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We've lived here for 2 years in May, and we're slowly working through the house, painting and making it just-right. I'm pretty picky when it comes to decor and we like to do a lot of DIY projects as we go. We're currently re-doing our basement playroom/family room, and I'm really excited to show you all that, when it finally comes together. We also just got an IKEA here in Kansas City, so we'll finally be updating our living room, and other areas I've been waiting to finish.
HERE is an old sneak peek into our living room, kitchen, breakfast nook, and the old nursery.
HERE is our dining room--including the farmhouse table my Hubby built.
I decided to show you my favorite room in our house today, our master bedroom. When we moved in, I really wanted to make our bedroom a priority. I wanted a room where I could relax, and retreat to at the end of the day. Unfourtunately, this room had ugly green roman shades, and a pickled-oak built in corner cabinet--yuck. My amazing Hubby ripped out the cabinet, only to reveal NO DRYWALL behind it. So he just bought some and put it up--LOVE that man. We painted the walls Blue Arrow by Valspar. It's such a calming shade of blue-grey.
We replaced the awful shades with white wood blinds from Home Depot, and the iron hardware, clips, and sheer curtains are all Pottery Barn. I have a love/hate relationship with Pottery Barn. I love that they sell exactly what I'm usually looking for, but I hate their prices. Anyway, the sheers let lots of amazing light into the room, but the blinds block it out when Mama needs to sneak off for a Sunday nap!
The iron bed, lamps, duvet cover and pillow shams are also from Pottery Barn. The nightstand on the left is an antique my Gramma bought and was my little sister's growing up. I wanted something similar not the other side, but not matching. I also wanted some storage of some kind, since we don't have a dresser. So Brian built me one. Like I said--LOVE that man.
This rocking chair sits in the corner to the right, and was in the nursery before we put up Hannah's toddler bed and Liv came along. I have sat in this chair and rocking and nursing my babies for hours and hours and hours in this chair. It is incredibly comfortable and has a matching ottoman too. We chose white because I could strip off the slipcover and bleach it when needed--that was a GENIUS move. Did y'all know that babies like to spit up? Well they do and this chair has held up wonderfully. Oh--it's from Pottery Barn Baby--shocking I know. The adorable pillow is from For the Love of Joy.
Here's a close up of the book shelf Brian built me. It's currently holds my macbook, cookbooks and baby books. I bought the box and basket from Target to hold chargers, cords, etc. Anyone want to come style my shelves? I haven't quite figured out how to make them look pretty enough for all the hard work my hubby did, but gosh I love the paneling on the back! The magnetic frame on top is vintage Lisa Leonard.
To the left is the door to the master bath. Someday, when I get the walls painted and the silver/gold combination hardware out of there, I'll show you that too. It has amazing natural light, a big jacuzzi tub and a stone stand alone shower. Heaven is what that bathroom feels like after my girls are in bed at night.
I had the idea to do a chalkboard print wall for a long time, and slowly gathered these prints from all over the handmade world. Top to bottom they are Katy Girl Designs, Lindsay Letters, Recipe for Crazy, Rooted in Paper, Frenchpress mornings. The frames are all from Hobby Lobby and were 40% off--yay! This wall is full of truth and it encourages me every time I walk by.
The shelf above our bed is from my late Grandmother's house. It holds one of my favorite wedding pictures, a lovely print from Little Light Prints, and some antique Ball mason jars that I collect. All the frames are from Hobby Lobby.
I hope you enjoyed the little tour! I hope you'll follow along as I post more rooms in the near future. Have a great day!


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I fell into the DC triathlon scene sideways and accidentally and although that scene helped propel me to and prepare me for bigger and faster things, I was never really a part of it. I was more a sometimes member of a fundamentalist sect of the DC tri scene and unless I was willing to up the ante - go to happy hours, bend my training schedule, and frankly, buy a car - I was never going to get a taste of the super-concentrated Kool-Aid.
A comparison: I have completed more training sessions with someone/people since arriving in Austin than I did during my entire last six months in DC. In DC, I was an island, partly of my own creation. Solo training has its rightful place in making strong athletes; too much solo training gets strong athletes carted off to the loony bin.
No loony bin for me! Yet!
Austin is a hot-bed for racing - big, small, single sport, multi-sport, set up a start and finish line, pass around a hat, and the event is likely to sell out. So I figured the best way to get involved and meet people was to volunteer. As a veteran of several Marine Corps Marathon water stops, I feel confident in my water-cup-filling-and-passing-out ability, and as a former professional Ironman sherpa, I bring many marketable skills to the table for cheering on race participants.
Austin's Chamber of Triathlon Commerce, Jack and Adam's, organizes a summer Splash (750 m swim) and Dash (3k run) series. Lots of well-intentioned age-group athletes and one aid station: I have this stone cold.
|Scene of the Splash: the quarry behind Pure Austin North
Pure Austin North...a gym with its own open-water swim venue...have I mentioned how awesome Austin is?
|Not a bad turn-out for a Tuesday night event that the winners will complete in 20-23 min
|A better view
|Cindy watching the first racer, pro Richie Cunningham, come past her post
|The Dash is held on the 1k crush stone trail that rings the quarry...notice how organized our aid station is!
|The look on Pete's face says he is contemplating crushing some more stone for the trail surface
|Jamie working hard to keep Pete honest
|And George...well, George didn't really Splash and Dash so much as make grilled food for everyone, an equally admirable pursuit if I do say so myself (on my stomach's behalf)
Add in a complimentary ART/chiro tent, NUUN test drinks, K-Swiss merchandise/test equipment tent, and a keg of a beer, and I get the feeling this is pretty much a normal Tuesday night in the multi-sport world of South Central Texas.
Only 2,319 more people for me to meet!

subset: commoncrawl


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|Made up characters that give you free stuff if you behave yourself.
So I Googled "libertarian easter eggs." I don't know what I was hoping to find. Maybe some egg dyed bright yellow with the words "DONT TREAD ON ME" stenciled on. Or a half black, half gold anarcho-capitalist Easter egg. Or a half black, half red anarcho-communist Easter egg. Or a red, white, and blue Easter egg. Or something.
Anyway, I found this pretty cute article from Parents.com's DadaBase Blog by a libertarian dad about his two-year-old son's successful egg hunt. The dad thinks his son learned a subtle capitalist message. I don't know. I think an egg hunt is probably more mercantilist than anything. It's also definitely zero-sum.
If you want to teach the kid a capitalist message, arrange to take him on a tour of a local family farm where they actually create new eggs. Have him buy a couple with some money he made doing simple age-appropriate chores. Take them home and cook them in front of him and let him eat them, knowing that he did the labor that ultimately fed him. Production, specialization, division of labor, trade, voluntary exchange, scrambled eggs ---mmmnom nom nom nom nom.
Capitalism is tasty.


