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Welcome to Sierra Wave Media. Check out the latest local news, photos and television news, updated daily. Watch TV3 to see the evening Eastern Sierra News with Bob Todd plus local weather and sports at 6pm, 7:30pm and 11:00pm Monday through Friday on Suddenlink cable channel 3 from Independence to June Lake and also from broadcast channel 33 in Bishop. You can also watch current and past Eastern Sierra News broadcasts on YouTube
For radio news, tune in to KSRW 92.5FM in the Owens Valley and Mammoth Lakes, 96.5FM in the areas of Bridgeport, Lee Vining and Crowley. Eastern Sierra News with Bob Todd airs at 7am, 8am, 12pm and 5pm Monday through Friday. Bob Todd also delivers local weather, sports, and scintillating talk weekday mornings from 6am to 11am.
Watch Outside Television shows on TV3—the best in ski, snowboard and outdoor sports video.
1280 N. Main St. Suite J
Bishop, CA 93514


text: Keyes Honda in Van Nuys is proud to offer our customers a wide variety of exceptional Honda vehicle styles. When it comes to family-friendly vehicles, both sedans and SUVs have their pros and cons. People tend to like the sticker price and fuel efficiency of a sedan, but want the performance and room an SUV has to offer. Luckily, there's a way to have the best of both worlds in a crossover. 2017 Honda CR-V With room for five and stellar fuel efficiency ratings, the 2017 Honda CR-V is a popular choice among families. The fold-flat 60/40 split rear seats allow for multiple cargo configurations and the available power tailgate make loading a breeze. Add Honda Sensing™, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and more, to the mix and you've got an impressive ride. 2017 Honda Pilot The 2017 Honda Pilot has room for up to eight, making it a perfect fit for larger families. The 3.5L, V-6 Engine packs a horsepower of 280 and comes with leather-trimmed seating and Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control that make this a comfortable way to travel. The second and third row seats split 60/40 to offer up to 109 cubic feet of cargo space. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation SystemTM and Multi-Angle Rearview Camera are other features to love. Stop by for a test drive and check out our pre-owned Honda inventory while you're here! 2017 Honda HR-V With available All-Wheel Drive, the 2017 Honda HR-V gets you where you need to go with increased safety. You'll love The Magic Seat ®, which allows various seat configurations to allow up to 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Vehicle Stability AssistTM with Traction Control gets you to your destination safely, along with the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera. Get in touch to learn more about Honda vehicles for sale. There's much more to love about these Honda crossovers, so come into Keyes Honda today and see everything they have to offer. When you're looking for the latest Honda cars near Los Angeles, we're the perfect dealership for the job!

subset: commoncrawl


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- Web Design
- >
- Business Start-Up Package
Business Start-Up Package
There's a lot to consider when starting or running your business so, if you're a new business looking for web design services for the first time or maybe you're a business that already has a website but would like to refresh your branding, our all inclusive Business Start Up Package would be ideal.
5 Page Website
Your website will include the following:
Hosting Includes:
Hosting will be required once the website is ready. The cost of hosting is £7.95/month.
- Built on Wordpess
- Highly professional website, fully branded to your business
- Responsive/Mobile-optimised version of this website when someone visits from a mobile device
- Social network integration (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn).
- .co.uk, .me.uk or .org.uk web domain (which we automatically re-register as part of our hosting packages below)
- Submission of your website to Google, Yahoo and Bing.
- FREE edits for 1 month after publication
Hosting Includes:
- Unlimited storage & bandwidth for great website performance
- Full Contact Management System (CMS) which allows you to quickly and easily modify your website
- Future web domain renewals (if domain is registered by us)
Hosting will be required once the website is ready. The cost of hosting is £7.95/month.
Professional Logo Design
- Full consultation of your requirements and initial ideas for the direction
- Proofs of initial ideas produced in the Adobe Creative Suite
- The opportunity to give your feedback and thoughts, prior to final amendments
- Your final logo provided in a range of file formats (jpg, GIF, PDF, EPS) so that you are ready for all media requirements with no fuss.
- Your logo provided both in full colour and greyscale where applicable.
- The advice, knowledge and designs of a branding specialist who has worked in the industry for 8 years, completing briefs for a range of local, national and international clients.
Business Cards
- We will provide you with 500 professional business cards as part of our Business Start Up package so that you can make that right impression when you meet with potential customers.
- The cards will be high quality 450gsm cards with a silk finish.
- Perfect for your to show off your new business branding and start to grow your business.


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Hiking and trekking
Walking around Lake Como is a wonderful experience that lets you keep in contact with nature. The hills surrounding the lake offer a lot of places for hiking and trekking, from easy walks for families to challenging trails for skilled hikers. The Greenway del Lago and the Spina Verde paths are suitable for anyone. But if you're looking for adventure, just be patient: descriptions of more challenging trails are coming soon.
During your walks around Lake Como, you will have the opportunity to relax and taste some traditional food within the refuges or inns strategically placed along your way. If you prefer to be guided by a professional mountain guide, feel free to contact the mountain communities that rule the area of your interest. Finally, before starting your hike in Lake Como, keep in mind the following rules:
- Do not leave without getting information about the state of the routes
- Wear clothes that are appropriate to the type of path
- Plan your walk, in order to avoid unpleasant situations
- Get a map of the path that clearly shows references for orientation
Get the most out of your stay, wear some comfortable shoes, and… start your adventure!


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The issue isn't that I have nothing to write about. The issue is I have too much to write about.
Since September I have taking part of this amazing program call NH Leadership. Its a 7 session series from September to April to provide information and build leaders in the disability community.
I plan to write about a lot of the topics but wanted to share a few things.
1. Our society still has so much work to do to not only accept people with disabilities but to see them as full members of society.
2. Any child with the given proper supports can be fully included in the regular classroom.
3. Mainstreaming and Inclusion are siblings they are not the same thing.
4. You don't speak up how can you expect someone else will.
5. Every child deserves high expectations.
|Its not Abby's disability that hold her back its how society views her disability that's the problem.


text: Visit the Alumni Association tables 09/23/2015 The Bedford High School Alumni Association will have representitives and officers at tables stationed at the Mule Mingle tent and inside the Community Stadium on Friday during the festivities. On Saturday, stop by the High School Media Center during the Tour to see the Alumni Association station and view some of the old yearbooks from 1965 to 2014, the Community Stadium Model, and other memorabilia from days past. Be sure to sign up as an Alumni Association Member (no cost), to ensure you


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Pet Memberships Now Available!
That's right, we're now offering YWCA Pet Membership!
We all know what a big part our pets play in our lives- now your pet can play a big part in someone else's by supporting the Y.
Pet membership is only $15- you'll receive $20 off your first purchase from our buddies at Pet Circle and be in the running for a $50 Pet-E-Cash voucher at Best Friends pet care. We're ALSO planning some super-special pet activity days this year, and we'll pick one fur baby to feature in our monthly news letter and social media so get those cute pictures ready!
Scoot on over to our memberships section- fill in your animal's name and address and select "Pet" for membership type. Thanks for supporting the Y and stay tuned for futher animal-related announcements!


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Ecotourism Australia has teamed up with our friends from Metropolitan
Touring to offer an amazing online travel experience in Ecuador, South America via an Online Auction.
Unique Adventure in Ecuador, South America: Mashpi Lodge & The Galapagos Islands
This is a unique and a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Ecuador in South America. Stay for 3 days & 2 nights at Mashpi Lodge, located in the most biodiverse cloud forest in the tropics, and top off your wildlife adventure with a 6 days & 5 nights expedition cruise in the amazing Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Number of passengers applicable for the prize: 2 guests
Expiry and validity dates: 12 December 2013 (end of trip). Excludes Easter, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. All departures are subject to space availability.
Location of prize: Country: ECUADOR: Locations (2): Mashpi Lodge Cloud Forest and The Galapagos Islands
*Please note flights and transfers are not included.
Funds from this auctions will be used to support Ecotourism Australia for growing and promoting ecotourism and assisting tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.


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Nasty ass teens: It was enough talk. You better be worth it. Stop him from taking me already burst.
Oh, God, Klaus, I had to interrupt him; My penis has grown, he said, Believe me, the feeling of your childhood in me will drive you wild
straight jocks , But you're so young, I'm sure the experience will be much better. No, my son, but I believe that the principles are similar.
I asked him curiously. Have you ever been with a man? , hentai boys having sex . But you have not experienced anything like it. It seems we both go to something new here.


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Realization of what we have
I love my life. I can't say it any other way, it's just the truth. Every day I wake up and I'm blessed with what and who I have around me. I live in a good country, I have a beautiful wife and a great daughter. Although I would prefer to have the freedom to do what I want I like my job. I have a family that helps each other out and I have great friends. Last week-end it was the first week-end of this year with great weather and I enjoyed some nice gardening in the sun. We have some beautiful forests not to far from our home and I have the freedom to go cycling on my racing bike or mountain bike. All in all, I'm just happy.
None of this can be bought with money. Well, the freedom can, but that takes a lot of time and effort before I'm there. But still, these things are the things what life is about. I wouldn't trade all the money in the world for my little girl and what does money mean if I don't like the rest of my life. Therefore to me, it's important to have a great balance. Balance between the small things that matter and the money that gives me the time to enjoy those small things.
Big news on the personal front
And that balance is about to be disturbed. But, before you think wrong, in is to be disturbed in a good way. A while ago I hinted about a big positive event in our personal life in this post under transportation. I believe it's time to tell you more. I did it again, I changed our finances for the worst, I made sure I have to work longer and I took on a whole lot of things to worry about in the next 40 years. In short,
I made my wife pregnant!
We expect a 2nd child this year. I know, this is the worst thing you can do looking at a financial point of view, but it's the best thing you can do when you want a great and fulfilling life. I was nervous as hell when my wife was pregnant of our daughter, I was wondering if I would become a good dad, if we would make it financially, if this wouldn't change my life for the worst etcetera. But now that my daughter turned 2 this year I can only look back with happiness. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. And now another miracle is coming our way.
Pursuit 2 Freedom
This blog is called the "Pursuit 2 Freedom" and not without a reason. Money is freedom. Especially a passive income stream gives you that freedom. But a beautiful life is Freedom as well. Freedom is different for everybody else. For me it's a balance between my finances and what I can do with my money, between the income we generate and the pleasure we have in life, between the time we have to spent to live and the time we can spent freely. Freedom is what makes you happy. For me it's spending time with my family, cycling as fast as I can for long distances, walking in the forest and working in my garden. What really makes me happy is looking at my little girl when she is trying to help me. I am cleaning the branches I just cut from the tree and she is helping me with 1 small branch in each little hand that she carries to the place where I collect all the branches. The proud look on her face that you see when she is helping is gold in life.
It makes you think and reevaluate what is important. And I believe that is good. It gives you new focus and perspective in life.
Well, I wanted to share the big news with you. This post also gives you a nice look in what I consider Freedom. Money plays an important role, but not the only one. Once, I will be completely free, but for now, I'm enjoying the journey towards that goal, I will enjoy the presence of my daughter and wife and our journey towards our second child. And whatever you do, never forget to enjoy the journey. Enjoy the pursuit!


