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His article really amounted to nothing more than one would hear the average pseudo-intellectual, America-hating progressive professor spew on any given day across the country on the campuses of what used to be known as "institutions of higher learning". Indeed, Mr. Keetly is the product of a failed school system that is hell-bent on the implementation of a leftist ideology that has killed millions of people in many countries.
One of the first signs of his lack of understanding or interest in learning actual fact, was his inability to quote the Declaration of Independence correctly. As the included graphic indicates, lest he changes it after reading this piece, the word "unalienable" was misspelled as "inalienable" in the way those who have not taken the time to read it often mispronounce it. It is arguable if he has even read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety.
Speaking of the founding of this nation Christopher Keetly further demonstrated his lack of historical knowledge as well as his "woke" mindset.
In one of his references to Thomas Jeffrson he mentioned that the founder didn't release his slaves due being "burdened with debt and accustomed to a wealthy lifestyle", when in reality the law at that time prevented those in debt from releasing slaves. He also referred to Jefferson as a "serial rapist", which by today's leftist standard is any man who looks at pretty women.
Keetly also wrote about other slave issues as well as the the injustices committed against the Native American population. However, what he fails to mention is that conquest has been the norm throughout history. Indeed, since history is what Mr. Keetly is referring to, it is a wonder why he didn't write more regarding the annihilation of the Greek and Christian civilization of Anatolia at the hands of Muslims, or Ghengis Khan whose conquest is estimated to have claimed more than 40 million lives, or the 20 million Russians who died under the iron fist of Joseph Stalin.
If Keetly was so concerned about American slavery, why doesn't he address the fact that the very word "slave" is derived from the white Slavic people who were used in the slave trade by Muslims.
Christopher Keetly claimed that liberty really had nothing to do with American history and that it was all about making money. He alleged that capitalist policies have essentially bred inequality, yet he avoided the data regarding the impact of government-forced altruism on minorities as a whole.
In fact, before the civil rights movement, the percentage of businesses owned by blacks was far higher than it is today. And, while many ideologues like Keetly try to pass off black single-parenthood as a legacy of slavery, the truth is that just 60 years following the end of slavery, the level of single parents in the black community was of the lowest in the U.S. The destruction of the black family coincides with the implementation of various forms of welfare.
Leftist welfare policies, while touted as "helpful" and "caring" have served only to replace otherwise responsible parents with a taxpayer funded cushion that gives little incentive to do what it morally correct. Welfare programs have contributed to the inequality of many blacks and other minorities who have falsely have been taught that the government should take care of every need.
Minorities who make better choices and operate in the free market see more success and usually live more comfortably than those who depend on government provisions. Progressives claim that the free market system oppresses minorities.
But it is the left who runs the school systems that refuse to teach minorities, choosing instead to substitute valuable education with social justice indoctrination. Included in this indoctrination is the notion that the certain minorities have an eternal enemy in the American culture, the free market, and more specifically, white males.
Moreover, progressives claim that the free market is responsible for inequality that their own policies have caused. In other words, Keetly, inadvertently or otherwise, believes in his position without any intention to evaluate actual data. After all, the "equality" that he seeks is NOT of opportunity, but of outcome.
History has already shown the world that attempting to ensure this type of equality completely contradicts human nature and eventually ends in mass death, starvation, and complete loss of freedom. Sadly, as mentioned before, Keetly and his progressive friends refuse to acknowledge this in the same way he himself omitted certain points in his article, or simply didn't know the facts.
But, Christopher Keetly also made sure to mention the need for gun control alleging that America refuses to study the affects of gun violence on society. Keetly, like his counterparts in the mainstream media chose to report from emotion rather than the data that is available.
Since Keetly wants to be heard while the rest of the media is still talking about the shooting in Florida, it is worthy to mention that most mass shootings occur in areas where it is literally broadcast that no opposition to a shooter exists. In cities where it is more difficult for the average citizen to acquire firearms, like Chicago and Baltimore, gun violence kills at an unprecedented rate. The entire state of Maryland's firearm deaths have increased since introducing far stricter gun laws in 2013.
It is likely that the progressive writer also favors a ban on "assault weapons" as well. Most who claim to want this ban literally know nothing about firearms. But the true intent of the leftist as Keetly is to ban firearms all together, which, is also contrary to liberty.
Regardless of Keetly's progressive slight of hand attempt to paint capitalism as anti-freedom, the purpose of firearms is less about self-protection, less about capitalism, and more about preventing a tyrannical government from usurping liberty. Sadly, Keetly likely believes that what he stands for is virtuous while those politicians he supports only use virtue to obtain more power.
In all of history there has never been a perfect government, and the United States is not immune from mistakes. However, what mistakes have been made have often been corrected with little or no acknowledgement from the left. Indeed, America did engage in slavery, but a costly and bloody war ended it. Conquest was a part of the founding, but it was substituted by the potential for wealth creation for anyone who wanted to attempt a better life.
Racism still exists, but it is left that continues to fuel it with its community organizers and pseudo-intellectual class who do so in the name of "social justice". Capitalism has actually shown to be a great equalizer when allowed to operate.
After all, Jim Crow laws were primarily instituted to prevent businesses from treating black customers as financial equals to whites. In other words, capitalism has a tendency to be blind to race or color in the attempt to grow wealth and prosperity. Even racist business owners find it difficult to indulge in their own biases when the bottom line is at stake.
From the mid 1800s to the early 1920s, this country was flooded by people all over the world who sought the opportunities and the freedom they did not have in their own countries. Unlike today, the early immigrants had no promise of welfare or free services, just freedom and opportunity. Maybe some only wanted to make money, but without freedom, money is nothing if it isn't confiscated "for the greater good".
Keetly, like many other progressive authors consider little when they make their claims. They mention the U.S. backing certain governments they consider bad, except when it was "their guy" in office. They also have a tendency to forget the socialist/communist countries that their politicians tout as soon as financial instability and violations of humans rights are discovered. Let's not forget how much Bernie Sanders loved Venezuela just three years ago.
The most appalling aspect of Mr. Keetly's is his utter disregard for the armed forces. His assertion that the United States was "never about liberty" is a slap in the face of the men and women who risked their lives or gave the ultimate sacrifice. They certainly valued their freedom to the extent that they would put their life on the line for it.


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- This event has passed.
Bricks 4 Kidz 'Game On'
September 26, 2017 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Are you ready for some fast paced creative games? Today's workshop introduces new models in both Motorside Technics and Mindstorms Robotics that wil form the basis of group games, and challenges that will provide the spark for imagination and creativity!
Introducing the Trebuchet. This model is a modern take on a medieval siege engine. A Trebuchet is a type of catapult that uses a heavy counterweight to throw its projectiles. Pull the arm back into the set position, lock it in place and load your projectile. Press the brick button, and you'll hear a warning tone alert you before the arm is released. Have you tested your skills in the Mindstorms Bottle Top Arena? Join in the fun on a day that suits all skills and expereince levels.
Even if you're not a Lego fanatic this is a fun day!
For the junior builders we have spinning action with Technics as well as games using some Mindstorms robots.
*** All kids get to take home a BRICKS 4 KIDZ® gift at the end of the workshop ***

subset: commoncrawl


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Join Provale
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To become a member of Provale, the French rugby players association, is really easy. Print and fill in the membership form below before returning it to us via regular mail or email. You can pay your membership dues directly online using the link below
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- The conclusion needs to 1. restate the paper's main points 2. answer the question, "Who cares?", and 3. finish the paper with something punchy.
You have written a beautiful introduction and body, and now you have to finish the draft off by writing the conclusion! You want to finish strong and leave the reader with an interesting closing thought.
That being said, your concluding paragraph has to 1. briefly summarize your work (without sounding redundant), 2. illustrate why your paper is significant, and 3. end with a punch.
The conclusion should be formatted like an upside-down introduction–from the most specific to the most general. Therefore, the first sentence of your conclusion paragraph should describe the main points of your paper:
"Although there were a variety of lesser factors, the ultimate demise of the Roman Empire was a result of three main ones: poor leadership, outside pressure from barbarian forces, and weakening cultural unity."
"Although Microsoft, Google, and Apple have similar company roots–nerdy college-aged kids tinkering around in garages–they have developed into very different companies. Apple has developed around the personality of a single person, while Microsoft and Google–while heavily influenced by their founders–have taken a less centralized approach."
The trick with this sentence (or two) is to reiterate your paper's main idea without sounding redundant. Copying and pasting your thesis is not a good idea. Another bad idea is to start out with a hollow-sounding phrase like "In conclusion," "In summary," or "As a whole." These not-so-subtle phrases are sure to bore your reader.
Next, your conclusion has to relate your issue to a broader idea or question. Let's say you're writing a paper on symbolism and social overtones in The Crucible (a play by Arthur Miller about the Salem Witch Trials). In your conclusion, you should explain why your paper is significant.
Who cares? Who cares about Miller's use of symbolism?
Your conclusion should make a link between the contents of your paper and a larger issue. A larger issue could be something like
- How the social overtones in the book have influenced how people view the Salem Witch Trials in hindsight
- How Miller's style has influenced other playwrights or authors
- How Miller's use of symbolism was seen by his contemporaries
Now is not the time to make a wild, unsupported claim. A small connection will suffice.
[Sentence restating paper's main points about symbols in Miller's play.] Miller's use of symbolism in The Crucible dramatizes the hypothetical Salem described in his play. Such dramatization calls into question how much the theoretical Salem in Miller's play differed from the historical Salem, which is a key question that makes the play so controversial and enduring.
The 'larger issue' here is how Miller's use of symbolism helps underscore the difference between the Salem described in the play and the historical Salem. The difference between the two is a key question.
Another technique you might use for your conclusion is to describe where additional study needs to be done–where your essay stops and another essay could start.
At the end of your conclusion, you should have a punchy sentence that leaves your reader with an interesting thought. One way of doing this is to reconnect your ending sentence with your title:
Say you're writing a paper on the similarities of Zeus and his son Hercules:
Title: Like Father, Like Son: Exploring Paternal Relationships in Greek Mythology
Concluding sentences: Hercules' demeanor, athleticism, and attitude are similar to that of his father, Zeus. Both gods exemplify Greek ideals of masculinity. Greek mythological texts, then, reinforce the idea that fathers should pass Greek cultural values onto their sons. The story of Hercules reinforces the colloquial phrase, "like father, like son."
Here the 'larger issue' is how Greek cultural values are shaped by Greek mythology. The ending is punchy. It contains a nice, memorable phrase and circles back to the interesting title.


