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Is thawing permafrost as a result of global warming a possible significant source of degradable carbon for microbiota residing in situ and in Arctic rivers?
Arctic Research Initiative
2007 Funded Project
Northern high-latitude ecosystems contain about 44% of the world's soil carbon, most of which is stored in permanently frozen soil (permafrost). Global warming through the 21st century is expected to induce permafrost thaw, which will increase microbial organic matter decomposition and release large amounts of the greenhouse gasses methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.In addition, Arctic rivers are a globally important source of terrestrial organic carbon to the ocean and further permafrost melting as a result of global warming will impact surface runoff, directly affecting groundwater storage and river discharge.It has been estimated that the sediment flux of the largest Arctic rivers will increase up to 125% by 2100.Up to now, it remains largely unknown to what extent the ancient organic matter (OM) stored in newly thawing permafrost can be consumed by microbes residing in the permafrost or by microbes residing in Arctic rivers which become exposed to newly discharged permafrost OM. This information is essential to calculate how much CH4 or CO2 is likely to be released from Arctic soils to the atmosphere as a result of global warming. In addition, we know little about which microorganisms are capable of degrading permafrost OM.
A sensitive approach to study this is to measure activities of extracellular enzymes (ectoenzymes) which are released by micro organisms to initially cleave organic matter into smaller molecules. These smaller molecules can then easily be consumed by a wide variety of microbes such as fermenting bacteria which produce the greenhouse gas CO2 whereas part of this CO2 will be further microbially converted into the even stronger greenhouse gas methane. We propose to undertake a field trip to the Toolik Lake Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) field station in northern Alaska in order to collect permafrost cores from the most common Arctic landscape types (tussock tundra and wet sedge tundra) near the KuparukRiver. From different depths in the core we will thaw currently frozen permafrost and measure the activities of ectoenzymes involved in the degradation of a wide range of organic compounds mediated by (1) microbes residing in permafrost and (2) microbiota residing in the Arctic river when they become exposed to the complex organic matter stored in newly thawed permafrost. The resulting ectoenzyme activity rates will provide new insights in the actual availability of bacterial carbon substrates in permafrost and how much and how fast easily consumable degradation products would become available for microbes responsible for the production of greenhouse gasses. Furthermore, the active permafrost microbiota as well as the riverine microbiota which have the potential to degrade the complex biopolymers stored in permafrost will be identified based on the analysis of their expressed genes using advanced molecular ecological techniques.


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subset: commoncrawl


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GENEVA (AP) — Syrian negotiators observed a minute of silence Thursday to honor the tens of thousands of people who have died in their country's civil war — a rare moment of unity in talks marked by divisions and bitterness.
U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said the opposition delegation made the suggestion and the government negotiators agreed, as the talks neared the end of their first phase.
The observation was one of the few ice breaking moments that have occurred during the peace talks, which have been stained over issues such as the opposition's demand for a transfer of power in Syria.
The negotiations — aimed at ending the three-year civil war that has killed more than 130,000 people — will end Friday and likely be followed by a weeklong break.
"We had tense moments and also rather promising moments," Brahimi said. "I hope that we will try a little bit to draw some lessons about what we did and see if we can organize ourselves better for the next session."
But Brahimi also said he was "very disappointed" that the humanitarian aid effort to get food convoys into besieged parts of the central Syrian city of Homs had stalled. Negotiations are still under way about whether to allow people to evacuate the area beforehand.
Syrian authorities said they wanted guarantees that the aid would not reach "terrorists" and gunmen in the city.
However, the U.N. delivered hundreds of relief parcels Thursday to the besieged rebel-held Palestinian Yarmouk camp in the Syrian capital, United Nations and Palestinian officials said. The camp is one of the hardest-hit opposition enclaves under tight blockades imposed by pro-government forces.
In Geneva, the government and opposition representatives continued to blame each other for the violence in Syria.
Louay Safi, a spokesman for the opposition's negotiating team, said his delegation presented evidence about "the massacres committed by the regime throughout the region." He told journalists the only way to stop the violence is to form a transitional governing body.
But he complained that the government's interpretation of the 2012 Geneva Communique, a transitional roadmap agreed on by world powers during an earlier round of Syrian peace talks, would "leave the formation of the governing body to the end."
Safi said a transitional governing body would "provide the mechanism to implement all the points" of the communique.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad said of the opposition that "it's very clear they committed a lot of massacres."
"Their rejection of discussing the issue of terrorism and finalizing or coming out with a statement is a scandalous one," he said. "They support all terrorist organizations. They claim to be fighting terrorism while they are conniving with terrorism to kill the Syrian people."
What began in Syria as a largely peaceful uprising for freedom and rights in March 2011 deepened the country's sectarian divide and morphed into a full-blown civil war, making it a difficult proposition to form a transitional government.
President Bashar Assad's family, from Syria's Alawite minority, has ruled the country since 1970, but other religious minorities have been pulled into its political orbit while rebellions by members of the Sunni majority were crushed.
One obstacle for the Geneva talks is that the opposition delegation does not control armed groups inside Syria, including al-Qaida-backed militants, who do not feel bound by agreements reached in the talks.


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The announcer is just asking if we have been carrying our gas masks today. We must really practise wearing our gas masks more. It is just striking 9 on Big Ben. 12 nights London has had no raid. We seem to be doing pretty well against Italy now and Yugoslavia's gallant stand has cheered all of the allies.
Ron came home for the day last Wed, he hopes to get home most weeks, for a time. It is nice having him so near tho' we don't know for how long. Sent his washing today and a bit of cake and chocolate. No more milk chocolate is to be made.
The wind is S.E., a cold drying wind which seems to have shrivelled us up the last few days. Tonight it keeps coming showers of cold rain. I hope it takes the wind and cold down. Hallgarth has not ploughed our allotment yet, doesn't know if he will have time. Rather a blow as he agreed long ago to do it and has in fact nearly been paid for it. Of course everybody else is busy too now. Joe Kirk has got another horse, think they have sold their car. They won't be so well off now that he is finishing at the Coastguard box. Still he ought to be able to find a living off his land in war time. Phoebe has started at Royal Arthur today as a Wren. We are having milk from Parishes now as Kirks was not fit to drink. I told them to let me know when another cow calved but she said they might give up taking it out now she was not going to be at home. Also that they might give over keeping cows as they could not sell the calves. The butchers were putting new born calves into sausages! No more sausages for me.
We had a boiled fowl today. Charles [Harness] had a lamb drowned and they had already killed the fowl so Grace brought it to see if I would like it. I would. It was small but only 2/6 and we are making it last 2 days with bacon and the soup and veg, potatoes, swede, carrots and parsnip and shallots to flavour it and the two pork bones from the weekend joint. There are the 4 of us as Jean broke up for a month today and came home for dinner and Rene was here. Jean and Mavis went to look for wild violets this afternoon but there hasn't been sun enough yet tho' the garden violets are in full bloom, some almost over.
William Hallgarth, farmer (see 30 Nov. 1940), was meant here.
'Bert' Parish (see 2 Jan. 1941) had a milk distribution round.
'Taking it out' refers to Kirks' milk-distribution round.
Charles 'Chuck' Harness, nephew, was a son of Will's sister Harriet and her husband Jack (see 20 Feb. 1941). Charles assisted his father in managing the family farm on Wigg Lane, where several of Charles' sisters, including Grace, also lived.
Mavis Simpson, Frank and Jessie's daughter (see 21 Dec. 1940), was meant here.
Rene's paper from Nat[ional] Dep[osit] has come so she can arrange to go have her teeth out anytime. It is so cold so she is not making a start until next week. Mr. Faulkner came yesterday and swept the kitchen chimney. I white washed ceiling and frieze after and Rene helped me when she arrived to wash paint and polish etc. Still have a bit to do but glad to have "got the dirt out". Ceiling looks O.K. Was pleased I washed on Monday and got clothes dry. Haven't ironed yet so expect they are very dry now.
Mr Bailey started work today but had nearly enough by dinner time, not so strong as he thought. I have written to Ron tonight as Rene had written a letter which went in the parcel. We have to count our stamps now they are 2½d. We had a cheque from Commander Vine last Wednesday. What on earth did he want to make all that bother for? Have sold one pig to Charles for £5.0.0 so now want another. Don't know if it has paid much but anyway we have 5.0.0 which we might not have had without. Father is having his new suit this week, blue with white stripe he says. £3.15, they have gone up a lot already. He is having it from Montague Burtons and it is a ready made one.
'National Deposit' is an insurance company.
Thomas Herbert ('Bert') Faulkner, father of Maurice, Herbert and Ralph (see 16 Dec. 1940), was meant here. The family home was 'Sunny View', on St Leonards Drive, near Chapel Bridge (see Village map).
Mr Bailey (see 6 Feb. 1941), former coastguard, was meant here.
Charles Hill (see 16 Dec. 1940) was probably meant here.
Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored 'The Casualties Were Small'?


