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Regent's Park review
I'm sitting in Regent's Park watching two ducks having a fight. It's quite exciting. They are skimming the lake and flapping and scrapping and squawking and it's definitely going to end in bloodshed. Somebody is going to go home with a dead duck for dinner tonight. It was quite relaxing sitting here by the flower beds and fountains until those two hoodlums came along.
They've got a lot of ducks in here. I'm pretty sure they're ducks. They are definitely birds anyway. Maybe there's only one bird with different outfits on. The mallards like a shiny green waistcoat and orange boots, whilst others have gone for a dark brown tweed or a smart black suit (the coots). The unfussy pigeons prefer a simple grey suit and bright red socks -- I think of them as the businessman of the bird world. They are the old men you see getting off the train every day in a fraying suit and scuffed-up shoes.
This is actually quite a nice place to come if you want to do a bit of bird watching (of the feathered variety, I mean). They've got ducks, geese, herons... all sorts. Eagles, vultures, buzzards, pterodactyls (I made those ones up). The best looking bird in here is the swan. If you had to marry a bird for a bet then it would definitely be a swan -- no doubt about it. They've even got their wedding dress on ready to walk down the aisle. It's a bit of a lousy life though, isn't it. Now that I've been sitting here for five minutes I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for them. They've basically got themselves all tarted up for nothing... they just float around waiting for somebody to chuck them a bit of bread, and when an old biddy finally obliges a little duck steams across and steals it. They've got a lot in common with prisoners (I have just realised this) because that's all they eat: bread and water. Stale bread and water -- the feast of swans and Wormwood Scrubs. And they all wear tags around their ankles. I came here thinking they'd make a beautiful bride, but five minutes later I see them for what they really are: narcissistic criminals surviving on soggy stale bread with electronic tags around their ankles. How the mighty have fallen.
Queen Mary's Gardens is the prettiest part of the park and is famous for its roses. They've got a couple of big circular beds but it looks a bit bland today. All I can see are spindly canes and threatening thorns -- it must be out of season. But I've been here enough times in the past to know that it's usually a riot of colour.
I always wonder why we associate roses with romance, because if you think about it, there are only two types of plant that hurt you when you handle them: nettles and roses. And then we go and give them to our missus: here you go, my love... here is a token of my undying love; but be careful when you touch it because it might draw blood.
Queen Mary's Gardens is where you'll find the nicest cafe in the park. There are actually five of them dotted around the grounds but the Garden Cafe is definitely the best. That's where you can have a proper sit down meal and a coffee (it's like a big restaurant). This is where you can take your grandmother on a Sunday. Show her the roses and park her wheelchair up in the cafe for a cup of tea afterwards. Then push her in the lake. (That last bit was a joke.)
I've just been watching a load of people on the pedal boats and I have decided that they are death traps best avoided. They are using them like bumper cars, bashing into their buddies and trying to sink them. It's like a Toy Town version of the Battle of Trafalgar. The poor husbands are doing all the pedalling and look totally knackered, whilst their kids are going Faster! Faster! The mums just look scared stiff and wish they'd stayed on the bank. You can see them secretly praying for the ordeal to end. It looks to me like you need two people to pedal or you'll just go round and round in circles (there are two sets of pedals), but some of them are magically managing to go in a straight line with just one -- I cannot understand how that is possible.
I'm at the second cafe now -- the Boathouse Cafe. This is the rubbish one. Lots of noise. Big queues. This is where you come to pay for the boats, so it's full of families and kids and pigeons and litter sweepers. It's a self-service place with very few seats inside and three thousand hyperactive kids running around the patio. One of the toddlers has just tripped over on the concrete and is screaming so loudly that the birds are fleeing from the trees. Don't bring your grandmother here for chrissakes, or she will write you out of her will.
The northern half of the park is where the pretty stuff comes to an abrupt end. It's just a flat and featureless pasture of grass and sports fields. You'll see a little hill in the middle with a building on top -- that is cafe number three. Even if you don't want a drink it's still worth climbing the hill for a distant view of London Zoo.
The zoo occupies the northern corner of the park, and you can walk along the southern edge and have a sneaky little look at some of the animals. I love the zoo. I've been there about a billion times and it's one of my favourite places in London, so I'm quite happy sneaking a peek at the cages. The most obvious attraction is the big desert mountain range on the far left -- that's called the Mappin Terrace. It looks like it should have some lions and tigers grazing on top, but it's actually full of wallabies and emus (it's their 'Outback' zone). If you stick around long enough then you should be able to see some wandering around the flat bit at the bottom. The brown brick building next door is called the Mappin Pavilion, but you won't be able to see anything in there (unless you can see through walls).
After that comes a couple of cages full of big sticks and furry brown ferret-like creatures (they are too far away for me to see what they are -- see if you can do it). A little further to the right is a small patch of grass underneath some netting -- that is a tiny section of the 'Tiger Territory'. If you cross your fingers then you might get lucky and see them (most of the territory is hidden behind the wall though).
The concrete building with green pepper pots on top is the famous old elephant house, but its full of bearded pigs these days (which you wont be able to see) -- they got rid of the elephants ages ago. The mud-filled paddock next-door is home to the camels. If the big beasts are outside then you'll have a great view of them from the path... this is probably the best view of the zoo from the park.
After that comes a few goats in the children's zoo, and the sandy coloured meerkats zone. Then there's just a couple of largely invisible bird cages (invisible... but not inaudible!). If you turn left down the eastern edge of the zoo then you can get a glimpse of the Bugs house and some llama-like guys in a muddy pen, plus a very distant view of the penguins.
So there you go... you weren't expecting that, were you! There are quite a lot of animals that you can see for free from the path, and it's well worth strolling up to the northern edge of the park to have a look. [Note: you can see even more cages from the opposite side, but I will write about those in my Regent's Canal review.]
If you're walking the same route as me then you will now be heading south down a broad avenue on the eastern edge of the park. This will take you to the fourth cafe out of five -- the Smokehouse. This one does burgers and sausages and hot dogs. A bit further on is another little coffee shop and some ornamental gardens. I saw Tony Benn down here once, so keep your peepers peeled for him (although he's dead now, so you probably won't see him).
Events at Regent's Park…
|Events in May
|Events in June
|Events in July


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First Grade
Hudson started back to school yesterday. He was ready and excited…I was not. I will miss seeing his smiling face all day everyday. I think his sister will probably miss him the most. She wasn't quite sure what to do with herself yesterday. Neither was I. We are still talking about homeschooling, but for the time being he is going to public school. We're happy with the teacher he ended up getting and he ended up in a class with many of his friends from kindergarten. It's a great setup.
Oh this kid. He melts my heart. I can't believe he's a first grader.
Now that school has started I can feel fall slowly creeping in. The air seems to feel and smell different even though it's still blazing hot. I'm already starting to crave pumpkin spice candles, blankets, cooking with the crockpot, sweet pumpkin tea at night and college football. I've been contemplating getting out my unfinished quilting project from last year and finishing it so it's ready to use by September. I might have to do that today, but I won't buy that pumpkin candle until September. I'm not ready to give up summer quite yet. I plan to enjoy what's left and make some more memories.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mi Cocina has been working on renovations to its patio, and employees say they're almost finished and ready for customers. After a few delays, outdoor seating for 90 is in place – 22 tables of 4s and 6s – with half under louvered overhang which can be adjusted to allow shade or sun. Landscaping is in place to block the sights and sounds of Skillman, and the final touch is the center fountain, which still needs a couple of days work.
While at dinner Monday night, every diner seemed to linger near the glass door to check progress on the construction, with wait staff and managers all giving the same answer, "A couple of days. Give us a few more days."
At least you can have a Mambo Taxi while you wait.


