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Gusty Spence died in hospital this weekend aged 78.
He served in the British army for five years and was stationed in Cyprus. He was approached to join the UVF in 1965, and soon became its leader in the Shankill. Under his watch, terror raids by local UVF men resulted in the death of civilian Protestants and Catholics. Spence was arrested shortly after the UVF was declared illegal in June 1966.
His daughter Liz describes his arrest in the book Children of the Revolution.
We were all in the house when he was arrested. It was a wee tiny kitchen-house we lived in. I remember the police coming in and us having to get up out of our beds and just searching all of the house. It's funny now; my mummy laughed at it years later. My mummy hadn't a clue what was going on. She says, 'What are you looking for?'
And they said, 'Guns.'
And my mummy said, 'Well, hold on a minute,' and she went and got this wee bucket; it was my brother's toy guns. And she actually brought them out to them and said, 'There you are.' And she was genuinely serious, because she hadn't a clue what was going on. They took my daddy away and my mummy and my aunt tried to keep everything quiet from us. But I could read the papers, so I saw what was going on.
Spence went on hunger strikes to get the loyalist prisoners political status.
In the summer of 1972, Spence was granted two days home leave from prison to attend his daughter Liz's wedding to Winston Churchill 'Winkie' Rea (former leader of the Red Hand Commando). After the wedding we absconded and went 'on the run' as his daughter recalls:
… he didn't get arrested again until October or November … They searched the whole of Northern Ireland for him and where was he most of the tie? Either in my mummy's house or my house … We dyed his hair every other week, changed it all different colours. It was a lot of ducking and diving, but we did it. He was caught coming out of Glencairn. It was the two tattoos on his hands gave him away: my name and our Sandra's name. It was a wee eighteen-year-old soldier.
Having been 'kidnapped' while being driven back to prison, Spence spent the next four months reorganising the UVF and giving a television interview. At that stage while calling for increased action against the Provisional IRA, Spence wanted to stop the UVF's pattern of random murders of Catholics.
Back in prison, Spence became the UVF commander in the Maze. Military discipline and training was part of his regime. Inmates were exposed to his increasingly political thinking and his disillusionment with the use of violence to bring about political change. Figures like David Ervine and Billy Hutchinson were among his 'disciples'.
In the summer of 2000, during the loyalist feud, Spence was exiled from his Shankill home by Johnny Adair's C Company (UDA). Spence's hose was 'wrecked'; his daughter's house was 'set on fire'. He linked his wife's death – only a few years later – with the these events.
Aside from the atrocities he led while a paramilitary, Spence is probably best remembered as the figure who read out the 13 October 1994 statement announcing the loyalist ceasefire, and then on 3 May 2007 read out the statement about UVF decommissioning, which included the sentences:
In all sincerity, we offer to the loved ones of all innocent victims over the past twenty years, abject and true remorse. No words of ours will compensate for the intolerable suffering they have undergone during the conflict.
Seemingly unafraid of examining (and redefining?) his identity, he learnt Irish, was happy to be an 'Ulster Irishman' as well as British, and developed a friendship with Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich.
A husband, a father, a killer, a peace-maker.
Gusty Spence was another complex figure who contributed much bloodshed and evil to Northern Ireland society. Yet through prison and release, and working through the Progressive Unionist Party, he later helped bring new thinking into loyalism, and helped open the door for the relative peace of today.
Who will be the inside voices who will now help finish the journey that loyalism has yet to complete?
Update – Henry McDonald's obituary in the Guardian, and two clips from UTV:
Alan Meban. Normally to be found blogging over at Alan in Belfast where you'll find an irregular set of postings, weaving an intricate pattern around a diverse set of subjects. Comment on cinema, books, technology and the occasional rant about life. On Slugger, the posts will mainly be about political events and processes. Tweets as @alaninbelfast.


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How to Wear Your Baby
Care. Comfort. Closeness.
Did you know that your newborn's hip joints are made up of mostly cartilage? This means that the hip is delicate, pliable and susceptible to injury. To facilitate the natural growth and development of baby's hips, wear your baby with thighs supported by the carrier, knees higher than their pelvis and bent at 90 degrees. The shape of your baby's legs and pelvis will form the letter M. Baby's legs should be free outside the carrier.
Note: If your baby's knees extend beyond 90 degrees (looks like legs are straightening), the carrier base is too wide for your baby. If your baby's knees hang towards the ground, the carrier base is too narrow for your baby.
A Baby's Natural Predisposition
Babies have a natural predisposition to spread their legs and bend their knees. If they cannot
maintain their frog-like position when being carried, then forces from incorrect positioning go into their hip joints.
Keeping your baby comfortable through supportive positioning not only benefits the hips of your baby but sets a good foundation for spinal development as well.
Is it okay to wear our babies with their legs extended? Orthopaedic surgeon answers the question.
Ashley, Mother of two shares about her journey with her daughter who was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia - abnormal development of the hip. This experience has taught her how to take care of a baby's hip.
More Tips About Carrying
When using a carrier, the safest position for your baby's head is turned away from your body with his or her chin away from their chest (a two-finger distance) to keep an open airway. Head placement is very important, especially for newborns, since they do not have the neck strength to reposition their heads if their airways are obstructed.
Wear your baby high on your body so that your baby is carried at or above your navel (baby's bottom at or above your navel). Wearing your baby high like this helps to avoid strain on your back, shoulders and neck sometimes associated with babywearing.
If you decide to do a back carry, make sure your child can sit unassisted. It is easier and safer to do back carries when children have developed the core and neck strength to sit on their own.
It may seem like the modernized approach of wearing babies facing outward is a good idea, but this approach limits contact and bonding and does not support baby's hip nor spine development. At Helina Baby we advocate supportive carrying and recommend front, hip and back carry for children always facing the parent.
For more resources on hip health, please click here
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) acknowledges the Helina Baby Mei Tai carrier as a "hip-healthy product."

subset: commoncrawl


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Design rules for bridge bearings and expansion joints
Document Type
Publication details
Austroads 2012, Design rules for bridge bearings and expansion joints, Austroads research report no. AP-R405-12, report prepared by N Hanson, I Steele & N Lake, Austroads Ltd., Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 9781921991264.
Published version available from:
In modern bridge structures, bridge bearings and expansion joints are commonly the source of most maintenance and performance issues. In some situations their performance can lead to the closure/failure of major structures and their maintenance can be extremely difficult and costly to implement. The report is a literature review that summarises the features, usage and performance of bridge bearings and expansion joints throughout the world. The common failures and the proposed solutions to rectify the failures of the most used bearings and expansion joints are discussed. It contains Information on the State Road Authorities' current practice in design, installation and maintenance of bridge bearings and expansion joints.
As well as information on the current practice in manufacture and supply of bridge bearings and expansion joints of Australian providers. The manufacturers' recommendations on the solutions to rectifying the identified failures are provided. The fact that each State Road Authority has developed and/or used its own technical guidelines and specifications has brought in a level of inconsistency in the current practice throughout the country. The report also provides recommendations on future directions to overcome this issue.
Additional information
Austroads Project No. TS1600
Austroads Publication No. AP–R405-12
Project Manager: Dr Ross Pritchard, DTMR, Qld.


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Recently on the iTunes App Store for the iPad, there was an app released called "The Final Hours of Portal 2". This app is an interactive book, if you will, for the iPad. It provides you with back story on the developers, and the processes behind the making of Portal 2.
You get a pretty good look into the backgrounds of the developers of Portal and Portal 2. It also delivers a great interactive experience. There are polls, photos, and videos. There is so much jam-packed into this app. Some may argue that content like this should ship with the game, but for $1.99 you won't find any complaints from this gamer.
To pick up your own copy of this app, click here and enjoy.


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So you know by now that we're neck-deep in another home project. And if you DIDN'T know, you should probably read about all the Lifetime Network-level drama and intrigue here before you go any further, because it's just plain … Read More »
Remodeling Progress, Parenting, and Considering the Ant.
Yep. I haven't talked about it in months, because we're at THAT stage in the remodeling process.If you've ever bought a project house, you know what I'm talking about... the … Read More »
Our Living Room Tour {Before} and a Remodeling Update.
It's been TEN MONTHS since I filled you in on our remodeling progress. TEN! I know you've been lying awake at night, panic-stricken because you don't know WHAT'S GOING ON?!?! … Read More »
Four Things I Want to do Better in 2014.
A new year is just around the corner, and with a new year comes comes RESOLUTIONS big plans for doing everything better. I don't dare use the 'r'-word because my … Read More »
A Tour of the Old Blue House, After.
The other day I posted some BEFORE pictures of my last house. If you didn't see those, never fear, because I'm about to post them again.Because you REALLY can't … Read More »
A Tour of The Old Blue House, Before.
Back in 2006 I started this blog with the purpose of showing before and after pictures of this little renovation project we were working on... an old blue house built in 1928 … Read More »
This Ain't My First {Remodeling} Rodeo.
My in-laws came by to see Susie and me today, and asked me, "Are you still liking your house?" I had to think before I answered that.I'm grateful for this house, really I am. … Read More »
Remodeling is FUN, Dangit: Days Four and Five.
Day four. Painted three more bedrooms. Spent more money at Walmart and Lowe's and Home Depot. Exhausted. While painting Annie's room we laughed about the GHOST … Read More »
Day Three: The Brutal Truth About Remodeling.
Remodeling Journal, Day Three. Spent first night in the house last night. I slept six minutes because I forgot my pajamas and had to sleep in clothes, ugh, and I am OCD about … Read More »
{remodeling thrills} Day Two.
Day two. Picked out carpet. What I wanted I couldn't have, because our rooms are 14 feet wide {and carpet is 12 feet wide} so we HAVE to have stuff that hides the inevitable … Read More »
{Remodeling Thrills} Day One.
We didn't get too far on Day One, and that's mostly because we spent hours frolicking around our new house like baby lambs in a field of daisies, making snow angels in the … Read More »


