000, email@example.com
U.S. Customer Inquiries: (888) NETGEAR


text: So, insurance has said we have five days. That means on Friday he could be discharged. How frustrated am I? The safety of my family is of utmost importance. That includes David. The social worker told me that this is what happens in acute care cases. I'd like them to define acute care.


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The Shorter Links WordPress plugin overrides the default WordPress
"shortlink" URL with one that has a custom text in it. You can also set a
different base URL.
A custom field called "Shorter link" is created once a post is saved,
so that you can change the shortlink to a more memorable set of
The choice of base URL to use for the short link can be configured within
Settings->Shorter Links.
Related Links:
This plugin is licensed under the New BSD license.
2.1.0 – 8 August 2015
Rework to look for the shorter link after WordPress has done its processing. This
means that a shorterlink that represents a date won't affect an archive list.
2.0.6 – 8 August 2015
Ensure that the short_link is correct when using a post id.
2.0.5 – 8 August 2015
Updated Tested up to 4.3
2.0.3 – 9 July 2012
Bug fix so that archives work.
2.0.2 – 23 June 2012
Fall back to REQUEST_URI if there's nothing interesting in $query_vars.
2.0.1 – 20 June 2012
Updated to handle 4 digit short links that look like a year to WordPress.
2.0.0 – 21 November 2010
Updated to be WordPress 3.0 or above, so we only need to hook into the WordPress
shortlink system
1.8.2 – 21 November 2010
Fix permissions issue on settings page. This is the last version that works
on WordPress 2.9.x or earlier.
1.8.1 – 7 September 2010
Bug fix to remove a warning.
1.8 – 1 September 2010
use shortlink rather than shorturl for WordPress less than 3.
For WordPress 3 or higher, hook into the new shortlink system.
Fix the admin page so that it displays in WordPress 3.
1.7 – 11 Feburary 2010
Handle failures better.
1.6 – 10 January 2010
Update version number in correct places so that the WP plugins system notices the update.
1.5 – 29 December 2009
Support permalinks that start with /%category%/
1.4 – 14 April 2009
Support rel="shorturl" as per Robert Spychala's Short URL Auto-Discovery proposal.
1.3 – 14 April 2009
Add support for setting the base URL. Patch by Dave Marshall.
1.2 – 13 April 2009
Only send the Link
HTTP header as recommended by Shiflett.
1.1 – 13 April 2009
Fixed output of HTTP headers. Patch by Jeff Waugh.
1.0 – 11 April 2009
Initial release.
- Upload
shorter_links.php and config.php
directory - Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress
- If you want to set a different base URL, change it from
Settings->Shorter Links. - To set a custom shorter link, update a post so that the custom field is
created and then fill in a unique value in the field.
- Is there a bookmarklet to extract shorturl links?
Try this bookmarklet: Short URL
(Just drag to your bookmarks bar)
The source of the bookmarklet is:
There's also the "Short URL" Safari extension by Clink Ecker.
Contributors & Developers
"Shorter Links" is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
ContributorsTranslate "Shorter Links" into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.


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House Passes Gun Bill over Quinn, Emanuel Objections
SPRINGFIELD — Over objections of Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the House approved a concealed weapons bill today that is aimed at ending Illinois' status as the last state in the nation without a law to allow its citizens to carry guns in public.
But the gun bill backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan goes to a Senate where President John Cullerton has denounced the proposal because it would override local gun laws like Chicago's assault weapons ban.
Cullerton's stance tempered the House victory, but sponsoring Rep. Brandon Phelps contended it is critical to move forward because Illinois faces next Friday's deadline for the spring session's adjournment and a court order that gives the state June 9 to fashion a law. A federal appeals court struck down the state's ban on concealed carry.
"After years of debating this issue," said Phelps, the state legislature's leading gun rights advocate, "it is incredibly difficult if not darn near impossible to come to a middle ground on this issue. Every legislator on this floor has a different opinion when it comes to concealed-carry policy.
"Even among us gun-rights legislators and even among the gun-control legislators, our ideals of the perfect concealed-carry legislation is not identical," Phelps said. "There is not a bill that we could possibly draw up in which every single legislator on this floor would be perfectly happy with. We live in Illinois. We never thought this day would come."
The House passed the bill 85-30, with one lawmaker voting present.
"This bill is a massive overreach. It is dangerous," said Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, who lashed out at the often verbose NRA for taking no position on the legislation. "The idea somehow that the NRA is neutral on this is like saying that there's a fox neutral on an appropriation to defund hen house security."
The bill is designed to create a law that spells out who can carry concealed weapons in Illinois and where they can carry them, but the legislation's removal of home-rule powers also wiped out local firearms laws—giving more fuel to the opposition of Quinn, Cullerton and Emanuel.
Chicago Democratic Rep. Ann Williams said the bill would wipe off the books local assault weapon bans and taxes on gun purchases, Williams called for the defeat of the Phelps bill and for support of a stricter, New York-styled law to "reflect the realities" of differences between rural areas and urban areas like Chicago.
A longtime opponent of concealed weapons, Madigan rose on the House floor and carefully went over the appeals court ruling. He pointed out requirements of reporting mental health problems represented a "dramatic improvement" from current law. And he said the Emanuel administration got a prohibition of carrying guns at everything site where it wanted concealed weapons banned.
Madigan noted that anti-gun lawmakers got only 31 of 60 votes need for a strict, New York-styled bill called in the House in April. But he said gun rights lawmakers– whose legislation overrode home-rule and required 71 votes ended up with 64– even significantly after the speaker said he worked against the bill.
Madigan said gun rights advocates had estimated they had as many as 75 votes at the "high-water mark" before the speaker worked against that version of the bill.
"Those vote counts are very telling," Madigan said. "They tell the reason why I stand before you today, changing the position which I've advocated for well over 20 years. But that's what happens in a democracy."
Over time, he said, it is expected in a democracy that "there will be changes in thinking" by people in legislatures consistent with the thoughts of constituencies.
Quinn quickly issued a statement vowing to block passage in the Senate. "This legislation is wrong for Illinois," he said.
"The principle of home rule is an important one. As written, this legislation is a massive overreach that would repeal critical gun safety ordinances in Chicago, Cook County, and across Illinois. We need strong gun safety laws that protect the people of our state. Instead, this measure puts public safety at risk. I will not support this bill and I will work with members of the Illinois Senate to stop it in its tracks," the statement read.
After lawmakers had gone home for the day, Emanuel's office issued a statement opposing Madigan's plan, saying the mayor is "committed to working with the leaders" on legislation to combat gun crimes and keep illegal guns off the street.
Cullerton's attack on what he sees as a pro-gun tilt in the House bill escalated the drama between two chambers already at a standoff over how to fix a nearly $100 billion pension debt with only a week left in the spring session.
Unlike the Senate bill, the Phelps legislaton would be no opportunity for communities to add specific locations where guns would be banned based on local sensitivities.
The Senate version would have set up a two-tiered system with one permit to carry outside Chicago and the Chicago Police Department issuing carrying privileges within the city. The House bill creates one statewide permit as long as qualifications are met.
Overriding home-rule authority meant the bill would require a three-fifths majority of 71 House votes to pass.
Under the Senate bill, a person had to show proper reason to carry a gun. That restriction is not in the House bill.
The House version would put the Illinois State Police in charge of conducting background checks that include reviewing state and federal databases and doing additional interviews if necessary. Any law enforcement agency, including federal authorities, could object to an applicant getting a concealed carry permit.
But the measure also would let citizens who are denied applications appeal that decision to a new review board dominated by people with law enforcement experience, such as former judges or FBI agents. The Senate version had such appeals going to the same state police agency that denied them.
But Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highland Park, contended the penalties are weak, and he said law enforcement authorities should have a chance to appeal a review board decision just as citizens do.
"This bill is not ready," Drury said.
Both bills set out a long list of places people could not carry guns. Among them: CTA buses and trains, public parks, stadiums, zoos, casinos and government buildings.
The two bills differ, however, when it comes to alcohol. The House version would ban guns in bars where more than 50 percent of sales come from liquor. The Senate bill has a more restrictive standard.
To qualify for a concealed carry permit, a person must be 21 and cannot have been convicted for a crime in which they served at least one year in prison. A person cannot be addicted to drugs or alcohol, or adjudicated as a mentally disabled person.
Permits could not go to a person who has been convicted of a serious crime or been in a mental health facility within the last five years. A mental health professional would have to certify that a person is not a clear and present danger to himself or others.
The legislation would require 16 hours of training, including shooting exercises. The cost of a concealed weapons permit would be $150 for five years, with $120 going to the state police, $20 for a mental health reporting fund and $10 to the state crime lab fund to help undo backlogs.
Source: Chicagotribune.com