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|Cerimonia inaugural de la Marcha
|Los primeros pasos...Trinidad, 15-8-2011 horas 10:00. Hasta La Paz!!!!
A blog about the Amazon Basin as seen from the Llanos de Moxos - Bolivia // Mirando la Amazonia desde los Llanos de Moxos
|Cerimonia inaugural de la Marcha
|Los primeros pasos...Trinidad, 15-8-2011 horas 10:00. Hasta La Paz!!!!
pues la diferencia es que duele másReplyDelete
Bien por los comunarios del tipnis! que a pesar de todo siguen buscando La Loma Santa
Me encantan las fotos!
Is this because Morales is the president of the Andean Indiginas, and these guys are from the wrong part of the country ?ReplyDelete
Hi Horace!
Yes, I think this is part of the problem. Morales himself was a "cocalero" (coca producer) and now the cocaleros want to move northward and colonize new land to increase the coca production. The road was mainly planned for them, who are the most fervent Morales supporters.
Hi Umberto,
thanks for the prompt reply, sorry it took me time to get back to you. So the cocaleros will colonize the lowlands ?
BTW, I used to work in South America, I did field work in Acre. There were farmers there who were ploughing up circles with bits of pottery. The circles were quite big, they would run over several peoples farm plots. This was near Rio Branco.
Hi Horace,
I don't know if the cocaleros will achieve their purpose of colonizing the southern part of the lowlands. The possibility for them to go northwards also depends on how well the coca would grow on seasonally flooded clay soils.
Really nice the circles! I have visited two of them in Bolivian lowlands. You can see them on Google Earth, go to 423413E / 8533695N
You can also download a 2009 paper about the acre ones here: http://www.eso-garden.com/specials/eldorado_found.pdf


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More like Spring, Montreal is looking very summery: It's been so sunny and warm! And the trees have leaves now! the world is looking green again and that always makes me happy.
We went to an apple orchard this past weekend in hopes to see the apple blooms and although several trees had flowers already, most of them were not quite there yet. Regardless, it was such a beautiful day and we took photos of the blossoms and also enjoyed walking up a little hill under the bright new leaves of the maple forest.
I hope your weekend was nice and that you feel ready to start your week. Have a lovely Monday!
All photos by me and my husband.


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CO2-compensation through aforestation
We offer our aforestation in Ethiopia for you to compensate your CO2 footprint. Aforestations offer a sustainable impact!
- CO2-absorption; oxygen instead of carbon dioxide
- sustainable soil and climate improvement
- sustainable improvement of water resources
- protection against erosion / claiming back of arable land for food production
- support of biodiversity
- recreation areas for human beings
Allow us to calculate your CO2-footprint and compensate your CO2-consumption with us! At the same you support further aforestation which are enormously important, valuable and sustainable for humans as well as for nature in general!
Our Offering for your personal CO2-compensation:
- Aforestation
to fight soil erosion and for a better climate
- providing CO2-certificates
to ensure your personal climate-neutrality
- publication of your CO2-compensation on our homepage
to inform the public about your activities
Environmental objectives require actions
The objectives to reduce the greenhouse gas CO2, which has been proclaimed by many countries, oblige many enterprises to take corresponding actions. Not all companies and organizations are able to reach the required CO2-reduction level. In such cases compensation offers additional solutions.
The crux with the CO2-cycle
Whatever we do, wherever we are we leave our CO2-footprint. And by today there is broad agreement that all humans of our planet are claimed to reduce the CO2 pollution or if not possible, to contribute to its reduction /compensation.
source: pressebox.de
Trees / aforestation offer a sustainable solution
Trees consume carbon dioxin (CO2) from the air and transform it to oxygen through the process of photosynthesis, which the trees release back into the atmosphere (simplified description). Therefore forests are an important pillar to fight the CO2 surplus on the earth.
CO2-absorption through aforestation
According to different scientists, one hectare aforestation consumes 50 tones of CO2 over a period of 10 years. Therefore, the 880 hectares of forest that we afforested between 2004 and 2008 accounts for 44000 tones of CO2 that we can offer for compensation purposes.
We offer this amount for your compensation at a price of
CHF 37.- per ton CO2.
This price includes:
- Guarantee of sustainable aforestation for the respective amount, including guarding to protect the aforestaion area for the necessary years.
- Support the calculation of your CO2-footprint.
- Eligibility to use the compensation logo (see above).
- Certificate with amount and price of the compensation (upon request).
- Payments are seen as committed donation and you will receive a donation confirmation.
- Publication on our homepage www.greenethiopia.org (upon request).


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Move-in-ready Cape Cod style home in one of the nicest and friendliest neighborhoods in Vestavia, Surrey Hill that is zoned for Vestavia East. You don't want to miss this four bedroom, four full bath home that's been updated and offers a lovely lot including a play yard and a swimming pool. Enjoy sunrise on the screened in porch and lovely sun-filled den overlooking the pool. Master bedroom on the main level with a private bath. Large dining room, cozy living room/office are also on the main level along with the super laundry room. Very open floor plan with custom kitchen (granite countertops and stainless appliances) and den which includes a double-sided stacked limestone fireplace from the den to the sunroom. Three bedrooms up with a craft/sewing room. Check out the basement that includes an exercise room/rec room with a full bathroom (could be fifth bedroom). A huge storage area/workshop along with the two-car garage. Hurry before someone else gets it!
Single Family, Other
4 Full
Public Water Service
Wood Siding
3,227 sq. ft
Yes - 2 spaces
Surrey Hill
School Information
Vestavia Hills
Room Information
Main Floor
Detailed Room Information
- Rooms
- Den/Study, Kitchen, Laundry Room, Sun Room, Office, Playroom
- Bedroom(s)
- Master BR with Closet, Walk-In Closet
- Laundry
- Hookups in Laundry Room
- Kitchen
- Breakfast Bar, Butler Pantry
- Bath Description
- Jetted Tub, Linen Closet, Combined Tub/Shower, Full Bath, Master Bedroom Bath
Interior Features
- Appliances
- Central Heat, Gas Range/Cooktop, Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave Built-In, Electric Oven, Double Oven, Refrigerator
- Flooring
- Hardwood, Tile, Slate, Concrete, Carpet
- Cooling
- Central Air, Ceiling Fan(s), Dual
- Heating
- Gas Heat. Forced Air.
- Basement
- Partial, Daylight
- Doors/Windows
- Double Pane, Bay Window(s)
- Fireplaces
- 1. Stone, Family Room, Gas Burning.
- Additional Interior Features
- Attic Storage, Smooth Ceiling, Window Treatment
Exterior / Lot Features
- Parking
- 2 Garage Spaces. Lower Level Parking.
- Exterior
- Wood
- Patio
- Deck, Screened Porch
- Pool
- Pool
- Pool Description
- In-ground, Child safety fence
- Fence
- Fenced Yard
- Additional Exterior/Lot Features
- Curb & Gutter. Subdivision, Paved Road, Public Roads, Wooded.
Financial Considerations
School Rating Out of 10
|Public Schools
|Private Schools
Data Provided by GreatSchools.org
Walk Score measures the walkability of any address, Transit Score measures access to public transit on a scale of 1-100.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Active Market Trends
Source: MLS DATA
Median list price
Days On Market
Properties For Sale
Sold Market Trends
Source: MLS DATA
Median sold price
Sales-List Price
Properties sold
Median Sq. Ft. Price
Arrows indicate 90 day trend
Source: Birmingham Area Assoc of Realtors


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NBA betting is a great way to make some money. If you count all the games that are played during regular season and the playoffs there are easily more than 100 games that people can bet on. There are some games that are considered blowouts, but there are many close games. I love the close games, and it feels so good to place a bet on these games and make a profit when I do so.
I like the NBA odds that I get when I place my bets on the Covers.com website. There are a lot of games being placed in the NBA. Sometimes it is just too much to keep up with. I would much rather check out the Covers.com website and see what the match-up will be. I can even check out the history of the match-up games and see how things went down when these teams met in the past.
It has been good to have a website like this because I never know who is injured when I start making my bets. This website even gives you that information. This is a real game changer. Sometimes people place bets because they like the star of the team. I can relate in some instances. I do not believe that this is always the determining factor for the outcome of the game though. There are supporting players that can change the way that things go so the Covers information about injured players is very important.
I think that this is one of the most informative websites on the Internet when it comes to betting. I would say that it improves your chances of winning by at least 30 percent if not more. The point spread is very popular, and this is always a good thing when you bet on a team like the Golden State Warriors or the San Antonio Spurs. Both of these teams are known for high scoring games so it makes sense to get in on the NBA point spread action.
I love to place bets, and sometimes I even get in on the office pool by way of the Covers.com website.