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Mojo sketch {Mojo170} and I knew I wanted to pull out this Lost & Found paper I've been hoarding. It's vintage and masculine, but still swirly and beautiful, too! :) I started by cutting the paper so the ADORE part of it would show, then I stamped a couple hearts from the Text Objects set on dp, cut out and used the scraps to make a fan, by scoring every 1/4" and folding accordion style like a rosette, but leaving unfinished like a fan. I stamped the sentiment from Text Objects inside the stamped Vintage Oval Frame, then added some german glass glitter from the Holiday Glitzy pack by TCP around the frame and on the prima flower. It's so sparkly!!! There's a bit of brown lace underneath all that and I gave everything a good sponging with some Vintage Photo distress ink.
Well, there you have it! Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for this week's sketch! Have a fantastic day!
43 comments
Lov, lov, lov this one! :)ReplyDelete
A very great card - wonderful details!ReplyDelete
Have a nice christmas time.
Big hug
Amazing card, Julee! Happy Anniversary to you and Mark!ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary Julie, you are truly blessed to have a wonderful Husband take special care of each other.ReplyDelete
I love your card it's just perfect for your husband.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Also thanks for the speedy delivery of my stamps, sometimes it take forever for stuff to get to the UK.
Hugs Carol xx
WOW-ers, I just LOVE this Julee.ReplyDelete
An absolutely stunning vintage look. You are the master! Hugs, MaryReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary! A fabulous card. Wishing you a Merry Christmas as well.ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary to you and Mark! Oh, and if he doesn't want this card, I'll take it!!! LOL....GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary, sounds like Mark is a very supportive hubby. Your card is gorgeous, I adore this set!!!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card and I"m sure Mark will be touched by it. You two are a wonderful team and it's been great having him at the release parties so we can get to know him a bit too :) Have a fabulous anniversary and enjoy some mistletoe too ;-) (((hugs)))ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary Julee and Mark!! Aw, Julee, you have me all teary reading about your dear Mark. From what I can tell you did pick a perfect match :) It reminds me of my dh too...always supportive, loving and accepting :) Have a wonderful time today as you celebrate all the reasons why you love each other (I'm sure you do it all the time too ). What an extra special card made with love :) Your feelings really shine through in each and every perfect detail....hugs to you both :)ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary Julee!! You and Mark are a wonderful team!! And he'll adore this card for sure!! Not only for it's stunning beauty with all your fabulous details, but because of the love that was so obviously put into it!!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card Julee! Love the spongeing, glitter and the perfectly matched colours and patterns.ReplyDelete
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Such a beautiful card and lovely post, Julee! Happy Anniversary to you and Mark!ReplyDelete
What a beautiful card, truly a fitting testament to the celebration of your Anniversary! May you enjoy many more happy years together.ReplyDelete
Amazing! Sounds like you are both blessed...well Mark certainly is to be the recipient of this beauty! Love love love it!ReplyDelete
Awwww. Thanks, Sweetie! What an amazing card!!! I'm excited to celebrate our anniversary today! I'm so lucky to share a life with you. You are the most amazing woman ever, and you are my best friend. I look forward to our continued journey together in the years to come.ReplyDelete
Congratulations and happy anniversary. Love your card.ReplyDelete
Beautiful card. Thank you for sharing.ReplyDelete
Wow, your style is wonderful. I love your cards, they are all great!!ReplyDelete
LG Kerstin
The card is truly a special one...and sounds like you have a very special man to share it with. Happy anniversary!ReplyDelete
Wow I love-love-love this card! Beautifully made! Happy Anniversary too!ReplyDelete
Lots of "Wow's"! Here's another - WOW! A beautiful card and an unforgeteble tribute to your husband. You are blessed.... I suspect he is too.ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary! Beautiful card. Have a Merry Christmas :)ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary and very many more.
Your card shows how much love there is there.
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful card...I'm sure Mark loved it.ReplyDelete
Congrats Julee & hubby! Sounds like you have the perfect card for the perfect man!.....and many more!ReplyDelete
Wonderful card, you brought tears to my eyes. I am happy for you! Happy Anniversary.ReplyDelete
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary. I got all teary eyed reading what you wrote.ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card! You've outdone yourself.
Julee your card is gorgeous....perfect for Mark and for your anniversary.....Happy Anniversary to you both, it is an honor to know you both!ReplyDelete
enjoy *~*
- Kathyc on SCSDecember 20, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Happy Anniversary and an early Merry Christmas; thank you for all you do and share!ReplyDelete
Kathy Camasso
Happy Anniversary!!! Stunning card!! I love all the gorgeous details you have put into this :) Hope you have a wonderful evening.ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary, this is a beautiful card. I love it.ReplyDelete
What a fabulous anniversary card! Congratulations on your thirteen years of marriage! Well done, marriage is hard work. It must not feel like it with such dedication :)ReplyDelete
Happy Anniversary to you and Mark! What a beautiful piece you wrote about him...I can see that love you have for one another!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card!
I know exactly how you feel, I married one of those guys too... I wish you a wonderful blessed anniversary (even though it's a day late..flu bug here). Your card is so special, and I know he loved it, about half as much as he loves you. TFS!ReplyDelete
First of all, your card is stunning! I love that you created a fan for the circular layer and adhered a prima on top. So pretty! Your paper is perfect for your card and the occasion. Love how you made sure "Adore" would show prominently on the front.ReplyDelete
Second, you put a huge lump in my throat when I read what you wrote about your husband. I believe that for those of us who don't have that type of relationship, long to. Thank you for inspiring me in two different ways this morning.
Happy anniversary to you and your soul mate, Mark ♥
What a wonderful card Julee.ReplyDelete
Hugs Riet.x
Stunning card!ReplyDelete
Wow you made my cry.ReplyDelete
Congratulations on 13 years. I hope it continues to be blessed.
Love this card, the colors, layout and the half fan, plus the beautiful flower. Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
Awwwww, that is so very sweet, Julee! Congratulations to you and Mark! Not everyone can say that after 13 years of marriage! Happy Anniversary!ReplyDelete
This is so amazingly beautiful...ReplyDelete


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SAP on HP-UX Community
SAP on HP-UX community for members to discuss and find resources. HP-UX 11i delivers standards-based UNIX integrated with more than 25 years of HP innovation to amplify your mission-critical advantage in the areas of virtualization, high availability, and simplified management. HP-UX 11i Operating Environments (OEs) are designed to simplify your UNIX experience. HP integrates a complete UNIX software stack-shipped as OE packages and designed for today's fast-paced deployment and high-value solutions.


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Rupert Grint to make stage debut in London
Jul. 26, 2013
LONDON (AP) — Rupert Grint is following his "Harry Potter" co-star Daniel Radcliffe onto the stage.
Producers announced Friday that Grint, who was ginger-haired wizard Ron Weasley in the Potter films, will play a pill-popping gangster in a West End revival of Jez Butterworth's "Mojo" later this year.
Ben Whishaw, Daniel Mays and "Downton Abbey" star Brendan Coyle are also in the cast of Butterworth's savagely funny drama about London's 1950s' underworld.
It will be directed by Ian Rickson, who also led the play's original 1995 production at the Royal Court Theatre. Butterworth went on to write Tony-winner "Jerusalem."
"Mojo" begins previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London in October.
Radcliffe has taken stage roles in London and New York and is currently starring in "The Cripple of Inishmaan" in London.


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Rochester, N.Y. (PRWEB) July 31, 2012
Rochester Institute of Technology and Staples today announced a collaboration to create the Staples Sustainable Innovation Lab at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. The new lab will conduct research on the design and manufacturing of green office products and services.
"Research done in this unique laboratory will result in improved tools, technologies and expertise in the sustainable production of office products worldwide," says Nabil Nasr, director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. "Staples is committed to making a positive impact on the environment by offering more sustainable products and services and advancing eco-smart business solutions for the 21st century. Their leadership in this area is well known, and we are very proud to collaborate with them."
The Staples Sustainable Innovation Lab will be a research hub to advance the development of sustainable office products that Staples offers its customers worldwide. The lab will also support Staples' work with suppliers to find innovative solutions for product design, manufacturing and packaging that reduce environmental impacts.
In addition to the development of sustainable products, the lab will serve as a venue for sustainability and environmental training sessions for Staples Advantage customers. The sessions will provide strategic sourcing, procurement and sustainability professionals with practical tools and peer-to-peer conversations about sustainable business approaches.
"The Staples Sustainable Innovation Laboratory is an important initiative that builds on our longstanding relationship with RIT and our deep commitment to sustainability in our products and supply chain," says Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs, Staples. "We're excited to support the lab and its research to help shape the future of sustainable office products."
Staples joins B. Thomas Golisano, Xerox Corp., Caterpillar and Eastman Kodak Co. as a founding member of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. Rochester Midland is also an affiliate member of the institute.
"RIT is committed to advancing sustainable practices through research and education initiatives such as this new relationship with Staples," RIT President Bill Destler says. "We are thrilled that leaders in the business community are committed to investing in the same goals and vision."
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability was formed in 2007 and houses one of the world's first Ph.D. programs in sustainability as well as master's degrees in sustainable systems and sustainable architecture. The institute conducts cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, alternative energy development and validation and sustainable design. The institute also houses the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute.
The new building, which will house the Staples Sustainable Innovation Lab, is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council, which sets goals for waste and energy minimization and reuse in building construction and operation. The RIT campus already features one LEED Platinum and one LEED Gold facility. The 84,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in the fall.
About the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT:
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability was formed in 2007 thanks to a $10 million gift from Paychex founder and Chairman B. Thomas Golisano. The institute currently houses one of the world's first Ph.D. programs in sustainable production and is developing master's degrees in sustainable systems and sustainable architecture. It also conducts cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, alternative energy development and validation, sustainable design and pollution prevention and works with a host of businesses and state and federal agencies including Staples, Xerox Corp., Eastman Kodak Co., General Motors, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
About Staples:
Staples is the world's largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy and print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in e-commerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples is available at http://www.staples.com/media.