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Team Building Cards
I follow a few educational blogs that often include visually enticing infographics - "visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly" (Wikipedia). Recently one of these infographics created by Mia MacMeekin was included in an Edudemic post (no longer online) entitled Teamwork in Schools - it inspired the idea for Team Building Cards.
With Mia's permission (thanks Mia!!) I took the information from the inforgraphic and created a set of 24 printable/usable cards for face-to-face group work (find them at the FUNdoing Resources page). Below is a working list of ideas for how we could use the cards. Since I just printed out my first set on card stock paper I haven't tested them out yet. If more ideas surface I'll share them later. If you find additional uses, please share and I will pass them along through another post.
Each card has a "team building" term along with a suggestion as to it's meaning (other meanings can be used as well). Here are the 24 terms in the set: Set Rules, Try, Scrap, Offer, Open, Suggest, Help, Relax, Team Build, Contact, Listen, Engage, Acknowledge, Ask, Discuss, Share, Party, Complement, Forgive, Appoint, Cooperate, Privacy, Dispute, Feedback. There are some interesting terms here with a wide variety of meanings - check out the cards for more.
Spread out the cards on the floor or a table and provide one of the following prompts:
Activity Idea:
As the group facilitator, choose ten cards/terms from the deck that you believe/feel the group can benefit from and lay them out on the floor or table. Now ask the group to rank the cards in order of importance to them. This might be a challenging process so be flexible with the outcome.
Activity Idea:
Lay all the cards face down on the floor or table and have participants choose one at random and then talk about why they think this card was meant to be picked up (like a Fortune Cookie).
Let me know how it goes! Leave me a comment.
All the best,
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply.
Blog Author
Dr. Chris Cavert is an internationally known author, speaker, and trainer in the area of adventure-based activity programming and its relation to community and pro-social behavior development.
Blog Purpose
This blog is a space for hands-on programable fun - energetic activities and ideas that can be used as a means to bring people together; activities and ideas we as educators can add to our social development curriculums.
August 2018


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10. 2. 2019
Together with the biggest Czech travel agency Čedok we devised for you a simple booking system for hotel accommodation. As we know the region well we picked the most suitable hotels in Liberec, Bedřichov and Jablonec nad Nisou in all price categories.
You will find the full offer of accommodation on the website Cedok.com where you can book your hotel room straight away. At the same time you can order transfers and airline tickets. If required we will prepare for you an accompanying programme including a tour of Prague.
Čedok is the sole agency looking after accommodation of the competitors taking part in Jizerská 50. Contact: email@example.com.
10. 2. 2019
9. 2. 2019
8. 2. 2019
9. 2. 2019
8. 2. 2019
9. 2. 2019
8. 2. 2019
8. 2. 2019
ČEZ Jizerská 50
Volkswagen Bedřichovská 30
Hervis Jizerská 25
ČT Jizerská 10
Mini Jizerská Pojišťovny VZP
Company race
Nyč sport sprint
Oldtimers race
Maps and profile
Starting fee
Refund insurance
Compulsory insurance
Spectator service
Champions club
Stopa News


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Baseball Minnesota Twins -- Agreed to terms with P Mark Guthrie on a two-year contract and P Mike Hartley on a one-year contract.
Montreal Expos -- Sent P Keith Morrison to the California Angels to complete an earlier trade for 1B Lee Stevens.
New York Mets -- Agreed to terms with OF Dave Gallagher on a one-year contract.
Oakland Athletics -- Signed P Joe Boever to a one-year contract. Signed IF Dave Sveum, P Kevin Campbell and SS Rafael Ramirez to minor-league contracts.
Phoenix Firebirds (Pacific Coast League) -- Named Carlos Alfonso manager; Duane Espy coach; Joel Horlen pitching coach, and Dan Wright trainer.


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Pvdc High Barrier Food Packaging Plastic Bags - Chinaprice: 0.07 Dollar US$
(1)High Oxygen Resistance
(2)High Water Resistance
(3)High Strengeh
(4)Low Residual
(1)Width: 100-650 mm
(2)Thickness: 50-140 um
(3)Length: Client's requirement - 1200mm
Packaging for fresh beef, motton, pork, fish and seafood, cheese and processed meat.
(1)Delivery: 25 days after down payment
(2)Packing: Inside PE plastic bag, outside carton box
(3)Export Countries: All over the world
Samples: Available
Other details:
(1)MOQ: 2 Tons
(3)Color: Per requirement
(4)Payment: 30% down payment and the balance by T/T before shipment
Kindly Reminder
Please advise the barrier material, thickness, size, style and quantity you prefer and other requirements, we will glad to help you with your choosing the right products and give you the best price.
Contact Us:
Myia Xu
Suzhou Gmcpack Co., LTD
Mobile:+86 (0)15905196321
Fax:+86 (0)512 6260 4771
Add:No.68 Qunxing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park P.R.China, 215021
Company Contact:
- Posted By: SUZHOU GMCPACK CO.,LTD
- Phone: 15905196321
- Address: Room 1507,Chuangzhan Building ,No. 1500 Donghuan Road,SIP,P.R.China (Pc:215021), SUZHOU, China
- Email:
Published date: July 25, 2016 -
- Business Description: Gmcpack is a professional and innovative flexible packing manufacturer offering customers a very wide range of high barrier flexible packaging materials and one-stop solutions for food packaging. It possesses advanced 5-layer, 7-layer, 11-layer co-extrusion lines, and is capable to produce high barrier functional blow-up, blow-down and cast films with PA, EVOH and PVDC as barriers layer.
Gmcpack's main product----multilayer co-extruded high barrier film and bags, are suitable for the fresh retaining packaging of meat, sausage, seafood, cheese and agricultural products such as vegetables, nuts etc.
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Status: Closed
Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first NJ.com user to add photos or videos of Above Ground Pools
Above Ground Pools Inc was founded in 1971. The company is located in Westwood and incorporated in New Jersey. Above Ground Pools Inc specializes in Swimming Pools, Above Ground.
The Westwood Pool Company has been serving the greater NY Metro Area for over 40 years.


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October 8, 2010 – November 18, 2010
The Earth orbits the Sun at a different speed than the other planets. The astrological term Retrograde is due to
the illusion that a planet appears to be moving in an opposite or reverse direction. It is during these times that
we review, return, reassess, rethink, release, etc. the areas in our lives where the particular planet is in
Venus is Retrograde for approx 40 days every 18 months.
When Venus becomes retrograde it can affect our personal relationships, being the planet of love, beauty,
attraction, money, harmony and values. Generally, it will affect these areas in our lives where we may experience
a slowing down or turn about. Relationships that begin during this time can be more challenging than usual and
older relationships with Other may prompt a break or ending of such connection. Perhaps an old lover reappears
from our past and we are reminded of unfinished affairs.
The key here is intimacy (into-me-see) where we may need to have a heart to heart with a loved one. Risking
honesty is the best approach. However, if you do meet someone new during this period…take it slow.
Venus was in Scorpio during the start of the Retrograde on October 8, 2010 and just recently moved into Libra (the
sign that it rules). So we may feel some of the intensity and power struggles involving interpersonal
relationships becoming more balanced and at ease.
It can also affect our sense of beauty and vanity which is a mirror of self-worth. Purchases made to beautify the
home or any other object of value will be slowed down or not what we had anticipated.
Financial matters are also affected and again we need to reassess our relationship to money. Avoid taking extreme
action in commercial affairs or overspending at this time. Investments in some areas will seem at a standstill. If
neccessary, wait until after Venus moves Direct on November 18, 2010. Sometimes the full impact of this period
will not subside until approximately one month after.
It really depends on where Venus Retrograde is transiting in your birth chart. This information allows us to see
what house is being impacted and how we may be mindful of this period.
Always bear in mind and heart that…this too shall pass.
(C) Richard Barrett 2010


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Despite a well-fought campaign Zuleyka, the self-confessed underdog, wasn't able to stop Stu ascending to the wooden throne.
Stu's victory wasn't casualty free, the Wadham left is said to be distraught and Abbas Kazmi & co will be crying into their champers at their "legendary" Bridge table.
The margin of victory was over 1000 to around 400, the biggest in recent contested-electoral history.
Of course, the election isn't done & dusted yet – members of the Union now have 48 hours in which to tribunalise ('trib') their enemies. Complaints should be addressed in writing to the Returning Officer, Robert Boissonneault.
Stu's crew flew through the election with aplomb, #STEP took the posts of Librarian, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as 4 of the 5 places on the Standing Committee and 7/11 Seccies


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The Made in Oklahoma Coalition works to create a platform to support local food manufacturers. Their mission statement rings true to their model.
"To promote brand awareness and consumer loyalty for Oklahoma food and agricultural products through collective marketing for the purpose of increasing sales, maintaining business retention and expanding Oklahoma's food processing sector."
This year, the Made in Oklahoma Coalition took a different perspective on their voting process in their third annual restaurant of the year campaign. In the past, the voting process took place in print form, causing extra financing and paper waste. To remove the barrier, we put our creative heads together to create an online voting process.
We believe a online campaign will reach a larger crowd. With a digital presence, we are able to effectively reach a younger audience in an economical way. This will make the voting process more appealing and give the Made in Oklahoma Coalition more analytical data.
This new voting system will be on Facebook starting February 15. Oklahomans can vote every day for thirty days on a restaurant that best represents the "Made in Oklahoma" name. To have the Made in Oklahoma title, a restaurant must be located in Oklahoma and carry at least two Made in Oklahoma products.
The nominated restaurants for 2016 include
Neptune's Submarine Sandwiches
The winner will receive a scrolling banner ad on the Made in Oklahoma Facebook page, full page Gazette ad, a plaque and a $1,000 donation in the winner's name to the food bank of choice.