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Blackmoon Financial Group, a financial technology and investment management company that has been operating since August 2014 and exceeded $100M in deal volume, has announced the launch of the Blackmoon Crypto Platform, a blockchain-based platform for tokenized vehicles.
The Blackmoon Crypto Platform is a one-stop solution for asset managers to create and manage legally-compliant tokenized funds; everything from technology and infrastructure to legal framework and corporate structuring is taken care of. Any experienced and approved investment manager will be able to create a fund based on the Blackmoon Crypto Platform.
Blackmoon Crypto, the holding company, is responsible for IT, compliance, licensing, and bank partnerships. It also issues the main tokens of the Blackmoon Crypto Platform. The Platform and its tokens are based on the Ethereum blockchain. Tokenization of interest in funds provides auditability, transparency and liquidity to the investment process, which means investment funds won't be black boxes for investors, with reporting full of fine print.
Oleg Seydak, CEO of Blackmoon Financial Group explained:
"Setting up the proper investment structure is a costly endeavour. Not all tokenized funds set up a proper structure, which leads to greater regulatory risk for investors. Now is the time to introduce the industry standard for setting up tokenized investment vehicles that can attract investments from private individuals and institutional investors of any kind. That's what the Blackmoon Crypto platform does; it pays attention to regulatory risk and bridges the gap between the fiat and crypto worlds."
Blockchain has been a buzzword in the financial sector since 2009, with Bitcoin and Ethereum becoming relatively mainstream. Still, the majority of tokenized investment vehicles are either fully crypto-oriented or pegged to a tradable asset, like the U.S. dollar or gold. Access to fiat investment opportunities provides unprecedented diversification in terms of income sources while retaining all the benefits of the crypto universe, including decentralization, transparency, and exchangeability. On the flip side, traditional investors get higher net returns, thanks to the cost-efficient structure of tokenized funds.
"Tokenized funds are more cost-efficient thanks to lower infrastructure and setup costs," Sergey Vasin, Chief Investment Officer of Blackmoon added. "This economy is transmitted to investors in the form of higher net return. For the cherry on top, fund tokens are also immediately tradable."
Blackmoon Financial Group is a financial technology and investment management company that has been operational since August 2014. The company is led by Oleg Seydak (entrepreneur and financial technology investor) and Ilya Perekopsky (entrepreneur, IT angel investor and former VP and COO of VK, the largest social network in the Eastern Europe). The Blackmoon Lending Marketplace now operates in 9 countries and exceeded $100M in deals volume, while reaching $13M in monthly volumes. The company has 19 full time employees, with offices in Moscow, Limassol and New York and attracted $3.5 million in venture capital investments since 2015.
Blackmoon Crypto is a blockchain-based platform for tokenized investment funds. The Platform allows its users to create, promote, develop, and manage legally compliant investment funds while covering all the aspects from technology and infrastructure, to legal framework and corporate structuring. Blackmoon Crypto offers a vision for the new standard for tokenized investment vehicles that will bridge the gap between the fiat and crypto universes. Blackmoon Crypto is the part of the Blackmoon Financial Group, a financial technology company founded in 2014. The Blackmoon team has extensive experience in setting up and managing investment funds, developing automated investment interfaces and asset management tools while effectively working with regulatory authorities.
Disclaimer. This article is paid and provided by a third-party source and should not be viewed as an endorsement by CoinIdol. Readers should do their own research before investing funds in any company. CoinIdol shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services mentioned in this article
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British Airways has launched a flash sale on summer holiday deals - here's where you can fly to
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The lifting of the foreign travel ban has come just in time for the summer, giving millions across the UK hope for a sunny getaway.
Several airlines, including British Airways (BA), have relaunched their flights abroad, following the updated travel advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) - which now lists the countries and territories which no longer pose a high risk to British travellers.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIf you don't have a summer holiday lined up already, now could be the perfect time to book. BA has just launched a flash summer sale - with packages priced from £199 each.
Where can I fly to?
The flash sale has been extended to a range of European flights and holidays throughout August and September. Some deals just include return flights, with prices as low as £25 per person, while packages with flights and hotels, and fly-drive deals are also included in the sale.
All holiday packages include 23kg of checked baggage allowance per person, and are ATOL protected.
The deals are only available until Thursday 23 July and include breaks between 1 August and 30 September.
Here are some of the best deals on offer:
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMalaga
- Flights from £25 each way
- Malaga flights plus seven nights in a hotel from £199 per person
- Malaga flights plus seven day car hire from £99 per person
- Flights from £30 each way
- Corfu flights plus seven night in a hotel from £199 per person
- Corfu flights plus seven day car hire from £99 per person
- Flights from £30 each way
- Mallorca flights plus seven nights in a hotel from £199 per person
- Mallorca flights plus seven day car hire from £119 per person
- Flights from £30 each way
- Ibiza flights plus seven nights in a hotel from £259 per person
- Ibiza flights plus seven day car hire from £119 per person
August holiday packages are available from £299 per person, and include flights and seven nights accommodation in Malaga, Corfu, Mallorca and Palmero.
Alternatively, September holiday packages are slightly cheaper with prices starting from just £129 per person. Destinations include Nice, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Valencia and Athens.
As for flights-only deals, if you travel between 16 and 30 September, you could get deals for a mere £29. Offers up for grabs during this period include:
- Florence (Pisa) - £29
- Barcelona - £30
- Nice - £31
- Valencia - £33
- Marseille - £34
- Palermo - £35
- Rome - £36
- Athens - £43
- Split - £49
If you spend more than £1,000 per person on a package holiday, or car drive in Europe, you will also be given free access to the Galleries Club Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5.
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTo see the full list of deals and make a booking before the sale ends on 23 July, visit the British Airways website. Prices correct at time of publication.
What if I need to cancel my booking?
In the event you need to cancel your booking, British Airways is offering customers a voucher for the same value towards a future flight before 30 April 2021.
Additionally, if you need to change the date or destination of your holiday, you will be able to do without incurring a change fee. However, customers will be asked to pay any difference in price for the new flight before 30 April 2021.


