text:
- Kareem Fahim
- Barcelona - Catalonia
- Spain
This conversation is closed.
Are you comfortable with NSA collecting your personal data?
'Top secret PRISM program claims direct access to servers of firms including Google, Facebook and Apple'
The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian.
Well, all of us already knew so I don't think it has surprised anyone... but I'd like to know opinions of TED community, are you comfortable with fact that USA Gov. is continuously collecting your personal data?
@People who say 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oAKtBpdZSw
Closing Statement from Kareem Fahim
Majority of people are annoyed by this 'data collection'. Western Govs., defenders of 'freedom' 'democracy' and 'input_word' are mere bunch of hypocrites. Although it is shocking how some people are defending NSA and these faceless entities... (maybe they are 'trolls' or NSA paid users...).
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Paul Lillebo 10+Jun 20 2013: The U.S. surveillance program was instituted to detect and prevent planned terrorist violence, whether directed at the U.S. or at other countries. According to Obama, it has done that in a number of instances. The publication of the program allowed various politicians around the world (China, for example) to exercise a bit of self-righteousness, at the same time as China operates a similar program. So does Russia, and Britain, and France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, India, the EU, Interpol, and whoever else can afford it. I'm quite sure most of these actors share relevant information with each other. Electronic communications monitoring programs are as common as daisies in the spring. There should be very little surprise at this.
Rather than starting from the view of outraged individuals (most of the writers here), what if we look at the problem from the other end? Obama is inaugurated, international terror is an actual, serious threat, and the new President is charged with protecting the people of the U.S. against terror groups, some of which have announced that the U.S. is one of their main targets. The people want to be able to fly safely, so how does he go about gaining information on these groups before they commit their acts of destruction? They obviously do their planning by communicating with each other, so how does he get information about their communication?
And that's the question I'd like to ask the commenters here. In these sixty-odd comments so far, no one seems to have suggested what they would have done as president. It's so easy to say what he should not have done, but what should he have done instead? How would you have acted to effectively discover and prevent acts of terror?
I'll start: "I don't know." That's why I'm slow to condemn the President (though I'm no fan - he hasn't delivered on his promises, as I see it). But I assume that those who are ready to condemn have better solutions ready. Please share them with us all.
Kareem Fahim 10+Jun 21 2013: Man, everyone here knows that the 'official version' is a pile of stinkin' BS.
Wake up!
Comment deleted
Jun 21 2013: Try this link plz http://keepvid.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DyuC_4mGTs98
http://www.corbettreport.com/911-a-conspiracy-theory/ Original source
Jun 22 2013: I agree that surveillance is a must to keep the people safe. I want to fly safely, be able to walk the streets, shop on and offline without the threat of being attacked, mugged, robbed. I believe everyone has a similar wish and the right to do the above.
However, the prerequisite for such surveillance must be the following - competence and good will/faith. Here's some examples of lack of competence of the uniformed forces - I've recently heard that the Norwegian police uses google translate after interrogating foreigners who do not speak Norwegian and who the police "thinks" may have criminal intent (sic!) And they brag about it! You don't have to be an expert in sociolinguistics and/or culture to be able to know that the text produced (and sent to legal authorities of other countries - sic!) is completely nonsensical, inadequate, the meaning is distorted or simply not there! One more - I remember being given a full stripsearch at Oslo Gardermoen after returning from a weekend trip to Amsterdam (where marijuana is legal), Norwegians taking the same flight weren't asked for the same. The only thing I could do was to frown and raise my eyebrows at this (while stripping calmly) and hope for a "we're sorry" in the end. I got no apology but I felt like apologising myself just to prove a point (I'm sorry for being completely innocent and having no criminal record or intent and that you wasted your precious time on me instead on a coffee break and weather-talk, good luck with being prejudiced and limited in the future.)
Those two examples are nothing compared to what else is happening around the world. The protests and uprisings in South-America and the Middle East to name a few were not inspired by the fact that oversight institutions were nice, transparent, competent, incorruptible and cared for their people.
Back to the subject matter- I'm ok with agencies having access to my data, I'm not ok with it being subject to misinterpretation due to incompetence or misused.
Jun 22 2013: I don't know if we'll ever find a satisfactory way to control those who have power. When we try to build a control structure around those with power that just adds more power centers, more unmanageable bureaucracy, and more opportunities for bribery and corruption. I'm afraid that power will always be misused by someone. The best defense may be the free press and the occasional public uproar, such as we're experiencing in our current issue.
But politicians know that as long as the people are economically well off, the public uproar usually abates quickly. The "middle class" is rarely motivated to rock the boat. Norway is a perfect example of that: the newspapers routinely report astounding official incompetence and misuse of public funds, the relevant minister quickly promises changes, and the matter disappears from the newspaper within two days and as quickly from public attention. In fact little or nothing is corrected, but the people are satisfied; there is a remarkable lack of public uproar over anything. (I'm writing from Oslo, where I live half the year.)
I wish I could say I was surprised to read your tales of the Norw. police. Sadly I was not.
Jun 22 2013: Yes, a lot is worrying, I agree.
Being economically well off but unaware may be a part of the problem. Having too much trust and not being able to identify trends and phenomena because of the illusion of everything being fine doesn't promote uproar which is often needed and wellfounded. However, it may also be part of the solution - the means are there, it's the awareness and knowledge of the so-called real issues that needs to be inserted (må på plass). And the real issues are not how you feel about the issue and what you're personally unsure of or what you think does not concern you locally, but the issue itself.
When it comes to media and matters disappearing from newspapers - the role of the media cannot only be to inform of and highlight problems, some balance is needed not to stern the citizens off. I must say it was quite entertaining to see a story of a courageous sheep that chased a wolf away on first page of one of a major newspapers about two weeks ago, especially in contrast to the first page of a regional newspaper with a sad Trondelag farmer losing a calf to predators... But not everybody raises sheep and everybody lives, almost everybody works, has an internet connection and may be in need of help at some point in life. The balance here was broken, at least in my eyes. Free press is important but it should have competent free-thinkers involved, not just interest groups (sorry to TEDsters for the somewhat non-global perspective and using space here, hope it was interesting.)
All in all - the sheep was nice, but come on. Wake up and get interested in more than just that, the weather doesn't have to be the only topic for discussion.
A nice song in English with some social commentary (if you forget the Niger mistake that the protagonist was involved in)
Best wishes.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.


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May 12, 2006
In the first quarter of 2006, employers took 892 mass layoff actions in the private nonfarm sector that resulted in the separation of 161,686 workers from their jobs for at least 31 days.
Both the total number of layoff events and the number of separations were sharply lower than during January-March 2005, with both events and separations at their lowest levels for any first quarter since data collection began in 1995.
The over-the-year declines were most notable in administrative and support services, nonstore retailers, and food manufacturing.
These data are from the Mass Layoff Statistics program. "Extended mass layoffs" last more than 30 days and involve 50 or more individuals from a single establishment filing initial claims for unemployment insurance during a consecutive 5-week period. Data for the first quarter of 2006 are preliminary and subject to revision. Additional information is available in "Extended Mass Layoffs in the First Quarter of 2006" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 06-822.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Editor's Desk, Extended mass layoffs, first quarter 2006 on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2006/may/wk2/art05.htm (visited September 22, 2014).
This edition of Spotlight on Statistics examines labor productivity trends from 2000 through 2010 for selected industries and sectors within the nonfarm business sector of the U.S. economy. Read more »

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sun Mountain Three 5 SuperLight Stand BagItem Number: 16762986
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Recipe: Jammy Raspberry & Walnut Scones
Recipes from The Kitchn
Have you ever had a baked good that was so good that you thought about it afterwards? Something that you bit into thinking it would be quite fine, quite nice, and then said, "Wait. How do I have that again?" These scones are my own attempt to recreate that experience, one that introduced me to the perfect walnut scone.
I don't say "perfect" lightly. There is a bakery in Columbus, Ohio — my hometown — called Omega Artisan Baking, that makes gorgeous bread, beautiful cakelets, obscenely amazing cinnamon buns, and... these homely little walnut scones. I first picked one out a few years ago before a day hiking, attracted by its glistening pool of jam on top — its one beauty.
Well, after a long morning hiking, I bit into this nutty scone, one that wasn't too moist, but crumbly and ever so slightly sandy, the way a good buttery scone should be, with no huge chunks of walnuts, but a fine walnut taste worked all throughout, topped with a gooey bite of raspberry goodness. Maybe it was the morning of hiking (hunger is the best sauce, right?) but I thought it was one of the most amazing scones I had ever tasted.
These scones don't have the exact texture (although perhaps a long morning hiking will catapult them into your favorites too!) — but they are still pretty amazing. They are very easy to make in a food processor, but they can also be made by hand. Most of their sweetness comes from figs whirred into the dough, and they have a fine nuttiness complemented by that sweet pop of raspberry jam.
• More about Omega Artisan Baking
Jammy Raspberry and Walnut Scones
2 1/2 cups whole walnuts
2 cups flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried figs, halved
12 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup raspberry jam
Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment.
In the bowl of a large food processor pulse the walnuts with the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon for about 10 seconds, or until the walnuts are roughly crumbled into the dry mixture. Add the figs and butter and process for another 10 seconds, or until the the figs are finely processed and the butter is breadcrumb texture. Add the milk and egg and pulse just until it comes together in a cohesive dough.
(Alternatively, you can finely chop the walnuts and figs in a mini chopper and mix with the dry ingredients. Then work in the butter until it is the texture of fine breadcrumbs, using your fingers or a pastry blender, and gently mix in the wet ingredients.)
Sprinkle the counter or a board with flour, and pat the dough out about 3/4-inch thick. Cut out 3-inch rounds using a biscuit cutter or glass. Place on prepared baking sheet and make gentle indentations in the top of each scone with your thumb or the back of a spoon. Fill each indentation with a generous spoonful of jam.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or golden. Serve warm but not hot.
Related: Recipe: Banana Bread Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze
(Images: Faith Durand)
Per serving, based on 18 servings. (% daily value)
7 Comments
this looks more like a thumbprint cookie than a scone??
Agree with ResidentGeek--but they look like delicious thumbprints! I recently made hazelnut-fig muffins that had the figs finely processed and mixed in, and it's a great flavor.
I don't care what they are called, but I am making them this weekend. I think I will make a double or triple batch and freeze over half of them, unbaked and unfilled, for easy weekday breakfasts.
No, they very much have a scone texture rather than a cookie texture (which usually are more fluffy and tender). I can definitely see the visual resemblance though! They are actually rather similar in spirit to these jam-topped biscuits: Grand Central Bakery Jammers.
those grand central bakery jammers faith mentioned are probably the best thing that have ever happened to me-- so i'm totally intrigued by this nutty, figgy version mmmmmmm can't wait!
These are the flatest scones I've ever seen!
These look so delicious, especially if you were to use an artisan small batch jam with them. I've got my eye on some locally made Raspberry Ginger preserves, by Modern Gingham. Yum!! :)


