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Lovely and inspiring work Laurie!
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Thank you Leanne. Thanks for hosting the group!
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I painted this from an old black and white photograph. She is my greatgrandmother
LAURIE MORGAN - Commissions Welcomed Painting became a true love after years in the entertainment field. I get a thrill rendering on canvas the sights I see in my travels around the world. I�m intrigued by historical architecture and most of my work contains part of a house, castle, cottage, cabin, barn or other structure. Many of my paintings have windows or doors, arches and pathways. These mean to me �adventure, surprise and levels of spirituality�. I�m also fascinated by man�s use of natural substances such as, stone, brick, wood and often add these to my work as well. Equally I love flowers and gardens and try to include them wherever I can. For several years I painted in acrylics, and before that in oils, but lately I've been...
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This is the time of the year when you do a round up of what went by but perhaps more importantly what can occur in the near future. Here then is a wish list for 2013 vis-à-vis water in all its forms.
We will all become water warriors – Let us imagine an active citizenry engaged daily in wise water use, water conservation, solid waste management such that water is not wasted or the environment polluted by any one of their actions. It is not too difficult and as Gandhiji said 'Be the change you want to see in the world'.
The institution will achieve universal coverage – Each and every home in the city will have a water and sanitation connection, be it 'pukka' or 'kutcha' , be it legal or not , be it in a slum or in a posh neighbourhood . Difficult? Not really if each ward of the city measures the connections achieved on a monthly basis.
The tanks in the city will ALL be revived – That every neighbourhood will have a clean expanse of water body to gaze at, to walk around, and to see the birds and that it will be a community property resource for all to enjoy.
The storm-water drains in the city will be cleaned – sewage treatment plants distributed all across the city will clean all the waste-water picked up by an efficient sewage line network. The treated waste water will be let into wetlands which abut tanks and thence will fill the water body to the brim. Only rainwater from roads will flow in the storm drains.
The rainwater in storm-water drains will be recharged into the aquifer through a series of recharge wells
Rainwater harvesting in every home – Rain barrels will dot every home and every apartment, collecting rainwater for supplementary use. Those buildings which cannot will collect rainwater in sumps or make recharge wells to allow it to go into the aquifer replenishing it.
Bore-wells– The mad drilling of individual bore-wells will stop, instead a sharing of ground-waters through community bore-wells will happen. People will instead contribute to keeping these bore-wells recharged through individual point recharge structures in storm water drains and within the plot.
Every bore-well will be recharged with clean, filtered rainwater
Septic tanks and pit toilets – those buildings not connected to the sewage lines will have well designed septic tanks and pit toilets emptied at regular intervals by the mechanical sludge removers called Honey-suckers. This removed sludge will be scientifically composted and reused as fertilizer to revitalize soils all across the city.
Schools, colleges, anganwadis and hospitals – Special attention will be paid to these institutions where the young and the vulnerable occupy. Water and sanitation will be available 24/7 thus ensuring health, hygiene and water literacy.
Parks and playgrounds – Most of the parks will become tree based instead of the water guzzling lawn based parks. Each park will harvest its own rainwater correctly by linking catchment, conveyance and recharge properly.
Here is wishing us to become a water sensitive city in this year alone.' You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one' as one of the Beatles has famously said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
Author: Ishmael
Title of work: "Railroad Bill, A Conjure Man"
Betty Tillman Samb uses a cultural studies approach in her literature class by comparing trickster figures in Ishmael Reed's "Railroad Bill, A Conjure Man" and "High John de Conquer," from Zora Neale Hurston's The Sanctified Church. Using literature circles, students read magazine articles and stories that help to make clear the meaning of "Railroad Bill."
To prepare for the lesson, view The Expanding Canon video program 5, Part I. Online, review the Session 5 theory overview, strategies, information about the authors and literature, resources, and the downloadable print guide. Read Ishmael Reed's poem, "Railroad Bill, A Conjure Man," "High John de Conquer," from Zora Neale Hurston's The Sanctified Church. Find related texts or ask students to find articles/essays/poems about racism, and trickster tales. Read these in advance of the lesson.
Teachers will need the following supplies:
Standards for the English Language Arts
1. Betty Tillman Samb begins by introducing her students to the trickster figure High John the Conqueror. Then she reads aloud Zora Neale Hurston's short piece, "High John de Conquer," from The Sanctified Church, summarizing and making predictions throughout her reading.
2. Samb asks her students to read "Railroad Bill, A Conjure Man" together. During and after the reading, Samb encourages her students to summarize what they have read and make predictions about what's to come, asking questions such as:
3. Samb then asks her students to develop questions to ask Ishmael Reed.
4. Author Ishmael Reed visits Samb's classroom. (At this point, teachers may show students a clip from The Expanding Canon video program 5, Part I featuring Ishmael Reed.) In addition to reading the poem, Reed answers students' questions about his poetry, the character of Railroad Bill, and history.
5. After Reed talks with the class, Samb divides the students into seven groups to form literature circles. She assigns each group a different reading relevant to "Railroad Bill" -- articles/essays/poems about racism, and trickster tales -- including "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby," by Joel Chandler Harris; "We Wear the Mask," by Paul Laurence Dunbar; "Brer Rabbit Escapes Again, or Brer Fox Bites Off More Than He Can Chew," by Yusef Salaam; "The Hungry Spider and the Turtle," an Ashanti trickster tale; and articles from the San Francisco Examiner: "Distorted Views of Minorities Lives On," "Whites Oppose Discrimination But Cling to Stereotypes," and "San Francisco Is Not Color Blind, Choking Black Man Finds." Teachers can provide these texts or ask students to bring them into class as a research activity. Samb asks the groups to read the pieces, analyze them, and report back to the class. Students take on different roles in the groups: One student is a discussion director, one a connector, and one a summarizer.
© Annenberg Foundation 2017. All rights reserved. Legal Policy


