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by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle, 9-14-2012
Editor's note: This article is more recent than the Chronicle's Safe Choices series published in 2010. The entire series is posted in the Safe Choices Program category from part one through 30 starting with part one.
NEWPORT — A Coventry man was sentenced to three to five years in jail — with all but just over a year of that suspended — for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and engaging in a prohibited act. He was given credit for time served.
Cristopher Smith, 27, of Coventry, was arrested on August 8, 2011, after he threatened Jennifer Hersey Cleveland, a reporter for the Orleans County Record and a former Chronicle editor, with a knife. He also ordered her to undress. Ms. Cleveland had seen Mr. Smith hitchhiking with his dog in Coventry and offered him a lift.
When Mr. Smith pulled his knife on her, Ms. Cleveland grabbed his arm and broke the weapon before running from the car and seeking help at a nearby house. Mr. Smith has been held without bail since his arrest.
Just after the initial sentencing hearing, Lawyer Gertrude Miller found herself in an unusual situation — forced to ask Judge Howard VanBenthuysen to extend her client's time in jail.
After a three-hour-long hearing, during which Ms. Cleveland asked him to serve justice in "a merciful, therapeutic manner," Judge VanBenthuysen agreed to the sentence worked out between Ms. Miller and Deputy Orleans County State's Attorney James Lillicrap. The hearing was held in the Orleans Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court.
It called for a three-to-five-year sentence for Mr. Smith, all but 353 days of which were to be suspended. In addition, the sentence included several pages of conditions including provisions that called for him to participate in a mental health treatment program, refrain from hitchhiking and not drive with female passengers unless given permission to do so by his probation officer.
The snag, discovered by probation officer Lisa Levesque, was that Mr. Smith's sentence would have forced the state Department of Corrections (DOC) to release him immediately, even though his place in a treatment program will not be ready for up to six weeks.
The state and Mr. Smith's lawyer agreed that he needs to be in a treatment program for some time to come.
After the discovery of the sentencing mishap, Judge VanBenthuysen quickly reconvened the hearing and with the agreement of all parties reset the period Mr. Smith must remain in jail to 395 days. He agreed that, should the treatment facility be able to accommodate Mr. Smith sooner, he would readjust the sentence to allow him to enter the program.
The sentencing hearing was ostensibly called to allow Ms. Miller to contest two provisions of the sentencing agreement — that calling for Mr. Smith to refrain from giving women rides in his car, and that calling for him to participate in the therapy program.
In fact, Ms. Miller never discussed the first provision, and spent much time trying to influence the type of therapeutic program Mr. Smith is ordered to attend.
Despite frequent objections from Mr. Lillicrap, Ms. Miller spent an hour questioning a California psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Hochman, in a an attempt to elicit damaging testimony about Safe Choices, the residential treatment program where Mr. Smith lived for seven years before the attack on Ms. Cleveland.
Mr. Lillicrap argued that the questions were irrelevant because the plea agreement specifically stated that Mr. Smith would not be returned to Safe Choices without a judge's order.
Judge VanBenthuysen wryly noted that Ms. Miller is a leading expert on Safe Choices, and has been involved in civil suits against the organization. The Chronicle spent several years investigating the program and published a lengthy series of articles on its controversial practices (the series is published in its entirety elsewhere on this site.) Ms. Cleveland also reported on the program for the Orleans County Record.
Dr. Hochman did criticize the program on the stand and in an affidavit submitted in advance of the hearing.
The affidavit says he interviewed Mr. Smith for one and a half hours and read 5,000 page of documents about his treatment. His work led him to the conclusion that Mr. Smith suffers from high functioning autism, marked by "poor control of anger and disability in navigating adult social relationships…" It also says he believes Mr. Smith was initially mislabeled as a sexual offender "based solely on several isolated episodes of faulty peer socialization that bore superficial resemblance to behavior that would be viewed by most as perverse if it occurred between sexually mature adults."
It says that as a result of this initial mislabeling, he was put into a mandatory psychological program that "confined him to minimal participation in society as well as having him attend regular group sessions which appeared to use humiliation as a primary tool of behavior control."
"Based on my review and my clinical experience, it is remarkable that in the months prior to the crime that put him in prison the following sequence of events took place: a) after years of being chaperoned and needing to have any movies he rented approved by NEKHS [North East Kingdom Human Services] staff for limited sexual content, Mr. Smith succeeded in hacking the channel/ billing apparatus of a host family's satellite TV system, and had free reign to watch "XXX channels" for five months until the host family discovered their monthly credit card bill had automatically been raised to pay for the XXX channels. C) Several days after being banished from his new world of pornography/ fantasy, Mr. Smith committed the first actual sexual offense in his lifetime. It is my observation that this was done in a hapless manner, noting an immediate subsequent suicide attempt was done in an equally hapless fashion. It is mu further opinion that is is medically probable that there is a link between the phenomenon of pornography withdrawal and the commission of his crime, further noting that for years he was indoctrinated to view himself as a sexual deviant who was unable to fully function in society."
He recommended that Mr. Smith be given therapy that would help him become part of a community and develop skills and interests that would enable him to participate in the outside world.
Gail Falk, the only other witness called by Ms. Miller, said she became Mr. Smith's guardian seven years ago. As head of Vermont's Office of the Public Guardian, Ms. Falk met him when she went to Philadelphia to bring him back to Vermont after he grew too old for the school where he had been housed.
"I was overwhelmed by what a scary place that school was," Ms. Falk recalled. "I was glad to hear that it was later closed down by the state of Pennsylvania."
Ms. Falk said the two of them bonded and she has remained Mr. Smith's guardian although she no longer works for the state. She said that she searched for a program that would enable Mr. Smith to nurture his abilities and help him to make friends and deal well with others.
She said that Mr. Smith has been in sex offender group therapy since he was 14.
"If it was going to be effective, it would have been," Ms. Falk said.
Ms. Falk recommended that Mr. Smith be sent to Specialized Community Care, a small program that is willing to make space for him.
Judge VanBenthuysen said he appreciated the effort that Ms. Falk made to find the program, but pointed out that his ability to direct the DOC is limited that that agency would make the final decision about where Mr. Smith is sent for treatment.
Mr. Smith's sentencing hearing began with a statement from Ms. Cleveland who read prepared remarks, stopping to hold back tears several times (see below).
Ms. Cleveland spoke directly to Mr. Smith, who did not look at her. She told him that though she forgives him she wants him to know that his actions have had a major impact on her life.
Since the attack, Ms. Cleveland said, she has lost her sense of trust and said, "I can't force myself to stop and help others in need — because of what you did."
Although she is willing to recommend a sentence other than jail now, Ms. Cleveland told Mr. Smith that if he is again charged with a similar offense "expect to see my face in the courtroom, but in the future, I won't be asking the court to be merciful."
At the conclusion of the hearing Judge VanBenthuysen asked Mr. Smith if he cared to speak. Mr. Smith rose and, without turning to face her, apologized to Ms. Cleveland.
"I know what I did was wrong," he said. "I'm really sorry for what I did. I could never hurt anyone again."
Mr. Smith asked the court for another chance. He concluded by reading a poem he called "Puppet String."
In it Mr. Smith described himself as a puppet and envisioned a day when he would break free of the strings that control him.
"One day I will pull loose my strings that holds my weight and stand on my own two feet/ and celebrate/and go where the world awaits."
After Mr. Smith finished his statement Judge VanBenthuysen spoke first to Ms. Cleveland, praising the courage she showed in resisting her attacker and the compassion she showed in calling for mercy for him.
The judge said he sensed sincerity in Mr. Smith's apology. He told him that he wrestled with the question of whether or not to accept the proposed sentence agreement, but had been swayed by the fact that it was Mr. Smith's first criminal offense and by Ms. Cleveland's statement.
"This is a rehabilitative sentence," Judge VanBenthuysen said. He pointed out that the therapy recommended by Ms. Falk and Dr. Hochman is similar to that practiced by Safe Choices in that it is "intensively supervised."
Should the court err in sentencing "any error in this case has to be in the safety of others," Judge VanBenthuysen said.
Jennifer Cleveland's statement:
I want justice to be served, but in a merciful, therapeutic manner for Mr. Smith, which I believe the sentence in plea agreement accomplishes.
I forgive Cris, but I want you to know the impact of your actions in my life, because that's something I can never forget.
It took me years to feel strong and self-sufficient, to get to the point where I'm not afraid to live my life — because by the plain fact of my birth as a female I'm a potential victim of sexual violence.
My husband now wants me to carry a weapon at all times and is worried every time I leave the house, worried I'll again meet up with someone like you.
You destroyed my sense of trust. I stopped that day to help you, and in return you put a knife in my face. Now, I can't force myself to stop and help others in need — because of what you did.
My job requires going into secluded, rural places at times to speak with people. On one occasion, a man's mother had just been crushed when her home caved in on her. The man was in tears and reached out to me for some human comfort, and I couldn't even give him a hug. Because of what you did, I thought the man was trying to trick me to get close enough to hurt me.
Despite all of this, I'm giving my approval to what is a merciful sentence. I don't think jail is the place for you, but I certainly want you to get the help you need.
I hope you take this all very seriously and realize that not every woman would ask the court to treat you so kindly. I hope you find a reputable program that actually seeks to treat people who have problems similar to your own. It sickens me that you were placed in a program that encouraged you to behave this way and made you feel like you have no worth. But it is time to move on and put in the time and effort necessary for you to get better.
If you are ever again charged with an offense like this, expect to see my face in the courtroom, but in the future I won't be asking the court to be merciful.
contact Joseph Gresser at [email protected]
For more free articles from the Chronicle like this one, see our Editor's Picks pages. For all the Chronicle's stories, pick up a print copy or subscribe, either for print or digital editions.


