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Indonesia Highlights: Bali Extension: Sep 09—16, 2016
Register for WaitlistTour Details
Price: $5,195
$150 per person discount when combined with Indonesia Highlights:Sulawesi, Java & Komodo
Departs: Denpasar
Tour Limit: 8
Operations Manager: Margaret Anderson
Download Itinerary: PDF (168.5 KB)
Route Map
Tour Leaders
Dion HobcroftDion Hobcroft has been working for VENT since 2001. He has led many tours (more than 170) to...
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Bali Myna— Photo: TungCheung/shutterstock
The magical Hindu island of Bali, famous as a beach tourism hotspot, has a lot to offer the birder and naturalist. Situated at the eastern end of the Greater Sundas, Bali provides superb birding and wildlife viewing. The island's most iconic bird, the beautiful and very rare Bali Myna, will be at the top of the list during our Bali birding extension. Other special birds include the endangered Black-winged Starling, Beach Stone-curlew, the dazzling Small Blue Kingfisher, Green Junglefowl, Javan Plover, Java Sparrow, and the spectacular Javan Banded Pitta.
Our trip also ventures into the highlands where specialties include Crescent-chested Babbler, Javan Whistling and Sunda thrushes, Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot, the delightful Sunda Warbler, Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, and Gray-throated Ibon. Bali makes for a splendid five-day birding adventure, also offering sensational scenery and fascinating art and culture.
Good to excellent accommodations; easy terrain trail and roadside birding; tasty fresh cooked food; some good wildlife photographic opportunities; down time in the middle of the day where possible; hot and humid in the lowlands to cool and pleasantly fresh in the mountains.


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Jesus Dines with the Pharisee
2 cups beef stock mound of basmati rice sprigs of mint for garnish
Although veal may not be as popular today, it was a prized delicacy among the well-to-do of 1st-century Judea.
In a large electric frying pan, saute the onions and garlic in the oil until slightly golden. Add the veal portions and cook in batches until brown on all sides. Remove the veal and set aside. Stir in the water, flour, and pepper and bring to a quick boil. Blend in all the other spices while cooking on a low heat. Add the lime juice, tomatoes, and mint; replace the veal, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until veal is very tender.
In the meantime, cut the squash into eighths or twelfths. Place in a large, covered ovenproof dish along with the vinegar and beef stock and heat in the microwave on high for 10 minutes. Spoon the squash and vinegar stock over the veal and serve on a large bed of basmati rice surrounded by fresh mint.
Yield: 8 servings
Luke 11:37–42, King James Version
"But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs."
Throughout the New Testament gospel writings, Jesus is often in a war of words and deeds with the Pharisees, a group of religious Jews that had their own interpretation of how to live a life that was true to the practice of Judaism, to which they were utterly devoted. They embraced a lifestyle that placed great emphasis on, among other things, Sabbath observances and food tithes (a tithe is a tenth of what one earns). To some, and most certainly to the gospel writers, they were hardnosed and stubborn legalists; to many of their fellow Jews, they were men greatly to be admired, as they were learned in Jewish law and often hailed from some of the finest families in Jerusalem that were politically connected to both the most revered of religious authorities and, often, to Rome itself.
In this passage, Jesus has been invited to dine with one of the Pharisees, an amazing offer considering that the Pharisees rarely, if ever, would have thought to dine with someone outside their own circle. To have received such an esteemed invitation, either Jesus was a Pharisee himself (a view held by many scholars today), or he impressed them so by his knowledge of the scriptures and his interpretation of the Law that curiosity allowed internal rules to be set aside for at least one meal.
Jesus had barely entered the house when he is admonished for not having washed his hands, for it was a common practice of observant Jews to purify their hands prior to eating. The thought process was that impure hands made food impure; eating impure food made the body impure; eating a meal (a sacred act before God) with an impure body was an insult to God.
Undoubtedly, those who first heard this story would have responded with an "Oh, no!" thanking God, no doubt, that such a guest had not been invited to their home! Why? Because the interaction between Jesus and the Pharisee presented an uncomfortable conundrum. True, Jesus did not wash; but the lack of hospitality on the part of his host, who had apparently not offered a towel or water, was an incredible social faux pas. And in a further breach of manners, the host had the bad sense to insult his guest by pointing out the error; even worse, he made the observation after Jesus had already reclined to dine.
Jesus' previous experience with the Pharisees and their rituals fueled his anger at the host; having been dealt with impolitely, Jesus takes off the kid gloves and charges into the fight, calling the Pharisee and all his brothers in the faith (in essence) miserable hypocrites. Then Jesus goes on to tell them the how and the why. First, he imputes, they are more concerned with the outward appearances of inanimate objects than they are with the inner feelings of the people around them. Second, they fail to see that God made all things, and it is wrong, therefore, to give a greater importance to one thing over another, as all things are of God. And finally, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for putting aside a portion of what they have earned as a sacrifice in honor of God, yet all the while being judgmental of others in a way that dishonors God. It is a strong condemnation, and it could not have made for a very pleasant meal!
It appears that the host was either even more intrigued by the dressing down or totally embarrassed; in either case, Jesus apparently stays for the meal, to which other Pharisees and scribes have also been invited. From this moment, perhaps between bites (?), Jesus denounces the practices of the religious elite, to the point that when he finally leaves, they press him more, hoping that he will say something by which they can charge him with speaking blasphemously.
Despite the rancor, this is not his last invitation to sit down with the Pharisees. In chapter 14 (v. 1ff.), Jesus accepts the invitation to sup with the Chief Pharisee; and as others begin once again to criticize Jesus' actions during the meal, the author of Luke finally lays down what was understood to be the rules of a good host (v. 12ff.); he tells them the parable of the Great Banquet, a metaphor for his understanding of how life would be if we all comprehended the love of God.
Onion Board (Pletzels)
Pickled Herring
Tuna Baked in Pistachios and Dill
Minted Veal with Yellow Summer Squash
Cucumbers and Onions with Rue and Mustard Dressing
Jerusalem Cheese and Honey Pie
Fruit Platter of Fresh Grapes, Dried Dates, and Figs
Nicodemus' Anise Cookies Red Wine
It is apparent that Jesus did a lot of his teaching at mealtime, particularly if it were one of the main meals of the day. Just what was a meal with the Pharisees like? What did they dine on?
The Pharisees bought food only from those who tithed; they also tithed the food they bought. The Lucan biblical text reports that the Pharisees were tithers of mint (in Greek, heduosmon), rue (in Greek, peganon), and all types of garden herbs (in Greek, lachanon), so these must have been in their kitchens and storerooms, and used often in their cooking. The parallel text in the Gospel of Matthew substitutes anise (in Greek, anethon) in place of rue, and other translations of the same text claim that dill was tithed, which in effect was the more likely scenario. In this instance we can get just a glimpse of how greatly translations of the Bible vary!
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), people in 1st-century Palestine ate a fairly straightforward diet of cereals, gruel, olives, dates, and figs. In addition, lots of wine was consumed.1
Verse 37 states that "he sat down to meat," a strange phrase in Greek (ana-pipto), used only here and nowhere else in the Bible. To sit down to meat apparently means to fall back or down, but has nothing to do with meat as such. The phrase implies that he reclined to eat his meal, which was the cultural norm for men at meals in that era.
If not meat, then what? Probably fish, as they were near the sea, and it would not be difficult to see how Jesus might have come to know some of the Pharisees through the business dealings of his disciples, many of whom were fishermen.
It is likely that this meal was not the principal meal of the day, but one of the earlier meals. We infer this because of the guests that were present: being the Sabbath, certainly the lawyers and other religious leaders would have been at their own homes if it were the time of day for the main meal ("dinner") of a holy day.
In that one of the favorite foods of Palestinian Jews of Jesus' day was "young meat," the menu for the Pharisee's meal would likely have included goat, lamb, or veal.2 (Neither beef nor fowl were cooked very often.) And certainly there was bread, and lots of it. Due to the belief that it was the staff of life, no religious man would dare to have entertained guests without it.
Marian Maeve O'Brien, in The Bible Cookbook, claims "that actual meals served in biblical times have been preserved for us," 3 and she goes so far as to present an outline of the typical midday meal for a middle-class family in Jerusalem in the 1st century. It includes, among other things, locusts, onions, and grapes.4 She does not cite her source, but it would not be unreasonable to assume that at least part of the menu has historical merit. Another food author, Kitty Morse, in A Biblical Feast: Foods from the Holy Land,5 writes that she believes a 1st-century supper usually started with something pickled in brine or vinegar, which would have stimulated the appetite. This was followed by a stew or some pottage that been thickened by grain and enhanced with lots of garden vegetables and herbs.6 To this menu, other scholars would add a milk dish into which people dipped their bread, and honey, eggs, cheeses, cucumbers, lentils, beans, and peas.7
Perhaps we'll never be sure just what was served at the meal Jesus shared with the Pharisee. But we can be certain of one thing: it was prepared with care, according to cleanliness rituals as understood by the Pharisees. So, it was probably a well-presented meal with frugal portions, yet not overly stingy so as to not appear inhospitable.
The most successful military commander of the ancient world was Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedonia). After unifying the Greek city-states under Macedonian control, he took his armies forth and conquered a vast region stretching from Greece in the north, Egypt in the west, and Persia and the Punjab in the east. However, when he died in 323 b.c.e., he left no recognized heir, and the empire he had forged began to disintegrate. In 312 b.c.e. Seleucus, one of Alexander's generals, established control over the eastern reaches of Alexander's holdings from Babylon, the center of power, to the Mediterranean coast. This was the foundation of the Seleucid Empire, which brought Hellenistic influences to Persians, Medes, Jews, and Indians alike.
But the empire proved to be too large, and the people resisted Hellenization; it was not long before the outer reaches began to break away. By the time of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who reigned from 175 to 163 b.c.e., aggressive efforts to de-Judaize the Jewish populace of the empire led to a breaking point. In about 167 b.c.e. Mattathias (of the tribe of Levi) and his sons Judah "Maccabee" (the Hammer), Eleazar, Yohanan, Yonaton, and Shimon led a successful uprising against the Seleucid overlords in Judea. Though fighting would continue for twenty-five years, in about 164 b.c.e. the Maccabees (for so they became known) were able to retake Jerusalem; they cleansed the Temple of foreign influences (including the sacrificing of pigs) and reestablished Jewish worship there. In 139 b.c.e. Shimon (the only surviving son) became both High Priest and Leader, establishing the Hasmonean line of succession in Judea. The memory of the purification of the Temple gave rise to the Jewish festival of Hanukkah (Chanukah).
At the end of the conflict with the Seleucids, the Jews had become divided into three different parties. The first were the Essenes, a group of ascetical mystics who lived in isolation in the desert. The second were the Sadducees, the priests and Jewish aristocracy; though they were religiously conservative, following a strict and inflexible interpretation of the written Torah, they were socially liberal, having embraced Hellenistic cultural practices. The Temple was the center of worship for the Sadducees; indeed, it was the only place where true worship could occur. The third group were the Pharisees, who believed in both a written and an oral Torah, both of which Jews were bound to follow and both of which the rabbis were empowered to interpret. In general, the Pharisees highly valued education but were opposed to Hellenism and to the Hasmonean usurpation of the Priesthood. These party divisions persisted even after Rome conquered Judea, though Roman conquest led to the rise of the Zealots and Sicarii, revolutionaries whose sole goal was the overthrow of Roman imperialism.
From the beginnings of the Hasmonean Empire until the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 c.e., the Pharisees and the Sadducees bitterly opposed each other. The conflicts were manifold: the Sadducees promoted the interests of the wealthy and tended to favor hierarchy, while the Pharisees showed concern for the common people and tended to favor more participatory religious practices; the Sadducees followed Greek social customs, while the Pharisees attempted to preserve Jewish traditions; the Sadducees put the Temple first and tended to restrict religion to the Temple grounds, while the Pharisees put the word of God before everything and tended to sanctify the everyday world; and the Sadducees adhered to the letter of the Law, while the Pharisees believed that the Law was a living, changing force. The Pharisees also believed in the importance of ritual washing before all meals and in the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
The New Testament scriptures present a very critical picture of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The new Jewish sect known as "Christians" emphasized God's love and forgiveness for all people, including society's outcasts. The Sadducees were presented as people of privilege who hoarded everything, including God's grace, for their own select group; and the Pharisees were presented as being obsessed with purification rites, to the exclusion of anyone who did not correctly perform their rituals. On the other hand, some scholars have posited that Jesus was himself a Pharisee, and that his efforts to include all persons in God's beloved community echoed the Pharisees' emphasis of participatory religion. Indeed, many of the teachings of Jesus as related in the gospels are consistent with the philosophies of the Pharisees of his day, including one of the most well known, whose name was Paul.
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Just by looking at the medal count from this year's Olympics in London, one might think of the United States as a country of athletes. If only it were so. Yes, Americans are still dominating many sports, but that doesn't take away from the fact that a dismal state of health and physical fitness plagues the country.
According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, the U.S. population is the third heaviest in the world, behind the Pacific islands of Kiribati and American Samoa. More than two-thirds of all Americans are overweight and more than one-third are obese and struggle with numerous weight- and lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.
While the obesity crisis continues to worsen across the nation, some parts are harder hit than others. Based on a Gallup poll taken in 2011, the city of Evansville, Ind., has the fattest population in the U.S., with nearly 40 percent of its residents being obese.
What's even more alarming is that few Evansvillers seem to see this as a problem. In fact, many take great pride in calling their town "the nicest place to live in the U.S."
Among the things that make Evansville so nice is the annual "West Side Nut Club Fall Festival," a week-long binge fest specializing in fried foods, including fried brain sandwiches, a local specialty.
The place is also known as a test market of sorts for the restaurant industry. "Ever heard of the McDiner? Did you ever eat pizza at McDonald's? [...] That was just one of the many perks about dining in Evansville: We were guinea pigs," wrote Jessica Levco, a writer who grew up in what she still calls her "sweet River City."
Not everyone in town, however, thinks that being "fat and happy" is a sustainable formula. Sam Rogers, a PR manager at a local hospital, says the high rate of obesity creates lots of problems for the city.
"When I'm walking around the halls, here's what I see: Bigger wheelchairs, bigger beds, and bigger ambulances. We had to get a lift team to move bigger patients. [...] The cost of our lift team is $150,000 annually."
But, he added, "Our bariatric business is booming. We have three to five surgeries each week."
Still, city officials say they are determined to have Evansville lose its title as the American obesity capital. "I don't think it is particularly good news in our area," said Stephen Austin, the mayor of neighboring Henderson, which is part of the larger metropolitan region that was included in the poll, in an interview with the Daily Mail Reporter.
And indeed, some initiatives to curb Evansville's particularly high obesity rate have already been taken. Under the leadership of Lacy McNear, a registered dietitian at the local St. Mary's Medical Center, a program called "Smart Futures Pediatric Weight Management" has been designed to help both children and parents to make healthier food choices and engage in more regular exercise.
"We're hoping that [following the program] is a lifestyle change," said McNear in an interview with the Evansville Courier & Press, a local newspaper. Participating families are given consultation in basic dietetics over the course of six weeks. The hope is that when parents see positive changes in their kids, they will follow suit. It could be the beginning of major turnaround, who knows.
Evansville's story, of course, is America's story. On the one hand, there is growing awareness that obesity is a great threat to our public health (and health care system) and that something must be done. On the other hand, there are the agricultural, food manufacturing and restaurant industries that cannot conceive any changes in our eating habits as anything other than loss of business. So they fight tooth and nail to maintain the status quo. And then, there are ingrained habits and preferences that are hard to break. The vast majority of Americans still consider their food choices as a personal matter and exercise of individual freedom that should not be regulated or interfered with. That's understandable, but the consequences are plain to see.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in "Making America's Cities More Walkable -- The Benefits Are Endless."
Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.
For more by Timi Gustafson, R.D., click here.
For more on personal health, click here.