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Overcoming major obstacles
Rebecca Donovan, who suffers from
fibromyalgia, has lost 26 pounds in
just over two months.
Rebecca Donovan is my second best success story, if you measure by weight lost. My best success was a cancer survivor who lost 120 pounds in 8 months. Rebecca has lost 26 pounds in 2 1/2 months. But success can also be measured by improved quality of life.
Like many people who seek a personal trainer, Rebecca came in wanting to lose weight. At 5' 2" she weighed 242 pounds. She said she had tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins and NutriSystem. Any weight lost, like with so many diet programs, she had gained all back, and then some.
The best way to tell this story is in her words.
"I have lost 26 pounds since beginning to work out with Ellen on Jan. 21, 2011. More importantly, clothes I haven't been able to wear in years now fit easily. I have had brain surgery for a malignant tumor and have weakness on my left side. I have had continuous years of fibromyalgia, which sometimes prevented me from moving and has caused much pain. I've already had knee surgery and came to Ellen as a last attempt to avoid a second surgery. I have had many other surgeries.
"Since working with Ellen, I am able to do things I haven't been able to do since the brain surgery, such as walking and staying balanced. I have so much more energy. There are many activities I thought I would never be able to do again, but now I can. I've regained confidence and agility I didn't expect to achieve.
"I return North regularly for medical evaluations with my doctors. On my last check-ups, all my doctors said they were very impressed with my progress, saying the exercises I'd been given were exactly what they would have advised.
"When I first started working out with Ellen, I couldn't get on a treadmill. Not only do I now walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes on my own, but I can move much more easily. Ellen has been great fun and makes me laugh while I hardly notice I'm doing challenging exercises. Her nutrition coaching has also been invaluable helping me achieve weight loss.
"Although I was a challenge, Ellen was creative and persistent with finding exercises that worked and didn't cause more injury. With back, shoulder and knee issues, Ellen came up with a game plan to allow me to work on my weight loss and conditioning goals. Others have said the exercises have kept my back strong which has been critical to my success.
"All of this has changed my attitude. I can't believe I can now do so much."
Rebecca said she looked at other gyms, but she said she felt like I really cared and would spend the time it would take to address her many concerns and issues. Success like Rebecca's far exceeds any paycheck. It's why I do what I do.
Her secret? There's no magic bullet. As you've heard until you can't stand it, losing weight is all about a lifestyle change. Rebecca now comes to the gym on her own.
Studies show that the one thing that seems to be most successful for weight loss is keeping a food and exercise diary. I instruct clients how to do this online or on paper, and how to find an optimal weekly menu plan. We talk about portions, how to eat out and how to (get this) still keep a daily alcoholic drink. Giving that up sometimes isn't an option for snowbirds on vacation.
I don't make everyone eat only vegetables, by the way. Success comes with programs that a client can adhere to. Respecting where each client is becomes crucial.
I asked Rebecca if it was OK that I share her sensitive medical history. She said, "If it can help others get motivated and know that improvement is possible, then tell my story." We often use the scale as a measure of success. But the way clothes fit, improved muscle tone and regaining balance all figure into the big equation.
I admire Rebecca's determination. She gave up chocolate, but not alcohol. I'm not sure many women could give up chocolate. I sure couldn't.
Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones is an accomplished endurance runner, cookbook author, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified personal trainer and RRCA certified running coach. For coaching or training, she can be reached at email@example.com or 941-704-1025.


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Data is important for a business, meaning that you ought to know how it is that you can best get to store it, this will mean that you need to look for some of the best methods through which you can wind up begetting of everything that you would need, which will mean that you can wind up being soothed and also that you will get to comprehend of all that might work as per your liking.
When looking for some of the means to boost the IT performance, you do find that using elastic servers might get to work best, this will authenticate that you can save on space and also that you never have to waste much money getting to purchase servers, it will authenticate that eventually, you do get to have all your data properly stored without any problems whatsoever.
Furthermore, you will find that using automation software too might get to be of some assistance, meaning that you will be able to comprehend of all that would work best, nonetheless, you will find that in the long run, you will eventually ascertain that you can be soothed and also that you will be able to understand of everything which would work as per your liking.
With an automation software, you will be able to make it much easier for the employees, meaning that it will get to record all the data without any problems whatsoever, furthermore, you will find that it will eventually get to make everything much easier, thus being able to make certain that some of the things can get to be easily handled properly and so will be the data which will be stored.
Aside from this, searching for incorporated applications ought to be another objective, this will validate that you don't need bunches of utilizations though you can have one or a couple of which will have the capacity to lead the work perfectly, it will confirm that you can end up fathoming of a portion of an ideal routes through which everything will work best and furthermore verify that you can end up being relieved while accomplishing every one of the objectives.
In conclusion, by enabling real time data and analytics, you will find that everything will get to be buttery smooth, meaning that any problem which might get to occur within the system can be handled in no time and also that you can authenticate that the data will be properly stored and everyone will be able to have their specific roles in this.


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Sam Allardyce hailed a "massive" three points in the battle for survival after Sunderland triumphed at fellow strugglers Swansea.
Sunderland moved to within one point of the safety mark after a 4-2 victory at the Liberty Stadium, as they registered a second successive Premier League victory over one of their relegation rivals.
The game was a topsy-turvy one, with referee Graham Scott and his officials awarding Swansea a bizarre penalty, harshly sending off right-back Kyle Naughton and failing to spot offside calls for Jermain Defoe's first two goals.
But Defoe's hat-trick helped Sunderland to a hugely significant win, as they built on their crucial victory over basement boys Aston Villa.
Sunderland boss Allardyce said: "It panned out pretty unusual, to say the least, from what we probably expected.
"But the most important thing for us is the victory, having slipped up in the first 10 minutes to not get an even bigger lead which looked like it was going to bite us in the back-side.
"We managed to overcome that by adjusting our tactics at half-time having allowed Swansea to get in the lead, even with 10 men.
"The second half performance was exactly what we needed - a high press, closing down Swansea and forcing them into mistakes.
"The fact that we've got the little man up front at the moment, whose in terrific goal-scoring form has ended up winning us in the game.
"He's scored a hat-trick after two in the last game and converted most of the chances we created for him.
"He's a massive player for us at the moment and the rest of the players provided that service for him.
"Irrespective of some of the referee's decisions, we've gone and won away from home in an enormous game for both of us.
"We've gained three points on everybody above us, which is massive for us."


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Services include:
Polarcold is a licenced import transitional facility – so we are able to unload and warehouse imported foodstuffs.
We have wide experience in working with all forms of transport from land-based to sea freight, and we have rail sidings in Timaru, Dunedin and Mosgiel.
The Auckland branch is strategically located in the Wiri Intermodal Freight Hub providing connectivity with rail, ports and motorways.
Our branches are strategically located close to ports of Christchurch, Timaru and Dunedin, and the Mosgiel branch has a direct rail-link to the Port of Otago.
We have flexible storage temperatures of +20ºC to -20ºC and 200 tonnes of blast freezing capacity.
A subsidiary of Scales Corporation Ltd © 2019 All Rights Reserved.


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Original, one and only Gorigula puppet featured in Imagine Dragons' Radioactive music video. Hand puppet with back entry between shoulders, live hands and live feet manipulation. Made of fur, fleece, foam. Puppet is 27" tall in his normal crouched position.
*Shipping and insurance cost not included. Please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com for shipping cost.


