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No Appraisal Required Under New HARP
Today the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to "attract more eligible borrowers who can benefit from refinancing their home mortgage." The announcement was made in conjunction with the government sponsored enterprises (GSE), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. HARP will now allow borrowers to refinance even if they are underwater. According to the Wall Street Journal, only 894,000 borrowers have used HARP, of which 70,000 were underwater.
FHFA announced several enhancements to HARP, including eliminating the appraisal requirement. The appraisal is no longer required if a reliable automated valuation model (AVM) estimate can be provided by the GSEs.
Other enhancements include:
- Eliminating certain risk-based fees for borrowers who refinance into shorter-term mortgages and lowering fees for other borrowers;
- Removing the current 125 percent LTV ceiling for fixed-rate mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;
- Waiving certain representations and warranties that lenders commit to in making loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and
- Extending the end date for HARP until Dec. 31, 2013 for loans originally sold to the Enterprises on or before May 31, 2009.
I called my bank who services my Fannie Mae loan (Suntrust) and they said they are not ready to take my loan application for refinancing. They said if I applied today, I will be subject under the old HARP rules and not the new one (October). I am afraid that they may be ready when the rates climb at 6%.
I wonder if the new lender/HUD will be required to provide the borrower a copy of the AVM to demonstrate how underwater they are?? Would you refi a home valued at 50K by AVM with the new loan amount 125K ? How does this help ?
What is a RELIABLE AVM? One that gives high or low values? Who makes this call? Who will they blame if this is wrong?
What are they thinking?
Here we go, this is the second (management companies being the first) step towards destroying the appraisal profession. There are no RELIABLE AVMS, check zillow and note the value range and comps used. This is just another waste of tax dollars as Fannie and Freddie are government (our tax dollars) funded.
Who is the AVM provider? Is there a way to find out who is this? FOIA maybe?
What about all the homes that have seconds behind them? Can the seconds be enticed to subordinate to the refinance?
I hope that NAR get envolved and shows support to get good opinion of value and not AVM.
ASA and NAIFA Send Joint Letter to FHFA, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Expressing Concerns on HARP Program Reliance of AVMs and Requesting a Meeting.
This sounds risky. AVMS can't see what's on the inside, or if the home is worth the value it displays. Wow! Who made this decision?
I would like to know the rule on non-performing seconds that re-perform in order to get the refinance of the first at the lower rate? Of course subject to a subordination.
Come on! Does it really matter what the value is? These loans are already made and the GSE's are on the hook for them. Doesn't it make sense to allow the rate to go down vs strategic default which is what is happening now?
Here we go again!!
And no appraisals??
Where are the regulators???
Has anyone addressed an underwater borrower being able to utilize the mortgage interest deduction on their federal income tax return on a loan that exceeds the fair market value of their home? IRS Pub936 states it is not allowed. It seems there could be some implications here. Anyone agree?
Can anyone tell me a HARP 2.0 lender that isn't requiring an appraisal? All the big names I have checked want on the order of $400 to start the process. I have read enough reviews of bait and switch interest rates that I am reluctant to pay such money up front to have that happen.
Wells Fargo plays the bait and switch with this one. We responded to a letter sent to us offering the new HARP Express refi only to get 30 days into the process and be told they haven't actually implemented the new rules and won't be until February 2012. I found the new guidelines with no LTV on fixed mortgages and had to explain it to them only to be told by a loan processor, "We all work on commission, and whatever the path of least resistance to get you into the loan process is what we will tell you". Wow! Why did we bail these jerks out again? It certainly was NOT so they could pass on the love to the consumers. BEWARE OF WELLS FARGO!!! HONESTY IS NOT THEIR POLICY!!!
the company i work for is a lender for these programs and i think it's an excellent program. it's designed to make home mortgages more affordable–that's all. GSE's logic is–they already own the loan so let's make it more affordable. the fact they won't require appraisals makes my job so much easier. HVCC ruined the lender/appraiser relationship, so it's nice to have a program that takes the appraiser out of the equaiton. the appraisers have gone to the other end of the spectrum and so steadfast in their reports that there's never any option for debate–not for value, but for condtions, adjustments and "subject to" items-opinions are not absolute and as long as appraisers continue to think their word is law, i'll happily embrace any program that removes them from the process
"And no appraisals?? " Problem with appraisals are blind appraisers who think they know a comp when they *don't* see one. They are one of the reasons for the lousy housing market though not the only reason. I'd suggest hiring one who is reputable and associated with a top rated association. Unfortunately, today that is no longer possible as appraisers are all too often chosen by alleged third-party operators who are connected with mortgage brokers and lenders. These operators, ever mindful of their piece of the blueberry pie, typically hire el cheapo appraisers who don't know their elbow from the side of a barn.
I am trying to refi through HARP and my current lender required an appraisal. The appraiser said that the floors were sloping (90-year-old house) and that they might want to get a foundation inspection. So now the lender wants ME to pay for a foundation inspection AND pay to repair any foundation damage found! I so wish I hadn't had to have an appraisal — I'd probably have closed by now.
I've paid for three appraisals over the last year and not a one has come close to another. If you are interested in refinancing your existing loan to a lower rate – having an appraisal shouldn't matter. I'm tired of paying for an appraisal that includes certain considerations one time and others another. There was a time when a good customer could call their bank and refinance an existing loan in good standing with nothing more than a phone call and a single page updating the loan. This whole appriasal thing is a sham – the loans are under water. It's pretty simple. The other issue on this whole "remodification" scam is the hit on the credit score. Every inquiry made by a bank decreases your score and like the apprisals – each score from each credit bureau is different. The whole thing is a joke. There is no help for folks that are current and have always been current. Best to just hunker down and plan on staying put.
As a lender, I agree that taking the appraisers out of the equation on these refinances is a good thing. It seems to me that it serves no purpose and is just charging the borrower an unneccesary $400 fee. Nothing against appraisers but we already know we are underwater on the value-thats kind of the point of the refinance. The requirements of the refinance are set up to help people who have been paying their current higher mortgage and are not likely to default AFTER we lower it?!
I just did a HARP APPRAISAL.
I just got off the phone with our current mortgage company. They said my loan is a Freddie Mac. When I went on FM website, put in my address, it said it wasn't. Any thoughts?
I have a 5 year fixed interest only at 51/4% by Washington Mutual bank (GOD BLESS HIS SOUL) which now called JP MORGAN CHASE.
I tried 3 times to have them modify the loan when it was about $50k under weater, it was denied 3 times, The loan is owned by the bank and it is now$3k under, How can I get it refinance, before i walk away from it? Mr. Obam, why did you gave all this Billions to bank? Instead, you could have every the amout to do it them selves.
My attempt to modify thru current Lein holder (wells) turned out to be a bait and switch. I was charged $650+ for an appraisel, when I was told no appraisel needed. After weeks of processing I was contacted to say I Do need an appraisel. They rejected my refi. I complained an got half of the $ back
Has anyone addressed an underwater borrower being able to utilize the mortgage interest deduction on their federal income taxes? The whole thing is very confusing. Is this issue going to create a need for a homeowner to obtain an appraisal yearly, in order to determine which part of their current mortgage is underwater, and therefore not able to be used to claim Mortgage Interest when Itemizing Deductions?


