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Fielding Drills
Flash some leather with our pro athlete-approved softball and baseball fielding drills, designed to supply the specific techniques that Major League baseball players use to field ground balls and make accurate throws in the infield. Learn about the importance of footwork, fielding position and proper throwing mechanics to master infield skills.
Latest in Fielding Drills
Indoor Baseball Infield Drills to Help You Dominate
Most players live in areas that have winter weather that forces them to practice inside, and you must have quality indoor baseball infield drills to...
By: Miles Noland
A Purchase All Baseball Players Need to Make
From online to in-store, an overwhelming number of baseball gear products are being offered for the upcoming season. Whether you're searching for ...
By: Eric Bunnell
Practice This Winter With Indoor Baseball Fielding Drills
The holiday season will be over before you know it, which means that spring training is around the corner. As teams begin pre-season practices, many w...
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2 Drills to Improve Your Fielding Skills
Defense can make or break a team's success in the post-season. Making a spectacular play can save a run, while making an error may allow the other t...
By: Eric Bunnell
Baseball Fielding Drill to Improve Your Backhand
Coaches often view fielding backhand as a lazy play, or at least a lazy approach. But it can actually be a valuable skill for infielders—if they t...
By: Eric Bunnell
Latest Videos in Fielding Drills
Softball Fielding Drill: The One-Handed Catch
Perfect the one-handed catch with a softball fielding drill from Mike Candrea, head softball coach at the University of Arizona.
Stationary Softball Fielding Drill
Become a better infielder with this simple softball fielding drill from University of Arizona head softball coach Mike Candrea.
How to Field Double-Play Balls With Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Ryan Roberts
Arizona Diamondbacks 3B and former college SS Ryan Roberts provides key points for the most important aspects of fielding a double-play ball.
Third Base Fielding Drill With Ryan Roberts
Third baseman Ryan Roberts of the Arizona Diamondbacks provides step-by-step instruction for properly fielding a ground ball in the infield and making an accurate throw to first base.
How to Flip Feed at 2B With Ryan Roberts of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Ryan Roberts, who broke in to the big leagues as a second baseman, provides instruction for executing a Flip Feed to the shortstop.


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By Tom PollinCHFF Black & Blue Review Dude (@tjpollin)
The San Francisco 49ers sit atop the NFC North division with a record of 2-0 and a date in Minnesota to play the Vikings Sunday. Wait…it just feels like the 49ers are part of the NFC North since the division teams are the only ones they've played so far.
Just to go along and complete the illusion of one big happy division, the St. Louis Rams will visit the Chicago Bears while the Green Bay Packers head west to Seattle for a Monday Night Football appearance.
While their other three division rivals are slugging it out this weekend with the NFC West, the Lions take their act to the music city to play the struggling Tennessee Titans.
All four "black and blue division" teams have stumbled out of the starting gate into a tie for the division lead (and last place) with 1-1 records. Where will they be in the standings when the weekend is over? Here are five things to look for as they answer that question.
1. The Packers are in for a fight on Monday night.
The Packers embarrassed the Chicago Bears 23-10 last Thursday night to get their season back on the right track but now have to face the Seahawks on Monday night in Seattle, never an easy place for a team to play. The Seahawks demonstrated that by derailing the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl Express 27-7 last Sunday.
As head coach of the Packers, Mike McCarthy is 5-1 the week after playing a Thursday night game but is also 1-6 in road games on Monday Night Football. One of those records has to give this week, and a tie is not an option.
The Seahawks are 14-5 all-time on Monday night and 1-0 with Pete Carroll as head coach. Carroll is 3-5 on Monday nights all-time as a head coach.
The Packers dominated the offensive Quality Stat rankings in 2011, finishing No. 1 across the board except for the Offensive Hog Index where they ranked No. 11, but they've fallen far from that elite level n 2012. Aaron Rodgers is No. 26 in Real Passing Yards per Attempt, No. 16 in Real Quarterback Rating and No. 10 in Passer Rating at 95.64, after setting an NFL record with a 122.5 Passer Rating in 2011.
The Seahawks are No. 9 in Defensive Real YPA, No. 8 in Defensive Real Quarterback Rating and No. 7 in Defensive Passer Rating at 72.59. They are also No. 3 in Points per Game Allowed after playing the Cowboys and the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals.
The challenge for the Seahawks is how well rookie quarterback Russell Wilson handles the recharged Packers pass rush. One of the keys will be whether Marshawn Lynch can establish a rushing attack against a defense that is No. 30 in Rushing Yards per Attempt allowed. If not, Clay Matthews will spend most of his night in Seattle's backfield the same way he did against the Bears.
After last Thursday night, the Packers are No. 1 in causing Negative Pass Plays, No. 3 in Defensive Real YPA, No. 3 in Defensive Passer Rating and No. 4 in Real Quarterback Rating on defense.
How much of that statistical dominance was due to a re-energized defensive effort and how much was due to a pathetic offensive line effort by the Bears will begin to sort itself in this game and in the weeks to come.
2. The 49ers can lock up a playoff spot with a win
Not really but with the odds that three out of every four teams that start 3-0 make the playoffs they will be a definite favorite for one of the conference bye weeks.
With the NFC West shaping up to be a tougher battle for the top spot than it was for the 49ers last season, three conference wins right out of the gate puts a lot of tiebreaker advantages in the 49ers' pocket that, even this early in the season, will be handy for them to have down the road.
The Vikings are home after coming back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit against the Colts only to have Andrew Luck drive his offense down and into position for Adam Vinatieri to kick a 53-yard field goal, the longest game-winning field goal of his career, for Luck's first NFL victory and game winning drive of his career.
The Vikings are going to regret letting that opportunity to be 2-0 slip through their fingers because the 49ers aren't the team you want to face when trying to get your season back on track. Two games into the schedule the 49ers are No. 6 in the Quality Stat Power Rankings after defeating two 2011 playoff teams, the Packers and the Lions.
Christian Ponder has opened the season strong with two 100+ Offensive Passer Rating performances but as good as he's been, most of the team statistics on offense land solidly in the middle of the rankings. With both of the Vikings' first two opponents in the beginning stage of long rebuilding processes the offense will have to continue to produce to convince fans that they're really on the right track.
In the meantime, Alex Smith played another strong game against the Lions in week two. He's done a poor job of getting the ball downfield in the passing game, No. 22 in Real Passing Yards per Attempt, but he's No. 2 in Offensive Passer Rating and No. 5 in Real Quarterback Rating (which takes into account rushing yards, touchdowns and turnovers).
Smith needs to improve his ability to get the ball downfield more consistently but the Real Quarterback Rating shows that the 49ers' offense is productive with him under center. Smith does benefit from having Frank Gore at running back who is the major reason the 49ers are No. 1 in Rushing Yards per Attempt.
There is one weakness in the 49ers' offense that the Vikings are usually equipped to take advantage of. While the 49ers' offensive line is one of the best in the league in run blocking, they are No. 26 in both allowing Negative Pass Plays and Third Down Conversion Percentage.
In the Vikings' first two games, only one of their four sacks has come from a defensive lineman, Everson Griffen. Jared Allen has been very quiet on the stat sheet, no sacks and only credited with three tackles so far in 2012. Allen started slow the first two games of 2011 but had 1.5 sacks before dominating in week three.
The Vikings need that same 2011 week three performance out of Allen to generate pass rush pressure on Smith. The Vikings are No. 24 in Defensive Passer Rating. Without a pass rush, Smith will pick them apart.
Two other numbers to look at, neither favorable to the Vikings, the 49ers are 7-2 on the road with Jim Harbaugh as coach and Leslie Frazier is 1-11 against winning teams as Vikings head coach.
3. The Bears have got things backwards.
All offseason the talk was about how much better the Bears' offense would be in 2012 now that Jay Cutler had wide receivers to throw the ball to, a proven short-yardage back and an offensive coordinator who would play to his strengths. The defense was the worry with Brian Urlacher getting older and suffering from knee problems and Peppers, Briggs and Tillman all long-time veterans who may begin to show their age at any time.
Instead, the defense is off to one of its best starts in years while the offense sputtered out of the gate and immediately plummeted to the bottom of the statistical rankings.