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Share the #ClimateHope
I have #ClimateHope. Do you? Watch #24HoursofReality starting now to learn how we'll stop climate change
Kami akan posting pesan ini sekali saja ke akun Anda pada
September 16 at 12:00PM EDT.
Jadikan pesan ini sesuai dengan keinginan Anda! Modifikasi tweet ini.
Kami akan posting pesan ini sekali saja ke akun Anda pada
September 16 at 12:00PM EDT.
Kami akan posting pesan ini sekali saja ke akun Anda pada
September 16 at 12:00PM EDT.
Climate Reality
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by Climate Reality category: Environment
Every movement has its moment. This is ours.
On September 16-17, Al Gore, chairman and founder of The Climate Reality Project, will be sharing 24 reasons why he's hopeful that we can solve the climate crisis.
He's bringing together some of the most influential voices in the climate movement to showcase the exciting progress happening all around the world in a live global online broadcast, 24 Hours of Reality: 24 Reasons for Hope.
This day-long web-based event will highlight the growing momentum for solutions to global warming, and kick off 12 months of concerted climate action worldwide.
The reality is this: our climate is changing, and it's changing fast. But all around us, there is hope. Across the planet, millions are demanding an end to carbon pollution -- and our leaders are finally listening. The shift to a low-carbon economy is on and is accelerating by the day.
This isn't some faraway future. The moment is here. Check out this short video, then mark your calendar for 24 Hours of Reality: 24 Reasons for Hope on September 16-17.
It's up to all of us to rally around the good news, embrace the solutions, and help make sure that clean energy is our future.
Support our Thunderclap today, and help us make progress our new reality.
Climate Reality
The Climate Reality Project is committed to creating a global sense of urgency on climate change and helping catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. We share the truth that climate solutions are here today and empower citizens around the world to take meaningful steps to bring about change.


