text:
This paper reviews the importance of African lakes and their management challenges. African inland lakes contribute significantly to food security, livelihoods and national economies through direct exploitation of fisheries, water resources for irrigation and hydropower generation. Because of these key contributions, the ecosystem services provided are under significant stress mainly owing to high demand by increasing populations, negative anthropogenic impacts on lake catchments and high levels of poverty which result in unsustainable use. Climate variability exacerbates the stress on these ecosystems. Current research findings show that the lakes cannot sustain further development activities on the scale seen over the past few decades. Millions of people are at risk of losing livelihoods through impacts on livestock and wildlife. The review further shows that the problems facing these lakes are beyond the purview of current management practices. A much better understanding of the interactions and feedbacks between different components of the lake socio-ecological systems is needed to address the complex challenges of managing these ecosystem services. This review suggests that the three small wetlands of Chad, Chilwa and Naivasha provide an opportunity for testing novel ideas that integrate sustainability of natural resource management with livelihoods in order to inform policy on how future land use and climatic variability will affect both food security and the ecosystem services associated with it.
1. Introduction
Africa is endowed with at least 677 lakes, large and small; natural and artificial [1]. African lakes are highly productive centres of biodiversity providing ecosystem services and livelihoods, including food, water for domestic use and agriculture, recreation and transportation. These lakes support very important waterfowl and fisheries contributing significantly to national economies and food supply [2–4]. For instance, the fisheries of just 11 lakes in 11 countries of eastern Africa employ over half a million people with perhaps two million engaged in ancillary industries [5]. The key contributions of these lakes and their catchments to food security are undervalued and rarely captured in national budgets [6]. Consequently, national governments allocate very little resources for their management.
Because of the key contributions that African lake ecosystems make to food security and livelihoods of millions of Africans, the ecosystem goods and services they provide are under significant stress mainly owing to high demand by increasing populations, negative anthropogenic impacts on lake catchments and high levels of poverty which result in unsustainable use [2,7–9]. All these factors have serious negative implications for people's livelihoods and biodiversity. These lakes have exhibited periodic, climate-induced, lake level fluctuations, even complete drying out in low-rainfall years [10,11]. As such, productivity of the lake ecosystems has been highly variable resulting in unstable incomes for riparian communities, thereby increasing vulnerability. For example, fish production in Lake Chad declined from 120 000 tonnes in the 1970s to 60 000–70 000 tonnes to date and Lake Chilwa fish production has declined from an average of 15 000 tonnes per year to 5000 tonnes per year for the same period [12].
Negative impacts of anthropogenic activities on lake ecosystems are on the rise owing to human population growth and increasing poverty leading into high demand for services and subsequent unsustainable use of lake ecosystems [8]. These impacts include environmental degradation resulting in siltation, eutrophication especially from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources, possible heavy metal deposition, hypoxia, loss of biodiversity, loss of fish breeding grounds and increased human and livestock disease risks, etc. [2,4]. Consequently, the resilience of these ecosystems and people dependent upon them is at risk of suffering irreversible damage that could negatively affect the well-being of millions of people. These lakes call for properly targeted management systems in order to avoid resource over exploitation and loss of sustainability for the present and future generations [2]. It is, however, difficult to manage these lakes because of inadequate knowledge and understanding of the lake ecosystem dynamics as well as poor multidisciplinary approaches for effective planning. In this review, we demonstrate, through case studies, that lake ecosystems make important contributions to local, national and regional food security and livelihoods of millions of people, and that major challenges face these lake ecosystems and communities who are dependent on them for their livelihoods. We further discuss how multidisciplinary approaches to assessing and mapping ecosystem service supply and demand could be applied to addressing the challenges in order to sustain resilience in a period of rising demand for lake ecosystem services and goods as well as emerging concerns on the negative impacts of climate change.
2. Ecosystem and livelihood benefits of selected small African lakes
African inland lakes contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods of rural communities and to national economies through direct exploitation of fisheries for food and water resources for irrigation and hydropower generation. Lakes Chad, Chilwa and Naivasha basins are home to a large number of people who are directly or indirectly dependent on these lakes for their livelihoods (table 1). Lake Naivasha, for example, supports a thriving export-oriented agriculture valued at US$ 613–640 million which contributes about 7% of Kenya's gross domestic product (GDP) [13]. The lake has also created job opportunities across the value chain in the region of two million people and contributes up to 10% of Kenya's foreign exchange [14]. In Malawi, Lake Chilwa contributes US$ 21 million [4,15] with fishing alone making up US$ 18 million [16]. The World Resources Institute [17] estimated that the value of agriculture and fisheries in the Lake Chad basin is in excess of US$ 750 million. Indirectly, these lakes provide critical welfare functions, which are rarely adequately valued and documented [6,18]. Because of the benefits that these ecosystems provide, inland African lakes and their catchments have become magnets for migration and local centres of high population growth. The Lake Chilwa wetland, for instance, has attracted many dwellers such that the basin is one of the most densely populated wetlands in Africa with 321 persons per km2 [19,20].
The ecosystem and livelihood benefits of these lake ecosystems rise and fall in tandem with lake water levels and basin rainfall. Lake water levels are a major driver of fishery productivity [21–23]. High lake levels also increase the area of floodplains that surround these lakes making more land available for floodplain agriculture [17,24]. Flooding is critical for dry and wet season agriculture, fisheries and wildlife, thereby ensuring all year-round agriculture and other livelihood activities. However, high inter- and intra-annual variability impacts food and economic productivity [25,26]. While flooding is an important driver of agriculture and fishery production, it is also disruptive, especially where environmental degradation has reduced ecosystem and social resilience to cope with extreme weather events [27]. The linkages between ecosystem goods and services and the economic and livelihood benefits of these small inland African lakes and the threats they face have been well described and illustrated for Lake Chilwa (figure 1) by Jamu et al. [28].
The high productivity of small inland lake ecosystems and their open access management regimes are a major pull factor to migrants and local people seeking social protection mechanisms for food owing to crop failure, livestock disease outbreaks or indeed during periods of employment loss [6,29].
3. Why are riparian ecosystem resilience and livelihood strategies under test?
Small African inland lake ecosystems are under considerable stress owing to unsustainable rates of resource exploitation, inadequate and inappropriate management regimes, degradation of lake catchments and high demand for water, fish and agriculture products [8]. High population growth rates (greater than or equal to 3.2% per annum) have fuelled demand for food, non-food agricultural products and energy. This, in turn, has contributed to overfishing, deforestation of lake catchments owing to firewood and charcoal production extensification, and intensification of agriculture as communities increase agriculture land to improve production and also as a response to low yields and small land holding sizes [4].
Lake Naivasha is a shallow (maximum depth at 8 m) freshwater lake in the Eastern Africa rift valley which has been disrupted by alien species invasions, particularly crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, and riparian vegetation degradation [30]. High silt and nutrient loads entering the lake especially during wet seasons, owing to lake-wide Cyperus papyrus degradation following lake-level decline from agri-industrial abstraction, have made the lake eutrophic [30,31]. The water demand for commercial flower production has grown over the past 10 years, and there is increasing abstraction of water estimated at 3–5 × 106 m3 per month [32] to meet demands for a fivefold increase in population within 5 km of the lakeshore [13]. Increased water abstraction has reduced the wetland area by 23% over 25 years [33]. The lake was said to be half of its former size with the water level being three vertical metres lower than it should be naturally [30]. Owing to increased population and fertilizer use by agriculture, the lake ecosystem is experiencing high levels of nutrient inputs [17,34], pollution which can result in reduced biodiversity. However, some authors argue that chances of severe pollution from agrochemicals are minimal, because the water flow is generally away from the lake [26,35], and pollution control measures are high [36]. Nevertheless, it has been reported that fish biodiversity and bird populations have declined over the past years [37,38]. Unlike other case studies reviewed below, Lake Naivasha has been resilient to high water abstraction owing to groundwater recharge from aquifers [24] whose capacity is, however, under threat owing to degradation of headwater forests [30]. There is little natural vegetation left in the lake catchment as over 30% of the land cover consists of maize, vegetables and scattered exotic tree species reaching down to stream level [31,37]. The Lake Naivasha ecosystem faces an array of threats (table 2) to its ecological stability and functioning.
Lake Chilwa is another classical example of an ecosystem which is undergoing considerable stress and whose capacity to recover from extreme events is declining over time. The lake is a shallow, endorheic tropical lake averaging 3 m in depth, peaking at 5 m [39]. It is not yet known whether the lake has any underground outlets. Six perennial rivers, whose catchment areas form the Lake Chilwa Basin, feed into the lake carrying a volume of water equivalent to 1472 mm3 annually [40]. The total catchment area is 8349 km2 of which 32% is in Mozambique. The wetland area has reduced from over 2400 to 1750 km2 as a result of subsistence agriculture [41,42] and is subjected to extreme fluctuations including complete desiccation [4,43,44]. Lake Chilwa has dried up completely on nine occasions in the past 100 years (1903, 1913–1916, 1922, 1934, 1943–1944, 1967, 1973, 1975, 1995–1996) [39,44]. It is not surprising that surface water bodies in the catchment including the lake itself are prone to drying up during prolonged dry spells as the wetland water budget shows a net loss owing to evapotranspiration [40,45]. The lake has, however, demonstrated resilience in the past as it has managed to recover within 2 years after a partial or full desiccation [46]. This has mainly been due to good rainfall following the recession, rapid recharge of water tables in forested headwater areas and management of river pools which maintained remnant fish populations which were able to populate the lake after refilling [47]. Groundwater resources in the catchment area remain virtually unexploited as only 1 mm of the base flow is abstracted [45].
Lake Chilwa supports the livelihood of over 1.5 million people in the basin through agriculture and natural resource goods and services. Low water levels have negative implications on people's livelihoods through loss of income and employment, reduced fish supply, increased conflicts from competition for resources and increased exploitation of birds [46,48]. Receding water exposes land to crop farming and livestock grazing which negatively impacts wetland vegetation and associated biodiversity [48]. Crowding of fishing villages which remain with adequate water levels for fishing has also resulted in poor sanitation [49].
