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In June, representatives from National Co+op Grocers visited Capitol Hill as part of the National Organic Coalition's (NOC) annual "Hill Day." NCG is a cofounder and active member of NOC, which is a coalition of fourteen member organizations that advocate for federal programs to support organic agriculture and strong organic standards. NOC retains a full time legislative consultant, Steve Etka, who works year round to build relationships with lawmakers and federal agencies. Hill Day is NOC's yearly opportunity to descend upon D.C. as a group and talk directly with key decision makers.
The purpose of the Hill Day visits was to educate political leaders about specific issues related to organic agriculture. These include: asking for more organic research that would help increase the local organic food supply, advocating for organic certification cost-sharing, funding regionally-adapted crop and livestock breeding programs, preventing GMO cross-contamination with organic farms and ensuring that organic farmers are fairly compensated if cross-contamination does occur, and improving animal welfare standards.
"NCG partners with a number of likeminded organizations through which we build relationships with legal, policy and scientific experts on priority advocacy issues," said Robynn Shrader, CEO of NCG. "I appreciate the opportunity to work with NOC's diverse membership," said Allie Mentzer, NCG's advocacy specialist who participated in Hill day, meeting with legislators individually as well as with NOC as a group. "Hill Day is another opportunity for NCG to literally have a seat at the table in Washington, DC and inform key decision-makers about some of the issues that are important to NCG co-ops and their members."
Mentzer noted that a majority of NCG's advocacy work is focused on increased organic agriculture and maintaining organic standards. "Many of our member stores sell organic products, and our work is to help increase the domestic supply of organic foods while also meeting our consumer's expectations for strong standards behind the USDA Certified Organic label," she said.
"Trust in our merchandise is one of the most-cited reason our customers shop at BriarPatch Co-op," said Mellisa Hannum, communication specialist at BriarPatch Co-op in Grass Valley, Calif. The NCG's advocacy dovetails with their own work in the community by keeping the need for organic foods in the forefront of their customers' and farmers' thoughts and focus. "NCG is viewed as a trusted source in our community," she said. "Their organic advocacy work, done at the national level, helps support our organic promotion at the local level—both because it accentuates the importance of organic, as well as underscoring the trustworthiness and desirability of certification."
The NCG and its partners continue to strongly advocate for consistent and meaningful organic standards, Mentzer said, "The beautiful thing about organic is that a spirit of continuous improvement is written into the federal law which governs it. USDA Certified Organic already represents a highly regulated and transparent food system, and thanks to the dedicated work of our many partners, continues to improve over time to the benefit of consumers, farmers and the environment."Add to favorites


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Joe Petron
Dept. Chair Suzuki Strings
M.M.Ed Duquesne University
B.S. Duquesne University
Chair, Suzuki Violin
Joe Petron has a B.S. in Music Education and M.M.Ed both from Duquesne University. Presently teaching at Trinity Christian School, he taught general and instrumental music in public schools. He has taught Suzuki violin and has been the director of the Suzuki programs at Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University. In addition, he has taught at Suzuki summer institutes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas and Washington, DC. In 1985, he studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at Talent Education in Matsumoto, Japan. Joe also has a private music studio in White Oak where he teaches violin. He has been a church organist and choir director and has played violin in the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years. Joe and his wife have two sons and three grandchildren.

subset: commoncrawl


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a list of 10 false claims it said Russia was making in order to justify its operation in Ukraine following Moscow's annexation of the Crimea region last month.
Pulling off its diplomatic gloves, Washington issued its second list in just over a month of false claims it said Russia was making about Ukraine.
"Russia continues to spin a false and dangerous narrative to justify its illegal actions in Ukraine," said the statement entitled "Russian Fiction: The Sequel. Ten More False Claims about Ukraine."
Moscow dismissed a similar list issued on March 6 as a "primitive distortion of reality", cynicism and double standards.
In its list on Sunday, the State Department said that contrary to claims made by Moscow, Russian agents were active Ukraine and Russia was fomenting unrest there.
"What is going on in eastern Ukraine would not be happening without Russian disinformation and provocateurs fostering unrest. It would not be happening if a large Russian military force were not massed on the border, destabilizing the situation through their overtly threatening presence," the statement said.
It added that despite claims Russia had ordered a partial drawdown of troops massed on the Ukrainian border, there was no evidence showing significant movement of Russian forces away from the border.
Finally, it said, Moscow was using energy as a weapon against Kiev despite claims to the contrary.
"Russia raised the price Ukraine pays for natural gas by 80 percent in the past two weeks. In addition, it is seeking more than $11 billion in back payments following its abrogation of the 2010 Kharkiv accords," it said.
The full list posted on the State Department website is available here
Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Writing by Sandra Maler; Editing by Eric Walsh


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Earthsong is an innovative urban co-housing development in West Auckland and a model of socially and environmentally sustainable urban living.
All public tours begin promptly at 10am, rain or shine, with no reservations necessary. There is a charge for adults but children are free, for the two-hour tour.
The public tours include a presentation about Earthsong in the community's Common House, a walk through the neighbourhood, the viewing of a home or 2, some refreshments and a chance to talk with residents. Please wear slip off shoes. No childminding provided.
Phone - 09 832 9998 or Email - firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Thank you - Earthsong Centre Trust.


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The coaching business of Red Hawk Coaching continues to grow. In the last 60 days alone, Jeremy, CEO/Owner of Red Hawk Coaching, has worked with 21 different businesses and 54 individuals. Jeremy provides one-on-one coaching for a variety of small businesses and membership-based group coaching for real estate agents. Learn more about the businesses assisted by Jeremy Williams below:
Keller Williams Realty Northeast
JLA Realty
Origen Realty
Jane Byrd International LLC
eXp Realty LLC
Coldwell Banker United
McDonald Realty
Red Door Realty & Associates
Mid America Mortgage
Northwoods Transaction Management
F.C. Realty ADV
Houston Preferred Properties
McClain Real Estate Services
Dream Dwellings Realty
RE/MAX Associates Northeast
BHGRE Gary Greene
Covenant Realty
TWFG Guajardo Insurance
NRL Mortgage
Stewart Title - Kingwood
Stewart Title Atascocita
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Beside Myself play a melodic brand of punk rock comparable to popular (relatively) punk acts like Jawbreaker, Dead to Me, and the electric side of Brian Moss' countless projects. Here's to You, the new album by Beside Myself, is filled with catchy anthems and sing-along choruses which should be appealing to any jaded punk rocker. For anyone who would prefer spending a night out on the porch with PBR and a pack of smokes rather than going to a show, this might be the album for you.
The best thing about Here's to You is that it wastes absolutely no time for the listener. Its eight songs clock in at just shy of twenty one minutes and the band makes excellent use of that time. Take Time, the opening track on Here's to You, kicks things off on a strong note with a melody that would be right at home on 24 Hour Revenge Therapy. From there the band continues with their sometimes shouted, sometimes sung dual vocal approach with similarly infectious tunes such as Part Two or the very Dead to Me-esque Overboard (or at least prior to the solo it sounds very much like Dead to Me).
Beside Myself doesn't even waste time when it comes to the hidden track- just seconds after Overboard fades out, the band kicks in to a fairly faithful rendition of the Jam's That's Entertainment. While played with more distortion, the cover doesn't do much to change the original, but it is a nice treat to those who are worried when first seeing that the final track is listed at six minutes long.
The instrumentation and song writing on the album is strong throughout. Although Here's to You may only be Beside Myself's debut studio recording, just by listening to the songs it's clear that this trio is made up of seasoned veterans of the punk scene. The band runs a tight ship, and even though Here's to You doesn't bring anything special or new to the proverbial table, it's still full of fun tunes. If you've been patiently waiting for the forgetters' debut album and feel like you're losing hope, Beside Myself will help to tide you over.