Jay Cutler is No. 29 in Real Passing Yards per Attempt, and dead last in Real Quarterback Rating and Passer Rating. With the running game ranking No. 20 while averaging 3.71 Rushing Yards per Attempt, even considering a successful opening weekend against the Colts this offense is going nowhere.
This is another indication that even though the offensive line play has created as much odor as a rural pig farm, the entire offense is on the verge of a dramatic failure if things don't turn around quickly.
The defense is No. 1 in the Defensive Hog Index, No. 3 in Defensive Real Quarterback Rating and No. 7 in Defensive Passer Rating at 72.33. The Bears' defense will need to maintain those standards on Sunday because quarterback Sam Bradford is leading his rejuvenated offense into Soldier Field.
Bradford has started the season No. 4 in Real Quarterback Rating and No. 3 in Passer Rating at 112.36. The Rams are No. 6 in the Offensive Hog Index so they'll be lining up strength against strength.
The Rams came close to beating the Lions on the opening week of the season before squeezing out a win at home against the Redskins last Sunday. One advantage the Bears have with Lovie Smith as head coach is they are 3-1 when playing at home after a Thursday game. If they haven't used these past 10 days in between games to figure out how to get the offensive engine back on track St. Louis is capable season of escaping with a victory.
4. Detroit heads south to find a cure.
The Lions struggled to beat the Rams in their opener and lost a hard-hitting game last Sunday night. They're stumbling a bit right now but on the horizon is a trip to music city and a game against the Tennessee Titans to get their season set right again.
While the Lions currently rank No. 25 in the Quality Stats Power Rankings the Titans are dead last. Other than their rankings in forcing and allowing Negative Pass Plays (No. 15 on defense and No. 6 on offense), the Titans look more like the 2011 Indianapolis Colts than the team that finished 9-7 and very close to a playoff spot at the end of the season.
One obvious issue the Titans are dealing with is running back Chris Johnson. After ending his training camp holdout last year Johnson struggled the entire season to get close to his previous production. This year he's almost disappeared from sight. In two games Johnson has gained 21-yards in 19 attempts.
The Lions didn't advance into the red zone last week against the 49ers until just under two minutes left in the game. Matthew Stafford is No. 12 in Real Passing Yards per Attempt, No. 24 in Real Quarterback Rating and No. 27 in Passer Rating, far off his 2011 pace when he was statistically among the elite in the NFL.
Last season, the Lions beat up on the leagues less fortunate for a 10-1 record on their way to a wild card playoff berth. They'll need to start matching that formula Sunday if they intend to make a return visit to the playoffs this season.
5. Right now, Christian Ponder is the best quarterback in the NFC North.
At this point in the season, no matter how ridiculous that sentence looks, it's the truth. As it was pointed out earlier, Aaron Rodgers has slipped from record setter in Passer Rating to on par with Joe Flacco statistics. Rodgers is working with the same coaching staff and most of the same players on offense but sometimes seems to look a touched confused on the field. If not confused at least not as confident as he usually is.
As for Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler, if they don't get their games moving in the right direction their numbers could get trapped in Tannehill-land with very few escape routes available. They've only played two games but it's also only a 16-game season. These quarterbacks have to start somewhere before the season passes them by.
Follow me on Twitter @tjpollin, also "Like" my Facebook page, Football From Adderly to Zimmerman (A to Z) to comment on articles, discuss football and read more about the NFL
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1995 Land Rover Discovery Repair and Maintenance Costs
A guide to repairs, service, and maintenance costs for your 1995 Land Rover Discovery
Never overpay. Check prices with our estimator
Verified by mechanics, reported by drivers like you
Ask a mechanic in our community
Our experts translate recalls into plain English
1995 Land Rover Discovery ProblemsRear Cargo Door May Not Open
Internal failure of the rear cargo door latch can cause the door to not open when using the outside door handle.
Low coolant levels can be caused by leaking head gaskets and/or failed cylinder liners. Misfires or engine performance issues usually accompany these problems.
A Coolant leak under the middle of the vehicle can be caused by a leaking throttle body deicer. Coolant travels down the engine towards the rear before dripping to the ground.
1995 Land Rover Discovery QuestionsLand Rover cuts off when coming to a stop, ck engine light on (2 answers)
When coming to a stop and letting up off the gas and pressing the brake, the Land Rover cuts off (occasionally, not always) but restarts. Now the ck engine light has come on. New plugs, wires, distributor. Could it be the fuel filter? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.
It sounds like it is the manifold gasket is very loud tapping noise how do i fix this
car is stuck in park !
1995 Land Rover Discovery RecallsReplacement Drive Shaft Couplings Vibrate And Fail
Vehicles that had drive shaft couplers replaced may have had defective parts installed, which can result in drive shaft vibration and separation. Dealers will replace the affected rear drive shaft couplers free of charge to resolve the concern.


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Rockford Art Deli (R.A.D.) is creative collective, located in downtown Rockford, helping business owners with marketing and screen printing needs through a smorgasbord of delectable art and web design, urban graphic design and screen printing – everything from tee shirts to posters. Amidst the vintage deli decor, R.A.D. holds screen printing classes, hosts art gallery showings, and other events for the public. The store sells t-shirts, signature artist series goods and gift items.
Beauty, innovation, and culinary perfection only begin to describe the new Franchesco's Ristorante. The Salamone family proudly invites everyone to their new home for an unforgettable experience. The beautiful patio is perfect for lunch, dinner, small private events, or ceremonies with flowers blooming in season and a beautiful fountain to enjoy!
Welcome to Flatlander Market. There are so many great things to experience every time you visit. Fresh coffee and espresso drinks, delicious sandwiches, homemade chili and soups, cookies by Sally baked everyday, crafted cheeses from near and far, and the largest selection of Illinois wines in McHenry county. Try some freshly ground and brewed private blend coffee, or our flavor of the day. You may want to have something from our espresso bar: Steaming hot espresso, cappuccinos and cafe latte, or even a tasty steamer.
Cademon Brewing Co. is an up-and-coming craft brewery running a seven barrel brewhouse and fifteen barrel fermenters. Cadamon's 40 seat Taproom features 12 taps dedicated to craft beer and craft sodas, with a Steampunk-inspired feel with our hand-made hammered copper bar top, custom light fixtures, and metalwork galore. Come enjoy a pint or flight and strike up some conversation with your fellow patrons.
McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Conservation District manages over 25,000 acres of diverse woodlands, wetlands and prairie. Explore outdoor recreational opportunities, programs and special events at 33 sites.
Off Square Music's Open Mic Nights
Off Square Music's Open Mic Nights take place on the second and fourth Fridays of every month (first and third Fridays in August) at the Stage Left Café on the historic Woodstock Square. The evening starts at 7 pm, offering seasoned professionals and up and coming artists an opportunity to showcase their talents. A featured performer anchors each open mic night.
Since 1978, Heartwood Creations has been creating finely crafted wooden jewelry boxes that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a box for your pills or possibly something to hold small tools and other trinkets, our custom wooden boxes are the perfect fit. We create each box in our shop in Rockford, Illinois and will make sure that what you order is something you will love!
Morkes Chocolates provides high quality and diverse tastes at affordable prices. With a history of candy making going all the way back to 1920, we at Morkes Chocolates continue to make our chocolate confections from scratch, with all natural chocolate, pure butter, fresh roasted nuts, and a lot of fun.
Knotty Pine Farm began as a vision in a 7 year old little girl's head many years ago: a farm filled with animals of all sorts to learn about, care for and love. That vision is now a reality! Children of all ages can enjoy horses in a comfortable and safe environment. We are a family owned and operated equine center offering a variety of animal related activities. Located north of Woodstock, IL in beautiful McHenry County. We offer english and western riding lessons, horse camps, pony rides, petting zoo, girl/boy scout outings and a party facility.
CITY:Wonder Lake
Abundance Antiques & Design is located in a 4000 sq. ft. 1880's hardware store building where all the authentic antiques and decor are artfully displayed.
This independently-owned, hometown bookstore offers a great selection of best sellers and local favorites with a knowledgeable staff who will help you choose the perfect read. The store also includes a selection of toys, an old-fashioned candy counter and many local gift items. Located in the Historic Woodstock Square.