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There is no question that those with ready cash or access to affordable financing have an easier path to success as real estate investors than those who do not. Because cash is king in the investment industry and financing for real estate investment can be tough to come by, many new investors are choosing to use their 401(k)s to invest in properties in the Chicago market.
The use of 401 (k)s as a real estate investment tool is on the rise. This is partly due to a stagnant stock market and low yields on traditionally safe investments such as bonds that 401(k) managers favor.
But is that a good idea?
As with most questions concerning real estate investment, the answer is: It depends.
For many investors, a 401(k) retirement fund is the largest single account they possess, but it is one they do not have unlimited access to. Therein lays the problem. In order to use a 401(k) as an investment vehicle, it is necessary to engage in a bit of creative shuffling or pay severe early withdrawal penalties
There are three means to use your 401(k) to fund a real estate investment: cashing out, borrowing from your 401(k) and rolling over to a self-directed IRA. Cashing out your 401(k) is a drastic measure and comes with severe penalties. For that reason, we will not discuss that option here.
Borrowing from Your 401(k)
In some cases, you can borrow from your 401(k) with no penalty. In order to borrow against your 401(k) your employer must have a plan that allows that option, but if you have that type of plan, it can be a great tool in your investment toolbox.
When you borrow from your 401(k), you can then use that money to invest in real estate with no penalty. Normally, you have up to five years to pay back the loan. There is no cap to the amount you can borrow, and interest is of no real concern because you are in reality just shifting money from one account to the other. There is one major drawback. If you lose your job, you will be required to pay the outstanding balance of the loan within 60 days or face income tax and other penalties on the balance amount.
Rolling Into a Self-Directed IRA
Today, you have the option to roll your 401(k) into a self-directed IRA. With a self-directed IRA, you gain the option to invest in a host of assets – including real estate – that are not normally available with a traditional 401(k). There are a few drawbacks to this method of investing Chicago real estate.
- You do not have access to any rents collected. All revenue must go back into the IRA.
- You cannot deduct any property depreciation on your tax return.
- You cannot write off any losses.
- You are still bound by the $5,000 per year contribution limit to your IRA. That makes it impossible to add additional funds to cover large expenses like renovations. All money spent on a property must come from the IRA.
- You cannot use the property for personal use. This restriction includes family members with the exception of siblings.
There are other restrictions, and a qualified financial advisor will be able to elaborate on these restrictions and illustrate exactly how they apply to your unique situation.
Using your 401(k) as seed money for real estate investing is certainly a way to get a head start in the industry, but it does come at a cost. It's not a step to be taken lightly, and be sure to speak with your financial advisor before you make any long term decisions that will affect your future retirement.


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Another Soup – Tomato Bisque
What I secretly love most about soup for dinner is that it's almost a full meal in one pot. Add some bread and/or a salad on the side and you've got dinner in 30 minutes. The cleanup is a snap and the leftovers are always in demand, unlike other meals that end up taking up valuable fridge and Tupperware real estate until you guiltily toss them a week later.
Tomatoes are the number one reason I grow a garden. I eat them daily during the summer months, which makes it all the more inexplicable that until this year I could not make a homemade tomato soup that I actually liked.
Enter: bacon. It really is the key to deep flavor here. While you could leave it out and add a dash of smoked paprika to appease any vegetarians in the crowd, it wouldn't be quite so delicious.
Tomato Bisque
Adapted from: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/11/12/recipe-tomato-bisque/
4 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
2 slices bacon
4 cloves garlic
5 tablespoons flour
5 cups chicken broth/stock
1 28-ounce canned diced tomatoes
3 parsley sprigs or 2 tsp dried
3 fresh thyme sprigs (remove leaves from stem) or 1 tsp dried
1 bay leaf
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt (salt to taste based on your broth's saltiness
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Cook diced onion in butter for about 5 – 6 minutes or until it softens and begins to brown.
Add bacon and garlic and stir for another minute or two or until the bacon gets crisp.
Sprinkle flour over all and stir for 1-2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to avoid scorching.
Add tomatoes and broth, whisking constantly.
Add herbs and simmer about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
Puree the soup either in a blender (in batches) or with a handheld immersion blender
Stir in the heavy cream and salt & pepper to taste.
Categories: Soups


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Order directly from rickblechta.com and get a really nice discount!
Shooting Straight in the Dark is the story of 30-year-old Kit Mason, six years blind and still having trouble accepting what's happened to her. With her career as a song writer and guitarist stalled and her personal life is the pits, all she has is her (semi) trusty Newfoundland guide dog, Shadow, and four good friends, members of her former softball team, The Ruthless Babes.
When one of the women is brutally murdered, Kit and her remaining friends have a lot of unanswered questions which the police aren't willing to treat seriously. Taking the investigation into their own hands, they find out that the truth about their friend's violent death goes a lot deeper than they ever imagined -- or wanted to know.
Intrigued? Here's the Prologue of the novel:
So it's August 3rd, and I'm having a party for my big 2-1. Legal-the-World-Over Kit. I'd talked my mom into letting me use our cottage on Georgian Bay, just me and my current boyfriend, my four best friends, and their guys. We'd built a bonfire on the beach, roasted wienies and marshmallows, and were hard at work on a couple of two-fours of Molson Golden. During the festivities, my guy and I slipped off into the woods for a little fun.
To keep this story short, he stuck a particularly bright flashlight right in my face to screw up my night vision, then ran off with all my clothes -- just to be cute. What happened after was anything but. I had a hell of a time finding my way back. Took me about an hour. Everyone was worried, but not as worried as I was. Lately, I'd been getting these weird blank spots in my eyes, especially from bright lights, and my night vision had always sucked. But in the darkness of the woods with only a sliver of moon out, I couldn't see a thing. Nada. After bumping into trees and tripping over rocks and roots, I wound up crawling a good part of the way. It scared the hell out of me. The party ended early.
A couple of days later I went to my doctor. She sent me to a specialist. He sent me to another specialist. That guy, after doing a truckload of tests, sat me and my mom down in his cushy office one blazingly hot afternoon.
"Miss Mason," he said, peering over his glasses, "you show a marked deterioration in both optic nerves."
"You're saying I need glasses?"
"Oh no, no! It's much worse than that, I'm afraid. You're going blind."
No gentleness, no careful laying of the groundwork to prepare me. Just, "You're going blind." Goddam idiot got his bedside manner from a K-Mart.
I didn't hear much more of what the doctor said after that. Apparently, he told Mom all these complicated medical things about what was happening to me and how he could do more tests, and "research is moving at the speed of light these days", but the end result was, "Your daughter's eyesight is rapidly failing and there's not a whole lot we can do for her at the present time."
Mom fought like a tiger. She went everywhere, bent everybody's ear, read about anything to do with my condition, but in the end she had to admit defeat. She had to admit it because thirty-seven months later I couldn't see her slumped shoulders or sad eyes. I couldn't see anything.
Want to know what it's like to be blind? Think of it this way: what do you see out of the back of your head?
If this brief excerpt has caught your interest, I'd like to be able to say, "Just head down to your local bookstore, and if they don't happen to have it in stock, they can order it for you with no trouble," but that's not the case. McClelland & Stewart remaindered the book just as Cemetery of the Nameless was released (now there's great business thinking for you!). But fear not! I bought lots of copies, so your favourite bookstore can order directly from me, if that's the route you want to go (and I encourage that). However, if you absolutely have to order direct, click HERE.
Copyright © 2002 by Rick Blechta. This excerpt copy may not be reproduced in any way without the expressed written consent of McClelland & Stewart Ltd., Toronto.
"Rick Blechta's third novel has a lot to recommend it, including the author's insider knowledge of the music business."
"It is a shame that Rick Blechta is following a career in the music industry because he has a great future as a novelist. Shooting Straight in the Dark is a fun and entertaining novel that will lift the spirit of anyone who reads it. "
"Those seeking a breezily entertaining yet suitably suspenseful thriller will find Shooting Straight in the Dark right on target."
"This was a difficult book to write, mainly because of the task I set myself by having a blind protagonist who is female and has five really close friends who all needed distinctly different "voices" so they'd be easy for the reader to keep track of. I don't know which was harder to accomplish!
I learned a lot about what it's like to be without sight, mainly due to the help of three wonderful people, Jo-Anne Yale, Roger St. Louis and Laurie Kernohan. Their warmth and humour telling me about the trails and tribulations of sighted people and how they deal with other's blindness added a lot to what I eventually got down on paper about Kit Mason."
Home | Biography | Appearances & Signings | Latest News | Reviews | View Guestbook | Sign Guestbook | Rick's Links | Contact Rick
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+374 93 58 08 48 email@example.com
You are here: Home Explore Trekking
+374 93 58 08 48 firstname.lastname@example.com
Get back to us frequently! We promis updates and new destinations!
Region/Marz: Jermuk
Distance from Yerevan: 3 hours
Start of the trail: Jermuk city
End point: Karvajar city, Artsakh
Duration: 5 days (back to Yerevan on the 6th day)
No dangerous passages.
Guide(s) accompany is mandatory!
Region/Marz: Kotayk
Town/Village: Sevaberd and/or Artis village
Distance from Yerevan: 50 minutes
Start of the trail: Sevaberd and/or Artis village
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Dangerous passages: none
Guide(s) accompany is mandatory!
Region/Marz: Tavush
Town: Haghartsin, Yenohavan & Okonavan villages
Distance from Yerevan: 2 hours by car
Start of the trail: Haghartsin or Yenokavan villages
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Difficult passages: 2
Guides accompany is mandatory!
Region/Marz: Syunik
Town/Village: Tatev village
Distance from Yerevan: 4-5 hours
Start of the trail: Tatev Monastery
Duration: 3 days
No dangerous passages
Guide(s) accompany preferred!