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Hazel and Debbie have designed and delivered an innovative and very well received development programme for our group. In my 30 years in business, this is far the best training offer out there"
M. Ziolek – Director Itmsoil Group
Hazel has a good sense of pragmatism whilst delivering management training and coaching. Keeping the sessions informal but informative thus getting the most from the participants. She is not only professional and engenders the trust of those she coaches but is also very personable and easy to get on and share ideas with. Dec 2012
Lindsay McCaughey VP Operations at Resilient Networks plc
Hazel is a key part of our facilitator team. She is an energetic and collaborative associate who adds value through her creative and enthusiastic personal style. She contributes ideas, shares willingly and this provides a fabulous 'USP' for our clients and ourselves. Hazel is easy to work and always ensures the results are clear, understood and achieved.
Gail Lineham – Morrisons Management Development Training
Hazel has excellent people skills which is the most important aspect of being an excellent personal coach. Not only was Hazel of value to me professionally but had lots of advice for how i manage myself as a person to achieve the best results possible. Fun and understanding, Hazel also provided great integrity putting me at ease when discussing matters that were personal and private. I hope to work again with Hazel at some point in my future career.
Anthony Attree – Finance Officer Sandy Balls Estates Ltd
Hazel is a committed and proactive individual who has had great impact on our people. As a skilful and creative trainer, Hazel engages her audience and takes them with her on the learning journey. Just as importantly, she has also really engaged with our managers so that the training is pitched at the right level, and covers content most important to bringing effective change. Course feedback shows that our employees have both enjoyed and learnt much from Hazel's training and coaching during the last year at itmsoil.
Ally Maughan – HR Manager Itmsoil Group
"When I was first introduced to life coaching with Hazel, I wasn't sure what to expect. My life was not in order and there were many issues that were controlling my life. But after many sessions with Hazel my life is now turned around. Hazel asked me 'What would you like to be as person' and I said I would like to be confident and relaxed. I am certainly that after my coaching with Hazel!
I feel Hazel truly understood what it was I needed to do to achieve my goals. We had a laugh also during our time. I feel I am now on the right road to continue my journey as a relaxed confident woman! Thank you, Hazel.
Victoria Anderson, Bank Employee (aged 22) – Manchester
"When I decided to embark on my coaching sessions with Hazel, it was because I needed to gain some control over key aspects of my life, relationships and work in terms of becoming more confident in setting myself real, achievable goals that would benefit me and those around me and closest to me.
Hazel's support and calm clarity during those first sessions helped me to plan and for my inspirational goals; personal to me, my values and my situation. The Wheel of Life is a simple and incredibly effective tool that I have revisited as key goals were achieved and life's unpredictability resulted in taking a step back and re-evaluating new goals – I am indebted to Hazel for introducing it to me! Hazel is a wonderful, generous person whose coaching style is motivating and inspiring. Thank you, Hazel."
Georgina Angele – Area Development Manager, Young Enterprise, South East – Brighton
"I recommend Hazel's friendly but no-nonsense approach to anyone who is thinking of taking time to re-evaluate their direction and purpose – at home or in their career.
Hazel is quick to evaluate and understand the key drivers which motivate an individual and is able to suggest considered and creative ideas for moving forward. I've found the time I have spent with Hazel both interesting and invaluable and thoroughly recommend her."
Sue Atkins – The Parenting Expert, author and coach – Horley, Surrey


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We will give you a quick run down of the story online. A customer made a reservation for 24 hours on U-Hauls website. He then called twice to confirm the reservation. When he arrived to pick up his truck he was told it was a 12 hour rental and that he would be charged $100 for ever hour he was late. That would make his 24 hour rental that was supposed to be $19.95 actually cost $1200.
The story goes on to report that this was NOT an isolated incident. The Boston Globe reporter wrote "On Friday, I counted a half-dozen complaints similar to [the customer's]. It was hard to get an accurate number of such complaints, because some of them were deleted from the website as the day wore on."
On U-Hauls own website other customers were reporting similar problems as fast as the UHaul web lackeys could delete those bad reviews!
Lets stop and review. If this were true it would mean that U-Haul overcharges hundreds of customers every day and then covers it up!!! And what is the point in having reviews if U-Haul deletes the ones it doesn't like?
We recommend Penske Truck Rental for a reason and this is just one of them. If for some reason you have to rent a U-Haul truck here are a few tips for you.
1) Use a Pre-paid credit card – Search the web and you will find MANY reports of U-Haul charging a customer's credit card much more than the customer agreed to. You can buy prepaid credit cards at most gas stations for about $5. Then you don't have to worry about U-Haul or some scammer at an old car lot that is temporarily a U-Haul location having your credit card number.
2) Rent ONLY from a corporate location – A corporate location is one owned by U-Haul and run by U-Haul employees. The reasons are to many to list but think of it this way. When you are another customer that has a problem with U-Haul, do you want it to be dealing with some guy at a cheap car lot or an actual U-Haul employee?
3) Call to confirm your reservation – UHaul will call you the day before but that comes from a call center. Call the actual location you want to pick up from 48 hours before your moving help is scheduled to arrive.
4) Ask to pick up as soon as the location opens – Look around the web and you will find many reports of U-Haul purposefully overbooking trucks. Many suspect that they book 2-3 customers for every 1 available truck. If you get their first, their is less chance U-Haul will give your truck to someone else.
6) Don't buy any U-Haul supplies – U-Haul moving boxes and supplies are much more expensive than other local alternatives like TreeFree Boxes and even your local Home Depot sells moving supplies now.
5) Call the 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers! We have many options that you may not have thought of and we can help you make the best decision for any kind of move. Even if you aren't moving in Cincinnati we are still glad to help.


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So, it's not Friday anymore, but if you've had a fall like mine I'm sure you're willing to overlook that small detail. I wanted to share one of the best, most succinct sites for comprehensive teaching strategies across the curriculum. It is located at: www.achievementstrategies.org. This website has a variety of free resources for you to use and share.
There are graphic organizers and frame paragraphs for teaching reading and writing skills and strategies. They include text structures for fiction and nonfiction passages along with guides to help students write concise summaries.
There are quick reference lists of high frequency vocabulary to teach in a variety of content areas.
There are professional development tools, templates for long term planning, information on Response to Intervention and so much more!


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Its with a certain remnant of adolescent giddiness that I review Valleys of Neptune, the latest collection of previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix recordings. As a teenager in the late 90s, I was on a first-name basis with Jimi. His iconic visage was plastered across my bedroom walls and screen printed onto my t-shirts. I actually tried playing a Stratocaster with my teeth before I ever used my fingers. But one thing I never got to experience was going into a record store on a release day and walking out with something brand-new from Hendrixrecordings and sounds that I had an equal ear in discovering, as opposed to coming across them decades after the rest of the world. For millions of younger Hendrix fans like me, Valleys of Neptune (and other Hendrix projects slated for future release) isnt just another in a long line of posthumous Hendrix albums. Its the nearest we can ever get to what it must have felt like when records like Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland changed the landscape of rock and roll forever in the late 60s.
Valleys of Neptune, the first new Hendrix studio album released in more than a decade, assembles 12 previously unreleased recordings, which include long-sought-after studio originals, reworked arrangements of Hendrix classics, and studio versions of covers Hendrix often played in concert. The bulk of these tracks were recorded in early 1969, as The Jimi Hendrix Experience worked on what was to be the follow-up to Electric Ladyland. This record captures the final studio output of the original Experience lineup and, with Billy Cox playing bass on three tracks, hints at what Hendrix would soon be moving on to with the Band of Gypsys.
Extracts of lead single Valleys of Neptune have surfaced in the past, which made obtaining a complete version of the song a major priority for die-hard Hendrix fans. A single listen will make it clear that this song was well worth the wait. From the opening riff and first lines of Lord I feel the ocean swaying me/Washing away all my pain, everything about Valleys of Neptune sounds like an immediate revelation. The other studio rarity that really resonates here is the bluesy Hear My Train A Comin. Most listeners will already be familiar with the 12-string acoustic version of this song, but being plugged in and backed here by a full band allows Hendrix the amplitude to reach additional emotional levels both vocally and on guitar.
However, the title track and Hear My Train A Comin are by far the most realized and polished of the less familiar songs on Valleys of Neptune. Other tracks like Lover Man, Ships Passing through the Night, Lullaby for the Summer, and Crying Blue Rain are little more than extended jams still waiting to be turned into songs. But at the same time, you would have to be dead not to be floored by the variety and innovation of Hendrixs guitar mastery. These recordings may only be rough sketches of would be songs, but some of the most compelling material on Valleys of Neptune comes in these least likely of momentswhen it seems that Hendrix is searching for something that hes not ready to find quite yet.
Listeners will undoubtedly appreciate this albums alternate take on three of Hendrixs most indelible songs. Stone Free, which opens the record, grooves harder than the original and features distinct and trippy backing vocals that give this classic barnburner a new vibe. The arrangements of Fire and Red House have been expanded upon to give the feel of a stage performance. Red House, in particular, benefits from this treatment, as Hendrix has the time and space to wander, explore, and fully solo on guitar between succinct vocal parts.
The two cover songs on Valleys of Neptune also rank as highlights. Hendrix takes blues legend Elmore James straightforward Bleeding Heart and transforms it into his own inimitable style of funk rock that rollicks and soars. In 1969, Creams Sunshine of Your Love was a concert staple of the Experience, and Hendrix maneuvers through this classic with the meticulousness of a surgeon, his play ranging from bold and brash to restrained and intricate.
Valleys of Neptune is in no way a proper studio album. Its largely a collection of riffs, solos, and songs in their infancy, destined to be fleshed out, transformed, or even scrapped all together. Its a glimpse of Hendrix at work, trying to figure out what comes next. More than anything, Valleys of Neptune gives fans a chance to listen and wonder about what could have been.


