text:
You do not want to worry if the locks on your doors will work, or if anyone can get into your home that shouldn't be there. We feel the same way and that is why we treat every customer like family. Some of our most popular services include fixing broken locks, installing new hardware, replacing lost keys or making your existing locks work with a different key. Our solutions to your problems are endless and we will work tirelessly with you to make sure we find the one that is just right for you and your family.
We service hundreads of clients each day and offer the widest range of products and services of any locksmith and security firm in DFW.
All of our locksmiths are licensed by the State of Texas and undergo rigous background checks.
Every technician we send out is bonded and insured against damage to your property.
No one wants a stranger in their home, that is why we only use our own staffed locksmiths, never contractors.
We are proud to have an A+ Rating with the BBB for offering superior products and customer service!
We monitor every locksmith via GPS so we can keep you updated as to when they will arrive.
We can take your payment professionally without having to call it into a stranger on the phone.
We know how important it is to feel safe in your own home and to trust the people you hire. Trusting someone with protecting your most valuable possessions and your family is no easy task. We take that trust you place in us very seriously. Since 1949 our family has been serving people and businesses in the DFW area. This is our home, and just like you, we live, work and play here. We want to be your locksmith and security company for life. Experience the A1 difference today, call and see why hundreads of people use us everyday!
We service hundreds of customers each day, and customer service and quality work are our number one priority. That is why we have an A+ Rating with the BBB and are also an Accredited BBB Business. Call today and discover the A-1 Residential Locksmith Service difference.
We don't like it when we have to sit around all day waiting on a service company to show up and we don't expect you to either! That is why we give you a two hour window of when our technician will arrive. That way you can plan your day better and get back to what really matters, living your life!
Do you have questions or want to speak to someone in person before we come out? No problem, A-1 Locksmith has 10 locations spread thoughout the DFW metro area. Stop by and buy the parts you need or schedule your appointment, we can even just give you friendly adivce!
Whether you have an emergency and need help right away or need us to come out to your home after 6PM or on the weekend A-1 Locksmith will be there when you need us. The best part, we don't charge you extra! We work around your schedule, not ours.
All our work is backed by our standard warranties to ensure your job is done right the first time. And if that were not enough, you can even purchase added protection for long term peace of mind if you choose.
Our team of expert staff and residential locksmith technicians are always ready to provide you with award winning customer service. Whether you live in a small home or massive mansion we treat you and your property the same as everyone else!
At A-1 we offer full list of residential locksmith services to fit any budget. Our staff are trained to really listen to your problem and concerns. We then present you with several solutions at different price points letting you choose what works best for you, your family and your home.
Note these are real unedited reviews so please excuse any misspellings or punctuation errors. We only show the first name & last initial to protect our clients privacy.
"I appreciated the courtesy and efficiency of service of the repairman to take care of our front door lock. "
"Quick response by Andrew. Very pleasant and efficient, rekeyed four locks and made copies of keys. Would use A-1 Locksmith again."
"Professional and courteous service."
"Very pleased. Representative very professional and helpful."
"I called sat morning. Young man came and changed locks on all my doors.. That afternoon!! Quick. Efficient . Friendly. And all at a fair price."
"Very pleased with service finally able to to get lock fixed . The technician was very friendly and professional . "
"Extremely helpful and efficient. Will be using your company again! Thank you."
"Arrived later than original time given, but did call to say he would be late. "
"Ari was punctual, kind, informative, and efficient. I will definitely use A-1 again. "
"Ari was great, thanks."


text:
Senior Technical Operations Manager Solar PV (m/f)
BayWa r.e. – a forward-looking international company!
The renewables sector offers unparalleled opportunities for both professional development and the chance to make an active contribution to sustaining our natural environment. BayWa r.e. offers fascinating roles with great prospects in the fields of wind power, solar energy, bio-energy and geothermal energy. Our business activities include trading, project development and realization, consultancy services and technical/commercial operations management. We have positions at our locations in Germany (head office), Europe, Asia, Australia and USA.
We are looking for:
BayWa r.e. Operation Services Limited – a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH – is responsible for the operations management of wind energy projects and the operation and maintenance of solar PV plants all over UK and Ireland. Due to our dynamic growth, we are expanding our team in Milton Keynes or other location in the United Kingdom and are currently looking for a
Senior Technical Operations Manager Solar PV (m/f)
- Being responsible for the daily operational management and HR line management of the site-based technical staff.
- Support of the Project Managers in ensuring the company operates in compliance with the guidelines set out in the BayWa r.e. UK Management System, and that it delivers excellent technical service quality.
- Tailoring and ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness of onboarding and ongoing training processes for the company's technical staff.
- Establishing and maintaining an effective skilled support network of subcontractors to meet the needs of the resourcing business, maximising reliability, safety and quality while minimising cost exposure.
- Delivering effective HSE leadership at all times to enhance the organisation's commitment to safety performance, and ensuring that Health, Safety, Environment and Quality and Reliability are ensured throughout the technical on-site team and its work.
- Supporting the HSE Manager in carrying out investigations into any Hazardous Observations/Near Misses or incidents that may occur on any of the projects, reporting findings and monitoring corrective actions.
- Technical expertise in PV plants: Electrical, mechanical and civil experience.
- Knowledge and experience of Operations/Construction of solar PV business in the UK.
- Electrical background an advantage.
- Extensive experience on managing site-based technical staff.
- Thorough knowledge of and familiarity with operating in accordance with UK HSE regulations.
- Excellent influence and communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Proven track record on customer service and delivery with an extensive knowledge of solar equipment, parts and services.
- Ability to manage change and effectively pass on the information down the line to concerned teams for smoother execution.
- Ability to delegate and allocate responsibilities efficiently, managing the work load of team members.
We offer:
We can offer you exciting challenges as part of a team of professionals. Furthermore, the international focus of our company will open up excellent future prospects for you. As an expanding supplier in the renewables sector, we create opportunities for personal and professional development. It practically goes without saying that a friendly and cooperative working environment is part of our company culture. As part of the BayWa r.e. renewable energy network, you will benefit from flat hierarchies with short, fast decision-making channels. Our integration into BayWa AG provides security and the opportunities for further development that you would expect of a company this size.
We look forward to hearing from you!
If you are interested in this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience, please send a copy of your CV along with a short covering letter to firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com including details of notice period and salary expectations.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ninja Slayer: Part 3 Last Girl Standing
Already a hit in Japan, where there have been three manga series and an anime adaptation in the works.
- More Below…
Product Description
- Artist
- Kotaro Sekine
- Author
- Bradley Bond
- Binding
- paperback
- Cat No.
- 3572702
- 978194122095551295
- Genre
- Anime & Manga
- 9781941220955
- Publisher
- Kodansha International Ltd
- Type
- Manga
Already a hit in Japan, where there have been three manga series and an anime adaptation in the works.
In the cyberpunk metropolis of Neo Saitama, Kenji Fujikido is an average salaryman whose wife and children are suddenly assassinated.
Tracking the murder back to a ninja, Fujikido trains to seek vengeance - initially on those who murdered his family, but ultimately on every ninja on the planet…
He becomes the 'Ninja Slayer', a warrior obsessed with killing every last ninja to avenge his family. NINJA SLAYER was originally released in segments on Twitter; this is the first full collection of this innovative new series.
Customer Reviews
There aren't any reviews published for this product yet, why not be the first to write one?Write your own review.


