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Rajon Rondo's return to the Lakers appears imminent following his buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend. However, Rondo experienced a truly incredible bit of good fortune during his buyout discussions.
Because tampering is not allowed in the NBA, Rondo could not have possibly known what kind of deal a team would offer him should he hit the open market. It makes it an incredible coincidence, then, that Rondo appears to have left the exact same amount of money on the table with Memphis as he will make with his reported one-year contract with the Lakers.
Doing so will ensure he makes the full $7.5 million he was set to be due this season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Rajon Rondo plans to sign a one-year, $2.6M deal with the Lakers upon clearing waivers today, sources tell ESPN. He agreed to a contract buyout with Memphis on Saturday. Rondo will still make his full $7.5M salary this season between buyout and new deal. https://t.co/ehFzHb6pVC
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 30, 2021
Rondo has had an adventurous nine months since leaving the Lakers in free agency. After winning a title in October of 2020, Rondo signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Hawks in November, and then played a half-season in Atlanta before being traded midseason to the Clippers, where he was a virtual non-factor in their postseason run to the Western Conference Finals and was then dealt this offseason for Eric Bledsoe.
Rondo's future with a Memphis side that is a fringe playoff team was never going to be lengthy as the two sides engaged in mutually beneficial buyout discussions that will free up a roster spot for the Grizzlies while also allowing Rondo to land with a contender. He also becomes the latest Grizzlies buyout to join the Lakers as Memphis continues to serve as a feeder team for the purple and gold.
Still, Rondo won't clear waivers until Monday afternoon, meaning he could not have possibly known what type of contract the Lakers would offer him due to the league's strict anti-tampering rules. Recently, the Bulls and Pelicans and Heat and Raptors all underwent investigation for agreeing to sign-and-trade deals at the very onset of free agency, thus proving the league has a clear zero-tolerance policy for tampering.
Because Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka attended CBA School with Adam Silver upon his appointment in the front office, he is well-versed in the tampering rules and certainly would not have had discussions with Rondo prior to his buyout. Perhaps Rondo would have assumed a team would offer him the veteran's minimum contract the Lakers will offer him, but there was simply no way of him knowing that before clearing waivers. What a leap of faith.
All of this makes Rondo giving up the exact amount of money he will reportedly be offered by the Lakers in his buyout all the more improbable and truly a stroke of incredible fortune. Perhaps Rondo should stop by a gas station to pick up a lottery ticket given the luck he found today.
In conclusion: tampering rules are dumb.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.


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If there were superheroes in the Victorian era, Vulcana would be one of them.
Renowned not only for her breathtaking beauty, tales of her jaw-dropping feats of strength echoed from country to country as she toured the world with her secret husband.
Reports from the time claimed she could bent press a 12-stone man with her right hand alone.
Perhaps more impressive were the day-to-day tales of a woman who refused to fit into the conventions of the time.
On one occasion, when a pickpocket tried to steal from her, she just firmly took the man's hand and lead him to the nearest police station.
Such was daily life for Miriam Kate Williams.
Despite the volumes of information available about Vulcana, it is difficult to distinguish her exact biography.
The daughter of a baptist minister from Abergavenny, her family are not entirely sure where Vulcana grew up.
It is thought she was born in 1874 in Bristol. As a teenager, a 1891 census suggests she was living with her father, mother and siblings in Aberdare.
Newspaper reports write that at age 14 Kate stopped a runaway horse in Bristol, dragging a woman and her baby behind it. In school she took her fellow pupils by surprise by carrying the school organ.
After painstaking research, Vulcana's family today have pieced together her story to the stage.
It is thought that as a teenager she attended a gymnasium set up in Abergavenny by her future husband William Hedley Roberts - later to be known as Atlas.
That year she appeared with a group of athletes he had trained at a fete in Pontypool. After a group member fell ill at the last minute, it fell to her to take their place and perform. Despite being only 15 years old at the time, she was a resounding success.
In later articles, Atlas said she was "so delighted the audience that she then and there decided to turn professional".
A feature published in 1902 in the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter wrote: "A strong woman artiste had disappointed [Atlas] at a fete and gala at Pontypool, and he persuaded her to assist him.
"She was then 15, and is now hardly out of her teens. Miss Roberts has won all the championships for women during the past eight years, and has secured 120 medals in competitions for strength. She juggles with a 56lb dumb-bell in each hand, uses a 2241b bar bell, and can raise and hold above her head at arm's length a man weighing ever 12 stone."
More history stories from WalesOnline
- You've probably walked past the large memorial in House of Fraser without knowing the Welsh fisherman killed in 1555 it remembers.
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In her quest for success, Vulcana reportedly fled home to join Atlas and his troupe in London. By 1892, still a teenager, she was part of the troupe.
As well as weight lifting, Kate was a talented wrestler, swimmer and fenced, claiming hundreds of medals for her talents.
Together Vulcana and Atlas formed a double act. In the space of five years the troupe claimed to have visited every music hall "of note" in Britain in Ireland.
On October 15, 1910, The Rhondda Leader wrote: "Topping the bill this week are the Society Athletes, the sensation of two hemispheres.
"Athletic turns are legion, but when you have seen... Miss Vulcana, the strongest lady living, who has created the new world's record in France and Spain, and founder of the modern school of physical culture for women, you will say you have seen the acme of physical culture."
It is not known when Vulcana and Atlas became lovers. As Atlas was already a married man with a wife back in Wales the couple claimed to be brother and sister to mask their secret. They would go on to have children together but continued to tour the world to share their act.
Taking the stage in the music halls of London, Vulcana's speciality was lifting men.
She is hailed as the first women to take on the Tomb of Hercules stunt.
No mean feat, it involved supporting a big platform on her abdomen while leaning backwards on the floor while two horses and their attendants climb on the board.
With her passion for promoting women's fitness, magazines at the time describe her as "one of the first strong women to attempt to retain her feminine charms while building her muscles to a highly developed state".
In a world where women were confined to wearing corsets, Vulcana's views were also decades ahead of their time.
An advocate for sensible clothing, in interviews she appeals for mothers to allow their daughters to be a "regular tomboy" and climb trees without any restraints.
An article from the time writes: "Vulcana also championed sensible clothing and vigorous exercise for all young women. She was vehemently opposed to corsets and advised girls not to wear them."
Out of the theatre, Vulcana's life was as dramatic as her time spent on stage.
In one of her many legends it is said she broke up a brawl between two drunk marines in London one night. In another tale, she jumps into the River Usk to save two boys from drowning.
On another occasion, after dressing incognito, Vulcana is said to have visited the circus in Bristol. After volunteers were called to wrestle a local man, the young woman jumped into the ring, grabbed the wrestler by the waist, threw him over her head and dropped him to the mat.
In 1921 a fire broke out in the Garrick Theatre. Legend goes that Vulcana ran into the fire to save horses belonging to another act.
In a column printed in the the Weekly News in the same year, she writes: "Once I was robbed of my purse in London. I was looking in a shop window when I saw in the glass the reflection of the movements of a man behind me and these aroused my suspicions.
"Turning around I caught the man with my purse in his hand. Snatching him by the hand I gave him a twist that he won't forget in a hurry and as I took the purse out of his hand I remarked that I thought he had made a mistake. He quite probably thought so too but he didn't wait to explain.
"I had a somewhat similar experience in Birmingham. A man slipping my watch out of my waist whilst I was looking in a jeweller's window. I felt the movement and turning around said 'thank you' giving him at the same time one on the jaw straight from the shoulder. He went down like a nine pin."
As a working mother, her children naturally joined the troupe. Together the group continued to perform until finally retiring in 1932.
After an accident which saw her knocked down in the street by a London cab, Atlas devoted himself to caring for his wife and his family until his death in 1946 aged 83.
Only three months later Vulcana took her last breath. Media at the time reported she was 72 years old.
Her legacy can be seen across the world, in the many statues and photos in her honour.
This year WalesOnline named her a celebration of 100 of Wales' brilliant women.
You can find more information about Vulcana here.

subset: commoncrawl


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It's Kylie Jenner's romantic world and we all just wish we were living in it.
That's at least how it seems thanks to new snaps and clips on the makeup mogul's social media from Monday night. While taking a casual stroll through her house, the star revealed her home was lined with countless arrangements of red roses.
The staircase? Check. Along the bannisters? Check. At the entrance to the dining room? Check. In the foyer? Check. In random spaces? Check. Anywhere and everywhere? Check.
Needless to say, the reality star looked like she was in her own version of a rom-com as she videotaped her route through the house. Oh, did we mention that the flowers were accented with lit candles?
While it's not exactly clear why Jenner's house was dressed up like a scene out of Sweet Home Alabama, we suspect beau Travis Scott had something to do with it.
Jenner captioned footage of the flowers with "hell of a way to end the night," a nod to Scott's "Hell of a Night." Could it be an anniversary? As far as we know, no, as the two first sparked romance rumors last April. This time last year, pregnancy speculation ramped up with reports of the new mom's baby shower.
Perhaps it was just a very elaborate display of love. After all, Scott is no strange to grandeur when it comes to his lady. For her 21st birthday, he gifted her a vintage Rolls Royce and when their daughter Stormi Webster was born, he commemorated the occasion by sending Jenner 443 roses in honor of the baby's birth time.
Whatever the reason, the flowers certainly got everyone's attention once again.
"JESUS," sister Kendall Jenner wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, hairstylist Jen Atkin said what we were all thinking: "Teach me Kylie. Teach me."