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Dharamshala — A cross-party delegation of assistants from the European Parliament held a Press Conference on May 25th during their five-day visit to Dharamshala, expressing their continued support for Tibet's struggle for freedom.
Touring Dharamsala until May 26, the seven-member delegation said it aims to gain 'firsthand experience and knowledge' about Tibetan society in exile and the Tibetan struggle during its tour organized by the Office of Tibet, Brussels.
Opening the press conference was Rigzin Choeden Genkhang, EU Advocacy Officer, who began by saying, "We actually wanted them to experience and witness the functionality of the Central Tibetan Administration."
Crediting the newly-formed group of assistants to members of the European Parliament (MEP) for enabling several pro-Tibet activities in Brussels including the Resolution on Larung Gar, Nyima Lhamo's hearing at the Human Rights Sub-Committee and the Conference on the Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Rigzin thanked the delegation for their continued support.
Gyongyver Forro, assistant to MEP Csaba Sogor from the European Peoples Party, said that as she met with the Tibetan Leaders, students from Tibetan institutions, representatives of NGOs and other cultural centers, she could see how 'brave' the Tibetan people were and their truly humble nature.
She admired the way Tibetans have preserved their tradition, culture and language, and said, "I also admire your peaceful patience how you are dealing with your struggle, which is not an easy struggle to remain peaceful," Forro said, "The Middle Way Approach can only be reached through dialogue. In Europe, we were starting to lose patience but this visit put me to shame for nearly losing hope. So until you achieve your goal, I would like to promise our full support in any way."
Harriet Clayton, assistant to Scott-Cato from Green group, said that her office took interest in Tibet with regards to the environmental degradation on the Tibetan Plateau. Surprised at the awareness of young Tibetans students on issues regarding the degradation of the environment, she said, "It was very inspirational to hear from the community leaders and students for taking awareness on such issues."
Francesco Giorgi, assistant to MEP Panzeri from Social and Democratic Group, described the Nobel Peace Prize as the common ground between Tibet and the EU and expressed his admiration for Tibet's peaceful struggle.
"The persistence and endurance of Tibetans to keep the dream alive is a source of inspiration for all the western nations and we in the European Parliament will do our part to echo the cause," Giorgi added.
Dalila Bernard, assistant to MEP Preda also from the European People's Party, said that all the members of the delegation were committed to the cause of Tibet. "We mention Tibet whenever we get the chance," she added, thanking the exile government and the Brussels office for making the visit possible, which has given them 'new tools' to work better for Tibetan cause.
"The main challenge for us is to make Tibet matter everyday. Many consider Tibet's conflict as hopeless conflict, but we don't," said Bernard.
Several of the delegates had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his trip to Brussels last September. The group of Assistants was informally formed in 2016 by their mutual interest in the Tibet issue. Their dedication and hard work enables their MEPs to make meaningful and consistent support to Tibet.
Many of these MEPs are members of Tibet Interest Group (TIG) in the European Parliament. Due to their involvement, the Office of Tibet in Brussels has succeeded in making a high profile presence in the European Parliament and the European Union.
The seven-member delegation met with leadership in the Tibetan government, representatives of NGOs, Tibetan Schools, nunneries and other cultural centers. Many of them are visiting India and Tibetan institutions for the first time. The sole purpose of the visit is to facilitate the Parliamentary staff to obtain first-hand experience and knowledge about Tibetan people in India and their establishment, as an effort re-strengthen their commitment for Tibet.


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Our Debit/ ATM & Prepaid practice maintains a deep body of expertise on the issues facing the payments industry and supports clients on a range of strategic, financial, regulatory, and operational matters. Our clients include the largest and most successful financial institutions, payment networks, processors, and service providers. We advise clients at both a strategic and tactical level on a range of product and program matters, including debit and prepaid card issuance, ATM deployment, online banking, and emerging payments applications. The diversity of our client base coupled with the longevity of our client relationships allows us to deliver tested and proven insights.
Specific to Prepaid, our team advises clients on product development, distribution strategies, market sizing, business case development, partner selection, and market entry planning. Our clients include the largest and most successful program managers, financial institutions, retailers, alternative financial services providers, processors, card networks, and service providers. Our experience spans market sectors, value-chain roles, and geographical regions.
Our Debit/ ATM & Prepaid practice draws on a pool of professionals with years of experience. Members of our team have played an integral advisory role on many of the transactions and events that have re-shaped the electronic payments industry.
For more information on our Debit/ ATM & Prepaid leadership team, please reference their biographies:
- Lee Manfred, Partner
- Josh Gilbert, Partner
- Hugh Gallagher, Principal


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turab shah
Interviews, New in Ceasefire - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 16:40 - 2 Comments
Interview | Hamja Ahsan and Turab Shah: "It is important to remain hopeful"
As a London event tomorrow marks 6 years in detention without trial, charge or evidence for Talha Ahsan, a young British poet facing extradition to the US, we publish part one of an exchange between Hamja Ahsan, Talha's brother and Turab Shah, whose powerful documentary,'Extradition', is the first to focus on the tragic cases of Talha Ahsan and Babar Ahmad.
More Ideas
- Analysis | Goddard's 'Westminster Mob' are a threat to our common future
- Analysis | The far right is no longer a marginal force in British politics
- Comment | The Resistible Rise of Saint Tommy
- Comment | Nakba Day: Marking 70 Years of Palestinian dispossession, and resistance
- Analysis | "How could they all be so wrong?": Reflections on the 2017 General Election
More In Politics
- Analysis | What kind of Labour anti-racist movement do we want?
- Comment | Britain's homelessness crisis shames us all
- Comment | After Khashoggi: This toxic UK-Saudi relationship cannot continue
- Comment | The Abdi Ali tragedy shows Britain is still failing its black men and boys
- Comment | The Bahraini authorities are slowly killing my father. Why is Theresa May helping them?
More In Features
- Special Report | The world's shameful, ongoing failure to hold Burma to account
- Interview | Elsa Lefort: "The fate of my husband, Salah Hamouri, does not matter to our leaders"
- Photo Essay | Tindouf: A bright spark in Saharawi-Algerian solidarity
- Interview | "When governments criminalise journalism, we need to push back": Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Sue Turton
- Special Report | Against Israel's brutality, Palestinians remain undeterred
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- Theatre | Review | The Shroud Maker: Lives and death in Palestine
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- Comment | The tone-deafness of privilege: Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl
- Books | Shy Radicals: The Antisystemic Politics of the Militant Introvert, by Hamja Ahsan


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"Cheney had the right idea." That's what some will be saying one day, as opposed to the all-too-common Hitler maxim. Who wants to kill grandma now?
EPA Being Sued Over Illegal Human Testing
Since at least 2004 and up through the Obama administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been secretly testing highly toxic/lethal air pollutants on unhealthy human study subjects for the sole purpose of finding out what harm would be caused by the exposures. In no case, were the human study subjects fully informed of the dangers posed by the experimentation, nor were they intended to benefit from the experimentation.
2004: Same year they built the secret police army.
This is the US Government's solution to overpopulation. As someone who spent some portion of 2011 calling constituents in Michigan in order to remind their two Democrat US senators to vote to keep the EPA funded to protect the Great Lakes from pollution and invasive species, I have no doubt that this was and is not a partisan issue, not much. There's what they say and there's what they do.
While overpopulation and resources are clearly things that need to be dealt with, I cannot help thinking that the real motives are those with money not wanting to have to support the poor and middle class through economic problems of their making and another new market to be exploited, as the other assassination training posts I've put on this blog, that of reducing population to "protect" America.
(Anyway, it's easy to talk about logically when you no longer have a dog in the fight. Wonder if that was the intent.)