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An Easthampton veteran is outraged and planning a protest after he says he was kicked out of a bar for bringing his service dog inside.
Gary Houle served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His service dog Princess is always by his side.
But he says what was expected to be a Thanksgiving evening in Easthampton's Pulaski Club turned into controversy.
Three-year-old Princess goes everywhere with Houle. As his service dog, he's used to her constant companionship which is why he was shocked when he says he walked into Pulaski Club and was immediately questioned about the dog.
"When I got inside, I was approached by one of the waitresses and they said no dogs allowed, and I said it's a service animal," Houle said.
Houle says a bar manager asked him to prove it was a real service animal.
"I showed him the ID then he continued to harass my service animal about her harness, saying it was the wrong harness, other dogs had been in there and it was not the correct harness. It's a tactical harness and has a service patch on it that's certified."
At that point, Houle admits to losing his cool.
"I did get irritated and angry at that point, I did say a few things."
He says after he and the employee exchanged words he was thrown out.
"I just got back from two wars and this is how I'm being thanked on Thanksgiving, I came in here and this is how I'm being treated and I walked out."
While serving in the army, Houle spent time in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
But in 2011 he was injured and now suffers from a traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, nerve damage and PTSD. That's where Princess comes in.
"Her primary job is to watch out for my surroundings and listen out for me, and help me with my PTSD so I remain calm while I'm out and about...I wouldn't get by without her, I'll tell you that much."
Houle says he's decided to take action as a veteran with a service dog and doesn't want to see those returning from war treated the same way.
"There's going to be a lot of soldiers coming home with this happening and I don't want them to be treated this way."
CBS 3 went into the club Wednesday night to get their side of the story. A bar employee told us a manager wasn't available to talk.
CBS 3 knows there are two sides to every story. We are waiting to hear back from Pulaski Club owners on their account of what happened that night.
Houle is planning a protest Sunday at noon, where he plans on marching to Pulaski Club with other veterans.
Copyright 2013 WSHM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


text:
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Hosts Workshops in San Antonio
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will host two workshops in San Antonio, Texas, at the Holiday Inn San Antonio - Riverwalk, Nov. 19-20, for directors of national community banks and federal savings associations.
The "Compliance Risk: What Directors Need to Know" and "Credit Risk: A Director's Focus" workshops are designed exclusively for directors of institutions supervised by the OCC. The compliance risk workshop focuses on major compliance risks and consumer protection regulations, as well as critical elements of an effective compliance risk management program. The credit risk workshop focuses on the loan portfolio and the roles of the board and management, as well as current industry trends and news. Both workshops are taught by seasoned OCC supervision staff.
The fee is $99 for each workshop. Participants receive a pre-workshop reading package, course materials, and assorted supervisory publications. Each workshop is limited to the first 35 registrants.
These workshops are among 37 being offered nationwide in 2013 to enhance and expand the skills of community bank directors. For information, including a complete list of available workshops, or to register for a workshop, visit https://www.seiservices.com/occ/ or call (240) 485-1700.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") charters and oversees a nationwide system of national banks and federal savings associations and assures that these banking institutions are safe and sound, competitive, and capable of serving the banking needs of their customers in the best possible manner. OCC press releases and other information are available at http://www.occ.gov. To receive OCC press releases and issuances by e-mail, subscribe at http://www.occ.gov/subscribe/occ-email-list-service.html.
SOURCE Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
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|Results 1 - 1 of 1
1. CMB 2011 (vol 55 pp. 611)
|Chen Inequalities for Submanifolds of Real Space Forms with a Semi-Symmetric Non-Metric Connection
In this paper we prove Chen inequalities for submanifolds of real space forms endowed with a semi-symmetric non-metric connection, i.e., relations between the mean curvature associated with a semi-symmetric non-metric connection, scalar and sectional curvatures, Ricci curvatures and the sectional curvature of the ambient space. The equality cases are considered.
Keywords:real space form, semi-symmetric non-metric connection, Ricci curvature
Categories:53C40, 53B05, 53B15


text:
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Party Like It's Your Birthday!
I sure am thanks to this month's GCD Studios theme! I mean even as a grown up I would love to have a birthday as fun as all that, it was so easy to find inspiration to create with.
First off my totally frou frou girly banner card...
What's a party without a banner and a little crepe paper? I used some beautiful papers from the Smoothie Shoppe collection and broke out some Chip Art chipboard and tools for the tag and bird all from GCD Studios.
The over all carnival/circus theme really came through and I could not resist making a little circus tent of my own.
I created the pattern and then paper pieced everything together. The patterned papers are from the Forever Friends Collection and I used brads from Homespun Chic for tie-backs. The flag pole and topper are just a toothpick painted white with a plastic bead on top.
And just in case any of you would like to make your own circus tent card, I thought I'd share the pattern I made.
So, are you in the mood yet?
Thanks a bunch!
Heidi V
26 comments:
- Michele said...
OMG!!!!! These are absolutely ADORABLE!!!!!
- July 10, 2010 at 8:47 AM
- Laurel said...
Oh My, how amazing!
- July 10, 2010 at 8:49 AM
- Eveline said...
It's so hot over here I'm not in the mood for anything. I made one card today with a fan standing straight behind me to cool me during the time it took to make the card!! But I love your cards. Especially the little banners.
- July 10, 2010 at 9:36 AM
- Princess Danell said...
AAAACK! So adorable. Thanks for the pattern. I will definitely try the circus tent. And the banner card....delicious!
- July 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM
- Courtney Baker said...
Oh that is so fun! Thanks for the pattern!
- July 10, 2010 at 11:35 AM
- Irena said...
Very cute and beautiful cards.
- July 10, 2010 at 12:20 PM
- Charlene said...
WOW OM Gosh....WONDERFUL CARDS Heidi!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing your pattern :-)
Have a great weekend :-) char
- July 10, 2010 at 2:25 PM
- Ginny said...
gorgeous Heidi! i love them both soo much! the crepe paper is fab on the first, but i'm so in love with that banner! :D
and your 2nd card with the banner and perfectly matched stripes, the PATTERN you made... all of it is AWESOME ...so pretty and fresh and beautiful.
i'm definitely in the mood! hehe
- July 10, 2010 at 3:02 PM
- Kay said...
Oh girlie! You have out done yourself! These could not be more fabulous and darling!! Your tent card is SOOOO CUTE!!!! I majorly love these. Thank you for the pattern, too! :) ♥♥ Kay
- July 10, 2010 at 4:27 PM
- Alice Wertz said...
the banner is sooooo cute and the little roses are the perfect touch! and WOW! your tent card is fabulous, Heidi!!!! Thanks for the template! have to try it some time!! =)
- July 11, 2010 at 2:23 AM
- Daniela said...
How fun are these!!!! Love them both. Thanks for the template, adorable!!!!
- July 11, 2010 at 6:08 AM
- Regan said...
you are killing me!!
- July 11, 2010 at 9:17 AM
- Tiffany Heilman said...
wozers, Heidi! Those cards super cute. Love the circus tent and those banners
- July 11, 2010 at 10:23 AM
- Lea L. said...
These are so darn cute, Heidi! I love the added flowers on the banner!!
- July 11, 2010 at 1:14 PM
You are talent in first place. Cant wait for you to get rich as well as famous...Your Aunt Maggie tells all of her artist friends that you are her niece and full of family talent. Love, xxxooo Mom
- July 11, 2010 at 7:02 PM
- Linda Beeson said...
Oh no! I am so in love with that banner. Cute in every way!
- July 11, 2010 at 10:03 PM
- Deanna said...
Holy poop this is adorable!
- July 12, 2010 at 7:57 AM
- Dayna said...
I love the little banner and that circus tent........WAY TOO CUTE!! Thanks for the eye candy!!
- July 13, 2010 at 7:18 PM
- Peet said...
oh my...these are amazing heidi! Love, love them both!!!
Peet x
- July 17, 2010 at 9:14 AM
- Pam Sparks said...
Hi Heidi - I used your tent pattern for a card and it turned out so cute! TFS!
- January 5, 2012 at 1:28 PM
- Carmen said...
Popped over from Craft Gossip. Absolutely LOVE this card!! Will definitely be making a version of it myself. Thanks so much for the idea!!
- January 12, 2012 at 5:06 PM
- Ellen said...
Super cute tent card! Yhanks for sharing your template!
- January 13, 2012 at 4:22 AM
- PaolaEtta said...
Really really cute! Thanks for sharing!
- January 15, 2012 at 8:53 AM
- Edna said...
lovely card, thanks for the template, can't wait to make one
- April 23, 2012 at 9:49 PM
love it
- October 2, 2012 at 3:20 AM
- Lesley G said...
Thank you so much for sharing your design :)
- June 2, 2014 at 6:31 AM