During the periods of ecosystem stress as a result of lake-level fluctuations and desiccation, the riparian communities have, however, responded positively, or recovered from the crises. Kalk et al. [39] and reviews by Agnew [50] and Agnew & Chipeta [51] provide insights into livelihood responses to fishery fluctuation between 1967 and 1973 during a time of transition from quasi-subsistence to a partial cash economy in the Lake Chilwa wetland. Of course, the responses varied with income status, assets profile, ethnicity and residence time in the area. The drying of the lake reduces the productivity of the fishery, forcing fishermen to migrate, resulting in loss of business and livelihood, whereas women and children are left with minimal resources for food. These effects will be compounded by population increase, low agricultural production and water scarcity because of climate change [20]. Human populations in sub-Saharan Africa are projected to grow as food security declines [20].
Lake Chad, situated on the edges of the Sahara Desert, is a basin drainage water body that is a vital source of freshwater and other natural resources for people, livestock and wildlife. The lake has dramatically shrunk in size (figure 2) owing to climate change and extractions such that it is now one-twentieth of the size it was over 40 years ago [52,53]. A series of devastating droughts hitting the Lake Chad region over the past few decades have caused a marked variability in the hydrological regimes of the rivers that feed the lake, as well as rainfall regimes in the region. This has led to continuing decline in local access to water, crop failures, livestock deaths, collapsed fisheries and wetlands services, etc. The socio-economic consequences of the impacts include food insecurity and declining physical, mental and social well-being of the populace [54].
4. Climatic variability
The provision of a wide range of ecosystem services is strongly influenced by climatic variability over decadal or longer timescales [55]. The stocks and flow of ecosystem services and goods in these small lake ecosystems of Africa have fluctuated dramatically from year to year in resonance with climate variability. This dynamic reduces the quality and quantity of ecosystem services and goods leading to food insecurity and reduced economic opportunities which, in turn, forces communities to turn to natural resources as a source of food and livelihood [56]. The inability of the communities with limited resource-based economies to adapt favourably to climate variability within weak social and institutional structures completes the vicious cycle. For example, Alison et al. [3] identified several African countries including Malawi where climate change impacts on fisheries will have significant social and economic impacts owing to the combined effects of global warming, the relative importance of fisheries to national economies and diets and limited social capital to adapt to potential impacts and opportunities.
5. Challenges of managing African lakes
Food security in these lake communities relies heavily on the flow of ecosystem services and it will continue to be a critical issue owing to the volatile and unpredictable nature of food chains. During extreme climate events, such as drought, loss of employment or other shocks, rural communities are often forced to turn to stocks and service flows from natural environments to meet their nutritional needs [56]. Such extremes have often led to a collapse of natural ecosystem and livelihood resilience [57]. Many complex systems have critical thresholds at which the system shifts abruptly into another state [58] which may be too costly to reverse. From the foregoing analysis, Lakes Chad, Chilwa and Naivasha are in qualitatively different states of losing resilience (figure 3). Lake Chad is a ghost of its former self [52] which may have already passed a 'critical threshold' to provide adequate ecosystem services. In the Lake Chad region, scarcity of resources has already degenerated into large-scale conflicts [54].
Lake Naivasha has retained resilience mainly owing to groundwater recharge from aquifers. The Lake Chilwa ecosystem completes a trio of African lake ecosystems in a downward spiral into diminished capacities for providing ecosystem goods and services in the face of human intervention. Unsustainable resource exploitation, climatic variability and increasing demographic pressure have conspired to suck the life out of these ecosystems. A similar fate also faces other African lakes such as Lake Victoria. The capacity of these lake ecosystems to supply the necessary services is linked to their integrity [9]. The survival of these lakes and their resources will depend on multi-sectoral, integrated resource management efforts based on good scientific data and local knowledge.
The challenge as stated by Carpenter et al. [59] remains in integrating the sustainability of natural resource management with livelihoods so as to inform policy how future land use and climate change will affect both food security and the ecosystem services associated with it. Ecosystem-based approaches to managing the lake environments are key to sustaining the ecosystem services and livelihood benefits provided by these lakes. Catchment processes and other exogenous factors exert influence on lake environments and productivity [60,61]. Moreover, flows of ecosystem services and goods are shaped by complex dynamic systems that operate over multiple temporal and spatial scales and often exhibit stochastic behaviour, changing both in a seasonal cycle and in response to extreme events [61]. This complexity makes it difficult to resolve an appropriate course of collective action to pursue sustainable livelihoods in the absence of an information management system. Further, it also poses challenges for the selection of appropriate scale (population, community, ecosystem or landscape) for targeting interventions aimed at mediating impacts that arise from over-exploitation of ecosystem goods and services.
Indeed, nonlinearity of the underlying natural systems (e.g. droughts) or socio-economic systems (e.g. commodity price collapses) can cause tipping points in stocks of ecosystem services, as can more gradual socio-economic, political or demographic changes among the beneficiaries of those ecosystem services [61]. In addition, inadequate institutionalized 'safety nets', limited access to fertile lands, resources and secure income in most developing countries, including Malawi, Kenya and Chad, often forces the rural poor to prioritize their short-term needs over long-term sustainability [62]. This is compounded by poor linkages between knowledge generation and policy level resulting in a lack of a sustainable development concept of rational natural resource use in programmes and interventions. Consequently, daily decisions for poor rural communities are driven by coping strategies involving trade-offs of different ecosystem services. For example, forest clearance to grow agricultural crops reduces the availability of forest products for subsistence or generating income. Agricultural production can also indirectly reduce the availability of other ecosystem services. Typically, increased irrigation and deforestation in the Lake Chilwa catchment has reduced suitable fish breeding habitat in the lake [48].
6. Programmatic responses
In response to the pressures facing the three lakes, a number of initiatives have been put in place (table 2). For instance, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) is an intergovernmental body created in 1964 to coordinate hydroactivities within the Lake Chad basin. Within the limits of its mandate, LCBC has delivered dividends in small-scale agriculture, preparation of an integrated lake management plan and vision 2025. The vision identifies the causes of the status of the wetland and spells out the strategies for reversing degradation by 2025 [52].
Similarly, the Lake Naivasha management plan implemented by the Naivasha Riparian Owners Association and Water Resource User Associations calls for proper governance arrangements and partnerships [63]. A comprehensive Lake Chilwa Management plan developed in 2001 to serve as a blueprint for establishment of a basin authority is yet to be implemented [28,64]. Meanwhile, councils in the riparian districts of Machinga, Phalombe and Zomba manage Lake Chilwa through a joint committee. Various measures have been instituted, including irrigation technologies, afforestation programmes, etc., in attempts to reduce the vulnerability of communities to the vagaries of nature. Despite these efforts, the challenge remains to ensure that the wetlands continue to provide the ecosystem services that support livelihoods for future generations, while at the same time conserving the biological diversity and ecosystem health. This is in tandem with the Ramsar 'wise-use' principle to which both Lakes Chilwa and Naivasha subscribe as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The small wetlands of Chad, Chilwa and Naivasha provide an opportunity for testing novel ideas that integrate the sustainability of natural resource management with livelihoods in order to inform policy on how future land use and climatic variability will affect both food security and the ecosystem services associated with it. Within the Lake Chilwa basin, there are currently two initiatives that may address some of the wetland management challenges highlighted. The Attaining Sustainable Services from Ecosystems through Trade-off Scenarios project is a multidisciplinary study coordinated by the University of Southampton in the Lake Chilwa basin from 2012 to 2016. A key focus of the research is to examine the linkages between ecosystem services and impacts on nutritional and socio-economic status and maternal and child health outcomes using a suite of complexity tools and innovative models. The Lake Chilwa Basin Climate Change Adaptation Programme, which commenced in 2010, is another 5 year multidisciplinary research and development initiative being implemented by three institutions, namely the University of Malawi (through LEAD SEA), WorldFish and the Forestry Research Institute of Malawi with funding from the Royal Kingdom of Norway. The goal of the programme is to secure the livelihoods of the 1.5 million people in the Lake Chilwa Basin and enhance the resilience of the natural resource base.
Carpenter et al. [59] suggested that we need a much better understanding of the interactions and feedbacks between the different components of the socio-ecological system if we are to address the challenges of managing ecosystem services in the face of the complex challenges global society is now facing. The integrated philosophy in the two projects in the Lake Chilwa basin does offer some hope for addressing the sustainability of natural resource management, ecosystem service provision and livelihoods. There will be research evidence from these studies that may provide ideas for managing other wetlands facing similar challenges.
7. Concluding remarks
Small African inland lakes contribute significantly to food security and the livelihoods of rural communities and to national economies through direct exploitation of fisheries for food and water resources for irrigation, and hydropower generation. The high productivity of these ecosystems and their open access management regimes are a major pull factor to migrants and local people seeking social protection mechanisms for food owing to crop failure, livestock disease outbreaks or indeed during periods of employment loss. As a result, the ecosystem services they provide are under significant stress, mainly owing to the high demand of increasing populations, negative anthropogenic impacts on lake catchments, high levels of poverty which result in unsustainable resource use and climatic variability. A number of initiatives have been promoted in attempts to sustainably manage these important wetlands but these lake ecosystems, as well as other African lakes, continue to face serious threats to their stability and functioning revolving around unsustainable resource exploitation both within the open water lakes and their catchments. The lakes may not sustain further development activities on the scale seen over the past few decades. There is, however, scope for applying new approaches that integrate sustainability of natural resource management with livelihoods in order to inform policy on how future land use and climatic variability will affect both food security and the ecosystem services associated with it.
One contribution of 16 to a Discussion Meeting Issue 'Achieving food and environmental security: new approaches to close the gap'.
- © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.