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COCOA, Fla. - A Central Florida student who turned to pornography to help his family pay bills told Local 6 has been kicked out of his high school.
[UPDATE: School allows student back | RECOMMENDED: Cops say drunken woman drove to jail | Man reads own obit in paper]
Robert Marucci makes no apologies for performing in porn and considers his work like any other job. Until two weeks ago, the 18-year-old was like any other high school senior, but he said when students at Cocoa High School discovered his videos on an adult website, they started showing each other his explicit pictures on their phones at school.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: After Marucci spoke with Local 6, the district said he was able to return to school.]
Marucci said he became the target of bullies, and now he said the school wants him gone.
"I feel like I have been treated unfairly and this is unjust," Marucci said. "This was completely legal. I didn't break any laws, and this took place out of the school."
His mother, Melyssa Lieb, said she knew her son was working in adult films, adding that he took the roles to support her financially.
"I think he's the most awesome person in the world," she said. "He stood up and he was the man of the house when I couldn't be."
After word spread about his explicit pictures, Marucci said administrators expelled him, saying he was a major disruption. In a referral slip, administrators wrote that he threatened to brings weapons to the school -- something he denies.
His mother believes the alleged threats were not the real reason behind his punishment.
Despite the allegations of threats, Lieb said the principal told her, "He was expelled due to his explicit lifestyle career."
"I think that it is Dr. [Stephanie] Soliven's morals and her personal beliefs and I don't think that this is anybody's business except for my son's," said Lieb. "The children at the school found it [the porn] and she didn't do anything to stop it."
Students reacted strongly to Marucci's punishment. Dozens staged a walkout on Friday in support of their classmate, hoping to persuade the school to let him stay. Marucci said he was not involved in the walkout, but said it was orchestrated by his friends.
Now, the family wants an apology from the school. They said Marucci is a good student, never got in trouble before, and they want him to graduate in May.
District leaders declined to be interviewed, but a representative said they are still investigating and suggested Marucci violated the student code of conduct, but would not specify which rule he is accused of breaking.
Brevard County school leaders spoke out Tuesday. Michelle Irwin, spokesperson for the district, said, "No child would ever be suspended for a job that they have outside of the school environment."
However, when Local 6 asked why then he was suspended, they won't say, citing privacy laws.
"In this particular case, we had an investigation, which is now complete, and the student is welcomed to come back to talk to Dr. Sullivan about his educational options," said Irwin.
[SEE THESE? Tattoos so real it's scary | Weirdest items left in hotels | Worst prom pics ]
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2014 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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healthy comfort/
Did everyone else have a crazy busy, nonstop Wednesday like I did????
Things started off nice and slow with this hot bowl of cocoa oats.
They weren't as chocolatey as last week, because I'm out of chocolate almond milk. If you add too much cocoa powder, your oats will taste realllllly bland!! I added 1.5T and had to add a little drizzle of maple syrup on top.
in the mix:
- 3T oat bran
- 3T rolled oats
- 2T ground flax meal
- splash of vanilla
- 1.5T cocoa powder
- 1/2 bannaa
- 1/2c water
- 3/4c unsweetened almond milk
topped with: vanilla bean cinnamon banana bread + walnuts + coconut + vanilla maple almond butter
I am obsessed with the banana bread AND the almond butter.
8:45am – 3:30pm insert –> ashley doing a million things
3:45pm: Prep dinner. I don't prep dinner hours ahead of time typically, but when it's an all-in-one casserole type dish, it's so nice to get it ready ahead of time!
I've been eyeing up Angela's vegan mac n' cheeze, since she posted it a few weeks ago. It looked SO creamy and delicious and used no soy!
I wanted to put my own little spin on things, so adjustments were made. Although I'm sure Angela's was 100% cheezey + deeelicious!!
First change was subbing out potato for cauliflower.
Breadcrumbs, per Angela's instruction.
Notice the dollop of mustard?? I am not a fan of mustard, but felt that I should try it out in this recipe. It was actually noticeable, but didn't bother me at all!
The uncooked sauce tasted SO DELICIOUS. I knew this was going to be winner!
I forget what type of noodle these are, but I used a mix of 100% durum semolina + whole wheat noodles. I'm a huge fan of using noodles that trap sauce inside of them. Shells would work extremely well in this too!
I held off on putting the breadcrumbs on top, because the casserole dish was going to sit in the fridge for a few hours before baking. No one likes soggy breadcrumbs.
Sprinkled with paprika, covered, and in the fridge it went. It took about 30min flat to prep + clean dishes. Not bad!
The only thing I had on my mind the rest of the day was DINNER. I walked the doggles and then when Chris went home we left for the gym. We both got a 1 free month membership to a gym called Miramount. I'm not sure if they're in other cities, but I had never heard of them before. There are 4 in Ft. Collins. The one we went to tonight is MASSIVE. There is an extremely large climbing section, with bouldering too. Very nice to have an all-in-one gym. One location even has a pool. Yay! They have a million different classes to take too. Hoping to hit up spin classes + vinyasa yoga. The monthly cost for 2 people is pretty reasonable for all that they offer. It's cheaper than the climbing only gym we used to belong to! I'm loving it so far. :)
We didn't get home until 9:15pm!!! I had a snack before we left to hold me over. As SOON as we got home, I preheated the oven, and threw this sucker in!
Before I knew it, it was 10pm and chow time.
Yes, this is vegan. So there is no real cheese, but there is also no fake cheese. It's a crazy mixture of cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, and a few other things. The consistency is like a thick alfredo sauce, just as Angela says. So imagine baking a bunch of doughy noodles in alfredo sauce and then topping them with breadcrumbs.
Oh yes. It was fabulous. More fabulous than any alfredo sauce I've ever eaten.
I will call this "healthy comfort." I'm not going to try and convince you how delicious this was. Trust me and give it a go!
Husband approved.
Light box photos were not so flattering with this dish.
I'm hoping to make this for the family, when I go home next week. That will be the real test!
Herbed Vegan Mac n' Cheeze [adapted from Oh She Glows] serves 4-6
- 1.5c raw, unsalted cashews
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 cup of cauliflower
- 2T nutritional yeast
- 1.5t dried oregano
- 1/2t dried parsley
- 1.5 stems fresh rosemary
- 1T earth balance [or butter]
- 1/4c fresh lemon juice
- 1t mustard
- 1 1/3c unsweetened almond milk
- 2t salt
- 3 med. garlic cloves
- fresh ground pepper
- ~12-16oz pasta [depending on how saucy you like it]
- paprika [optional to sprinkle on top]
- 1 slice of bread
- Steam or boil chopped carrot, onion and cauliflower until just tender. About 7-12min, depending on method.
- Pulse 1 piece of bread in food processor [or blender] until crumbs have formed. Set aside.
- While veggies are cooking, combine nutritional yeast, cashews, oregano, parsley, rosemary, lemon juice, mustard, almond milk, earth balance, salt, garlic, and pepper in your food processor bowl.
- Process until smooth. [Should also work in a blender]
- Drain veggies and add to processor. Process again until smooth. About 1-2 minutes.
- Par-boil pasta for about 6 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350*.
- Drain water + rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
- In a large bowl mix sauce + pasta. It seems like a LOT of sauce, but it thickens a lot during baking. If you want a lot of sauce, use 12oz of pasta. If you want it less saucy use 16oz.
- In a 1.5-2qt casserole dish, pour in the mixture. Top with paprika [optional] and bake covered for 30min.
- Uncover + top with breadcrumbs. Broil on low for ~3min until nice and crispy.
There are no signs of all the veggies hiding in this sauce!! Loooove it. So extremely flavorful. Super filling and full of protein, fiber + health fats! The rosemary + oregano were delicious additions. I think next time I'm going to blend red peppers into the "cheeze" sauce and add different seasonings. There are so many variations you could make with this recipe!
Dip your side of steamed veggies in this. I dare you!!
Gooooooodnight. Up early for a swim and then getting ready for Jake to come this weekend. Another action packed weekend of playing mom!! So excited. :)


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Playhouse on Park Holds Advanced Improv Classes for Adults, Now thru 3/25
Starting today, February 4th, 2013, Playhouse on Park, will be hosting a new session of Advanced Adult Improv Classes led by Claire Zick.
This class will hone the skills of the more advanced improviser by exploring narratives and addressing individual strengths as well as areas that may need improvement. Students will learn to sustain a more complex narrative using all of the skills learned in previous classes. Focus will be on long-form improvisation, especially Harold. The class will culminate in a final performance.
Classes run today, February 4th thru March 25th 2013 from 7pm - 10pm at West Hartford's Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road. Registration is required (Prerequisite: Intermediate Improvisation or Instructor's permission). $200 per student. Class size limited to 12 students. For more information and registration forms visitwww.playhouseonpark.org or call 860-523-5900 ext. 10.


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A fruitier cab, lots of berry flavor, solid dinner wine
More posts
- Karen preferred the more medium body in this one. I thought it was similar to Columbia Crest grand estates.~$14 @ Costco
- Not much influenced .with good food means strong food it may be good.
- NYE wine tasting party: Bottle located on right in nook. Anthony and Natalie both scored 9/10.
- At club w Deb
- Susan's wine


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Gift Ideas from Silvert's - Senior Hospital Gowns
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Enjoy hospital gowns that offer complete dignity with full back coverage! Attractive Pretty Hospital Nightgowns in a large selection of colors, and patterns made of quality machine washable cotton jersey knit, cotton broadcloth and flannel. Men's & women's gowns sizes small to plus sizes, bariatric. No pressure point gowns with snaps. Best Gowns for homecare, nursing homes & hospitals. Quality designer gowns at great prices.
Seniors will benefit from the ease of wear and care Silvert's adaptive apparel provides. As your needs change, we will be there with safe, warm and comfortable clothing to help keep dressing simple and dignified.
How to Put on a Hospital Gown:
- Undo the gown.
- Dress from a standing, seated or reclining position.
- Place arms easily into the gown sleeves.
- Draw the gown up to the shoulders.
- The Generous overlap wraps around the back or may be left open.
- Snap closures on each shoulder are snapped into place.
- Reclining individuals may be rolled over or lifted at the shoulders.
- Shoulder snaps avoid uncomfortable pressure points unlike tie back gowns.
Complete coverage without the need stand!
Can't find the perfect gift? Silvert's offers gift certificates in denominations from $25 to $200. For more information, click here.
Silverts, the original adaptive clothing supplier, has been pleased to make dressing easier for disabled adults, seniors and the elderly by offering the largest selection of quality affordable adaptive clothing and adaptive footwear for over 88 years.
A large percentage of our customers are caregivers who purchase adaptive clothing and/or elderly footwear for their loved ones. Silvert's understands the difficulty of purchasing on others behalf and the caregiver's need for a full return and exchange policy.
For many this may be your first time purchasing adaptive clothing or adaptive shoes for your loved one. Questions may arise such as: what is adaptive nursing home clothing? or what size clothing should I order? Silvert's Customer Service Department is pleased to respond to all your questions and concerns.by phone 1-800-387-7088, Email email@example.com or by Online Chat during regular business hours (EST).


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Pincushion Presents
A few years ago Kathy C. made me a bottle cap pincushion as a Lake Tahoe quilt retreat gift. I thought it was adorable, but it took me awhile to realize
Here's how many I've made so far (minus one, which I gave to a quilting friend in Berkeley). I started working on them this summer at the lake and really enjoyed combining the wool felt colors (small pieces purchased from Wooly Lady) with learning new stitches. I used Valdani thread for the embroidery.
I wish I could get the tops to be a little smoother and less "cupcake-like," but they function as they were designed to do, so I guess I shouldn't worry too much. My bookgroup seemed to like them—I also included a pack of my favorite pins with each one.
Our bookgroup holiday party is always so much fun and a true tradition at this point—our group has been together for more than 20 years. We exchange gifts—some handmade and some not, depending on how busy we've been—and cookies. This year Anne also made us a lovely soup and salad supper.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!