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As if Apple wasn't embroiled in enough legal battles, here is one more coming its way -albeit this one could have embarrassing repercussions. Apple might lose the right o use the name "iPhone" for its popular smartphone in the burgeoning market of Brazil. The country's copyright regulator is likely to strip Apple Inc of the right to use that name in Brazil. This is because a Brazilian consumer electronics company was using the "iPhone" trademark a good 7 years before Apple introduced the iPhone.
The company in question is Gradiente Eletronica SA, a Brazilian consumer electronics maker which had registered the "iphone" name in the year 2000 – way before Apple even conceived the iPhone. Incidentally, Gradiente Eletronica SA has launched a lineup of Android powered smartphones that it calls the "iphone" back in December 2012.
The Brazilian copyrights regulator – The Brazilian Institute of Intellectual Property is expected to give a ruling on February 13 – and experts are of the opinion that it is likely to go against Apple. This would mean that Apple would not be able to sell the iPhone as the "iPhone" in the huge Brazilian market. On the flip side, should the regulator rule against Apple, the ruling can be challenged in Brazilian courts.
Brazil, with a huge middle class populations is a large market for Apple's iPhone and this ruling, if it goes against them could possibly hit them hard. Imagine calling an iPhone by another name!?


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Event Held to Mark Last Sakura Wars Musical in August
posted on by Egan Loo
The media company Sega held a free special event in Tokyo's Cure Maid Café last Saturday to mark the last stage musical run planned for the Sakura Wars (Sakura Taisen) franchise. The "Sakura Wars New York Revue Show: Last Show" will run in Tokyo from August 27 to August 31. Sakura Wars musicals have been held every year since 1997, although the Teigoku Kagekidan (Imperial Assault Force) cast that started the franchise already held its last performance in 2006. The last musical will focus on the New York Assault Force that made its appearance later in the franchise's history.
Ouji Hiroi began the franchise as a "dramatic adventure game" on Sega Saturn console in 1996. From there, this alternative history story of all-female mechanized task forces — that also perform musicals to maintain their top secret cover — rapidly expanded onto other game platforms, as well as into anime via DVD, film, and television. As another sign of the slowing momentum for the franchise though, Tokyo's official Sakura Wars shop and cafe (Taishō Romandō & Sakura Cafe) closed on March 30 after almost a decade of service.
Source: Akiba Keizai Shimbun


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Ruffwear – Web Master Secure, Reflective, Multi-Use Harness for Dogs
Escape proof harness that can fit a variety of different size dogs.
My boxer mix escaped from everything;harness, collar, etc. But with this he hasn't. Only thing with him is he loosens the front when we aren't watching and chews out one of the side straps for his chest. Dani
Dog Gone Smart Pet Products Zip and Dri Drier
Ever started out giving your dog a bath, and ended up getting one yourself? Well, that is over.
I have 5 drop coated dogs so drying time was significant and this really sucks the water out of their coats. In addition, I leave them in the sack while I dry their heads so it cuts down on bobbing and weaving as well. – DocDVM
Petego Umbra Portable Pet House and Containment System
Great for camping, visiting family and friends and much more.
I used the Petego for two long days this past weekend and it was awesome. My dog could stretch out and there was still room for her water bowl. It set up and broke down in a flash and it took up so little room in my vehicle. – Tammy Lenski
Sleepypod Yummy Travel Bowls Medium for dogs
The only 3-in-1 food and water storage, transportation and serving system available today. It takes the work and mess out of traveling with your furry friends. There is a lot more to this system than meets the eye.
I was tired of the plastic dog travel bowls because; they are not make with healthy safe plastic, the tops kept cracking. I gave this a try and I am glad I did. Even though we have a lab mix dog, it holds enough water and food for car trips. –Ivy England
Leashboss City Handler, The Perfect Handle Leash for Large Dogs
This leash is that all owners with large, strong breeds have on their wish list. It's a full 1 inch nylon leash with a handle at the owners end that eliminates the pain and awkward positions your hands can end up in with normal leashes, not to mention superior control.
Great product. I have arthritis in the fingers of my left hand, and this leash is much more comfortable for me to use. It is also very well constructed. I liked it so much I bought three – one for home and two for the office since some of us go to the local shelter and walk dogs during our lunch time. Thank you for a great product. –Anna
OllyDog Grass OllyBottle Water Bottle. Great for day trips.
It doesn't matter if you are headed across town to the dog park or across the country. This handy water bottle and tray for your friend. Share water from the same bottle without sharing the slobber.
After previously trying several types of travel water bottles for my Miniature Schnauzer, I've found one that is perfect! It's sturdy, attractive, and it doesn't leak. Baron and I love it! –tealady
Hyper 4-ball Tennis Ball Launcher for Dogs
This rig is nice and you can set the distance for the shots giving you plenty of flexibility to make it work in your play area.
Good news: Dog gets lots of exercise – just loves it! You can shoot grounders (plays to dog's chasing instinct), close in lobs, Out 50+ ft… Uses up lots of dogs energy! Fun for human to try to hit where you aim to! –Carl J. Johnson
Shake Dog Potty Relief System Folds for Travel and Easy Cleaning
Traveling and have limited space? Maybe in the hotel room or your apartment and don't always have the chance to do a full walk? This may be your perfect solution.
Works great and takes all the mess out of cleaning. It closes and keeps all the pee inside, doesn't make a mess. To clean, just pour it out of the spout and rinse with some cleaner. Highly recommend! – Heather
The One and Only Bone Pool!
The perfect gift for the dog that loves water, but does not live close to a lake, river or creek. Now, your dog can take a dip anytime they need to cool off of just have some fun.
My dog is a heavy and strong chewer. He's a 19 month old lab. So far he has eaten 4 of the $20 baby pools. This pool has held up to him for 2 months and going strong. I've even seen him digging in the corners and it is still holding up. A little expensive, but worth it and the drain makes cleaning and refilling easy. – Courtney Nolan
The Triton Retractable Dog Leash Is Virtually Indestructible and Rated for Dogs up to 156lbs.
This leash is so flexible that you will enjoy walking your dog in a rain storm. It's tough as nails and holds strong when you need it, all with great design and a touch of class.
Light weight, but durable. Love the anti-grip slip handle. Fits the hand perfectly. – Connie Schwerdt


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Fresk - Backpack Drops Pink
Regular price €34,95
Backpack with adjustable shoulder straps, double handles, iconic print and leather accents from the new FRESK bag collection. This nice toddler backpack has one large compartment inside with enough space for a lunch box + a separate compartment for the drinking can and a smaller compartment in front for small items, there is also a name tag so you can make your backpack completely yours.
The bags are made from 100% recycled pet bottles.
Size: 32x23 cm
More from: Fresk
Deel met je vrienden
Others also bought


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Disturbing footage of a fox being mauled by a pack of hounds in Cheshire has been shared online – sparking a police investigation.
An anti fox hunting group say they filmed the video in Beeston on Saturday (February 4).
The gruesome footage, which was posted to the group's Facebook page, appears to show a pack of hounds tearing up a fox as protesters attempt to pull them away.
"The poor vixen stood no chance of escape in such deep water surrounded by a pack of bloodthirsty hounds tearing at her dainty body," a statement from the group read.
"We tried our utmost best to save her but it was too late."
Another video, posted on Facebook by a different group, shows the same fox's body on the ground after the attack with huntspeople standing around it.
A voice can be heard saying: "You should be utterly ashamed. How can you do that? How can you be a part of that?"
A ban on hunting foxes and other wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales was implemented in the Hunting Act 2004.
Cheshire Constabulary released a statement on Monday (February 6) confirming that rural and wildlife trained officers are looking into the allegations.
"It is not a police matter to determine what is or is not hunting, this can only be determined in court," it read.
"The role of the police is to investigate alleged or apparent breaches of the Hunting Act, to gather evidence, and to pass that evidence to the appropriate authority to consider prosecution.
"Our investigation is in the early stages and we will do our best to update you on our progress."
Police are asking for witnesses to the incident or people with footage of the attack to come forward.
"If you were there and took any footage on your phone or video camera at the time, we will arrange with you to come and collect a hard copy," a statement from the force added.
"In particular if you were there and took the original footage that is currently circulating on social media, I would ask you to contact police so that we can arrange to collect it.
"We will continue to update you on our investigation, but I'd like to reassure you that we do take rural crime seriously.
"If an illegal hunt was found to have taken place we would prepare a file for CPS to consider any relevant criminal charges."
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting incident number 297 of February 4, 2017.


