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We've all heard the saying, "You only get one chance to make a good first impression."
While this is meant to describe two individuals meeting, the same concept applies the first time that mail is sent from a new platform.
Essentially, sophisticated anti-spam software has a few things in common with the human brain; most notably, a fear of the unknown. This can create additional considerations when planning to migrate to a new ESP, particularly for senders with large volume campaigns.
So why do anti-spam systems fear the unknown?
1. New senders are usually spammers
Sends from new IP space are typically very bad. Some reports have quoted that when an ISP sees mail from a new IP space, it recognizes it as spam more than 95 percent of the time. This is due to bad senders who are always moving to new IP space, which has trained anti-spam filters to respond accordingly.
2. First rule of anti-spam is to stop spam
When in doubt, a good anti-spam should block or filter mail to spam as this is its primary purpose. As the potential costs of allowing even a single malicious email through can be excessive (database breach, CryptoLocker, malware, as a few examples) the safest option is always to block/filter mail if the sender is not known. Anti-spam systems are built to err on the side of caution and not deliver something potentially harmful.
3. Lack of a positive sender reputation is viewed with suspicion
Early generations of anti-spam would guess the authenticity of an email based on the words in the subject or body of the message. It would assume the message was valid unless it included suspicious words such as "FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDS". Today's sophisticated solutions monitor the mail coming from sending IPs, as well as the authenticated domains and treat those senders appropriately based on prior send activity. While this system works much better, the mechanism 'breaks' when there is no sender history to judge. The result is a lack of a positive sender history, which is deemed as suspicious to compensate for the uncertainty.
Considerations when building a new sender reputation
While the process of building a new reputation can sound daunting or complicated, this is something that Adestra oversees on a regular basis. Here are a few considerations when migrating from one sending network to another.
1. IP sending history
A good ESP is always able to provide previously 'warmed' IPs. Essentially, IPs which are currently sending mail and have a positive sender reputation. As IP sender reputation can be very critical in the first few sends, using previously warmed IPs helps clients bypass the most challenging phase.
2. Less is more during warm-up
For particularly high volume senders, a good ESP will work together with Account Managers to ensure that they are building sender reputation in advance of higher volume sends to ensure optimal delivery. For example, Adestra's Deliverability team monitors current ISP trends to determine when such a plan is required and will reach out proactively to clients in such cases.
3. Sender reputation
As this is all about building a strong and positive sender reputation, the first few sends should be extra careful and considered. They must be sterling examples of what all email marketing programs should strive to be; relevant, engaging messages sent to active recipients. The first send from a new platform should not be the time to attempt more aggressive targeting or any other significant experimentation.
Summing up
While anti-spam can seem counter-intuitive, these systems are very risk adverse and are evaluating an unquantifiable number of variables, As harsh as it may seem, it makes sense that these mechanisms can respond aggressively. With the help of the right ESP, however, anti-spam systems will be constantly monitored and analyzed to make sure that clients avoid all potential pitfalls.


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Chief Justice, Chief Justice Chancellor Emad Saleem Sa'ad met with the director of UNOPS Tokumistu Kobayashi, to discuss the ways of cooperation and enhancing the partnership between High Judicial Council and UNOPS.
Mr. Kobayashi manifested the will of UNOPS to execute training programs, exchange experiences and provide the HJC with a number of necessary programs to make the facilities management adequate with international standards in order to improve the abilities of the facilities management staff at HJC.
H.E. appreciated UNOPS represented by Mr. Kobayashi for their consistent support to the judiciary and affirmed that this partnership corresponds to the policies of HJC to develop the judiciary and provide the appropriate environment for litigation and reach justice.

subset: commoncrawl


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The coalition which has run Scottish Borders Council since 2012 has been rocked this week by the resignation of two councillors from its 10-strong Independent group.
Last month, Hawick backbenchers Watson McAteer and Stuart Marshall broke ranks with colleagues on the Independent/SNP/Lib Dem ruling administration at Newtown and voted against spending £3.5million on a visitor centre for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at Tweedbank.
According to council leader and fellow Independent David Parker, all elected members had a free vote in the debate.
But Tuesday's letters of resignation from Messrs McAteer and Marshall to Independent group leader Sandy Aitchison allege that both felt under pressure, not for the first time, to support a policy with which they did not agree.
"I have a growing concern in my ability to execute my role as an Independent councillor when any lack of alignment is met with shouts of dissent from within the group and others in the council's administration," wrote Mr McAteer, a former divisional police commander.
He added: "This may well help expedite council business, but I consider it at best unhealthy.
"In addition, I find myself working alongside some in the [Independent] group that I do not trust and respect and I have witnessed behaviour, excused as 'politics', that I will not be associated with."
Mr McAteer cited an article in last week's Hawick News in which Independent councillor David Paterson, executive member for environmental services, was reported as claiming the two rebel councillors would be in "hot water" for voting against the tapestry.
"Once again I am being tarnished by an alleged Independent colleague," said Mr McAteer.
He later told The Southern: "I cannot represent those who elected me in an open and transparent way without fear of petty censure."
In his letter of resignation, Mr Marshall stated: "I find it difficult as an Independent councillor to constantly hear members of this administration, some of whom are portfolio holders, repeatedly calling for me to be brought into line simply because I have a different opinion on matters which I deem to be of the highest importance to those I represent."
He said Mr Paterson's reported comments had merely reinforced his decision to resign and to "vote on matters ... without being party to any three-line whip arrangement."
Both councillors stressed they would not be joining the Conservative opposition group.
Councillor Aitchison said he was "naturally very disappointed" at the resignations and intended to travel to Hawick today to meet both men.
He said: "These are two dedicated councillors who will be a loss to our group and I will do my best to convince them that they can achieve more for their constituents within the administration rather than outside it."


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Be An Inspired WomanConnecting, Celebrating & Empowering Working Women About InspiredMonthly Lunch Location
Inspired Women Inc. is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that serves working women. Our goal is to create opportunities where women can thrive personally, professionally and spiritually. Deepen your relationships with other working women in our business community by joining Inspired Women at our monthly lunch meetings, special events, and coffee connections.
Join Inspired Women in July!
Thursday, 07.11.19 at Canvas Church
Networking begins promptly at 11:30.
Presentation begins at 11:45 am.
Post Networking from 12:45 – 1:00pm sharp.
Countdown to July 11th
Join Working Women of the Flathead For Lunch
11:30 am – 11:45 am
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm
* Bring Your Lunch *
New? Feeling Timid?
Would you like to attend an Inspired Lunch but feeling a bit timid? DON'T BE!!
We understand how uncomfortable walking into a new event is and we intentionally are going to make it easy for you. Just walk in the doors and say "I'm new". We have a First Time Guest Welcoming Committee to come alongside you and show you the ropes. In less than 5 minutes you will be feeling right at home with your TRIBE of working women!
Join us at our Next Inspired Lunch! And feel free to bring a friend!
Each Lunch Is a Jam-Packed Hour of Networking, Learning, Prizes and Fun!
All working women are welcome regardless of role (you may be a job seeker, an employee, a business owner or even retired – but love staying connected). There is no cost to attend, no tickets to purchase, no RSVP required; just show up and be sure to bring along your own brown bag lunch.
Each luncheon is intentionally designed to provide the opportunity to:
+ Connect with other Working Women in fun, non-threatening environment.
+ Empower Working Women with new skills to be a more effective woman both personally and professionally. Each monthly luncheon has a theme and a speaker that showcases a relevant topic for our audience. Past luncheon speakers have covered topics ranging from marketing and finance, personal skills, showcasing community services and even learning how women ask for raises!
+ Celebrate Successes! Every working women has a story and we want to celebrate with our sisters!
Out of respect for our business attendees, Inspired Lunches keep to a tight schedule. We start promptly at 11:45 am and end at 12:45 pm to allow women to be back at work by 1 pm.
What You Can Expect at an Inspired Lunch:
- Meet fellow working women of all ages and levels of professional experience who understand and appreciate the transformation that comes from sharing, mentoring, and advocating for each other.
- Listen and learn from our monthly guest speakers on a wide variety of topics to help enhance work-life.
Will You Be the Lucky Winner of Our Handbag Raffle?
- Enjoy raffles and giveaways like our monthly handbag raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 each of 6 for $5.
- One very lucky woman always returns to work with a snazzy new bag! Will it be you?
Dream Boards Are Available For Purchase!
- What's Your Vision For a Fabulous Future?
- Have you written down your goals so they're clear in your mind?
Lemon Crushers: A Working Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity
- Have you read the book written by our founder, Pearl Galbraith? Order it on Amazon today!
Three Ways To Get Involved
Every month an empowered woman steps up to the plate to find our monthly speaker – and our sponsors. We wouldn't be where we are today without this important volunteer. Interested in hosting an Inspired Lunch? We would love to hear from you! Please contact us.
Every month we need sponsors to provide the following: beverages, centerpieces, a quality handbag, a coffee, breakfast or lunch gift card, a photographer, and a videographer. Please contact us if you would like to sponsor one of these categories.
We are always looking for captivating speakers to teach, share and enhance our work lives. We enjoy learning about everything from ergonomic work environments to the art and skill of listening to marketing and much more. Contact us if you would like to become a speaker,
Be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements and more. Subscribe to Our Newsletter.
Let's Get Social