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You know an interview is going to be fun when, after a digression during his very first answer, your subject asks, "Sorry, what was the question? I got completely ADD."
Comedian Dat Phan is as funny and entertaining on the phone as he was on the first season of Last Comic Standing, and the Vietnamese comic will be this week's headliner at The Improv at Harrah's.
Phan has been recognized both as the first winner of Last Comic and as one of The Top 10 Most Influential Vietnamese-American Individuals by the Smithsonian Institute. Pretty good for a guy who used to be homeless and failed high school English.
The Weekly caught up with Phan as he was moving across town to a larger house in San Diego. Read on to see where his journey started.
After seven years of community college while doing comedy, are you like the Van Wilder of stand-up?
Yeah. My mom probably thought I was going for my PhD, but what she didn't realize was half of my classes were P.E. and weight training. I would love to have a degree one day, but it doesn't really mean that you know how to make a living. I feel very blessed that I've made it this far.
You were included in The Smithsonian Institute's exhibition of the Top 10 Most Influential Vietnamese-American Individuals. That is a pretty big honor, what was it like?
It's kind of funny how that happened. When I was a child, I had a dream of one day becoming very influential and being in the entertainment world. I really wanted badly for that to happen, and in the last couple of years, my manager told me I was nominated for the group of the Most Influential Vietnamese-American Individuals in the world, along with generals and ambassadors and surgeons. It's an honor. It's mindboggling. … I'm a college dropout; I'm a high school failure, someone who came from a homeless background, but I understand the American pop culture and doing comedy from my heart led me to be in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
- Dat Phan
- September 22-27
- Shows at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., $36.52-$54.02
- The Improv at Harrah's 369-5223
- Beyond the Weekly
- Dat Phan's official Web site
How did it feel to win the first season of Last Comic Standing?
I'm glad you at least know I'm from Last Comic Standing and not American Idol. I didn't sing "She Bangs." People have thought I'm William Hung. I'm not quite that guy. He's actually better looking than me.
When you were filming Last Comic, did you think it was going to be as big as it turned out to be?
I had no idea. I knew that by the time I was 26 years old, I was living under a desk after living out of my car in Hollywood. The only thing I invested my money into in that closet (his apartment) was electricity and Internet. So, I got an email saying there was an experimental show, and if we wanted to send in a package, they would check it out. Next thing I know the NBC Tonight Show bookers watched my stuff and I auditioned. I went up the ranks and had to beat out about 2,000 comics across America to become the Last Comic Standing.
You were up against some veteran comics. How did that feel?
I never once thought I was going to win. I thought maybe I was going to come in second place. Ralphie May, I think, is a very powerful comic. I was pissing my pants because these were very established comics. Ralphie May has toured across the country and opened for Jay Mohr. Rich Vos has been doing comedy for 30 or 35 years. It was basically the green belt coming in and fighting all of the black belts in the house.
After coming to America from Vietnam when you were only a few months old, it sounds like you had a very American upbringing. What was your childhood like?
I lived in the gang-infested area of San Diego called City Heights. My mom kept me alive and away from the gangs by getting me cable. My babysitter was Cox Cable. I grew up watching Dukes of Hazzard. I didn't grow up trying to figure out why fish sauce is shipped in from Saigon from a certain region. They have a whole different culture. They don't have Hee-Haw or Benny Hill.
Can you tell me about your recent work in films?
I had a very small role in Cellular where I was an artist but my big debut is actually called When in Rome coming out in January with Josh Duhamel, Danny Devito, Jon Heder and Kristen Bell. In the film, I'm a master magician! I'm Jon Heder's master. He played the role of Napoleon Dynamite. I don't know anything about magic. I know, it sounds ridiculous. I'm selling this really well, right?