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You are here
How to Integrate Print Into Your Marketing Campaign
How to Integrate Print Into Your Marketing Campaign
As small businesses and the media focus on online marketing, SEO and social media, print marketing materials are often an afterthought to a small business' marketing campaign—but they shouldn't be. Traditional marketing collateral isn't dead, and if you're smart, you'll integrate it into your digital marketing efforts.
Business cards: You only have to attend one trade show or networking event to realize that, smartphone apps aside, business cards still matter. Don't waste your time printing out business cards from your computer—I'm sorry, but they always look amateur, and good business cards on heavy stock are one of the cheapest marketing tools out there.
Envelopes, letterhead and other stationery: Every business still has to mail things from time to time, and having professionally printed stationery that coordinates with your business cards creates a professional image that using plain envelopes with address labels stuck on them just can't match. Invest in some note cards with your business logo, too—sending handwritten thank-you or follow-up notes will really make your business stand out in a sea of emails and tweets.
Folders: Don't leave a prospect with a messy handful of papers—present your proposal, media kit or leave-behind with an attractive folder featuring your business' logo. It creates a strong impression of quality and can be used for dozens of purposes.
Flyers and Postcards: Depending on your business, flyers and postcards can be great marketing tools. You can leave flyers on doorsteps or design them to be trifolded, sealed and mailed. Postcards can attract lots of attention, too, since few businesses send them these days. Tie them into your business with your company logo and colors, but also make sure they stand out somehow—either with bright colors or an unusual size or shape.
No matter what type of print marketing materials you're creating, make sure they integrate with your online marketing by including your business URL. Depending on the piece, you may also want to include social media URLs so customers can quickly find you on social media.
Save money on print materials by following these steps:
- Try for timeless design. Avoid using elements that will need to be changed frequently or, if that's unavoidable, use them on less expensive print items. For instance, if you're ordering fancy embossed folders, don't put your business address on them—what if you move in a year? Just use your logo, and the folders will last until you redesign it. For short-term promotions, use less expensive options like postcards or flyers.
- Proofread carefully. There's nothing worse than getting a huge shipment of brochures only to discover 10 minutes after you open the box that your company URL is spelled wrong. Enlist a professional proofreader and several sets of eyes to find errors before pieces get printed, not after.
- Work with your printer. A good printer can advise you on ways to save money, such as ordering in larger quantities, using two-color printing or printing on one side of the paper. Ask contacts and colleagues what printing solutions they use.
About the Author:
Rieva Lesonsky
Guest Blogger