text:
Why I Will Never, Ever, EVER Get a Tattoo
Would I have to start planning outfits around the tattoo like I plan for weather?
First published in 1964 — that's almost as old as Jane! — the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is an inescapably iconic symbol of feminine sexuality. It was originally conceived as a means of filling the magazine's pages during sports' winter lull, but over the years has evolved into its own juggernaut, shifting from a brief pictorial to a full special annual issue in 1997.
At xoJane, we're always interested in asking questions about the cultural forces that affect women's lives, both in the sense of how women are perceived, as well as how women perceive themselves, and it's tough to overestimate the influence of SI's swimsuit issue as shaping what counts as beautiful and sexy for women. And given the xoHistory of offering alternatives — such as when we did our own "beach bodies" photoshoot (remember that?) — we thought, "Hey, what if we reproduced the typical Swimsuit Issue photo shoot, only with men?"
We had to throw the shoot together in a week, which — trust us — is impressive given the usual amount of planning that goes into these kinds of things. And we learned a few things in the process, like that dude's bodies are not as flexible as women's, which you can kiiinda tell in some of the shots.
Also, male models actually eat on set — all of the food we had, in fact.
Ashley Graham, one of this year's "Rookies" — that's what Sports Illustrated calls a model who's new to the Swimsuit Issue — even stopped by the shoot. Ashley joins a very small group of plus-size models to be featured in the Swimsuit Issue, although Sports Illustrated doesn't like to make a big deal out of the "plus size" distinction. They did put her on one of the covers, though.
Ashley was also kind enough to give some sexy back-arching posing tips to our own "plus-size" male model, Miguel (we think he did a pretty fantastic job, but gauge for yourself).
Another interesting — if obvious — revelation that came out of this experiment is how what is normal to women trying to look sexy can seem very strange when applied to men. The best example of this is our recreation of the women-lying-practically-on-top-of-each-other shot that you see versions of throughout women's media.
While this is all in a days' work for women models, it was slightly odd for the men (who, as an interesting aside, use the expression "nuts to butts" to describe situations in which they need to stand very close together). When women are posed this way, it's such a common image that any sexual suggestiveness is almost invisible; women are socially "allowed" to be physically close to each other, and that big sexy lovepile pose is all about meeting the male gaze in a culturally acceptable way. But because it's coded as so deeply feminine, when men do it, it's tough to read this pose as anything other than straight-up homoerotic — which honestly wasn't what we were intentionally going for, but it's how it turned out.
You can hear more from our models in the interviews below. Of course, we weren't going to do this without also asking them some of the same questions women get asked. Or posing them in ways that women are asked to pose time and time again. Modeling is one of the few industries in which men are paid less than women, and there are fewer jobs for them out there, and we're glad these guys were such good sports for our little experiment here.
Overall, our efforts to objectify men in a traditionally feminine setting really just drove home the point that women's sexuality, as created in SI's Swimsuit Issue or even in many women's magazines, is a performance that looks totally natural on women but a little bizarre on men. We're not opposed to the Swimsuit Issue as a concept, but it would be nice to see a little more equity on this issue.
Or maybe we just want to see more hot guys in swimsuits. Judge us all you like on that.
Height: 6'2 | Shoes: 11
XO: Have you ever been asked to stuff a sock in your bulge on a modeling job?ADAM: [LAUGHTER] No, not yet. Hopefully, uh, that speaks for itself. I shouldn't have to do that. [LAUGHTER]XO: So you're saying your junk is large.ADAM: Big enough I don't need a sock. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Were you the skinny, ugly duckling in grade school and did other girls have mean nicknames for you like "Stork Legs," "Chicken Legs," "Skeletor," etc.?ADAM: Yeah, uh, I actually grew wide before tall when I was growing up. So I was usually the chunky kid. But luckily I didn't get picked on too much 'cause I played football. So it kind of counterbalanced each other.
XO: Have you tried Botox, lasers, or fillers?ADAM: No. I don't even know what a filler is. So [LAUGHTER] if that answers your question...XO: Would you ever get work done later in life?ADAM: Definitely not. I— I— I'm a guy. I want to age gracefully. Uh, too many people get caught up on staying young forever.
XO: What Kardashian sister do you relate most to?ADAM: None of them.XO: [Laughter] Do you even know their names?ADAM: No. Uh, I know obviously Kim Kardashian but I don't— and then I— there's Khloe— and I don't— I don't even know all of 'em. I don't watch much TV.
XO: What's the strangest request or job you've ever had as a model?ADAM: Um [PAUSES] — I don't — okay, so like right whenever I first started modeling for promotions, uh, we were doing a charity event, um, fresh out the gate, like the first thing like I'm going and meeting famous photographers and, um, his vision for his campaign was that the models would be naked and they would hold a sign in front of their "no, no" areas [LAUGHTER] and uh, they uh, and that would be where the sign would be and it'd show you what website to go to give to the charity. And, uh, that was a little bit awkward right out the gate.XO: Was it a big sign at least? Were you like—ADAM: Oh no, it's a sheet of paper. [LAUGHTER]
Height: 6'1 | Shoes: 10
XO: What age did you realize you were hot?WENDELL: [LAUGHTER] What age did I realize I was hot? Probably when I was in the ninth grade and my mom told me, she was like, "You're gonna get a lot of attention from everyone." And she was like, "Just be nice and respectful." And I was like, "What do you mean everyone?" She was like, "There's gonna be men and women that are gonna find you very attractive." I was like, "Really?" I was like, "No way." And then I was walking around and— yeah, around ninth grade is when everyone started just hitting on me. Guys. Girls. Older men.
XO: Have you ever been asked to stuff a sock in your bulge on a modeling job?WENDELL: Have I ever been asked to stuff a sock in my bulge? No I haven't. I've been— but I've been— I have been asked to fluff up, though, backstage.XO: Really? How does that request even come in?WENDELL: It's— it was— well, first of all, let me start off by saying it was extremely cold outside. It was wintertime.XO: Okay. Okay.WENDELL: Uh, fashion week in Milan. And so you know, winter equals shrinkage. So I was backstage and they were like, "You know, Wendell, what— what's going on? You know? You— you're a black guy." And I was like, "It's cold out here. Give me— cut me some slack. You know?" [LAUGHTER] And they were like "Listen— listen, we're oiling you up. We're putting these Speedos on you. You have the best Speedos on. This is the key piece in the show. We need you to—" and I was like, "All right, give me one second." I went backstage, got to attention, came out and it was a great show. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Were you the skinny, ugly duckling in grade school and did other girls have mean nicknames for you like "Stork Legs," "Chicken Legs," "Skeletor," etc.?WENDELL: Yes. Oh man. I used to trim my eyebrows and cut my— my eyelashes because they were too long and too bushy. And everyone used to make fun of me. So all the girls were like, "They're too thick, they're too long." So I used to go in my bathroom and cut 'em. And yeah, everyone was like, "You're— you're so skinny, why are you so skinny? Why is your face like that? Why does your mouth pout like that? Or what are you doing with your lips?" I'm like, "I'm not doing anything with my lips."XO: What were the specific nicknames they called you?WENDELL: I got— Oh, I got "Skeletor." I got the "Chicken Legs." Someone said I looked like a frog. I had, um, Rolling Stones face 'cause my mouth was, like, pouty, so it was lips. Yeah. Rolling Stone. They used to call me Rolling Stone a lot.
XO: What Kardashian sister do you relate to most?WENDELL: Probably Kourtney because she's like the one who's kind of under the radar and just very simple. She's not too lavish. She's not too out there. And— and she's very— you know, she's really fucking hot. That's my favorite one, you know? Because I'm— like I'm in the business but I'm not like out there. I don't go out. I don't party like that.
XO: Have you ever tried Botox, lasers, fillers, etc.?WENDELL: No I haven't. I mean, I'm black, so usually, you know, most black people, we have big lips, we have all the exaggerated features already, so we— we kind of come already Botoxed. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Do you find that there's a lack of great roles in Hollywood for men?WENDELL: For women, yeah. I mean it's— it's a man's world, so I mean even though the— the women make the world go round, it's still a man's world. So I think that any time you're looking for any position to fill, you know, it's always gonna go to a man first, and then, you know, woman second. So that's kind of—XO: Do you feel like that's changing at all?WENDELL: I do feel that it's changing now. I'm starting to see more women in like— even on my way walking from my apartment over here I saw like three women, one was in like an Aston Martin, one was in like a Bentley, the other— I was like, damn, you didn't really see a lot of that like 10 years ago. So I feel like women are making a lot more money now...probably more than men, you know. So I don't know if they're getting the positions but I know they're definitely starting to make more money and hopefully with that the positions will come, because, you know, it shouldn't be like that.XO: Does that scare you at all?WENDELL: No, not for me. I'm— I'm— I'm very secure with myself. I wouldn't mind dating a woman who makes more money than me. I mean my girlfriend works on Wall Street so she makes a ton of money.
XO: Do you feel discriminated against because there is so much more work for women models?WENDELL: Yes I do feel discriminated against because there is so much work for women. This is a women's business. This is all women. Yeah. [LAUGHTER] All women and gay men get all the jobs. But I mean, listen, it's— it's the easiest fucking job ever. You show up. You look good. I mean, you know, I look good when I fucking wake up in the morning, so it's like I'm walking over here [LAUGHTER] and they just— you know, and they just do something with my hair, they put a little bit of makeup on me and you know, barely no makeup. The skin is great. You know, the body's amazing. [LAUGHTER] And I just go on set and I just take pictures. Like, how hard is it? You know? Like, I can't really complain. I love my job. I love fashion.
XO: Do you watch porn?WENDELL: Of course. Of course I watch porn.XO: Have you ever considered doing porn?WENDELL: One time I was like down on my— this was before I was modeling. And my mom was always asking me, "What the hell are you gonna do with your life?" You know? "You didn't— you know, you're not going to school, like, what are you gonna do?" She's like, "You look really good, you need to, you know, do something with that face and body." And I was like, "Okay." And then it hit me, I was, like, I could do porn. And I was like, nah, I can't do porn. So then I started watching porn and researching it. And I was like, damn, could I really do— and I was— I probably really— I would probably be the skinniest porn star ever. But I was like, I probably could. And then I found my agent and then— so luckily I didn't have to go uh, you know—XO: So you feel you escaped porn?WENDELL: I definitely escaped the possibility of exploring porn.
XO: Do you hang dong on your Instagram?WENDELL: No. I wouldn't. I— I don't— I wouldn't pull it out on Instagram. You know? But, um, I save that for my girl, you know, 'cause I— I told 'em earlier I do sext. I am an avid sexter, like full on. It's good— it's healthy for you, for the relationship, spontaneous. She'll be at a business meeting, you know, with clients. She'll check her phone. Dick on the screen. It's perfect, you know?XO: So you're not opposed to dick pics in general...WENDELL: No way.XO: How about the video medium?WENDELL: Video medium, nah, but if my girl wanted a video for her birthday or something like that, oh yeah. Dick out for her birthday.XO: So it's reserved for special occasions?WENDELL: Happy birthday, some whip cream on it, whatever. You know. We go all out for the— for the girlfriends and the wives.
Height: 6'2 | Shoes: 12
XO: What is the strangest request or job you've had as a model?MIGUEL: The strangest request, um, I think to— I mean, it's gonna sound crazy, but to do porn. And I said no.XO: Now how did your agency bring that to you or was it kind of like—MIGUEL: No, no. The client itself. The job was, um— I don't want to disclose the name, but it was, uh, you know, a sports athletic company. I guess he does— he does side projects, like, on his own. And he was— "Hey, would you mind, you know, like— if we paid you such and such, would you— would you mind doing porn?" And I said, uh, "The money sounds great, but I'm not one of those people that is just gonna jump out of it." And, um, porn, I love porn, but I don't want to be in it. And it was— it was funny because, you know, after the shoot it was like, "Yo, you know, we— we want to talk to you outside of here." "That's all right, cool." So we went to a bar and then he proposed that to me. And I was like, "Nah, I'm good." And then— but I— I referred him to somebody that would like to do it. XO: All right, cool. Share the wealth.MIGUEL: I know another model guy that was down for it.XO: Do a lot of male models moonlight?MIGUEL: I mean, I guess because of the fact that you're always naked, and you know, you're just comfortable being on camera, so it's kind of like it falls in the same category. But as far as, like, having sex on camera, I'm not— I'm not like too fond of that.
XO: At what age in life did you realize you were hot?MIGUEL: [LAUGHTER] Uh, I would say when I was born. [LAUGHTER] My mom told me that when I was born. I guess, you know, I would say— yeah, at the hospital.
XO: Growing up, were you a skinny guy? Were you kind of, like, on the chubby side? Where did you fit in?MIGUEL: I started off chubby and then when I got into sports I got skinny. But then as I gradually I started getting my muscle— my muscle build, little by little. Really.
XO: What were some of the mean names that you got growing up?MIGUEL: Oh, I got, uh, "Fat Back." I got—XO: Fat bag?MIGUEL: Fat— no, fat back. Like my back — when you got a lot of back fat, you know, stuff like that. They used to call me that. They used to call me, uh, "Pancake Chest" when I was skinny. [LAUGHTER] They used to call me— um, what else? Uh, fat— "Fat Leroy". I don't even know who the hell that is, but yeah. [LAUGHTER] They used to call me a bunch of names, but, uh, I think "Fat Back" is the one that stood out the most 'cause I used to hate that 'cause— and all— also uh— uh, "Wet Back." I used to sweat in my t-shirt in the back and it used to always make shapes. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Have you tried Botox, lasers or fillers?MIGUEL: Laser, yes, my— one of my friends, she— she uh— she's a laser tech— technician. And, uh, she pretty much burned my stomach trying— you know, [LAUGHTER] like— it was her first test run— so she burnt my stomach pretty much, like, in four places.
XO: Who are you voting for?MIGUEL: I don't even know. I'm on— I'm on the fence still about Hilary and Bernie. XO: Why's that?MIGUEL: I think— 'cause I think Bernie's too old. I think— [LAUGHTER] he might croak, yeah. I think he— if he wins, it's gonna— he's gonna have a heart attack on the podium.
XO: What's your favorite body part?MIGUEL: My favorite body part, I would say my eyes.XO: Why?MIGUEL: 'Cause that's like the only thing that doesn't change. [LAUGHTER] XO: What's your least favorite body part?MIGUEL: My least favorite body part, I would say, uh, my nose. I think sometimes my nose is too big. But you know...
XO: Have you ever been drunk or high on set?MIGUEL: I've been drunk on set before, yes. And it's been hilarious. Um, pretty much I was sweating— uh, sweat— I— I mean I'm sweating on set. I never sweat on set when I'm shooting. But that time we was in Miami, it was about 95 degrees. And, uh, I just came from— I literally just got there from the club.XO: Which club?MIGUEL: From— from Liv.XO: [HESITATION] Okay. Yeah, I've been to Liv...MIGUEL: And it was Monday morning, it was 95 degrees—XO: [LAUGHTER] So hold on, hold on. You went out all night and went straight to setMIGUEL: Literally. I— like, the— the car took me from the club to— to the set. And everyone's looking at me like, "Are you crazy?" 'Cause I smelled like cigarettes, weed, I smelled like everything. You know how it is when you get that club residue, smell like everywhere. And then the clothes, it was like, "Where were you, in a brothel?" I was like, "No, [LAUGHTER] I was in the club." But they didn't believe me. And then of course, uh, one of the girls that was with me, she— she brought me my water on set 'cause I was— I was gone. I pretty much smelled like a lot of strong Hennessy, 'cause that's what I drink.XO: Was it hard to shoot that day?MIGUEL: Well, in the beginning it was, but then midday after I threw up a couple times, I was fine. The worst part is that I threw up in the— in the— you know, they had the refreshments, the sodas and all that. I threw up in that— in that cooler. So— [LAUGHTER] they were mad at me.XO: You threw up in craft service?MIGUEL: Pretty much. They was mad as hell, but hey.
XO: Do you feel discriminated against because there is so much more work for women models and how can we correct this injustice?MIGUEL: No [LAUGHTER] I— I don't feel discriminated. We can't go against women. Like men, you can never work against women. Women run the fashion world. We're just— we're just the props. [LAUGHTER] At the end of the day we're just the props. That's— that's the way I look at it. I don't look at it as discriminated at all.
Height: 6'0 | Shoes: 11
XO: How big is your junk?KEVIN: You really want me to answer that?XO: I would not have asked. I mean, like, do you actually know the measurement off the top of your head?KEVIN: I don't, no.XO: Do you want to give an adjective — like, you know? — "sizable?" KEVIN: Um. Enough that every girl is very satiated.
XO: At what age did you realize that you were hot?KEVIN: Um. Wow, that's a tough one. I don't know, I would say probably around the time I was 20. Twenty? I don't know — 22. Definitely got a lot more attention from women. Um, and from gay men.
XO: What do you look for in a man?KEVIN: Um, nothing, 'Cause I don't look at men. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Were you the skinny, ugly duckling in grade school and did the girls have mean nicknames for you?KEVIN: Not the ugly duckling but I was just skinny — just a scrawny, short kid growing up. Uh, when I was younger, kids used to call— well, yeah, a few kids used to call me "Dumbo" 'cause I had big ears.
XO: How did you get your body back after childbirth?KEVIN: [LAUGHTER] Pilates.
XO: Do you find that there's a lack of great roles in Hollywood for men?KEVIN: A lack of great roles in Hollywood— jeez, these are tough questions. Um, [PAUSES] I don't know, I haven't gone to enough Hollywood castings to know that.
XO: What's your life philosophy?KEVIN: Life philosophy? Oh man. [PAUSES] Practice altruism.
XO: What is the strangest request or job that you have ever had as a model?KEVIN: Hmm. I haven't been in the industry that long. So requests have been pretty limited. It's normally just for male companionship by another man — tends to be people find me via Instagram, so...
Height: 6'1 | Shoes: 12
XO: What's the strangest request or job you've ever had as a model?LOGAN: [LAUGHTER] Um, being, uh, balls-to-butt earlier on today. Yeah, super recent. About an hour ago. Probably 30 minutes ago. [LAUGHTER]
XO: What social platforms have you traded dirty pictures on?LOGAN: [LAUGHTER] Oh, God. Uh, I think back when I was younger maybe Facebook over like, you know, DM. And then, uh, texts, of course. You know...
XO: How big is your junk?LOGAN: Oh, uh, suitable, very suitable.
XO: How'd you get your body back after childbirth?LOGAN: I would say stay away from the red meat and, you know, chicken, fish, exercise a good bit. A lot of water.
XO: What Kardashian sister do you relate to most?LOGAN: Huh. Kendall. Let's go Kendall. Yeah. She's a model and she's younger. I'm younger. I've got an older brother.
XO: What's your favorite body part?LOGAN: Abs. No... butt, butt, my butt.XO: Your butt, okay.LOGAN: My butt.XO: What's your least favorite body part?LOGAN: My kneecap? I don't... know.
XO: Do you watch porn?LOGAN: Oh yeah. What guy doesn't?XO: Have you ever considered doing porn?LOGAN: I mean, the thought has raced through my mind once— once or twice, but— I don't think I could do it.
Height: 6'0 | Shoes: 11
XO: Have you ever been asked to stuff a sock in your underwear or your swimsuit for a modeling job? WIL: I've heard it and I've seen it, but I haven't been asked. I'm not— I've heard a couple tricks for it, but I haven't— the sock thing is way too obvious. They wouldn't do a sock, I think.XO: So what are the tricks for the sock... other than the sock?WIL: I think, uh, they kind of put— [LAUGHTER] you get a paper towel and you kind of roll it and you put it behind so it just bumps to the front. But I think that's it. If you overdo it I think it's too much. [LAUGHTER]
XO: Do you find that there are a lack of great roles for men in Hollywood?WIL: Um, not really. Actually, I think it's the opposite. I think men have more opportunity in the acting, which is the opposite of modeling. In modeling we do lack a lot of, uh, options just because of, uh, sales and how people— women buy stuff. It's normal, I guess. Um, I think I chose the only career where men are behind, to be honest. Everything else I think men have a little bit of an advantage, even in— in acting stuff and any other— lawyers or accountants. Um, but in modeling it's like it's the complete opposite.XO: So male modeling is harder because there's less jobs and you get paid less, right?WIL: You get paid usually less than the— like, a woman. There's so much other stuff, like, girls can work on. Let's say, during the week, they do like a jewelry shoot, they do like a hair thing, they do, like— like, a catalogue. And women's, they sell more. That's how it is.
XO: Who are you voting for?WIL: Hmm. Pass.
XO: Have you ever considered doing porn? [LAUGHTER]WIL: Not yet. [LAUGHTER]
XO: What's the strangest request or job you've ever had as a model?WIL: As a model? Um, it would be actually at a shoot, it was kind of a meditation ritual with a photographer. He would like tell you to imagine you're, like, 30,000 feet high and you're falling, or you're in a shower getting, like, wet. He would just try to put your mind in some sort of like— let's say sexual ritual or something, just to put it out there.
XO: What social platform have you traded dirty pictures with someone on?WIL: Traded dirty pictures? I'm actually going to be boring in this one. I'm not— I'm a more of a personal guy. I haven't— actually if I'm going back I think I have never sent dirty pictures.XO: You've never sent a dick pic?WIL: Never a dick pic, to be honest. Um, I just think it's— to be honest, better to see it in person. It just— it has never been one of my turn up— turn ons. And I'm a very — let's say — horny person. But really, sexting is not my— my weakness.XO: So do you prefer phone sex as opposed to sexting?WIL: I used to when I was younger, and it was fun. But when you get older it just gets boring. Um, but dirty, dirty pictures, I don't actually have— I— you probably will see naked pictures of me from a photographer than from myself.XO: So you've done full nude shoots?WIL: Nude, yes, no problem.
XO: How did you get your body back after childbirth?WIL: Um...usually when I gain some weight, which is— I used to be a swimmer so it shouldn't— used to not be a problem. Now if that happens I usually just go back and I uh— I just run in the morning, like, empty stomach and then it takes me honestly just two or three days and I just get back in it.XO: So you're lucky?WIL: I'm— yeah, I have a fast metabolism, so it still works.
And if you just love this whole thing so much that you want to see one more image, this is what happened when, at the end of the shoot, the male models put Jane into their swimwear and taught her how hard it is to be a male model — for a change. She is still practicing the flexing moves and the "nuts to butts."
Intro by Lesley, model interviews by Dan, Amber and Marci, and Jane helped.
Pictures taken by Stephania Stanley, Lindsay Huggins got the guys dressed, Gozde Eker brought the props, Eric Vosburg did a light makeup application, and Natasha Leibel groomed them. Special thanks to Ashley Graham for the model posing tips.
On Adam: Onia swim trunks, $195, onia.com; Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses, $150, ray-ban.comOn Wendell: parke & ronen bikini brief, $100, parkeandronen.comOn Miguel: Robert Graham board shorts, $188, bloomingdales.com; L.L. Bean panama hat, $89, llbean.comOn Kevin: Vilebrequin embroidered swim shorts, $780, us.vilebrequin.comOn Logan: Sundek swim shorts, $129, bloomingdales.comOn Wil: Saturdays Surf NYC board shorts $70, bloomingdales.com; Michael Kors tank, $37.50, c21stores.com; Lacoste rubber strap watch $135, lacoste.comGroup Shot: Wendell: BOSS Hugo Boss, $69, bloomingdales.com; Will: L.L. Bean, $34.95, llbean.com; Logan: Onia, $130, onia.com; Kevin: Onia, $130, onia.comOn Jane: Michael Kors tank $37.50, c21stores.com, Parke & Ronen paisley swim shorts, $145, parkeandronen.com