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You can't beat a system you can't understand
You can't beat a system you can't understand
When you're the dud of the dance
When I was a young teen, rock 'n' roll wasn't just a music form; it defined the birth of an era. What some called "the devil's music" gave the postW.W. II generation an identity, a new philosophy that changed the American perception of life forever. Being a teenager during the early days of this developing culture was fabulous. Those of us who were lucky enough to play a part in this powerful saga savored every moment, and looked forward to every day as if it were the beginning of life itself.
If a young man wanted to be popular in those times, two abilities were almost guarantees to success — be an athlete or a musician. If you were either of those, even with average looks, you stood a good chance of doing well with the ladies. I was lucky enough to hold my own in both arenas. I wasn't a star quarterback or home-run king or anything like that, but I always made the team and had enough playing time to earn a letter or two. However, I did excel in the other area. I was a good musician. I played the piano.
At first, I took lessons because my mother encouraged learning music as part of well-rounded cultural development. I practiced to appease her. That is, until the first time I heard rock 'n' roll played on a piano. From that moment on, my life was not the same. What Mozart didn't inspire, Jerry Lee Lewis did, along with Fats Domino and Little Richard. I learned every lick those founders of the rock 'n' roll era ever recorded. I practiced so much that my mother wouldn't allow me to touch the keyboard unless I finished my homework. The hard work paid off. I was soon a paid musician, playing in a band.
We played for dances at every high school in the area. We even played for proms. Before long, I had a girlfriend and life couldn't have been better. I can say that with confidence because playing in a band relieved me of one essential element that a teenager, male or female, living at the beginning of the rock 'n' roll revolution, was required to master. Even athletes and musicians needed this talent. That necessary ability was the dance. If you couldn't dance to the music, you were an enigma, in other words — socially dead.
However, I escaped because I played in a band. How could I dance and play at the same time? Of course — I couldn't. Consequently, I never learned, and for the most part, nobody knew. My girlfriend, Judy, would come to every dance and hang out with the other musician's girlfriends while we were playing. When Judy asked me if we could go to a dance where I didn't have to play, I'd tell her that the last thing I wanted to do on a night off was attend a dance. Although she accepted this explanation, I could tell, she wasn't happy about it. This went on for almost an entire school year. Then one day, she put her foot down.
"The other guys in the band take their girlfriends to dances. Why can't you take me?" she asked. I was dumbfounded. I consulted the other band members. They concurred. They took their girlfriends to dances on our nights off. I caved in and agreed to go to a dance at her school.
When we arrived, she couldn't wait to introduce me to her classmates. After all, she had a boyfriend who played in a band. It just so happened that I knew the musicians playing for this dance. We exchanged pleasantries and they asked me to sit in.
"Oh no you don't," Judy said emphatically. "This is my night, and you are not going to touch that piano." I was doomed. The band struck up "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry. She tried pulling me onto the dance floor. I half-confessed. "I don't know how to dance fast," I said. She looked slightly panicked.
"You don't?" she asked.
"When do I get a chance? I'm always playing in the band," I replied.
"We'll just wait for a slow song then," she said meekly.
When a slow dance started, I tried to do what everybody else did. However, there was one major difference. My feet didn't move. They stuck to the floor as if I were wearing two huge blocks of ice for shoes. Judy was mortified.
"Why don't you move?" she asked.
"I d-don't know," I stammered. "I just can't." She ran to the ladies room in tears, leaving me alone in the middle of the high school gym. She broke up with me a few nights later. I was heartbroken.
At that age, hearts are resilient. One night while playing at yet another function, I noticed a pretty girl sitting at a table who turned down every invitation to dance. During a break, I introduced myself and asked her why.
"I don't know how," she replied. I was delighted. I told her I didn't know how, either. We went out a few times. A match made in heaven, so you'd think.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out. The only thing we had in common was — we didn't know how to dance. It's just part of that system I can't understand.


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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Actor James Cromwell has been charged with a civil ordinance violation for allegedly disrupting a university meeting in Madison to protest animal testing.
The 73-year-old and 27-year-old activist Jeremy Beckham were charged Friday with disorderly conduct for the Feb. 7 protest at a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting.
The violations are not criminal charges but carry fines of up to $1,000.
The two held large signs showing a cat with metal implanted in its head at a UW-Madison lab, while shouting about the treatment of cats.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports (http://bit.ly/X3dCbS ) the two are scheduled to appear in court March 25.
Cromwell was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1995 film "Babe." Other credits include "L.A. Confidential," ''The Green Mile" and "The Artist."
Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj


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Pets, Pets, Pets
Here's a different type of ghost story for Halloween – one about a trio of albino, and presumed blind, puppies rescued by a group that lives up to its name. Above & Beyond English Setter Rescue (A&B) takes in dogs that few would give a second look; in doing so, this breed rescue saved the lives of these tiny white waifs. Without Above & Beyond, the pups would truly be "ghosts" by now. They never could have survived.
"Pets" readers may recall Above & Beyond (www.esrescue.org) from several columns about our beloved English Setter "Quinn," rescued too late from a NYC shelter. Right after Christmas 2009, Quinn surfaced under a car in the Bronx in kidney failure from untreated Lyme disease. Quinn was cherished by many in the few weeks we cared for him, and died peacefully in PA with his wonderful hospice parents, Eileen and Tom from A& B. After his death, we traced a second microchip that had migrated to his chest to South Africa, but we were never able to verify how Quinn wound up in the Bronx. (See Beacon "Pets" online 3/18/10.)
Eileen Gibson is the treasurer and an A & B "foster failure" (which is an affectionate term to describe compassionate folks who fall in love with temporary placement pups and adopt them). This English Setter rescue takes dogs from all over the U.S. She and Tom already have the "twins", sibling Setter pups found last year by the side of the road in Waco, Texas. Callie, the female, is deaf; her brother Wiley acts as her ears so both had to stay together. They are now obedience school grads.
One Tuesday last month, a Kentucky shelter posted an albino Setter trio on Petfinder, saying the three to four-week-old puppies were reported to be blind, but could hear. (Both senses were a concern. Albino English Setters are uncommon, but white dogs of certain breeds like Boxers can be congenitally deaf.) A&B committed to them the next day because they knew blind pups didn't stand a chance in a rural shelter. By Saturday, Eileen, who had no intention of fostering, met the transport van in Harrisburg.
The kids- Amos, Andee and Angel- were in a cat carrier, and at that moment Eileen became their foster Mom. In two weeks they went from lapping Esbilac (formula) to munching kibble mush. Angel, developmentally behind, has developed a taste for salmon in her baby food.
The pups soon demonstrated they had vision, despite immature and sun-sensitive eyes. Angel, the runt and the prodigy, stacks her toys carefully, and spies birds in the sky like a true Setter. There is no doubt that they can all see, especially since Eileen has outfitted them with "Doggles" to protect their blue eyes and red pupils when outside. Chin and head straps keep these shades on, and Angel looks so Hollywood in her leopard skin frames.
However, during that first month, the albino gang, especially Angel, had to overcome a series of health obstacles before they could frolic in the sun. These ownersurrendered pups were in two KY shelters. They arrived in PA with roundworm and coccidia, a bacterial infection. Angel had blisters on her delicate pink tummy. Several days later, all three broke with kennel cough, so they were isolated at Peacock Bridge training facility in Reading, the twins' alma mater, where Josey the kennel manager became their second Mom. Josey hasn't decided whether she will be adopting Amos or Andee.
It soon became apparent that Angel was walking with her back legs splayed like outriggers. She couldn't support her weight. X-rays revealed she was suffering from an elbow luxation which means her elbow was dislocated. Her bones were fine; she had no fractures or congenital defects. An orthopedic specialist at N.E. Veterinary Referral Hospital explained that she was too young for the usual fix of invasive pins and screws because these devices would destroy her growth plates. So instead, he suggested rigging Angel with a spica splint, a metal bar with a rounded part supported by bandages wrapped around her neck, shoulder and body. He had never done this procedure on a pup so young.
Angel got her splint on October 6 when she was about five-weeks-old, and since she would need anesthesia to manipulate her joint back in position, Eileen officially adopted her. She wanted Angel to "belong" to someone during this critical point in her young life. Afterwards Eileen had to cut the bandages twice to redo them because tiny Angel was growing. She was supposed to wear the splint for two weeks, but the specialist took it off a few days early and instead restricted her exercise for two more weeks. This means her siblings are staying with Josey for now. In the meantime, Angel (all seven pounds of her) continues to recover, entertaining herself by arranging her toys in her Great Dane size crate and wearing her leopard Doggles, while nibbling on her "Miss Porkie" snout in the sunshine. Soon the albino trio will be reunited for playtime.
Above & Beyond's mission is to put English Setters' welfare first and foremost. Quinn became the canine guardian angel, perhaps a friendly ghost, to those rescuers, fortunate enough to have met him. He inspires everything we do. A frame with Quinn's photo, his plaster of Paris paw print, and a lock of his fur sits by my computer. It was a gift from Eileen. I am absolutely certain that our Quinn is smiling down from the Rainbow Bridge upon Amos, Andee, and, of course, little Angel.
For Adoption at Babylon Town Shelter (631-643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon: "Strega Nona"#20785 a pretty longhaired gray & white kitten is getting into the Halloween spirit. She's grown up at the shelter. "Abby" is a Cane Corso puppy, rescued by kind feral cat caretakers. She and her sister (already adopted) were terrified and have made lots of socialization progress.
Female: "Mae" perfect Pit mix; lovely Foxhound; "Honey" the Husky; "Pristine" the white cat.
Male: "Cujie" stray Pomeranian- the vet put his pelvis back together.