subset: commoncrawl


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But what happens if the switch gets turned off?
For entire towns, switches
must be very large.
I'm told this switch works on both
old and new architecture.
old and new architecture.
A Spanish artist named Escif created this mural for the Katowice Street Art Festival in Poland.
Escif's outdoor art is not meant to only be an illusion; instead it wants to make you think.
He quotes the philosopher Kant:
"Art is the chance to think regardless of concepts."
"Education for citizenship"


text:
Dyfi View ApartmentAberdovey / AberdyfiGwyneddLL35 0TA
Change over day - Saturday
Sleeps 4
Pets - No
Short breaks - Yes*
Visit Wales - 5 Star
Situated in the picturesque village of Aberdyfi within Snowdonia National Park this apartment is comfortable and well equipped, with a south-facing terrace for sunning, relaxing and dining. Only a few minutes' walk away down the hill are the local shops, pubs, restaurants and sandy beach.
The apartment is well placed for the local area's attractions – bird watching (red kites can be seen nearby and there is an RSPB nature reserve at nearby Ynis Hir); fabulous walking; the Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth; the award winning Talyllyn narrow-gauge railway, castles at Criccieth, Caernarfon and Harlech, a four mile sandy beach and championship links golf course in Aberdovey itself.
Entrance Hall - with pay phone, coat rack and a large map of the area for help in planning your holiday.
Living Room - a spacious living room with feature slate open fireplace and stunning views. Laura Ashley sofa, two comfortable chairs, wall units with music system, games and books, wide screen LCD TV with freeview and DVD player. Double doors leading to:
Dining Room - a sunny dining room with french doors leading to the terrace with spectacular views. Dining table with seating for four people, cosy sofa and additional seating.
Terrace - south facing terrace with table and chairs. Wonderful views of the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay coastline.
Kitchen - Fully fitted with dishwasher, fridge, freezer, built under electric oven and gas hob, toaster, kettle, microwave and washing machine/tumble dryer.
Bedroom 1 - a lovely south facing bedroom with king size wooden bed, fitted wardrobes, pine chest of drawers, and matching bed side tables. Fabulous views of the Dovey Estuary.
En-suite in bedroom 1 - spacious en-suite bathroom with full bathroom suite and shower over the bath.
Bedroom 2 - Twin bedroom with fitted wardrobes. Attractive hillside view.
Shower room - with enclosed large shower cubicle and powerful shower, wash basin and toilet.
Infant facilities - Sorry none available. Guests are very welcome to bring their own travel cot
Parking - There is parking in the visitor's car park (50 meters up the road and turn right). There is also one free car pass provided in the apartment for the 'pay & display' car parks in Aberdyfi (spaces are subject to availability)
Notes to Guests -
Access - Please contact us immediately if there are any specific needs you may have, including disability needs. It is essential that we are given as much information as possible about your requirements to avoid booking an unsuitable property. Some locations do not lend themselves to easy access and facilities, so please ask first to avoid disappointment. The choice is ultimately the responsibility of the person booking the property, and we cannot be held responsible should a property be booked that is unsuitable or inappropriate.
Dyfi View has gas central heating and full double glazing
Bits 'n' Bobs
Saturday changeover
Arrival time is from 3PM – Departure time is no later than 10AM
Electric & heating included
Free Wi-Fi (the owner cannot guarantee the availability or speed of the service)
En-suite bathroom with full bathroom suite and shower over the bath
Second shower room with enclosed shower
Dishwasher, fridge, freezer, electric oven, gas hob, washer/dryer
Microwave, toaster, kettle
LCD TV freeview & DVD Player
Bed linen and towels provided
One free car pass provided for the Aberdyfi 'pay & display' car parks (spaces are subject to availability)
Fabulous views of the coastline and Dovey estuary
*Short breaks available out of season (excluding holidays)
Sorry no pets


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About Big Buddha
Seven years ago, handbag designer Jeremy Bassan started Big Buddha from his home in Santa Barbara, California. Since then, the 25-year-old has been diligently working to establish Big Buddha as a front-runner in affordable fashion-forward handbags for women.
Big Buddha was designed for the modern woman who may juggle a career, school, or a family. Big Buddha bags are eco-friendly, stylish, fun and won't break the bank. With shapes ranging from totes to satchels and clutches, Big Buddha bags work for women of any age or personality.
Without compromising functionality, Big Buddha's designs continue to innovate and change with the latest fashion trends. Big Buddha is continuing to grow as a young, vibrant company in a competitive industry.


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Private Wealth Associate
- Recruiter
- Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment
- Location
- England, London
- Salary
- £60000 - £80000 per annum + Good Package
- Posted
- 09 Mar 2018
- Closes
- 06 Apr 2018
- Ref
- Contact
- Alex Groom
- Practice area
- Private client
- Position
- Solicitor
- Sector
- Private practice
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Permanent
Private Wealth Solicitor / Associate
Competitive Salary & Benefits Package
Due to continuing growth, a Top 100 law firm are seeking to employ an additional PrivateWealth Solicitor to manage and run their expanding Private Client department at their London office.
The department specialises in the provision of personal tax and trusts services to high net worth individuals across the UK and overseas. Typical areas of work include wills and trusts (including international estate planning), offshore trusts and companies, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax, residence and domicile, probate and estates / trusts administration, and powers of attorney.
The firm seek a qualified solicitor with c. 2-5 PQE, gained within a specialist private wealth / personal tax department with a strong emphasis on tax advice. Strong academics are a must, along with excellent interpersonal skills good technical knowledge.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a Private Wealth Solicitor to join an established, highly reputable department within a leading firm. Salary on offer will be competitive and the firm offers a comprehensive benefits package, as well as superb long term development opportunities within a supportive atmosphere. Apply now for immediate consideration.
Douglas Scott is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.


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Hi, i was just wondering if you guys need a flash intro to this web site.
I can do some pretty neat animations and i'll do it for free.
Just tell me and i'll begin working on it right away.
Moderator: Dead Rabbit Software
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text: Red color is very sexy and hot and red hair color looks very pretty and beautiful if you have very fair complexion, t just make your personality very mode and up to date. Our Holly wood celebrities have made a lot of red color hair styles which appears very beautiful and gorgeous. Here are the top Keep Reading


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News organizations have been interpreting the recent Bob Costas lecture to the nation as a question about whether or not it was appropriate for him to share his opinion on a football halftime show. Who are we kidding? Virtually all TV shows and movies are platforms for promoting ideas about issues. I remember being shocked when I watched the "DVD extas" for a season of the TV series, "Dark Angel" to see how James Cameron had installed rules to discourage handgun ownership and encourage motorcycle safety. "Everyone is doing it"—often with a great deal more subtlety than Bob Costas used. We're better off getting a direct statement instead of understated hints and directions.
Instead of spending time complaining that Costas' opinions were "misplaced," we should spend time considering why his opinion is wrong and why it is so common in the media.
Trending: Portland Mayor Stands By Orders to Police to Stand Down as Dangerous Antifa Rioters Attacked Citizens
By the time you get into major TV shows, the "talking heads" of infotainment are in an economic level much higher than the average viewer. Bob Costas has options regarding where he lives, how much security he has, what kind of lawyer he can afford, and what kind of leverage he would have if he were abused by the police. His viewers, on average, have nowhere near his level of power and privilege.
If Bob Costas felt threatened and called the police, assuming he doesn't have his own armed bodyguards, I am sure he could depend on a quick response. You and I cannot be confident of anything like that. Furthermore, as SWAT raids become more common and more abusive, I doubt Costas needs to fear any such thing ever happening to him.
The fact that Costas wants a regime where it is illegal for us, the little people, to own a gun, just tells you how little he cares about us. But even blaming Costas is inaccurate. Despite how his remarks are characterized, they were not "a rant." On the contrary, they were carefully thought out.
Costas' words were obviously preplanned, rehearsed, and almost certainly displayed for him to read on a teleprompter. There is no reason at all to believe that his remarks had not been vetted in advance by NBC. This wasn't just Costas lecturing us; this was the whole network informing us of our place in this world. We really should not be surprised if we eventually discover that he did not write the message himself.
I saw one person ask on Twitter if there was nowhere she could go that was safe from liberal propaganda. That, I think, was part of the purpose of Costas' delivered speech. We have all been informed that our lives are completely under the control of liberals. There is nowhere we can go to escape their immoral moralizing. Every single part of the big, blue screen is under their domination.
We live in an age where a small ruing class is trying to inculcate a slave mentality through propaganda masquerading as education, entertainment, and athletics, as well in all other areas. This latest push for gun control should be seen, not as one man's opinion, but the voice of the ruling class trying to browbeat us into becoming even more vulnerable to their coercion.


