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Quick Layover at Kuala Lumpur
January 1, 1970
by Marianne Zara
It was just hours before the flight when we decided to go to Kuala Lumpur. Well, it was not much of a choice. To backtrack a little, let me tell you our missing-the-plane story.
Goodbye Manila turned Goodbye Marianne
It was August 25 (Thursday), 5:49PM. No Grab or Uber drivers around (probably because it was rush hour). It was unexpected. Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia's at 7:50PM and we must be check in 30mins. before the flight. How are we doing this? I asked.
6:01PM Finally! Damn it! Rush rush rush.
So we went straight to the condominium's lobby to wait for our Uber driver. It says 7mins. before the driver arrives so I bought snacks first in the condo's convenient store. I have bought the snack and waited quite a while and still, the driver wasn't there so we called.
"Ma'am, good evening! I am currently stuck in traffic and according the Waze (the travel navigator), I will be there in about 15mins." the driver said.
What??? I panicked in my mind and paced back and forth. No way that we would make it in time before 7:20PM. Manila traffic has gotten much worse, I couldn't stop worrying. From our place in Pasig, the airport is just 8 kilometers away. However, my allowance for travel time is about an hour. If the driver gets here at 6:24PM, it would mean we'll get to the airport at around 7:24PM.
I was at lost in my thought when my phone beeped Your driver has arrived. Quickly, we threw our bags in the trunk and went inside the car telling the driver that we were in a rush. 6:21PM when I looked at my watch. We were moving quickly until we get to the main roads. Despite the traffic navigator, we were still stuck. It was a long time that I was just checking the driver's Waze to see the ETA.
It wasn't working for us.
7:46PM we were nearing the airport but in a standstill traffic before the U-turn slot which is approximately 1km so we decided to grab our bags and run to the airport. I told my companion to leave me at airport security to rush to the airline and inquire if the flight was delayed (and of course, to beg for the airline officers to let us board the plane). Flight was delayed. So the begging went from the explanation that traffic was really bad to please let us board even if we won't check in the bags anymore and just tag them as carry-on baggage.
Yup, you got it right. It didn't work.
Since, I was processing the turn of events and I happen to be very hungry, I just said, Let's have a meal first.
Mongkok: Because Chinese Turns my Gloomy Mood Around
After 5 orders of dumpling, a rice meal bowl and crispy seafood noodles, I am ready to talk.
"Babe, I think it would be better if just choose not to go at all" I said "There are no direct flights to Siem Reap until Saturday and our return flight is August 28 (Sunday) at 10:00PM, if we go there, we would arrive Saturday evening and it wouldn't be economical." I looked at him and he looked really sad but at the same time, I knew he was thinking (probably weighing the pros and cons) and so I continued "But do you want to go?"
He nodded.
He then called his sister to browse flights bound to Cambodia while I think of the different airlines that we could visit in the airport and ask for flights.
After our dinner, we proceeded to Philippine Airlines (PAL) to inquire for flights bound to Siem Reap or even Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. But then again, they mentioned that it was only Cebu Pacific that has direct flights bound to Cambodia. They directed us to Saudia Airlines and Cathay Pacific, but then again, none. I opened my Air Asia app and searched flights, there's a flight the next day – August 26 (Friday), a little after 1PM. It would, however, have a 12-hour layover at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We went to their ticketing office to ask if they would have discounts or the like only to see that the ticketing office has closed.
Tragedy turned Opportunity
We went back to the condo for a while to sleep things off and budget since it will be around $353 for a one-way ticket to Siem Reap with a Kuala Lumpur layover. We decided to put out some clothes from our luggage and fixed things as if we would just have to pull our luggage the moment we have to leave. And so we rest.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
It's a new day. We woke up quite early and went to the airport at around 9:30AM, we went to Air Asia's ticketing office and bought our $706 tickets. So much emphasis on that because we got our promo flight direct to Siem Reap, Cambodia (two-way) at $260 for two pax. Regular tickets are at $478 for two pax. The skyrocketing price was not shocking but really impractical for a law student like my boyfriend and a currently unemployed (just spending her savings) lady like me.
Moving on, we finally got our tickets. As my boyfriend said, it was a tragedy turned opportunity. We just thought of the event as an opportunity to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
We had our brunch at Pizza Hut (also a funny story). It was quite early and their morning shift waiters has not arrived just yet so the Chef was the one serving the meals and the manager was the cashier. Anyway, so we enjoyed our time and thought of just visiting PETRONAS Twin Towers (a must when in Kuala Lumpur). I then headed to a nail spa lounge where I had my manicure and pedicure since there was much time to kill and I quite needed it too to be honest.
It was a good day! Everything was going smoothly and thank God we've finally checked in. Passed thru immigration and just waiting for our flight in the airport's lounges. Sipping our own drinks, my boyfriend and I rest as we wait for our delayed flight. It was not a surprise to have delayed flights in Manila, airports are congested (too much planes per airline, too much flights and air traffic that such 1-runway airport couldn't accommodate). Let's leave my airport infrastructure comments to rest as well.
A little after 5PM we are in another airport, another country… WELCOME TO KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
From KLIA to KL Central
Went straight to the concierge to get maps and find our way around Kuala Lumpur. Initially, I found different places that interests me. However, I knew we won't get there in time and get to explore a lot so I just said PETRONAS Twin Towers would be the priority. We also decided to go to Pasar Seni – the Central Market of Kuala Lumpur (with really good deals).
Instead of taking a cab, we took KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Ekspres Train. It was said to be the fastest train in Southeast Asia. It says it travels about 30mins. from KLIA 2 (the international airport) to KL Central (about 57km away) with one stopover (KLIA 1 – the domestic airport). We bought our 2 tickets for RM200 (Malaysian Ringgit) and to Central Market we go.
After alighting from KLIA Express, we decided to go to NU Sentral (the nearby mall) to eat our dinner. We chose Nando's Peri Peri Chicken and it was good – real big servings perfect for our big appetite.
We went back to KL Central (where all the trains are) and grabbed one bound to Pasar Seni (KL's Central Market). From Pasar Seni station, it was a quick walk to Central Market. Initially, it would be watches stands, juices, clothes and even vape shops. Then you enter a small mall where you can find jewelry, souvenirs and more clothes. Along the streets, you may find make-up, luggage, electronic devices and accessories and so much more.
My boyfriend is a fan of watches so when he saw this first stand, he bought one at once for RM45. He then proceeded to get himself his vape juice (his highlight buy of his trip). I went on because I am not a fan of clothes that covers almost the entire body especially in a warm place. There were pretty necklaces that are just about RM20 per piece and they would really make one's OOTD.
I stopped in a clothing store because I saw a top which is chiffon in fabric and has a collar. I thought it was nice so I asked how much it was and he replied (I forget now). As I was inspecting the top, I noticed there was no arm hole so I asked where my arm would go and he said: No! No no no. No arm hole. Only to realize that the top was actually a shawl or a cover up. I was quite embarrassed, I just laughed at myself for not googling enough about the culture.
Later on, I saw another watch stand with a couple watch that I really liked. He was selling it for RM160. Too expensive I said and he asked me how much I was willing to pay for them. I replied saying RM120. He left without saying anything and came back with a lighter. He tried burning the watches' straps and said: See! Real leather! You buy for RM130. And sold. It was a good show and I was able to get a discount so why the hell not?
We went around a little more and I saw a local Artis brush. I checked the brush and it was pretty fine so I inquired for the price and he said RM30. I said it's the same price in our country and I think similar in quality so I said no thanks. He insisted saying How much can you pay? Please buy. I said no but he bargained and bargained and even followed me when I turned around so I just bought it when he said he'll give it for RM20.
When we reached the end of the street, we saw a parade (they said it was a Chinese parade but I couldn't really tell the story). It was fun to have seen such parade during our visit though.
The Famous PETRONAS Twin Towers
When we were done with our shopping spree, we decided to ask around which train to ride bound to PETRONAS Twin Towers; however, it slipped our minds that trains have limited operating hours. We didn't know how much it would cost us in riding their Teksi so we decided to have a quick snack at Texas Chicken to access their wifi and search. It was about RM8 from Pasar Seni to PETRONAS so we went to grab a cab.
Knowing that we were tourists, he said we would have to pay RM15 for our trip. We didn't mind. Quite honestly, we expected that because it's how locales charge tourists in the Philippines as well.
The driver of the Teksi said the perfect spot to capture the twin towers is by the stoplight across the street so that's where he dropped us off. Indeed, it was a great spot to have a selfie with my boyfriend and the twin towers.
There were another couple trying their best to capture the towers as well so I said if they could take our photo, I could take their photo also and I guess it went well.
Sadly, the PETRONAS close at 7PM so we weren't able to enter but just seeing the place and the nightlife around it made our night.
The End of the Quick Tour
We took the last train schedule of KLIA Ekspres at around 12:30PM. We went straight to the floor where the capsules were located. Unfortunately for us, they were in a full house and fully booked. We then went to the premium rooms just 2 floors above; but then again, they were fully booked. We didn't want to book outside the airport since we might miss our flight again so we just decided to take our nap at their food court. I think it was past 2AM when we got settled and our flight was at 6AM so we just slept alternately in the food court lounge. I thought it was safe because there were so many people doing it.
By Marianne Zara
I like travelling mostly because I know that in every corner, there's something different - something to learn about and comprehend. I usually hike with friends or have a quick drive out of town. Once in a while, I feel the need to travel and I want you guys to be in it.Read more at mariannescapes.co
Top 12 Destinations for Backpackers
Looking for adventure in far away places? Get more bang for your buck with these backpacker favourite destinations you may not have thought of!