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Tuned for Sports
The featherweight SHQ4200 Headphone is crafted from ultra light, flexible and sweat-resistant rubber, ensuring a perfect fit that you won't want to take it off after your workout. Plus, superb deep bass sound keeps you motivated - always. See all benefits
Unfortunately this product is no longer available
ActionFit headphones boast finely tuned 9mm drivers that are specifically designed to generate excellent sound. Sound so pristine and powerful that you'll easily immerse in your workout – and get the most out of your music and moves.
The neckband of your ActionFit headphones is crafted with supple spring-wire that is designed to fit you naturally and optimally. Its lightweight rubberized earhooks and elastic rubber neckband feel secure yet comfortable throughout any workout.
Your ActionFit headphones are specially designed for durability and strength. Its Kevlar-coated cable is well protected against tearing and breaking, and can withstand extreme environments – and workouts.
There's nothing better than a solid groove to get you into your workout rhythm. With ActionFit headphones, your grooves are powered by superbly deep and dynamic bass that will boost any routine, letting you take it to a higher level.
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Your ActionFit headphones weigh in at a mere 8gm, making them ultra lightweight and a pleasure to wear. In fact, you will hardly feel them when you're working out – just the superb, powerful sound that keeps you focused and motivated.
ActionFit headphones come with its own clip and pouch for easy cable management and safe storage. Enjoy a tangle-free workout with the clip, then stash your headphones in the breathable pouch. Don't sweat it!


text: This is a very modern and motivational track based on a delayed harmonics intro, a soft orchestra and a beautiful melody played on piano and sitar. Track evolves and becomes groovy, and uplifting. I included three versions. Full , shorten and logo version. Here are files included :1. Time Is Up (3:02), 2. Time Is Up-shorten (2:07), 3. Time Is Up-logo (0:24)


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How do I create a PRECIS account?
You can create a Precis account by clicking the Register link at the top of the page. You will be asked to provide your name, email address and a password which must be at least eight characters in length. You can then use your email address and password to sign in to your account. Alternatively you can register quickly for an account by using your Facebook or Google social account details.
You can also register for an account after you've placed an order on our website. When you reach the order confirmation page you simply need to create a password and your account will be created.
What are the benefits of setting up a "My Account" on your site?
Anyone who creates an account will enjoy a faster, more convenient shopping experience.
Creating an account will allow you to:
- Enjoy a quicker, easier checkout and shopping experience
- Review past orders and your order history and track recently placed orders
- Save as many addresses as you wish and select them at checkout
- Save items to your wish list as you browse our site and then email this list to your friends and family
How can I change my sign in details?
You can change or update your sign in details at any time. If you want to use a different email address or change your password, sign in to your account to view your My Account dashboard. Click the Account Details link to update your sign in details.
Why are you asking me to create a new password?
We're asking existing account holders to create a new password for security purposes. Our recently upgraded website has improved security features and requires passwords to be at least eight characters in length. Account holders will only need to create a new password once. If you've never previously had a Precis Petite account, you won't need to follow the steps of creating a new password as this only applies to existing account holders.
I can't log into my account, can you help?
We're always here to help. Please give Customer Services a call on 0344 770 5838.
Do I need to register for an account to shop?
No, it is not necessary to register. Shopping as a guest is quick, easy and secure. If you do register with us, it simply helps us to make the ordering process even quicker and allows you to keep track of your orders online.
By registering, will I automatically receive marketing emails from you?
No, not unless you sign up to our newsletter. If you do sign up, you can ask to be taken off our mailing list at any time by clicking the Unsubscribe Me link included in all emails we send.
Can I unsubscribe from your newsletter?
If you decide that you no longer want to receive our email newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time. Simply click on the unsubscribe link that appears at the bottom of all our email newsletters.
Will you pass my details on to any other companies?
We will use information you give to us in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
How do I add or change an address?
Sign into your account, go to the Address Book section and click the Add Address link to add a new address. Once an address has been created click the Edit link to amend the address or Delete link to permanently remove it from your address book.
How do I contact you?
We have a customer services team based in North-east England ready to help you with any question you may have about our products, service or how to use this website.
You can contact them by phone, email or post:
By telephone:
0344 770 5838
Monday – Saturday 9.00am – 5.30pm
Sunday and selected Bank Holidays 11.00am - 5.00pm
Calls are charged at a national landline rate;
Calls from other service providers may differ and mobiles may differ.
By email:
For order enquiries: firstname.lastname@example.com
For all other Customer Services related enquiries: firstname.lastname@example.com
By post:
Customer Services Department,
Calvetron Brands Ltd,
Webber Pavilion,
Seaham Grange Industrial Estate,
County Durham,
I have a business enquiry, how do I contact you?
Please call our Customer Services on 0870 034 5688.
What do you do with my personal details and are they secure?
We know how important it is to securely store any information that you provide. We maintain the highest levels of security at all times. You can therefore rest assured that we take the privacy and security of your payment and personal details very seriously.
Any personal information you supply us with will only be used to:
- Process your order
- Improve our service
- Offer you more relevant content and offers
For further information regarding Precis Petite Privacy Policy, please read our policy.
How do I place an order?
If you see an item that you wish to buy, simply select your size and click "Add To Bag". The item will then appear in your shopping bag. Once you're ready to check out, click on your bag and follow the instructions. You can then enter payment and shipping details.
You can also order on the phone through our Customer Services, by ringing 0344 770 5838. They can also help with an issues you may have trying to order and answer any questions about our products and service.
Where can I find information about sizing?
Please view our Size Guide section for detailed size and fit information. If would prefer to talk to someone in person, then please phone our Customer Services on 0344 770 5838 and they can advise on size and fit information for all brands available.
How do I pay for my order?
We accept online payment in a secure environment by credit card. We currently accept Visa Credit, Visa Debit, MasterCard, Electron and Maestro.
Can I amend my order once it has been placed?
Unfortunately once you have placed your order it is not possible to change it. You will need to cancel your original order and place a new one.
Once you have received a confirmation for an order, it is not possible for you to change or amend your order until you receive your items. You can then return any items within 14 days. Please consult our Returns section for further details.
How do I use a promotional code when ordering?
If you have a promotional code, please enter it in the promotional code box in your shopping bag when you come to checkout and this will be applied when you pay. Only one code can be used per order and it can't be used in conjunction with any other promotion or discount.
I've seen a product on the website but it isn't available in my size.
We can search for stock throughout our UK branches so call us on 0344 770 5838 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we will try to locate the item in your size.
Where is my local store?
To find your nearest Calvetron Brands Ltd outlet store, please use the store locator or alternatively you can contact Customer Services on 0344 770 5838 for details of all our outlet stores.
Are your stores open on Bank Holidays?
Most of our stores are open on Bank Holidays; please click here for our store locator tool which has contact details and opening hours for all of our outlet stores.
Can I talk to someone before I place my order?
Simply call our Customer Services on 0344 770 5838, and the team will be able to advise you on any questions you may have. Please note this line is open Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm and Sundays and selected Bank Holidays 11.00am - 5.00pm.
Can I use gift vouchers I have received in store or at an event online?
You cannot use a gift voucher from a store or event, unless the voucher specifies an online promotional code that can redeemed on our website.
How much does delivery cost?
UK Standard Delivery - £2.99
Orders will be despatched within 2 working days and goods should be delivered within 3 working days of despatch.
UK NEXT DAY Delivery - £5.00
If your order is placed by 4pm Monday to Friday, your order will be delivered within 24 hours (excluding Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day). Weekend orders placed on Saturday or Sunday will be delivered on Tuesday. Next Day Delivery is available on UK deliveries only, and is not available for the Highlands & Islands or Northern Ireland.
Delivery to Countries outside of UK - £10.00
European Express Delivery - €14.99
Orders will be despatched within 2 working days. We aim to deliver standard orders within 3-5 working days, and express orders within 2-3 working days of your order being placed if ordering for delivery to; Republic of Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.
International Express Delivery - $19.99
Orders will be despatched within 2 working days. We aim to deliver within 3-5 working days of your order being placed to territories not named above. For any other question or enquiries regarding international delivery, please see the Global-E help page https://service.global-e.com
BFPO addresses - FREE
Orders will be despatched within 2 working days. We aim to deliver into RAF Northolt within 10 working days of your order being placed.
Can you deliver to a different address other than my billing address?
Absolutely! If you prefer to have order sent to your work address or if you're gift shopping/buying on behalf of someone else, simply enter these delivery details during checkout.
Unfortunately we are not able at this time to deliver orders to stores for collection.
How will my order take to be delivered?
Stock permitting, all orders placed online are usually despatched to arrive with UK customers within five working days from when the order was placed. Please note that during sales and promotion periods, delivery may take slightly longer due to increased demand.
Which courier company do you use?
Our main courier is Hermes in the UK. We occasionally use other reputable courier services when necessary.
What happens if I am out when you try to deliver?
Our delivery courier will leave a delivery note at your designated delivery address confirming they have attempted a delivery. They will then attempt to contact you to rearrange delivery. There is also a contact number on the delivery note which you can contact to arrange a delivery time suitable to you.
Can I track my order?
Yes, you can track your order. Once we've dispatched your order from our warehouse, you will receive a confirmation email which includes a tracking number and link where you can track the progress of your order.
My order hasn't arrived, what do I do?
If you have not received your items within seven days of receiving your confirmation of dispatch email, please contact our Customer Services on 0344 770 5838 (Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm and Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm) and we will investigate the matter for you. Alternatively, use the tracking number given with your order to track the parcel.
My order contains the wrong items, what do I do?
If you have received the wrong items in your order, please contact our Customer Services on 0344 770 5838 (Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm and Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm).
What if you've not sent me some of the items I ordered?
If we are unable to fulfil your order due to items being out of stock in our warehouse, then we will notify you by email and you won't be charged for the items. If we have some of the items in stock, then we will send all available items to you and detail this in your confirmation email. If you have any questions about your order, please ring Customer Services on 0344 770 5838.
Do you deliver to stores for collection?
At the moment, we do not offer delivery to stores.
What is your returns policy?
For details on our returns policy please refer to the Returns section of our website.
We currently offer free returns for UK orders, via a courier collection service through myHermes.
In order to return your items to us free:
- simply package your items in their original packaging,
- complete the returns slip included on your invoice,
- then visit www.hermesparcelreturn.co.uk, complete your details and print off the label ready for collection.
Please note, if you choose to return goods to us in any other way (for example through Royal Mail or Collect+), we will not be able to refund the cost to you of doing so.
How do I return a product and get a refund?
We are happy to refund purchases. If you have changed your mind about your order, you may return the item(s) to us within 28 days of receipt if it is a full-price item or within 14 days for sale items. We will offer a refund provided you return the unused and undamaged products to us in their original packaging. Please include the returns slip which was sent in your original delivery.
To return the items to us, complete the bottom section of the returns slip (which comes with your order) and clearly mark that you would like a refund. Pack the items back in the parcel along with the slip, attach the address label and take to a Post Office. The parcel remains your responsibility until it reaches us. Customers will receive an email confirming receipt of their parcel once it has been accepted back into our warehouse. All returned orders must include any free or promotional products that were sent as part of the order.
Please take time to read our garment care information provided with your order, as we cannot accept items for a refund or exchange if they have been damaged in the wash. Jewellery, swimwear and hosiery items cannot be returned unless faulty.
Do you offer exchanges?
Unfortunately we do not offer exchanges on items bought online. Please return the items following the instructions above and we will offer a refund.
Can I return an online order to a store or concession?
We regret that products purchased through this site cannot be returned to stores. You can return items online using the returns slip with your original delivery. Please follow the instructions above.
What if the item I ordered is faulty?
If you received a faulty item, you should return the item to us for a full refund of the price paid and return postage charges. This will be refunded to the payment card following receipt of the returned item. Please see Returns for details on how to return your order.
When will I receive my refund?
Please allow up to 10 days from when you returned your order to process your refund. After the order has been processed, please allow another 5-10 days for the refund to be credited to your bank account. If you still haven't received your refund, please email Customer Services or call 0344 770 5838.
Can I obtain a refund on sale items?
You can obtain a refund on sale items as long as you return the goods within 14 days of delivery.
Can I cancel my order?
You can cancel your order within 14 working days starting from the day after you receive your order. If you wish to cancel your order after it has been dispatched, we will refund the original purchase price and delivery charge, provided that you have notified us in writing no longer than 14 working days after the day on which you receive your order. Please contact us either by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com or sending a letter to:
Customer Services Department,
Calvetron Brands Ltd.,
Webber Pavilion,
Seaham Grange Industrial Estate,
County Durham,
Make sure you quote your order number in all such correspondence. If the order has been dispatched to you prior to cancellation, you have a legal obligation to keep the products in your possession and to take reasonable care of these products while they are in your possession.
Do you have an online loyalty scheme?
At the moment, we don't offer a loyalty scheme. Please sign up to our email newsletter for news, updates and special offers.
What is Calvetron Brands?
With a long established history in quality fashion, Calvetron Brands Ltd. has become one of the leading British fashion houses and the UK's largest womenswear concession retailer. The collection of Elegant British Brands are aimed at the mature woman's market, and have become synonymous with expert tailoring, quality fabrics and elegant style to ensure women feel confidently dressed.
Calvetron Brands Ltd. is in over 470 outlets in the UK, Europe and North America and has a strong online presence across all of its brands. The portfolio of Elegant British Brands includes: Jacques Vert, Kaliko, Planet, Precis, Windsmoor, Eastex and Dash.