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The first event of the 2016 Association of Professional Bodyboarders (APB) World Tour gets underway next month and starts with the Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational from the 21st of February. The event will see a group of selected invitees compete against the 32 top riders on the APB leader board, the top 16 finishers on the Hawaiian tour and the top 8 riders from pre trials in February. One particular name on the invitee list stands out, and that is the surfer Jamie O'Brien.
Jamie is without doubt one of the best stand ups to ever ride Pipe and knows the wave inside out, but many people do not know that J.O.B cut his teeth on a bodyboard as a grom. Jamie even won a few comps in his youth and has previously entered other Pipe events on a bodyboard, finishing third in his heat in 2009 and loosing a fin in 2013. Other invitees include Kainoa McGee, Alistair Taylor and Spencer Skipper, with Shane Meehan on the alternate list and the only rider with a chance to represent the U.K at Pipe this year, full details can be seen at the APB website.
What do you think of Jamie's inclusion at the Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational? Is there any chance J.O.B can progress through a couple of rounds, or is he taking the place of a bodyboarder you would like to see at the event?


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Paul Smith
We can never get enough of Paul Smith's colorful "Artist Stripe" pattern and now the designer has teamed up with Hummingbird to create a special edition folding bike. Limited to 50 bikes, each Single Speed is hand painted using Silverstone Paint Technology, which is also used on Formula One cars. Weighing just 15 lbs, the bike features a lightweight single gear hub, a seatpost with full carbon and titanium hardware, a Shimano Alfine Hollowtech crankset, aluminum alloy wheels, full carbon handlebars, Tektro R539 dual pivot brake calipers, a Shimano Ultegra Press Fit bottom bracket, and Schwalbe Kojak tires.
£3,995 (approx. $5,204), hummingbirdbike.comRead More
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What program do you use? Programs like photoshop are super with a mouse (not a trackpad lol get gud m, and offer curvature tools etc. that allow sharp lines that a tablet user would take dozens of strokes to copy.
Trust me. I've drawn without a tablet for most of my life (got tablet this year YEEE), and y'know.
Get yourself a mouse at least. Trackpads are cancer.
For people asking when the next HTOTM is, you'll find out
Just be prepared


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We know that you're thinking about all of the items on your TpT wishlist as you are switching into back-to-school mode. Wouldn't it be nice if you had a TpT gift certificate to use? Well, it's your lucky day! These upper elementary bloggers are going to help foot the bill!
Here is what you need to do to enter for a chance to win a TpT gift certificate:
- Click the picture above or {here} to take you to our collaborative board.
- Follow the board.
- Find the pin description that contains the special code.
- Enter the code in the Rafflecopter.
- Easy-peasy!!
- Contest ends Sunday, July 28th at midnight.
While your searching for clues, make sure you do some pinning too. Here are a few of my favorite pins this week:
One of my blogging buddies Joanne posted about how she sets up her reading workshop. This post is FULL of ideas. One I am definitely going to implement the first week is this freebie.
Part of back to school will include getting ready for back-to-school night, and I want to have a PowerPoint up and ready in the background. That way parents can be learning more about the classroom while I visit with others, as well as spur the conversation if I find myself at a loss of words. Here is another amazing freebie I want to use!
Happy pinning & best of luck. Don't forget to follow the 4-6 Board for more wonderful ideas! :)


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Site Search
The Web
An alliance with Housing Authority of New Haven's Elm City Communities could be the smartest business move you'll ever make
The Goals
Housing Authority of New Haven's (HANH) Elm City Communities is in regular need for professional service providers and quality construction contractors to assist in meeting the demands of the housing authority's operations in a timely manner. An alliance with Elm City Communities provides a company with a steady stream of work, which, in uncertain economic times, is critical to the health of any business.
Our needs cover a wide range of professional services, from architectural/engineering and environmental consulting to technicians, office and clerical help, skilled crafts workers, laborers, resident service support and maintenance personnel. We are looking for professionalism, responsiveness, respect for residents and flexibility in our alliances. If your business provides any of these services, and adheres to the qualities we seek, we have a place for you at Elm City Communities.
Please visit the
Vendor/Contractor Collaberation Portal
to view all of our current contracting opportunities.
HANH Procurement Fact sheet
HANH's Hiring and Subcontracting Goals
Section 3 Fact Sheet Assistance To SEC 3 MBE WBE
To find out more about Vendor and Contractor Opportunities, please select a topic from our
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Advantages of Doing Business with Elm City Communities?
How Can I Connect with Elm City Communities?
How Does the Process Work?
Is the Service Rendered by my Company Subject to any Sort of Elm City Communities Standard or Inspection?
Must My Contract Be Renewed Periodically?
What are the Goals of Elm City Communities/Vendor or Contractor Alliances?
Where Can I Find Out More Information About Working With Elm City Communities?
What are the Advantages of Doing Business with Elm City Communities?
Elm City Communities has funding in place so you are assured that services provided shall be compensated fully and in a reasonable time frame.
Elm City Communities offers a wide range of experience that allows a contractor to build his or her portfolio and get other public work.
Elm City Communities offers an opportunity to earn a fair wage and provide a service and potential for mentorship to an underserved population.
How Can I Connect with Elm City Communities?
Elm City Communities' Procurement Department requests qualifications for outlined services, and awards contracts to firms that meet or exceed the defined threshold as qualified.
Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bid (IFBs) are advertised in newspapers such as The New Haven Register, La Voz Hispana, Inner City News and Vase Construction Services and other appropriate media. You may also visit Elm City Communities' Web site at www.newhavenhousing.org and select "opportunities" then "vendors" to find a list of current bid documents, which are downloadable. Elm City Communities also participates in business expositions and networking events to let minority business enterprises (MBEs) and women business enterprises (WBEs) know about opportunities.
The scope of the RFQ, RFP or IFB will clearly identify the service sought and requirements the vendor must meet. The selection of qualified firms is a two-step process: First is to meet the threshold for qualifications; second is negotiating with the top-ranked respondent for the fee schedule. Time frames and deliverables are tied to a contract's planning schedule and required project schedules.
How Does the Process Work?
It is incumbent upon a vendor to get a copy of the RFQ, RFP or IFB. The details of the job, forms, time and date of submittal deadline and manner in which a response should be submitted are included in the RFQ, RFP or IFB. Any special requirements, such as insurance or permits, are identified in the RFQ, RFP or IFB. There is no fee to submit a quote. Because needs are continually arising or changing, it is a good idea to check the newspapers and Web sites regularly for opportunities that would be a good fit for Elm City Communities and your business. All bids are required to be submitted by the published due date and time. Elm City Communities will award a contract to the vendor whose offer is most advantageous to Elm City Communities. Additionally, bonus points are allocated to bidders that demonstrate that they are eligible for Section 3 Preference in Contracting.
Is the Service Rendered by my Company Subject to any Sort of Elm City Communities Standard or Inspection?
The services being provided are coordinated with Elm City Communities staff for compliance. Construction work is coordinated with Elm City Communities staff and city building officials for compliance. Material submittals are reviewed and approved by Elm City Communities or its agent (construction manager, architect, engineer, etc.). Design documents are reviewed and approved by Elm City Communities. In some cases, an independent professional will review or provide the deliverables or additional testing.
Must My Contract Be Renewed Periodically?
Under current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, services can be renewed yearly for an aggregate contract of five years. Typically, the contracts are awarded for one year with an option to renew yearly upon mutual agreement. For construction, the contracts are awarded for the time frame to complete the project per its scope.
What are the Goals of Elm City Communities/Vendor or Contractor Alliances?
Due to Elm City Communities' federal funding and stewardship, the administrative demands are significant and critical to the success of the project. Part of our goal is to meet Section 3 regulations, which require that recipients of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent possible, provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low- or very-low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their communities. Our Planning and Development Special Projects staff works to provide opportunities to those residents through career outreach programs. Residents complete applications and are then screened and matched with suitable projects. The list of possible workers is forwarded to the contractor, who interviews and may hire residents for the length of the contract. Often a contractor will hire the resident permanently if they like their work, which is a twofold accomplishment: a job for the resident and a proven employee for the contractor.
Where Can I Find Out More Information About Working With Elm City Communities?
If you are ready to expand your business's opportunities, please visit our Web site at newhavenhousing.org (click on "opportunities," then "vendors"). If your company has questions or would like to obtain an emailed or FedEx copy of an IFB, RFP or RFQ, email us at
We look forward to working with you to revitalize our community.
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Geneva, 24 March 2011 -- Yesterday the Human Rights Council adopted the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and recommended its adoption by the General Assembly. In a resolution adopted without a vote, the Council adopted the Declaration and invited governments, agencies and organisations of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations to intensify their efforts to disseminate the Declaration and to promote universal respect and understanding thereof.
The Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training clearly defines human rights education and related terms (e.g. culture of human rights), and its relationship to the right to education, drawn from good practices around the world. It emphasises the need for education and training of both "rights-holders" and "duty-bearers", those individuals or institutions who have to guarantee or protect human rights -- for example law enforcement officials and public officials. The Declaration also recognises the importance of civil society organisations and other stakeholders -- e.g. educational agencies, NGOs, professional associations -- in human rights education and training.
"The Declaration can serve as a powerful tool for lobbying and advocacy, and a means of attracting financial resources from private sources as well as by governments", according to HREA's Director Felisa Tibbitts. She continues: "In UN member states that have not ratified or signed the main human rights treaties, a soft-law instrument like the Declaration can provide legitimacy to civil society organisations involved in human rights education and training." The Declaration does not specifically recognise human rights education and training as a human right, but is an expression of commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.
HREA, in partnership with Soka Gokkai International, CONGO, Amnesty International, OIDEL and numerous other NGOs, has been closely involved in the consultation and drafting process of the Declaration since 2008.
Text of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training
HREA written statement submitted to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (26 July 2009)
HREA Director presents at high-level UN meeting in Marrakech (20 July 2009)
On-line forum on the Second Phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (16 June 2009)
HREA statement submitted to Human Rights Council (February 2009)
Human Rights Council considers drafting declaration on human rights education and training (26 August 2008)