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Discover the Bear Facts at Clarks!
Registration Closes at 11:59 PM ET on May 19, 2019
Join Girl Scouts of all ages for a day of discovery and fun at Clark's Trading Post! Included are presentations for all Girl Scout age groups and well as all the rides and shows that Clark's is known for.
Daisies will learn the BEAR FACTS from bear trainer, Murray Clark. This presentation highlights black bears and their life cycle. He will discuss age, diet, habitat and birth of the black bears. There will be hands on artifacts for the girls to touch and learn from. Daisies will also enjoy the 30-minute black bear show.
Brownies will learn about BEARS AROUND THE WORLD. Chez Hill will present information about six different types of bears that exist all over the world so the girls can learn about their similarities and differences. There will be hands on artifacts for the girls to touch and learn from. Brownies will also be able to watch the 30-minute black bear show.
Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors will participate in the JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM. Members form the US Forest Service will present three 25-minute learning stations on Geology, Bear Awareness and Leave No Trace. Each Girl Scout will receive two patches and a pin from the US Forest Service.
The price includes unlimited rides, shows, and the Girl Scout program. Wear your uniform and get special discounts at stores and food services throughout the park.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Bo Family Junior Jungle Rave
Join DJ Nick Terrific and MC Rocky Patch for the Junior Jungle Family Rave at The Waterfront Studio.
Junior Jungle was created by potty party people – DJ Nick Terrific and MC Rocky Patch, as the antidote to 'baby raves'. Functioning on the pillars of; No pop, No Diznee, Just proper tunes and real ravin' for kids and adults together
At a Junior Jungle Party you can expect only the finest cuts of Dubwise Drum and Bass, Jungle and hip hop remixes all vetted for age appropriate content, and expertly mixed live by Nick Terrific.
You can also expect to dance, a lot. MC Rocky Patch will lead the charge making sure all partygoers are jumpin' and skankin'. There will be dance offs and battles. Who will win? The Jungle cats? Or The Mashup Monkeys
With Bo decor, face painters and surprises, a licensed bar for the adults and mocktails for the tiny dancers.
Dress Fancy if you fancy – think 'Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!
Easter Thursday 18 April at The Waterfront
Just £8 for adults and £5 for 12 and unders. Babes in arms go free but you must buy a ticket so we can keep track of numbers
Get your tickets HERE


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With the success of several recent "Godzilla" films by original production company Toho, talk has now begun regarding a linked Godzilla Cinematic Universe for the non-U.S. "Godzilla" films.
Talking to the Japanese outlet Nikkei Style, Toho exec Keiji Ota recently laid out plans for the franchise's future and says (via a translated article) that after 2021, a potential strategy is to release "Godzilla" movies uninterrupted at a rate of at least every two years – potentially even annually:
"The future of the series and its forward development are very conscious of the method of 'shared universe'. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, etc. could all share a single world much like a Marvel movie where Iron Man and the Hulk can crossover with each other. It is said that each movie can be a possible film production where any one of them could lead a film of their own as the titular character."
Sadly that shared universe will NOT include a sequel to Hideaki Anno's "Shin Godzilla" which scored strong acclaim in 2016.
Source: Godzilla Movies (via io9)