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No. 12 Iowa St. 79, No. 5 Kansas 77
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ Kantrail Horton hit all four of his 3-point tries and scored 19 points as No. 12 Iowa State took over the Big 12 Conference lead with a 79-77 victory Monday night over No. 5 Kansas.
Jamaal Tinsley took an elbow in the eye late in the first half from Kansas' Kenny Gregory, but added three 3-pointers and 18 points for the Cyclones.
Iowa State (20-3, 8-2 Big 12), the defending conference champion, hit 11 3-pointers and held off a late surge to beat Kansas (18-3, 7-2) for the fourth straight time.
The Jayhawks, who trailed 73-62 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining, cut Iowa State's lead to 79-77 on Eric Chenowith's two free throws with 1:04 left. Kansas had a chance to force overtime when Nick Collison rebounded Horton's miss with 44 seconds remaining, but Luke Axtell shot an air ball from 3-point range as time expired.
Jake Sullivan hit two 3-pointers and finished with 10 points for Iowa State.
Forward Drew Gooden, listed as doubtful before the game with a wrist injury, started and led Kansas with 14 points before fouling out.
Collison, held to two points in the first half, finished with 12 and led the Jayhawks with nine rebounds. Kirk Hinrich also had 12 points, Gregory and Chenowith added 11 each and Jeff Boschee finished with 10.
Kansas started quickly, with Gregory taking the opening tip and laying it in, and Boschee hitting a 3-pointer for a 5-2 lead with 19:06 left in the first half. But Iowa State hit nine of its first 13 shots, including all three of its 3-point tries, to go up 21-12 with 12:40 left in the half.
The Cyclones never trailed again. They hit six of nine 3-pointers in the first half, including Horton's shot at the buzzer for a 46-35 lead at the break.
Chenowith converted a 3-point play with 11 minutes left to cut Iowa State's advantage to 54-51, but Horton hit two 3-pointers _ the last from 30 feet _ as the Cyclones pushed the margin to 73-62.


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On The Beautiful Not Yet, released on September 16, 2016, Newcomer continues and expands her inquiry into how life's deepest questions present themselves in our daily lives.
Newcomer joined forces with producer and banjo virtuoso Jayme Stone (Lomax Project) to create The Beautiful Not Yet. It is a collection of joyous, earthy songs featuring elegantly layered chamber/roots arrangements, Newcomer's signature warm, intimate vocals and filled with the ache and awe of human longing.
"We live in an ever accelerating world where we are not encouraged to stop, reflect or pause the perpetual motion of our lives," Newcomer remarks. "I've always been more intrigued by good questions than easy answers questions like, what do I love beyond words or measure, what sustains and connects us, where do we find help in hard times, how can I be more present in my daily life, and when I stop and pull back the layers of distraction, what is at the very heart of my life?"
Many of the songs featured on The Beautiful Not Yet were created in dialog with beloved author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, Healing the Heart of Democracy) for their spoken word and music collaboration, What We Need Is Here: Hope, Hard Times and the Human Possibility which addresses our collective yearning for a human-scale way of understanding and responding to what's happening in our world, as well as how to re-orient ourselves from looking outward at a world that feels overpowering and invincible and begin the process of looking inward to the powers of the human heart, activated by hope and amplified by community. The songs "Sanctuary," "Three Feet or So," "Help in Hard Times," "A Shovel is a Prayer," "Lean in Toward the Light" and "You Can Do This Hard Thing" exemplify the themes of this fascinating meeting of author and songwriter, music and spoken word. This new show is a perfect follow up to their 2012-16 collaboration, Healing the Heart of Democracy: A Gathering of Spirits for the Common that aired July 4, 2016 on Wisconsin Public Broadcasting and focused upon a new kind of political conversation.
Also featured on The Beautiful Not Yet, are songs that invite us to live a more present, engaged life, even in the face of division, uncertainty or heartbreak. Newcomer explains, "The things that have always saved us personally and as a community are still here to save us; compassion, kindness, empathy, generosity, a sense of humor, decency, faithfulness and good parenting are all still here. Yes, the things that have always tripped us up–greed, racism, tribalism, unchecked commercialism and violence—are also still here, and so we name and contend with these things as well. But too often we look "out there" for solutions, when what we really need is right here, within us and between us."


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The TLC7628C is a dual, 8-bit, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) designed with separate on-chip data latches and featuring exceptionally close DAC-to-DAC matching. Data are transferred to either of the two DAC data latches through a common, 8-bit input port. Control input DACA/DACB determines which DAC is loaded. The load cycle of this device is similar to the write cycle of a random-access memory, allowing easy interface to most popular microprocessor buses and output ports. Segmenting the high-order bits minimizes glitches during changes in the most significant bits, where glitch impulse is typically the strongest.
The TLC7628C operates from a 10.8-V to 15.75-V power supply and is TTL-compatible over this range. 2- or 4-quadrant multiplying makes these devices a sound choice for many microprocessor-controlled gain-setting and signal-control applications.
The TLC7628C is characterized for operation from 0°C to 70°C.


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A well networked and highly successful branch manager with extensive customer service experience and of working to set schedules and deadlines. Boasting a strong background of supporting staff & senior management, as well as possessing an excellent commercial approach to solving problems and developing business. Having the commercial and visual awareness to drive sales, manage profit and loss and ultimately increase branch profitability.
I am seeking a position within an ambitious & exciting company where I can utilise my managerial experience and be challenged to push myself further.
Jazzie Bartolome
- Cavite Cavite
- +639284103862
- [email protected]


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[November 7]
On November 7 during Homecoming weekend, Rice launches the public phase of its $1 billion Centennial Campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in Rice's history and the largest philanthropic campaign in Houston. Prior to the Homecoming announcement, the Campaign raises $500 million. Planned to fulfill the objectives of the Vision for the Second Century (V2C), the campaign will conclude in October 2012.


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This has been the year of the Tiger in pro golf. No matter where one turned, Tiger Woods was the focus - from overwhelming the Masters field in April to being humbled playing for the defeated American squad against Europe in September's Ryder Cup matches.
As much as Woods dominated golf's headlines, though, he will not finish the year as the game's most decorated shotmaker. That honor belongs to Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, who goes after her seventh victory in next week's ITT LPGA Tour Championship in Las Vegas (Nov. 20-23, with coverage on ESPN and ABC).
She owns more wins (6 to 4) than Woods and should, like him, wind up as the leading money winner of her professional circuit. She also is spectacularly consistent, with 15 Top 10 finishes.
About the only significant achievement that could elude her is the Vare Trophy, awarded annually to the LPGA player with the lowest season-long scoring average, and even there she is very close.
Entering the Tour Championship, Sorenstam and Karrie Webb, the tournament's defending champion, are on target to break the all-time best scoring average of 70.32 shots per 18-hole round set by Laura Davies last year. Webb leads 70.01 to 70.08, but Sorenstam owns a sizeable margin in the Player of the Year race, based on accumulated points.
Davies was last year's Player of the Year and Webb the LPGA's leading money winner as a rookie. Sorenstam could reclaim these distinctions, which she held in 1995, when a victory in the US Open catapulted her into the game's upper echelon.
That win brought a wave of media attention. She originally was uncomfortable with her stardom, but has since adjusted to it.
A computer buff whose father worked for IBM, Sorenstam writes a monthly column for a golf Web site and likes to analyze her personal statistics using her laptop. "I look at scoring average, hitting more greens, making more putts," she says. "Someday I'd like to hit 18 fairways, hit 18 greens, and make 18 putts."
A younger sister, Charlotta, with whom she is not especially close, is among the top rookies on this year's tour. But her chief confidant and the person who brings "more balance" to her life is husband David Esch.
They met in Arizona where she played for the University of Arizona and was the 1991 national champion. He now works as a consultant with Callaway Golf, her equipment sponsor. They married in January and have a home in Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Four Champs in Grand Slam
The most intriguing of golf's end-of-season, change-of-pace events is probably the first up: the PGA Grand Slam, a tournament with only four players, a $1 million purse, and prime-time television coverage on Monday and Tuesday (TNT, 7:05-11:05 p.m., EST).
The Slam, set to tee off in Kauai, Hawaii, Nov. 17 and 18, brings together the winners of the year's four major tournaments, which in this case are Tiger Woods (Masters), Ernie Els (US Open), Justin Leonard (British Open), and Davis Love III (PGA Championship).
After a fast start to his first full season on the PGA Tour, in which he won four tournaments, Woods hung on to claim the 1997 money-winning title and break the $2 million barrier (collecting $2,066,833, to be exact). Hale Irwin, incidentally, won even more money while dominating the Senior Tour.
The Grand Slam is not part of the weekly tour, which officially ended Nov. 2 in Houston, with David Duval winning his third straight tournament at the Tour Championship to finish second to Woods in earnings. Duval's run was unprecedented for a player who had been winless. Before the streak, he owned seven second-place finishes.