Prairie Avenue Antiques & The Tack Exchange
Prairie Avenue Antiques is housed in a turn-of-the-century former Feed & Dry Goods store located on the corner of Rt 47 & Prairie Ave in quaint Hebron, IL. This is a multi dealer shop with a wide range of very attractively priced antiques, furniture and collectibles. New old things are added every day so there is an ever changing array ranging from fine crystal, silver, stained glass, etc to rough primitives, to tools, jewelry, kitchen items, etc. One could furnish a home from bare walls or just add that special piece to an established home! Consignment sale and out right purchase of your unwanted treasures is also possible.
A Hebron summer tradition since the 1960s, this is a classic corner hamburger/ice cream stand. The menu is simple: Vienna Beef hot dogs, good quality hamburgers,breaded, fried everything and excellent ice cream. The food is cooked to order, and always tastes good. If you are passing through Hebron, The Dari is a must stop. Open seasonally March through October.
With the most comfortable bar stools in McHenry County, Hart's Saloon is Hebron's premier biker bar. With ice cold beer, premium cocktails, and wood-fired pizza, it's the perfect place to take a break and relax on a ride. Stop in for lunch - the pizza is made completely from scratch in the 600 degree brick oven.
Offering homemade pizza and other great menu items in a casual atmosphere, Hoops is a great place to stop in Hebron.
Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast
Come hug an aged oak tree, watch the cranes in their early morning graze or search out the scarlet cardinal flowers. Listen to nature's whisper.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Rockford
The La Quinta Inn & Suites Rockford hotel is located conveniently off of I-90, just twelve miles from the Chicago Rockford International Airport. We have a variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance. Relax in one of our clean and comfortable guest rooms and enjoy access to our business center and new state-of-the-art fitness center. Our 100% non-smoking hotel offers free high-speed Internet access, a refreshing indoor pool and spa, as well as a guest laundry facility available at a nominal fee. Our guest rooms are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, 40-inch flat screen TVs, pillowtop mattresses, coffee makers, hair dryers, iron and boards, and free local calls. You can also stop by our Bright Side Market if you forget any of your essential amenities. Also, our meeting facilities make this a great place for your next meeting, baby shower or any special events. Start the day right with our free Bright Side Breakfast that includes an assortment of hot breakfast items, tea and hot chocolate, assorted juices, bagels, breads, hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, and yogurt.
Jaci's Cookies is a gourmet cookie company based in Woodstock, IL. Open since Halloween of 2008, Jaci's Cookies offers delicious versions of classic cookie favorites. Jaci's also offers a variety of cookies catering to those with dietary restrictions, such vegan and gluten-free.
We are a 35 acre family owned orchard with approximately 5,000 apple trees. You have a choice of either picking your own apples, or purchasing the apples that we pick daily. Also available to pick: raspberries, (both summer and fall), blueberries and blackberries. We make our own cider (100% pure apple juice), donuts, apple pies, and delicious taffy apples. Our store offers many fall decorations, linens, candles, and other unique items for your home. You will find a variety of jams, jellies, salsas, squash, pumpkins, gourds, and much much more.
CITY:Cherry Valley
Crandall's is a local favorite and home to "world famous" broasted chicken. In 2015, they received the Golden Chicken Award for Operator Excellence. They offer a Friday fish-fry and Sunday brunch.
It has become far too easy in our consumer culture for us to forget that coffee is a crop. This means that coffee is something that is grown by farmers; it requires workers to harvest, to mill, to dry, and a list of other tasks that happen well before those beans ever arrive to us. We believe if handled properly at origin, coffee has the potential to be respected and treated like a fine wine. We aim to bring in coffees that have been grown properly and responsibly. Quality sourcing is just the first step in our journey toward the best possible flavor in the resulting cups of coffee we make.
A group of Rockford natives made the decision to share their passion for fine beer and food with others in the form of a brewpub. Their home is the historic Prairie Street Brewhouse, an important part of Rockford's history and currently coming back to life as a mixed-use development. Home to the original Rockford Brewing Company, this building was one of the first breweries in the nation, pumping out over 75,000 barrels a year and its peak. Their shiny new 15-barrel brewery is the backdrop to Rockford's newest destination for handcrafted beer and food. They are proud and excited to bring this wonderful piece of Rockford history back to life and look forward to exceeding expectations.
Welcome to Meadowmoor Orchard, located at "the farm" in Woodstock, Illinois. We are a blossoming orchard specializing in homegrown apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Fuji, Topaz, Crimson Crisp, Enterprise and SnowSweet and Sweet Sixteen. We also dabble in cherries, peaches, pears and pumpkins.
This is a you pick berry business. Red Raspberries are available seasonally. Open every day from 8:00 AM to sunset during season. Check the website for all the details.
What began as a few dozen apple trees for family and friends in 1975, evolved to what it is today - Lang's Orchard. we wanted an "old-fashioned orchard." We recalled coming out of the city and going out to the country to just pick apples! We're happy to provide that experience to visitors and families. .
Come and see why our apple orchard is the best around! Country setting, peaceful atmosphere with no carnival extravganza! Free parking and admission. Great tasting apples at great prices! Enjoy our apple cider, donuts and raspberries too. Also available: Maple Syrup, honey and garlic.
The 18-hole "Atwood Homestead" course at the Atwood Homestead Golf Course facility in Rockford, Illinois features 7,470 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 74.3 and it has a slope rating of 120 on Blue grass. Designed by Charles Maddox, the Atwood Homestead golf course opened in 1971.
The lush bentgrass fairways and greens of Blackstone Golf Club meander through some of the most distinctive natural landscape of any course in the Chicagoland area. And although it can stretch out to a total of 6,727 yards, Blackstone features 4 sets of tees to suit golfers of all skill levels and plays to a very manageable 4,893 yards at its shortest.
Oak Grove will challenge your abilities and mental game to the utmost, whether you are a scratch golfer or beginning player. Five tee placements on each hole ensure excitement for every skill level. Strategically placed bunkers, mature trees and wetlands enhance the challenge. Ranked one of the Chicago District Golf Association's top-25 toughest public courses from the championship tees, Oak Grove plays from 7,000-plus yards to just over 5,200.
Westlake Village Golf Course is a prime public golf course in the Rockford Illinois area. The course is situated on 190 rolling acres just west of Rockford in the Westlake Village Subdivision. Westlake Village Golf Course offers some of the areas best golf with challenging par 3's and demanding par 5's.
The snow park at Alpine Hills Adventure Park, offers affordable family fun all winter long. The park is divided into tubing and terrain park sections designed to accommodate riders of all abilities – from beginners to expert. A surface lift brings you back up to the top of the hill to spend more time riding and less time hiking!
Chocolate is something that gets into you and never goes away once you are bitten. We love to find interesting fusions of flavors and use that to tell a multi-note story in chocolate. Sometimes the chocolate alone can be a whole world and sometimes we slip in other flavors that excite or compliment what naturally comes out in the chocolate.


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Archive for the 'South Korea' Tag
Always Ready
By RDML John B. Nowell. Jr
Standing there, head bowed, pausing to reflect on the 46 Republic of Korea (ROK) navy Sailors whose lives were lost when their ship was sunk by an alleged North Korean submarine torpedo, makes one realize how precarious peace remains in the dynamic theater that is the Asia Indo-Pacific.
During what was a leadership symposium for other task force commanders, led by U.S. 7th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, I had the solemn privilege to tour the memorial dedicated to those Sailors, which includes the salvaged stern of the ship, ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772).
ROKS Cheonan was a Pohang-class corvette commissioned in 1989, one of the many worthy surface ships in the ROK navy fleet. On March 26, 2010, as the ship patrolled waters near the border with North Korea, she was struck by the torpedo, broke in two and sank.
As anyone with a Twitter account is well aware, North Korea continues to make headlines by test-launching ballistic missiles.