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Written by Jonas Schäfer
Purpose of this paper is to show how companies use athletes to promote their products via social media and how they enhance their brand equity. Athletes have high awareness and, in best case, a positive image in the public. Famous athletes already created their own social media strategy to enhance their own person´s brand equity. Companies (Sponsors) use this to first, promote their products to a wider target group, second to interact with the consumer and get help in creation of products or marketing campaigns, and third to transfer the positive brand equity of the athlete on to the company.
1. Introduction
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Google+ are spread out in our everyday private and business lives (Zauner, Koller & Fink, 2012). The developments in digital media have revolutionized marketing, and social media has fundamentally changed the role of marketer´s influence (Hanna, Rohm & Crittenden, 2011). Today consumers want to interact, share thoughts, opinions, criticisms and suggestions, they want a dialogue instead of a monologues from the brand (Armelini & Villanueva, 2009). Social media platforms are a perfect way to fulfill this need. Companies use social media not only to interact with the customer, but also to use him as a co-producer of products and marketing messages. Furthermore branding strategies are adapted to the new environment. In line with Vargo & Lusch (2004), branding on the internet means to participate and co-create and does not mean to control the message sent out as in traditional media channels.
Famous athletes are using social media platforms to connect and interact with their fans (Yan, 2011) and companies are using it more and more to leverage their sponsorship. Millan & Ball (2012) investigated this issue for sponsoring of sporting events. But there is only little theory about athlete branding and their actions on social media platforms. Furthermore there is a gap in the literature how companies acting as athlete sponsors can activate their sponsorships in the digital media. I will address this issue by presenting a case study of tennis star Roger Federer who is actively promoting products from his sponsors in a genuine way on his social media platforms.
In the following paper I will first present a theoretical framework consisting of branding in an online environment, brand equity of athletes, sponsoring and their implementation through social media. Consecutively I will show a case study of tennis player Roger Federer and his social media activities, mainly Facebook. Here I will investigate how he uses his huge fan potential together with his sponsors to interact with consumers, promote products and consequently tries to enhance his and his sponsors brand equity. In addition I will identify the opportunities and challenges for marketers by using an athlete´s social media platform.
2. Theory
2.1 Branding online
There are dramatic changes going on in marketing and branding due to the fast technological development of the digital media. Armelini & Villanueva (2009) argues that companies do not exist in consumer´s mind without being active in social media. He furthermore states that "social network marketing has made traditional media obsolete". Brands should build a connection with their costumer and foster "a sense of belonging through the engagement itself" (Engeseth, 2005). Social media activities satisfy according to Engeseth (2005) a need: the desire of engagement with a brand they wish to be associated with. While people participate and interact with the brand, they can become involved and therefore can identify with it. Command and control, usually the aim of brand managers in traditional media channels is not appropriate anymore online (Christodoulides et al., 2006). But the goal remains the same: to enhance brand equity (Aaker, 1991), positive brand associations and perceived quality of the brand.
2.2 Brand equity of athletes
Building brand equity is an important part of brand building, and generates value to the firm through greater consumer loyalty, awareness, and image (Keller, Aperia & Georgson, 2012). According to Keller, Aperia & Georgson (2012) persons are also brands and as strong brand equity starts with brand awareness and positive brand image successful athletes can build the aspired goal of strong brand equity. This can consequently be enhanced through social media by athletes as they managed to use it to broadcast to their fans, bypassing the press (Yan, 2011). Fans feel connected when their idol is talking to them directly (Yan, 2011).
2.3 Sponsoring and the implementation online
Cliff & Motion (2004) found that sponsorships could be used as central driver for brand strategy and provide added value to the consumer. Sponsorships allow firms to leverage the brand equity assets (awareness, loyalty, perceived quality and associations) by linking themselves to the sponsored object (Meenaghan, 2001). Through sponsorships, firms are able to exploit relationships in order to create loyalty to their own brand (Sirgy Et al., 2008). Sponsorship is regarded as a powerful vehicle, which is used by firms to build brand equity (Farrelly, Quester and Greyser, 2005). While usually sponsoring activities are used in traditional media, the development of new technologies and the increase in consumer engagement in social networks led to an increase of sponsoring activities through social media. According to Zauner, Koller & Fink (2012) a company engaging on the Facebook fansite of a celebrity sports team that it is sponsoring the social media might help to increase the company´s brand perception by consumers. Hence, integrating sports sponsorship and marketing activities via specific fan groups on social media platforms can be of advantage especially regarding the company's brand image and the perceived brand value (Zauner, Koller & Fink, 2012).
3. Case Study Roger Federer
Roger Federer is perceived as the greatest Tennis player of all time and has an impressive endorsement portfolio in sports, with nine sponsors that collectively pay him more than $30 million annually, including long-term deals with Nike, Rolex, Wilson and Credit Suisse (Forbes, 2012). Furthermore he is according to a study conducted in 2011 the second most respected, admired and trusted individual in the world (Waterson, 2011). These facts can lead to the conclusion that he has a high brand equity which combines brand image and awareness (Keller, Aperia & Georgson, 2012). His partnerships are based on mutual advantages as both parties use their respective awareness and image to maintain and enhance brand equity.
Roger Federer has currently around 12 Mio fans on Facebook (2013a), 33000 followers on Twitter (2013b) and an own Youtube channel (2013c). In this paper I will mainly focus on Facebook, especially with an emphasis on his sponsor´s activities.
Previous to the Australian Open in January 2013, Roger Federer asked his fans on Facebook which shoe he should wear and which color the laces should have. To participate the consumer was linked directly to Nike´s tennis Facebook page where more features and products can be found. The consumer was asked to interact and co-create the product. Furthermore it attracted awareness as the consumer had the impression to influence the outfit of his idol.
Another example of participation and co-creating is Mercedes Benz who used Roger Federer´s Facebook page in order to ask his fans to choose the headline for a new marketing campaign. "It was completely free - it cost us absolutely nothing," says Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing. "In the old world, I would have just gone with my favorite" (Kurylko, 2011). With such activities Nike or Mercedes gained important product feedback, important insights into marketing decisions and high awareness for the brand itself.
Besides co-creation and participation several brands are promoted through his social media channels. In December 2012 Federer made an Excibition-Tour through South-America, which was sponsored and named by the company Gilette (Gilette Federer Tour). On Facebook pictures and stories were uploaded and his own Youtube-Channel was promoted where it was possible to watch the Exhibition-Matches for free. Furthermore continuously several videos and pictures of his partners are posted on Facebook, such as product launches of a new Tennis racket, pictures of Roger Federer in which the company congratulates him to achieve a new record or the making-of new advertisements in which Roger Federer is participating.
4. Discussion
The case study of Roger Federer shows impressively how an athlete can use social media platforms to interact with his consumers (fans). Furthermore companies which act as sponsors can use these athlete´s social media platforms to promote their products and interact with consumers. Moreover it is shown that branding on the internet exemplifies participation and co-creation of meaning (Vargo & Lusch, 2004).
As Sponsoring is not a new topic, companies use athletes for their marketing activities since years. However the communication of these sponsoring activities through social media is still in its infancy even though companies realized the importance of social media in branding and marketing. In general one can mention that the activation of sponsorships via social media is an efficient way and should be included in the marketing activities.
However there are several challenges marketer´s are facing when using social media platforms of athletes for their branding activities.
First, there is no certainty about which activities might be effective (Zauner, Koller & Fink, 2012). Even though it is possible to evaluate the success of an activity with the help of "likes" and positive comments on Facebook, reliable measurements about brand recognition, awareness or image are difficult to conduct as the metrics in the internet are more diffuse (Armelini & Villanueva, 2009).
Secondly even if according to Millan & Ball (2012) social media offers the opportunity to target the costumer better, the social media platform of the athlete can have a different target group than the activity of the sponsors is aiming at. Therefore it is of high importance for the sponsor to select the athlete carefully and compare his image and his target with one´s own (Zauner, Koller & Fink, 2012). Furthermore an athlete with such a strong brand equity as Roger Federer possesses is not easy to find and usually quite expensive. There are several examples of successful stars not having this broad fan base, especially not on social media platforms.
Thirdly there is always the danger that a person is related to a scandal which can damage the reputation which can consequently be transferred on the company. One example is Tiger Woods who acknowledged marital infidelity in 2009 and lost several sponsors (Kelley, 2009). Lastly one has to mention that brand managers who used to control the brand has become just a host whose main role is to facilitate the sharing (Christodoulides, 2009). Hence consumers now have more control over content which can also result in negative attitudes towards a brand which spreads virally (Millan and Ball, 2012).
5. Conclusion
The development from traditional to new media forced companies to adapt their marketing and branding strategies to the new environment. Even though the brand manager loses control while interacting with the consumer through social media channels, it offers great advantages for both consumer and firm. The activation of a sponsorship in order to use the athlete´s social media platforms is a further opportunity to communicate with a broad audience, given the consumer the option to co-create and participate in product developments and transfer the positive emotions and brand image of the athlete to the company. The case study of Roger Federer is a perfect example of successful interaction through sponsoring and social media.
However there are some limitations. One cannot answer the question if the sponsoring companies can enhance their brand equity through these activities. Further detailed research is necessary to prove that. Moreover further investigation is needed if these activities can also be used in different settings as Roger Federer is an extreme example. Not all successful athletes might be suitable to use social media for the mentioned purposes.
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April 2007 | Vol. VI - No. 4
Cool Toy VIDEOS From Pomona
Didn't Fly West? See What You Missed
The TDmonthly Magazine video crew moseyed out to Pomona to capture manufacturers demonstrating their new toys at the annual WTHRA show. We saw everything from cute, ghoulish plush to a mathematics card game to an animated program from former Disney artists that teaches kids to be creative.
Now you can watch, too: Just click on the manufacturer's name.
NOTE: If a video stutters or stalls, click again on the "Watch Video" link; it may take a couple of clicks before the video uploads completely the first time.
Manufacturers: Find out how a TDmonthly Video attracts buyers. Videography and editing by Alison Marek.
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Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
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Game of the day:
Top games:
Best edutainment games for free download
Here you can find the best edutainment games available for free download. You can download any edutainment game and try it for free to decide whether you like it or not. Some games provide 60 minutes of gameplay, others can limit you with a 30 or 15 day trial period. Some of the edutainment games are free at all. Choose any edutainment game you like and try it!
Order edutainment games by:
Travel Mosaics is the perfect puzzle game for intrepid armchair travelers who like challenges and want a quality gaming experience.
A nonogram puzzle tour of Rio de Janeiro!
The latest Travel Mosaics is here! Complete colorful nonogram puzzles and learn a lot of curious facts about Tokyo!
In Travel Mosaics: A Paris Tour, explore the beauty of France while completing colorful and challenging mosaics puzzles.
This game gives kids a fun way to experience being a veterinarian. Kids go through a hospital and help cure animals like tigers, giraffes, and penguins. The game shows kids a positive role model. Ages 3-8
This game gives kids a fun way to experience being a doctor. Kids go through a hospital and help cure famous fairy-tale characters such as humpty dumpty, frosty the snowman, and many more. Kids also learn about taking care of their health. Ages 3-8
Merry Motors Games collection includes 27 edutainment games that will help to your kids in training of memory, logic, math skills, spatial imagination and creative thinking. The program can be useful for preschool children at the age 5+.
Merry Motors 2: Megapolis consists of 27 educational mini-games for kids from 5 to 9. As well as its predecessor, the game introduces the dwellers of the Town of Merry Motors. They will help children to develop various skills in an amusing way.
Take over the role of a magician's apprentice to compete with a witch. Myrgiana, who gives him math problems and puzzles to solve.


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Making a payment with your TCard across campus is very easy! Load funds onto your TCard or purchase a Meal Plan and then simply swipe and pay at participating merchants. Participating merchants can be identified by TCard+ Accepted Here signage. See below for a full list of participating merchants at your campus:
Inter-Campus TBucks Use
Whether your home campus is U of T St. George or U of T Scarborough, your TBucks can be used at participating merchants at both campuses, with no exclusions.
TBucks Deals and Discounts
Many merchants are happy to provide users with exclusive deals and discounts when paying for goods and services with your TCard+ TBucks account. Click here for the latest TBucks deals and discounts.
Lost your TCard?
If your TCard is lost or stolen you must deactivate it here immediately. Your TCard+ funds are protected from the time your TCard is deactivated.


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One Factor that you need to Put into Consideration When Selecting the Best Commercial Exhaust Fans Distributor in New York city.
The truth of the matter is that if you are in any kind of business where you are doing it in a building and especially if you are running a hotel, it is important for you to ensure that it is well ventilated so that they can be a smooth flow of air. The other most important thing that you need to ensure that you have in your building where you are doing your business, is funds which will help to remove unwanted heat, fumes, and humidity in enclosed areas. When it comes to buying fans, there are many different types of fans that you can buy in the market today depending on where you want to install them; You can either buy commercial exhaust fans, kitchen fans, among others but the most important thing is to buy quality fans. There are many different stores where they are selling different types of fans, and the best thing that you can do is research on those stores so that you can select the right store, for example, Brooklyn Fan & Blower Sales company is one of the companies where they are selling quality and affordable commercial kitchen fans. In this article, we are going to look at a crucial factor that you need to consider when you are searching for the right distributor where you will buy commercial exhaust fans in New York city.
Go through the reviews of a company.
One of the most important thing that you need to consider when selecting the right company that you will buy any kind of fan that you are looking for is the reviews from other people who had bought the fans from this company. You should check the reviews that are left for some of the available commercial fans distributors companies in New York city, by accessing their website, where you will find reviews from their clients, and you can also ask the people who are around you and had bought fans from these companies, for more reviews as well as checking on other platforms on the internet like yelp. Depending on the other details that you will gather about these companies, it will be easy for you to know more about these companies about the prices of different fans, that they sell, the quality of commercial fans that they have and any other thing that might interest you. From there you will be able to compare different commercial exhaust fans distributors and select that distributor who you will find having many positive reviews for selling quality fans, and their prices are within the market rates.
: 10 Mistakes that Most People Make
One Factor that you need to Put into Consideration When Selecting the Best Commercial Exhaust Fans Distributor in New York city.