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Thank you! My sister had an ridiculously good time at The Bank in the Bellagio Las Vegas. All our guests got in completely free! Thanks again!Shawndra H.,
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For most of the day, Sgt. Shawn Burns of the Boston Police Department said last year's Boston Marathon was the same as any other. But, as he made his way to the finish line to congratulate a friend as he crossed the line, everything changed.
For most of the day, Sgt. Shawn Burns of the Boston Police Department said last year's Boston Marathon was the same as any other. But, as he made his way to the finish line to congratulate a friend as he crossed the line, everything changed.
"I wasn't even a block from where the explosions happened," he said. "At first I thought a transformer had exploded, but then I saw the smoke, and I think I even said it out loud, 'that's a bomb.'"
Burns, a Pembroke resident, said he has covered the marathon many times. Typically, he covers the Brighton/Alston area, but when on marathon day, many officers are called in to become resident 'jacks-of all-trades.'
Burns said the duties that he typically has to perform on a marathon day are wide ranging, but the main point to his job is to make sure the marathon runs smoothly. He gives directions to people from out of town, he helps get traffic moving, in general he assists the public. Last year, he had to assist in a totally different way that he said went by so quickly and suddenly that he questioned its reality.
"After it was over, I kept saying to myself, 'did that really just happen?'" he said.
What happened was two explosions on either side of the street by the finish line.
Burns rushed up to the scene after the first bomb went off, he said he had been moving through a group of runners who had just finished the race, wearing their silver warmth blankets and trying to recoup from the long run.
After the bomb went off, the crowd streamed in both directions, Burns fought his way towards the explosion and saw blast victims all around him. One in particular stood out to him.
"There was a young lady with long black hair on the ground, she wasn't moving much, she was pale, and there was a lot of blood around her," he said. "There were two guys kneeling beside her, trying to bandage what looked like an injury on her leg."
Burns said he had to take the bandage off her leg, so he could assess the actual damage that had been done. When he uncovered the wound, he saw what he described as a large gaping hole in the girl's inner thigh.
"I thought maybe the ephemeral artery had been severed, and I told the guys to put their hand on the wound, and whatever they do, don't remove them," he said.
The girl lying on the ground was Sydney Corcoran. She had gone to the race with her parents. In the blast, Sydney's mother Celeste lost both her legs, and Burns said her father had put tourniquets on both legs, probably saving her life. He said the two men that stopped to help Sydney probably saved her life too.
"I told them, 'I'm supposed to go towards the blasts, you guys aren't, you're heroes," Burns said.
After being pulled away to help in a few other areas, Burns made his way back to Sydney. He said at that point he wasn't sure if she was going to live through the incident, so he just kept talking to her.
"I knew she was losing blood, and I didn't want her to go into shock," he said. "And, I didn't know if she would live or not, so I wanted to comfort her."
Sydney was placed on a gurney and rushed off to be helped, Burns rushed back to the finish line, but by then most of the victims had been removed. He said the police moved pretty quickly into running a crime scene. He would stay on duty until late that night, when he was ordered to go home.
"I was there for hours to help supervise the crime scene," he said. They sent me home between 11:30 p.m. and 12 a.m., I was on duty for well past 24 hours."
Burns said he felt connected with Sydney, and has since kept in contact with her. While she isn't completely back to 100 percent, Burns said she was going to make a full recovery. He is also making an effort to help the family try to restore some normalcy to life.
This year, Burns is running the marathon for the first time. He is running for the Boston Police, which is raising money for "Cops for Kids with Cancer," but he is also running for Team Corcoran. The team is looking to raise $50,000 to help pay for the life time expenses of Sydney's mother's prosthetics.
As far as fears or hesitance about returning to the scene of the bombings, Burns said he has none.
"I can't wait, I have no reservations," he said. "It'll help with the healing process, I think when I cross the finish line, it'll give me some closure."


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75x150 cm - 29 1/2"x59"
10 mm
The glossy polished finish is suitable for residential or low-traffic commercial floors, where no anti-slip performance is required, and for walls.
The glossy polished surface finish, surprisingly brilliant and bright, features slight irregularities typical of natural marble. The extraordinary brilliance and the easy cleaning of the surface are the result of in-depth research aimed at guaranteeing its durability over time.
If the product is in direct contact with the outdoors, provide devices for absorbing moisture and dirt to prevent scratches.


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2007 GMC Yukon - Sound Off
A Six-Week Audio Build Of Seismic Proportions
Forty-two days doesn't seem like a whole lot of time to take a stock vehicle and turn it into a mobile sound bomb, but when there's a deadline looming overhead, anything can happen. The project specimen was an '07 GMC Yukon. The deadline came in the form of the 4th annual Pioneer Sound Build-Off on April 28, 2010, and the crew behind the mayhem happened to be John Irwin and Travis Williams of Sound Waves, in Memphis, Tennessee. You may have heard of the event before, but for those of you who haven't, Pioneer supplies select certified dealers nationwide with roughly $10,000 worth of the same Stage 4 audio components. The objective for each shop is to create an audio system that is geared toward pumping out pure sound quality as well as attractively displaying Pioneer's state-of-the-art gear.
John, owner of Sound Waves, and his crew did not take the challenge lightly since sound quality and attention to the slightest of details is always priority number one. When the crew tore into Pioneer's ten-thousand dollar care package, they found a collection of mint condition audio gold pieces that would come close to blowing the roof off of the Yukon. The gem in the lot was the DEX-P99RS head unit, which is an audiophile's wet dream since it's able to unearth minute complexities, even in songs that you've heard a thousand times before. Two 10-inch TS-W252PRS subwoofers were next to be discovered, and would provide almost enough bass to shatter every pane of the GMC's glass. To complement the low frequencies, Pioneer made sure to supply their Stage 4 TS-C172PRS 6 3/4-inch components, and TS-S062PRS 2 5/8-inch component midrange speakers. Powering the subs are two 1,200-watt PRS-D1200SPL monoblock amplifiers, and two PRS-A900 four-channel filter-less amps for the highs and mids. As anyone could imagine, these ingredients make for some of the purest musical playback experiences imaginable, but there is more to an impressionable sound system than just a box full of assorted parts-no matter their caliber.
The Sound Waves crew completely gutted the Yukon's interior in order to apply a layer of Stinger Roadkill sound deadening material underneath the carpet and door panels. To house the speakers in the A-pillars and door panels, custom pods were formed using acrylic formed in a vacuum mold made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF). A fiberglass sub enclosure was fabricated, and not only gives the two Pioneer pounders plenty of breathing room, but it classes up the confines with its charcoal-colored suede accent and prepped and painted surface. As for the monstrous amp rack, John and Travis created an MDF frame then covered it in fiberglass, vinyl, and more suede to complete a deep, thematic atmosphere. Blue LED backlighting can be found everywhere, which quickly ignites the GMC's exciting nightlife.
With the Yukon now bumping with the best of them, the guys at Sound Waves reluctantly freed their ears from the addictive sound supply, and paid the Yukon's exterior some attention. First, the suspension was dropped with a Belltech 2/4 drop kit, and complemented with a set of 24x8-inch painted-to-match Boss wheels wrapped in 305/35R24 Nexen tires.
Over the course of six weeks and 800 man-hours, Sound Waves was able to transform a dealership darling into a mobile audio assault vehicle just in time to put their craftsmanship and Pioneer's products to the test. Anything is possible when a two-man team puts in 14-hour work shifts, seven days a week.


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Click on the image to view larger
Available Sizes and Current Prices
45 x 37 2200
58 x 48 3700
78 x 58 18,000
price includes framing
As editions cross milestones, prices increase. As edition sizes close, no further printing of that size will be available, nor will new sizes be introduced
Into mother earth
How the art is finished
All pieces are limited editions and are only available framed. All materials are acid free, glazed, and sealed, under museum glass. The frames are made in Italy of olive wood.


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Supplementing Your Child's Education
Bells are ringing across the country, in classes (and homes) as children make their way back to school for another year. As a parent, I want to give my child the best possible chance at a successful school year. Being actively involved in my child's experiences at school by volunteering and assisting, as well as being a physical presence around the school, are great ways to take an active role in my son's education. I also like to find things to supplement classroom learning and bring it home as well.
WonderBrains is currently carrying two lines of materials that are perfect for homeschooled children and children who are educated outside the home. Carson-Dellosa, a leading education publisher, has created a variety of activities and workbooks for children ages three through fifth grade. For preschool-aged children, WonderBrains carries a variety of read-aloud, activity-centered books, such as Magnix: A Visit To the Farm. The Magnix series of books also branches into early math and writing activities as well. For school-aged children, WonderBrains carries Carson-Dellosa's Summer Bridge series. But, don't let the titles fool you! These are excellent tools year-round, and may even inspire your young learner to come up with even more activities. These books are found as Summer Bridge Activities, Summer Bridge Math and Summer Bridge Reading and are available in several different age ranges.
WonderBrains has also welcomed Remedia on board. These reading activities workbooks are available for children from Kindergarten through high school with a wide range of reading skill areas. For younger children, the Remedia Beginning Reading Program is a comprehensive collection of age and ability-level appropriate materials with an accompanying activity guide. Choose from the sampler set or the small group set (three copies of each story). As the students progress in their learning, so do the skill materials covered by Remedia's materials: comprehension, vocabulary, context clues and life skills reading activities. For reluctant readers, Remedia offers a line of activity books that are high-interest, low-readability to boost confidence and success in students who need it the most.
Extending the learning to the homefront is a wonderful way to stress the importance of education with young people. WonderBrains can help you find the resources to do so!