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Ahhh... the weekend is finally here! I hope everyone is enjoying it so far!
Well, school starts next week... I know most parents are loving it but I get a little sad... it means summer fun is over... although I am looking forward to having a little more structure in the schedule.
Anyway, here are a few more graphics and also a template.... feel free to use them. Just right click and 'Save' for the graphics. For the template, just copy and paste the code below it into the 'HTML' section of 'ADD A GADGET'.
Please remember that the template is designed to work with the 'Minima' template. You can find directions for applying any of my templates here:
*Please Note: These are my own work.
Autumn Plaid
I've also included a logo, you don't have to use it but it's appreciated!
Happy Saturday, everyone!


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Check back regularly here for Builder and home improvement tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your next Builder!
Reducing unforeseen surprises
You have to be informed with regards to Builder in Galena, OH. We will ensure that you know what to expect. We take the unexpected situations from the scenario by supplying appropriate and thorough information. Start by contacting 888-459-0005 to discuss your venture. In this call, you get your concerns responded to, and we will set up a time to begin the work. We will work closely with you through the entire process, and our staff is going to appear on time and ready.
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- what we do
- Apple & MAC Repair
- Laptop Repairs
- On-Site Computer Repair
- Virus & Spyware Removal
- Computer Hookup
- Computer Setup
- Computer Tune-up
- Data Backup or Transfer
- Data Recovery
- Email Setup
- Hardware Install
- Hardware Repair
- Operating System Install
- Printer Setup
- Printer Troubleshooting
- Software Install & Setup
- Technology Consultation
- Computer Training
- Wireless Networking
what we do
We service all and any Windows OS, Mac OS, and Linux Operating Systems!
24/7 Computers Repair Services.
24/7 Computers Repair Services is proud to serve Los Angeles and surrounding communities with cost-effective, quick, and quality desktop and laptop repair services. We can quickly diagnose the source of the problem with your computer. Once the diagnosis is complete, we will present you with all of the possible repair options.
Our business caters to your needs. You can depend on us to provide the best.
Desktop Support
- Repair: We perform complete repair services, including any hardware or software issues with your laptop or desktop.
- On-Site Assistance & Repair: We come to you! We can provide you with the same great customer service and assistance that you would receive in store. Visit our Contact page or give us a call at (213) 263-2488 for a free diagnostic.
- Data Recovery: We perform data backup and recovery on hard drives, flash drives, or any other type of data storage device. We can transfer the data to hard drives, servers, flash drives, DVDs, and more.
- Hardware & Software Upgrades: Need a faster processor, more RAM, or the latest upgraded software? Let ICS upgrade your computer so that it works how you need it to!
- Networking Solutions: We can help you with networking your Desktop PC. We can provide service in any area, business or residential.
Mac Support
We support all Apple Desktops and Laptops. Some of the devices we support are: Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, Powerbook, iBook, iMac, eMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, Power Mac, Time Machine, Xserve, Xserve RAID, And many more…
Remember that our services are available on-site, for your convenience.


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Sorry but this item is currently unavailable.
Please check back at a later stage.
Legendary unseen photographs of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Barbara Pyle's intimate behind the scenes photographs from 1975 and the recording, rehearsing and touring of Born To Run have been eagerly awaited for forty years and are finally being published for the first time.
"I first saw Bruce and the E Street Band by accident .... I was blown away by their music. For the next year, I drove to as many of their gigs as I could reach.They jokingly started calling me their 'official unofficial photographer.' I was just expected to be there, and I almost always was—on my self-imposed mission to document this little known New Jersey band." ... "I had the remarkable good fortune to spend most of the last 'Born to Run' months in the studio with Bruce and the band. I became sort of a living 'good luck' charm and was asked to be there many nights. I knew I was witnessing history in the making.
Barbara captured Springsteen and the Band as they were catapulted to stardom. She is also the only photographer who has ever been given access inside the recording studio while Springsteen is working. "Photographing Bruce and the Band on their ascent to superstardom was a hobby; but after being given such access, it became a mission."
This stunning and intimate tome also marks the fortieth anniversary of Born to Run. Not to be missed.
• Legendary unseen photographs of Springsteen and the E Street Band.
• Previously unpublished.
• Some of most intimate and candid portraits of Bruce and E Street Band ever seen.
• Features behind-the-scenes photographs from the making of Born to Run and rare in-studio shots.
• Bruce and E Street Band photographed on their assent to stardom.
• A must-have for all Springsteen fans.
• Photographs by Barbara Pyle, Springsteen's "official unofficial photographer".
• Images reproduced in magnificent quality: a hallmark of R|A|P publications.
Posted by Paul Stanton on 8th Nov 2015
So said Bruce giving the game away, and who can blame him. Barbara Pyle, like Linda Eastman, would probably agree that they "lucked in" to their photo shoots from heaven but took photo's that to this day we can all look at and be thankful that they were there. About 12 months ago when faced with the prospect of buying the Born to Run album for just the 5th time, I went "Pah, no way." As per, I was wrong. A review on this very website convinced me otherwise and rightly so. Likewise, when faced with another BTR coffee table/ door stop of a book I passed. So I buy it and get the book home, open it up, go through it reading the excellent text that comes with it and of course realised that this is absolutely essential to any fan.
The facts are simple. The photos are just fabulous. You might have seen a couple before but the rest are brand new, previously unreleased, and when viewed with simple and very informative text, the effect it had on me was obvious: Put the blinkin' record on. It works big time. Two things I found out from this book are how the Time and Newsweek covers actually happened, but of most interest was a great shot of Bruce holding a cake upon which is written "Finally Oklahoma City is ready for Bruce Springsteen" Eight weeks short of the infamous Hammersmith show, he's beaming from ear to ear on account of just having got into the top ten of the US album chart. What on earth upset him so much in London? Perhaps it was the food. One super snap finds him in New Orleans, Cajun capital of the deep south and home to the Creole gastronome's nirvana. So where is Bruce dining? MCDONALDS!! God bless him."You can take the boy out of Jersey but you can't take ........."
On Nov 18th 2015, a certain road warrior buddy of mine will be in his front room playing the Hammersmith DVD. Why? because he was there that's why. But my god did it cost him. He recently found his ticket and on it was the number £1. This book is essential to all fans and unlike previous tomes is actually printed on the paper it deserves. These books frequently appear as limited editions at bank busting prices but at £30 this is superb VFM. My better and only slightly older half was I admit dismayed when I walked in with this the other day because she had pencilled it in as the perfect stocking filler. Slip this review into Santa's mailbox and see if he pops it down your chimney. When you get to the page with Roy and Clarence standing underneath the Exxon sign, I bet you go "WOW"


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"In looking for people to hire, you look for integrity, intelligence and energy. If they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." – Warren Buffett
"In looking for people to hire, you look for integrity, intelligence and energy. If they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." – Warren Buffett
Corbin joined the Parris team full-time in June 2015, after graduating from the University of Kansas with Journalism degree and a minor in Economics. He interned with Parris throughout his final year at KU, and has since contributed support to a wide range of clients, including QuikTrip, Clean Line Energy Partners, MarksNelson, The Barstow School, Tradewind Energy. Recently, Corbin has managed day-to-day media affairs for a variety of important clients, including Polsinelli, The Salvation Army and the Urban Neighborhood Initiative.
In early 2016, Corbin led a grand-opening media campaign for iFLY Indoor Skydiving, earning coverage from every major TV, newspaper and radio outlet in the Kansas City area showcasing the iFLY brand experience. He was also instrumental in executing Kansas City's inaugural Techweek in 2015, securing media attention locally, regionally and nationally.
In addition to his significant media relations experience, Corbin has helped manage several political campaign event sites with the White House Advance Team, including local visits by Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Tim Kaine and other Clinton administration staff members.
As a student at KU, Corbin held positions with the Communications department of Kansas Athletics, Kansas City ABC affiliate KMBC-TV and Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company in Irvine, Calif. He has a strong background in sports journalism, regularly publishing articles for the Wichita Eagle and The University Daily Kansan during his academic career. Corbin is a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity and actively serves on his chapter's Alumni Board of Directors.
Corbin is a native of Wichita, Kan., and currently resides in Kansas City, Mo. He's an avid golfer, and you'll often catch him working on his game when the weather permits.