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Hi gubba - One of the best things you can do for your recovery is to connect with others who are going through the same experience. Sadly, the medical system focuses mainly on the clinical aspects of cancer, and does not devote as many resources to the process of recovery and resuming one's life. The information that Alison provided will help you, and if you are in an area that has a local chapter of the American Cancer Society you may want to look into their "Look Better, Feel Better" program. http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/
We have some great information on our site from a woman who volunteers for the program and professionally is an expert in oncology aesthetics. Her name is Isabel Calleros. The easiest way to find her video posts is to go here: https://www.empowher.com/users/isabel-calleros
Let us know if we can help further, and try to take your recovery one day at a time. It helps.


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Can't make it to Chapel Hill for homecoming?
Cheer on the Tar Heels with us at Hickory Tavern in Hilton Head Island. Bring the family, friends, kiddos for a fun afternoon of good food, good beverages and Carolina football.
Questions? Contact Dave Reid '78 at email@example.com.
October 26, 2019
Hickory Tavern
44 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA


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This is the triumph of truth: Slain journalist's son hails Gurmeet Ram Rahim's life imprisonment
Expressing relief over the matter, he said, "Prosecution had demanded capital punishment but we are satisfied with the punishment."
Trending Photos
New Delhi: Soon after jailed self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to life in journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati's murder case, the latter's son hailed the judgment saying that this is the triumph of truth.
Expressing relief over the matter, he said, "Prosecution had demanded capital punishment but we are satisfied with the punishment."
A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court in Panchkula, earlier in the day, announced life sentence to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in connection with the 2002 murder case.
Three others - Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal - have also been awarded life imprisonment. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 to each. The special court pronounced the quantum of the sentence through video conference.
Last week, the Dera chief along with three others was convicted for murdering Chhatrapati by the Special Court in Panchkula.
The journalist was shot dead outside his house in October 2002 in Haryana's Sirsa after his newspaper published a letter alleging sexual exploitation of women by Ram Rahim. Ram Rahim was named as the main conspirator in the case.
Chhatrapati's family had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2003, seeking transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The investigation was later handed over to the CBI which filed the charge sheet in July 2007.
Ram Rahim is already serving a 20-year sentence for raping two 'sadhvis' or female followers in 2002. Following the conviction of the 50-year-old self-styled godman in August 2017 in the rape case, riots broke out in Panchkula and several parts of north India.


text: United Way will once again be organizing our biggest one-day donation event of the year!Friday, September 1711AM to 3PM135 Walton Street, PortlandAs a special BONUS, donors will have the chance to see and vote for their favorite can sculptures constructed by companies across the region at the food drive and online. To ensure the safety of all participants, the drive thru food drive will be contactless. Neighbors dropping off bags and boxes of food and non-perishable items can put donations in their trunk or backseat, and volunteers will grab them for you. Company deliveries, individuals, groups and more are welcome to contribute and drive thru as we join together (though 6 feet apart) to share food with our community!Visit the UW website for more information and to sign your company up for the sculpture competition.


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Three cops interdicted over alleged assault on autistic teen in Aluthgama
Three police officers have been interdicted over the alleged assault on an autistic teen at the police checkpoint at Ambagaha Junction in Aluthgama.
Following the probes launched into the incident, three officers – a Sub-Inspector, a Police Sergeant and a Police Constable – were interdicted over neglect of duty, the Police said.
According to Police Media Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne, the interdicted Sub-Inspector and the Sergeant were attached to the Police Training School in Kalutara while the Constable in question was attached to Aluthgama Police.
On Thursday (04), former MP Ali Zahir Moulana had shared the CCTV footage of the incident which had taken place on the 25th of May. Taking to his official Twitter account, Moulana said the teen – Thariq Ahamed – was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) since he was 4 years of age.
It is reported that the teen had wandered off to the town on his motorcycle when he was stopped by the police officers at the checkpoint.
Moulana alleged that the police officers at the scene had brutally assaulted the teen.
CCTV footage of the incident was since widely circulated in social media, causing outrage and calling for justice for Ahamed.
In a statement issued earlier today (05), the police said the officers involved in the incident had used "necessary force" to subdue the teen but denied the occurrence of any assault.
The officers had initially suspected that the teen was under the influence of drugs and had not recognized he was mentally challenged, the statement read further.
The police said an independent inquiry into the incident was launched by the Women and Children's Bureau of the Police, under the directives of Acting Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickremaratne.
However, a subsequent statement revealed that three police officers have been interdicted in connection with the said incident.
The news of the brutal assault by police on Thariq Ahamed, a 14 year old autistic boy of Dharga Town, Aluthgama is shocking and the prejudice that ensued after by the Police and the JMO needs to be exposed. Thariq was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder since he was 4..(1) pic.twitter.com/8dd6DVTW8Q
— Ali Zahir Moulana (@alizmoulana) June 4, 2020
(Source: Ada Derana)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
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text: Celebrating their 25th year of the evening of music event, Posey Peddler helped create an elegant evening filled with friends and co-workers. Polished silver urns and rhinestone orbs were filled with an eclectic mix of Dutch tulips, garden roses, orchids and sweet William. Silver and rhinestone adorned each creation. Our Prop House bowls were filled with refreshing orbs of red carnations. A windswept mantiza tree held orange callas. Something "different, something eclectic…something to talk about". That was our goal and creation for this wonderful annual event.


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Blacklisted Chinese Cybersecurity Company Qihoo360 Criticizes US for "Irresponsible Action"
Chinese anti-virus software and web browser Qihoo360 has criticized the U.S. after being added to an economic blacklist over allegations that they violated human rights and posed a threat to U.S. national security.
SEE ALSO: 28 Chinese Companies Placed on New US Entity Blacklist
The U.S. Department of Commerce said last Friday it would add 33 more Chinese companies and institutions to the Entity List which limits their access to purchase products and services from U.S. companies unless local firms require government permission for exports.
"We don't expect to be included in the entity list," the cybersecurity company Qihoo360 said on its social media account on Saturday. "We firmly oppose this irresponsible action and the U.S. Department of Commerce's practice of politicizing business and scientific and technological research and development."
The company also said being included in the backlist will not have a major impact on its daily operations, nor will it interrupt its ability to provide customers with security services.
Qihoo360 was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in June 2016, then returned home from the U.S. market through an asset swap and cash injection with Shanghai-listed lift maker SJEC. SJEC changed its stock name to "360 Security Technology" and went public in Shanghai through a back door deal.


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When the Hall of Fame class for 2020 was announced, Zach Thomas' name was not on the list. This was his seventh year of eligibility and it was his only time as a finalist. I guess there is always next year for one of the greatest Dolphins of all time.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day's round-up below.
Super Bowl 2020: Miami Dolphins' Zach Thomas misses out on Hall of Fame; Boynton Beach's Lamar Jackson wins MVP - Sports - The Palm Beach Post - West Palm Beach, FL
Zach Thomas says he was 'honored' to be a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Lamar Jackson is named league MVP, former Dolphin Ryan Tannehill wins the comeback award and the Dolphins trick TD pass from punter Matt Haack to kicker Jason Sanders wins play of the year.
Dolphins Quarterbacks
Tom Brady to Miami rumors keep gaining steam – ProFootballTalk
Tom Brady's deliberate decision to send a cryptic message about his coming-or-going football future has sparked even more speculation about a situation that already was rife with it. It also has fueled rumors regarding where Brady may play, if he doesn't play for the Patriots.
Phinsider News You May Have Missed
Miami Dolphins News 2/1/20: Can Dolphins Replicate 49ers Blueprint? - The Phinsider
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.
Zach Thomas Hall of Fame case presented by Armando Salguero - The Phinsider
Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020. The voting for the five modern era inductees happens today, with the members who make the group...
NFL Hall of Fame class 2020: Zach Thomas snubbed again - The Phinsider
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher finished his outstanding career with 1,354 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 15 fumble recoveries with two touchdowns, and 22 interceptions with...