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Japanese investors lost $ 117 billion in mutual funds during the year 2011 due to fallingstock prices in light of the global credit crisis in Europe.
Quoted by the BBC and Japanese television companies of the Association of Japaneseinvestment, the balance of investment funds in the country until the end of Decemberamounted to 46.76 trillion yen to 607 billion dollars, down 11%, the first decline since 3 years.
The association said that the sharp decline of the shares in investment funds led to theloss of a major operation in 2001. She stated that this loss is the third largest loss of its kind in the history of Japan, where she has recorded the biggest loss in 2008, and the second in 1990.


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The FAA will allow Cirrus Aircraft to forego inflight testing of the SF50 Vision Jet's whole-airframe ballistic parachute, saying such tests would incur "an unnecessary expense" while posing "inherent danger" to the test pilot.
In a notice of proposed conditions issued recently, the FAA noted that unlike the BRS parachutes in the SR20 and SR22 series airplanes, the SF50's parachute is a "supplemental" system and no certification credit is being given to meet Part 23 standards.
"Since it is a nonrequired system, the means of substantiation have been altered to reflect the bounds of the operating envelope, the means of analysis that can be substantiated with overlapping lower-level testing/analysis, and relieve in-flight deployment to avoid unnecessary expense and the inherent danger in performing this test," the notice said.
Cirrus might still decide to test the parachute in flight, but the FAA notice gives the manufacturer the flexibility to test the single-engine jet's parachute system in the air or not.
Vision Jet certification is expected in the third quarter.


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Waldorf-Astoria Hotels Unveils New True Waldorf Service Initiative
Hotel & Resort Kerry Medina July 16, 2012
Waldorf-Astoria Hotels & Resorts announced a new initiative called "True Waldorf Service" that is formally launching across properties this July. The concept is an extension of the personal service principles that were first born at the legendary Waldorf-Astoria property in New York, incorporating staff and guest feedback from the past several years.
Under this new service initiative, a personal concierge is assigned to every qualified guest and acts as his or her primary contact before, during and after a stay, to guarantee every request is met. From greeting guests upon arrival and assisting with personal culinary preferences to arranging transportation and special occasion details or accommodating any other singular needs, the personal concierge staff and True Waldorf Service initiative is focused on delivering a highly-customized luxury experience.
The True Waldorf Service initiative will be deployed across the more than 20 Waldorf-Astoria Hotels & Resorts properties starting this month. The service will be offered to qualified business and leisure travelers. Guests who book through a group or third-party online travel agents are not eligible for True Waldorf Service given the anonymous nature of such bookings.
For more Hotel & Resort News
More by Kerry Medina
You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.LOAD FACEBOOK COMMENTS


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We've got a few content updates in the KnowBe4 Modstore to share with you for the month of November!
In the holiday spirit, a free interactive training course called Safe Travels for Road Warriors Holiday Edition for the 2018 Holiday season is available to help you stay safe while you travel. The module is 12 minutes in length and is available for access during November and December.
For more information visit the KnowBe4 blog post:
Want to see the KnowBe4 platform in action? See a live product demo now!
Don't like to click on redirected URLs? Cut & paste this link into your browser:
A new comic book style animated series called Captain Awareness was introduced with the release of the first 6 episodes. These two-minute modules cover topics such as: GDPR, Triumph Over the Reuse of Passwords, Securing Mobile Devices, Being a Human Firewall, Staying Vigilant with USB Drives, and Working Securely From Home.
Nineteen additional micro-modules will follow in the coming months, including one for kids!
The new 2019 Your Role: Internet Security and You is now available.
As one of KnowBe4's most popular courses, this course will be replacing the 2018 version. Your Role covers the threat landscape and every employee's role in keeping their organization secure against these threats. Special attention is paid to social engineering because this is the tool cybercriminals use to trick users into taking an action that puts their organization at risk.
All these KnowBe4 courses are available at the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond subscription levels.
The Security Awareness Company (SAC)
The November SAC Newsletter covers why phishing works via a real-life example, and highlights the obvious signs of an attack with a phishing identification checklist.
Also, a new Security One Sheet, Holiday Headaches was added.
All Security Awareness Company content is available at the Diamond subscription level.
Popcorn Training
A variety of training, posters, and security documents were added by Popcorn Training this month.
Compliance Series: 2018 Business Continuity Management (BCM)
In every organization it is important to have a business continuity plan in place should an emergency or incident occur. Business continuity management ensures that your business always remains in business. In this module, learn about what emergencies may lead to BCM coming in to effect.
Also, 5 Security Docs and corresponding reinforcement posters are now available:
- Spot the Phish
- Cyber Heroes Series - CEO Scams
- Cyber Essentials Series - Information Security 101
- Cyber Essentials Series - Cryptocoin Security
- Cyber Essentials Series - Cyberbullying
All Popcorn Training Security Docs and Modules are available at the Diamond subscription level.
TeachPrivacy - New Publisher!
We're excited to welcome TeachPrivacy to the KnowBe4 content library! TeachPrivacy provides privacy and security training by the leading subject-matter expert, Professor Daniel Solove. TeachPrivacy excels in creating training that is engaging, memorable, and understandable. Ten new modules and a game that cover topics from GDPR, Data Privacy Best Practices, to Encryption, and more.
All TeachPrivacy training is available at the Diamond subscription level.
Want access to the most comprehensive security awareness training content? Take a sneak peak of the current KnowBe4 library with a free Training Preview.
As of November 29, 2018, KnowBe4 has:
- 773 pieces of education and training content
- 190 Interactive Training Modules
- 143 Video Modules
- 269 Posters and Artwork
- 150 Newsletters and Security Docs
- 21 Games
- Over 2,500 phishing templates
To see the full list of new content added this month and an inside look into the KnowBe4 platform, sign up for the Modstore Training Preview now!


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In Ohio, Pit Bulls Are Wrapped into Crime
Toledo, OH - Ohio House Bill 568 has been introduced by Representative Tryone Yates of Cincinnati. He wants to ban pit bulls statewide. He and many other people feel that the existing state law -- which deems pit bulls as "vicious" -- isn't doing the trick when it comes to reducing attacks and criminal operations that go hand-in-hand with the breed.
Lucas County Dog Warden, Tom Skeldon, has pushed for restrictions on pit bulls, but stops short of supporting a statewide ban. "I, at this point, am not in favor of a statewide ban," he says. Skeldon does acknowledge that pit bulls are a problem. "When we go into a drug house, as we do regularly, I do not run into Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. We run into pit bulls."
DogsBite.org loves the quotes we read from Ohio Dog Wardens. No other state can match the Rin Tin Tin quality.
A separate Ohio Dog Warden left a comment at DogsBite.org (an anonymous poster). He thinks there should be a statewide ban. He writes:
I am a dog warden here in Ohio. The amount of pit bulls and like dogs in the local pounds and shelters have increase by 10-fold in the past 5 years. Many of these dogs are being inbred with littermates and are mentally unstable. Pit bull bites are way up and responsible taxpayers are not usually the ones who own such dogs.
Why should your local police man get his arm mauled by a dog who's owner removed the voice box* so when they kick the drug dealers door down they don't even know there was a dog on the other side? Why do meter readers, postmen, electric workers, landscapers and others have to worry about getting attacked by these kind of dogs just because they're doing their jobs?
Are breed specific laws fair? No. But people should be able to do their jobs as well without getting mangled. Sometimes fair isn't what's in the best interest of the common public. I say yes to the ban and have handled thousands of pit bulls, and not all of them are mean. But pit bulls are game and bred to finish what they start. They were bred to kill -- dog, person, child -- yes to the BAN in Ohio.
DogsBite.org most definitely just fell in love.
*Some criminals remove the voice box of their dog so that police and SWAT teams will have no warning during a raid or search warrant execution. God only knows how this brutal procedure is performed -- not at a vet's office.
Related articles:
05/22/08: Ohio Cities Cracking Down on Pit Bulls (Big Time)
05/01/08: Lucas County Dog Warden Nails Aspect of Pit Bull Problem


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For the first time, OKcollective Candle Co. will be showing off its wares at the June 2019 edition of the Dallas Total Home + Gift Market. The market is set to take place from June 19 to June 25.
The company manufactures handmade soy candles and is based out of Oklahoma City, OK. The company was started in 2016 when founders Jessi and Kelli Newsome decided they wanted to create a thoughtfully curated brand of candles and home fragrances that were simple, pretty, super fragrant, clean burning, and a little bit silly. The founders note that they work with their customers in order to curate a sampling of goods specifically for their clientele.
The OKcollective Candle Co.'s booth will be located in the World Trade Center, Floor 12, Booth #2316.