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Archive for the 'NT Fishing Charters' Category
Fish Darwin Charters
Fish Darwin specialises in reef and pelagic fishing on the exciting bluewater reefs wide of the Top End.
This report gives a good idea of what you can expect. Shannon Bubner writes: "After a year of planning, six of my good fishing buddies Swivel, Bingo, Bondy, Arky, Hannan and Rhino from Kimba in South Australia touched down on the Darwin tarmac in the early hours of the September. Anticipation was high and a tackle shop visit was on the agenda.
"Topping the shopping list were soft plastics, metal jigs and 80lb braid.
"The longest morning in history finally came to an end and it was time to board Northern Exile – our fishing platform for the next four days.
"After a 10-hour steam into the night, the anchor was dropped at Caution Point, on the west of Bathurst Island, followed closely by squid baits.
"Soon yells of delight and bent rods broke the midnight silence. Within 10 minutes there were six black jewfish slapping the deck. With two kept and four released, it had been a great start.
"Sunrise and a new day saw a three-hour steam to Marie Shoal.
"Skipper Shaun Uden searched for the best ground – the sounder lit up a couple of times with bait schools and it was time to stretch muscles again.
"Three rods with bait, two with metal jigs and two with soft plastics were deployed. Coral trout were caught on the baits and soft plastics, while some savage spanish mackerel action was taking place on the spin reels and metal jigs as we drifted over the shoal.
"A few coral trout and mackerel for the icebox and it was time for catch and release fishing, with more than 20 of the 8kg-plus spaniards swimming away.
"Some 15 or so species were ticked off the list already. Then another hot session into the sunset with more mackerel, giant trevally, maori sea perch, coral trout and the ever-present sharks – all living to fight another day.
"Then we were off to explore Goodrich Bank, north of the Tiwi Islands. Arriving at 10.30pm and seeing the sounder light up like a Christmas tree, it didn't take long before the sound of screaming drags filled the warm night air.
"GTs to 20kg, red bass, longnosed emperor, paddletail and large cod were on the menu, readily taking baits and soft plastics. Some fishos needed sleep!
"Sunrise and flat seas welcomed us on our third day. We pulled in some cracker coronation trout, cale cale trevally and longnosed emperor. Red bass to 7kg were testing our stamina. Some cracking red emperor and another mackerel session meant an afternoon rest and cold beer was needed.
"Later, we set up billfish baits and soon enough, out of 90m, a huge black marlin trailed our skip bait before slamming it without a hook-up, only to smash a pusher as Swivel was retrieving it. There was yelling and yahooing, but after a 2½ houre battle the line parted.
"An early night and it was time to do head back towards Darwin the next morning. We stopped at some snapper ground and soon seven rods were hooked up on goldies of 4kg to 7kg.
"What a trip. Great food, great company and great fishing!"
For more information visit www.fishdarwin.com.au
Cannon Fishing Charters
Cannon Charters specialise in mothership fishing adventures across the spectacular Top End.
The trips combine fantastic fishing with great scenery and luxury facilities.
A holiday aboard the MV Cannon is perfect for corporate bookings, or for those who love an outdoor adventure.
From Darwin, Cannon travels to remote locations to provide guests with rarely fished grounds.
There are no supermarkets, motels, restaurants, or clubs where the Cannon goes. There are often no roads in to the coast where Cannon fishes.
That's why the MV Cannon is decked out with everything you could need for your week-long journey.
When not relaxing on the mothership, you will be out fishing and exploring in a comfortable dinghy. Travel up narrow creeks, ducking branches or dodging sandbars to access that one spot where you might just find that huge barramundi or threadfin salmon.
Return to the mothership for a delicious lunch prepared by an a la carte chef, before heading back into the unknown. Few people get the chance to experience the Cannon secret locations, as most are only accessible by long-range mothership.
Cannon Charters has been accredited with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program since 2006 and is dedicated to providing a high level of customer service.
In 2007, Cannon Charters won the Northern Territory Brolga Tourism Award for excellence in the category of Adventure Tourism, and then went on to represent the Northern Territory as a finalist in the 2007 Australian Tourism Awards.
Winning a Brolga award is the industry's highest accolade and the recipients represent the best products and services in the Northern Territory.
In 2008, Cannon Charters took out the Northern Territory Brolga Tourism Award for excellence in the category of Adventure Tourism for the second year
in a row.
MV Cannon
The MV Cannon is a luxury 75′ mothership built by West Coaster Marine and launched in 2003.
She can accommodate eight guests in four cabins, two with twin bunks, with separate toilet rooms. Two cabins have a double and single bed with ensuite.
All rooms have individual air conditioning, and there is an endless supply of fresh water.
The internal lounge and dining area is a modern leather setting with TV, video, DVD and stereo system, all in air conditioned comfort.
The galley is fully stainless steel, with modern conveniences and walk-in cool room.
The huge outside entertaining deck area features a three-door drinks fridge with ice-maker, a stainless barbecue, instant boiling water for coffee and tea and a separate shower and toilet. The deck has two large tables that seat eight each under a hard top.
There are four sportfishing boats to enable visitors to fish estuaries, rivers and reefs. These boats are powered by Honda BF40s. Each boat has a sounder and Shimano and Loomis gear.
For more information visit www.cannoncharters.com.au
DNA Barramundi Fishing Tours
If you want to fish Australia's best run-off rivers in pristine Kakadu National Park, then Darwin's North Australian Barra Fishing (DNA) is your choice.
DNA is a family-owned tourism service that has been operating in Kakadu for many years.
It is one of very few operators with a Kakadu licence.
Charters are available year-round, with the exception of the wet season from November to late February. The pick of the times to fish Kakadu is from March to May.
DNA head guide Duane Trouchet said: "Very large rivers flow through the vast Kakadu floodplains.
"These rivers are not affected by any agriculture or industry, and the billabongs are still the same as they were hundreds of years ago.
"You can see huge prehistoric crocodiles, vast flocks of birds, and all the bait that attracts the barra. These floodplains are huge nurseries, and the food supply attracts big barramundi.
"The secret to fishing is the timing, and knowing where to look in the rivers, and when.
"Although we talk about barramundi fishing, we also target the reef and pelagic species at the river mouths."
DNA does day trips as well as extended tours.
"As an NT accredited Kakadu Tour Guide, we will pick you up from your accommodation in the Darwin area at approximately 5am (or as arranged ) in our luxury air-conditioned LandCruisers, to take you to your exciting fishing destination," Duane said.
"We arrive at the fishing destination around sunrise.
"Enjoy the spectacular Top End wildlife before embarking on our shaded custom-built fishing vessels.
"Take on the challenge of fishing in the Top End – you never know what you might hook next, and it could be a 50-pound barramundi.
"Enjoy scrumptious barramundi barbecue or cold meat and salad luncheons daily.
"Lunch is served on board. We also provide non-alcoholic refreshments and cold water during the day.
"You will fish using our G-Loomis rods with Shimano reels and braid lines.
"We cater for everyday amateur fishermen, as well as top-level experienced anglers.
"We encourage the use of catch-and-release techniques on our tours, but clients may keep fish within legal bag limits.
"We will be only too pleased to take photographs of your catch to remember your rewarding and unique opportunity to fish Northern Territory waters."
During extended trips, clients stay at luxurious Aurora Kakadu, which has a restaurant, swimming pool, bar and more.
On completion of the tour, customers are returned to accommodation in Darwin.
Fishing gear is supplied on a replace-if-lost basis.
Each boat carries four clients, with a minimum of two per boat, and large groups can be catered for.
Deposits of 10 per cent secure a booking. This deposit is non-refundable if a replacement booking can not be found.
For more information visit www.dnabarrafishing.com.au
Darwin Reef'n'Wrecks
Darwin Reef'n'Wrecks can put you onto some of the best reef fishing in the Top End.
This family-owned charter business has a fleet of fishing boats available for day trips and extended tours.
"If you are looking for the ultimate Darwin fishing trip, we can give you exactly what you want," said spokesman Jim Bancroft.
"Come on board one of our four boats and experience barramundi fishing in the rivers, or offshore reef fishing," he said.
"Fish Darwin Harbour on a day trip or do an extended multi-day tour on the shoals up to 200nm offshore."
Darwin Reef'n'Wrecks can cater for individuals or family, conference groups and parties.
For harbour trips, clients can fish in Reefmaster, a 46ft Randell with full shade and toilet, which can carry 13 passengers.
"This superb boat gets you to the fishing ground fast. We believe this is Darwin's best half-day fishing charter," Jim said.
"It departs twice a day on the pristine Darwin Harbour, and we fish in 30m of water.
"You'll fish around the historical war and Cyclone Tracy wrecks.
"We only fish on the swing of the tide for the best fishing action.
"You will use quality Shimano rods and reels and target fish such as golden snapper, black jewfish, queenfish, trevally, spanish mackerel, and more.
"When taking a break from fishing, enjoy delicious fresh prawns, cheese, cabana and biscuits as snacks, and freshly cooked steak sandwiches, with the catch-of-the-day cooked up.
"Our professional crew will assist you with baiting your hooks and cleaning your fish, ready to take home.
"You are sure to enjoy a thrilling day's fishing on board our comfortable, stable boats."
Two-day, two-night trips are especially popular, taking fishermen to lightly fished grounds on distant shoals with species on par with the Great Barrier Reef. These extended trips start at 8pm departing from Cullen Bay, watching Darwin's skyline disappear on the horizon.
"After a few snacks and drinks everyone retires to the comfy bunks to wake up at first light and start fishing," Jim said.
"A highlight of these extended trips are giant largemouth nannygai (red jew), giant mangrove jacks, red emperor, coral trout, as well as some unusual species, including the robinson's sea bream, which is superb table fare."
For extended trips clients travel on Jan Lee, a 56ft game boat with flybridge, shaded walk-around deck, and surveyed for 200nm offshore.
Eight passengers sleep in air-conditioned comfort. The Jan Lee has satellite internet and phone, widescreen TV, hot water and toilet.
Full day charters up to 45nm offshore are on Island Selina a 50ft New West Coaster, arguably the best day boat in Darwin.
Tourism Top End
We have been looking at some of the NT's best fishing charters recently … but what is there in Darwin for those who don't fish? There's plenty to do … read on.
Whether you are a hot-blooded local or making a trek into the world's hottest fishing action, you'd be mad not to explore some of the magnificent Top End locations along the way.
The Katherine region is the perfect location to combine a cultural or sightseeing experience with a Top End fishing expedition.
Renowned for its strong Aboriginal culture, the region is scattered with natural thermal springs, quirky Outback pubs and awe-inspiring rivers.
Its most famous icon is Katherine Gorge, which sits in the 2920sqkm Nitmiluk National Park.
This system of 13 gorges can be explored on a boat cruise, on foot via marked walking trails, by hiring a canoe, or boarding a helicopter for a bird's-eye view.
Kakadu National Park offers superb fishing, but is also World Heritage Listed, as it features an incredible variety of landscapes and habitats, including lush wetlands, savannah woodland, monsoon forests, escarpments and coastal mangroves.
It is also home to the world's oldest living culture, as Aboriginal people have called Kakadu their home for more than 50,000 years.
Kakadu boasts one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art in the world, with galleries at sites like Ubirr and Nourlangie, accessible by sealed road most of the year.
The Victoria River region is located south-west of Katherine via the Victoria Highway. It has a diverse landscape supporting an abundance of wildlife and features grassy plains, boab trees and majestic gorges carved by rivers out of sandstone escarpments.
The region offers a range of experiences, including a 4WD trek into Gregory National Park, nature watching, fishing and river cruising, hiking, bushwalking and scenic flights.
Arnhem Land's undeveloped natural landscapes are in the middle of Australia's northern coast. One of the last great unspoiled areas in the world, its small population is mostly Aboriginal people, whose culture remains largely intact. Arnhem Land is the birthplace of the didgeridoo and home to art sites.
The region is an exciting destination for those wanting authentic cultural experiences, with many tailored indigenous experiences on offer.
Access to Arnhem Land requires a permit and you need to organise this with the Northern Land Council before departure.
The Nhulunbuy region provides picture perfect islands, reef diving, exotic beaches and wetlands.
This is a destination the family can enjoy with Nanydjka (Cape Arnhem), just a few hours' drive from Nhulunbuy, with long white beaches and dunes as far as you can see. This is the perfect destination for peace, solitude and relaxation.
Gayngaru is an area of lagoon wetlands extending some 7km parallel to the beachfront.
The lagoon, home to around 200 species of birds, has an over-water observation platform providing a hideaway for bird watchers. A walking trail is provided for those on foot. Guided tours are available.
Visit the local's link on the Tourism Top End website (www.tourismtopend.com.au) for destination ideas. The site has been built for locals to remind you of the attractions in your own backyard.
Spring Tide Safaris
Spring Tide Safaris fishes most areas accessible from Darwin, and is one of very few operators licenced for Kakadu National Park.
Single-day barramundi fishing is available for people with limited time. Remote area fishing safaris range from two to 10 days.
Even though the fishing locations are remote on extended tours, clients stay in comfortable resort or mothership accommodation.
"We offer a personalised fishing experience in the Top End," said Spring Tide's Micky Qaiser.
"Our most popular tours are based at world famous Kakadu National Park.
"We target the mighty barramundi and a variety of other sportfish, including black jewfish, tuna, golden snapper, trevally, spanish and spotted mackerel, coral trout, GTs, queenfish, threadfin salmon and more."
Fishing locations vary depending on tides and the time of the year of your charter.
On a day trip you might be fishing Darwin Harbour, Bynoe Harbour, Corroboree Billabong or the Adelaide River.
Fishing can be in either salt or fresh water locations, year round. Micky will choose the best option after discussion with customers.
"We give our clients the option to catch saltwater or freshwater barramundi depending on tide and location," Micky said.
"If freshwater is your choice, you will be on Corroboree Billabong early to enjoy the sunrise. Barramundi will be the target, but saratoga, tarpon and catfish may be caught. You'll see crocodiles, buffaloes and birds of prey. If saltwater fishing is your choice, then barramundi and sportfish such as black jewfish, snapper and reef species, can be had."
Mud crabbing is also available as an option, but not in Kakadu.
Safaris are all-inclusive. Fishing tackle is supplied on a replace-if-lost basis.
Day tours depart at 5am from Darwin, with travel time to your destination about 90 minutes in an airconditioned 4X4. After a memorable day, your guide will drop you back at accommodation in Darwin at 5pm.
Tours include transfers, lunch and refreshments and all fishing equipment. These tour options are perfect for the whole family, including non-angling partners.
For more information visit here www.springtidesafaris.com.au