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Spicy Shrimp Creole
"For more than 35 years, this has been our favorite shrimp dish," says Sharon Larson of Knoxville, Illinois. The tender shrimp combined with a slightly spicy chunky tomato and green pepper mixture makes a hearty portion of this classic.
2 Servings
Prep: 15 min. Cook: 30 min.
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Dash hot pepper sauce
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Hot cooked rice, optional
In a large skillet, saute the onion, celery and green pepper in oil
until tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer. Stir in the
tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, chili
powder and pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer,
uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until thickened.
Add shrimp; cook 4-5 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Serve
with rice if desired. Yield: 2 servings.
© Taste of Home 2014
2 of 2
Spicy Shrimp Creole
Nutritional Facts:
1-1/2 cups (calculated without rice) equals 253 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 168 mg cholesterol, 1,673 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 22 g protein.
Light-Bodied White Wine: Enjoy this recipe with a light-bodied white wine such as
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Grigio
© Taste of Home 2014


text:
Beth Noveck
Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Open GovernmentOffice of Science and Technology Policy
Noveck set the tone for the Obama administration's open-government policy by leading the initiative to collect information and opinions before drafting the Open Government Directive.
President Barack Obama announced his intention to make government more transparent on his first full day in office, and it has remained a priority for the administration throughout its first year.
"Beth's work this year was entrepreneurial and successful, in large part because she understood how to bring together multiple players who could impact the directive but were not part of any normal chain of policy development and approval," said Dan Chenok, former branch chief of information policy and technology at the Office of Management and Budget and now senior vice president at Pragmatics.
Read more about the 2010 Federal 100 award winners.
About the Author
Doug Beizer is a staff writer for Federal Computer Week.
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Puritan's Pride
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Kid's Choice Book Club
Published on Thursday, June 27, 2013 - 10:36am
This summer we're starting our first ever book club where the kids choose the book! For our first selection we're reading Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading.
At the first meeting on July 29, there will be games and crafts relating to the book and we'll vote on what book to read for August.
So pick up a copy of Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading at the Southwest Neighborhood Library and come join us on July 29, where you can choose the next book we'll read!
Pizza will be served at the book club meeting.


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National Initiative on April 25, Encourages Workers to Turn a Working Lunch into a Walking Lunch
Richardson, TX — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will help its employees step into a healthier lifestyle by participating in National Walk @ Lunch Day® on April 25, 2012. From 9am – 1:00 pm, Blue Cross employees will begin their walk around a nature trail adjacent to its campus and will also be eligible to enjoy prize drawings and giveaway items. The sixth annual walk is part of a growing national workplace fitness effort created in response to recent studies that show Americans do not have time during their day to exercise.
National Walk @ Lunch Day is a national workplace walking program designed to encourage employees to walk during their lunch break. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas employees are making the commitment to walk to better health, reducing their likelihood of costly future health problems. Research shows that a regular walking program can help control weight, condition the heart and lungs, and prevent the onset of health problems. Walking can help those with chronic illnesses better manage their health. BCBSTX is one of many health-conscious companies across America encouraging employees to take steps to better health. BCBSTX was an early supporter of this important national effort, which benefits their employees and the communities where they live and work.
"The great thing about walking," says Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, vice president and chief medical officer at BCBSTX, "is that it's easy, can be done almost anywhere, requires no equipment, can make you healthier and it doesn't cost a thing. I would suggest, however, that anyone who starts walking for the mental and physical benefits should make sure they are wearing the right shoes to make walking easy and safe for your feet."
Many experts say that 10,000 steps a day does a body good, however, the key is to keep increasing the amount of walking you do overall and keep working to increase the number of steps you walk daily. A good walk offers a change of scenery, a chance to think, reduced stress and some time alone or fun with other walking enthusiasts. Get up to speed about the physical and mental benefits of walking.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.8 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.