text:
Join us for a conversation with Lisa Calder MD, MSc FRCPC, Associate Scientist in the Department of Emergency Medicine Research of the Clinical Epidemiology Unit at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Calder is also an Assistant Professor with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
She received the 2009-2010 EMPSF/SAEM Emergency Medicine Patient Safety Research Fellowship Grant and recently shared some of her research findings on patient safety and the disposition decision at the 1st Annual Patient Safety Summit held on May 5th & 6th in Las Vegas. Today, we are going to reconnect with Dr. Calder to discuss her emergency medicine patient safety research further.
Listen to internet radio with EMPSF on Blog Talk Radio


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Why choose us?
We help vendors around the globe to easily apply 'Best Value' as a different way of doing business, resulting in higher performance at lower costs with higher profits and less stress.
We are a licensed partner of Arizona State University's Skysong Innovations on educating and applying the Best Value Approach. This makes us one of few agencies accredited for Best Value education and certification.


text:
Life happens! No matter who you are you will face some sort of difficult circumstance at some point in life. Probably at many points in life truthfully. Being able to roll with the punches can be a challenge but it can also be a mark of character. Showing your children how to adapt to life's circumstances teacher them more than any math lesson could.
As homeschoolers we likely have more flexibility to adapt than other family's might. I'm a stay-at-home mom. My children don't have to be picked up or dropped off at school at any certain hour. This means we can help others out when they are in need.
Recently we've been blessed to be able to do just that. Unfortunately my mom has faced some difficult medical circumstances and she's need support to get to doctor's appointments and treatment. While I would so much rather that she didn't have to face this ordeal I decided to grab it as an opportunity. An opportunity to show my children how we care for loved ones and how to be roll with what life tosses at you.
I share with you a picture I took on whim one day. We were waiting in a parking lot for my mother to finish her appointment. My children had packed up their backpacks full of math, grammar, poetry and a whole bunch of other things to keep themselves busy. I didn't think much of the photo. I was sending it quick to my mom just to show her what her crazy grandchildren were up to. Thinking back now I think it shows a lot. It shows just how life keeps going even when hard circumstances crash into it.
I'm thankful for homeschooling. Without it I couldn't be there for my mom.


text:
The problem here is that the upgrade is free at the moment, and waiting to upgrade until after the deadline comes with a charge of $119. While new devices can come with Windows 10 pre-installed, users of earlier Windows operating systems like Windows 7 or 8.x will have to pay to reap the benefits of this upgrade.
Another intended change to Windows 10 comes with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, a fancy name that comes with assorted improvements to the fan-favorite operating system. Some of these updates include:
- An edgier Edge: Microsoft Edge has supposedly beaten Google Chrome in preview software tests, and has integrated functionality with Cortana for a high-quality user experience. Windows 10 is the only operating system to offer the new Microsoft browser, so if you want to use it, you should upgrade.
- Windows Ink: This upcoming feature, called Ink Workspace, is basically a second Start menu, that allows users to doodle on their applications with a stylus. You'll be able to jot down handwritten notes on your device's screen, and save them as images, or "digital sticky notes."
- Improved Cortana functionality: Cortana has become a fully-functional digital assistant, and as such, Microsoft continues to add on features that make Cortana that much better. Some basic functionality, such as allowing the user to play music or dictate a note or reminder, will be available before the user logs in. Cortana also comes with specialized functionality for the Edge browser.
- Windows Hello: Windows 10 also allows you to use your face as an authentication option for accessing your device. This feature, Windows Hello, gives the user access to the device either through fingerprint scanning, facial recognition software, or iris scanning, assuming that your device has the hardware required for performing these feats.
Keep in mind that this is only a small amount of what could come with Windows 10's anniversary update. Considering how it already has a significant following, Microsoft is sure to provide new features and extensive support. Here's the kicker, though; once the free upgrade passes, it'll cost you $119 for Windows 10 Home Edition, and $199 for Windows 10 Pro. Depending on the number of workstations your business has, you could potentially have a very costly upgrade bill to fit into your budget.
If you're still unsure about Windows 10, and how an upgrade will affect your business, reach out to COMPANYNAME at PHONENUMBER.