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Darlene O'Gara
National Training Manager
Darlene has been a professional trainer for over 15 years working for some of the biggest brands in Australia including Australian Skin Clinics, Guinot and Elemis. Darlene joined Australian Skin Clinics in 2007 as Clinic Manager at the Ashmore Practice, where she was quickly promoted to the role of trainer as the company grew, delivering training in the disciplines of management, leadership, sales, customer service and practical aesthetic treatments. Darlene's diverse skill base includes a vast knowledge of cosmetic ingredients which gives her a heightened understanding of how treatments effect the layers of the skin. Darlene's passion for the industry and her amazing training skills meant that she was the ideal candidate for the role of National Training Manager at The Advanced Skills Academy. She is a foundation team member who was a crucial member of the companies development team, working tirelessly to build training and course structures that are more interactive, interesting and exciting than those currently available. A wealth of knowledge, Darlene delivers a training program full of passion and possesses a smile so infectious, it is hard not to enjoy your learning experience.
Fay Abousleiman
Student Skills Clinic Manager / Trainer
Fay crossed the big blue sea from UK, landing in Australia in 2013. Fay has had extensive experience in management within the beauty and aesthetic sectors working with UK's leading dermal and laser provider for many years managing multiple clinic sites and achieving exceptional performance and clinic growth.
A proven leader in her field, Fay was snapped up by one of Australia's leading dermal and laser provders, Australian Skin Clinics who quickly saw her high level of skills and expertise, inviting her to join their professional team of trainers. Fay has continued growing her skills base with a range of professional learning and has been working with The Advanced Skills Academy since its foundation.
Erin Green
Erin competed her Advanced Diploma in Health and Skincare in South Africa, where she then went on to specialise in Spa Therapy, Management and Clinical Skincare.
After moving to Brisbane in 2011, Erin was excited to start her career as a dermal and laser technician where she could apply the skills and knowledge she acquired through her studies in a practical setting.
Fast forward to today, and Erin has gained over 5 years' experience in the industry, enabling her to become well versed in the treatment and training of laser hair reduction, facial rejuvenation, superficial vascular lesions, and tattoo removal. Her hands on involvement operating a wide range of laser devices from different manufactures has provided her with a thorough knowledge of the medical and aesthetic laser procedures.
Erin has a strong passion for teaching and her role as Trainer/Assessor at the Advanced Skills Academy enables her to share her knowledge with her students.
Jessie Jones
Jessie has over 10 years' experience within the beauty/medi-aesthetic industry. She completed her HND in Beauty Therapy and Spa Management in the UK. On completion of her studies Jessie went on to manage a national medical aesthetic clinic in Wales. As a Clinic Manager, she oversaw the training and development of newly appointed technicians thus sparking her passion for training and mentoring.
Wanting to develop her skills and knowledge within the industry further, in 2012 she moved from the family farm in Wales to Perth, Australia to work for a clinic which specialised in IPL and dermal therapy treatments.
Most recently Jessie managed a beauty therapy student training clinic in Perth, supporting and training students to perfect their treatment techniques and reception skills; essentially preparing them for their professional role.
Jessie has recently moved to the Gold Coast to join our team of experts and to share her extensive knowledge. She is a qualified trainer and assessor, with a strong passion to mentor her students through their learning journey and is committed to developing excellent practice across the industry.
Maria Ogurekova
Maria is an enthusiastic and highly skilled trainer and assessor, who completed her Nursing qualification then continued further studies with a Vocational Graduate Diploma in Cosmetic Nursing. These qualifications lead her into becoming a clinic trainer in dermal and light based therapies, Injectables, delivering theoretical lectures and clinic management for a medical aesthetics college on the Gold Coast.
Maria is extremely passionate about sharing and delivering quality education and is an exceptional educator who creates interactive and enjoyable learning experiences with her students.


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The Crib Lace Bootie has been made especially for babies, replicating a 1460 8-eye boot, but with a soft sole and carefully considered attention to detail. The famous Dr. Martens sole pattern is faithfully replicated on the base of the booties, with a 'When I Grow Up I Want To Be A 1460' message.
- Style # 15329001
- Color: Black
- 3 Eyelet Crib Bootie
- Black Kids Lamper Leather
- Yellow Stitch
- Heel Loop
- Cushioned Insole
- Textile Sole has a Dr. Martens sole tread pattern


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How To Build Rapport With Your Autistic Child
Are you ready to get even more in tune with your autistic child? You may have discovered the best way to communicate with your autistic child, but it will take more than just choosing the right types of words. You need to develop a rapport with him, so that he trusts you and feels comfortable talking to you about things.
There are two ways to develop rapport with an autistic child and again, these will work best with a mildly autistic child.
Yes, mirroring is exactly as it sounds. You are going to mirror your child. Does that mean you are going to act just like him? No, but it does mean that you are going to mimic him. How? Well first you have to observe your child. You need to observe his:
Facial expressions
- Tone of voice
- Rate of speech
- Posture
- Movements
You goal is not to match these exactly, but to approximate them. If he sounds enthusiastic, you can too. If he tugs at his ear, you can play with your finger or rub your chin. If he taps his foot, you can tap you pen or your spoon to the same beat.
Why is this so effective? It is because the subconscious mind likes it so much. Yep! The subconscious is actually flattered by all this wonderful attention. Your child won't notice what you are doing on a conscious level, but deep down their subconscious is warming up to you and letting you in. This is far more effective than any conscious attempt at relating to your child, or at least it will allow your child to warm up to you enough that you can relate to him and he can relate to you.
Establishing rapport with a child by using mirroring is really very easy. You need to do two simple things that tell him that you are working with him on his level. These things are:
1. Physically get down on the same level as your child, if they are smaller than you. If the child is older and bigger, sitting down at the table together might work best. This will bring you eye-to-eye with your child.
2. When you speak with your child, mimic his tone, facial expression, movements, and the rate of his speech.
This will allow you to get close enough to your child that you can actually get a glimpse of the world through his filter. By seeing his perspective, his perception of the world, even for a moment, it will be a lot easier to see why he is behaving the way he is behaving. When you can do that, you will be able to show him that you care, that you understand, and that you aren't angry or judging him for it. When he knows this, he will be far more open to letting you help him find a way to change that behavior.
Mirroring is a skill that you need to hone and practice.
The great thing is that you can practice it anywhere and at any time. You can practice it when you watch talk shows, when you are in line at the bank, and even when you eat out at a restaurant. There are people everywhere and as long as you can see them, you can mirror them.
Do you like this tool box strategy?
Please provide your comment and how I can help you through my workshop or private coaching.
Email email@example.com.
Stay tuned for the next tip on building rapport with your autistic child!


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There still wasn't much to take to the farmers' market today, mesclun and radishes both weren't ready, so it was baby spinach, the last harvest of early lettuce, and this surprise crop, volunteer green onions sprouted from a few dozen of last year's cooking onions that had been … [Read more...] about Found onions
Archives for May 2007
Farm stand to go…
Just on the other side of the greenhouse and the spring planting action, there's the Farm Stand. A work in progress. It's been a frame without a roof for some time now, extra lumber lying around gets in the way of mowing the grass, a bit of a picture of neglect, enhanced by … [Read more...] about Farm stand to go…
Tomatoes to the field
Go team... Set out another 400 tomatoes today: add a fistful of compost, bury to topmost leaves, water in. Along with the peppers and eggplant transplanted yesterday, most of the early seedlings are now in. There is still a lot to go, but it's all coming along...! … [Read more...] about Tomatoes to the field
Cucurbits germinate!
The heat-loving squash-melon-cucumber family are the last of the seedlings to be started. They're coming up now and headed for the field as soon as they've fully emerged, no waiting for true leaves. Depending on the crop, each pot has 2, 3 or 4 seedlings to be transplanted … [Read more...] about Cucurbits germinate!
Towards the end of the day, Conall waters in newly transplanted eggplant and peppers. Over the last week, focus has moved almost entirely to the open field. The seedling room is empty, the last of the seedlings are now in the greenhouse, and the push is on to get things in the … [Read more...] about Fieldwork!


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Tiny house makes a big splash at the Ag Fair
Less than an hour after the gates to the Ag Fair opened on Thursday morning, there was a growing line of people waiting to see the tiny house exhibit, a 144-square-foot dwelling on loan from owner Kathy Rose. Much to the surprise of the cadre of volunteers who manned the wee house over the next four days, the lines never stopped.
"I would say thousands came through," Kathy Rose told The Times. "The first hour of the fair, we had over 100 people."
"It was the hit of the fair," Philippe Jordi, executive director of the Island Housing Trust (IHT) said. "We were blown away by the response."
"We were swamped," volunteer Mike Mitchell said. "People kept asking where they could buy one. If I were a salesman I could have sold 100 units." Mr. Mitchell said almost all of the comments were positive. "Many elderly people said it was the ideal for them," he said. "A single mother with a small child loved it and wanted to move in ASAP. One woman said it was too small for her, but she wanted to put one on her property for her son, in his 20s."