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LiveThe latest on the floods
Enable automatic updates every minute? YES NO
- The pedestrian shuttle is open in Upton linking Marina Road to Upton town, operating during the hours of daylight
Notice to Monday morning commuters: #WORCESTER BRIDGE will be fully OPEN! #floods— Malvern Cops (@MalvernCops) February 16, 2014
A day on the bridge keeping up to date with Worcester and the rapidly improving situation @LisaSkyNews @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/YCNk3WJz3Z— Supt Kevin Purcell (@SuptNorthWorcs) February 16, 2014
ROAD CLOSED SIGNS - matters not if you know the Chief Constable, someone in the CID or pay our wages! Closed for your safety! #floodaware— Supt Kevin Purcell (@SuptNorthWorcs) February 15, 2014
"@johncurtinEA: If ever a photo showed an @EnvAgency defence saving homes it is this #upton from @DaveThroupEA pic.twitter.com/1U9HKEwAxL"— David HudsonEA (@DavidHudsonEA) February 15, 2014
Incredible crowds at #Worcester Bridge watching the #WorcesterFloods cleanup and enjoying the sunshine! pic.twitter.com/0Pt1dcgBIz— WorcesterCityCouncil (@myworcester) February 16, 2014
4:12pm Sun 16 Feb 14
citykid says
Good work done by all at Worcester lets hope bridge open in the morning, now to get Upton back to normal. Fingers crossed
@HWFire Thank you! Ur doing a great job. The water level in my garden has receded 4ft you started pumping! #staines pic.twitter.com/SL0WAXXQsU— Katie Richards (@Katieksr83) February 16, 2014
Flood fun by Alec Foster. More pictures at www.facebook.com/theworcesternews
THE pictures below show members of the West Midlands Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) wading out to houses that have limited access due to their homes or neighbourhoods being flooded.
The 'safe and well' checks not only ensure the public's safety and general welfare but it also provides residents the opportunity to raise any health concerns they may have. The photos, courtesy of the the ambulance service, show teams travelling by boast in the flood water in Worcester and wading out to homes in Severn Stoke.
Big efforts now on for next 24 hours to get the road system through Worcester open for morning rush hour.— Supt Kevin Purcell (@SuptNorthWorcs) February 16, 2014
Military colleagues supporting @worcscc @WMerciaPolice in Worcester. @SuptNorthWorcs Silver out & about. Everything very much open #floods— ACC Gareth Morgan (@ACCGarethMorgan) February 16, 2014
Good news - Worcester bridge should be fully open (i.e. no restrictions) by tomorrow rush hour— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
FLOOD commanders met this morning and say Worcester bridge could be fully open by tomorrow morning as level levels fall.
At the moment there is still a lane closure on the bridge although two-way traffic is running.
Worcestershire Silver Tactical Coordinating group met this morning.
A number of agencies are involved, the Environment Agency, Worcestershire County and district councils, Public Health England, Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Superintendent Kevin Purcell, Silver Group chairman, said: "Since last weekend, when we saw the flooding beginning to impact here, the residents of Worcestershire have been pulling together and helping each other out along with supporting their local businesses.
"Through the different agencies involved we too have been working as a team to keep people safe and the county moving and I would personally like to thank all of those involved so far.
"We have seen some great successes including the military shuttle truck operation in Upton-upon-Severn and the county council putting in place solutions to keep the traffic moving across the bridge in Worcester city centre.
"Current information from the Environment Agency shows river levels now not going back up to the peaks we have seen over recent days, albeit they may take a while to go back to the levels we normally see at this time of the year. With this in mind, we are looking to get the Worcester City Centre bridge fully open for Monday morning along with a number of other roads in the city centre.
"The Upton "Express" as it is becoming affectionately known will remain in place into early next week, until it is safe to pass without military assistance. Due to the danger of a serious traffic accident if Bewdley Bridge reopened whilst the barriers are in situ, that bridge will remain closed until the water level drops to one where there is no threat to properties and then the barriers will come down and the bridge will reopen.
We as a multi-agency team will continue to monitor the, what now appears to be, slowly improving situation very closely and will continue to keep you updated."
Have you read our advice on keeping yourself and others safe and healthy during the #flooding? #Worcestershire http://t.co/it63jpgfEb— Worcestershire (@worcscc) February 16, 2014
Have to agree with the comment from City Kid on the WN website. To be flooded is terrible to be flooded and burgled is a disaster.— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
Thieves have targeted the Severn View Hotel in Newport Street, Worcester, recently hit by the floods. Read the full story on the flood blog.— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
THIEVES who stole from a flood-hit Worcester hotel have been branded 'heartless' by a police superintendent.
The break-in occurred at the Severn View Hotel on Newport Street sometime between 8pm on Friday night and 4pm yesterday afternoon.
Some time during the time period in question, it appears that thieves broke into the hotel by forcing open a rear door with an implement of some sort. It appears the thieves then used the same implement to force their way into a number of rooms inside the property and carry out a search.
Speaking about this break-in, Superintendent Kevin Purcell said:
"The Severn View Hotel is currently closed as it has been damaged during recent flooding so this really is a heartless crime. We are therefore very keen to speak to anyone who may have information about this burglary, especially anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious over the course of the past couple of days that could be linked to it.
"As of yet it is not clear exactly what the thieves have managed to steal but an Apple Macbook computer and several hundred pounds of cash are definitely missing from the hotel's office.
"I would like to reassure people that we continue to have increased patrols out and about in the community at the present time and that it is very much business as usual in relation to our investigation of offences like this.
"This is the only crime that has been reported to the police which involves a property affected by flooding and despite our obvious involvement in helping people deal with the recent extreme weather conditions, we will leave no stone unturned in our attempts to capture the thieves responsible for this break-in."
Anyone who believes they may have information that could aid our investigation into this burglary is asked to contact police officers in Worcester on 101 as soon as possible, quoting incident number 577S 150214.
Alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you'd rather leave information without identifying yourself.
Car crushed by tree in Worcester
Risky business: Some people go to extraordinary and perhaps dangerous lengths to look at the flood water. Pic submitted by reader
Were you the driver who had a lucky escape when a tree fell on your car in Henwick Road on Saturday? Message me your number please!— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
Today is a perfect day to head down to the shops in Worcester. Just don't go for a swim or drink any flood water— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
Beautiful day in Worcester today after the Biblical deluge. The highways team are working hard down by the bridge, clearing the debris.— James Connell (@JamesConnell8) February 16, 2014
#open4business , Sun is shining! sky is blue! Worcester is Open! Bridge open to two way traffic! Free park and ride from Perdiswell— Cllr Lucy Hodgson (@Cllrlucyhodgson) February 16, 2014
For the latest info on #road closures and #bus disruptions, check the alerts on our website #Worcestershire #flooding http://t.co/z0eTCf3Slv— Worcestershire (@worcscc) February 16, 2014
Swans enjoying the early morning sunshine in Worcester and apparently completely indifferent to the painstaking work to clear the bridge of a mountain of debris.
A casualty of the floods. I wonder how long this tree has stood sentinel on the Severn. Your watch is over now.
I'm about to upload some pictures of the bridge clearance operation in Worcester. These are my photographs so I can't vouch for their quality. I've done my best but you can't get too close as this can be dangerous work. We have a pro (Nick Toogood) there at the moment so his pictures will be much, much better. As soon as I have his pics so will you. This is quite a delicate operation and the guy operating the excavator/river dredger has some serious skills. There is 500 tonnes to clear so if you want to have a look yourself the highways guys should be there for some time.
Very generous gesture by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, donating large number of blankets to troops on flood effort in Worcester.— Supt Kevin Purcell (@SuptNorthWorcs) February 15, 2014
Boat crews have been performing 'safe and well' checks on people hit by the floods, wading out to houses to check on the vulnerable.
West Midlands Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) consists of paramedics who have been travelling by boat and where possible wading out to houses that have limited access due to their homes or neighbourhoods being flooded.
The 'safe and well' checks not only ensure the public's safety and general welfare but it also provides residents the opportunity to raise any health concerns they may have.
Residents who take regular medication have also been asked if they have an adequate supply to see them through the flooding period.
The checks have proved to be beneficial and on Friday Paramedics found themselves treating a patient who had been suffering from chest pains.
WMAS Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Steve Wheaton, said: "Initiatives such as this not only shows our determination to ensure those affected by flooding are being monitored and communicated with, but also demonstrates the excellent relationship the emergency service partners have with each other working seamlessly in such difficult conditions.
"Although the teams are proactively visiting properties, should anyone require emergency assistance please do not hesitate in contacting the emergency services. Throughout this period of flooding we have been and will continue to respond to you as quickly as we can."
Work is now ongoing to clear debris from the Severn bridge in Worcester. Jon Fraser, the highways manager for Worcestershire County Council estimates there is around 500 tonnes of debris which has built up on the bridge because of the floods. The council has hired an excavator, a specialist river dredging crane to clear the rubbish which includes trees, branches, bottles, crates, fast food containers and even a life ring. The debris is not just on the surface and extends to a depth of around three meters. Mr Fraser said one of the challenges was avoiding causing damage to the bridge's lights. Poles have been put in to protect them. A tree surgeon is chopping up the larger trees which are being placed in a skip. There are men with stop signs to halt traffic on the bridge as some of the larger pieces of debris are removed. But once this is done the flow of traffic quickly resumes. SARA are on standby with two boats in case anyone falls in the river, whether they be highways staff or onlookers leaning too far forward on the bridge to get a good picture. There are quite a few spectators watching now. Soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment to keep people safe and stop them getting too near to the work.
Floods could remain until March, Environment Agency warns - via @Telegraph http://t.co/8UKm5wvkqv— Mary Dhonau (@floodmary) February 15, 2014
February 15, 2014
Aerial photo of #worcester floods today. Worcester bridge, New Road and @worcsccc pic.twitter.com/IGD5nFGFWy— Dave Throup (@DaveThroupEA) February 13, 2014
Here comes the #upton bus! pic.twitter.com/4BKi4WkRyU— Dave Throup (@DaveThroupEA) February 15, 2014
The debris next to the bridge in Worcester should be getting cleared tomorrow— @JamesConnell8 15 February 2014
Video of flooded Pitchcroft from the train. By Logan Kelly via www.facebook.com/theworcesternews
Welcome to Worcester-upon-Severn.... pic.twitter.com/K6lQyJDkEB— Tom Edwards (@tomedwardsWN) February 15, 2014
Apparently in honour of Mr Throup, Chas and Dave have changed their name to Dave and Dave. #hero #floods #worcester #hereford #shrewsbury— DaveThroupFanClub (@DaveThroupFans) February 15, 2014
High Street Salon for the style of your life #open4business @WorcesterBID pic.twitter.com/7AU0SZYyju— Street Rangers (@BidRanger) February 15, 2014
More pics from Upton. The guys from the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment (B company) could not have been more helpful. It certainly makes a change from the bus.
Never fear, the army's here. Beats catching the bus. And it was free. What do you make of Upton's new bus service?
Good shopping trip to #Upton. Got food, Valentine's Gift and asked nicely for #Army to put on a transport shuttle http://t.co/PM9xFB4agr— Harriett Baldwin (@HBaldwinMP) February 15, 2014
The best seat on the Ryall to Upton Express pic.twitter.com/vdG2D4oSE8— Supt Mark Travis (@SuptSouthWorcs) February 15, 2014
RT @myworcester: Please use hashtag #WorcesterFloods for anything to do with floods in Worcester. Pls RT— @fergiebarebum 15 February 2014
THE main Worcester bridge may be closed again as river levels rise.
Following updated advice from the Environment Agency (EA), Worcestershire County Council is expecting it may need to need to close the bridge later this afternoon.
EA intelligence has confirmed the river is expected to rise today and the council's highways team is ready to act as needed.
A spokesman for the council said: "We will endeavour to keep the bridge open as long as possible to minimise disruption and as long as it is safe to do so."
The free shuttle bus service, which is ferrying people across the bridge from the Bull Ring roundabout to Huntingdon Hall lay-by on Deansway is currently planned to operate this evening between 10pm – 4am. The shuttle service is on stand-by for other hours should a further need arise and if the bridge should close, the shuttle bus will operate from that time until 4am.
A spokesman said: "This is still a dynamic situation and we'd continue to advise people to keep looking on our website www.worcestershire.gov.uk, following the @worcscc Twitter account, listening to local radio and visiting local media websites for updates."
RT @worcscc: For the latest info on #road closures and #bus disruptions, check the alerts on our website http://t.co/9FG2M7kBD5 #Worcesters…— @RTime_Vicky 15 February 2014
RT @worcscc: Should we need to close Worcester Bridge later this afternoon, the shuttle bus will start running again from that point #Flood…— @TRMLimited 15 February 2014
The troop carrier vehicles (TCVs) in Upton have not only been carrying people but also their pets. One dog, a five year-old Springer Spaniel called Toby, could hardly contain his excitement getting a ride across the flood water in the TCV.
There are around 100 men in B company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment and they are covering a wide area in terms of flood relief - from the main bridge in Worcester to the The Mythe near Tewkesbury. It is a large area including many flood-hit areas like Kempsey, Severn Stoke and Upton. The military are getting their orders direct from the command centre at Worcester Police Station in Worcester's Castle Street. Major Darren McCleery, the OC for B company in Upton said the militray were responding directly to the needs of the civilian authorities. He said: "The men are happy to be here because it is something different." The troops have been particularly impressed with Upton's fish and chip shop. I'm told it's a lot better than their standard rations.
High winds are causing problems in Worcester today, including falling trees.
A tree fell on Henwick Road in Worcester this morning. A rapid response vehicle attended at around 1.47am but the driver whose vehicle was struck managed to escape safely and was uninjured.
Shortly after 7.15pm yesterday evening crews were called to Truemans Heath Lane in Hollywood, Birmingham when a tree fell on a passing car.
An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and the Trust's MERIT rapid response vehicle, carrying a critical care paramedic and a trauma doctor, were dispatched to the scene.
On arrival at the scene crews found a fallen tree and a car that had left the carriageway and was in a garden. The vehicle had sustained significant damage to its front end and roof.
Due to the damage to the car, the driver, a man believed to be in his 50s, had to be cut free from the vehicle. The man was treated at the scene for minor cuts and bruising and for back and neck pain injuries. He was fully immobilised and given pain relief before being conveyed to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for further assessment and treatment.
@MalvernCops we're going to need a bigger boat— Paul Kinsella (@IntopSME) February 15, 2014
Report of male wandering along Worcester Rd, #Droitwich with an inflatable shark! #Floods #Jaws— @MalvernCops 15 February 2014
The lads from the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment (B company) are doing a great job in Upton, transporting people to the town through flood water, checking on vulnerable people and helping with distributing sandbags. Reporter James Connell went across on one of the 16 searer troop carrier vehicles (TCVs), which have been full to capacity on some runs. The TCVs have to negotiate around 1km of water which is a metre to a metre and half deep in some places. The vehicles have a high ground clearance (1.5 metres) and can go to a depth of up to 2.5 metres because they are snorkled which prevents the engine from flooding. The efforts of the soldiers have been well-received by the pubic and some have been bringing them food and drink to show their appreciation. People have been using the vehicles to do their shopping, buy newspapers and just to have a look at the flood water.
Kempsey PACT volunteers picking up roadside litter after the gales. Everybody is weighing in on the big clear up! #worcesterfloods— @rvernallsPA 15 February 2014
Free shuttle bus expected to operate tonight from Bull Ring roundabout to Huntingdon Hall lay-by on Deansway. 10pm-4am.
@JamesConnell8 now in Upton checking out the army in action. #Worcestershirefloods— @MikeMaloneyWN 15 February 2014
Might go to Upton just so I can get a ride through the floods in an Army truck!!— @BradPrice92 15 February 2014
Had a dream I was being washed away by floods in upton and I had to cling on to a lamppost with my legs and arms wrapped round hahaha— @hollieerobson 15 February 2014
Going to see all the floods in Worcester 👀💧— @AdamJoynson 15 February 2014
Off to Worcester town to see the floods and go shopping ..prepare for some pics— @jcody4 15 February 2014
RT @DaveThroupEA: Alternative shot of the #worcester floods from St Andrew's spire. Courtesy @myworcester http://t.co/p9LhPuSqIi— @Bob4PCC 15 February 2014
RT @MalvernCops: @HWFireControl command vehicle & @worcscc shuttle bus on #worcester bridge in the #sunshine #floods http://t.co/UPas9R6Nv8— @Constantinos76 15 February 2014
Army trucks waiting for the off. pic.twitter.com/LLq6KdwhQd— Jackie Surtees (@uptonuponsevern) February 15, 2014
Aerial photo of #worcester floods today. Worcester bridge, New Road and @worcsccc pic.twitter.com/IGD5nFGFWy— Dave Throup (@DaveThroupEA) February 13, 2014
Please remember Worcester is very much open for business. Come and support the shops and restaurants. Free Park & Ride & bus across bridge— Cllr Lucy Hodgson (@Cllrlucyhodgson) February 15, 2014
There are still 40 flood warnings in place in the Midlands and one severe flood warning. On the Severn there are flood warnings at North Worcester, south Worcester, Bevere, Pitchcroft, Stourport, Holt Fleet, East Waterside in Upton, Dunn's Lane, Upton, Northwood in Bewley, Clifton and Severn Stoke, Upper Arley and on the River Teme at Lower Wick