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9 Best Roof Restoration Tips
If you don't think about roof restorations often, chances are that you don't know the importance of it. But roof restoration is necessary should you want to keep your roof in good shape. As a matter of fact, your roof protects you against sun, dirt, rain and weather. Given below are some tips that can help you with your roof repair.
Roofing material
It's important that you choose the best roofing material for your roofing. As a matter of fact, if you want to avoid spending frequently on your roofing, we suggest that you spend a bit more and get quality material. In fact, this is the first step as far as roof restoration goes. For best results, it's a good idea to go for tiles.
Modern material
If you want something lightweight, cost effective and durable, we suggest that you go for modern materials. This will help you save a lot on the cost of the material required for roofing.
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Roof report
It's a good idea to get a roofing akron report twice per year, which will save you plenty of money. Actually, what it does is help you resolve issues before they get worse. Keep in mind that it is a lot cheaper to conduct a roof restoration than replace it altogether.
If you want to prevent the accumulation of mosses, mildew and mold, you may want to clean your roof on a regular basis. Not doing so will make your roof weaker. As a result, you may have to replace it sooner.
Concrete sealant
The concrete sealant should be of high quality. Moreover, if you notice leakage or dampness, we suggest that you get in touch with a professional right away. On the other hand, if there is minor leakage or damage, you can get it fixed on your own.
If you want to make your roof tougher, we suggest that you opt for durable paint. As a matter of fact, good paint protects your roof form the elements.
Ideally, if you want to repair your roof, you may want to hire a good expert. As a matter of fact, following these tips is a great idea for roof restoration. Moreover, a great advantage of hiring an expert is that you have the peace of mind that your house is in good hands.
Right tools
You may want to make sure that the best tools are used for your roof repair.
Roofing company
Lastly, choosing the best roofing company is essential in order to make sure your roof is in good hands.
So, if you follow these 9 tips when fixing your roof, you will be able to get the whole project done properly. Just make sure you don't do heavy repair on your own.

subset: commoncrawl


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During today's stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia, a Spanish racing cyclist by the name of Pedro Horrilo lost control of his bike on the descent of the Culmine di San Pietro (Summit of St. Peter). The poor man went off the road and feel straight into a ravine. Doctors report he is in an induced coma and on a respirator, with multiple fractured ribs, fractured leg, a broken kneecap, a perforated lung and head trauma. The descent of the Culmine is a very technical one. According to paramedics, he fell more than 60 metres down the ravine before being airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital in Bergamo. The summit of St. Peter is a pass at 1258 m altitude in the municipality of Cassina Valsassina. In the past this crossing was used by shepherds in the Val Taleggio to conduct trade relations.
To see an example of what this rider may have faced, here's a video from another race last year.
I'm not terribly thrilled to know that mega bike races such as the Giro, for entertainment purposes or otherwise, have to design courses in such a way that riders face such life threatening situations. Pedro is 6ft tall, and sitting on a big bike like that high above the ground, the railings by the side of the road are too short to offer any protection. This is almost like going to war. There is no guarantee that you'll get back in one piece to your family.
So what is the limit for race organizers? When does it get a little bit too much to bear? Feel free to discuss.
Note : All Photos Courtesy Of Roberto Bettini.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
33 Safety Moment : Crashing 60m Into A Ravine
33 comments:
Ron, that is true. I don't have an answer. Just sayin if you are going to create a truly amzing race for riders and viewers, there will be riaky spots. And if you are going to race, you better know where those spots are and ride accordingly.
That said, it sounds as if vet riders are getting pretty pissed about the abuse of the racers required to take this high of risks.It is dreadful. The chasm between the actual experience and sitting at home watching is enormous and makes understanding and judgement difficult. Hopefully the race organisers will learn from this. I think there were some safety 'nets' placed along the course today - but why not there? As always it's a question of probability: was the accident unlikely to the point that the organisers where right to not make the turn safer, (was it so unlikely that the accident was even more tragic) - or was it too probable. It looks to me, given the fall on the other side, that there should have been a safety net/fence put there. I hope he recovers.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the video you posted, often a wrong move from a rider in front will cause a chain reaction behind. In this case the rider behind was pressured to ride at a comparable speed as the one in front, but when the rider in front breaked hard, the one behind found out its too late. Geez, he almost got impaled there!
ReplyDeleteTom, Bike Boy : I'm not a traffic engineer, but look at the guard rail in the picture. It looks solid, old and rusted. I think a better alternative would be to replace that with a low tension cable system that gives on impact, you know..and cushions you from toppling overboard. This way (and if you make it high enough), even if a rider hits it due to an accident, he wouldn't break a bone or get smashed in the groin. Or fall off the road from great heights. You have to consider a better guardrail design for that section of the road. Look at the drop down to the ravine!
ReplyDeleteThe descent was deemed unsafe and too dangerous by many, riders and commentators alike (see Lance's tweet). I agree with Ron's notion that race organisers do have responsibilities for the safety of riders (and spectators) and that this stage might have been the case, where the fine line between creating a sensational and reasonably safe course (yes, racing will always be dangerous but risk can be mitigated) might have been crossed.
ReplyDelete- Anonymous11:31 AM
So, the giro puts up fancy crash protection for the one day the race goes through, and what happens for the rest of the time?
These are not private roads, so normal cyclists & pros out training use them everyday. They may not be racing, but the roads aren't closed & being downhill anybody can go as fast if they don't use their brakes.
Lance has just come back from a broken collar bone, so is rather sensitive at the moment.
If pros were that concerned about safety, they would tighten their helmet straps properly, so they would actually provide some protection in an accident! - Anonymous5:02 PM
Pardon me if I differ from fanatical views, but Lance has been a whiner all this year. From ordering helicopters away on a whim, to sensationalizing his dispute with the French. He needs to man up and be what he was a few years ago. Sorry, but I just can't see him winning any more with this attitude. Live with it, this is bike racing.
ReplyDelete It does seem like a net (like they have for skiing) would have been good... or if the UCI hadn't banned disc brakes perhaps the riders would have more chance to stop once they realised they were in trouble... or if they were all on recumbants their COG would be low enough for the barrier to be effective...
ReplyDelete- Anonymous12:38 PM
On a 3 mile descent, 10% average, last weekend I went real slow... 15 mph or so; pretty rough road. Front rim got extremely hot, melted my rim strip, and my tube expanded into a spoke hole and punctured. Some sort of yellow non-cloth plastic rim strip that came with my Alexrims 450.