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UPDATE: Guidelines to deal with law enforcement. See below.
The castigation of American Muslims is now a national pastime. From unforgiving Internet defamation to political candidates' indignant statements, to a massive spying campaign by the NYPD, and to more of the so-called Congressional Hearings by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), all represent the ugliest manifestation discriminatory practices and xenophobic sentiments against an American minority citizens. If you were to believe the polls, Americans are readily willing to sacrifice the liberties of American Muslims for the sake of the country's security and safety. However, you would not have guessed this: last Sunday, at the 15th Annual Community Brunch organized by the American Muslim Union (AMU), speaker after speaker made statements and promises portending a complete rejection of anti-Muslims rhetoric or policies.
Founded in 1987, the AMU's endeavors to serve the American Muslim community, "through education: partnership initiatives with other community groups, agencies and institutions, coordination and collaboration with elected and appointed governmental representatives and institutions to promote, enhance and seek equal access and opportunities for improved quality of life for all." Mr. Mohamed Younes, an Egyptian engineer, has been president of AMU since its inception. Until a year ago, its general counsel was Sohail Mohammed, who was nominated by Governor Chris Christie in 2011 and was later approved by the Legislature for a superior court judgeship in Passaic County.
The Glenpointe Marriott Hotel in Teaneck, New Jersey has been host to most, if not all, of the previous AMU brunches. Around four hundred people made their way there, including Senate Democratic candidate Gwen Daikos. Invited guests Representatives Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman in addition to Senator Bob Menendez did not attend due, we were told, to a labor union picket at the hotel. I personally saw no one picketing the hotel. Representatives from the three faiths offered a prayer for peace and harmony. The bulk of the attendees came from local, County, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies. I have attended most of the previous 14 brunches and while their themes were a variation of this year's, "Citizenship- Rights and Obligations," they were always overshadowed by speeches about the relationship between law enforcement and the American Muslim community.
I recognize the recent revelations about the NYPD spying may have required some mention and many did just that. Have we been reduced to a security risk community? Frankly, this self-actualized profiling of our community sickens me. It seems in the eyes of our government, we only exist on their security radar screen. We seem to have no role to play in matters of healthcare, education, immigration, the economy and the environment. This I say must change and it must change now. The linkage between Islam and terrorism is now more complete because American Muslims are now seen as potential terrorists.
I struggled to believe the statements by Mr. Paul Fishman, US Attorney of New Jersey and Mr. Jeffrey Chiesa, New Jersey Attorney General. They seemed very sincere about their desire to overcome the asymmetrical and inherently adversarial relationship between law enforcement and the citizenry. They shared personal anecdotes about their children being offended by the very notion of collective and unwarranted spying and their repeated their promises that "We do not do this in New Jersey." But what guarantee can they offer us that it has not happened here or in other places? Ask Craig Monteilh, the ex FBI agent who was recruited to infiltrate a California mosque to entrap mosque worshipers. He would later turn on the FBI, disgusted and guilt ridden for what he brought onto the quiet community of mosque worshipers. Which is more sinful: the NYPD spying on our mosques or the FBI's infiltration of fake Muslims? These fake 'terror plots' are so synchronized to coincide with certain political events with the full intent of solidifying the link between American Muslims and terrorism. In the New Jersey case of the Fort Dix Five, which involved a fake plan to attack a New Jersey military base, one informant's criminal past included attempted murder, while another admitted in court at least two of the suspects later jailed for life had not known of any plot.
The picture in my mind is now more complete. My
doubts run deep that the FBI, while claiming to the contrary has violated our
Constitutional rights and liberties. Their leaders' attempts to convince us
otherwise have failed the litmus test of reality. And the demarcation between
perception and actuality is often murky at best. I am not conspiracy theorist, but I now believe
the back-and- forth accusations between the FBI and NJ on one hand and the NYPD on the other is really a ploy, a
delaying and soothing tactic to divert our attention from the real travesty
here. For the FBI and indeed NJ Governor Christie are more concerned with
jurisdictional violations than with civil and religious rights violations of an
entire community. In fact, this is what Governor stated in a recent town
hall appearance (video): "The only objection we have with the NYPD is that
they did not tell us what they were doing." See my interview on MY9 News where I responded to a question about the Governor's stance.
I attended at the February "Summit" meeting in
Trenton and I heard Mr. Michael Ward, FBI Agent-in- charge of New Jersey almost
eloquently chastising the NYPD for the disrepute and tangible harm they have
created because of their unlawful spying. I heared him say," the FBI does not spy on mosques." I also heard Mr. Fishman remind us of
the 40-pound manual of procedure that govern FBI operations. I also heard Mr. Chiesa
plead with us for patience to find out what the NYPD has done. Even today, I
still am having difficulty believing their promises.
There is no question in my mind and that of many in
the civil rights movement that the entirety of American Muslim community has
been as unjustly defined as an existential threat to American security.
Entrapment and spying are but two of the tools, which have been successfully
employed to infiltrate their homes, place of business and their mosques.
"Monteilh says that is exactly what happens. " The way the FBI conducts their
operations, it is all about entrapment ... I know the game, I know the dynamics
of it. It's such a joke, a real joke. There is no real hunt. It's fixed,"
he said.
The distrust between law enforcement and the Muslim
community serves only the interest of Muslim haters. Our country is less
equipped to eradicate extremism when it treats millions of Americans as part of
the problem, not the way to resolve it. Come talk to me when you really trust
me. When you respect me.
Unless law enforcement comes clean and begins to
protect the religious and civil rights of Muslims- instead of violating them-
the relationship with Muslims will never rise to a mutually beneficial level.
And American Muslim leaders have contributed to their current unenviable fate.
It was not started by the NYPD, the spying, the entrapment and total
criminalization of Islam and its adherent has been an essential tool for all
levels of law enforcement agencies.
Therefore, Mr. Chiesa and Mr. Fishman, I will begin to change my mind when you commence a formal investigation of what the NYPD has done in New Jersey. Until then, I will continue to harbor doubts about our friendship. A relationship that is built on distrust is unsustainable, never lasts and it invariably leads to an indefensible moral dichotomy.
Dr. Aref Assaf,
president of American Arab Forum, www.aafusa.org
P.S. NJ Attorney General's office responded (via letter on March 23, 2012) confirming his office is "continuing to gather information."
The revelations about the FBI's use of 'community outreach' meetings to spy on Muslims has led the Council on American Islamic Relations to issue a suggested policy for use by American mosques:
CAIR's Model Law Enforcement Engagement Policy
1. Purpose
a. This policy outlines our position regarding law enforcement community outreach efforts. Islamic tradition and belief require Muslims to be a benefit to humanity and to prevent harm to humanity. In part, this tradition and belief is expressed by this facility and its leadership believing that it is both a religious and civic obligation to contribute to crime prevention and public safety efforts.
2. Policy
a. No matter what the state of our relationship with law enforcement is, it is our religious and civic duty to contribute to crime prevention and public safety efforts in our community.
b. This [masjid, Islamic center, community center] believes strongly in the Constitution and its legal protections. Community outreach with law enforcement is for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding, building strong relationships and informing our congregants of the services provided by law enforcement. Community outreach is not an intelligence collection tool.
c. Each law enforcement agent (LEA) who engages with our facility will be asked to adhere to the following guidelines:
i. When you enter our facility or engage with our leadership or congregants for outreach purposes, you are representing to us that you are not engaged in intelligence collection.
ii. When you enter our facility, please inform management.
iii. When you enter our facility, please have official business cards available on request.
iv. When you enter our facility or engage with our leadership or congregants for outreach purposes, you are representing to us that you will not create intelligence files based on your visit. This means that, without the explicit agreement of the individuals concerned, you will not record their demographic information or their political or religious beliefs or affiliations. You will also not record license plates or anything else of that nature.
v. Any notes and contact information generated from an outreach meeting with this facility should be kept separate from operational and intelligence databases.
3. As long as the leadership of this facility receives reasonable assurances that the above guidelines will be honored, we will engage in community outreach programs with law enforcement agents that contribute to crime prevention and public safety.
a. Examples of these programs are citizen's academies, citizen observer programs, town halls and crime-stoppers.
Questions leadership of mosques and other Muslim institutions can and should ask:
1. What is the purpose of doing outreach to this mosque?
2. Are community institutions and houses of worship for other faiths in the area being assigned the same level of outreach? If not, why not?
3. Do you report only to your community outreach department? If not, to what other components of your agency do you report?
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; CAIR Communications manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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|Hemlock's Diary
|The ravings of Hong Kong's most obnoxious expat
16-22 January 2005
|Mon, 17 Jan
Flicking through a backlog of inconsequential reading matter before throwing it out, I find myself reviewing the last few days news. After exacting a toll of 170,000 deaths, the Great Asian Tsunami is officially over. Into scenes of destruction, misery and mutilation have swooped foreign helicopters bearing crates full of optimism, cheer and positive thinking. And paint. A lick of paint, and everyone forgets what happened, and the happy, smiling inhabitants of the Indian Ocean coast get their lives back in order. Plucky fisherman take their boats back out to reap the harvest of the sea. Joyous young couples with babies and livestock ride overladen mopeds along sidewalks. Skillfully trained, dedicated monkeys clamber up trees to select and pluck the ripest, most succulent coconuts. And waiters radiating natural charm serve pina coladas to large sunburnt Scandinavians discovering the ancient culture of the mystical Orient. In the waves wake, the action shifts to the county of Gloucestershire, England, where one Prince Harry is photographed attending a fancy dress party in a Nazi uniform and swastika. Harry is the son of the late doe-eyed bimbo-saint, Princess Diana and I am reliably told an inbred, educationally subnormal army officer who offered her relief from the company of her eccentric husband and tiresome in-laws. That the 20-year-old can feed himself is a cause for wonder. With relief, I turn to HK Magazine, where at least I will find the sage counsel of Dan Savage. Suddenly, a tautology leaps out at me from the page. I swat it and send it reeling across the room. But I havent seen the last of it! Briefly perusing the journalistic wasteland that is the Sunday Morning Post Magazine, it jumps at me again! I bundle it up in the rag and chuck it in the bin. It is clearly at large and determined to haunt me. From now on, thanks to the autists who pass as copy editors in Hong Kongs English press, everywhere I look I will see metric tonnes.
THE HEARTS of Hong Kong citizens swell with pride as they see their city coming seventh in Munich Res Big List of Places Most Likely to Suffer Hellish Carnage and Mayhem Sometime yet more proof that the Big Lychee is a world class city, up there with Tokyo and New York. Shanghai-the-city-thats-taking-over-from-Hong Kong and little Singapore dont even rank. Were they to slip into the sea or be swallowed into the bowels of the Earth, Munich Re are telling us in their diplomatic Teutonic way, what would there be to miss? I cannot disagree.
A PHONE call from my lowlife friend Heung Kwok-leung, bookmaker to the gentry of Mongkok. What sort of odds do I think he should offer on the Zhao Ziyang funeral? After a few minutes discussion, we decide on the following
|- Private family funeral attended by no officials, media dwell on his serious errors in supporting turmoil and attempting to split the Party: 3-2
- Private family funeral attended by no officials, reported in a few bland newspaper paragraphs: 3-1
- Private family funeral attended by insultingly low-ranking government or party official, reported in a few bland newspaper paragraphs: 30-1
- Buried at night in a cardboard box in an unmarked plot at no charge to the family, no media reports: 50-1
- Full state funeral attended by leadership, broadcast live on TV followed by official public mourning: 1,000-1
|Tue, 18 Jan
Alarming evidence finally surfaces of the growing threat to the freedom of the English-speaking world posed by the insidious alliance between China and Andorra, a conspiracy to replace the natural global order with multipolarization, the UN's leading role, cultural diversity and other fantasies springing from diseased French minds. Ever eager to do Beijings bidding, Hong Kongs English press pretends nothing is happening. Instead, they fall back on that traditional last resort of the newspaper editor desperate to fill space the hairy Westerner passing through the Big Lychee while walking backwards around the world for charity. If it were up to me these people would be turned away at the Lo Wu border, their demands for attention and publicity being met with a sneer and a brisk wave of an immigration officers hand. With a big red stamp declaring Denied entry for being tedious in their passports, they would slink away into the crowds of Shenzhen to seek their first shower and sandwich since Ulan Bataar without imposing themselves on us. Our spineless authorities let them in, however, hence the hirsute intrepid traveller du jour a solo Brit demanding Marmite® and regaling us with tails of beating vicious tigers to death with a bicycle chain. It will take more than Marmite® and a bicycle chain to deal with the emerging Sino-Andorran menace.
|Wed, 19 Jan
Strolling across Statue Square, I spy Liberal Party doyenne Selina Chow prowling outside the Legislative Council building. Were the champions of the consumer today, she proudly announces, flourishing the motion she will be introducing in the Circus this afternoon
|this Council urges the Government to actively consider introducing a fair competition law and other effective measures for the oil industries with a view to increasing competition in the oil industries and enhancing the transparency of product prices, thereby avoiding oligopoly, promoting fair competition and safeguarding commercial clients and the public against high oil prices
|Wow! I blurt out, handing it back to the pert lawmaker, youre reaching new heights of sliminess here. She grins broadly and thanks me. Really Selina, your party has always been hostile to consumers rights. In fact, you personally fought moves to legalize parallel imports thus allowing distributors to gouge all they can from customers. She nods, and explains that this was too good to miss. None of the partys leaders own oil companies. It looks good if a little incongruous to battle evil exploitative businesses. And party nematode-in-chief, the greasy idiot savant James Tien, has a large collection of high-performance sports cars that cost a lot to drive. Im impressed, I admit. For a group of intellectually challenged opportunists, its brilliant. She smiles, gives me a cheeky wink, and turns towards the members entrance. Life must be so wonderfully easy when youre totally devoid of any principles.
Thurs, 20 Jan
Who is to blame for yesterdays outbreak of mass infantilism in the Legislative Council? That is the question on everyones lips this morning as we glide down the Mid-Levels Escalator into Central and wade to work through the foam left by lawmakers frothing at the mouth over their opponents unspeakable behaviour. My neighbour the investment banker blames the pro-democracy camp. All they had to do was hold their minutes silence for Zhou Ziyang outside the Circus, he points out. But no, they had to be self-righteous, attention-seeking bores, breaking rules just to make a point. My other neighbour, the marketing manager, begs to differ. She blames the pro-Beijing members who left the chamber and didnt return. They saw an opportunity to shine communist shoes and make the democrats look bad simultaneously and distract attention from their spineless inability to form their own opinion of a great mans place in history.
|As we approach Queens Road they turn to me, as if I have the casting vote like the President of Legco. All Rita Fan had to do, I tell them, was look at her watch, mutter a few words to the clerk, shuffle some papers, look at her watch again and that would be it 60 seconds over, on with the show. My fellow-commuters look unconvinced. Unless, I add, the walk-out was choreographed behind the scenes by grim consumers of black hair dye, to isolate the disloyal, unpatriotic rabble two-thirds of us vote for. This brings nods of agreement. And then shrugs. Everyone comes out of this looking bad. As Rita Fan says, Legcos reputation has been sullied. In a proper Asian democracy, Emily Lau would leap onto James Tien and chew his ear off, while Tsang Yok-sing would grab Martin Lees spectacles and trample them underfoot. In Hong Kong, half of them stand in silence, while the other half slowly and quietly walk out. More proof that were not ready for universal suffrage.
|Fri, 21 Jan
In his inauguration speech, against a backdrop of pompom-waving majorettes in hot pants, President Bush used the word freedom once every 37.8 seconds. We will spread freedom around the globe, he announced. We will twist open the jar of liberty, insert the knife of righteousness and apply thick layers of freedom silken and golden leaving our entire benighted worlds spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, in its warm embrace. He also said To serve your people you must learn to trust them, though it seems Xinhua sadly lacked sufficient time or space to include that part.
|WHY AM I in the office when the Big Boss is away in the Philippines garroting a sleazy Hokkien-speaking tycoon over a failed bit of asset-trading grubbiness? Because no-one told me he would be out of town. While plotting how to spend the rest of the day, I flick idly through the newspapers. My heart sinks
|Ever since the handover in 1997, [Hong Kong] has been deeply concerned that it would become a neglected financial stepchild to Shanghai
|Except it hasnt been. The statement is a blatant falsehood the invention of an idiot or a liar. Which is The Standards Pamela Pun? Her moniker being an anagram of a pulp name, I would guess the former. Reading on, it becomes clear that even a determined effort to boost this Potemkin financial centre built by communists and now slowly sinking into its drained swamp is doomed to fail. Shanghai is actually falling behind, she writes. Not because it lacks rule of law, free movement of foreign exchange, free allocation of capital or a free flow of information. No because the landlords are rapacious. Unlike their Hong Kong counterparts, who constantly pester us with offers of vast expanses of space on lengthy leases at peppercorn rents. For this, Pamela Pun graciously allows the Big Lychee a few years more life.
In all fairness, Shanghai is a major centre for derivatives. The architecture is Hong Kong. The TV tower is Toronto. The museum and opera are Paris. The trendy nightspot for Westerners is Lan Kwai Fong. The floodlit greenery hanging from freeway bridges is Singapore. The flow of women to Hong Kong to sell their bodies is Bangkok. The power cuts are Manila circa 1987. The citys only authentic feature is the lack of original thinking. And with that off my chest, I declare this weekend open.