text:
Archive for July, 2010
How-To: Killing "Fake Anti-Virus" Pop-ups
A client called today to report a "fake anti-virus" on her screen. Luckily she left it on her screen so that I could remote in, see the problem, and fix it.
Here is a quick how-to on defeating this right when it occurs so that the "malware" does not get installed on a Windows machine with the Internet Explorer browser:
- Run Windows Task Manager by using [Start],[Run] from the task bar, type in taskmgr and click on [OK].
- Click on the Applications tab.
- For each Application listed, select and click the [End Task] button. If you get the prompt to either "wait" or "end now", choose "end now."
- Close the Task Manager window.
- Open the Control Panel and then open "Internet Options".
- Find the option to delete temporary files. In IE8, there is a [Delete…] button in the "Browsing History" section.
- Choose the option to delete "Temporary Internet Files". This is really the only item that needs to be checked.
- Close control panel.
- Reboot your machine.
WARNING: If you do not close the applications using the Task Manager, you will likely cause your machine to get infected when you reboot. It's a long story as to how this happens — just be careful. Otherwise, you will likely need to make a call for IT support.
ANOTHER CAVEAT: If your machine is already infected, this will not disinfect it. This only prevents the "Fake Anti-Virus" from getting installed the first time.
Terminology: What is Hosting
Frequently, I respond to questions about "hosting" and quickly find out that everyone has a different view on what is included or intended. Here are the terms and concepts as I see them.
- Web Hosting – hosting a web-site. Frequently, this also provides for email and FTP hosting. It is important to know that web hosting can be separated from email hosting, application hosting, etc.
- EMail Hosting – hosting the email traffic and user mailboxes. For smaller businesses, this is done on the same server and with the same account as the web hosting, but if the email traffic get larger or needs "groupware" features, the email hosting will be separated from the web hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting – hosting on a server that it is totally dedicated to a single customer. For smaller sites with less traffic, this is usually not required unless the web application needs custom components or has special security concersn. A dedicated hosted server has a (at least one) unique IP address.
- Shared Hosting – hosting of multiple web-sites on the same server. This is very typical for smaller sites. These site usually share the same IP address, and there is an extra fee for a unique IP address. A unique IP address would be required if an SSL Certificate is required (to use HTTPS instead of HTTP).
- Virtual Private Servers – This is a combination of Dedicated and Shared hosting techniques. The hardware is shared by multiple customers, but each has a "virtual server" so that they can customize the software and/or resources. A VPS hosting has its on unique IP address.
- Co-Lo Hosting – Co-Lo is short for "co-location", meaning that the hosting company provides physical space and power, and the customer provides the servers and the management of the servers. Each physical space is (usually) physically locked so that one customer cannot access another customer's equipment.
- Cloud Hosting – This is a "virtual server" environment in which resources can be quickly and easily added. This is used frequently for hosting requirements that change frequently. With Cloud Hosting, the server administrators and add more processing power and/or bandwidth so that the site can handle more traffic.
Blog Manifesto – Why We're Here
This will be a place for business and technical advice for folks in small and medium businesses, with the primary focus on how to make technology improve effectiveness.
While most of this will be developed over time while working with clients, I will be happy to allow other knowledgeable authors and bloggers to contribute. However, this is not a place for advertising — this is a place for honest advice and sharing.