text: Change your cover photo Upload Change your cover photoUpload Apply Cancel Change your cover photo Nick Laurie Whatever the occasion my commitment is to make sure that your ceremony goes the way you want it. To that end we will meet, talk, plan and revise until you have what you want: the best possible ceremony! This user account status is Approved This user has not added any information to their profile yet.CeremoniesWeddings, Namings, Renewal of Vows, FuneralsWebsite URLhttp://www.nicklaurie.co.ukPhone Number07941731056E-mail email@example.com CelebrantsUnited KingdomUK CelebrantsSomerset Only fill in if you are not human


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Binding financial agreements & assets planning
Binding financial agreements (BFAs) set out how assets are to be allocated in the event that a relationship breaks down. It can be made before (prenup), during or after a relationship. A Binding Financial Agreement sets out how all the assets, financial resources and liabilities, of both parties as individuals and in partnership, will be divided should the relationship break down.
Legal Advice must be obtained
Common to all types of binding financial agreements is the requirement that each party has obtained legal advice independently of the other party to the agreement, and had the implications of signing the Binding Financial Agreement fully explained to them.
Advantages of Binding Financial Agreements
- A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) is created at a time when you are not angry or upset and so there is maximum goodwill from each party to the other
- Having a BFA in place ensures each party is clear on how the assets will be divided up in the event that a separation occurs.
- Having a BFA in place can also eliminate the need for the parties to resolve the allocation of assets via the court system.
- BFA's can be very reassuring if you have more or fewer assets than your partner or if you have previously been through the breakdown of a relationship.
- A BFA protects ownership and retention of interests in businesses that might otherwise have to be at least valued or at worst sold on any separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we do a pre-nup?
Yes; in Australia there are 3 broad categories:
- A Binding Financial Agreement at commencement of a relationship;
- A Binding Financial Agreement at during a relationship; or
- A Binding Financial Agreement at after a relationship.
What is a BFA?
A document setting out how assets are divided if you break up in the future, agreed now whilst you are both friends and which excludes a future Court battle.
What if he/she won't sign?
In modern relationships this is not so much a question but often an underlying issue causing such a reaction we identify and resolve by disclosure or a more specific "carve out" agreement after discussions with the other spouse or their lawyer. Collaboration is important.
Is it bullet proof?
Never, it's an insurance policy. Like any policy, sometimes they fail, perhaps where there has been a child born, a failure to disclose, a life changing injury for example. Insurance is still worth having though – even if there are some exclusions.
Our Family Law Team have extensive expertise in the area of advice and the drafting of sound Binding Financial Agreements in both prenuptial (pre-nup) and post relationship (post-nup) scenarios.
Contact a member of our Family Law Team today and benefit from our experience in this complex area.
Guest Expert
Clayton Long is widely acknowledged across the industry for his expertise in the area of Family and Relationship Law. In addition to this, he also has substantial experience in Commercial Litigation and Employment Law. He is one of the Founders of Clinch Long Woodbridge (CLW).
Clayton began his professional career as an Accounting Intern with Price Waterhouse Coopers after completing his Commerce degree and eventually, after going on to graduate in Law, took up a role with Minter Ellison, working within their Taxation, Commercial Litigation and Insolvency divisions.
In 1991 he joined Potts Latimer Solicitors as a specialist Litigation lawyer and remained there until 1994, when he co-founded Clinch Neville Long, which eventually became Clinch Long Woodbridge.
Over the last 25 years, Clayton has successfully resolved thousands of Family Law cases, enabling 97% of parties to reach a legal resolution, without the need to conduct a court hearing.
Clayton has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from the Australian National University and a Masters of Law from Sydney University. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1989.


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Blog Archives
Ginger and Lemongrass Mojito
I love cocktails… I love ginger… I love lemongrass… I love mojitos… what's not to love about this ginger mojito cocktail?
Serves: 1
1 1″ piece ginger, peeled and sliced
2 stalks lemongrass
8 mint leaves
1 tbsp. Sugar syrup
1 tbsp. lime juice
50ml white rum
Ginger beer or ale
Ice and extra mint leaves
lime slices
- Muddle together mint leaves, one lemongrass stalk and ginger.
- Add sugar syrup, lime juice and rum. Shake well.
- Half fill highball glass with ice and extra mint leaves.
- Strain mixture into glass.
- Top with ginger beer or ale.
- Serve with lime slices and remaining lemongrass.
- Enjoy!
Appleberry Fizz
I love fruity cocktails, and if they're sparkling, then so much the better! Needless to say this one's right up my street! I love the taste of sparkling apple juice with this cocktail, but any sparkling juice will do.
Serves: 4
Prep: 5 mins
75g blackberries
4tbsp. sugar syrup
2tbsp. Lemon juice
Seeds of 2 pomegranates
100ml vodka
Sparkling apple juice
Mint leaves or citrus zest to decorate
- Crush blackberries and seeds of one pomegranate.
- Strain and pour into cocktail shaker.
- Add sugar syrup.
- Add lemon juice.
- Add vodka
- Shake well.
- Strain and pour over ice and remaining pomegranate seeds in 4 glasses
- Top up with Sparkling juice.
- Garnish and serve.
- Marvel at how delicious it is!
Bubble (Wrap) Tea
For someone who is as immersed in coffee-shop culture as a tea-bag is in hot water, I have only just tried bubble tea. Sure I've heard about it before but never had the chance to try it due to it not being sold in a lot of the places I frequent. I frequent a lot of places but maybe I'm just not going to the right ones!
On one of our rare super-hot days, I saw a poster on the window of a trendy coffee shop near where I live, advertising bubble tea: a drink that consisted of what I thought were little pearls of sago floating around in a milky liquid. It closely resembled the Indian dessert/drink falooda, and looked so delicious and refreshing – just perfect on such a hot day – so I thought I'd give it a go.
The drink came in three yummy sounding flavours: strawberry, mango, and coconut. The mango sounded especially delicious so I selected that and waited to discover the mystery that is bubble tea.
Also known as pearl milk tea or boba milk tea, bubble tea originated from Taiwan in the 1980s. It's typically a tea base mixed with milk or fruit with large tapioca balls thrown in – the 'bubbles'! The earliest form of bubble tea was a mixture of black tea, tapioca pearls, syrup, and condensed milk.
There are many different variations of this drink. You can either get milk-based or fruit-flavoured teas, although some shops tend to sell a mixture of the two. There are fruit smoothies made using crushed fruit, and versions using blended ice which has a more slushy consistency. Milk smoothies are based on a similar concept except that they don't contain any tea! In some drinks, the tapioca is replaced with jelly cubes, aloe, sago or taro balls. So many variations of one drink!
As I am quite familiar with the culinary delights of South-East Asia, I thought I knew what to expect and was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it was nothing like I had expected. The drink – which was not as chilled as I would have liked – had the consistency and taste of watered down milk and I very much doubt there was any tea in it. And watered down milk was the only real flavour I could taste; if I had not ordered mango, I wouldn't have known what flavour it was supposed to be. And the 'bubbles' were not chewy tapioca at all but rather small balls filled with a syrupy type mixture which looked a lot like the gel balls I place in vases for flower arrangements. I have to say that although I was disappointed to have not had real tapioca or sago, I found these 'syrupy bubbles' to be quite interesting: the slightest pressure from your tongue would cause these bubbles to burst releasing the mango-flavoured syrup. It was like bubble wrap for your mouth – once you started popping them you couldn't stop!
Has it put me off drinking bubble tea in the future? Of course not! This was in no way the real deal but a pseudo-bubble tea, created mainly, I believe, for the novelty factor.
I look forward to trying the real stuff at some point!
The Great British Bake Off: Beca's Grapefruit Sandwich Cake
Another one of our guilty viewing pleasures is The Great British Baking Off – I suppose you could say that Mr. D and I are huge fans of any kind of culinary competition. During the first episode which focused on scrummy cakes, I was particularly fascinated by the grapefruit cake whipped up by contestant, Beca. I'm a huge fan of cakes made using lemon, orange, or lime but it never occurred to me that I could use grapefruit – which just happens to be one of my favourite citrus fruits. So here's Beca's recipe for her grapefruit cake. I love mascarpone and any kind of fruit curd so I'm going to have a go at making it myself but somehow I doubt it'll be as great as Beca's!
- For the grapefruit curd
- 80g/3oz unsalted butter
- 80g/3oz sugar
- 3 large free-range eggs
- 125ml/4fl oz grapefruit juice (around 2½ grapefruits)
- 1 grapefruit, zest only
- For the candied grapefruit peel
- 1 grapefruit
- 75g/2½oz caster sugar, plus extra for coating
- For the cake
- 200g/7oz caster sugar
- 200g/7oz baking spread
- 210g/7½oz self-raising flour
- 4 large free-range eggs
- 25g/1oz ground almonds
- 1 grapefruit, zest grated and half the juice
- For the grapefruit sugar syrup
- 75ml/2½fl oz grapefruit juice (around 1½ grapefruits)
- 75g/2½oz caster sugar
- For the mascarpone cream
- 100g/3½oz mascarpone
- 200g/7oz double cream
- 50g/1¾oz icing sugar, sifted
Preparation method
- For the grapefruit curd, place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Melt the butter in the bowl before adding all the other ingredients and whisk with an electric hand-held mixer until thickened. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge to set further. (You will make more grapefruit curd than you need for the cake. Refrigerate the rest and eat within a week.)
- For the candied grapefruit peel, peel the grapefruit and cut the peel to the desired length and width. Place in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil for 10-15 seconds and then drain the peel. Return the peel to the same saucepan and add the sugar with 75ml/2½fl oz of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the liquid is syrupy. Drain the peel and coat in more caster sugar before leaving to cool and dry on a wire rack.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160C(fan)/Gas 4. Grease and line 2 x 20cm/8in sandwich tins.
- For the cake, mix all the ingredients together in an electric mixer. Divide the mixture equally between the two tins and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool in the tins for five minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, for the grapefruit sugar syrup, place the grapefruit juice and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for around five minutes, or until the syrup begins to thicken. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
- While the cakes are still warm, pierce the surface with a cocktail stick all over. Drizzle the syrup evenly over both cakes. Allow to cool completely.
- For the mascarpone cream, whisk the ingredients together until thick and airy, but not too stiff.
- To decorate the cake, place the bottom layer of the cake onto a serving plate.
- Transfer a quarter of the mascarpone cream into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm/½in plain nozzle, and set aside. Then spread on half of the remaining mascarpone cream onto the cake. Spoon over a generous amount of the grapefruit curd – some curd may spill over the edges but don't worry about this.
- Place the other cake on top and spread the remaining cream on top of the cake, smoothing it all over so that it is evenly distributed.
- Using the piping bag, pipe balls of icing around the edges and centre of the cake. Place a few strips of the candied peel on each ball of icing. Serve straight away, or refrigerate until ready to be devoured.