subset: commoncrawl


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Number 1 & 4 : Sign - Leo / Aquarius
Pythagoras identified this number with Godhead. It is the base of all numbers. It contains everything, and everything is derived from it. It is indivisible. It stands for ambition and assertion. It represents the positive side of life and creation. It is a number of success and power, achieved by determination and will-power. Consequently, Number 1 people are ambitious, and whatever be their occupation, they overcome all hurdles and impediments and, more often than not, rise to the top. These are the positive and good qualities associated with this number. The negative qualities are weakness, laziness, fear, and destruction. What do we mean by negative qualities? We shall use this expression again and again in the context of other numbers, and it is necessary to explain this expression. When the Sun, presiding over number 1 at the time of birth, is weak, it does not bestow the positive qualities of ambition and assertion, determination and indefatigable energy on the native. Rather, the native is indolent and indecisive. We are describing the influence of numbers in this chapter according to western numerologists. Varaha Mihir, the famous occultist of ancient India, who lived in the early Chiristian era, and was the author of several standard works in Sankrit, gives in his Hora Shastra3 , chapter VIII, the influence of several planets. In the first half of the chapter are described the good effects of the planet, i.e. when the plant is strong and well placed at birth. The adverse effects of the same planet are described in the second half of the chapter, i.e. when it is weak and ill placed in the chart. Numerology also follows the same rules. The Sun is deemed strong if, besides the date of birth being 1 (or 10, 19, 28), the birth is on a Sunday, and between July 23 and August 23. This is so because the Sun is the ruling planet of the zodiac sign Leo(July 23-August23). It will be even better if the native is born in the planetary hour of the Sun.
Number 4 is also governed by the Sun. Certain characteristics of Number 1 persons are found in Number 4 persons. But the lives of Number 4 persons are characterized by surprises and sudden events. If the Sun is strong, that is, if the birth is on a Sunday and on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or the 31st of any month; or the birth date is between July 23 and August 23, the Sun will be deemed strong. This is so because the Sun is the ruling planet of the zodiac sign Leo (July 23- August23). Number 4 persons are honest, pushing and practical. They are thrifty and thus, able to accumulate money. But if the Sun is weak, the negative qualities of fault-finding, dullness and undue sternness characterize their temperament. This is a good number. It brings luck and money. Perhaps one reason why modern numerologists have assigned this number to Herschel is that a certain amount of eccentricity may be found in Number 4 persons. They have a sharp critical faculty. They are inclined to take a contrary view of propositions that may be put to them. They argue well to show that they are right. Somehow, the association of Number 4 people with those of Number 8, is not deemed fortunate. Number 4 people are advised not to live in a house which has a number in the series 8,17,26,35,44,53,62 and so on- numbers which, if reduced to their basic number, become number 8. While dealing with number 4, it is relevant to refer to number 13 because 1+3=4. There were 13 persons at the table of Christ on the occasion of his Last Supper. Many people consider the number 13 unlucky. In fact, this prejudice has grown so strong that the expression 'unlucky 13' has become a part of the English language. Many persons will not sit on a chair marked 13. Many people hesitate to stay in room number 13. Many hoteliers mark their room numbers as 12, 12A and 14 to avoid assigning number 13 to a room. Victor Hugo, the famous French author, had a strong prejudice against this number. He had to attend the National Assembly at Bordeux. His friends left Paris on 13th February, 1871. There were 13 persons in the saloon car in which he traveled. He was lodged at number 13 rue Saint Maur at Bordeux. The idea of number 13 so obsessed his mind that


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A while back I posted about our library, it's been over year without a ladder, luckily there's ladders we can borrow from the building and if we need to reach the very top we use BBQ tongs haha! Of course we really want a ladder of our own, but they're hard to come by and kind of expensive. Every week i'd check on craigslist for library ladders, most were over priced, too short, not in good condition. We found one at an auction a few months ago, but it was way too pricey and really short.
The other week it happened, I saw a post on craigslist for the perfect ladder, 12ft tall, solid oak with a wood hand rail. It was meant to be! The price was even less than half of others we had seen. The only question was, how the heck were we going to get a 12ft ladder in our tiny car?! Well, somehow it worked:
Above is a photo of Andrew, a smile on his face after a few swear words and frustration and the removal of a few metal bars, we got it in the car!
After a somewhat nerve racking drive home, we got to work and by we I mean Andrew. He removed some metal brackets we didn't want and gave it a wash and then a few coats of oil to bring out it's colour. This ladder had been sitting in someone's basement for over a decade, it was really dirty.
As you may have noticed, the wheels slide vertically, not horizontally, but that's okay in our situation we don't even want to have it slide so we're going to figure out how to lock the wheels in place.
Since our library shelves aren't stable enough to mount a really heavy oak ladder to, we realized we'd have to figure out a different position for it, plus it would block the window anyway. Check out our temporary set up right now, some minor adjustments will be made, but it's pretty much where we want it to be and we couldn't be happier!
After some hunting online, we discovered our ladder is very similar to a Putnam Rolling Ladder, specifically their telephone ladder. Check out the specs we found:


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What Are RSN's Specialties?
- Insurance rate development, measurement and monitoring.
- Actuarial loss expense and loss reserves evaluation.
- Actuarial, underwriting and marketing data management and data mining.
- Book of business risk and profit evaluation.
- Insurance enterprise risk management modeling and support.
- Product development, pricing, filing and regulation support.
- Reinsurance program evaluation and structural recommendations.