North Korea's rhetoric and actions is just one fault line in a patchwork of tectonic plates that could lead to regional instability. And as such, we must remain steadfast in ensuring our forces, Sailors and Marines part of the Blue-Green team, are ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
In early June, the Navy conducted a sort of stand down after a series of off-duty incidents. It may have seemed from outside that Navy leadership was going "high" and "right" – but instead it served as an important time to refocus us to readiness and the incredible importance we bare in being forward-deployed here.
As commander of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, I command over a wide range of forces from an amphibious ready group to a mine countermeasures squadron to a helicopter sea combat squadron. Each unit has a unique role and each Sailor – and Marine – has an equally unique and important role.
To me, the recent stand down was about looking ourselves in the mirror – and looking each other in the eye – and challenging ourselves to do better, to conduct ourselves every second of the day with a recognition that we may be called to action.
One of the key components during this period was a buddy rule. The emphasis here was on accountability, a renewed attention on shipmates being shipmates.
While "shipmate" is a U.S. Navy term, it applies to all services and it applies to our bond with other nations. In my last year in command, I have grown bonds with several other amphibious leaders in different countries.
This past March, I had the privilege of commanding forces, more than 17,000 in total, alongside my ROK counterpart Navy Rear Adm. Park, Ki-kyung in the exercise Ssang Yong. Though we are from different militaries, we share the same oath to defend our nation.
While the specific policies of our recent stand down period have been eased, the mentality to stand tall at all times must remain. Our nation, this region, is counting on us too much for us to "slip." We must realize that we are not only accountable to ourselves and our unit, but the partner forces that rely on us to answer the call with them.
Tags: Cheonan, North Korea, South Korea
A Korean Dunkirk
By Christopher Albon
Craig Hooper and I have a new article on The Atlantic discussing the evacuation of US citizens off the Korean peninsula in the event of renewed hostilities. We argue that the difficulty of evacuating 140,000 US citizens and select foreign nationals might well require the US to ask China and its military for assistance:
Even under the best conditions, a mass evacuation is no easy task. In July 2006, as a battle brewed between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, the U.S. took nearly a month to evacuate 15,000 Americans. According to the Government Accountability Office, "nearly every aspect of State's preparations for evacuation was overwhelmed", by the challenge of running an evacuation under low-threat conditions in a balmy Mediterranean summer.
Evacuating a Korean war-zone would be far harder. And the U.S. would likely have no choice but to ask China for help.
Read the full article at The Atlantic.
Tags: China, Korean, North Korea, South Korea
The Cheonan Split In Two; USNS Salvor To Assist?
By Defense Springboard
It seems the South Korean patrol ship Cheonan split into two pieces. After the explosion, the stern sank immediately, while the other half took three hours to go down, floating about four miles before sinking. The stern has yet to be found.
That news in itself might suggest damage akin to a mine or torpedo, but some family members say the vessel was in poor condition:
Some families vented anger at the military, accusing authorities of a cover-up and saying survivors told them the Cheonan was leaky and in need of repair. They jumped on a car carrying the rescued captain of the Cheonan.
Details are sketchy, but it seems U.S. assets may be on the way to the incident site. According to the JoongAng Daily, a vessel that appears to be the USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) will soon arrive to help:
Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said that the United States 3,000-ton salvation ship Salvo is scheduled to arrive this morning at the area of the sinking to support the search and rescue missions. Specially trained U.S. military divers will join the operations.
US sources say the Salvor is standing by:
U.S. Navy vessels including the USNS Salvor rescue and salvage ship are standing by to help in the event South Korea requests assistance, said Lt. Anthony Falvo, a spokesman for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, based in Japan. The American ships were wrapping up a joint training exercise nearby with South Korea.
"Should our forces be requested to provide assistance, that would be one of our main units," Falvo said in a telephone interview.
It will be interesting to see how the investigation plays out. And as to North Korea's response to the presence of a U.S. naval vessel near the contested sea border? Their response is anyone's guess.
Korea's "Remember the Maine" moment may still arrive.
Tags: Accident, Maritime Incident, North Korea, South Korea, USNS Salvor
South Korean Ship Sunk, North Korea Suspected
By Christopher Albon
Possible big news coming out of South Korea:
South Korea scrambled naval vessels to western waters near the disputed maritime border with North Korea late Friday after an explosion ripped a hole in the bottom of a military ship, officials and news reports said.
South Korea's YTN TV network said the government, which met in emergency session in an underground bunker after the incident, was investigating whether the sinking was due to a torpedo attack by the North.
The 1,200-ton ship — reported to have 104 crew on board — began sinking off the coast of South Korean-controlled Baengnyeong Island close to North Korea around 10:45 p.m. (1345 GMT, 9:45 a.m. EDT), an official at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.
Update: The ship is the PCC-772 Cheonan, a Pohang class corvette.
Tags: Noth Korea, South Korea
China's Navy: Hey, let's not panic…
By Defense Springboard
In Asia, America has gotta move away from a long-standing habit of engaging in simple, bilateral force measurements. Asia is a multi-polar place, and America's penchant for strategic over-simplification is going to land the U.S. into serious trouble.
Put bluntly, U.S. Navy-folk need to remember there are a few other countries over on the other side of the Pacific. Some of them are rather formidable. And the U.S. is neglecting them.
So…Let's take a moment to compare some naval forces in the Pacific Basin. Using the official DOD Annual Report to Congress on the Military Power of the PRC 2005 and 2009, it looks like China's Navy is growing. But…when China's rate of growth is compared with other neighbors, that burst of growth over the past five years looks a lot less daunting.
China: Diesel Attack Subs: (2005 vs. 2009): 51 vs. 54 (+3)
USA: Diesel Attack Subs: (2005 vs. 2009): 0 vs. 0 (+0)
Note: Japan commissioned 4 Oyashio-class, 2 Soryu-class SSKs; South Korea commissioned 3 Type 214s from 2005-2010.
China: Nuclear Subs (SSN only, 2005 vs. 2009): 6 vs. 6 (+0)
USA: Nuclear Subs (SSN/SSGN only 2005 vs. 2009): 58 vs. 56/57 (-2/-1)
China: Destroyers (2005 vs. 2009): 21 vs. 27 (+7)
USA: Destroyers (2005 vs. 2009/10): 46 vs. 54/57 (+8/+11)
Note: Japan brought into service 2 Atago-class destroyers, 2 Takanami-class destroyers, and a Hyuga-class "carrier" destroyer; Taiwan put 4 ex-Kidd-class vessels into service; South Korea put 4 KDX-2-class destroyers into service over the past 5 years.
China: Frigates (2005 vs. 2009): 43 vs. 48 (+5)
USA: Frigates (2005 vs. 2009/10): 30 vs. 30/31 (+0/+1)
Note: Regional Frigate-building programs are proceeding apace.
China: Coastal Missile ships: (2005 vs. 2009): 51 vs 70+ (+19 at least)
USA: Nada. Zip.
Interesting. China's small missile ships are allowing China's larger vessels to engage in "blue water" activities, so, while these vessels expand China's "reach", a dependence on small ships may prove a vulnerability. The region needs to know more about the small ship programs hosted by Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. What, by way of smaller vessels, can these navies offer? How good are the region's Air Forces in hunting and destroying smaller craft?
In short, does China's love of small craft contribute to regional stability or not?
Look. China's Navy is still awfully small. And with China not exactly on friendly terms with it's neighbors (who, on the part of Japan and South Korea, are building some very modern navies), the PLA(N) has a lot to do to secure China's maritime borders. It is a little bit of a stretch to think all this new floating hardware is aimed exclusively at the U.S.A.
Tags: China, international affairs, Japan, National Security, Navy, Pacific, South Korea, Taiwan
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Is this restaurant good for bar scene?
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The young lady that took care of us today 9/15/16 about 1230pm was the rudest and least service oriented waitress I have ever seen. I will never return to the restaurant
Located on Lake Coeur d'Alene in Rockford Bay. We arrived by boat and were able to dock at the public dock, a short walk from the restaurant which overlooks the marina. The restaurant was quite full even though it was the middle of the week. Food was pub fare - burgers, salads, etc. My chicken sandwich had a lot of...
One of the few places to eat on the water but one of the best places anywhere for great food and service.