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Travel Packages Available at PrimeSports Travel
Call 866-989-RACE (7223) to purchase tickets or travel packages by phone
October 3, 2014
Enjoy NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup practice, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for Sunday and an ARCA Race under the lights!
October 4, 2014
Don't miss the return of the NASCAR Nationwide Series to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 4, 2014. Tickets start at $40 for adults and $15 for youth tickets (12 & under).
October 5, 2014
Don't miss the fourth Race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on Oct. 5, 2014 at Kansas Speedway! More tickets than ever before are available for $99 or less, youth tickets (12 & under) start at $29.
October 17, 2014
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying
October 18, 2014
Fred's 250 Powered by Coca-Cola - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
October 19, 2014
GEICO 500 - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
October 25, 2014
Finger Lakes Beer Trail and Watkins Glen International bring you 30 craft brews from 15 New York State craft breweries. Enjoy live music, food, beer and friends at this unique event. Each guest receives a commemorative sampling glass with tasting coupons.
The Print at Home option is available to race fans who purchased any grandstand tickets and want the convenience of printing their tickets at home.
To utilize the Print at Home option, the Racetickets.com ticket buyer will need to have access to e-mail and a printer. When purchasing tickets over the phone, the ticket buyer needs to mention to the ticket agent they would like to use the Print at Home option. When purchasing tickets online, the ticket buyer should choose the Print at Home option.
The ticket buyer will then receive two e-mails. One e-mail confirms the ticket sale and the track entrance gates. This barcode is only good for one admission and duplicate copies of the same barcode will not allow access.


text: Gwinnett County police have identified a man they say held kids at gunpoint during a home invasion on Thursday.Police say 22-year-old Derrick Rankins broke into a home on Suwanee Trail Drive and stole electronics and jewelry while holding two brothers at gunpoint.The suspect's car was then spotted on I-85, which led to a chase that ended on the Buford Springs Connector. Rankins allegedly fled from the scene on foot.Police said they found one weapon in Rankin's car. He's wanted on armed robbery and false imprisonment charges.


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From Ultronomicon
[edit] Ship Pages
I've re-worked the following ship pages:
[edit] Net Melee
Self-proclaimed melee expert right here. I have played a tremendous amount of Super Melee against other players starting from the the release of UQM v0.6.0 and onward. I've also hosted many net melee tournaments between 2007 and 2009. The player turn-out was usually small, but I have some good memories of these events in spite of that.
[edit] Project 6014
I did some of the work involved in creating the new ships for Cedric6014's mod project. Most of my attention was focused on ship code and artificial intelligence, though a few of the graphics are my handiwork.
[edit] Pet Projects
Net Melee Balance Mod -- A series of ship modifications with PvP in mind.
Net Melee Strategy Guide -- Incomplete.


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We all know who the bad guys are. They are the evil, greedy, corrupt banksters with Jewish Zionist surnames like Goldman Sachs and the puppet politicians that they finance into power to serve them. So…why is the bankster owned mainstream corporate media monopolies producing TV shows and movies like Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura and HBO's "Too Big To Fail"? Why are they shooting themselves in the foot with anti-capitalist, anti-bankster, anti-Federal Reserve propaganda?
Why is the "bankster" owned NON-mainstream media producing save-the-planet movies and movements like Thrive, Zeitgeist and Occupy about the big, bad, corrupt and greedy 1% that rule and abuse the 99%"? George Soros, alias George Schwartz, is the Rothschild agent who financed the Occupy Movement through the Tides Foundation. The "Thrive" movie was produced by the heir to the Proctor & Gamble Fortune – Foster Gamble.
The "Yes Men" movie was produced by David (de) ROTHSCHILD, heir to the Zionist Rothschild bankster fortunes. Zeitgeist was created by James Coyman pretending to be Peter Joseph. How about Theodor Seuss Geisel – Dr. Seuss (Zeus) and the new 3D animated children's movie "The Lorax"? It's all about uniting and saving the trees and the environment from the big bad corporations. How about Zak Goldsmith featured in the movie "The Economics of Happiness"? Zak inherited $600 million from his tycoon father, Sir James Goldsmith.
The leaders of the "save-the-planet" movies and movements are the offspring of the evil, greedy, corrupt banksters/cleptocrats with Jewish Zionist surnames. Are these guys giving up their fortunes? Are they resigning their membership in the 1%? Are they breaking their family oath of allegiance? Do zebras change their stripes? Not a chance! What's wrong with this picture is that the good guys are "fake good guys". They are pushing save-the-planet, anti-capitalist propaganda for one reason. To deliver their trusting believers and followers right into the arms of New World Order Communism.


text:
11 Pictures of Deadly Animals Snuggling with People
The 50 Funniest Photos of 2014... So Far
10 Cities with the Most Gold Diggers
Doctors Remove 36 Year-Old Skeleton Found Inside Woman
The 25 Funniest Baby Faces Ever Photographed
Meanest Children's Notes That Have Us Peeing Our Pants
Horrifying Photos of Kids with Mouths for Eyes
18 Cute Girls Gone Ugly
30 Convenient Ideas You Never Knew You Wanted
This Abandoned Underwater Strip Club is Unbelievable
46 Perfectly Timed Photos You'll Have to Look Twice to Understand.
50 Shocking Makeup Transformation Pictures
22 Maniacs Who Took It Too Far
This Forgotten Island Has a Terrifying Past
30 Really Good Examples of Why Japan is So Weird
Giant Spider Dog Terrorizes People in Epic Prank
25 Cats Sleeping In The Most Ridiculous Positions
Think She's Cute? Just You Wait!
The 25 Worst Spray Tans You'll Ever See
What Perfect Beauty Looks Like Around the World
Top 10 "Useless" Organs
Prepare to Have Your Mind Blown
10 Bizarre Animals You've Never Even Heard Of
27 Perfectly Timed Disaster Photos
Meet The Amazing Walmart Woman
This Stock Might Explode. Can You Turn $5000 into $500,000?
The Men and Women Who Live Off The Grid
Dog and Dolphin Friends Go for a Swim Every Morning
9-Year-Old South African Boy Marries Elderly Woman
Meet the Husband and Wife Who Look Like Identical Twins


text:
Go to Email & News to manage your email, search the web, stay up to date with current news and more.
Fast, easy 24/7 solutions- right on your desktop.
I want to:
How to set up a series recording How to set up a series recording
Your DVR lets you set up a recording that will record the episodes of a TV series. This saves you from having to set up individual recordings for a TV program that you want to regularly record.
There are two ways to set up a TV Series recording:
You are presented with a series of options.