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Fashion for the modern Muslim woman
How did you become a fashion designer? And how is it that you decided to specialise in the design of contemporary fashion for Muslim women?
Belkis Baharcieva: I've been interested in fashion since I was a child. But I only really began to turn my hobby into a profession in 2006 when I discovered that the Trier University of Applied Sciences offers a programme in fashion design. I have to admit that when I began my studies, I had no plans to design clothing for Muslim women. That idea came later.
When did you begin to design headscarves?
Baharcieva: After I decided to wear a headscarf myself. This is when I discovered that the fashion market had nothing to offer Muslim women who wore headscarves.
You simply can't find any quality fashion items in this market niche. The garments that you see in Turkish or Moroccan stores will certainly provide covering, but they are dreadfully inadequate in terms of quality, style and colour. Muslim women want clothing that is beautiful, modern and of good quality. No one wants to wear the stuff you see in stores!
This means that you only began wearing a headscarf recently. How did that come about and why did you decide to do so?
Baharcieva: It was a long road. I was born a Muslim, but I knew next to nothing about the religion for a long time – probably no more than I did about Chinese culture. After coming to Germany, I gradually became interested in Islam and began to learn more about it. I came to the conclusion that wearing a headscarf is an Islamic duty prescribed by God.
Did you encounter any difficulties after you made this decision?
Baharcieva: Yes, I had a bit of a struggle – both with society and with my own family. My parents grew up under communism in the Soviet Union, where religion was very much marginalised. Where I come from, women did not wear headscarves.
Why did you leave your homeland?
Baharcieva: I came to Germany in 2001 during the Second Chechen War. The barbarism of that war forced me to take this step. What can be worse than war? Nothing!
How has your work been received here in Germany? Is there a great demand for your designs?
Baharcieva: I've been self-employed since November 2012. I set up my fashion shop and developed the entire chain: from design to sales and distribution.
The demand for my designs has been higher than expected. The reason for this is that up until now, this fashion niche has been completely neglected. There are no other designers in Germany making fashion for Muslim women, and it is still quite rare in Europe as a whole.
In the beginning, I only got bad prognoses and negative feedback. But, over time, it became clear to me that this project is going to be a success. My diploma project was very well received and my collection has proved very popular. This idea to design fashion for women that conforms to Muslim precepts came from the heart; maybe that is why it has been successful.
Is it only for Muslims?
Baharcieva: That is a really interesting question. The thing is, non-Muslim women also like my designs. For instance, they find the pants very practical. I play with cuts and sometime this leads to beautiful pieces of clothing. Women say, "Wow, I like that. And I want to have it."
Where can one buy your designs?
Baharcieva: On the Internet, at my website, zabbary.eu. Up until now, I have only made ready-to-wear garments. In the future, however, I hope to be able to offer individual designs as well. This is not possible at present, because I work alone – except for the sewing. Because the quality of the work is very important to me, I have contracted a workshop in Cologne to do my sewing work.
Last March, I organised my first fashion show in Düsseldorf. It turned out beautifully. I would like to hold such events twice a year.
What motivates you?
Baharcieva: I would like to give Muslim women who live, work and study in Western cities, the opportunity to wear modern, beautiful and practical clothing that conforms to the precepts of Islam.
Interview conducted by Falah Elias
© Qantara.de 2014
Translated from the German by John Bergeron
Editor: Aingeal Flanagan/Qantara.de