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TICM 194 | Shannon Graham | How Great Leaders Think/
How Great Leaders Think - Interview with Shannon Graham (Round 2) this time talking about his NEW book Expand - Leadership that moves, fulfills and ultimately, change the world
To see our first interview on the Future Of Leadership: http://snip.ly/st4ig
Recognized across the globe as a premier motivational speaker and leader in the self-help and coaching industry, Shannon Graham has developed a number of transformative coaching programs to tackle the hurdles of life and business. Some of Shannon Graham's more recent innovations include "The Ultimate Lifestyle Intensive": a highly popular weekend mentor coaching program that helps developing coaches skyrocket their personal and professional success, and "Legacy": Shannon's intensive one-on-one program for visionary entrepreneurs which combines one-on-one coaching with a powerful mastermind.
Apply To The Legacy Driven Entrepreneurs Community and the discussion here (it's FREE):
Are you enjoying the podcast? Listen to the episode here and leave us a review:
Apple: http://apple.co/1JUHcG9
Android: http://bit.ly/2nuoGpl
TuneIn: http://bit.ly/2BjY0gU
Breaker: http://bit.ly/2BRwOCb
iHeartRadio: http://bit.ly/2BhMr9L
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2BbuWEg
Want to grab my NEW audio training? Grab a FREE copy of "How To Be The Leader You Truly Are":
Launching a podcast? Grab my Podcast Creation Roadmap:


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Check out the nickname for the Comcast CSR who helped Lauren set up her new account. Lauren adds, "'Nem' did a good job setting me up, though. I can't wait to see what the service tech's name is! Bane, perhaps?" [More]
Sprint Employee Changes Customer's Name To "Pain In The A$$"?
Update: Some of our readers who are Sprint customers say they don't think the screenshots are legit. We asked Sprint for an opinion, and they responded, "We had noticed the post on sprintusers.com earlier today and are tracking down the answer. I'll get back to you asap." We'll post further updates when they arrive.


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Importance of Humidity to Hot Bikram Yoga
Yoga calms the mind, loosens tight muscles, builds strength, balance and bone density. It can also make you sweat -- in tough poses, fast sequences or in a Bikram hot yoga studio. Standard equipment for Bikram yoga includes a water bottle and sticky mat, thanks to the high temps. Understanding the role of humidity in this kind of yoga is vital -- too much humidity in a Bikram yoga class can give you more than a healthy glow.
Basic Bikram
Bikram yoga is the most widely-known hot yoga and studio conditions are strictly standardized throughout the franchise. Classes are 90-minutes long and consist of 26 postures performed in sequence and then repeated. Bikram principles maintain that heated studios warm muscles and make them more flexible; hot sessions help to flush out toxins and wastes and stimulate the respiratory and circulatory systems. Additional benefits claimed by Bikram advocates are increased oxygen uptake and improved breath control.
Hot Yoga Heat Index
A Bikram studio is set to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40 percent humidity. Bikram provides guidelines for fluctuations in humidity. A low humidity gets a studio adjustment to a higher temperature and a high humidity signals a lower temperature. But the Bikram temperature-humidity formula still produces a heat index equivalent to 121 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service heat index calculator. That puts a hot yoga studio in the danger zone, a temperature level that the weather service says can result in heat-related disorders. The higher the humidity in a hot studio, the greater the danger. That danger may be heightened by physical exertion.
Mechanics of Sweat
You sweat to cool down in high temperatures and the humidity level controls how well that system works. The National Weather Service says 90 percent of body heat is lost through the skin, mainly through sweating. But sweating is only part of the process. The water on the surface of your skin must evaporate to cool you down. The heat energy for the evaporation is released from your body. If the humidity is high, the sweat can't evaporate efficiently and the body works harder to keep its core temperature from exceeding 98.6 degrees. Your blood vessels dilate close to the skin's surface and your heart pumps blood through the dilated circulatory system to cool it. Your sweat glands excrete liquid that contains essential dissolved chemicals which are then lost. Eventually your core temperature rises and you are at risk for heat cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke.
Hot Yoga Precautions
If hot yoga is your practice, take precautions to avoid dehydration and heat injury. For the first class or two just sit, don't attempt asanas. Acclimate yourself to the heat and humidity. When you are ready to tackle poses, hold them briefly for a few sessions as you develop endurance. Drink water before class and during class. "Yoga Journal" suggests 16 ounces of water two hours prior to class and 20 to 40 ounces during class for each hour you work. Wear minimal clothing to expose more sweaty skin to the air. Take your pulse. A racing pulse is an early sign you may be in trouble. So are headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and cessation of sweating. Check with your health care provider to determine whether your body is ready for the challenges Bikram's high heat and humidity present. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions should get clearance from a physician before participating in hot yoga.


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Funding of volunteer service
Weltwärts is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The ministry assumes up to 75 per cent of the costs for volunteer service. At least 25 per cent of the costs must be covered by the German sending organisation. The volunteers can support their sending organisation in the funding of the volunteer service by collecting donations. However, this is not a requirement for the volunteer service.


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Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillahi
alladhi la yadurru ma`a Ismihi shay'un fi al-ardi wa la fi as-sama'i
wa Huwa as-Sami`u al-`Alim.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم . بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم .
3x "Shahada"
70x "Astaghfirullah"
"Keep the 5 prayers"
"Keep your children & your women at home"
"Pray Duha and Tahajjud"
"Give Sadaqa"
Everyone now should put in their homes food supplies that will last for at least 1 week ...
Allahu Rabbi
7x "Allahu Rabbi, Kafani Rabbi" Allah is my Lord, my Lord Is Enough (protection) for me.
Spiritual Protection
100x "Ya Ghaliban Ghayra Maghlub"
40-100x "Allah Dhu-l Jalal"
100x "Salawat"
100x "Basmala"
Daily Wazifa
1000 Astaghfirullah
1000 La Ilaha illa Allah
1000 Salawat
500 Ya Latif
from Rajab 1-10: Subhanallah al-Hayy al-Qayyum 100x
from Rajab 11-20: Subhanallah al-Ahad as-Samad 100x
from Rajab 21-30: Subhanallah ar-Rauf 100x
The prayer of the month of Rajab:30 Rakaats done in sets of 2 as you like throughout the holy month, in each rakaat one Fatiha and 11 Ikhlas.
Laylatur Raghaib, the night before the first Friday of Rajab
The Prophet (saw) said, "Do not miss the night of the first Friday of Rajab, because it is the night the angels call 'Laylatur Raghaib'. That is because after the first third of the night has passed, there is not one angel left in Heaven or Earth that is not gathered at the Kaaba or around it. Allah (swt) will look on them and say 'Oh my angels, ask Me for whatever you want.' They say, 'O our Lord our need is for You to forgive the one who fasts a lot in Rajab.' Allah (swt) says, 'It is done."


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Okay, it is the start of a new year and, as entrepreneurs, we are all busy motivating ourselves and making our resolutions to be firmly stuck to over the year ahead. Our energy levels are up after the holidays, we are full of enthusiasm, and everything seems possible again. So, how do we ensure that once this initial new year upbeat euphoria has begun to wane, we are still able to be happy, healthy, productive and focused people for the rest of the year, and achieve our goals? Here are our 5 top tips for beating stress and achieving a level of happiness, health and motivation in 2015.
- Stay Positive – let's face it, there will be lots of business and personal challenges along the way, but we have a choice to either look at life through a glass half full, or a glass half empty. The view through a glass half full is a lot more enjoyable and helps to keep spirits high, no matter what. People around you will also respond so much more positively to that approach – try it and see for yourself.
- Keep Focused on the Big Picture – remind yourself each day what you are working towards, what you are trying to achieve as your end goal, and don't let the small bumps and challenges along the way deter you from that focus.
- Throw Yourself into |Every Small Task – there are always lots of boring admin or other such tasks to be completed each day as part of the entrepreneurial journey. However, we have two choices when undertaking them – to be grumpy and resentful of having to waste our time doing such menial tasks, or to see them as essential to achieving our end goals. So, no matter what the task, give it 100% and you will be rewarded with an essential job well done.
- Keep Dreaming Big – at all times, keep your own motivation levels high by reminding yourself of what you are aiming for – your big entrepreneurial dream. It is good to have a big dream to aim for, and will keep you focused on the difficult days.
- Don't See Problems, See Opportunities – let's be honest, every day will bring its share of problems or challenges to be overcome. But, instead of letting them become a burden, see each problem as an opportunity to do something better, to make a difference. It will help in reducing stress levels.
Follow these simple tips and make the positive choices over the coming year that will bring health and happiness to your entrepreneurial journey.


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I'll be joining Rupa & the April Fishes on the main stage at Golden Gate Park in SF on September 11, 2010! With their enchanting mix of chic French nouvelle vague, rousing Latin alternative grooves, energetic Gypsy swing, and dreamy Indian ragas, the trend-setting Rupa & the April Fishes is spearheading a multicultural movement that is redefining the sound of contemporary music.
Known for their multilayered sound drawing from many traditions, Rupa & The April Fishes, have played major venues and festival stages in the US, Europe and Canada including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Central Park Summer tage and the Dranouter Folk Festival. The UK's Guardian says, "[Rupa] deserves to become something of a global celebrity thanks to her cheerfully cool and soulful vocals and ability to write songs that switch between Gypsy and mexican styles, reggae, French chanson and Indian themes."


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Emerson Adds Profibus PA Communication Protocol To Fieldview Valve Controller
Nov 13, 2012
Emerson Process Management has extended the Fisher Fieldvue digital valve controller family with the addition of the Fieldvue DVC6200p Profibus PA digital positioner. The valve controller was built on Fisher's linkage-less noncontact sensor technology.
For throttling control applications the Fieldvue DVC6200p offers an analog output function block, while a digital output function block is available for on/off applications. The unit provides alerts, trends and diagnostics to allow for process visibility and control not previously available in a Profibus PA digital valve controller.
The DVC6200p supports enhanced device description. The unit is certified to Profile 3.02 for Profibus PA devices by the Profibus Nutzerorganisation a.V (PNO).
For more information, visit www.fieldvue.com.