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Pupil Premium is an additional fund that comes in to school to support the needs of an eligible group of learners.
We use our allocation of funds to support learners in several ways.
We employ a resident therapist who specialises in child play and creative therapies. She is resident in school for 4 per week term time. She works on individual sessions with learners eligible for pp funding and supports our teachers and assistants in training and initiatives to promote health and well being for all our learners across the school.
We have allocated an equivalent of 25 hours additional support for learners to access occupational therapy programmes as well as enrichment activities facilitated by a specialist teaching assistant who works with individual and small groups.
We have also allocated a small element of the funds to subsidise expensive aspects of learning such as residential and educational visits and peripatetic music tuition.
In 2015 /16 100% of our learners made expected or better progress and achieved in line with end of key stage expectations.
In 2016/17 we were allocated £42,000 funding. In line with updated guidance our Pupil Premium Strategy Plan can be seen below.
Pupil premium strategy statement Norbury Hall Primary School
|1. Summary information
|Norbury Hall Primary School
|Academic Year
|Total PP budget
|Date of most recent PP Review
|February 2017
|Total number of pupils
|Number of pupils eligible for PP
|Date for next internal review of this strategy
|July 2017
|2. Current attainment
|At February Assessments – not final predictions and outcomes
|Pupils eligible for PP (your school)
|% achieving ARE in reading, writing and maths
|5 learners currently working below the ARE
6 learners working at the higher level of ARE
|% making at least expected progress in reading
|3 learners working through interventions – making slower progress at this stage
|% making at least expected progress in writing
|As above interventions in place to diminish the difference
|% making at least expected progress in maths
|As above interventions in place to diminish the difference
|3. Barriers to future attainment (for pupils eligible for PP, including high ability)
|In-school barriers
|Poor emotional well-being, mental health issues and low self- esteem affecting application and outcomes for learners
|High ability learners eligible for PP making less progress reducing high achievement in all phases.
|Early application of speech and language at EYFS showing delay and impacting on general understanding and outcomes.
|External barriers (issues which also require action outside school, such as low attendance rates)
|Relationships within the family environment – recent parental splits having significant impact on well being.
|4. Desired outcomes
|Desired outcomes and how they will be measured
|Success criteria
|Happier, confident learners wanting to apply themselves in lessons.
|Attendance with KH – improved attitudes to learning across the school
|Higher rates of good and better progress for identified learners at EYFS, KS1 and KS2
|Learners achieving in line with other higher ability learners across the school.
|Speech and Language referrals reduced and interventions having sharp impact on learners outcomes
|Fewer early interventions with SALT
|5. Planned expenditure
|Academic year
|2016 /17
|The three headings below enable schools to demonstrate how they are using the pupil premium to improve classroom pedagogy, provide targeted support and support whole school strategies.
|i. Quality of teaching for all
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action / approach
|What is the evidence and rationale for this choice?
|How will you ensure it is implemented well?
|Staff lead
|When will you review implementation?
|Improved SALT at EYFS
Improved attainment for higher ability
|Specialist teacher and programme in place.
Training for teaching staff / support staff to impact on everyday practice.
Focus monitoring weeks and discussion at PProgress meetings
SIAs focus through pupil voice and work scrutiny as well as focus on TA deployment and intervention groups.
|More younger learners eligible for PP appearing to have delayed speech and language patterns.
Training from specialist will ensure more quality first teaching will adhere to SALT programmes in the early years.
This group of learners do not always have aspirational targets for outcomes. Learners need strategies to rise to challenge through QFT.
|CPD from specialist service teacher. Shadowing opportunities.
Staff INSET to deliver programme examples.
Termly monitoring from SLT
Planned review meetings
SIAs focus days
|Kate Rayner / Sian Jackson/ Julie Rice
Jacqui Ames/ Becky Wood/ Julie Rice
|July 2017
As above
|Total budgeted cost
|ii. Targeted support
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action/approach
|What is the evidence and rationale for this choice?
|How will you ensure it is implemented well?
|Staff lead
|When will you review implementation?
|Better self- esteem attitude to learning and self belief as well as self worth
|Focus sessions with therapist
|More children presenting with anxieties. Mindfulness approach across the school
|Timetabled programme for therapy and F Schools
|Jacqui Ames
|July 2017
|Total budgeted cost
|iii. Other approaches
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action/approach
|What is the evidence and rationale for this choice?
|How will you ensure it is implemented well?
|Staff lead
|When will you review implementation?
|Higher attainers(pp) achieving more in line with non pp higher attainers
|Small group intervention. 1:1 where appropriate
|Short programmes of intervention to focus on gaps in learning to support outcomes.
|Termly review and monitor through PP meetings and SLT monitoring
|Becky Wood
|July 2017
|Total budgeted cost
|6. Review of expenditure
|Previous Academic Year
|i. Quality of teaching for all
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action/approach
|Estimated impact: Did you meet the success criteria? Include impact on pupils not eligible for PP, if appropriate.
|Lessons learned
(and whether you will continue with this approach)
|To achieve at least expected progress in line with significant gaps
|1:1 tuition and small group bespoke intervention
|Yes – outcomes for progress for PP learners good. Attainment for non PP better
| Small group plans and the move from the same professional working with the same learners enhanced progress. Programme needs to start earlier.
|ii. Targeted support
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action/approach
|Estimated impact: Did you meet the success criteria? Include impact on pupils not eligible for PP, if appropriate.
|Lessons learned
(and whether you will continue with this approach)
|Raised self- esteem and dealing with anxieties.
|Focused therapy sessions
|All PP learners impacted positively. Non PP learners able to access sessions in school.
|Positive outcome. Next year extend to F School philosophies to focus on decision making and relationships.
|iii. Other approaches
|Desired outcome
|Chosen action/approach
|Estimated impact: Did you meet the success criteria? Include impact on pupils not eligible for PP, if appropriate.
|Lessons learned
(and whether you will continue with this approach)
|7. Additional detail
|Annual report submitted to GB at Resources Committee meeting February 2017.
Next review report will be GB July 2017
This Strategy Plan uploaded to the website after GB review March 2017.
Sports Grant Funding
In 2014 /15 we were awarded a sports grant to raise the profile and skills of sport activities across school.
We received an award of £9,000
This money was used to partially fund key play workers and coaches who promote sport at recreational times in the school day. We have four coaches who work alongside our learners to promote skills in football, netball, cricket and hockey. £7,700 taken from the fund.
We used £500 to buy specialist training and support through the Local Authority Sports Specialist Team which also enabled teams to compete at inter school level.
We used additional funds of £500 to provide transport costs and kit costs for away matches and tournaments within the schools partnerships in football, netball and cross country.
We subsidise extra curricular tuition for learners in golf, lacrosse and tag rugby and use £300 of the funding to do this.
In 2015/16 we have allocated funds in the same way.
In 2015 /16 and currently for 16/17 we have continued to invest in staff training to support PE and games in school. Last year, our school successfully competed in and won several tournaments in athletics, netball and football. We engaged in additional sports provision after school in lacrosse and golf as well as continuing to support football, tag rugby, netball, athletics, cross country and tennis.
Learners continue to be enthusiastic about sport and lunchtimes are supported by coaches who are working to engage the children in mini tournament as well as skills based activities.
Sports Premium Grant Report February 2017
Review of funding and expenditure for the Academic Year 2016/2017
Our total SP allocation for the school was £9801 we receive our allocation each April and so monies cross over academic years. These funds re allocated from April 2016 – March 2017 spanning summer, autumn and spring terms.
All learners benefited from the grant and funds were allocated in the following ways:
Sportsweek Key Workers employed daily to promote positive sport experiences in school at lunchtimes.
3 x Key Coaches for three term. Coaches promote team games and offer skills based instruction for football at KS1 and Early Years and offer a range of hockey, netball, cricket, football and basketball at lunchtimes.
The same company currently offers after school clubs for lacrosse, multisports and golf in the summer. These courses are paid for by parents but the letting agreement is subsidised by the school through the payment of coaches. This recent allocation was £6,500
The school buys back in to swimming service level agreement and pays for transport costs to the local swimming baths. £500
We purchased a sports buy back at level one for £500 which enabled staff members to have sports and PE training as well access published schemes and resources.
Additional resources were purchased to top up PE and games equipment as well as refurbishment and repair costs to gymnastic equipment £1500. As part of our work around the Olympics we subsidised travel costs to the Manchester velodrome for KS2 learners and paid for an Olympian Gymnast to come to school to talk and demonstrate gymnastics for the children at KS2.
Release costs – to cover for staff training to attend courses through SLA £100
Tournament attendance including teacher supply cover / subs / travel costs to venues £600
Sports Day markings and additional grounds work to support competitive element £300
Certificates / medals / cups and awards for competitions £200
During summer 2016 PE was a focus monitoring subject area.
Staff focused on additional training and feedback after a focus week releasing Physical Health and Personal Well Being WP to observe lessons and scrutinise planning. This included staff release time to meet to observe planning alongside SLT and GB representatives. £300
Since receiving Sports Premium we have fielded teams who have represented the school in the following sports:
- Football – inter schools – winners in 2 tournaments between local and authority schools
- Netball – High Fives North West- Greater Manchester Plate Competition 2nd out of 500 schools
- Cross Country – LA Group- individual prizes including 2nd place for Boys 9-11
- Athletics – Local Cluster Schools Tournament Ist place out of 18 schools
Lessons observed were at least good across the year with 66% judged as outstanding.
Some additional playtime resources were purchased outside of the grant and taken from general resource