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Monday, July 28, 2014
Interview with Regency Romance Author Joy Dawn King
29 comments:
- J Dawn King said...
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. I loved your Rebels of Cordovia is a great, fast read and I am looking forward to reading Shamrock and Bali when I get back to the US. Great questions by the way. Especially your last one. Thanks again, Joy.
- July 28, 2014 at 12:58 PM
- Sonja said...
Looks like an interesting book. Would love to read this. Thanks for the opportunity!
- July 28, 2014 at 6:03 PM
- J Dawn King said...
You are very welcome, Sonja. I hope you get a chance. Best wishes for the giveaway.
- July 28, 2014 at 7:01 PM
- Cheryl R said...
I really would like to see the turn of events in this story compared to the original. I like Jane Austen similar type books or using the same characters. Also I lived in Ecuador in Puyo ( Province of Pastaza) in 1984 working with the Amigos de las Americas giving vaccinations in the jungle. Best time of my life!
- July 28, 2014 at 9:30 PM
- J Dawn King said...
Cheryl, I love Puyo. We live in Ambato. Our daughter's in-laws have a house in Puyo and we LOVE the weather there. We have been many times.
I do hope that you get a chance to read A Father's Sins. There are tons of P&P variations available that sometimes it's hard to chose. So, best to read them all, I guess.
Best wishes for the giveaway.
- July 29, 2014 at 3:20 AM
- Deborah Ann said...
I enjoyed your interview Joy. I Also loved reading reading the book. It is a page turner and one sitting book. Oh & don't enter me in the giveaway please. I already have both. :-)
- July 29, 2014 at 4:54 AM
- Sheila Majczan said...
I love Joy. She is what I consider a good friend. Please do not enter me in the give-away as I do own her book on my kindle and enjoyed it so much. I have to re-read it soon. And plan to buy the paperback so I can lend it to friends who don't own kindles.
- July 29, 2014 at 7:10 AM
- J Dawn King said...
Deborah Ann, what kind words. I love that "a one sitter". I may have to borrow that from you. Thank you so much for your kind support and I look forward to meeting you in person one day soon. The next time I'm in New York I would love to meet for a cup of tea and a chat. Thanks for popping by.
- July 29, 2014 at 7:32 AM
- J Dawn King said...
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sheila. You are a certified SWEETHEART. One of the greatest benefits to publishing my first book is the wider circle of friends that I have. Meeting you in person and visiting would be a true Joy. I deeply appreciate your friendship.
- July 29, 2014 at 7:33 AM
- Lúthien84 said...
The premise of A Father's Sin is interesting and I have not read a P&P story where Wickham is actually Darcy's older half-brother. I would love to win the e-book edition although I already own the paperback version. Thank you, Joy.
- July 29, 2014 at 9:34 AM
- J Dawn King said...
I would love for you to win the ebook, Luthien. I had not read a story like that about Wickham either. However, I kept wondering why Darcy's father paid him so much attention and that was the only explanation I came up with. It does make for an interesting dynamic to a variation of Pride and Prejudice doesn't it? Best wishes in the giveaway.
- July 29, 2014 at 2:53 PM
- Cheryl R said...
A think I have found a person I would love to pick the brain of! I really did not see Ambato ( but I am wondering if we went through there on our trips). We went to Banos and loved loved that place! Also we traveled in the jungle and stayed in Las Esmeraldas for about a week too. I tell you that was the time of my life! I wonder if you ever heard of the Englemann's tourist bed and breakfast type resort in Puyo, those are the folks I stayed with while working out of Puyo giving the vaccinations. So much fun was had in Puyo and the surrounding areas.
- July 31, 2014 at 10:50 AM
Ooh, I would love a chance at this book! I was also a late-comer to Austen's works and just love the period pieces now. Thank you for the interview and the new avenue to explore, Linda!
- July 31, 2014 at 5:02 PM
- Kat said...
I love the idea of this book and would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance :)
Katsaddress AT gmail. dOT com
- July 31, 2014 at 5:32 PM
- J Dawn King said...
Cheryl, my email is: email@example.com Please feel free to contact me and we can talk Andes Mountains, Mt. Tungurahua, Banos, Puyo, and Ecuador. We had some women visit us from deep in the Amazon jungle and when they saw my TV they asked if I had movies. When I asked what they wanted to watch they all said, "Mr. Darcy". They also knew about Clueless but not the book Emma. Odd, don't you think? How did indigenous women from the Amazon jungle know about Jane Austen? Something to ponder.
- July 31, 2014 at 5:48 PM
- J Dawn King said...
Shawna, there are so many variations, alternate paths, prequels, and sequels for not only Pride and Prejudice, but the other Jane Austen books as well. It is a growing, blossoming genre that has a global audience. They are so fun to read. Some are not for young ones or prudes like me. But they all tend to make you fall in love with the characters over and over again. Sigh! Best of wishes on the giveaway.
- July 31, 2014 at 5:50 PM
- J Dawn King said...
Kat, one of the first women that I met here in Ecuador was named Kat. I never knew what it was short for. She's moved back to the US for health reasons but she was just lovely. I sure do hope you get a chance to read my book and that you snoop around and check out others as well.
Isn't Linda a gracious hostess? I love the variety that her blog offers, not just in her own writing but in that of others as well. It truly is a wonderful community.
- July 31, 2014 at 5:52 PM
Good interview...even like the cover of your novel!
- August 1, 2014 at 5:40 PM
- Deborah Ann said...
I would love to meet you for a cup of tea & chat when you are next in NYC. Just fill me in & I'll pencil you in. :-)
- August 1, 2014 at 9:39 PM
- Mary Preston said...
I love anything P&P related. I love this alternate story-line. (Lots of love!!)
- August 2, 2014 at 2:38 AM
- J Dawn King said...
Shirley, thank you so much for the compliment. My husband and I scrambled to get the cover done so that I could publish. Now that I have the next book coming out - most likely in October (Mr. Bingley) I am having them re-designed. We definitely are not professionals in the design department and deeply appreciate clip art.
I hope you get a chance to read my book. Thanks for stopping by.
- August 2, 2014 at 5:36 AM
- J Dawn King said...
Deborah Ann, it's a deal and not beyond the realm of possibility though not in 2014. Too much going on as you know.
Thank you so much for popping by and hope you are getting a fantastic start to your August activities. My husband and I both have nasty colds but are planning to hit all that needs done hard and play catch-up. Such is life!!!
- August 2, 2014 at 5:38 AM
- J Dawn King said...
There's a whole bunch of us that love Pride and Prejudice too and can't seem to get enough of it. There is always something new and intriguing being published that keeps us in love with Darcy and Elizabeth. Best wishes for the giveaway and thanks for stopping by.
- August 2, 2014 at 5:40 AM
- J Dawn King said...
Mary, I'm sorry, that last comment was for you and I was so excited that I hit "publish" before I was truly ready. Lots of love right back to you, my lady.
- August 2, 2014 at 5:41 AM
Interesting premise
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
- August 3, 2014 at 3:27 PM
- J Dawn King said...
bn100 - thank you for popping by and leaving a comment. It was interesting to me too. I hope you get a chance to read A Father's Sins soon.
- August 4, 2014 at 4:38 AM
- Linda Weaver Clarke said...
Joy Dawn King said that if one winner is good - seven would be great. So she will be choosing seven winners for this wonderful ebook.
- August 6, 2014 at 12:06 PM
- Shirley Strait said...
What a wonderful premise for a book. It sounds very interesting.
Thank you for the interview and for the chance to win a copy of the book.
- August 6, 2014 at 5:20 PM
- J Dawn King said...
Thank you again, Linda for the invitation to be on your blog.
Winners!!! If one is good and seven is great - then having everyone who commented win is the best.
Emails will be sent out today asking for your format preference. You can chose:
1) Kindle book
2) pdf ebook
3) audio book
Please reply to my email so that I can confirm your correct email address. Also, please post a review after you are finished reading "A Father's Sins" on either Amazon.com and/or Goodreads.com.
Thank you so much for your participation.
- August 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM


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In Electing Judges, James L. Gibson responds to the growing chorus of critics who fear that the politics of running for office undermine judicial independence and even the rule of law. While many people have opinions on the topic, few have supported them with actual empirical evidence. Gibson rectifies this situation, offering the most systematic and comprehensive study to date of the impact of campaigns on public perceptions of fairness, impartiality, and the legitimacy of elected state courts—and his findings are both counter-intuitive and controversial.
Gibson finds that ordinary Americans do not conclude from campaign promises that judges are incapable of making impartial decisions. Instead, he shows, they understand the process of deciding cases to be an exercise in policy making, rather than of simply applying laws to individual cases—and consequently think it's important for candidates to reveal where they stand on important issues. Negative advertising also turns out to have a limited effect on perceptions of judicial legitimacy, though the same cannot be said for widely hated campaign contributions.
In what is the most surprising finding of the book's analysis, Gibson argues persuasively that elections are ultimately beneficial in boosting the institutional legitimacy of courts, despite the negative effects of some campaign activities. This is because judicial elections, ipso facto, boost the legitimacy of courts—and do so to a degree that overpowers whatever negative reactions citizens have to campaign actions. Thus, the net effect, Gibson argues, of electing judges is to inject states courts with enhanced institutional legitimacy.


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July 21, 2016Permalink Leave a comment
Below is a link to the new West Berkshire #47 bus service that replaces the existing GoRide #90 bus service. The service is a Mon – Sat return bus service on the following route: Swindon -> GW Hospital -> Wanborough -> Bishopstone -> Ashbury -> Lambourn. The timetable is different to the old #90 service so please plan your journeys accordingly.
The new #47 timetable can be found by clicking …here….