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One would think film festivals celebrate nothing but the most milque-toast of subjects, and deviating into any kind of controversy was odd or out of the ordinary. So here's a short list of subjects also being addressed in the films being screened at the 2016 TFF:
And that's just on the first page! I'll guess that the abortion film has a pro-abort worldview because if it didn't the pro-aborts would be losing their ever lovin' minds (that was deep sarcasm right there) that TFF would dare to show such a thing ... but that is yet another connection or similarity between vaccines and abortion - I have explored other links in previous posts on this blog.
How threatening could the content of this documentary be that Mr. DeNiro's motives would be questioned?
Here is his statement of why he wanted to include this film:
"Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined. In the 15 years since the Tribeca Film Festival was founded, I have never asked for a film to be screened or gotten involved in the programming. However this is very personal to me and my family and I want there to be a discussion, which is why we will be screening VAXXED. I am not personally endorsing the film, nor am I anti-vaccination; I am only providing the opportunity for a conversation around the issue."There are two pertinent thoughts that he reveals in what he said -
1) he is not "anti-vax"
2) he thinks it is important to discuss the issue ... and apparently is not afraid to have
a multi-dimensional discussion where it is okay to say something more than the ever so nuanced and officially approved talking point "vaccines are safe and effective".
He did not even insinuate there is a link between vaccines and anything bad (like autism, let alone anything else). He is, by deductive reasoning, pro-vaccination. He clarifies that screening the film is not the same as endorsing it or its content. He wants to encourage open discussion - what could be more outrageous than that!
From his statement it does seem he would be in favor of more research to determine variables that influence risk of developing autism - like research that isn't tainted by conflict of interest, fraud, deceit, faux placebos (a contradiction in terms to say the least) and poor design, among other issues. Perhaps he might even support research that might lead to some answers - like a study comparing vaccinated with unvaccinated - something that has never.been.done.
Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe will be screened Sunday April 24 at 2:00pm at the SVA Theater in NYC. I hope it is well attended. I am not much of a movie goer myself - but
if I lived in the NYC area I would probably make an exception for this.
Here's the trailer:
Update (Mar 26, 2016 @ 7pm) - apparently the TFF has caved and will no longer screen
the film. Pitiful. It would have been a terrific platform for a "discussion" - those who hold
to vaccine orthodoxy seem to be afraid to talk about the what just may undermine that orthodoxy.


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Russian president Vladimir Putin dismissed 10 generals from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Investigative Committee (IC), and the Federal Penitentiary Service (FPS). The corresponding decree was published on the internet portal of legal information.
In particular, the following officers lost their posts:
- the head of the transport department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Volga Federal District, Lieutenant-General Vladimir Berglezov;
- the head of the investigation department of the IC in Primorye, Lieutenant-General Sergei Bobrovnichy;
- the FPS chief in the Saratov region, Major General Alexander Gnezdilov;
- the first deputy head of the Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Major-General Sergei Zhevlakovich;
- the head of the department for educational, social and psychological work of the FPS, Major-General Alexander Novikov;
- the head of the regional police department of the Samara region, Lieutenant-General Sergei Solodovnikov;
- the chief of the regional police department of the Vologda region, Major-General Vitaly Fedotov;
- senior investigator of the IC for especially important cases, Major-General Alexander Filin;
- the chief of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Nizhny Novgorod region, Lieutenant-General Ivan Shayev;
- the chief of the FPS in Mordovia region, Major-General Ramazan Yagyaev.
Putin also dismissed the prosecutor of the Jewish Autonomous Region Lydia Dyakonova, and the prosecutor of Chuvashia Sergei Legostaev.
The reasons for the personnel reshuffle were not disclosed.
Another large-scale dismissal of high-ranked officers took place in February 2016. At that time 16 generals lost their positions.
Source: RIA


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Finding the truth on Nevada's Extraterrestrial Highway
RACHEL, Nevada — I was all ears before being launched along the Extraterrestrial Highway.
For fun, my fellow travellers and I spent a happy few light-minutes last May folding and twisting aluminum foil into signal blocking headgear.
Well, they did. I, instead, craftily produced Spock-like ears plus icicle-like clip-ons for my specs before we stopped beside a State Route 375 road sign.
It is a route taken yearly by tens of thousands of regular folks and fans who believe the nearby Area 51 government installation houses aliens. They dismiss government silence on the issue as a muzzling conspiracy.
Adding fuel to the ongoing fire is the fact that signs along a sideroad, which our driver took in error, warn that authorities will use "deadly force" on anyone venturing beyond the outer limits.
Tales also abound about flying saucers. And the myriad reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) flitting above dusty but delightful Sand Spring Valley drives a small local souvenir industry.
The repeated tales, fuelled by people's love of intrigue, plus books, occasional television and movie references to the supposed mystery, prompted Nevada officials in 1996 to rebrand the ribbon of asphalt that passes by the hush-hush Nellis Air Force Range.
The 158-km Extraterrestrial Highway was born.
You may have read in the news recently that the Central Intelligence Agency finally released documents that acknowledge Area 51 exists.
It wasn't that nobody knew, mind you. It was just the secrecy-loving CIA rarely resorts to talking publicly about above-or-underground facilities that develop top-secret tools and weapons.
Jeffrey Richelson, a George Washington University National Security Archive senior fellow in Washington, reviewed the site's history in 2002 but all Area 51 references had been fudged. Soldiering on, Richelson asked again in 2005.
The new version was rushed to him eight years later, with confirmation of the former World War II gunnery range and airstrip's existence 145 km north of Las Vegas.
Faster than you can say "Beam me up, Scotty," Richelson's findings, including references to tests there of the U-2 spy plane used by the CIA starting in the 1950s Cold War, took off in mid-August.
The news rocketed around the world, setting tongues wagging well into the starry nights with more questions and theories.
All this occurred three months after my group donned our fancy foil headgear and posed with a namesake roadsign, before passing a three-storey tall spaceman beside a steel building.
To get a firmer grip on the sunlit unknown, we stopped in Rachel (Pop. 100) at a rest stop appropriately and cleverly called The Little A'Le'Inn.
A 1950s truck with a flying saucer dangling from its tow hook stood outside. Refreshments include cold beer, an "Alien Burger," morning pancakes and an open-face roast beef sandwich with chili-cheese fries. The cozy cafe's interior was ringed with souvenirs: Child-size rubber spacemen, T-shirts, a "deadly force" sign and postcards.
Tempted to stay, alas, our trek up the Extraterrestrial Highway continued and we bid farewell to the former Rachel Bar and Grill where, it is said, you sometimes see more than a sky full of stars at night.
For $50 per night you can book a room in a mobile home with common area/bathroom at The Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel.
For travel information, contact Nevada tourism at travelnevada.com.


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For some, the start of the snow season means strapping on the skis, or a board, and battling a black diamond slope. For others, it means wobbling and weaving down a gentle descent for the very first time.
For us, the start of the snow season means broken bones, bruised backsides, and a whole suite of unlucky snow bunnies.
Whether it's the Alps, Aspen, or somewhere closer to home, a holiday to the snow can be the perfect combination of adrenaline and relaxation. However, we know first-hand that the snow is as dangerous as it is beautiful. In this article, we outline common skiing mistakes and provide you with some tips to keep you safe at every stage of your adventure.
How to pack for a trip to the snow
The perfect snow holiday always begins with great preparation, but as any veteran will tell you, packing for a skiing trip isn't as simple as a beachside getaway. And when your lips are cracking from a day of blistering winds, it's those little things like lip balm that you wish you hadn't forgotten.
It's a good idea to divide your packing into "on the slopes" and "off the slopes" lists. Remember, skiing holidays are rarely all about hurtling down the mountainside - your accommodation may have a swimming pool, gym and fine dining restaurants. Research your resort and the activities on offer in town, and pack your luggage accordingly.
Skiing is hard work on your body, which is why the following items are essential but often overlooked:
- Deep heat muscle rubs
- Lip balm with sun protection
- High SPF sunscreen
- Basic first aid kit including painkillers
- Knee braces or compression gear
- Orthotics for your ski boots
Renting vs. buying skiing equipment
It's an age-old debate; are you better off renting skiing equipment when you get to the snow, or buying your own gear and taking it with you? Rental equipment isn't always of the best quality or the perfect fit, but when you factor in the high prices airlines charge for oversized baggage, you may be left with no other choice than to hire your gear.
You'll also need to account for storing your gear, the risk of damage in transit, and whether you're continuing your holiday elsewhere after visiting the slopes. If your ski gear is really premium, it will need to be disclosed as a high value item, too.
Let's look into things to consider for each alternative.
Renting ski equipment
If you're an infrequent skier, hiring your equipment may be the obvious choice. Ski shops usually offer the full package of equipment for you to rent, from skis, poles, snowboards and boots to helmets, jackets and goggles. The goal is to hire comfortable and safe equipment that is suited to your skill level.
Be sure to tell the shop assistant your level of skiing experience so they can recommend the right hire gear for your ability. If you're overseas, it's likely you'll be at a mountain you haven't skied before, or at least haven't been on in a while. The staff at the rental shops are familiar with the terrain and will have a good idea of what the snow conditions are like. They can give you the best recommendations for the mountain and the snow, so you can focus on enjoying yourself instead of worrying about whether your equipment is right for the conditions.
For more experienced skiers and snowboarders, renting from the pro shop can also be a great way to try out those new skis you love before you buy them. You can opt to hire the latest skis and snowboards for just a little extra fee, or even swap them during the day to try different models back to back.
How to find the right ski boots
The wrong pair of ski boots can make your skiing experience uncomfortable and dangerous, so be sure to spend some time trying on pairs until you find the perfect fit. The shop assistant should adjust the clips of the boot to your size, and instruct you of their purpose. Remember, ski boots aren't like your regular shoes. A good rule of thumb for both ski and snowboard boots is that if your toes don't touch the end of the boot when you first put it on, it's too big. When all of the clips are correctly adjusted, your toes should recede from the end and your heel should be stabilised at the back of the boot. Don't be surprised if you find them difficult to walk in, either!
If you're renting your ski equipment, never settle for anything that is uncomfortable, ill-fitting or damaged. It's often said that you're only as safe as your equipment!
Taking your own ski gear
More experienced skiers may like to take their own equipment with them, however travelling with oversized baggage can be challenging. Depending on your airline, you may be stung with expensive excess baggage fees.
Sporting equipment has an unfortunate habit of being damaged in transit, so ensure you pack your gear carefully using bubble wrap, foam and electrical tape to reduce any movement inside the bag. Another handy way to protect your gear is to pack your ski clothing inside your ski bag as extra padding. Once you've landed, ensure your gear is in safe working condition before using it. You might want to pay a visit to the maintenance shop on the mountain to get your skis or board freshly waxed if they've been sitting a while. Again, the quality of your equipment is critical to keep you safe on the slopes.
Our TravelCare policy covers you for damage to your sporting equipment while in checked luggage (if your airline has refused to provide compensation) for up to $1500. If your equipment is worth more than $1500, you'll need to specify it as a high value item.
Just be aware, your skiing equipment won't be covered for damage while it's in use, so try to avoid any exposed rocks that might scratch your skis! It's your call, but with the wide variety of gear that's available for hire, renting is often the best option.
Staying safe on the slopes
When faced with a glistening expanse of fresh powder snow, it's easy to throw caution to the wind and tackle a run you're not ready for. However, even experienced skiers should always assess the conditions and be honest with their ability.
There's a lot more to staying safe on the slopes than sticking to your limits. Avoiding collisions, understanding the weather, knowing your equipment, abiding by local rules, exercising good etiquette and protecting your gear are all essential to a safe skiing holiday.
General skiing safety tips include:
- Always ski with a friend
- Stay hydrated
- Pay attention to the grade of the run – green is usually for beginners, blue for intermediate and black diamond for advanced
- Keep a map of the ski runs with you, so you don't get lost
- Don't shy away from ski lessons, no matter your skill level
- If you feel that the slope exceeds your ability, move to the edge of the piste (track) and side step down the slope.
All skiers have a code of conduct to follow, and individual skiing destinations will have their own sets of etiquette.
Generally speaking, all skiers are expected to:
- Stay in control
- Stop in a safe place for yourself and others
- Remember that people ahead of you have right of way
- Always look uphill before starting off
- Prevent runaway equipment
- Always obey signs and warnings
- Observe proper lift safety
5 common skiing mistakes
Whether you're skiing for the first time or taking your annual adventure to the snow, it's important that you don't fall into a few common traps. These five skiing mistakes are easy to commit and dangerous for all involved.
Overestimating your abilities - One of the most common and most dangerous skiing mistakes, overestimating your abilities can quickly put yourself and others at risk. Be honest with yourself and don't overlook ski school to brush up on your skills.
Going off-piste - Going off-piste (beyond the prepared ski runs) is especially dangerous for beginner and intermediate skiers. Off-piste areas may be riddled with hidden rocks, drops and branches. It is also important to know that we can't cover you if you're skiing off-piste.
Overlooking the altitude - Skiing can be a vigorous activity, and you may find your breath gets away from you more easily at altitude. Remember to stay hydrated and take regular rest stops.
Renting poor quality equipment - As mentioned previously, you're only as safe as your equipment. Ensure you only hire well-fitting, durable and undamaged gear.
Ignoring bad weather - Whatever your holiday, it's important that you remember to monitor weather conditions and forecasts.
Conditions can change rapidly on the slopes, with clear days turning into complete white-outs with little warning.
Skiing and your travel insurance
We're proud to offer skiing cover at no extra cost under our TravelCare policy.
However, there are a few things travellers should remember so they can be confident they stay insured:
- Always ski in an amateur downhill ski field and stay on piste (in the designated skiing area)
- We can't cover you for damage to your equipment that occurs while skiing
- Avoid heli-skiing, racing and competitive skiing
- Never leave your valuables unattended while hitting the slopes - keep them secured in the resort safe if provided.
There's further terms and conditions that apply to the TravelCare policy, so please check it out here, or feel free to contact us at email@example.com.
If you have a story about a mishap on the slopes, or a top tip for staying safe on the mountain, we'd love to hear it! Send us an email at firstname.lastname@example.com and tell us more.
We won't identify you unless you say we can, and we won't use this information for any other purpose than marketing. If you'd like a copy of all the information we hold about you, please get in touch via email@example.com.