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La Tenuta GorgoPisa Peccioli
If you love spending your holiday in a luxury home with WiFi which can also offer you quietness and peacefulness, then "Il Gorgo" is the right place for you. The marble inscription over the corridor leading to the first floor says: "1878 – il Conte Giulio Pesciolini edificň" (1878 – Count Giulio Pesciolini had this home built). Therefore, the farm house is more than 130 years old.
The villa is about 350 sq m and is on two floors.
Guests have a swimming pool (12x9m and deep as far as 2.5 m) at their disposal. They also have a TV set and a Sat decoder.
There a large kitchen (with a dishwasher) on the ground floor, a bathroom with a ttoilette and a large living room with a TV set, sofas, a fireplace and a piano.
A flight of stairs leads to the first floor. There you can find another living room from which you can get into two of the four bedrooms : three of them are double and one is a twin bedroom. Three of them are en suite and have a shower. In the corridor there is also a bathroom with a tub. There is WIFI. Animals: €100/week.


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Manic Street Preachers think singles are over
Manic Street Preachers think singles are over
Manic Street Preachers think releasing singles is a thing of the past.
The Welsh rockers believe the music industry has changed massively since their inception in the late 1980s and they no longer think bands want to achieve a "big" charting track.
Bassist Nicky Wire said: "It's something we feel is probably over, the idea of having massive hit singles- unless something dramatically changes in life, it's probably at an end. The single is no more, as such, from what we grew up with anyway, let's face it, it's a different dimension.
"There are no guitar bands in the charts really, if you look at the top 40. You've got to come to terms with that at some point."
The 'Postcards from a Young Man' hitmakers are preparing for the rlease of a 38-track singles collection and think they have "earned" the right to title the compilation 'National Treasures'.
Nicky added to NME magazine: "It is really cheeky, isn't it? I had thought about it for a year or so. It is half-cosy and half just a p**s take as loads of people hate us.
"It just seemed to fit to everything really well, and I think we've earned the right."


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Holy Mothers of Orthodoxy is a collection of thirty-two essays, talks, and short studies on the history and status of women in the Orthodox Church. Though it was published over ten years ago, the issues are still just as important and relevant for us today. The articles vary in length, content, and style. Some are historical accounts of women saints; others come out of the author's in-depth study of Byzantine hymnography. Still others are personal testimonies that reflect some of her frustrations with what she sees as a gap between the life-giving theology of the Church and some of its practices, especially regarding the status of women. All of the essays are thought-provoking and engaging.
Holy Mothers of Orthodoxy can be obtained from Light and Life Publishing Co., 4818 Park Glen Rd., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416. Phone: (612) 925-3888. It may also be ordered through the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, PO Box 185, Grass Lake, Michigan 4924-185 or via the web. The price is $8.95.


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Mustard and Maple Glaze
- Prep: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total: 15 min
- Serving: Glaze for 1 1/2 pounds of meat
This glaze is delicious on pork tenderloin, lamb and roast chicken. Brush the meat of your choice with the glaze prior and during cooking.
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons grainy mustard
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Place the maple syrup, grainy mustard and chicken broth in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil while whisking to combine. Cook the mixture for 9 minutes and then remove the pan from the heat; whisk in the mustard, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Use immediately.
Filed Under:


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There's been a lot of hubbub over Toby Keith's country dumbness, but I thought I'd do my part to help set the record straight on Beer for my Horses:
Blumenthal never mentions that Keith sings "Beer For My Horses" with Willie Nelson, and it's actually Nelson who sings the supposedly incriminating lyrics (as you can see at about the 1:43 mark of the music video).
Now Willie Nelson's been called a lot of things—a pot head, a tax cheat, etc—but I don't think anyone's ever called Willie Nelson (who just recorded an album with Wynton Marsalis) a racist. So if Blumenthal wants to argue that Keith is pro-lynching, he needs to argue that Nelson is, too—which is something he doesn't do.
Hat tip to Jesse Walker (one of my bosses at Reason).


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The year is winding down and coming to a close. As we reflect on the past year, we can't help but feel immense gratitude, not just for this year, but also for the past five years of being able to serve you and your pets.
One of our core values at The COVE is community. It is our goal to build a strong, supportive community internally and externally. Internally, we want each team member to feel valued and appreciated, and to work to support one another—especially on tough days. Externally, it is essential that we continue to build a strong community with our primary care veterinarians based on transparency and respect so that we can all provide the best care for your pets.
We also work to establish a community with our clients. We are proud to say that our clients are simply the best. Just check out our Facebook page to see all the kind words and pet updates our clients share with us. They are responsible and loving pet owners and we are honored to have helped care for their furry family members.
This year, we are truly thankful for all of our communities. We couldn't do what we do every day without our team, family veterinarians, and clients. Thank you for keeping us passionate about providing advanced care to animals in need.
The COVE supports various organizations throughout our community. If you share our love of animals, we invite you to learn more about these great organizations and events:
Animal Welfare/Pet Organizations
Additional Organizations
From the entire team at The COVE, we wish your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
Take comfort in knowing that if your pet needs emergency care during the holidays, we are open 24/7, every day of the year (including holidays!). No appointments are necessary for emergency services. Simply give us a call at 757-935-9111 if possible so we may be prepared for your arrival.


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The Stamm Bodyfit treadmill is a stylish, compact, motorised treadmill. This machine's 1 HP peak duty motor (600W) powers the walking belt all the way to over 6 mph (10 kph) and its console provides all the essential workout feedback on an LCD display, whilst a selection of 12 programmes provides for exercise variety. Heart rate measurement is achieved through the pulse grip sensors on the handlebars and when folded, this treadmill only takes up 50cm (19.7") by 60cm (23.6") of floor space! Also, with a weight of only 23kg, moving this treadmill out of the way after exercise sessions is quite achievable.
Would you like to add a review for this item?
for submitting product review about
Stamm Bodyfit Track 850 Folding Treadmill.
Change your mind within 14 days and we will give your money back as long as you
return the item to us as new and in its original packaging.
Rated 4.7 / 5
based on 4,415
Customer Reviews on Google Shopping


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Housewarming Party Invitations To Inspire You How To Make The Party Look Decorative 12
Looking a unique design for your invitation? Here are some housewarming party invitations which was covered by reignnj. We have gathered a whole pack of creative and eye-catching Party that are functional at the same time and we hope to inspire you! Housewarming party invitations will inspire you with 14 awesome ideas for your Party invitation with a various styles and trends.
Choosing the right color is very important if you want make awesome Party invitation. In addition will make the invitation look beautiful, the color will also show your personality.Create your own design for your Party invitation with combining our ideas with your creativity.
This housewarming party invitations is being packed with 14 cool design gallery. So, we hope this housewarming party invitations will give you an extra ideas to make your own Party invitation! Look how to apply these and other smart ideas below!


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Deluxe Tractor Cover 54 inch
- Sale price
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$21 (20%)
- + FREE SHIPPING (Ships in 3 days)
- Product ID: 003669
- Ships via FedEx Ground see details »
Product Description
Dual air vents let air circulate and help prevent ballooning in wind. Interior lining protects machinery from scratches. Integrated muffler heat shield. EasyOn™ side handles make snugging down a snap. WipeClean™ reinforced mower deck. Heavy-duty fabric won't shrink or stretch
Elastic shock cord in bottom hem for a quick, custom fit. Handy integrated storage bag
Fabric is coated for maximum water resistance and repellency. EasyOn™ split back for fast fitting and easy access after installation. 2 year manufacturers warranty
- Product ID: 003669
- Brand: Classic Accessories
- 2 year manufacturers warranty
- Fits: Lawn and Garden Tractors with a Deck up to 54
- Color: Black
Shipping Info
- Usually ships in 3 days. This means your order will leave our warehouse in 3 business days.
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Display Accurate Battery Information in Taskbar with BatteryBar
The battery meter and information that is provided by Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 is not accurate enough. It basically gives you a rough idea and there are a lot of fluctuations in it. BatteryBar display important battery information in the taskbar without taking too much space. As it monitors your battery, it keeps historical data on your battery to give you an accurate estimate on how much time is remaining.
After downloading and installing BatteryBar, right click on the taskbar and add a new toolbar to display the information. It will display a small meter which will show the percentage of battery remaining. If you left click on it, you will get a estimate of the time remaining. When you put your laptop on AC power, the meter will change colour from Green to Blue. To get more information, just hover your mouse over the bar.
BatteryBar is a freeware which runs on Windows. A pro version of the software is also available for $7.50 which adds some extra feature like support for themes and power schemes.