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By Laura Esti Miller, Literary Manager
Welcome to OpenForum. We love plays that start a good conversation and there are many ways and places to have that conversation! This is your one-stop place to join in on the discussions going on about all the shows at Forum.
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NCSF Calls for Reinstatement of Cuffs at Iowa State University
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom supports the rights of adults at Iowa State University to maintain their educational and social SM group, Cuffs. NCSF condemns any form of discrimination or persecution of consenting adults who engage in SM educational activities, and calls for Cuffs' organizational privileges to be reinstated and for the assault allegations to be dropped at the March 1st investigative hearing by Iowa State University.
University-approved SM groups serve an important function by providing necessary safe sex education for students. SM is recognized as a normal form of sexual expression and is practiced routinely by approximately 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. To serve these millions of people, there are over 500 educational and social SM groups in the U.S. alone teaching adults about safe, sane and consensual sexual expression.
SM is not assault. SM does not involve inflicting unwanted, offensive or fearful activities on an individual. People who engage in SM activities do so willingly and consensually and they can stop the activities at any time. This is similar to the behavior that is involved in many sporting activities such as Iowa State's Boxing Club or football team.
Regarding assault, Iowa State Criminal Code Section 708.1 states:
"Provided, that where the person doing any of the above enumerated acts, and such other person, are voluntary participants in a sport, social or other activity, not in itself criminal, and such act is a reasonably foreseeable incident of such sport or activity, and does not create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or breach of the peace, the act shall not be an assault."
Cuffs workshops are voluntary and by definition cannot be criminal. "Case law in Iowa does not explicitly define SM activities as crimes or assault; they're simply not offered any special protection under the law," states Susan Wright, Spokesperson for NCSF. "The current controversy over Cuffs has arisen simply because SM involves sexual behavior."


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(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Despite the pre-game speculation, not even a hair was mussed on A-Rod's head by the mild mannered Jays. Instead, he helped the Yankees to crush the team with his 2-run shot in his second at bat off of a batting practice toss from Gas Can. Now, we think that it would have been stupid to throw at the guy. The best way to get back at him was to shut him down and beat his team. But apparently that was too much to ask of a team that seems afraid to win more than one game every two days. Weak.


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Sysnet System and Solutions Pte. Ltd. 237, Pandan Loop, #03-07, Westech Building, Singapore 128424.
+65 67730273
About Us
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IT Service Level Agreements
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Multi-Vendor IT Support Services
Managed Security Services Provider By SOC & NOC
ISO 27001 based SOC -Security Operation Center
Network and Server and Application Monitoring Services
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Projects Management Service
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Server OS and Application Hardening Services
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Automated Meeting Room
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Microsoft Lync Unified Communications
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4 first-timers voted to start NBA All-Star game
NEW YORK (AP) Kobe Bryant called for younger players in the All-Star game, and the fans listened.
They still want Bryant, too.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Paul George and Kyrie Irving were voted NBA All-Stars Thursday, putting four first-time starters in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.
Bryant was elected by fans to his 16th All-Star game, second-most in NBA history, but this one is shaping up as a kids' game.
Curry, perhaps the biggest snub last season, will join him in the Western Conference backcourt. Love passed Dwight Howard in the final days of voting and will start in the frontcourt along with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and the Clippers' Blake Griffin.
"Hey, I'm popular now," Love joked. "It's very humbling to me to be starting in the All-Star game. I tip my hat to the fans in the Twin Cities and all over Minnesota and beyond."
The four first-time starters are all 25 or younger. Curry went to All-Star weekend as a kid when his father, Dell, competed in the 3-point contest, and now he'll finally get to play in the game.
"It's kind of just a surreal feeling," Curry said. "I saw Kobe come on the screen and you knew that next person on the screen was going to be me or I was going to get left off that list. Just when I saw my name it was a real emotional kind of experience and glad my wife and daughter were here to watch it with me."
LeBron James was the leading vote-getter with 1.4 million and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade also was voted in Thursday. George, who has led Indiana to the league's best record, and New York's Carmelo Anthony are the other East forwards, and Irving will start at guard.
Bryant has been limited to just six games this season because of injuries and will be out until at least early next month. He said recently he hoped fans wouldn't vote for him and would instead look toward younger, more deserving players.
Fans picked him anyway. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 19, was selected to more All-Star games.
But even Bryant could finish only second to Curry among West guards, a remarkable turnaround for the Golden State sharpshooter. He was the highest-scoring player not chosen last year, but moved past the Clippers' Chris Paul in the third returns of balloting, then passed Bryant in the final days to finish with more than a million votes and become the Warriors' first All-Star starter since Latrell Sprewell in 1995.
"I understand how big a deal it is to be selected on the team," Curry said. "And just how different the feeling was from last year, having gone through that experience and just trying to get back healthy, first and foremost, to give myself a chance come All-Star selection time."
Love also made a late move to surge into the top three, finishing about 8,000 votes ahead of Houston center Dwight Howard to become Minnesota's first All-Star starter since Kevin Garnett in 2007.
"I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, and knowing the worst was I was going to still probably end up in the All-Star game (as a coach's pick) and represent the West and the Wolves and the Twin Cities." Love said. "Right now, I'm very happy."
Indiana hadn't had one since Jermaine O'Neal a year earlier, but now George will get to play for Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who has already clinched the East's coaching spot.
"It means a lot because that means the fans are really watching us as a team," George said. "For us to have the No. 1 record in the league, and playing at a high level, I think the fans are starting to follow us as a whole and I think that's the biggest thing with me being a starter."
The reserves will be announced next Thursday. Head coaches in each conference will vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position.
AP Sports Writers Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis and Antonio Gonzalez in Oakland, Calif. contributed to this report.
Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney


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Our mission is to educate students to become competent, engaged social workers who demonstrate the knowledge, ethics, values, and skills of the profession.
We accomplish this goal within a transformative learning community that encourages the professional development of students, staff, and faculty.
We promote civil rights and pursue social justice for oppressed and marginalized people. We improve the lives of citizens of the Piedmont Triad and beyond through our signature pedagogy, field instruction; through our community-engaged scholarship and research; and through the ongoing leadership of our students, alumni, and faculty.
The Department of Social Work is part of the School of Health and Human Sciences.
- We are passionately committed to encouraging students' personal and professional growth, to appreciating diversity, to using a global perspective to view the world, and to preparing students to be highly regarded social workers.
- We are committed to equality of educational opportunity.
- We do not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, color, gender, age, class creed, ethnicity, national origin, family structure, disability, marital status, religion, sex, political orientation, sexual orientation, or gender identity.


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Nick Perry, NorthStar Alarm Services' vice president of business development, joined the company in January and has been focused on building and supporting NorthStar's new Authorized Affiliate Funding Program. Security Systems News talked with Perry in early October about the home security system he currently has and what he likes about it.
Dan Noble, 39
COO, NorthStar Alarm Services
Orem, Utah
OREM, Utah—After NorthStar Alarm Services moved into a new 30,000 square foot facility here, the company was able to improve internal communications, bring the company together more and increase local recognition.
OREM, Utah—NorthStar Alarm Services has increased its credit facility to $80 million, doubling it in 20 months, according to CEO Jason Christensen.
OREM, Utah—NorthStar Alarm Services, a summer sales company based here, announced this week that the company has a new look to highlight its home automation and security solutions.
OREM, Utah—Summer sales company NorthStar Alarm Services says 2013 was the best season in the company's 13-year history, helping to propel the company's RMR to more than $1 million.
PROVO, Utah—NorthStar Alarm Services recently donated a home security system to a local family that has two children with disabilities, according to a news release.
OREM, Utah—The fact that Goldman Sachs and The Beekman Group are NorthStar Alarm Services' new equity partners is a "vote of confidence" in that summer sales company, according to Henry Edmonds, president of The Edmonds Group, which facilitated the transaction.
NorthStar Alarm Services is recapitalizing with a group of new investors including Goldman Sachs and The Beekman Group, and also has expanded its credit facility to $40 million with Bank of America and Zions Bank, the Orem, Utah-based company announced today. The deal, which was six months in the making, is great for NorthStar and is another indication that Goldman likes the security space.
In a communication to employees, company president Jason Christensen said, "We believe that this is an ideal partnership, with Goldman's previous success and experience in the alarm industry and Beekman's proven track record of developing a culture of excellence within its management teams. This partnership will also provide NorthStar with even more capital flexibility to support our projected growth as well as additional industry expertise and resources that will enable the company to continue its path of excellence within this industry. … The future of NorthStar is brighter than ever!"
Founded in 2000, NorthStar provides home security/ home automation services in 18 states across the nation. The company said it has grown by more than 30 percent each year over the past six years and its RMR currently exceeds $1 million.
Goldman's specialty lending group has indicated in the past it likes the security space. Companies it previously has lent to include ASG Security and Vivint—until the Blackstone group acquired Vivint last year for more than $2 billion.
The Beekman Group is a leading private equity firm dedicated to bringing financial and operational resources to lower middle-market companies.
John Troiano, managing partner at Beekman, said in a statement: "This is an impressive company with a talented management team and a well-defined culture built on the core values of integrity, accountability and service. We are excited to partner with NorthStar during its next phase of growth and development."
I'm hoping to learn more about what the new partnership means for NorthStar, Goldman and The Beekman Group. Stay posted!
© 2019 United Publications ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


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Pumpkin Seed Encrusted Baked Tilapia
Tilapia filets topped with crushed pumpkin seeds, panko and seasonings, then baked until golden. This is super easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
I served this with roasted broccoli rabe but this would also be great with rice with spinach, or roasted broccoli with smashed garlic.
Raw pumpkin seeds are everywhere this time of year. My toddler loves to snack on them and I feel good knowing she is having a healthy snack packed with vitamins, iron and minerals. They also add a wonderful nutty texture and flavor to fish. I simply grind them and toss them with panko and seasoning, then top my fish, drizzle a little oil and bake.
I had some pumpkin seeds left over from my pumpkin bread but you could swap the pumpkin seeds with any nut you have on hand, I think pistachios would also be great.
Pumpkin Seed Encrusted Baked Tilapia
- 2 tbsp raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp panko crumbs
- 1 tsp dry parsley
- course salt such as kosher
- fresh cracked pepper
- 4 pieces 5.5 oz each tilapia filets
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- olive oil spray, I used my Misto
- Grind the pumpkin seeds in a food processor or coffee grinder.
- Combine crushed pumpkin seeds, panko, parsley, pinch of salt and fresh pepper and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean up.
- Drizzle 1/4 tsp oil on each tilapia filet.
- Rub over fish to coat, season with salt and pepper and top with crushed garlic.
- Add crumbs to the top, mist with a little oil and place in the center of the oven.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until fish is cooked through, then broil for 1 - 2 minutes, or until crumbs are golden (be careful not to burn).