Nice place that that can be accessed by road or boat. On Idaho summers they have sizable covered deck dining and inside if the weather turns or you prefer. Over looking a marina and bay. Parking is somewhat limited, docking is available with dockside assistance and fuel nearby.
Lunch was very comfortable and good. portions were large. Chili Verde Burrito...
Went for drinks and appetizers. Wings were average. Nachos were canned chicken and cheese sauce from another can. Expected better from a restaurant.
We had a fun family lunch outing at Shooters. We grabbed a table right by the water. The huckleberry vodka lemonade was the perfect drink for a warm day on the lake and the jalapeño cheese tots were delicious! The fish and chips were very good - so good that the kids ate half of it!
The landscape was beautiful, the food was decent, but the service was despicable. After arriving at the restaurant and fending for ourselves for seating, we ended up not sitting together as a group and we then met the worst server ever. Our black haired, tall, slim waiter approached our table and started our evening off with yelling at us that...
We pulled up to this place in a boat and received superb service from the dock to the restaurant. Food was pretty good. Basically a simple bar menu. I had the ahi tacos and the soft taco was baked hard and fish was poorly cooked. Besides those tacos, everyone else in our party, including the kids enjoyed their food. Prices...
Loved this place......great atmosphere right on the lake......can tie up, get gas, and there is also a little store with a small choice of food and beverages if needed.....menu is good and the food was great......I will go back.
We go here every year with our Corvette club and it is always a good time. Men's room of course is a hit. I like the burgers and fish/chips.
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Is Shooter's still open?
I don't want to drive out there if it is closed for the season.
Today is the last Sunday of Sept.
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Bob Jones American Republic Student Text 2nd edition. Hardback. This text presents the chronological development of the United States from colonial times to the 21st century.
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Aqaba Gulf Hotel
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[hotel-description]Property Location Located in Aqaba, Aqaba Gulf Hotel is close to Aqaba Fort and Aqaba City Center Shopping Mall. This 4-star hotel is within the vicinity of Dolphin Reef and Coral Beach.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 200 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations are provided. Conveniences include safes and complimentary newspapers, as well as direct-dial phones with voice mail.Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including an outdoor pool and an outdoor tennis court. Additional features include wireless Internet access (surcharge), concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.Dining Enjoy a meal at one of the hotel's dining establishments, which include 2 restaurants and a coffee shop/café. From your room, you can also access 24-hour room service. Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. For your convenience, a complimentary breakfast is served daily.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a computer station, and audiovisual equipment. Event facilities at this hotel consist of a ballroom, banquet facilities, and a meeting/conference room. Free parking is available onsite.[/hotel-description]


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The Competition Commission of India (CCI), India's antitrust watchdog, has fined ten explosives companies a total of 600 million rupees (approximately USD 11.5 million/ EUR 8.7 million) for rigging bids put out by Coal India Limited (CIL). The CCI imposed a fine on the explosives manufacturers representing three per cent of their average three-year turnover.
India's crackdown on cartels and abusive market practices
India's modern competition law under the Competition Act 2002 (Competition Act) has been implemented in stages over the past decade. Section 3 of the Competition Act, which came into force only in May 2009, is the substantive provision in Indian competition law dealing with anticompetitive agreements or arrangements. This section prohibits any agreement in respect of production, supply, distribution, storage, acquisition, or control of goods or provision of services that causes, or is likely to cause, an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. Any agreement or arrangement that infringes this prohibition is void. This provision is modelled on the EU competition law prohibition of anticompetitive agreements in Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) and is similar to section 1 of the U.S. Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 (the "Sherman Act").
Section 4 of the Competition Act, also effective from May 2009, is the substantive provision in Indian competition law dealing with abuse of a dominant position. This provision is modelled on the EU competition law prohibition of abuse of dominance contained in Article 102 of the TFEU and has some parallels with section 2 of the Sherman Act.
If an agreement is found to infringe the prohibition in section 3(1) of the Competition Act it will be void and unenforceable. The CCI may impose fines of up to ten per cent of the average turnover of the parties for the last three years in the case of violations of section 3 or 4. A company found to have engaged in cartel activities (including price fixing, market and customer allocation, and bid rigging) may be fined the greater of three times the profit or ten per cent of turnover (whichever is greater) for each year of the cartel.
Application to collusive bidding practices
Government-owned coal producer, CIL, made a complaint to the CCI alleging anticompetitive practices and abuse of a dominant position, contending that the main explosives suppliers in India had formed a cartel controlling around 75 per cent of the market since 2005.[1]
CIL alleged that the manufacturers quoted pre-determined prices, threatened to stop supplies, and boycotted electronic reverse auctions held by CIL to finalise its suppliers for explosives. CIL, which apparently accounts for 65 per cent of India's coal production, claimed that it was unable to obtain a fair deal for certain products including bulk explosives, cartridge explosives, fuses, and detonators, due to the alleged cartelisation.
The CCI decided unanimously that there was concerted action on the part of the manufacturers to manipulate CIL's bidding processes, in violation of section 3 of the Competition Act. Given that the parties were found by the CCI to represent, collectively, around 75 per cent of the Indian explosives market, the CCI concluded that there was an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.
The CCI imposed a fine on the explosives manufacturers representing three per cent of their average three-year turnover. The penalties range from 28,500 rupees (approximately USD 545/ EUR 423) to 289 million rupees (approximately USD 5.5 million/ EUR 4.3 million).
The decision is indicative of a steady stream of cases from the CCI as it begins to implement the new competition law provisions. The following observations may be made:
First, the CCI found that the manufacturers had quoted identical rates between 2004 and 2007 but that they could not be sanctioned for practices that predated the implementation of sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act. In the early stages of adoption of cartel laws, the enforcement authority's powers may inevitably be more limited and may not fully capture the often long-standing nature of cartelization in an industry. Even so, now that the new regime is in its third year of operation the CCI has shown that it will not be shy of using its powers.
Second, although the complainant raised both section 3 and 4 claims, the CCI emphasised the coordinated nature of the behaviour it found to be infringing. Moreover, where there is evidence of an agreement or concerted practice a competition authority like the CCI will not have to prove dominance. It should be noted that there has been a fair mix of cartel and abuse of dominance cases in India and also cases raising both claims on the same facts. The first of these was a case against United Producers, Distributors Forum, and The Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers. The three parties collectively comprise 27 film-producing entities and were each fined 100,000 rupees (approximately USD 1,900/ EUR 1,500) for engaging in concerted action to restrict screening of films. In February 2012, the CCI fined 48 liquid petroleum gas cylinder makers 1.65 billion rupees (approximately USD 33 million/ EUR 25 million) for bid rigging during tenders invited by Indian Oil Corporation (Indian Oil). The case marked the first energy sector fines by the CCI for breach of the modernised Indian competition law and is reported in our April newsletter, available at http://www.kslaw.com/library/newsletters/EnergyNewsletter/2012/April/article8.html.
Third, the fines in this latest case, at three per cent of average turnover, fall short of the ten per cent maximum. It was expected that the implementation of modern competition law in India and, particularly, the ability to impose fines from May 2009 would give the CCI the armoury to combat anticompetitive practices more aggressively than under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1969, where there were no such powers to impose penalties. However, the cases to date have not resulted in particularly significant fines in absolute amounts or by reference to other jurisdictions, even when recognising the different market contexts. In 2010, the European Commission (EC) imposed a total of EUR 2.87 billion in fines in respect of cartel cases. In 2008, the EC imposed a record fine of EUR 896 million on one company alone (Saint-Gobain) in the car glass cartel, being the largest ever fine imposed on a single company in an EU cartel case. While it is certainly not argued that the CCI needs to achieve a similar high level of fines in absolute comparative terms, there remains an expectation that it will use its penalty powers assertively. There is a risk that given expectations, the CCI may rush too fast and go from 'zero to 100 miles an hour' in using its maximum fining powers in cases which may not warrant the upper level. A fine balance needs to be struck between the deterrent effect of fines and inspiring respect among businesses that the law will be applied consistently and only after a robust examination of the evidence.