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Blood Pressure Tracker - Log, Chart, and Share Blood Pressure Records With Your Doctor. FREE Desktop PC version.
The winner of multiple prestigious awards, this software celebrates seven years from the first version. This tracker helps manage high blood pressure to over 100,000 users.
Measuring your blood pressure can help you and your doctor prevent or control hypertension and its many complications. Blood pressure readings in the doctor's office may be higher than at other times. The use of home blood pressure monitors can more accurately measure one's overall, or average, blood pressure level.
We suggest that persons over age of 40 begin keeping a daily log of their blood pressure readings. Measuring your own pressure is neither expensive nor difficult. It's a good idea to take readings at different times of day, in case there is a difference between morning and evening values. The Blood Pressure Tracker simplifies blood pressure and heart rate data logging. The software automatically saves systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and time of measurement. In addition to being a convenient data logger the software is also a valuable tool for blood pressure longitudinal trends analysis. This longitudinal analysis may help you and your doctor decide on the best medicine and help adjust daily drug dosage.
* You do not need to uninstall the trial version, the full version will overwrite the trial software. The data input during trial period will not be affected.
Compatibility and Synchronization between Mobile Device and Desktop PC
RIM Blackberry:
Pocket PC / Windows Mobile with touch screen:
Palm OS:
Windows Mobile Smartphone without touch screen:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good blood pressure values?
2. When should
I measure my blood pressure?
Blood pressure readings vary throughout the day. Blood pressure is usually highest in the morning, is lower in the evening, and is lowest during the night when your are asleep.
3. What is the
best position to measure blood pressure?
4. How can I reduce
my blood pressure?
5. Can I use meditation
and acupressure in addition to my medications?
6. Is it possible to keep the readings of 2 different people
on the same device?
7. Currently I monitor my BP up to 4 times daily. How can I display
all measurement of the graph, not just the average daily value?
8. Desktop version only: Vista 64-bit on some PCs requests flash.ocx
to run this software
9. Desktop version only: Vista 64-bit. The program will partially load, but when I try to input data, the program stops working (both trial and the full version).
10. I have just changed computers. I would like to continue using my Tracker that I have used since 2006.
11. How to print the data from a desktop PC?
12. How to print the data from a Smartphone?
13. Desktop version only: I have the operating system (OS) installed on C: drive but I have all my data files (pictures, music, video, etc) on my D: drive. That way if I have to re-install the OS, all my data is not't lost. Can I store the tracker data on D: drive?
14. Can I backup the tracker data?
15. How do I change the Graph range?
16. When I go to the print command to print the last month's records I get the error: "Cannot find the ... _Print.txt file".
17. What is the difference between the full and the FREE version of the Desktop tracker?
18. My data in the Calendar View & the Graph View disappeared suddenly, but the raw data is still present?
19. The date in the Calendar View is incorrect
20. Where does the Tracker software store the data files?
Good product!
First Class Data Collection Package for Hypertensives!
Logging data into Pocket PC is much cleaner!
Desktop PC Screen Shots:
Pocket PC Screen Shots
BlackBerry Screen Shots
Palm Screen Shots
Smartphone Screen Shots
Contact Information:
"Very Good product!"
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Steve Hoffman
Modern Postcard
Steve Hoffman started The Iris Group in 1976 when he discovered a niche in the real estate industry - providing high quality photography of properties on the market. Steve soon moved on to developing brochures for his clients, and within six months of starting his brochure venture, moved his growing business from his apartment into a 1,200 square foot building in San Diego. Steve launched a line of postcard products that offered small runs of high quality cards at an affordable price. The success of this niche product led to a repositioning of the company and a new name - Modern Postcard. Through the years, Modern Postcard has helped over 250,000 clients grow their businesses, making us the industry leader in postcard products and solutions.


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Kansas sees decline in voter registrations on hold
After months of increases, Kansas saw a sharp drop over the past week in the number of prospective voters whose registrations were on hold for failing to present proof of their U.S. citizenship to election officials.
Registrations on hold peaked at about 18,500 on Monday, according to thesecretary of state
's office. After the stateDepartment of Revenue
forwarded to election officials information regarding 6,000 people who'd presented one of several required documents when obtaining or renewing a driver's license, the number had fallen Friday to fewer than 17,200 – a decline of about 7 percent.
The department still is combing through its records and expects to provide information about more Kansans to election officials, doing what it can to help without impeding the processing of driver's licenses, spokeswoman Jeanine Koranda said.
People whose registrations are on hold can't legally cast ballots, and the growing numbers had led to criticism that the proof-of-citizenship law was disenfranchising voters and creating administrative headaches for county election officials. Shrinking the list allows more people to vote.
"It just shows that thinking creatively and working with other agencies cooperatively, we can help people finish their registrations," said Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican and the architect of the proof-of-citizenship law. "We expect the decline to continue."
A state law that took effect in January requires new voters to present citizenship papers – a birth certificate, passport or other documents – to election officials when registering to vote. If they don't, election officials accept the applications but put registrations on hold. If those people go to the polls, their ballots are not counted.
Kobach championed the law as a way to prevent fraudulent voting by noncitizens, particularly immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. His office has said at least 15 noncitizens were registered to vote at the end of 2012, and Sedgwick County has reported the case of an unnamed person on the "suspense" list who confirmed not being a citizen when contacted.
Critics contend the law suppresses turnout far out of proportion to its purported benefits.
Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, the state's leading gay-rights group and one of several organizations considering a federal lawsuit over the proof-of-citizenship measure, said the voters helped by the Department of Revenue's information still may have been disenfranchised during special local elections this fall.
"This whole thing's all messed up," said Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita, the ranking Democrat on the House Elections Committee. He said he'd like to see the Legislature re-examine the policy during the 2014 session.
The Lawrence Journal-World first reported the Department of Revenue's move last week. Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew, a Democrat, said his office had received information Monday on 447 prospective voters and was able to take 100 registrations off hold.
"We're glad to get something that helps," he said.
Kansas requires anyone obtaining new driver's licenses to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship, in line with a 2005 federal anti-terrorism law designed to make state licenses more secure. Kobach has argued the federal policy boosts registrations among people who have little interest in elections.
"Realistically, we have to recognize that there are some people whose registrations are incomplete because they have no intention of voting," he said.
But since the federal government is no longer pushing states to go farther, the Department of Revenue dropped plans to require people renewing driver's licenses to produce citizenship papers. It is, however, allowing people to voluntarily produce citizenship papers when renewing licenses, and plans to create a special license with a gold star for those drivers.
Many lawmakers expected upon enacting the proof-of-citizenship rule that the Department of Revenue would share information with election officials. And the department has changed its protocol for handling voter registrations, so workers ask up front whether people have citizenship documents.
"This is just the next step," Koranda said of the department combing its records to help election officials.