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Run and hide! The Phoenix bee invasion has claimed yet another victim.
Just hours after an 81-year-old woman was attacked yesterday by a swarm of Africanized bees near 33rd Avenue, south of Cactus Road, a 72-year-old man, on the other side of town, was also attacked.
Phoenix Fire Department officials say the man was using a shop-vac to try and vacuum hundreds of bees out of a tree in his yard near 32nd Street and Indian School Road Wednesday night, when the little monsters fought back.
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When the brave Phoenician took it upon himself to defend his city against bees, which have now attacked at least four times since April, he was stung about 100 times, fire officials say.
The man was taken to a local hospital where he is said to be in stable condition.
The 81-year-old woman who was attacked is in the hospital in critical condition, and fire officials now say she was stung more than 300 times.
"When the guys pulled her out, she had bees in her ears, in her nose, and in her mouth," says Phoenix Fire Captain Dorian Jackson. "They covered the entire top of her head and her torso. She was covered in bees."


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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- A New York man has pleaded guilty in an ATM skimming plot that included stealing debit card information in Ridgefield, Norwalk and Wilton.
Moises Morales Cano, 31, of Astoria, N.Y., pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence, R.I., Tuesday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting to his role in a scheme to manipulate bank ATMs.
The scheme resulted in the theft of personal information skimmed from debit cards belonging to more than 1,300 individuals and the loss of more than $709,000, officials report.
According to Deirdre Daly, U.S. attorney in Connecticut, Cano had targeted ATMs in Ridgefield, Norwalk and Wilton in April 2015.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr., Cano admitted to the court that between January 1 and April 4, 2015, he conspired with another individual to attach skimming devices on ATMs at banks in several communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
According to information presented to the court, approximately 1,329 individuals had their debit cards compromised, resulting in a total loss of approximately $709,597.50.
An ATM skimming device is technology that directly attaches to an ATM in order to intercept unknowing customers' debit card information from the magnetic strip on ATM cards.
The stolen information and PINs are downloaded and re-encoded onto counterfeit debit cards, and the counterfeit cards are used to make fraudulent transactions from the accounts of unknowing victims.
Cano's guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Ted A. Arruda, resident agent in charge of the Providence office of the U.S. Secret Service, and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
Cano has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in Queens, N.Y., on September 9, 2015, officials report.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney's Office, the U.S. Secret Service and the Warwick Police Department, with the assistance of the Smithfield, East Providence, Cranston and Johnston Police Departments.
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Organic Lemon Verbena Essential Oil
Organic Lemon Verbena
Common Name: Lemon Verbena.
Botanical Name: Aloysia citrodora.
Fragrance: Lemon and floral.
Parts Used: Leaves.
Extraction method: Steam distilled.
Properties/attributes: Anti-stress, anti-spasmodic, anti-septic, digestive.
Traditionally used for: Anxiety, skin ailments.
Allergens: Linalool, limonene.
Blend with carrier oil before use. Keep out of reach of children. Not recommended during pregnancy. For external use only. Consult your local practitioner.


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Get Started
National Women's History Project
A List of Women Achievers
Honor Roll Home
Back to
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks
By: Albert P.
California, Grade 6
I nominate Rosa Parks because she decided not to move from her seat when a white passenger came on board. The bus was full so the law was if all the bus was full, a black person had to move and stand up. So what Rosa Parks did was not move and was arrested because of that. This started a boycott which lasted 381 days. The boycott ended because the bus companies were losing lots of money. I also nominate Rosa Parks because she had the courage of not moving off the bus seat. I would also nominate her because she has won a lot of awards. Finally, I nominate her because it is unusual in those days for a black woman to refuse to move their seat to a white person.
Back to
Rosa Parks


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Welcome to the Bristol French Circle!
- The Bristol French Circle is for all those who enjoy speaking and listening to French.
- Founded in 1905, the Circle is affiliated to the Alliance Française which provides us with financial support.
- We meet at BAWA on alternate Thursdays from October to May each year. Our programme is very varied and we have French speakers on a wide range of subjects (including art, music, geography, culture and society), informal conversation evenings, a literary discussion and this year we are trying a new style 'café-concert' for our evening of poetry and music presented by our members.
- Outside the programme, we are planning dinners in local restaurants in Bristol and trips to see French films.
- The main event of each evening starts at 8pm, with the announcement of information about the weeks to come at about 7.55pm, but at 7pm before most sessions there is a 'petit cours' looking at French pronunciation and idioms, and points of grammar that members want to study.
- Do have a look at the 'Why join?' tab to see members' comments about the Circle – and come and join us if you enjoy this lovely language! Our FAQ (Frequently asked questions) may help you too.


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Our Products
A slim profile RFID Antenna with attractive aesthetics for ceiling, wall, and shelf mounting.
Learn More
Our 4-read point kit including the SensArray+ and all additional antenna and cables required.
Learn More
Our 4-read point kit for the purpose of exploring the benefits of the SensArray® architecture
Learn More
What We Do
SensThys is a designer and manufacturer of game-changing RFID system solutions and offers the world's most functionally integrated fixed reader solutions with novel networking capabilities. SensThys products are designed to be attractive, unobtrusive, and deployable in wide ranges of settings, from warehouses to retail spaces while focusing on solution economics and ease of use. These patented products enable the lowest cost deployed solutions while ensuring robust power management and data networking.


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There's growing support for what's known as high intensity interval training. You literally pack a weeks' worth of exercise into a short amount of time.
At CrossFit Chicago, the workout is intense and rapid.
Across town, another slower intense workout is taking place at PhysioLife Studios.
The approaches are different but the underlying principal is the same. If you push the body really hard for a short time you can get the same results as in a traditional workout. You are basically squeezing in an entire week's worth of exercise into one hour.
Sound too good to be true? But the research is mounting and some exercise experts are creating a buzz with claims this could revolutionize exercise.
"They showed that when you make people do very short very hard exercise the changes that the people make are very similar to exercises over a longer period of time," said Jonathan Dugas, Ph.D., exercise physiologist, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago.
The research focuses specifically on high intensity interval training. It's recommended you spend about four minutes at 100 percent capacity and then rest for several minutes in between. The entire work out lasts 20 to 30 minutes once or twice a week.
Research shows interval training can double endurance, improve oxygen use and strength by 10 percent and speed by at least 5 percent.
So why isn't everyone doing this?
"There's still lots of unanswered question before we can take this out of the box that it's in and apply it to everyone," said Dugas.
Dugas says it's not for everyone. But if it gets people up and off the couch and generally interested in exercising, he's all for it.
"We're trying to get each muscle group to failure or exhaustion in a specified window of time," said Estelle Harford, personal trainer, PhysioLife Studios. "So we focus on quality vs. quantity."
At PhysioLife, it's high intensity strength training on specialized equipment. It involves slowly lifting the weights and slowly releasing until muscles reach fatigue. The promise is a total body workout in 30 minutes just two times a week.
The theory is the body builds more muscle, it increases your metabolism and burns more calories even at rest.
"I get better results than when I was in the gym for an hour and a half a day, five days a week," said Rob Semrad.
Back at CrossFit Chicago, there's a lot of sweating and panting as participants rotate quickly between weight lifting, rowing, and more, all in a matter of minutes.
"You're going to make a lot more gains with what we do at once or twice a week," said Rudy Tapalla, owner, CrossFit Chicago.
Terry Levin, 53, does an explosive workout right along with her 16-year-old son. "It's the most incredible workout, mind, body and soul. It's amazing," said Levin.
Most of the research has been done in young, physically fit people. But some studies are showing older people even those with some medical conditions might be able to handle it. Experts say much more research is needed. And most importantly, talk to your doctor first before beginning any new workout.
Crossfit Chicago
1444 W.Willow St.
Chicago, Ill
PhysioLife Studios
712 N. Dearborn St.
Jonathan Dugas
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dept. Kinesiology and Nutrition
University of Illinois at Chicago
901 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, Ill.


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Fairgrove Furniture
Fairgrove Furniture is based in Hampshire, making beautiful and unique items, using both traditional and modern upholstery methods to produce individual footstools and furniture upholstered in gorgeous linens, velvets and wool fabrics from Warwick, Ian Sanderson and many more, with a traditional or contemporary feel that will compliment your home.
Whether it's for comfortable extra seating when guests arrive or to be used as an elegant alternative to a coffee table, giving you somewhere to place books and magazines, a tray at tea time in front of the fire or, of course somewhere to put a well-earned glass of wine in the evenings our footstools are an ideal choice.
The furniture we produce is handmade and constructed using quality materials that comply with fire safety regulations.
We also make bespoke items of furniture to clients specific requirements including upholstered headboards and reupholstering dining chairs and armchairs often using our client's own fabric.
If you have a specific size, style or fabric for an item of furniture you would like, then do please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.