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The Rabbit Plan
The baby rabbits sure are getting big. I don't feel like they are making as many changes lately, so photographing them every other day or so seems to be working fine. However, I do still see the changes when I photograph them.
The Angora bunnies are getting bit. Their toenails are pretty sharp, so Daphne loves to play with them, but she often ends up with little scratches everywhere. They go away quickly, but I feel the sharp little claws when I hold them as well. For whatever reason, when Daphne goes to get a rabbit to play with, she only gets the white bunnies. I am not sure if she prefers them or if those are the only ones she can see in the dark with the light off. I much prefer it that way.
It looks like Thing 1 is a wonderful mama. She is able to keep up with producing for all 12 of the babies. She hops in the box no matter what time I bring it out to feed them, and she stays long enough to get them all fed. I have not had a problem in the last few days when I checked with anyone needing more food. Even the small and runty baby I was talking about before really started to pick up speed and can no longer be distinguished from the other rabbits. When I brought them in from nursing today, I discovered that someone that its eyes open, so they are really starting to progress a lot. The baby that was wounded is completely better. I did have to spend time draining it every day, but the TLC paid off, and it is now running around with just a small scar that is working to heal. It looks like all 12 are happy and are going to make it with no problem!
The Angora rabbits are also progressing a lot.   They have learned to hop and they can get in and out of the nesting box with no problems. I noticed that they were trying to much on their mamas food the other day, so I gave them a little bit of pellets to chew on. They were very happy. So, they are starting to eat. I put them outside with mama today during the day so that they could nurse more and so that she could be in charge of them. If they are old enough to cause trouble, they are out of my disciplinary range.
They sure are getting cute, and they hear about it every time I talk to them.
Looking more and more like Angoras every day.
The chocolate candidate.
This is "Blaze" with the white leg (not a good thing).
I have been doing a lot of evaluation of the rabbitry lately, and I think that I have come to a conclusion of where I want to go. This may not be the plan that works out in the next week or even in the next year, but I've weighed all my options and made all of my decisions.
I currently have 1 100% German Angora doe, 2 100% Californian does (these are meat rabbits), 1 ~80% Black German Angora Doe, 1 ~80% Blue German Angora Doe, a 60% Torte German Angora Buck and a Black 50% German 50% French Angora Buck. That is a lot of information to take in, but the important thing to consider is the percentages and the breeds.
I LOVE the German Angora breed. They are large rabbits, have lovely temperaments and they produce a very dense wool. Since I keep them for their fiber, I like this. My 100% German doe eats the same as the other does and produces MUCH more wool every 90 days. Also, the German breed is a white breed, and though I do like the colors that can be gotten by crossing German and French, when all is said in done in spinning, I can dye white any color I want. I am limited with the other colors.
I am also enjoying the idea of raising rabbits for meat animals. There are so many benefits and so few drawbacks. With raising meat chickens, it is a fast project, but it is a smelly project and a project that ANYONE ends up hating at the end. The birds have been engineered over the last 50 years to grow MUCH more quickly than is healthy. Though I do appreciate the feed conversion, I don't appreciate how unnatural it is. The birds are disgusting. They don't forage, and they die quickly from various health problems if kept longer than 12 weeks. Though I do plan to raise a few birds once a year to have a chicken dinner here or there for my family, I do not plan to use Cornish Cross in the future. That leaves me with the problem of having a much tougher bird that takes 2 times a long (and 2 times as much feed) for a smaller bird. These are the drawbacks.
Rabbits are a completely different story. Rabbits can finish to 5-6 pounds in about 8-9 weeks. They are raised entirely by their mothers at that time. Though the feed conversion is about half that of the Cornish Cross chickens, it is a pretty good conversion, especially considering that the babies nurse from their mother for the first 3 weeks almost exclusively. A lot of people think that rabbit tastes a lot like chicken, some people can't tell the difference. It is one of the most nutritious meats available in our market. It has more protein and less fat than any commonly eaten meat. And yet, it is something that is disregarded by and large by mainstream America (Europe appreciates rabbit).
I bought two Californian meat rabbits last year with the intention to breed. They are Thing 1 and Thing 2. Now that I am in the middle of raising them, I am realizing that keeping 2 may not be necessary for my own personal meat. Rabbits can be bred 4 times a year, and they produce average litters of about 8. If I kept my one meat rabbit in heavy production, I would have 32 rabbits from this one doe alone. I don't need to double that. As it is, 32 is enough to roast whole rabbit almost every Sunday dinner througout the year! I have decided that I am going to sell Thing 2, and keep Thing 1 for this purpose. Thing 1 is turning out to be a great rabbit. She is a great mother now that she has figured out she is supposed to nurse the babies. She instinctively had the kits in the nesting box, and they survived. A lot of first-time moms are air-headed and have the rabbits on the wire, where they eventually die from exposure. Though she had a very aggressive temperament (I have scars on my belly from one particular episode), she has mellowed out incredibly since having the babies. She is definitely on my keeper list. I am selling Thing 2 because she hasn't produced a live litter for me yet. She lost her first litter and did not take to being rebred. That's not a terrible sign, she can be bred, that just is the decision a breeder has to make. Who has the best characteristics?
I NEEDED a mature buck very badly so that I could breed the meat rabbits before a year of age (rabbits get harder and harder to breed as they get older).  I spent almost a year looking for a meat specific buck, but I was unahppy at the thought of keeping a meat animal around simply for breeding 4 times a year. I found someone who was selling out of their Angora herd, and she had a 50% French 50% German rabbit for sale. I bought him. He is the daddy of both of the litters I currently have on the ground.
Angora rabbits are a dual purpose breed. They can be used for meat and for fiber. Though a lot of fiber people will tell you that it is horrible to butcher such a lovely creature, I tend to stand with the other breeder who believe that it is a responsible thing to cull out the rabbits only keeping and/or selling the ones that exhibit the best of the breed. Don't pass on characteristics that don't help set the breed standard. The most commonly used Angora breed for meat is the French Angora. I was happy to use my buck (his name is Poe) to breed to the meat rabbits. Not only will the stock exhibit excellent meat characteristics, I am not being forced to keep a meat-specific buck around who I am only feeding for his breeding ability. This is a win-win situation. That said, I am not planning to keep this particular buck forever. His hair has too much guard hair in it for me, so I hope to retire him at some point and use him for fiber only.
What I would like to do is obtain a 100% German buck OR breed Daisy to a 100% German buck. I will then be able to keep any kits from the litter that work for my purposes and sell the rest. That would go a long way to making a start to a German herd to preserve any lines that I want and still have the wool density and the sweetness of the German Angoras.
On the meat line, I plan to find a 100% French buck that I can use to breed to the meat doe/s. This will give me the best meat body available while still maintaining animals that produce for me as well. As soon as Thing 1 runs out her life span, I will consider replacing her with a 100% French Angora doe and breeding her for meat purposes. The French have coloring in them unlike the Germans, so I can also add any color to the herd that I like.
As for the other three colored animals I have, I have no plans for them. I enjoy very much having the color around, so they will stay in the herd for my own purposes and pleasure, which is just fine with me.
Currently, this means that I need to set up an appointment to butcher the young litter I have, since they are meat rabbits. I need to have room for them in the freezer! That is a lot of meat produced. I have also decided that any of the black Angoras that are not suitable for me will also go to the butcher at that time. One of the black ones has a white foot, another has a white leg and yet another is looking like it will not be black at all. I will keep the bunny if it is going to be chocolate colored, but anything else is undesirable at this point. The REW (Ruby-eyed-white) babies will all be for sale, since they are looking very good in many regards right now. I'm glad Daphne likes playing with the REW rabbits the best because they need the socialization!


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Many people tend to mention the words tattoo and regret in the same breath. But tattoos, if anything, speak of the futility of regret. We can't change our past, whether we are physically marked by it or not, so why bother yearning to?
Before I became a confirmed op-shopper, I used to hang on to receipts for everything. I wanted to be able to change my mind; wanted to believe that nothing was set in stone. I kept the tags on new clothes until the very last moment before the very first wear, and read new books as if they were fragile artefacts. The receipts were all filed away, together with a repertoire of excuses for getting away with exchanges and refunds. But I never try to return clothes or books I've bought from an op shop. Well, I do "return" clothes and books to op shops all the time, but these returns are otherwise known as straight-out donations.


