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Videos | August 7, 2014
High-Def Video of NASA's 'Flying Saucer' Test
LDSD principal investigator Ian Clark takes us through a play by play of NASA's 'Flying Saucer' Test in Hawaii, showing us high-definition video shot from cameras on board and on the ground.
On June 28th, NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator project conducted the first shakeout flight of a new way of testing technologies that will one day be used to land heavier, more massive payloads on the surface of Mars.
We used a large 34-million cubic foot scientific balloon to hoist a 7,000 pound test vehicle to an altitude of 120,000 feet. The test vehicle was then released from the balloon, spun up for stability and a large solid rocket motor accelerated to over four times the speed of sound and an altitude of 180,000 feet, a condition very similar to conditions you would see at Mars.
Once we reached the correct speed and altitude, we de-spun the vehicle. And then we got a chance to test our new supersonic inflatable decelerator.
The camera lends covers deploy. We see that it inflated very uniformly, without disturbing the vehicle too much.
And now we're seeing previously-unreleased high-definition, high-resolution, high-speed video, taken during the test. We used this supersonic inflatable decelerator to slow us to something closer to two and a half times the speed of sound.
We used a ballute to help deploy the new supersonic parachute. The ballute is shot out the back of the vehicle at over 200 feet per second. And then we cut the ballute free and it begins to pull the parachute off the back of the vehicle.
As the parachute begins to inflate, we see one of the surprising aspects of this test, which is the early on set of tears in the parachute.
We see where those tears began, how they propagated and otherwise how the parachute behaved as it began trying to inflate behind this very blunt object, moving two and a half times the speed of sound, punching a hole in the atmosphere, and creating an extremely turbulent, chaotic environment for the parachute to exist in.
We now have a data set that we will use to prepare for two more tests beginning in June of 2015.


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Our Nutcracker has been guarding our tree since 1980; Laurent saw him in the window of a German Delicatessen on Slater St in Ottawa and brought him home. This was long before they became a ubiquitous item in every Christmas store and catalogue. Now there seem to be Nutcrackers for every holiday occasion - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and I've even seen a Mouse King nutcracker! How perverse is that? Every one knows that little Clara helped the Nutcracker to defeat the Mouse King one Christmas Eve.
23 decembre - IVa domenica di avvento

subset: commoncrawl


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In October 2011, Skillsoft acquired Element K, bringing together two elearning leaders to offer customers one of the world's most comprehensive content collections.
Skillsoft can now offer even more targeted learning assets covering key business issues such as leadership development, IT certification training, compliance training, and more.
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Explore some of the resources on our website to learn how we can work together. To contact a sales representative, please email firstname.lastname@example.com or dial (866) 757-3177.


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In Terry Gilliam's epically dystopian film, Brazil, the character of Frank Tuttle (played by Robert De Niro) makes a mysterious getaway after fixing Sam Lowry's air-conditioning unit.
After zip-lining from Lowry's apartment, Tuttle gives a cheery salute but is then suddenly engulfed by flying newspapers.
He battles against them but is ultimately swamped by them and falls the floor in a writhing mass of newsprint. Then, as the wind picks up, the newspapers fly apart to reveal Tuttle has vanished.
Is there any explanation for this disappearing act?
Had he intended to vanish in this way, or is something else at work? What is Gilliam hinting at here (considering the film is thick with sub-text)?
I welcome personal theories but will be signing off on any official explanation ;)


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NEW VIDEO – Entertainment Weekly brings us some new footage from the Tales from the Black Freighter DVD. Thanks to mjbooklady for the heads up! Tales of the Black Freighter will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray March 24. Pre-order yours today!
GALLERY ADDITIONS – A variety of different photos have been added to the gallery. Images from Philadelphia (thanks to Libby), Law Abiding Citizen filming (thanks to FilmNerd), on the set of Game, Academy Awards 2009, on set of RockNRolla, Post Plus (thanks to SheB) and more are included. Click here for all the latest! Many thanks to Sharon and Jo for getting the new items up so quickly!
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN AND PHILADELPHIA – See what HughE Dillon is saying about his time on the Gerry watch in the City of Brotherly Love at his Philly Chit Chat blog!
Our MySpace layout has been updated to support the current filming of Law Abiding Citizen. Many, many thanks to Ray Skwire for allowing us to use his photo of Philadelphia City Hall in the layout!


