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Amaryllis bulbs pack a lot of flower power into your holiday decorating. Place a few of these potted beauties in reds, pinks and whites around the house and you instantly have a festive décor.
Once those blooms fade away, keep and plant the bulbs in your garden for years of continued enjoyment. When spring arrives and warm weather stabilizes in May, plant the bulb in your garden, placing it about 6 inches deep; mulch generously. The bulb will grow and probably not bloom the first year, but it will flower the following spring.
If you haven't started amaryllis bulbs, don't worry because garden centers, grocery stores and home-improvement centers now have the flowers in various stages of bloom.
The bulbs also make great holiday gifts because the flowers are just as enjoyable after the holidays as they are during the season.
Plant a Santaryllis?
What do you get when you plant an amaryllis bulb in a Santa-themed pot? A Santaryllis, of course, according to the bulb educational website Dig.Drop.Done – http://www.digdropdone.com
"A potted amaryllis makes a wonderful gift for friends, family and hostesses during the holidays," says spokeswoman Mary Leigh Howell.
"And although any old pot will do, a decorated container gives the recipient something to enjoy while waiting for the amaryllis to produce its striking blooms."
Amaryllis bulb
Terra cotta pot and saucer, 7 inches wide, 6 inches tall
Red paint
White faux fur (2-by-24 inches)
Black ribbon (1-by-22 inches)
Black buckle
Potting soil
To make the Santa pot:
Paint pot and saucer red. Let dry. Dot glue onto center of ribbon and adhere ribbon to middle of pot. With scissors, cut small slits every 3 inches along the bottom of ribbon to help keep it flat. Continue to glue ribbon around circumference of pot. Adhere buckle to ribbon with glue. Glue fur along top rim of pot.
To plant the amaryllis bulb:
Fill pot two-thirds full with potting soil. Place bulb on top and add a little more soil – two-thirds of bulb should be exposed. Add 1 cup water to soil. Place pot in sunny area, indoors. Add 1/2-1 cup water every few days to keep soil moist — not soaking wet. Watch it grow! It takes approximately six weeks to bloom.
Paperwhites are pretty, too
For no-fuss forcing, encourage paperwhites to bloom in a bowl of water.
Fill a shallow bowl or pot with two-thirds gravel, stones or fun items such as colored beads or marbles you find in craft or consignment shops.
Arrange as many bulbs as you can on the gravel's surface, pointed side up on each bulb. Fill in gravel around them, leaving the top halves exposed.
Add water up to the base of the bulbs and maintain water at this level.
Place container in a cool place.
Within days, strong roots appear. As they grow, they sometimes push the bulbs forward. When green shoots appear, move the container to a cool, sunny spot. The shoots will develop rapidly, giving you masses of sweetly scented white flowers in three or more weeks.
Contact Kathy at email@example.com
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All Department of Physics - Health & Safety courses
Showing courses 1-25 of 40
Courses per page: 10 | 25 | 50 | 100
This talk will go through the basics of how to use gardening as a tool for better health and wellbeing - the facts, fiction and the flowers!
This are a wide range of University of Cambridge benefits from wellbeing to help with child care, rental deposits, bicycle and car hire schemes to shopping and insurance discounts. There is something for everyone. This talk will also provide details of the 'Financial Wellbeing' initiative which the University will launch in the Lent term.
The Cavendish Safety Forum is part of the Department of Physics safety consultation arrangements. It is a one-hour seminar designed to disseminate new H&S information to Cavendish users and provide an opporunity for feedback and suggestions from members of the Department.
All Principal Investigators are expected to be represented at the event, either by attending themselves or sending a representative who will report items to them. One person may represent more than one PI.
Join Cambridge's Science Comedy Troupe, The Variables, for an hour of stand-up. Come and see the funny side of life in and out of the lab, how the universe seems to have it in for physicists, and everything!
A session suitable for beginners. Elisa will guide participants through core and mobility exercises. This session is perfect for those who work at a desk.
This briefing provides a summary of the precautions and safe working protocol related to working at the Department during the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020. Anyone with easy access to IT resources and a quiet space, is required to do this briefing online.
Note June-September 2020 -New staff, students, visitors and equipment users requiring card access will still need to complete the usual Departmental Safety Induction. If you fall into this category, contact the Departmental Safety Officer.
Nordic Walking is suitable for everyone and:
- Uses 90% of the skeletal muscles
- Burns 20-40% more Calories than walking
- Lessens the impact on knees and joints
- Is great for neck, shoulders and back
- Combines exercise and being in the outdoors, which has been proven to boost mood and relieve stress.
Come and try Nordic Walking with instructor Samantha Godfrey. A fun session is guaranteed!
Ever thought about trying Pilates? The health benefits of Pilates include improved flexibility. increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the 'core muscles' of your body).When not try this free taster session with Ros Mulvany.
Stretch and unwind with this free yoga class provided by Ros Mulvany. Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can help enhance your health, increase strength and flexibility and reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.
A talk specifically for Research/ Academic Staff by Liz Simmonds from the University Careers Service.
Studies show that people who manage stress and adversity best, have 3Cs in common: commitment, control and challenge. It is the combination of these three that constitutes resilience. We will explore the 3Cs to help you further develop attitudes and strategies to cultivate and facilitate resilience for current issues that you face.
The University Staff Counselling Service is offering this workshop for all staff, to be led by Rosemary Parkinson By attending this workshop you will learn
- why you feel anxious and stressed and what is happening in your body
- what you can do about anxiety in the short-term
- how to spot medium and longer term symptoms of stress in yourself and others
- how to take responsibility for yourself when stressed
- sources of support in the university and outside
The session will be for a one hour duration with 15 minutes at the end for Q&A.
Metabolic Conditioning is a method of training that involves a very high work rate, usuing exercises designed to burn more calories during your workout and maximise calories burned, after your workout. These routines are intended to increase your body's storage and delivery of energy for any activity.
According to research, UK workers are spending most of their day sitting down with the average time being 9 hours a day. This includes, sitting at work, sitting on the commute, sitting to eat and even sitting for recreational activities such as TV watching, reading or going to the cinema.
Too much sitting has many ramifications: lower back pain, muscle degeneration, tight hips/shoulders etc.
This is a low intensity mainly floor based exercise session, led by Tristan Coles of the University Sports Centre.
« Description not available »
A session for Postdocs and what the OPdA can offer as support to the Postdoc community.
'Let's talk about the mental health stigma in academia' on Postdocs' Work and Family Life Series
This OPdA event will be a panel session about mental health problems among academics.
A recent report indicated that; 'In large-scale surveys, UK higher education staff have reported worse wellbeing than staff in other types of employment (including education, and health and social work) in the areas of work demands, change management, the support provided by managers and clarity about one's role.'*
Amber Ruigrok and Nicole Horst
This induction is required for anyone planning to work unsupervised at the Maxwell Centre, Department of Physics.
It has two parts:
- Part 1 is for people working anywhere in the building
- Part 2 is only for those working at the Maxwell laboratories
This is a mandatory briefing for every user of the SP Cleanroom in the Cavendish Laboratory's Mott Building. Participants must attend annually as they will be provided with updated information on Cleanroom procedures and safety requirements.
This briefing provides a summary of the precautions and safe working protocol related to working at the Department during the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020.
Note: New staff, students, visitors and equipment users requiring card access will still need to complete the usual Departmental Safety Induction. If you fall into this category, contact the Departmental Safety Officer (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Once you have booked this 'course', you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the course which is run on Moodle. You must book first - if not, there will be no record shown on your training history and you will not be given access. You will be enrolled on the Moodle course by the Safety Team when your local administrator(s) puts your name on the list of people authorised to work at the Cavendish during the current arrangements for the pandemic. You will not be able to enroll yourself onto the Moodle course.
A briefing for fire wardens at Department of Physics, to ensure they are up to date with their duties.
Departmental health and safety induction for people starting at the Department of Physics between July and end of September 2020.
Session 1 of this briefing is for everyone and covers what to do in the event of an emergency, and how to report problems.
There will be a short break before Session 2, which is for people carrying out practical experiments in a laboratory, doing other practical (e.g. maintenance) work, managing events or other people.
Both sessions will be conducted live on MS Teams. Details will be sent to you with joining instructions.
Note: You are still required to complete the Covid-19 Pandemic Safety Briefing
Anyone only working in an office is not required to attend Session 2, unless they manage people or events.
Departmental health and safety induction for graduate students, undergraduate students (Part IB, II, or III) MASt students, and staff starting study or work at the Department of Physics.
Session 1 of this briefing is for everyone and covers what to do in the event of an emergency, and how to report problems.
There will be a short break before Session 2, which is for people carrying out practical experiments in a laboratory, doing other practical (e.g. maintenance) work, managing events or other people.
When there are new staff at an induction, this will be preceded by a short HR induction.
Anyone only working in an office is not required to attend Session 2, unless they manage people or events.
Department of Physics health and safety induction for Part III and MASt students preparing to submit their project proposal and project risk assessment.
Part 1 of this session is mandatory for everyone and covers what to do in an emergency, and how to report problems.
There will be a short refreshment break before Part 2.
Part 2 is mandatory only for people carrying out practical experiments in a laboratory. Students planning computational or theory work are not expected to attend this section.
This induction briefing is mandatory for all new or temporary staff, new students, and visitors (from other departments or elsewhere) to the Cavendish Laboratory who are staying for more than one week, or are visiting regularly. It begins with a short HR induction.
You will also need to book and attend Part 2 Induction if you do practical work - it follows 10 minutes after this session.
This risk assessment briefing follows the basic departmental induction and is mandatory for all new staff, students or visitors who will be doing one or more of the following:
- running experiments
- providing technical support
- carrying out workshop or maintenance work
- managing other people's work
- running events
You may only attend this session if you have done Part 1 (see "prerequisites" below).