Fourth, only one manufacturer formally pleaded a defence. The others adopted the Director General (the investigating arm of the CCI) findings without raising objections or observations. It should not be overlooked that the Competition Act provides the CCI with the power to impose lesser penalties or "leniency". If the CCI is satisfied that any member of a cartel has contravened the provisions of the Competition Act, but has made full and true disclosures in respect of the alleged contraventions and such disclosures are "vital", the CCI may impose a lesser penalty than that prescribed under the Competition Act. The Competition Commission of India (Lesser Penalty) Regulations notified by the government on 13 August 2009 contain provisions relating to the power of the CCI to impose lesser penalties. However, none of the companies is reported to have applied for leniency in this case. The case may be contrasted with the first grant of leniency by the CCI's counterpart in Pakistan as also reported in this issue. In a landmark decision on 4 April 2012, Pakistan's Competition Commission granted Siemens total immunity from fines for its cooperation in a cartel investigation relating to bid rigging in supplies to power companies.
Fifth, the CCI dismissed certain of CIL's claims due to insufficient supporting evidence. These included allegations that the manufacturers colluded to limit and control the supply of explosives and colluded to rig bids in 2009 and 2010. Observers have questioned what appears to be relatively slim reported evidence and reasoning supporting the CCI's conclusions. The CCI found that a total of ten companies were involved in a bid rigging cartel, apparently based on the facts as found by the CCI that they did not participate in a competitive auction, and that two of them wrote a virtually identical letter to CIL. The CCI has not articulated in its public pronouncements why such circumstances indicate the existence of a cartel. Greater transparency on the CCI's reasoning would enhance legal certainty.
Finally, the timing of the CCI's decision in this case is interesting and illustrates the potential for complaints to be made both by and against leading market players. CIL's complaint of 20 February 2012 was made within a few months of a complaint made against it by the Explosives Manufacturers Association of India (EMAI) for allegedly procuring 20–22 per cent of its requirements from a single manufacturer and without inviting bids. In July last year, the CCI decided in favour of CIL rejecting claims that the coal company had abused a dominant position and was involved in discriminatory pricing in favour of Indian Oil.
Where next for competition law enforcement in India?
Horizontal concerted action (cartels) is generally regarded as the most damaging form of anticompetitive conduct by businesses and should be a priority for competition law enforcement efforts, at least in the early stages of implementation of new competition laws. It will be interesting to see how the CCI adjusts its case-enforcement priorities between horizontal concerted actions and abuse of dominance cases going forward. The CCI's imposition of fines in this recent cartel case shows the CCI strenuously asserting its cartel enforcement jurisdiction. At the same time, its publicly disclosed reasoning as to the finding of an "agreement" and the level and quality of the evidence relied on, have not been beyond question.
[1] According to published reports, the explosives manufacturers concerned include Gulf Oil Corporation, Ideal Industrial Explosives, Solar Industries India, Blastec India, Indian Explosives, Emul Tek, Regenesis Industries, Techno Blasts India, Black Diamond Explosives and Keltech Energies.
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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
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Unlike most other cosmetic procedures labiaplasty, or labia reduction are not noticeable to other people, but that doesn't mean the positive effects from this procedure can be less profound.
At Aesthetica Image Centre, Melbourne, our friendly team of Doctors, nurses and support staff understand that this is a very sensitive subject for you and that it is not easily talked about.
Labiaplasty at Aesthetica is generally performed using local anaesthetic with or without sedation or general anesthetic – it is up to you! The procedure usually only takes a little over an hour.
The cost for a labioplasty starts at $4,900 (all inclusive) and an additional fee if the clitoral hood is needing to be reduced as well.
Recovery time is usually 3-4 days and resuming full activity after 3-4 weeks.
You are most welcome to book in for a free informative consultation with our patient advisor Julie or ask her any questions you may have via email or call 9824 6134.
If you are interested in a patient's experience our recent blog may be of interest – A patient's perspective.
Doctors are available for free consultations too.
Our experienced team of Doctors headed by Dr Ashley Granot, have been performing labiaplasty in Melbourne for over 15 years.
They are regularly refining their technique and training in the United States under the guidance of Dr Red Alinsod. Dr Alinsod developed and pioneered many of the innovative techniques in this area of labiaplasty, labia reduction and vaginal rejuvenation.
Some Labiaplasty statistics…
Approximately 30 percent of women have excess genital tissue (or large labia).
This problem may :
- have started in adolescence and been too embarrassed to talk about it
- be due to the effects of childbirth
- be due to ageing
- be due to trauma resulting in labia enlargement, unevenness, or traumatic tears that affects the size or appearance the labia
This can result in:
- discomfort with intimate contact
- chronic rubbing while playing sport or bike riding causing chaffing or irritation of the labia.
- a pulling sensation
- vulva pain
Most women simply live with these symptoms because they are not aware that there are options available, or too embarrassed to ask .
Labiaplasty procedure, cost and options
Labia Minora Reduction
The labia minora also known as the inner lips vary in size, shape and colour, but resemble flower petals and can range in colour from a purple, pink, brown, or red. The purpose of your labia minora is to protect your vagina and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body) from bacteria.
Labiaplasty, labia reduction is the removal of excess, floppy, or uneven labia minora (smaller interior vaginal lips).
This procedure designed to help women feel more confident about the way they look.
Labia Majora Reduction
Labia majora, literally means outer lips or large lips, enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. The labia majora contain sweat and oil-secreting glands.
The labia majora can be enlarged with excess skin and tissue.
Our Doctors have refined the labiaplasty majora technique over the years to safely reduce the size of the labia majora by excising a crescent shaped portion of the inner portion of the majora.
The scar is hidden in the crease between the inner and outer labia.
Clitoral Hood Reduction
Clitoral hood reduction involves removing excess skin on the sides of the clitoris.
Genetics, estrogen, and testosterone exposure can make significant changes in the way the clitoral area appears. Labiaplasty surgery itself may result in the appearance of a relatively larger clitoral area since the excess labia have been removed drawing the eyes to the clitoral region.
Aesthetica offers an exceptionally precise clitoral hood reduction surgery for women seeking to improve the aesthetic appearance of their genital area by excising the extra folds of skin lateral and above the clitoris.
The clitoris itself and its nerves are never touched.
Is labiaplasty or labia reduction option for me?
As with all cosmetic surgical procedures, labiaplasty in Melbourne is no different, so it must be fully understood by you, so that informed consent can be given.
Your privacy is respected.
You can be assured that your consultation will be discreet.
Comprehensive information about labia reduction, risks, and recovery process will be provided to you during your obligation-free consultation and again during your pre-op visit.
At your Aesthetica consultation.
Once you decide you would like to explore your options further, it is important to have a personal consultation with a Doctor or patient advisor.
A patient advisor is great if you are seeking labiaplasty, labia reduction information and get a feeling for the cosmetic surgery practice, without having to be examined.
You will have the opportunity to see lots of before and after photos of labia reduction and will certainly see some similar to your own area of concern.
You are welcome to see the Doctor either before or after the patient advisor.
At this stage you are often excited as there is someone who understands and can help you. But we encourage you not to rush into this. We do not want you to be caught in the moment and do something you may regret later. So think time is important.
During your medical consultation, the Doctor will discuss your concerns and expectations, the likely results and options for considering a labiaplasty. After an examination, he work with you to decide if the achievable outcome meets the results you desire.
Questions about labia reduction not to be afraid to ask the Doctor:
- How long has the Doctor been performing labia reduction / labiaplasty?
- How often do they perform labiaplasty?
- Are my expectations realistic?
- What support do I get after my labiaplasty?
- If I am not happy with the result, can it be fixed and who pays for the revision?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does labiaplasty take?
All labiaplasty procedures are done as a day procedure. They are usually performed with local anaesthetic and sedation as required. If you would prefer a general anaesthetic then that can also be an option.
It takes less than 2 hours for a labiaplasty minora to be performed.
How will I feel afterwards?
The labia reduction procedure is pain-free, and there is minimal discomfort afterwards.
There will be a little bit of bleeding for approximately 36 hours and you will be swollen.
When can I return to work?
With a labiaplasty you are usually able to return to work within 3 days and return to normal activities within a few weeks .
Before and after photos
Due to the nature of these pictures we prefer to only show you minimal.
We have many before and after photos and are happy to send you more if you are interestd before you come in for a consultation.