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Master's Thesis Project, 2013.
Slackhive is a (fictitious) Android app for slackliners. The location-based online service enables users to find slackline spots around the globe, discover new spots and share them with others. In addition, Slackhive gives slackliners the ability to easily arrange slackline sessions with friends and foreigners. The app brings people together and encourages them to go outdoors and be active. Slackhive merges elements from social networks with the principle of crowdsourcing into an easy-to-use app with a beautiful user interface. It's the perfect tool to ensure an amazing slackline for everyone!
The concept and design of Slackhive were developed as part of my master's thesis at FH Joanneum (Austria) in 2013. I followed a user centered design approach to ensure a great user experience. I did a lot of research, including several face-to-face interviews, an online survey with over 420 slackliners around the world … and lots of practicing slacklining myself. Based on my findings, I developed the information architecture and defined the scope of the app. I then iteratively refined the concept by doing lots of sketching, wireframing, prototyping and user-testing until the result felt just right. Finally, I designed the user interface and built an interactive prototype to show how Slackhive looks and works. Check it out!
Slackhive was developed in cooperation with the company GIBBON SLACKLINES from Germany. However, the app is fictitious and not a GIBBON product!


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The Essex & Suffolk Hunt is reputed to have been started by Sir William Rowley in 1791 with a pack of hounds purchased from the Duke of York. The pack was kept in kennels at Tendring Park, Stoke by Nayland. In the mid 19th Century the kennels were moved to Stratford St Mary by Captain White. During the second World War the kennels moved to their present location at Layham but it was not until after the War that it was decided that the Essex and Suffolk sides should join up and the country has been hunted as a whole ever since.
Home | Info | Hunt Events | Point To Point | Supporters Club | Supporters Events | Gallery | Gallery2 | Contact Us | Links &
Items for Sale!
Fallen Stock Collection.
We offer a 24 hour fallen stock collection and humane destruction service within the Essex and Suffolk Hunt country.
This includes bovine up to 48 months old. For further information please ring
Sam Staniland 01473 823129 and 07340581571.
Link to
Essex and Suffolk Hunt Privacy Policy
Check out the "Hunt Events" page for the latest news


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If you are interested in a design hat with 5th edition race logo please do not hesitate and contact us. Hat is available in three sizes (S, M, L) for 250 CZK (10 EUR).
The team of MOST42INLINE organizers thank you all for coming to Most this year and wish you a decent rest of the skating season!
Thank you!
(fm) First photos from the race have been added into the section Photos.
(fm) Sunday results are here.
(fm) We are very proud to introduce our pacemakers for the main Open Vršanská uhelná marathon race:
MEN will be led to target time 1:30 by Marek Miniberger
WOMEN will be led to target time 1:40 by Magdalena Stodolova
Both are very skilled and experienced skaters that will turn the race into a joyride. Thanks a lot to you both!
(fm) Our partner, Czech roller skating association (CRSA) is going to donate a special present to the winner of the 1 000 m kids race, Hobby category. The winner of this race will get this not only lovely but also safe helmet. Thank you!
(fm) Do you like our designer hat and you are hesitating with registration? Please do not hesitate anymore, register for the main marathon race within first hundred participants and hat will be your absolutely free!
(fm) We have designed an original ceramic medal for this year 5th edition of the race edition. The medal is made by Arkadie, a company engaged in comprehensive care for the disabled.
(fm) Here we go, our winter hats have just arrived. There is still a chance for you get one free if you register for our Open Vršanská uhelná marathon.
(fm) As in the last year race edition, we have a special offer for those who register into the race early. As most of you asked for in the feedback form we have something really original for you: first 100 skaters who register for the main Open Vršanská uhelná marathon will receive a winter cap with the logo of the race for free!
(fm) The online registration is now open. You can register here.
Here is a list of enhancements for this year edition:
Races are open to all general public and for skaters licensed CRSA (Czech roller skating association).
CRSA (Czech roller skating association) Competition Rules and international rules in their latest version apply to the main race Open Vršanská uhelná marathon only.
The city of Most has taken a patronage over the event.


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My name is Kyle R. Brady.
This is my "about me" site, which links to my other accounts, sites, profiles, and properties across the rest of the internet.
If it's not linked to here, it's not real.
Currently, I'm a postgraduate student at King's College London in the Department of War Studies.
I also hold a Masters in Homeland Security from Pennsylvania State University, where I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and membership in the national honors society, with foci in security studies, public administration, and emergency management.
Previously, I graduated with Departmental Honors and membership in the national honors society from San Jose State University's undergraduate Political Science program, where I focused on both international relations and political theory; from Mission College with an Associates in Computer Information Systems; and with a high school diploma from Loyola Blakefield.
I publish academic work in the fields and sub-fields of national and homeland security, all of which is discoverable through the pages and links on this site, as well as Academia.edu.


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By: Carl Wicklander
One of the more contentious political episodes of the past week has been an ad run by a pro-Obama PAC making the claim that as CEO of Bain Capital, Mitt Romney killed a man's wife.
Of course, the ad doesn't quite say that. Regardless, Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul added to the obtuseness of the campaign by saying, "Well, if people had lived in Massachusetts they would have had health care."
If Mitt Romney was running for the good of his country and to change the status quo this would be a golden opportunity to change the narrative from Romney as a heartless corporate moneybags to Obama as a hypocrite.
Read the rest of the article at


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Industry Tracks
Preconference Seminars
Business Intelligence Reports for Exhibitors
RFID Journal is working with Lygase Consulting to provide a new type of lead-retrieval system that will provide a wealth of data regarding who visited your booth, as well as help you maximize your investment in the event.
Each exhibitor will receive complementary reports indicating:
A complete report can be purchased for $150. Each reports contains detailed data broken down into three critical categories:
Lead Analysis
Competitive Analysis
We believe these reports will help you capture additional leads and better evaluate your efforts to attract attendees at RFID Journal LIVE! 2010.
If you would like to sign up to receive these reports for just $150, or request our standard lead-retrieval devices, please fill out the Lead Retrieval Scanner Rental form, and fax it to (817) 277-7616 no later than Apr. 7. Or, you can call (817) 277-7187.
Note: We will install a 10-inch by 10-inch patch antenna in each booth. These will be covered with black cloth so they will not be visible to attendees. The antennas will emit ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) energy, but have been tested in the vicinity of passive UHF systems and do not interfere with their ability to read tags. (Keep in mind that there will be a lot of noise in the exhibit hall from all of the demos taking place in other booths that might affect your reader's performance.) Selected booths will also be equipped with a power strip, rather than a two-plug outlet, and one of the sockets will be used by the event's administration to power the lead-retrieval system. Please do not unplug this strip.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ross Holicker at (781) 455-1188, ext. 203.
Mark Roberti
RFID Journal LIVE! 2010 is produced by RFID Journal, the World's RFID Authority.
RFID Journal Network:
RFID Journal / RFID Journal Brasil / RFID Journal Espanol / Events Home Page / Europe 2014 / Energy, Mining & Construction / LIVE! Brasil 2014 / Health Care 2014
© 2017 RFID Journal, LLC.


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ROBBINS, Ill. (WLS) -- A south suburban woman and her seven children said they feared losing their home to what's known as "PIN slamming," until the I-Team got involved.
The family's tax bills doubled because county investigators say they were victims of PIN slamming. They tried to resolve the problem for two years as they feared losing their home.
Then, after some calls from the I-Team, two companies involved changed their tune.
As Demetris Kelly held up her signed, legal settlement, she said she can finally feel at home with a huge tax bill no longer hanging over her head.
"My taxes were sold for over $6,700 and I'm able to pay that with the settlement and I'm also able to pay four years going forward," Kelly said. "And I will not lose my home."
Kelly bought the Robbins home in 2014 for her and her 7 children. Six months later, Kelly found out that her property straddled two lots and therefore had two property index numbers, or "PINs."
Kelly said she then discovered that second PIN came with $6,700 in back-taxes from 2014. She would owe thousands more for other years. The Cook County Recorder of Deeds office said Kelly was a victim of PIN slamming.
"PIN slamming is when a seller specifically hides a PIN from the potential purchaser and then sells the property to them and then several months later drops the PIN on them," said Mario Reed, Cook County Recorder of Deeds.
Synergy sold Kelly the home. Reed said Synergy must have known know about the two PINs because its parent company, Midwest Bank, foreclosed on the property's previous owner.
"Ms. Kelly did everything correct in this instance. She had an attorney, she had a realtor, she did it through a title company, she had a title insurance policy," Reed said.
Kelly should have been protected by her contract with Chicago Title Insurance, so she sued. In a legal response, Chicago Title and Synergy said they had no responsibility and Kelly "cannot prove negligence or fraud."
But after calls from the I-Team, Chicago Title Insurance reopened Kelly's claim, then they and Synergy both settled for several thousands of dollars, although the settlement also contains a provision saying there is no admission of wrongdoing.
"Thanks to Mario Reed from the Recorder of Deeds and the I-Team I finally got some resolution," Kelly said.
Since reporting the Kelly family's PIN slamming problem, 17 people have contacted the I-Team saying they were PIN slammed by different sellers.
One way to limit your risk of PIN slamming is to ask your realtor and attorney about this specific risk and what they can do to prevent it, before you close.
PIN slamming victim gets settlement with help from I-Team
An ABC7 I-Team Investigation
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Travel beside the glorious Spokane Falls, where tourists and locales converge on the bustling streets of downtown Spokane. Riverfront Park is a brilliantly maintained park, hosting a great mixture of nature and man-made art in one location. You'll pass by plenty of opportunities to view the natural surroundings, as well as take part in various forms of entertainment—from the amazing IMAX theatre, to the Performing Arts Center. Don't forget to bring your skates, there's a skating rink that you can enjoy from fall to spring.
Another great park that is popular in Spokane is Manito Park. This one actually dwarfs Riverfront, as it is over 90 acres in size. Although lacking in entertainment venues, there are a number of great gardens to visit here—a Japanese garden, a lilac garden, a rose garden, and perennial gardens, just to name a few. Be sure to visit when everything is in full bloom, from spring to summer. They're constantly adding to the collections.
If you're looking for a more active nature experience, head on over to Centennial Trail. Open for bikers and hikers, this trail runs over 37 miles long and takes you from Washington, into Idaho, and back to Washington again. You'll pass through downtown Spokane via the Riverfront Park, which makes this a convenient trail for tourists who want to hit multiple locations on their checklist, while still enjoying the views of Spokane River and all the trappings that go with along the way.
Built in 1931, this art deco-style theater has impressed audiences with its amazing interior design, art pieces, and acoustics for decades. It holds 2,300 people in a comfortable air conditioned seating, where guests are greeted with a magnificent depiction of a sky roof with nature encroaching with vegetation. It has to be seen to fully appreciate the grandeur of it all. Its charm and uniqueness has earned it a much needed renovation ten years ago, and will be enjoyed for many more decades to come.
As mentioned previously, the best way to enjoy a combination of the sights and sounds of downtown Spoke is beside the river along the Riverfront Park, but if you'd just like to stick to the indoors attractions, then there is plenty to see and do downtown, of course. There are numerous award-winning hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. You really can't go wrong with whichever one you choose. Just plan ahead, as downtown prices are going to be expensive.
If you're a museum buff, then you can't miss this member of the Smithsonian family. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture houses the country's biggest collection of Northern Plateau Indian pieces. Not only that, the museum building itself is surrounded by history, with Spoke's oldest houses of Browne's Addition neighborhood.
Come to pray or come just to admire the architectural marvel known as St. John's Cathedral. Famous around the world among Catholics, this church was erected in 1929, after three churches where combined to form its final structure in 1954. Don't miss the infamous organ that boasts over 4,000 pipes in glorious harmony.
Not to be confused with Riverfront, this park is actually the largest one on our list, and in the entire state, for that matter. You'll find plenty of park activities going on here on any day of the week, as well as fishing, kayaking, and nature trails to take part in with a tour guide, if you wish. Come here to relax and enjoy Spokane in its rawest form.
Spokane may not have Disney World, but what it does have are some of the best whitewater rafting in the country. If you want to see the parks and downtown from a different perspective, ROW is a great place to sign up for a ride down the river, the gorge, and of course the Spokane Falls. Don't worry, you'll be in good hands, the ride is a lot smoother than it looks!
This exclusive tourist favorite is one huge feast for the sense. You'll be surrounded by amazing greenery and flowers, your nose will pick up some great floral scents given off by the plants. Along the way through the gardens, you can relax by the Garden Springs Creek, which is a perfect place for meditation and romantic time with a loved one.