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For those of you that have been hiding under a culinary rock and have no clue what I'm talking about, here is a short primer: Dominique Ansel has a small bakery in Soho. He has won several prestigious pastry and dessert awards. He created the Cronut in May and it has been featured on websites, the Chew and the NY Times.
It is croissant dough, shaped like a donut, filled with a pastry cream and glazed. The Cronut sensation has people lined up outside his bakery hours before it opens. They are $5 a piece, there is a limit to two per customer and there are only 200-250 made a day. This dynamic has caused Cronut scalpers to sprout up; there are reports that people are paying $100 per pastry.
So when I decided to come to Queens for a visit, I knew it was my duty to experience the Cronut. I rolled out of bed at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, and by 6 a.m. I was driving across the Williamsburg Bridge. My gracious, but blurry-eyed host Wendy, begrudgingly joined me in my mission.
We arrived at 6:12 a.m., 12 minutes behind schedule (they recommend two hours before opening) and we were 40th & 41st in line. I asked the guy at the front of the line what time he got there. "5 a.m.," he proudly replied.
We settled in to our beach chairs, armed with coffee and books, and we waited. However, at 6:45 a.m., Dominique Ansel came out and explained there was an electrical problem and the Cronuts would not be ready at 8 a.m., but at 10:30 a.m. The crowd started to get upset – were we going to have to wait almost four hours?
Luckily, he was handing out tickets so that we wouldn't have to stay in line - we could come back at 10:30 to claim our hard-earned Cronuts. I asked him how often this happened. "Never, this is the first time," he replied. Lucky me.
We killed time by consuming an amazing pastrami on rye at Katz's, meandering though the Union Square Greenmarket, strolling though Washington Square Park and shopping at the MOMA design store. Finally it was 10:30 a.m. and we returned to the bakery.
The line was short and contained within the actual store. We handed our precious tickets over the counter, to be authenticated and matched with the original. The woman in front of me asked what the tickets were for and the employee explained - she asked in a puzzled manner if she was going to be able to buy Cronuts.
I almost laughed. The employee almost laughed. No, lady who got a full night of sleep, you are not going to be able to buy Cronuts, at least not legitimately. I tapped her on the shoulder and whispered that we might be able to help her out, as we would have an extra.
We purchased our four precious Cronuts, packed in to two modern art-like gold pyramidal boxes. She followed us outside and offered me $10 for a Cronut. Like a drug deal in a back alley, we discreetly exchanged goods and money and she was on her way, pastry in hand.
Wendy and I sat on a nearby park bench to enjoy our Cronuts, as the bakery website suggests to "eat Cronuts™ immediately as they have a short shelf life."
The verdict? I was underwhelmed. Wendy and I both thought the Cronut was extremely rich, bordering on greasy. I thought the lemon maple filling had a nice tart flavor, but no detectable maple goodness. It also squirted everywhere when I bit down on the slightly tough layers of the Cronut.
It's a perfectly tasty baked good, but it's not worth the two-hour wait or buying it on the black market, so feel free to sleep in.
Gloria Tsoi lives in Boston and blogs about her eating adventures at gltsoi.livejournal.com, where she recently wrote about a visit to Flushing's Biang!


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Summer means hot weather and even more tourists. (Congress only recesses for August—not the entire summer; that's the only month when you might notice fewer residents.) Because D.C. was built on a swamp, the humidity can be very high and uncomfortable in the summer. Thunderstorms can cause sudden heavy rain in the summer months—but they usually offer a brief respite from the heat.
Fall is the ideal time to see the nation's capital—temperatures are slightly warmer than in spring, and there aren't quite as many tourists. Winters are generally mild (and not a bad time to visit), but be prepared for snow and ice storms. Many tours also do not operate in winter months, so you may want to do more of your own sight planning in advance. Also, days can start and end fairly cold and get pretty warm by midday, so take along a warm coat or layer clothing. Those looking for a bargain will find cheaper hotel rates in late fall and winter.
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Sensitizer LP (White)
More Information
A collision of drums, guitars and vocals landing between hyper speed punk distortion and fused metal perplexity.
Balancing between chaotic spasms of ripping momentums and the density of heavier numbers, Sensitizer is the band's first LP as a duo, an experiment in totality, a joyride of ecstatic excess.
Track List
- Nipplesin
- Legacide
- Carbon Date-Rape
- Freestrator
- Deaf Ignition
- Woodcloth
- Eyewound
- Slumber Attendant
- Hell's Angles
- Celestial Blackeye
- Axed And Relaxed
- Hollow Cost
- Vanity Crest
- Undressed To Kill
- Spray For Salvation
- Listen Silent
- Hidden Ashes


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A little while ago now I bought a couple of blank rubber stamp blocks with the idea I would carve them up into something awesome and amazing. Alas, awesome and amazing didn't happen at the time, and so they've just stayed in the draw, forgotten and unloved… until now, that is!
I'm still not sure 'awesome and amazing' has happened, but would you settle for cute and fun?
I thought with Valentine's coming up, these sweet little houses would be great for decorating wrapping paper, cards, tags, or little bags.. and once Valentine's is over, you could even carve yourself a little bird or some smoke to stamp in place of the hearts. :)
Here's what you'll need:
– A pen or pencil (having now tried both, pencil is probably better)
– Rubber stamp blocks (if you live in Singapore, try Love Sprouts – Jo not only sells blank blocks, but also some of the most gorgeous and finely carved stamps I've seen!)
– Carving Tool (mine has interchangeable heads)
*Please note that I've never taken a class to learn how to carve stamps, and am by no means good at it! The steps below are just created from my own experience. You do whatever works best for you, and if you want to share any awesome tips or tricks you've learned, please let me know in the comments!
Step 1.
Use your pen/pencil to draw your design on the rubber block (remember it will be reversed when you stamp it). If you've got lines to cut out, make sure you draw them fairly thick so it's easier to see where you want to carve. Cut the block down so it's about the size of your drawing (not too much free space around the drawing).
Step 2.
Carve out your stamp. I started with the smallest head on my carving tool and went around all the edges of my house first before using the larger heads to take out the bulk areas, and finishing the details with the smaller heads again. But it's entirely up to you how you want to tackle it. As you can see it's far from perfect, but still gives a cool effect!
Step 3.
One I was finished, I washed the stamp off (this is why it's better to use pencil, pen could transfer onto the paper even after it's been washed) and dried it. I then tested my stamp with ink, and carved a bit more once I'd seen how the stamp came out. And that's it – start stamping! Repeat these steps for as many houses as you want, and don't forget the little hearts that come out of the chimney. I did the hearts separately so I could stamp them in a different colour, and also so they could be interchangeable (with smoke, or a bird) down the track.
(you can see here that I did one in pen, and the others in pencil. When I went to print the one I'd outlined in pen, the first few prints also come out a bit blue).


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Lil Wayne's private plane landed in an emergency due to a medical emergency on Thursday (October 26). Today, Weezy's health condition is still unclear.
According to TMZ, Wayne displayed seizure-like symptoms while traveling on his private jet, which had to make an emergency landing in Texas. After being treated for several hours, he checked out at around 6pm. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for several hours before being released around 6 p.m. local time.
A source told TMZ he is now "doing better," but no diagnosis was shared.
Earlier this week, Lil Wayne made an appearance at Game 6 of the National League Championship Series baseball to sing, along with the crowd, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." See video here.
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Do you use the rubber lens cap that comes with the 35mm? I do, and I find that I keep having to retrace my steps to recover it. It's only a matter of time before it gets lost properly. Other than that, I am a very happy Fujifilm customer [I have an amazing story of their customer server with respect to a Scansnap but that's for another time] but damn that cap is vexing.I could get some sort of loop with a sticky thing to link the cap to the lens or body but I'm loath to do that because a dangling cap is a pain in the neck. Has anyone found a better solution?c
The caps aren't state-of-the-art. Or maybe they are, if the manufacturer has placed hopes on profiting from selling replacements.Yesterday I missed a number of shots due to the slow AF - or maybe trying to shoot scenes too quickly. While I generally enjoy the X-Pro 1, I'll probably end up getting an M9 somewhere down the line. AF is nice but a tad too slow on the X-Pro 1 with 35mm lens. Manual focusing (of the M9) surely won't be quicker but hopefully a bit "simpler" (I used to use the M3, M6 and M7). I keep misjudging the AF with the OVF (Optical Viewfinder). EVF is more defined but not really to my liking.I might even try film again and scan the negatives. There's no perfect camera. But I do miss film, solid build quality and true manual focus lenses.