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Warriors of Color Page: Front Cover
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How Fraud Rings Evade Detection And What Banks Can Do To Stop Them
Law enforcement officials apprehended 18 individuals last week in one of the biggest card fraud schemes ever uncovered - the group stole more than $200 million by some estimates. News reports said that the group had been operating for almost ten years across more than 20 stats and sending money all over the world to accounts in India, Pakistan and elsewhere. One might wonder how the fraud ring could have operated for so long undetected, especially since they used very common tactics to conduct their fraud.
"This particular instance of fraud followed a regular pattern," says Ben Knieff, head of product marketing at NICE Actimize, which provides anti-fraud and anti-money laundering solutions. "They steal an identity or create a false identity… Then they cultivate a line of credit over six, nine, or twelve months, utilizing it like a very good customer. Then they bust out." By bust out Knieff means that they max out the credit line and then pay with a counterfeit check.
[See Related: Cyber Fraud Is Going Global, FBI Sting Reveals]
In order to not get caught many fraud groups hire mules - people they pay to open the lines of credit for them, Knieff says. They usually target vulnerable people looking for some extra money such as college students or the homeless. The mule then opens a credit line in their name or with a fake identity. That means that the fraud gets traced back to the mule instead of the fraudster, which means it can take a while for credit providers and law enforcement to realize that there is a full blown fraud scheme at work rather than a few individual instances of fraud, Knieff explains. And if attacks are made against different institutions by the same group it can also be difficult to connect the dots and trace the attacks back to the original source, he adds.
Stopping such fraud rings takes multiple approaches working collectively. "A lot of pieces need to work together. There's no one silver bullet," Knieff comments. Most credit issuers are already doing many of the things necessary to stymie fraud attacks such as a Know Your Customers policy, crosschecking their data with credit bureaus and heavily monitoring client activity after a new credit line is opened or an existing one is increased, according to Knieff. But the next step for issuers is to be continually evaluating those policies and procedures and be vigilant for new fraud patterns as criminals constantly adjust their techniques.
Regulations have also helped in fighting larger fraud schemes that target multiple institutions. "There's been some helpful recent changes following Dodd-Frank that make it easier to share information with law enforcement," Knieff says. "Bank A and Bank B could have the same criminal attacking them but they don't know it. Now law enforcement can request information without a subpoena, identify the fraud ring and then get a subpoena to follow up [on the investigation]. It helps law enforcement and financial institutions work together." Without such regulatory procedures in place to facilitate the sharing of fraud information it might not have even been possible 10 years ago to catch a fraud ring like the one brought down last week, Knieff suggests.
But the fight against fraud is constantly evolving and although the new regulations help, Kieff expects fraud rings to adapt by diversifying their operations. Instead of one group conducting a fraud scheme from start to finish, larger criminal organizations will start breaking down into smaller groups that specialize in one aspect of fraud. "One group may specialize in stealing identities and selling those; another group specializes in recruiting mules and selling them; then another group actually uses the mules to commit fraud," Knieff explains. This will make fraud operations more loosely connected and more difficult to detect, he says. Those working to counter fraudsters will have to adapt to this new model. "Everyone is working hard on this [fighting fraud], but it's never done," Knieff adds.
Jonathan Camhi has been an associate editor with Bank Systems & Technology since 2012. He previously worked as a freelance journalist in New York City covering politics, health and immigration, and has a master's degree from the City University of New York's Graduate School ... View Full Bio


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Is that what you think it is? Yes, it is. It's a dorsal fin that goes right up the jacksie, essentially splitting you open so as to improve your weight distribution somehow:
New to the Essax saddle line, the 'Shark' features a central fin at the rear of the saddle, which assists the rider in evenly spreading their weight on the sit bones.
Some of you might find this shocking, but as far as I'm concerned this saddle is the inevitable culmination of decades of dubious bicycle "innovation" and marketing. Thousand-dollar wheelsets, "beefy" bottom brackets, robust thru-axles, disc brakes, proprietary gravel bikes...all of this was merely a prelude, a romantic candlelight dinner, a way of softening you up and bending you over so that the bicycle industry can finally take you home and convince you to "do it in the butt."
Are you having trouble finding that perfect saddle? Is everything you try uncomfortable? Well, as it turns out, the problem with all of them is that they don't go inside of you:
In other words, until now cycling has been a poor substitute for anal play, but now you no longer have to choose between the two, which if nothing else is going to save a lot of people a great deal of time.
By the way, I'd like to congratulate myself for predicting the "clipless saddle" nearly five years ago, though I admit the mechanics work differently than I'd envisioned.
Anyway, now that the bike industry has plied you with wine, taken you home, sat you down on the leather sofa, cued up the Barry White, and popped the ass question, you're probably wondering one thing: "Does it hurt?" No, of course not, baby. It feels great--just as long as you do what I say:
Is it uncomfortable?
The fin seems at first sight an aggressive element that will hurt us when we are pedaling. But this is not like this, if the rider is well positioned on the saddle the fin is imperceptible. If we feel the fin than we know that we are not well seated on the asddle! Than we know we have moved away from our optimal point of support, this is the kinesthetic value of the SHARK.
By the way, did you notice that typo? That's right there on the manufacturer's website, and it's a Freudian slip that shows exactly what's on their mind:
Also, there's "much interest in England:"
Somehow I'm not surprised.
And if you've still got any reservations about sitting on this thing, you shouldn't, because it was invented by "a great mind" in "the cycle fitting world:"
"On first looks it's quite startling," added ICS organiser Phil Cavell. "But Iriberri is too great a mind in the cycle fitting world to ignore, it's a interesting idea."
Along with coaching, "cycle fitting" is perhaps the biggest racket going in the cycling world, and practitioners of both generally occupy a rung on the societal ladder between palm readers and pimps. I'd never heard of this Jon Iriberri character, but I looked him up, and I do agree he's got a lot of great ideas about bike fit, though most if not all of them involve the butt. For example, here he is subjecting someone to what looks to be some sort of hydraulic ass-derrick:
Here he is looking perplexed at a typical racing saddle and wondering how he can modify it to get it in the butt:
And here he is preparing to retrieve an early prototype:
In any case, I predict this saddle is going to be a huge hit, especially with triathletes:
Maybe the fin will keep them from falling off their bikes.