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Summer breakfast program wrapping up successful first year
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 by SHARI NOCTOR in Opinion
In June, Whitehall Area Hunger Initiative offered the first-ever summer breakfast program for school-age children in Whitehall and Coplay. This is a free outreach program and was designed to alleviate childhood hunger over the summer — and, yes, we do have hunger issues here in Whitehall and Coplay.
We are very concerned about and supportive of our community's youth with food security and reading. If a child does not read over the summer, their reading skills diminish when they go back to school. If they don't read two summers in a row, they are three years behind in reading when they go back in the fall.
The hunger initiative researched and planned this summer breakfast program for more than a year. We are so thankful that St. John's Lutheran Church, 835 Third St., Fullerton, stepped up to provide a location for the kids to attend. Thank you!
The program has run 8:30-10 a.m. Monday through Friday since June 19 and will end Aug. 25. The students, ages 4-18, receive either a hot or a cold breakfast, do activities and crafts, exercise and read daily. They also are given a bagged lunch to take home and are given food on Fridays for the weekend. We have provided 1,310 meals from June 19 to Aug. 11. These kids and their families are most grateful for this food.
Our breakfast program has been co-chaired by Lana Snyder, Janice Stavrou and Leah Saliby. Many volunteers and committee members have made this a huge success. We want to help more kids in our school district and are hoping to have two more locations next year — one in Coplay and one in Egypt or Cementon.
Thank you to everyone in the community who has come together with providing food, time, talent, moral support, cash donations or personal items for the kids to take home, plus so much more. The kids feel that people do care about them. With all the outpouring of help and support, this not only benefits the kids, but it also benefits our community as a whole. This has been a very rewarding and uplifting project.
I have asked the co-chairs to give me some comments from their perspective on the work we have done.
Lana Snyder: "Some highlights from the summer breakfast program include the many juvenile probation officers who took their time to come and read to our children. These children read every day either to themselves, each other or have someone read to them. I cannot thank enough the residents, businesses, churches and organizations who have given donations of food, backpacks, hygiene kits, toys and books. The outreach has been overwhelming, and the children are very appreciative. We also had many volunteers who gave their time during the day to help anywhere they were needed."
Janice Stavrou: "One of the great benefits of the summer breakfast program is the relationships that have formed. In the beginning, the kids knew no one, and now they have a whole new circle of friends. It has been wonderful to see kids and volunteers having fun while learning and playing."
Leah Saliby: "What I love about this program as it evolved was seeing how the children started taking ownership of it. The older kids would help in the kitchen, unload boxes of food or assist younger kids with their breakfast. Parents also took ownership by attaining their clearances and officially becoming volunteers helping to prepare breakfast or pack lunches. Everyone — volunteers, kids, parents and community organizations — is invested in the program and helps to make it the success it is."


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Clear Filter
Join MPM in holiday tradition as we Deck the Streets of Old Milwaukee to celebrate the season!
Take a live tour of the current Wisconsin night sky in this 22-minute guided Planetarium program. Showing daily throughout the year.
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean 3D offers a breakthrough-look at a secret world within the ocean that is perhaps the biggest story of all -- that the smallest life in the sea is the mightiest force on which we all depend.
Dream Big: Engineering Our World is the first film of its kind for giant screen theaters that will transform how we think about engineering.
Take a guided tour with Museum experts and experience MPM in a brand new way!
Show your MPM membership card to receive free admission to any participating Member Swap museums in Milwaukee. January 28, 2018
© 2019 Milwaukee Public Museum. All Rights Reserved.


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Even if you follow a little bit of news coming from Elon Musk, you are most probably already aware of the fact that he is a man filled with an ambition to change the face of transport, be it interplanetary (as seen by his work in his other company SpaceX) or transport on Earth, evident through the virtue of his works in Tesla and his concept of Hyperloop.
The Humble Beginnings
Tesla Motors initially started off as an automotive start-up, whose core aim was to make electric cars a compelling purchase over gasoline cars. Now ever since Tesla began selling the Model S, that purpose seems to be taking shape, which is exactly why Elon Musk decided to take charge towards a bold new step, and that was autonomous on-road travel. To accomplish this goal, Tesla released "Autopilot" to customers in the form of a beta two years back in September 2014. While it was acclaimed for providing industry leading driving aids, it did receive setbacks and criticisms in the form of a fatal crash that took place earlier this year, and with regulatory issues in different regions, like the German Authorities going as far as to order Tesla to stop using the term "Autopilot" in defining the feature. Elon Musk in reply to the criticism said,
"If you discourage autonomous tech, you're killing people."
Also Read: Another Tesla Crash Blamed On Autopilot!
Tesla Announcing Full Autonomy in an Event on 19th October 2016
Now though after all those difficulties, Tesla bounced back yesterday in an event during which, they showed the world what the Autopilot 2.0 is all about. As I mentioned before, the Autopilot 1.0, which released in 2014, was a beta and was only capable of aiding the driver. Autopilot 2.0, however, as Elon Musk proclaims, is capable of "Full Autonomy." Which essentially means that it could take you from point A to B using the most optimal route without requiring any human input and as a cherry on top, you won't even be expected to park as it will drop you off and find a "suitable" parking spot. The reason why I used the term "suitable" is the system's ability to recognize signs which mean that a Tesla, equipped with Autopilot 2.0, would know whether or not, a parking spot is marked with a sign like "no parking." CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk sheds some light over this trait of the new Autopilot in the following tweet:
Tesla claims that the new Autopilot is at least twice as safe as an average human driver. For added convenience, in addition to having the ability to conduct hands-free short and long distance trips, Teslas will also be able to travel to the nearest supercharger, to replenish their batteries automatically. Moreover, inside a tightly-knit couple of sentences, Tesla has confirmed the possibility of a Tesla network for autonomous ride sharing, which was initially hinted by Elon Musk during the announcement of Tesla Model S & X P100D. Tesla is proposing a next year release of such a network in which, your Tesla would be able to earn for you by driving itself when not in use, this is again something interesting for us to see in the near future.
Have a Look: Tesla Launches Model S P100D – The Fastest Car Anyone Can Buy!
8 Cameras + Ultrasonic Sensors + Radar + Powerful Processing = Full Autonomy
Now let's go behind the scenes to see the hardware additions made by Tesla, which paved way for full autonomy. First up is twice the number of active cameras as were used previously from four to eight. These eight cameras give the car, a full 360-degree view of its surrounding with cameras dedicated to low distance, and long distance views, allowing them to operate in both, urban and suburban traffic. Along with that, these cameras help cancel out car's blind spots in addition to making tight maneuvers and parking a breeze when on Autopilot.
A radar, which can penetrate through weather elements like fog, rain and snow also comes on board the Autopilot 2.0 along with relatively small range ultrasonic sensors, 12 of them are there to keep the track of objects in close proximity to the car.
The data from all cameras and sensors is fed to the on-board computer, which now possesses over 40 times the power of its predecessor and has a new name "Tesla Vision." Tesla explains it in the following words:
"This system provides a view of the world that a driver alone cannot access, seeing in every direction simultaneously, and on wavelengths that go far beyond the human senses."
Availability and Restrictions
Elon Musk during Tesla's event, yesterday, said that all the vehicles currently in production, will come installed with all hardware required (as mentioned previously) to attain full autonomy. Tesla insists on the fact that Model 3, which will hit roads hopefully by late 2017, will also come equipped with Autopilot 2.0. That is particularly interesting, when we keep in view, the sub $35000 price point where Model 3 will fall in.
While all of this sounds good, there is a catch, as mentioned by Musk in an interview with Walt Mossberg, in which, he expressed that even if Tesla can make driverless cars, the matters of jurisdiction could lead to a significant amount of delays. And that is still true, after Tesla has been able to accomplish this feat, here's how the company itself describes this dilemma:
"Please note that Self-Driving functionality is dependent upon extensive software validation and regulatory approval, which may vary widely by jurisdiction. It is not possible to know exactly when each element of the functionality described above will be available, as this is highly dependent on local regulatory approval."
You can see the Tesla Autopilot 2.0 in action in the following video:
Are you excited to see autonomous vehicles taking shape or have some other opinions to share? Comment down below to let us know or discuss in PakWheels Tesla Forum.
Recommended Reading: Future of Electric Cars in Pakistan – Tesla Model 3 Instead Of Honda Vezel Or Toyota Prius