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Well i'll start with I began last night dosing spectracide stump remover after a good bit of research on the web about methods of increasing nitrates to a detectable level. like 1 part per million sort of range still very very low but at least detectable.
Occasionally a tank will be up taking more nutrients than your adding. Between water changes and other factors "Red field ratio" balance of p04 n n03 is one term for it. you can actually starve your corals.
After my LPs system went several months without a WC i decided i better make sure my trace elements were in check and did a 15%WC which didn't go very well so a few weeks later i did another. mind you this system is way over stocked with LPS corals. the two yr old 30 gallon red sea 130d holds well over 50 frags fully encrusted plugs and a half dozen torch colonies and six large anemones and six small fish.
So the only ingredient is potassium nitrate in the stump remover which breaks down to potassium and nitrate in the system. both of which are readily uptaken by plants mostly.
The goal here is to feed the zoznathelle algae in the corals tissue the free nitrate so they may fed the coral. They don't need much and they can uptake it rather quickly.
A lot of folks make a stock solution and dose it along with there 2 part system n so forth.
I will set up a schedule based on my uptake in the system and then update the post as I go. Many folks have already done this and documented it so i have a good idea what will be needed. But the key was to recognize that another water change was gonna be a bad thing and stop. I keep pretty good records of the tank parameters on all the systems and they all always run 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates. I do not feed heavy and I am crazy about tank maintenance. That usually means too clean and starved corals. and no algae to speak of.
A good lesson here is 0 isn't best. and know whats your tanks parameters are. and where they should be for the type of coral you are keeping. fish only systems are not an issue with regards to this obviously and 0's make maintenance easier.
I talked to two local store owners about dosing nitrate "n03" on purpose and they all admitted they do use "something" sometimes like Fresh water planted tank liquid nitrate supplements, sometimes iron, sometimes raw ammonia, sometimes more fish food and more fish" time to time to get nitrates "N03" and possibly at the same time other micro nutrients like p04 "phosphate" or K "potassium" to a normal level if they become too depleted on reef systems. The point is to balance the amount of waste your producing with what your corals are up taking and make small corrections if they get out of balance.
A system with tons of frags and no fish and no attached fish system will certainly experience an issue with no raw materials for the coralst to use for building blocks for growth.
A consistent result of 0 nitrates on a reliable test kit for several months and slow if any coral growth may lead you down this same path. fingers crossed.. everyone looks god this morning after the first dose. ill will do three doses then test the water to see if anything is detectable yet. its common for you to dose it daily and the result to men 0 again 24 hours later. which is also the case with iron and iron test kits which need to be tested immediately after you does it as its up taken in the system very quickly.
Wish me luck and add anything you think is relative. I'd love to hear what other folks have done or think about this topic.


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China billed the Olympic torch relay as its strut onto the world stage. Instead, the torch's handlers left Europe in a mad dash, handing off to San Francisco Tuesday a global lightning rod for protests.
Critics of the Chinese government have been waiting for years for just such a headline moment. It's grown harder with China's booming economy and the war on terror, they say, to get Western governments to pressure Beijing on human rights.
Now, the pent-up frustrations are spilling with increasing intensity along the torch route, forcing a meeting of the International Olympic Committee later this week to decide whether to discontinue the relay. Meanwhile, calls are growing on Western leaders to skip the opening ceremonies – including, on Monday, from presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
For human rights activists, the debate over the Games holds the possibility of a return to more critical, balanced engagement with Beijing. China experts warn, however, that Western officials should not underestimate how sensitive China will be to a slight on the torch.
"The translation of the event there [in China] is that certain hostile forces abroad are bound and determined to damage the face of the Chinese people," says David Lampton, director of China studies at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. "No Chinese leader is going to want to look weak in the face of humiliation. You can just go to the bank on that."
Monday's image of a protester accosting a torch-bearer in a wheelchair in Paris, he and others warn, could become the inverse of the iconic image of a Tiananmen protester staring down the tank. It could result in stirring popular nationalism and drawing Chinese people closer to their government, he says.
While military or major economic responses would be beyond the pale, Beijing might decide to be less cooperative on the margins of its bilateral relationships with the West.
What should Western leaders do?
The margins are also where Western leaders are feeling pressure to take action, says Jacques deLisle, an East Asian studies expert at the University of Pennsylvania.
"We have seen a deemphasis on human rights [in US-China relations] in recent years, much of it for good reason," he says. "The problem is, getting the balance right again has become very difficult because China has become less willing to listen to this kind of criticism as it's beginning to feel its oats as a major power."
Strongly worded condemnations of Chinese actions in Tibet could be one US response, he says.
Or, the Bush administration could refrain from urging judges to brush off lawsuits against Chinese human rights violators brought in US courts under the Alien Tort Statute. One such case in 2004 found the current head of China's Olympics committee liable for torture and genocide against the Falun Gong movement.
The bipartisan US Commission on International Religious Freedom lent its voice Monday to calls on President Bush to skip the Olympics opening ceremony. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will miss the ceremony.
The president should condition his participation, the commission said, on "substantial improvement in respecting Tibetans' religious freedom, including [China's] opening direct ... talks with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhists' spiritual leader."
If the president does attend the ceremony, the group added, he should also visit Tibet to affirm America's commitment to religious freedom.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment. However, Victor Cha, the director for Asian affairs at the White House from 2004 to 2007, says he thinks Bush will go to Beijing.
"He believes that sport is about sport and not politics. And he does have various channels through which he keeps a long running dialogue with [Chinese President] Hu [Jintao] and China on human rights," says Dr. Cha in an e-mail.
One of the those channels, he adds, is the human rights dialogue that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is reopening with the Chinese foreign minister.
The State Department also issues an annual report on the status of religious freedom and persecution in other countries. Every year since 1999, the US has designated China as "a country of particular concern" for its restrictions on religion and abuses against adherents of various faiths. In Tibet, the 2007 report said, "the level of repression remained high."
Under federal law, the US is supposed to sanction nations that are designated as "countries of particular concern." The only sanction against China, however, is one that was already in existence before the law passed: a US refusal to export crime detection equipment.
The commission has argued for some time that the government isn't employing sanctions effectively. "There are tools in the law that aren't being used," says Scott Flipse, the commission's East Asia analyst. "We'd like to see some more creative thinking in how one uses the tools of the act to target specific problems."
Protestors of all hues
Tibetans are expected to be one of the biggest protest contingents at Wednesday's San Francisco relay. Only peaceful protests are planned, says Tsering Gyurmey of the Tibetan Association of Northern California. Asked if he's worried about a backlash to the virulent protests in Paris, he says no. "It's more worrisome what's going on in Tibet than about the torch."
Other protesters are expected too, including Burmese, Vietnamese, and North Koreans, activists for Darfur and the Falun Gong, and Chinese democracy and Internet freedom advocates.
For many of these groups, it's been a long time since there's been a strong venue to raise their grievances. Many of these issues used to get at least an annual airing in the 1990s when Congress revisited China's most favored trade status.
When the yearly review of free trade agreements ended in 2000, so ended valuable debates that resulted in positive changes in China, says T. Kumar, Amnesty International's advocacy director for Asia in Washington.
"After that it became very difficult to raise human rights in a substantive manner," says Mr. Kumar. "Coupled with 9/11, the focus of the US and others was more on the war on terror than on human rights."
China bashing no more
Times have changed since those annual Congressional debates, says Susan Shirk, who served as the former deputy assistant secretary of State for US-China relations in the late '90s. The annual "bashing" of China, she argues, did nothing at the time and would now be very imprudent.
"China is such a major influence in the world today that bashing China isn't free anymore," says Ms. Shirk. "I think we need to be smart when we criticize China and think about what helps on the ground, rather than what feels good to vent about."


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Showing all 1 result
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Better Everyday #113 Essential Oil Hormone Solution With Dr Mariza She's … [Read More...]
Sarah Fragoso is an international best selling author of 6 books, co-owner of the Chico, CA based gym JS Strength and Conditioning, and founder of the Everyday Paleo franchise. Sarah also is the co-host of the popular Podcast, Better Everyday with Sarah and Dr. Brooke and she also conducts workshops and retreats on the subjects of nutrition, lifestyle and fitness.
Her message is from the heart and she carries a genuine desire to help other families looking for guidance. These attributes have contributed to her successes and provide the drive to keep the discoveries coming.