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MediShare – Is MediShare Right For You?
Medishare is a health insurance plan that members create individual sharing accounts with ACCU (the financial partner of Medishare). Each month, members deposit their share amount into these accounts. There are additional fees such as a $2 annual membership fee and $2 per month administrative fee. A $1 statement fee is also required. For more information on Medishare, click here. You'll be glad you did!
Pre-existing conditions aren't covered by Medi-Share
You may worry about being denied coverage if you have a pre-existing health condition. Medi-Share does not deny coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. However, it has certain rules and a phase-in period before coverage becomes full. Medi-Share cannot be joined by women who are pregnant, have high cholesterol or blood pressure. You must have been a member of Medi-Share for at least 36 consecutive months to be eligible.
Unlike insurance, Medi-Share does not cover primary care services. Well-child visits for up to six years old and one annual physical for each member are exempt. If you are eligible for preventive services such as flu shots or other medical care, you will need to cover the cost out-of-pocket. You're also expected to use a PPO network of physicians, but you'll still need to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, Medi-Share does offer telehealth services to its members.
Unlike most traditional health insurance, Medi-Share doesn't deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Although it does not exclude pre-existing medical conditions, Medi-Share limits the amount you can share depending on when your membership was established. You can share up to $100,000 per person per year for pre-existing conditions if you've had no symptoms for at least three years. Sharing is not allowed for congenital diseases such as cancer. However, you must wait at least 36 or 60 months before getting covered under Medi-Share.
Fortunately, there are many options for you to get covered with Medi-Share. It is a great way to get health care coverage without the high cost of health insurance. Medi-Share is an excellent option for people with pre-existing medical conditions and has a generous yearly cap on benefits. Before signing up, make sure you read all the details. Medi-Share might not work for you if you cannot afford to have insurance.
Medi-Share, a faith-based insurance program that covers health care costs, is an attractive option for Christians. The program will not cover abortion, drunk driving accidents, tobacco use, or other unbiblical lifestyle choices. Fortunately, Medi-Share will cover pregnancy and adoption if you follow their guidelines. This program can help you protect your finances and provide peace of mind in the event that you need health care.
Preventive care is covered by Medi-Share
Traditional health insurance plans must cover certain preventive care services at no cost. While preventive care is a common need, Medi-Share charges a $35 provider fee for preventative care appointments. Medi-Share doesn't cover immunizations or lab work. Medi-Share offers several different plans. These are the main differences in the plans, and the ways they provide preventative care. The difference between these plans is most pronounced when comparing preventive care costs.
Medi-Share doesn't cover primary care. The only exceptions are well-child visits for children under six years old and an annual physical. Medi-Share encourages its members to use doctors in its PPO network, which includes more than 900,000 providers nationwide. Your deductible does not include preventive care, so make sure you plan ahead. To avoid unexpected costs, make sure you include preventive care in your monthly budget.
Medi-Share doesn't cover services for behavioral health, including counseling and treatment of learning disabilities. Medi-Share does not cover routine health screenings or vision and dental care. Medi-Share might pay for certain tests based upon symptoms. For more information, you should refer to your plan's guidelines. Preventive services are covered by your traditional insurance, and there is no copay.
While Medi-Share may not be the right financial option for everyone, it is an alternative for those who do not have employer-sponsored insurance or aren't covered by the ACA. Medi-Share members can get a free health coaching program that costs an additional fee and helps them to make healthy lifestyle choices. Medi-Share is unable to accept people over 65. Medi-Share covers Medicare Parts A or B. Legal non-citizens and adults with dependent children can both be members.
Medi-Share also contains a section on biblical living. Participating members must believe in God and live a Christian life. The clause states that members will not abuse alcohol or drugs. The member must not smoke or use illegal drugs. Luckily, Medi-Share does cover pregnancy and adoption. Pregnancy and adoption are covered as long as members make monthly contributions. If the member lives in a Christian home and follows the guidelines of the church, their costs are covered by Medi-Share.
Sharing is not available for pregnant expenses
You're not the only one wondering if Medishare is available for pregnancy expenses. The guidelines for the program changed in 2013 and the ministry no longer disallows pre-existing conditions as a barrier to membership. Medishare can be used to pay for prenatal care, delivery, and other costs.
When considering a health care sharing program, you'll need to choose the one that fits your lifestyle. Medi-Share members must adhere to biblical principles. That means no abortions or drunk driving accidents. You must abstain from smoking and use illegal drugs. However, pregnancy and adoption expenses are covered. As long as you make your monthly contributions, you can qualify for Medi-Share. It is important to know that you'll only be eligible for maternity benefits after you've been a member for at least 36 months.
You will be charged an extra fee for doctor visits if you are pregnant or covered by Medi-Share. You'll also have to pay an additional $35 provider fee if you need to be seen in an emergency room. If you are unable to find a doctor in your area, you may use telemedicine. If you're married, pregnancy expenses are eligible for Medishare sharing. However, you may need to pay a copayment if you plan to use out-of-network providers.
The guidelines for CHM coverage cover most of the expenses related to pregnancy, though not the entire maternity episode. They include routine office visits and lab tests as well prescriptions and immunizations. You must have been married for 60 or more months if you are pregnant. If you switch to Gold and fall outside of these guidelines, the entire maternity episode will be ineligible for Medishare sharing.
Medi-Share is available for funerals as well as adoptions.
Christians have shared healthcare burdens for thousands of years. A formal approach was taken with the introduction of MediShare in 1993. Since its inception, the program has helped over 400,000 members share four billion dollars in medical bills. The MediShare plan for believers under 65 covers medical expenses as well as funeral and adoption expenses. The MediShare plan is not an insurance policy, but a charity organization. It aims to provide Christian families and individuals with health care resources for their personal and family needs.
A person can only apply if they meet the following requirements: a minimum AHP of 3000 dollars and a minimum AHP. MediShare will also cover routine well-child care, as well as mental health counseling. The counseling calls are limited to 30 minutes, and MediShare members can receive one annual physical. This will cover basic tests like hemoglobin A1C and a Lipid panel. If you qualify, your monthly MediShare contribution will be reduced accordingly.
MediShare members do not have to be covered by the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate clause. They are also exempted from being penalized for having no insurance. MediShare members are not subject to the individual mandate clause of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Members can also be granted MediShare coverage regardless of their medical conditions. The plan does not have lifetime limits or annual caps. The organization also covers funeral and adoption expenses, which are often unaffordable. MediShare, a wonderful example of supporting and sharing one another among Christian families is MediShare. Members can also use MediShare to bless others.
In addition to these two expenses, MediShare members can contribute to qualified adoption or funeral expenses. MediShare negotiates with suppliers to obtain the most competitive prices. MediShare covers the costs and pays the bills for members who've met their AHP. Members are required to abstain from certain sinful practices and pay a $35 provider fee. MediShare covers members' expenses if their household meets the AHP requirements.


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Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — May 2017
Editor's Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa's Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide. To receive daily news from the Iowa Hawkeyes, sign up HERE.
By JACK ROSSI
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Fifth-year senior Antwon James embodies the "Climb the Mountain" mantra the University of Iowa track and field team has emphasized all season.
James started his career in Division III and Saturday at the NCAA West Preliminary, he became an NCAA Division I qualifier in the triple jump for the first time in his career.
James jumped 15.90 meters (52-feet, 2-inches) in the single round, three-attempt competition to secure his spot in Eugene, Oregon, on June 9.
"I finally got that chance to go to Eugene," James said. "It has been an amazing journey going from Division III to competing for a first-team (Division I) All-America spot. It's so surreal."
James already owns one of the best triple jump marks in school history, setting the fourth-best mark in program history at the 2017 Big Ten Championships with at 15.96 meters (52-4 ½).
Iowa assistant coach Jason Wakenight saw James compete when he was at Concordia University of Chicago and Wakenight was at Loyola University Chicago. He then brought James to Loyola.
"I did some great things there, but I ultimately wanted to finish my career in the Big Ten," James said.
When Wakenight moved to Iowa in 2015, he did not forget James and brought him to Iowa City for his final year of eligibility.
After being a track and field nomad, James was used to adjusting to new teammates and Iowa made it easy welcoming him to the Hawkeye family.
"I have amazing teammates and they welcomed me with open arms," James said. "At first it was a hard transition being an older guy and not knowing many people, but they invited me onto their team."
James finished the regular season with the 14th-best mark in the region and heading into the NCAA West Preliminary, James knew that the third time had to be the charm.
"The first time I went, I didn't jump well," James said. "The second time I had a heartbreak and ended up injuring myself and finished 13th."
With a final shot to make it to NCAAs and as a member of a Hawkeye program on the rise, James had all the tools to succeed. That helped alleviate the pressure of this being his last chance.
"The focus this year was to leave it all on the track," James said. "I came in with the mindset that if I am going to do this then I am going to give my all. Why would I if this is my last chance, I'll be able to do it?"
After waiting all week to compete, James had his mind set on execution.
"Coach (Clive) Roberts always tells me to go out and not think about distance or anything else in life; execute, and maximize anything you do," James said.
James qualified for the next round, finishing 10th. While a reserved seat in Eugene is good enough for many people, James is not satisfied.
"I want to say I feel a sense of accomplishment, but my ultimate goal is to finish top eight (in the NCAA Championships)," James said. "I am taking in this feeling of getting past the hump, but that was only one hump. Now I have to climb the mountain."


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ALMOST TWO-THIRDS of civil servants are in line for pay increases this year due to the length of their service, it has emerged.
Documents compiled by the Implementation Body for the Croke Park Agreement show that 63 per cent of employees in the civil service are eligible for an 'increment' increase to their salaries this year.
Increments are paid to civil and public servants based on the length of their careers, with pay increases usually awarded on an annual basis. Some long-service increments are paid when a worker has already reached the top of their pay grade.
19,710 of employees in the civil service will be eligible for an increment in 2012, though another 11,908 employees are unaffected by the measures to target increments.
The documents, submitted to the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee and first spotted by today's Irish Independent, outline how 2,776 employees who already have salaries above €70,000 will receive increments this year.
The majority of those receiving increments are among the civil service's lower earners; 70 per cent of staff who are entitled to an increment currently earn below €50,000.
Another 14 per cent – one in seven – of those entitled to a pay increase earn between €50,000 and €70,000.
Elsewhere, the document suggests the Exchequer's pension bill will be €285 million higher this year than it was last year – rising from €2.75 billion to €3.04 billion – given the extra volume of staff who retired in the first two months of this year to exploit a change in taxation arrangements.
By 2015, it suggests, the public pensions bill will have stabilised at just under €3.1 billion, while the net exchequer bill for public pay will have fallen from its current level by €1 billion – from €14.7 billion in 2011 to €13.7 billion in four years' time.
The document also outlines reforms to public service employment arrangements capping the maximum amount of annual leave a person can take at 32 days, with "local leave arrangements such as festivals, races and so on" also being cancelled.
Annual sick leave in public sector costs State over €551 million


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To help to bring churches and Christians in the Bath area together in prayer, discernment and action around a common purpose to build justice, mercy and hope for individuals and local communities.
Our current priorities are…
1. Organising united prayer events and activities
To build the level of coordinated and shared prayer across the city, through existing and new activities, and through strengthening the communications networks that explain and request strategic and specific prayer needs.
2. Providing a network of communications for the Christian community
To develop the level and quality of our communications within the Christian network, and to the external audience, including media and focus events.
3. Working with other networks and agencies to meet unmet needs and provide positive support to local communities
To be part of the Movement for Recovery, which is being coordinated in the BANES area by Compassionate Community, building relationships with the coordinators of other sector networks, and engaging Christians and churches in looking for solutions to help meet unmet needs and provide positive support to our local communities.
4. Encouraging and supporting existing social action projects
To develop a set of support mechanisms for social action projects in the B&NES area (including both those that are overtly Christian and those with Christian values) to develop relations, and provide appropriate support.
5. Participating in the Transformation agenda
To participate in the Transformation agenda that is building in the Christian community in the City of Bath.