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Category Archives: Daddy
45 years ago today…
45 years ago today, my mom and dad were married in Long Beach, California. My mom was young, just 17 when they married, and my dad was 34. My dad had an Italian restaurant at the time and this was how my mom learned to be the most amazing cook ever. It would be 5 years before I was born, the first of 4 kids. The life they had, and the family they made, is the epitome of marriage. My mom took care of my dad, and my mom was my dad's whole world. She took care of him and he never failed to support his wife and children, all while sitting in a wheelchair. They loved each other deeply. It may not have always been easy, and there were certainly struggles along the way, but they stuck together through it all.
They were married 43 years when my dad passed away. They lived a lifetime together in those 43 years – 4 kids, 3 grandchildren, many moves, many businesses, and a whole lot of love. I know that Daddy is celebrating up in heaven today and looking down on my mom. And my mom is thinking very much about Daddy today and all the fun times they had over the years. Thank you Mommy and Daddy, for loving each other and taking care of each other. We have very big shoes to fill…
Happy 4th of July!!
Okay, so I'm a day late, but the night ran late with our 4th of July fun… It was really nice having a day off in the middle of the week. It messed with my brain though, and I kept thinking it was the weekend. Anyone else have that problem?
Hubby and I decided to go over to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa and throw away a little of our money for a few hours. We invited my mom along for the fun. It was a fun couple of hours. Good news is, we came home with money, only leaving about $20 there. I'm so glad my honey has will power there and doesn't keep feeding the machines. Yay honey!
After the casino, we headed home for a few hours and then went out to dinner. We originally wanted to go to The Ozona Pig, since after all it was the 4th and my dad was on our minds and we were celebrating him as well as Independence Day. Unfortunately, they were closed for the holiday, so we went to Sonny's BBQ instead. Still a great dinner… My SIL Jenna and my niece Autumn met my mom, hubby and I up there. It was a very nice dinner. It's a shame my brother Nick was working in Miami and he didn't get to join us.
After some silliness in the parking lot with hubby and Autumn, hubby went home so Blue and Ozzie wouldn't be home alone freaking out from the fireworks. They do not like loud noises. How sweet is hubby to stay home with them?
My mom, Jenna, Autumn, and I went up to Crystal Beach for sunset and fireworks. Autumn melts my heart when she refers to it as Pop Pop's Beach. She knows that was my dad's favorite place to watch the sunset and talks about him while we are there.
Autumn had so much fun playing in the sand, walking in the water (which was out REALLY far!) and then doing sparklers and watching fireworks. They didn't have an actual fireworks show, but many people brought there own. It was a lot of fun and there were so many people there. My dad would have loved seeing everyone enjoy themselves.
And we actually got lucky and any rain in the area passed through before sunset. This was our 19th sunset we've seen at Crystal Beach since my dad's crossing and not one single one has been rained out. I know my dad has something to do with that.
Here are some more of my favorite pictures from yesterday. As usual, I can't get enough of my adorable niece Autumn and can never have too many photos!
What did you do to celebrate the 4th of July?
I'd also like to wish my Nick and Jenna a very Happy Anniversary! Today is their 9th anniversary! Love you guys!
Happy Father's Day, Daddy
I can't believe another Father's Day is here, the second since we said goodbye to Daddy. It seems that time is passing so quickly. Last year on Father's Day, I bought a card for Daddy. I did the same this year. It doesn't matter that he isn't here… It is important to me that he is honored on such an important day, one that recognizes the amazing man that he was. Just because he isn't here, doesn't mean I can't thank him for everything he was – and is – to me, and for everything he did for me. It wouldn't seem right.
This morning, we went to Bay Pines VA to place flowers by Daddy's memorial. It is always overwhelming to see his name there. I believe he is everywhere, but seeing his name there always make it seem even more real that he is gone.
I've always thought that my dad was an incredible man. He was injured and in a wheelchair before he married my mom and before I was born. I never knew him any other way. The wheelchair never mattered, though, and it certainly never affected his ability to be a good father. He did everything he could to take care of his family. If anything, the wheelchair he sat in for 55 years made him work harder. I would often say that he did more from that wheelchair than many people did up on their feet. And that is the truth.
When you spend 12+ hours a day in the hospital with your dad over the last four weeks of his life (whether you realize it or not at the time), you do a lot of thinking. The 38 years and 8 months I had with him seemed much too short. I am fortunate that there were not things left unsaid and that we were very close up until the last time we spoke. If I was unable to say that, I would be even sadder. To be able to say goodbye to him and know that all was good between us was very important to me. He knew how much we all loved him. That I am sure of.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy. You may not be here with us physically, but your presence is obvious in my world every day. You always were, and still are, a great influence on me and my life. I like to think I am a strong and determined person because of both you and Mommy. You will be with us today as we celebrate as a family. I miss you every single day, and even more so on these days we would have spent together as a family. You were the best father in the whole world. I love you and miss you so very much.
I'd like to think, I'll always be Daddy's little girl…
A very proud Daddy, with Mommy, Mike, and me in 2003
Our last family portrait taken in 2007
My all-time favorite photo of Daddy and I, April 2007
18 months ago
Dear Daddy,
18 months has passed since I said goodbye to you, since I held your hand, since I kissed your cheek, and since I gave you a hug…
But not a day has passed that I haven't missed you, thought about you, or wished that I could have just one more day with you…
I can't believe that it has been 18 months since we said goodbye to you. How is that possible? The first several months were a blur, I was numb. The one-year mark seemed to arrive much too quickly. And now here we are, a year and a half later.
I still remember ever single day of the month that you spent in the hospital, as well as your last day. The sights, the sounds, the emotions, and everything in between are all still very vivid. I am lucky to still be able to hear your voice in my mind, and I feel very strongly that you are with me often.
You were taken from us much too soon and I miss you so much. I will be at Crystal Beach tonight, as I am on the 4th of every month, to watch what is sure to be a glorious sunset.
I love you, Daddy, and I miss you every single day.
It's the little things…
I went to The Fresh Market on Tuesday to pick up some Love Grown Foods Granola. I had not been there in a long time, specifically since before my dad passed away. He LOVED that store. He would go there and come home with bags of goodies and treats. I had been there with him many times and one year, we even did our shopping there before Thanksgiving dinner.
My dad was famous for buying sweets and snacks that he know I liked. I used to ask him PLEASE do not buy me that stuff because I can't NOT eat it when you do. But he just loved to do it and didn't stop. I love that he knew what I enjoyed. One thing we both liked were the Raspberry Pillow Cookies from their bakery. OH. MY. GOSH. They were so good. Soft and chewy and sweet. He would buy a box of them and we would share them, of course.
So when I stopped in for my granola and passed the display with the boxes of Raspberry Pillow Cookies, it caught me off guard and I stopped. It's funny how the smallest, silliest thing can bring a wave of emotion over me. Really? A box of cookies? It was just so my dad and I had to stop and think about it.
It's been almost a year and a half since we lost Daddy and while it's still hard and I miss him every single day, the pain is not as overwhelming as it was in the days, weeks, and months afterward. After it happened, I went around numb and cried alot. I don't think I can even explain the hurt and sadness I felt aftwerwards. And when I saw those cookies, I had a overwhelming moment of missing him. It's the little things…
So, I bought a box of the cookies. If Daddy had been there, he would have bought them for me. They taste as amazingly wonderful as I remember. I had one for me and then one for Daddy. And when I got home, since I can't seem to find my willpower at the moment, I put each cookie in a ziploc bag and put them in the freezer. If I want one, I'll have to wait for it to thaw out and it will be worth it.
I love and miss you Daddy…
Happy Birthday Daddy
Dear Daddy, today you would be 79 years old. I can't believe we have celebrated two of your birthdays without you.
So much has happened since we said goodbye. We've had some amazing family days, that I know you watched and were with us in spirit.
Mike and I adopted another Aussie last April, his name is Ozzie. He is your kind of dog – he is happiest at our side, being loved. Blue is still the wild and crazy dog you knew!
Autumn is getting so big. She is enjoying dance class and talking up a storm. She knows you are in heaven and she misses you, as we all do.
BJ and Darlene came out last summer for a week-long visit. As you can imagine, there was a lot of Scrabble playing and enjoying each other's company.
In October, Jenna walked 60 miles over 3 days for breast cancer. You would have gotten such a kick out of it, all the people walking all those miles. Jenna did a great job, you would have been as proud of her as we all were.
Mommy and Mike and I went to California last Thanksgiving and we had a great time seeing all of Mommy's family. We also drove through Long Beach and saw two of the old restaurant locations. I'm sure it's nothing like you remember. But it was also a bittersweet trip. We visited Pop Pops grave. I know how much you missed him and wanted to see him again. I know you are with him now and I can only imagine the trouble you are getting into.
You would be so proud of me, I ran my first half-marathon in February! 13.1 miles! It was SOOOO cold and windy out that day. I kept thinking how you would have been all bundled up in your scarf, but even that would not have been enough to keep you warm.
Gene and Bea just left after being here since January 3. I know they miss you too.
We go to Crystal Beach on the 4th of every month for sunset. You have given us some amazing sunsets. Each one is different and just as beautiful. There are always quite a few dogs there, running and playing. It's no wonder you enjoyed going there so much.
This weekend, we will get together as a family at Jenni's house to celebrate both her birthday and yours. Just because you are not here, does not mean we don't celebrate your birthday anymore. Your birthday is as special as ever.
I love you and I miss you every single day, Daddy. I don't know that it's any easier since we said goodbye, but remembering all the wonderful things from over the years certainly helps to keep your memory alive.
Happy Birthday Daddy. I hope you celebrate up in heaven – we will certainly be celebrating you down here.
Love you always…
Why I blog…
Since it's been over a year that started this blog, I've been thinking about the reasons that I blog. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Accountability. It's another way to be honest with myself and try and stay on top of this journey that I am on. Some days it's easy, some days it's impossibly hard.
- It's a constant in my crazy life. It's always there when I need to vent or even go back and read a post that was maybe a defining moment.
- I love to write. I wish I had more time to do it.
- To share a side of me that people may not know.
- To share things that I love, such as foods, books, products, and more.
- To document my life and the events in it.
- Motivation. When I write a post about a struggle I'm having and go back and read it days, weeks, or months later, I find it motivational to see how I overcame it.
- To vent. There are some days I just need to get something out and what better way to get it out than writing it.
- To remember. There is always something going on and we are such a big family. I like to remember special events and other things that we do or go through. Happy, sad, defining, and more. All moments are important and each one adds up to my life.
- To {hopefully} inspire others. I follow several blogs and they inspire me. I would love to know that I inspire others in the same way.
When I first started my blog, I imagined it being mostly weight-loss related, although my very first post pretty much said it could be about anything. It was also just two months after losing my dad and I knew it would be another outlet in dealing with that and it has helped. It's touched lightly on our infertily issues and is as light as posting about our crazy dogs. You can read my very first blog post here https://thiscrazylifeofmine2012.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/my-very-first-blog/
I enjoy my blog and hope that my readers enjoy it as much I do. I love it when a post inspires readers to comment and let me know their thoughts. But ultimately my blog is for ME.
Sensory Overload
For the last 15 months, I have avoided the hospital where my dad passed away. I've had to drive past it many times, although I would even try to avoid that. One time I intentionally drove through the parking lot because I was compelled to do so. I had hoped that I would not ever have to go back inside anytime soon.
Today was the day. My mom is having surgery next week and had to go in for pre-op. I went with her so she wouldn't have to go alone. My need for her to not be alone outweighed the trepidation that I felt. In fact, I am writing this as I sit in the waiting room and wait for her.
When you spend 12 hours a day or more over a month's time in a place, there are things you get used to. You learn your way around, you recognize and get to know people, you get used to the sterile smell of the halls and the rooms, the sounds, seeing patients on gurneys, and more.
Neither one of us wanted to walk in there to begin with, and I wasn't sure what I dreaded most. We had to enter near the emergency room which we knew all too well. Passing the row of parked ambulances brought back a flood of memories. But it wasn't until we walked in that I realized what would hit me the most. And it was the smell. That sterile smell that I had become accustomed to, and the smell of the soap in the bathroom. To me, sense of smell is very powerful and can be overwhelming, especially in situations like this. These might seem like trivial thoughts to have but when you relate them to the last time you saw someone, it is HUGE.
The last time we were here, we said goodbye to Daddy – and physically left him here. It is one of many thoughts I had that day. I knew it was just his body in that room when we left, and his spirit and all that we loved about him left with us and still remains with us. But at that moment, it felt like we were leaving him, and I hated that.
So to walk back into the same building today that we last saw him in 15 months ago was hard.
Next week we will ALL, I hope, be here as a family as my mom has surgery. No one is alone in this family despite fear, trepidation, and more. The hospital is a great one and everyone here is very kind and patient-oriented. All of this outweighs the bad parts of the walls, rooms, floors, and more that make up the hospital that holds the many memories of pain, loss, and grief we all felt.
I am glad I came with her today, not only to support her, but to get beyond the apprehension of going. The next time we are here, I can focus more on my mom, her surgery, and her recovery. All will be fine.
My first half-marathon!
Today was a very a special day. I will remember it for a very long time. Back on December 29, 2011, I registered for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in St. Petersburg. I was determined to do it. I walked and ran in preparation. I expected to walk most of it and run what I could.
This past week was full of anticipation. It was all I could think about. After I picked up my bib, shirt, and swag bag on Friday – I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. This was the weekend I would finally become a half-marathoner. All day yesterday, I wanted the day to pass quickly so I could go to sleep and wake up this morning. Like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting oh-so impatiently for Christmas Day.
The alarm went off at 4am this morning and I was ready to go. I showered, dressed, ate a good breakfast, got my stuff together, and we were out the door at 5:20am to beat the traffic to Tropicana Field in St. Pete. The only thing I was worried about was the weather. IT. WAS. FREEZING. With the wind chill it felt like it was in the 30's and it was windy. I was shivering all the way to my bones. I started out in 2 shirts, a jacket, and gloves.
Finally it was time. The first corral started at 7:30. I was in Corral 12 based on what I thought my finishing time would be. We had to finish in 4 hours and I projected 3:25. We started at 7:46:23 am. Within the first mile, I could not contain myself and I started running. I ran off an on through the whole race. I wasn't running to beat others or to finish by a certain time. I was just running because I could and because I was on an adrenaline high. This was the farthest mileage I'd ever put in where I was running a good portion of it. I'm not a fast runner, but I run.
Hubby received texts on his phone as I crossed certain points: 5k, 10k, 10 mile, and finish. I saw him three times during my run – right at the start, the 5k mark, and at the finish line. He took some great photos for me.
There were bands and music throughout and lots of wonderful people cheering us on, handing out water and Gatorade. It all kept me going.
By the 5k mark, I was ready to take my jacket off, as I had finally warmed up. The gloves would stay on the rest of the way.
At about the halfway point, I realized that I was really going to do this. I was going to finish this and finish it good. For me. It was very emotional experience. I cried many times during for many reasons…. This was a HUGE thing for me, it was HARD, and I was so proud of myself for taking it on, and riding out the determination of doing it as the weeks passed leading up to it. I didn't let my insecurities get in the way or focus on all the what-ifs, and my downfalls. I cried from the sheer beauty of the route, especially as we ran along the water. I cried because I knew there would be so many people who would be proud of me for accomplishing this. And I cried because I wished more than anything Daddy was here to hear all about it, to tell me how proud he was of me.
When I hit the 10-mile mark, it felt SO close. Never had 3.11 miles felt so far or so close all at once. When the route was closest to the finish line and I could here the music and people cheering, it made me want to push myself farther and harder. When I rounded the last corner in mile 12 and saw the 13 mile mark and the finish line just past that, I was in tears again. I was so close to finishing, so close to completing this goal I had set for myself.
I saw hubby just before the finish line and that made me cry more. He was there for me as he always is. He supports me and I love him dearly for it.
Crossing over the finish line was a blur. My official finish time was 3:11:33, coming in 6503 out of 7006. I was handed a medal, given a blanket, a bottle of water, and a banana. My picture was taken with my medal on. It was then that I realized I had not stopped my watch. I texted hubby to tell him I was waiting in the family area and waited. When I finally saw him, I was so excited. And then, I saw my mom and Jenna! What a surprise that was. I had just texted my mom to tell her I had finished. I had no clue they were there, even though I found out afterwards that they were standing right by hubby at the finish line. Me and my tunnel vision…
Again I was crying, overwhelmed at finishing, seeing hubby, and seeing my mom and Jenna. they had balloons, and were so proud of me. It was a moment I will not forget.
The day could not have gone more perfect. I started the race with my good friend Terrie, knowing that she was doing it in honor of two very special people as part of Team In Training. I ended the race, feeling extremely proud and strong and loved. And I was so excited to hug Terrie and enjoy the moment with her, knowing we both finished. We did it.
The afternoon was topped off perfectly with a great lunch, with Nick and Autumn joining us. I am exhausted and sore beyond belief, but it is still a wonderful thing. And tomorrow, the 13.1 decal will go on my car. Finally.
Another month, another sunset
How does the time pass so quickly? How is it that every month offers a new and glorious sunset to remember Daddy by?
The 4th of every month is spent at Crystal Beach in Palm Harbor, a favorite place of Daddy's. He loved to go and watch the sunsets, the people, and the many dogs who visited the beach. It's a small beach in a small community, no surprise he enjoyed it so.
14 months ago, on Dec. 4, 2010, our family gathered at Crystal Beach and watched the sunset hours after he passed away. Never before had a beautiful sunset held as much meaning as that day. And every month that we go up there and see another sunset, it is another reminder that Daddy is with us in many ways. Amazingly, it has not rained one single time on the 4th of each month that we have gone up there. Daddy is making sure of that.
Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven. ~John Lubbock