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The Latest: Havana tornado damages shelter for families
HAVANA (AP) — The Latest on Cuba's deadly weather (all times local):
12:21 p.m.
Some of the heaviest damage from the rare Havana tornado is in the eastern borough of Guanabacoa, where the apparent twister tore the roof off a shelter for dozens of homeless families.
Cubans enduring long waits for government housing often live in such multifamily shelters for years.
Yoelkis Dip says his 54-year-old grandmother María Esther Linares was killed while hunting for safe shelter after the tornado broke the roof of the home where she was living with two granddaughters.
Thirty-one-year-old Dianabys Bueno was living in the shelter with her husband and son after they were forced to relocate by the collapse of their home in Central Havana. Much of the housing in Havana is in dire condition due to years without maintenance, and building collapses are routine even in ordinary storms.
Bueno says, "This has already happened to us once," and adds, I'm not going anywhere."
Cuba's president says the storm that hit late Sunday has killed three people and injured 172 others.
9:40 a.m.
The tornado that hit Havana tore the concrete roof off an apartment building in the Regla district and dumped it into an alleyway, briefly trapping residents in their homes.
Seventy-seven-year-old Marlene Marrero Garcia says she was in her ground-floor apartment with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Sunday night when she heard electrical transformers begin to explode. Then the tornado passed.
She says, "It looked like fire, everything was red, then everything began to fall."
Marrero says she and her family were trapped by debris for about half an hour before firefighters arrived.
She and other residents said two of their neighbors had been hospitalized.
Cuba's president says the storm has killed three people and injured 172 others.
8 a.m.
Leanys Calvo, a restaurant cook in Havana's 10th of October borough, says she was working Sunday night despite heavy rain and wind when she heard a rumbling noise outside and looked out to see what appeared to be a tornado touching down.
The 38-year-old says early Monday that "it was something that touched down, and then took off again. It was like a tower." She says it was red and green, adding "it was here for 2-3 seconds, nothing more. They were the most frightening seconds of my life."
Police officers on the scene early Monday said 73 people were injured and hospitalized in the 10th of October section but no one had died. They declined to give their names because they were not authorized.
Cuba's president says the tornado has killed three people and injured 174 others.
7:45 a.m.
A reported tornado has left a trail of destruction across the Cuban capital of Havana.
Power poles in the city's 10th of October borough have been knocked over or were leaning precariously early Monday, held up only by their electrical lines. A palm tree more than 30 feet (9 meters) tall had crushed a pre-revolutionary American car.
The tornado ripped metal sheeting off many roofs and hurled the deadly shards through the air. The streets are littered with bricks fallen from housing facades. The windows in one seven-story hospital had been sucked out of their frames by the wind and all the patients, new and expectant mothers, had to be evacuated.
Havana was battered late Sunday and early Monday by powerful winds and heavy rains. Cuba's president says the tornado killed three people and injured 174 others.
7:35 a.m.
Julio Menendez, a 33-year-old restaurant worker, says Havana's 10th of October borough "looks like a horror movie" after what appeared to be a deadly tornado swept through.
Menendez, who was home Sunday night when the tornado hit, says "from one moment to the next, we heard a noise like an airplane falling out of the sky. The first thing I did was go hug my daughters" — who are nine and 12.
The Cuban capital was battered late Sunday and early Monday by powerful winds and heavy rains that downed many power lines. Cuba's president says the tornado killed three people and injured 174 others.
Menendez spoke Monday near the Daughters of Galicia Hospital, whose patients, all expectant mothers or mothers with newborns, were evacuated to another hospital. Many glass windows in the seven-story hospital had been sucked out of their frames by the power of the wind, leaving curtains flapping in the breeze.
5:50 a.m.
Cuba's president says a tornado in eastern Havana has killed three people and injured 174 others.
The Cuban capital was battered late Sunday and early Monday by powerful winds and heavy rains. A blackout hit many Havana neighborhoods around 9 p.m.
Early Monday, President Miguel Diaz-Canel posted photos of himself on Twitter with rescue workers besides what appeared to be a vehicle overturned by the storm. Little further information about the storm appeared in state media.
Photos posted by Cuban media and Havana residents on Twitter showed cars crushed by fallen light posts and cars trapped in floodwaters around the city. One local radio station said on Twitter that the Regla and 10th of October sections of Havana and the town of San Miguel de Padron had been affected by the tornado.


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Easily clean any microwave in a few easy steps:
1. Put a few tablespoons of vinegar and a cup of water in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Place the mixture in the microwave and heat on high until the water boils.
3. Turn off microwave and wait 15 minutes
4. wipe out the inside of the microwave using a damp cloth. For the inside glass use a spray bottle of 50/50 mix vinegar and water to remove any excess grease.
For this or any of your house cleaning needs please contact:
Easy Life House Cleaning


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April 13, 2013
at Llangrannog
12 Comments »
Graphically this seems to depend on the angle of the net's handle and the little girl caught mid jump. But, there is more here to enjoy – both adults have lost their heads and the children take centre stage – as you would expect at the seaside – yet the adults remain a background presence. The boy's purposeful walk and the little girl's jump for joy add to the sense of place.
I wonder did you crop this to the final composition or is this the full frame? If the latter, how much is the exact framing intentional? As I shoot rangefinder mostly, exact framing is something of an art and a matter of luck – I take what I'm given more often than not and am very often pleased and surprised at what that is. I wonder where this fits into the spectrum of intent, gift and post production?
Comment by sojournerphoto — April 13, 2013 @ 23:04
Thanks Mike. As shot. I can't say it was deliberate as we had an extended family there too (these people are 'others'!) and I was photographing family in the main but with an eye out for opportunistic 'street' shots, especially as it was a very strange Easter: freezing cold but sunny, such that people had coats, scarves, hats and gloves on but eating ice-creams! Since moving to smaller cameras after the E-1, framing has been a huge problem and I think that the effect of some nearly five years doing street with an inadequate visual tool has honed a different sort of instinct! At least, that is how I like to think of it. For this I had the EVF (VF-2) on my PEN and although it is pretty good, catching something like this quickly requires that 'gift' comes into it!
PS I have never shot with an R/F but have always considered it one of the big 'what ifs' of my life.
If you get chance to shoot with a rangefinder you might enjoy it. You have to let go of absolute control over framing, but you quickly learn, and you become a bit more fluid I think. Obviously if it suits, but I keep going back and rarely miss the slr these days. If you're ever in the north let me know.
Comment by sojournerphoto — April 14, 2013 @ 16:20
We have trips to Aberdeen coming up as of today with a family member setting up there so maybe we shall be passing through!!
John, let me know if you're passing near Harrogate and we can catch up and let you lose with an rf.
Comment by sojournerphoto — April 28, 2013 @ 21:27
Mmm, difficult one this (for me). Presented in an anonymous way I may have simply written it off as the offering from a rapid firing (novice) snapper and perhaps offered suggestions about, amongst other things, suitable points of view when photographing small children.
But this is from you John and while trying my hardest to guess your thinking here, I almost feel if I'm trying to find where you've hidden your new clothes.
Yes there is an extremely strong diagonal, grabbing my head and twisting it so that my eyes are thrust towards the opposite corner but they are left wondering where the decapitated head went to.
Non of this is meant as a criticism John, and I hope I wont offend if I ask for an explanation.
As I returned to the image, to post the above, I started to see an image of a little girl, bounded by a choice of two frames, with a strong connecting link through the bottom left hand corner of said frames. Am I trying too hard now John?
Comment by cgcooke — April 21, 2013 @ 22:07
One of my favourite images is from Michael Hoefner HERE.
Michael entered this into our Golden Jubilee Exhibition and at a club meeting I joked that if a new member walked in with this image you would gently discuss exposure, shutter speed and panning. It is the difference between intent and happenstance, I am sure this is what Michael intended, it wasn't an accident.
Thanks Chris – well maybe I am still a novice! It is very much up to the viewer, hopefully without too much expectation as to how a particular subject might be presented. I think the headless adults work but accept that one could shoot from a different pov. For me what works is the balance between the 'eye' created in the sand by the movement of the water in the top half and the shadow pattern in the bottom half and, yes, the girl is sort of held in the geometry of it. In hindsight, I am glad I got the shot from this angle because it avoids getting the horizon and any sky.
I do feel on firmer ground with Rex's comment too!
The children, net, shadows, strong colors, and the positions of all these — as well as the girl's happy levitation and the boy's stride make the adults and their missing heads irrelevant for me, also. That said, I doubt I would have been happy with the position of the headless person upper right had I taken this image — but that could well indicate that I am more the novice!
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Full Serve will be closed December 22 – January 6
We will be available in case of emergency and all monthly service plans will continue as scheduled. All project timelines were built with this closure in mind, but please check in with us if you have any questions.
Please note the Full Serve project calendar is full. If we do not have a project already in development at this time, we have limited capacity… but will do our best to help you. First priority always goes to our clients who have Monthly Service Packages – if you would like our ongoing support, we should talk in the new year (limited spaces available)!
Thank you for another wonderful year!
Tanya & Charles