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Have you sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one as the result of an accident with a semi truck in the Atlanta Metro area? You aren't alone. When a truck accident occurs, there is the potential for death and catastrophic injury to all the occupants of the car.
An accident with a large truck on Georgia highways can be one of the most devastating types of auto accidents. A fully loaded semi truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In contrast, a midsize car weighs about 5,000 pounds. For this reason, it's no surprise that injuries sustained in a truck accident can cause lifelong disability.
Addressing the Challenges of Truck Accident Victims
We understand the challenges you face because we've represented clients with several types of serious injuries following a Georgia truck wreck, including:
- Brain injury or head trauma;
- Spinal cord injury;
- Nerve damage;
- Paralysis;
- Neck and shoulder injury;
- Broken collarbones;
- Pelvic fractures;
- Broken bones; and
- Internal injuries.
These are serious injuries that require long-term care. They may affect the victim's ability to support a family and enjoy life. We've worked firsthand with families of trucking accident victims in the Marietta area and throughout Georgia who may wonder how they can cope with both the physical injuries and economic impact.
Georgia trucking accident victims may be eligible for financial damages for injuries and other losses; however, they must fight the large trucking companies in order to get this compensation. For this reason, it is important to have an attorney with experience handling these cases.
Why is a Georgia semi truck accident handled differently from a regular auto accident?
Because commercial trucks are so large, they have the potential to cause devastating accidents. To prevent injury to the public, both federal and state laws regulate commercial truck drivers. Tractor-trailer drivers must get a certain amount of sleep, they must take breaks, they must refrain from using drugs and medications that affect driving ability, and they must make sure that their trucks are safe and their loads are secure.
Many truck drivers are paid by the mile and must adhere to strict timetables in order to keep their jobs, so trucking company pressure may compel truck drivers to take shortcuts and make unsafe decisions. Sometimes, truck drivers get behind the wheel even if they are too tired to drive. In order to stay awake, drivers may self-medicate. This negligent behavior puts everyone on the road at risk.
Trucking companies and truck drivers who behave recklessly should be held accountable for their negligence. If you have lost a loved one because of a commercial truck accident in Georgia, our attorneys can determine if the driver or the trucking company is responsible for the crash.
Providing the Legal Help You Need After a Truck Accident
To learn more about the rights of accident victims and what you can do to protect your case, request one of Shane Smith's books: 10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case and Property Damage Guide for Georgia. These books provide valuable tips from an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer and facts for Georgia injury victims and are available free of charge to Georgia accident victims and their families.
Contact the Law Offices of Shane Smith today for a free consultation by calling (888) 927-6955.


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LIKE many filmgoers, I would probably pay to see rising stars Amy Adams and Emily Blunt read from the phone book, not to mention cleaning up the bloody aftermath of crime scenes and of elderly people who die alone.
In Christine Jeffs' quirky indie dramedy "Sunshine Cleaning," these actresses play a pair of underachieving Albuquerque sisters who are forced, by economic necessity, into this remunerative if disgusting line of work.
Adams' Rose is the more responsible of the two sisters, an aspiring real estate agent whose more conventional cleaning work has dried up (even though the film was made well before the bubble burst).
When flakier sister Norah (Blunt), whose social skills are practically non-existent, gets dismissed from her latest job as a waitress, Rose's married-cop boyfriend (Steve Zahn) suggests they go to work mopping up after deceased people when the bodies are taken away.
The perky Rose is more gung-ho about the gig than the comically appalled Norah.
But it offers an opportunity for the sisters to begin coming to terms with their mother's long-ago, never-discussed suicide. Tellingly, the suicide took place in the same house that the unmarried Norah shares with her son Oscar (Jason Spevack) and her father.
The latter is well played by Alan Arkin, even if he is essentially reprising his "Little Miss Sunshine" role (the two films share some producers, a Southwestern setting and part of the title). Joe is determined to pass on to his grandson his none-too-savvy sales skills.
The narrative meanders a bit, but there are some choice scenes. Director Jeffs, a New Zealander, nails American class differences at a bridal shower where Rose uncomfortably tries to explain her new gig to more well-to-do high school classmates.
The hard-partying Norah has a ruefully funny, sensitively handled subplot in which she befriends a lonely lesbian (Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24") whom she tracked down via her late mother's belongings.
"Sunshine Cleaning" labored under the burden of unfavorable comparisons to "Little Miss Sunshine" when it premiered at Sundance last year. But on its own, this bittersweet comedy is a fine showcase for a pair of distinctive and appealing talents.


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The Unity 5.0 lowdown
There's plenty to look forward to in Unity 5. Thanks to UNITY Teleporter demo you can see just how versatile our new physically-based shader is. Plus, get an overview of what you can expect from it here.
New GUI this summer
Learn about how the new Unity GUI and with less scripting required.
What's in the pipeline from UNITY?
Simply subscribe to the UNITY Blog
Microsoft benefits for studios small and large
Want to win up to $50,000? Bring your content to Windows Store or Windows Phone Store and you could. Get going, the deadline for submissions is July 20.
Don't forget we also making free software, devices plus marketing and technical assistance available to Unity devs.
All you have to do is apply…
Unite 2014 early-bird ending soon
You need to hurry if you want to secure your 15% discount on tickets to Unity conference in Seattle. If you're planning to attend, don't forget to check out the porting lab events Microsoft are running in conjunction with the event.