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REALTOR Membership
Bring the completed New REALTOR® Application (signed by your broker) AND verification of your state issued license to the WBOR Board office (to be initiated within 30 days of the license being issued). To avoid processing delays, please obtain the most current copy of the application from our WBOR Website. You are then required to complete New Member Orientation. After completion of these requirements, you are allowed to use the trademarked symbol and the term REALTOR®, attend member functions, vote in elections, and share in other member benefits. *Note: Payment of the pro-rated dues and a one-time application fee must be paid upon WBOR's receipt of the completed application. The broker is responsible for all Board related financial obligations AND Code of Ethics charges. The Non Membership agent is not allowed to use the trademarked symbol or the term REALTOR®, attend member functions, vote in any elections, or share any other member benefit. Affiliate Membership Affiliate membership is for individuals who are not actively engaged in the real estate profession, but who have an interest in the activities of the association, including access to resources, programs, services, and information. Wiregrass Board of REALTORS® is pleased to offer you the opportunity to join the association as an Affiliate Member. Your membership opens the doors to an array of membership programs and services, and a variety of marketing and networking opportunities that will put you closer to the people who use your products and services. Affiliate membership is open to qualified individuals whose firms and businesses offer goods and services used by real estate professionals and/or their clients and customers. Procedures to Join WBOR as an Affiliate Submit your completed Affiliate Application with payment to the WBOR Board office. *Note: Payment of the pro-rated dues must be paid upon WBOR's receipt of the completed application.