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This section presents RF calculations for perturbations to greenhouse gases attributable to aircraft. Greenhouse gases that have been identified as aircraft-perturbed are CO2, O3, CH4, and H2O. Each gas presents a special case in terms of predicting its perturbation or deriving radiative forcing. The RF calculations presented here are derived from radiative-balance and comprehensive climate models by subtracting net radiative flux (incoming solar minus outgoing terrestrial infrared) for a control run from that for a run that includes the specified perturbation. In general, these calculations integrate over a full range of latitudinal and seasonal variations that are typical of the Earth's climate, consider the imbalance at the tropopause, and account for the adjustment of stratospheric temperatures. Important factors in deriving representative radiative forcing include realistic temperatures, water vapor, surface albedo, clouds, and tropopause. RF calculations represent the instantaneous imbalance in the troposphere-land-ocean system, thus do not include responses that are considered part of the climate feedback system, such as changes to clouds and tropospheric water vapor.
RF values depend on atmospheric composition as well as temperature, water vapor, and clouds because all of these factors interact with the radiation field. For these calculations, we have adopted the changing composition as specified in IS92a from IPCC (1995) and summarized in Table 6-2. This composition includes substantial increases in CO2 and CH4 that alter the Earth's radiation spectrum, thus change the RF for a given unit increase of gas. Although we expect mean global warming of about 1 K by 2050, with concurrent changes in water vapor and possibly cloud cover, there is no consensus in IPCC (1996) regarding what this future atmosphere would be. Thus, these RF values for 2050 are not based on a future climate, and this discrepancy must add to the uncertainty of this assessment. However, all such potential, systematic errors apply equally to the baseline scenario IS92a, and the relative climatic impact of aircraft will have less uncertainty.
Other reports in this collection


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Healthy One-Pot Dinners
There is nothing better than coming home to an easy dinner meal, whose contents touch on all of the food groups! We all have our favorite casseroles but here are some recipes that may help you add variety to your family mealtime!
Garden Vegetable Lasagna
- 1½ teaspoons olive oil
- 3½ cups (1 pound) chopped zucchini
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ⅔ cup chopped carrot
- 1½ cups fresh corn kernels or frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups 1% low-fat milk
- 1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Cooking spray
- 9 (about 5 ounces) no-boil lasagna noodles (such as Barilla)
- 1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion, and carrot; sauté 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from heat; stir in corn, basil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
- Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a large saucepan; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
- Spread ½ cup white sauce in bottom of an 11- x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with half the vegetable mixture (about 2 cups) and one-third of the remaining white sauce (about 1 cup). Top with 3 noodles, remaining vegetable mixture, half the remaining sauce, and 3 more noodles. Spread the remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover with foil and bake at 400° for 25 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake an additional 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes.
Serves 6. Each serving includes Calories 346, Fat 9g, Protein 23g, Carbohydrates 44g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 556mg
Peanut Noodles with Shredded Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup chunky natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1½ teaspoons chile-garlic sauce, or to taste (see Ingredient note)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
- 1 12-ounce bag fresh vegetable medley, such as carrots, broccoli, snow peas
- Put a large pot of water on to boil for cooking pasta. Meanwhile, place chicken in a skillet or saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, shred into bite-size strips.
- Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, chile-garlic sauce and ginger in a large bowl.
- Cook pasta in the boiling water until not quite tender, about 1 minute less than specified in the package directions. Add vegetables and cook until the pasta and vegetables are just tender, 1 minute more. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Rinse the pasta and vegetables with cool water to refresh. Stir the reserved cooking liquid into the peanut sauce; add the pasta, vegetables and chicken; toss well to coat. Serve warm or chilled.
Serves 6. Per serving: 363 calories 12 g fat (2 g sat, 0 g mono); 44 mg cholesterol; 36 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 29 g protein; 7 g fiber; 348 mg sodium; 287 mg potassium.
Beef Chow Homemade Take Out
- 8 ounces wide rice noodles, preferably brown-rice noodles (often labeled Pad Thai Noodles)
- ½ cup Shao Hsing or dry sherry (see Notes)
- 4 teaspoons black bean-garlic sauce (see Notes)
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons canola or peanut oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 12-ounce bag fresh Asian stir-fry vegetables (about 5½ cups)
- ½ cup water, divided
- 8 ounces sirloin steak, cut into thin slices
- Fill a large nonstick skillet with water and bring to a boil. Add noodles and cook, stirring frequently, until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and transfer to a large bowl. Wipe the pan dry.
- Combine Shao Hsing, black bean-garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl; set aside.
- Heat 2 teaspoons oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add ginger and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 to 3 minutes. Add vegetables and ¼ cup water; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the noodles. Wipe the pan dry.
- Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook, stirring, until browned, 1 to 3 minutes. Stir the reserved sauce and add to the pan; cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Return the noodles and vegetables to the pan along with the remaining ¼ cup water; cook, tossing to coat with the sauce, until heated through, about 2 minutes more.
Serves 4. Each serving contains 381 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 21 mg cholesterol; 57 g carbohydrates; 1 g added sugars; 15 g protein; 3 g fiber; 723 mg sodium; 223 mg potassium.


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- "So that's little Scorpius. Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."
- —Ron Weasley encouraging Rose to beat Draco Malfoy's son[src]
Rose "Rosie" Weasley (b. 2006) was a half-blood witch and the daughter of Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. She had a younger brother named Hugo, who was born about two years after her. She began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 2017 — the same time as Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy.
As Rose prepared to go off to her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with her cousin Albus in 2017, her father encouraged her to be Sorted into the same House as himself and her mother, Gryffindor.
Ron also jokingly told her to beat Draco Malfoy's son, Scorpius, in every test, though Hermione expressed a more tolerant attitude. Ron also warned Rose not to get too friendly with Scorpius, quipping that her grandfather, Arthur Weasley, would never forgive her for marrying a pure-blood.
Physical appearance
Rose takes after her paternal and maternal family. She resembles both of her parents. Rose has long red hair and blue eyes which are from her paternal family. She has mostly her mother's facial features and the same hair texture as Hermione.
Personality and traits
- Ron Weasley: "So that's little Scorpius. Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."
- Hermione Granger: "Ron, for heaven's sake. Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!"
- — Rose's parents before her first year at Hogwarts[src]
She seems to be quite close to her cousin Albus, Harry and Ginny's son, who is about the same age and who shared her anxiety about where he would be sorted at school. When she arrived at King's Cross Station to head off for their first year, Albus was "immensely relieved" to see her, and Rose beamed at him[2].
Rose appears to have a strong relationship with her father, Ron Weasley, as they were joking about the Hogwarts sorting. Rose is also thought to be close to her mother, Hermione Granger, as they have many of the same qualities, such as intelligence.
Rose also appears to be close to her cousin, Albus, as she "beamed" at him. Rose is assumed to have a good relationship with her brother and cousins.
Rose is probably named for the flower, which is widely prized for its beauty and fragrance. Roses are often considered symbols of love and have historically been associated with goddesses, such as Isis and Aphrodite, perhaps symbolising her parents' relationship with each other. The rose is also the national flower of England. Red roses are particularly associated with romance, and could allude to the trademark Weasley red hair.
It is also possible that Ron and Hermione wanted their children to have the same initials as their parents, R and H. Interestingly, both children also have names consisting of four letters.
Behind the scenes
- Rose is played by actress Helena Barlow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.[3] [4]
- Rose and classmate Scorpius Malfoy are fourth cousins, once removed, as both are descendants of Phineas Nigellus Black.[5]
- Rose's origins are like her uncle's. A pure-blood father, Ron, like James Potter, and a Muggle-born mother, Hermione, like Lily Evans.
- Both of Rose's parents are featured on a Chocolate Frog Card.
- Her name also continues J. K. Rowling's tradition of naming characters after flowers (e.g., Lily and Petunia, Narcissa, Fleur, Lavender, Poppy, and Pansy).
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game) (Mentioned only)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life (Mentioned only)
Notes and references
- ↑ World Exclusive Interview with J K Rowling The Weasleys are known British.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- ↑ http://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/young-actress-helena-barlow-cast-as-rose-weasley-in-deathly-hallows-part-ii-epilogue-82194/
- ↑ http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2011/6/15/actress-helena-barlow-cast-as-rose-weasley-in-deathly-hallows-part-2
- ↑ Black family tree


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US deficit projected at $1.35 trillion
WASHINGTON (AP) – The latest congressional budget estimates out Tuesday predict a $1.35 trillion deficit for this year as the U.S.economy continues to slowly recover from the recession.
The Congressional Budget Office report predicts a sluggish economic recovery and continued high deficits that present political problems for President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies.
The White House is under considerable pressure to cut deficits – the red ink hit a record $1.4 trillion last year – or at least keep them from growing. Encouraged by last week's Massachusetts Senate victory, Republicans are hitting hard on the issue, and polls show voters increasingly concerned ahead of elections in November.
The report sees a slow rebound of the economy, with unemployment averaging 10.1 percent this year as the economy grows by just over 2 percent. It would grow only slightly more next year with an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.
"Economic growth in the next few years will probably be muted in the aftermath of the financial and economic turmoil," the CBO report says.
The latest estimates also see a $1.35 trillion deficit for the current budget year, dropping to $980 billion next year – but only if a host of tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush are allowed to expire.
It is a sobering reminder of the fundamental imbalance of the federal government's budget that comes just days before Obama's Feb. 1 budget submission. The White House says Obama will propose a three-year freeze on domestic agency budgets, though the savings would barely make a dent. It has not said whether Obama will proposes tax hikes or cuts to spiraling health and pension benefit programs.
The deficit would slide to $480 billion by 2015, CBO says, but only if tax cuts on income, investments and large estates are allowed to expire at the end of this year. Most budget experts see deficits as far higher once tax cuts and other policies are factored in.
The 2010 deficit figure is in line with previous estimates and would be a slight decline from last year's $1.4 trillion shortfall. But plans afoot on in Congress Hill for a new jobs bill and a coming Obama request for war funds would add to the total.
The figures arrived just hours before the Senate is likely to reject a White House-backed plan to establish a bipartisan task force to recommend steps to curb the deficit.
The figures bring continued bad news on the deficit, keeping the pressure on Obama and congressional Democrats to demonstrate they are serious about taking on the flood of red ink.
The spending freeze, expected to be proposed by Obama during the State of the Union address on Wednesday, would apply to a relatively small portion of the federal budget, affecting a $477 billion pot of money available for domestic agencies whose budgets are approved by Congress each year. Some of those agencies could get increases, others would have to face cuts; such programs got an almost 10 percent increase this year. The federal budget total was $3.5 trillion.