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15-year-old graduates college ahead of high school
CLEVELAND, Ga. - Double congratulations are in order for one Georgia Teen.
Fifteen-year-old Christie Taylor graduated from the University of North Georgia Saturday, but she has not received her high school diploma... yet.
"I was homeschooled, then went to middle school, but after eighth grade, I scored high on MAP tests in every class and had one of highest percent averages so the school said I could go on to college," Taylor said. "Every class I take here counts as double at my high school, so while pursuing my degrees I am simultaneously filling the requirements for my diploma."
Taylor said she has never taken one class at her high school, in fact, she was only 13 when she enrolled at the University.
"I went from friends with their first boyfriends to friends with their first husband," Taylor said. "I remember when I told my mom I wanted to go to college she said 'no' but after a while she finally let me apply. It's been amazing. Definitely, unique-I was the only one who had parent pick up. If I wanted to meet friends at fast food restaurant, my mom would have to drive me."
Taylor said she plans on returning to get her Bachelor's degree. In the fall she will be working as teaching assistant and on the research team for the chemistry department.


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The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the jawbone to bones of the skull located in front of the ear. These joints allow us to move our jaw up and down and from side to side so we can chew, talk, laugh and yawn. Problems that affect the jaw joints, muscles and other surrounding tissues are called temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD or TMD). TMJ disorders are prevalent in approximately 5-12% of the population and are more common among women. While the cause of TMJD can be difficult to determine, the condition can result in pain and limited function in and around the jaw. Fortunately, many who suffer from this potentially debilitating condition have found relief through chiropractic care.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of TMJ Disorders
The most common symptoms of TMJD include pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, as well as pain and tightness in the neck and shoulders. The pain can impact only one or both jaw joints. There may also be an aching pain in and around the ear, pain while chewing, and difficulty chewing. A person's jaw may lock, which makes opening and closing the mouth difficult. Another common symptom of TMJD is a clicking sound or grating sensation when opening the mouth or chewing.
Factors contributing to the risk of developing TMJD include genetics, a jaw injury, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, long-term grinding or clenching of the teeth and a disease of the connective tissues around the jaw joint.
Treatment for TMJ Disorders
Chiropractic care is helpful for alleviating some of the pain and additional symptoms associated with TMJD. Upon your first visit, a chiropractor will evaluate your symptoms and examine your jaw and neck. X-rays may be ordered to further investigate contributing factors.
Many chiropractors who treat TMJD focus on the cervical (neck) spine and the contribution of cervical dysfunction to TMJD. Chiropractic treatment for TMJD may involve adjustments to the neck or muscle work (generally targeting the pterygoid, a chewing muscle). Other treatment methods may include soft tissue massage, special exercises and intraoral myofascial release. In addition, we may suggest lifestyle changes to help improve your condition.
Why Seek Chiropractic Treatment for TMJD?
Chiropractors can help diagnose TMJD and recommend treatments based upon your unique condition—and if needed, we can refer you out to another health care practitioner. If you are experiencing symptoms of a TMJ disorder, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Not only can we diagnose TMJD and treat many of your symptoms, we can also help manage your treatment and recovery journey in a holistic, noninvasive way.


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Owing to my imminent departure for Seattle, I can only offer this brief note in lieu of a proper blogging post. Thank you very much to 21st Avenue Bicycles for hosting my pre-BRA ride in Portland yesterday evening, and to Powell's for hosting the BRA itself. Thank you also to Portland for cutting a beautiful, sunny day short and finally raining on me.
If you're in Seattle, I hope to see you later today at the following places and times:


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Social networks could also tap into this booming market. Networks like Facebook, MySpace, Google+, etc could create an app for quick access to online Gambling. Their software will place them in the prime spot build users for online Gambling. These social network already is linked with many business regarding access. Facebook IPO will truly blow up if this is actually the case.
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Now that Arnold Schwarzenegger's out of the office, he's just like every other guy ... he's got boobs on his mind -- "Total Recall" boobs to be precise.
Arnold was cruising his Brentwood 'hood -- one week after shaking that guv thing -- when our camera guy nominated Arnold for a new role ... in the upcoming 'TR' remake.
Arnold sounds like he'd be up for it ... but suggested an upgrade for the famous tri-boob chick.
Finally, an idea the people can get behind.


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The offseason is officially upon the Ravens.
As they prepare for the 2013 season over the next few months, here's a look at some of the key dates to keep in mind:
*(Note: Some of the dates for team activities like minicamp and training camp have yet to be announced). *
Feb. 18: Teams Can Begin Applying Franchise TagTeams can begin applying the franchise tag next week. Most teams don't use the one-year tender right away, and instead try to work out long-term deals with key players before applying the tag.
Feb. 20-26: National Scouting Combine – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
The combine in Indianapolis is a chance for executives across the NFL to get a look at the incoming crop of talent. College football's top prospects will be tested, questioned and examined in a pivotal week for each team's scouting department.
March 1: College Pro Days Begin
Outside of the national scouting combine, college pro days give NFL scouts a chance to get a closer look at incoming prospects. The college pro days begin March 1 and last throughout the month. NFL.com has a full listing of all the currently scheduled pro days.
March 4: Deadline To Apply Franchise TenderIf the Ravens haven't worked out a long-term deal with quarterback Joe Flacco by this point, they will have to apply the one-year franchise tender to the Super Bowl MVP.
March 9-11: Teams Allowed To Begin Free Agent Contract NegotiationsThis is a new addition to the league calendar, as it will allow teams and unrestricted free agents to begin contract talks before the official start of the league season. The three-day window was added this season in an effort to prevent tampering between teams and agents before the official start of the league year.
March 12 (Prior to 4 p.m.): Teams Must Get Under Salary Cap, Exercise Restricted Free Agent OptionsBy the time the new season opens, NFL clubs need to exercise the options on all of their restricted free agents. The list of restricted free agents for the Ravens includes tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, who could garner a high tender offer. As part of the new league season, all 32 teams must also be under the $121 million salary cap. * *
March 12 (After 4 p.m.): Free Agency OpensUnrestricted free agents are able to sign with new teams starting immediately at 4 p.m. With the three days in advance to negotiate player contracts, there could likely be a flurry of players who sign with new teams as soon as the league year opens.
March 17-20: Annual League Meetings – Phoenix, ArizonaOwners and league officials will meet to discuss a variety of NFL issues, including possible rules changes.
March 23-24: Regional Combine – Under Armour Performance Center, Owings MillsThis event is for college graduates and former NFL players in the area who were not invited to the national scouting combine.
April 25-26: NFL Draft – New York CityThe first round of the NFL Draft will take place Thursday night, followed by the second and third rounds Friday, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday. The Ravens have the 32nd overall pick in the draft.
Aug. 4: Preseason BeginsThe preseason will begin with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The two teams have yet to be announced.
Sept 5: Regular Season BeginsThe Ravens will open the 2013 season on a Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium, as the defending Super Bowl champion always opens the NFL season at home on a Thursday. The Ravens opponent for this game has yet to be announced, as the regular season schedule still has to be finalized.