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Home Purchase Loan in Novi, MI
Choose the best mortgage for you with the help of Elder Financial Consultants, Novi's leading boutique mortgage banker. Purchasing a home is a serious investment, and the decisions you make now can have a huge impact on your future financial security. Our clients are treated like family here, and we can guarantee that you'll get the best rate and the best terms designed to set you up for a future of success.
Andy Elder, one of the most qualified and experienced mortgage bankers in Southeast Michigan, knows each of his clients by name and he understands the industry better than anyone, making sure you are armed with all the information you need to make the best decision. When the housing market plummeted, Andy Elder remained steadfast and committed to his clients, saving families' homes every single day. Your mortgage is a huge commitment. Make the right choice.
Purchasing a home can be a confusing process. We're here to help.
Andy Elder knows that buying a home can be a complicated undertaking - especially if you're a first-time home buyer. Figuring out how the mortgage process works can be difficult to understand. Which loan is right for me? What are the interest rates? Do I need a conventional or FHA loan? With all of these questions swirling around in your head, you need a professional to help sort them out. Andy can help you step-by-step during the mortgage process and will take the time to answer any questions you may have.
Home Mortgage Loans in the Novi Area
When purchasing a home, it's essential to have a solid financial foundation. Andy can help build that foundation by looking at your finances and history and deciding which loan is best suited for you. With a vast range of home loans available, he is sure to find one that is designed for your specific needs. Andy Elder offers competitive pricing, unbeatable rates and top-notch service to all of his customers. He wants to make the process of obtaining a mortgage as easy and hassle-free as possible.
- FHA loan -- A popular option for home buyers as they allow them to purchase a home for a small down payment. Insured by the Federal Housing Administration, if the borrower ends up defaulting on the loan the FHA will repay the bank instead.
- VA Loan -- A loan that is guaranteed by the United States of Veteran Affairs that is available to military veterans and active duty. A VA loan doesn't always require a down payment and there is no minimum credit score required.
- Conventional Loan -- This is a loan that is good for those who have excellent credit. Conventional loans aren't part of or insured by specific government agencies, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage -- A loan where the interest rate stays the same for the duration of the loan. This is for home buyers who want a certain, fixed deduction from their budget or those who plan on staying in their home for more than 5-7 years.
- Jumbo loan -- A home loan that may have a high credit quality but exceeds conforming loan limits established by regulation. A jumbo loan should be used when a buyer is seeking a loan amount that is greater than the conforming loan limit in their desired area.
- Compare all home loan options -- Not sure what kind of loan is right for you? Contact Andy today.
Being a personalized lender, Andy Elder can also help you prequalify for a loan to determine your borrowing power and what mortgage you can afford. He can help you throughout the mortgage process by taking the stress and worry out of shopping for home loans.
Refinance Your Home With One of Novi's Best Lenders
To make a home purchase achievable, people pursue mortgages. Between climbing interest rates and unstable economic factors, making payments on your mortgage may be more difficult than you had thought. With these factors, loan borrowers may be looking for ways to pinch pennies when it comes to their home loans.
An option homeowners may take with their mortgage loans is refinancing. Refinancing a mortgage loan can reduce monthly payments or pay less interest over the duration of the loan. Andy Elder can help you get the best finance rates available!
Documents Needed For Your Refinance:
Before you decide to refinance, you need various documents that are required during the application process:
- Homeowners - Verifies that you have enough current coverage for your home
- Title Insurance - Helps lender check the taxes, names on the titles and legal description of the property.
Credit Information:
Information such as your credit scores and credit reports.
Monthly Debt Load:
Even though your lender can see your debts during a credit check, you still need to account for those debts and pull together documents for things like credit cards, students loans, auto loans, etc.
Total Assets:
Documentation of all of financial assets other than your home such as stocks, bonds, 401Ks, savings accounts, etc.
Documentation for a current appraisal of the house.
Loan to Value Appraisal:
Your lender may ask you how much your house is worth compared to what you owe on the existing loan.
Homeowner Testimonials:
"Andy Elder's construction loan programs allowed us to build our family's dream home, we're grateful!" James and Jenny P.
"As a long time Realtor, the only time I am 100% confident the deal will close smoothly is when I refer my buyers to Andy Elder. I have so much confidence, that when it came time for my family and me to purchase our dream home, we used no other than Andy Elder!" Wael H.
Instead of just selling you any mortgage, Andy takes the time to assess and evaluate which loan is perfect for you. Whether an FHA or conventional loan, contact Andy Elder today to help you get started or get pre-approved in minutes!