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Standard design: Shelter cabinet
- Front: Removable 1 leaf door.
- Side panels reinforced with a multi-bend system (same composition for the roof).
- Wooden floor and solid laid plastic coating.
- 5754 H22 28/10 thickness aluminium coating.
- Polymerised polyester powder coating.
- RAL 1015 textured beige powder finish.
- Other optional finishing available on request.
- PU foam internal insulation.
Standard equipment:
- DENY 1 point lock.
- Blocking and anti-swing off device.
- 20/10 aluminium internal partitioned.
- Upper ventilation haute equipped with slit and extractor.
- Lower ventilation equipped with slit and filter box.
- 3 point DENY 3 mechanical lock (ref.15581).
- DENY 3 point anti-panic lock (ref.16179).
- Electrical equipment.
Grolleau shelter cabinets
Completes the outdoor cabinets range. They are taller and can therefore protect more devices and are better adapted to some customers' volume constraints. Here again, Grolleau offers light and resistant products totally made of metal with a wide modularity level for telecom networks.


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Sail + Mast + Boom
With 2 cams
inducing a full profile, the Spirit's large wind range is one of its
biggest assets and sporting a modern cross-batten configuration, the sail
represents the perfect synthesis of Freeride and Freerace foils. The
Spirit offers you the maximum performance of a turbo-charged sail with a
multifunctional and spontaneous character.
With a 30%
carbon content and Neil Pryde's Integral Ferrule connection, the X3 is a
perfectly balanced and extremely durable mast for all sails.
serious high performance aluminium boom from Neil Pryde. With an
ideal bend curve for race, freerace and freeride sails and a perfect
weight to strength ratio (only 40 cm adjustment
The famous Ezzy quality is maintained in this sail, built with our
durable Spectra® X-film
cloth and with our superior endobatten construction for symmetrical sail
shape on both port and starboard tacks.
The Superlite is great for light-wind, lake sailing, and is a perfect
choice for novice sailors.


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Innovation Birmingham Campus
Faraday Wharf, Innovation Birmingham Campus, Holt Street, Birmingham Science Park Aston, Birmingham, B7 4BB.
A dynamic venue with a vibrant atmosphere the Innovation Birmingham Campus offers modern meeting, conference and event space for 4 – 500 people with a hands on team dedicated to making your event a success. Just off the A38M with fantastic city centre transport links the Campus is an ideal location for your Birmingham based event.
The flagship venue – iCentrum – comes fully furnished with 40" and 65″ plasma screens, 6m wide HD presentation and video conference digital screen, wireless connectivity, free internet access and flip charts.
- DDR packages available from 50 delegates
- Day Delegate parking on site
- Onsite catering
- Free wi-fi
- Video conferencing and live streaming
- Flexible availability and access
- AV support
For more information about the Campus' event facilities visit: http://www.innovationbham.com
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Author(s): Nadia Jamal
Nadia Jamal takes us inside the lives of ordinary Muslim women from around Australia, showing how they find ways to stay true to their faith, and to themselves as well. These candid and moving stories reveal a side to Australian life that is little known and often misunderstood.
'A thoughtful, honest, and compelling window into a community so often assumed about, but rarely engaged with. I finished it in a single sitting.'
Susan Carland, author of Fighting Hislam
'Jamal's neutral, yet gently perceptive style allows the stories of her women to shine through, illuminating the myriad points of intersection with Islam in ordinary life. An absolutely fascinating and illuminating read.'
Annabel Crabb, ABC writer and broadcaster
Nadia Jamal is a former senior journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald and co-author of the award-winning Glory Garage: Growing up Lebanese Muslim in Australia. She has become a lawyer and works as a financial crime analyst.


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Please note that the items added to your shopping cart are not currently available for shipping to the address you selected.
Momentum Watch Deep 6 Vision Black Steel Watch (Men's)
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Deep 6 Vision is a stealth dive watch in a bold 47.5mm steel case, with exploding date and black Super-LumiNova® indexes and hands.
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text: Sanjeevi Sivasankar was looking for a better tool to study how cells adhere to each other. Cells have surface proteins, called cadherins, that help them stick together. Different kinds of cells have different kinds of cadherins. The typical tools for observing and measuring those proteins focus on tens of thousands of them at a time - providing data on the average molecule in a sample, but not on a single molecule. -Read complete press release-


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All That Jazz
Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra
Featuring a special guest artist every session
George Young, saxophone
Chances are, you've heard George Young's soulful sax leads. His playing has been featured in The Simpsons, Ghostbusters, When Harry Met Sally and other famed TV series and films. He's also performed with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and James Brown. Don't miss this saxophone legend perform with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra.


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Explore the most popular hiking trails near Old Tucson with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
I love going here. If you add on the desert loop trail you end up with around two miles and a bit more of a hike. perfect for those who want to get away but not risk getting lost off the side of a mountain.
This is a surprisingly good hike. Head right and it's pretty flat with slight inclines for first 2 miles or so. I was pleasantly surprised when it eventually started to go up! I didn't need my hiking boots for first half but glad I had them on 2nd half. Very quiet and scenic, and I was the only one on the trail at 545p.
Fun with lots of small trails to combine with. Pretty rocky og lots of small stones.
Love these mountains the views are beautiful and it's very quiet/not busy at all. Be prepared for no cover or shaded areas. Very windy at the top which cools you down but be careful! Very fun hike
Go early ! It's warm. But a great trial run. Pups loved it.
One of the best wildlife/nature parks in the country.
I love this place!
This is the 6th time I've hiked Brown: twice at the base, twice on the loop, once straight up the S end and back down, and (today) from one end to the other. My hiking buddy and I parked one rig at each end of the mountain. We began at the Trailhead off McCain Loop, and finished at the north end (by the restrooms). We stopped several times, since we hiked during the heat of the day (which I do not recommend). Brown is always a great workout!
Usually I research the history of the trail before hiking it.. I didn't do it this time as it was a spur of the moment activity. The little I knew of the trail, I knew it was a copper mine with a gated cover into the mine shaft. Needless to say I didn't find the entrance to the mine shaft but I did find the block house and other structures that were used by these miners over 100 years ago. Amazing to me was that I saw remnants of what I thought were rusted out cans that were left behind by inconsiderate hikers. These "artifacts" as it turned out, were tucked under heavy brush and cacti ad I didn't take a picture of them. I was tempted to pack them out but didn't. Amazing. The link below gives a brief history of the mine.
Great hike. Go when it's cool as that last peak is daunting in the heat.
Couldn't find trail head or any trail markers. found a beaten down bath with bike tracks but in a sketchy neighborhood.
This is a beautiful trail and a fantastic way to see the Tucson mountains. Fairly dense saguaros, varied terrain, and gorgeous views. My only complaint was that I saw several dogs which are clearly prohibited as stated on the sign. Now, I am a serious dog lover and honestly don't mind them out there, but there were many piles of poo on the trail so either someone's not picking up after their pets and/or there are some critters about that could seriously harm your pet. Be cautious and courteous if you're going to bring Fido.
Great trail!! To go to Mt. Lemmon from where I live is a 90 mile round trip. This is only 5 miles from my home and always a peaceful hike!
Hiked from Gilbert Ray Campground. Trail to top of Brown Mountain then loops back to parking area. Great views.
Enjoyed this desert hike in the different cactus. Elevation was not taxing. The trail was fine, but you needed to watch your step. Beautiful 360 view from the peak.
This trail winds through gorgeous forest of saguaro and lots of civilisation. Kind of boring on foot for me, but it looks like a lot of fun for mountain bikes. Absolutely no shade.
This was simply gorgeous and fun to ride. Not too hard but not boring by any means. What a gorgeous place. My problem is wanting to stop and take pics of everything. Love this place!!!
Really enjoyed this hike. We went counterclockwise on the loop so all the more difficult stuff was at the end.
Great saguaro and many varieties of cholla. Number of mountain bikers but everyone was very nice in sharing the trail. Signage was helpful and a good parking lot.
This is a really nice hike. If you love saguaros, then you will enjoy. The most I have seen in one place. So many different one's to see. The trail is an easy hike. enjoy
This trail is NOT open for dogs! Was very disappointed after driving to the trailhead to discover that trails in the Tucson County Mountain Park are not open to dogs except service dogs. Really too bad!
Done this trail a few times before, and again on NYD this year. Nice mix of up and down for one half, and pretty level for the other. It's a good trail to stay in shape during the week. Takes between 1.5 and 2 hrs, I would think... I start at the trailhead off McCain loop road to the E of the route shown here (The little black dotted line coming off the middle of the white road just below Kinney Rd and meeting the trail). I do the peaks first. Nice views of surrounding desert, and really nice to start just before sunrise. It's pretty much murder in the summer, like everywhere in Tucson, but if you get an early start, or go on a cloudy monsoon day, it's every bit as enjoyable. 3 stars only because there are a million hikes like this in AZ...Extra star for convenience to Tucson, making it achievable during the work week. :)
Enjoyed this hike. Easy to moderate and great with kids. The loop around the picnic table can be hard to find the trailhead. Look for sign or just follow the path on this awesome app.
5 stars = as good as it gets!
There may be better trails, but this novice has yet to encounter them. I feel accomplished after this hike!
Leading up to this trek, I conditioned on 6 previous trails (including 1 trip up Tumamoc and 2 trips along the base of this mountain—between picnic areas). This was a challenge for me, as I have chronic joint pain (mainly knees). That said, I was able to complete the loop with relatively little pain. (However, I use trekking poles, take turmeric and fish oil daily & take Aleve as needed for pain.)
FYI: there are 4 peaks (maybe it was 3, but it seems like there were 4) along this ridge, so keep that in mind, if you are a beginner like me.
TIPS: I recommend starting at the Brown Picnic Area and hiking clockwise back to the trailhead.. There is a RR and water at the 1/2-way mark: San Juan Picnic Area. One could even hike with a buddy and park one vehicle at each picnic area, if need be.
I really enjoy this hike! I have hiked along the wash (at the base—between picnic areas) twice now. The next time, I am determined to climb to the top and complete the full loop! (I have had to ease into this hiking season, due to chronic joint pain.)
TIP: If you begin at the Brown Mt Picnic area, and want to hike out to the San Jain Picnic Area (where there are RR's and a water fountain) and back, be sure to veer to the right at The Headless Saguaro. Veering to the left will take you to the top of the mountain.
If you're looking for something that requires effort, this is not your hike. This is a peaceful meander, thoroughly meditative, in and around beautiful cacti and marvelous views.
Wear good shoes. The loose rock trails are a little rough on cross training shoes. Very peaceful with great vantage points along the way.
Simple, easy to follow trail once you reach the hills with nice saguaro views. Not as breathtaking as the canyons but I imagine this sunset beats all others (went during the afternoon in October)
Very disappointed in my hiking crew today .My mom decided to go all day yesterday without eating so she was too weak to finish and we had to quit halfway through and my daughter who goes with us was having hygiene issues Which also led to my poor hiking experience
Beautiful! If you walk westward down the wash there are stunning purple rocks for quite a ways.