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Writing is one of my greatest strengths—I love finding the best words to communicate ideas, issues and achievements for my clients. From web copy and media releases to annual reports and essays, e-news and blog posts, fact sheets and flyers, I'll work with you to come up with the right words to suit your needs.
Here are some examples:
- Annual Reports
- Media Releases
- Media backgrounders and biographies
- Testimonials, personal stories
- Artist reviews and media info
- Essays
- How-to and PR business information


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When I woke up this morning, there were millions of fluffy snowflakes falling gently everywhere outside my living room window. In the grey light of morning, the world looked monochromatic behind the falling snow, and I felt that I was witness to a black and white photograph in the moment before it pulls itself into place. On my walk to the bus stop, flakes tickled my forehead and melted in puddles and made rainbows on the lenses of my glasses, and I felt more alive feeling the world touching me softly for once. A pool of water shared the perfect, glassy reflection of a bird. Down he was swimming, up he was flying, and across the street from my stop a group of welders shot hot orange sparks six feet into the air, throwing a bright draw of colour across a study of shadow and light. I wanted to pin it all down like a lepidopterist's butterflies.
P. K. Page – Canadian poet
She is much too beautiful to let sit in some image file somewhere in the dark. I want to learn to hold my face that calmly and softly while still looking so powerful, but I think this is something that takes years to perfect accidentally. Here is an excerpt from her poem "After Rain":
And choir me too to keep my heart a size
larger than seeing, unseduced by each
bright glimpse of beauty striking like a bell,
so that the whole may toll,
its meaning shine
clear of the myriad images that still-
do what I will-encumber its pure line.
I ran into an acquaintance in the hall at work yesterday. I was running mail and pamphlets and vests around to different offices, and he was putting up stickers all over that said "ON NOW". We chatted awkwardly as we always do, which is perfectly fine, because we have both acknowledged our mutual awkwardness and that we both tend to be awkward anyway with most people. This makes me like him as I would a small piece of chocolate found in an old coat pocket – a pleasant surprise that you don't know if you should eat but delight in finding. We fumbled our way on to a conversation about mindless jobs being the best jobs, because they let your thoughts roam more freely. He told me that he had a mindless job stuffing envelopes a year ago, and he discovered so many childhood memories that had never surfaced before. At just such a job, I once remembered rolling down a hill in a bright Hawaiian dress my grandmother gave me and imagining myself turned into a bright profusion of flowers by the chaos of my tumbling. Useless, really, but much better than fussing over the importance of "branding" your organization or the wording of interoffice memos.
Have I lost you yet? No? Good.
I'm going out tonight to wish a friend well who is moving out of this town to take a job in another city. I really shouldn't be going anywhere, because I am nearly impecunious and in dire need of more funds than I have even now, but I plan on spending some of it, because damn it, I deserve it after the incidents and accidents of this week. The man behind New World Disorder asked me to come out, which was brilliant on his part, because otherwise my plan was to sit at home eating buttered noodles and writing crap poetry. Ew. That is nobody's version of a decent Friday night in any way, shape, or form.
Before I head off into what is OH MY GOD an already nearly dark evening at only 6:30 pm, I give you this poem. It was written to the tune of "Roll Out the Barrel", and if you sing it to me over the telephone, I will come to your house and cook you the best goddamn hashbrowns you ever did eat. Except that I won't, because I am so kidding. And don't call me singing it thinking you're being funny, either, because I gave it a shot, and it is atrocious.
I am not brave
This territory I circumnavigate
is negative space
It is no place
and I circle and circle
like an old shark
who's lost her teeth


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LAS VEGAS, NV – Cedric Crear is the newest member of the Las Vegas City Council. Crear won the special election for the council's vacant Ward 5 position by receiving 627 votes in the eleven-way race.
The special election didn't drive voters to the polls. Just six percent (2,320) of the 35,809 registered voters in Ward 5 took part. Crear's 627 votes made up 27 percent of the vote.
Crear edged out Harvey Munford (402 votes), and Shondra Summers-Armstrong (394 votes) as the next two highest vote getters.
About half of the 2,320 total votes were cast on Tuesday's election day (1,123). Early voting on March 22 and 23 turned out 849 voters and 348 people mailed in their vote.
On the early voting days, 423 people voted on March 22 and 426 voted on March 23. Of the three early voting locations, 483 people voted at the Las Vegas Athletic Club on Rainbow, 312 voted at the Doolittle Community Center, and 54 people voted at the city clerk's office.
Crear will fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of former councilman Ricki Barlow, who pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge in February after resigning from the position in January. Barlow admitted that he used funds from his 2015 reelection campaign as his own.
Crear has served on the Board of Regents for the Nevada System of Higher Education since 2006, representing District 1 in Clark County. He was also appointed to the Las Vegas Planning Commission by Barlow in 2015.
He had a message for his supporters after the results came in Tuesday night.
"Thank you so much Ward 5. I' humbled by your support," the councilman elect tweeted.
The results of the Ward 5 special election wil lbe canvassed on April 4 and Crear will be sworn in on April 18.
Image via David Allen/Patch


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Merry Christmas!!
Donna Kay
Oh my goodness! This is absolutely adorable and I love it! What a cutie pie, and the cake looks good too! ;-)ReplyDelete
The cake was amazing!! And Lexi is such a cutie! She takes after her Nana...ReplyDelete
And NO BIB! This is the sweetest, funniest, and cutest thing I have seen in a long time ;-) I love ... thanks for sharing!!ReplyDelete
We wouldn't wear a bib and hide that adorable Minnie Mouse costume!!ReplyDelete
Oh, that is just too too cute! Sweet ♥ Joy!!
Merry Christmas Donna!!!
Merry Christmas Deb!!ReplyDelete
Awww, and she can't wait to see you Nana :)ReplyDelete
Love you Ash!! Give Lexi kisses for me!!ReplyDelete
She is such a cutie ;-)
Merry Christmas Donna Kay .
So cute! That cake was awesome!ReplyDelete
Thanks Diane & Melissa!! She is a real cutie!! This was just the smash cake the "real" cake was gorgeous!!ReplyDelete
Oh goodness! That little doll sure can tear up a cake. Way to go, girl!! Sweet, sticky joy.ReplyDelete
Waah! She's so cute!! :DReplyDelete
Oh my goodness, those are the sweetest pictures! And that is one awesome cake. :)ReplyDelete


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Pacific Jarrah, Spotted Gum, Iron Bark, Black Butt, Merbau, and Treated Pine.
B&B Timbers has one of the largest ranges of structural pine in stock.
We supply, at competitive prices, quality hardwood and treated pine products to the landscaping and building industries, as well as the home improvement market.
110 Teven Road , Ballina , NSW 2478


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From Newswise, the journalists'-only site:
Newswise — Employees who often go to work despite feeling sick have higher rates of future work absences due to illness, according to a study in the June Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
The findings raise the possibility that measures attempting to decrease work absences could inadvertently have the opposite effect, if they encourage workers to come to work when sick.
Led by Gunnar Bergström, Ph.D., of Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, the researchers evaluated whether going to work despite illness—called "sickness presenteeism"—affects future sickness absenteeism. The study included two groups of workers: about 3,750 public sector employees, mainly female; and 2,500 private-sector employees, mainly male.
Workers with more days going to work sick also had more days absent because of illness. In the first year of the study, 19 percent of public sector workers and 13 percent of private sector workers had more than five sickness presenteeism days. For these workers, the risk of having more than 30 days of sickness absenteeism the following year was 40 to 50 percent higher, after adjustment for other factors.
Recent studies have shown that sickness presenteeism is common—most employees say they go to work sick at least sometimes. Poor health is one likely risk factor for sickness presenteeism, but other job-related and personal factors could also play a role.
The new study suggests that employees with a lot of sickness presenteeism days also have more sickness absenteeism days. This may indicate the health-promoting aspects of taking sick leave when appropriate, as shown by previous studies.


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Meshell Ndegeocello
Vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is one of those singers who could sing anything and it would sound great. The sultry tone of her voice, mixed with her hushed, breathy vocals–oozing with sensuality–could captivate even the most skeptical music listener. With her new album, Weather, the vocalist does a beautiful job of engaging listeners and leaving them anxious for the next song.
That suspense is real; the lack of any obvious progression or sequence, album-wise, is what has always made Ndegeocello a standout. Looking at the albums in her discography–the introductory Plantation Lullabies, the soulful Peace Beyond Passion, and the hip-hop/spoken word hybrid Cookie–listeners never know what to expect. Which makes Weather a little different. On this album, there is a sense of familiarity with the material as it feels like a sort of merger of her two previous albums–Bitter and Devil's Halo–with a clearly visible evolution to the person she is today.
"Weather"–the opener as well as the title track–sets the tone for what listeners can expect throughout the rest of the album: sensuality and great lyrics. "Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear," has a great string section that introduces the song and continues throughout. The song essentially speaks of heartbreak and memories and the lyrics are really quite beautiful and relatable: "Over the bridge through the park/ Another lonely night/ I used to be so in love with you/ I think about you everyday when I loiter on your doorstep to memories." Following suit with a similar yearning vibe, the next song is "Feeling For The Wall," which again has great lyrics: "I want to take you just like laughter/ Breaks apart like bread / scatter them out here after / and follow you like a threat / you're so within me and see me like you do / and I remember what I'm sure/ What I'm sure I owe you."
From a production standpoint, "Chance" sounds different than everything before it on the album—it's more of an upbeat tone to match the optimistic message of the song. Ndegeocello's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel," which it's rumored was written for the iconic Janis Joplin, is a beautiful addition to the album. Ndegeocello switches up the slow ballad, making it a little faster but just as passionate. The production on "A Bitter Mule, in conjunction with the gentle and deep vocals as well as the lyrics, make this song a definite highlight. Lastly, "Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness," has extremely beautiful lyrics and a beautiful delivery that only Ndegeocello could do.
Weather is a beautiful album and the most intimate project we've heard from Ndegeocello in the last few years. The political essence which fueled previous projects is traded in for a sense of vulnerability, making this one of Ndegeocello's most personal albums. Definitely, a must have.
-Erin Duncan