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How Can Copyright Protect Your Work?
We are very pleased to offer the second of a 2 part blog post from Barbara Ingrassia, Copyright Manager extraordinaire, for Our Little Books Guest Post Wednesday. The first part dealt with what you can do with other peoples' work and this second part is devoted to how you can protect your own work. Remember, knowledge is power!
In the previous post, I discussed how you can comply with copyright law as a consumer of 3rd party copyrighted works. In this post, I'll discuss how you as a CREATOR can protect your original creative work.
Imagine, you've put your time and energy into this new work. You've cleared the rights for 3rd party works, as appropriate, and provided attribution for quotations, ideas, etc. You CREATED a new work. Now, how do you protect your investment?
First of all, you have to understand that copyright does not protect ideas, but the expression of original, creative ideas. So, at the moment an original creative work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression (i.e., down on paper), it is protected by copyright (including print, audio, video, digital).
While it is not required that you include a copyright notice (© Year. Name. All Rights Reserved) in order to establish copyright, I highly recommend that you do. Place it on the title page, home page, at the end of a post, on the label, meaning in a conspicuous location. This is a very simple step, but very important. Why? It signals users that:
- the work is copyright-protected
- when it was copyrighted
- who is the copyright owner, and
- what rights are available to the user
Then there is no excuse for a user to claim that they didn't know that the work was copyrighted. You might also include your contact information (typically email address) to make it easy for users to request permission to use the work.
Consider taking an additional step to increase the protection: register the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. Again, it's not required, but there are advantages:
- Establishes a public record (searchable online)
- Allows the filing of an infringement suit
- Makes statutory damages and attorney's fees available to the copyright owner, and
- Allows registration with the U.S. Customs Service to protect against the importation of unauthorized copies.
It is not expensive to register and you can complete the forms online. There are very helpful tutorials and FAQs to help you complete the forms; in most cases you do not need an attorney to complete the submission process. To register a work go to: http://copyright.gov/ The date your file is complete will be the effective date of the copyright, if granted. Understand that the Copyright Office will not monitor use of your content; that is your responsibility. Search the Internet regularly for use of key, unique phrases from your work, as well as your name.
In the past, many authors have (sometimes unknowingly) transferred all of their rights to another party—usually a publisher. If you are working with a publisher, think about what uses you would like to make of your work, and negotiate to retain those rights. A signed license/transfer agreement trumps copyright law. In your excitement to be published, don't simply sign the form presented to you. Today, thanks in part to the rise of self-publishing on the Internet, many authors are able to retain their copyrights. (Note from Our Little Books: we support our authors and never take their copyright. Listen to Barbara's advice...check your agreements before signing!)
One last point: when you are planning a joint project, create and sign a written agreement clarifying who will own the copyright. This is particularly important if volunteers, interns, contractors (illustrators, photographers, graphic artists, etc.), or employers may be involved. Don't just assume that you will own the original creative work of others who contribute to the project. Yes, copyright in the digital age can seem complicated and murky, but you can learn to manage copyright so it doesn't manage you.
Barbara Ingrassia is a Certified Copyright Manager who provides one-on-one consultations, workshops, and seminars on all issues copyright. To engage Barbara for an audit of your website for copyright issues or for more information about copyright, request the free 16 Page report 10 Biggest Copyright Mistakes Small Business Owners Make AND How to Avoid Them! by sending an email to firstname.lastname@example.com with the subject line CREPORT. Manage copyright. Don't let it manage You!℠
(Information provided here should not be construed as legal advice.)
The content of this post is © 2014 Barbara C. Ingrassia All Rights Reserved.


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Ulta Portable and Power Matched
Turns your MB112 into a 400 Watt 2x12. Will faithfully follow the output of the combo driving it providing a balanced result.
Balanced input and output allows the connection of up to four cabinets delivering an extra 800 Watts. Pair with the MB 112.
From our Twitter feed:


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Zebulon Dak wrote:twisted_steel2 wrote:Zebulon Dak wrote:
A few small cameos, one pretty huge cameo (as had been reported), not the cameo I expected by any means, but not wholly unbelievable or unpredictable if you've been paying close attention. Still processing how I feel about it. I can't tell if it took balls and is really exciting or if it was kind of an easy way out.
Looking forward to hearing what everybody else thinks.
So the big cameo/surprise at the end, at first I was like OMG is that? Is it? Kinda looks like... Or is it just another dude from the same species, with the same weapon? (don't want to be too specific, spoilers)
I was so confused, I thought ok, this is cool, but his face didn't look anything like.... they could have done a way better job. Same actor? Some CGI? Was just confusing.
But overall I liked it. The sold out crowd at Cinerama was really into it, applause, yelling, was fun.
Edit: Just looked it up, guess it was the same actor from the prequels... so I dont know He looked so different to me.
Yeah, I mean, it's been 20 years so I guess maybe he doesn't look the same as he used to? I thought the same thing though, assumed it was a different guy until I saw the credits. I just hope with his new... um... body parts... he's a little bit... taller than he used to be? I like my Star Wars villains big and menacing I guess haha.
Yeah, it's been 20 years, but it's been 20 years in universe, too. He was the right age to reprise the role.


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Cancellation and Substitution Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing. If the cancellation is received more than 14 days before the conference attendees will receive a full credit to a future conference. Cancellations received 14 days or less (including the fourteenth day) prior to the conference will be liable for the full fee
A substitution from the same organisation can be made at any time in writing at no extra charge
In the event that IMAPAC cancels a conference, payments received at the cancellation date will be credited towards attendance at a future conference or in the event of postponement by IMAPAC, towards the rescheduled date
Credit notes remain valid for twelve months
Changes to Conference & Agenda
IMAPAC reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event, to change the location or alter the advertised speakers for an event. IMAPAC is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of substitution, alteration, postponement or cancellation of an event due to causes beyond its control including without limitation, acts of God, natural disasters, sabotage, accident, trade or industrial disputes, terrorism or hostilities.
In the event that a conference is cancelled, IMAPAC is not liable for any costs incurred by delegates in connection with their attendance.
Occasionally it is necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the content and timing of the programme, venue or the identity of the speakers without any liability to the delegates. Changes to the agenda will be updated on our website as soon as possible.
7th Bioplasma World Asia 2018代理商 日商环球讯息有限公司


text: Guest column: Daniel Fallows – Uncovering RBS's downgrade to GRG compensation scheme Daniel Fallows, director at Seneca Banking News / People / SMEs | March 22 2017 | Joanne Birtwistle Write a comment Daniel Fallows, director at Seneca Banking, reveals an untold change to RBS's review scheme for businesses affected by the bank's Global Restructuring Group division. Royal Bank of Scotland has been the subject of shame and degradation after secret files revealed that the bank's former turnaround division, Global Restructuring Group (GRG), targeted 16,000 businesses, scooping them of their profits and stripping them of their assets. Viable businesses were allegedly placed under GRG control and charged excessive fees to boost... For the full story register now for free or login below... Login Email Address Password Forgotten your password? Remember Me Or Register here


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Make your business popular with the help of digital marketing companies
It has been repeatedly seen that orthodox ways of promoting business are not able to provide. Now business owners do not want local customers to want to promote their business worldwide. Every time the idea of advertising reaches the world, the first answer is to use the Internet to do it.
Role of digital marketing companies
All are not good and creative in all fields; Entrepreneurs may or may not know how to design a website that can help them grow in their respective fields. This is where digital marketing companies come to your aid. They have qualified employees who know their work and will help you increase the reach of your business.
The ways in which digital marketing and an SEO Company in Delhi could help you
Experience- They have been working for a while and they know what they need to do to increase their business.
Technique- They know the minds of customers sometimes more than you, so the technique they use is reliable.
Privacy– Even if your company is becoming global, you need security because sometimes the opposition can play cards, but these companies take care of your privacy.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to be a little careful before trusting someone to give your business, verify your reputation, check the professionalism and services offered by the best Digital Marketing Agency in Delhi. Once you have gained popularity on the Internet, it is time to count the notes.
Therefore, if you want to popularize your business, contact the WGI digital marketing company. It will help you in all aspects of work online and offline.