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Like London Drama, National Drama has also developed support materials for Drama teachers during this lockdown period.
There is a page on their website at Resources and they have a Resources Folder for sahring resources at Resource Folder.
Take care at this difficult time!
As a charity London Drama has recently joined Give As You Live, a campaign to benefit charities by encouraging people to shop online.
Shop with your favourite stores and they'll donate to London Drama - all without charging you a penny more. From John Lewis to Expedia, you can compare thousands of products and brands that will all raise money for any UK cause and get the best deal online. Get started raising money for London Drama today. Find out more on the video below - select Full Screen icon to view properly.
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This new practical resource book by Danielle Mackenzie published by London Drama provides teachers with seven exciting units of work and materials designed for the GCSE Edexcel Drama Examintion, New Specification, helping to organise "Order" in all that potential "Chaos".
Published as a downloadable E-Book.
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English Teaching in the Secondary School (1st Edition) £22.99 £17.00
Original edition of a book now in an updated third edition. Third edition price: £22.99.
English Teaching in the Secondary School is a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of teaching English. Presenting an informed view of current educational policy, the authors provide advice to help students creatively and independently interpret government initiatives and incorporate them in their teaching practice. With practical ideas for use in the classroom, extensive discussion of theory and opportunities for reflection and critical thought, the authors guide students through the whole process of English teaching in the secondary school.
In addition, we have some resources to support you via our e-news at Resources and our home page centre panel features our latest free online event
Drama Networks Survey
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STEP is a borough-wide partnership linking the theatre community and education and youth sector in the London Borough of Southwark. STEP aims to equalise, extend and deepen the theatre and drama experience of all young people living in Southwark through the development of strategic partnerships between schools, youth and community groups and theatres and performing arts organisations. STEP's objective is to work closely with Southwark schools, youth and community groups and theatres and performing arts organisations to develop creative approaches to learning and provide innovative projects which stimulate children and young people's personal development and contribute to their educational attainment.
Find out more here.


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Digital Collections
General James Wolfe Manuscript Collection
The Fisher Library is privileged to be the custodian of the single most important archive of Wolfe manuscript records in the world. This collection is of exceptional cultural and historical importance for all Canadians.
Medieval Manuscripts
Medieval manuscripts from the Fisher Library's Manuscripts collection.
Scott Carter
A collection of drawings, letters and ephemera related to the work of Alexander Scott Carter, born in 1881 in England and studied art and architecture there before coming to Toronto.
10% of our 800 bound manuscript volumes have been digitized, representing a range of disciplines including history, theology, literature, philosophy, science, and medicine and in languages as diverse as Arabic, English, French, Ge'ez, German, Hebrew, Latin, and Persian.
Collection of Manuscript Fragments
Collection of 190 pieces of vellum in Greek and Latin illustrating the history and development of handwriting from the 4th century until the end of the Middle Ages.
Printed Books
Digitized Printed Books from the Fisher Collection.
The Classics Department Papyrus Collection
The Classics Department Papyrus Collection at Fisher consists of three inventory types: the Paper Towel (PT) Inventory from Egypt; the Oxford University Gazette (OUG) Inventory, and the Rostovzteff-Welles (RW) Inventory.
The Agnes Chamberlin Collection
Over three hundred original paintings of Canadian flora and mushrooms by Agnes Chamberlin (1833-1913)
Canadian Pamphlets and Broadsides
Pre-1930 Canadian pamphlets and broadsides printed in Canada, by Canadian authors, or about Canadian subjects, mainly of a non-literary nature.
Canadian Printer and Publisher
Begun in 1892 and still being published today, the Canadian Printer and Publisher is the national organ of the printing industry in Canada.
The Patent Medicine Collection
A wide range of materials documenting the patent medicine industry from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1960s and 1970s.
Other Digital Collections Websites
Discover Archives
Explore archival holdings at the University of Toronto and its federated colleges.
The Discovery and Early Development of Insulin
Documents and artifacts from the initial period of the discovery and development of insulin, 1920-1925 at the University of Toronto.
Anatomia 1522 to 1867
Full page plates and other significant illustrations of human anatomy selected from the Jason A. Hannah and Academy of Medicine collections in the history of medicine.
The Wenceslaus Hollar Collection
The third largest repository for the artistic works of Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677).
The Barren Lands Collection
Documents from two exploratory surveys by J.B. Tyrrell in 1893-94 of the Barren Lands region west of Hudson Bay, in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the area now known as Nunavut.
Heritage U of T
Heritage U of T is a digital collection of archival records, photographs, books, maps, drawings, and sound and moving image files chronicling the University of Toronto's rich history.


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Formerly an Air Force base, Lowry has been transformed into a model New Urbanist community of diverse and vibrant traditional-style neighborhoods each offering a distinctive flare. A dazzling array of residences includes single family, luxury customs, townhomes, patio homes, condominiums, apartments, and a retirement community.
The mixed-use Town Center District artfully blends traditional and contemporary designs, while in the West Neighborhood, historic housing has been skillfully renovated and seamlessly integrated with new construction. Lowry's new public library is located in West.
Traversed by trails, green space, broad boulevards, and parkways where pedestrians reign supreme beckoned by inviting public spaces, Lowry boasts nearly 800 acres of parks and recreational areas, thirty-five percent of which are devoted to native plants and grasses.
Lawrence Phipps's lavish facility for the treatment of tuberculosis, established in the early 1900s, came to be considered one of the best medical centers in the nation, before newer, more modern facilities forced its closure in 1932.
Subsequently, The Army Air Corps established a base for training in aerial photography on the eve of World War II. By War's end, 41,000 students had graduated from Lowry Air Corps Technical School.
Lowry remained key training and educational facility through the Cold War years until its closure in 1988, but its legacy as a center for learning, culture, and healthful outdoor living continues to this day.
Proud recipient of the Governor's Award for Smart Growth, Lowry is considered a model community for urban-infill projects across the country.