text:
Snowman Earrings in 18K Gold
style# GE1796MOP
A drop earring shape, sculpted with our signature Senso™ technique, combines open discs with a colorful stone.
• 18K Gold
• Gemstones: White Mother-of-Pearl
• Length: 1.31" Width: .80"
• Gemstones: White Mother-of-Pearl
• Length: 1.31" Width: .80"
Complimentary 2-Day Shipping & Returns
Italian for the "senses", Senso™ was inspired by the softness of femininity and created by Ippolita herself as she cast imprints of her own figure. This exclusive body imprinting technique makes for an organic texture and intimate feel on your skin.


text:
Landlord and Tenant
Learn More
- Security Deposits/Damages
- Evictions/Forcible Entry & Detainer (FED)
- Non-Payment of Rent
- Substantial Violations of Lease
- Hold Over After Lease Term
- Residential Lease Drafting & Review
Litigation, Lawsuits and Disputes
Learn More
- Plaintiff or Defendant Representation
- Breach of Contract Litigation
- Business Disputes/Lawsuits
- Real Estate Litigation
- Landlord/Tenant Litigation
- Probate Litigation
- General Civil Litigation
- Colorado County Court cases
- Colorado District Court cases
Real Property
Learn More
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Breach of Contract
- HOA Issues
- Covenant Drafting, Review & Enforcement
- Non-Disclosure of Property Defects
- Faulty Construction/Negligence
- Mechanic's Liens
- Easement Disputes
- Real Estate Litigation
Small Business
Learn More
- Small Business Start-Up
- Document Drafting & Review
- General Counsel
- Business Disputes & Litigation
- Employer/Employee Relations
Estate Planning and Administration
Learn More
- Wills & Trusts
- Financial Powers of Attorney
- Medical Powers of Attorney
- Advance Directives & Living Wills
- Adult & Minor Guardianships
- Conservatorships
- Probate
Learn More
- Contract Drafting
- Contract Review
- Breach of Contract Cases
- Contract Enforcement
- Contract Disputes & Litigation
We Can Help
We understand that the legal process can be confusing and intimidating to a non-attorney. Let us guide you through the process, every step of the way. It is our pleasure to provide you with personalized service and attention.
Call Us Today
Call us today to schedule your free initial telephone consultation. We look forward to assisting you.


text:
1836 Walnut Springs Drive, Allen
- Price$749,000
- Beds4
- Baths3
- Sq. Ft.5,634
MOTIVATED SELLERS! Exquisite 4 BR 4.1 BA Executive Toll Brothers home in Lexington Twin Creeks! Grand 2-story entryway w sweeping wrought iron staircase, handscraped wood floors, large 2-story family room w floor to ceiling stone gas FP overlooked by Chef's kitchen w wrap around bar-seating, granite, island, double convec. ovens & 2 pantry's. Generous sized study down has closet to make a 5th BR. Luxury at its best in this master BR suite & BA w jetted tub, separate vanities & huge walk in dual shower. Upstairs are 3 oversized secondary BR w WIC, a large game room & a Texas-sized pre-wired media room! Open patio out back overlooking pool sized yard. All carpet replaced in Fall 2016, roof replaced in Fall 2015
Essential Information
- Price$749,000
- Bedrooms4
- Bathrooms3.10
- Full Baths3
- Half Baths1
- Square Footage5,634
- Acres0.28
- Year Built2007
- TypeResidential
- Sub-TypeSingle Family
- StyleTraditional
- StatusActive
- UtilitiesAlley, City Sewer, City Water, Concrete, Curbs, Individual Gas Meter, Individual Water Meter, Sidewalk, Underground Utilities
- FeaturesClub House, Community Pool, Jogging Path/ Bike Path, Park, Playground, Private Lake/Pond, Tennis
- # of Garages3
- GaragesAttached, Garage Door Opener, Outside Entry, Rear
- Exterior FeaturesGutters, Lighting System, Patio Open, Sprinkler System
- Lot DescriptionInterior Lot, Landscaped, Some Trees, Subdivision
- WindowsDouble Pane Windows, Low E Windows
- RoofComposition
- ConstructionBrick, Rock/ Stone
- FoundationSlab
Listing Details
- Listing Agent:Kelly Pearson
- Listing Office:Keller Williams Realty Allen
Community Information
- Address1836 Walnut Springs Drive
- AreaALLEN AREA (51)
- SubdivisionTwin Creeks #7d1
- CityAllen
- CountyCollin
- StateTX
- Zip Code75013-5390
- Interior FeaturesBay Windows, Cable TV Available, Decorative Lighting, High Speed Internet Available, Multiple Staircases, Plantation Shutters, Vaulted Ceilings, Wainscoting
- AppliancesBuilt-in Microwave, Convection Oven, Cooktop - Gas, Dishwasher, Disposal, Double Oven, Oven - Electric, Vent Mechanism, Water Line to Refrigerator
- HeatingCentral Air-Elec, Central Heat-Gas, Zoned
- FireplaceYes
- # of Fireplaces1
- FireplacesDecorative, Gas Logs, Gas Starter, Stone
- # of Stories2
- Stories2
School Information
- DistrictAllen ISD
- ElementaryEvans
- MiddleEreckson
- HighAllen
Users may not reproduce or redistribute the data found on this site. The data is for viewing purposes only. Data is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS.
Listing information last updated on August 19th, 2018 at 3:45pm CDT.


text:
KAZSAN, RUSSIA — KAZAN, Russia -- A subtle, dicey and possibly devastating round of sparring began here yesterday, in the capital of the world's newest sovereign state, a historic city that is a muddy, fanciful, decrepit amalgam of East and West.
Tatarstan, by voting for sovereignty over the weekend, has set in motion a contest of wills that will have consequences for all of Russia. It is a contest complicated by the number of players uneasily eyeing one another.
Once there were only Tatars, the northernmost Muslim people, who ran everything. But in 1552 Ivan the Terrible extended Moscow's rule to the banks of the Volga River, and the Russians built a Kremlin here and plenty of fine houses, and made sure all the Tatars lived down the hill below the canal.


text:
DefinitionIn marketing, knowledge refers to consumers' meanings or beliefs about products, brands, stores, etc., that are stored in memory.[1]
In marketing research, brand or product knowledge is defined as the percentage of surveyed customers who demonstrate specific knowledge of beliefs about a brand or product.[2]
See also
- ^ American Marketing Association. AMA Dictionary.
- ^ Farris, Paul W.; Neil T. Bendle; Phillip E. Pfeifer; and David J. Reibstein (2010). Marketing Metrics: The Definitive Guide to Measuring Marketing Performance (Second Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. <http://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Metrics-Definitive-Measuring-Performance/dp/0137058292>
We welcome comments that will help us improve the precision and clarity of our definitions. To submit a suggestion, please click on the Add Discussion bar below.
- Comments are limited to registered users of this site. Click "Join" at the top right hand side of this page to apply.
- If you would like to suggest a new marketing definition or have a general comment, please visit our home page.