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Mainly worked on making iterations for the target indication, cleaning up of scripts and improving the Countdown at the start of a game.
- indicator currently shows the direction of the enemy player , or the forward direction of the ship if the players are to far apart.
- Countdown timer now sets positions of camera,ships,… correctly before pausing the game.


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Independent MLA, Claire Sugden, is to present a Northern Ireland wide Early Years petition to the Assembly Speaker.
"Since the announcement of a £2 million cut to the Early Years fund, I have liaised with Early Years Organisation and the 16 funded groups in my constituency; eight in the Limavady area, five in Coleraine, and three in Portrush, Garvagh and Aghadowey.
"Having met with Early Years Chief Executive, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, I have agreed to present a Northern Ireland wide petition of 13,551 signatures, to the Speaker of the Assembly on Tuesday, June 30."
Ms Sugden revealed: "In 2014/2015, Early Years provided 2500 pre-school and crèche places.
"This cut will mean 177 jobs lost, mainly for women in disadvantaged areas of our communities, and support lost for around 1800 single parent families.
"620 places will be lost for children with special needs, and 250 places for children whose first language is not English. This cut will impact upon many aspects of our communities.Groups have been notified that funding will continue until the end of August, but there is no indication beyond this date. Some groups have had to put staff on protective notice; they need to be able to plan for the incoming year. The Minster has indicated that the Early Years fund is a priority for him in the June Monitoring round. It is my hope that this petition, such a large expression of support for the reinstatement of the fund."


text: Bates College Museum of Art Exhibit: A couple since the mid-1970s, sculptor Rona Pondick and painter Robert Feintuch share interests in making work that uses the body to pursue psychologically suggestive meanings: Both believe that the body speaks. This remarkable exhibition, the first substantial exhibition of both their work together, includes sculptures and prints by Pondick and paintings by Feintuch, who is a senior lecturer in art and visual culture at Bates. After Bates, the exhibition travels to several U.S. museums.