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What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is a procedure done to remove tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. Some biopsies can be done in a healthcare provider's office, while others need to be done in a hospital setting. In addition, some biopsies can be done with a local anesthetic to numb just the local area involved. Others may need sedation or even full anesthesia that puts you completely asleep during the procedure.
Biopsies are usually done to find out if a tumor is cancerous or to find the cause of an unexplained lesion, mole, infection, or inflammation.
How is a biopsy done?
A biopsy can be done in various ways. It depends on the type of specimen needed. Tissue samples are usually small and taken from tissue that appears changed in structure, such as a tumor.
Types of biopsies
Endoscopic biopsy. This type of biopsy is done through a fiberoptic endoscope. This is a long, thin tube that has a close-focusing telescope on the end for viewing. The scope is passed through a natural body orifice (for example, rectum or mouth) or a small incision. It is used to look at the organ in question for abnormal or suspicious areas so that a small amount of tissue can be removed for study. Endoscopic procedures are named for the organ or body area to be viewed or treated. The healthcare provider can insert the endoscope into the gastrointestinal tract (alimentary tract endoscopy), bladder (cystoscopy), abdominal cavity (laparoscopy), joint cavity (arthroscopy), mid-portion of the chest (mediastinoscopy), or trachea and bronchial system (laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy).
Bone marrow biopsy. Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy). The tissue is usually taken from the back of the hip bones to be examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.
Excisional or incisional biopsy. This type of biopsy is often used when a wider or deeper portion of the tissue is needed. Using a scalpel (surgical knife), a full thickness of skin or all or part of a large tumor may be removed for further examination. The wound is sewn closed (with surgical thread).
When the entire tumor is removed, it is called an excisional biopsy. If only a portion of the tumor is removed, it is called an incisional biopsy. For instance, excisional biopsy is the method usually preferred when melanoma is suspected. Both types of biopsies can be done by using local or regional anesthesia. If the tumor is inside the chest or belly, general anesthesia is used. Under some circumstances, surgeons will take an excisional or incisional biopsy that goes immediately to the pathologist while the patient remains under anesthesia. This is to make sure of complete removal of a tumor. One example of this is during Mohs surgery on the face.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. This type of biopsy involves using a thin needle and syringe to remove very small pieces from a tumor. Local anesthetic is sometimes used to numb the area. The test rarely causes much discomfort and leaves no scar.
FNA is not used for diagnosis of a suspicious mole. It may be used to biopsy large lymph nodes near a melanoma to see if the melanoma has spread. Breast and thyroid tumors are examples of tumors that may be studied through FNA. A computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) may be used to guide a needle into a tumor in an internal organ, such as the lung or liver. An ultrasound, fluoroscopy (a type of continuous X-ray) or other study may also be used for guidance of the needle. A core biopsy is similar to the FNA, but with a larger needle for a larger tissue sample.
Punch biopsy. Punch biopsies involve taking a deeper sample of skin with a biopsy instrument that removes a short cylinder, or "apple core," of tissue. After a local anesthetic, the instrument is rotated on the surface of the skin until it cuts through all the layers. This includes the dermis, epidermis, and the most superficial parts of the subcutis (fat).
Shave biopsy. This type of biopsy involves removing the top layers of skin by shaving it off. Shave biopsies are used to diagnose some basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers as well as other skin lesions, but they are not recommended for suspected melanomas of the skin. Shave biopsies are also done with a local anesthetic.
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). RCM is a technique that allows the healthcare provider to look at an abnormal area of skin to a certain depth without cutting into the skin or removing a skin sample. RCM is used widely in Europe, and it's now available in some centers in the U.S.
Common biopsy sites
Bone marrow
Gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines)
Lymph nodes
After a biopsy, the tissue specimen is sent to the pathology lab to be examined and analyzed. The time needed to get results back varies depending on the type of tissue and the tests being done.


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Listen to free music played by adelagrace
Blip.fm is internet radio made social. It's easy to search for, play, and discover free music recommended by real people. Join today to create your own free station and start listening to @adelagrace.
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San Diego — The United States and Mexico are rewriting rules on how to share water from the Colorado River, capping a five-year effort to form a united front against future drought in their western states.
The far-reaching agreement to be signed Tuesday gives Mexico rights to put some of its river water in Lake Mead, which stretches across Nevada and Arizona, giving it badly needed storage capacity. Mexico will forfeit some of its share of the river during shortages, bringing itself in line with western US states that already have agreed how much they will surrender in years when waters recede.
Water agencies in California, Arizona. and Nevada also will buy water from Mexico, which will use some of the money to upgrade its infrastructure.
The agreement, coming in the final days of the administration of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, is a major amendment to a 1944 treaty that is considered sacred by many south of the border. The treaty grants Mexico 1.5 million acre-feet of river water of water each year — enough to supply about 3 million homes — making it the lifeblood of Tijuana and other cities in northwest Mexico.
Mexico will surrender some of its allotment when the water level in Lake Mead drops to 1,075 feet and reap some of the surplus when it rises to 1,145 feet, according to a summary of the agreement prepared by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which will buy some of Mexico's water.
The agreement expires in five years and is being billed as a trial run, potentially making it more palatable in Mexico.
"These are big political steps for Mexico to take," said Jeffrey Kightlinger, Metropolitan's general manager. "Chances are we won't have a surplus and we won't have a shortage but, if we do, we'll have the guidelines in place on how we're going to handle the situations as they come about."
In 2007, facing an eight-year drought, California, Arizona, and Nevada agreed on how much each state should sacrifice during shortages on the 1,450-mile river that flows from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. That same year, the US and Mexico promised to work on ways to jointly address shortages.
The negotiations gained a sense of urgency for Mexico in 2010 after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake damaged canals and other infrastructure, forcing it to store water temporarily in Lake Mead, the body of water held by the Hoover dam
"They have some storage but it's not enough for drought and emergencies," said Halla Razak, Colorado River program director at the San Diego County Water Authority.
Roberto Salmon, Mexico's representative to the International Boundary and Water Commission, was scheduled to attend a signing ceremony in Coronado, near San Diego.


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Watch Trailer
Director: Richard Linklater
Writer(s): Richard Linklater
Cast: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey
In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town's most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs, and the townspeople went months without seeing Marjorie. The people of Carthage were shocked when it was reported that Marjorie Nugent had been dead for some time, and Bernie Tiede was being charged with the murder. From the director who brought you DAZED AND CONFUSED and WAKING LIFE, starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley MacLaine.