text:
Technology seems to be able to do many things. Yet sometimes it is the simple things that elude it the longest.
We can send a man to the moon- and afterwards he will tell us what aliens look like- but we still struggle with making people thinner or fatter. Or taller.
So I suppose we should be grateful for the Ilizarov Scientific Center in Siberia. For, if you are able to salt away at least $40,000 (I suspect it might be a cash business) you can take a trip to the Salt Mines State and become taller.
I will make no attempt to reference Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford here. For, as I understand it, they remain rather below an optimal male height. And may, on occasion, use lifts. In their shoes, rather than in hotels.
However, many wealthy and not so healthy citizens of the world have ventured to the Ilizarov for a little enhancement.
I know you'll be wondering how they do it. Well, I can only hope you have not eaten in the last hour or so.
As a welcoming gift, the staff at the Ilizarov smash your legs at the shins. Then they stick pins in your legs and attach you to the Ilizarov frame. The frame takes the role of a plaster cast. Except that it's slightly more uncomfortable.
You see, it has metal spokes that go through the flesh to keep the bone in place.
Now here's the fun part.
Normally, when you break your leg the nice doctors try to bring the two parts of the bone back together so that they end up where they started before you were silly enough to break your leg.
But the Ilizarov Method takes something of an opposing philosophy.
The frame keeps the bones apart. This apparently allows new bits of bone to grow in the gap. If you have resisted regurgitation up to this point, might I add that muscles and nerves are also materialized by the body to add to this remarkable personal growth.
Yes, you can gain three inches in height- after up to a year of rehabilitative agony, that is- using this simple, yet effective method.
A method about which I can stomach to write not one more word.
However, how is it that science and technology can make people's faces smoother, their breasts larger or smaller, their stomachs less round and, of course, their searches more profound and yet cannot make people shorter or taller?
Is it that no one has thought about it? Or is it just too hard, like, I don't know, lowering the voices of people who talk like Woody Woodpecker or eliminating cankles?
If we can spend time writing books and holding conferences about how we will shortly be having sex with robots, shouldn't we dedicate some of our most charmed brains to the world's vast height complexes?I mean, wouldn't you like to see a taller remake of Time Bandits?


text: The course teaches the fundamental and advanced concepts of Informatica PowerCenter v9.x, through online training including numerous hands-on lab exercises and real time scenarios. Students will gain a clear understanding of the product and acquire the solid foundation needed to make them efficient PowerCenter developers. Other top quality courses offered by IQ Stream Technologies Bangalore are Spring Java, Oracle Weblogic, JavaScript, IBM Datastage etc.


text: After helping out Robert Morris with his 10.5 Outlaw Mustang which ran 4.90's 1/8 mile. Robert came down and talked to us about building him a new car. His choice was a '68 Camaro. Being a Tim McAmis dealer, we ordered Robert a body and chassis kit (unwelded). After having a very successful 2010 test/race season with running a best of 1.03 60 ft and a 4.58 1/8 mile run on one stage. Robert wanted to change up the 2011 season up with a new combo, the BBC will sport a 14-71 blower set-up with a fresh bottom end. We will have the Camaro back soon to switch over for the Blower set-up, and hope to be testing within weeks to come!