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Sheep tags – pressure grows
Sheep tags – pressure grows
SHEEP producers are being urged by both MLC and NSA to bow to EU pressure for individual tagging of lambs to improve traceability and help secure export markets.
Speaking at the SIA Show, MLCs Paris-based director Remi Fourrier said Continental consumers are principally concerned with the origin of meat following health scares including BSE.
"The co-operative structure in France makes it easy to have traceability back to place of origin and in this respect consumers here see anything labelled as produce of France as a quality product. Traceability isnt quality in itself, but for exports its a basic requirement," said Mr Fourrier.
To win support in overseas markets, exporters must be able to supply details of origin, health status, feed and complete traceability, he added. "Until we get support from the UK industry to do this new markets cannot be developed."
NSAs Chris Lloyd, also at the show, agreed that despite producer resistance based on costs of additional tagging, traceability of each animal back to individual holding was a minimum requirement. "The French really are setting the pace and we must conform to protect valuable exports."
MLCs French equivalent, Interbev, made traceability an integral part of the central display at SIA using an interactive displays with button pressing and lighting to attract consumers and children.
However, MLCs UK-based export manager Henry Lewis remains sceptical over French claims of traceability. "There are gaps in the system; for a start whos auditing it?"
Despite these doubts, producers involved in initiatives on the MLC stand agreed extra tagging may be necessary to guarantee access to export markets.


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Apostle Annie Broughton and Cynthia M. Henry of Detroit, Michigan examine the life of Jacob's wife Leah tonight on Nite Line. Cynthia reveals how this Biblical character inspired her to write her book, The Leah Factor: Recognizing True Beauty and Worth. Tracy Loggins of Honea Path, South Carolina sings and shares testimony tonight.
Cynthia M. Henry www.theleahfactor.com


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There are 3,000 domestic logistics firms in Vietnam
The export costs and competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the world market depend on logistics costs, but reports all show that the cost is very high in Vietnam.
According to Nomura Institute, the cost accounted for 21 percent of GDP in 2014, while it was 9 percent in Singapore and 10-14 percent in developed countries.
A report shows that the logistics costs for rice, vegetables and fruit, and wooden furniture enterprises account for 30 percent of total production cost.
The high logistics cost, according to Le Duy Hiep, CEO of Transimex, is one of the major reasons weakening local logistics firms' competitiveness.
He said that more than 70 percent of logistics fees would fall into the hands of foreign shipping firms exporting Vietnamese goods.
The World Bank's report on logistics services in the Mekong Delta in October 2016 – September 2017 pointed out the reasons for high logistics costs in Vietnam.
According to the World Bank, the domestic logistics cost accounts for 22.59 percent of total logistics costs.
The logistics costs in Vietnam include fuel, road tolls, service at ports, underground fees and costs for the imbalance between imports and exports, as well as congestion at ports and on roads.
The expenses enterprises have to pay because of the road congestion is now a big concern. Infrastructure development in the last decade cannot keep pace with the increased demand for cargo transportation.
The traffic jams around Cat Lai Port are a challenge to efforts to improve the logistics services in the region. The volume of goods going through Cat Lai port has exceeded the designed capacity.
The LPI (logistics performance index) is decreasing rapidly, according to Connecting to Compete: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy, a report of the World Bank, released every two years.
In 2016, Vietnam fell to 64th among 160 countries, while Singapore stayed in the fifth position. The ranking meant a big step back compared with 2014, when Vietnam jumped to 53rd out of 155 countries from 148th out of 160 countries.
According to the World Bank, the domestic logistics cost accounts for 22.59 percent of total logistics costs. Of this, THC accounts for 5.13 percent and road transport fee 7.31 percent.
The World Bank also mentioned the underground fee which enterprises have to pay to accelerate the customs procedures process. The fee is $21 per 40-feet container.
There are 3,000 domestic logistics firms in Vietnam, 70 percent of which are based in HCMC, and 29 multinational companies, according to the Ministry of Planning & Investment.
Samsung to heat up Vietnamese logistics market
Logistics FDI rises in the face of retail expansion
Kim Chi


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Like most UK carp anglers I love fishing on the continent and targeting the big carp that are on offer in countries such as France and Spain.
Continue reading
RT @AnglingLines: An excellent result for the Bromhead party on Vincons last week: "Around 40 fish, only fished part time in the day… https://t.co/pN23FdSBmo
August 14, 2018 3:55 pm
RT @AnglingLines: A lovely common for Alex Radford, fishing Blue Lake last week. Just one of fifteen carp tally for Alex, with the bi… https://t.co/fWOdnh9zPE
August 9, 2018 8:07 pm
RT @Adam_Penning: So, lowlife scum have burgled my fishing gear. Unfortunately for them, it's all ultra violet marked and most is uni… https://t.co/MIBYT7hbTV
August 6, 2018 9:53 pm
RT @Elidanza: A new leaping fox for a #Foxyfriday
#Watercolour #wildlife #foxes #fox #movement #thedailysketch #BigartBoost… https://t.co/4YrDahgnZw
August 3, 2018 8:45 am
Brilliant weekend at the Game Fair. Highlight for me was a chance to see and speak to @wildfoodboy and being surpri… twitter.com/i/web/status/10235…
July 29, 2018 3:40 pm
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by Clare Curley
For two SESP alumnae, co-authoring a book chapter while managing faculty positions and families is more than a lesson in discipline. "This has given us a chance to reconnect in a way that is often difficult to do when you're a working mom," says Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal (PhD04), an assistant professor of psychology at University of Pittsburgh.
She and Katherine Magnuson (PhD02), an assistant professor of social work at University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently penned "Enduring Influences of Childhood Poverty" as part of Changing Poverty, to be published in 2009. Edited by Maria Cancian and Sheldon Danziger, the book is a compilation by the country's leading poverty researchers. In it, Magnuson and Votruba-Drzal describe national trends in child poverty, review poverty's influences on development through adulthood and discuss strategies for improving the life chances of poor children, while emphasizing effective policies such as universal preK. "This program is receiving a lot of attention in states across the country," says Votruba-Drzal. "It has shown significant promise."
Katherine Magnuson (top) and Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal
|Due to the similar interests and complementary research of the two graduates of the Human Development and Social Policy program, Magnuson first posed the idea of collaborating on a chapter over a year ago. Votruba-Drzal had studied the roles of income and welfare on school readiness, while Magnuson had examined the effect of mothers' return to school on children's academic outcomes, both areas serving as springboards for future work. At Northwestern, both women were heavily influenced by professors Greg Duncan, a renowned child poverty expert, and Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, a leading developmental psychologist.
What inspires the duo today is a mutual discovery that the world of policymakers could benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of children's issues.
Before getting her PhD, Magnuson had spent two years studying children of immigrants as a research assistant in Brown University's education department. "When I went to grad school, I had a strong interest in helping disadvantaged children," she says. "I was so struck by the disconnect between policy research, which is often devoid of any understanding of children, and research on children, which is often devoid of any understanding of policy."
Since then, her work has primarily focused on school readiness and early academic success among vulnerable populations. Magnuson recently uncovered new evidence that early education is comparatively more beneficial for disadvantaged children. "Preschool works pretty well for three- and four-year-olds, but also we need to give more attention and support to younger children in poor families," she adds.
Votruba-Drzal started as an aide in the U.S. Senate and a grassroots organizer at the Children's Defense Fund. During her time in Washington, D.C., she worked with coalitions across the country to raise awareness of children's issues and became intimately familiar with the legislative process on Capitol Hill. "I decided I wanted to go back to research because in that environment it occurred to me the small role that research had in policy making," she says. "I wanted a very strong training in family policy issues so I could come back to a more applied policy world." Instead, she fell in love with research and never went back.
Now she observes policies through a different lens. "The salience of early poverty for kids between birth and five is one of the most profound things I've found consistently," she says. In response, she stresses the importance of building on existing measures such as the Family Medical Leave Act, which applies to only a little over half of the work force.
As Magnuson and Votruba-Drzal continue their research aimed at improving the future for young children, their current collaboration won't likely be their last — they're already considering future projects related to the effects of family income on kids. And while their work isn't political, they believe a future administration could strengthen the well-being of children and families through expansions of the Family Medical Leave Act, Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as by increasing access to preK programs, especially among the country's most disadvantaged children.