When will I see results?
With a labiaplasty procedure, healing is quite quick. With the scar healing within a week.
The stitches dissolve and will fall out from 1 -4 weeks.
The swelling can take 4-6 weeks to go down so the final result will not be seen until 6 weeks.
What are the risks?
There are inherent risks and possible complications with labiaplasty as there are with any procedure.
We will discuss these risks with you during your consultation. You will be fully informed before any procedure is performed.
Scarring: rare. As the area is moist the skin in the labia usually heals very well.
Infection: most unlikely. This surgical procedure is done under strict sterile conditions and you are given antibiotics as a precaution
Excess bleeding: very rare. Great care is always taken to seal all bleeding vessels. However, very rarely, bleeding may occur this rare possibility is always checked before you leave.
How much does labiaplasty cost in Melbourne
All Aesthetica Image Centre prices are inclusive with no other costs to pay. It covers your all your labia reduction procedure costs, medications and aftercare.
Your initial consultation with either the patient advisor or with the Doctor are both complimentary.
Costs for your labiaplasty procedure will be discussed at the time of your consultation as there are many variables but as an indication labiaplasty, labia reduction is $4,900 all inclusive.
Quite often the labia reduction procedure is the simplest part of your patient experience. The emotional turmoil and decision making process is where our patients rely heavily our caring staff, to help them through this very personal, elective procedure and after care. So if you have any questions, Julie, our patient advisor, is more than happy to help.


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Mass Effect: Andromeda marks the much-anticipated return of BioWare's esteemed sci-fi-inspired RPG series. Much has changed since our last visit, though, so we caught up with the folks at Bioware behind it in order to learn how best to prepare.
This is everything we know about Mass Effect: Andromeda's gameplay, release date, characters, and more.
This article was originally published in —prior to Sony's PlayStation Pro event which showcased Mass Effect: Andromeda's first in-game footage. More information has since been revealed, so we've added it here as and where necessary. We'll add more info as we receive it.
Who are you?
So long, Shepard. Mass Effect Andromeda marks the beginning of a new story, and that means a new main character. Meet Ryder, or one potential variation of her (or him). As with the original trilogy, you'll be able to customise the look and first name of your Ryder—giving you a sense of ownership and making everyone else's screenshots look really weird. Don't expect the customisation options to be too outlandish, though. As in previous games, the main character is destined to be human. Sorry about that, Elcor fans.
The name itself is most likely a reference to a real life astronaut. As Shepard was named after the first American in space, Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr, it seems Ryder is a reference to the first US woman in space, Sally Ride.
, Andromeda's female and male playable characters are sister and brother—both of whom exist in the game world at the same time. What's more, we've already met their father. "Another fun little tidbit is the character we saw two E3s ago, in the N7 [armour], is actually their father," says BioWare's creative director Mac Walters. "So we have got the full Ryder family revealed—we'll do names and things in the future as well."
What's Ryder's mission?
As the name suggests, this new Mass Effect is set in the Andromeda galaxy. Ryder is a Pathfinder, meaning it's her job to not only explore, but also to find a new planet for humanity to colonise. Despite being the closest galaxy to the Milky Way, Andromeda is many light years away from Earth—even with the benefit of ancient technology. As such, the action is, according to creative director Mac Walters, set "hundreds of years" after the first three games.
That isn't to say Ryder was born hundreds of years after Shepard. In the most recent E3 trailer, we see Ryder wake suddenly in a ship as its lights begin to switch on. The suggestion is that her journey to a new galaxy took place in suspended animation—a classic sci-fi trope that would fit with the new themes BioWare is looking to explore.
What about the ending?
This might be a bit of a stretch—BioWare is staying tight lipped—but I suspect Ryder left Earth before the events of Mass Effect 3. Perhaps her Pathfinder mission was even in response to the emerging threat of the Reapers. It might seem like an unimportant detail, but it would allow BioWare to bypass Mass Effect 3's conclusion.
Depending on Shepard's final choice, the galaxy could be in one of a number of different states. That decision was transmitted via the Mass Relays, meaning that the entirety of the Milky Way was affected. Andromeda would remain untouched. It's a way for BioWare to keep the choices you made in Mass Effect 3, but also tell a new story that doesn't need to acknowledge that decision.
The Tempest
"We could have had the Normandy 3," says BioWare general manager Aaryn Flynn, "but we decided to take a step to the left." Cue the Tempest. It sports a similarly sleek design, but where the Normandy was a joint project between humans and turians, the Tempest's look suggests a broader range of influences.
One of the big differences is in the intended use of both ships. The Normandy was fast and technologically advanced, due to its purpose as a military vessel. "This is a story of exploration, not a story of conquest," says Walters. "We wanted you to feel like your ship was designed for that purpose, to actually help you explore and discover and survive in a hostile environment."
Who's in your crew?
Prior footage suggests both a krogan and salarian companion. The asari are about too, although it's not clear in what context. It all suggests that the Pathfinder initiative is a joint effort between multiple species within the Milky Way. It sounds as if the initial relationship between the various species will be different, too. "If you're going to embark on an endeavour that takes you to another galaxy, you'd better find people who are likeminded in that effort," says Walters.
Politics and diplomacy has always been one of the major storytelling pillars of Mass Effect and that will be the case for Andromeda too. Nevertheless, you can expect a greater sense of harmony among the crew of the Tempest. "When it comes to your own personal team," says Walters, "it's fair to say everybody is pulling in the same direction."
Renegade or Paragon?
Shepard encountered many moral conundrums during her adventure. As to how BioWare has thought about morality and decision making in Andromeda, Walters assures it's done so "frequently and carefully... We want a more natural, organic experience," he continues, echoing sentiments about making other aspects of the game less formulaic.
The Paragon and Renegade system was a major part of the original trilogy. It'll be difficult to replace such an iconic part of the series, but a more nuanced system could lead to some challenging decisions.
New arrival
One of the main new themes of Mass Effect Andromeda is that Ryder is a newcomer to the galaxy. "You are the alien," says Flynn. "These are all really deep themes for us as human beings to wonder about and to challenge ourselves with. We're lucky in that we get to give you a game now that puts those kinds of themes front and centre."
As a stranger in a strange land, many of Andromeda's inhabitants will have questions about your presence, and the legitimacy of your goals. "It creates a different tension, a different way to tell all those stories," says Walters. "Even just some of the stuff we skipped in the trilogy. We went 20 years past first contact, but now we can actually engage in some of those stories, which we never got to do in the trilogy."
Alien landscape or not, exploring your new surroundings by way of the game's looks like a lot of fun.
Everything shown so far suggests combat will play out similarly to previous Mass Effects. Once again, your companions will support Ryder with their own abilities and weapon specialisations. As Walters puts it, "At its heart Mass Effect is a third-person cover shooter with squad mechanics." From there, BioWare is able to introduce new concepts and challenges—what Walters refers to as "difficult situations we can put the player in".
"At the same time," Walters continues, "we get a chance to imagine new gameplay scenarios." Leaked footage in April showed Ryder using a jetpack to jump to the top of a building.
Given the newness of the setting, the implication is Ryder will encounter many new species and all of the problems that could go along with that. Unlike Shepard, Ryder won't be under the watchful eye of the council, so contact with alien species could require more interesting solutions.
Despite wanting to create an air of newness and mystery, BioWare is still respecting previous games. "We always gut check things with the original trilogy," says Walters, "whether it's with the aesthetic, the sounds... But at the same time, one of the things I often say is we have to be careful not to spend too much time looking back. We also have to look forward, because it's ten years on since we started this. We want to treat fans to something new and something that surprises and delights them."
Open worlds
Mass Effect 1's Mako is back, although, like the Tempest, it's got a new name and design. The purpose is broadly the same: allowing Ryder to land on and explore planets, even if they're not critical to the main story path. Expect lots of sidequests and bonuses to be hidden throughout Andromeda's planets.
"We've gone back to looking at open world mechanics and simulated worlds," says Flynn. Dragon Age: Inquisition saw BioWare experiment with huge, open environments. Andromeda will likely push the size and scope even further. While it's not clear how detailed each planet will be, the technology underpinning Andromedaallows BioWare to push the detail further than before. "You can really get lost in the worlds, the characters, the stories and the environments," says Walters.