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Writing Samples
Get To know Your UNIX Server
Technical Articles
Tutorial on Figuring out your server: Scenario/Goals
Tech Articles
Find Name/OS
This tutorial has examples for four versions of UNIX: Linux, Oracle's Solaris, Apple's Macintosh OS X and IBM's AIX
Tutorial scenario
You are logged into a UNIX server. You know nothing about the server, not the version of the operating system, not its hardware configuration, not even if it is used to run your application. There might be documentation with information on this server. But, you would prefer to find out as much as you can by running various commands. Or perhaps you want to check the documentation.
This tutorial gives examples for four versions of UNIX: Linux, Oracle's Solaris, Apple's Macintosh OS X and IBM's AIX.
Your Inventory Document
Every organization has some sort of inventory documentation. These will vary from simple spreadsheets to elaborate databases with web-based interfaces. The decision about which data is
worth gathering and storing will also vary from organization to organization. Here is a list of items you may include on your inventory document. This tutorial will show how to determine each of these pieces of information.
FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name)
IP address
Default router
MAC address, primary interface
Secondary IP address, if applicable
Secondary MAC address, if applicable
Name service order
Operating system
OS release level
OS version
Machine hardware class
Processor type
Hardware implementation, if applicable
Number of CPU
CPU type
CPU clock speed
Total memory
Suggestions for Future Learning
This tutorial is an excerpt from
UNIX For Application Support Staff
Chapter 1: A Sense of Where You Are.
Tech Articles
Find Name/OS
Tutorial Contents
What is my
Server's Operating System and Name
Name Services
Name Service queries
with DNS and NIS
IP Addresses
What Is My Server's
Hardware Information
: CPU and Memory
Environmental Variables
: Your Configuration
Files, Directories and Storage
Disk Usage
and Listing Directory Contents
Who Else
is Logged in?
What is This Computer Up To


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Gorgeous Garden Destination Weddings In The Dominican Republic From $1609
Looking to plan beautiful, picture-perfect nuptials with hardly the bat of an eye? Cast a glance at the Dominican Republic for your celebration. With its stunning beaches, gorgeous weather, short flight times from many of Canadaa��s largest cities and an abundance of resorts to choose from, the Dominican Republic is perfect for Canadians on the hunt for an idyllic destination wedding.
BA?varo is one of the fastest growing towns in the Dominican Republic and has all the amenities of home, including hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, spas, banks and pharmacies. Ita��s simple to get around to the different attractions and restaurants, with easily accessible taxis, scooter taxis and buses.
The best time to go
The best time to plan a wedding in the Dominican is from March to May, just after the a�?peak seasona�� tourist rush ends. Luckily, the weather is warm year-round, with average highs around 27 degrees Celsius.
The flight
Playa BA?varo is a short 20-minute drive from the Punta Cana International Airport. Air Transat offers daily direct flights in the fall and winter months from Toronto and Montreal as well as weekly flights from London and Thunder Bay, Ontario, St. Johna��s, Moncton, Fredericton, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon. The airline also flies from Ottawa, Windsor and Hamilton, Ontario twice a week, from Halifax three times per week and from Quebec City five times per week.
The legal paperwork
Marriages performed in compliance with the laws of the Dominican Republic are recognized in Canada. Prior to your trip, you should verify with the Dominican authorities that you have all of your documentation. Youa��ll need your passport, tourist card, long-form birth certificate (that includes your parenta��s names), as well as a sworn affidavit attesting to your single status (which you can get from a notary public). If you are divorced, you must also have original copies of your divorce papers and if you are widowed, you will need an original copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse. If you have legally changed your name, you must submit original documents that support the change. Prior to departure, all of these documents must be translated into Spanish, legally certified, and legalized by the Embassy or one of the consulates of the Dominican Republic in Canada. Youa��ll also need two witnesses. If your witnesses are not Dominican citizens, they must provide their entry visa or a tourist card, passports and another form of picture ID as well. Hotels can often provide witnesses if you are eloping. Note that under Dominican law, women who have recently been divorced must wait a minimum of nine months after the finalization of their divorce before they can remarry. This regulation also applies to Canadian women wishing to be married in the Dominican Republic.
The venue
The BarcelA? BA?varo Beach Resort is our top pick for a wedding in the Dominican. Located on the beachfront at BA?varo Beacha��considered to be one of the 10 best beaches in the worlda��the hotel was completely renovated in 2011. Eighty percent of its spacious rooms are located right by the beach. This 4.5-star property has over six different wedding packages to suit your needs, number of guests, tastes and budget. You can tie the knot in the presence of your friends and family under a beautiful curtained arch on the beach, with the sparkling turquoise ocean in the background. If you want a more private or more religious ceremony, you can opt for your vows to be blessed by a priest in the resorta��s chapel with its elegant and discreet surroundings. Another option is the propertya��s garden gazebo on the beach; it is exquisite and will blow your guests away (after the bride does, of course!)
The local customs
Music is a huge part of Dominican culture, particularly bachata and merengue. Get the party started by booking a local band to play your reception and practice up on your salsa moves to really impress your guests during the first dance.
The budget
All-inclusive packages at the BarcelA? Bavaro Beach with Transat start at $1609 CAD* with free weddings offered to couples that book a minimum of 105 room nights at the resort. Of course, the total cost of your wedding in paradise will entirely depend on the type of celebration you opt for, the dates you book, and the number of guests you invite. Wedding options in the Dominican range from modest to luxurious, and costs will reflect this.


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News item 2016/2/16/450
- All abandoned program download files have been moved from this site to GoogleDrive
All downloads relating to abandoned programs are down on GoogleDrive. It is no longer possible to choose to download them from DelphiDabbler.com. The affected programs are: 8 Queens Problem Solver, John Conway's Game Of Life, BoobyTrap!, Component Help Installer and SIBuilder.


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Go Bananas Halloween Costume Giveaway
Ends: Sep 30, 2015 at 3:59pm
1,000 Prizes: A Banana Costume (ARV: USD$18 / CAD$19.70 each). Limit one prize per person.
Note: Enter the sweepstakes for one entry by filling out the entry form. Upload a photo for an additional entry into the sweepstakes.
2 Comments Leave a Comment
Barbara Martin
September 12, 2015 8:25 am
September 12, 2015 8:25 am