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Streaming Rurôni Kenshin: Kyôto taika-hen Online
Rurôni Kenshin: Kyôto taika-hen
IMDB Rating : 7.8
IMDB Votes : 4,984
User Reviews : 15
Date Released : 1 August 2014
Run Time : 138 min
Movie Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama
Movie Director : Keishi Ohtomo
Movie Writer : Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kiyomi Fujii
Movie Stars : Takeru Satô, Emi Takei, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yôsuke Eguchi
Rurôni Kenshin: Kyôto taika-hen Makoto, an assassin who once was contracted by the government, has since become obsessed with tearing it down. Formerly, Kenshin was mainly concerned with protecting Kaoru, but the stakes are now higher as he struggles to protect the nation itself.
Watch Rurôni Kenshin: Kyôto taika-hen Movie Trailer on Youtube :
Review Rurôni Kenshin: Kyôto taika-hen :
Enjoyable Samurai Action Romp
I'm not a huge fan of the Samurai genre. The blood, brutality and cruelty that inhabits many of the films in this genre is, at times, very disturbing. It was a pleasant surprise therefore to encounter the Rurouni Kenshin series. These films follow the Samurai formula but depart from the norm in so much as they actively downplay the brutality in favour of a more peaceful, hopeful message.
The key character Rurouni Kenshin could best be described as a reformed Samurai. Rurouni has come to see the wastefulness of taking human life, choosing, instead, to take a less lethal approach to subduing the bad guys with the blunt edge of a double edged sword. Of course, there are always a few genuinely vile villains and these are dispatched with the swords sharpened edge.
Its my understanding this is the second in the live, as opposed to animated, Rurouni Kehshin series of films. I watched the first and enjoyed it immensely so I decided to give the second a go. This film is darker and more serious than its predecessor, possessing somewhat less humour. The violence is a little more intense too and occasionally sadistic but not overly graphic. The conspicuous fight scenes, as was the case in the first outing, remain remarkably polished and exceptionally well choreographed. Especially when you consider the large scale and numbers of people involved in many of the battles scenes scattered throughout the film.
The key fight scenes between central hero's and villains are of the highest caliber and its these moments of stirring swordplay and martial skill that make this film really shine. Combine this with solid, original storytelling, good pace and some novel plot twists and turns and you have a very engaging action flick.
I watched both this film and its predecessor from end to end without getting up once or feeling in any way bored.There are subtitles, unless, of course, you speak Japanese but I found this film, like the first, so engrossing they hardly felt like any effort at all.
Nine of of ten from me.


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Identity fraud happens when someone steals personal information such as your account number or Social Security number and then uses this information illegally to make withdrawals from your accounts or apply for credit in your name.
Take these precautions to protect your information:
If you are a member of First Central Credit Union and you think you are victim of fraud, immediately contact us by calling 254-776-9333 so we can flag your account. To report ID Theft or Fraud on your First Central account, you must file a police report, supply us with the case number or a copy of the police report, and fill out the Sworn Statement. The form may be filled out prior to coming to First Central Credit Union.


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I was browsing Craig's List, lkie I often do when I should be working, and I couldn't help but notice that most of the posts are a little off. Not, 'off' like, say Kramer but 'off' like Dahmer. I shudder to think this is how I may be viewed by women.
I was reading several posts in the Men seeking Women section, here are the titles that caught my eye. Followed by my commentary, call it helpful advice.
1. Beastiality!!! – (323)
Bestiality? Bestiality? I say again Bestiality? First, if your into this, spell it correctly, secondly, if you think enough women in LA are into this, you have some great misconceptions about the other sex.
2. ATTRACTIVE MARRIED BLACK MALE SEEKING A SPECIAL FRIEND – 30 – (Hollywood)
I'm gonna start with 'Married', see, first and foremost, this is a no no in the dating community. Now, if by 'special' you mean 'rain man' then I'll give you a pass, otherwise, get a divorce.
3. looking for sexy milf – 32 –
Do you really believe there is a woman browsing CL right now, who sees this ad and exclaims in a Jennifer Tilly esque voice "I'm a sexy MILF! Yay! Someone wants me." If so, you my friend are R E T A R D E D!
4. Daddy/Daughter…. – 818 – (Burbank)
Good lead in, incest is usually better held till the third date, but I applaud your bravado. Way to just throw it out there, let em' know where you're coming from. Do I have to spell out the issues with this post? I thought not.
Once again, I applaud your sense of subtlety, the nuances of your prose are more than enough to convince the woman of your dreams that Rimming is indeed just the special pick me up she needed today. God speed young Rimwalker, god Speed.
6. Turned on by asian women – 36 – (West LA /SGV/ OC)
Amazing title,since we all know that Asian women love to be singled out, they thoroughly enjoy being seen as a fetish, held to a subservient standard. May I suggest a follow up post, 'Wanted, urine colored princess to love me long time.' I just figured I'd spare you the time, since your previous post is most probably viewed this way.
7. Male ISO Female To Help Her Pay Her Bills – 33 – (Los Angeles)
Translation, 'I accidentally posted in the wrong area, I meant Erotic Services, sorry for the confusion. I really respect women, really, I do. I swear, stop looking at me that way.'
8. Rape fantasy or submissive??? – (L.A.)
Incest, Rimming, and now Rape? Sure, everyone has fantasies, some have control fantasies, or lack there of. However, most fantasies, and when I say 'most' I mean 98%, are fulfilled by people with a connection, some history. Not random 'psychos' and I mean that in the most polite way, from the internet. Don't get me wrong I'm up for a good raping like the next guy, I just choose to stalk and drug my women the old fashioned way. (read last line with extreme SARCASM)
9. Addicted to Big Boobs!!! – 29 – (Los Angeles)
If you as a woman, read this title and where in any way attracted to this man, please email me, because I too am addicted to big boobs.
He throws the first pitch, and it's knocked out of the park! I like to start my ads by insulting the very people I'm trying to attract, it goes back to elementary school, you punch the one you love. May I suggest some other titles? 'Shut up Bitch, I'm tryin to F23K you!' or 'Looking for girl who can take a punch.' possibly 'Look Bitch, have someone read this too you and call me.'
That's IT!
Anthony Dominguez
Comedian, Writer, Lover…®


text:
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The Falkirk & District Walking Forum (formerly the Falkirk Health Walking Forum)
was developed as a way to increase partnership working across the Falkirk area for
all groups with an interest in walking; whether you are interested in natural heritage,
health walks or active travel.
The Forum acts as a place where organisations can network and share good practice.
Projects that arise from discussion within the group are taken on by a sub-group
of interested parties who can feed back their progress at future meetings.
The Forum is also designed so that groups can dip in and out of meetings as required,
for instance getting involved if they have a relevant up-coming project, or are
looking for groups to work in partnership on an initiative.
The Forum was set up in response to an objective within the Joint Health Improvement
Plan 2008-10, to develop a Falkirk Health Walking strategy and co-ordinate existing
activity. The first meeting was held in February 2009, and the group has met on
a bi-monthly basis since.
The Forum has had input into a number of local projects, from Paths Development
Groups for the Helix Trust, local partnership leaflet development with Step Forth
and Braveheart walking groups, to the consultation and future development of 30
minute walks in the Braes area.
The name changed in 2011 to incorporate all the groups with a walking agenda, such
as active travel groups, or walks of a historical or natural focus.
The group meets every two months and is chaired by Lee Kelso, the Let's Make Falkirk
More Active Officer for Falkirk Community Trust. Current membership includes representatives
from Step Forth, Braveheart, The Helix Trust, Forestry Commission, Falkirk Community
Trust, Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley and Paths for All. See the Partners page
for more information and a full list of current partners.
Contact us for more information, or if you'd like to represent your organisation
at a future meeting.