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If you're looking for some new drinks to try for the holidays but are trying to avoid too many extra calories, here are a few from Sara Moulton, former executive chef at Gourmet magazine, that fit the bill. She took two classic drinks – eggnog and sangria – and spiked them with the flavors of the season.
Start to finish: 2 hours 35 minutes (20 minutes active)
Servings: 4
2 cups 2 percent milk, divided
3 1/2-inch stick cinnamon, smashed using the side of a knife
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
10 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
4 cardamom pods, crushed (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
Kosher salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
Brandy or rum, for flavoring (optional)
Grated nutmeg, to garnish
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups of the milk with the cinnamon, vanilla bean, cloves, peppercorns, ginger, cardamom pods and a hefty pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then turn off the heat and let it stand for 15 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a sieve, discarding all of the solids except for the vanilla bean. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk; discard the vanilla pod.
Wipe out the saucepan and return the milk to the pan over medium heat.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat the eggs with the sugar for 2 minutes, or until they are light and lemon colored. Add the heated milk in a stream, whisking gently. Return the egg-milk mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it thickens and coats the back of the spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or the eggs will scramble.
Quickly add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk to the pan to stop the cooking. Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and chill for at least 2 hours or until very cold.
To serve, divide the eggnog among 4 chilled glasses, stir in a dash of brandy or rum, if desired, and top with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
Nutrition information per serving: 140 calories; 40 calories from fat (29 percent of total calories); 4.5 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 100 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 16 g sugar; 7 g protein; 210 mg sodium.
Start to finish: 8 hours 30 minutes (30 minutes active)
Servings: 8
750-milliliter bottle fruity red wine, such as Beaujolais
1/2 cup fresh clementine or orange juice
1/2 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice
1/2 cup Grand Marnier liqueur
1 firm pear with the skin, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
2 clementines or 1 orange, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
Seeds from 1 pomegranate
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
In a large bowl combine all ingredients and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Chill, tightly covered, at least 8 hours before serving.
Nutrition information per serving: 180 calories; 0 calories from fat (0 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 24 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 19 g sugar; 1 g protein; 5 mg sodium.


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So you've had some negative items on your credit reports — maybe you had late payments, or you defaulted on a credit card, mortgage or other kind of debt, or had collection accounts in your name. Now you've resolved the problems with your creditors. Or you might have found errors on your credit reports, or discovered fraudulent accounts because of identity theft — and you succeeded in getting the issues straightened out and the items removed from your credit reports. So now you're wondering: Will your credit score go up?
The answer is: Your credit score will probably improve. However, it may not improve as you expect. Here are some examples where you might not see the bump you hope for:
Closing negative credit card accounts. Closing credit card accounts will not improve your score. Closing the account also won't remove the record and any associated negative payment history from your credit report. The negative information will continue to show and will continue to be used in the score calculation.
When negative records expire. Removing negative information from your credit reports may not immediately increase your score as you expect. There could be additional, heavier weighted negative information remaining that will prevent an immediate increase in your score. For example: If you remove a collection record from 7 years ago but have a charge-off from a year ago, the charge-off has more of an impact and is hurting your score more than the collection from 7 years ago. You probably won't see a large impact in this case.
Since your credit score is calculated by the information in your credit reports, it's important to check your credit reports regularly. By doing so, you can catch mistakes or fraud, or review it for any problems with your debts that you may (or may not) be aware of — and then take action to correct them. You can pull your own credit reports from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once a year, and check your credit score once a month for free using Credit.com's Credit Report Card to stay on track for your credit score goals.
Image: iStockphoto


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Why have campaign events?
Taking the time to plan well-organized, interesting campaign events will pay off in the overall success of the CFC in your department, agency, or installation. Campaign events help educate donors about the CFC and its participating charities, promote federal employee engagement, and encourage participation in the campaign. Campaign events can be powerful. Donors are motivated when hearing directly from charities about the incredible impact CFC donations have on the lives of people in need. Learn more about campaign events below or by downloading our Event Guide and Event Planning Presentation.
Event Planning Guidelines and Regulations
Campaign events offer an additional touch point with potential contributors, but they do not replace the necessity of the personal ask, which is best accomplished through one-on-one contact by a Keyworker.
Cash fundraising events are not permitted under CFC regulations. However, events are a great way to educate your colleagues on how to make their pledge. Have trained campaign workers in attendance to answer questions regarding donation options. Feel free to demo the online pledge portal and have paper Pledge Forms and Pledge Tip Cards available.
Always follow your department or agency's specific regulations and ethics guidelines when planning events. This includes obtaining proper approvals before your event.
CFC funds cannot be used to purchase food or drink. Food and beverages can be donated (e.g., a potluck luncheon).
CFC funds cannot be used to purchase prizes or entertainment.
Types of Events
From kickoff to closing out the campaign, events are critical to encourage participation and increase awareness. Events can be part of something already scheduled, like inviting a charity speaker to weekly staff meetings, or they can be a stand-alone, like a chili cook-off. See the Event Planning Guide for more event ideas.
These events educate your community on the options and benefits of supporting charities through the CFC. Invite guest speakers such as leaders at your agency or installation and representatives from CFC-supported charities. These events are a great way to spread the word about the campaign and build motivation to support charities through the CFC. Awareness events can be held at the beginning of the campaign (e.g., a kickoff event) or throughout the campaign (e.g., a charity fair).
These events are often held in conjunction with an event that is already taking place at your agency or installation (e.g., leadership calls and staff meetings, farewell parties, bazaars, training/safety days, etc.). Hosting a friendly CFC competitive event can boost energy around the campaign and add a fun element to an existing event (e.g., push up contest) and provide bragging rights to the winning office or unit. This year, consider planning special events in support of the Cause of the Week, #GivingTuesday (Nov. 27), International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5), or the last five days of the campaign.
Recognition events allow department, agency, or installation leaders to publicly recognize and thank campaign workers for their dedication and thank all employees for their generosity through the CFC. These are usually held toward the end of the campaign, as a finale event, or even a few weeks after the completion of the campaign.
How to Plan a Successful Event
- Establish an active event planning committee. Recruit committee members from all areas and include a variety of ranks/pay grades. Assign each committee member a specific task and deadline. Encourage creativity!
- Request leadership support. Ask leadership to send an email invitation to CFC events. Invite leadership to speak at and/or participate in CFC events. Publicize leadership participation via your website, intranet, newsletter, social media, etc.
- Motivate your co-workers to attend. Ensure there is a "draw" (e.g., a prize, a competition, free food). Make it fun! Publicize, publicize, publicize: be sure everyone knows about the event and is reminded to attend.
- Utilize the Event Planning Checklist. See the Event Planning Guide for more tips on how to plan a successful CFC event.