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2 days ago
Vagana Surgery Won't Cost Sharks
Vagana surgery won't cost Sharks By Margie McDonald January 21, 2004
CRONULLA's star signing for the new season, Nigel Vagana, will not take part in next month's trial games after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday.
But the good news for the Kiwi international and former Bulldog is that the arthroscopy is considered minor and should have him back on the park at Telstra Stadium on March 13 for the opening round of the NRL premiership.
"It's an injury he's been trying to get right for some time and he's been playing with it," said Sharks football operations manager Greg Pierce, adding the club knew about the injury before signing Vagana for three years.
"What we didn't want to do was start him in trial games and then get into the season and then he needs to have his shoulder done. He'd be out for six games.
"This way, he's still out for six weeks but he doesn't miss any games."
Vagana is the biggest signing for the struggling club, which finished 12th last year after only eight wins in 24 matches. The Sharks missed the finals for only the second time since 1995; the other was when they came ninth in 1998.
Aside from Vagana and former NSW rugby union utility back Ryan McGoldrick, Cronulla also have signed Sydney Roosters prop Andrew Lomu, South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt and former Australian Schoolboys captain Michael Russo from Melbourne.
Centre Paul Franze's return after missing most of last season with a knee injury gives the Sharks even more depth out wide.
NRL judiciary chairman Greg Woods has ruled that Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh cannot use the World Sevens tournament this weekend to work off his one-match suspension.
Hindmarsh received the ban after the last round of 2003 against the Panthers at Penrith Stadium for a dangerous throw.
Sevens matches and trials organised by clubs do not count against suspensions, but Parramatta had argued the entire tournament should be viewed as one match.
Woods said trial or exhibition games could count towards an NRL suspension only when they are sanctioned in advance by the NRL.
The Australian


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It isn't just content apps, but also trying to tag apps with Bloom's Taxonomy. We we rolled out our 1:1 we took the lesson from OLPC how to define our apps – Consumption, Creation, Communication, Games, Utilities. Made for much broader definition and easier to define.
I cannot agree more with #5


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Does opera have a Harvey Weinstein problem?
October 14, 2017 by norman lebrecht
Dan Kempson, a former opera singer who has worked at the Met and other US opera houses, has decided it is time to speak out about sexual harassment in the opera world.
He believes that gay young men are particularly vulnerable victims.
Opera is indisputably a very gay industry– for much of the 20th century, it was one of the few places where LGBT individuals could live their lives openly.
So then why does this happen? You could point to the Barihunks effect, where young singers are objectified and told their abs are more important than their voice. You could say it's an extension of artistic license given to creative professionals — if you want incredible art from incredible artists, that might come with baggage. You could say it's because a singer's job description is an aberration, including kissing coworkers publicly and sometimes barely clothed (in rehearsal).
That's all bullshit. It happens for the same reason it happens in Hollywood, and why it used to happen in corporate America: because those in power are often perpetrators — and those who aren't perpetrators allow it to happen.
Read on here.
Next Article Previous Article
Comments (46)
"….Non-physical sexual harassment is even more prevalent. The director screaming at a young gay singer for effeminate physical mannerisms, the casting director who says a singer isn't butch enough to be cast, the Artistic Director who tells a singer to change out of a shiny blazer at a gala because "our patrons are too conservative to handle it". Is this harassment or just self-hating homophobia projected on to young singers? Regardless of your personal definition, what corporate America views as a hostile and fireable offense is excused in the arts as merely "a creative personality…."
Don't know how much this "retired" 32 yo singer has seen and don't doubt some of the stories, but thankfully I have not seen anything this bad in the European industry in my 20+ years there. What he does describe above however, can be a real
challenge for stage and casting directors. In the days of individuality, many young singers forget their sexuality is to be left at the door, whether gay or straight. It is all an illusion for a character to be played on stage or in concert. Expectations of mannerism in stage direction and certain codes of dress for representation of the company is just part of being a professional and not a form of harassment.
They've just been to an opera where someone has been raped or murdered or beheaded or burned at the stake… but it's the shiny blazer after the opera that's a problem.
Yes.And it was even worse 30 years ago.
Yes, but don't assume the heterosexual leadership who control theaters and competitions are any less culpable.
"Opera is a very gay industry for much of the 20th century, maybe in the US anything goes not over here. Complete load of bollix, ballet is "gay" not opera, are all those Wagner characters closet gays, eg Siegmund, sieglinde, Wotan, Brunnhilde Hagen etc?
A load of bollox indeed. The overwhelming majority of characters in ballets are about as gay as Siegmund, Wotan, Brünnhilde, Hagen et al.
I'm fairly certain that "gay industry" was not in reference to roles or characters.
He doesn't say that gay men are particularly vulnerable, he says his direct experience is all he can personally vouch for.
Sexual harassment, both homosexual and heterosexual, is a persistent problem in this industry. Let's hope that this begins a new era where the victims are believed and not cast aside – and that some of these offenders are rooted out and prosecuted.
Except it's a small business, and people are too terrified to speak out. Some of these people are as litigious as Weinstein. I understand the author was speaking of
Lgbt (ive been harassed myself), but think, given the overwhelming power of a handful of straight men, it should not be overlooked. I do think one must carefully state what one believes harrasment to be, a few examples mentioned are good but not the most egregious abuses. sometimes there are totally appropriate sexual situations, which is the difficulty legally. But speaking out is very unlikely.
It depends on what kind of people is in charge.
Just wait until the ballet world shines a light!
They even throw acid there and then, poof, everything is forgiven. Gone like a puff of smoke.
Are you talking about the Bolshoi or Britain?
The authors ability to make his argument is undercut by his photos. He chose to use his sexuality to promote his name, then seems surprised that he was a target.
Uh, no.
NOTHING justifies sexual harassment or abuse. Not your photos, your abs, your clothing, your lack of clothing, what you wear onstage, what you wear on the street, your sexiness or lack of it.
So basically your argument is that he was asking for it and that there is no point in speaking up, as nothing will change? It's like the last 10 days never happened. But Weinstein proves that when people do speak out, things change.
This is not a matter of someone touching someone else's boob. I know of artists who have been raped, who've not only lost their career; but some of their sanity, too. Should we not speak up about that? And this is not a historical problem. This is not just occurring in those currently at the top of the industry, even. There are up and comers who are abusing. People I've seen reported on this site as the industry leaders of the future…
You may find the following article helpful to understand why your viewpoint is off base:
I'm posting anonymously because I am a working opera singer, but opera most definitely has a Harvey Weinstein problem. The former music director of WW Opera in the US was fired for it (after one year and that is the person the young artists were getting warnings about mentioned in Dan's article). Women and gay men have it the worst. Numerous female singers have spoken to me directly about the pressure to sleep with conductors in order to maintain their career. The former music director of XX Opera did this all the time. YY is an open secret in the business, although it has diminished recently with his health. ZZ is extremely well known in opera circles to sleep with female singers and then cast them. Several major singers openly discuss sleeping with Z to get ahead including one of the leading Verdi sopranos. AA sleeps with men and women all the time and even has a literal casting coach. A recently fired, successful general director, sexually harassed every male singer (likely the company Dan mentioned) as did a recently retired music director of a summer festival. Singers are just as bad with many male singers shoving their tongues down people's throats from the first day of rehearsal to get into "character." This is a huge problem in every industry, but even more so when casting is so subjective and can be blamed on numerous factors. [Redacted in consideration of UK libel law.]
Abusers in power (abusers of power) can tell whose sense of self-worth is intertwined with their hope of success in the field: those are the ones who will be too afraid to say no.
These people are predators; they have a predator's instinct for prey.
It does exist but I doubt anyone from the business will speak openly about it .
What about me – I can already write a book about all these nonsense stories that has happened to me already and yes , I am a young attractive female singer , but NO – nobody gives a right to them to make these offers and treat you like a sexual object. And yes, there are many ladies who take advantage of this system and doing pretty well , but NO – I can't do that to myself, and of course I had to say good bye to some alluring career opportunities. Does it make it any easier ? Hell, no. But I believe that there's another way of making my career and I promise : once I'm getting some stability and power, I will reveal all the names LOL
Belladonna, please think about what you just said. Don't be part of the problem. Those who see themselves as having little choice but to acquiesce are victims.
Bear in mind that you are hardly in a position to claim any sort of high moral ground when you are a) posting under a pseudonym and b) claiming you 'have some dirt' but not coming forward with details because at this stage it might harm your career.
That's "SHOW BUSINESS" !!!!
I'm just waiting for the Eurotrash production of Weinstein as Scarpia in Tosca.
Haha..nice one!
Haha..nice one!
Alas, it will probably happen.
Anyone else here experiencing repeats like this???
I've always presumed there was at some point a real-life inspiration behind the following joke, which has been doing the rounds for at least 30 years:
What's the difference between an opera director and a baby? A baby sucks its fingers…
A problem inherent to all top-down, dissent averse systems. It flourishes in workplaces that have an oversupply of talented young people competing for very limited places. The larger that oversupply is, the more compliant those in the pool are forced to be.
Crucially, problems with this kind of structure are in no way limited to this kind of abuse, awful though it is. In my experience, bullying of a non sexual nature has also always been rife in the music world, that too tends to get passed down from, indeed covertly encouraged by, those at the top.
Name names!
Until victims start to systematically name names and out and shame the perpetrators, sexual harassment will continue.
Herrera, problems like this will continue until the system either collapses, or voluntarily changes in a fundamental way.
Susanne Mentzer gave us a full rundown a year ago and she alludes to one of the greatest artists in our field who is known for sleeping with younger females and casting them in his productions
It would be worth considering preventative measures for this age-old problem. For example : classes at Music Conservativatoires called "life skills" where students are prepared for the possibilities of these encounters and advised the best way of handling the situation. Maybe via role-play etc.
GAYS ARE KILLING OPERA, GAYS RUN THE MUSIC BUSINESS Discrimination in these cases is real, they are not just employing the ones they fancy or adore…they employ the ones they get under, over or on top of their desks and the worst is that the Gays discriminate against the heterosexual male/female talent… be it directors, singers or conductors, especially manly ones who know how to conduct, sing or produce opera in a real fashion. The end will soon be here and the worst is no one will talk about it because everyone is scared and shitting their pants with fear. Fear they will never get hired or will get fired…. how do they know? because they see it every day in action from the excused tenor who is never in rehearsal to the conductor who is allowed to get up without knowing the score to pretend and to the assistant directors/dramaturges who are now agents or Intendants. People develop cancer, brain tumors or sicknesses which gets them fazed out either by death or other means. Shame on those who pray on others, shame on those who misuse their power and shame on those who are killing art ……as well as artists………the blood is on your filthy hands.
I really hope that was a poorly judged attempt at satire.
It's a bit of an over reaction. Gays don't run the music business. Eg. the former/current director of the BBC Proms= straight.
Some conductors were gay/bi. I concede : Bernstein, Boulez, Karajan and Mitropulous. Not many though.
Boulez? Site a reference on that one.
"Music critic Norman Lebrecht, who knew Boulez personally, speculated that he was gay, citing the fact that for many years he shared his home in Baden-Baden with Hans Messmer,[1] whom he sometimes referred to as his valet."
So a discussion on a serious issue like sexual assault in the workplace has all of a sudden become a speculation- fest as to whether or not PB was gay? It really shouldn't come to this, especially in the light of the fact that he, as was his right, chose to keep his sexuality a private matter.
But here then is our problem. In classical music, it is difficult to have a mature discussion on the important issues that should concern us all, because the traditional top-down structure has left us ill-prepared to do just that. As a consequence we either get people trying to shut the discussion down, or bat-shit crazy rants about a 'gay conspiracy' hell bent on destroying the art-form from within, such as the one above. Both of these responses are of course, equally unhelpful.
Any individuals striving to a) speak out about the very real and serious issues we are confronted with and b) keep these discussions on a rational level, will very quickly find themselves picking their way through a minefield.
It is not unreasonable to speculate on whether the behaviour of Pierre Boulez as an influential public figure in music, was indeed informed by his experience as a private gay man. Nor is it unreasonable to speculate whether his formative personal experiences in wartime, or for that matter the lack of public acceptance of his own work, might also have informed his public role. However, that speculation will only ever lead us on a path away from the 'main game'. Someone like Pierre Boulez should never have been in a position in the first place to wield the sort of power that he did. Because nobody should. It's called undue influence, and is a direct result of an art-form with a power structure that is fundamentally flawed. Sadly, as we have seen with institutions like the Catholic Church whose structure very much mirrors our own, that there can be other, even more insidious outcomes.
As Mr. T used to say: Stay on drugs. Don't do school.
Rufus, please, take your meds.
@David – very well said. It's almost as if a comment like that is written to deflect attention.
Look, opera has a huge problem – and it hasn't got any better in the decades I've worked in the art form. Take Germany, for example. An Intendant or an Operndirektor in a major German house wields enough power for him never to be questioned within his own organisation. In theory, the Sprecher assigned to the singers is there to defend their interests; but if the Intendant is already involved in the corruption, what happens then? In reality, major figures in a house can do pretty much whatever they want until someone sues. The singer could go to the Culture Minister for their region, I suppose; but then the Culture Minister rings the Intendant, and the Intendant says everything's fine and gives a really, really nice reference to the Operndirektor the next job he applies to – and the singer gets fired when the next Fest Contracts come up. If you think it sounds a lot like the Catholic Church, it's because it IS a lot like the Catholic Church.
upon the meds thanks….. and you see … some are chiming in .. those who agree with me ar not mentioning who they are and what they do but somehow know and are leaving some words here… funny that..the rest of you, are in the club anyway… so you will do whatever it takes to defend the click… like most of hollywood…..like high school bullies, who believe they are above the rest and point fingers at others making fun like little queen bees… so poor….and in the end, all alone.
funny now when one wants to speak or reply they will be blocked, o norman, your an asshole. in the club and acting just like the ones you try to throw under your bus.
Horrifying and heartening to see how many opera singers are posting under the #metoo hashtag on Twitter and Facebook. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Conlon, Domingo….who else?