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Today the Wife acts as the executor at the closing of her mother's home. It's a process that began for us a few days after her mother's death in September, when I walked into a home whose owner would never return. Calendars with days X'd off in August that suddenly stopped after she entered the hospital. Half open cartons of milk past their due date. A moldy package of strawberries. Unopened 8oz cans of soda meant for visitors like my son.
On my first visit I pulled several bags of groceries out of the fridge, and the process of removing items from the 3 bedroom 2.5 bath didn't stop until last night. A woman who had been burdened by stuff all her adult life was finally freed of it. Nothing remained in the house that identified it as hers anymore. She could rest at last.
The 59 boxes of Armstrong flooring that the Wife's father purchased 18 years ago to lay a dance floor in the basement – and which his wife nagged him regularly about it until his death 4 years ago – was thrown in a dumpster at the dump by his grandson. His prized scratchbuilt 80286 ended this incarnation of its existence at an electronics recycling center. I had to open it to marvel at the boards filled with IC chips and ominous looking PSU before leaving it in a pile of discarded printers, computers, and televisions.
The pantry full of canned goods that the mother-in-law regularly sorted through and rearranged was donated to a local foodbank. We hired a novice group of estate sellers to sell the contents in the house, but they overpriced everything and sold relatively little – so we were left with furniture, household goods, knicknacks of every sort, tools – things collected by two people over 57 years together. Most of what was left was modern, and there were no antiques.
We had separated out the junk and taken a little more than a ton of it to the dump, so what was left was usable items that weren't new. Evidently poverty no longers exists in the US because we had a heck of a time giving the stuff away.
At the Goodwill that I have been donating to for years, a supervisor stopped a worker from helping me unload my SUV full of household goods. "What you got," he asked gruffly. I pointed to the car. "Stuff I don't need," I said. He began pointing to things. "That's Christmas stuff, and it ain't Christmas," he said. "We can't take that." Glassware? He wouldn't take that either. A heavy electric drill? "That's too old." The more he picked over the stuff, the madder I got.
"You know in Africa I knew men who would turn tin cans into toys because their kids didn't have anything," I said coldly. I received a blank stare from the supervisor. "What can't go onto the floor right away goes into the dumpster and we get charged to haul it away." "But this isn't junk. The vacuum cleaner works. The christmas lights work. The glassware isn't chipped or broken." He shrugged ignoring me. "Call Salvation Army; they'll take anything," he said.
So I did call Salvation Army. SalArmy required an itemized list given before they arrived. They would only take what was on the list. If an item wasn't on the list, they wouldn't take it. Nothing could be damaged or broken, and all furniture had to be on the first floor. So last week I inventoried 37 pieces that we set aside for them, and moved an entire bedroom set, TV and stand down from the second floor.
The Wife dealt with SalArmy yesterday. At first they refused to take the bureau from the bedroom set because its finish had been marred over the years by my in-laws opening and closing the drawers. And the TV? It was too old. "People want HD flat screens," the nicer of the two pickup men said. Wife had to turn on the charm and eventually talked them into taking everything.
While talking to the pickup men she learned that nothing is done to the donations; no repairs or cleanup. If they can't sell it immediately, it gets thrown into a dumpster. She related her experiences in Africa where nothing went to waste. Broken things were mended; everything was reused and very little was wasted. Entire families combed the trash dumps looking for bits of metal or plastic that could be scavenged and resold. The people that she lives and works with in Africa are truly poor - unlike those who are ministered by charities here.
The charities want cash. Why exactly? We donated everything a family of 4 would need except for parishables and the house itself. The In-laws weren't poor. The were solidly middle class, registered Republicans who donated money to dozens of charities. Yet here we were, begging these same charities to take their stuff.
This experience has made me realize that no matter how often we hear how bad the economy is and how things are the worst they've been since the Depression, things can't be that bad when you have to beg charities to take away solid wood furniture, clothes that were hardly ever worn, and 32" televisions…
But the deed has now been done. 9 months of daily effort over. The house is sold and a new family takes over to bring life into a home that hasn't seen much over the past year. It's a solid house – a good house that will provide a home for a couple and their twenty-three month old child; the wife has even referred to it as her "dream house".
Now it's time for us to move on.
UPDATE: Thanks to the members of the Watcher's Council for voting this post the number 1 council post for this week. Given the quality of writing shown by the members I am deeply humbled to receive this honor. Seriously, there is some of the finest writing on the Watcher's Council that you'll find anywhere – and I am proud to be a member of such an elite team. – SK


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"Alvin Beck Son of William A. & Sarah Beck. Oct. 10, 1855-Nov. 8, 1913."
Contributed on 7/7/17 by lallance
Email This Contributor
Record #: 240201
On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Ohio, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 7/7/17 • Approved: 7/7/17 • Last Updated: 7/10/17 • R240201-G240199-S3


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A Forward Look, The Year Ahead - Research Report on EV Energy Partners, L.P., Chevron Corporation, Total SA, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and U.S. Bancorp
Feb 19, 2013, 08:00 EST
NEW YORK, February 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Today, National Traders Association announced new research reports highlighting EV Energy Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ : EVEP ), Chevron Corporation (NYSE : CVX ), Total SA (NYSE : TOT ), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE : JPM ) and U.S. Bancorp (NYSE : USB ). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.
EV Energy Partners, L.P. Research Report
A good energy company on investors' watch list is the EV Energy Partners, with a dividend yielding around five percent. The company owns large tracts in some of the key shale regions in the US. From a neutral rating, analysts upgraded EV Energy Partners to an outperform rating with a $63.80 price target on the stock. While it has only grown its distribution by a nickel since 2009, its units are up more than 200 percent. The company is looking forward to stronger Q4 results, which is scheduled to release on February 21, 2013. Analysts of the energy industry expect natural gas prices to increase this 2013, rising to nearly 35 percent. They also see this year to be a busy year for energy investors, as more asset sales and joint ventures are anticipated so expensive drilling programs can be funded. The Full Research Report on EV Energy Partners, L.P. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/7472_EVEP]
Chevron Corporation Research Report
The Energy Information Administration or EIA said that their Short-Term Energy Outlook points to a 0.9-million-barrel daily global demand growth this year and another 1.4-million-barrel daily global demand growth in 2014. The report suggests that daily global consumption will reach 1.0 million barrels in 2013 and 1.7 million barrels in 2014. With this kind of global outlook, there's no stopping Chevron Corporation. North America and Europe are reported to be the major producers of shale. In terms of security, the anxiety towards terror attacks is more minimal. The greatest challenge to shale production would probably be transportation or shipment. Chevron seems to be at an advantage in terms of its knowledge about the natural gas. As the key player in shale production, Chevron accounts for most of the shale gas in its homeland. The US is the biggest market for shale and the second biggest market for crude. The cheap natural gas is also reported to be bringing back chemical companies in the US. The Full Research Report on Chevron Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/e13d_CVX]
Total SA Research Report
While Total is also said to be all-set for its exploratory drilling in Denmark, the company is still exploring crude reserves in areas where tensions are very likely to arise. Total is poised toward ambitious explorations programs in East Africa. The major oil player is determined to create a regional pipeline which will transport crude from South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. Regardless of revenue estimates for this particular project, this may cause some distress to its investors. While Total seems to be increasing its efforts to meet the demand for crude and shale, the company may need to follow the big leap of Chevron. But, if Total sees more profitability in its crude production, there may be a need to greatly invest on security where threats are crystal clear. The Full Research Report on Total SA - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/5975_TOT]
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Research Report
Leading global financial services firm JPMorgan Chase & Co. is included in the large banks that will undergo the annual stress tests that the Federal Reserve will be finalizing in March. The central bank released "adverse and severely adverse" global financial market scenarios that will be used to measure how JPMorgan Chase and large banks would do if the economy and financial markets experienced a severe downturn. The tests are designed to strengthen banks so they have enough capital to survive a recession. As one of the world's largest financial institutions, analysts are confident that JPMorgan Chase would do well on these tests. On January 16, 2013, the company reported its performance for Q4 2012. JPMorgan Chase reported an EPS of $1.39 on revenues of $24.4 billion, way beyond expectations of $1.16. For the whole year of 2012 the company was up 31 percent, beating the return of the S&P 500. In total, it earned over $21 billion. For 2013, the stock is trading at 9 times analysts' estimates which mean that the company is trading at value levels. With this performance, analysts see that JPMorgan Chase's earnings per share will continue to rise and expects that net income will also continue to increase, making this stock a good buy. The Full Research Report on JPMorgan Chase & Co. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/f3c4_JPM]
U.S. Bancorp Research Report
U.S. Bancorp is one of the best performers among large-cap banks. Analysts estimate that the company will earn $3.25 per share in 2014 and is projected to generate the highest 2014 ROA among any large-cap bank. U.S. Bancorp's shares closed at $33.17 Friday. It has delivered an encouraging Q4 2012 results, with earnings per share of 75 cents. U.S. Bancorp's strengths can be seen in its solid management team and the fact that it is considered as one of the high quality institutions by many investors. As far as earnings are concerned, the company continues to outperform. Its good performance is primarily due to growth in revenue as well as positive operating leverage. U.S. Bancorp's lead bank, U.S. Bank, announced the acquisition of FSV Payment Systems. This deal may strengthen U.S. Bank's position in the prepaid market, which has been the company's priority. The merger between U.S. Bank and FSV can provide efficient end-to-end prepaid programs and services to clients. U.S. Bancorp is scheduled to release its Q1 2013 earnings on April 15, 2013. The Full Research Report on U.S. Bancorp - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/c5a6_USB]
Consider National Traders Association
Tired of hearing about the latest, greatest trade opportunity... only to realize that the ship has long sailed? You need a strong, informative community in your arsenal. Join the group that has been consistently identifying momentous situations as they develop - long before they become the next top news on major financial networks.
Contact: Demi Lapierre
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Main: +1(702)212-4493
SOURCE National Traders Association