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- News
- Business
- Sports
- Entertainment
- Lifestyle
- Health
- Travel
- Technology
When news of the economic downturn hit last fall, the green trend took a hit.
In the media, feel-good green-is-the-new-sexy lifestyle stories were supplanted by pundits pronouncing the end of green -- now, the "green" people were thinking about was what they hoped to find in their wallet.
For families dealing with debt and possible job loss, many consumer-based green options -- switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, buying green cleaning products, bamboo socks, organic produce -- suddenly seemed, well, frivolous.
Environmental writers like Adria Vasil, author of Ecoholic, surveying the suddenly changed landscape, took notice.
"I was starting to get nervous," she said. "But now we have an opportunity to reposition how we have been talking about 'green.' We were never going to buy our way out of the environmental mess."
For Vasil, it's about a return to the basics of sustainability -- "the things our grandparents knew really well: Reduce and reuse."
Families that want to be conscious of their spending can still be green.
"It's not about being perfect and buying the right stuff," said B.C. author and mother of two Robyn Harding. "It's about living more simply."
Harding, as a self-employed writer, is concerned about the recession. "At this point, it's more like a cloud that's threatening. Something that might happen. What if there is a job loss? What if my next book doesn't sell?"
Harding's latest book, Mom, Will this Chicken give me Man Boobs? (Greystone) is a hilarious account of trying -- and sometimes succeeding -- to build a green ethic and raise an environmentally conscious family without losing her sanity, or cleaning out her bank account.
"Is budget a consideration? Absolutely. It's one of the things you have to consider when you're trying to figure out what works and what's workable."
For Harding, being green is not about getting sucked in by "greenwashing" or marketing of new products to buy that are supposedly environmentally friendly and therefore worth a higher price tag.
"When marketers caught on to the green phenomena last year, suddenly labels started appearing with a little green leaf on them and a high price tag."
Harding's green journey began five years ago when her family left gas-guzzling Calgary, "decided to belch twenty-odd tons of carbon into the atmosphere" and moved to Perth, Australia.
When her first book, The Journal of Mortifying Moments was published, the family returned to Canada and settled in the bike-friendly Vancouver district of Kitsilano, "a place where a lot of my neighbours were willing to make big efforts to live sustainably and be good to the planet."
Harding is a recycler, but it wasn't until she moved to Vancouver that she was "stunned to see how far people would go."
"My children befriended the greenest family in the known universe," she said.
The family she wryly dubs "the Greens" rode bikes, hauled groceries in a bike trailer, and as she writes in the book, were "the pinnacle of greenness, against which all other families are measured."
Harding's sustainable-living odyssey opened up new lifestyle possibilities, but it also brought up some uncomfortable questions about status and fitting in.
"Keeping up with the Greens" was the new incarnation of keeping up with the Joneses -- no easy task.
Harding easily adapted to walking almost everywhere, carrying reusable shopping bags, and replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs. She has even mastered the art of the litterless school lunch for her kids.
But other things were harder to give up. The thought of not highlighting her hair, for example, tested her limits.
Harding ricochets between feeling noble with each new effort and, with each failure, wondering if she is just "too selfish and lazy to live up to my neighbourhood's green standards."
The journey became one of just trying to do her best: "I would bother to do all the small things I could . . . I'd recycle and unplug appliances and walk whenever I could. And the most important thing I would do for the environment was to raise two kids who cared about trees and animals and people and the earth."
Harding is philosophical about the successes and challenges of trying to be a "green goddess." Mostly though, she's realistic. Green choices that stick have to be sustainable -- and affordable.
"Living green and being frugal aren't mutually exclusive," said Harding. "You just have to make choices."
For Harding, that means "black bean soup is our new chicken nuggets."
Not everything in her fridge is going to be organic. Milk, for example, "at twice the price for organic milk, I just can't do it.
"I don't want to feed my kids chemicals, but I'm not going to run down to buy an organic red pepper for $6."
She has "certain things -- apples, grapes, strawberries -- that must be organic because those fruits can be high in pesticides," but others not.
However, the family now eats significantly less meat and incorporates beans and tofu. When they do eat meat, they try to make it a "happy chicken" and unmedicated meats.
She doesn't spend money on expensive "green" cleaners. "Baking soda and vinegar," said Harding. "The old-fashioned way."
Harding is good about turning off power bars connected to her appliances at night -- 10 per cent of an average electric bill is spent on so-called phantom power.
Another way the family has gone green is another old-fashioned choice: second-hand clothes. Harding is a familiar face at neighbourhood clothing swaps, and her kids, Tegan and Ethan, are on a regular circuit of hand-me-downs.
"We love it when the big bag turns up -- the kids go through it, and we feel good that even a piece of clothing that may not have been produced in a sustainable manner gets to be reused, and then again when we pass it on."
This not-so-glamorous but very realistic approach may help the green movement become even more relevant in our daily lives.
Adria Vasil sees this new realism as a great opportunity for a kind of market correction in the green movement. "We have to reposition how we have been talking about being green. We have to move away from green as a luxury lifestyle choice.
"It's not about 'green sexy' or 'green luxury.' It's about what our grandparents did during the depression: Reducing, reusing and conserving."
Vasil was encouraged by Vancouver's recent decision to allow people to keep chickens in their yards. "Three hens will supply three eggs a day," said Vasil.
"Sure, organic is expensive, but let's go back to the Victory garden idea. Grow your own vegetables in a garden or on your balcony."
Vasil points out that making a choice, like Harding has, to eat just 20-per-cent less meat is "like switching from a sedan to a Prius."
Saving money by scouring craigslist, second-hand shops, swap meets and flea markets can make being green and saving money fun.
Lindsay Coulter, the "Queen of Green" at the David Suzuki Foundation said, "It's a good time right now to reflect on what you can live with, and what you can live without."
Coulter, who strives for work-life balance and works a four-day week, has always had to be green on a budget.
"The economic downturn may just mean a more even playing field now," said Coulter.
"When the green movement started, people were competitive about it, trying to outdo each other, which defeats the purpose. It's about sharing, spending time with friends and look a little more deeply at how we live our lives."
(Vancouver Sun)
- - -
- Buy in bulk
- Buy used
- Renew and repair
- Avoid frivolous purchases: David Bach's famous "latte factor" demonstrates how not spending $5 a day saves you $150 a month
- Barter, trade, donate: Check out the online bartering community at SwapSity.ca or join a freecycling network
- Lower the cost of home repair projects by organizing a tool pool with friends, neighbours, etc.: Find out who's willing to share what and post a sign-up sheet; rent big items as a group
- Do-it-yourself: You can save money by making your own green cleaning products and cosmetics; for ideas and recipes, visit queenofgreen.net
--Courtesy of the David Suzuki Foundation


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"Running the Extra Mile," New Era, Mar. 2013, 18–19
Running the Extra Mile
Jessica Grayless lives in Kansas, USA.
I hated sports until the day my friend decided to run with me.
All through elementary school I did well in academics. But I can't say the same about athletics. I didn't feel coordinated or confident when it came to sports or games at recess. I was always picked last for the kickball team. By the time I was in junior high, I had convinced myself that I would never be good at anything remotely resembling a sport.
My family lived in a small town. There were about 30 girls in my grade. During our eighth grade year, at the end of each term, we were required to complete a series of fitness tests that included sit-ups, pull-ups, a flexibility test, and a mile-long timed run. I hated the run most of all. I always finished the required four laps around the track, but I was always one of the last to finish.
One of my close friends, Kathy, seemed to be my complete opposite when it came to athletics. She was a beautiful redhead who was flexible and physically coordinated. She loved to run and was always one of the top two or three who consistently finished the mile in around seven minutes.
On the day of the run, anxiety set in as it always did for me. As we jogged onto the grass area in the middle of the track, I confided in Kathy that I hated all things with the word "gym" or "physical" in them. But as we stretched before running, she kept giving me a pep talk. She told me she knew I could do it and do well. I'm sure she was hoping to make me feel better.
Our teacher divided us into two groups to ensure that she could record our times accurately. I was assigned to run in the first group, and Kathy was assigned to the second. The teacher got out her stopwatch and signaled for us to be ready.
"Four laps," I thought to myself. "I just have to get through four laps." I decided to run on the inside of the track, figuring that it was just a little less effort than running around the outside—and that maybe it would even help to lower the terrible time I knew I would get.
Right before we began, Kathy stepped up on the grass beside me. She again encouraged me and told me she believed in me. Then, as our group took off, Kathy took off with me. I couldn't believe it! She ran along the grass right next to me and stayed with me for the entire four laps. All along the way she told me I was doing a great job. To my surprise, the four laps passed quickly.
With Kathy beside me, I finished my mile in 7 minutes and 18 seconds. Never before or since have I run a mile with a time like that! I was elated. I caught my breath and reveled in congratulations from my teacher and my friends.
Then the teacher called for the second group. It took me only a moment to remember that Kathy was in that group. She had just run a mile with me at a tiring speed. Now she had to run again. I don't remember what her time was on her second mile that day, but I am certain her score was lower than usual because she had already spent the best of her energy helping me.
I remember that day as a turning point in my confidence when it came to athletics. I went on to spend two years on the dance team, play basketball and volleyball with the young women at Church tournaments, and earn my toe shoes in ballet.
Just before my junior year of high school, my family moved to another town about half an hour away. The following summer, one of my old friends called with the news that Kathy had been killed in a car accident. I was devastated. At her funeral, I reflected on my many memories of her. The memory that I hold most dear, however, is of the day when she ran the extra mile with me.
The Savior taught, "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew 5:41). Kathy's example reminds me to be aware of others and willingly serve them. When we do so, we truly follow the Savior's admonition to go the extra mile.


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Back to the Drawing Board
This story appears in the August 2007 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you haven't laid eyes on your business plan in a while. Back then, motivated by the prospect of attracting venture capital or securing bank financing, you gave it plenty of attention, poring over projections and getting the words just right. Now, years later, it's collecting dust in a file drawer, and the details within likely bear little resemblance to the business you're currently running. But with sales strong and no immediate need for cash, does it matter?
Yes, if you want to better your odds for success. The business plan is the company's road map and strategic vision for the future. In its first iteration, it's simply a best guess, but later revisions show the business owner what's working, what isn't and why.
"A business plan marks your course, and it's the constant change between what you thought was going to happen and what actually happened that gives you the vision to maintain a course toward long-term objectives," explains Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software, which designs business plan software for growing companies.
Examine your company's value drivers and how they may have changed since you started. "The purpose is to reflect on your market opportunity and competitive realities, and make corrections and refinements to your business initiatives, what the opportunities are and what you're doing to target them," says Jay Turo, managing partner of small-business consulting firm Growthink. This will help you identify untapped areas of growth that you laid out in your original plan but never followed through on, or it can help you recognize where you've gone astray.
Without a written plan, you may be tempted to expand your company's scope without understanding the effect on the core business. Peter Sobotta founded Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania-based RecoupIT seven years ago with a focus on buying and selling refurbished technology equipment. He has long thought, however, that the big money might be in refurbishing old equipment himself, then repackaging and selling it. His first business plan, written several years ago with assistance from Growthink, projected that new business would account for 50 percent of the company's revenue in the near future.
When Sobotta and his wife and partner, Vanessa, 35, reviewed the plan about a year later and did a financial analysis, it was clear that the core business would suffer if they branched out, because expansion would be too time-consuming. "It would have been very easy to do it in a half-assed manner, and then when it failed, say 'I didn't have enough money,' or 'I didn't go after the right lease deals,'" says Sobotta, 35, who projects sales of $15 million for 2007. "A plan makes it very visible upfront--if you don't do [X, Y and Z], you're going to fail." A look at the competitive landscape section of RecoupIT's business plan revealed that many former competitors were now bankrupt because of their high overhead and personnel expenses; if RecoupIT went after refurbishing, it, too, would have to increase overhead and add employees-- a move their number crunching suggested would be a bad idea.
If you have time to dig into only one section, says Jim Anderson, a management counselor at the Santa Ana, California, SCORE office, it should be the plan's financial section, particularly cash-flow projections. "Your financials are a dynamic thing," he says, noting that a hard look at the numbers can reveal why your business is experiencing a sudden cash-flow crunch. Anderson recommends updating financials at least once a year, and more often during times of industry flux.
Revising the plan now can help reduce the time it will take to get it ready if and when you need capital in a hurry. Or even better, says Anderson, you can more easily set up a line of credit now, while the business is healthy, for when you really need it down the line.
C.J. Prince is a New York City writer specializing in business and finance.