text:
After 18 years of Essena O'neill talked about what's behind her beautiful photos on Instagram, many celebrities from the social networks made the confirmation or refutation of her words. The recognition of girl has caused a strong reaction among users. Owners of beautiful profiles told, in turn, how hard to get thousands of likes and what they think about the hypocrisy in Instagram.
Recall that the Essena O'neill decided to reveal the whole truth about social networks and removed from their popular account most of the pictures. And those that have left, accompanied by stories that in reality for one lucky shot she needed to make a hundred. She also recorded a video in which explains why said goodbye with social networks.
21-year-old Gabrielle grace Epstein is a resident of the Sunny Australian state of Cleveland says:
Everyone, including me, try to show your beautiful life on social networks. Everyone knows this, and everyone chooses to participate in it or not. In Instagram I'm not pretending who I am not.
The girl added that we are free to choose what impact we have on social networks: positive or negative.
If you pretend to be and allow that to put pressure on you, then this happen by your own will.
The girl reacted to the assertion that "Instagram is not real life":
Those incredible people I met and worked during the last two years, this would not agree.
18-year-old DJ and model Kurt Coleman, who has 187 thousand followers, said:
It is a fact that social media is full of hypocrisy. But it's their choice to lie to his audience?
He also spoke about product placement, which actively involved the owners popular pages:
You must not advertise products I do not use. I do only what I really use in life. I don't lie to your audience. And I wouldn't call your page a fake, because I am still me and I say to all subscribers the truth.
But the yoga instructor Cassandra spoke in favour of 18-year-old O'neill and posted on YouTube a video in which he told that he was going to break from the social networks.
I don't want people visited my page, looked at my photos and thought, "Wow, she did it, and my life sucks"
Zach James - the CEO of one of the social networks - wrote on his page Facebook post under the headline: "Essen O'neill was wrong: social media is not a lie."
Social networks give you what you expect. The complaints that you feel uncomfortable in a fictional life - it is the result of your actions
- written by James.
In connection with the scandal known glossy magazine invited 15 women to talk about how social media affect their self-image. It was found that the page "Instagram stars" can cause other women's jealousy and lack of confidence in their virtues. In addition, women begin to suffer from the issue, followers do their own shots.


text:
360 Securities Ltd. – Vancouver
360 Securities Connects Capital to Growth Ventures™
At 360 Securities, we connect capital to growth ventures by matching undiscovered early stage startups to both accredited and non-accredited investors. We are a registered Exempt Market Dealer with the British Columbia Securities Commission pursuant to National Instrument 31-103 – Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. We distribute exempt market securities following the exemptions laid out in National Instrument – 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions. Our firm takes pride in maintaining dealer registration status and compliance requirements.
Serving as an essential part of a funding ecosystem for companies created by our parent company, we are one of the first financial institutions to provide a total solution for raising capital – through our 360 Funding Escalator – combining equity crowdfunding, private equity, venture capital, and public listings. With a presence in Canada, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, our international team brings years of experience in international corporate finance to assist companies raise growth capital.
For emerging companies and entrepreneurs, 360 Securities assists in the growth of these ventures and their founders by connecting them to capital and new markets in North America and Asia. This growth building opportunity is driven by 360 Securities' experienced international team of executives, board members and advisors, all of whom possess the experience, knowledge and competency to assist in value creation for its clients.
For high net worth individuals and investors, 360 Securities provides unique and new alternative investment opportunities in companies before they have been discovered by angel investors, venture capitalists, private equity, and the public. We focus on selecting emerging growth companies where there is an opportunity for scalable growth with a clear path to market and an exit strategy providing a liquidity event.
For more information, go to the 360 Securities website.


text:
Can't see the Full Screen puzzle? Your pop-up blocker probably prevented it from opening. Click here to relaunch the pop-up.
Still can't get it to work? Please contact us for additional help
Jigsaw puzzle of a delicious strawberry tart. The pastry shell is filled with a smooth cream and topped with fresh strawberry slices.
tart • strawberry • fruit • dessert


text:
« February 2014 | Main | April 2014 »
5 Common Travel Costs That Are Draining Your Budget and How To Eliminate Them
March 27, 2014 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
For many people, traveling is put off due to how expensive it can be. From plane tickets to hotel rooms to meals out, travel can in fact seem like a bank account drainer. However, many travelers save and save for travel, only to spend their savings on known budget drainers like the hotel's costly Wi-Fi or the car rental insurance offered at the counter. If you want to travel longer and leaner with your wallet, there are a number of common travel costs you can lessen quite simply.
Hotel Wi-Fi and Parking
You might score a cheap room rate on your vacation to Chicago. However, when you arrive at your hotel, the charges keep coming in terms of amenities. Suddenly that budget-friendly room rate has blown your budget. Hotel amenities can drain travel budgets quickly, especially Internet and parking charges. If your hotel charges for both Wi-Fi and parking, you could be faced with paying upwards of $40 extra per night. In order to eliminate these additional fees, you should seek out properties that offer free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking. Also, as you search for hotels, keep track of any extra amenities charges listed and add them to your room rate. By doing a little math, you will better see what the hotel will end up costing you.
Baggage Fees
With escalating plane ticket costs, the last thing any traveler wants to do is fork over another $50 for their bag. Baggage fees are hard to avoid in this day and age, with most major U.S. airlines charging for a checked bag. You can combat this charge largely by flying carry-on only or with airlines that don't charge for bags, like Southwest. Also, some airline-based credit cards now include offers such as a free first checked bag.
Car Rental Insurance
You might find a pretty reasonable car rental rate, only to arrive at the counter and see a much greater charge than you booked. Many car rental companies will offer you insurance at the counter to be added on to your rental rate. Before you agree to the large amount, check to make sure you aren't covered on your credit card. Many major credit card carriers cover car rental insurance if you book your rental on that card. Also, some rental rates already include most of the coverage you will need such as collision and damage waivers. You might be paying for double coverage and not even know it.
If you are headed out on a road trip with the family for the summer or spring break, gas costs can majorly drain a travel budget. While you can't completely dodge gas charges, you can lessen them. There are a number of apps such as Gas Buddy that will notify you where to find the cheapest gas on your route. You can also save gas by watching how you drive. Being a lead foot will mean more stops at the pump. AAA also has a helpful tool that lists gas costs where you are with its Fuel Finder feature.
Entrance Fees
No matter where you are traveling, you most likely will want to visit museums, galleries and other attractions. These entrance fees can quickly add up to unaffordable amounts. You shouldn't be paying the full price in most cases. Many cities offer tourist cards that for one flat rate, you can visit most attractions in town and even ride public transportation for free.
One area you don't want to overpay on your travels is your hotel suite. Extended Stay America offers affordable suites with loads of free amenities such as premium television channels and breakfast.
Taking a Bite Out of Big Apple Transportation Costs: How to Get Around New York on a Budget
March 19, 2014 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
When it comes to traveling around New York, your wallet can take a hit every time it opens. From hotel costs to food prices, New York City isn't always kind to budget travelers. In particular, if you are trying to tour the city, getting around can take its toll. While taxis might be convenient, they are also costly for getting from one point of the city to the other. You can still have a fun and affordable time in New York City if you find little pockets of savings, starting with how you travel around the Big Apple. Here are just a few ways to save on transportation costs in NYC.
Go by Boat
Many travelers want to see New York from the water. While you could sign up for a touristy cruise around the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor, you can easily take this tour for free. The Staten Island Ferry offers views of New York Harbor on its 25-minute ride and five-mile journey. The ferry service links St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Lower Manhattan. As you appreciate views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, you can rest easy knowing you didn't even have to open your wallet for this ride - the Staten Island Ferry is free!
If you need to travel a bit more than from the Staten Island Ferry's two points, you can also take a New York Water Taxi. Such a New York mode of transport allows you to see the skyline, bridges and waterfront parks along four stops in the city. The price tag for a ride on a New York Water Taxi is higher than the free Staten Island Ferry, but you can also travel to more points in town. Stops include Pier 79, Pier 11, Pier 1, Battery Park and Pier 45. An all-day access ticket costs $30.
Pedal Around Your Savings
Rather than taking cabs, you can also pedal around the Big Apple. Operated by NYC Bike Share, CitiBike presents thousands of bikes across hundreds of stations. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you can pedal around New York for very little cash. A 24-hour pass costs $9.95 while a 7-day pass runs at $25. A pass allows you to ride as many times as you like over your selected time period. For quick trips around New York City and to see a thing or two as you bike, CitiBike lends a viable budget-saving transportation option.
Head Underground With Your Budget
While somewhat intimidating to those not used to the New York City Subway system, traveling by metro is one of the best ways to get around the city without paying top dollar. With a MetroCard, you can ride subway trains and buses as much as you want. You will spend under $3 to head across town for a single ticket. For 7 days of unlimited travel on the New York subway, travelers will pay $30.
After spending the day exploring New York City, you can kick up those tired feet in your hotel suite. With budget on the mind, you'll feel like your savings extend beyond transportation costs in the big city by checking into an Extended Stay America.
Four Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions in Washington D.C.
March 7, 2014 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Known for its memorials and monuments, Washington D.C. is home to marble attractions perched along on a well-traveled path. Hordes of travelers flock to America's capital to see where bills are made, U.S. history is formed and some of the country's most safeguarded museum treasures reside. While the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center and the White House are all well and good, D.C. offers a lesser-known side, one where you can mingle with locals and get away from the crowds. There is no politicking about it: These sights and sounds shine a different light on D.C.
The Eastern Market
While it might be just a few blocks from the U.S. capitol, the Eastern Market is one of Washington D.C.'s flavorful secrets. Locals from the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood descend upon this food and art market on the weekends for good reason. The Eastern Market serves up local farm-fresh produce along with handmade arts and crafts. The best time to visit is on the weekends, when hundreds of D.C.'s artists set up shop at the market and sell their wares from pottery to jewelry. The weekends also feature an open-air food market comprised of local farmers and food vendors. By visiting the Eastern Market, travelers with a kitchen at their accommodations like those at an Extended Stay hotel can truly cook like the locals do.
Dumbarton Oaks
The most famous house in Washington D.C. draws its fair share of visitors. If you want to get away from the masses, the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown lends a grand residence with more inviting grounds than the President's digs. The grand 19th century mansion boasts a free museum on site with a collection of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art. What attracts many locals and travelers are the 16 acres of gardens. The Dumbarton Oaks gardens are covered in groves of cherry and magnolia trees, along with a host of other plant life. No matter your season for visiting – though springtime is the most appealing for blooms – you can check in with the Dumbarton Oaks website to find out what is blooming currently. The gardens are free to peruse in the winter but during spring, summer and fall, tickets cost $8.
Nationals Park
Located just south of the Capitol in D.C.'s Capitol Riverfront area, Nationals Park isn't always on the tourist radar. While the ballpark has struggled with drawing big crowds in the past, its intimate fan base has opened up the window for extremely affordable ticket prices and specials to see a Major League Baseball game. Ticket specials are offered throughout the season, including those with budget-friendly food deals such as $1 hot dogs and ice cream packages. This offbeat D.C. attraction allows friends and family to catch a major sporting event in a big city without paying a premium price to do so.
Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
Most travelers wander around Tidal Basin, admiring the monuments along the way. However, if you tire of elbowing through the crowds, you can take to the water instead to appreciate this iconic location in Washington D.C. For a more off-beat way to see the sights, Tidal Basin Paddle Boats supplies bright blue paddle boats to pedal right up close and personal with the Jefferson Memorial and the surrounding cherry trees. A two-passenger boat costs $14 for the hour while a four-passenger boat runs at $22 per hour. You can even reserve your paddle boat online during busy times of the year.
Once you have explored Washington D.C.'s lesser-known attractions, you can kick back in your hotel suite. Extended Stay America suites come fully equipped with personal kitchens, flat screen TVs and plenty of space for the whole family