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Old Folks Laugh
Poem by Maya AngelouThey have spent their
content of simpering,
holding their lips this
and that way, winding
the lines between
their brows. Old folks
allow their bellies to jiggle like slow
The hollers
rise up and spill
over any way they want.
When old folks laugh, they free the world.
They turn slowly, slyly knowing
the best and the worst
of remembering.
Saliva glistens in
the corners of their mouths,
their heads wobble
on brittle necks, but
their laps
are filled with memories.
When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening
to them.


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The Authority and Nature of the Gift of Prophecy
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
Last week I tried to show that 1 Corinthians 13:8–12 teaches that the gift of prophecy will pass away when Jesus comes back—the way a dim mirror image will give way to the living face. And I argued that therefore the gift of prophecy is still valid in the church today. I promised that today we would take up the questions: What is the gift of prophecy, and how is it to be exercised?
The Finality and Sufficiency of Scripture
Let me begin by affirming the finality and sufficiency of Scripture, the 66 books of the Bible. Nothing I say about today's prophecies means that they have authority over our lives like Scripture does. Whatever prophecies are given today do not add to Scripture. They are tested by Scripture. Scripture is closed and final; it is a foundation, not a building in process.
The best way to see this is to see how the teaching of the apostles was the final authority in the early church and how other prophecies did not have this final authority. For example, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:37–38, "If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized." The implication is plain: the teaching of the apostle has final authority. The claims to prophecy in the church, then and now, do not have this authority.
You can see the same thing in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3. Paul says here that even if someone claims to give you information about the second coming by a "spirit," don't believe them if it differs from my teaching: "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first . . . " In other words, prophecies must be tested by the word of the apostle.
Now the point is this: Today the New Testament stands where the apostles stood. Their authority is exercised today through their writings and the writings of their close associates like Luke and Mark and James (the Lord's brother). So, in the same way Paul made apostolic teaching the final authority in those days, so we make the apostolic teaching the final authority in our day. That means the New Testament is our authority. And since the New Testament endorses the Old Testament as God's inspired word, we take the whole Bible as our rule and measuring rod of all teachings and all prophecies about what we should believe and how we should live.
What Happened on Pentecost
Now let's turn to Acts 2:16ff. to see what we can learn about the New Testament gift of prophecy. The situation: it is the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. There are 120 Christian men and women waiting in Jerusalem to be "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). According to Acts 2:2 the Holy Spirit comes with the sound of a rushing wind. In verse 4 Luke says, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues." Verse 11 is more specific about what they were saying. Some of the foreigners who heard them say, "We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." Note the content of their words very carefully. That will be important for understanding the nature of the gift of prophecy.
The Fulfillment of Joel's Prophecy
In verse 16 Peter explains what is happening. He says that this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. This is the beginning of the fulfillment Joel 2:28. Then he quotes Joel in verses 17–18, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."
Joel had said that in the last days there would be a great worldwide ("all flesh") outpouring of the Spirit, and the mark of that outpouring would be widespread prophesying: men and women, old and young, low class and upper class. Joel says it will happen in the "last days." When is that? Peter says it was happening right then. "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel." But if the last days were beginning then, where does that put us?
The Last Days
It puts us in the last days. Since Jesus came, we are living in the last days. Hebrews 1:2 says, "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son . . . " Since the Son came, we live in "these last days."
So this confirms what we saw last week about prophecy being something we should expect today. Men and women, young and old, upper and lower class will prophesy in the last days (our days), and this will be a worldwide phenomenon because, as verse 17 says, God will pour out his Spirit on ALL FLESH—not just Jews. Peter's sermon ends in Acts 2:39, "The promise (of the Spirit in verse 38) is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." That includes us Gentiles who are called by God. Not all who repent and believe will prophesy (1 Corinthians 12:29). But all who repent and believe will receive the Holy Spirit (v. 38). And one manifestation of the Spirit in the last days will be an amazingly widespread gift of prophecy (vv. 17–18): "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."
Spirit-Prompted yet No Intrinsic, Divine Authority
Now ask yourself this question: Did Joel and Peter and Luke think that all the men and women—old and young, menservants and maidservants—would become prophets in the same sense that Moses and Isaiah and Jeremiah were prophets, that is, people who spoke with verbal inspiration and with the very authority of God and who could write infallible Scripture? Is the prophesying of Acts 2:17 that sort of prophecy? Or is there a difference?
I believe there is a difference. I don't think the gift of prophecy today has the authority of the Old Testament prophets or the authority of Jesus and the apostles. Or, to put it more positively, this sort of prophecy is prompted and sustained by the Spirit and yet does not carry intrinsic, divine authority.
One of the reasons that this kind of prophecy is so hard to get a handle on today is that most of us do not have categories in our thinking for a Spirit-prompted statement that doesn't have intrinsic, divine authority. That sounds like a contradiction. We stumble over a kind of speech that is prompted and sustained by the Holy Spirit and yet is fallible. But I am going to try to show this morning and this evening that this is what the gift of prophecy is in the New Testament and today. It is a Spirit-prompted, Spirit-sustained utterance that does not carry intrinsic, divine authority and may be mixed with error.
Now if that makes the gift of prophecy seem insignificant and unedifying, consider the analogy of the gift of teaching.
The Analogy of the Gift of Teaching
Would you not say that, when the spiritual gift of teaching is being exercised, teaching is prompted and sustained by the Spirit and is rooted in an infallible, divine revelation, namely, the Bible? The gift of teaching is the Spirit-prompted, Spirit-sustained act of explaining biblical truth for the edification of the church. And all of us would say it is tremendously valuable in the life of the church. But would any of us say that the speech of a teacher, when he is exercising the gift of teaching, is infallible? No. Would we say it has divine authority? Only in a very secondary sense would we say so. Not in itself, not intrinsically, but in its source, Bible.
Why is it that a gift that is Spirit-prompted and Spirit-sustained and rooted in an infallible revelation (the Bible) is nevertheless fallible, mixed with imperfection, and only has secondary, derivative authority? The answer is this: A teacher's perception of biblical truth is fallible; his analysis of biblical truth is fallible; his explanation of biblical truth is fallible. There is no guarantee that the link between an infallible Bible and the church will be an infallible link. The gift of teaching does not guarantee infallible teaching.
And yet, even though the gift of teaching is fallible and even though it lacks intrinsic, divine authority, we know it is of immense value to the church. We are all edified and built up by gifted teachers. God is in it. He does use it. It is a spiritual gift.
Now compare this to the gift of prophecy. It is prompted by the Spirit and sustained by the Spirit and based on a revelation from God. God reveals something to the mind of the prophet (in some way beyond ordinary sense perception), and since God never makes a mistake, we know that his revelation is true. It has no error in it. But the gift of prophecy does not guarantee the infallible transmission of that revelation. The prophet may perceive the revelation imperfectly, he may understand it imperfectly, and he may deliver it imperfectly. That's why Paul says we see in a mirror dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12). The gift of prophecy results in fallible prophecy just like the gift of teaching results in fallible teaching. So I would ask, "If teaching can be good for the edification of the church, could not prophecy be good for edifying as well, just as Paul says it is (1 Corinthians 14:3, 12, 26)—even though both of them are fallible, mixed with human imperfection, and in need of testing?
Creating a New Category in Our Thinking
The point of what I have been saying is this: we need to create a category in our thinking for a kind of speech that is Spirit-prompted, Spirit-sustained, revelation-rooted, and yet in need of testing and sifting. We need another category of prophet besides the one of true prophet, on the one hand, who spoke with infallible, verbal inspiration (the prophetic biblical authors and Jesus and the apostles), and false prophet, on the other hand, who is condemned in Deuteronomy 13:3; 18:20 (cf. Jeremiah 23:16). The teaching that we find in the Bible about prophecy is simply not exhausted by these two categories. We need a third category for the "spiritual gift of prophecy"—Spirit-prompted, Spirit-sustained, revelation-rooted, but mixed with human imperfection and fallibility and therefore in need of sifting.
I say sifting because in 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 that is what happens. It is not the prophet who is being tested as true or false. It is the prophecies that are being sifted for what is good and bad. "Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil." This is not an either/or situation where you either have a true, infallible prophet or a false, presumptuous prophet. It is a situation in which some of the prophecy is good and some is not.
Paul says that if we despise it because of this imperfection, we quench the Spirit. I hope you want to avoid that with all your heart. How shall we do that? There is so much more to say. I will pick it up here tonight, give additional reasons, and practical implications. May the Lord himself teach us even this afternoon.