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Pittsfield Pedestrian Killed on Route 7
LENOX, Mass. — A 46-year-old Pittsfield woman was killed shortly after midnight on Sunday when she was struck by a car on the Pittsfield Lenox Road.
According to Lenox Police, Stacy A. Macfarlane-Holmes was crossing the Pittsfield Road (Route 7) near the Price Chopper plaza on foot at about 12:39 a.m. when she was hit by a southbound 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle driven by Firas M. Kara of Lee.
Macfarlane-Holmes was in the southbound lane when the accident occurred but her direction of travel has yet to be determined. She was transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield where she was pronounced dead.
The state police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section is in the process of reconstructing the crash. Kara states that he never saw Macfarlane-Holmes in the roadway. This area of the Pittsfield Road is somewhat poorly lit and it was raining at the time of the collision.
Officers Ward and Lagarce responded to the scene. They were assisted by state police from the Lee barracks, the Pittsfield Police Department, the Lenox Ambulance and the Pittsfield Fire Department.
This incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this is urged to contact the Lenox Police at 413-637-2346. Officer Ward is the investigating officer.
Tags: pedestrian, motor vehicle, fatality |
High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A high-speed chase on Saturday night ended with a single-car crash on Route 2 that sent three of the vehicle's occupants to the hospital.
According to police, Michael Gancarz, 18, of Lime Street, Adams, was traveling north on Howland Avenue at speeds in excess of 100 mph in a 2006 Subaru Impreza at about 9:30.
The vehicle was totaled; booms can be seen near where the car landed to contain any oil leakage. |
Adams Police pursued and contacted North Adams Police. Within minutes, the Subaru had smashed through the guardrails and a stop sign at the intersection of Curran Memorial Highway and South State Street, near The Range miniature golf course.
The car went airborne and landed in a ditch near the near a body of water.
Passengers Justin Meczywor, 17, of Clarksburg and two girls whose names were not released because of their ages were taken to North Adams Regional Hospital.
Gancarz was charged by Adams Police with operating a vehicle with intent to endanger, failing to stop for police, a marked-lanes violation and speeding.
Tags: motor vehicle, accident, injuries |
Williamstown Accident Sends Three to Hospital
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The three-car accident in front of the Spruces on Tuesday afternoon sent the three people involved to the hospital.
According to police, Elin Ozdemir, 79, of Emerald Lane, the Spruces, was stopped in the eastbound lane of Main Street waiting to turn left into the mobile home park at about 3:20 p.m. when she was struck from behind by a 2002 Honda Odyssey operated by Nicole Deblois, 38, of Dalton.
The collision pushed Ozdemir's 1992 Plymouth Acclaim into the westbound lane of Main Street, where she was then struck by a westbound 2010 Ford Escape, operated by Lenore Freeman, 61, of Williamstown.
Ozdemir's Plymouth ended up perpendicular to Main Street in the middle of the roadway. Deblois' Honda ended up on the eastbound sidewalk at the intersection with Hamel Avenue. Freeman's Ford veered right, jumped the curb, and traveled across the Spruces lawn, coming to rest near the fence of the Spruce's pool.
Williamstown Police and Fire, along with Village and North Adams Ambulance services responded to the scene. The Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to assist in extracting Ozdemir from her Plymouth.
All three operators were the sole occupants of their vehicles and all three were transported to North Adams Regional Hospital. None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening.
All three vehicles were towed from the scene, each with extensive damage. Deblois was cited for following too closely.
Tags: motor vehicle, accident, injuries |
Fatal Accident Closes Route 8 in Adams
A stretcher sits empty at the scene of a fatal accident in Adams on Friday. |
ADAMS, Mass. — An accident on Route 8 Friday afternoon left a Florida woman dead.
Jill Keating, 46, of the town of Florida was killed after her Chevrolet Avalanche crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer that was preparing to take a left into Speciality Minerals at about 12:25 p.m. Friday afternoon, according to police.
Keating was pronounced dead on the scene and the driver of the tractor-trailer, Eduardo Manuel Nunes of Miami, Fla., was uninjured.
Route 8 was closed for about four hours and traffic was rerouted from Friend Street through the industrial park.
Emergency personnel on the scene were the Police Department, the Ambulance, the Fire Department, North Adams Ambulance and the Cheshire Fire Department. North Adams and State Police were requested for traffic assistance. The State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and the Truck Team were requested to investigate the accident.
A full investigation is still ongoing.
Tags: fatal, motor vehicle, accident |
Pittsfield Woman Injured in New Ashford Crash
NEW ASHFORD, Mass. — A Pittsfield woman was injured in a single-car crash on Thursday morning on Route 7.
Guadalupe Santiago-Castro, 23, was transported to Berkshire Medical Center after apparently losing control of her 2003 Trailblazer just north of The Mill on the Floss restaurant on New Ashford Road. The accident was reported at 9:10 a.m. and witnesses at the scene described her as appearing to be badly injured.
Santiago-Castro is being cited for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to keep to right when view is obstructed and marked lanes violation.
A state police spokesman had no further information on the accident.
Tags: motor vehicle, accident, injuries |


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Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
Test Overview
A vaginal self-examination is a way for a woman to look at her vulva and vagina. A vaginal self-examination may help you better understand your body, the changes that take place during the menstrual cycle, and any problems that may need medical attention.
The best time to do a vaginal self-examination is between your menstrual periods. A vaginal self-examination should not replace a regular pelvic examination by your doctor.
Why It Is Done
A vaginal self-examination can be done to:
- Help you learn more about your body and what is normal for you.
- Help you check for vaginal sores, abnormal discharge, or other problems, such as genital warts.
How To Prepare
To do a vaginal self-examination, you will need:
- A small flashlight or good lighting in the room.
- A handheld mirror with a long handle.
Choose a time when you are not having a menstrual period. Do not use vaginal creams or douches before doing the examination.
How It Is Done
Take off your clothes below the waist. Have the mirror and flashlight where you can easily reach them. Wash your hands. Sit on the floor, a bed, or a couch and support your back with pillows. Bend your knees, place your feet near your bottom, lean slightly backward, and spread your knees apart so your genital area can be seen.
Hold or prop the mirror in front of your genital area. Look at the:
- Outer and inner fleshy lips of the vulva (called the labia).
- Bump of tissue covered by a hood of skin at the front of the labia (called the clitoris). The clitoris is the main area that is stimulated during sexual activity.
- Opening of the urethra where urine drains from your body.
- Opening of the vagina.
- Opening of the anus.
Have the light reflect off the mirror so you can clearly see your vaginal area. Then use your fingers to spread apart the vaginal lips. Adjust the light and mirror until you can see into the vagina. You should be able to see the reddish pink walls of the vagina, which have small folds or ridges known as rugae.
Look at your vaginal discharge. A normal discharge usually is clear to cloudy white, smells slightly acidic (like vinegar), may be thick or thin, and changes a little throughout the menstrual cycle. To learn more, see the topic Fertility Awareness.
How It Feels
Relax your pelvic and belly muscles as much as you can during the vaginal self-examination. You should have little or no discomfort from the examination, unless you have a vaginal infection or an open sore.
A vaginal self-examination is a way for a woman to look at her vulva and vagina. You should tell your doctor about any problems you find.
Normal: | The vulva does not have sores or other growths, such as genital warts. |
The vaginal walls are reddish pink and have folds or ridges. No sores or growths are present. | |
Normal discharge is clear and thin or white and creamy. The discharge does not have a bad odor, is not bloody, and does not look like curds (cottage cheese). | |
Abnormal: | Sores or rough, raised spots on the skin (such as genital warts) may be present. Redness and itching of the labia may mean an irritation (from feminine products or sexual activity) or infection (such as genital herpes or another sexually transmitted infection) is present. |
Vaginal discharge that has a bad odor may mean an infection such as trichomoniasis is present. Discharge that looks like curds may mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. |
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to do a vaginal self-examination include:
- You are having a menstrual period.
- You douched or used vaginal products before the self-examination.
What To Think About
- A vaginal self-examination should not replace a regular pelvic examination and Pap test done by your doctor.
Other Works Consulted
- Krantz KE (2007). Anatomy of the female reproductive system. In AH DeCherney et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 5–55. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.


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(The bear in the picture is NOT included but, I will fill the bag with something fun)
I will then pick a WINNER on Saturday, August 1st.
Now for the RULES:
If you follow the format below I will also give you ONE extra point. It will definitely make it easier for me to track all of your entries. Thank YOU!!!
Then send your email to me at kimberlywalus (at) gmail (dot) com
My Name is:
My Email is:
My Blog Address is:
I completed the following requirements:
I have ____________points.
Point Requirements:
- 1 point for leaving a comment on this post.
- 5 points if you want to add me to the blog list on your sidebar.
- 5 point for creating a post on your blog and linking to my giveaway.
- 5 points for leaving a comment on my Charmed Gift Bag Post at Moda Bake Shop.
- 5 points for being or becoming a follower on my blog.