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The News never sleeps.
House Speaker John Boehner may say he is through with one-on-one discussions with Obama, but we will find out at noon Eastern today if he is done as Speaker
In the "no big surprise" column, Al Jazeera buys Al Gore's Current TV. (I cannot resist a joke here. Will it now be called Al JaGOREa?)
Maybe Mark Steyn is right. The Fiscal Cliff signaled the end of the American Era.
h/t to Diane Sori of The Patriot Factor for her Op-Ed: 85 Republicans should just put a 'D' after their names
It looks like Diane Feinstein will have an opponent to her anti-gun legislation bill she is going to propose in the 113th Congress. (h/t Jackie Wellfonder via The Other McCain)
h/t to Jackie Wellfonder for her piece on The Flesh and Blood of America
Michelle Malkin's blog has a very interesting fact about the Senate Fiscal Cliff bill: Senators received 154-page fiscal cliff bill 3 minutes before voting on it. (by Doug Powers)
Goldwater Gal's blog has a very interesting piece (by George Neat) on the future of America.
Join me this Saturday at 1:30 PM Eastern for Red, Right, and Blue as I have moved to another network.
And that is all the news that is news for now. I will be dropping more news links in my Twitter feed throughout the day (@RickBulow1974) so look there for more news. Also as I had just mentioned, check out Red, Right, and Blue this Saturday at 1:30 PM Eastern on a different network. Also, feel free to hit the tip jar as maintaining a blog (and also starting a network) takes a lot of work.


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A collection specifically designed for use with our stereo microscopes these sets are packed with colorful cards that slide-off the plastic package for access to the specimens. The package doubles as a storage unit.
- Quartz
- Hematite
- Limonite
- Psilomelane
- Calcite
- Malachite
- Talc
- Apatite
- Barite
- Peat Turf


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Raise The Titanic
It was, apparently, a troubled production. Stanley Kramer was the original producer-director, but he sold his rights to Lew Grade's ITC. The script, adapted from Clive Cussler's 1976 novel, endured myriad rewrites, including one stab at the screenplay by Larry McMurtry. Production costs soared, garnering bad trade press, and many critics reviewed the budget instead of the movie.
Another likely contributor to Raise the Titanic's commercial failure was the unwise decision to cast the film without any bankable stars. Top-billed Jason Robards had recently won back-to-back Academy Awards (for All the President's Men and Julia) in the supporting category, but his marquee value was negligible, as were those of co-leads Richard Jordan and David Selby.
The third strike against Raise the Titanic was that is was essentially self-distributed in the North America by Associated Film Distribution (AFD), a company partnering ITC with Thorn EMI. My memory is that ITC product played less than ideal venues back in the late 1970s through early '80s. Even popular ITV films like The Muppet Movie (1979) were restricted to second-rate neighborhood theaters because bigger companies like Warner Bros. and Fox dominated the best showplaces.
Raise the Titanic is ripe for reappraisal. It's not an unsung masterpiece but overall it's pretty good, unusual, and certain aspects of the film are excellent. Lions Gate previously released the film to DVD, but as the lowly second feature of a double-feature disc top-lined by Man Friday (1976), also coincidentally recently released to Blu-ray. That 2006 DVD ruinously presented this Panavision production in 4:3 pan-and-scan. Shout! Factory's Blu-ray includes a brand new making-of featurette that incorporates standard-def if widescreen clips from the film, demonstrating that even a 16:9 enhanced DVD is really inadequate for a film of this scale.
Happily, the Blu-ray transfer at long last restores the film's genuine majesty. It's a great-looking movie with, for the time, visually spectacular if imperfect miniature effects. Further, the film boasts a superb musical score by John Barry, one similar to other minor key-dominated films he was doing at the time, notably Moonraker and The Black Hole (both 1979). The high-def picture and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio add up to a really memorable viewing experience, to say nothing of the obvious multi-faceted influence it had on director James Cameron.
The movie follows the basic plot of Cussler's 1976 novel (to be precise, entitled Raise the Titanic!), though abandons much of the marine salvage technology present in the book, dispenses with various minor characters and subplots, and simplifies the climax. However, in both the book and the film the story revolves around a McGuffin called "byzanium," a rare (and fictional) uranium-like mineral of which 200 ounces are needed to power "The Sicilian Project," a U.S. anti-nuclear missile laser defense system (sound waves in the novel) destined to "make nuclear war obsolete." The only source of byzanium came from an early 20th century mine in Russia, by this time part of the Soviet Union.
A spy named Sid Koplin (Stewart Moss) sneaks into the USSR and locates the abandoned mine only to find it played out. Eventually another spy, free-lancer Dirk Pitt (Richard Jordan), learns that the byzanium was packed up and placed aboard the White Star Line's ill-fated RMS Titanic, which sank to the bottom of the Atlantic in 12,500 feet of water.
With the approval of Admiral James Sandecker (Jason Robards), Director of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, and support from the President, Pitt and physicist Dr. Gene Seagram (David Selby), developer of the Sicilian Project, oversee a massive effort by the U.S. Navy to raise the lost ocean liner to access her cargo hold and the vault containing the priceless mineral.
The business with the byzanium is trite, a cliché that turns up in endless science fiction cheapies, though also in critically-lauded films like Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946). Additionally, there's a completely unnecessary subplot concerning Seagram's wife (Anne Archer), who once had a relationship with cocksure Pitt, but these are minor distractions.
The main reason for Raise the Titanic's existence is right there in the title, the public's undying interest in the doomed passenger liner, whose wreckage was still lost when the film was made. (The real Titanic wasn't located until September 1985, and its remains not adequately documented until well after that.) Instead, by cleverly contriving circumstances that would make her salvaging not only desirable but also a "ticking time bomb" necessity, the movie then logically speculates how this might be accomplished.
And, to the film's credit, through its carefully researched special effects and underwater photography, Raise the Titanic creates impressive images almost identical to undersea video and photographs made years later when the real Titanic wreckage was discovered and explored. (The only major difference being that the real ship had split apart, despite the widely-held belief to the contrary when Raise the Titanic was in production.)
The centerpiece of the special effects was unquestionably a 55-foot-long miniature of the vessel, 1/16 scale, filmed with a special camera under-cranking at up to 3,000 frames/second in an attempt to make the sea water washing over the ship look right. Even at this size, however, droplets appear too large at times; a maximum 1:3 scale being needed to really fool SPFX-savvy audiences.
Still, the illusion is more than convincing enough, especially because the model is so exquisitely detailed and otherwise photographed well. Part of the film's high cost was blamed on the supposedly $7 million Titanic model, but I find that widely reported figure to be outrageously unbelievable. That would make it, after all, nearly four times the cost of full-scale supertanker set (including two full-size submarines) built for The Spy Who Loved Me, seven times the cost of the full-scale SPECTRE volcano base from You Only Live Twice (1967), and two-thirds the entire cost of Star Wars (1977). More likely $7 million figure is closer to the entire cost of miniature photography, including rental of a massive water tank in Malta, payroll, etc.
Today, of course, Raise the Titanic special effects would be a breeze to produce via CGI, but what John Richardson's special effects crew accomplished is in many ways even more impressive than what could be dashed off in a matter of weeks out of some industrial park in Silicon Valley. There's an old school majesty and epicness to Raise the Titanic sorely missing in most movies today, movies touting far bigger scale effects. The miniatures and matte paintings in Raise the Titanic may not have the same photo-real quality of today's CGI work, but it also fosters a sense of awe nearly all of today's spectaculars lack. Near the end of the film, when the Titanic is towed into New York Harbor as thousands of locals, on shore and aboard escorting ships, look on in wonder, the sight of the resurrected ship is almost moving.
Video & Audio
Shout! Factory's 1080p Blu-ray of Raise the Titanic (which includes a DVD copy as well) looks and sounds spectacularly good. The 2.35:1 Panavision image has a nice film grain quality throughout, color is good, blacks are solid (especially important for all the underwater footage), and one at last can appreciate the film's widescreen compositions and the incredible detail in the miniature photography. (More on why Raise the Titanic is essential viewing in the Blu-ray format above.) Likewise, the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (also available in a 2.0 mix), adapted from the original Dolby Stereo, really shines in terms of maximizing composer John Barry's invaluable contribution, his music really selling the story's romanticism and scale. The surround channels are used well, with helicopter engines roaring from the rear speakers, and all-enveloping the audience during the underwater sequences. The disc, with no other language or subtitle support, is region A encoded.
Extra Features
Extras include a give-away-the-store trailer, also in high-def, and an interesting, thoughtful featurette called Making of Raise the Titanic but which really focuses almost solely on the special effects, not the making of the picture generally. Model unit director and one-time Creature from the Black Lagoon Ricou Browning, underwater camera operator Michael Ferris, director of photography Matthew F. Leonetti, and special effects director John Richardson are interviewed.
Parting Thoughts
Don't let its reputation persuade you otherwise. Raise the Titanic is a strong film ideally suited to Blu-ray, digital surround, and big screen TVs. It's not a great film, but it is a very good one worth rediscovery, much like the Titanic itself. A DVD Talk Collector Series title.
Stuart Galbraith IV is the Kyoto-based film historian and publisher-editor of World Cinema Paradise. His credits include film history books, DVD and Blu-ray audio commentaries and special features.
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I am working on a Direct3D rendering application that uses a lot of texture RAM. I notice that if I allocate a Pool.Default volume texture:
_texture = new VolumeTexture(device, size.Width, size.Height, size.Depth, 1, Usage.None, Format.L16, Pool.Default);
my process's system memory decreases by the same amount I allocate on the video card. I think this is unexpected. This texture is supposed to be video-memory only.
Effectively this means I can not use all texture RAM on high end video cards, I can not afford to lose a whole gigabyte of system RAM. We're short on adress space as it is....
Is there anybody who knows what's happening here? Are there ways to prevent this from happening?
This was seen on Windows 7 64 bit from a 32 bit process, using Directx 9c, with several different nVidia cards. The process is marked as /LARGEADRESSAWARE to make sure we get as much as adress space as possible.
You may have guessed by now that I am not writing a game.... but I assume the Direct3D experts are here to be found.... And I can imagine this issue affects games as much as it affects us...
This appears to happen only with Volume Textures. If I allocate 2D textures of the same size it does not happen. By default my volume textures were 32megabytes each. If I make them smaller (I tried down to 2megabytes each), There are still blocks being allocated. According to VMMap, each texture gets a 32 meg block in my process, flagged as "Read/Write/WriteCombine".
The fact that they are labeled as "WriteCombine" makes me really curious, no other block of memory is labeled like that.