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The Seven Rules of Wall Street
Crash-tested Investment Strategies That Beat the MarketBook - 2009
"Sell in May, and then go away."
It's an old saying, but this Wall Street adage is as relevant today as when it was first uttered. It worked once again during the market decline that began in 2008. In The Seven Rules of Wall Street , Sam Stovall, master investment strategist and expert on stock market history, presents seven familiar sayings that not only convey enduring truths but also serve as superb investment strategies.
In this engaging guide, Stovall subjects his chosen sayings to the facts of history and to his own personal experience. When it comes to building a portfolio, for instance, should you "let your winners ride, but cut your losers short"? Absolutely. "On average," Stovall writes, "the 'winners' beat the market by a near two-to-one margin. The winners also beat the losers most years: seven out of every 10 years."
Other Wall Street one-liners that emerge as timeless truisms include:As goes January, so goes the year Don't get mad--get even Don't fight the Fed There's always a bull market someplace
To support his conclusions, Stovall complements his sharp insight with the results of detailed back-testing, as well as tables and charts drawing on decades of stock market data.
A fun and lively read, The Seven Rules of Wall Street provides an abundance of wisdom in remarkably few words--proving that investing books can be as entertaining as they are educating.
From the critics
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The Kimblewick Hunt have had to take drastic action to stop the spread of deadly bovine tuberculous as pack hounds are discovered with the rare disease.
The Masters of Foxhounds Association [MFHA], the foxhunting governing body, said the hunt immediately suspended its activities to protect farmers and landowners.
A statement from the Kimblewick Hunt said: "On 10th December 2016, one hound from the Kimblewick Hunt was suspected of having contracted bTB [bovine tuberculosis]. Subsequently further tests were carried out on other hounds within the pack during December.
"Following receipt of post-mortem results and tissue cultures on 31st January 2017 bTB was confirmed. Since then, approximately 25 hounds have been euthanised.
"The full pack of hounds has not been euthanised. There are over 120 hounds remaining in kennels which continue to be monitored closely and testing is ongoing.
"Defra was notified immediately that bTB was suspected in December and the Kimblewick Hunt have subsequently acted upon all advice they have been given with regards to implementing increased biosecurity measures in order to ensure it is contained.
"The Kimblewick voluntarily and immediately suspended hunting activities with their own hounds on 11th December.
"The Kimblewick hounds have not been in contact with any other packs of hounds since the initial case was suspected, and a monitoring and testing protocol has been rolled out across the country.
The Kimblewick Hunt has been working alongside Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA], Public Health England and the Masters of Foxhounds Association [MFHA] in order to ensure that bTB has been contained. No other cases have been reported.
BVA [British Veterinary Association] president Gudrun Ravetz added: "Mycobacterium bovis infections in dogs have rarely been recorded and the risk of infection to other dogs and family pets is very low."
The statement from Kimblewick Hunt added added: "The hunt - like many others across the country - operates a fallen stock service to farmers under the guidance of DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs]. The Kimblewick hounds are routinely fed fallen stock in compliance with current animal by-products legislation.
"We are waiting for Animal and Plant Health Agency's epidemiology report that might give details of the source of infection, however it would appear that it is most likely that the hounds contracted it from eating meat from a contaminated bovine.
"Testing continues on the Kimblewick hounds in line with advice given from veterinary and scientific experts during this very difficult time for the hunt staff and their families."
Polly Portwin, Head of Hunting from the Countryside Alliance said: "This has been a particularly difficult time for the hunt staff, their families and all those associated with the Kimblewick hounds and our thoughts are with them. We understand that testing is ongoing and that the hunt is working with Defra and the relevant statutory bodies to ensure that the infection is contained and eradicated."
An investigation is being carried out by the APHA to find the origin of the infection.


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On the morning he is set to star in a career-changing blockbuster film, an Irish actor trying to live down his rocky past confronts a series of devastating events that threaten his sobriety.
A re-imagining of the life and times of Blaze Foley, the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas Outlaw Music movement.
Blue Iguana
Ex-jailbirds Eddie and Paul are on parole and working in a New York diner. Their lives are a dead end. That is, until English lawyer Katherine Rookwood walks into the diner with an offer they can't refuse.
Charlie's Angels
Three women, detectives with a mysterious boss, retrieve stolen voice-ID software, using martial arts, tech skills, and sex appeal.
A sex-addicted con-man pays for his mother's hospital bills by playing on the sympathies of those who rescue him from choking to death.
Confessions of a Dan
An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris, in which he purports to have been a CIA hitman.
Cowboys & Aliens
A stranger stumbles into the desert town of Absolution with no memory of his past and a futuristic shackle around his wrist. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella and the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde, he finds himself leading an unlikely posse of cowboys, outlaws, and Apache warriors against a common enemy from beyond this world in an epic showdown for survival.
Digging for Fire
Tim and Lee are married with a young child. The chance to stay at a fancy home in the Hollywood Hills is complicated by Tim's discovery of a bone and a rusty old gun in the yard. Tim is excited by the idea of a mystery, but Lee doesn't want him to dig any further, preferring that he focus on the family taxes, which he promised to do weeks ago. This disagreement sends them on separate and unexpected adventures over the course of a weekend, as Tim and his friends seek clues to the mystery while Lee searches for answers to the bigger questions of marriage and parenthood.
Everybody's Fine
A widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.
A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.
A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world.
Galaxy Quest
The alumni cast of a space opera television series have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help.
Gentlemen Broncos
A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.
A career jewel thief finds himself at tense odds with his longtime partner, a crime boss who sends his nephew to keep watch.
Iron Man 2
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts and James 'Rhodey' Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.
The arrival of a newborn girl causes the gradual disintegration of the Cairn family; particularly for 9-year-old Joshua (Kogan), an eccentric boy whose proper upbringing and refined tastes both take a sinister turn.
In the throes of a quarter-life crisis, Megan panics when her boyfriend proposes, then, taking an opportunity to escape for a week, hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika, who lives with her world-weary single dad.
Matchstick Men
A phobic con artist and his protégé are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the former's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.
Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.
Mr. Right
A girl falls for the "perfect" guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he's a hitman on the run from the crime cartels who employ him.
A mute man with a violent past is forced to take on the teeming underworld of a near-future Berlin as he searches for his missing girlfriend.
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.
Seven Psychopaths
A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.
The Assassination of
Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.
The Best of Enemies
Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.
The Green Mile
The lives of guards on Death Row are affected by one of their charges: a black man accused of child murder and rape, yet who has a mysterious gift.
The Hitchhiker's Gui
Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
The Sitter
A college student on suspension is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.
The Way Way Back
Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.
Three Billboards Out
A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter's murder when they fail to catch the culprit.
George W. Bush picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and defense secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.
Woman Walks Ahead
Caroline Weldon moves to Dakota in the 19th century and tries to help the Sioux chieftain Sitting Bull keep the land for his people.


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As you all know, we are readying lots and lots of fun-filled activities for the next #typekitaexhibit! We are very grateful to all our incredible and very talented artists who'll be sharing their time and knowledge in teaching our guests!
The capsule classes and demos are free but will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be sign-up sheets available during the event. So, don't forget to bring your tools and your enthusiasm too! #TypeKita3 #passonthepassion
For more updates, follow Type Kita on
8 comments
Ooh! I'm going! See you there! :>ReplyDeleteReplies
See you Arlyn!Delete
Sounds like a great event for artists to attend.ReplyDeleteReplies
And im excited Mun!Delete
Sounds like fun! Have a good time there!ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes it is, i'm excited because it's for a benefitDelete
These are some of the things I would like to attend but to no avail, medyo malayo ako sa venue, ha,ha,ha! I love art things and to be a part of workshops would be awesome, maybe some day :(ReplyDeleteReplies
Aw, hahahaha, sayang, best part nga kasi yung benefit and chance to meet arts and be taught about the craft. :)Delete
Thanks for the comment bud! I want conversations going, so i'll reply to you soon. KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED, Subscribe now with my email rss and like this site on facebook and blog connect.
PS. Please also always include your contact info for replies!.


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|Asparagus is a Scrabble word. Scrabble point value for asparagus: 12 points.
|Asparagus is a Words with Friends word. Words with Friends point value for asparagus: 12 points.
Above are the results of unscrambling asparagus. Using the word generator and word unscrambler for the letters A S P A R A G U S, we unscrambled the letters to create a list of all the words found in Scrabble, Words with Friends, and Text Twist. We found a total of 90 words by unscrambling the letters in asparagus. Click these words to find out how many points they are worth, their definitions, and all the other words that can be made by unscrambling the letters from these words. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed.
1. edible young shoots of the asparagus plant
|Words that start with asparagus
|Words that end with asparagus
|Words that contain asparagus


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Designing a "Learning Journey" #LX
One of the most useful tools that we instructional designers can borrow from #UX is the Customer Journey map. After we've confirmed that this training should exist (a la Cathy Moore's Action Mapping), we should remember that learning is not an event, but a journey.
What is a Learning Journey?
It's a type of timeline that we can use to align different types of instructional products or solutions to support learning. Learning is not a binary activity, it takes time! A Learning Journey includes the things that happen between Don't Know to Know.
When making a map of a learning journey, it would be helpful to think of it not just in terms of time, but also consider the task from an instructional point of view:
- complexity – is this something they'll learn easily or will spaced repetition help?
- frequency – is this a task they be doing a lot or rarely. If it's rarely, then provide less training and more performance support, AND trigger it somehow (push notification)
- consequences of poor performance – is this something that they need to do right in order to avoid significant consequences? If so, it's essential that they learn it and get "challenged" or tested on it to ensure that they really have learned it.
And consider how performance might be monitored or shaped throughout the journey, through:
- Coaching
- Feedback
- Monitoring
- Practice
As you map how people might move through their learning journey, it will give you some ideas of how they need training or performance support. It will also help you identify how to construct or deliver training and performance support to your audience. One of the interesting elements of training is that it often includes both knowledge and skill. And we are often involved in marrying the two together. Knowing something and doing something are not the same thing. Doing it right is another issue entirely!
There's more nuance that can be gained from the customer mapping methodology, and we'll explore those more in future posts.


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Petlyakov PE-2 1/32 Scale Model Aircraft
Click to enlarge
After Vladimir Petlyakov had been arrested and imprisoned in 1937 for allegedly deliberately delaying design work on the Tupolev ANT-42 bomber, the Pe-2 was designed in a Sharashka. In the Sharashka, Petlyakov was put in charge of a team to develop a high-altitude fighter escort for the ANT-42 under the designation VI-100. In December 22, 1939, the first of two prototypes flew and was a very sophisticated aircraft for its time, featuring a pressurized cabin, all-metal construction, superchargers and many electrically-actuated systems. The prototypes proved so pleasing that production was ordered almost immediately. It is said that Petlyakov and his team could see the VI-100 prototype from their prison as it was put through its paces for the crowds watching the annual May Day parade in 1940.
After the Soviet Air Force had a chance to regroup after the German onslaught during the Winter, the aircraft did not really show its true potential until the end of the year. The Pe-2 quickly proved itself to be a highly capable aircraft, capable of eluding the Luftwaffe's interceptors and allowing their crews to develop great accuracy with their bombing. Throughout 1942 the design was steadily refined and improved, in direct consultation with pilots who were actually flying them in combat. The product of this evolutionary development was the Pe-2FT variant, where FT stands for Frontovoe Trebovanie(Frontline Request).