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The exhibition centre, located on Hoang Sa road, was built from December 2015 at total cost of 43.3 billion VND (nearly 1.9 million USD).
As a public unit under the Hoang Sa district People's Committee, the centre holds special political significance as it displays information, documents and images evidencing Vietnam's exploration and establishment and protection of its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.
Exhibits are showcased in five topics, namely the geographical location and natural conditions of Hoang Sa, Hoang Sa in Vietnam's ancient documents before the Nguyen Dynasty, Hoang Sa in documents in the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945), evidence of Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa from 1945 to 1974, and evidence of the sovereignty since 1974.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Chairman of the Da Nang municipal People's Committee Huynh Duc Tho said as Hoang Sa is a sacred integral part of Vietnam, Hoang Sa-themed exhibition centres could be built in any localities nationwide. Da Nang has continuously managed the whole Hoang Sa archipelago for almost six decades, so it is suitable for this centre to be located on a road named after the archipelago near the East Sea.
In particular, the centre has the shape of the sovereignty seal in the Nguyen Dynasty, which is meant to show that Vietnam established and exercised sovereignty over Hoang Sa very early. Notably, that King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty put the seal on a document setting up the Hoang Sa flotilla was one of the important landmarks in the establishment and exercise of this indisputable sovereignty, he added.


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Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at American Jarred Brooks as he opens the preliminary card against former TUF competitor Eric Shelton at UFC 214 in Anaheim, California.
Jarred "The Monkey God" Brooks
Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana
Age: 24
Height: 5-foot-3
Reach: 62 inches
Weight Class: Flyweight
Camp: Mash Fight Team
Career Record: 12-0
Key Wins: Cee Jay Hamilton
Key Losses: None
Background The young flyweight has amassed 12 straight victories to start his professional career. He has fought all over the world, including Japan and Russia, gaining experience in several different organizations. Heading into his UFC debut, Brooks has finished four of his last five opponents.
- Accurate right hand that he can land with power
- Sneaky submission game
- Physically strong for the division
- More than willing to grind against the cage if needed
- Good experience for someone his age
- Over-aggression can put him in bad positions
- Striking defense needs improvement
- Vulnerable against a power puncher
- Gets very emotional leading into fights
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: C
Striking Defense: D
Knockout Power: C-
Athleticism / Speed: C
Footwork: C
Chin: D+
Offensive Wrestling: C+
Takedown Defense: D+
Submissions: C
Conditioning: C+
Intangibles: C
Overall Grade: C-
Matchup with Eric Shelton In a matchup of prospects in the flyweight division, Shelton welcomes Brooks into the UFC. On paper, this is a close matchup. Both fighters are strong on the feet and possess above average striking skill sets. In terms of the grappling, both fighters are physically strong for the weight class and able to take opponents to the mat. Neither has the best takedown defense, so this fight will likely come down to who can get the better of the grappling. Shelton is significantly bigger than Brooks. He holds three-inch height and six-inch reach advantages. Not to mention, Shelton is the better athlete overall. I expect the physical advantages in Shelton's favor to be the difference in this bout. Look for Shelton to be able to secure some takedowns and get the better of the grappling exchanges in a close contest. At +130, Shelton is worth a bet in a bout he should be a slight favorite in.
UFC Ceiling Brooks is a young, talented fighter in the flyweight division. He has an excellent overhand right that he can land with power. He combines that with an aggressive, wrestling approach. He's also capable of winning a grinding type of fight against the cage. Even at 24 years of age, he has a decent resume of experience. I could see him reaching a peak of the lower part of the Top 10 flyweight rankings, but think he will struggle against the division's bigger fighters.
Fight Film Check out Brooks in some of his fights…
Brooks vs. CJ Hamilton
Brooks vs. Chris Tanner
Brooks vs. Jun Nakamura (On UFC Fight Pass)


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- Digestion
- >
- Medi Restore (RN Labs)
Medi Restore (RN Labs)
Medi Restore is a great tasting, highly concentrated nutritional support formula. The formula is comprised of low allergen, synergistic ingredients to support numerous body processes and systems including digestion, detoxification, immune function, inflammatory balance, energy production and healthy weight management.
Importance of Protein in Review
Amino acids sufficiency is understood to support whole-body homeostasis. Due to new developments of amino acid biochemistry and nutrition, a paradigm shift in nutrition has now led to recognition of the dietary essentiality of both nutritionally essential as well as nutritionally non-essential amino acids, due to the numerous biological processes in which they play important roles, including: regulation of gene expression, cell signalling pathways, digestion and absorption of dietary nutrients, DNA and protein synthesis, proteolysis, metabolism of glucose and lipids, endocrine status, male and female fertility, acid– base balance, antioxidant status, detoxification of xenobiotics and endogenous metabolites, neurotransmission and immunity.
- A complete source of vegan protein
- 28 grams of protein per double scoop serve
- Dairy/Whey and Soy free
- FODMAP friendly
- Great taste – high compliance
- No colours, preservatives or artificial flavours
- Smooth and easy digestion
- Supports healthy gut membrane integrity
- Provides a source of prebiotic fibre for healthy intestinal flora
- Supports healthy detoxification and liver function
- Serves as a nutritious meal replacement providing a therapeutic and comprehensive dose of B vitamins and trace minerals
- Supports healthy weight management
- Supports balanced and healthy blood sugar levels
- Supports healthy energy production
- Supports and regulate healthy immune function and inflammatory response
- May provide antioxidant support


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Nobody likes to think about it, however, we need to know how to deal with unforeseen events that often occur during a trip. Here we analyze the most common and how to deal with them.
How To act against Contingencies for a Trip
When we say "you must learn to cope with unexpected on a trip, "we always imagined having a serious accident on the road or in the mountains. But not necessarily be so, since there are other situations that could be classified as unexpected and worth knowing how to act.
Perhaps many people do not want to read about it to "avoid attracting bad vibes," or something similar. The same applies to airplanes with instructions on how to put the oxygen mask. The truth is that in this way, at least, will be a little more prepared for contingencies that may occur during vacations or trips. By knowing how to act in an emergency we are not calling for it to happen. So it's always good to learn how to challenge some unforeseen during a trip.
Contingencies that may occur during a trip
The truth is that many episodes that can happen to us on a journey, however, the most common are the following emergencies:
Losing documents or passport
It is known that if you have the proper documentation will not be able to travel or leave the frontier. The process is cumbersome because you have to go to an embassy in your country, for example, in addition to the police report. Also, before you leave home do not hesitate to take a photo or scan your document (some choose to carry a photocopy and leave the original in the hotel). This does not serve to travel, but if to prove your identity.
Being assaulted or suffer a robbery on a trip
While some sites do not accept the use of credit cards (or less frequent use), do not go down the street with a large sum of cash, much less carry everything you have with you. If you keep some balance in an account, you can go to an ATM and continue your way.
Another option is to "spread" the money in different places, such as backpack, purse, socks, belts, etc. If you steal everything you have, you can ask a relative or friend to make a bank transfer, for example.
Contingencies rentals: Losing a flight
Airport staff are used to dealing with such emergencies on a trip . It may be because you figured wrong time to arrive, you fell more hours scouring or because the previous flight was delayed. In all cases you will find a solution. Some of them will come out more expensive than others, but there is nothing that remains unanswered. At best, you must wait for the next service with available seats.
In the event that was not your fault miss the flight, the airline must repay, either with another ticket, stay in a hotel, transfer to another plane, etc. Here is a complete guide to know how to act when they cancel a flight
Not having to stay
Maybe you come to a city in the middle of the night or changed your itinerary without having anything organized. This could also be encompassed within the contingency of a trip. You not at all sites to find you arribes staying availability nor receive tourist hotels at 3 in the morning. If you do not bring a sleeping bag to lend anywhere (such as the airport or train terminal), you have different options to overcome this situation.
One of them is to search online listing with hospitality in the place that you come across. Another option is to consult the office nearest tourist information, that although they are not open at night, you can expect in the morning and find data there. If this does not work, ask people who live or work nearby. You may find "a kind soul" who is willing to give accommodation for the night (and even save you money in one room)
Unforeseen travel: Diseases and accidents
When we speak of diseases as unforeseen travel , we are not talking about a flu or a stomach ache because you ate more something you're not used to. To be included within emergencies on a trip has to be a severe illness or grave. Prevention is always better than cure, as the popular saying.
No matter how healthy you are in your house, when you go to a different country, everything changes. A renal colic, a dislocation, the break of a bone, a bite of a poisonous insect, high pressure, altitude sickness, cholera, malaria, stomach infection, gastroenteritis, etc. If you are unsure of the origin of a meal, for example, do not consume. The same goes for water.
In the case of accidents during the holidays, you can prevent choosing quieter activities and being more careful. Please consult locals and prevent certain issues (bites, temperature, etc.) and have good health insurance, plus you gain when traveling, which you use in your country (many have coverage on the outside with an additional payment).
Losing your luggage
It is one of the fears of all travelers. Not that I leave on a bench forgotten subway station (although it can happen), but for this to happen unexpected on a trip you need other actors.
For example, thieves or employees who are wrong. Of course, because the loss of luggage usually happens when we stolen or when an airline or shipping company puts in the wrong place. For the first case, you should try to pay more attention to your belongings, do not lose sight for a moment. For the second, demand compensation, which although not the same since much of what you missed had sentimental value, at least you'll have money to buy new clothes.
With these tips, you will not have problems confront unexpected on a trip.