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I'm in Seattle at the Microsoft Audio Summit. The Microsoft Digital Media division has organized a summit for the audio community to provide an in-depth review of the audio architecture in the next version of the Windows Operating System. This is very first audio summit Microsoft organized to focus on development in the audio world. Vista will have completely overhauled audio, from the low-level kernel guts to the user interface
Several days of workshops, demos, labs, networking and opportunity to talk directly with Microsoft Audio professionals. Lots of Q & A too throughout the sessions. There are about 80 audio professionals at the event from many of the major companies who were invited including Cakewalk, MakeMusic, Sibelius, Steinberg, Waves, SONY, Creative Labs, Line6, MOTU, Mackie, Propellerheads, Yamaha, Universal Audio and many other leading audio companies. Tom Hopkins and Jeff Hurchalla are here representing the Garritan team.
Last night there was a reception where we had a chance to grab a drink, meet and chat with some of the attendees. This morning Jim Allchin, Co-President of Microsoft Platform Products and Services, opened the Summit and with a Keynote session providing an overview of Vista. This was followed by a presentation of Vista audio by Pat Azzarello and Eric Schmidt. They talked about how Vista simplifies and improves audio over XP. Elliot Omiya then talked about User Mode Audiothe new audio system in Vista.
We enjoyed lunch with Steve Ball, Group Program Manager of Windows Audio. We discussed DRM, sampling and various other topics. After lunch there was a session on hardware initiatives followed by a session on Vista Development Tools and then a talk by Eric Schmidt about Partner Development.
It was nice to get a glimpse of the new Vista interface throughout the sessions. Since many work in the Window environment for long periods of time, it is nice to have a new spiffy user interface. Vista will offer some nice visual effects into the OS such as transparent windows, 3D rendering and animation that makes the work environment not only look cool but enhance functionality.
From the various sessions there are salient features I gleaned regarding audio in Vista:
This is only a very brief overview. There's lots more to get excited about with the next operating system from Microsoft. There were many technical aspects and under-the-hood features discussed. I'm glad Jeff came along to understand many of the finer technical infrastrstructure aspects of Vista audio.
- Glitch-Resilient Audio - Vista provides better audio stability and manages audio in much more efficient ways. Audio app crashes and blue screens may be a thing of the past. The kernel of the Vista OS has been rewritten in order to prevent a software problem with drivers from bringing down the whole system.
Arif from Microsoft gave a demo comparing XP to Vista, stressing the CPU with maximum loads and trying to bring both to their knees. XP crashed early on but Vista kept going and going and going...and no glitching during the stress test. Very impressive.
- Prioritization of Audio - The entire OS has a priority structure so that you can specify what apps get priority. You can prioritize audio to make sure any other program (like a virus program or AIM) doesn't get in the way and cause a glitch.
- Per Application Volume Control - Vista has a new audio control panel that allows separate volume control per application. Did you ever get that sudden instant-messaging soundblast that's ten times louder than your other sounds? This won't happen in Vista and this feature is a welcome addition.
- Improved Audio Performance -There are various other audio enhancements in Vista such as:
- Better memory management & CPU performance
- Support for up to 144 dB signal to noise ratio
- Reduced latency
- 16bit integer to 32 floating point to improve audio fidelity.
- And 64-bit version of Vista that will make 64-bit computing a reality under windows.
Later tonight there is a swanky evening event at the Triple Door club. We'll be eating, gabbing, drinking and grooving to the music of a Seattle band called "Lushy". I'll try to avoid getting too 'lushy' tonight.
Tomorrow is another full day at the Summit. Also tomorrow evening will be the Northern Sounds/GPO Forum get-together at the Pike Place Brewery followed by our presentation at the Seattle Composer Alliance/Hummie Mann Film Scoring Program. Friday I'll be at the Microsoft campus at Redmond all day for some meetings.
Many thanks to Pat Azzarella, Eric Schnmidt, Steve Ball, Jim Allchin, Arik, Elliot and the rest of the Microsoft audio team for making this successful summit possible.
More later...
Gary Garritan


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Here's Idris Elba With the Rest of the Star Trek Beyond Cast
It's official!
In March, we said that beautiful man Idris Elba would likely be joining the cast of Star Trek Beyond. Now it's official! Cast members Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, and John Cho star in a video telling viewers they could win a walk-on role in the next Star Trek if they support the cast's charity initiative. Popping in at the end is none other than Idris Elba, who celebrated the appearance by break-dancing (well, sort of). Then he, Chris Pine, and John Cho had a handsome-off for our hearts.


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DjchunKfunK wrote:Without it you can no longer run Prestige versions of the Nightfall and the Raid.
Bungie is gearing up to make what sounds like a big Destiny 2 announcement ahead of E3 2018. The studio announced today that its Year 2 livestream will take place on Tuesday, June 5. The stream, which you'll be able to watch on Twitch and here on GameSpot, begins at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET.
The reveal event will offer a first look at what Bungie has lined up for Destiny 2's second year. This includes "some big ideas for how we're going to transform your Guardian lifestyle and reinforce your hobby as an interplanetary hero."
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Morilee Bridal 2818
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Men's Under Armour ARMOUR Fleece Graphic Hoodie
Item No. 698611-1313503
$29.99 $54.99 Save $25.00
Save $25.00
Additional Information
Product Description
Features: Loose: Fuller cut for complete comfort. UA Storm technology repels water without sacrificing breathability Armour® Fleece is light, breathable & stretches for superior mobility Soft inner layer traps heat to keep you warm & comfortable Front pouch pocket 8.4 oz. Polyester Imported


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Well I bet that title baffles you? It is true that I stopped smoking over 25 years ago but I never gave up smoking!
I'm not s person to take orders very well or satisfy demands. Giving up doesn't sit too well with me while choosing to stop is powerful.
So you get my drift. As a twenty a day smoker and thirty or more if out on the town, I got to the stage where I just wanted to get out of the habit. It was more for financial reasons than health reasons I have to say. I had attempted before and lasted quite a few months and the motivation was to save money for a beautiful gold fob necklace I saw in an antique shop. However as soon as I raised the cash it didn't take much persuasion after a drinking session to start again.
It was a couple of months later and a move into my beautifully decorated cottage that convinced me I wanted to be a non smoker. The smell after I puffed away watching TV was horrible. The ash trays annoyed me and I hated forking out for fags now that I was a home owner and needed more money to run my little nest. So I decided to stop. But not straight away. Here's how I managed it.
As a smoker I smoked first thing in the morning with my first cup of tea. Then it would go on willy nilly until I'd be through almost fifteen cigarettes.
So I decided to really smoke! As in to mindfully smoke that first cigarette of the day! What this means is you sitting yourself up in a comfortable chair with your cigarette packet and lighter and you observe the action of smoking. Taking the cigarette out of the packet, running it along your nose to get a whiff of the fresh unsmoked tobacco , placing it between your lips, lighting the cigarette and watching the flame flicker as you connect flame and cigarette and watch the two connect to create a red burning ash and a snake of cigarette smoke . You inhale the smoke and feel it travel down along your throat hitting the sidewalks, and moving into your lungs. You then blow out the smoke and watch it disperse into the air as you feel the first rush of relaxation in your muscles and bones. The hit, that first hit of nicotine. You sit back and take it all in. And then you repeat the process being mindful of every pull until you reach the end and slowly put the cigarette out into the ash tray now full of ashes and bring your fingers up to your nose to smell the remains of the now burnt cigarette. After all that take stock of your feelings? Was it fun, relaxing, do you want that feeling again? After the first hit of nicotine did the hits lose its shine? Be honest and record the experience and before moving from the chair make a conscious decision when your next date with a cigarette will be. The only rule of this game is that you smoke mindfully.
No rushing a fag between work breaks or hiding outside buildings. You must sit and ponder and give all your attention to that cigarette in your hand. For me I decided to put my cigarette on the mantel piece and look at it occasionally. I would talk to it! Crazy? Yes but also interesting. I would say "I'm going to have you after lunch and lap you up "I then found if I was working or had chores in the house to do I would work away and look forward to sitting for my cigarette after lunch. Then I'd make another date after my four o clock cuppa. Again I would revel in the pleasure of that freshly lit cigarette but found this constant thinking and feeling the experience I noticed the stale taste of the after smoking mouth leaves. I noticed it was unpleasant and began to brush my teeth after smoking. The gorgeous fresh taste of a clean freshly brushed mouth was so much more enjoyable. But the longing for a fag remained so the next date was after dinner along with a glass of wine. Now this was always when the madness of chain smoking began. As the wine went down the cigarettes followed, one after the other until I barely noticed or cared that I was smoking. But as I committed to my mindful smoking again the next day, the pleasure of the cigarette lost its shine, just a little. I also discovered I was smoking less. How did I discover that? Because during my binge smoking the night before I didn't have to go looking for another packet! I had only smoked four mindful fags the day before! Four as opposed to fourteen! I was dumbfounded! I hardly noticed because the four I smoked were given so much attention where the fourteen were smoked without me even noticing.
That's what a habit is. You do something so often it becomes a way of life and you don't notice you are doing it. Like driving a car! You drive so often you can manoeuvre the car without really thinking about it! Good and bad habits are the same. So as I carried on the practice of mindful smoking I decided rather than have a fag at four o clock I would wait until six. By the time six o clock came I was so proud of myself I waited until nine. No, that's a lie! I did have my well deserved fag at six! But I managed to hold out the next day because the pride in me began to outweigh the pleasure of the cigarette. In fact, the pleasure was fading as I began to get in the habit of brushing my teeth after having a cigarette. My clean freshly brushed mouth was far nicer than my cigarette mouth. So slowly the number of cigarettes began to decrease. The pride I felt was amazing and as a woman with addictive tendencies I began getting addicted to my power over the fag!
I was in control, I was super woman! I decided when I smoke. A cigarette remained on the mantel piece. I can smoke whenever I want to. I'm in charge. It felt wonderful and the taste of food became stronger, my home became cleaner, my body became healthier. But I know I can smoke whenever I want to. It's my choice. In twenty five odd years I have never smoked another cigarette. Apart from the pull of a cigar in Florida!
So you see. I never gave up cigarettes. I never went through patches, hypnosis, the feeling of being left out when all around us smoking. Also at the beginning I may have had an odd cigarette for a while. But rather than beat myself up for being weak I saw it as a choice I made at the time and discovered it was no great shakes so it reassured me that my strong choice to not smoke was a far greater feeling than my weak moment . It's only a moment and it was over fast. My not smoking time had gone into weeks. It's now years and I can have a fag if I want one. But you see I don't want one! How about you? Fancy a cigarette? Or would you consider taking excellent care of yourself and decide to smoke mindfully until you realise they are no great shakes and that holiday is far closer to reality if you choose to even gift yourself a jar with endless ten euro notes piling up the less you make the choice to Not smoke ! The very best of luck. Enjoy your fag…. Until you don't.!