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May 10. 2013 9:27PM
Benghazi emails put pressure on White House
By PAUL ECKERT and MARK HOSENBALL
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration denied Republican accusations of a cover-up in last year's deadly attack in Libya, moving on Friday to defuse a renewed political controversy after a news report said memos on the incident were edited to omit references to a CIA warning of an al Qaeda threat.
ABC News reported emails between the White House, State Department and intelligence agencies about the Benghazi attack went through 12 extensive revisions and were scrubbed clean of warnings about a militant threat.
The ABC report came as Republicans in Congress have stepped up efforts to criticize the Obama administration's response to the attack by suspected Islamist militants, with a growing focus on the role of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2016.
The so-called "talking point" memos were used to prepare U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice before she appeared on television talk shows to discuss the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. mission in which Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed.
In one email exchange, the State Department's top spokeswoman at the time, Victoria Nuland, objected to including the CIA's reference to intelligence about the threat from al Qaeda in Benghazi and eastern Libya.
That "could be abused by members (of Congress) to beat up the State Department for not paying attention to warnings, so why would we want to feed that either? Concerned," Nuland wrote in the email obtained by ABC News.
A source familiar with the Benghazi communications said Nuland was concerned the talking points went further than what she was allowed to say during her briefings and that "the CIA was attempting to exonerate itself at the State Department's expense."
But the source said the deletion of references to al Qaeda and the CIA's warnings came after a White House meeting on the day before Susan Rice appeared on the Sunday talk shows and Nuland was not at the meeting.
The mistrust between government agencies revealed in the documents offered an unusual peek into the administration's internal rivalries and displayed a rare crack in its usual discipline about messaging and public image.
Democrats have dismissed the Republican attacks as politically motivated and they had not gained much public momentum until this week. The ABC report could draw fresh attention to the allegations, however, and give them new life.
"It's a tragedy, but I hate to see it turned into a pure, prolonged, political process that really doesn't tell us anything new about the facts," Secretary of State John Kerry, who replaced Clinton, said in a Google+ Hangout chat.
New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte said in a statement that the hearings prove the need for more review.
Hicks "testimony vividly demonstrates the need
for additional investigation to understand and learn from the mistakes that occurred before, during, and after the attack," the statement said. "Mr. Hicks testified that a U.S. military security team in Tripoli that was preparing to fly to Benghazi to help the Americans under fire there was ordered to stand down. Mr. Hicks also testified that he was "stunned" and "embarrassed" when Ambassador Susan Rice went on five Sunday talks shows and blamed the attack in Benghazi on a demonstration resulting from the offensive video.
"Additional questions have also been raised about the sub-standard security conditions in Benghazi, despite requests from officials in Libya for increased security that fell on deaf ears in Washington," Ayotte's statement said. "The revelations this week call into the question the quality of the Accountability Review Board's work, as well as the role of administration officials in deleting accurate references in the Benghazi talking points to threats and Islamist extremists. These revelations
demonstrate the continuing need for a bipartisan joint select committee to conduct a rigorous whole-of-government inquiry that will finally reveal what happened and how we can prevent such a tragedy in the future."
A senior administration official said there was nothing in the new email documents to contradict the administration's claim the talking points were based on intelligence community assessments.
"The White House made stylistic edits to the talking points to emphasize that the investigation was ongoing as to who was responsible, to simplify certain phrasing, and to clarify that the Benghazi mission was not a consulate," the official said.
At a high-profile congressional hearing two days ago and in public statements, Republicans have renewed months-old charges the email traffic shows the administration tried to play down the Benghazi assault because it came at the height of the U.S. presidential campaign and might have made President Barack Obama look weak on national security.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner demanded on Thursday that the administration release emails on its handling of the attack. The emails reported by ABC had been shown to Congress, but lawmakers were not given copies, officials said.
The pro-Republican Super PAC American Crossroads released a web video on Friday focusing on questions about Clinton's role in a possible "cover-up" over the evolving explanations for the incident.
"Why did she blame a video? And was she part of a cover-up?" the video asks. "Americans deserve the truth."
The Republican National Committee sent out portions of the ABC report in an email headlined "Obama's Bungled Benghazi Response."
Congressman Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat on the House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the Republican accusations were an attempt to damage Clinton in case she decides to run for President in 2016.
"It is so much an effort ... to harm her before she even makes a decision and then to make sure they've got some material after she decides to run for President, assuming she does," he told MSNBC.


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Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) is a community-driven strategic planning process for improving community health. Facilitated by public health leaders, this framework helps communities apply strategic thinking to prioritize public health issues and identify resources to address them. MAPP is not an agency-focused assessment process; rather, it is an interactive process that can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and ultimately the performance of local public health systems.
MAPP Guidance and Resources
Using this webpage, users can access the MAPP guidance, supplemental resources, and technical assistance. Information on preparing for and completing the process is organized by phase. The "related content" toolbar contains links to additional resources such as technical assistance, stories from the field, related publications, and materials created by experienced MAPP users. More »
MAPP Network
The MAPP Network is a resource for past, present, and future MAPP communities. Use the tabs above to converse with community partners, meet fellow MAPP users, solicit advice from MAPP mentors, and learn about MAPP resources. The MAPP Network Weekly Update is a weekly newsletter emailed to users of the MAPP Network. The Weekly Update includes information on activities, resources, and tips for MAPP implementation. More »
Community Health Assessment and Health Reform
Provisions of the Affordable Care Act require each non-profit hospital facility in the United States to conduct a community health needs assessment and adopt an implementation strategy to meet identified community health needs. The Community Benefit webpage provides information to help local health departments and non-profit hospitals conduct collaborative community health assessment and improvement processes. More »
NACCHO is working to address communication issues, particularly as they relate to strengthening interaction among members of the community. Participation by community residents is vital throughout the MAPP process to ensure that initiatives are community driven. Since 1995, CDC and NACCHO have worked with Cross River Connections to encourage communication and dialogue in the public health process. More »
Related Programs
Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you have any questions, and someone from the MAPP team will get back to you shortly.