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General Discussion / prevailing winds
« on: June 05, 2004, 05:45:40 pm »I am planning on riding the east coast of the U.S. during mid August through mid September. I would prefer to begin in Maine and end in Florida, but I have heard that due to prevailing winds this time of year, that I should instead go from Florida to Maine. Any comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks!


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Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, faces charges of soliciting a prostitute after he was twice videotaped in a sex act at a shopping-center massage parlor in Florida, police said Friday.
The 77-year-old Kraft denied any wrongdoing. The case comes amid a crackdown on sex trafficking from Palm Beach to Orlando in which police planted cameras in massage parlors.
Kraft was not immediately arrested. Jupiter police said a warrant will be issued and his attorneys will be notified. They said details about the misdemeanor charges against the owner of the Super Bowl champion team will not be released until next week.
Hundreds of arrest warrants have been issued in recent days as a result of the six-month investigation, and more are expected. Ten spas have been closed, and several people have been taken into custody on sex trafficking charges.
Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr said he was shocked to learn that Kraft, who is worth $6 billion, was paying for sex inside a shopping-center massage parlor, the Orchids of Asia Day Spa. "We are as equally stunned as everyone else," Kerr said.
Most people charged for the first time with soliciting a prostitute in Florida are allowed to enter a diversion program, said attorney David Weinstein, a former prosecutor. Kraft would probably have to perform 100 hours of community service and attend a course on the harmful effects of prostitution and sex trafficking, he said.
The arrest could also get Kraft in trouble with the NFL, which in a statement said only that it is "aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments."
Under league policy, players, owners, coaches and other employees can be punished for "conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in" the NFL.
"Ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline," the policy says.
The Patriots won the Super Bowl this month over the Los Angeles Rams for their sixth NFL championship in the past 18 seasons, making them the most successful team in pro sports during that span. Before the Super Bowl, several retired NFL players appeared in a public service announcement decrying sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Atlanta, the host city.
Kraft lives in Massachusetts and has a home in the Palm Beach area. Though he is a Democrat, he is friendly with President Donald Trump and a frequent guest at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. Kraft's wife, Myra Hiatt Kraft, died in 2011. He has been dating 39-year-old actress Ricki Noel Lander since 2012.
"Well it's very sad. I was very surprised to see it. He's proclaimed his innocence, totally," Trump said at the White House on Friday.
In a statement, Kraft's representatives said they "categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity."
The spa Kraft allegedly visited is in a busy, upper-middle-class shopping center with neighbors that include a dentist, a real estate office, surf and bike shops and a Publix supermarket.
After hearing about the arrest, Brian Rubino, a Patriot fan who lives nearby, went by the spa wearing a team jersey. He said Kraft made a mistake, but he could see how it might happen.
"A 77-year-old man, lost his wife, who knows? I see how you can end up in a place like this," Rubino said.
Vero Beach police Chief David Currey, whose agency has been involved in the sex-trafficking investigation, told reporters earlier this week that the prostitutes are victims who have been trapped into the trade.
"These girls are there all day long, into the evening. They can't leave and they are performing sex acts," Currey said, according to TCPalm. "Some of them may tell us they're OK, but they're not."
The owner of Orchids of Asia Day Spa, 58-year-old Hua Zhang, was arrested Tuesday on 29 prostitution and related charges. Police in her arrest report said they watched video of her employees performing various sex acts with two dozen customers. Her attorney, Gennaro Cariglio Jr., had no comment.
Kraft, who made his initial fortune through a packaging company, bought the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million to keep the team from moving to St. Louis. He hired Bill Belichick as coach in 2000, and the team later drafted quarterback Tom Brady, launching its nearly two decades of success.
In 2007, the Patriots got in trouble for filming other teams' signals. The NFL fined the team $250,000 and Belichick $500,000. In 2014, Brady was accused of deflating game footballs to gain a better grip. He served a four-game suspension, and the Patriots were fined $1 million.
Kraft was not implicated in either scandal.