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I read an opinion column over on USA Today. A Presbyterian pastor was talking about religion in the workplace. The article begins with this statement:
You don't have to leave your beliefs at home. In fact, some employers see the value of integrating religion and work in meaningful ways.
My first thought was, "Well Duh!" Why would a Christian leave his beliefs at home? I mean besides the obvious contradiction of someone who professes Christ on Sunday, but lives like the world the rest of the week. Don't get the idea that I am pointing my finger at all "those" hypocrites, because it is an easy trap to fall into. I find myself at times going along just to get along. You know the drill, laughing at a particular joke, talking about someone because everyone else is, losing patience when people don't act like you think they should, the list goes on.
I was more focused on the aspect of employers sanctioning the practice of religion in the work place. I guess that I have never needed permission to be who I am, a child of God. I have prayed when I have felt led to pray, I have led a lunch time Bible study, and I have even talked to my boss about Jesus. He didn't get saved, but he didn't fire me either. Maybe it is a byproduct of where I live. I am not one of those who talk about God in every other sentence, nor do I try to tell people how to live their lives, and nor do I try to witness to everyone I come across. Maybe if I did all of those things I would have more of a problem keeping a job. I don't hide the fact that I am a Christian, but I also don't wear it on my sleeve.
Does that make me a sub-par Christian? I don't think so. I think that our lives are a testimony to the power of God working in us, not what we put on for show. I think that if you are surrendered to God and trusting in Him, then your life will show it, but if you are living in rebellion and trusting in yourself, then your life will show that as well. A nice thing happened to me at work one day not long after I was saved. A co-worker came up to me and said, "There is something different about you." I told him I got saved and he said, "That's it!" It would seem to me that the worst thing a Christian could ever hear is for someone to say, "You're a Christian? I never new that!"


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The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan met Monday to discuss ongoing efforts to denuclearize North Korea amid tensions in the bilateral ties caused by historical and other sensitive issues.
Lee Do-hoon, Seoul's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, held talks with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi.
Later in the day, Kim Yong-kil, director-general for Northeast Asian affairs at Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will meet Kanasugi for talks over bilateral relations. Kanasugi also serves as director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau.
Their talks come amid a spat over the recent rulings by Korea's Supreme Court that two Japanese firms should compensate Koreans forced to toil at their factories during World War II.
Japan has strongly protested the rulings, saying all reparation-related issues were settled in a 1965 deal to normalize bilateral diplomatic relations. Tokyo colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45.
Tensions flared anew last week as Tokyo claimed that a South Korean warship directed its fire-control radar at Japan's maritime patrol aircraft Thursday.
Seoul rejected the claim, saying Tokyo misunderstood its naval operation to help a North Korean ship drifting near a sea border in the East Sea.
"Our military carried out a normal operation for the humanitarian rescue operation, and it has never taken any step that would make the Japanese side feel threatened," Col. Lee Jin-woo, the deputy spokesman of Seoul's defense ministry, told reporters. (Yonhap)


text: Contents IT Operations Management Previous Topic Next Topic Delete stale VM data Subscribe Log in to subscribe to topics and get notified when content changes. ... SAVE AS PDF Selected Topic Topic & Subtopics All Topics in Contents Share Delete stale VM data To prevent your ServiceNow instance from becoming overloaded with unused or expired resources, maintain your resource list by scheduling automated cleanup of stale VM data. Before you beginRole required: cloud_admin or admin About this task When a stack or resource is terminated, no data pertaining to the resource is actually deleted from the ServiceNow instance. The data is kept to record all instances and resources that have ever been instantiated on the cloud provider accounts linked to Cloud Management. When a resource is terminated, the status of that resource and its related underlying items is changed to one of the following statuses: Terminated Deleted through the ServiceNow Cloud Management interface. None Deleted directly through with the cloud provider, and found via Discovery. To delete these stale resources, you can configure properties to enable automatic pruning (permanent deletion) of stale records after a set number of days. Procedure Navigate to Cloud Management > Administration > Properties. Change the following properties: Enable automatic pruning of cloud records Activates the scheduled job which triggers cleaning of records. This property is disabled by default. Number days for pruning cloud table records (Days) Sets number of days at which to delete a record. Default value is 396. Click Save. On this page Send Feedback Previous Topic Next Topic


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Factors to Consider when Choosing Plastic Pallets
A person will not find it difficult to transport his/her goods, if he /she choose to use the plastic pallets.This because of change of regulation and rules that deal with the use of the wood pallets.The number of plastic pallets that are available for a person's use are not many.Buying the right plastic pallets for your use will require that you make use of the tips that follow.
Getting the right plastic pallets will require that a person consider the reputation that a manufacture has.Basically, a person should check how a manufacturer is reputed about the kind of a plastic pallets he/she makes.It is essential to choose that manufacture who is known to produce plastic pallets which are quality and durable.When the plastic pallets you get are durable and quality, you will be at better chance to use then for a long period.A person should therefore invest his/her time into research so that to succeed having a manufacturer who will offer plastic pallets at price which is affordable and quality.So that to easily access your manufacture for plastic pallets, you need to choose that who is within the location you are.
The consideration of the type of plastic pallets you want will help to choose the best plastic pallets.The plastic pallets available in the market are of a variety of designs.Choosing the right design of a plastic pallet will ensure that you have the best plastic pallets that will be able to meet needs that you have.There is need to consider what application you will subject your pallet to before settling on the right ones.There is need to consider the use of your plastic pallet before buying because they are so many in the market.There are those pallets which will be used for storage and shipping.Knowing what kind of plastic pallet, you need will save you time and money for search the right plastic pallet.
Before choosing plastic pallets ,it is essential you consider the load that they will carry.A person should realize that plastic pallets have various designs depending on how much load they will carry.Before therefore choosing a plastic pallet, you need to make sure that it can carry the kind of load that you have.Buying a plastic pallet which is not right for your load will make your pallet to get damaged.How much many you will spend to buy plastic pallets will also depend on the load capacity.
It is by considering the factors mentioned above that a person will buy the right plastic pallets.
A Simple Plan For Researching Products


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I recently took to snacking on chocolates in the afternoons. I'll usually try to watch what I eat, so snacking on chocolate bars everyday isn't a very healthy thing to do. But it's a total different thing if the chocolate is of very good quality, topped with some healthful nuts and fruits. And so, I made these addictive chocolate bark.
This is a super easy treat to make. All you need is some really good chocolates, your favorite dried fruits and toasted nuts and you are good to go. I used my favorite Valrhona Opalys White 33%. The luxuriously creamy taste and silky texture is to die for. But you can use any of your favorite white, milk or dark chocolate. I used premixed dried fruits that consist of both black and golden raisins, cranberries and chopped apricots. For the nuts, I used pistachios for a nice green color and I think it goes really well with white chocolate.
You may have noticed that my white chocolate doesn't look white… it looks like peanut butter I know. Ok I confessed. I had accidentally caramelized the chocolate by melting it in the microwave. for too long. This may have sounded and looked like a failed attempt but I want to tell you, "caramelized" white chocolate actually taste not bad! If you don't want your chocolate to have the same fate as mine as if it had gone for a suntan, I suggest you melt them over a pot of simmering water. Safer that way. But you can still melt them in the microwave, just be diligent to watch it every 15 seconds. I left mine inside for more than 30 seconds on high heat and got them all 'tanned'. But if you like to try some interesting caramelized white chocolate, by all means.
Dried Fruits & Pistachio White Chocolate Bark
300g good quality white chocolate (you can use milk or dark chocolate)
1/2 cup mixed dried fruits (if the fruits are quite big, like apricots, cut them into 1/4 inch size)
1/2 cup pistachios, toasted
- Place a sheet of aluminium foil on a baking sheet, shiny side facing up.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the chocolate and set aside.
3 ways to melt the chocolates:
- To melt the chocolate over simmering water: place the remaining chocolates in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until just melted.
- To melt the chocolate in the microwave: place the remaining chocolates in a microwave-safe bowl and melt over medium-high heat for 15 seconds. Take it out and stir well. Then place it back to the microwave and continue to melt for another 15 seconds. Repeat the process until all the chocolates are melted through. This may take about 2 minutes heating time in total.
- If you want to try caramelizing the chocolates, melt them in the microwave on high heat for 45 seconds. It should be slightly brown. Remove from microwave and stir well. The chocolates may not be entirely melted, place them back to the microwave and turn down the heat to medium-high and melt for another 15 seconds. Repeat the process until all the chocolates are melted through.
- Pour the melted chocolates over the reserved 1/2 cup of chocolates and let it stand for a minute. Stir the chocolates until all are melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolates on the prepared aluminium foil and spread them with a offset spatula to thickness of about 1/4 inch. Scatter dried fruits and pistachios over. Chill in the fridge until firm, about 1 hour.
- Peel off foil. Cut the chocolates into large pieces.
- Serve them chilled.
Store them covered in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.