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AUSTIN - The Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety met on Thursday to hear some of the most controversial pieces of gun legislation proposed this session. Seven of the sixteen pieces of legislation were set to be heard by the committee and specifically addressed the carrying of concealed handguns. After over ten hours of testimony the committee adjourned late Thursday night.
House Bill 700, one of the most contested bills heard, would allow the open carry of firearms by a certified CHL holder. Representative Dan Flynn (Van) is a joint author on HB700 and supports the intentions of the legislation. "I support the continuing efforts of private citizens to encourage and demand the protection and promotion of the Second Amendment in our great State," Flynn commented Thursday evening, "House Bill 700 is an example of the continued effort by legislators and their constituents to promote one of our most fundamental rights granted by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights."
Also heard was House Bill 972, that introduces legislation allowing for the conceal and carry on college campuses. "Campus Carry", as it is commonly referred to, has been widely contested and publicly debated and proposes allowing licensed staff, students and others to carry concealed firearms on higher education campuses. House Bill 972 was heard along with three other similar pieces of legislation supporting the campus carry proposal. As the committee moved to close, Representative Flynn reflected on the purpose of the committee hearing, "The Second Amendment was not created for the purpose of allowing people the opportunity to hunt, fish or collect firearms; the purpose of the Second Amendment was to grant each and every individual the right to protect themselves from whoever and whatever they felt were a threat to their wellbeing. That fundamental right is why we were here today discussing these issues."
Each of these bills were held pending in the committee with consideration and vote by the members of the committee at the call of the Chair.
Amanda Robertson
Phone: (512) 463-0880
Capitol Address:
District Address:
Room 1N.10
P.O. Box 999


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8 Funny Food-Related Twitter Accounts You Should Follow
Compared to Pinterest and Instagram, it's hard out there for food-related Twitter accounts. Where are all the photos of that stupidly pretty carrot cake you ate? What about that kale salad you massaged? Sure, you can attach photos on Twitter, but it's definitely not the same.
These hysterical food-related Twitter accounts are able to take things to a whole new level. You won't even miss the pretty photos, I swear.
Here are a few of the funnier food-related accounts that you should definitely follow. You'll notice that two of them area actually product accounts –– Skittles and Cap'n Crunch. I particularly enjoy these two because they seem strange, and different from their brand.
- 1. Drunk Hulk - @DRUNKHULK: Favorite recent tweet: " BET PEOPLE BE HAPPIER IF THEY JUST CALL IT PUMPKIN SPICED SHUTDOWN!"
- 2. Coffee Dad - @cofee_dad: 95% of the time Coffee Dad tweets about wanting or getting coffee. 5% of the time, however, he alludes to the mysterious death of his son.
- 3. Shit Food Blogger - @shitfoodblogger: Favorite recent tweet: "I'm having a hard time understanding how you live with yourself since you didn't make dinner from scratch for your family. So guilty."
- 4. Big Gay Ice Cream - @biggayicecream: Big Gay Ice Cream is great ice cream shop/truck in New York. Tweets mostly hilarious things.
- 5. Cap'n Crunch - @RealCapnCrunch
- 6. Carrot Facts - @RealCarrotFacts: Like Coffee Dad, Carrot Facts tweets mostly about things related to carrots, but sometimes talks about this secret lady (Megan) that broke his/her heart.
- 7. Skittles - @Skittles
- 8. Tofu - @tofu_product: This account only started last week, but it's already getting some attention. Basically if you follow the account it "absorbs" your tweets (like tofu!) and tweets at you a mashup of stuff you've tweeted. It's stupid, but amusing.
What hysterical food-related accounts do you follow? Let us know in the comments.
Follow The Kitchn on Twitter → @thekitchn
(images: As Linked, Hulk: Thrillist)


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Perhaps you've only briefly thought about the bar exam or perhaps you have focused squarely on it. Whatever your position, it's not too late to become informed about the bar exam and the steps you can take to prepare for it.
What is a Bar Examination?
In almost every state in the United State and in some territories, recently graduated law students sit for a state bar exam. For instance, if you are interested in practicing in Missouri, you would take the Missouri Bar Exam. The bar exam measures a candidate's competency to practice law in a particular state. Successful bar exam candidates receive a license evidencing their competency to practice law in a given jurisdiction.
Passing Your Bar Exam
Passing the bar exam is a pivotal last step in becoming an attorney. There are many things you can do, as a student, to achieve this success. Much of the law school curriculum is geared toward providing you with the necessary foundation for success. In addition, most students participate in a commercial bar review course, after graduation. This course reviews (and in some cases introduces you to) those subjects that might be tested on your jurisdiction's bar exam.
Beyond Bar Classes and Commercial Review Courses
In addition to what you learn in your law school classes and the commercial bar review courses, Saint Louis University School of Law also offers workshops and programs designed to help you assess and practice the skills necessary for passing the bar. These workshops cover each part of the bar exam - the essay, multiple choice and performance test portions. Thus, you have the opportunity to not only learn the appropriate substance but to also hone the necessary skills related to each portion of the bar exam.
Getting Started
Current students and alumni of Saint Louis University School of Law are encouraged to contact Professor Antonia Miceli, the Director of Bar Examination Preparation, and to participate in the bar preparation workshops and programs as they are announced. Please feel free to stop by Professor Miceli's office so that you can meet in person.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the following electronic resources:
- "Like" the SLU LAW Bar Prep Facebook Page for program updates, workshop announcements, tips, strategies, pick-me-ups, etc.
- SLU LAW Bar Prep TWEN page, which provides an alternative to the Google Site for students more comfortable with TWEN.
In addition, below is a list of resources to help you learn more about the bar exam:
- SLU LAW Bar Prep Workshops and Programs
- General Bar Exam Timeline
- Selecting Courses for Optimal Bar Exam Preparation
Contact Prof. Antonia Miceli
Director, Academic Support and Bar Examination Preparation
Saint Louis University School of Law
Bar Exam Preparation
100 N. Tucker Blvd., Suite 1082C
St. Louis, MO 63101-1930
E: email@example.com


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Established in 1994 the cross-party and cross-committee Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development of the European Parliament has provided a forum for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to learn, debate and create policy geared towards sustainable development.
With the support of the four main political groups (S&D, ALDE, EPP and ECR), and MEPs of all political colours, the Intergroup remains the biggest and most influential Intergroup within the European Parliament.
The Intergroup is chaired by MEP Struan Stevenson and is divided into a number of subgroups. The secretariat is run by IUCN and EBCD (European Bureau for Conservation and Development), an IUCN Member.
- Find and maintain a balance between environmental, social and economic needs.
- Mainstream climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development issues into the different policies (agriculture, forestry and fisheries etc).
- Effectively integrate climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development concerns into EU policies.
- Increase the focus of EU decision-making on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development.
The Intergroup has had a number of successes including:
- The IUU Fishing and International Organised Crime conference, held in the European Parliament on 3 March 2011 and chaired by MEP Struan Stevenson enabled the Parliamentarians to get the necessary elements to draw up and table amendments on the report on "Combating IUU fisheries at the global level – the role of the EU".
- The Rio+20 Preparation of a European position for the Summit on Sustainable Development, held on 4 May 2011 in the EP in Brussels and chaired by MEP Jo Leinen provided valuable inputs to the EP Resolution on "Developing a common EU position ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)".
- An event on the International Year of Forests – European and global forests – which way for the future?, held on 7-8 September 2011 in the EP in Brussels and broadly advertised by European and National newspapers and television, will influence the upcoming European Forest Strategy.
- "Greening the CAP", an event held in the European Parliament on 22 November 2011, gathered nearly 200 participants and was the first high-level discussion taking place outside the EP Agriculture Committee on the CAP reform between the European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and the key actors of the agricultural sector.
- The conference "Decentralisation, Regionalisation and Simplification of the CFP", held on 5 October 2011 in Brussels welcomed over 150 participants and contributed to building a compromise between the European Commission, the European Parliament and stakeholders.
- "Islands and Overseas Entities' contribution to biodiversity conservation and the fight against climate change" was a conference in December 2011 chaired by MEP Maurice Ponga which addressed via video message by the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) the importance of overseas entities and islands' assets. This important work of awareness-raising is ongoing within the European Parliament, European Institutions and internationally.
Contact: Anouska Plasmeijer, EU Liaison and Development Assistance Officer.


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Military leaders warn of dangers of automatic cutsPanetta, Dempsey plead with Congress to avert automatic defense cuts next year
WASHINGTON (AP) ' Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is pleading with Congress to avert automatic, across-the-board cuts that would mean an additional half-trillion reduction in defense beginning next January.
Panetta told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee Thursday that the process known as sequestration is "a crazy, nutty tool." The failure last year of the congressional supercommittee to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years means federal spending will be automatically reduced next year, with $492 billion in military cuts coming over a decade.
The Pentagon is already on track to reduce projected spending by $487 billion over 10 years.
Joint Chiefs chairman Martin Dempsey echoed Panetta's concerns, saying the automatic cuts would hit troop numbers and weapons systems.
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