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Best of the Fest: Kid Flix Mix (2015-2016) Part 1
- Tuesday August 11, 2015 10:30 AM
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents
Modern Kids - Summer Flicks: Selected Short Films
from the New York International Children's Film Festival
Take a break from the Texas heat for Modern Kids — Summer Flicks! Share the art of the screen with your children as they watch stories unfold and ideas form in delightful and innovative films. The bonus for seeing these films at the Modern is the opportunity to visit the galleries before or after and experience the wonder of the paintings, sculptures, installations, and videos throughout the museum.
This year, the Modern presents short films selected by the New York International Children's Film Festival, North America's largest film festival for children and teens. This Oscar-qualifying festival has a jury of film icons including Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, James Schamus, Henry Selick, Uma Thurman, Gus Van Sant, and many more. Each year, the Festival scours the globe to present a highly selective slate of the best animation, live action, documentary, and experimental short films to young audiences.
Admission is free and open to the public. Films are shown in the Modern's auditorium, and seating is limited to the first 250 guests. Admission to the galleries is free for film festival guests.
August 11
10:30 am – Ages 3-7; 30 minutes
Best of the Fest: Kid Flix Mix (2015-2016) Part 1
1 pm – Ages 8-12; 71 minutes
Best of the Fest: Party Mix (2015-2016)
August 12
10:30 – Ages 3-7; 30 minutes
Best of the Fest: Kid Flix Mix (2015-2016) Part 2
1 pm – Ages 8-12; 72 minutes
Chosen from over five years of New York International Children's Film Festival short film programs, ¡VIVA NYICFF! presents a diverse selection of award winners and audience favorites. All films in this program are from or feature stories about Spain and Latin America.
August 13
(Only one showtime)
1 pm
A CAT IN PARIS (Une vie de chat)
70 minutes; PG for mild action and violence, and some thematic material
The Academy Award-nominated A CAT IN PARIS from directors Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol is a beautifully hand-drawn caper set in the shadow-drenched alleyways of Paris.
Dino is a cat that leads a double life. By day he lives with Zoe, a little girl whose mother is a detective in the Parisian police force. But at night Dino sneaks out the window to work with Nico, a slinky cat burglar with a big heart, whose fluid movements are poetry in motion as he evades captors and slips and swishes from rooftop to rooftop across the Paris skyline. Rife with film references (from Reservoir Dogs to Goodfellas to The Night of the Hunter), A CAT IN PARIS is a warm and richly humorous love letter to classic noir and American gangster films, with a jazz soundtrack featuring Billie Holiday.
Featuring the voices of Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River), Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums), and Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket).


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The client in this situation is a married couple. The wife is employed full-time, earning a substantial salary, and is an active participant in her employer's pension plan. The husband is a camera operator in the motion picture industry and a member of the appropriate union. He has many employers in the course of a year; most treat him as a W-2 employee, but a few pay him as an independent contractor and issue a Form 1099-MISC. Yet employee vs contractor is not the issue here.
For the year in question, which was 2008, the husband had made a small contribution, less than the maximum, to a traditional IRA account for himself, and claimed a tax deduction for the full amount of the contribution on the couple's joint Form 1040.
The IRS CP-2000 notice indicated that the husband could not deduct the IRA contribution because of the limitations that result from coverage by an employer retirement plan during the year. The AGI reported on the couple's 2008 Form 1040 was well over the income threshold for an "active participant" employee. The IRS removed the deduction and recalculated the tax liability accordingly, adding penalty and interest.
However, while the wife was, the husband was not an active participant in an "employer" plan (note the important word here is employer) at any time during 2008. This is true even though when he retires the husband will be able to collect on a pension.
As a union member the husband pays dues to the union. The union is not his employer. The various movie production companies that hire him during the year, generally for short-term projects, are his employers. These various employers make contributions based on earnings to the Motion Picture Industry retirement plan. But they do not make contributions for the husband to any plans that they themselves maintain for their employees.
The husband is not permitted to make any contributions to his union retirement plan.
The union retirement plan is not an "employer plan". Therefore the husband is not an active participant in an employer plan, even though employer contributions are credited to his "account" during the year.
For tax year 2008, if only one spouse is an active participant in an "employer plan", the other spouse, whether working or nonworking, can deduct the entire contribution to his/her IRA up to the statutory maximum if the couple's combined modified Adjusted Gross Income is $159,000 or less. The MAGI on the joint 2008 Form 1040 for my clients was less than $140,000.
The husband is entitled to a full deduction for his IRA contribution.
We looked back at the W-2s issued to the husband for 2008 and found that one of the employees had checked the box to give the impression that the husband was a participant in that employer's retirement plan. This is apparently what triggered the IRS CP-2000 notice. This was wrong.
Perhaps the employer, or his bookkeeper or accountant, thought that because the employer made contributions to the union retirement plan the husband was an "active participant". But whoever so thought was wrong.
So if you are a union member in a situation similar to that of my client, and one or more of your 2010 W-2s have the Retirement Plan box checked, contact the employer(s) immediately and have him issue to you, and the Social Security Administration, a corrected Form W-2!
Have any of my fellow tax pros out there come across a similar situation, or disagree with me on this issue? I welcome your comments.


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Back when Pokémon were just a seizure-inducing flicker in Nintendo's eye, there was "Dark Warrior epilepsy," a form of epilepsy that was only reported once in the history of medicine. Nonetheless, this malady is responsible for one of the strangest paragraphs ever to grace a medical journal.
In 1982, the British Medical Journal published a report from the Department of Neurology at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital. This article — simply and sinisterly titled "Dark Warrior epilepsy" — recounted how a 17-year-old girl with probable photosensitive epilepsy lost consciousness after playing the arcade game Dark Warrior (see gameplay below). As the researchers noted:
She had played Space Invader, Asteroids, and Lunar Rescue and not suffered any known adverse effects.
The patient subsequently avoided playing Dark Warrior, and her fits ceased. But that wasn't enough for our enterprising doctors.
No, after witnessing terms like "Space Invader wrist tendonitis" and "Space Invader epilepsy" (which was erroneously coined during a case study of the game Astro Fighter) gain cachet in medical circles, these doctors were gung-ho to leave on a mark on the neuroscientific lexicon. Behold this magical paragraph:
The term Space Invader epilepsy is, in fact, a misnomer, since no cases have been reported with the Space Invader video game itself. We suggest, therefore, that Astro Fighter and Dark Warrior epilepsy be classified under "electronic space war video game epilepsy" and this as a special category of photoconvulsive epilepsy. Video games other than space war games-for example, Super Bug and Munch Man-appear to be less epileptogenic. Electronic space war video game epilepsy has yet to be reported with Defender, Space Fury, Lunar Rescue, or Asteroids war games.
I hope Munch Man's PR team exploited the hell out of that pull quote. And the next time I end up in the emergency room, I will slip "electronic space war video game epilepsy" among my list of complaints. (This is how to determine who was awake during med school.) Also, is Dark Warrior epilepsy is any way linked to outbreaks of Pac-Man Fever? This requires further inquiry.
Semi-related: Another journal paragraph somehow penned with a straight face.
[Via Mind Hacks]


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Easy product returns
Buy a product and check it in your own time, at home.Show details
You can return the product without providing a reason within 14 days.
You can return the product without providing a reason within 14 days.
14 days for a return
Your satisfaction is very important to us, therefore you can make a return without providing a reason within 14 days.
No stress and worry
Thanks to the integration with cheap returns you can purchase without stress and be sure that the return process will be hassle free.
Easy returns wizard
All returns processed by our shop are managed in a easy-to-use returns wizard which gives you the ability to send a return parcel.
- Maximum crop performance
- Made of dense fabric so that the roots can breathe better than in ordinary plastic pots
- The pot can be used at least three times, in any case the pot should be washed in a washing machine at 40 degrees
Smart Pot is a special pot designed for growers who want to get a maximum yield of their plants. The pot is made of a special thick cloth-like fabric. Due to this, the roots can breathe better than in the usual plastic/porcelain pots. Perfect for coco and soil growing of vegetables, fruit trees and herbs.
Another advantage of this pot is that it is incredibly easy to freight, you can fit a dozen in an ordinary plastic bag.
Volym 3,8 Liter
18cm x 15cm
Users reviews