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CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Lin Bennett (R-Charleston) for the 114th district. Bennett holds a score of 66% during her first legislative session. She started off her legislative career strong by co-sponsoring bills in support of clean energy and accountability for energy companies to protect South Carolinians and lower their energy bills. Bennett has shown voters in her first year her commitment to clean energy and to providing South Carolinians with better energy options. As Bennett continues her time in the SC House of Representatives, CVSC is proud to support her continued efforts. To learn more about Bennett, please visit her website https://www.votelindabennett.com/
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Elder Sign
- Ages: 13+
- Players: 1-8
- Playing Time: 60 - 120 minutes
- Designer: Richard Launius, Kevin Wilson
- Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
- More info/BGG link
It is 1926, and the museum's extensive collection of exotic curios and occult artifacts poses a threat to the barriers between our world and the elder evils lurking between dimensions. Gates to the beyond begin to leak open, and terrifying creatures of increasing strength steal through them. Animals, the mad, and those of more susceptible minds are driven to desperation by the supernatural forces the portals unleash. Only a handful of investigators race against time to locate the eldritch symbols necessary to seal the portals forever. Only they can stop the Ancient One beyond from finding its way to Earth and reducing humanity to cinders.
Elder Sign is a fast-paced, cooperative dice game of supernatural intrigue. Players take the roles of investigators racing against time to stave off the imminent return of the Ancient Ones. Armed with cards for tools, allies, and occult knowledge, investigators must put their sanity and stamina to the test as they adventure to locate Elder Signs, the eldritch symbols used to seal away the Ancient Ones and win the game.
To locate Elder Signs, investigators must successfully endure Adventures within the museum and its environs. A clever and thematic dice mechanic pits their exploration against monsters and the sheer difficulty of staying sane and healthy, all within the standard game duration of one to two hours.
Cooperative | Dice Mechanic | Dungeon Crawling | Exploration | Fantasy Flight Games | Horror | Tabletop
Browse more Card Game or Fantasy Flight Games products.


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Why should the bride always be the centre of attention? Its high time you ditch the soap, step out of your comfort zone and up your skincare game with this simple routine. Walk into your wedding ceremony with flawless skin and look dapper in your wedding photos with this simple 3 step skincare routine. Read on and unlock the secrets to healthy skin for yourself.
Know your Skin Type
Firstly, you need to know which skin type does your skin belong to.
1. Normal:
Your skin rarely acts out, stays oil-free and doesn't get irritated or dry easily.
2. Oily:
Your skin has oily patches on it. And a natural shine to it, acne is a frequent struggle for you.
3. Sensitive or Dry:
Your skin gets irritated easily or feels dry very often.
4. Combination:
Your 'T-zone' is often oily and the rest of your face that is your cheeks feel dry. Your 'T-zone' is your forehead till the tip of your nose.
Once you know your skin type, it becomes fairly easy to choose the right skin care products. The first step to your skincare routine will be cleansing.
How To Do:
- Splash warm water on your face before applying face wash. This will open up your pores.
- Now take some face wash on your palms and gently rub your face in circular motion. Remember to be gentle because the face is a sensitive area.
- Then, rinse your face with cool water to close up the pores.
- Lastly, pat dry your skin. Remember not to rub your skin when drying it because rubbing the skin vigorously causes wrinkles.
When: We recommend that you cleanse your face twice a day or depending upon your requirement. You can cleanse your face once in the morning and once before going to bed.
Scrubbing your face exfoliates the skin and gets rid of all the dead skin cells and impurities that build upon your face and improve your complexion.
How To Do:
- Wet your face with warm water and take a small amount of scrub in your fingers.
- Gently scrub in a circular motion all over your face. Focus primarily on the areas where dead skin usually builds up like the nose, forehead and the neck.
- Rinse your face with cold water and then pat dry.
When: We suggest that you do not use a scrub more than 3 times a week, depending upon your skin type. Do it after cleansing. Guys with oily skin type should scrub more often.
The next step in your skincare routine would be to moisturise and hydrate your skin. It is an essential step because it prevents water loss from your skin, makes it firmer and has an anti-ageing effect.
How To Do: After washing or scrubbing your face and patting it dry, apply a men's moisturiser all over your face. Focus on the area around your eyes and the forehead. A small amount is sufficient, you don't have to go overboard with the moisturiser.
If you have dry skin, you may need to apply a little bit more in the afternoon. As for the men with oily skin, you don't have the skip this step, a small amount won't be of any harm.
Now that you have prepped up your skin with this skincare routine, you need to prevent any further harm. Preventing skin issues is an important step that most of us miss out on.
How To Do:
- If you're going to spend more than thirty to forty minutes in the sun, apply sunscreen on all the skin that's going to be exposed to the sun. Opt for a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15.
- If you tend to stay up late and have dark circles under your eyes, you can use eye cream. The best eye creams for men have caffeine as a core ingredient and can do wonders in improving the puffiness and dark circles under your eyes. Use it once at the night before going to sleep.
Skin care doesn't need to be complicated. With as little as three products, you can have a robust and effective skincare routine. The key is consistency. Work the products into your daily routine. Stick with it, you may not see instant results but doing it repetitively will ensure that these products will do wonders for your skin.
If you have any further questions, ask us in the comments below and we'll be happy to answer them.


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Shown left to right: Matt Bever, County Materials Operations Manager; Wisconsin State Representative John Spiros; Wisconsin State Senator Jerry Petrowski; and Glen Hoeppner, County Materials Location Manager.
October 4th, 2019 was National Manufacturing Day, celebrated across the country to promote the impact that manufacturing has on local communities and to recognize the worthwhile, good paying jobs the industry provides for millions of Americans. To celebrate National Manufacturing Day, County Materials invited Wisconsin State Representative John Spiros and Wisconsin State Senator Jerry Petrowski to tour the company's Rib Falls, WI concrete pipe manufacturing facility.
"I'm proud to have visited County Materials rights here in Marathon, Wisconsin on National Manufacturing Day," said Representative Spiros. "I was able to tour the facility and discuss their community partnerships that promote educational and career opportunities for students looking to enter the manufacturing sector."
Career opportunities in manufacturing are diverse, challenging and valuable. At County Materials those career opportunities are rewarding, offer competitive wages, benefits and opportunities to grow.


text: Happy Saturday: 3/3/2017 March 4, 2017March 3, 2017Colby Sharp I miss blogging. My wife and I just had our fifth child, so I don't have a whole lot of time. I figured that getting back into my Saturday vlog routine might be the way to go. Books Mentioned in This Video Share this:TweetLike this:Like Loading... Related


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|Giant Walking Stick
When we see an adult walking stick on our level it usually means it was blown down from the upper leaves of a tree or dropped to escape a predator. Being lightweight, they usually survive the fall without damage. If you try to pick one off a tree or the side of your house, watch how quickly it can drop. This is just the beginning of its tricks. Some stick insects can auto-amputate a limb to escape the grasp of a predator. This is called autotomy and some species can regenerate the sacrificed leg over time. Other species have defenses such as toxic chemicals, spines on their legs, or bright colored wings that they flash to startle a predator.
Our giant walking stick, Megaphasma denticrus, is the longest insect in North America. It occurs in the southern and midwestern United States. Males are rare, as few as one per thousand females. In spite of these odds, finding a mating pair is common. One reason is that once they mate, the male clings on for hours or in some cases days. This behavior prevents other males from competing for the female's attention. Some evidence suggests that it also improves the male's chances for successful offspring. If a predator comes along, the male is more exposed and may be sacrificing himself for the cause.
Some species of sticks like our M. denticrus can reproduce by parthenogenesis, meaning that they don't require males to produce fertile eggs. These offspring are all females so genetic diversity still rewards male fertilization in the long run. Eggs are dropped randomly on the fall forest leaf litter and the young nymphs are left on their own to emerge in the spring, lighter colored miniatures of the adults.
Some stick insect species have an fatty treat on the end of their eggs, called a capitulum. Ants will pick up these eggs and take them to their nest where they eat the treat without harming the egg, a behavior called myrmecochory. In the spring the stick nymph chews its way out of the egg and crawls out of the nest to find a nice juicy leaf.
|Indian Walking Stick - UC IPM
Check out the Lord Howe Island stick insect, called the "rarest insect in the world" and known locally as a tree lobster. The story is at this NPR Link.
A giant walking stick is "running" in this video.
Walkingstick or walking sticks - which is right? Most sources say walkingstick but since this is a common name there is variation, sometimes in the same article.