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Our Sixth Annual
Carnival of Fitness
June 27, 2020 | Get on your horse & register today!
About the EventResilience CrossFit is thrilled to host its sixth annual, Carnival of Fitness competition. This year the event will be held on June 27, 2020 — so naturally we will be celebrating with a "Kentucky Derby" theme. We're planning a fantastic festival of fitness, so get on your horse and get registered! It is a 2-person, same-sex, team competition. This year, we will be offering three divisions: RX (Rx & Higher-Level Intermediate Athletes), Scaled (Scaled & Lower-Level Intermediate Athletes), and Masters (40+ Masters).
Vertical Divider
More Details
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VenueResilience CrossFit
45R South Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 We are proud to host this event at the home of Resilience CrossFit. Our new facility was custom designed so athletes can have a regional-like experience during our competitions. |
Quick Links |
Get on your horse! |


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$10 Silent Film – "Our Hospitality" Starring Buster Keaton
"Our Hospitality" is a 1923 silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton. After her husband John McKay is killed in an ongoing feud with the Canfield family, a woman takes her baby boy Willie to her sister's house in New York hoping he will never know of the feud with the Canfields. Twenty years later, Willie is a grown man and he receives a letter saying he has inherited his father's estate and must travel to his family home to take possession. On the train there he meets a beautiful young woman and falls in love only to learn that she's a Canfield. He accepts her invitation to dinner and quickly realizes that the Canfield men won't kill him while he's in their home. His plan to stay there as a permanent guest is short-lived and the Canfields are soon after him.
Live accompaniment provided by Chicagoland's premiere organist, Jay Warren, on Arcada's historic 1926 pipe organ!


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As a requirement for graduation, a senior project can be either a senior's biggest nightmare or a life-changing experience. For seniors and many juniors, the guidelines are fairly familiar. But for underclassmen, this may seem like a daunting challenge akin to the 100-hour service learning credit.
A senior project is a "mentored 20-hour project of community service or personal interest to test ideas, improve skills, or follow one's passion," senior project coordinator Russ Johnson stated. After the project is completed, the project is presented to a panel of community members who can give feedback and can ask questions.
Russ Johnson has been the official senior project coordinator for Ashland High School for four years; troubleshooting projects, offering guidance and ideas, and checking in occasionally with each and every senior. His job is essential to assure the machine runs smoothly. "It allows me to use the life experience I have to help with projects," says Johnson.
With near-limitless possibilities, what is essential to a successful project? "Designing a project that truly is something you care about," Johnson says. "Why is it important to me? Also, your relationship with your mentor can make or break a project."
Johnson considers successful projects to be ones where you can say "I'm glad I did that," afterwards. This doesn't mean that you necessarily want to pursue a career in that field or even enjoyed your experience with it; it means the experience was valuable to you.
Successful projects in the past:
-Training a mule
-Documenting a journey through rehab
-Clothing drives
-Making trailer for family
-Building a Scull (boat)


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Please be aware that online communications including email may contain sensitive information that could potentially be viewed by a third party. I wish to take every reasonable precaution to keep your information secure, and request that email be used for scheduling and inquiries about services only.
Please note that if you are a client or potential client, contacting me through social media is a violation of your confidentiality, which is not guaranteed or protected through these mediums. As a result, I will not contact or communicate with clients through these sources, which may include, but are not limited to: Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest, online forums, Facebook, etc.


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Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones – Shadow Gray (Renewed)
Price: $199.99 - $181.10
(as of Mar 02,2024 20:03:40 UTC – Details)
Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) actively blocks external noise Up to 22 hours of battery life enables fully-featured all-day wireless playback Real-time audio calibration preserves a premium listening experience,Soft over-ear cushions for extended comfort and added noise isolation Apple W1 chip for Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth connectivity and battery efficiency, Take calls, control music and activate Siri with multifunction on-ear controls With Fast Fuel, a 10-minute charge gives 3 hours of play when battery is low, Pure ANC-off for low power mode provides up to 40 hours of battery life
HEAR YOUR MUSIC, NOT THE NOISE: Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) blocks out distractions, so you can get closer to your music. Designed for a long-term wear. Soft Over Ear Cushions feature advanced venting and ergonomic pivoting for a custom, flexible fit for any head shape
CHARGE IN MINUTES WITH FAST FUEL: With Fast Fuel, it only takes a few minutes of charging to get up to 3 hours of play, so you can be on your way quicker
LISTEN ALL DAY: Enjoy your playlist without interruption, because a full charge lasts up to 22 hours – or up to 40 hours with Pure ANC off
PAIR EASILY, SWITCH SEAMLESSLY: With Class 1 Bluetooth, you stay connected to your music even when your device isn't nearby. With iOS and the Apple W1 chip, one press and you're paired with your device. Now you can easily go from taking a call on your iPhone to watching a movie on your MacBook
WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones | (NOT Included: microUSB Cable and Remote Talk Cable)
User Reviews
There are no reviews yet.


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Software a Strategic Priority for the European Commission
On 21 October, the European Commission approved its new Open Source Software Strategy 2020-2023, a part of the overarching Digital Strategy of the Commission and contributing to the Digital Europe programme. SWForum.eu, a project funded by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Programme, will set out the landscape of European projects in Software Engineering, Digital Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, as well as bring together a wide forum of researchers, industry, policy makers, and end users, including those in the Open Source domain.
The internal strategy is called ''Think Open'', and sets out a vision for encouraging and leveraging the transformative, innovative, and collaborative power of open source. It promotes the sharing and reuse of software solutions, knowledge and expertise, in order to deliver not only better European services, but services that benefit society and have lower economic cost. The aim of the strategy is to increase the use of Open Source in both practical and strategic sectors, while recognising the importance of collaboration between governments, researchers, industry, and the public at large for building new, innovative digital solutions that work across borders and towards technological sovereignty.
SWForum.eu aims to create a self-sustainable online forum that facilitates and encourages both researchers and practitioners as well as projects in software engineering, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity to create intersections of expertise and a multidisciplinary approach to research and innovation. This openness and collaboration is very much in line with the European Commission's goals for a digital Europe and, in this particular case, for Open Source Software.
Sign up to our newsletter for updates!


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Southampton: Che Adams could make national team switch to Scotland
By Marc Walker
Southampton striker Che Adams could make a national team switch from England to Scotland, according to multiple reports.
The Daily Express (Sunday 22nd Nov 2020, pg 9 Sport pullout) and the Daily Mail online confirm that Adams has been contacted by Scotland in the past but has rebuffed all approaches until now.
However, they also state that he is still being eyed up by the Scottish FA after showing some impressive form for Saints this season.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl refused to give his opinion on the choice Adams has to make recently, saying:
""Some decisions are up to the player and this is one of them. He must take this decision by himself."He just has to be focused on his work here and international football can be a bonus on top. But as a club manager it is not something for me to get involved in.""
The way that this situation goes will likely depend on how hungry Adams is for international football right now.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It's time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
At 24, he has most of his professional career still ahead of him and could get his chance with England if he keeps showing the form he has for Saints recently.
He also knows that he would get a lot of game time with Scotland if he was to take up their offer though.
Given that there are only two forwards from the Premier League in Steve Clarke's most recent squad – Ollie McBurnie and Oliver Burke, both of whom have played and scored less than Adams this season – he would clearly add more goals and more quality to those options.
With England, it would certainly be difficult for Adams to break into Gareth Southgate's squads.
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tammy Abraham and even Danny Ings have been called up in the recent past and provide a tough group to breach. If one of them is injured or out of form, another steps up to get their chance.
Therefore, Scotland is certainly a more realistic choice for Adams right now. As mentioned before though, his ambition will probably be to reach his full potential in football and there is no reason why that can't be breaking into the England setup.