text:
The Spanish movie legend, Pedro Almodovar told a press conference at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday -- soon after his Competition work, Julieta, was screened -- that his and his brother's names were some of the least important among those listed in the Panama Papers. Almodovar was said to have had links with an offshore company in the 1990s.
"My name and my brother's name are some of the least important names in the Panama papers," he said. "If it was a movie, we wouldn't even be extras. The Spanish press has cast us in leading roles. There are so many names and there hasn't been enough investigation yet."
Read: Loving, a film about interracial marriage, sparkles at Cannes
Almodovar chose to answer questions about his reported role in the Panama Papers scandal even though the moderator at the conference gave him the right to skip such quizzing.
Earlier in the conference, Almodovar said he "loved the thrill of the race" -- unlike directors like Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg who "found the idea of competing against common sense".
Read: Cannes fest begins with an ugly rape joke against Woody Allen
"I don't have Woody Allen or Steven Spielberg's talent," he said. "I respect the posture that they have, but if I'm here, I'd prefer to be in competition. I think it's more exciting for me and the media. It also shows that I'm not a sacred cow here."
Almodovar's latest work, Julieta, is a melodrama handled with brilliant restraint, and is based on Alice Munro's short stories about a woman reflecting on her estranged relationship with her daughter. Like most of his films, Julieta is set in Spain, though he had toyed with the idea of shooting the movie in the US with Meryl Streep.
"I was hoping to do the film in English and in New York," he said. "I even spoke to the American actress who was delighted at the thought of working with me. But I wasn't sure of myself."
Read: Cannes | Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake is a brutal look at bureaucracy
Saying that a lot of Julieta was set in the 1980s and that it was also inspired by his own mother, Almodovar felt that women in that era had much more freedom than what they have today. "Women now are different because of the world they live in."
Julieta is the auteur's 20th feature, and like most of his movies, is centred on the lives of women. His latest creation reminded one of his 2006 Oscar-clincher, Volver and Julieta has also been liberally influenced by his recent Hitchcockian dramas -- Broken Embraces and The Skin I Live In. However, Julieta is the least complex of the lot and is a simple story of a mother whose daughter on turning 18 goes away. The girl holds her mother responsible for her father's accidental death at sea.
Read: At Cannes, The Handmaiden is a ravishing lesbian crime thriller
Adriana Ugarte and Emma Suarez play the title character of Julieta at different periods of her life and the two actors look uncannily similar.
Narrated as a flashback told through a letter which Julieta writes to her daughter 12 years after she disappears -- and whose address the older woman chances upon -- Julieta is every bit an Almodovar work. Strong colours (silky reds greens and blues) that are often flashy and ornately decorated interiors make Julieta enticing. One notices a Lucien Freud poster and a score book by Sakamoto in Julieta's home at Madrid.
Read: Woody Allen's Cafe Society to push Cannes fest into motion and magic
The film begins by showing a middle-aged Julieta all set to leave Madrid with her lover, Lorenza, when she meets a childhood friend of her daughter -- a meeting that forces a change of plans, and pushes the movie into its rocky course. Julieta unpacks and begins to write long letters to her daughter explaining how she and her father had met on a train.
Once considered enfant terrible of Spanish cinema, Almodovar has now mellowed down and Julieta may seem like a huge contrast to his early and brazen, Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down. As Almodovar once quipped, "mistakes are made, stakes have been high, but hopes remain. And life is long". The man has terrific optimism, and we see this in the way he uses colour to pep up our mood and help us troop out of the auditorium with a swing in our stride.
(Gautaman Bhaskaran is covering the Cannes Film Festival.)


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Manchester United 'ready to offer £444million for Neymar' – days after it emerged Real Madrid's limit was £356m
French giants obliterated world transfer record to meet striker's buy-out clause at Barcelona, but he could still leave
MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to rival Real Madrid with a £444million bid for Neymar, according to reports in France.
Paris Saint-Germain obliterated the world transfer record when they met the Brazilian's Barcelona buy-out clause of £198m last summer.
But there have been murmurings of discontent with Real Madrid waiting in the wings to make a stunning offer at the end of the season.
However, Le 10 Sport reveal Los Blancos are not alone in their pursuit of Neymar — with United likely to battle them for his signature.
The Red Devils have previously been linked with a move for the former Santos ace, and even spoke to his agent before he left the Nou Camp for PSG.
However, they were never able to strike deal.
most read in football
Real Madrid have made Neymar one of the top priorities — along with the likes of Harry Kane and Mauro Icardi — as they look to revolutionise their forward line.
Florentino Perez has set aside £356m set aside for what would be a complicated transfer.
FRED ALERT Man City make £45million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred
Jose Mourinho is desperate for a marquee attacking signing and Antoine Griezmann looks close to joining Barcelona.
Paulo Dybala is another player United have been looking at.