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This is not an offer for credit and should be used for estimation purposes only based on the information you provided. You should not base your decision on this estimate alone. Title, registration, tax and other fees, and personal circumstances such as employment status and personal credit history, were not considered in the calculations.
When it comes to motocross, our 2017 CRF450R is huge news this year. But in the enduro, hare scrambles, and GNCC world, there's even bigger news: Introducing the 2017 Honda CRF450RX, the ultimate weapon for serious off-road competitors. At its core, we've taken our CRF450R and optimized it for off-road racing. And not with just some tires or graphics. We've done it the Honda way—the right way. And the results are, well, electrifying.
Front - Single 260 mm disc with 2-piston caliper
Rear - Single 240 mm disc
Front - Dunlop Geomax AT81 90/90-21
Rear - Dunlop Geomax AT81 120/90-18
Front - 49 mm inverted Showa fork with rebound & compression damping adjustability; 12 in. travel
Rear - Pro-Link® Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound & compression damping adjustability; 12.28 in. travel
*Price, if shown, does not include government fees, taxes, dealer freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges or any finance charges (if applicable). Sale Price includes all customer rebates and discounts. Final actual sales price will vary depending on options or accessories selected.
NOTE: Models with a price of "Request a Quote" are always included in a $0 search, regardless of actual value. Honda Products
*Suggested Retail Price (SRP) excludes destination charge. Visit powersports.honda.com to view applicable destination charge amount.


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News detail
Tue, Dec 11 2012: DISPERSE
"Living Mirrors" is the title of Polish prog rockers DISPERSE's new album, scheduled to hit the stores on February 15th (February 19th in North America). Album details are as follows:
DISPERSE have been the buzz topic within progressive circles worldwide since the release of debut album "Journey through the Hidden Gardens". Their sophomore full-length displays amazing technical skills serving a surprisingly mature and confident songwriting. Although their roots ranging from PINK FLOYD via DREAM THEATER to CYNIC are clearly shining through, DISPERSE have found their own elegant style, injecting fresh momentum into Progressive Rock and Metal.


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Welcome to our Web site, where you'll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and more.
We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.
We're here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Be sure to add our site to your list of "favorites" in your Internet browser. We frequently update our information, and we wouldn't want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC and Federally Registered Investment Advisor.
Wilson Naginey Group is a team name used by Advisors affilliated with Waddell & Reed for marketing purposes only.


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Update your password regularly to keep your account safe.
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Enjoy a soothing 1 night package spa treatment for two.
Enjoy a 2-night stay with spa access and dinner.
Hilton Giardini Naxos boasts direct access to the beautiful beaches of Giardini Naxos, close to many of the island's major attractions. Enjoy traditional Mediterranean hospitality combined with stunning views in the charming town of Taormina, the majestic Mount Etna and only 40 minutes from Catania Vincenzo Bellini Airport. Relax on the private beach, at our hotel spa and in the sparkling pool and sun lounge area.
WINTER EVENT OFFERFind out more about the special offers we have for hosting your event in winter.
View Winter Event Details
Our hotel received the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award
Have a comfortable stay in one of our 296 spacious guest rooms, furnished in classical Italian style with amazing sea views. Choose from a standard guest room, family, deluxe and exclusive rooms. Indulge in a suite with a marble bathroom and private balcony.
The Wellness center, Our Spa, offers services including Hammam, hydrotherapy tub, sauna, thalassotherapy pool with salted water and whirlpool.
Soak up the Sicilian sun at our outdoor pool, unwind in our Spa and Wellness Center or train in our 24-hour gym. Sip evening drinks in the romantic terrace lounge while admiring beautiful views of the sunset.
Start your day with breakfast on the beach or relax after a busy day of sightseeing with a cup of Italian coffee in the lobby bar. Experience authentic Sicilian cuisine, various local wines and a laid back atmosphere at La Sciara. Panarea offers several Mediteranean options for a quick lunch or dinner on the terrace.
Hilton Giardini Naxos, located at the romantic bay of Giardini overlooking Mount Etna, offers tailor made event planning, delicious Sicilian cuisine, and open air dining facilities to make your wedding and honeymoon a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.


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Three Dead in Shooting at LAX Airport
LOS ANGELES – A gunman opened fire Thursday at the El Al airlines ticket counter in Los Angeles International Airport, killing two people and wounding three others before being shot dead by an El Al security guard, according to authorities.
No official motive for the shooting was yet known, but Israeli officials speculated it was a terrorist attack. There was no indication of terrorism at this point, an FBI spokesman said.
"This appears to be an isolated incident," FBI special agent Richard Garcia said. "We have no other suspects we're looking for."
FBI spokesman Matt McGlaughlin said nothing could be ruled out at this point, however.
The 52-year-old gunman approached someone at the ticket counter and began firing, police spokesman Alex Baez said. No other details about the shooter were reported.
The other fatalities were a 46-year-old man and a woman in her 20s, according to reports. Also wounded were a 61-year-old woman who was shot in the ankle, a 40-year-old man who was injured by a knife, and a man in his 20s injured by being struck with a gun.
The incident began with two bursts of gunfire, separated by silence, according to witness Thad Weimlein. After the first burst, undercover police officers drew their guns and badges, Weimlein said.
"A lot of people thought it was fireworks and a prank" at first, according to Weimlein.
"It's really hard to tell whether he was aiming at the counter, at people behind the counter or at people in line," another witness, Hakin Hasidh, said.
The Tom Bradley International Terminal, where the shooting took place, was closed. Planes continued to arrive and depart. In all, around 900,000 people were expected to pass through the airport Thursday.
Israeli Transport Minister Efraim Sneh said that all of the gunman's victims were Israelis. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said those behind the attack would be found.
Fourth of July celebrations in Los Angeles will not be affected, LAPD chief Martin Pomeroy said.
El Al, Israel's national airline, is known for its tight security. The airline released a statement saying there would be no changes to its security operations after the attack.
"Like all Californians, I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn of today's shooting at Los Angeles International Airport," California Governor Gray Davis said in a statement. "That it happened on the day on which we honor what America stands for — liberty, security and diversity — makes this particularly more tragic."
The White House said it was monitoring the situation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Everything you've wanted to know about your post-baby vagina, but didn't want to ask
Ok, so it's no typical coffee shop chat (well, unless you're a TMI mum who's likely to have told everyone about your third degree tear before you've ordered your latte), but the goings on 'down there' after you've had a baby are generally not talked about. That's why we've given you all the facts below.
'Your vagina is a very stretchy organ – it can expand to 10cm to let your baby through - and then goes back,' says Dr Roger Marwood, a spokesperson for Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and founder of doctoranddaughter.co.uk. 'However, it's surrounded by a group of muscles called the pelvic floor muscles and these are affected by both pregnancy and childbirth.
The extent to which they're affected depends on several factors including the size of your baby, how long you spent pushing, whether you had an assisted delivery using forceps, and even your genes.' Doing pelvic floor exercises can help tighten them, which effectively tightens the vagina wall, too.
Stitched up
Around 50% of first time mums will need stitches after having a baby. Don't worry – it's not as bad as it sounds. 'If you haven't had an epidural, you'll be given a local anaesthetic while either the midwife or obstetrician sews up the tear or episiotomy cut,' says Dr Marwood. 'The thread is soft and dissolvable so you won't have to have the stitches removed. However, you may be able to feel them, and the area will feel tender and swollen or bruised, although this is the case even without stitches if you've had a vaginal birth. You'll be given painkillers after you've had your baby to help with any pain you're feeling.'
Doing pelvic floor exercises can help tighten your vagina
If you're finding it difficult to pee after birth because of stitches, you can try pouring warm water over your vulva or weeing in the bath as it dilutes the acid in your urine.
Holding on
'Just over 40% of women will experience incontinence after having a baby,' says Dr Marwood. 'Often it's only a tiny amount that you leak, usually when you laugh, cough or sneeze, and can disappear a few weeks after birth so is usually nothing to worry about.'
Doing your pelvic floor exercises are, once again, the key to preventing incontinence. 'Imagine you're pulling your vagina up and in, as if you're trying to stop yourself weeing and squeeze,' says Dr Marwood. 'And try to remember to make the exercises part of your daily routine – like showering or putting on make-up. You can do them while you're sat breastfeeding or waiting at traffic lights.'
Your prolapse recovery plan
Sometimes the pressure of pushing and giving birth can cause a prolapse. This means that one or more of your pelvic organs (such as the womb, bladder or rectum) can drop down or prolapse into your vagina. 'It's not that common – it happens to about 10% of women – and you'll probably notice a difference,' says Dr Marwood. 'It can feel heavy and you may feel and even see a bulge in your vagina. If the prolapse is pushing on your bladder, you may need the toilet more frequently.'
The good news is that prolapse can improve over time
The good news is that prolapse can improve over time and depending on how serious it is, may not even need specific treatment. 'If you still don't feel quite right at your six week check-up, talk to your GP and she can refer you to a pelvic physiotherapist who can teach you how to do pelvic floor exercises or prescribe a machine that can help tighten the muscles. If you're overweight she may suggest you lose a bit as that can affect how quickly you recover from a prolapse,' says Dr Marwood.
The truth about post-baby sex
When you're surviving on four hours sleep a day, the prospect of doing anything except sending up zzzz when you're in bed can seem totally alien. However, if and when you're ready for sex, it's worth bearing in mind that it probably will feel different.
'Once your baby is born, oestrogen levels drop so that your body can start producing breast milk,' says Dr Marwood. 'This can cause vaginal dryness and tenderness, and a lower libido. What's interesting is that the speed that your sex life returns is more affected by your mode of feeding than your mode of birth. The longer you breastfeed, the lower your oestrogen levels, and so the lower your libido. So while breastfeeding is amazing for your baby, it can have an impact on your sex life.'
Just because all your mum friends are 'allegedly' back to five times a week (yeah, right), doesn't mean you have to follow suit.
Talk to your partner about taking it slowly when you have sex for the first time after birth and think about using some lubricant if you're worried about dryness. But the most important thing is not to rush.
Just because you've had the all clear from the doctor and all your mum friends in your NCT group are 'allegedly' back to five times a week (yeah, right), doesn't mean you have to follow suit.