text:
The American Heart Association's Volusia/Flagler Heart Walk will start at 5 p.m. Sept. 27.
Heart Walk set for Sept. 27 at Embry Riddle
The American Heart Association's Volusia/Flagler Heart Walk will start at 5 p.m. Sept. 27 with the walk starting at 6 p.m. at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach. The event is free; walkers who raise $100 or more may receive a Heart Walk T-shirt. For information, call 407-481-6305.
HospiceCare volunteer orientation at hospital
Florida Hospital HospiceCare is looking for volunteers to provide a variety of support services in the care of patients and their families.
A prospective volunteer orientation will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at Florida Hospital Flagler, Classroom D, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast. Reservations are required. For information or reservations, call 800-404-1133, ext. 4761, or 386-671-4761.
Diabetes support group to meet Oct. 3 at hospital
The group is open to those who have diabetes and their caregivers. The meeting is at 9 a.m. at Florida Hospital Flagler, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, Classroom A, Palm Coast. For information, call the Diabetes Center at 386-231-3178.
Breast cancer survivor breakfast set for Oct. 1
Florida Hospital Flagler will host a special breakfast at 8 a.m. Oct. 1 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast. Breakfast will be followed by a pink flag-raising ceremony, kicking off this year's Pink Army campaign. RSVP is required; call 866-328-6417.
Second annual SundayServe Sept. 29
Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Parkway, will join other Methodist churches from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 29 in a day of service projects, such as helping at the Bunnell Food Resource Center, reading to nursing home residents and participating in a prayer service at the church. Community members are welcome to join. For information, call 386-445-1600.
Trinity Presbyterian hosts music show
Letters from Home will perform songs from the 1940s starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast. Tickets are $15 and are available at the church office and at Aimee's Hallmark in Palm Harbor Shopping Center. For information, call 386-446-5833.
New Jersey Social Club meets in Palm Coast
The New Jersey Social Club of Palm Coast will meet at 1 p.m. today at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 51 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast. The club meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Hall. For information, call 386-597-2199.
New York Social Club dinner set for Sept. 26
The New York Social Club of Palm Coast will have a dinner/dance starting at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Italian American Social Club, 45 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast. Entertainment will be by Tim Rippey. Tickets are $19 for members and $21 for nonmembers. Call 386-446-8292 for reservations.
Art for Animals fundraiser Sept. 27
The Art for Animals fundraiser to benefit Flagler Humane Society will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Le Cose Belle Gallery and Gifts, 5915 Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast.
A portion of all sales will be donated to Flagler Humane Society. For information, call 386-383-7404.
Opera Education Society meets Sept. 27 at library
The Opera Education Society of Palm Coast will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the meeting room of the Flagler County Library. Dolores Clausen will present the program, which is free and open to the public. For information, call 386-447-8318.
Scenic A1A Pride meeting Sept. 27
The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Hammock Community Center, 79 MalaCompra Road. Flagler County code enforcement procedures, planning and zoning and other development service functions administered by the county will be discussed. The public is welcome. For information, call 904-425-8055 or email email@example.com. Visit the website at ScenicA1A.org.
Palm Coast VFW Big Band night today
The Palm Coast VFW will host the following events at 47 Old Kings Road. For information, call 386-446-8696.
•Big Band Night today with live entertainment and dancing. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and music is from 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
•Dinner dance Sept. 27 with Tim Rippey performing. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show is at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Ladies Auxiliary of Elks Lodge 2709
The Ladies Auxiliary is holding a book fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Elks Lodge, 53 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. Donations of books can be dropped off at the Lodge by Sept. 26.
'Men of AACS' honored Sept. 30 at luncheon
The African American Cultural Society will hold a recognition luncheon at noon Sept. 30 at the Society's center, 4422 U.S. Highway North, Palm Coast. Seating is limited, and no tickets will be sold at the door. For information, call 386-447-7030.
Weather warning class Sept. 30
Flagler County and the National Weather Service will host a free combined Basic and Advanced Skywarn class at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, with Angie Enyedi, assistant warning and coordination meteorologist from the National Weather Service. Preregistration is required. Call 386-313-4250 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Community Chorus starts Oct. 1
The Community Chorus of Palm Coast will hold its first rehearsal at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Palm Coast, 156 N. Florida Park Drive. Auditions will be scheduled after the rehearsal, and altos, sopranos, tenors and basses are needed. For information, call 386-569-8657 or visit www.communitychorusofpalmcoast.org.
Flagler Audubon Society meets Oct. 3
The society will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Florida Hospital Flagler, meeting rooms A & B, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast. Amber Higginbotham will present "Birding in the 21st Century." The meeting is free and open to the public.
The group's October field trip, "Big Sit, Stand, Walk," will start at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Meet at the parking lot adjacent to the gift shop. Regular park admission rates of $5 per vehicle (up to eight people) or $4 for a single occupant will apply. For information, call 386-445-8653 or visit www.flagleraudubon.org.
Old Kings Highway DAR to meet Oct. 3
The Old Kings Highway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, 1520 S. Daytona Ave. Kay Hayes, director of the Avenues 12 Women's Recovery House in Daytona Beach, will discuss the center's philosophy on recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse. For information, call 386-864-8880.
Freethinkers to meet Oct. 5
The Freethinkers will meet at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at the Flagler County Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. Joel Rosen, insurance broker, will explain "exchanges" in the Affordable Care Act. The public is invited. For information, call 386-446-2643.
Retired Educators Association tour Oct. 7
The Association will visit Las Palmas Retirement Facility at Town Center at 11 a.m. Oct. 7. The visit will include a tour and lunch. Reservations are necessary. For reservations or information, call 386-447-3701.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86
The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86 is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 208 S. Sixth St., Flagler Beach. The group offers various services to local veterans, including assisting in claims; providing transportation to medical appointments in Orlando, Gainesville or Daytona; offering $3 lunches on Tuesdays; and providing a place for veterans to socialize. The chapter is seeking donations of canned good and nonperishable packaged food for their pantry. Donations can be dropped off at the chapter or picked up by request. For information, call 386-439-2122.
City of Palm Coast events
The City of Palm Coast is hosting the following events:
•Senior Game Day, 1-4 p.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 26, Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway N.E. Free. For information, call 386-986-2323.
•Junior Futures Tennis Tournament, Sept. 28 at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway. Age 8 and under, 9 a.m.; 10 and under, 10 a.m.; 12 and under, 11 a.m., 13 and over, 11 a.m. Deadline to register is 2 p.m. Sept. 27; cost is $15 per child. To register, call 386-986-2550.
•Munchkin Sports, 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 6, Belle Terre Park, 339 Parkview Drive, for children age 2 to 5, parent/child program to teach the basics of soccer, baseball, golf, football and tennis. Fee is $35 and preregistration is required. For information, call 386-986-2323.
•Heartsaver First Aid class, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, Government Services Building, 1879 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, Building 2, Floor 3. Free. Register at 386-986-2323.
•Teddy Bear Picnic, 10-11 a.m. Oct. 7, Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coat Parkway N.E., for children ages 2-5. Free. Preregistration is required; call 386-986-2323 to register.
•A Day at the Movies, 10 a.m. Oct. 8, Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway N.E., free movies from the 1940s and 1950s. This week: "To Kill a Mockingbird." For information, call 386-986-2323.
Flagler County Library activities
The following activity will take place at The Flagler County Main Branch Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. For more information about any of the programs, call 386-446-6763.
•Sept. 28: 11:30 a.m., duct tape workshop for teens/tweens, ages 11-16. Bring duct tape in your favorite color; 1:30 p.m., movie matinee, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," PG13.
In addition:
•Family Storytime, for ages 2 � to 5 years, is at 10 a.m. Sept. 27.
•Toddler Storytime, for ages 18 months to 2 � years, is at 10 a.m. Sept. 25.
•PAWS to Read, ages 4-8, is at 4 p.m. Sept. 25.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
The park will celebrate National Public Lands Day with a volunteer project to beautify the park's formal gardens from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 28. The project will involve raking, pruning, trimming, cleaning and weeding the gardens, and participants should bring gloves, hat, sunscreen and comfortable work clothes. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For information, call 386-446-6783.
VFW yard sale set for Oct. 19
The Palm Coast VFW will hold a large yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at 47 Old Kings Road. For information, call 386-446-8696.
German American Club to host river cruise
The German American Friendship Club of Palm Coast is hosting a St. Johns Riverside cruise Oct. 24, leaving by bus from the Staples parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 4:30 p.m. The cruise includes lunch and hors d'oeuvres. Cost is $78 per person for members and $88 for nonmembers. Call 386-445-2528 for reservations.
Alpha Pregnancy Center banquet Oct. 26
The Center will hold its 15th annual banquet Oct. 26 at First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. A $35 donation is requested. For information or tickets, call 386-586-0210.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
The state park will host several activities in September. Reservations are not required but are requested; for reservations or information, call 386-517-2086. Admission to all programs is free with the regular park entrance fee of $5 per carload of two to eight people, $5 for one person in a car and $2 per pedestrian or bicyclist:
•At 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 Tai Chi instructor Bill Stone will teach Tai Chi by the Sea. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
•From 9-11 a.m. Sept. 28 the park will host a morning beach exploration and clean-up with a master naturalist. Meet at the beachside pavilion on the west side of the park in front of the beach walkover.
Marineland September events
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve will offer the following activities in September. Call 904-823-4500 for reservations:
•Free guided beach walk, 9 a.m., Sept. 26. Meet at the GTM office on the west side of A1A.
•Free guided inlet walk at Matanzas Inlet, 9 a.m., Sept. 27. Meet in the west side parking lot on the north side of the Matanzas Inlet bridge.
Traveling opportunities
The following group is offering Flagler County residents the opportunity to travel:
•The A.M. Guild of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church is hosting a trip Oct. 26 to the Alhambra Theater in Jacksonville to see "South Pacific." Cost of $82 per person includes transportation, lunch, show and tips. For information, call 386-446-2857.
The following local groups meet regularly:
•Retired Educators Association of Flagler County: 11 a.m., first Monday of each month in the Education Room, Florida Hospital Flagler, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway. For information, call 386-447-3701.
•American Legion Auxiliary 115: noon, first Wednesday of each month at the VFW, 47 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. For information, call 386-445-4966 or 386-445-5801.
•Maryland Social Club: 11:30 a.m., second Monday of each month at Elks Lodge, 53 Old Kings Road N. A buffet lunch is $13.50. Reservations requested. Call 386-864-7344.
•Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Chapter FL1K: second Monday of each month at Golden Corral Buffet, 225 Cypress Drive, Palm Coast. Dinner at 6 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. For information, call 386-672-7551 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
•Bunnell Masonic Lodge No. 200: 7:30 p.m., first and third Tuesdays of each month at the lodge, 109 S. Bay St. For information, call 386-264-3992 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
•Heritage Crossroads Committee: 9 a.m., first Tuesday of the month at the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. For information, call 386-439-1646.
•Historic Flagler County Bus Tours: 9 a.m. to noon, second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at the old courthouse, 200 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required. For information, call 386-439-5003.
•Marine Corps League of Flagler County, Detachment 876: 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at VFW Post 8696, 47 N. Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. For information, call 386-445-0666.
•New Jersey Social Club of Palm Coast: 1 p.m., fourth Wednesday of each month at Knights of Columbus Hall, 51 Old Kings Road N. For information, call 386-597-2199.
•Prayer and meditation: noon to 12:20 p.m. Wednesdays at Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Parkway. For information, call 386-445-1600.
•The Flagler County Combat Vets' Spouse Support Group: 6 p.m., first and third Thursdays of every month at the Coastal Center Conference Room, 4750 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. For information, call 386-313-1611 or 386-366-6600.
•Children's story time: 11 a.m. Thursdays at the Flagler Beach Library, 315 S. Seventh St. This is a free program for ages 2 to 5 years. For information, call 386-517-2030.
•Palm Coast Community Band: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Flagler Palm Coast High School Band Room, 5500 E. State Road 100. All instruments welcome. For information, call 386-437-7019.
•The Peoples Social Club of Flagler County: Age 50 and older, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at Watson Realty, 1410 Palm Coast Parkway NW. For information, call 386-586-2833.
•The Flagler Beach Drum Circle meets on the beach at 7 p.m. at 10th Street North and A1A each Friday except the first Friday. For information, call 386-437-9791.


text:
Vinařství Joseph Hofstätter - další vína
Stát: Itálie
Oblast (podoblast): Alto Adige
Odrůda: Rulandské šedé
Soil: Light marl, soils which are well-ventilated and warm up quickly in spring.
Winemaking: The grapes are lightly pressed and the must is clarified using natural sedimentation, after which it is fermented at a constant temperature of 20°C.
Description: A classic and very expressive Pinot Grigio, bright straw yellow in colour with an attractive aroma of citrus fruits, peach, honeydew melon and especially pear; medium rich, fruity, well-structured and direct on the palate with orchard fruit flavours and tangy, fruity acidity on the finish.
Food Choices: Dishes based on egg, fish appetisers, vegetable soups.


text:
Forward Ever Forward
The Campaign for Saint John's Abbey
Dear friends of Saint John's,
Several years ago the entire Saint John's community celebrated its sesquicentennial. It was a time to look back and rejoice in 150 years of pastoral, educational, and cultural leadership and service to the world. It was a time to thank all those who have been part of this wonderful story. With this capital campaign, Saint John's wishes to position itself for ever greater service to a rapidly changing student demographic, a dynamically new learning environment, and unique challenges for the Church and society. The abbey campaign is part of the university, HMML, and SOT•Seminary campaign. Though the abbey goal in this campaign is modest compared to the university's, the funds we wish to raise are crucially important to a healthy future for us. I can't overstate how crucial your support is to accomplishing the creative and innovative programs that are part of our imagination for the future. We need your help.
Yours in Christ,
John Klassen, OSB
Abbot of Saint John's Abbey
To further the abbey's mission of faith, leadership, and service to Church and society, and to sustain its monastic witness for generations to come, the abbey seeks support for the following priorities:
To increase monastic vocations, and to provide for the healthcare and retirement of the monks.
To renovate residential spaces for monks, novices, and monastic candidates; to provide for the ongoing care and stewardship of abbey lands; and to renovate and complete the abbey church pipe organ to address liturgical, devotional, and concert needs and enhance the university's undergraduate and graduate level liturgical music programs.
To support Saint John's Oblate, the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, and Abbey Guesthouse programming.