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Experiences of a business continuity newcomer…
As a recent graduate now working in a business continuity role within a leading investment firm, I've been looking for a good mentor; someone I could shadow; who I could learn from; and who would help me develop to become the best I could be in the business continuity profession. Looking back it's not been the easiest process. The most notable advice I have received thus far is as follows.
My first mentor was a really great bloke who you would undoubtedly grab a beer with any day. He was considered a subject matter expert for BCM but when asked to develop a business continuity policy his words to me were: "Here is my pal's policy - just change the name and we're good". It was after 120 pages of sifting that I realised two things:
Nevertheless the policy was approved by a group of highly intelligent but extremely uninterested board members. Some great guidance there for my first gig: plagiarise to the nth degree!
My next mentor/ colleague was a very friendly chap in a public sector role. He liked a good chat at work (much like myself). He was a survivor and seemed to get away with saying the right things at meetings and making excuses for not producing a business continuity programme which lasted well over five years. It was only maybe a month into this job that I became so frustrated by his approach that I forged ahead with the approval of the senior manager to do what I could with what little business continuity management knowledge I had. He didn't like this at all. My enthusiasm was infectious and there came an explosion of truth from him one day when he misread an email and took umbrage. He screamed "Who do you think you are? Are you trying to make me look bad?" As if I was letting the side down by trying to do rather than just say. But in all seriousness he gave me a flavour of the industry. The smoke and mirrors, the bluff, the looking calm under pressure when all about you is falling apart. He was quite brilliant at pretending to be an expert. I'm yet to grasp this talent!
And finally my last mentor was in a government shared service. He was the business continuity lead and, while being quite brilliant at his incident response role, his business continuity management was left lacking. He did have a standardised template and approach but, if anything, it was a series of half completed, poorly maintained and misunderstood forms posing no value. However, by adopting a similar bluff to the previous person mentioned, he managed to convince three chief executives of having a comprehensive business continuity programme. Quite unbelievable.
So here I am now, facing a new line manager/ expert / mentor and I hope to learn from him. But will history repeat itself? Is a career in business continuity a playful mix of poker face, charisma and casual deflection? I certainly hope not because I really want to get good at what I do!
The author
Feedback requested
Feedback and comments (latest first)
I can only sympathise with the author and applaud him/her on endeavouring to demystify the vagaries of business continuity whilst suffering what I could only term as being lack of commitment from mentors.
Mentoring in itself is a skill and passing on information in that role should only consist of that which is valuable and useable. It is about bringing new blood into the profession and equipping them with the toolsets needed to enhance their roles, it is not about cloning them into yourself. Business changes and therefore a business continuity practitioner needs to change with it. I can guarantee that eventually plagiarism will eventually catch up with you. Some previous classics I have seen in my working life are where documentation has been produced and submitted as being a person's own work, but when you come to read the properties within the document, you find a completely different authorship.
From past experience I have personally found that the best way of mentoring the subject is to allow people to come up with their own conclusions, write it up initially in a form that they feel comfortable with and then spend some quality off line time in working through the subject and pointing out potential improvements. However, that said, it is always important to listen to what the person has to say and why they got to that particular analysis. We more mature BC practitioners can always learn from a fresh mind and new ideas.
The comment in later posts that executives and senior managers "Really don't get it" is really quite concerning. I firmly believe that the majority really "Do get it" otherwise they would have not considered it in the first place. The expectation they do have however is that as BC professionals we should be in a position to convince them of the reality of what we have discovered and not just come up with what we think they want to hear. The difficulty sometimes is that we tend to give them the issues when we should be giving solutions.
I could go on more about this but feel that I have probably said enough.
I too appreciate the honesty shared in this article and agree this is somewhat the situation I have been part of. I have worked within the insurance industry for about 40 years in various aspects, including Information Technology (IT) roles. During my role in IT, I was assigned the task of disaster recovery coordinator (this was an expansion of my existing job title). I was very interested in this aspect and attempted to read, gain expertise from the Internet etc.; but found little support from my management and / or company for proper training resulting in certification. The company eventually assigned the task of business continuity to another already established job of facilities management. Neither that individual nor myself had any official business continuity training. It appeared the company wanted to have a plan in place to "keep the business intact in the event of an emergency / disaster" and wanted everyone to be aware of the plan. In stark contrast they did not commit to nor invest in establishing a REAL JOB DESCRIPTION, filling it with someone who would be interested in or trained, nor support training and eventual certification for an individual. Management seems to settle for individuals / management who either appear knowledgeable without evidence or communicate what higher management wants to hear which potentially falls far short of what is needed. After repeatedly attempting to share with others what I was reading, hearing and learning about business continuity / disaster recovery without any positive response, appreciation for my efforts nor respect I began to lose heart. The management has since promoted (??) me to another more important role / job and business continuity has become a quiet topic.
I would like to see the business continuity community define more clearly what expertise is necessary to effectively perform this function and subsequently more educational institutions offer opportunities / training that would support that. I believe this is a necessity for every business as we move into the future and too bad that companies do that recognize and support it.
I appreciate the candor conveyed in this article and agree begrudgingly that this is somewhat pervasive in the industry – at least from what I've seen and heard over the past 13 years. While most are well meaning enough, the sense of entitlement for wanting to 'save the business' seems to deteriorate into bitterness when they are not listened to or asked to join the proverbial 'table'. Fortunately, I have only ever been the sole planner or team manager and usually only had to deal with your experiences from senior planners I managed who either touted superior knowledge and expertise without evidence or drudged through their day mumbling about no one ever listening to them – which makes it's difficult to want to start. Admittedly, I did succumb to this 'Sisyphean malaise' as I like to call it a few years after starting my initial role in the industry. You get tired of not being appreciated, not being heard and feeling like chicken little and then you start justifying and sometimes becoming lazy. I was able to expand my definition and approach to continuity and preparedness planning and leverage operational metrics, governance and risk themes - aka speaking the business and moving in their world versus trying to get them to come to the dark side. I believe this is an underlying issue to the potential demise of business continuity planning as a profession as our culture is not ready to carve out roles and processes for looking what can go wrong. Instead we need to focus on how we can get our message and skillset across using mainstream business terms. Keep plugging away Newcomer (bluffs will be called eventually) and get advice from those outside your company and industry – you'll find some fantastic minds and creative approaches, not to mention a lot of genuine charisma.
I find it interesting that none of the mentioned 'mentors' seemed to be certified by either the DRII, BCI or another sanctioned certification body. I recommend you seek the advice and tutelage of a reputable (read that certified) business continuity planner rather than someone who is in the position at the moment.
When you understand the full cycle of business continuity you can understand the complexities and subtleties of the profession. Or put another way, if you were preparing a gourmet meal for an important event, would you consult a reputable chef or the burger flipper at McDonalds: they both prepare food but what seems more palatable.
The author's experience sounds very genuine. There's a problem in the BC industry that BC professionals and managers find it very difficult to relate and demonstrate the value of their programs to the organizations. I, and maybe others, have seen some professionals re-use and re-distribute BCM policies and procedures (including recovery plans) to others (clients and new employers or even colleagues in other places). Some of these were customized filed templates that contained some sensitive information. It's needless to say that they obtained no one's permission to do so. Surely, the BC professional doing that cannot build a robust ongoing program, neither would transfer knowledge and enthusiasm to his team and colleagues.
However, not all of your fingers are the same. There are some serious people out there who really make a contribution to the industry and other fellow professionals. I agree also with the idea of making more exposure to professional events and create connections of fellow professionals. This way you can see the other good side of BCM professionals.
I'm sorry that you've had a less-than-promising introduction to business continuity. I'd like to think that you were very unfortunate and that BC managers are, on the whole, much better than that.
I think that we suffer from the apparent specificity of our role: senior executives (e.g. the Board) don't really 'get' what we do, and so are happy with anything that sounds convincing. We're also not good, collectively, at "punching our weight" – bringing our analysis and our recommendations to the right tables at the right times with the right data. That's why I think the soft skills of our profession - the negotiation, influencing, training - are so important, yet so often overlooked.
The development and use of metrics will also help us: let's show how our BC programs improve over time; let's show success in a quantitative manner, and more people will realize what we do and why it's so important. It's also crucial that we get out-and-about and forge links with Property, Security, IT, InfoSec, Enterprise Risk, PR, HR, anyone…anyone who can collaborate on our jigsaw-understanding of risks, threats, impacts, strategies, tests and communications.
Newcomer, welcome to our industry: it's a fascinating place to be. I really hope your next role gives you greater satisfaction…
My heart really truly goes out to this person. It beggars believe that there are still people out there getting away with this type of attitude. I can honestly say, when I have taken on a new recruit I have always tried my utmost to pass on my enthusiasm for the profession. I can only hope that they have never gone away and had such negative thoughts on my way of teaching. I have always gone by the principle that someone took a chance on me when I was just starting out and it is now my turn to pay it back.
I am not saying I am whiter than white, there have been times when reinventing the wheel was pointless and using learnings from other practitioners was done. But then that is what the BC world created, we all loved to talk about what went wrong so others didn't make the same mistakes. I do believe there is still plenty of that going on in different forums,eg BANG and London BCI Forum to name just a couple.
I have to admit there are a few bad eggs out there, that is the way of the world these days, people getting jobs just because of who they know, but please be reassured that there are many that really do believe in doing a good job. Over the last few years I have seen some people trying to just work their way up the ladder without actually understanding the principles of BC and that is a shame, however if the author is looking for a good mentor the BCI have a mentor scheme which I am part of and believe it would be a great place to start.
The author's experiences are a terrible indictment of some people in the BC profession, and I'm surprised that he or she hasn't decided to follow another career. I would hope that they are in a minority.
I also hope that if these mentors were provided by the BCI that the author has provided feedback. Anyone with these ideas should not be mentoring anyone, and quite frankly, should not be employed in BC.
•Date: 6th December 2013 • UK/World •Type: Article • Topic: BC general
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text:
Session at 4 a.m.
When their manager steps out, members of a band air their grievances.
Roles: Writer, Director, Editor
Super-16mm color short film
During a late night session, a band's manager steps out for a smoke. While he's gone, the musicians have an airing of grievances and possibly stumble upon something amazing.