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Day 340: Pride of Erin Soup ♥
~more recently updated recipes~
2006: Ah, so wholesome, so so delicious! I'll say no more: a simple soup requires no adornment, no rhapsody. But don't skip the cheese, it's a tiny amount and creates great taste and texture contrast while adding few calories.
2013: Our new CSA is bombarding us with leafy greens like kale so I'm busy updating the kale recipes. This soup is delicious! The combination of cabbage and potato makes for something both sweet and creamy, even if the milk is skim milk not cream. The greens add color and heartiness. Glorious, this.
PRIDE of ERIN SOUP RECIPE
Time to table: 60 minutes
Makes 6 cups
Boiling water to cover
16 ounces chopped cabbage
2-1/2 cups chicken stock
2-1/2 cups skim milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon caraway (my choice, so good with potato)
1 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons flour
1 medium potato, skin on, diced
2 cups chopped kale or other leafy green
Salt & pepper to taste
Stinky cheese such as blue cheese or gorgonzola (don't skip this)
CABBAGE Pour boiling water over cabbage, cover and let rest until needed. Drain well.
COOKING LIQUIDS Bring just to a boil in the microwave but don't allow to actually boil. Watch the window!
SOUP In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the caraway. Add the onion and let soften, stirring often. Stir in the flour, let cook 1 minute. Stir in the potato and kale, let cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the drained cabbage and stir well to blend. Add the hot cooking liquids. hot liquid. Adjust heat to maintain a slow simmer (this took several adjustments, you don't want the milky mixture to boil) and cook til the potatoes are cooked, about 20 minutes. Do a few spurts with an immersion blender, creating a creamy base but leaving texture and chunks. Taste and season to taste with salt and pepper – it'll need quite a lot of salt if your chicken stock is homemade.
TO SERVE Transfer to serving bowls, sprinkle with a few bits of a cheese.
CABBAGE 2006: I used a bag for coleslaw with bits of carrot.
PARCOOKING 2013: One of the things that I love about blogs vs print magazines and printed cookbooks is that there is both space and inclination to explain WHY an unusual technique is used. For this recipe, the recipe gave no indication why the cabbage is soaked in boiling water for a few minutes. I suspect – just based on experience – that it might remove a little bitterness from the cabbage. Or it could be for this old-fashioned reason, a tip shared by a 98-year old reader, see Dear Anonymous: This Is Why We Blog.
~ Oven-Cooked Lentil Soup ~
~ 15-Bean Soup ~
~ Quick Green Chile Stew ~
~ more soup recipes ~
from A Veggie Venture
~ Hamburger Soup ~
~ At Last! Black Bean Soup ~
~ Lentil Soup Vincent ~
~ soup recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade, my food column
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.
© Copyright Kitchen Parade 2006


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The Laird Norton Way.
We are Seattle's premier wealth management firm. We have worked with hundreds of individuals, families, foundations and endowments for more than half a century. So we understand that with the accumulation of wealth comes complexity. There is more to prioritize, much to care for, and a greater variety of options to contemplate.
For our clients, we serve to simplify complexity. We focus equally on human capital and financial capital. We help our clients get specific about their dreams, and steward their finances to give them the best chance at fulfilling them.
As wealth advisors, we assume an acute sense of responsibility for each client's well-being. And we pursue each client's satisfaction relentlessly. We make a personal commitment to never, ever fail at making our clients' best interests our number one priority. This is not common. But it is the Laird Norton way.