text:
LOS ANGELES — Entertainment West Studios announced a new deal with Exile Distribution to be the exclusive DVD and broadcasting distributor for its gay bareback line.
Entertainment West Studios started producing thug porn in 2008, producing movies such as "The Trap House," "Like A Freak" and "Prime Real Estate." It is now releasing hardcore bareback porn. Since their relocation to Atlanta, EWS said it has been hiring new, "freakier" models.
"Exile is very excited about our new relationship with Entertainment West Studios," said Howard Levine, president of Exile Distribution.
"I am very selective about choosing companies to distribute, especially gay companies. The product must be top notch, and everything Entertainment West does is top notch. This is without a doubt the best ethnic bareback content on the market today."
Exile Distribution will kick things off with the release of Entertainment West's "Made In Atl" in December.
Entertainment West received nominations for Best Ethnic-Themed Site, Best Niche Site, and Best Hardcore/Fetish Site for this past year's Cybersocket Awards.
Contact Levine at email@example.com for order inquiries.
Email sent. If you wish to send to another person, click here.


text:
SOURCE: HandL
April 14, 2016 07:15 ET
Expands Intellectual Property Protection for Hand Motion Free, Secure Phone Case
Expands Intellectual Property Protection for Hand Motion Free, Secure Phone Case
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Apr 14, 2016) - HandL, a revolutionary gripless phone case, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted its U.S utility patent for its revolutionary interface between hand and phone. U.S. patent number 9,300,346 was issued on March 29, 2016. HandL's parent company, Hirsch and Light Inc is in the process of extending this coverage worldwide.
"HandL creates a whole new gripless experience for phone owners," noted HandL's inventor, Allen Hirsch. "I have designed it as a natural extention of our hand, allowing freedom and flexibility in phone handling without dropping fears. More importantly, the HandL phone case relieves the hand and reduces hand pain caused from gripping our phones."
HandL phone case offers the best solution available for accessing even your large screen smart phone quickly and easily with one hand. It allows for greater flexibility of use and relaxes your grip because with HandL, your phone holds you. The unique elastic and brace system gives you greater range of motion for phone operation and viewing, particularly for taking photos and videos, as well as sharing content with others. HandL gives you extra security to use your phone in a wider variety of situations, alleviating hand and wrist pain and phone dropping worries.
HandL phone case was developed by globally known artist, Allen Hirsch. The product is currently available for the iPhone 6/6S, iPhone 6/6S Plus, and the Samsung Note 4 and Note 3 at $49.99. HandL is also about to launch other models that will ignite the users' tactile senses.
HandL phone case can be purchased through its website www.handliberation.com
About Allen Hirsch
Allen Hirsch is a prolific American artist, writer and entrepreneur. Mr. Hirsch and his work have been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine 5 times, has been featured several times in the New York Times and in New York Magazine. He has invented new painting techniques including string painting, new cubism and has pioneered brain lateralization studies in art. Allen has developed special real estate and hospitality properties, which include the world famous restaurant La Esquina in Soho. In 1993, he did the inaugural Bill Clinton portrait for Natl Portrait Gallery that also hung in the White House.
In 2010, Mr. Hirsch made worldwide headlines when his pet monkey companion "Benjamin" and a tourist got into a disagreement in his upstate inn, The Kaaterskill. Mr. Hirsch has sometimes hid out in the basement of his building for months on end while the monkey and Mr. Hirsch were on the New York's most wanted list. A book and a movie about Allen and Benjamin's life is in development.
About HandL
HandL is a secure, gripless case designed to be an organic interface between hand and phone. The HandL case uses an elastic and brace system to apply easy pressure on just one or two fingers against the back of the phone, eliminating the need to grip the device. This gives the effect that the phone is simply floating in your hand. As the average cell phone user looks at their phone 150 times a day, HandL allows you to access and operate your phone fully with only one hand. This allows a more seamless integration of these devices into our busy, multitasking lifestyles. And when you need both hands, HandL case ingeniously converts into a portrait and landscape stand. It is currently available for iPhone 6/6S, iPhone 6/6S Plus, and the Samsung Note 4 and Note 3.
To learn more about HandL, please visit us at www.handliberation.com.
** News, Media, PR and Content distribution provided by 1-800-PublicRelations, Inc.
Company Contact:
Allen Hirsch
HandL firstname.lastname@example.com / Media Contact:
Matthew Bird
1-800-PublicRelations, Inc.
+1 (800) firstname.lastname@example.com
Company Contact:
Allen Hirsch
HandL email@example.com / Media Contact:
Matthew Bird
1-800-PublicRelations, Inc.
+1 (800) email@example.com
See all RSS Newsfeeds
Hand & Phone Harmony | The Gripless Phone Case for iPhone & Android
View Image: S M L


text:
Hello to my Lilla Rose fans! Are you ready for an end of summer, welcoming fall sale? Starting September 22nd ending Saturday, September 28th 2013
Are you a stay at home Mom looking for a quick way to pull your hair back? Tired of the claw digging into your scalp?
Are you on top of the latest trends and newest styles?
Lilla Rose has something for everyone. Durable, affordable and fashionable hair accessories for all hair types.
Here is the scoop on the sale!
1) Order anyone of the four clips posted above.
Multi-Colored Cluster
Open Flower Gold
Festive Fallen Leaf
Open Flower Gold
Festive Fallen Leaf
2) Choose either a free bobby pin or Mini from this list then message me on facebook. Alternately you can Email me.
BP1-1569 Celtic Butterfly
BP1-1564 Skull and Crossbones
BP1-1566 Lovely Circle Stone-set
BP1-1571 Princess Tiara
4-1652 Flip Flop Fun!
4-1166 Crown of Hearts
4-1524 Tree of Life
4-1281 Simple Danglie Sapphire
3) *Spend $25 or more and I will refund the shipping cost via Paypal. Message me after you pay for your order. (not your free item) *Offer Available US only
Alternately you can Email me.
Follow me on Facebook
Visit my LillaRose Shop
What Size Do I Have?Your Flexi clip has a tiny marking on the tip of the sliding pin of either blank, XS, S, M, L, XL denoting Mini, Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large. Early clips didn't have a size marking, but you can measure the sliding pin's length.
What Size Should I Get?Review the sizing chart and video below. Try not to over estimate the amount of hair being clipped, and consider the hair style you desire. Finally, watch the videos under the Hair Styles tab to see what else you can do!
Wrap a string or ribbon TIGHTLY around your ponytail. Measure the length and compare it to the chart above. It must be a tight wrap around your hair.
What the video to find your size.
This offer is sponsored by Michele Clarke (Crazyforsavings)-Independent Consultant for LillaRose ONLY for my customers.


text:
In a first, Twitter explores subscription-based option for Tweetdeck
Twitter unveils new look with rounded interface- and its users aren't happy
Twitter to roll out new look based on users' feedback: Here are the details
SHAREit crosses 1 bn users globally, 300 mn in India
The next billion mobile users will rely on video and voice
Twitter is now allowing users to share access to their multiple accounts via iOS and Android applications without needing to share that accounts password.
The company retweeted a tweet from its 'TweetDeck' unit that said: "Teams is a safe way to manage accounts without having to share passwords. Now available on mobile within the Twitter app."
TweetDeck offers a more convenient Twitter experience by letting you view multiple timelines in one easy interface.
Many of 'TweetDeck's more advanced features, like muting, search and list management, already exist on Twitter itself. It only makes sense that shared accounts would make their way over too, TechCrunch reported on Saturday.
Earlier, contributors and admins could only use 'TweetDeck Teams' accounts in 'TweetDeck' itself.
'TweetDeck' app was bought by Twitter for $40 million back in 2011. Twitter discontinued 'TweetDeck's mobile apps a few years ago and later shut down its Windows client last year.
Meanwhile, 'TweetDeck' app for Mac has not been updated since mid-2015 on the Mac App Store.
The micro-blogging platform added zero users since first quarter, posting $574 million in revenue in the second quarter this year which is a decrease of five per cent YoY (year-on-year).
Twitter now has 328 million monthly active users (MAUs).