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Dark Chocolate w/White Logo
Dark Chocolate w/White Logo
from 50.00
...sizes 2XL and above +4.00.
Gildan Heavy Blend™
8.0 oz. fabric weight
50/50 cotton/polyester
Reduced pilling and softer air-jet spun yarn
Double-lined hood with matching drawcord (adult style only)
1x1 athletic rib knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
Double-needle stitching throughout
Front pouch pocket
This is your favorite hooded sweatshirt, it's soft, smooth and stylish. Perfect for cooler evenings.
Your Size:


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Due to changes in the information transport systems (ITS) marketplace, Tampa, Fla.-based BICSI is modernizing its credentialing processes with the launch of the BICSI NxtGEN Program. BICSI NxtGEN Program, formerly the Inverted Funnel Project (IFP), will elevate the importance and recognition of existing Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDDs); make the RCDD and Specialty programs more available to IT, engineering, and other professionals; and modernize the BICSI credentialing programs to make them more consistent with how professionals are credentialed today.
In 2006, the BICSI Board of Directors asked a number of BICSI members and volunteers to take a look at the many changes that have occurred in the ITS industry since the inception of the RCDD program and make recommendations for enhancements. In June 2007, this committee of members recommended that BICSI take a serious look at what the organization can do to maintain its leadership role in ITS, which resulted in an effort called the NxtGEN Program.
"There is no denying that many changes have occurred in the ITS industry since the inception of the RCDD program," says John Bakowski, RCDD/NTS/OSP/WD specialist and BICSI president. "Shifts in the needs of BICSI members, customers, and other stakeholders have left gaps in the publications, training, and credentialing that we offer."
Although currently still in the research and analysis stages, it is apparent that the BICSI NxtGEN Program will enhance the BICSI credentialing and education programs. Currently, BICSI credentialing has a linear path, where a person can enter the organization as an installer or technician, and then must become an RCDD prior to being able to obtain one of the three specialty programs — Network Transport Systems, Wireless Design, and Outside Plant. BICSI NxtGEN evaluates the path of becoming an RCDD and reconfigures the path to match the needs of today's information transport systems professionals. New credentialing programs that complement BICSI's publications are also possible enhancements.
"The NxtGEN program will drive the BICSI Strategic Plan in building our credentialing and outreach programs," Bakowski says. "The ITS industry will benefit from the availability of our venues on a more open basis, both locally and globally."
The BICSI NxtGEN Program and the Committee's findings will be presented to the BICSI Board of Directors in December and, if approved, presented to the membership in January. Further research and analysis will take place prior to implementation.


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A year ago, when global leaders met in Rio de Janeiro to shape the future of sustainable development, ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture was central to their discussions. As the world faces ongoing food crises, extreme weather and population growth, IUCN and partners led by Bioversity International, have launched an initiative to develop solutions to food security.
A workshop on the links between agriculture and conservation was held at the IUCN World Conservation Congress last year. Since then, IUCN has worked with the leaders of more than 16 organizations to launch the initiative Bridging Agriculture and Conservation. The United Nations Environment Programme, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Government of Brazil and leading international foundations are other drivers of the initiative.
After the recent launch, these leaders signed a declaration which sets out a new approach. The initiative will provide evidence-based solutions to feed a growing population while ensuring the long-term conservation of vital biodiversity, including agricultural biodiversity.
"I was pleasantly surprised that all participants agree with the landscape approach to agriculture, food, nutrition and nature conservation, which is so central to IUCN's Programme 2013-2016", says Poul Engberg-Pedersen, IUCN's Deputy Director General.
"The participants agree it is not possible, desirable nor sustainable to seek to intensify production systems without respecting the ability of the landscape to regenerate and provide multiple goods and services and the need to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture," he added.
Agricultural biodiversity – the diversity of varieties and species of plants on farms and in the wild – can help farmers manage risks, such as threats from pests and diseases, climate change and market fluctuations; improve income, livelihood and nutrition. It can also ensure the availability of important genes and traits for current and future food security and continued evolution and adaptation.
Partners in the initiative recognize that current approaches to food security, which focus primarily on increasing agricultural productivity of a few major crops, will not lead to better nutrition and more resilient, adaptable and more productive food and agricultural systems. Likewise, current approaches to conservation, which mainly focus on conserving biodiversity in a limited number of areas, do not include agricultural landscapes and ecosystems.
The initiative will bring together an international team of scientists from the fields of agriculture, development and conservation to identify solutions based on science, evidence and experience that integrate biodiversity conservation and food security.
Read the declaration here.


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Designer: Karen Montgomery
7—1⁄3-yard pieces assorted red prints (blocks)
5⁄8 yard white print (blocks)
7—1⁄4-yard pieces assorted green prints (tree appliqués)
2—1⁄8-yard pieces assorted gold prints (star appliqués)
2—1⁄8-yard pieces assorted brown prints (tree trunk appliqués)
1⁄3 yard dark green check (inner border)
2 yards red swirl print (outer border)
3⁄4 yard green stripe (binding)
3-1⁄2 yards backing fabric
61x77" batting
Lightweight fusible web
Gold machine-embroidery thread
Finished quilt: 54-1⁄2x70-1⁄2"
Finished blocks: Tree: 10x16"
Rail Fence: 10x8"
Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.
Measurements include 1⁄4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.


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Step 1- You will need one of those cheap 1″ binders. This one is a nasty shade of blue that refused to take a good photograph! When opened flat, it will measure about 12″ x 22″
Step 6- Choose one of these inside flap pieces to be on the left flap. (The flap that is inside the front cover.) We are going to make a pocket out of the last Layer Cake piece by folding it in half, and pressing it on the fold. Place the raw edges along the bottom.
Step 8- Top stitch down these folded edges at 1/8″ and 1/4″. I sewed a pencil/scissors section into the pocket. You can sew as many sections as you need.
Step 9– Lay the outside piece on top of your muslin, and cut it to size.
Step 10- Make a sandwich. Lay the Outside face up, with the flap pieces face down and seams towards the center.
Step 11- Lay the Moda Muslin on top of it all, and sew around the edges with a
1/4″ seam allowance.
Leave a 3″ opening, at the spine fabric, for turning right side out.
Step 12- Clip the corners close to the stitching line, and turn right side out. Press the opening in 1/4″ so that it matches the rest of your seam line. Edge Stitch it closed.
Step 13– Put the cover on your ugly….uninspiring binder.
You will have to bend your binder backwards to get it on both sides.
Step 14– Ta-Dah!!! Look how cute it is! If it is too big, you can top stitch the edges to make it tighter. ( If it is too small….uhhhhh….cram it in there really hard!)
Mine is already full!


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Anonymous via his source post crucial information that has been known but not in detail.
Attorneys and Attorney Generals nationwide have been working diligently against the banks in order to keep their clients in their homes. You must keep in mind that there are several levels of indiscriminate behavior going on, keeping these efforts at bay. For now, however, I will give you a general overview of how some of the tracking systems interact and how the reporting works, so that those with the power to subpoena documents for their clients know where to find the correct documentation to support their individual cases, because as Abigail Fields points out, "It would certainly be provable/disprovable by subpoenaing documents."
In order to do that, however, an attorney would need to know where to look. If you were to only subpoena generic loan information, you will only be provided with the System of Record (SOR) data, which previous posts have clearly proved do not show the full picture as there are several common ways of removing information from the system of record both individually and en masse. As the email trail clearly shows, there is always an audit trail in the back end if you know what to ask for.
© 2010-19 FORECLOSURE FRAUD | by DinSFLA. All rights reserved.