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Sometimes I get this crazy notions that I have a lot of time on my hand to do whatever. I know. Crazy right?! I mean, as the years go by I realize that "it will only take five minutes" will never be an accurate statement. It takes Bailey a mere 30 seconds to hide my shoe and I end up spending the next hour looking for it (what do you mean you have more than one pair of shoes?!!). However I relish recipes that allow me to marinate, brine or cure. Recipes that let time do its thing. Not in five minutes and surely not in thirty seconds.
There is virtue in meals quickly put together. My better half is eating a lot of leftovers with a poached egg on top as I work my way through several book projects at once. That really takes ten minutes and it's just fine most nights. There are however days when I want to take more time with food. So I make ravioli and enjoy rolling dough to relieve stress and I release a few expletives in the process. I let my pan of ratatouille go on for hours until perfectly caramelized. I relish in the long simmering process of onion soup.
And then entered gravlax…The last time I had made gravlax was over 10 years ago. On a whim. After watching The Galloping Gourmet on T.V. I remember it distinctly because France had not been exposed to many cooking shows before and something about the concept was brilliant. The experience was so easy that I really can't figure out why I waited this long to make it again.
It is so simple and you can literally put the cure together in less than 10 minutes and two days later have the most delicious gravlax. Bill loves it on his bagels in the morning and could not stop asking me "ready yet?" "are you sure it's not ready yet?" I kept repeating like a stubborn mule "Thirty six hours dear. Be patient". Patience is key. The gravlax is buttery, sweet and salty and fragrant of dill and juniper berries all at the same time.
Some of us belonging to the Martha Stewart Circle were gifted with quite many pounds of fresh Norwegian Salmon as part of a campaign they were running. I love salmon but living on the waters of South Carolina, it is not a fish I buy often since it does not fish in the waters around here and I try to support local fishermen as much as possible. If I get salmon, I get Pacific wild salmon but I was intrigued by the claims of sustainability and ethically ocean-farmed raised salmon.
I got in touch with my favorite source on everything seafood, Becky from Chef Reinvented whose first cookbook, aptly entitled Good Fish is coming out in the Spring. What came out of our exchange, and without knowing lots of specifics about this company, is that not all ocean farmed salmon is equal and that some Norwegian farms are better than other farms, do not use antibiotics and monitor the growth and feeding of the salmon carefully. We both agree that even though it could be raised in better conditions than other farms in the world, it still does not compared to wild caught salmon. We also determined that it would be a waste of darn good fish not to cook with the one I had received!
I started with making Thai Coconut Salmon Soup actually and posted a preview on Flickr a couple of weeks ago but did not get around to post yet. The second one was this appetizer made with homemade gravlax and I could not help but make a quiche. No fear, everything will be up on the site at some point! Nothing could be easier than this appetizer. Well once the gravlax is done of course… I pan fried some dried prawn crackers (also named chips depending on the brand) and topped each with a slice of radish, some gravlax, a dollop of creme fraiche and sprinkled everything with chopped chives and pomegranate seeds. The combination of sea, sweet and salty was pure joy on the tastebuds.
Oh dear… we ate the entire thing that evening with some bubbly and shared it all with good friends.
Homemade Gravlax And Prawn Crackers Appetizer:
Serves 12
For the gravlax, adapted from The Minimalist.
Time: 10 minutes, plus 24 to 36 hours' refrigeration
1 cup salt
2 cups sugar
1 bunch dill, stems and all, chopped
2 tablespoons cracked juniper berries
1 2- to 3-pound fillet of salmon, pin bones removed.
Mix together the salt, sugar, dill and juniper berries. Place the salmon, skin side down, on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Cover the flesh side of the salmon with the salt mixture, making sure to coat it completely. (There will be lots of salt mix; just pile it on.)
Wrap the fish well. If the temperature is below 70 degrees, and it is not too inconvenient, let it rest outside the refrigerator for about 6 hours, then refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours more. Otherwise, refrigerate immediately for about 36 hours.
Unwrap the salmon, and rinse off the cure. Dry, then slice on the bias (see illustration). Serve plain or with lemon wedges, creme fraiche, sour cream or a light vinaigrette.
For the rest of the ingredients:
freshly fried prawn crackers/chips or already made ones – just make sure they are fresh! (available at most Asian grocery store)
12 thin slices of radish
1/3 cup creme fraiche or sour cream mixed in with some salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Make the gravlax according to the recipe directions. Fry the prawn chips according to package instructions or use already fried ones (available at Asian grocery stores) Layer slices of radishes, slices of salmon, top with dollops of sour cream, some chives and pomegranate seeds.
Use as little or as much as you want…just be prepared. The combination is seriously addicting!!


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Sec. Kerry travels to Kabul to meet with Karzai
| Kabul, Afghanistan
US Secretary of State John Kerry began urgent talks Friday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai as an end-of-October deadline loomed for a security deal that would allow American troops to remain in Afghanistan after the NATO-led military mission ends next year.
Kerry's unannounced visit to Kabul comes as talks on the Bilateral Security Agreement have foundered over issues of Afghan sovereignty despite a year of negotiations.
The United States wants a deal by the end of the month, but discussions have stalled over Karzai's demand for American guarantees against future foreign intervention and US demands for any post-2014 residual force to be able to conduct counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
US officials insist they are optimistic about a deal, but the continuing deadlock leaves it doubtful that any agreement will be reached by month's end. If no deal is signed, there will be no US forces in Afghanistan after 2014.
Officials traveling with Kerry told reporters aboard his plane that the US continues to believe the Oct. 31 deadline is "doable and desirable" and that failing to meet it would create significant problems.
They said uncertainty caused if no agreement is signed by the end of the month would make it more difficult to plan the next phases of withdrawal from Afghanistan and could erode the resolve of NATO allies that are considering leaving troops there for training.
Without the United States on board, it is unlikely that NATO or any of its allies would keep troops in Afghanistan. Germany has already indicated it will not commit the 800 soldiers it has promised.
"That's why we're pressing," said one of the officials traveling with Kerry.
However, the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly preview Kerry's discussions with Karzai, stressed that Kerry is not expecting to clinch an agreement during his visit.
Instead, the trip, which Kerry and Karzai set up in an Oct. 5 phone call, is meant to build momentum for the negotiators who will continue their talks after Kerry departs, they said.
The atmosphere surrounding the talks has been soured by recent angry and emotional comments from Karzai complaining about the conduct of NATO forces.
One possible reason for the complaints could have been the capture of a senior Pakistani Taliban commander by U.S. forces on the same day Kerry and Karzai last spoke.
Pakistani intelligence officials, Pakistani Taliban and Afghan officials said Latif Mehsud was arrested by American forces as he was driving along a main highway. Karzai saw the move as an infringement on Afghan sovereignty.
Mehsud is a senior deputy to Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud. The Pakistani Taliban has waged a decade-long insurgency against Islamabad from sanctuaries along the Afghan border and also helped the Afghan Taliban in their war against U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, Karzai alleged that the US and NATO inflicted suffering on the Afghan people and repeatedly violated his country's sovereignty. The comments drew a sharp response from NATO's secretary-general who recalled how much the alliance has bled in Afghanistan.
Nearly 3,390 members of the NATO coalition have been killed since the US invasion, which marked its 12th anniversary on Oct. 7. They include at least 2,146 members of the U.S. military.
There currently are an estimated 87,000 international troops in Afghanistan, including about 52,000 Americans.
The US wants to keep as many as 10,000 troops in the country to go after the remnants of al Qaeda, but if no agreement is signed, all U.S. troops would have to leave by Dec. 31, 2014.
The agreement would give the US a legal basis for having forces in Afghanistan after that date and also allow it to lease bases around the country. It would be an executive agreement, meaning the Senate would not have to ratify it.
President Barack Obama acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press last week that keeping troops there would require an agreement, and without one, he would be comfortable with a full pullout of US troops.
Roughly 95 percent of the dozen-page agreement is complete, but the rest is penciled in until the two sides can agree on language, US officials say.
The officials with Kerry said the differences were "complex" and not easily overcome.
Afghanistan wants American guarantees against future foreign intervention, a veiled reference to neighboring Pakistan. Afghanistan accuses its neighbor of harboring the Taliban and other extremists who enter Afghanistan and then cross back into Pakistan where they cannot be attacked by Afghan or US-led international forces.
The second sticking point is about the role and conduct of the counterterrorism force the US wants to leave behind. Karzai has said the Afghan people cannot allow foreign troops to attack and kill Afghans on Afghan soil.
Karzai is calling a meeting of Afghan tribal elders to advise him on whether to sign a security deal. But that conference will not be held until November, Afghan officials say.
If they endorse the agreement, then Karzai has political cover to agree to it. He is keenly aware that previous leaders of his country historically have been punished for selling out to foreign interests and wants to make sure that any US-Afghan agreement is not seen in that context. Karzai, who cannot run for a third term, is slated to step down at the end of next year — the same time nearly all international troops are to have left the country.
In addition to the security talks, Kerry will be seeking assurances from Karzai on preparations for the election to replace him, the officials said.