text:
The foundation for wholesome lifestyles. You probably have any questions regarding gym amenities, providers or schedules or have requests or solutions to make, feel free to give us a call or fill out the shape below. While members have entry to our facility 24 hours daily, one year per 12 months including holidays, company could visit the membership throughout our staffed hours for tours and information or to workout with a visitor move.
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We recently came across this article first posted on neocha.com, a creative publication based out of Shanghai, about a little fella named Yoyo that is quickly becoming a fashion icon on Chinese social media. After a quick glance, we thought his unique style consisting of oversized clothes and a playful demeanor was too shuai not to share.
Hailing from Hangzhou, it all started when the mom started dressing him in his father's clothes and using a makeshift belt made from a shoelace to keep the pants from falling down. It turned out Yoyo liked it, his parents liked it, and thousands of people on the internet were tickled pink over the little guy.
From there, Yoyo's father, a designer, crafted a makeshift photo studio consisting a few colored backgrounds so that he could snap some simple shots of his son posing in these fashion forward outfits and then later complete the image with some graphic texts to give it even more edge. The final product is indeed very creative and looks straight out of a 90s Japanese fashion magazine focusing on Y2K aesthetics.
In the article, Yoyo's parents stated that one of the inspirations behind dressing Yoyo in oversized clothes is that they feel it is more environmentally friendly and economical, as they can be worn by the whole family for a longer period of time than just buying clothes that fit and will eventually grow out of. With a few minor alterations, i.e. rolling up the cuffs of the pants or sleeves of the shirt, it fits comfortably enough for Yoyo to look like the freshest little tyke on the preschool playground.
photos: neocha.com


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The Proms are normally sedate occasions, but on Tuesday I felt as if I'd gatecrashed a party. Around me it seemed as if the entire Colombian population of London had gathered to celebrate. The stalls were full of gyrating Colombian matrons and their slightly embarrassed daughters. And on stage were 10 musicians, led by two in flamboyantly decorated hats, playing tiny button accordions with amazing speed. Around them was a joyously energised band of guitars, drummers, congas, double-bass, and a flautist piping up above.
This was the World Routes Academy Prom. It was only the third such Prom, but already the tradition feels solidly rooted. The reason is surely that it fits in so well with the Proms ethos, which is all to do with preserving a heritage, and highlighting the role of youth in that process.
Radio 3's World Routes Academy does this on a global canvas. Each year a young British-born practitioner of a traditional, non-Western musical form is paired off with a renowned musician from the tradition's heartland. The young one learns from the wise mentor, and eventually the two perform together at a Prom.
This year's academician is the 20-year-old London-based Colombian accordionist José Hernando Arias Noguera. He fell in love with the Colombian style of virtuoso accordion playing and singing known as vallenato, after seeing one of its great practitioners, Egidio Cuadrado, on YouTube.
Cuadrado became his mentor, and with his help Arias Noguera reached the quarter-finals in this year's vallenato competition back in Colombia. In the Albert Hall they traded virtuoso phrases – vocal and instrumental – in that spirit of friendly rivalry you find in musical traditions the world over. To my untrained ears, Cuadrado had the edge because he was more daring. His phrases had the "sting" that's so prized in the tradition, but he was no purist.
But in truth it was the singer standing next to them, Carlos Mario Zabaleta, who often stole the show. The songs had that nice rhythmic ambiguity which meant you weren't quite sure how to clap – unless you were Colombian. Everyone seemed to know the words, and joined in lustily. It all felt charmingly old‑fashioned, and yet thoroughly alive.
Hear this concert on the BBC iPlayer and all the Proms live on BBC Radio 3 www.bbc.co.uk/radio3


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Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Melissa Katz and I am a junior in the 5-year Integrated Bachelor's and Master of Arts in Teaching in Urban Elementary Education at The College of New Jersey. Today I would like to speak about PARCC testing and the "unintended consequences" that some are claiming are due to the refusal/opt-out movement.
At our last board of education meeting in my local town of South Brunswick on Monday, January 4, 2016, our board Vice President stated the following: "Throughout the state, there are an inordinate amount of students that are not qualified to graduate. That is almost directly a result of the (PARCC) opt-out movement." As our local reporters shared, "According to [the board vice president], the PARCC testing was one of several 'pathways to graduation,' which also included SAT, PSAT and other testing, as well as a student 'portfolio' that are mandated by the state. [Board Vice President] said that, inadvertently, many 'at risk' students who did not have other testing or portfolios in place when they decided not to participate in the PARCC testing last spring, now find themselves lacking some of the requirements. 'It did have an effect on students that were at risk in a much more disproportionate way. It was very unfortunate that it wasn't foreseen by the people pushing that movement.'" According to our Board of Education, this information is coming directly from the Department of Education.
A memo from the Department of Education dated September 30, 2014 — well before the first administration of the PARCC test in March and May of 2015 — stated that students graduating in 2016, 2017, and 2018 (and as of a memo from September 9, 2015, also the class of 2019) would be able to satisfy the state requirements of demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics by: Achieving a passing score on a PARCC ELA/Math assessment OR Achieving a passing score on a substitute competency test OR Meeting the criteria of the NJDOE Portfolio Appeal. This same memo detailed the passing score on substitute assessments such as the SAT, ACT, ASVAB-AFQT, Accuplacer Writer or Accuplacer Math. Therefore students, parents, and schools knew well before the administration of the PARCC tests, and subsequent refusals, that there would be other avenues to reach graduation aside from the PARCC test. The NJDOE Assistant Commissioner also confirmed that students do not have to take and fail the PARCC test before being eligible to use those alternative means of meeting their graduation requirement. New Jersey is currently the only state using PARCC as an optional criteria for high school graduation, despite the test not having yet been validated as an accurate or reliable measure.
One of the main questions that remains is: would those "at risk" students have even passed the PARCC test cut scores? As the Education Law Center (ELC) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated in their release "Students Sue to Force NJDOE to Adopt New Graduation Rules," "Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the proposed policies, especially on at-risk students, English language learners (ELL), students with disabilities, and students with other special needs. For example, the elimination of the AHSA, the alternative assessment, will close a pathway to graduation used by as many as 10,000 students annually, including more than half of all ELL graduates. The use of fee-based commercial tests, including the SAT and ACT, as high school graduation exams also raises questions about equal access and the alignment of these tests with state standards. In addition, expanded use of the 'appeals' process could place a significant new burden on high school guidance departments, especially in high poverty districts."
This is truly an attempt to shift the responsibility of the PARCC disaster to parents and stakeholders, rather than the Department of Education taking responsibility for a failed rollout of a test that has yet to be validated as a measure of student learning — and will likely tell us very little if nothing that we did not know before the administration of the test, as much of the research on high stakes standardized tests has concluded. If the Department of Education was truly concerned for and about "at risk" students they would've listened to the public outcry around this test and all high stakes standardized tests and sought alternative measures, such as portfolio based assessments. Additionally, if the Department was concerned about "at risk" students, the millions of dollars poured into the PARCC test and all subsequent endeavors connected to PARCC would've been put into schools; for example, to provide support and wraparound services and more school counselors.
I would hope that this State Board of Education feels a responsibility to the public to ensure that the information coming out of the Department of Education is reliable and true. Thank you for your time today, and I hope to see this issue addressed with the Commissioner and the Department of Education in the near future.
Further Resources on Issues with Exit Exams:
Why Graduation Tests/Exit Exams Fail to Add Value to High School Diplomas: http://fairtest.org/testing-and-grade-retention
Exit Exams Decrease Graduation Rates: http://www.fairtest.org/exit-exams-decrease-graduation-rates
Tap Into South Brunswick/Cranbury Article dated January 5, 2016: Unintended Consequences: Some PARCC 'Opt-Outs' May Face Graduating Challenge In South Brunswick https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-brunswick-cranbury/articles/unintended-consequences-some-parcc-opt-outs-ma
Memo dated September 9, 2015: Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2019 https://education.state.nj.us/broadcasts/2015/SEP/09/14043/Graduation%20Requirements%20Class%20of%202019.pdf
Memo dated September 30, 2014: Graduation Requirements Class of 2016, 2017, and 2018 http://www.nj.gov/education/intervention/memos/093014grad.pdf
Save Our Schools New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC http://www.saveourschoolsnj.org/parcc-faq/
ELC/ACLU: Students Sue to Force NJDOE to Adopt New Graduation Rules http://www.edlawcenter.org/news/archives/secondary-reform/students-sue-to-force-njdoe-to-adopt-new-graduation-rules.html
Image credit: The Asbury Park Press NJ