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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations, has propelled broadband to the front of the world's green agenda by insisting that it is key to fulfilling carbon reduction commitments.
In a report released this week, entitled 'The Broadband Bridge', the ITU outlines that although the ICT sector's contribution to carbon is approximately two percent, it believes that broadband solutions will allow other sectors to significantly reduce the remaining 98 percent of global emissions.
"Transformative broadband solutions are those that reinvent business models or allow countries to leapfrog from high emitting technologies to low carbon development," reads the report.
ITU highlights that in order to limit global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius, emissions need to be capped at approximately 44 Gt of carbon dioxide by 2020.
However, if the lowest-ambition pledges made in Copenhagen at the 15th Conference of Parties are implemented, it is estimated that 2020 emissions would be in the region of 53 Gt of carbon dioxide – leaving a gap of 9 Gt of carbon dioxide. The ITU believes that ICT and broadband-enabled applications "offer the potential to decrease this gap".
Firstly, the report points to broadband enabling the advancement of smart cities. It outlines that by 2016 over 30 percent of the world's population are expected to live in metro and urban areas, even though they represent less than one percent of the Earth's total land area.
It reads: "Applying trans-sectoral ICT-based innovation in cities can yield multiplier effects that benefit the entire economy, leading to more interconnected sustainable communities.
"And while countries debate national emission reduction targets, it is cities which have to implement changes to reach those targets."
ITU also points to broadband supporting the development of smart grids, where electricity companies aim to reduce losses, prevent outages and provide customers with real-time information to manage their own energy footprint.
Finally, the report examines how broadband can support flexible working environments. It cites an example provided by a Swedish telecom operator, which used teleworking, flex-working, telepresence and video conferencing for several years, to showcase how a country could reduce its CO2 emissions by two to four percent if reductions of 20 to 40 percent can be achieved per employee in a 10 to 20 year timeframe.
"A lack of awareness about ICT and broadband's enabling role is a key challenge going forward. Policies and strategies will need to consider how to influence individual behaviour and raise awareness to enhance the uptake of broadband-enabled low-carbon solutions among consumers worldwide," concludes the report.
"By taking action now, broadband's potential as a transformational technology, will more rapidly move from ideal to reality."


text:
Question: How important is routine to a Brit tourist in PdL?
Answer: Of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE. To the point of synchronizing their activities, be it leisure or be it meals, with those of other tourists, apparently complete strangers to one another, so that the intervals between the undertakings of said activities remain strictly fixed and enforced.
There is a document, in the PJ Files that has always baffled us: the Slide & Splash (S&S) "reservation" sheet.
It has baffled us, that is, until today.
Now we're able to show you how important is this apparently irrelevant piece of paper in solving some "mysteries" of the Maddie McCann Affair.
This piece of paper has the importance of PROVING the direct involvement of BOTH GUESTS and OCEAN CLUB STAFF in the cover-up of Maddie's death.
Let's start with the information it contains:
Now, on a first look, it seems to be filled up with senseless information. Complete nonsense. We have a set of reservations to go to a water park, the Slide & Splash, located 25 minutes from Lagos:
We also know that the Slide & Splash opens only at 10.00 am:
This makes the S&S sheet, if it is in anyway related to the referred theme park, to be able only to be a transportation roster, mentioning the various guests' departing times from the OC to the Slide & Splash.
But that would mean that the OC apparently provided a mini-van every 15 minutes:
at 07.00, for 4 adults,
at 07.15, for 2 adults and 1 baby,
at 07.30, for 6 adults and 2 children,
at 07.45, for 4 adults and 2 children
at 08.00, for 8 adults.
If we add 10 minutes to the 25 minutes that it takes from Lagos to the water park to go from PdL to Slide & Splash, it can be determined that a round trip would take 1H10. For the mini-van used at 07.00 to be used again at 08.00, it would mean that it would ONLY take 5 minutes from PdL to Lagos, and the guests had to be punctual to the minute.
So, what this would really mean is that the OC would have to have provided, apparently, at least 5 different mini-vans and 5 different drivers to comply with what is determined in the S&S sheet. One significant expense of resources.
The S&S tours would have to be one MAIN attraction, if not the biggest one, that was provided by the OC resort.
And requested almost as much as the famous Tapas Bar dinners. After all 29 people apparently reserved for that day alone.
Wonder if it had a limited number of reservations also...
However, we haven't seen it significantly announced anywhere, nor have we read about it in any of the reviews. Nor in any of of the statements in the PJ Files. Is this yet another secretive activity that could not be released to the public? It seems unlikely to say the least.
Another thing that doesn't fit right here is that if the MACKENSONs and the VINCENTs left at 08.00, they would then arrive at the S&S park at 08.35, which would mean that would have to wait, at least, 01H25 for the facility to open its doors.
Good thing they had the SAVAGEs to talk with, as this family had to rise up real early to get to wait 02H25 at the entrance!
If this family would be in a no-talking mood, as one would expect, then they could also talk with the other 6 families that had arrived before them. If they were in the mood also, that is.
No, definitely, the S&S sheet IS NOT a reservation sheet nor a transportation roster to the Slide & Splash park.
Another indication to that effect is that it lacks both a date to which it refers to, as well as there's no return times for those transported.
So, for a long time, the only relevant thing we thought that the S&S sheet showed of interest was the handwriting.
It's the same as the one that wrote the first two Tapas "reservation" sheets.
The third, as we know, the one for May 3rd, was written by someone trying to imitate this particular handwriting, but did do a poor job.
The fact that the handwriting is the same is an important detail but not a clarifying one, in terms of objectivity to determine the purpose of the paper.
It does allow questioning the fact that the Tapas Bar was used to book a lot of activities, such as dinners, tennis and Slide & Splash tours, when we've read in the reviews that ALL the bookings were done at The Mill.
But that doesn't clarify why the S&S sheet even exists.
But if the S&S sheet baffled the three of us, it really, really bugged Sina J.
Whenever possible, within context or completely out of it, she would bring it into the discussion. But these discussions led nowhere. We weren't able to come to any adequate conclusion. The intent of this paper remained a mystery, as it just didn't make any sense at all.
But what is there to be seen remains there to be seen. Evidence has one HUGE quality, and that it is patient. It will wait whatever time is required for the adequate eyes to see it.
Recently, Sina J said the following: "I have been thinking yet again about this S&S timetable as it makes no sense as a theme park booking. Could it be a…? Or a…? There is obviously a reason for….. On the other hand could it be a…? It's bugging me that I can't work out what it could be. These names don't crop up elsewhere and there are no statements from them. I don't even know why this was included in the PJ files."
This led to yet another brainstorming session between the three of us. But this time with positive results.
Thanks again to Sina J, we finally understood what the S&S sheet was all about.
All because she simply paired up the May 7th Tapas "reservation" sheet with the S&S sheet. Here is the that particular Tapas sheet:
This is what it says:
If you look attentively at the scribbled line, you don't have to be great of a detective to see that what was scribbled out was this:
This then means that the original list, for that day, was made up as such:
Let's now compare what the S&S sheet (blue) with the Tapas one (red), line by line (I'll just change on the S&S sheet the order in which the room number with the # people appear, in each of the lines):
So if you transform the apparent a.m. time of the S&S sheet with the p.m. time of the Tapas sheet, you have a PERFECT match, with the exception of the MACKENSON and VINCENT families.
Isn't that just a fascinating coincidence?
Another coincidence is that BOTH these documents join up, in time, these families in the exact same groups: HYND with HARRISON and MULLARD; BUDEKIN with STINTON-HEELEY; and MACKENSON with VINCENT.
The third coincidence is that BOTH these documents keep SAVAGE and NEWAN alone.
What does Kate McCann have to say about three coincidences?
That they're no longer coincidences. Her words, not mine.
So, unless these 29 people were into a VERY UNUSUAL ROUTINE of doing things in the exact same groups, separated by the exact same intervals of times, which is not only unlikely, as is ridiculous, these TWO different documents, mentioning completely distinct activities ARE INTERLINKED.
They have the exact same information on them.
This PROVES that both the named GUESTS and the OC STAFF that wrote down the information and handed both these papers over to the PJ knew they were providing FALSE information.
They are part of a cover-up.
One just has to wonder why HYND was scribbled out at the last minute…
No, say you, there's the 08.00 vs 20.30 discrepancy in the MACKENSON and VINCENT times.
First, it's a minor discrepancy, as both families' times are changed maintaining the structure of the group, and second, there's no discrepancy at all, as the change has a reason.
Here you have to remember that the handwriting of the S&S sheet is the SAME as the one that wrote up the first two Tapas "reservation" sheets.
This means that the S&S sheet is nothing but a draft of a list of GUESTS to be used when in the mocking up of an nonexistent "Tapas reservation book", but wasn't used, at least, at first.
It's information that has been written down on a Slide & Splash stationary notepad, and has got nothing to do with that theme park in any form or manner. It was written there as it could have been written on another pad with a completely different logo. Or no logo at all.
The information on it is about Tapas "reservations", and not about anything else.
What most likely happened is that somebody, by request or own initiative, tried to hand over to the PJ only the first three sheets, May 1st, May 2nd and May 3rd. These were the only ones they had made up until then.
However, when the reservation sheets were handed over, most likely the PJ requested ALL existing reservation sheets for the month of May, and not only those leading up to the May 3rd evening.
A natural and adequate request, in my opinion.
So whoever was handing over the papers, was surprised by this request and had to go back quickly and come up with the "missing" ones.
To say that they didn't have them would give away the whole thing, wouldn't it?
This justifies the difference in the templates and handwritings that we can see between the first three and the last three.
This person had at least one drafted list with him (the handwriting seems to be male) and used it, the S&S sheet.
But there's one MAIN difference between the times that both these documents were written up: the alleged T9 reservation.
When the S&S sheet was written up, the 20:30 timeslot was booked by the T9, so MACKENSON & VINCENT had to be put at 08.00. But on Monday 7th, there was to be NO T9 booking, so this guy thought it very clever to put these two families at that time, just to reinforce that fact.
Stupid move, as we can now clearly see the intent.
If anything, it PROVES that the S&S sheet was written up BEFORE the Tapas sheet.
As stupid it was to forget to take out the S&S sheet before handing over the whole lot of the papers.
It must have been the hurry and the pressure that made him do a mistake like that. I can only imagine how hard it was to go back and make up three further "reservation" sheets, and hand them over appearing to have just gone back to pick up three existing ones.
And I can imagie what this person has been suffering knowing that the document appeared in the PJ Files, and what it really revealed...
So the handing over of the S&S sheet was an understandable mistake.
However, a fatal one.
As a final note, I'll leave a comment by Sina J, about the S&S sheet that so much bothered her, but no longer does: "The other thing about that S&S sheet is when you check the dates of these people arriving and leaving they don't match up. Some leave May 5th and others arrive on that date."
I hope you do understand the importance of this post.
Now, if you don't mind, I must go back to my nursing duties, so please, do continue to behave while I'm not around.