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Plan #410S
LancasterEnclave At Airy Springs
The open-concept main level includes a bedroom and bath, spacious kitchen, family room and formal dining space. Upstairs you'll find a large owner's suite, complete with a walk-in closet and sitting area.
Estimated Completion for this home:
Now Available
Home Address:
176 Wild Hickory Circle
Easley, SC 29642
View Map


text: In his long-awaited return to full-length fiction, Peter S. Beagle has crafted a beautiful modern-day ghost story that confirms his status as one of the world's most original and emotionally rewarding storytellers...Tamsin is a young woman who died over 300 years ago. Jennifer is a young American, transplanted to England by her mother's remarriage. They are two lonely souls, on opposite sides of life and death--a boundary they are both about to cross...Peter S. Beagle is:"The class act of fantasy writing, the only contemporary to remind one of Tolkien, and, in his darker moments, Dineson." --Booklist (starred review)"An artist writing about matters of consequence... His is the very special magic of the poet and storyteller whose only desire is to bring forth beauty and enjoyment for his readers." --Chicago News"A shimmering, knowing and humorous intelligence, and a seemingly boundless font of creativity." --Washington Post * A highly-respected author: Beagle has received many major awards, nominations and reviews, including a New York Times Notable Book


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Latest zte Blogs
ZTE Nubia Z7 Tips and Tricks
date: 2015-12-26
The latest smartphones have too much to display and entertain the user. Obviously it is not possible to use and view all. Besides that there is too much to experiment and try on this handy device full of technology. There are too many optio...ZTE
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Google Instant, the new auto-fill search query process, could impact traffic to ecommerce sites. We asked four ecommerce merchants how Instant, which Google launched on Sept. 8, is affecting their traffic and how they plan to react to it. Their responses are below.
Traffic Up by 20 Percent
"In comparing Google organic referrals to our top two websites during a similar timeframe before and after September 8, we see a 20 percent increase in traffic to our main website and a 16 percent increase to our second largest site. Our search referrals generally increase in September, so the actual increase from Google Instant is probably slightly less that those percentages, but the change is statistically significant. Another significant trend we will track closely is that the top referring keywords for both sites are now quite different than they were prior to September 8. It's too early to determine what the conversion impact will be, but it will be something we watch over the coming weeks.
"I certainly believe that Google Instant will direct searches to the suggested keywords Google favors. In the long run, that will have a significant impact on long tail keywords and benefit companies that rank highly in broad terms and brand names. Google Instant may also impact pay-per-click advertisers that are not in the top three listings, as people will be less inclined to scroll down the page where the other PPC ads are located. Ultimately, that will lead to higher advertising costs for us and more revenue for Google.
"Interesting change in our business; not sure if it's good or bad yet."
Dale Traxler
Founder and President
Beaded Impressions, Inc.
Test Keywords in Instant
"As far as it affecting our business, it is too early to really tell as our business can be cyclical. I think we will need more time to really tell its true impact on the business, and our SEO efforts. However, I can tell you that we have changed our SEO strategy as far as how we target keywords. Instead of solely relying on what our customers would typically search for (based on on-site search records) we will now start typing the keyword into Google to see the first result that Google offers up. It is still speculative if the Google user will use the first result or choose one further down the list, which matches more closely to what they were originally looking for. Time will tell."
Andrew Casey
Emphasize Brands, not Search Traffic
"Honestly, I haven't thought too much about Google Instant. I think it's cool. I like it. I don't think it will affect my business too much. In fact, I don't think it'll affect anyone's business with much severity. This isn't an algorithm update. It's a user interface update. People aren't stupid. If you're searching for 'aluminum owls' and you start typing 'aluminum' and a bunch of unrelated suggestions are offered, do you really think searchers are going to say, 'Ah, Google! You're so smart! Yes, aluminum oxide is what I really meant!' The person selling aluminum owls isn't going to lose business to the top five suggestions for 'aluminum.' Of course, I could be completely missing something monumental here.
"I think any major search engine change should be another reminder to all merchants to build their brands. You cannot rely solely on organic search results because they can go 'poof' at any instant. However, your brand will be mostly immune to changes from search engines. Any expenditure related to building your brand is an investment. Money spent toward search engine optimization is like paying rent. At the end of the day, the only thing you might have to show for it is your receipt. Just my two cents."
Jamie Salvatori
Founder and President
Long Tail Queries May Decrease
"Overall, we have not seen any significant change in traffic so far, since
Google Instant has only been live for a few weeks. However, it is something we are monitoring very closely.
"For longer tailed search queries, impatient users may end up clicking on results that are much different than the full string. For example, we rank much differently for the term 'model car' compared to 'model car kits.' Because of that, we will continue to work on optimizing organic results for instances like this."
Ken Kikkawa
We invite merchants to email their thoughts on Google Instant to email@example.com.


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Civilians killed in air strike on rebel-held Syrian town
An air strike on a market in a rebel-held town in northern Syria has killed at least 21 people, activists said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were three strikes on a market in Atareb in the opposition-held countryside outside Aleppo on Monday.
Aleppo, Syria's largest city, is controlled by the government.
Atareb has been subject to Russian and Syrian government air strikes since 2015.
It has become home to tens of thousands of people displaced by fighting in nearby areas.
Images from the town published by the activist-run Thiqa news agency showed rescuers and civilians pulling out victims and limbs from mounds of rubble stretching several storefronts long.
The agency said at least 43 people were killed and 70 wounded.
The Observatory said 21 civilians were killed, among them five children and three women.
It said many more were severely wounded.
Atareb and the opposition-held countryside in north-west Syria is supposed to be protected by a "de-escalation agreement" brokered in May by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
The agreement is regularly violated.
At least 400,000 people have been killed and 11 million displaced in Syria's six-year civil war.
PA Media


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Which is it ladies? A, B or C?
Can't choose? I don't blame you! Reem Acra's 2016 bridal collection is available online where you can watch the entire runway show and pick your absolute favorite of the 23 gorgeous bridal gowns.
I actually loved the three in the top pic so much, I had to put them in the same block and force you to choose, if you could. Take a look at all the gowns below and see which of these is your favorite. As always, don't forget to leave a comment, like and clip!
There are plenty more designer bridal gowns to make choosing your favorite even harder! Be sure to click here to see what I'm talking about!


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ClearLift laser treatment can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin, providing noticeably rejuvenated results in several sessions with no downtime.
Renowned Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Bruce Katz of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center was among the first in the country to offer ClearLift as an alternative to other skin tightening procedures. For the right patients, ClearLift can restore youthful, healthy looking skin with no lingering redness, swelling or discomfort.
ClearLift vs. Standard Laser Resurfacing
Although traditional forms of laser skin resurfacing are effective for many patients, there are limitations as to the areas these procedures can treat.
Because ClearLift is nonablative, which means it does not heat the outer layer of your skin, it is gentle enough to treat the sensitive skin around the mouth, neck and chest, which are usually too delicate for standard laser skin resurfacing. ClearLift is often used to treat loose skin and wrinkles around the jowls, neck and chest.
Unlike many laser skin resurfacing procedures, which target the top layer of skin, ClearLift focuses on the interior layers of the skin and requires no numbing prior to treatment. This stimulates your natural collagen production and allows you to heal with no external redness or swelling.
ClearLift Benefits
Other benefits of ClearLift skin rejuvenation include:
- ClearLift treatment is short; a full session is usually about 20 minutes
- ClearLift allows you to resume your normal activities immediately after treatment
- ClearLift is virtually painless
Many patients experience noticeable results after a single treatment. However, some patients may require three to five ClearLift treatments to achieve the results they desire.
If you live in Manhattan or are visiting the New York City area and would like to learn if you're a candidate to enjoy the benefits of ClearLift skin restoration, please contact the JUVA Skin & Laser Center to schedule your personal consultation. Call us today at (212) 688-5882.


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5.11 Womens Defender-Flex Trousers
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Product Details
Colorful, comfortable and built for the tactical woman, the 5.11 Womens Defender-Flex Pant is crafted with Cavalry Twill cotton / polyester blend, with just enough elastane for freedom of movement. The Defender-Flex Pant keeps its shape no matter how you move. Device Ready front pockets and back mag pockets help you stay ready.
- Two welted Device Ready pockets at the front
- Two hidden pockets at the hip (fits AR magazines or your smartphone)
- Soft fade finish and enzyme washed fabric
- Fitted waistband
- Belt loops built for holster wear
- 8.8 oz. stretch Cavalry twill (66% cotton / 31% poly / 3% elastane)
- Button top fly with locking YKK® zipper
- Dual back patch pockets
- GSA/TAA compliant
- Inseams: L = 33.5"" R = 30.5""
5.11 Code: 64415
Free and Easy Delivery
All deliveries to the UK are free as standard, however we do have a number of options available in the checkout for next day delivery and Saturday delivery at an added cost.
The FASTEST way to get a refund or exchange for your item is to fill in the returns form within 30 days of receiving your goods. Once supplied with an RMA number goods must be returned complete with the manufacturers packaging and instructions in an un-damaged and re-saleable condition.
Please see our full refund policy for more info on how to return goods.


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Reminders worth getting
One of the first things I did with my iPhone was try out the location-based reminder option.
Tips for using Reminders:
- Location-based Reminders:
- To set a location, you can use a saved contact location or just manually enter it at the time you create the reminder.
- Use a specific street address whenever possible.
- The location service icon will remain in the status bar until you mark the reminder as complete.
- Available only on iPhone 4 and later, iPad (4th generation Wi-Fi + Cellular), and iPad mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular).
What I did next as a funny joke has become an ongoing marriage helper. I set my phone to remind me "Be Kind To Joan" whenever I get near the house. Likewise, I set her phone to say "Be Kind To Nancy" when she gets near the house.
Do we need to be reminded? Well, sometimes ...after a hard day and the traffic ... yes, the reminder is like a cool drink on lemonade on a summer day.
How do you use your Reminders for things other than meetings?