text: Ever since she began making crochet accessories in 2010, Dani Griffiths has watched her small side project blossom into a full-blown brand. The Vancouver native learned the fashion industry ropes at Assembly New York while developing a following for her beautiful wool pieces. Focused on concise, minimalist design and individual expression, she expanded quickly to the sculptural hand block hats we love and a new line of accessories crafted with Italian leather. Plus, everything is made in New York.


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Computer Repair Services in Keswick
List of Keswick based computer repair shops offering PC and laptop repair and maintenance services.
Business Listings
For over 18 years KCS has provided a complete support solution for Cumbrian business and domestic users. At our offices in Keswick we have a fully equipped workshop with experienced qualified engineers. From simple software installations to complex business networking solutions.


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Wow, I have just returned from a great spiritual gathering for the United Methodist Church out in Syracuse. This annual gathering of representatives from all over New York is a wonderful experience for me each time I can attend.
Faith abounds.
Summer events are popping up now weekly. It's great to see the local restaurants are now open longer. Note that Zeeks Pub is now open seven days a week. The Willsboro diner is open once again, mostly for breakfast and lunch. Indian Bay Restaurant is once again open; Johnny's has specials each week and of course, Ethel's.
The 15th Annual Townwide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, June 14. To get your location on the townwide map, you need to get your reservation in by June 11. Forms are available at the cable office, town hall or someone will be at the Visitor's Center on Wednesday and Friday from 3-5 p.m.
The Women of the Essex Community Church are inviting all interested women from the area to join them for their Annual Spring Christian Women's Luncheon on Wednesday, June 11 at 12:15 p.m. This will be a salad and dessert lunch along with a panel of area women sharing some of their faith journey. A collection will be appreciated.
The Gillilland Cemetery wishes to announce they will be holding their annual meeting on June 23 at 9 a.m. at the Willsboro Methodist Church. The public is welcome to attend if you have an interest or have questions.
I noticed the Willsboro Outdoor World shop is open to serve the needs of the fishermen. It opens early. The shop is located on the corner of the Station Road and Bay Road. You can also visit them for information on tournaments.
Our new Town Supervisor, Shaun Gillilland, is still welcoming you to visit him on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 at the Town Hall to share your ideas or concerns.
It is noted that the School Drama Club has invited interested students that would like to be in the next production of "Peter Pan" to contact the school and let them know of your interest before school is out.
Girl Scouts will properly destroy any old American Flags. Just leave them at the Paine Library. A busy summer schedule is planned at the library, so get one of their schedules.
It was sad to learn of the death of Mary Boardman this past week.
Happy Birthday to Matt and Max Longware (June 10), Sandi Craig (June 10), Lee Ann Johnpier (June 12), Bruce Patnode (June 12), Jessica McCauliffe (June 14), Judy Hoskins (June 14) and Kelsey Sloper (June 15).


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Shakespeare: Macbeth (The Royal Shakespeare Company 2018)
UPDATE – This content is no longer available
Returning home from battle, the victorious Macbeth meets three witches on the heath. Driven by their disturbing prophecies, he sets out on the path to murder.
Our contemporary production of Shakespeare's darkest psychological thriller marks both Christopher Eccleston's RSC debut and the return of Niamh Cusack to the Company.
Live broadcast: 13h April, 2018. Available within 90 calendar days from the simulcast (live broadcast).


text:
- Erratum
- Open Access
Erratum to: One pot synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of fused uracils: pyrimidodiazepines, lumazines, triazolouracil and xanthines
- Samar A. El-Kalyoubi1, 2Email author,
- Eman A. Fayed1 and
- Ahmed S. Abdel-Razek3
© The Author(s) 2017
- Received: 26 July 2017
- Accepted: 26 July 2017
- Published: 1 August 2017
The original article was published in Chemistry Central Journal 2017 11:66
Erratum to: Chemistry Central Journal (2017) 11:66 DOI 10.1186/s13065-017-0294-0
After the publication of this work [1] it was noticed that the author's name was spelt incorrectly. The author's name should be spelt as: Ahmed S. Abdel-Razek.
The original article was corrected.
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
Authors' Affiliations
- El-Kalyoubi SA, Fayed EA, Abdel-Razek AS (2017) One pot synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of fused uracils: pyrimidodiazepines, lumazines, triazolouracil and xanthines. Chem Cent J 11:66. doi:10.1186/s13065-017-0294-0 View ArticleGoogle Scholar


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Since buying a house and deciding to do some major renovations, my husband and I have found less time to play together. We used to travel, hike, explore and create on a regular basis. We are in a different season of life now and I found myself searching for new ways to be playful. When I thought about the purpose of play for children, I came to a new understanding for myself. I had to consider what would provide me with expression, understanding and an escape? How could I find joy and relief from stress when life had become so busy?
Personally, I can find these things through the retreat that is about to be my patio. This is a place Jared and I can enjoy the beautiful weather, take a break from the craziness inside our home and spend quality time together. We decided to start with chairs that would offer the quickest opportunity for retreat. I cannot wait to share our new play space when it's finished!
Where do you find relief from stress and an escape from the craziness of life?


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First concert in Oslo
Great first appearence by Mats last Thursday. We really enjoyed the concert at De Villes, Oslo. This was our first concert in the capital of Norway, that was not competition relatated. We also played 4 new songs from our upcoming album! We got great respons, and we'll make sure to give you at least one more new song next gig this May. Thanks to the audience and thanks to Springskalle for a great evening!


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About Business Travel Solutions
The air company "Air Moldova" offers its customers and partners service " Corporate - Business Travel Solutions" - a rational solution for the proper organization of business events.
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Since travel services is an investment for your business, we are here to offer You everything from one source:
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