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Mr Frank Ormsby Celebrates Further Success
Former Head of English Frank Ormsby has many reasons to celebrate this month. Not only is he still basking in the success of his last collection of poems, The Parkinson's Poems, this week he launches a new collection of poetry, The Darkness of Snow. Added to this, Mr Ormsby has been celebrated in a very public manner when his poetry, read by Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar during Proms in the Park at "Castle Coole" was nationally screened as part of the roundup of The Last Night of the Proms from around the UK. The poems were set to music by Instonian and former pupil of Mr Ormsby, Graeme Stewart, who presented his former teacher with a bound copy of the composition entitled A Lull Between Showers.
The Parkinson's Poems have been hugely successful. Not only do they explore Mr Ormsby's own experiences of the condition, the collection is also being used as a teaching aid at the Division of Nursing at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, where Mr Ormsby took a seminar with undergraduates. Speaking to the Impartial Reporter, Mr Ormsby said, "I have also been asked to write an article for a nurses' research magazine. It is wonderful to know these poems are being used for such valuable work."
Mr Ormsby is also a long-time friend of fellow poet and Instonian Michael Longley; both men add to the rich literary heritage of the school and are a great source pride for it.
These deserved accolades are timely as Mr Ormsby next month celebrates his 70th birthday; we wish him many happy returns and look forward to the success of The Darkness of Snow.
To read an interview with Mr Ormsby go to:
To hear Adrian Dunbar reading On Devenish Island and News From Home watch from 44.27 on iplayer:


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A cricket camp was recently organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to unearth bowling talent. It attracted over 1200 participants.
This was the first such camp held here, as budding bowlers were judged on various parameters by selectors Juginder Puri and Manish Bali, who gave the youngsters, tips on technique and style.
"Setting up such a camp is a good idea, as there are talented players in Assam, but they need a good platform to showcase their talent," Dhiraj Gogoi, a participant, said.he BCCI, in association with the NCA, is looking for bowling talent from across the country.
Initially, five fast bowlers and two spinners were selected, but when they were asked bowl a variety of deliveries at right and left handed batsmen, they could not make the cut.
"The BCCI and NCA want cricketing talent to emerge from the remotest corners of the country. In order to achieve this aim, the BCCI and NCA have decided to start an open talent hunt to find the players," Bikash Baruah, Secretary, Assam Cricket Association, said.
The Assam Cricket Association also inaugurated an international standard gym for its players.
The state is also constructing a new cricket stadium at Barsapara, while Guwahati continues to host international matches at regular intervals.
The state is now waiting to see its first player in the Indian team.
It has huge hopes for Abu Nechim, a promising Assamese player.
Recently, the Assam's women's cricket team surprised all, by becoming national champions. (ANI)


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Heading to a meeting at Think Coffee on Wednesday in Soho, Naomi Watts pushed Samuel Kai, 16 months, while elder son Alexander 'Sasha' Pete, 2½, took charge of Bob the Yorkie's leash!
"We're not party people," Watts says of her laid-back life with fiancé Liev Schreiber and their boys. "My ideal night in is a good meal, a glass of wine and Liev. That's heaven for me."
Humberto Carreno/Startraks
Click below to see how Sasha entertained himself while Mom had her coffee!
Humberto Carreno/Startraks


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Published on June 21st, 2016 | by maxbloggs0
Dab – What is the 'dab' dance and why is everyone doing it?
Dab dance – It seem's a new dance craze has swept through professional sports across the world!
Urban Dictionary tell us the Dab dance is –
'A type of dance (move) when one crosses one
arm diagonally across their chest and the other arm is
straight and diagonally extended outwards from their body.'
The new craze seems to be most popular with teenagers, football players, and dancers. It has gone so far that even Hillary Clinton has been 'Dabbing'!
So far as we know the dance apparently originated from Migros, a rap group from Atlanta. Since it has spread across the world to the Premier League!
Forget about Pogba! We want to see you Dab!
We want to see you dabbing! Share with us on Facebook and Twitter your Dabbing videos, we want to find the best dabber!
We might have already found potential winners!


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ENZLE email@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-09-29 published
ENZLE, Michael Evans (1948-2007)
Michael ENZLE, Ph. D., was born in Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.A. on May 5, 1948 and passed away September 26, 2007 at the Edmonton General Hospital from a brain tumour diagnosed in October 2006. Michael, a dedicated teacher and mentor, served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta for 30 years, where his academic research focused on voluntary consent, privacy issues, and power relationships. In 2004, he was appointed full-time Director of the University's newly-created Human Research Protections Office. Michael contributed to the development and implementation of research ethics boards on campus as well as the University Committee on Human Research Ethics. He chaired the Education Committee of the National Council on Ethics in Human Research and was a member of the Health Canada Research Ethics Board and the Society for Experimental Social Psychology. He was appointed as Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Stem Cell Oversight Committee in 2003. Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Monique MARTINEAU; his mother, Mrs. Jean Enzle HOGAN of Wapakoneta, Ohio; his brother Mark D. (Shirley) ENZLE of New Bremen, Ohio, as well as nieces and nephews. Michael was predeceased by his father, Bill C. ENZLE and his stepfather Harold E. HOGAN. Donations can be made to Cross Cancer Institute (Marked Brain Tumour Research), 11560 University Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Phone: (780) 432-8771 or to the charity of your choice. Michael's wife wishes to thank Home Care, the staff at St. Joe's, the Zetter Centre and Mel Miller at Edmonton General Palliative Care for their kindness and compassion. Memorials will be held at the University of Alberta and in Montreal, both at later dates. Serenity Funeral Service, Edmonton, Alberta 780-450-0101 Condolences: www.serenity.ca
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