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Transparency is very important to us at CHOICE, all the financial records are available for inspection by any donor. If you have any questions please contact us. All Donations are acknowledged, donors in Phnom Penh are issued with a receipt, all other online and overseas donations are displayed on our website under "CHOICE Donations".
Please click here then type in 1140909 to view our Financial information on the UK Charity Commission site.


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(Suicide by Star Wars Apocrypha is a foolish attempt to examine the entirety of the now decanonized Star Wars Expanded Universe and quantify its assorted artistic merits. Read the introduction. Check out the archives.)
Author: John Jackson Miller
Artist: Alan Robinson
Medium: Comic
Publication Date: July 2008
- Collected April 2009 in Knights of the Old Republic Volume Six: Vindication
- Reprinted December 2013 in Star Wars Omnibus: Knights of the Old Republic Volume 2
- Reprinted March 2017 in Star Wars Epic Collection: The Old Republic Vol. 2
Timeline Placement: 3,963 BBY
Series: Knights of the Old Republic #31
This single-issue comic opens with Lucien taking up residence in his new office in the Jedi Temple. Despite his success, he is plagued by a sense of lack and inadequacy. He looks at a painting of his father, Barrison Draay, as a young man. Barrison was a great Jedi Knight who was killed during the Sith War 33 years ago, when Lucien was just a child. Lucien admits to himself that his father should be the one standing in this office today, instead of him.
After this scene, I was hoping that this issue was going to end up being a sequel to Homecoming, but what it actually is is pretty decent too, I guess.
Across town, Jedi Masters Ed Asner and Fake Yoda head down to the entertainment district to meet a mysterious informant called "Captain Malak."
Oh god damn it.
Surprise, it's Alek and Shel! Master Asner comically can't pronounce Alek's last name, which I'm not sure actually works as a joke because unless I'm mistaken we've never heard it before and can't appreciate how difficult it is to say. The correct name isn't even stated in this scene. His full name is Alek Squinquargesimus, except not really, because as "Captain Malak" explains, the people of Quelii don't have surnames, they're just identified by the name of their village. This explains Alek's nickname "Squint" and why he previously called his last name "a mouthful"! This explains everything! I don't care!
There's more KotOR retcon wankery coming down the pipeline, but this, Alek's final transition from Squint to Malak, seems as good a place as any to lay out some of the grievances I've had with Revan and Malak's role in this series from the start. Let's start with the fact that their names aren't even Revan and Malak.
Like the classic Star Wars film trilogy, the 2003 videogame Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic begins in medias res, with the player character waking up in the middle of a galactic war and piecing together the back story of the conflict as he or she goes. And the two names most central to that back story that you hear over and over again are the Jedi Knights Revan and Malak. Everyone in the game who talks about them, including their Jedi teachers and people who knew them from before and during the Mandalorian Wars, calls them Revan and Malak. It's pretty clear that that was actually what they were named, and then when they turned to the dark side and became Sith Lords they just prepended "Darth" to both their names.
In the spinoff comics that are supposed to fill in more of that back story, though, their birth names are Alek Squinquargesimus and [REDACTED]. "Revan" comes from an abbreviation of his public nom de guerre, the Revanchist, and "Malak" is . . . I guess just a more evil-sounding version of Alek's name? I have no idea why John Jackson Miller added this wrinkle to the game's background, other than to prevent readers from immediately knowing the characters' identities when they first appeared in the comic. But Malak's nickname and lack of baldness and everyone's refusal to refer to Revan by name should have covered that. It's not strictly a contradiction, but it was completely unnecessary and seems to work at cross-purposes with the comics' status as ancillary material to the game.
There's also the matter of Revan and Malak's relationship. The games make it clear that the two of them were peers; they went to Jedi school together and while Revan was always the leader, it was their close personal friendship that drove Malak to support his cause and follow him to war, not some formal allegiance. In his very first appearance in the comic, however, Malak identifies Revan as his "Master," and even personally addresses him as such later on.
Revan calls Malak and the other Revanchist Jedi mere "learners" and seems to be more of a peer to Lucien Draay and the other Jedi Masters. Rather than being of a similar age, Revan comes across as somewhat older and higher-ranking than Malak, which doesn't really jive with the games' description of them as two young Knights who basically co-founded the Jedi war effort against the Mandalorians. The first game even states that the two of them battled for supremacy after they became Sith Lords, and it was only Revan's victory that relegated Malak to the position of apprentice.
I also take issue with Alek/Malak's physical appearance in the comics—yes, I'm really complaining about this. Not the fact that he starts off with hair or anything like that, but that he's consistently drawn way too short. In the videogame, he looms over all the other characters. Every time you encounter him, he is presented as a formidable force to overcome, the Goliath to your character's David. He commands a vast martial empire, has access to all the destructive powers of the dark side, and looks like he can easily kick your ass in a punching contest to boot. The old Databank feature on StarWars.com gave his official height as two meters, or over six and a half feet. Which still seems too short for how he appears in the game, but is at least better than the comic, where Alek is six-foot at best. He's a decently sized bro, but there's nothing physically memorable or remarkable about him.
KotOR writer John Jackson Miller was actually asked about this discrepancy by fans. "I think there's some allowances for format," he said. "He's video-game-boss big." This strikes me as needlessly reductive and dismissive and actually kind of pisses me off, but despite all these issues, Miller's adherence to continuity was still practically second to none, especially in the EU's twilight years when the Lucasfilm editors stopped pretending to do their job and canon became a Wild West free-for-all. Nevertheless, as enjoyable as this series is, it is to Knights of the Old Republic as the broader EU is to the movies: secondary material. I just wish it had followed its source more faithfully, because these games mean a great deal to me.
Oh, I guess I have to finish talking about this comic now. Admiral Karath's fleet recognizes the Moomo Williwaw as it approaches Coruscant and a starfighter squadron led by Carth Onasi flies out to bring them in, so Jarael and the others draw the fleet's attention by crashing the Williwaw in the docking bay of Karath's flagship and Zayne, Gryph, and Slyssk steal a cargo hauler from the hangar and make a break for it, and I guess somehow no one noticed. Gryph gives Slyssk some money to go calm his nerves at a
brothel "hotel" and they prepare to rendezvous with Alek and Shel to hand over their evidence against the Covenant, but Xamar had already snuck aboard their ship at some point before they stole it. He brings them to Ed Asner and Fake Yoda at lightsaber-point and declares that what happens next depends on what kind of deal he gets. TO BE CONTINUED…!
This is mostly just buildup to the conclusion of the Covenant arc in the next story but despite my tangential bitching above, there's some good stuff here. It's nice to see Carth again and it's cool to get a little sequence of Masters Vrook and Vandar actually out doing Jedi stuff instead of sitting around in the Council chamber complaining all day. Xamar's and Lucien's developing character arcs continue to make them the most interesting antagonists in the cast, and the Moomo Williwaw's kerfuffle with the Republic fleet is a fun little action sequence.
Also in one scene Rohlan says to Zayne, "The gambit has failed, human! We should do whatever we must to escape!" Gee, that's funny; I thought Rohlan was human. Weird that Zayne doesn't notice that little snafu. He does notice that Rohlan is acting conspicuously out of character, though. And how come he's never taken off his helmet since Flashpoint? You don't think there could be something a little suspect going on here . . . do you?
3/5 Death Stars.


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ENDPAIN : Earl Granville - "The Weight We Carry"
Today on Veterans Day, I am honored to share the film I created about my friend Earl Granville for an organization called ENDPAIN. Earl is easily the most inspiring human being I've ever met.
So many people to thank. Huge thanks to Travis Mauck for making this possible. Thanks to Nicola Raggi for shooting the film so beautifully and gracefully. Tim Schmalz for the amazing and compelling score. Joe Lombardi for his wonderful color work, and Michael Siefert for his mix/sound design. Huge thanks to Rick Kolberg, Melanie Davis and Lindsey Hardin for helping out as well.
I am very proud of this piece and how it will help people struggling with physical and mental pain. Hope you enjoy it.