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President Moon Jae-in presides over a meeting with his key aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Yonhap |
Speculative land buying scandal pushes down President's support rate
By Jung Da-min
A speculative land purchase scandal involving employees of a state-run housing corporation has dragged down support for President Moon Jae-in and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), becoming a major variable for the April 7 mayoral by-elections in the cities of Seoul and Busan.
Given that real estate is one of the most sensitive issues here with people suffering from high home prices, there are expectations that the effects of the incident may not stop at the by-elections but go beyond them accelerating the Moon administration into a lame-duck presidency.
According to a survey of 2,510 adults conducted by local pollster Realmeter from March 8 to 12, 37.7 percent said they believed Moon was doing a good job, down 2.4 percentage points from the previous week. Those expressing disapproval of the President's job performance continued to outnumber those expressing support, moving up 1.7 percentage points to 57.4 percent.
Realmeter noted that the illegal land speculation using classified inside information by the employees at the Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH) may have affected the poll result with more and more people showing a negative sentiment toward the Moon government's housing policies.
Political commentator Choi Young-il said President Moon is not a lame duck at this point with an approval rating hovering above 30 percent and no exodus seen among his supporters, but disapproval of his job performance is growing especially over real estate policies, with more young voters and centrists turning their back on him because of the LH scandal.
"If the ruling party loses in the April 7 by-elections, it is highly likely that the lame duck phenomenon for the Moon government will be accelerated," Choi told The Korea Times.
Park Young-sun, ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate in the April 7 by-election, speaks during her visit to a local child protection institution in the Songpa District of Seoul, Monday. Yonhap |
According to the Realmeter survey, support for the DPK is also decreasing amid the scandal. In the survey, 30.1 percent of respondents supported the ruling party, down 0.9 percentage points from the week before, while 32.4 percent favored the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), up 0.4 percentage points.
The gap in approval ratings between the DPK and the PPP was larger in the Seoul metropolitan area, where the mayoral by-election will be held, with 27.6 percent of respondents from the capital supporting the ruling party, down 2 percentage points from the previous week's poll, compared to 36.4 percent supporting the PPP, up 2.2 percentage points.
Other recent surveys showed that people believe the LH scandal will be a variable in the April 7 by-elections. According to a survey of 1,000 adults conducted by pollster STI from March 12 to 13, 75.4 percent of respondents believed the LH scandal would affect the Seoul mayoral by-election, while 22. 4 percent said it would not.
The survey also showed 61.5 percent believed President Moon should make a public apology for the scandal, while 32.3 percent said this was unnecessary.
Among Seoul mayoral candidates, support for DPK candidate Park Young-sun has been on the decline, while that for both PPP candidate Oh Se-hoon and People's Party candidate Ahn Cheon-soo has been rising.
Oh Se-hoo, the main opposition People Power Party's candidate for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, left, and minor opposition People's Party candidate Ahn Cheon-soo shake hands during a joint policy vision presentation session held at a studio in Yeongdeungpo District in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps |
While Oh and Ahn are talking about fielding a single unified candidate representing the opposition bloc, the STI survey showed either Oh or Ahn would beat Park easily.
"Centrist voters are fast leaning toward the opposition, and we suspect the LH scandal was the key reason," an STI official said.
Meanwhile, President Moon failed to offer an apology for the scandal Monday, only saying during a meeting with key aides at Cheong Wa Dae that the government will make every effort to prevent public officials from engaging in corrupt real estate deals, by establishing a law preventing conflicts of interest. He also said the LH scandal should not be "used" as a tool for political strife.


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WiFi as a WAN problem
I have problem with configuration of pfsense…
I connect to Internet via wifi. I install pfsense on my local server and on this computer (local server) I have connection with Internet. But computers from my LAN can access only to my local server.
When I config pfsense with 2 standart LAN card everything was ok, but when I want to use wifi, local computers cant get to internet.Wifi is on prism (its new card, works fine on other computer), 166MHz/48MB RAM.
Pfsens find my card as wi0 and I do this as a WAN.
Can you help me ???
Make sure you are using the correct mode (most likely infrastructure) with the wificard. Also note that 48 MB RAM is not enough RAM. We only support systems with at least 128 MB. Below that amount of rum you can encounter unpredictable problems due to processes not starting or randomly killing services.


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Yesterday, oil prices rallied towards their highest levels this year after the Department of Energy (DOE) reported a weekly drop in US crude oil inventories. Also, the prospect of losing Iranian supply added to concerns over the delicate balance between consumption and production.
The DOE reported its weekly petroleum statistics yesterday morning and the biggest takeaway was a 5.3 million barrel draw in crude oil. The number seems large, however, the American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated a draw of 8.5 million. Gasoline stocks built 1.3 million barrels, which again underachieved the expectations of API, which predicted a build of 2.1 million barrels. Distillates recorded a build of 6.2 million barrels, which was slightly bearish compared to API's estimate of 5.8 million build. Refinery runs increased by a whole percentage, increasing refinery capacity to just under 98% (97.6 %.). Cushing crude oil stocks built 1.2 million barrels.
According to Gordon Gray, HSBC's global head of oil and gas equity research, we can expect the price of oil to continue to rise, potentially getting to significant figures. Gray says, "While we aren't explicitly forecasting Brent to rise to $100 a barrel, we see real risks of this happening. The fact that much higher supply is already needed from the likes of Saudi Arabia – and the low levels of spare capacity remaining – leave the global system highly vulnerable to any further significant outage." Iran is the main culprit of the worldwide supply issue, as traders have shifted their focus on the impact US sanctions against Iran can have on oil exports.
Yesterday, WTI crude oil settled up $1.12 to $70.37/barrel, RBOB increased $0.0206 to $2.0348/gallon, and ULSD increased $0.0057 to $2.2577/gallon. It will be very interesting to see how energy prices will react with Florence right around the corner.


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How To Buy A Modular Home: The Credit Score You'll Need
Purchasing a modular home is a significant choice that one can make.
What are the qualifications to buy such a home? What kind of credit score do you need to buy a modular home?
What about income, location, and down payment requirements?
This post will answer all these questions and more so that you have an easier time understanding what it takes to purchase a modular home.
What's the Minimum Credit Score To Get a Manufactured Home Loan?
You'll need a credit score of at least 620 to get a manufactured home loan if you are putting 3% to 5% down.
If you're applying for an FHA loan, meant for first-time homebuyers, it's possible that you may be able to get approved with a 500 credit score, if you're willing to pay a 10% to 20% down payment.
A lender may approve someone with a lower credit score if they are co-signing on the loan and agreeing to be responsible for paying it back in case of default or foreclosure.
What's more, some states have laws that set a higher requirement for credit scores to get manufactured home loans.
Is It Easier To Get Approved for a Modular Home?
Yes, it can be easier to get approved for a modular home since the loan process is shorter and the credit requirements are less stringent.
What's more, some lenders may be willing to work with you if your financial situation has changed or if circumstances have led to a lower score over time.
But modular home loans are also riskier in that they typically come with higher interest rates than traditional manufactured homes, which means you could
What is the Modular Home Process Like?
The modular home process starts with a consultation. It's a way for the lender to get an understanding of what you want and need in terms of a modular home.
This is also a chance for the borrower to ask any questions they may have about the loan process, such as how long it will take and how much it will cost upfront.
The pre-approval process can be done at this meeting stage to set your expectations.
If everything works out, then you'll move on to the application stage.
This is where the lender will request more documentation from you, like your bank statements, pay stubs, W-2 copies, and more.
They will also perform a credit inquiry, which is usually not considered when taking out loans for traditional homes.
Once the lender reviews all of your paperwork, they will decide whether or not to approve you for a modular home loan based on certain criteria that is outlined in their lending policies and procedures.
If approved, then congratulations! You're one step closer to getting your new home.
But if denied- don't give up hope because there are plenty of other lenders out there who may be willing to work with you.
What Are Some Alternatives if I Don't Have Enough Money for a Downpayment?
If you don't have enough money for a down payment, you can:
1. Ask a family member or friend to co-sign on the loan with you. However, they will be responsible for paying back the loan if it is not repaid by you.
2. Apply for an FHA loan and make a low down payment. However, this requires meeting certain guidelines in order to qualify as a first-time home buyer, such as credit score requirements.
3. Apply for a commercial mortgage and get approved with lower credit score requirements. What's more, these loans are typically longer than traditional manufactured home loans, so they may be better suited if your financial situation is unstable over the next few years or if circumstances are leading to changes in your credit score.
How Can I Improve My Credit So I Can Get Approved for a Loan?
There are many ways to improve your credit score. Your score is made up of five factors.
The first is the amount of debt you owe. The higher your ratio, the better it will be for your score.
Next, look at how often you use your credit and whether or not you pay off that balance every month.
It's also wise to keep an eye on what type of accounts are in good standing, like a student loan account with payments on time and not a lot of debt.
It's also important to take all the negative accounts off your credit report, like an unpaid bill or bankruptcy filing.
It's also important to take all the negative accounts off your credit report, like an unpaid bill or bankruptcy filing.
The next factor is how long you've had credit. The better your length of time, the higher it will be for your score.
Make sure not to close your credit accounts, even (or especially) if you're not using them. It's also wise to keep your oldest credit accounts open.
Finally, you need to look at new inquiries in your report.
It's generally not a good idea to open a new line of financing or credit card within six months of applying for modular home financing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is The Modular Home Process?
It could take up to 8 months.
What Is the Length of a Modular Home Loan?
20 years is the maximum for a loan on a modular home.
What Is the Minimum Down Payment for a Modular Home?
The minimum amount of money you can put towards your purchase upfront will vary based on how much the mortgage company feels they are at risk and what kind of loan program you use, but 0% to 20% is common.
Does A Higher Down Payment Mean The Interest Rate Will Be Lower?
Yes, it will mean you have less of a risk factor, and the bank or mortgage company feels they are taking on less risk.
How Much Income Do I Need To Get Approved for a Modular Home?
You'll need a gross income of at least $3,000 per month to be approved for a modular home.
You'll also need an income that is stable and will remain the same over the next year as well.
Can I Get A Modular Home Loan If I Make Minimum Wage?
It is possible to get approved for a modular home loan if you make minimum wage, but having a higher income will help your ability to qualify, which is why it's good to work on increasing that income as much as possible.
Final Thoughts
What kind of credit score do you need to buy a modular home?
In general, a score above 600 plays a major role in your ability to purchase a modular home.
However, there are many ways to get approved for a loan if you have less than perfect credit.
You can take some time to improve your current credit score, find a co-signer, or contribute a larger down payment to get more leverage.
A modular home is obtainable and flexible for most with careful planning and a good support system.
Take your time to make an intentional, well-calculated plan and you'll be on your way to homeownership in no time!