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Should minimum calorie pricing be considered? | The Student
Following the announcement on Wednesday 15 November that the UK Supreme Court is backing the plans for the Scottish government to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol, should similar measures be considered for calorie consumption?
The Scottish government had approved legislation five years ago to introduce a 50p-per-unit minimum on alcohol, but it had been held up by a legal challenge by the Scotch Whiskey Association, initially made to the Court of Session.However, with the court's approval, the measures would see an introduction of minimum prices on a 750 mL of Vodka set at £13.13, an 11.5 per cent bottle of wine at £4.32, and a litre of five per cent cider at £2.50. Researchers at the University of Sheffield estimate this would reduce hospital admissions by 2000, and save 120 lives per year.
The measures have, however, garnered both support and criticism: on the one hand, the move is hoped to save lives; however, others argue that addicts will still find a way to consume alcohol, and less afluent alcoholics may turn to crime to do so. There is also an argument that the measures will penalise responsible drinkers unfairly, while doing nothing to deter those with more money in the bank.
Read complete article here:
Should minimum calorie pricing be considered? | The Student.


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Although the rules around auto enrolment mean that you need to add all eligible employees to your workplace pension, they can choose to opt out if they'd rather not be a member.
When your employees can opt out
There's a limited amount of time in which an employee can opt out of your workplace pension. This is known as the opt out window.
Once a staff member has been auto-enrolled, they have one calendar month to opt out of the workplace pension and get a full refund of any pension contributions that have been made. The opt-out window opens either on the day you give your employees their enrolment information or the day we give them the terms and conditions of the pension, whichever is later.
How to opt out
To opt out of the workplace pension, your employees must give a valid opt out notice. The opt out notice is a safeguard to ensure that it's an employee's decision to opt out, rather than the employer's.
If you have an Aviva workplace pension, your employees will receive information on how to opt out in the welcome pack we'll send them. There's also the option of calling our pension helpdesk on 0800 056 3192. Our lines are open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
If you're not using Aviva's Company Pension, your employee will need to obtain an opt-out form from your pension provider. When an employee submits an opt out notice you'll need to check that it's valid. Along with the date when the form was completed and the name of their employer, a valid opt out notice includes the employee's:
- Full name
- National Insurance number or date of birth
- Signature
The opt out notice must also contain the following statements, which give your employees more information about opting out and their rights as an employee:
- 'Your employer cannot ask you or force you to opt out.'
- 'If you are asked or forced to opt out, you can tell The Pensions Regulator.'
- 'If you change your mind, you may be able to opt back in – write to your employer if you want to do this.'
- 'If you stay opted out of the scheme, your employer will normally put you back into pension saving in around three years.'
- 'If you change your job, your new employer will normally put you back into pension saving straight away.'
- 'If you have another job, your other employer might also put you into pension saving, now or in the future. The notice only allows you to opt out of pension saving with the employer you name in the notice. A separate notice must be filled out and given to any other employer you work for, if you wish to opt out of that employer's pension saving as well.'
The following declaration must be included before the employee's signature:
- 'I wish to opt out of the pension scheme'
- 'I understand that if I opt out, I will lose the right to pension contributions from my employer'
- 'I understand that if I opt out, I may have a lower income when I retire'
What to do once you've received an opt-out notice
Once a valid opt-out notice has been received, you should immediately stop taking contributions from the employee's salary, and refund any deductions that have been taken. There'll be no need to assess the employee's earnings again until your re-enrolment date. If an employee opts out the first time they're auto-enrolled, this effectively means they've never been a member of your workplace pension. If you use Aviva's Company Pension, we will tell you when an employee opts out, so you can stop contributions. We will also pay you any refunds that are due.
Keeping records
As an employer, you're required to keep either the original or a copy of the opt-out notice for four years, either electronically or on paper. If you use the Aviva Company Pension, we'll keep the opt-out notice for you if we receive it. Scheme administrators also need to keep the following information.
For four years:
- The names of any employees that have opted out of the pension scheme
- The date that the employer notified the pension scheme that the employee had opted out
For six years:
- The date on which active membership of the pension scheme was ceased by the employee
What your employees should consider before opting out
Before any of your employees decide whether they want to opt out, there are a couple of important points to consider.
- Pension contributions that they make currently receive tax relief from the Government, and can provide a tax-efficient way to save. Tax benefits are subject to change and will depend on the employees' individual circumstances.
- By opting out of the workplace pension, they'll no longer be entitled to receive employer pension contributions
How your employees can opt back in to the workplace pension
Any employees who are not already members can ask to opt into your pension scheme at any time. A valid opt-in notice must be in writing and signed by the employee, or if it's an email, include a statement from the employee confirming that they have submitted it personally.
You can reject an opt-in notice if the employee has stopped contributions into your scheme within the last 12 months. Following a valid opt-in notice, you must create membership within six weeks, and start employer contributions if you've assessed them as a jobholder. If they're an entitled worker, you must allow them to join the scheme, but you don't have to pay employer contributions.
Ready to get a quote?
Find out more about auto enrolment
Auto enrolment doesn't have to be challenging. We've got all the information you need to get up and running with your workplace pension scheme.
Take a look at what our workplace pension scheme can offer
See how you can help your clients


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A recently acquired stack of Playboys from 1988 by Evan The Mayor sparks a lengthy conversation about the state of things today and how very little has changed since then – with hilarious results! Then things crawl along into some holiday blues discussion, a new chapter in the plainpotatoes saga, and more!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:36 — 50.0MB)
Subscribe! Android | Google Podcasts | RSS


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Robert Collins makes students want to learn more.
Collins strolls into class with his notebooks in hand and sets up the podium to lay his work on. There isn't a PowerPoint presentation, instead, Collins draws an outline on the chalkboard. Next, he returns to the podium and the chattering in the room starts to diminish. Class begins with a familiar, 'good morning, how are you all doing today?' He then asks for any questions about prior material and starts his lecture, walking around the room to engage students.
His style of lecturing harkens back to a different time, as he doesn't use any modern technologies.
"He is definitely old fashioned," Kendra Johnson, a sophomore, said.
Collins doesn't need a microphone. All he needs is his knowledge and voice. He walks slowly in front of the class and along the sides of the room, only returning to the podium for a quote or an important fact.
"He has his lectures memorized," said Mike Marden a teacher assistant for Collins.
Collins has years of experience, which helps him give lectures with ease.
"He likes telling personal stories about the time that he teaches," Johnson said.
Marden, who has worked for Collins for over two years, has really enjoyed the professional working relationship they share.
"I would love to be Dr. Collins," Marden said.
Collins has high expectations for his students and TAs. He believes they should be prepared and be successful.
Collins grew up in New Jersey and moved around a lot, as his dad was in the Air Force. This experience helped him learn to adapt wherever he went. A working class environment surrounded Collins, but he knew he didn't want to be a factory worker.
When he got older he tried to find his way into the white-collar world. He discovered teaching and then found his life's work was history.
"I liked it because of the teachers I had," Collins said. "I wanted to think like them."
His first teaching job was at a high school. He moved on to teach at North Carolina State University. Collins became tenured there at the end of the 70s, but he didn't like staying in the same place, so he accepted an offer from MU.
Collins has taught at MU since 1980. He takes pride in each lecture he teaches.
"Most teachers go on and on, but he is more lively," Johnson said.
Through each lecture he develops memories. What stands out to him are the lectures he thought went well.
"I just hope there's not a large gap in-between them," Collins jokingly said.
Collins is known for his sense of humor.
"One-on-one he is very humorous," Marden said.
Collins loves a good joke. Even though he probably won't admit it, he loves to tell a good joke too. This can be seen in his classes.
"He is really outgoing and animated," Johnson said, "like jumping on the stage."
Collins also gets excited when he gets to incorporate economics into his classes as he has a personal interest in economics. It also ties into the book he is writing about the American auto industry in the 70s. It will describe the clash of economics, culture and the environment.
"In a fascinating way they all come together," Collins said.
It has been his intellectual and life interest to do a study about it.
Collins also has an interesting life outside of the university. He likes fast sports cars and motorcycles, both of which he owns. A special car to him is a 2004 corvette. During spring break, Collins went to Nevada to road race. He started racing about 15 years ago. He said he wished he had started sooner because it is something he really enjoys.
Back in the classroom, Collins has earned a lot of respect and recognition. He has plenty of awards to illustrate his success in teaching. In 1987, he was presented with the Maxine Christopher Shutz Award. He won the Purple Chalk Award in 1981 and 1994. Then he received the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence Award in 1998.
"He is one of, if not the best among our instructors," Rus Zguta, the history department chair said.
Zguta has been a colleague of Collins since he came to MU in 1980. He described how Collins is always delightful and thoughtful. Collins is one who brings discussions forward when they have meetings.
"His reputation is recognized by the students and his awards," Zguta said.
Collins is the example for what a professor should be. His style and character keep students interested and wanting to learn. He is a teacher many will never forget.


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Saudi prince visit highlights public censure of France's arms deals
Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris
The Saudi crown prince has made an official visit to France, but amid a far more strained atmosphere than during his recent trips to the US and the UK. France's arms deals with Saudi Arabia that is waging a deadly war on Yemen has been the major topic of media coverage. The visiting prince faced setbacks in his efforts to improve his country's image. Press TV's Ramin Mazaheri has more from Paris.