text:
Nesmith Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Present: Trustees – Peter Tousignant( Chairman), Mark Branoff (Assistant Treasurer), Karen Marcil (Treasurer), Tara Picciano (Recording Secretary), Anne-Marie O'Neil, Cathy Robertson-Souter (Corresponding Secretary)
Director – Carl Heidenblad
Assistant Directors – Diane Mayr, Lois Freeston,
Circulation Coordinator– Terrie Marietta,
Flow– No Representative
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm. Chairman Peter Tousignant read the Mission Statement. The minutes from the May 14 meeting were accepted as written.
Reports and Housekeeping:
Cathy Souter: There was no written correspondence however there were several verbal comments presented. First, an attendee of the Strawberry Festival was inquiring if there would be more events or activities for young adults at next year's event? Secondly, Pelham Library had a write up in the newspaper about their community garden and Cathy was asked if that would be a feasible project to have at Nesmith. First comment was passed along to Flow and the second comment was referred to the Windham Garden Club.
Treasurer's Report: High expenditures for the museum passes, system software costs, and the telecommunications being at 98% of proposed are because of timing in payment schedules and are not expected to overrun proposed total amounts. A Health Insurance expenditure question was asked by Mr. Mark Branoff and was answered by the director. Expenditures for health Insurance are on track. The Library budget is on track. As shown in the updated bottom section of the monthly financial report, as of 12/31/12 the library remains in compliance with RSA 32:7
Director's Report:
· Carl introduced Terrie Marietta, the Circulation Coordinator who will be doing a presentation about what she does for the library.
· Digitizing the Windham independent digitized and indexed for Aug 20 yrs 69-89
Next will micro film digitize and index.
($159,371.00) Will be ready to have an extensive CIP discussion/rough draft at the next meeting or email if it can be expedited. Would like to add a contingency fee/factor of 10% to 2 items are that are petroleum based. It is ready to be presented to the Selectmen and Carl would like to present it with a Trustee.
· The library is digitizing and fully indexing the Windham Independent. The years 1969-1989 have been sent out for digitizing.
· 28th May Concert at Library, The Honey Dew Drops 7pm. 30 people attended and they said they would come back. The Library also has the CD in the audio section.
F.L.O.W. Report: No Flow person; Peter read a letter from Pam Skwiot Wrap up to follow.
Upcoming Adults: Anne Barratt Hollywood wild west movie Mecca, June 25 6pm
2 scholarships were given out to WHS Seniors: Christine Carpenter and Kate Ferral
· Looking into having/planning a Halloween party the weekend before 10/31/13 at the Library
Nesmith Staff Report: Circulation Coordinator
Terrie Marietta presented her duties as follows:
Circulation and Volunteer Coordinator
To create a positive customer experience by providing information and tools to staff that set standards of excellence that are in compliance with the policies and procedures of the Nesmith Library.
Scheduling assigning staff to:
o Circulation desk (done weekly)
o Saturday rotation (done annually)
o Special events, i.e. Strawberry Festival, etc.
o Working circulation desk 10 hrs/wk and any additional shifts as required
Computer maintenance:
o One public computer each morning
o Clear any user files/information
o Install software and updates as needed
o Troubleshoot problems and resolve or pass on to Carl
o Assist staff in maintaining staff machines – installing updates, printers, etc. as needed
o Assist customers using public computers, troubleshooting and instructing them with software and printer issues.
o Assist staff in the use of Polaris by updating procedures and creating easy-to-access information via Quick Reference Books, White Board, handouts and 1-on-1 training.
Manage Museum Pass program (currently 14 museums, each renews at a different time, each has its own polices of use).
o Renew all FLOW approved museums,
o updating each museum's calendar, fees, and policies
o reporting statistics monthly & annually to FLOW and Carl
o maintaining museum software and reports
Managing displays, non-profit collection boxes, posters, and electronic frames, as needed.
Manage & problem-solve circulation functions including:
o manage customer records, overdue and billing notices, pick lists, hold shelves, and in-transit items.
o Keep statistics, circulation reports, communicate with GMILCS to resolve problems and issues, as needed
o Attend GMILCS Circ/ILL meetings and share information and problem solve with other GMILCS libraries
o Answer and resolve customer questions in regard to remote customer account access, online catalog, placing holds remotely, and downloadable materials to various devices.
o Respond and resolve customer complaints and concerns
Basically, anything that a customer can checkout, access, view, download or log onto I have a hand in making that experience a positive one by creating systems and procedures than enhance the staff's ability to meet or exceed the customer's need and promote and maintain a high standard of customer satisfaction.
Unfinished Business: The Formation of Committees are as follows:
Endowment: Patricia Chair, Mark, Tara, Peter
Personnel Committee: elected~ Karen, Patricia, Anne Marie were presented as a Slate vote by Peter, carried by a unanimous vote.
Marketing Committee: Tara Chair, Cathy, Peter .
Technology Committee: Ann-Marie Chair, Peter, Cathy, Lois, Sylvie, Diane Mayr,
Anne-Marie made the motion to approve the second Tues of every month fully.
The Meeting schedule for the year was approved unanimously.
New Business:
Anne-Marie suggested an implementation of employee appreciation plan.
Next meeting is going to be on August 13.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Picciano
Draft subject to approval