text:
A rather funny piece of news was published on the AFP (Agence France-Presse) last week, on March 29th.
"An Israeli and a group of Palestinians last week set aside their differences in order to carry out an armed bank robbery," the report said.
Six men, two of which were Palestinians from the West Bank, three Palestinian-Israelis and one Jewish Israeli, barged into a bank in Ramallah and stole nearly $30,000. All of them fled, two were caught and the rest are being looked for. The Jewish Israeli, the report said, was the mastermind of the robbery.
Colonel Adnan al-Damiri from the Palestinian police said that such a coordination makes a "dangerous" new trend in organized crime. Are you laughing yet?
Robbery is undoubtedly a serious crime. This news, however, is both funny and relieving in a way, seeing how some brash Palestinians and Israelis are directing their energy for something in common for a change. If only they redirect their energy for something slightly more productive.
Imagine the scenes that might have occurred among these robbers. The Jewish Israeli with a stick in his hand, drawing the bank's blueprint on the Middle Eastern sand, in a dark alleyway, directing the Palestinians here and there, and later, all of them get together and fight over how to split the money. Too fictional? Maybe.


text:
D&M Sign Group has over 30 years of experience in the design and building of custom electrical and non-electrical signs. We are dedicated to providing you with the best services ranging from your initial concept to the final product.
To learn more about our custom sign capabilities or if you would like to inquire about placing an order, we encourage you to fill out the form to the right and get in touch with us today.


text:
There are thousands of scholarships out there. Some are large scholarships that are well publicized, while others are lesser known. My goal is to share some lesser-known scholarships with my readers every Saturday.
Don't wait. Apply for these great scholarships today! And, if you missed the last Scholarship Saturday, check it out. There are scholarships there that are still open! Lastly, check out my list of scholarships March and April due dates.
Only brief information about each scholarship is listed. Therefore, you are encouraged to visit the scholarship websites to get further details about eligibility and requirements.
Here are 75 scholarships for Saturday, March 11, 2017.
Dunkin' Donuts Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Dunkin' Donuts
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: March 15, 2017
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors who are residents in one of the designated Providence television market areas of Kent, Bristol, Newport, Providence, or Washington Counties in Rhode Island, or Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Hawkinson Scholarship
Sponsor: Hawkins Fund at Grace University Lutheran Church
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: March 15, 2017
Description: Scholarship is open to college students who are residents of or currently attending school in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin and have demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice.
Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest
Sponsor: Varsity Tutors
Amount: $1,000
Closing Date: March 15, 2017
Description: Scholarship is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 16 years of age or older and are enrolled in an accredited college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States during the 2016-2017 school year. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to school.
BP Global Citizen of Tomorrow Scholarship Program
Sponsor: BP
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: March 16, 2017 (extended from March 9, 2017)
Description: Scholarship is open to financially challenged students who want to study abroad and gain the intercultural skills needed to succeed in a global economy. Applicants must be planning to study abroad in Brazil or India. Applicant must be a high school student (graduates and graduating seniors are not eligible) who possess academic and career interest in science, technology, engineering, math or other field important to the energy industry.
SunTrust Scholarship Sweepstakes
Sponsor: SunTrust
Amount: $500
Closing Date: March 17, 2017
Description: Sweepstakes is open to high school seniors and college undergraduates with permanent residence in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Students can enter online or by mail once during each two-week drawing period.
Tri-Valley Retired Educators' Scholarship Award
Sponsor: California Retired Teachers Association Tri-Valley Division 85
Amount: $2,500
Closing Date: March 24, 2017
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors, community college transfer students, and four-year college/university students who will complete the sophomore year by the end of spring term 2017. Applicant must be a resident of Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, or Sunol (California) with plans of having a career in education.
Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award
Sponsor: JED Foundation
Amount: $3,000
Closing Date: March 25, 2017
Description: Scholarship is open to undergraduate college students who are raising awareness of mental health issues on campus, reducing prejudice around mental illness, and encouraging help-seeking among their peers.
For more scholarships, click "next" below.


text:
Special Purpose Transformer
Are you looking for Special Purpose Transformer in Mumbai, Pune or any other city or out of the country? If yes, then Trutech Products is the right destination for you. We are from the year 1997 considered as popular special purpose transformer manufacturers, suppliers and exporters of India.
Due to the latest technology and superior quality the demand of our product day by day increases in the globalized market. We are proud to announce that our clients are highly appreciated our product quality and after-sale services and we commit to, deliver the same product and never break their trust on us.
Trutech Products is the determined Transformer Manufacturers in Mumbai. We provide safe and on-time delivery of your consignment at your doorstep within a promised time period. We offer our complete range of Special Purpose Transformers at a reasonable price. Your satisfaction is our responsibility and for this, we never compromise on the quality of the product. To place your order now, send enquiries we are right here to help you.
Features of Special Purpose Transformer
- Compacted and sturdy design
- Excellent performance
- Faster voltage correction
- Exceptional overload protection
- Floating output
- Low maintenance
- Affordable price
- Available in different specifications


text:
A plant's needs can be divided into two categories: what plants need before they are planted and what they will need after planting.
At Ledford's Landscaping, we have 40 years of experience with planting plants. Before a plant is introduced, we determine if the site is right. We determine if the site will provide the correct level of light for the specific plant in order for it to thrive. We determine if the soil type is compatible with the plant. We properly prepare the site and often amend it with soil conditioner.
If you are investing in your yard by installing softscaping with plants, shrubs and trees, it is important to water it properly to help them develop strong roots and keep looking healthy and vibrant. There is a fine balance between giving them enough water but not over watering.
How To Water Your Plants This Summer
Timing – The optimal time to water is early to mid morning. It gives plants a good supply of water before the heat of the day. There is less evaporation when watering in the morning. We recommend watering early enough so that the leaves are dry before nightfall. When the leaves are wet at night, the plant is more susceptible to fungus and disease. If you must water during the night, choose a method that will not soak the leaves such as a soaker hose.
Amount – How much water should you give your plants?
If you have just planted plants that are getting started, the critical time period varies depending on the plant.
Plants gather water principally by absorbing it with their roots from the soil. While a new plant has limited roots reaching into the surrounding soil, it is important to keep that area consistently moist, but not wet. How much water you will need to provide depends on the soil type, ground temperature, air temperature, how windy it is and the type of plant. Because so many factors can influence the amount or frequency of watering, there is no magic formula. You will have to judge your own situation. One obvious sign of trouble with a plant is wilting. Wilting can be confusing because while plants most often wilt from lack of water, they can also wilt from too much water. You can check the soil by digging down a few inches to feel it before adding water. If it is still moist, lack of water is not the problem, overwatering is. Drying out a plant that is too wet can be difficult, especially since we don't have control of the rain. If you have mulch, you can move the mulch away from the plant temporarily and let the soil dry. Cut your watering frequency in half. Watering when plants have wilted from lack of water is easy. Increase the frequency and the length of time. When watering, make sure approximately the first ½ inch of soil is moist.
Method – Be careful about the method of watering your plants. Plants with leaves that are continuously getting wet are more prone to disease. Purchase a watering can or soaker hose if possible and water evenly around the base of the plant.
Weather – Keep an eye on the 7 day forecast. If there is lots of rain after just planting plants, let the soil dry out a bit so it is moist and not wet before you water again. If it is going to be a hot week, you will want to increase your watering frequency.
With just a little extra time and care, you can keep your new plants healthy and thriving!
Wednesday, July 16. 2014
Plant watering tips for the summer
Posted by DeAnne Zelenkov at 08:30 | Comments (299) | Trackbacks (0)
Friday, March 9. 2012
Why Clay Soil Beds Need To Be Amended
There are two factors that affect how water moves through soil and how much soil air is available. These two factors are soil texture and soil structure. Soil texture is the size of the soil particles. There are three types of soil particles. These are sand, silt, and clay, with sand being the largest, silt in the middle, and clay being the smallest. Soil structure relates to the shape of the soil particles. Clay has a plat like structure. When you combine the factors for clay of the smallest size with plate like structures, you have a soil that holds water. When the soil holds water, soil air is excluded. The perfect soil is 45% mineral, 5% organic, 25% water, and 25% air. Soil air is very important. Without soil air, roots cannot take up water and will wilt just as without water plants will wilt. The best way to have both soil air and water drainage in clay soils is to amend the soil with blocky organic particles. There are three advantages to blocky organic particles. One advantage is to increase soil particle space, i.e. more soil air space. The second advantage is the increase in soil drainage. The third advantage is that blocky organic particles have more attachment spaces for nutrients.
The best organic soil amendment for North American clay is not peat moss. Peat moss particles are too small to change soil pore space and according to Dr. Carl Whitcomb, will burn up too fast leaving just a black soil stain south of the Mason Dixon Line. The best soil conditioner is a product made from decomposed pine bark called pine fines mixed with some sand and decomposed manure. See next installment for how to build amended and raised beds.
Posted by Greg Ledford at 17:57 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
(Page 1 of 1, totaling 2 entries)


text:
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-732-6200 voice
215-732-2680 fax
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday 12:30-5:30 (last admittance at 4:45 p.m.)
- Wednesday 12:30-8:30 (last admittance at 7:45 p.m.)
- Thursday 12:30-5:30 (last admittance at 4:45 p.m.)
- Friday 10:00-5:30 (last admittance at 4:45 p.m.)
- Charles Cullen, Interim President, 215-732-6200, ext. 214, email@example.com
- Lee Arnold, Director of the Library and Collections (PACSCL alt. rep), 215-732-6200, ext. 237, email@example.com
- David Haugaard, Director of Research Services, 215-732-6200 ext. 219, email@example.com
- Jacqueline Taddonio, Director of Cataloging, 215-732-6200, ext. 206, firstname.lastname@example.com
- Daniel Rolph, Family Historian & Head of Reference Services, 215-732-6200, ext. 203, firstname.lastname@example.com
- Sarah Heim, Research Services Librarian, 215-732-6200, ext. 261, firstname.lastname@example.com
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) maintains approximately 560,000 volumes: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are special strengths, but included are primary and secondary source materials for the original thirteen states. The Library holds extensive Philadelphia and Pennsylvania newspapers, 1718-present (hard copy and film); collections of Pennsylvania authors; and Pennsylvania imprints (English, German, and Welsh). Other rare, pre-1820 Americana is housed at The Library Company of Philadelphia. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania also holds twenty million manuscript items, including Penn and Logan family archives; regional family and business papers; extensive autograph collections of American and European notables; 35,000 prints and maps, 1650-1986, especially Delaware Valley region; 20,000 watercolors and drawings, 1700-1900, including Benjamin West, William and Thomas Birch, Augustus Köllner, and David J. Kennedy; 250,000 photographs, 1838-1987, mostly southeastern Pennsylvania; and thousands of broadsides, sheet music, and ephemera.
The collections of The Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, which merged with the Historical Society in 2002, complement the Society's holdings on ethnic and immigration material. The Balch built major research collections for a surprisingly large number of individual groups: long runs of African-American, Chinese, Czech, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Jewish, Lithuanian, Polish, and Slovak newspapers; and significant holdings of Yiddish and Ukrainian literature, along with smaller but noteworthy Swedish and Norwegian collections. Its manuscripts and print sources on Japanese-American relocation during World War II are unique for an east coast repository, and its resources for a number of groups, including Germans, Greeks, Irish, Italians, Jews, Poles, Slovaks, and Welsh are among the best in the country. In addition, it has smaller but important and growing archival collections for many other groups. A few examples include African-Americans, Chinese, Koreans, Lithuanians, Puerto Ricans, Swedes and Ukrainians.
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) entered into a Strategic Alliance with the Historical Society in 2006. All of GSP's collections are now at HSP and the two societies share a members' newsletter (Sidelights) and work cooperatively on joint programming.