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Stubby arrived in style, riding in his green pug buggy. Stubby's mom says he hates the buggy, but I think it's pretty cool. A lot of other dogs gave the buggy high marks too -- with their pee.
Of course the Nuggets didn't last very long, but everyone got to enjoy them. My human even dissected one so Bellatrix could taste the inner Nugget, without ruining her diet. I licked it clean, just to be sure. Stubby got to lick the bowl clean when it was all over. And Dutch licked it clean again, just to be sure.


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Conversations, Re-evaluations and Recombinations: A David Whyte Workshop on Difficult Harvests
January 25, 2015
I attended my first David Whyte workshop last month, held at the First Covenant Church in Seattle. The theme was The Harvest of Winter, exploring the challenges posed by difficult harvests and the opportunities they provide for asking beautiful questions: disturbing, provocative questions whose answers can unlock deep, hidden insights. These questions become increasingly important during increasingly difficult times, when many of our traditional sources of power and security are undergoing transition.
Throughout the workshop, Whyte recited - mostly from memory - poems written by him and other poets, told stories about the contexts in which the poems originated, and highlighted the beautiful questions articulated through the poems, implicitly or explicitly. The content seemed loosely organized around a three-step process one might follow when attempting to harvest from a difficult source of nourishment and sustenance, which I will briefly enumerate here and then elaborate further below.
- Turn to a different source; i.e., stop having the conversation you're having now, to create an "invitational absence" in which a new conversation can emerge.
- Re-evaluate the stories you've been telling about yourself, and discard the stories that are not - or are no longer - true.
- In the search for a new source, try combining different parts of your self that have never been in conversation before.
Whyte frames much of our awareness of ourselves and others - and our relationships and interactions with each other and the rest of the world - in terms of conversations, a concept he has articulated in many ways in many media, including the following excerpt from a SoundsTrue interview with Tami Simon on "Being at the Frontier of Your Identity":
The old Latin root of that word is Conversatia and it really means a kind of "living with" or "in companionship with," so you're having a Conversatia with your spouse or your partner at home every day. There's a "living with" whether it's spoken out loud or not. There is an equal kind of conversation with silence, and with a particular way that you as an individual ask the question of life. You've got to find that contact point as an individual. Ask the question, "Where am I interested? Where, in a very short time, do I become passionate once I've opened up that initial interest? What do I have energy for? And will I have faith enough to actually spend enough time that I can open up that door into what to begin with is a new territory but eventually becomes my new home?"
One of the interesting stories he shared in illustrating this conversation about passions was his experience in applying for a job as a naturalist guide aboard a schooner in the Galapagos Islands (a story I first encountered in his book, The Heart Aroused). Among the 500 applicants, 90 were invited for an on-site interview for the position, and what set him apart - and made him an ideal candidate for his ideal job - was not so much his degree in marine biology, but all the extracurricular interests he had pursued during his studies: scuba diving, rock climbing and vagabonding around Europe (and thereby picking up some foreign languages). The experience led him to adopt an abiding faith in his intrinsic interests and passions ... and subsequently to encourage others to similarly have faith in what draws them.
I've long been intrigued by the stories we make up about ourselves. Whyte characterized such stories as hermetic enclosures - bubbles that we create so we don't have to engage in wider conversations. One of the stories he once made up about himself was a need for quiet and solitude in order for him to write. Letting go of that story opened up new frontiers - internally and externally - for his subsequent writing.
The identification and letting go of untrue stories reminds me of The Work of Katie Byron, and the power of articulating and transforming - possibly through recombination - personal narratives articulated by John Hagel. An interesting observation about this topic shared by Whyte was that the nice thing about letting go of a story that you suspect is not true is that if it later turns out to be true, you can rest assured that it will come back to you.
White also made a non-specific reference to some story involving his mother that he learned was not true after her death. He did not share any details about this story, but I wonder if it was a story he wrote about in Crossing the Unknown Sea in which his mother told him about a dream in which she interceded to save him during a near death experience during his time in the Galapagos, which included details of the experience that he had never told her about. Regardless of the truth of that particular story, the revelation it evoked for him seems like a timeless truth:
But irrespective of the far-fetched psychic reality of it all, something else had happened inside me. I stopped trying to do it all myself. I was like everything else in this life. I didn't need to have absolute total control over my destiny. I couldn't have it anyway. ... I was given a sense of the intimate way everything is a brother and sister to everything else. Everything we see as private is somehow already out in the world. The singularity of existence is only half the story; all our singularities are in the conscious and unconscious conversation with everything else.
Whyte often uses the word marriage to describe the intimate relationships we have with our selves, other people and even our work, a theme most extensively elaborated in his book, The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship. During the workshop, he observed that there is no worthwhile path that does not risk leaving us heartbroken, and that even the longest, most successful marriages include periods of heartbreak. This notion of periodic heartbreak is a theme he writes about in one of his periodic "Letters from the House", this one on The Poetic Narratives of Our Time:
If we are sincere, every good marriage or relationship will break our hearts in order to enlarge our understanding of our self and that strange other with whom we have promised ourselves to the future. Being a good parent will necessarily break our hearts as we watch a child grow and eventually choose their own way, even through many of the same heartbreaks we have traversed. Following a vocation or an art form through decades of practice and understanding will break the idealistic heart that began the journey and replace it, if we sidestep the temptations of bitterness and self-pity, with something more malleable, compassionate and generous than the metaphysical organ with which we began the journey. We learn, grow and become compassionate and generous as much through exile as homecoming; as much through loss as gain, as much through giving things away as in receiving what we believe to be our due.
I recently encountered a related illustration and excerpt in the BrainPicker review of The ABZ of Love, which nicely captures the periodic heartbreaks involved in loving relationships ... and although that book focuses on human relationships, I believe these highs and lows - or, perhaps, dark nights of the soul - also characterize our relationships with our work.
…after swinging around a certain point for a time, very small swings to and from in either direction, a sudden drop with the resultant feeling of hopelessness [and then] once more pendulation around one point for a time, then a drop, then that hopeless feeling, improvement again, etc., etc., without ever reaching the absolute ideal. Disappointments and depressions are necessary features of any process of learning, every development.
One of the themes that pervades much of Whyte's poetry and prose is the courage to explore the edges of our identities (hence the title of the SoundsTrue interview). During the workshop, he encouraged us to look to our edges as we explore new conversations - or new stories we might make up about our selves - so that "the edge may become the center". One of his poems that he recited, Coleman's Bed, speaks to this process:
Above all, be alone with it all,
a hiving off, a corner of silence
amidst the noise, refuse to talk,
even to yourself, and stay in this place
until the current of the story
is strong enough to float you out.
The story I have been making up about myself for some time now is that I am currently "between stories", a period in which I don't seem to have - or be aware of - a particularly powerful or passionate personal narrative. Considered in the context of the poem, this prompts a beautiful question about why no new story has yet gained sufficient strength to "float me out". While I find myself talking less - online and offline - I may not have been cultivating sufficient silence to allow a new story to emerge ... and upon reflection, that seems an appropriate note upon which to end this post.