text:
Yoga Classes in Poonjar India
| Yoga Classes in Poonjar Kerala
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|Contact:Anto Antony
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|Phone:00 91 9447313580
|Yoga Style: Hatha Yoga
|Send Message
|Now Running own Yoga Therapy centre and doing special therapy for joint dislocations at Poonjar. Before that he was Teaching Yoga & Meditation and doing Yoga Therapy at Sumangali Tourist Home Kovalam from 20 .. More about Yoga, Meditation & Yoga Therapy by Anto Antony
|Update listing
| Yoga Classes in Vagamon Kerala
11 kilometers Away
|OMSAI Ayuryoga Resort
|Contact:Praveen Satthi
|Vagamon, Kerala
|Yoga Style: Raja Yoga
|Send Message
|OMSAI AYURYOGA RESORT remains as an oasis of tranquility and serenity It is a beautiful private hide-away open to guests for part of the year , a place of total peace, where you can experience the warm, gene .. More about OMSAI Ayuryoga Resort
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Scoutmaster Musings scouting
> > >
Triple Prizes
< < <
Scoutmaster Musings
2014 -
Scouting Article
has an article on Scouting, including bits about the upcoming Centennial, Good Turn for America, and historic items.
Nice to see some positive press for the BSA. The first reader comment is about the article - from there on, it's just the usual noise about gay/atheist policy.
Scout On.
Leave Comment
Posted: 14:11 06-22-2007 155
Merit Badge Survey
The official BSA national site has a merit badge survey for Scouts and MB Counselors. Please take a few minutes and give them your input.
Check out
Merit Badge Survey
I took the counselor survey and read through the scout survey. It sure looks to me, from the wording of the questions, like someone is attempting to justify podcast and video production. Those are cool things, but I don't think they promote the adult interaction concept of scouting. I'd rather have my son converse with a real person than watch a video on the Internet.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 10:13 06-21-2007 154
Scout Camp CIT
CIT - Counselor in Training
Today I get to drive my oldest son to Many Point Scout Camp for a 5-week session as a CIT. He's been looking forward to this for a long time and hopes to be hired on for the second 5-week session as regular staff.
I see it as a longer-term opportunity to team up with other high-caliber scouts such as he met during his 1-week NYLT camp last summer. It's good to meet and interact with scouts other than those in the same patrol that you've been with for years.
He spent most of yesterday laying out his gear, checking it, and packing it up. I think the most important item he's taking is the small bottle of detergent! :-)
I'm giving rides to 3 other CITs from around the area so that's my Good Deed for the day.
Happy Fathers Day!
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 9:18 06-17-2007 153
Philmont Wilderness First Aid Requirement
Are you going to Philmont in 2008? If so, be sure to read your Philmont 2008 Planning Guide closely and especially notice the requirement on page 3:
Philmont requires that at least
one person
, preferably two, (either an advisor or a youth participant)
in each crew be currently certified in American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid or the equivalent and CPR from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or the equivalent
You must present current certification cards upon check in to verify this requirement
I'm glad to see the requirement. It will ensure each crew has at least some exposure to self-sufficiency in an injury or emergency situation. Unfortunately, the requirement means an additional 16 hours of training at a cost of somewhere between $50 and $200 per certification, depending on where you get the training. So, you might want to plan that additional cost into your trek expenses. Fortunately, the certification is good for 3 years.
I'm an authorized Red Cross instructor of CPR and First Aid and will be authorized to present the Wilderness First Aid at the end of this summer. Hopefully, I can help troops meet this requirement and provide a safer high adventure environment.
Scout On!
Leave Comment
Posted: 20:59 06-15-2007 152
We've had an exchange student from Brazil staying with us the past few months. This past week had us participating in high school graduation ceremonies, graduation open houses, and an all-night senior party at which I got volunteered to help with security in the wee hours of the morning. So, sorry for no blog entries.
We have been doing some hikes for the Hiking merit badge, though. A group of about 6 scouts are working their way through the 5 10-mile hikes and trip plans. On Saturday, we'll do another one. These have been a lot of fun with a new location being explored for each hike.
Hey, if you don't have one yet, I'd recommend asking for a
Boy Scout Fieldbook
for Father's Day. It expands on information in the Scout Handbook and Passport to High Adventure. I'm asking each scout in our trek crew to read the relevant sections.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 17:15 06-14-2007 151
New Online Tests
Check out the
Online Tests
page for another First Aid test, Scout Trivia test, and a couple crossword puzzles.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 12:52 06-04-2007 150
25th Anniversary
Our troop just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Last fall, a scout wanted a leadership position to advance to Life but all the regular spots were assigned by the new SPL.
So, I got to use the "Scoutmaster assigned leadership project" clause in the advancement requirements. This scout took on the task of organizing the anniversary party while working with an adult volunteer. He found the location, ran a contest for the scouts to design a patch, developed an agenda, and organized the food and activities. About 7 months later, the party was a big success!
The scout did a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but he also got to speak in front of the entire troop a few times. I feel it was a great opportunity for the scout to practice planning and organizing before his Eagle project.
We wound up having a simple but fun lunch of sub sandwiches, ice cream in a rented cart from Culver's, soda, and chips.
We rented three inflatable structures - an obstacle course, bouncing cage, and bungee stretch. They were kept busy the entire 3 hours.
Each patrol organized a game or activity.
We invited Webelos too, but the local Packs already had their picnics planned for the same day.
This was a party and all family members as well as past troop members were invited. There was not really much 'scouting' involved. A few demonstrations or competitions of scouting skills would be an area to add next time, I think.
If your troop is coming up on a 5, 10, ... 75, or 100 year anniversary, don't let your troop committee define the celebration - use it as an opportunity for leadership for a scout or two.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 10:29 05-30-2007 149
Hiking and Backpacking
We have eight scouts preparing for a 5-day backpacking trek in July. On Monday we met for some skills review. The scout that presented stove use did a great job other than turning on the gas 'before' lighting the match and leaning over the top of the stove to reach the gas valve on the far side. :-) That's the only time I intervened.
We're busy doing practice hikes and getting used to carrying backpacks. Each scout is doing the Hiking merit badge and a couple are also taking on the Backpacking m.b.
The first scout to make a trip plan for a hike used Google and mapped out our route and then saved it as a JPG image and emailed it to everyone. Pretty darn cool! It was 10.3 miles and everyone got to lead part of the way and get 1 of their 5 10-mile hikes completed.
I've added a couple PDFs to the
merit badge pages for a Trip Plan, Time Control Plan, and Backcountry Injury Report. This might be helpful for scouts working on those merit badges.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 10:50 05-24-2007 148
Scout Advancement Videos
Check out the
Boy Scout Advancement videos
on the official BSA site.
There's some pretty good insight into the direction BSA is going with the program components. The videos are big downloads and need Quicktime.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 23:57 05-22-2007 147
High Adventure Directory
Looking for a new adventure? There are about 80 programs listed in the online
Council High Adventure Directory
segregated by state or region.
If your troop is looking for something new to try next summer, check out these programs including canoeing, backpacking, caving, horseback riding, sailing, whitewater, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
The directory lists all council-operated high-adventure trekking programs that span at least five nights and six days. A few programs of lesser duration are included as specialty adventure programs.
Listings include a point of contact, program description, duration, cost, and directions to site.
If your council's high adventure program is not listed, there's a form for a council representative to enter the program info.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 9:22 05-20-2007 146
Habitat for Humanity
I've just spent the past two days at a
Habitat for Humanity
project in our community. Four homes are being built to provide affordable housing in a nice neighborhood for four families. What a terrific time!
It was great to be outside and get dusty, sweaty, and tired while getting to know some people from my church a bit better. I was the youngest there besides the couple of Habitat college-aged guys that are spending a year with the program. Most people were retired since it meant working during the week.
Seems to me Habitat could be a great thing for stronger, more mature scouts to try. I understand they couldn't use power tools, but there's a lot of manual labor work to be done too. I'm going to check and see if there are opportunities for scouts after school gets out.
Have any of you had scouts do Habitat or similar building projects?
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 18:32 05-18-2007 145
BSA Camp Staff
My son will be a Counselor In Training (CIT) at a local council BSA camp the first half of this summer. He's hoping to get hired on for the second half also.
If you've got some guys that just aged out of your troop and are looking for an exciting summer, check out this
BSA High Adventure Staff Needed
page. The contact info for Philmont, Northern Tier, and Sea Base are listed.
If not this summer, then it's something you can talk to your scouts about for next summer if they are looking for awesome summer work.
Scout On
Leave Comment
Posted: 19:49 05-17-2007 144
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text:
Tim Thomas was the one who slammed the door on the Vancouver offense, and carried the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup. At times it just seemed like no matter what the Canucks did, they would not score.
On top of that, the best power play in the league could not do anything. Vancouver ended up with only two power play goals. This is the same Vancouver that led the NHL in scoring and the playoffs with 19 man advantage goals.
The Sedins were shut down, while Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler were rarely a factor on the ice, and this includes their suddenly-anemic power play. What was it that stopped the most electric 5-on-4 in the National Hockey League?
Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg did a tremendous job covering Henrik and Daniel, but when it came to the penalty kill there was more to it than that. The defensive pair has become legend in Boston, and we also hear of the work from Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. But it was one hero whose name is not known in households, instead it is a player who goes about his business quietly and gets the job done.
Daniel Paille finished his season strong, but I recall writing that Tyler Seguin should play over him. It made sense and it still does, to have the more skilled offensive player in that situation. When it comes down to it though, I owe Paille an apology. I have bashed him all season, not seeing his true value. It is clear to me now.
So sorry, Daniel, that I couldn't see what you brought to this team. Your speed and quick stick on the penalty kill was invaluable, and it could be said he was one of the three stars in this series. While players like David Krejci and Tim Thomas did show off their skill, Paille was just as valuable stopping the terrific power play of the Canucks.
Without Paille, the Bruins just do not win the Cup, and I have to admit that I was wrong about him. Sure, his breakaways never end well, he cannot pass or catch one on his stick, but the work he did deflecting passes was too important for the Bruins. Think for a second. The Canucks scored eight goals in the Cup, and only two of them were on the power play. Think of the countless other chances they had to take leads or just get back into the game. And Paille, along with the rest of the penalty kill, was invincible.