text:
< < Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Next > >
28 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: Jailed for refusing to pay fines for exercising human rights without state permission
A Baptist in Semey in Kazakhstan is due to complete a 10-day prison term on 30 January, Forum 18 News Service has learned. Maksim Kandyba was jailed for refusing to pay a fine for attending a meeting for worship without state permission. Sentenced on the same day to three days' imprisonment was fellow Baptist Pavel Leonov. These are the third and fourth such known jailings in 2014. Such fines continue to be imposed, recently on Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses. Kandyba and Leonov, like other Council of Churches Baptists, refuse to pay such fines. They point out that neither Kazakhstan's Constitution nor the country's international human rights obligations allow punishments for exercising human rights without state permission. But Aynura Shaimukhambetova of the Prosecutor's Office rejected Forum 18's observation that Kandyba's right to practice his faith freely is protected by international human rights commitments. Elsewhere, New Life Protestant Church members in Arkalyk have faced state interrogations and threats, particularly targeting state employees. The authorities appear to want to close the Church down. A Deputy Prosecutor refused to tell Forum 18 how many had been interrogated, or what he thinks they have done wrong.
23 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: Do foreigners have religious freedom?
Courts ordered two further fines and deportations in late 2013 of foreign citizens legally resident in Kazakhstan simply for exercising the right to freedom of religion or belief, Forum 18 News Service notes. Polish cardiologist Robert Panczykowski had preached at a Jehovah's Witness meeting, while Kyrgyz citizen Shamurat Toktoraliyev had discussed his faith in a private flat. A further case is pending. Anti-"Extremism" officer Smayil Konyrbai who raided the meeting singled out Panczykowski because he spoke "with an accent", the court decision notes. "It's not racism, it's my job," Konyrbai insisted to Forum 18. Moscow Imam Shamil Alyautdinov has been blocked from presenting his books in Kazakhstan because the only legally registered Islamic organisation – the Muslim Board – refuses to invite him. Without personal registration as a "missionary", any public appearance would be illegal.
22 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: Criminal trial begins for 67-year-old pastor
The criminal case launched against retired Presbyterian pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev in July 2011 finally reached a court in Kazakhstan's capital Astana today (22 January), Forum 18 News Service notes. The 67-year-old pastor has gone deaf in one ear and suffered heart problems during eight months in prison and psychiatric hospital. He rejects the charges of harming health, inciting hatred, propagating extremism and leading an organisation that harms others. The most serious charge carries a maximum ten-year prison term. The trial will resume after 31 January. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation of atheist writer Aleksandr Kharlamov in the town of Ridder continues. Deputy Head of East Kazakhstan Police Kadyrbek Nurgaliyev claimed to Forum 18 the criminal case against Kharlamov was suspended until the end of the "religious expert assessment" of his works. "Kharlamov should not worry, we are not intending to put him in prison."
14 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: 48-hour jail terms for refusing to pay "unjust" fines
Two Baptists were imprisoned for 48 hours each in Kazakhstan's northern Akmola Region for refusing to pay fines handed down in 2013 to punish them for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief. Vyacheslav Cherkasov and Zhasulan Alzhanov were freed in the evening of 11 January. Cherkasov was held with about ten other prisoners in one cell. Asked about conditions, he laughed grimly. "Not very good," he told Forum 18 News Service. More than 150 such administrative fines to punish individuals for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief are known to have been handed down in 2013. Anatoly Lazarenko, a 79-year-old Council of Churches Baptist from West Kazakhstan Region, became the second-oldest known victim when fined in November 2013. Officials chose to fine Yuri Rudenko on 25 December, the day his congregation celebrated Christmas. He was punished for leading a meeting for worship raided by police. "Police never raid our citizens," Nurdilda Oraz, head of the Interior Ministry press service, claimed to Forum 18.
8 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: "We have experts to check icons"
Twelve icons and three Bibles seized from a commercial bookseller in Oral (Uralsk) in West Kazakhstan Region in October 2013 have still not been returned. The bookseller is due to face an administrative court where he may be fined several weeks' average wages and the icons and Bibles might be ordered destroyed. "Everything is OK now – he has agreed not to sell religious materials," Salamat Zhumagulov, the state religious affairs official who seized the items, told Forum 18 News Service. Saktagan Sadvokasov, spokesperson for the government's Agency of Religious Affairs, also defended the seizure. "The Kazakh state must defend our citizens from harmful materials," he told Forum 18. Asked whether he has known icons which are harmful, he responded: "We have experts to check icons." A new draft procedure for acquiring the compulsory religious bookselling licence will require the owner of an applicant's rented business premises to certify that they are happy for religious items to be sold on their property.
6 January 2014
KAZAKHSTAN: Fines for "extremist" books
After raids on a Baptist church and a Christian centre in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in October 2012, a court in December 2013 fined two Protestants the equivalent of nearly four weeks' state-calculated average wage each for having "extremist" materials. Only one of seven confiscated items is known to have been banned as "extremist" through the courts. Protestants have repeatedly rejected to Forum 18 News Service accusations by state bodies that works confiscated from them are "extremist" and deserve to be banned. An Astana court is due to rule on 13 January whether a text by Salafi Muslim Mohammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab is "extremist" and should be banned. Because court hearings to rule whether materials are "extremist" take place unannounced and because no published list of banned books appears to exist, people in Kazakhstan remain unaware of what has and has not been banned. "Extremism" bans are part of a harsh system of state-imposed religious censorship.
21 November 2013
KAZAKHSTAN: "They need permission from the local authorities"
Up to 16 police officers and journalists – led by the local religious affairs official – raided the meeting for Sunday worship on 10 November of Baptists in Oral (Uralsk) in West Kazakhstan Region. Ten of those present face possible fines of one or two months' average salary, for meeting for worship without state permission. One of the Baptists, Kenzhetai Baytinov, may have been removed from his job under state pressure. Elsewhere, imam Mukhammad Toleu of a mosque in Aktobe, which was denied state re-registration, has had his appeal against a fine for leading the community of one month's average salary rejected. He told a court that "no law bans praying five times a day", but he was found guilty. "They had no registration and no permission to meet", Prosecutor's Assistant Talap Usnadin insisted to Forum 18 News Service. Asked why, he insisted that "they need permission from the local authorities". And in a village near Aktobe, a Muslim who turned his home into a mosque with an unapproved minaret has been fined.
15 November 2013
KAZAKHSTAN: Censorship "is not censorship", tightened censorship planned
Kazakhstan's Religion Law does not define what religious literature and objects are, but still imposes censorship on them. There is confusion among officials about what is censored, what is involved and what if anything is exempt. Galym Shoikin of the Agency of Religious Affairs (ARA) insisted to Forum 18 News Service that unless a book or object is banned by a court, it is legal. But legal books or objects cannot be distributed without ARA censorship. When Forum 18 noted that this is censorship, he claimed that: "This is not censorship – it is defending the interests of our country". He was unable to state a legal basis for some official actions, for example stating in relation to a claim that some (but not all) undefined "holy books" are exempt from censorship that "such issues are not put in law". But a new Criminal Implementation Code, a draft Law amending other laws "on questions of countering religious extremism and terrorism", and draft changes to the Religion Law will all further tighten censorship if adopted. Other changes considered include making religious communities pay for the state's imposition of censorship which breaks its human rights obligations.
11 November 2013
KAZAKHSTAN: At least 153 fines in 2013 – and counting
Many people have been fined in 2013 in Kazakhstan for the "offence" of exercising freedom of religion or belief without state permission. So far in 2013, at least 153 administrative fines have been imposed on 126 named individuals, some of whom have been fined up to five times, according to a list compiled by Forum 18 News Service. Fines have mostly been equivalent to either one or two months' average salary. Such fines, including fines for refusal to pay such unjust penalties, have been imposed on Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hare Krishna devotees and Muslims. In addition, twelve fines were imposed on commercial booksellers and other traders. If people refuse to pay such fines – imposed against Kazakhstan's international human rights obligations - they can also be banned from leaving the country. The list of documented fines is incomplete as state authorities refuse to make information public. Fines for the "offence" of exercising a human right without state permission are still being imposed.
4 November 2013
KAZAKHSTAN: "He was told not to sell religious literature"
The religious affairs official in Kazakhstan's capital Astana who initiated a case against local businessman Pyotr Volkov - which led to a fine for selling religious literature without a state licence – has insisted to Forum 18 News Service that: "He was told not to sell religious literature." But Adiya Romanova denied that this is state censorship. Volkov has tried to gain a state licence, and is appealing against both the fine and the failure to process his licence application. Nine of the fourteen fines known to Forum 18 to have been imposed in 2013 on book sellers are of about two months' average salary. In May, four books confiscated from a bookseller in East Kazakhstan Region – including two with prayers to Russian Orthodox saints Serafim of Sarov and Sergius of Radonezh – were ordered destroyed when the bookseller was fined. If it was carried out, this would be the first known time that a court-ordered religious book destruction has been carried out in Kazakhstan.
< < Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Next > >All articles, commentaries and analyses.