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Chapters 2 › Unit 2: What is climate change to you? View instructions Hide instructions
What is climate change to you?
Say in few words what comes to your mind when you think about climate change? In other words, to you what is climate change associate with?
You can add images, texts, etc.
Climate change
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Climate change is a change associated with the distribution of weather patterns, and that change has to last from thirty to millions of years. It may refer to a change in average daily weather conditions, or daily variation of weather around the average longer-term. Despite the fact that natural events such as plate tectonics, variations in solar radiation received by Earth and volcanic eruptions are responsible for climate change, recently some anthropogenic activities such industries and land use changes have also been implicated in the climate change.
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To be invited to join Dominique and Mitch at their Iberostar Playa Mita wedding in Mexico was a dream come
Tagged with: 'destination wedding photographer'
Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort Wedding -Justine & Mathew- Destination Wedding PhotographerMarch 5, 2017
One of the toughest moments as a wedding photographer occurred on this day. I tried to keep myself composed as
Mexico Trash the Dress, Nuevo Vallarta -Leah & ConradMarch 16, 2016
When I mention the idea of "trashing the dress" to my clients, most think I'm crazy. As I chatted with Leah
As I packed my bags I started to wonder what my trip to Mexico was going to be like. Having
Quadra Island Rebecca Spit Wedding -Melissa & Mat-November 1, 2014
Melissa fell head-over-heels the moment she met Mat. They met at an engagement party and she refused to let him
Parksville Tigh-Na-Mara Wedding -Maggie & Ian-October 23, 2014
I think it's fair to say that Maggie and Ian win the funniest couple award for the 2014 wedding season.
Pine Lodge Farm Wedding -Tegan Ryan-September 24, 2014
If I were an author I would write a book on how Tegan and Ryan fell in love with each other.
Victoria Hatley Castle Wedding -Alyssa & Sothy-September 21, 2014
On August 2nd, 2014, I woke up in England and went to bed in Asia… Okay well maybe not literally,
Oshawa Trillium Trails Wedding -Krystal & Justin-August 11, 2014
I grew up playing soccer and going to elementary school with Justin in the small town of Orono. He was
The Perks of a Tropical Destination WeddingJanuary 28, 2014
Be sure to follow my Facebook page for the latest with KB More couples today are choosing to go the destination wedding route
Durham Region Engagement Session -Jenna & Steve-January 9, 2014
How lucky was I that I had a handful of photo sessions booked for when the ice storm was going
Nanaimo Engagement Session -Megan & Kevin-November 21, 2013
As sad as it is to see summer go, I get a huge rush when I start to see the
Durham Region Vintage Engagement -Alina & Chuck-June 16, 2013
Engaged at last! And I can't wait until the big wedding day. These two really knew how to work it


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A FORMER student from the University of Portsmouth has taken up a top job on an international board of directors.
Ralph Rushton graduated from the university with a BSc in geology – and is now working as a consultant on the board and management team at Revelo Resources in Vancouver, Canada.
With experience in the mining industry and exploration gained from working as a geologist in Southern Africa the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and more recently with several of the GoldGroup companies in a business development and investor relations capacity.
Meanwhile, Revelo has been working on a total of 25 mining projects in Chile, with an exposure of around 300,000 hectares.
President and CEO Timothy Beale said: 'Ralph Rushton has been appointed as director to replace Mario Szotlender, following his resignation.
'Mr Rushton has over 30 years' experience from working for both the Rio Tinto and Anglo American groups.'
For more information about Revelo, people can visit their website reveloresources.com.


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With the year coming to a close, this seemed as good as time as any to talk about endings.
Endings come in all stripes. You've got your happy endings and your sad endings, your wrapped-up-with-a-neat-little-bow endings and your open-ended endings (some of which are so open-ended that they are actually non-endings—see Catching Fire or any Second Acts).
Then there are the Surprise Endings, which can run anywhere from "What a swerve" (The Usual Suspects) to "What a crock!" (cop-outs such as "And then I woke up").
No matter the medium—novel, movie, TV show, essay—a Great Ending is absolutely essential to a work of art. In fact, in some cases, a really, really Great Ending can redeem an otherwise mediocre text—if only because addled people like me can't remember anything beyond the previous five minutes.
Think of it as the literary equivalent of a walk-off homerun victory: an exciting ten seconds at the end of a game can help fans forgive the torturous tedium of the previous eight-and-two-thirds innings.
But writing that Great Ending is tough, even for published authors—a truth that was reinforced for me with the three books I read last summer. (I've actually disclosed this before, but the irony of being an English teacher is that we're so busy reading student essays that we never get to read—you know—books and stuff until the summer.)
The first book from my summer reading list: John Green's Paper Towns, which I read because… well, reading John Green now seems required by law. So last June, I dutifully went to the library, picked up Paper Towns (the only Green book that had not been checked out)… and was immediately hooked.
And not just because of the plot, which involves the search for a high school runaway, the beautiful and mysterious Margo Roth Spiegelman. What drew me in the most was the narrator, a seventeen-year-old boy named Quentin, who has a sweet-if-not-slightly-obsessive crush on Margo. Quentin is awesome, which I know is narcissistic for me to say—mainly because he reminds me a lot of me when I was seventeen. Like Quentin, the seventeen-year-old version of me was a generally witty, optimistic guy, with a band of wacky yet devoted friends and a tendency to fall for girls who would inevitably bring him heartache. And, most of all, Quentin and I are both English class wizards/ nerds.
I found this book funny and insightful and touching and infuriating. I loved everything about it—well, mostly everything. I have to say (Non-Spoiler Alert), I found the ending… shall we say, slightly protracted.
In my opinion, Green took a few more pages than necessary to get to the climax. Don't get me wrong: I liked those pages. Those pages were filled with good, funny stuff. But I wanted to get to the ending; I wanted to see how Green was going to resolve all the issues he raised. So, great book, just maybe it could have been trimmed by maybe ten pages.
Next up: The Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle's fascinating exploration of the destructive effects of xenophobia and poverty in modern-day California. The book follows the parallel lives of two men: Delaney Mossbacher, a white nature writer who lives with his family in the most gated of gated communities; and Candido Rincon, an illegal Mexican immigrant who is desperately trying to build a new life for himself and his pregnant wife, the not-so-ironically named America.
In the very first chapter, Delaney accidentally hits Candido with his car and, instead of taking him to the hospital, Delaney gives him $20. The two men go off in separate directions, but their lives intertwine in curious ways throughout the novel.
One of my best friends recommended this book to me six years ago, and I just got around to it this summer. (See what I mean about English teachers never having time to read?) But it was worth the wait: fascinating read, filled with sentences that literally angered me, because I knew that I would never be able to write like that.
But I did have a teeny-tiny problem with the ending—just the opposite problem I had with Paper Towns. This time, I thought the ending came on too abruptly. To me, Boyle built up and built up this incredible climactic moment, only to cut everything off prematurely. I expected to turn the final page (or flip the screen, since I read this on iBooks) and find an epilogue, something that explains what happened to all of the characters. Nope.
This isn't even a critique or a regret, because I truly enjoyed 99% of Tortilla Curtain, and I recommend it highly. But for me, five more pages of epilogue would have really made a difference.
I don't really have too much to say about the third book, Dan Elish's Born Too Short, the story of an 8th-grade shrimp of a kid named Matt whose best friend Keith is the best looking, most athletic, most talented kid in the whole school. So one night, the in the presence of creepy (and possibly enchanted?) homeless man, Matt wishes bad tidings on his best friend, which seems to trigger a deluge of misfortune to descend on poor Keith.
Now, that sounds fun enough, but I had two problems with the story:
(1) Pick a genre, already! Was the book realistic or fantasy? Did Matt, with the help of the mysterious homeless man, somehow magically cause bad luck to befall his friend? It's never clear. Aaauuggghhh!
(2) Where's the ending? Perhaps the "can't decide on a genre" problem had something to do with it, but to me, nothing gets resolved in this book. The author raises some potentially interesting ideas but never takes them to any sort of logical (or even illogical) conclusion. Literally, my son (who also read it this summer) got to the end and said, out loud, "What? That's it???"
When thinking about endings, I was reminded of a decree one of my fellow teachers issued to his students many years ago: no more conclusions. No, he didn't want them to write the Never-Ending Essay. But he no longer required concluding paragraphs—mostly because their conclusions were usually redundant and toothless and entirely unnecessary.
Now, in many ways, I didn't agree with this policy. After all, often times, I think students don't even figure out what they're trying to say until their last paragraph. And as I suggested earlier, a really good concluding paragraph can absolutely save an essay.
On the other hand, I could see where my colleague was coming from. After all, I've read many, many essays with conclusions that are really just recycled intros; the student-writers obviously just copied their intros and just sort of "synonymized" the words. These conclusions don't add anything new to the piece, so really what's the point?
And I'm not necessarily sure I can fault high schoolers for not being able to craft great conclusions. So many factors go into an essay that I know I rarely spend a lot of time talking about strategies for conclusions; in a sadly fitting way, it's the last thing on my list.
Besides, as I said earlier, writing endings is tough! For example, ever since I started writing this entry, the knowledge that I had to write a really good ending has been looming over me. I mean, this is a piece about endings, after all; I really have to bring it home! Should I offer some pithy advice about crafting endings? Should I give examples of endings I've liked? Should I circle back to some idea or clever line I've mentioned before and then put a different spin on it? So many possibilities… I just can't decide…
And then I woke up.