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Lancaster Parts & Equipment is an exclusive dealer of GIANT compact loaders and telehandlers. Known for safety, flexibility, and performance, GIANT's wheel loaders will make your next job that much easier.
TOBROCO-GIANT is a well-respected manufacturer of machines and attachments used in the agriculture and other industries. Since 1996, they have been producing quality machines that are compact in design, but big in performance.
Ready to add the versatility of the Giant Compact Loader your operation? Contact us today for pricing and additional options.
Manufactured in the Netherlands, this famed European brand is now making their way into the US market. Lancaster Parts & Equipment is one of the first dealers in the United States, and the first along the East Coast.
See the online catalog for this model providing a complete, illustrated parts breakdown.
Coming Soon


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Come join the Herd ... you'll be glad you did!
Brought to you by Operation BBQ Relief
View Recipe
We're more than just propane. Every tank is cleaned, leak-tested, inspected, and delivered to tens of thousands of convenient stores nationwide. No wonder Blue Rhino is America's #1 propane exchange brand.


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The 24 hour study area of the Library was set up in 2014 to provide a space for students to revise their studies and other types of learning after the library is closed. Not wanting to be a static, sepulchral space, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Libraries
Library Rejuvenation
The library is always working on ways to improve services and facilities for your use. Two of our branches are undergoing rejuvenation phases as we upgrade and adapt to the changing needs of our users. With future modernized spaces, users … Continue reading
New Year with a newly rejuvenated Indian Studies Library
The Indian Studies Library resume its operations on 10th January 2018 (Wednesday) in a more comfortable and condusive environment following the temporary closure due to the rejuvenation process which began on August 7, 2017. The upgrading process took approximately 13 weeks. Relocation of books … Continue reading
Belasungkawa untuk Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad
Sasterawan negara Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad meninggal dunia pagi tadi akibat pneumonia pada usia 84 tahun di Hospital KPJ Kajang. Anak kepada seorang posmen, beliau dilahirkan pada 12 Januari 1933, di Banggul Derdap, Sik, Kedah. Beliau telah memperoleh Ijazah … Continue reading
Visit by Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka
Around 15 staff from Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka visited the Central & Za'ba Library on 3rd March 2017 led by the Malay Documentation Center Head, Puan Kamariah Abu Samah. The objective of the visit was to benchmark and share experiences … Continue reading
Pameran Mengenali Pak Ungku
Semua warga kampus dijemput untuk menyertai Pameran "Mengenali Pak Ungku" yang sedang berlangsung bermula pada 1 Mac 2017 sehingga 30 April 2017 di Ruang Pameran Aras 1, Perpustakaan Utama Universiti Malaya. YM Prof. Diraja Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid yang lebih mesra disapa 'Pak Ungku' … Continue reading
Pameran UM111: Manuskrip dan Koleksi Nadir Perpustakaan Universiti Malaya
Pameran UM111: Manuskrip dan Koleksi Nadir Perpustakaan Universiti Malaya telah diadakan pada 2 November 2016 di Ruang Pameran, Perpustakaan Utama, Universiti Malaya. Pameran ini telah dirasmikan oleh YBhg. Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Mohd Amin Jalaludin, Naib Canselor, Universiti Malaya. Objektif … Continue reading
A working visit from Pustaka Miri, Sarawak
It was 8.00 am on Sunday morning, hesitantly, reversing my car out of the porch, mumbling kisses to the kids, I rushed to the office. That morning, November 29th, The University of Malaya Library (UML) had accepted a working visit … Continue reading
The Management of The University of Malaya Library
The UM Library is managed by a team of senior librarians headed by Dr. Nor Edzan Che Nasir, the Chief Librarian. She is assisted by Mr. Mahbob Yusof, the Acting Senior Deputy Chief Librarian who replaced Dr. Janaki Sinnasamy who … Continue reading
A visit from our Pro-Chancellor
Our Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Diraja Ramli Ngah Talib, paid us a surprise visit on 17 November 2015. He came over to donate four books that he wrote namely: 1. Tuan Yang Di-Pertua 2. Mr. Speaker, Sir 3. Pasir … Continue reading


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The White House said Saturday that President Obama wants to have a "highbrow debate" with Mitt Romney, even as it touted a new ad hitting the GOP candidate's business record and mocking his singing of "America the Beautiful."
Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki told reporters in a gaggle aboard Air Force One that Obama wanted to focus on issues "the American people actually care about."
But Psaki said the Obama campaign's attacks on Romney's business background as former head of private equity firm Bain Capital were fair game.
"Of course the President wants to have a highbrow debate about these policy issues and what the American people actually care about," she said.
"We know that Mitt Romney is leading with his business credentials as his top qualification for being president," Psaki continued. "And we think that it's completely justified to raise questions -- we have, many outside groups have, many media outlets have -- about why he had an account in Switzerland, why he had investments in the Cayman Islands, what exactly this corporation was in Bermuda. And the American people deserve to know more about it."
Psaki's comments were in defense of a new ad, which is expected to run in nine swing states and continues the campaign's attacks on Romney, accusing him of helping companies move jobs overseas and calling on him to disclose more information about his offshore holdings.
The video runs a clip of Romney singing at a campaign rally in Florida in January, while headlines from news reports about his tenure at Bain and wealth flash across the screen.
Psaki said the video was intended to highlight the former Massachusetts' governor's business background, not his singing ability.
"The ad was a light way of highlighting Mitt Romney's record on outsourcing, his ownership of offshore accounts and tax havens," she said. "It was meant to take a light approach to it."
Mitt Romney on Friday hit back at the attacks, calling on the president to apologize. "He sure as heck ought to say that he's sorry for the kinds of attacks that are coming from his team," Romney said, claiming the attacks were untrue.
Romney campaign denies that their candidate placed his money in "tax havens" and say he has paid all taxes due in the U.S.
"As the failures of his presidency become more evident, Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaBen Shapiro: No prominent GOP figure ever questioned Obama's legitimacy 3 real problems Republicans need to address to win in 2020 Obama's high school basketball jersey sells for 0,000 at auction MORE has resorted to the tactics of a typical politician – dishonest and totally unsubstantiated attacks meant to distract from his own record by smearing the reputation of his opponent," said Romney campaign spokesman Amanda Henneberg, in a statement to The Hill, on Saturday.


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Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids this Halloween? Try out these fun Mummy Cookies in the shape of Chocolate Gingerbread Men!
Looking for more great Halloween ideas? Try these Halloween tips, ideas, activities, recipes and more for the entire family.
You are more than welcome to make these cookies from scratch. You can find a terrific recipe for Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies here. But as many of you know, I believe in making life easy. So I completely cheated and used a terrific cookie kit from Wilton that you can find at Walmart that already includes the cooked cookies.
The thing I love about these mummy cookies is you don't have to be an icing extraordinaire to make them look good. And it's so easy even the kiddos can do it.
To make the decorations on the kiddos, use a flat, wider icing tip. Create vertical lines with the icing criss-crossing on the arms and legs. Then create horizontal lines on the body. Leave a slight gap on the head and add two black dots of icing for the eyes.
To make these Mummy Cookies, consider the following affiliate links:
For more Halloween cooking fun, try the following affiliate links:
Looking for more great Halloween ideas? Be sure to check out my collection of Halloween tips, ideas, activities, recipes and more for the entire family.


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Your article (March 8) on the rising number of visitors who overstay their "welcome" highlights the seeming ineptitude of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and State Department. I find it hard to believe that there is no mechanism to keep track of these visitors. "We wouldn't even know where to start looking for them," an official says.
To end this outrage, I propose the imposition of an entry deposit for all visitors to this country. This refundable deposit of let us say $1,000 could be collected at point of entry or at the visa distribution center. This money would be returned when the visitor returns to his country and would be subject to forfeit if the visitor did not leave as scheduled. These forfeited funds could then be utilized to establish a system to keep track of visitors to the country.
Based on your figures of 293 million visitors, $290 billion would be collected and if 10% stay on illegally, an annual budget of $30 billion would remain to effect these reforms.
Granada Hills


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"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?
Jeremiah 18:20-22
The United States Census Bureau published new data on health insurance and poverty numbers on Tuesday September 13th. There is GOOD NEWS!
Wages are up, poverty is down and more people have health insurance!
Median income increased 5.2% and the number of people living in poverty decreased by 3.5 million. These improvements are the largest year over year improvements since the recession. The median wage increased last year for all racial groups - up to $37,000 for African Americans and nearly $63,000 for non-Hispanic whites. Also, 32% of Americans are in households that do not earn enough to make it day-by-day.
The Census provides data, but different people, organizations, and interest groups will use the facts to tell their story, but our story has been told (to quote the hymn) it is 'an old old story'. Jeremiah asks why has the health of the poor not been restored if there are physicians and balms in Gilead? Jeremiah spends an ample amount of time describing the wrongs done by the people - their sin. Yet, it wasn't just sin against God, but sin against one another - the people were not living in right relationship.
Many of us know the hymn, "There is Balm in Gilead" and just like our world today we have the balms, physicians, and resources to heal those who are sick, to feed those who are hungry and guarantee that those who are struggling have the resources they need to survive and to thrive. But just like in Jeremiah, our greed and fear gets in the way and extends into public policies that prevent others from having the resources they need. God has provided enough balm in the world, but it is up to us to use it properly.