text: OYAP and Cherwell District Council want to know what arts activities young people want to take part in during their spare time in Bicester. The results of this survey will feed into developing a strategy for arts access for young people over the next 10-15 years as the town grows and takes on its Garden- and Healthy-Town status. A range of new activities and facilities are likely to be established as a direct result of your input.


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Yay! I am participating in a contest conducted by the 'Holland Sugar Art Show' . This contest will be held on the 21st and 22nd of May 2011 at 'Alphen aan den Rijn' in Then Netherlands. I am working with Petra Blijleven who is my guru .She has been my source of inspiration and a wonderful( and very patient) teacher. She goes by the name of Miss Pebble in the cake decorating world. A special mention to her in my 'Inspiration' section.
The theme this year is 'Fairy Tales' and I will blog our progress maybe in a new blog. I will not tell you our idea but will post pictures of the evolution of the cake. The cake is going to leave you 'confused' and hopefully will impress the judges.
One tier covered in Fondant. It is going to have some interesting characters on them .
Two more tiers 'dirty iced' with royal icing.
Wish us luck and do check back to see our progress. 🙂


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(Bloomberg)—Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has hit the reset button on its China strategy in dramatic fashion.
The world's largest retailer is making an ambitious push into e-commerce in China and aims to deliver goods from its stores around the world to Chinese consumers within hours. Shoppers in select remote villages could even see their Wal-Mart products being delivered by drones as part of a pilot project by its Chinese partner, JD.com Inc., No. 1 in the Internet Retailer 2016 China 500.
After unsuccessful efforts to scale up its own e-commerce network, Wal-Mart, No. 4 in the Internet Retailer 2016 Top 500 Guide, launched this week several new initiatives through a tie-up with JD.com, which has almost 200 million active users. With this partnership, Wal-Mart said it will now be able to deliver its goods, ranging from American vitamins to Japanese hand cream, to more than 90% of China's 1.4 billion consumers.
"There isn't another country in the world that represents the kind of retail growth opportunity that China does, given the growth rate of the market itself and the consumer demand here," CEO Doug McMillon, 50, said in an interview in Beijing. "We see opportunities to partner together to provide goods to our customers, to leverage our supply chain and their digital capabilities."
Wal-Mart has a lot riding on its new online strategy aimed at getting a bigger slice of the world's biggest e-commerce market. The retailer this month forecast that earnings will be flat the next two years while it invests in e-commerce. As it looks to China to fuel growth, cracking the Chinese online game will be more important than ever.
"They have found a clever way to leverage someone else's network to help them sell things online, and it's easier to jump on the back of JD.com," said Chan Wai-Chan, a senior partner at Oliver Wyman's Asia Pacific consumer practice. "They need to do something online to stop e-commerce from taking away their business. This is Wal-Mart's solution."
Wal-Mart shares have gained 12% so far this year in New York trading, outperforming the Bloomberg World Retail Index, which is down 1.1%. That still lags the U.S.-listed stocks of its major e-commerce competitors, Amazon.com Inc. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which have gained 21% and 28% respectively over the period.
McMillon, who took over the top role in 2014, said the initiatives will keep the company's China operations on track to contribute a quarter of its global retail growth in the next five years. That's despite sluggish sales at Wal-Mart's retail stores in China while shoppers there increasingly turn to online websites for convenience. The strategy also gives it access to new Chinese consumers in smaller cities where Wal-Mart doesn't operate stores.
"The scale of the last mile here in China is unique—the economics related to it are different," said McMillon. "We could have built this ourselves, but everything requires investment. What we are doing is being very deliberate about where we're putting our resources and being open to working with others. In today's world, there's different ways to build that ecosystem that serves customers."
To reach customers, Wal-Mart is relying on JD.com and its extensive logistics and delivery network. JD.com founder and CEO Richard Liu said the company wants to build a fully-automated delivery infrastructure that includes automated warehouses and distribution centers, self-driving delivery cars and drones.
The company is delivering products to a limited number of remote villages in southern China by drones. Villagers who order Wal-Mart and Sam's Club products could see some goods flown to them, according to JD.com spokesman Josh Gartner.
Wal-Mart operates 420 stores and Sam's Club membership outlets in the country. Wal-Mart's global online sales are $13.7 billion, according to Top500Guide.com data. About 20% of China's retail sales are online, according to Ben Hassing, senior vice president for China e-commerce. Wal-Mart, which posted $482 billion in annual sales, doesn't break out China revenue.
The initiatives include guaranteed deliveries within two hours to customers who live within a few miles of 20 Wal-Mart stores initially. The U.S. retailer will also stock a JD.com warehouse with imported products from its stores globally to capitalize on Chinese consumers' preference for overseas goods. That means such things as dried cranberries from the U.S., toothpaste from Japan and face masks from Korea available at Wal-Mart stores overseas will be available to Chinese consumers for the first time. The company plans to offer tens of thousands of items it imports from around the world to Chinese consumers within 18 months, Hassing said.
Retail challenges
The other twist: Sam's Club stores' upscale products are now available to all Chinese. A range of products from the membership store, which sells $3,000 rice cookers and $1,800 bottles of red wine, will be available for the first time to nonmembers online in China—at a 10% price premium.
Wal-Mart has struggled in China with multiple attempts to get a foothold in the market since its entry two decades ago. In 2007, it acquired Taiwanese chain Trust-Mart, though the company struggled to integrate it into its wider business. In the last few years, it's pulled back on an expansion as it closed stores in mostly second- and third-tier cities while opening new ones at a slower pace.
The new strategy follows Wal-Mart's decision to sell its Chinese e-commerce platform Yihaodian in June in exchange for a 5% stake in JD.com. The retailer had acquired full ownership in the business a year earlier, and the sale was seen by analysts as a retreat from China's e-commerce market. Instead, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company has used the relationship with the Chinese partner to grab Chinese consumers online. Earlier this month, Wal-Mart boosted its stake in JD.com to about 11%.
E-commerce competition
JD.com's Liu said that Wal-Mart's challenge with Yihaodian was that China's e-commerce landscape has two major players—Alibaba and JD.com—and not much room for the rest. "I think Wal-Mart did have success with e-commerce," Liu said in a separate interview conducted in Mandarin. "If not, we would not have given them so many shares when we acquired Yihaodian."
Liu said there is potential for the partnership to go global, especially with Wal-Mart's $3.3 billion acquisition of U.S. e-commerce start-up Jet.com in August.
"There's great potential for us to cooperate with Jet.com to develop e-commerce markets globally after we align our supply chains in China," he said.
To gain the upper hand in the retail battlefront, McMillon says the company needs to be ready with an array of tools and platforms that serve customers.
"What we're seeing is that customers want it all: They want to save money, they want to save time, they want to have access to the merchandise they're looking for and sometimes be surprised by a new item," he said. "They want to do that in stores. They want to do it on a mobile device. Some day they'll do it with a virtual reality experience. They'll get all of that."