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Organised by European Union, the 'European Dairy, Olive Oil and Table Olives Webinar' will be organised online on 18 March 2021, Thursday from 3.30pm – 5.30pm (GMT +8) happening online. Perfected by centuries of tradition and expertise, the authentic flavours of European food are closely connected to its origins and cannot be replicated elsewhere. Produced under strict health, safety and production standards, EU food products are synonymous with high quality, allowing consumers to enjoy a diversity of tastes with a peace of mind.
Click here to register.
Agenda |
3.30 – 3.45pm: Welcome by Angela May (Moderator), Food Specialist 3.45 – 4.00pm: Opening speech and introduction of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) and its concrete benefits for trade relations between EU and Singapore in the food and beverage industry by Ms Justyna Lasik, Head of Economic and Trade Section, European Union Delegation to Singapore 4.00 – 4.20pm: The characteristics of EU Food products and its benefits in the context of the EUSFTA with a focus on Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labels by Chef Beppe De Vito, iLido Restaurants & Bars 4.20 – 4.40pm: Benefits of EU-Singapore EUSFTA for Singapore and ASEAN markets for dairy products by Ms Ary Taoubi, Channel Manager at Classic Fine Foods, Singapore 4.40 – 4.55pm: Delectable creations using dairy, olive oil and table olive products from EU, demonstrated by Chef Teo Yeow Siang, Culinary Director at Three Embers 5.00 – 5.15pm: Benefits of EU-Singapore EUSFTA for Singapore and ASEAN markets for olive oil and table olives – speaker to be announced 5.15 – 5.20pm: Closing remarks by Ms Justyna Lasik, Head of Economic and Trade Section, European Union Delegation to Singapore |
The introduction of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in 2019 has improved market access by simplifying trade procedures and removing all tariffs on certain EU products, making European food more price competitive and attractive.
Join us for the webinar session and find out why EU products are More than Food and how you can appeal to the discerning consumers in Asia with best-in-class food and beverage from EU.


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In this report, author Jean Bessette examines the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) operating in 2017 in four communities in Coös County, New Hampshire. She reports that the SFSP provides benefits to Coös County on multiple levels. For children, it ensures the availability of nutritious meals in the summer when school meal programs are not operating; for parents, it helps to alleviate pressure on food budgets; and for communities, it helps to ameliorate the impacts of poverty and lack of economic growth and development. Successful strategies to increase participation in summer food programs include providing bus services to transport children to sites and leveraging non-federal funding to provide meals for adults, thereby increasing the participation of children and youth. Sponsors in Coös County report that the requirements of summer food programs can be frustrating at times. For example, programs are not allowed to send leftover food home with children, and the paperwork can be burdensome. In some cases, program staff were confused or uncertain about program rules, such as procedures for handling leftover meals and snacks. Bessette concludes that expanding and funding more summer food sites and exploring and implementing other innovative strategies to provide food to children in the summer is vital in order to ensure that children grow and thrive.
Publication Date
Fall 10-30-2018
Durham, N.H. : Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Document Type
Recommended Citation
Bessette, Jean, "The USDA Summer Food Service Program in Coos County New Hampshire" (2018). The Carsey School of Public Policy at the Scholars' Repository. 350.
Copyright 2018. Carsey School of Public Policy. These materials may be used for the purposes of research, teaching, and private study. For all other uses, contact the copyright holder.


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Soon I will be changing this blog's name. Name's are important and I have thought long and hard about this change to come. I need to still keep the importance of stories and books alive and well but make the title cute and catchy. Keep tuned in the next few days for the unveiling of the new name for this blog. Please keep following me as I rant and pour out my passion for wonderful kids books that are crying out to be read aloud and given a loving home to live in. I will always be a kids books lover! When it comes to them I am ageless. I had a wonderful professor once whose office was ceiling to floor stacked with amazing kid books. He made me feel normal and I felt I had met a kindred spirit. David Booth is still very much alive and well and spreading that good news of exciting children's stories. He literally (both figuratively and literally) changed my life. He is totally Canadian and has written many wonderful books himself. Check him out - he's brilliant and one of my inspirations for what I do now.
I will announce the new name before June1st.


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(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Singer-songwriter Heather Maloney will bring her unique blend of folk, rock, jazz, and pop to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, May 8, at 9pm, just one week after the release of her long-awaited new album, "Making Me Break" (Signature Sound Recordings), on which she worked with Grammy Award-nominated producer Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses, Avett Brothers) to an artistic vision to merge Maloney's folk roots with indie rock. Singer-songwriter Will Dailey will warm up the crowd for Maloney.
Maloney, noted for her startlingly soulful voice and literate songs exploring themes of spirituality, transformation, and impermanence, has been nominated for an independent music award, chosen as an emerging artist at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and records for premiere new-folk label Signature Sounds.
Maloney spent the end of 2014 in Nashville recording songs for "Making Me Break" with producer Reynolds (Band of Horses, Avett Brothers, Lissie). "The sounds I love in indie rock are so lush, and textured, and intricate, like someone spent a lot of time on this, so they must really care," Maloney explains, citing influences such as Ben Howard, The Shins, and Io Echo.
"And as a singer-songwriter raised on folk, I am drawn to lyrics that that are meaningful, intelligent, tell a story, paint pictures… that care. So I just wanted to make an album that cared musically and lyrically. Some sort of a bleeding heart meeting a distant, unaffected, sparkly rock band. That was the goal."
Maloney's new music has a definite edge, but it also has a classically trained voice that delivers well-crafted lyrics over a technical arrangement — a combination we've recently seen getting mainstream appreciation once more. Suddenly, the term "singer- songwriter" carries serious weight again. Chalk it up to a revival of everything 1990s and Maloney's influence from "those bleeding hearts," as she calls them, referring to artists like Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and Aimee Mann.
Critics are quickly discovering Maloney's talent with No Depression raving "her music is riveting, her voice adventurous, her lyrics thought-provoking…" while Blurt Magazine wrote "Heather Maloney is one of the most talented tradition-based singer-songwriters I have heard in some time…the writing is stunning."
Although she went to school for music and had done plenty of singing she only began writing songs in 2009 after living and working for three years in a silent-retreat meditation center in central Massachusetts.
Maloney had a breakout 2014, sharing stages with Anais Mitchell, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Lake Street Dive, Shakey Graves, and more. Her joint EP with indie-folk quartet Darlingside, "Woodstock," gained national attention in the New York Times for their cover of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock," which Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young) lauded as "Delicious, really excellent."
For reservations in The Restaurant or in the club call 518.828.4800.


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A Perfect Day Trip to Sandy Island & Prickly Pear in Anguilla
Welcome to a tiny oasis off the coast of Anguilla.
Yes, Anguilla itself is quite a small piece of the paradise pie; after all, you can drive end to end in just about an hour…
But just a quick boat ride through the turquoise waters brings you to several other little islands that make for a perfect day trip.
A Day Trip to Sandy Island and Prickly Pear in Anguilla
What is Sandy Island in Anguilla?
In 1984 a tiny little hut was placed on nothing more but a patch of sand, aptly named Sandy Island.
When I say a patch of sand, I mean it! It's only about 250 meters long.
The tiny island has been through a lot though, Hurricane Luis in 1995 and 2017's Hurricane Irma both ravaged Sandy Island in Anguilla with a few storms in between too.
The restaurant and bar that was on the island were rebuilt a few times and at one point; the island was completely submerged underwater after Irma. As the island reappeared, the restaurant was built again, and business is as usual!
Sandy Island boasts white sands, snorkeling, some lounge chairs, and a restaurant serving up the freshest of fresh seafood. Lobster and crayfish are THE things to have, and the bar is serving up cocktails.
There's often live dancing and music to be enjoyed while you're here or walk a few steps down to the beach and relax doing absolutely nothing… That's acceptable too.
The famous Sandy Island in Anguilla may have the bluest of blue waters, although Prickly Pear Beach isn't too bad either!
What Is the Prickly Pear in Anguilla?
Made of two cays, the eastern and western cays, Prickly Pear is a refuge for both humans and birdlife alike. The western cay is uninhabited, unless you count the birds and fish that thrive here, and makes a perfect place for exploring the seas. The eastern cay has two small restaurant and bars.
Hop in with your snorkel, play with the fish and find the little inlet heeding a sea of pink shells that have washed up. There is no beach here, but if you make your way to the eastern island, you'll find yourself on the pearly white sands of your dreams.
Here are two little huts with refreshments and food, a few lounge chairs and that's about it! Take a wander along the coast to get a view of the western cay and clamber around the prickly rocks! Don't forget your shoes on this walk as I did.
On the island, besides doing a lot of basking under the sun or napping under an umbrella, you can rent kayaks, snorkels, and paddleboards to explore further.
How to Get to Sandy Island and Prickly Pear in Anguilla?
It's incredibly easy to reach Sandy Island and Prickly Pear.
The best, easiest, and cheapest way to get to these two places is making your way to Sandy Ground Pier and taking the shuttle boat.
From Sandy Ground Pier you can catch the boat at 11 am and 12:30 pm and then from Prickly Pear back to Sandy Ground at 2 pm or 4 pm Tuesday-Sunday. Your ticket is $40 for the round trip which includes a drink.
Like Prickly Pear, Sandy Island in Anguilla also has a shuttle boat service that costs $10 per person round trip and is only 15 minutes or so off the coast of the main island. The boat often goes and comes hourly starting at 10 am.
For either boat shuttle, it's highly advised to book ahead of time! Email or give them a ring to give them a heads up on how many people is in your party and when you'd like to go.
For private transfers to the island, so you can go at your own pace or perhaps have the entire speedboat for your part only, Calypso Charters did a great job taking us around from Prickly Pear to Sandy Island and back.
They had the rum punch flowing and perfect seats up front to layout on. For anyone with a larger group or who wants to do their own thing when they want to, booking with Calypso would be the right choice.
Most services only operate November to August consistently and then it would be weather dependent and by reservation only outside of that time.
A Sandy Island and Prickly Pear Day Trip in Anguilla
If you do just one thing in Anguilla, it should be to spending the day island hopping around Sandy Island and Prickly Pear!
This was undoubtedly a highlight of my time in Anguilla, and there's nothing quite like that feeling that you're happily lost on a stranded island…
But without leaving the comforts of a beach lounge chair and the option to chow down on some fresh lobster. After all, you are here on vacation, not an episode of Survivor, right?!
The best way to have an entire day here would be to book your boat here as I suggested, with Calypso Charters, to make the most of your time and to be sure you do not have to work around someone else's time.
Another thing to keep in mind is to plan to have lunch on either of the islands. The seafood is fantastic and couldn't be any fresher. The prices are similar to what you'd pay on the main island so no need to pack a lunch or anything before heading out here.
Leave some extra time for some fun like snorkeling around Prickly Pear and dancing to steel drums on Sandy Island… As if Anguilla isn't its own little getaway paradise island, you can get away even further here for the day.
What Should I Bring to Sandy Island and Prickly Pear?
- Bring cash if you can as the restaurants often have a charge for using a card.
- Tons of sunscreen, I reapplied twice and it still wasn't enough. Be careful not to turn into a lobster—only eat lobster…
- Flip flops, don't go barefoot as I did on Prickly Pear, the rocks can be damn prickly!
- Bring your own snorkel if you have one! And if you're snorkeling, don't forget your GoPro.
- Bring your own towels or sarong, there's no option to rent or use any other towels on the islands.
- Don't forget a phone charger so you can take pictures (not play on the internet) and to grab a waterproof case of some sort because it can definitely get wet on the boat.
So is visiting Sandy Island and Prickly Pear in Anguilla on your itinerary? I hope so!
Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. She's been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? for nearly as long. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer!