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[food]* Cooked in a miso, salt or shoyu base, chanko-nabe is traditionally served to sumo wrestlers to help them gain weight.
Chanko-nabe is a dish traditionally served to sumo wrestlers to help them gain weight for tournaments. Ingredients are boiled together in a shoyu, miso or salt base, and served communally in a large pot. There is no fixed recipe for chanko-nabe and chefs will usually opt for whatever ingredients are in season, but meat or fish usually feature heavily alongside ingredients such as fried tofu, mushrooms and other vegetables.
Price can vary wildly with area and ingredients but I saw these going at ¥3,000 - ¥5,000 per nabe in Tokyo's Ryogoku district. One restaurant-sized nabe is usually shared between two or more people, and eaten with other side dishes.
For sumo wrestling, the heavier you are, the less likely you are to be thrown off your feet, and as such sumo wrestlers strive to put on as much weight as possible. Chanko-nabe is said to have developed from this as a cost-effective way of providing weight gain - allowing flexibility with ingredients as well as nutritional balance.
Chicken is favoured on the belief that a wrestler should always be on two legs (like a chicken) and never on all fours (like a cow or pig) or off his feet altogether (like a fish) - although at restaurants all types are common. Only chicken is served to sumo wrestlers while a sumo tournament is in progress.
Look out for chanko-nabe specialty shops throughout Japan, or concentrated in Tokyo's Ryogoku district, the traditional home of sumo.
I tried it at:
3-24-5 Ryogoku
Sumida District
Getting there: 1 min. walk from JR Ryogoku station (Chuo-Sobu Line)
Actually, I think it just seems like a rather mild version of Chinese or Taiwanese hot pot. This prep method certainly brings out the best in the ingredients, it's lovely as comfort food and I certainly enjoyed it - but unless you're in it for the tradition it is, as a culinary item, quite unremarkable. Sorry. ♥♥
For more information, see our blog entry on chanko-nabe.
Like / love chanko-nabe? Got someplace to recommend? Comment below or Twitter / twitter.com/foodjapan


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A healthy culture is important to AEP because a highly engaged workforce naturally creates a better experience for our customers, and business outcomes that benefit our shareholders. The ingenuity and creativity of our employees will help us reinvent ourselves for the future.
According to the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), an aging work force plays a significant role in the industry's transformation. The CEWD's 2015 "Gaps in the Energy Workforce Pipeline" survey shows that overall, the electric and natural gas utility work force is getting younger and that retirement forecasts in future years are trending downward for the first time since the survey began in 2006. A large number of workers in our industry will retire in the next five to 10 years; at the same time, the industry is making progress filling the gap with younger employees.
A skilled work force is critical to AEP's success. Many of our skilled and technical employees, such as plant operators and line mechanics, are approaching retirement eligibility. AEP defines retirement eligibility as a minimum age of 55 years with 10 years of service. To prepare and develop the work force of the future, we are actively engaged in several initiatives to attract people with the technical skills we will need. This can be challenging as we find ourselves competing with other industries, such as the shale gas and technology-driven industries, for the same skilled workforce. The skillsets we will need are also changing. As we develop our data analytics team, for example, we will need different technical skills to be successful. This field is very competitive and we will be competing with companies such as Google and Amazon for the best talent.
One way we are addressing this potential labor shortfall is by developing work plans for each of our business units to identify potential staffing gaps, as well as opportunities to educate, train and prepare our future workforce. Work force planning enables us to grow the business while giving our employees opportunities to develop their knowledge and their skills.
Through AEP's Big Data Olympics, we are working to develop a work force optimization model. The purpose of the model is to help us improve our ability to forecast future workloads and optimally assign the work to employee and contract crews from a cost efficiency and customer satisfaction perspective.
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of the AEP Terms and Conditions. © 2019 American Electric Power.


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WASHINGTON — To the growing list of grievances between the United States and China, add one more: the Obama administration is reviving American pressure on China to stop artificially depressing its currency, a policy that fuels its persistent trade gap with the United States.
The administration has told Chinese officials that currency policy will be high on its agenda this year for economic talks with China, a senior official said on Wednesday. The White House is also weighing whether to designate China as a country that manipulates its currency, when the Treasury Department issues its semiannual report on foreign currencies in April.
President Obama signaled the tougher line on Wednesday, telling Democratic senators that the United States needed "to make sure our goods are not artificially inflated in price and their goods are not artificially deflated in price; that puts us at a huge competitive disadvantage."
Reopening the battle with Beijing over its currency may pay political dividends for Mr. Obama at a time of double-digit unemployment and growing fears that China is stealing American jobs. But experts say the president will have even less leverage over Beijing than President George W. Bush did. Mr. Bush prodded China for years to adjust its exchange rate with little success.
China, they say, is determined to reignite its export machine after a global recession that sapped demand for Chinese goods. A cheap currency is vital to that goal. And China's leaders have grown impatient with lectures on economic policy from their chief debtor, the United States.Continue reading the main story
"It will be like water off a duck's back," said Nicholas R. Lardy, a China expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "They're puzzled by the criticism. They think they should be praised for keeping their currency stable at a time of global turmoil."
Criticizing China's policy, however, is likely to worsen a relationship already frayed by irritants on both sides.
In two weeks, Mr. Obama is expected to meet with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, over the objections of the Chinese, who condemn him as a subversive. The administration forged ahead with sales of weapons to Taiwan, drawing an angry blast from Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized China for censoring the Internet, in the wake of Google's allegations about hacking.
For its part, the United States is frustrated that the Chinese will not back tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. And China has resisted American initiatives on climate change policy, turning the recent climate meeting in Copenhagen into a diplomatic drama.
The administration has struggled to prevent the ill will from any single issue from contaminating the broader relationship. "We can't pick the timing of when an issue becomes important," said a senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the matter.
Exchange rates are an arcane subject, harder to explain than a meeting with the Dalai Lama. But they influence easy-to-understand issues like the competitiveness of American exports and job security.
"The currency issue has the potential to become a very hot political issue," said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, who worked on China policy in the Clinton White House. "We're in significant danger of hitting a very rough patch in trade relations, in the latter part of this year."
The first question for Mr. Obama in his meeting with Senate Democrats came from Senator Arlen Specter, Democrat of Pennsylvania, and it was about China. What, he asked, did the president plan to do to respond to China's "unfair trade advantage," which he said caused the huge trade imbalance?
Mr. Obama talked about enforcing existing trade agreements, before raising the issue of exchange rates. If the United States was able to increase its exports to Asia by a single percentage point, he said, it would generate thousands, maybe millions, of new jobs in the country.
Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, urged the president to put China on the list of currency manipulators, something the administration has not done in its first two reports.
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, who has sponsored legislation that would impose sanctions on China for its currency policy, said he hoped the popular mood would push the White House.
"One of the main causes of the public's discontent is that they feel China doesn't treat us fairly, and that no one is doing anything about it," Mr. Schumer said in an interview. "That may importune the administration to act, but if they don't, there's a strong move in Congress to do so."
Another factor affecting the administration may be shifting economic fortunes in both countries. China is rebounding faster from the recession than the United States, and as it does, the imbalances that result from its artificially depressed currency could become even starker.
Economists estimate that China's currency, the renminbi, is undervalued by at least 25 percent and as much as 40 percent, relative to the dollar and other currencies. That gap, they say, is wider than at any time since 2005, when Beijing, under pressure from the Bush administration, allowed the renminbi to rise modestly.
Given that, the administration hopes China, on its own, will come to recognize the need for a new currency policy.
"The silver lining of what the U.S. and China have been through is that there's a greater appreciation in China of policies that would stimulate internal growth and make it less dependent on exports," said a senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The administration's point person on China's currency is the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, who has an awkward history on the subject. In a written answer to questions during his confirmation process, Mr. Geithner said that China was manipulating its currency. He later disavowed that statement, and set about smoothing ruffled feathers in Beijing.
"Many of us in Congress are pretty frustrated that the administration has made no progress on this," Mr. Schumer said.Continue reading the main story


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A Novel Way to Die (A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery #2) (Mass Market)
Berkley, 9780425251690, 304pp.
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
As the owner of Pettistone's Fine Books, Darla is settling nicely into her new life, even reaching an uneasy truce with Hamlet. Unfortunately, when she needs to hire a new clerk, the finicky feline decides to lend a paw to the hiring process. He chases away applicants who don't meet his approval, finally settling on an unlikely candidate: Robert, a book-loving Goth kid who has a secret only Hamlet knows.
And Hamlet can't seem to stay out of trouble. One of the bookstore's regular customers, a man who is renovating a local brownstone, claims he's seen Hamlet prowling the neighborhood. When the man's business partner is found dead, Darla discovers that Hamlet may have been the only witness to what could be murder. With the crafty cat's help, she wonders if they just might be able to pounce on a killer...
About the Author
Praise For A Novel Way to Die (A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery #2)…
"Brandon's light, easy style welcomes readers into the cozy confines of Pettistone's Fine Books. ... A fun mystery that kept me guessing to the end!"—Rebecca Hale, New York Times bestselling author of the Cats and Curios Mysteries