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Source: Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, firstname.lastname@example.com
Web site: http://beach.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andrew North, 785-532-7718, email@example.com
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
MANHATTAN -- Literary and popular culture experts from Kansas State University are offering a personal tour of the "Recreating Oz in Comics" exhibition, currently on display at K-State's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
Anne Phillips, associate professor and associate head of the department of English, and Roger Adams, associate professor and rare books librarian in Hale Library's department of special collections, will offer literary, visual and scholarly analysis of the legacy of L. Frank Baum's land of Oz, at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Beach Museum.
Phillips will discuss the way that different illustrators have envisioned Baum's book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," and trace the history of Oz illustrations from William Wallace Denslow's original illustrations circa 1900, to more recent renderings by contemporary artists including Barry Moser and Lisbeth Zwerger. Adams will talk about the importance and place of graphic novels and comics in scholarly and academic research.
The Beach Museum's "Recreating Oz in Comics" exhibition is on display through Jan. 31, 2010, and features the work of Eric Shanower, artist, writer and Oz historian; and Skottie Young, Marvel Comics artist. Shanower's Oz-related works include "Adventures in Oz," a series of five graphic novels; "The Giant Garden of Oz," an illustrated children's novel; and "The Salt Sorcerer of Oz and Other Stories," a collection of short stories. In late 2008, Marvel Comics released the first issue of Shanower and Young's adaptation of Baum's original book as part of a series of classic works of literature adapted to comic form.
The exhibition also includes a selection of Oz-related comic books and graphic novels from the David J. Williams III L. Frank Baum Collection in K-State's Libraries' Morse department of special collections.
For more information, contact the Beach Museum of Art at 785-532-7718 or drop by the museum on the southeast corner of the K-State campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Free visitor parking is available next to the building. Normal museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays.