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Berthon has been an international brokerage house since the 1930s. With offices in the UK, France, Scandinavia, Spain and the USA, Berthon offers unparalleled reach. We will be delighted to talk to you about any of the listings that you find on this website.View Yachts for Sale
An international yacht sales organisation with its HQ in Lymington UK, and with offices in France, Scandinavia, Spain and the USA, Berthon is a well known yacht brokerage house that specialises in high quality sailing, motor and performance yachts from 40 to 120 ft. We offer professional advice and help on all aspects of a yacht's sale and purchase, and over half of our business is repeat.
Berthon is the exclusive distributor for Windy Boats of Norway in both England and France. These superb sportsboats from 25ft to 58ft are of the first quality and have superlative seakeeping. For further details, please visit our Windy Boats UK website.
Packed to the gunwales with some fabulous articles from Berthon supporters.
Showcasing a selection of noteworthy sail, power and performance yachts that we are currently offering for sale.
Berthon's annual review of the sales market over the previous year and predictions of the important trends and changes in the year ahead.
Berthon Boatyard for Yacht Maintenance & Boat Repairs, Yacht Refit and Boat Construction
One of the UK's oldest yacht marinas, Lymington Marina is second to none for customer service and luxury facilities.


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Food truck catering for your next event. Fast, easy and delicious. Book it here.Get Started
STATT-J's Cajun Cuisine is giving Louisville, Kentucky some truly southern eats on the streets with a whole lotta soul to boot. Making the best of the bayou available on the move, this food truck is revolutionizing the scene and making sure every foodie gets their fill.
At STATT-J's Cajun Cuisine, each and every hearty meal is made with the freshest quality ingredients with imported seasonings and spices that only add to that authentic flavor. Looking for a hearty stew? Their gumbo should do the trick, loading in chicken, shrimp and sausage with a side of french bread for the dipping. How about some handheld delight? Treat yourself to the richly flavored po'boy, stuffing shrimp, chicken or fish into a hoagie with specialty remoulade. But that's not all. At STATT-J's Cajun Cuisine also has mini muffaletta sandwiches along with the irresistibly sweet King's Cake. If all this sounds good to you, head on out to the streets of Louisville to get you some, or invite 'em to cater your next event stat. Or should we say, STATT.
No upcoming events currently listed.


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Knowing how busy this school year will be, if I need to bake something sweet, I try to grab a recipe from Nick Malgieri's Modern Baker, even if it's not from the section we're technically on. I figure I need to get a head start if I'm going to have a chance of baking most of the recipes from the book for our Modern Baker Challenge.
So this weekend, I needed a multi-purpose cake to celebrate my nephew's fourth birthday (it's his second birthday party, so not his main cake), my stepdad's sixty-fifth birthday, and my mom and stepdad's anniversary. My sister requested chocolate, so I went browsing through the cake section of the book. There were a few chocolate recipes, but upon investigation, I realized that I only had unsweetened chocolate in my house (very uncharacteristic for me), which was the chocolate called for in the devil's food cake recipe. I remembered that Andrea (at Family and Food) had made this cake when she received the cookbook, so I read her notes: the frosting was too sweet and too much, but overall, a tasty cake.
I didn't want a giant cake with tons of leftovers, as everyone in the family is trying to eat more healthfully. I decided to make a half-recipe, cut the one layer in half, and just make a shorter cake.
The recipe was easy enough ~ not nearly as easy as the quick breads (the section we just finished), but not too complicated. Mix dark brown sugar with softened butter and vanilla. Add eggs and melted chocolate. Then mix in the flour mixture, alternating with milk, and mix the whole thing for a few minutes. I poured the batter into my prepared pan and cooked it for 25 minutes. When I took it out of the pan . . . it was tiny. Only about an inch thick, maybe . . .? Definitely not big enough to split in half horizontally. Hm.
So I decided to cut the cake in half vertically and make half of a layer cake. Remembering Andrea's notes about the frosting, and knowing that egg white and sugar-based frostings aren't my favorite anyway, I decided to try Nick Malgieri's variation which is listed under the recipe. I made a third of his simple whipped cream recipe (heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla) and macerated some strawberries, which I put in between the layers and on top of the cake. Once I put the whipped cream on top, I really liked the unfinished look of the cake, without the sides frosted, so I left it. Guess it felt arty to me. ;)
And then I showed up to the party and found that there were many more guests than we'd expected. Argh! Why didn't I make a whole cake?! Nevertheless, I cut the cake into thin slivers and served it with ice cream. It met with rave reviews. Hubby called it "the best devil's food cake I've ever had."


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In the final section of our Shooting the Rapids report, we present a plan for collective action with four elements. In this post, we're focusing on one in particular: protecting critical global infrastructure.
Shooting the Rapids: COVID-19 and the Long Crisis of Globalisation
Shooting the Rapids: COVID-19 and the Long Crisis of Globalisation is a major new report that explores what we do and don't know about each of the three layers of the COVID-19 crisis, sets out a playbook for collective action, and presents a plan for international co-operation.
Justice Leadership in a Pandemic: Read the Call to Action in Four Languages
Last month, we released a call to action by members of the Justice Leadership Group – a call for justice leaders to step up, work collaboratively, and put people-centred justice at the heart of their response to the COVID-19 crisis. Now, we're pleased to announce that the original English article is also available to read in Arabic, French, and Spanish.
The Debts We Now Owe Each Other – and How to Pay Them Back
In Our Other National Debt, we have tried to make practical proposals for how to start turning gratitude or warm sentiment into real-world action that will make a meaningful difference. Nothing about this is easy, but it's nonetheless profoundly important. How can we encourage good things to flourish even in rough and damaged soil?
Long-Term Solutions to Food Crises: Building Credit Institutions That Can Finance Agriculture Value Chains
The World Food Programme has predicted that the coronavirus pandemic will double the number of people facing crisis levels of hunger. "We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions," according to its executive director, if we don't act to avert them.
The True Cost of COVID-19 School Closures
According to our model, just four months of school and university closures across the United States could result in a $2.5 trillion total loss in future earnings. At a global level, these new data suggest that the current generation of students could lose up to $10 trillion as a result of COVID-19 closures over the course of their careers.
This Too Shall Pass: Mourning Collective Loss in the Age of COVID-19
The nature of this crisis goes right to the core of how we live – and die – as social beings, and forces us to look our unease with death squarely in the face. We are experiencing widespread loss, and this inevitably leads to the need to grieve. As such, we recognise that grieving well and collectively will be essential.
Foxes vs Hedgehogs: The Importance of 'Followership' in the Age of COVID-19
In recent weeks, the wider internet has felt awash with people who are certain of their expertise in epidemiology, despite weeks earlier being experts in something only tangentially related. When basic errors are pointed out to them, they double down. Admitting you were wrong or simply don't know is not something humans are very good at doing or rewarding.
#BuildaBridgetoBetter: Recommendations to Drive Pandemic Responses
Disasters have a way of focusing the mind, focusing our energies, and harnessing attention. The unfolding disaster that is the coronavirus pandemic is no different: the world is united in our focus on this singular enemy. What is different is that this pandemic is not a one-off event; this is not a storm that we will easily 'ride out'. There is no clear blue sky on the horizon.
High Five: Building Back Better Children's Services
We have previously highlighted the enormous sacrifice the world's children are being asked to make to help protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19. Now, we're outlining five actions we should start working on today to ensure children's services are back up and running as soon as possible, and that they return strengthened and improved.
More from Global Dashboard
Putting the Most Marginalised at the Centre: Lessons for the COVID-19 Response from the HIV Epidemic
In the early days of the HIV epidemic, there were a few simple messages to help save lives: abstain from sex, have only one sexual partner, use a condom. Sounds simple, right? But despite huge awareness raising and education programmes, the epidemic...
Our COVID Future: The Long Crisis Scenarios
Created in partnership with: COVID-19 marks a turning point in the 21st century. Levels of uncertainty are off the chart, making predictions impossible. But if we can create plausible stories about different futures, we create a...
Protecting our Critical Global Infrastructure
Earlier this week, we published Shooting the Rapids – COVID-19 and the Long Crisis of Globalisation. In the final section, we present a plan for collective action at the global level with four elements: Firefight better – getting the emergency response...


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Athletics & Recreation
Executive members of the University Club may enjoy the Club's athletic and fitness facilities.
Fitness Center
The fully-equipped fitness center at the University Club is located in a spacious, sun-filled room overlooking the downtown St. Paul skyline and the Mississippi River Valley.
The fitness center was renovated in early 2015, and features state-of-the-art machinery with personal televisions and pulley-system weight machines.
Executive Access to SPAC
Executive Members of the University Club also enjoy Executive access to the Saint Paul Athletic Club, which offers over 68,000 square feet of athletic and recreational space.
Fitness Assessments
Fitness assessments are available to members to find their "starting point" and track their progress as they work towards their individual fitness goals.
Earn Health Insurance Credits
Premium credits toward health insurance (Media and Blue Cross) are available to members who utilize the fitness center according to their insurance requirements.
Free Fitness Center Orientations
Fitness center orientations are offered by request and are free of charge at the Summit Avenue Clubhouse fitness center.
Our professional trainer demonstrates how to operate the various pieces of equipment while introducing members to the benefits of strength training. During the summer and fall months, special orientations are offered for teens.
Schedule Your Workouts
Join a fitness class or meet with your trainer.
Join Fitness Classes
Yoga classes for all levels with a certified instructor are offered throughout the year.
Meet Your Trainer
The University Club has a personal trainer who can work with you one-on-one to create a personalized program.
Backyard Swimming Pool
The club's lovely outdoor pool is available for members to use during the summer months. It opens on Memorial Day with the annual Pig Roast and closes on Labor Day with the annual Corn Roast (if weather cooperates, the backyard may extend its season).
The pool is open seven days a week and features poolside service, a pool shack offering quick snacks and drinks, beautiful landscaping, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Please note: The pool will be unavailable Monday – Friday between 7:45am–12:00pm for the duration of Camp U Club. Please contact the club for exact dates.
Clay Tennis Court
Our private clay tennis court is a beautiful addition to the University Club's backyard. Tennis lessons for all ages and standards are available by reservation, and equipment (rackets, balls) is available for rental at the pool shack.
Reservations to use the court are encouraged (See below).
Reserving the Tennis Court
Members may reserve the court for up to 60 minutes (singles) or 90 minutes (doubles).
Please call 651-222-1751 to check availability and reserve the court.
Proper athletic attire, including tennis shoes, is required when using the court.