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View the landscape of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas through the lens of the journal of the first scientist to visit the area. Whether your interests are natural history, human history, or simply exploring, this trip, led by Steve Patterson, Ph.D., will help you see this region with new eyes.
In 1819, when the English botanist and naturalist Thomas Nuttall arrived in Fort Smith, the fort was only two years old. Nuttall's journal describes prairies in the flat river valleys, thick riverside vegetation, and sparsely wooded hillsides on Sugarloaf and Cavanal. As a plant taxonomist, Nuttall accurately identified many plants still found here today. This tour will follow his path at the same time of year and see what remains and what has changed after nearly 200 years of European-American settlement. The field trip starts at Fort Smith, where the Poteau River enters the Arkansas, and makes its way along the river and through the prairies, to end the day near present-day Lake Wister. The day will begin with a brief introduction on the campus of Kiamichi Technology Center, Poteau, at 9:00, followed by the field trip through the river valley. A box lunch and bus transportation will be provided.
If you would like to read Nuttall's journal before the class, organizers suggest the edition edited by Savoie Lottinville and published by the University of Oklahoma Press as A Journal of Travels into the Arkansas Territory in the Year 1819.
For more information or to register, contact Nina Morgan (email@example.com, (918) 647-5418)
or Danielle Mathews, ( firstname.lastname@example.com, (918) 647-5439), or download the flyer.


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Siobhan Dowd (pronouced Sh-vawn) was named one of the "top 100 Irish-Americans" for her global anti-censorship work with the writers' organization PEN America. Dowd also co-founded the English PEN's readers and writers program, which brings authors into underprivileged schools, prisons young offender institutions and community projects.
Her first book for young readers, A Swift Pure Cry, was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and the BookTrust Teenage Prize. She is also the author of The London Eye Mystery (2007), and the Bog Child (2008).
Siobhan died on August 21, 2007, at the age of 47. She had been receiving treatment for advanced breast cancer for 3 years and, according to her website, "did not go gentle into that good night."
Before she died she set up the Siobhan Dowd Trust to provide books and support for public and state school libraries in economically challenged areas, children in care, asylum seekers, young offenders, and children with special needs. Future royalties from her books will support the charity.
Her final novel, A Monster Calls, was completed by Patrick Ness and published in 2011, with illustrations by Jim Kay.
Siobhan Dowd's website
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The Cleaner
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BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary LifeScan said today it won FDA clearance for wireless integration of its OneTouch Verio Flex blood glucose monitoring system with WellDoc's FDA-approved BlueStar diabetes management system.
The OneTouch Verio Flex system is now cleared to automatically wirelessly transmit blood glucose monitoring data to WellDoc's BlueStar system, which in turn provides patients with real-time feedback and virtual coaching based on patient specifics. The system also keeps the patient's health care teams informed of their status for better decision making, the company said.
"Our partnership with WellDoc highlights our sustained commitment in helping to drive better health outcomes by building a more connected patient experience. Integrating digital solutions such as OneTouch Reveal mobile app and BlueStar will help patients self-manage their diabetes and create value for health care providers," LifeScan world wide prez Valerie Asbury said in a press release.
The companies said they are working with health plans to provide patient access to the integrated system.
The companies inked a deal in March seeking to integrate LifeScan's OneTouch Verio Flex blood glucose monitoring system and OneTouch Reveal Mobile application with WellDoc's BlueStar diabetes management platform and mobile app.
The integration of the systems is intended to provide patients with smart monitoring tools and motivational, behavioral and educational coaching that LifeScan claims has been shown to improve patient health.
LifeScan said that in a clinical trial of WellDoc's platform, patients who used the system showed a 1.9% decrease in glycated hemoglobin level over 12 months, 1.2% higher than the "usual care" group.


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At the AMIA 2012 Annual Symposium on Monday, Oct. 5, attendees got a good look at just how complicated clinical decision support is as an issue when it comes to patients with co-morbidities, in the educational session "Opportunities to Support Complex Medical Decisions through Informatics." Presented by Mary K. Goldstein, M.D., MSc, Donna M. Zulman, M.D., MS, Roberto A. Rocha, M.D., Ph.D., and Mark A. Musen, M.D., Ph.D., the session offered its four presenters the opportunity to describe some of the efforts they are involved in at their patient care organizations and universities to explore the very common challenge of providing robust, meaningful clinical decision support to physicians treating patients with multiple medical conditions. As Goldstein, director of the Geriatrics Research Education & Clinical Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, Calif., and a professor of medicine at Stanford University, noted at the outset of the session that more than 50 percent of older adults in the U.S. suffer from three or more chronic diseases, and that these "multimorbid" patients, as they are sometimes called, account for a large percentage of annual healthcare spending. Yet using clinical decision support tools to help physicians diagnose and treat them remains a major challenge.
Each of the panelists in turn shed light on some of the learnings their colleagues are absorbing in this area. Zulman, a general internist and an investigator at the Center for Health Care Evaluation at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, described in detail two bundles of challenges bedeviling clinicians in this area. First, she noted, there is a core patient self-management challenge, as multimorbid patients have to try to adhere to very complicated diet, exercise, and medication regimes. Second, she said, physicians treating such patients inevitably get caught up in the complexities of trying to take into account multiple treatment guidelines, adhere to multiple and sometimes-conflicting quality measures, and sort out individual patient needs, all at the same time. Informatics can help tremendously, she said, in navigating such situations. Among the typical examples she cited: physicians treating osteoarthritis are generally advised by CDS systems to prescribe NSAIDS for their pain, while those treating diabetes are told to prescribe aspirin. The combination of the two, of course, increases dramatically the potential for bleeding. So the opportunities to address co-morbidity interrelatedness, she said, will be among the richest areas of endeavor going forward.
Rocha, a senior corporate manager for knowledge management and clinical decision support in the Clinical Informatics Research and Development Group at the Boston-based Partners HealthCare system, described the work that he and his colleagues have been doing to define and manage complex patient states, including embedding about 340 action rules so far in their electronic health record (EHR), and working collaboratively to create what he called a "consistent representation of clinical context" in order for physicians treating multimorbid patients to look in more nuanced ways at their multimorbid patients.
And Musen, a professor of medicine at Stanford University who conducts research related to intelligent systems, the semantic web, reusable ontologies and knowledge representations, and biomedical decision support, described the groundbreaking work that he and his colleagues have been involved in, in building the "GLINDA" system (Guideline Interaction Detection Architecture), which attempts to ameliorate the "messiness of clinical situations" by applying multiple clinical-practice guidelines, adjusting for patient co-morbidities, and adjusting for interactions among the individual recommendations providing by any CDS for specific situations, by "adjudicating" complex situations that trigger conflicting decision support advice.
The ability to develop synthesized clinical decision support, to develop an ontology of guideline interactions, and to "develop agents for detecting conflicts, repairing conflicts, prioritizing and integrating treatment recommendations," he said, will be key to moving towards the next generation of clinical decision support.
In the end, the presenters agreed, it will take diverse, yet concerted, work on the part of many teams of medical informaticists to move clinical information systems forward towards the day when they will routinely be able to dispense the kinds of nuanced advice physicians need when caring for multimorbid patients. Doubtless, it will be researchers and developers with the insights and learnings gleaned by these informaticists and their colleagues, who will be in the forefront of that movement going forward.