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Axis case for LG Google Nexus 5X with retract function - urban grey
Order number: 1451033-5X-DG0AXL
In Stock, Delivery time appr. 1-3 workdays
€12.90 *
Prices incl. VAT plus shipping costs
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- DESIGN: The design of the Adore June bags from the Axis collection is timeless and reduced to the essentials. Whether business or private - this case can be used in every situation. Design is Adore June's passion; quality the requirement.
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- MATERIAL: The Axis is composed of a water repellent Cordura fabric with Teflon coating. The lining is made of soft polar fleece. The selected materials make the case robust and lightweight.
Product Information
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3.39 x 6.10 x 0.39 Inch
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|LG Google Nexus 5X
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May is well and truly upon us and with it, the kind of mass migrations that make your heart pump and blood sing. We should all be moving somewhere this weekend, if only to be consistent to the spirit of the season. Where will you be making your move this weekend? Will you be birding? Let us know what you've got planned in the comments below.
I believe I'll be birding somewhere special this weekend but my wife is keeping our destination secret from me. I suppose I could turn up anywhere in the northeast U.S. so if you're around, keep an eye out! Corey will be making the rounds throughout the NYC Metro area. Look for him too since he's been getting on some great birds lately. As for Charlie, I'm afraid I have no idea where he'll be this weekend but if we're lucky, he'll bring back awe-inspiring photos like these.
Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday…
Keep your eyes to the skies for regal raptors like this Red-tailed Hawk over Montezuma NWR
I'll be birding at work this weekend and hoping some migrants decide to stop by the wetlands. We've had a very spotty spring for warblers. Two weeks ago I had 13 species of warbler one afternoon and this week nothing. Not a single neotrop around.
Hopefully I'll be able to match my recent Cerulean Warbler…
Full slate!
1. Rye, NY Marshlands tonight for a second view of the male, breeding plumage Ruff if it persists.
2. Doodletown, NY (Bear Mountain State Park), Saturday dawn patrol for warblers (where Cerulean is a lead pipe cinch) then a quick jaunt down the 9W to join Rockland Audubon checking out migrants at the Stony Point Battlefield.
3. Garrett Mountain, Paterson, NJ, Saturday afternoon.
4. Rural Somerset/Hunterdon Counties, NJ, early evening Saturday to scout my sites for citizen science work on the annual NJAS Grassland Birds Survey.
5. "Old Local Patch Retro Sunday": Liberty State Park and other favorite spots in Hudson County, NJ I used to bird heavily back in my Hoboken days.
Next weekend: Ohio's Erie Lakeshore for the finest Spring Migration birding anywhere!
Have a great weekend.
Visit my Sky Watch @ Now and Then
Swan Lake State Park, Iowa: keynote lecture Saturday night, warblers and other migrants the rest of the time.
It's our last month of autumn and we're heading to winter. Right now, the wintry chill is on the air already. The birding would probably just be home. However, speaking of birds, our surrounding environ right here where I live is a habitat of birds per se because of trees that fence around us. Many of them including the colourful ones. Lovely lone bird on his flight to nowhere.
I will be birding Chico Basin Ranch Friday and Saturday in El Paso County, Colorado, then down to La Veta on Sunday in hopes of finding Lewis Woodpeckers! Good luck on your birding adventures!
I'll be on the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project monthly bird walk.
Ops, forgot the location – Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project is in Phoenix Arizona.
Will hit Central Park and, depending on the weather, Jamaica Bay or Forest Park. A Wed jaunt thru CP got a handful of warblers (yeah!) but Thursday, similar time, found zippo at Forest Park.
First trip to Delmarva next weekend. Yippee! Shorebirds!!! (trying to get myself prepared). Memorial day will find me in Salt Lake City for the first time. Probably will look for a guide, since, as a newbie, I don't want to miss a chance to snag some of those lovely feathered friends mentioned in the guide books. 😉
I am birding on the south Cumbrian penninsula this weekend -and have been for the last two weeks. Birds typically return from winter migrations in late March in this area. Over the last seven years I have noted thousands of european starlings in my neighbourhood on any given morning or evening. This year, however, only four single birds have returned -two nesting pairs. I have read about reports of these european starlings being poisoned by state agriculture departments in New Jersey earlier this spring(and in other states) in the USA, and have seen videos posted on youtube ("Birds Falling Out of the Sky"), and noted afterward of the great lack of birds in my area. Indeed, there are very few birds at all in this part of north England this Spring. So far, I have only seen one yellow finch, two magpies, and one black crow. There also seems to be a great reduction in the number of other species, as well: one bumble bee, one solitary bat. This is very eerie… dawn after dawn and dusk after dusk the skies are completely empty, except for a handful of sea gulls, and the silence is very disturbing. I don't know where else to post what I am seeing, RSPB has no page for such observations to be submitted, and no other sites have any like message pages.
I will look to these pages again to check out what is happening on a larger scale, as I hope that what I am seeing is simply a local phenomena.
I just finished a nice morning with a couple of Liberian friends visiting a mangrove swamp outside Monrovia and then a lowland area within Monrovia. The swamp is drying up because the rains haven't started yet so not much there other than the expected local species, no migrants. At the other site we had a nice selection of plovers and shorebirds including a common redshank which we don't usually see here. Best bird of the morning was a Purple Swamphen at Brewersville, which is the first I've seen in Africa and a life bird for my friends. Tom
I will be at Forsythe National Refuge, NJ. Happy Mother's day to me 🙂
© 2013 10,000 Birds. All words, images, and opinions are the property of their respective authors unless stated otherwise.


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Pinterest Releases Apps for Android and iPad
Pinterest today released new apps for Android and iPad (finally), while also overhauling its iPhone app (finally). The new suite of mobile apps greatly improves the mobile experience of using Pinterest, a site that works like a virtual and collaborative collage board.
The Pinterest iPad app (see a slideshow of images from the app here) includes its very own browser with a built in Pin It bookmarklet button. This means Pinterest users can now surf the Web on their iPads and pin new content to their boards from within Pinterest's own app. The smartphone version of the app does not have a browser, however, and I would advise anyone who wants to pin images from the Web right from their mobile device to install the free browser Axis from Yahoo!, because it includes a built-in Pin It button.
I poked around the Pinterest iPad app this morning for a bit and found it delivered a much more satisfying experience than the old iPhone app, which is what I had running on my iPad previously. One button users may want to check is Account Settings. Make sure "Log in with Facebook" and "Log in with Twitter" are set the way you want. I have never logged in with either of those social networks, but when I checked in on the iPad app, they were set to "on." Two taps, and I had turned them both off.
All the categories appear in a list on the left side on the main navigation bar, which collapses neatly when you don't need it.
The iPhone app, I must admit, didn't fully satisfy my hopes and dreams for what it could be, but it's better than it was. And all the apps share a number of the site's own shortcomings, including the inability to rearrange pins on a board to display in an order of your choosing.


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The United States relented and formally apologized to Pakistan Tuesday for a border incident seven months ago in which 24 Pakistani soldiers died – paving the way for a reopening of critical supply routes for the war in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a carefully worded statement Tuesday morning that was direct in its apology for the December attack by US helicopters on a Pakistani border outpost, and effusive in its praise of Pakistani leaders and their cooperation with the US.
"We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military," Secretary Clinton said, using the S-word that President Obama had until now refused to use over the incident, as Pakistan had demanded. Before Tuesday, the US had gone only so far as to "regret" the loss of life.
Clinton went on to say that "we are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again," before concluding with "our deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism."
The US apology resolved one of the touchiest disputes between the two countries in what has lately been a testy relationship. But it remains to be seen if the new tone signaled in Clinton's statement carries over into real improvement in relations.
Some Pakistan analysts were quick to warn that the apology and resulting reopening of Pakistan's border to NATO supplies into Afghanistan would of themselves do little to improve relations or prospects for security in Afghanistan.
"Merely re-opening the supply routes will not help the US achieve its objectives in Afghanistan because it does not address the fundamental problem of continuing Pakistani support for the Taliban and Haqqani network that are killing US and coalition forces on a daily basis in Afghanistan," says Lisa Curtis, a South Asia expert at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. "Pakistan has never explained – let alone apologized – for its lack of action against the enemies of the US that find sanctuary on its soil," she says.
Pakistan immediately closed its borders to the transport of NATO supplies into Afghanistan after the Nov. 26 border attack, costing the US and its NATO allies hundreds of millions of dollars in higher transport outlays for more expensive routes and transport methods.
Pentagon officials estimate that the Pakistan land routes into Afghanistan carried about half of all supplies for the Afghan war effort, at about one-tenth the cost of air transport. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in congressional testimony in June that using costlier routes (the so-called northern route through Russia and Central Asian countries to Europe) and relying more on air transport was costing the US and its partners in Afghanistan $100 million a month.
Yet Mr. Obama – who had already angered the Pakistanis by stepping up drone strikes against Al Qaeda and Taliban safe havens inside Pakistan, and especially over the successful raid on Osama bin Laden's compound – refused to apologize for the outpost attack after an investigation revealed joint responsibility for the incident. The US military determined that the helicopter strikes came after Pakistani soldiers in the area first fired on US soldiers across the border in Afghanistan.
Both sides had predicted the dispute would be resolved and the borders would reopen to NATO when Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met with Obama on the sidelines of NATO's summit in Chicago in May. But weeks of negotiations had come down to the matter of an apology, and a deal fell through when both sides refused to blink.
Pakistan had also infuriated the White House with its demand that any reopening of the border come at the price of hugely higher transit fees. At one point in negotiations, Pakistan was demanding that an average per-truck cost of $250 for crossing the border jump to $5,000.
But Clinton said in her statement that Pakistan's foreign minister, Hinna Rabbani Khar, informed her in a Tuesday morning phone call that Pakistan would charge no transit fee "in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region."
Clinton also said in her statement that by charging no transit fee, Pakistan "will also help the United States and [international forces in Afghanistan] conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost."
In a separate statement Tuesday, the Pakistani ambassador to Washington, Sherry Rehman, said, "I am glad that this breakthrough is not part of any transaction. We are playing our role as responsible global partner in stabilizing the region."
Ambassador Rehman added that she hoped the border transport accord would mean that "bilateral ties can move to a better place from here."
But Ms. Curtis of Heritage says better ties are unlikely because the US and Pakistan will continue to have conflicting goals in Afghanistan.
"The reality is that the US and Pakistan are striving for different outcomes in Afghanistan," Curtis says. Citing Clinton's statement in which she calls the restoration of the supply routes a "tangible demonstration of Pakistan's support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region," Curtis says, "This is simply not true."
"The tensions between the US and Pakistan will persist," Curtis says, "... until Pakistan aligns its goals more closely with those of the US and NATO in Afghanistan and confronts the Taliban and Haqqani networks inside Pakistan."


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Efficient Residence for Mother and Son: Lake House by David Guerra
Showing off all its 340 square meters, the Lake House designed by David Guerra Architecture is located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The highly inclined terrain on which the residence was built gave the architect the possibility to build a box-like structure with suspended balconies. The inhabitants are a mother and her adult son, so the house must fulfil their needs for privacy and comfort, as well as entertainment. The framed landscape ensured by a great position adds to the value, while the collection of spaces is highly personalized. The son benefits from a bedroom with a separate entrance, located on the lower floor, right next to the games room. The gourmet kitchen is also located on the lower floor, where there are also two additional bedrooms and a service area. A balcony and a deck make the connection to the fresh air and beautiful panoramas. The first floor features the garage, laundry room, living and dining room, balcony, a guest bedroom and the master bedroom. This is a great place to live that offers entertaining and relaxation spaces for its inhabitants and their guests, don't you think?