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Pizza Earrings with Gold Leather and Colorful Toppings, Food Jewelry
Pizza Earrings with Gold Leather and Colorful Toppings, Food Jewelry
I created these fun and playful pizza leather earrings from hand cutting an assortment of colorful leather pieces. Yellow leather makes up the crust, the cheese is gold leather and the toppings range from red pepperoni, pink onions and green peppers. All of these hand cut pieces sit over a white leather back piece for added strength. At the top are turquoise circles which makes the design pop.
- The back of the earrings are white and light teal suede as seen in the last picture.
- Earrings hooks are silver plated bronze.
- All hardware nickel and lead free.
- Earrings measure 2.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.
- Handmade with 100% genuine leather.


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The loss of a loved one can be painful and sometimes unexpected, and while the occasion may be a sad one, it can still be a beautiful way to remember the person who died, and a fitting and personal way to make our farewell to one who lived without religion.
A Humanist funeral focuses on the person, on their life and their loves and passions, their friends and family who will retain and cherish these memories.
Unlike weddings and baby namings, funerals allow little time for preparation but the celebrant will meet with the family of the deceased to get to know him or her, to create a ceremony that is deeply personal and meaningful to the friends and family who knew the deceased best.
Practical Matters
A funeral director or undertaker will typically take care of most practical matters related to burial, including casket, hearse, flowers, printed mementoes, and similar matters.
Alternatives to Burial
Cremation is not currently available in Malta, although it is possible to make arrangements for this to take place abroad.
Some people choose to bequeath their body to help with medical research, in which case a Humanist ceremony can be held without the body being present.


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"Hundreds of our customers at my homebrew shop have made this. Most swear it's identical to the original. Dry hopping is essential for classic Cascade flavor and aroma. (5 gallons) "
• 8 oz. caramel malt, 30° Lovibond
• 6 oz. DeWolf-Cosyns cara-pils malt
• 6 lbs. light malt syrup
• 1.5 oz. Perle hops (8.2% alpha acid) for 60 min.
• 2.5 oz. Cascade hops (5.4% alpha acid): 1 oz. for 15 min., 1 oz. for 5 min., 0.5
oz. pellets (dry hopping).
• Wyeast 1056 (American ale)
• 11/4 cup dry malt extract
Step by Step:
Add grains to 1.5 gal. water. Bring slowly to 170° F. Remove grains and bring to a boil.
Total boil is 60 min. Boil 10 min. and add Perle hops. Boil 45 min. more, adding water as
needed to maintain liquid level. Make first Cascade addition. Boil 5 min. more. Turn off
heat. Wait 10 min. Add 1 oz. Cascade. Wait 3 to 5 min. Remove hops and transfer to
Top up to 5 gal. Pitch yeast at 70° F.
Ferment three days and rack to secondary. Dry hop with 0.5 oz. Cascade pellets. Ferment
two weeks at 65° F. Prime and bottle.


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Virgin Money announces bank sale
A regional bank used by Virgin Money in its assault on the UK retail banking market is to be bought by credit card provider SAV Credit.
Church House Trust, which is a specialist mortgage and savings bank based in Yeovil, Somerset, has been owned by Virgin since 2010.
But in the wake of its acquisition of Northern Rock branches from the Government in 2011, Virgin has entered into a sale agreement with SAV Credit in a deal due to be completed in the first half of next year.
SAV Credit is also viewing Church House as a platform for growth into other product areas, having built up a credit card business with around 500,000 accounts and £500 million in assets.
It is planning to ramp up competition in the savings market with "simple and consistently competitive products", whilst enabling it to expand its funding base for further growth.
Chief executive James Corcoran said: "The acquisition of Church House Trust is a very significant step forward in the ongoing development of SAV Credit from its core credit card business."
Church House traces its history back as far as 1792, when West Country solicitor Edmund Batten founded private bank Batten & Co alongside his legal practice.
This bank was swallowed up by a series of mergers but the partners of Battens solicitors formed the Church House Trust in 1987 to handle the financial needs of private clients. It is thought to have a customer base of around 1,300 depositors.


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At Innovative Roofing Group we focus on quality. We provide fast service with attention to detail. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, so you know you're secure when you work with us.
Innovative Roofing provides a full range of roofing and sheet metal contracting services to commercial, industrial and government clients. We are proud of the over 75 highly skilled employees who share our dedication to the highest caliber of workmanship.
Working with asset managers, property managers, building engineers, building owners, retailers, architects, schools, religious facilities and general contractors, we offer expertise in all types of roofing and architectural sheet metal systems, from roof replacement to roof maintenance, repairs, and new construction.
At Innovative Roofing Group we focus on quality. We provide fast service with attention to detail. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, so you know you're secure when you work with us.
With unprecedented change occurring in the roofing industry, now, more than ever, the most important consideration in roofing is "the contractor".
You need to work with people you can trust: a contractor whose experience works to your advantage by giving you the insights and abilities of seasoned professionals. From high-rise to low-rise, from industrial to institutional, let the experience of Innovative Roofing Group work for you.
Our manufacturers represent the best names in the roofing industry, providing time-tested materials, technical support, on-site inspections and comprehensive long-term warranties. With over 200 roofing membranes available today, it's difficult for any building owner to choose the right one. Fortunately, the people at Innovative Roofing Group are on top of each and every new development.
We screen each manufacturer and select only those with a total commitment to the industry and their customers. Our manufacturers have financial strength, proven track records, FM and UL design approvals and industry leadership, which add up to your assurance of quality roofing systems... and the ability to stand behind them.


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The Saint Louis University School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine strives to be the premier institution in Saint Louis by contributing to the intellectual foundations of family medicine and medical family therapy, integrating the School of Medicine within the community, educating outstanding family physicians and family therapists, and providing superior and cost-effective patient care.
Our mission is to:
Grand rounds are scheduled on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. All board certified family physicians are welcome to attend.
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
6420 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117
Kohler Auditorium, Second Floor
Parking is in the West Garage, located on Bellevue Avenue. If you are heading west on Clayton Road, make a left onto Bellevue, and the garage entrance is at the first right on Oakland Avenue. The parking fee for one hour is $1.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs are scheduled throughout the year to offer continuing education training in family medicine. The department welcomes the participation of all St. Louis area family medicine physicians. These opportunities will be communicated via email. You may also contact Sally Bowles for more information on upcoming events.
The American Academy of Family Physicians also offers continuing medical education events and online CME activities. Visit the Saint Louis University School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education pages for more information on upcoming courses at SLU.
The department is always looking for board certified family physicians interested in serving as small group facilitators, lecturers and preceptors. Please contact Ashley Lewis at email@example.com.


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You'd think that after creating one of the best games of this console generation, BioShock, Irrational Games would have nowhere to go but down. However, they've followed a completely different trajectory, shooting straight for the skies with BioShock Infinite.
Within the first few moments of BioShock Infinite, players will recognize a familiar intro — the player arrives at a mysterious lighthouse that is more than just a lighthouse — and by the 10-minute mark they're thrown head first into a fully realized world. That world is Columbia, Infinite's city in the sky.
Right of the bat, players will also notice that instead of a solitary theme of discovery, Irrational Games has crafted the game's early moments to combine both discovery and awe. The second Columbia reveals itself to the player — with its beaming sunlight and floating structures — it's clear a unique adventure lies ahead.
What follows from there is pure set-up, as our main character (Booker DeWitt) tries to make sense of his surroundings. Columbia appears to be a city founded on the ideals of American exceptionalism and religion — treating our founding fathers like saints and casting the city's creator, Father Comstock, as a "prophet."
For now, the city beams with life, one of the major points of contrast between Columbia and BioShock 1's Rapture, but there's still the sense that something is off. What exactly that is, I'm sure, will reveal itself as the story progresses.
Infinite also organically establishes some of this universe's unique elements — namely the use of robotics and vigors. Vigors are Infinite's version of plasmids, the magical powers that are mapped to the player's left hand (left trigger).
These elements are byproducts of a city that is freer of imagination than early 20th Century America — a city that literally reaches for the skies in every way possible. While we don't get to experience all of the vigors first hand, we do see how most of them work. Again, there are touches of BioShock to their design, but there's enough new there to be intriguing.
If the rest of the game can live up to the first 30 minutes, players will be in for a very unique experience. Even within that short amount of time, the game was able to establish a lively city that exists on its own terms and a world worth exploring.
And how about that flashback (flash forward)? That was enough to pique my interest.
What did you think of the first 30 minutes of BioShock Infinite? How do you think this game's opening compares to the first BioShock's?
BioShock Infinite is out now for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.
Follow me on Twitter @ANTaormina