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Songs, poems and modern mythology are all part of a growing catalogue of literary cross-border collaborations between writers, illustrators and China's leading publishers, Mei Jia reports.
The Spring in the North-or Kitaguni no Haru in the original Japanese-is probably the most well-known Japanese song in China and around Asia since it first released in 1977.
"It's said that about 1.5 billion people across the world can sing that song," says lyricist Haku Ide, 78, the man who penned the song over 40 years ago.
He recently published a picture book based on the poetic images evoked in his song through a Chinese publisher along with his 39-year-old illustrator son, Shinji Ide.
Haku Ide says he hopes his sense of nostalgia will resonate with readers when they thumb through the pages of the book of the same name as his biggest hit, especially people like himself who abandoned their rural upbringing for the hustle and bustle of life in the big city.
He has written the lyrics for more than 400 songs, yet this is the first time he has had his work published as a picture book. Based on his own childhood experiences, the book captures and documents typical scenes from daily life in northern Japan some 60 years ago. From flying kites, feeding silkworm and harvesting paddy fields, to playing ice-hockey on homemade skates-the expectations of each coming season unfold with every turn of the page.
Haku Ide says his father died when he was in first grade in school, and his mother was forced to support the family on her own.
"I don't remember ever seeing her sleep, because she always had endless work to do," he says.
Even in winter months when farmers had less field work, he describes the young child's reluctance to rub his mother's back and shoulders to ease her sore muscles after long hours of household chores.
"I only understood how hard these years were for her when I grew up, moved to Tokyo and graduated from Waseda University," he adds.
In those hard days, nature was the child's faithful playmate. It provided the venue, tools, and also occasions for joy, and somehow transformed their bitter lives into the beautiful "good old days".
For his son, the illustrator, who was born in Tokyo, these memories meant little as there was no family album to help retrieve them. For this work, he had to return to his father's hometown on several occasions to search through the local archives to discover facts and find inspiration.
"His poetic stories tell me that besides games and TV, nature is also a form of entertainment, which I think is especially valuable to young people living in the 'concrete jungle'," Shinji Ide says.
"Besides, winter is not always as cold as you expect and there is a strong festive mood in those dark months (in big cities like Tokyo). But I never really understood my father's longing for spring back then," he adds.
As the chairman of the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers, the father has visited China many times since 1983, and has written two songs on Chinese themes.
The original Japanese song on which the book is based has several versions in different Chinese dialects.
According to a 2014 article by Lyu Yuan, the translator behind the first Chinese version, the song was so familiar among Chinese audiences that people believed it was an original Chinese work.
"The song's popularity in China has endured more than in Japan, and people still sing it to this day because of the social situations it describes-the homesickness of migrant workers, and the trend toward urbanization," Lyu says.
For the book's publisher Bai Bing, 63, editor-in-chief of the Jieli Publishing House, the song is a karaoke favorite among his generation.
"In my childhood days, as Haku Ide depicts, I stayed close to nature and I remember how I worried most about my goldfish if I went away for a few days," Bai says.
"The sense of prevailing loneliness some of us feel nowadays is mainly caused by our separation from nature," Bai adds. "Ide's book just brings back that connection."
The publishing house was persuaded to take on the project by translator and picture book expert Tang Yaming, who immediately recognized the popularity of the song and the book's potential and the value of being the first publishers of the book.
"The book has an original Chinese title, although written and illustrated by Japanese creators. We also hope to sell its copyright to more international markets, including Japan," Tang Ling, director of Jieli's Infant Books Branch, says.
Jieli and other Chinese publishers have long embraced international cooperation, in numerous ways, including planning books written by Chinese writers and illustrated by internationally acclaimed foreign illustrators.
The Spring in the North might be the first to open up a new phase for publishing to global audience.
"China has a large and promising market for children's books, and it's becoming increasingly influential worldwide. Around 99 percent of our children's titles will usually be reprinted because of high demand. It's not difficult here for a single book to reach sales of more than 100,000 copies," Bai says.
"Additionally, our original titles are drawing worldwide attention for their quality and wonderful stories," he says.
Bai says those features have attracted not only foreign publishers, but also authors and illustrators.
One French and one American children's writer have contacted Jieli, respectively, showing an interest in publishing their upcoming stories in China first, instead of in their home market, Bai says.
"It's time for us to look worldwide for contributors and inspiration, in order for Chinese publishers to be better placed in the world market, and to boost our influence and production quality," he says.
In mid-October, China Literature Group joined forces with Disney China to create the first Chinese web novel series based on the Star Wars franchise, written by web fiction writer "His Majesty" (Guowang Bixia).
The stories featuring The Force and Jedi, the fundamental elements in Star Wars, will have a Chinese-style twist and will leverage the instantaneous reward and review system that the literary format of the online web novel-very popular in China-allows, including engagement between writer and reader.
James Waugh, vice-president of franchise content and strategy at Lucasfilm, oversees the Lucasfilm Story Group, which he describes as "a team that helps steward the galaxy's fiction as it traverses franchise platforms", at the announcement of the new web novel series in Shanghai. Waugh says he is excited "by the potential of this initiative and for sharing the aspirational adventure and exploration that is the Star Wars galaxy with so many Chinese readers".
"It's important to Lucasfilm to meet Chinese consumers where they are and include this thriving and unique market in the global excitement around the franchise," Waugh says. "The first Chinese Star Wars web fiction gives us an opportunity to tell an original Star Wars story and showcase new characters for the Chinese market written by an exceptional Chinese author."
Those new ways of cooperation also include Qingdao Publishing Group's announced acquisition of the Museum for Junichi Watanabe Literature in Hokkaido.
The four-story building was designed by Watanabe's friend and architect, Tadao Ando, and built in 1998. The writer's work, awards, sketches and manuscripts are on show there.
The Japanese writer is known for his best-selling novel on fatal extramarital affairs, A Lost Paradise, with the latest Chinese version published in China by Qingdao Publishing Group.
The group continues to open the Watanabe museum to visitors for free, and with greater promotion targeting literature lovers in both countries, it hopes to enhance the people-to-people ties, and boost more cooperation with his copyright holders in the planning of further TV and film adaptations.
This month, 89-year-old Syrian poet Ali Ahmad Said Esber-better known by his pen name, Adunis-is on a book tour of China, which ends in late November, to introduce his latest work, an epic poem with 50 chapters entitled Osmanthus.
A frequent visitor to China, Adunis got the inspiration for his poem from his 2018 tour of the country, when he visited Huangshan Mountain in Anhui province, and planted a sweet osmanthus tree in a Guangzhou suburb in Guangdong province.
The poem, published in China by Yilin Press, is about China, and combines Adunis' personal experiences in China with Arabic philosophy.
"It's a significant moment in the history of foreign literature exchanges with China, when a heavyweight writer like Adunis expresses his thoughts and love of contemporary China in this scale," Xue Qingguo, his translator and professor with Beijing Foreign Studies University, says.


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September is Suicide Awareness Month, albeit nearly over I have been waiting for the right time to sneak this topic in. With teen suicide on the rise and higher than ever before, it's even more important to spread awareness to parents, and for kids and parents to have easy access to available resources.
I'll preface this by saying I'm not an expert in adolescent mental health, my primary goal is to spread awareness. I have made some observances through the years as a nurse. There are some common themes that seem to surface repeatedly when teens and young adults are admitted for suicidal ideation or attempt of suicide.
In no particular order I have listed some flags I have observed both through work and through people I know personally.
Reports of being bullied, or feeling like an outsider, lack of social connection.
Substance abuse, self medicating, generally with illicit drugs or unprescribed medication.
Abuse in the home or exposure to trauma.
Feelings of intense pressure, high expectations that feel unattainable.
Stressful family circumstances, divorce, absent parent, hostile parental relationships.
Falling grades, lack of motivation and energy, changes in eating habits.
Personal or family history of mental health illness.
For parents and family members, take pause and listen. Ask more questions. Often kids try to communicate to parents, but not they are not always offering up full details. They ask for help, or support but not always in the most direct way.
Mental illness, is illness, just as any other medical condition is. Please seek medical help if you're having suicidal thoughts or ideation. Let us all take care of ourselves, and our brains just as we would any other part of our body. Spread awareness now, and help someone else, another child, another teen!
Official Resouces:
National Suicide Prevention Life line.
Suicide Prevention Line phone: 1-800-273-8255
Stanford Children's Hospital "Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs"
"Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents" Nadine Kaslow PHD,ABPP
If you enjoy my posts, you can show your support by visiting my website @gingermamarn.com and subscribe, follow or share! You can also see follow my pages gingermamarn on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for your support!


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Police said a man died in a late evening shooting in an Atlanta park Saturday.
Sgt. John Chafee said the shooting happened in the 100 block of Ollie Street at Washington Park. Chafee said that when police arrived they found a man shot and already dead.
Early Sunday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 41-year-old Brian Lee Bell of Decatur.
Police have detained one person as homicide investigators search for more information about the crime. Based on what investigators know so far, it appears two men were in the park when they got in an argument that soon erupted into an actual fight.
Chafee said that it appears the men separated but got involved in another fight a short time later.
"At some point during the confrontation, one of the males produced a firearm and shot the other," he said.
It's still not exactly clear what led up to the incident as a whole.