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This mini clutch was inspired by a lobsterman's bait bag and is created using the same marine grade materials. It fits perfectly in our clutch and makes a great set! Durable, authentic, and ready to go wherever life takes you.
|In stock
Designed and made in Portland, Maine.
- Marine-grade PVC-coated poly mesh with brass grommets.
- Brass zip closure.
- Machine washable.
- 10"L x 5"W.
* If you wish to insure your package let us know and we will add this to shipping cost. We are not responsible for lost or stolen boxes.
* We allot 1-2 weeks for orders to be manufactured and processed for shipping, if you need your purchase within this time frame please contact us immediately after placing order. Please include order number and email address for best contact.


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J.Crew Leather iPhone Case Because People Don't Hate You Enough
There is such a thing as phone envy. We know, because we suffer from it every time a coworker whips out an iPhone 5 and it reminds us of our iPhone 0 because we can't afford an iPhone. We hate those people. We'd hate them even more if they had a leather iPhone case.


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2003 :: World Cup DH practice, Fort William ...
Saturday morning was DH practice. The sun was shining and riders were hitting the course at warp speed. Unfortunately, one of our riders took a big stack and I spent some time in Fort Bill hospital with Marples. Not good.
You are viewing the thumbnail index - click a pic to enlarge.
All images in this gallery are © [ gravity-slaves ] and may not be reproduced without permission.


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Skip to Main Content
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Tee Time Reservation System
Tee Time Reservation System
The City of Modesto golf program offers an automated tee-time reservation service and information line. This service provides you with the ability to make tee-time reservations 24 hours per day, up to 7 days in advance, for Creekside or Dryden Park golf courses.
Making Reservations
On your touch-tone telephone, dial 209-491-GOLF(4653).
Press 1 to make a reservation.
Follow the teleprompt instructions.
Canceling, Modifying or Confirming Telepromt Reservations
You may cancel, modify or confirm your advanced tee time by dialing 209-491-GOLF (4653).
Press 2 to cancel, modify or confirm a reservation.
Follow the teleprompt instructions.
All cancellations via teleprompt must be received by 11:59 p.m. of the day before play. For example, to cancel a tee time for Saturday, you must call prior to 11:59 p.m. on Friday. A no-show is defined as anyone not canceling their tee time in advance. For same day phone cancellations, call the golf course pro shop.
When to Make Teleprompt Reservations
Golfers may reserve tee times 7 days in advance starting at 7 a.m. For example, for a tee time on Sunday, you may call beginning Monday at 7 a.m. Reservations may be made for either Creekside or Dryden Park golf courses. Golfers can reserve a limit of 2 tee times daily per course. During Daylight Savings Time, the 1st available reservation will be approximately 6 a.m. During Non-Daylight Savings (Standard) Time, the first available reservation time will be 7 a.m.
Teleprompt Course Information
In addition to information on how to use the reservation system, the reservation service line also includes both an automated information line and a help line to assist you in learning more about the many features of our golf courses. For the automated information line, press 3 to learn about:
Directions to each golf course: Press 1
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Zone géographique: Amérique latine
Secteur d'activité: IT Services
By providing executive reports and dashboards with visualizations of operations relating to internal and customers' systems, the CA Technologies solutions help us manage our business and track operational performance, productivity and cost management.
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, Head of Management Services , Algar Tech
Algar Tech provides comprehensive IT and business process outsourcing solutions. The company is part of Grupo Algar, which was established more than 85 years ago in Brazil. The company has offices throughout Latin America, in Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
Algar Tech needed a single integrated and automated platform to monitor its entire IT infrastructure for customers and members.
To enable unified and comprehensive management and administration, Algar Tech implemented CA Unified Infrastructure Management and CA Service Desk Manager.
Algar Tech has improved business management, operational performance, productivity and cost management, while facilitating smarter decision-making both internally and with clients.
Analytics-driven, agile IT monitoring for today's infrastructures.Explorer >
Designed for humans, built for service.Explorer >
Analytics-driven, agile IT monitoring for today's infrastructures.Explorer >
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Saturday, November 29, 2008
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom
Qanta Ahmed, a British citizen raised in a moderate Muslim family in the U.K., received her medical education in the United States and considers the U.S. to be her second home (she currently practices medicine in South Carolina). But when she unexpectedly found herself without the visa necessary to remain in New York she accepted a position in a Saudi Arabian hospital and set out on what she figured would be an exotic adventure, an opportunity for her to experience life in a country dominated by Islam. Ahmed remained in Saudi Arabia for two years during which she learned as much about herself as she learned about Islam and the culture in which she had immersed herself.
Arriving at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital completely unprepared for the atmosphere in which she would be working, Ahmed was surprised to find herself being so ignored by the hospital's almost exclusively male medical staff. She quickly learned that she would be allowed to practice medicine unveiled, dressed in white lab coat and trousers, but that her medical opinion would almost automatically be considered inferior to that of any of her male colleagues.
Ahmed found herself resenting, and being frustrated by, the limitations placed on the women of Saudi Arabia. She learned that these women, herself included, could only be seen in public if their dress conformed to strict Muslim law (never a strand of hair to be exposed), that they were not allowed to drive a car, that they could not leave the country without the permission of a father, brother or husband, and that "morality policemen," known as the Mutawaeen were more than willing to make sure that women strictly complied with what was required of them.
But, as Ahmed learned when she grew closer to her female colleagues, all is not as it seems in Saudi society. Many women, because of the support offered them by their fathers and husbands, are being allowed to enter professions long closed to them and to open businesses of their own. They are raising their daughters to become confident, outspoken women who consider themselves to be the equals of their brothers in every way. She discovered progressive families filled with idealists and community activists determined to bring change to the Saudi system, change that will bring many Western liberal values to the kingdom.
Ahmed, however, was shocked to find just how far Saudi Arabia still has to go in terms of its racism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Americanism. She found that even the large number of Saudi doctors trained by Jewish teachers, teachers they considered to be their personal friends, were still unable to get past their rabid anti-Semitism. She felt firsthand the personal hurt of watching close friends and colleagues celebrate what happened to America on September 11, 2001, some even going so far as to buy celebratory cakes for the hospital within minutes of the news.
Despite her many dismaying experiences, Ahmed left Saudi Arabia feeling much closer to Islam than when she arrived in the country. Her friends patiently instructed her in the nuances of the religion and her completion of the Hajj inspired her in an almost magical way. Readers unfamiliar with what happens in Mecca during the Hajj will be fascinated by the logistics of that annual celebration as described by Ahmed, and will understand exactly how large numbers of people can sometimes die in the midst of a religious experience of this magnitude.
In the Land of Invisible Women, particularly since it was written by a woman with a foot in two worlds, is a real eye-opener.
Rated at: 4.5
10 comments:
Sounds fascinating! A friend of my m-i-l went to Saudi Arabia with a contingent of American nurses in the late 70's or early 80's. There was a tunnel from their dorm to the hospital so that they would not appear in public in their uniforms. Martha found it an interesting but unnerving experience and was thankful to come home when her year was up. She made A LOT of money, but wasn't willing to continue.ReplyDelete
I'm about halfway through this book at the moment and enjoying it very much. You are right, it is a real eye-opener!ReplyDelete
I love your review, and will definately look out for this book. It sounds fascinating.ReplyDelete
Jenclair, this is the most detailed explanation of life in Saudi Arabia that I've ever read - it's a long book, of course. I lived in Algeria for a while but that's a much more westernized version of Islam, so much of this was new to me, especially the details of the Hajj. I know people who have made that pilgrimage but they never shared this kind of detail with me.ReplyDelete
I'll look forward to your review, Stefanie. I think that, for the most part, this one is getting good reviews everywhere.ReplyDelete
Thanks, Leah. It's a trade paperback in size, pretty thick, with that eye-catching cover so it should be easy to spot in a bookstore. Let me know what you think if you decide to read it.ReplyDelete
I enjoyed reading this book and your review as well! Ofcourse, the author wrote her memoir almost a decade after she returned from Saudi Arabia so things have changed somewhat since then and continue to do so...ReplyDelete
Look forward to visiting your blog more often.
Thanks for stopping by, Lotus. I do hope that things are changing in a positive direction in Saudi, for the sake of women there. What a horrible mistake it is for a society to disqualify half its population from the workplace...or to limit workplace access the way that some countries still do.ReplyDelete
yet another piece of anti-Muslim propaganda. OK,some basic facts: Saudi Arabia's rulers were NOT put in by the Arabs themselves; they were put in by the BRITISH in an effort to keep people subjugated by religion - I find it very amusing that everybody wants to equate Saudi with Islam when most Muslims don't follow the strict Wahhabi code of Islam that Saudi practices; the next time I want to do a book on the USA, I'll ignore New York, California and all the other states and go to the most backward, redneck state and write about the people there and say that ALL Americans are like this. Aaah, sweet karma....ReplyDelete
Anonymous, once again, I wish you had had the courage to identify yourself rather than taking a hit and run approach to the conversation.ReplyDelete
This is a MEMOIR. It is one woman's experience and, as such, it is reality. It is the life she lived in Saudi. It is not anti-Muslim in the least. Did you even read it?