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Welcome to the Vintage Rally site
sponsored by the Farm Machinery Preservation Society.
If you are an exhibitor you will be aware of the need to insure your exhibit with Public Liability Insurance.
The Farm Machinery Preservation Society (FMPS)
covers all static exhibits (£5.000.000) with its membership and for just
£16.00 per year
you can become a member and also take advantage of the insurance cover.
For more information about the Farm Machinery Preservation Society (FMPS) go to our main website
Join the Society and you will have Rally Insurance as listed below
Stationary Engine Insurance. Rally Display Insurance.
Horticultural Machinery Insurance. Rally Stalls Insurance.
Visit the "For Sale and Wanted" page
for Vintage Bargains and more.
Farm Machinery Preservation Society www.fmps.org.uk
email email@example.com


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SOHO, Manhattan - Step right up to an ice cream carnival-themed pop-up in SoHo.
The Oddfellows Carnival at Chefs Club Counter is now open for business.
There are circus performers, like jugglers and stilt walkers, who greet you. And of course a carnival is not complete without animals. So there are rows of vintage toy cymbal-clapping monkeys on the wall, and there's even a vintage-inspired photo booth.
But the main event is the ice cream, with three features. Feast your eyes on the Cotton Candy Creamsicle, a vanilla and tangerine soft serve cone wrapped in orange cotton candy.
There's the Concession Stand, made with a caramel popcorn soft serve with a salted caramel injection that's topped with salted caramel popcorn and chocolate pearls.
Finally, there's the Pink Dip, a raspberry sherbet soft serve that's dipped in pink chocolate with freeze dried raspberries, Pop Rocks and gold dust.
Each cone will run you $9, and a word to the wise -- eating the ice cream is tricky, and all of the treats are Instagram-worthy.
It's fun for kids of all ages, but be warned, the space is small, and there's really no place to sit down to polish off your treat.
You can find the ice cream carnival right next to Chefs Club Counter at 62 Spring Street. It's open Monday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm through the summer.


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Germany shocked by new privacy invasion scandal
Germany has been hit by another privacy scandal, with telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom joining discount food chain Lidl and the state among those accused of secretly tracking individuals.
On Monday, Deutsche Telekom, the biggest European telecoms operator by revenue, was in full damage control mode, with chief executive Rene Obermann telling the mass circulation daily Bild that all cases of surveillance "must be clarified and result in severe consequences."
The company acknowledged Saturday it had hired an outside firm to track hundreds of thousands of phone calls by senior executives and journalists to identify the sources of press leaks.
Deutsche Telekom was responding to a report in the news weekly Der Spiegel, which said Obermann was not in charge when the spying took place.
He has since announced that state prosecutors and a law firm in western Cologne were investigating the affair.
A Deutsche Telekom statement promised an "independent and thorough investigation," and quoted Obermann as saying: "I am deeply shocked by the incidents."
Deutsche Telekom said it made "ill-advised use of communications data" in 2005 and probably 2006.
But the telecoms operator also stressed it had no knowledge of wiretapping by the company involved, which was not identified.
The "personal data of our millions of fixed-line and mobile clients was secure," Obermann told Bild.
A finance ministry spokesman nonetheless termed the action a "serious breach of trust," while union leader Lothar Schroeder, who is vice president of the Deutsche Telekom supervisory board, called the affair "an enormous scandal."
The state is Deutsche Telekom's dominant shareholder with 32 percent stake.
An editorial in the newspaper Die Welt summed up the sentiments of many, saying: "Citizens now have a right to demand whether their data is in good hands at Deutsche Telekom."
Peter Schaar, a government official charged with the protection of computer data, said: "Unlimited data storage represents a serious threat to security."
He vowed "strong intervention to reinforce legal instruments for data protection."
Since January 1, information on mobile telephone communications, including the identity of correspondents, plus the time, place and length of calls must be stored by telecoms operators for a period of six months.
The measure, aimed at helping authorities fight terrorism, puts Deutsche Telekom on the front line because it is the biggest German mobile operator.
The law, drawn up to satisfy a European Union directive, raised howls of protest in a country which because of its history is especially worried by the spectre of a police state.
Measures such as installing secret cameras in terror suspects' homes and including biometric data on passports have riled civil liberties groups. The country's constitutional court revised the law in March following formal complaints by more than 30,000 people.
A few weeks later, it emerged that discount food retailer Lidl had hired detectives to install micro cameras that tracked employees, with graphic details and images shocking the population.
Lidl recorded employees when they used the toilet, their conversations while on break and kept track of who their friends outside work were, reports said.
Similar reports then surfaced concerning other distributors, further fueling fears of invasion of privacy.
Lidl's image took an immediate hit from the revelations while Deutsche Telekom looked set for a similar reaction by clients, millions of whom have already dumped the group's fixed-line services.


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Bags and Accessories
Hermes Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile 30cm Birkin Bag with Solid 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware...
Auction amount: $203,150
Sold: Dec 7, 2011
Bags and Accessories
Hermès is one of the most iconic luxury brands. For well over a century the house of Hermès has produced the most coveted handcrafted accessories and served as a shining example of possibilities for all other aspiring luxury brands. While Hermès offers a plethora of products in recent years the brand has become synonymous with two handbags: the Kelly and Birkin are two of the world's most beloved and desired handbags.
A Hermès collector's mission to find the perfect Birkin is a world-wide phenomenon that is here to stay. Reportedly named after the actress Jane Birkin, the highly coveted luxury handbag is must-have among celebrities, stylists, and bloggers. Handcrafted from the finest materials available, from leathers to exotics, the Birkin is distinguished by its ease of use, extremely limited supply, and ability to hold its value for generations.
Our Must-Know Tips
There are a few details to consider when buying a Birkin. Whether you are buying as a collector or a first-time purchaser, here are our helpful tips for finding the perfect Birkin for you.
First and foremost is color. Hermes' specific colors make their bags the perfect collectibles, as similar yet slightly different hues can command very different values on the second hand market. This is based largely on the differing quantities in which they were made. For a serious collector, rarer colors such 5P Pink, Ultraviolet, or Kiwi can be seen as 'Holy Grails' and are very difficult to find, whereas similar counterparts such as Rose Confetti, Iris, and Vert Cru can be found for much more reasonable price points.
Another thing to consider is the size. Standard Birkins come in 25cm, 30cm, 35cm and 40cm sizes, though there are also variations such as Mini Birkins, 50cm Travel Birkins, 42cm JPG Shoulder Birkins, and 45cm Long-Handle Birkins. The 35cm size is the most common and is widely considered the most classic and iconic.
Birkins come in a number of different materials ranging from various leathers to exotic skins such as Lizard, Ostrich, and Crocodile. Choosing just the right material is crucial to buying a Birkin. Stiffer leathers such as Epsom or Chevre have a very different effect, and wear in a very different way than softer leathers such as Clemence, Togo, or Swift. If an exotic bag is in the cards, there is an obvious hierarchy between the skins, with Porosus Crocodile at the top.
One of the most important aspects to consider when buying on the second-hand market is condition. It is crucial to inspect a bag before buying, so that you are aware of any potential damage or signs of use. While many pre-owned Birkins are kept in pristine condition, bags that show some use can be a great value for someone looking to purchase a piece and actually use it.
Limited Supply
Buyers spend years trying to buy Birkins retail from a Hermès boutique, meanwhile there is no guarantee of ever landing one. While no one truly knows what goes on behind closed doors, the reality is that the Birkin remains elusive to the majority of shoppers. If you're really interested in buying a Birkin and you don't mind some gentle use while still being in great condition, an auction might be the best option for you.
The Benefits of Buying at Auction
Other than the reassurance of an expert authentication, price can become a major selling point for purchasing your Birkin through an auction house. Buying at auction allows you to pay a true market value price for your luxury accessories.
Heritage offers thousands of top tier items every year that range in value. They include Weekly Online Auctions, Signature Live Auctions, a set price Luxury Boutique, and partnerships with Barneys New York and Moda Operandi. Heritage Luxury is a white glove service whose mission is to find you the exact bag you have been dreaming of. With the help of Heritage Auctions, you may soon be on your way to owing your very own Birkin.
Hermès Bags and Accessories Values Sold at Auction
Hermes Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile 30cm Birkin Bag with Solid 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware ...
Lot 56086
Auction 5080
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Hermes Extraordinary Collection 30cm Diamond, Matte Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with 18K White Gold Hardware Pris...
Lot 58116
Auction 5191
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Hermes Limited Edition 30cm Matte So Black Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with PVD Hardware N Square, 2010 Pristine Condi...
Lot 58296
Auction 5244
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Hermes 32cm Matte White Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Retourne Kelly Bag with Palladium Hardware R Square, 2014 Condition...
Lot 58095
Auction 5317
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Hermes One-of-a-Kind 32cm Matte Geranium Porosus Crocodile & Black Togo Leather Sellier Kelly Bag with Feet ...
Lot 56161
Auction 5151
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
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