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Postal Service floats plan to keep open rural post offices
The U.S. Postal Service floated a cost-cutting plan Wednesday that would keep open thousands of rural post offices, amid concerns about widespread cuts and closures.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said the financially struggling agency no longer seeks to close as many as 3,700 post offices after May 15, and will instead focus on reducing full-time staff while keeping open post offices in rural areas that would have reduced hours but continued access to stamp machines and individual letter boxes.
"We've listened to our customers in rural America and we've heard them loud and clear," he said during a press conference in Washington. "We believe today's announcement will serve our customers' needs and allow us to achieve real savings to help the Postal Service return to long-term financial stability."
Among the concerns of rural residents is they lack reliable Internet service, so they must depend on letters and packages for such important items as mail-order prescription drugs.
Though no post office will close and no zip code will be retired, 13,000 rural post offices could have their hours cuts two to six hours for the agency to meets its multibillion-dollar cost-cutting goal.
Donahoe said the two-year approach includes options and will be completed September 2014 with estimated savings of a $500 million annually.
Megan Brennan, the agency's chief operating officer, said at the press conference that 39 percent of the agency revenue is generated outside post offices, particularly by customers doing business online or with retail partners.
We're "committed to rural America, but know post offices are not profitable and in financial crisis," she said.
The Postal Service intends to seek regulatory approval and get community input, a process that could take several months. The new strategy would then be implemented over two years and completed in September 2014, saving an estimated half billion dollars annually.
Under the new plan, communities would be given the option of keeping their area post offices open, but at reduced hours. Another option would be to close a postal office in one area while keeping a nearby one open full-time. Communities also could opt for alternatives, including creating a Village Post Office in which postal services are offered in libraries, government offices or local stores such as a Wal-Mart, Walgreens or Office Depot.
The latest move comes as the Postal Service is making a broad push for Congress to pass legislation this summer that would allow the agency to move forward on its multibillion-dollar cost-cutting plan, which includes an end to Saturday mail delivery.
Due to rural opposition, the Senate this month passed a bill that would in part impose a one-year moratorium on shuttering rural post offices and place additional restrictions afterward, a move that the Postal Service later denounced as "totally inappropriate" because it kept unneeded facilities open.
In the House, hesitancy among rural lawmakers is helping to stall a separate bill that would allow for far more aggressive postal cuts.
Most of the 3,700 post offices that had been under review for possible closing had been in rural areas with low volumes of business, with as many as 3,000 only having two hours of business a day, though open longer. The agency now operates more than 31,000 retail outlets around the country.
Post office officials expect to save more money with the new plan, mostly by weeding out full-time postmasters who don't have labor contract protections and replacing them with part-time workers. The agency plans to offer buyouts for the nation's more than 21,000 postmasters, noting that more than 80 percent of its postal costs in rural areas are labor related.
The Postal Service has been grappling with losses as first-class mail volume declines and more people switch to the Internet to send messages and pay bills. The agency has forecast a record $14.1 billion loss by the end of this year; without changes, it said, annual losses will exceed $21 billion by 2016.
It also is pushing Congress to pass legislation by early summer. If the House fails to act soon, postal officials say, they will face a cash crunch in August and September, when the agency must pay more than $11 billion to the U.S. Treasury to prefund future retiree health benefits. Already $13 billion in debt, the health payment obligation will force the mail agency to run up against its $15 billion debt ceiling, causing it to default on the payments.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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The Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science offers exciting opportunities for research in a variety of areas in ecology. These include animal behaviour, evolutionary biology and sociobiology, community and habitat ecology, molecular genetics and conservation biology, large mammal and forest ecology, and climate change. Research is being carried out on a number of taxa, ranging from ants to elephants, and including wasps, crickets, spiders, herpetofauna, birds and mammals. The projects range from theoretical to laboratory to field-based research with the different approaches being used in a complementary manner.
Centre for Ecological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore 560 012, INDIA
Phone:91-80-2360 0985 or 91-80-2293 2506 or 91-80-2293 2785
Fax:91-80-23601428 or 91-80-23600683or 91-80-23600085
Stay connected with us on
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The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve.
The park occupies 2,390 hectares of low-lying woodland and coastal heath, consisting of Sperm Whale Head peninsula, Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands.
Things to Do
>> Call into the park office in Loch Sport during office hours and view the information displays, exhibits and 'touch table'. >> The most popular of several picnic areas is at Point Wilson, the site of the original settlers' homestead. >> Camping is permitted at Emu Bight only, close to the shore of Lake Victoria. >> A network of walking tracks exists and the gently undulating tracks are suitable for family outings. The self guided Lake Reeve Nature Trail, featuring the Lookout Tower, is a popular short walk through several habitats with many points of interest along the way. >> Situated at the beginning of the Nature Trail, the Lookout Tower affords magnificent views of Lake Reeve and the Gippsland Lakes system. >> Many bird species can be observed throughout the park or, alternatively, from bird hides situated at Lake Killarney and on Rotamah Island.
Rotamah Island
Rotamah Island is a naturalists' bushland delight, surrounded by Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve to the north and the dunes of the Ninety Mile Beach to the south.
Rotamah Island along with Little Rotamah Island and Sperm Whale Head comprise The Lakes National Park. Rotamah Island is accessible by boat via Paynesville (six kilometres) or Loch Sport (18 kilometres).
Clearly defined tracks offer some exceptional views and bird watching opportunities. The tracks are generally sandy and gently undulating and are suitable for family outings. A small picnic area is set aside adjacent to the observatory only a short stroll from the jetty on Rotamah Island. A barbecue, toilets and picnic tables are available.
The camping area is restricted to groups who book in advance through the park office. Fireplaces, toilets and water are provided and a small fee is charged. The Rotamah Island Bird Observatory also offers good accommodation facilities as well as providing excellent reference material and educational opportunities. Fees are charged and inquiries should be directed to the wardens on (03) 5156 6398.
From past to present
Rotamah Island had a number of occupants until 1975 when it was bought by the Victorian Government. In 1978 Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands were added to The Lakes National Park. In late 1979 the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, now called Birds Australia, began leasing the island's homestead to operate as a bird observatory. Currently the observatory is involved in various research programs as well as regularly running weekend natural history courses.
Plants, animals and birds
Rotamah Island supports eucalypt and banksia woodland on its sandy soils. Much of the island is open woodland, a reminder of the grazing that occurred. The lower lying areas contain dense stands of melaleuca. The island supports populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies, possums, echidnas, wombats, reptiles and bats. Rotamah Island is also renowned for its prolific bird life and more than 190 bird species have been recorded. Commonly sighted birds include Emus, grebes, cormorants, pelicans, rosellas, robins and the graceful White-bellied Sea Eagle.
The picnic area at Point Wilson has barbecues, a day shelter, toilets, water and a jetty. The camping area at Emu Bight has a communal shelter, fireplaces, toilets and water.
The Gippsland Lakes area was once part of a large bay. Over many thousands of years sands deposited by the sea have formed a series of barriers including the Sperm Whale Head Peninsula, Little Rotamah Island and Rotamah Island. The outer barrier eventually enclosed the bay and formed the Ninety Mile Beach. These barriers are up to 38 metres high and enclose the waters that make the Gippsland Lakes.
Aborigines of the Kurnai nation were numerous in the area at the time of European arrival as can be seen by the many shell middens in the sand dunes along the Ninety Mile Beach. The abundant wildlife and mild climate of the Gippsland Lakes provided plenty of food making it an ideal area to inhabit.
In the summer of 1840 explorer Angus McMillan reached the shores of Lake Victoria and soon after cattle runs were taken up in the district. During this period much of the area now covered by park was cleared and cultivated for grazing.
Through the efforts of Mr F.W.C Barton and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, 1,451 hectares on the Sperm Whale Head peninsula was reserved in 1927 for the purposes of a national park and proclaimed The Lakes National Park in 1956. Rotamah Island and Little Rotamah Island were added to the park in 1978. Natural bushland has since regenerated and much of the wildlife has returned to the area.
More than 190 species of birds have been recorded in the park including the rare White Bellied Sea Eagle and the endangered Little Tern. The park also supports a large population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies. Brush-tailed Possums and Ring-tailed Possums are also common. Less common mammals include Sugar Gliders, Pygmy Possums and the endangered New Holland Mouse. The rare Large-footed Myotis is one of eleven bat species also found within the park.
Eucalypt and banksia woodland are widespread on the sandy soils throughout the park. Areas of coastal heath are interspersed with swampy, low-lying areas that support salt marsh vegetation. From August to November, the park is at its best with a spectacular show of wildflowers and one of the best displays of native orchids in Australia.
Several rare plant species occur including Ribbed Thryptomene (Thryptomene micrantha) which, apart from this area, is found only in Tasmania and the York and Eyre Peninsulas in South Australia.
Looking After the Park
Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided and not at all on days of Total Fire Ban. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving and are not permitted on the Ninety Mile Beach. Dogs, cats, generators and firearms are not permitted.
All native plants and animals in the park are protected by law.
Take your rubbish with you.
Many kangaroos and birds frequent the picnic areas but please do not feed them because our processed foods are not part of their normal diet.
How to Get There
The Lakes National Park is in East Gippsland about 300 km east of Melbourne. The park is located at the eastern end of the township of Loch Sport, 63 km east of Sale. Boat access is possible from Paynesville (5 km). Point Wilson and Emu Bight
Point Wilson can be accessed by vehicle or boat. Paths to the picnic area are flat and clear of obstacles. There are no access aids on the jetty. Emu Bight has good camping and picnic areas, but little shelter. The site has a loose, uneven, sandy surface, characteristic of the area, and some obstacles. Toilets at both sites are standard facilities, accessed via steps.
Nearby Parks
>> Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park >> Holey Plains State Park >> Nyerimilang Heritage Park >> Sale Common State Game Refuge
Guided Activities
1. Birdwatching2. Bushwalking3. Canoeing / Kayaking4. Fishing5. Four Wheel Drive Tours6. Mountain Bike Riding7. Rafting8. Surfing/Surf Education9. Trail Bike Tours
Lamington National Park
Bald Rock National Park
Twelve Apostles