text:
- Artistic Inspirations - 2W, E3 - (Week 1) Anything Goes / Valentine
- Bunny Zoe's Crafts - M, 2nd Monday, 1E - (January) Hearts
- Craft-Dee BowZ - M, E3, project must have bow - (February) Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow
- Crafting from the Heart - W, E3, F - Always Anything Goes
- Crafty Boots - 2W, SIO - (Week 1) Love/Valentine's
- Get Creative Challenges - 2W, 3E - (Week 2) Fantasy, Mythological, etc.
- Incy Wincy Designs - 2W (1st & 3rd Monday), 5E - (Week 1) Love
- Love to Scrap - 2W, 3E, F, digi or real stamping - (Week 1) Hearts
- Our Crafty Corner - M, First Monday, E3 - (February) Always Anything Goes
- The Crazy Challenge - 2W, 4E - (Week 1) Love
- Where the HeART is - M, 1st Monday of M, E3 - (February) Love
- The Ribbon Girls - W, must use ribbon – Love
- Fairytale challenge - Tag
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Anything But A Card - Digi Choosday
22 comments:
- Jane Savage said...
Beautiful, Susan! This really is a gorgeous collection! xxx
- 2/2/16
- CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...
Gorgeous tag Sue fabulous colour's you have used
Dianne xx :)
- 2/2/16
- fiona walker said...
Hi Sue
She is so adorable love the colours of the pink and black. and the fantastic sentiment.
Fiona Walker x
- 2/2/16
- Janette said...
Hi Sue, This is so super cute, you always manage to make these cute little images very appealing to me....fabulous tag and I love the bow...xxxx
- 2/2/16
- Lee said...
Absolutely Beautiful.x
- 2/2/16
- Lisette Baker said...
Great tag. Love the color palette and the ribbon looks superb. Thanks for joining in at Crafty Boots Challenges this time.
- 2/2/16
- tanya miller said...
Stunning make. Perfectly pretty Lily Bug Love xx
- 2/2/16
- Catie Cuddles said...
Oh my! What a beautiful tag. Thanks for joining us at Incy Wincy Designs.
Catherine ( DT ) x
- 3/2/16
- Julie Odil said...
This is beautiful! It doesn't look like you struggled with this a bit!
- 3/2/16
- Dee's Craft Room said...
Fabulous tag, lovely image and I thing the black bows are just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.
- 3/2/16
- Hippieaud (aka Audrey) said...
This so gorgeous Sue, I love that beautiful black ribbon and of course the darling image. Hugs!! Audrey
- 3/2/16
- Robin said...
This is so very cute! I love the image...so adorable and you colored her so beautifully. Thanks for playing along with us at LTSCB and good luck. Hugs, Robin
- 3/2/16
Snap, I went with a tag and Lily Bug too, great minds think a like lol Beautiful tag, the black elements really make it pop :)
- 3/2/16
- Chriss America Real said...
I just love the color combination you used on this! Beautiful!
- 3/2/16
- Vicki robertson said...
This tag is fabulous, Susan! What an awesome color choice to mat and accent with the black. The image is adorable. Thanks for joining the Craft-Dee BowZ February, "Anything goes and include a handmade bow" Challenge!
- 4/2/16
- Isobel said...
Great project thanks for joining us at Get Creative Challenges good luck x
- 4/2/16
- applejack cards by sue said...
Cooo...what a wonderful tag, absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us over at Artistic Inspirations. Sue DT
- 5/2/16
- applejack cards by sue said...
Hiya, I'm back again, still loving this so much. Thank you for sharing this with us over at Crafting from the Heart. Sue DT
- 6/2/16
- Karen C said...
How adorable! Thanks for joining our 'Love is in the Air' challenge over at Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog!
Karen C
- 8/2/16
- Bimba said...
Gorgeous tag! Nice color combination! Thank you for sharing it with us at Crazy Challenge!
- 11/2/16
- Ellen said...
Great card, very cheerful! Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenge.
groetjes, Ellen
- 12/2/16
- Ameera Craft said...
Fantastic! Just love everything about it! Fabulous colours. Thank you for joining our challenge at Our Crafty Corner. Hope to see you again soon. Mary DT x
- 14/2/16


text:
WHS Daily Bulletin
Wednesday, January 14:
Lunch: Hot ham & cheese sandwich or BBQ shredded chicken sandwich, sliced tomato, tater tots, red pepper strips, sliced pears, ½ pint of milk
Report Cards Issued Today – End of 8th Hour
6:00 pm – Incoming Freshman Orientation Meeting in the WHS Gym
6:15pm - Boys Freshman Basketball @ Lutheran High School (Moved from 1/7/15) – Bus leaves 5:00
Thursday, January 15:
Lunch: Pasta with meat sauce or Italian meatball sandwich, Orange spinach salad, crispy carrot coins, diced peaches, Cookie Crisp, ½ pint of milk
Baseball Open Gym – right after school today
7:30 pm Boys Varsity Basketball @ Sangamon County Tournament – Bus leaves 5:45 pm
8:00am - Jazz Band - Essentially Ellington Regional - Webster Grovers, MO
5:00pm - Varsity Scholastic Bowl @
Auburn High School (+ JV)
5:40pm - Boys Freshman Basketball vs Lincoln High School
6:00pm - Girls Basketball @ Porta High School – Bus leaves 4:45
Friday, January 16:
Lunch: Chicken & noodles or Chili cheese wrap, wheat dinner roll, California blend vegetables, fresh fruit, ½ pint of milk
Boys Varsity Basketball @ Sangamon County Tournament - TIME T.B.A.
Saturday, January 17:
9:00am - Varsity Scholastic Bowl @
Springfield High School ( Springfield Tournament )
9:30am - Boys Wrestling @ Chatham JV Tournament
10:00am - Boys Freshman Basketball @ Jacksonville-Routt High – Bus leaves 8:25 AM
10:30am – JV Boys Varsity Basketball @ Warrensburg-Latham High (Warrensburg-Latham JV Tournament 3rd place game)- Bus leaves 8:45 am
12:00pm - Girls Varsity Basketball vs Tri-City High School (County Tournament @ Riverton )
Boys Varsity Basketball @ Sangamon County Tournament - TIME T.B.A.
General Announcements:
Sports Booster Dinner Dance: Be sure to join the Williamsville Sports Booster for their annual dinner/dance on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Northfield Inn and Suites in Springfield. Besides a night of fun and a chance to win great prizes, you will also help the boosters in their continued support of both Bee Bee and Bullet Athletics. For additional information or contact Debbie Price at 217-414-1330 or Michelle Buscher at 217-494-5475.
Better Prep Success online video class instructed by Jason Franklin is $199 for 24 hours of instruction. Stop by the guidance office for $20 off that total. Register online at BetterPrepSuccess.com
Parent-Athlete Night for boys and girls track and field will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 at 6PM in the WHS cafeteria.
The Sharon Miller Memorial Scholarship is now open to seniors and graduates who are planning to major in education. Applications are available in the guidance office. The deadline is March 13th.
The application for the 2015-2016 Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver is now available online. Please refer to, www.osfa.illinois.edu. The Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver is a four-year in-state tuition waiver at the University of Illinois. The recipient may use his/her Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver at any of the University of Illinois campuses (Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Health Sciences Center, Springfield). The priority deadline is March 1, 2015. Candidates must submit the completed application with photocopies of both the veteran parent's service papers (DD Form 214) and the student's ACT scores to our office. Information is also available on the Guidance Webpage.
Iron Workers Local 46 JATC Program is accepting applications for Apprenticeship on a year-round basis. Applications are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 PM. at 2888 East Cook Street, Springfield, Illinois. Applications must be completed and filed with Iron Workers Local 46 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee at the address shown above. All basic requirements must be met before being considered for Apprenticeship in Iron Workers Local 46 JATC Program.
It's Time to Start Planning Prom!! Meeting next Tuesday, January 20 at 7:38 in Mrs. Walsh's room!!
Attention Seniors: Need help finding scholarships? Sign up in the guidance office for an appointment for February 4th with guidance staff and ISAC representatives to help you find scholarships you are qualified for! The key is to apply for as many scholarships as you can!
Seniors: Still unsure about what to do after high school graduation? Check out LLCC Capital City Training Center's allied healthcare training courses! Capital Training Center offers programs in dental assisting, pharmacy technician, phlembotomy technician, and veterinary assistant. See Mrs. Chladny for an informational brochure or visit www.llcc.edu/cctc to learn about a free information session!
Congratulations to our WHS Scholastic Art Award winners:
Gold Key Winners:
Elizabeth Downey – Ceramics and Glass, Tea Landsverk - Sculpture, Kaitlyn Mayer (2) – Mixed Media and Photography
Silver Key Winners:
Erin Asper – Sculpture, Tea Landsverk (2) – Drawing and Illustration and Mixed Media, Mark Mangiaracina – Ceramics and Glass, Kaitlyn Mayer – Drawing and Illustration, Isabella Szabo – Ceramics and Glass
Honorable Mention:
Emma Crawford – Mixed Media, Elizabeth Downey – Ceramics and Glass, Tea Landsverk (3) – Painting (2) and Sculpture, Mark Mangiaracina – Ceramics and Glass, Kaitlyn Mayer (3) – Photography (2) and Printmaking, Breanna Skeels (3) – Photography (2) and Sculpture, Isabella Szabo – Ceramics and Glass, Athena Welander – Drawing and Illustration