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]The updated 2015-2016 model year Toyota Avensis is presented at the European Geneva International Motor Show in early March 2015. Restyled versions of the 2015-2016 model year Toyota Avensis sedan and station wagon addressed mainly to European market.
This update will be the last for the Avensis brand – in 2018 model will leave the car market in Europe and is likely to be discontinued. There are two reasons for discontinuing the model. The first one is because in 2014 European customers purchased just over 30 000 cars of previous generation. Which is by Toyota standards is negligible. The second reason is because by 2020 each Toyota model selling in Europe is required to have a hybrid modification which Avensis will not have by any means.
Nevertheless the farewell restyling for Toyota Avensis is very serious. It's affected both the appearance and interior design, the updated version will be more modern equipped, suspension and steering system has been revisioned, even in the engine compartment undergo changes.
The new Toyota Avensis will be released in late 2015 and will be available for European market only. Price starts at €24 000.
Read the new article about 2017 Toyota Supra
Recent Toyota Design
We will try to reveal all the facets of restyled version of the car, and traditionally begin with a new exterior of the car. Official 2016 model year Toyota Avensis 2015 photos with a new body help to identify new elements and details. Japanese designers did their best to change the front of the body, in order to get away from the style of the previous model.
Thanks to their efforts, the updated Avensis has received a completely new front of the body with the narrow LED headlights, powerful bumpers with impressive air intakes, different hood and front fenders. In side view body is still recognizable, but the manufacturer expanded the range of alloy wheels and introduced new pallet of colors for the body panels.
In rear view we could note new taillights with LED lamps, new bumper and trunk lid. Restyling radically changed the appearance of the car, the new Avensis began to look uniquely modern, stylish and charismatic. Installation of new bumpers increased the total length of the updated model body by 1,5" (40 mm).
Much Like Bigger Corolla
Interior of updated Toyota Avensis is redrawn and completely new, settled in the Toyota new corporate style with higher quality and more expensive materials. Toyota engineers do not forget about the improvement of noise and soundproofing the interior more sturdy materials are used in the wheel arches, the inner cavities of the body and on the bottom.
There are new improved front seats with lateral support rollers, new multifunction steering wheel, new dashboard with large indicators and bluish color backlight is actually a 4,2-inch display of the trip computer.
Front panel become solid and stylish, center console become wider and the new 8-inch touch screen Toyota Touch 2 (optional) multimedia system and a modified control unit is climate-controlled are easily fit in. Large and comfortable central armrest and new massive door handles are also noticeable.
Independent front suspension with MacPherson struts in front and double wishbones with extended rear longitudinal beam in rear undergone a full audit while upgrade process. Softer shock absorbers and springs for more comfortable movement was installed.
But the anti-roll bars, in contrast, have become more stringent, which has a positive effect on the car's handling when cornering. Steering system with electric power steering has been recalibrated to be sharper. To corner just like hot polo gti 2015.
Engine lineup remains the same: 1,6-liter (132 hp), the 1.8-liter (147 hp) and 2.0-liter (152 hp). But thanks to optimization of the compression ratio and fuel injection, more productive phase shifters and the use of special coatings for engine components which reduce friction losses it is succeeded in reducing the fuel consumption. Also, 1.8 and 2.0 have received upgraded CVT transmissions.
External dimensions for 2016 Toyota Avensis sedan (Verso station wagon):
Length: 15,5 ft (15,8 ft)
Width: 5,9 ft
Height: 4,85 ft
Wheelbase: 8,85 ft
Ground clearance: 5,5 in
Trim Levels
As standard or optional equipment updated versions of Toyota Avensis will have air conditioning or dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter function, headlights with LED daytime running lights or fully adaptive LED headlamps (Adaptive Front Lighting system) , a simple sound system (radio, CD player, Bluetooth and USB) or advanced multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen Toyota Touch 2 (music, phone, navigation, rear view camera), rain and light sensors, alloy wheels R17- R18", leather and combined (fabric and Alcantara) seat upholstery, front power seats with memory, panoramic sunroof. As well as complex safety system Toyota Safety Sense system, which includes Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Alert system, Auto High Beam and Road Sign Assist.
Toyota Avensis brand history
Toyota Avensis was released in 1997 in European market only and was successful in that market. The second gen appeared in 2003 and share platform with US-spec Scion tC. The previous, third generation debuted in 2009.


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Archive for November, 2009
Musings on the future
I just attended the 2009 Isaac Pitblado Lectures jointly presented by the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Bar Association and the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. This year's topic was on practicing law in the 21st century. (Yes, I was the only law librarian there – these lectures are aimed at […]
Filed under: Advocacy, Professional Development | 1 Comment
Tags: conferences, New Ideas, Professional Development, Technology
iPhone v. Blackberry
The whole smart phone phenomena baffles me. In the area of cell phone connectedness, I am an admitted dinosaur. I resisted for a long time, but finally broke down and carry around a dumb phone intermittently. I know a couple of iPhone users and Blackberry users in my small random sample. I make fun of […]
Filed under: Mobile devices, Smart phones | 1 Comment
(Guest contributor – Emma D-W) I was really pleased to see "A Student's Perspective on the Name Change", in which MLIS student Zoe Fisher explains why she's voting "yes" on the proposed new name for SLA. Why? Well, we've heard from a lot of library world heavyweights: Mary Ellen Bates, Marcy Phelps, Jill Strand, Guy […]
Filed under: Advocacy, Marketing, Networks | 3 Comments
Tags: Alignment Project, New Ideas, Professional Associations


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Law offices need websites that are modern and easy to navigate. Querin Law wanted to give their clients a website that streamlined their ability to research and read about all things law.
Q-Law's main feature is their informative and expansive blog, which is read by thousands every month. We created a powerful custom content platform for them, making writing and distributing their educational and current events posts easy and fast.
As a result of our work, Querin Law can now meet the rising demand for current law and real estate news, as well as attract new customers through a seamless online experience.


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At one point in time, I owned four slow cookers. They ranged in size from small enough for two, to large enough to feed an army. And I hardly ever used any of them.
These days, I've narrowed it down to just three, and I'm finding more and more uses for them every day.
My smallest slow cooker is the perfect size to make overnight oatmeal for two, with a little left over to make oatmeal bread. Our large cooker used to hold gallons of SpaghettiOs for large potluck gatherings, or acres of mac and cheese. Using the slow cooker was a great way for the kids to be able to help themselves while we parents sat and socialized. No muss, no fuss.
These days, I'm finding that our medium-sized slow cooker is perfect for soups and stews. We have enough for dinner for two, lunches too, plus maybe a little to pop in the freezer for "get your own dinner" night.
When I came across a recipe for a creamy potato soup using instant mashed potato flakes, it sounded great to me. I love mashed potatoes and I love soup. Why not marry the two? But I wasn't too keen on the instant flakes. I do use them sometimes, but I felt that there had to be a way to bring this soup together using real potatoes and savory chicken stock. Off to the kitchen I went.
It really only took two tries to get this soup recipe to come together. Five ingredients, less than 5 hours, and you'll be able feed at least five people. It's a bargain, no?
Let's make Creamy Potato Garlic Soup.
In your 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, place 1 1/2 pounds of white potatoes that have been scrubbed and sliced into 1/4" rounds. Look for thinner skinned boiling potatoes.
Should you peel 'em? It's really up to you. We've made it both ways, and tend to prefer the unpeeled version, but the food police are on vacation so do what pleases you most.
Thinly slice 1 large peeled onion, and add that to the pot. Cover with 6 cups good-quality chicken stock, and toss in 4 to 6 cloves peeled garlic.
Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours. If you want to cook while you're at work, you can cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours instead.
Towards the end of the cooking time, when the heavenly scent is driving you crazy, test a few of the potatoes. You'll want them fork tender and falling apart.
if you have a stick blender, this is the perfect time to use it. You can purée the soup right in the crock. If you don't have one, simply use your blender or food processor to purée. Remember, though, the soup is still very hot; so use care and caution.
**Stop here if you want to freeze the soup. It will keep beautifully for up to 4 weeks in the freezer.**
If you're serving the soup right away, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend, blend, blend some more until you have a creamy, smooth soup.
Trying to watch calories? You can use half & half, or even 2% milk instead of heavy cream. The higher the fat content, though, the richer your soup will be. I haven't tried it with dairy-free milks of any kind, but I'm sure soy or light almond would be a fine substitute.
Serve your soup hot, with some good bread and plenty of different toppings. At our house we liked cheddar cheese and bacon, like a baked potato. At the photo studio we tried sour cream and red pepper flakes. Not a drop was wasted, to be sure!
As you can tell, dear reader, I'm definitely on the hunt for new slow-cooker recipes. Have a favorite you want to share? You can leave your recipe ideas in the comments below, and share the slow cookin' joy.
Please make, rate, and review our recipe for Creamy Potato Garlic Soup.
Print just the recipe.


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First UK Customers Install Label Traxx
- Published: January 25, 2007, By pffc-online.com
MILWAUKEE, WI—Tailored Solutions has installed Label Traxx management software for narrow web label printers at two United Kingdom customers. These installations at Hamilton Adhesive Labels in Leicester, England, and CV Labels in Irvine, Scotland, mark the introduction of Label Traxx into the United Kingdom and follow the recent opening of a Tailored Soluions office to serve the European market. See tailored.com.


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We all know Disney is a massive, loaded company. Just based on companies with Disney in the name, we can tell it's one of the biggest franchises in the world. But #66 in the world big? Obviously, we know they own all the vacation spots with their name on them: Disneyland in CA, Walt Disney World in FL, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong International Theme Park and the Disney Cruise Line.
And duh, they own Disney Studios, Disney Animation, the Disney Channel and all of the child stars it pimps into the music industry (cough, Miley, cough).
But that alone wouldn't put them over Goldman Sachs(#68), American Express (#90) or Morgan Stanley (#96). So what else is there? How did Disney go from the tiny company that barely scraped together the $5,000 to make "Steamboat Willie" in 1928 to the 2nd biggest media conglomerate in the world?
Aggressive expansion. Through a series of shrewd — and expensive — buyouts, the Disney umbrella now shelters:
That little mouse controls the future of the galaxy! Sure, I'm excited about the new movies and new games, but you know Disney is thinking about some bastardization crossover betweenIndiana Jones and Star Wars. Episode I The Phantom Menace grossed $1 BILLION worldwide alone and Disney bought the company for $4 billion.
The History Channel
Holy sh*t. Walt Disney was allegedly an anti-semite and a racist, and his company owns the History Channel? Thank God that the History Channel only airs things that are 100% factual all the time, right?


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We recommend that all couples be referred for specialist review after regular unprotected intercourse for over 12 months. Earlier referral should be considered if the female partner is over 35 or if there is a known fertility factor in the couple's history eg testicular issues, oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, endometriosis, pelvic disease, recurrent miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy or a family history of early menopause.
Referrals can be sent by:
• Post to:
Merrion Fertility Clinic
60 Lower Mount St
Dublin 2
• Fax to 01 6635070
• Email to email@example.com
• We are now accepting Zeus referrals. Find us under Merrion Fertility Clinic.
For more information on Zeus referrals click here
Alternatively, patients can self refer via our Online Self Referral Form.