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18 Christmas Wreath Workshops
I'm sorry people, I've tried, but I can't hold off writing about it any more – Christmas is coming and Christmas Wreath workshops sell out fast so we'd better be quick...!
Yup, Christmas is coming and if you want to make your own wreath you need to goddam plan for it! These Wreath Workshops sell out fast so get a wriggle on…
Leeds Castle, Tue 13 – Thurs 15 Nov
Get that festive feeling over at Leeds Castle in an expertly guided wreath making class. The RHS Award-winning Castle Floristry Team will help keen amateurs prepare for Christmas with a more personal touch.
£55 per person including a one day entrance ticket and refreshments.
Sue Davies Flowers & Gardens, Sutton Valence, Tues 13 Nov – Weds 19 Dec
It is that time of year again! Brilliant Sutton Valence florist, Sue Davies, is running a number of fresh foliage and artificial foliage workshops, she will be on hand to guide you through creating your individual piece.
Workshops from £35 (the artificial workshops have an extra charge of £20).
The Barnyard, Sittingbourne, Sat 17 & Tues 27 Nov and Fri 7 & Sat 15 Dec
The Barnyard is now offering a brand new Wreath Making Workshop, which is organised and carried out by the very talented Sandy, who is the owner of 'The Giggleberry Tree' gift shop. For further details contact Sandy directly: 07952 011522.
£35 person including refreshments.
The Little Bull, Brenchley, Mon 26 Nov & Mon 3 Dec
Join at The Little Bull with this Christmas Wreath Making with Lily & Myrtle, running on only two dates – booking is essential!
£55 per person including a light lunch.
The Modern Botanist, Plaxtol, Mon 27 Nov – Sun 10 Dec
Fancy making a beautiful wreath in the traditional way with a copper base, lots of lovely foliage and decorations? Why not try a wreath making workshop at The Modern Botanist? Run by mother-daughter team of a florist and interior stylist, The Modern Botanist is a gorgeous florist, plant and homewares store settled in Plaxtol, Sevenoaks. With sell-out Wreath Workshops last year, make sure you book this one in soon.
£45 per person.
Millbrook Garden Centre, Tues 27 Nov – Fri 14 Dec
Millbrook's in-house experts will show you how to create a beautiful natural wreath using seasonal materials so you can proudly hang on your front door for Christmas or give as a gift. Millbrook are also offering Tree Decorating, Hanging Decorating, Gift Wrapping, Hanging Basket and Table Centre Workshops across their Garden Centres in Crowborough, Staplehurst and Gravesend. So there's something for everyone!
Workshops start from £10 which include refreshments and a mince pie.
Wreath Making Workshop with Julie Davies, Simpsons' Wine Estate, 28 Nov & 1 Dec
Avoid the hustle and bustle in the run up to the festive period and retreat to The Glass House Tasting Room for an evening of Christmas Wreath making and sparkling wine. Award-winning local florist, Julie Davis will guide you through the design and creation of your own Christmas Wreath using a selection of seasonal foliage and natural-style decorations. This fun, relaxed workshop is perfect for friends to enjoy together!
£55 per person including refreshments and nibbles.
West Malling Flowers, Thurs 29 Nov – Tues 18 Dec
West Malling Flowers are delivery a whole host of workshops this Winter period! You could create a Festive Door Wreath or an Elegant Door Wreath or even a Hanging Heart Wreath. There's even table arrangement workshops for someone who's traditionally festive or there's the more modern winter white option. Or why don't you try their evening workshops, Star Light or Winter Wonderland? Wow the family this Christmas!
All workshops are £45 per person with a £10 deposit.
Blooming Green, Maidstone, Fri 30 Nov & Sat 1 Dec
Learn how to make a Christmas wreath using fresh foliage, berries and other lovely materials gathered from the Blooming Green flower plot in this informal workshop. The day normally starts with a demonstration on how to construct the woven willow base. Next you may choose the foliage you would like to use in your Christmas wreath. You will then be shown how to bring everything together into a stunning Christmas wreath you'll be proud the hang on your front door!
£45 per ticket including a cuppa and slice of cake.
Sissinghurst Flowers, Sat 1 Dec – Sun 16 Dec
Run by local lady Ali in her workshop near Cranbrook, this wreath building day includes all materials and refreshments. The event begins between 10-10.30am and finishes at 1pm.
£42 per ticket.
Willow Christmas wreath and decorations workshop, Knole Park, Sevenoaks Tues 4 & Thurs 6 Dec
Spend the day making willow Christmas decorations for your home with expert John Waller on the 4th of December. Bring your own embellishments or use some of the materials and greenery from Knole to add the finishing touches to your decorations. Or on the 6th take part in the Wreath Making Workshop in collaboration with West Malling Flowers – all materials are supplied in this hands-on workshop, which will include a demonstration to help you create your own festive bow.
Tickets from £65 with hot drinks and mince pies!
Christmas Wreath Making, Bore Place, Edenbridge, Wed 5 Dec
With a background in art and design and a flair for using natural materials, Bore Place's lead teacher, Jo Sheach, is running a festive workshop taking inspiration from nature to create your own beautiful wreath to hang on your door. Using resources sourced from the grounds at Bore Place, you will learn simple techniques to combine natural and found materials into a unique Christmas decoration. No previous experience or knowledge is necessary.
Tickets from £49 including hot drinks, mince pies and a light lunch to finish.
Penshurst Place, Weds 5 – Thurs 6 Dec
Design and create your own Christmas Wreath ready to hang upon your door with the help of expert Sandra Belton, from Unique Floral Designs. Using foliage collected from the Penshurst Place estate, you'll be able to create a truly unique wreath to be the envy of all your neighbours!
The Walled Nursery, Hawkhurst, Wed 5 – Fri 14 Dec
Their infamous Christmas workshops are packed full of fun – nothing to do with the mulled wine! Create a beautiful wreath using natural materials such as dried Alliums, Pine Cones, Pheasant Feathers, Dried fruits and more. You'll receive hands on help at all stages, plus seasonal beverages and lunch in the Vinery which are covered in the costs. Book in quick, this festive day out is the perfect kick-start to Christmas!
£65 per person including a delicious lunch in the Vinery Cafe.
Flowers by Enchantment, Tonbridge, Tues 6 & Sat 8 Dec
Come and learn how to make your own Christmas door wreath from scratch with the lovely Mandy and Claire from Flowers By Enchantment in Tonbridge.
£40 tickets with refreshments.
Bedgebury Pinetum, Sat 8 Dec
Talented local florist, Suzanne Price, will teach you techniques and tricks of the trade that will help you make your wreath a work of art. There is a Parent and Child session starting at 9am, where all paying adults can bring one child aged 8 or over with them at no extra cost. Or visit the adults-only afternoon session starting at 12:30 pm.
Tickets are £45 per adult, including seasonal refreshments.
Johnny's Little Sister, Brasted, Thurs 6, Tues 11 & Thurs 13 Dec
Johnny's Little Sister, the family-run flower shop in Brasted is running a variety of Christmas Wreath Workshops this year. You can create a Christmas Garland, a Wild Wreath or even a Traditional Christmas Wreath. Whether you are booking as a gift or for yourself, this makes the perfect experience for all!
Workshops start from £60 including festive nibbles and mulled wine.
Sussex Country Gardener, Tues 4 – Thurs 6 Dec
The popular course is back! Starting at 10am for 2 hours, in this short morning course you'll be able to make a traditional moss based wreath and then decorate it with fabulous accessories such as cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, ribbons and much more. If wreaths aren't your thing, you could also Decorate a Christmas Tree for the birds on the 12 and 13 of Dec. Or join in the table centrepiece workshop on Fri 21 Dec.
£45 per person including mince pies and coffee.
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Columbus crime: Soldier beaten downtown Monday night
A Fort Benning soldier was robbed and assaulted at around midnight Monday, police said.
According to a Columbus police report, the 25-year-old man was near the intersection of First Avenue and Fifth Street when he was approached by two men.
The soldier was struck on his face and thigh with an unknown object before he was robbed. Police did not say what was taken.
One of the suspects was about 25 years old, with a full beard and was wearing a hoodie. There was no description of the second man.
The soldier was taken to The Medical Center for treatment.
The case remains under investigation.