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text: Athletic | Boxing | Bridge | Country | Cricket | Cycling | Fitness | Football | Golf | Gun | Gymnastics | Nightclubs | Photography | Rugby | Sailing St. Agnes Cycling ClubSt. Agnes Cycling Club in Cornwall like all cycling clubs up and down the country are simply thriving! Modern cycling in the UK started with Chris Boardman in 1992 where Chris broke the one hour record three times, wearing the yellow jersey on three separate occasions during the Tour de France as well as winning three illustrious stages. Since those early days when we had only one cyclist mainly on the main theater, now we have gone and topped in on the road with Bradley Wiggins or Wiggo as he is known as well as his trademark sideburns! With typical english humour after he was awarded the Tour de France trophy he then announced that he was going to draw the raffle! Also Mark Cavendish's previous years exploits in winning lots of stages and of course the green jersey. We also cannot forget the work that Chris Froome put it up those french climbs, and to finish just behind Brad on the podium in Paris was an incredible feat in itself. In 2013 Chris Froome was awarded the victory that he deserved for all his efforts that he put in 2012 and he rightly won the yellow jersey outright in Paris - well done Chris. The 2012 olympics also saw us having great success with Lizzie Armistead winning Silver in the women's road race and for Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome's to pick up gold and silver respectfully in the men's time trial event. Victoria Pendleton was unlucky to be DQ in the Team Pursuit with her partner Jess Varnish where she would have won at least another Silver medal to go with her two golds, along with the incredible Olympian Rebecca Romero the only British sportswomen to win Olympic medals in 2 different events - one gold in cycling and one silver for rowing. The 2012 Olympics was incredibly successful on the track with Team GB winning 7 out of the possible 10 on the track. Sir Chris Hoy picking up his 5th Gold in the Team Pursuit with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny and his 6th gold in the men's keirin later on. Jason Kenny went on to pick up his second gold of the games after he was chosen ahead of Sir Chris Hoy in the Men's individual sprint. Victoria Pendleton went on to later win the Womens' keirin in fine style and was unfortunate to only win silver in the Women's individual sprint against her big rival Anna Meares. The Men's team pursuit gold was defended by Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh shattering their own world record in the process. Ed went on to pick up a well deserved Bronze in the Omnium. The women (Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell) did an even better job breaking the world record three times in a row to win the Women's team pursuit. Laura Trott raced brilliantly to win the Women's Omnium to pick up her 2nd gold of the games - a staggering feat at the tender age of just 20! If ever there was a better role model for cycling then we've yet to see her - Laura Trott is a massive advertisement for young girls to get on their bikes in St. Agnes and get cycling. Nobody would be surprised if she ends up to be the most successful british Olympian ever with so much time on her side and quality in her cycling skills. With the option for clubs to cycle on the roads or indoors in the incredible velodromes - cycling has a great future thanks to the amount of strong competition we have in this country and that is why St. Agnes Cycling Club will do extremely well in the future. As well as the road racing and velodrome meets, BMX and off road cycling is also fantastically popular. |


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Forest Whitaker isn't much bothered by being one of the season's biggest Oscar snubs.
Although he's won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, it's always been about the craft for the veteran actor. So repeated comments that he deserved a nomination for his leading role in "Lee Daniels' The Butler" and for "Fruitvale Station," which he co-produced, just roll right off.
"I've been doing this for years and my goal is purely to expand the human experience, to expand myself and connection with other people," he said in a recent phone interview to promote his new film "Repentance." "That's my real goal. It's always nice when people celebrate me or my work. But that's not my real marker. It's seems to be more of a marker for others."
Sure, Whitaker was disappointed that "Fruitvale Station" wasn't among the nine Oscar nominees for best-picture. But he ultimately felt the film didn't need a nomination or an award to validate its success. It was "beautifully done," he says.
"It was some great performances, and I think people did acknowledge my work," he said. "As far as nominations, you really just can't allow yourself to get caught up. You just have to see how it flows."
"The Butler," "Fruitvale Station," "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" and nine-time nominee "12 Years a Slave" were among last year's bumper crop of acclaimed films about black racial struggles.
While gratified with Hollywood's attention to these issues, Whitaker is hopeful black actors will also be cast in more natural, colorblind roles in films that go beyond a racial theme or ethnic marketing strategy.
"In my career, probably maybe 80 percent of the time, I've been playing characters that had no ethnicity or different culture," Whitaker said. "So I've been lucky."
But there's no question Whitaker's characters have been diverse — from his assassin in 2000's "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai" to his Oscar-winning portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 2006's "The Last King of Scotland."
Whitaker took on a new challenge in "Repentance," a psychological thriller in theaters Friday. He plays bipolar Angel Sanchez, who seeks private treatment from a spiritual adviser, then takes him hostage.
It's also one of Whitaker's darkest roles — a "new territory," as he calls it. To prepare, Whitaker talked with mental patients and researched books and articles on the topic.
According to cast mates, Whitaker made it seem easy.
"He was very focused and specific," said Nicole Ari Parker, who plays Whitaker's wife. "It was almost easy to be in a scene with him because he was so powerful. … It was wonderful."
So is this a colorblind film? Not exactly. The story is based on Philippe Caland's 2012 film "The Guru and the Gypsy," which featured a cast of mostly white characters. But Whitaker wanted to remake the movie with an all-black cast. In addition to Whitaker and Parker, it stars Anthony Mackie, Sanaa Lathan and Mike Epps.
"I thought it was a brilliant idea," said Caland, who directed Whitaker in the 2007 film "Ripple Effect." "It allowed my film to be its own project that became bigger. He helped reinvent my movie rather than remake it."
Caland notes the film not only gave Whitaker an opportunity to portray a character outside his norm, but also allowed co-stars to stretch a bit, too, such as Epps, who is best known as a comedian.
The director said Epps showed he could play a serious role. "He wasn't the obvious choice, but delivered in an amazing way," said Caland. "It was a surprise to everybody."
Follow Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MrLandrum31