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IATA & ICS join hands to arrange crew change flights for seafarers; urge govts to help
April 16, 2020: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have jointly urged governments to take urgent measures to facilitate crew change flights for seafarers.
April 16, 2020: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have jointly urged governments to take urgent measures to facilitate crew change flights for seafarers.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, seafarers are having to extend their service onboard ships after many months at sea, unable to be replaced following long tours of duty or return home.
"Shipping is vital to the maintenance of global supply chains, but the current situation is unsustainable for the safety and wellbeing of ships' crews and the safe operation of maritime trade. Each month about 100,000 merchant seafarers need to be changed over from the ships on which they operate to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations protecting safety, health and welfare, " said the release.
#DYK aviation doesn't only support global trade through #aircargo. It also provides vital transport for shipping crews.
— IATA (@IATA) April 15, 2020
With 90% of aircraft grounded seafarers can't be replaced or return home. Gov action is needed to fix this @shippingics #HeroesAtSea https://t.co/SCTpw7hGoA pic.twitter.com/Qei4yMkRQ5
As a result of government-imposed travel restrictions due to Covid-19, flights to repatriate or position marine personnel are unavailable. Immigration and health screening protocols are also hampering the ability of merchant ships to conduct vitally necessary crew changes. IATA and ICS are working together for solutions that governments can implement to facilitate crew changes at certain airports.
"Seafarers are unsung heroes who every day throughout this COVID-19 crisis are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that countries are kept supplied with the goods they need. We are working with the airlines to come forward with solutions. We now need governments to support our seafarers and facilitate safe passage for them to get home to loved ones and be replaced by crew members ready to keep supply chains open," said Guy Platten, secretary-general, ICS.
"Airlines have been required to cut passenger services in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19. But if Governments identify airports that seafarers can use for crew changes and make appropriate adjustments to current health and immigration protocols, airlines can help keep global logistics moving," said Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO, IATA.
Designated Airports
ICS and IATA are calling on all governments to designate a specific and limited number of crew change airports for the safe movement and repatriation of the crew. This would achieve critical mass for the resumption of crew change flights to these airports, keeping global supply chains open.
Priority airports should include those close to major shipping lanes which also have direct air connections to principal seafarer countries of residence, such as China, India and the Philippines as well as destinations in western and eastern Europe.
Facilitating Movement of International Transport Personnel
Aviation and shipping companies face common challenges in carrying out crew changes while complying with immigration and quarantine restrictions introduced by most governments around the world.
As authorities continue to battle COVID-19, international transport personnel operating aircraft and ships, or transiting international borders for duty, are often affected by national restrictions designed for passengers and non-essential personnel. When applied to the crew not interacting with local communities, these restrictions unnecessarily jeopardize the ability of airlines and shipping companies to keep global supply chains operating.
IATA and ICS are working with their global regulators – the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – on recommendations to governments for standardized procedures and protocols for positioning crews whilst preventing the further spread of COVID-19.
Keeping Global Supply Chains Operating
The aviation and maritime transport industries are the lifeblood of the global economy, moving the world's goods and products which are necessary to allow society to continue to function efficiently throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
By volume, some 90% of global trade is delivered by ship, including food, energy, raw materials and manufactured products.
Airlines carry, in addition to passengers, some 35% of global trade by value, including critical medicines and medical supplies.
G20 governments, at their recent emergency meetings, committed to "minimize disruptions to trade and global supply chains" and identified the need to prioritize keeping air and sea logistics networks open and functioning efficiently.
Shipping companies and airlines are cooperating to meet this priority by ensuring that reliable operations continue throughout the pandemic. However, these networks will grind to a halt if replacement crews are unavailable for duty. Governments must take urgent action now to avoid further damage to the battered global economy.