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By the age of 31, Yanni Hufnagel had already seen a world of success. He held the coveted position as the assistant coach for many top universities. His most recent position was with the University of California but he also coached at Berkeley, Harvard, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt. His resume is impressive, to say the least. One of the biggest wins during Yanni Hufnagel's career in the NCAA as an assistant coach was acquiring a stunning reputation among his players and peers.
Hufnagel hails from Scarsdale, California. He has earned a reputation as passionate, persistent, relentless, energetic, and devoted to the game of basketball during his time coaching. As a youth, he experienced a disappointment when he was dropped from his high school's varsity team, but he wouldn't let it keep him from a game he loved. When he was 16 Yanni became a sports commentator for local games. Even in his early years, he garnered attention for his unique views and analysis of basketball.
Havard offered the first true coaching opportunity to Yanni Hufnagel. There he was not only able to bond with the players, offer valuable insight, but to also help improve their game. During this position, Yanni also had the chance to try his hand out at college recruiting. It was during his four years at Havard he truly earned his reputation as a relentless recruiter. His persistence was especially noted during his relationship with Matt Ryan. Although Ryan ended up selecting another university, Hufnagel left a positive impression on him.
Even as a teenager Yanni Hufnagel loved the game of basketball. His passion for the game led to a career and early success as an NCAA assistant coach. Hufnagel worked at many prestigious universities including Harvard and Berkley. During his coaching career, he left a positive, lasting impression with all of his peers and players.


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R.A.D. Auto Machine is a cutting-edge Engine Rebuilding Facility with full service machine store capabilities. Wait one second…let me get again behind the Transmission Middle Service Desk first…as soon as again! Please be aware we solely show providers for end customers by the nature of our enterprise. We offer fast service on A/C repair, oil change, brakes, and pc diagnostics. Our full service on premise machine shop and 15 bay restore/set up heart makes us essentially the most full engine rebuilding and set up facility in the Tri-State area.
Take into account, though, that references provided to you by auto machine store are usually not equal in worth to the large random pattern of consumers surveyed through the Diamond Certified ratings course of. If you cannot discover Diamond Certified auto machine store in Petaluma, Windsor, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Cloverdale, Sebastopol, Cotati, Guerneville and Rohnert Park or within attain, you will have to do some research on your own.
If you have a small auto repair store that does common servicing and repairs, an on-car brake lathe could be fairly helpful to your bottom line and more importantly provide your customer with the satisfaction that they have chosen a workshop that may deal with all their needs in a single place. Machine outlets proceed to develop in number with the increasing volume of things that render the machine outlets' service.
It makes good monetary sense to protect your automotive funding by way of service carried out by certified professionals. FMC has been making great brake lathes in addition to a wide range of different automotive equipment for many years, starting with the early 600 collection. R.A.D Auto Machine has Invested in Rottler CNC Engine Blueprinting and Machining Tools for Precision Block Probing and Blueprinting.


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Day3 Helps Unite
Day3 Helps Australia Unite
Day3 is playing a key role in providing hosting and payment services for World Vision to take donations over 2 big events.
The first AUSTRALIA UNITES: Reach Out To Asia will feature a line-up of Australia's top performers, who have all devoted their time and creative energy to the cause of helping our regional neighbours rebuild lives, livelihoods and communities shattered by this terrible disaster.
On Monday 10th Jan, a World XI will face an Asian XI at Melbourne's MCG featuring the world's best known cricketers, in an exhibition of cricket of the highest quality. All money raised at both events will be donated to World Vision as part of its relief effort following the Tsunami disaster.
Day3 supports the efforts of many to help our neighbours rebuild and in keeping with Day3's motto of "Solutions of Lasting Value" have contributed their time and resources to provide a small contribution in aiding the relief effort.
Day3 encourages all its customers and all Australians to contribute generously to the appeal.
About Day3
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Find out more
If you would like to find out more, please
contact us
World Youth Day - Day3 eases administration for World Youth Day
World Youth Day (WYD08) is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world. It is the largest youth event in the world. Organized by the Catholic Church, WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors - more than the 2000 Olympics. But no big event can happen without some help from online administration.
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- You have a sweet tooth for alcohol—in fact, your whole mouth likes it.
- You spill so much booze at home your dog slurs his barks.
- Your credit history is composed entirely of bar tabs.
- When you get a cold you get a bottle of whiskey, do shots, and it's gone — not the cold, the whiskey.
- You're always shaking hands, even when there's no one else around.
- Whenever you bend your elbow your mouth snaps open.
- You get held up almost every time you have to go home — in fact it's the only way you can get home.
- You'd be happy to go to church if you could find one with a bar.
- Your favorite bar is four bus stops away — six bus stops coming back.
- The Red Cross uses your blood to sterilize their instruments.
- You're half scotch, and your ancestors aren't from Scotland.
- You know how to handle your liquor — with both hands.
- You hate the very sight of liquor, which is why you hide it in your stomach.
- You can tell what bar you're in by the bottoms of their tables.
Jun 5, 2006
u know u're a drunkard when…(05)
I'm an emcee, TV host and paranormal researcher. My life is far from normal but I wouldn't want it any other way.
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'Running the risk of Rossini – a young singer's experience of becoming a Rossini mezzo'
- with Paola Cuffolo (mezzo-soprano)
Paola has been passionate about Rossini from a very young age, so you can imagine her excitement when she first discovered it was something she might be able to sing. From trying to tackle Una voce poco fa at the age of 21 for her final exams at Oxford, to August 2014 in which she was able to go and study with bel canto master Rockwell Blake for a week in the US, this lecture looks at why Rossini is so important to Paola, and the pitfalls (and small victories!) associated with trying to master this famously tricky repertoire.
Opera Prelude works with some of the country's finest young singers at the start of their careers, hosting lecture recitals, concerts, operas and masterclasses. Every ticket sold, subscription or donation made directly supports Opera Prelude's chosen singers. Thanks to the generosity of our friends and supporters we have inaugurated The Opera Prelude Song Prize and in 2015 we will be launching our Singer's Friends Fund helping our young singers with small grants. We simply couldn't do any of this without the help of our friends and supporters who are a vital part of our story. If you would like to champion our work, every penny counts and every donation is appreciated more than it is possible to say.
Part of Opera Prelude 2015 Lecture Season
- Concert Duration:
- approx. 2 hours (with short interval)


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"Latin doesn't help to turn out factory-made mini-consumers fit for a globalised 21st century society. It helps create curious, intellectually rigorous kids with a rich interior world, people who have the tools to see our world as it really is, because they have encountered and imaginatively experienced another that is so like, and so very unlike, our own." Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian, 24.v.2009
Studying Latin provides pupils with the rare opportunity to learn a language which, simultaneously, gives an excellent insight into the workings of English grammar and syntax, and also offers an advantage in studying many modern foreign languages such as French, Spanish and Italian. It is also a subject which helps to make pupils more attractive to universities and, later, to employers – ranging from private sector companies in the City to the Civil Service, as it is viewed as a subject which teaches people how to think and critically assess information.
We follow the popular Cambridge Latin Course (CLC), which encourages pupils to view Latin as the language of Roman Civilisation and at the heart of western European culture. Pupils read Latin stories, recognise English derivations of words, learn how to pronounce Latin and build a vocabulary.
The course is also particularly well-structured to allow pupils to learn about many related aspects of ancient society which form the basis of our own society – which is another major benefit for pupils taking the subject. For example, we discuss political systems, the theatre, together with the beginnings of medicine and science.
The style of the classes also develops other skills, taking part in class and group discussions and in role play and drama. Pupils also undertake research in different topics and make use of IT (especially CLC E-learning resource and Cambridge Schools Classics Project websites).
We also offer a lunchtime Latin Clinic for pupils encountering difficulties with the language.
There are further activities on offer beyond the classroom. Guest speakers are invited to give talks on topics of interest from the classical world. Trips are organised to museums, the theatre and classical sites in the UK. In addition the department runs an overseas trip each year to either Italy or Greece.


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Search below for things of interest and places to visit in Britain by name, location, type, keyword – or just have a browse. New items are being added every week.
The National Holocaust Centre is dedicated to providing an understanding of discrimination and prejudice and is the only museum of its kind in the UK. It was founded by the Smith family, in their home, following a visit in 1991 to Yad Vashem, Israel's national Holocaust museum. There are both temporary and permanent exhibitions - 'The Journey' is mainly aimed at children of primary school age and 'The Holocaust' tells the full story of European Jews, the rise of the Nazis, the 'final solution' and its aftermath. Many survivors tell their stories to the museum and its visitors. There is also an acre of memorial garden. As of 2017, something like 20,000 school children will visit the National Holocaust Centre.


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Speciality Balloons, Fun Party Toys & Accessories for All Occasions
May 16, 2014
Special Party Offer
A introduction to the special offer here.
Mega Party Bag of Stuff
Balloons, streamers, hats, toys, shirts etc.
Only £99.00
Category: Offers
The rest of the details will go here.
Loads of content and some pics here
Telephone 01642 672777 for more details