Once again, the evolving relationships between crewmates will be a major part of the story. The chance to introduce new characters with new dynamics gives the chance to try new things. "Some of the relationships were maybe a bit formulaic in the past," says Walters, "so we're trying to find a more organic way to evolve those relationships that's less systemic in nature and feels more like real life."
"We're building on what we know for the relationships," he continues "but a lot of it is in the execution of how you discover those relationships. We're providing more freedom than we've ever done before. I think that's across the board—we want players to feel like they can engage in it at their own pace in the way they want to."
BioWare wants Andromeda to evoke a sense of discovery. "Going to Andromeda is intended to, and will, invoke this incredible sense of wonder and incredible sense that everything right over the horizon is new to me," says Flynn. "That's a rare feeling in our lives today, but I think when you look at people, we all crave that feeling. We all want it."
"One of the advantages of going to Andromeda is that it's a new galaxy so not everything's defined," says Walters, "and you wouldn't expect everything to look the same as it would back home."
DICE's engine now underpins almost every EA game, from Battlefield to FIFA 17. Naturally, Mass Effect Andromeda is no exception. For BioWare, it seems, the shared engine is a chance to utilise the experience and knowledge of EA's other studios. "We can actually go to a Frostbite team, like the Need for Speed team, and go, 'What do you think of our car?'" says Walters, "and they'll tell us, and they have. It allows us to push past an area which isn't necessarily our wheelhouse and deliver something that's much higher quality than anything we've been able to do before."
It sounds as if BioWare is also lending its storytelling expertise to other studios. "If you saw the FIFA story stuff, the BioWare folks helped with that," says Flynn. "So it's pretty cool."
Quest design
Dragon Age: Inquisition stands as the only RPG made in the Frostbite engine. While BioWare's Mass Effect team is taking cues from the openness of environments, they're also looking at Inquisition's quests—both what worked and what didn't.
"We learned that there were some quests in Dragon Age that didn't resonate and were kind of flat—fetch quests and stuff," says Flynn. "The nice thing is, you take those lessons, you package them all up, and you talk to the Mass Effect team and say, 'These are the things you should do, these are the things you shouldn't do.' And the Mass Effect team get the pencils out and they build all that into it."
If true, it hopefully means Andromeda will never ask you to collect stuff from dead bears.
"It's been a really interesting phenomenon," says Flynn. "Some of the newer folks who've joined the Andromeda team are developers who were first fans, because Mass Effect is ten years old now."
That's created an interesting dynamic for veterans like Flynn. "We spent some time educating them on why some decisions were made back in the day—hopefully they benefit from that. But at the same time, they remind us of what they loved about Mass Effect as a player back in 2007. We kind of sit back and go, 'Oh, we didn't realise that.' That's very compelling, and so we challenge ourselves."
Release date?
While still unconfirmed, it seems Dark Horse Comics may have . An Amazon listing of the publisher's incoming The Art of Mass Effect: Andromeda states the book will be released "simultaneously with the game" which is due March 21, 2017. At the time of writing, Amazon's UK site suggests a launch date of March 23—which could point to a delayed release for the UK and Europe.
We've reached out for confirmation, however with N7 just around the corner—BioWare's annual Mass Effect appreciation day that runs on November 7—expect to find out more in the coming weeks.


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Why are the democrats so cowardly? Why can't they come out and say what they really mean, and what they know to be the truth. Here's CIA Chief Leon Panetta talking about Dick Cheney:
I think he smells some blood in the water on the national security issue," Panetta said in an interview published in The New Yorker magazine's June 22 issue.
"It's almost, a little bit, gallows politics. When you read behind it, it's almost as if he's wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point."
It's not "almost" or "a little bit" anything. But good for him for at least bringing some vague attention to the current Republican-Christian party strategy to get back in power.
It's become abundantly clear that Cheney, Limbaugh, and the rest of the right-wing Republican-Christian Party have realized they can't beat Obama on the merits of any issues, so they've just agreed to keep claiming that Obama and the Democrats are failing to protect America from terrorism, not doing everything necessary to fight terrorism, and are even intentionally doing things that will make foreign terrorist attacks on American soil easier. They keep saying this, over and over, so that when there is the inevitable Islamic terrorist attack on American soil - and it's only a a matter of if, not when - then the Republican-Christians will say "See we told you so! We said Obama could not protect you and your children!" and "See, only we the Republicans are tough enough, and have the experience, to protect America from terrorist attacks."
And then the Republican-Christians will regain power, because the Democrats won't know how to respond. The Democrats won't be smart enough to point out that the worst terrorist attack ever, that 9-11 thing, happened on the Republicans' watch, during the Bush Administration (little known fact!). But the sine qua non of this current Republican-Christian Party strategy of "gallows politics" is for there to be a terrorist attack on American soil.
And of course the Republican-Christians only care about Muslim terrorism. The last thing they want to do is bring attention to their own right-wing terrorism, whether it's shooting abortion doctors or black people at the Holocaust Museum. Christofascist terrorism is perfectly acceptable, nay desirable, to the right-wingers. They don't even consider the murder of an abortion doctor at his church in broad daylight during public services to be terrorism, they see that as Christian Holy Warriors doing the Lord's Work in conducting a Jesus-Jihad (Jeez-had) in the name of Christ. As much as they'd like to, the Republican-Christians simply cannot blame their own terrorist acts on Obama and the Democrats, because that would bring negative attention to those acts, concede they are terrorist acts, and force the government to work harder to prevent similar attacks in the future. The Christofascists don't want any of those things. So, the best they can do is blame Obama for "making them" commit these "crimes" (they won't call it terrorism) by being such a divisive, dark-skinned communist.
Why can't democrats like Panetta grow spines so that they can say what they really mean? You watch, Republican-Christians will go nuts and Panetta will "apologize" for his comments about The Dick Cheney. Watch - it will happen tomorrow. He'll apologize and "clarify" his comments, saying he meant something completely different and he'll come right out and lie, saying "Dick Cheney does not want there to be a terrorist attack on Americans" - just to placate the angry Hannities and Limbaughs who will be yelling and screaming, feigning shock and contempt, over Panetta's comments about Cheney's gallows politics.
Come on Democrats! Grow a pair!


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May 2, 2013
| Recipes
Take a culinary adventure in your own backyard when you grill up this sweet and spicy Korean barbecue beef tenderloin featuring classic Asian flavors. Serve with a flavorful side of stir-fried bok choy that comes together in about 5 minutes.
Serves: 6 to 8
1 3-pound steak tenderloin roast
2 cups Korean Barbecue Marinade (see recipe below)
¼ cup steak rub
1 pound Stir-Fried Bok Choy (see recipe below)
1 14-ounce bottle Korean barbecue sauce
6 to 8 cilantro sprigs
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1. Begin by completely thawing tenderloin. It will take 2 days in the refrigerator or 1 hour in a sink full of cold water.
2. Remove tenderloin from plastic, and place in a large resealable bag with Korean Barbecue Marinade. Marinate overnight in refrigerator.
3. Remove tenderloin from marinade, and season with steak rub. Sear tenderloin on all sides on a pre-heated grill. Place in a 250°F oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 125°F for medium rare.
4. With 15 minutes remaining, prepare the bok choy and heat Korean barbecue sauce.
5. Remove tenderloin from oven, let rest 15 minutes. Slice and serve. Garnish with cilantro and a mixture of sesame seeds.
Makes: 2 cups
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
1 cup canned pear juice
½ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1. Place sesame oil in a thick bottom pot and add garlic and ginger. Place pot on a medium burner and add the rest of ingredients and slowly bring to a boil.
2. Bring heat down to a simmer and cook while stirring for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Remove sauce from heat and refrigerate for up to one week.
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound bok choy, chopped
1/3 cup Korean barbecue sauce
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
In a wok, briefly heat canola oil. Add bok choy and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add Korean barbecue sauce and sesame oil to wok and mix well. Serve while hot.
Recipe courtesy of OmahaSteaks.com.
Also see:
Top 10 Tips for Cooking on the Grill
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