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Things to watch for as you read these chapters.
Monday, March 31, No reading
Tuesday, April 1, Chapter 8
We should not concern ourselves with the existence in both Mark and Matthew of two feeding-the-multitudes stories. Some people believe there was only one such event and that this one is a duplicate. It does not matter because the message is the same either way; Jesus feeds people. In this account, he feeds people in a non-Jewish region. His concern for people is the same whether they are Jewish or not.
A difference in the number of loaves and fish probably has no meaning. Seven is one of the numbers representing perfection, but Mark does not do anything with it. In this case, seven may mean seven.
What is more meaningful are the Greek words used my Mark in the two stories to name the baskets. In the account of the 5,000 (chapter 6), the word means the small basket people commonly kept food in, like our putting apples in a basket on the kitchen counter. In the current story, the word means the largest basket, like the one used to lower Paul over the wall in Damascus.
Moving to Dalmanutha, back in Galilee, Pharisees approach Jesus again to ask for a sign. In verse 12, Mark writes that Jesus 'sighed'. The Greek word used is never used anywhere else in the New Testament. It expresses grief and bitter disappointment. Little wonder, Jesus just fed 4,000 men; what kind of sign did they want? More importantly, he lived out every sign promised by the Scriptures; why could the Pharisees not see them?
The Pharisees and most of the people following Jesus lacked faith. They wanted the Hand of God to write a message on the mountain side, or at least speak to them from a thunderous cloud saying that Jesus is the Messiah. How often I have thought of the same thing. It would be easier to believe if God would do that for me.
Or would it? Consider how God works in the world. He always uses people to do His Will. When He sent His Son to the world, he made him human, not superman. In fact, Jesus seems to have been an average person in appearance. But he meets the needs of people. That is God at work. If I believe in God and in Jesus as the Messiah, I must spend my life helping people as best I can.
Finished with the Pharisees, again, Jesus returns to the other side of the lake. In the boat, Jesus warns his disciples to, 'watch out for the yeast.' He was speaking of how the Pharisees were always puffed up with their own importance, like bread rising from yeast. Their belief was in their own abilities to follow the Commandments of God. They knew they would be first in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is telling Peter and the gang that they must believe only in him. Otherwise, they will puff up like the Pharisees and fail to understand even the most basic message from God.
Now, putting bread back into the story, the disciples are upset because someone forgot to bring food along, so they just had one loaf of bread. I can hear them whispering, "Jude, why didn't you get some bread." "Me, Thomas was supposed to get it."
Jesus had just fed 4,000 and his own Apostles are thinking just like the Pharisees. He quotes Jeremiah 5:21 and Isaiah 6:9-10 to a lesser extent. Peter, you are still not using your faith eyes.
The message: make do with what you have.
To add punch to his words, Jesus gets out of the boat at Bethsaida and heals a blind man.
It is a different approach, perhaps because the man himself lacked faith; again, like his disciples. Whatever the reason, Jesus heals the man with mud, in stages, not all at once.
We are at the very center of the story.
Jesus spends time teaching, preaching, healing, feeding, and giving signs.
Now for the test: "Who do you say I am?" Peter has that flash of understanding. You are not any of the forerunners. You are the Messiah, the Promised One.
Jesus never claimed the rank of Messiah, much less the title of Son of God. He claimed Son of Man, a mysterious figure in the Scriptures, but one linked to the Messiah. Ezekiel used the name 90 times, but Daniel 7:13-14 is the key. Even being the Son of God, Jesus could not risk the yeast of the Pharisees. He would not use any title but the least regarded one. Yet, he accepted, with at least an inner smile, the title of Messiah on the lips of the Rock.
Now Jesus can move on to the end of the story. 'I will suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise from the grave three days later.' Now Jesus can come out with the whole story, no more parables and puzzles. He knows the Apostles do not fully understand and will not until God sends the Holy Spirit, but they understand enough for now.
Peter had such a short mountain top experience, just three verses in Mark. Jesus has to tamp down the yeast in Peter. 'Think only the things of God.' Peter is not Satan, but the Evil One is using the thinking of Peter, and probably all the other followers, to pry Jesus away from depending on God; to get him to think, even for a second, that God might not expect him to go through all that suffering. Jesus was tempted yet again.
Verses 34-38 give as concise a summary of the Gospel as you will find anywhere. The way of the cross is death to self.
Wednesday, April 2, Chapter 9
The statement in verse 1 seems to refer to Pentecost.
The fact that Peter, James, and John are the only ones to witness the transfiguration would suggest to us humans that they were slated to be the greatest leaders of the church. But, according to Acts, it did not play out that way. Jesus had a reason for selecting them as his inner-most circle; we can only guess what it was.
Mark makes a big deal of the dazzling white clothes, sounding like a Tide commercial. It is crucial though because white is always associated with God. Also, white was seldom worn in ancient days because it was so hard to clean.
Peter again tempts Jesus by suggesting the three shelters. The Greek word generally means, 'holy shrine'. Verse 6, I think, came directly from Peter to Mark. 'I was so scared, I had no idea what I was saying.'
In verse 7, the three Apostles were baptized by the Cloud of God. In verse 9, we learn that the three are to teach the others after the resurrection. They alone had a vision of eternal life.
Verse 11 shows the disciples are past thinking of Jesus as Elijah, but they then wonder why he must come first, and if so, who was he? Jesus does not answer directly, but does say he has come, meaning John the Baptizer, of course.
Jesus, Peter, James, and John walk back to the other Apostles only to find them in an argument with some rabbis while a boy sits with an evil spirit. We see at once that the disciples did not have enough faith to heal the boy and that the rabbis preferred arguing to helping.
Jesus responds by quoting Psalm 95:10. For Jesus, the frustration had to be with his disciples who had already come to understand their own faith, but now could not do something as simple as driving out an evil spirit.
The most significant verse in this story, in this chapter, perhaps in the whole Gospel, is verse 24. 'Help my unbelief.'
Dietrich Bonhoeffer had this to say on the idea of belief:
We do believe in all sorts of things, far too many things in fact. We believe in power, we believe in ourselves and in other people, we believe in humankind. We believe in our own nation and in our religious community, we believe in new ideas—but in the midst of all those things, we do not believe in the One—in God. And believing in God would take away our faith in all the other powers, make it impossible to believe in them. If you believe in God, you don't believe in anything else in this world, because you know it will all break down and pass away. But you don't need to believe in anything "else," because then you have the One who is the source of all things, in whose hands everything comes to rest.
Why can we not believe?….But the one honest answer to this questions that we basically do not want to believe….
You do not have your faith once and for all. The faith that you will confess today with all your hearts needs to be regained tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, indeed, every day anew. We receive from God only as much faith as we need for the present day. Faith is the daily bread that God gives us. You know the story about manna. This is what the children of Israel received daily in the desert. But when they tried to store it for the next day, it was rotten. This is how it is with all the gifts of God. This is how it is with faith as well. Either we receive it daily anew or it rots. One day is just long enough to preserve the faith. Every morning it is a new struggle to fight through all unbelief, faintheartedness, lack of clarity and confusion, anxiety and uncertainty, in order to arrive at faith and to wrest it from God. Every morning in your life the same prayer will be necessary: I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief.
"Why couldn't we drive it out?" The Apostles had tried and failed because they forgot one key ingredient, talk to God and ask Him to drive the demon out.
Jesus is finally able to get away from the crowds and talk with his true followers, giving them another account of what is to come.
The Apostles argue among themselves about who will sit at Jesus' right hand, so Jesus gives them a lesson in humility. Verse 35 repeats in 10:45.
When the Apostles complain that some man was taking credit for driving out demons, Jesus responds the way Moses did in Numbers 11:24-30.
The Greek word in verse 42 can refer to a child, but just as often it refers to the lowest people of society; the least among us.
A little background on Hell. In Greek, the word is 'gehenna'. In Hebrew, the word is 'geh'innom', meaning, 'valley of Hinnom, the steep valley between the Temple and the Mount of Olives. Jeremiah 7:30-8:3 describes the bodies buried there. After the return from exile, geh'innom became the preferred name for the dwelling place of Satan. The place also became the dumping ground for all dead animals, including the blood and unacceptable parts of sacrifices. If you have been to a slaughter-house or rendering plant, you have some idea of the constant smell just outside the city walls.
The very last verse of Isaiah (66:24) reads: "And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched and they will be loathsome to all mankind." This is exactly the way gehenna was described in the time of Jesus.
Do not rush to the kitchen for a knife to cut off body parts. Jesus did not mean that literally. We must give up those things to God. Only by turning our whole lives over to God can we avoid gehenna.
We will then be baptized with both the Spirit and with the salt that purifies the sacrifice. Salt and fire destroy impurities.
Thursday, April 3, Chapter 10
This is the last chapter before Jesus enters Jerusalem. Jesus teaches and closes with his last healing.
The first lesson is on divorce, though actually it was about Herod Antipas' marriage to Herodias. Remember her? John the Baptizer shouted about their immoral marriage because she had divorced Herod Philip I to marry Antipas. Oh yes, she was the daughter of Aristobulus the brother of both Antipas and Philip. No wonder John was upset.
The Pharisees generally accepted the divorce of Herodias based on Deuteronomy 24:1. The key word there is 'indecent.' Pharisees debated for centuries about what was indecent and finally agreed that a man could declare a woman indecent without listing a reason. A woman had to go to court and prove her case.
The Pharisees decide to see if they can trick Jesus into saying something against Antipas and get him killed like John. Jesus first asks them what Moses commanded in the Scriptures. Jesus could have stopped there, but he attacked Moses' words by going back to Genesis before the fall of humanity. Two people unite forever—in the perfect world. Then to his disciples he said divorce is equal to adultery.
Children come to Jesus eagerly, ready to respond to his every word. If only we could respond as easily. But notice something in Jesus' words. We have to receive the Kingdom like a child. No child can earn the Kingdom, nor can any adult. The Kingdom of God is given out of God's mercy. It is given as a blessing to those who do not deserve it.
Having told us that all we have to do to receive the Kingdom of God is accept it, the rich man comes with a practical question about getting into the Kingdom. We learn that he keeps all of what we call the interpersonal commandments, 5-10 (Ten Commandments, Exodus 20, Leviticus 19, Deuteronomy 5).
Then Jesus loves him. That is a beautiful picture. Jesus loves a man who rejects him, a man who has faith, but his unbelief overcomes him. Jesus loves the man who is so close to the right faith, but cannot give up the one thing that will keep him out of the Kingdom.
God expects total commitment.
When the disciples questioned Jesus about the teaching, he promised, starting in verse 29, three things, a family in Christ, persecutions, and eternal life.
For the third time, as they are on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus tells the followers what will happen in that city, this time with even more detail.
James and John lay claim to the right hand seat in heaven, being puffed up with the yeast of working with the Messiah. Jesus asks them if they can drink the cup (the cup of sorrow) and take the baptism of Jesus. The word bapto is the root word in Greek for baptism, and it is generally used outside the New Testament to describe being overwhelmed or submerged in debt or deep in grief over a great loss. This is much more the meaning Jesus has in mind.
When the other ten heard about the Sons of Thunder, they were ready to lay on hands. Jesus stepped in and reminded all of them that they had chosen to become slaves, not noblemen.
This healing of Bartimaeus comes in opposition to James and John. They asked Jesus to give them positions of power; Bart asked to have vision so he could look upon the Son of David (yet another name for the Messiah). We assume he walked along with the followers to Jerusalem where he went through the purification sequence to rejoin the people of God.
Friday, April 4, Chapter 11
More than 1/3 of Mark describes the last week of Jesus, even though it is just six chapters. We begin with the Triumphal Entry to the city, most likely through the Lions Gate just north of the Temple mount.
Jesus rode a colt of a donkey. Picture a man riding a gray hound and you will be close to the ridicules image of this procession. Jesus humbled himself as much as possible while still fulfilling the image of a King arriving triumphantly at his capital (Zechariah 9:9, see also Genesis 49:10-11).
The fig tree is a truly hard saying. Why would Jesus put a curse on a tree when it was months away from ripe fruit? Gregory the Great (around 600 AD) wrote, The figs which the Lord had sought were the fruit of the synagogue, which had the leaves of the law, but not the fruit of works.
Augustine adds, Did Christ really want physically to relish and consume fruit himself when he sought the fruit of this fig tree? And if he had found it there, would he then even have eaten it? Did he really want to drink water when he said to the woman of Samaria, "Give me a drink"? When he was on the cross saying "I thirst," was this really all about his physical thirst? For what does Christ hunger more than our good works? For what does Christ thirst more than our faithful response?
The fig tree represents Jerusalem, the Pharisees, the rabbis, and all that is wrong with Judaism. Now that Jesus is in the Holy City, that tree will wither and be replaced.
Jesus ruined a beautiful entrance to the city by disturbing the peace and destroying free enterprise. Jesus was trying to send a message to the Temple authorities that what they had allowed violated God's directions. The entire Temple, including the Court of Gentiles, was sacred. It was for worship only. But greed overruled worship and the entire western part of the Court of Gentiles had been turned into a market selling all manner of Temple related products, including trading common coins for those used in the Temple, at a profit, naturally.
In addition, people used the Temple courts as shortcuts because the grounds took up an area equal to twenty football fields. Instead of going around, people would walk through. That would save a considerable walk. The Pharisees came up with the rule that you could do it if you carried no more than a few pounds of items and that you stopped to pray facing in the direction of the altar.
Jesus took exception to God's home being used as a business house. We do need to concern ourselves with the question within our own church buildings, but there is one very big difference, a church is not the Temple. A church is a synagogue and the rules for synagogues allow for more freedom of use. Still, when worship is in progress, we should not interrupt with non-worship business.
By cleansing the Temple, Jesus fulfilled Malachi 3:1-5. He also quoted Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.
In verse 24, Jesus gives us the secret of real power; ask in prayer. Only when we wait for God to tell us what He wants, and we accept will it happen. Jesus used the mountain of corruption in the Temple as an example. He did a symbolic cleansing to show us that we must avoid corruption.
The authorities made another run at Jesus by asking him for his credentials. They hoped to show the people that he was either dangerous or foolish. Jesus turned it around and asked about John's creds. He knew what they wanted him to say, but he refused to give it to them. John's popularity was higher after his murder than before so the authorities could not afford to have another popular martyr on their hands. They would have to resort to lies.
Schedule change again: Chapter 12
Mark does not include many of Jesus parables. In reality, the New Testament probably has only a small fraction of the parables Jesus told. Mark selected some that fit with the preparation for crucifixion.
Jesus told parables because people find it easier to remember a good story. But also to avoid getting himself arrested too early. The parable of the tenants is a thinly veiled account of the Temple leadership, especially the High Priest. But he could not be arrested for telling a story about growing grapes.
In verse 6, Mark uses the Greek word dodi for son, a word used for kings of the line of David.
In verses 10 & 11, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, but also read Isaiah 5:1-7 and Acts 4:7-12. The Temple leaders did believe that Jesus claimed Messiahship and probably also the Son of God. That is why they plotted against him because such a claim is blasphemy.
Stones play a role in the Old Testament as symbols associated with both God and the Messiah. The prophets spoke of the Messianic stone in Soloman's Temple. They refer to other stones such as the stone of Jacob at Bethel and the Shepherd, the stone of Israel in the blessing of Jacob. Isaiah 8:14 speaks of the stumbling stone, echoed in Luke 20:18. Isaiah 9:10 speaks of rebuilding with stone. Isaiah 28:16 has the cornerstone. Ezekiel 3:9-10 has the Son of Man being made as hard as stone. Ezekiel 28:13 gives an image of the stone being a ruby or emerald.
The next section has the Pharisees and Herodians teaming up to trick Jesus. Please note that the two groups hated one another. I am sure the Pharisees stood as far away from the followers of the Herods as possible.
They hoped to force Jesus to choose one of two offensive sides: pay or not pay. Either choice would put Jesus in danger. Jesus did not take either choice; he went for the middle ground of actually getting at the truth. That is a lesson for us, there is typically a third option, or fifth or tenth.
The Sadducees were perhaps happy to see the Pharisees fail, but they still wanted to get Jesus, so they took an unusual approach. Sadducees did not worry much about theology; in fact, they were known for their lack of Scriptural knowledge. Add to the fact that most priest of the Temple were Sadducees and we end up with religious leaders who do not know their religion. What they knew was Temple worship, and they believed only Temple worship would save the people.
In this account, they pose a Pharisee-like question, but it is so sorely lacking in Scriptural understanding that Jesus does not have to pull out one of his ingenious evasions. He just calls their question seriously mistaken. 'Come back when you have actually read the Torah.'
Next in line is a scribe. Matthew tended to lump them in with the Pharisees, probably because they were well-educated and often worked with Pharisees. But they also worked with Sadducees, rabbis, bankers, butchers, and anyone else who was willing to pay to have some writing done. Remember that formal education extended to five or ten percent of the population. Few businessmen could read or write. Most rabbis learned the scriptures by hearing it.
At the time of Jesus, The Pharisees had developed a list of 613 laws and were still in the process of listing them in the order of importance. This scribe seems to have a genuine interest in what he asks, and is probably not a member of the plot against Jesus.
Jesus gave him a straight answer. The first quote is from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. It is also the first part of the Shema, the daily prayer for every Jew from Babylon to today. Every synagogue service begins with the Shema. The full Shema is Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-24; Numbers 15:37-41. No doubt, Jesus and all his disciples started every day reciting the Shema.
The second commandment is from Leviticus 19:18. Consider Paul's comments in Galatians 5:1 and Romans 13:10.
And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
With verse 35, Jesus seems to reverse the trend by asking a question that could put the religious leaders in trouble. Everyone knew that the Messiah would come to reestablish the throne of David, but they could not say that in public because it meant overthrowing the Romans who kill people for saying it publically.
The common folks are always delighted in seeing the high and mighty so afraid to respond to Jesus' puzzle. While Jesus did not explain, it is clear that David was calling the Messiah Lord and that the Messiah was greater than David.
It is amusing that Mark has Jesus comment on widows losing their homes to greedy men, and then contrasting that with the widows' offering. The copper coin was called a lepta. The value in today's terms is difficult to determine. We know that it would take many of them to match the buying power of our penny.
This ends Jesus' public ministry.
Be righteous and do good.
Mike Lawrence