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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - View original article
Goji, goji berry or wolfberry is the fruit of Lycium barbarum (Chinese: 寧夏枸杞 pinyin: Níngxià gǒuqǐ) and Lycium chinense (Chinese: 枸杞 pinyin: gǒuqǐ), two closely related species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae (which also includes the potato, tomato, eggplant, deadly nightshade, chili pepper, and tobacco). The two species are native to Asia.[1]
|This section does not cite any references or sources. (May 2009)
Wolfberry species are deciduous woody perennial plants, growing 1–3 m high. L. chinense is grown in the south of China and tends to be somewhat shorter, while L. barbarum is grown in the north, primarily in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and tends to be somewhat taller.
|This section does not cite any references or sources. (April 2014)
Wolfberry leaves form on the shoot either in an alternating arrangement or in bundles of up to three, each having a shape that is either lanceolate (shaped like a spearhead longer than it is wide) or ovate (egg-like). Leaf dimensions are 7 cm wide by 3.5 cm broad with blunted or round tips.
The flowers grow in groups of one to three in the leaf axils. The calyx (eventually ruptured by the growing berry) consists of bell-shaped or tubular sepals forming short, triangular lobes. The corolla are lavender or light purple, 9–14 mm wide with five or six lobes shorter than the tube. The stamens are structured with filaments longer than the anthers. The anthers are longitudinally dehiscent.
In the northern hemisphere, flowering occurs from June through September and berry maturation from August to October, depending on the latitude, altitude, and climate.
|This section does not cite any references or sources. (April 2014)
These species produce a bright orange-red, ellipsoid berry 1–2 cm deep. The number of seeds in each berry varies widely based on cultivar and fruit size, containing anywhere between 10–60 tiny yellow seeds that are compressed with a curved embryo. The berries ripen from July to October in the northern hemisphere.
Lycium, the genus name, is derived from the ancient southern Anatolian region of Lycia (Λυκία).[2] The fruit is known in pharmacological references as Lycii fructus, which is Latin for "Lycium fruit".
"Wolfberry", a commonly used English name,[3] has unknown origin, perhaps resulting from the Mandarin root, gou, meaning wolf[dubious ] [4] or confusion over the genus name, Lycium, which resembles "lycos", the Greek word for wolf.
In the English-speaking world, the name "goji berry" has been used since the early 21st century.[5] The word "goji" is an approximation of the pronunciation of gǒuqǐ, the name for L. chinense in several Chinese dialects,[4] including Hokkien and Shanghainese. This name possibly derives from the same roots as the Persian language term gojeh which means "plum/berry".[citation needed]
Since the early 21st century there has been growing attention for wolfberries for their novelty and nutrient value.[4][6] They have been termed a superfruit which has led to a profusion of consumer products.[7][8][9] In traditional medicine, the whole fruit or its extracts have numerous implied health effects[which?] which remain scientifically unconfirmed as of 2014.[4][5]
The majority of commercially produced wolfberries come from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of north-central China and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China, where they are grown on plantations totaling 200,000 acres.[9] In Zhongning County, Ningxia, wolfberry plantations typically range between 40 and 400 hectares (100–1000 acres or 500–6000 mu) in area. As of 2005, over 10 million mu have been planted with wolfberries in Ningxia.[10]
Cultivated along the fertile aggradational floodplains of the Yellow River for more than 600 years, Ningxia wolfberries have earned a reputation throughout Asia for premium quality sometimes described commercially as "red diamonds".[11] Government releases of annual wolfberry production, premium fruit grades, and export are based on yields from Ningxia, the region recognized with
In addition, commercial volumes of wolfberries grow in the Chinese regions of Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei. When ripe, the oblong, red berries[9] are tender and must be picked carefully or shaken from the vine into trays to avoid spoiling. The fruits are preserved by drying them in full sun on open trays or by mechanical dehydration employing a progressively increasing series of heat exposure over 48 hours.
Wolfberries are celebrated each August in Ningxia with an annual festival coinciding with the berry harvest.[10] Originally held in Ningxia's capital, Yinchuan, the festival has been based since 2000 in Zhongning County, an important center of wolfberry cultivation for the region.[10] As Ningxia's borders merge with three deserts, wolfberries are also planted to control erosion and reclaim irrigable soils from desertification.[13]
China, the main supplier of wolfberry products in the world, had total exports generating US$120 million in 2004. This production derived from 82,000 hectares farmed nationwide, yielding 95,000 tons of wolfberries,[11] a production that has increased from larger acreages cultivated in recent years.[9]
Organochlorine pesticides are conventionally used in commercial wolfberry cultivation to mitigate destruction of the delicate berries by insects. Since the early 21st century, high levels of insecticide residues (including fenvalerate, cypermethrin, and acetamiprid) and fungicide residues (such as triadimenol and isoprothiolane), have been detected by the United States Food and Drug Administration in some imported wolfberries and wolfberry products of Chinese origin, leading to the seizure of these products.[14]
China's Green Food Standard, administered by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture's China Green Food Development Center, does permit some amount of pesticide and herbicide use.[15][16][17]
On June 18, 2007, the FSA (UK Food Standards Agency) stated that there was a significant history of the fruit being consumed in Europe before 1997, and has removed it from the Novel Foods list.[18] It is now legal to sell the wolfberry in the UK as a food as reported by the British Food Standards Agency,[19] though with concerns over marketing claims over potential health benefits.
Importation of wolfberry plants into the United Kingdom from most countries outside Europe is illegal, due to the possibility they could be vectors of diseases attacking Solanaceae crops, such as potato or tomato.[20]
During the first decade of the 21st Century, farmers in Canada and the United States began cultivating goji on a commercial scale to meet potential markets for fresh berries, juice and processed products.[21][22]
Wolfberries are usually sold in open boxes and small packages in dried form.
As a food, dried wolfberries are traditionally cooked before consumption. Dried wolfberries are often added to rice congee and almond jelly, as well as used in Chinese tonic soups, in combination with chicken or pork, vegetables, and other herbs such as wild yam, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula, and licorice root.[citation needed] The berries are also boiled as a herbal tea, often along with chrysanthemum flowers and/or red jujubes, or with tea, and packaged teas are also available.[citation needed]
Various wines containing wolfberries (called gǒuqǐ jiǔ) are also produced, including some that are a blend of grape wine and wolfberries.[citation needed]
Young wolfberry shoots and leaves are also grown commercially as a leaf vegetable.[23][24]
In basic research, a wolfberry polysaccharide-protein complex has biological effects possibly related to human health benefits,[25][26] including such conditions as supporting the immune system[27][28] and inhibiting some forms of cancer,[29][30] neurotoxicity,[31] oxidative stress,[32] senescence mechanisms,[33] and retinal damage resulting from ischemia.[34] No such actions, however, have been confirmed in humans or approved by any regulatory agency.[5]
A 2008 pilot study[35] indicated that parametric data did not show significant differences between subjects receiving Lycium barbarum berry juice and subjects receiving a placebo; the authors, nevertheless, concluded that subjective measures had been affected. This study was subject to various criticisms concerning its experimental design and interpretations.[36]
Published studies have also reported biological effects of Lycium barbarum in animal models,[37] and speculated from this basic research that there may be potential benefits against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases,[38][39] vision-related diseases[40] (such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma[41]) or from neuroprotective,[42] anticancer[43] or immunomodulatory activity.[5][44]
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lycium leaves may be used in a tea, together with the root bark. A glucopyranoside (namely (+)-Lyoniresinol-3α-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) and phenolic amides (dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine, trans-N-feruloyloctopamine, trans-N-caffeoyltyramine and cis-N-caffeoyltyramine) isolated from wolfberry root bark have inhibitory activity in vitro against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi.[45][46] Phenolic amides isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense Miller (Lycii Radicis Cortex) were also described as inhibitors of the key pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB.[47]
Two published case reports described elderly women who experienced increased bleeding, expressed as an elevated INR, after drinking quantities of wolfberry tea.[48][49] Further in vitro testing revealed that the tea inhibited warfarin metabolism, providing evidence for possible interaction between warfarin and undefined wolfberry phytochemicals.[5][48]
Atropine, a toxic alkaloid found in other members of the Solanaceae family, occurs naturally in wolfberry fruit. The atropine concentrations of berries from China and Thailand was tested and found to be variable, with a maximum content of 19 ppb, well below a toxic level.[50] However, misidentified or adulterated samples with higher atropine levels may explain earlier, much higher, measurements.[50]
Potentially harmful interactions may occur if wolfberry is consumed while taking other medications, such as those metabolised by the cytochrome P450 liver enzymes.[5] Such drugs include warfarin, or drugs for diabetes or hypertension.[5]
|This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2011)
Wolfberries contain many nutrients and phytochemicals including the following:
Select examples given below are for 100 grams of dried berries.
Wolfberries also contain numerous phytochemicals for which there are no established DRI values. The following are examples of phytochemicals present in Goji berries:
Goji berries are often cultivated for a variety of food and beverage applications within China, but increasingly today for export as dried berries, juice, and pulp or grounds. A major effort is underway in Ningxia, China to process wolfberries for "functional" wine[citation needed].
Since the early 21st century, the dried fruit has been marketed in the West as a health food often accompanied by scientifically unsupported claims regarding its purported health benefits.[6]
The level of vitamin C is comparable to many citrus fruits and strawberries[56] as well as numerous other fruits and berries.
Companies marketing the berries often also include the unsupported myth that a Chinese man named Li Qing Yuen, who was said to have consumed wolfberries daily, lived to the age of 256 years (1677–1933).
There is an increasing presence of wolfberry in health food stores and grocery markets in the United Kingdom and other countries.[57]
Other wolfberry consumer applications include the following:
Commercial suppliers have processed wolfberry as
In February 2007, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom, an advisor for food safety to the European Food Safety Authority of the European Union (EU), published an inquiry to retailers and health food stores requesting evidence of significant use of wolfberries in Europe before 1997.[59] Information from this period would document a safety history and evaluate how "novel" the berries are in the EU, affecting their authorization status for sale.[57]
Proponents hoped this review would provide important safeguards for consumers by checking whether new foods are suitable for the whole population, including people with food allergies. Opponents on the other hand feared it would limit consumer choice and protect monopolistic interests rather than the public.[60] Food safety in the EU relies importantly on a scientific basis for label information on foods like wolfberries that may be claimed to furnish health benefits.[61]
In June 2007, the FSA announced its decision that wolfberries indeed had a history of use in Great Britain before 1997.[57][62] Accordingly, wolfberries do not require registration as a novel food.
In January 2007, marketing statements for a goji juice product were subject of an investigative report by CBC Television's consumer advocacy program Marketplace.[63]
By one specific example in the CBC interview, Earl Mindell (then working for direct-marketing company FreeLife International, Inc.) falsely claimed the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York had completed clinical studies showing that use of wolfberry juice would prevent 75% of human breast cancer cases. There are preliminary laboratory studies[43][64][65] and one Chinese clinical trial.[66]
During 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed two goji juice distributors on notice with warning letters about marketing claims.[67][68] These statements were in violation of the United States Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act [21 USC/321 (g)(1)][69] because they "establish the product as a drug intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" when wolfberries or juice have had no such scientific evaluation. Additionally stated by the FDA, the goji juice was "not generally recognized as safe and effective for the referenced conditions" and therefore must be treated as a "new drug" under Section 21(p) of the Act. New drugs may not be legally marketed in the United States without prior approval of the FDA.
On May 29, 2009, a class action lawsuit was filed against FreeLife in the United States District Court of Arizona. This lawsuit alleges false claims, misrepresentations, false and deceptive advertising and other issues regarding FreeLife's Himalayan Goji Juice, GoChi, and TaiSlim products. This lawsuit seeks remedies for consumers who have purchased these products over the past several years.[70][71]
|url= missing title (help).[dead link]
|Look up wolfberry or 枸杞子 in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lycium barbarum.


text:
Honest. Hardworking. Community-minded. Fun. We are Cococo Chocolatiers, proudly based in beautiful Calgary, Alberta. Learn more about our amazing team and recovery from the 2013 June floods here.
Discover these special chocolates in-store, created using fresh fruit purees and crème fraîche. Unique chocolates, bursting with fresh flavours like blood orange, lemon and coconut, updated every month throughout the summer.
You already know we make the handcrafted chocolates you adore. Now let us tell you how we can be a part of your Big Day.