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The expanding universe is being driven by some kind of force. Scientists call that mystery force dark energy but don't know what it is.
The expanding universe is being driven by some kind of force. Scientists call that mystery force dark energy but don't know what it is.
A new, five-year project known as the Dark Energy Survey includes scientists from the University of Illinois and a special camera built at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in suburban Chicago, all aimed at providing answers about just what that energy is.
The camera began taking photos last weekend through a telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory on top of a 7,200-foot desert peak in the Andes Mountains in Chile. Scientists at the University of Illinois are processing those images and other researchers from universities around the world are reviewing them. Roughly 200 scientists will eventually be involved.
Dark energy, U of I research scientist Robert Gruendl said, is "the name for something we don't understand. What the survey is trying to do is characterize the ... acceleration we are seeing so we can place limits on what may be causing it."
Scientists 15 years ago first found that the expansion of the universe is speeding up.
The new survey will cover the Southern Hemisphere, following similar work on the Northern Hemisphere conducted in New Mexico as part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
The project says the camera, with resolution of 570 megapixels, is the largest in the world. It will be used to gather 18,000 images a night, operating for 105 nights a year over the next five years.
The first of those are being processed now, and Gruendl hopes to be able to release the first set of images in about a year.
Other scientists at Illinois will be involved, too. Astronomers at the university will analyze galaxy clusters and physicists will observe supernovae to try to chart the expansion of the universe over time, physics professor Jon Thaler said. The university's National Center for Supercomputing Applications is also involved in processing the raw images into data that scientists can use.
"It's an exciting time in cosmology, when we can use observations of the distant universe to tell us about the fundamental nature of matter, energy, space and time," said Josh Frieman, director of the Dark Energy Survey with the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi Lab, in a news release.
The U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and institutions in Brazil, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are paying for the project.
On the web: The Dark Energy Survey: www.darkenergysurvey.org/
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory www.ctio.noao.edu/noao/


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An artist's impression of the Jupiter-size extrasolar planet, HD 189733b, being eclipsed by its parent star.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have measured carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the planet's atmosphere. The planet is a 'hot Jupiter', so close to its parent star that it completes an orbit in only 2.2 days.
This type of observation is best carried out when the planet's orbit takes it behind the star (as seen from Earth), allowing for an opportunity to subtract the light of the star alone (when the planet is hidden behind it) from that of the star and planet together before an eclipse. This allows astronomers to isolate the infrared emission of the planet and carry out spectroscopic observations that chemically analyse the day-side atmosphere.
The planet is too hot for life as we know it. But under the right conditions, on a more Earth-like world, carbon dioxide can indicate the presence of extraterrestrial life. This observation demonstrates that chemical biotracers can be detected by space telescope observations.


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Benchmarks - The Open
- Girls
- Barbell Lifts
- Heroes
- Endurance
- Gymnastics
- Notables
- The Open
"The CrossFit Games stand alone as the ultimate test of fitness. No test, regardless of its lofty claims, can grant legitimate title to the best without first providing access to all." -The CrossFit Games
Since 2011, the first step to The CrossFit Games is the worldwide online Open. Anyone can sign up and test their fitness over the five week competition. A few have their sights on the Games, others hope to make it to Regionals, but many more participate for more individual reasons. Some of these workouts are rememberable, others most will want to forget, but all of them will test your fitness.
Read more


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MGO 100+ Manuka Honey has a naturally occuring minimum of 100mg/kg methylgyoxal content which is responsible for the remarkable properties in Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey is collected from a plant that is unique to New Zealand - Leptospermum scoparium. The white flowers appear in spring and are much loved by the honey bees. Manuka flowers have a strong, aromatic fragrance and are full of the nectar which provides this dark, creamy honey. Methylglyoxal - the unique compound in Manuka Honey MGO Manuka Honey is labelled based on the minimum Methylglyoxal content (mg/kg) it contains. Methylglyoxal is the compound directly responsible for the remarkable properties of Manuka honey and the MGO rating clearly indicates the minimum level of this compound in each jar. No other system of measurement gives such a clear and simple indication. The higher the MGO rating the more Methylglyoxal content. Quality Assurance All of our MGOTM Manuka Honey products are scientifically tested and verified to ensure you are getting consistent quality. Every batch is subjected to laboratory tests that measure various quality parameters including Dietary Methylglyoxal content. Great care is taken to ensure that the Methylglyoxal is maintained from the bee-hive to the finished product so you do not lose any of the valuable properties of this remarkable honey. Manuka Honey is not suitable for children under 12 months.
Manuka Honey
Manuka Honey is not suitable for children under 12 months.
Important - Please read before purchase
While we try to ensure that product information is correct, on occasion manufacturers may alter their ingredient lists. For additional information about a product, please Contact Us on 0800 252 875.
Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a medical practitioner, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. Discontinue use and consult a doctor if adverse reactions occur.
Information stated regarding dietary supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
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Standard delivery (Orders under £20): £3.50 · Delivery time: 3-5 working days
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We ship worldwide! Delivery times vary from 4-8 working days for Europe and 5-14 working days for the rest of the world. Flat rate delivery charges can be found here.


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The overall goals of palliative and end-of-life care are to improve the quality of living and dying for people with dementia and their family. A palliative approach to care is not only beneficial at the end of life but often for months in advance. Palliative care can start much earlier and be provided at the same time as potentially curative treatments. A person may continue to receive any necessary medications. These include medications to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as those that prevent pain and discomfort.
The Canadian Virtual Hospice defines palliative care as "an approach to care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for those affected by progressive, life threatening illness. The goal of palliative care is to control pain and other symptoms, support emotional, spiritual and cultural needs and maximize functioning." In the past, a palliative care approach was most commonly offered to individuals in the final stages of dying from cancer. But there is now a consensus among experts that a palliative approach to care for people in advanced dementia is considered the best practice and that the care should be individualized to meet the needs, values and preferences of the person and their family.
"It's important for staff to be informed about the 'little things' that will help keep the person comfortable." – Barbara Dylla, a former caregiver in Montreal
Effective comfort care requires that staff have the skills to assess facial expressions, movements, reactions and changes in the individual so they can effectively diagnose and treat any discomfort. A person-centred approach to palliative and end-of-life care involves not only good physical care, but also compassionate communication and support to minimize the person's emotional and spiritual distress, and maximize their comfort and well-being. The staff are there for you and other family members to confide in and to provide support.
Planning for end-of-life care should begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of dementia. As part of this planning, people with dementia and their families may want to consider long-term care homes that adopt a palliative approach to end-of-life care and give staff the specialized training needed to provide personalized palliative care. Also, it may be helpful to check if the long-term care home provides a private space for the person and the family to spend final days or hours together.
Additional resources
- One chance to get it right, by the Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People, provides information on how individualized palliative care plans that reflect the needs and preferences of the dying person can be developed and carried out
- Comfort care at the end of life for persons with Alzheimer's disease or other degenerative diseases of the brain: a guide for caregivers, by the Health and Social Services Centre — University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke (CSSS-IUGS)
- Webinar: Dementia and End of Life Care, by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and brainXchange
Next section: Understanding pain management


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Transport is the one thing that gets most Londoners hot under the collar and is probably the area in which Liberal Democrats have made most impact on the London Assembly — first through Lynne Featherstone and now Caroline Pidgeon. London is a preeminent global city — certainly Europe's unrivaled metropolis — but it does not have a public transport system to match. This is despite constant upgrades and one of the highest fare structures in the world. Part of the problems is that the underground system is 19th century in its origins, but it also has to be said that Mayor Boris Johnson has had some pretty odd priorities since he took over the helm of the Greater London Authority from Ken Livingstone in 2004. His Routemaster+ buses are proving to be expensive disaster+ buses, with costly conductors who cannot take fares or even oversee the back door off-peak. At a curry and discussion evening in Greenwich this evening, Caroline Pidgeon, AM, regaled Liberal Democrat members from Greenwich, Lewisham and further afield with stories of her holding the Mayor to account. I picked up on a passing reference she made to his latest harebrained suggestion that commercial companies should be able to sponsor tube stations. Anyone for Starbucks Temple, or Oval MacNuggets or Winga Wembley Park, anyone? But it's not just Boris Johnson, and the even more out-of-touch right-wing Tory group on the GLA, that Caroline has been taking to task. She has been having a go at Greenwich's Labour Council leader, Chris Roberts, who as a matter of principle refuses to respond to any request or approach from her, despite her London-wide role. One party Stalinism rules in Labour Greenwich, and alas not only there!
Links: http://www.carolinepidgeon.org and http://www.greenwich-libdems.org.uk


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Burnout Paradise Getting Cop Pursuit DLC?
A new trailer for the forthcoming PC release of Burnout Paradise suggests that the open-world racer will eventually gain the series' traditional pursuit mode as DLC.
First noticed by Joystiq, the trailer provides a glimpse of the forthcoming Burnout Store, complete with a listing for an add-on pack that's signified by a police badge.
In past Burnout games, pursuit mode has seen players take control of a police vehicle and attempt to apprehend a speeding suspect before reaching the race's end.
Since Burnout Paradise hit PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 last year, developer Criterion has supported the game with a wealth of free downloadable content, including new vehicles.
The studio has said it will begin selling new add-ons in early February. The PC release of Burnout Paradise, which includes all of the existing DLC, is due out on February 5.