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In the summer, he loves this lighter, fresher version. We top the sliced flank steak with a spice and herb filled chimichurri sauce that gives it so much flavor. I love that flank steaks are really inexpensive (usually about $7-8/pound) and cook in just a couple of minutes. This entire dinner is ready in 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
Here is the recipe for the Chimichurri Sauce.
Our all-time favorite sides are sliced tomatoes and avocados. Real summer tomatoes aren't here quite yet, so we opt for these heirloom cherry tomatoes that have great flavor all year long. There is no prep, no cooking- I just slice them, drizzle them with really good olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. He loves it every time.
When the corn is good, I throw a couple of ears on the grill that have been brushed with butter and salted. Stay tuned for the recipe and method.
Isn't this a beautiful dinner?! There is really no excuse. This dinner costs about $15-20 and takes 15-20 minutes, start to finish.
For dessert?
. I make big batches of crumble topping and keep it in the freezer. When I go to the store I grab whatever fruit looks good- berries, peaches or apples. I toss the fruit in a little sugar and flour, put it in a small bowl, then top with a handful of my pre-made crumble topping from the freezer. They bake for about 15-20 minutes. Here is the recipe for Individual Peach Cobblers with Vanilla Ice Cream.
Here is the easy to pin strip!
Come back later today for all of the links to recipes and instructions!


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Diabetes occurs when there is a higher level of glucose in the blood than is normal. Glucose comes from the breakdown of the food you eat. It travels through your body in the blood. A hormone called insulin then helps glucose move from your blood to your cells. Once glucose is in your cells, it can be used for energy. A problem making or using insulin means glucose cannot move into your cells. Instead, the glucose builds up in your blood. The build-up is called hyperglycemia.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs or is first recognized during pregnancy. The extra glucose can affect the mother and the baby.
Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes is more common in women who are 25 years and older. It is also more common in women of Hispanic, African-American, Native-American, Asian-American, Indigenous Australian, or a Pacific Islander descent.
Factors that may increase the risk of gestational diabetes include:
- Obesity or being overweight—This can affect the body's ability to use insulin.
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Previous delivery of a large baby
- Sleep-disordered breathing—abnormal breathing during sleep ranging from snoring to sleep apnea
- History of polycystic ovary syndrome
- Multiple pregnancy—carrying 2 or more babies
Also, hormones that help the baby's growth may interfere with insulin.
This condition usually does not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Increased urination
- Thirst
- Hunger
- Weakness
- Vaginal or urinary tract infections
As part of prenatal screening, you will be tested for gestational diabetes. If you don't have a history of diabetes, the test will be done at 24-28 weeks of gestation. If you have any risk factors, the test may be done earlier in pregnancy. You will be given a drink that has a special glucose solution in it. The level of glucose in your blood will be measured. Other tests may be used that require fasting (not eating or drinking anything). If you are high risk for gestational diabetes or have symptoms, you will be tested earlier in the pregnancy.
The goal of treatment is to return blood glucose levels to normal. Treatment may include:
A dietitian can help develop a healthy meal plan. Guidelines include:
- Eat a balanced diet. Do not skip meals.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods .
- Avoid foods high in sugar such as soda, candy, and cookies.
- Manage portion sizes at each meal.
- Plan a bedtime snack each night. It should include protein and complex carbohydrates such as legumes, potatoes, corn, or rice.
- Keep a record of food intake.
Do not gain more weight during pregnancy than advised. Excess weight can increase complications in pregnancy. It will also make it more difficult to control diabetes.
Physical activity can make it easier for the body to use glucose. There are some precautions and certain exercises that should be avoided.
Blood Sugar Testing
A blood glucose monitor will help check glucose levels throughout the day. The glucose level will help plan meals, activities, and medication. Record the results. Discuss them at doctor visits.
Insulin injections may be needed to control diabetes. For some pregnant women, oral medication is recommended.
After delivery, glucose levels usually return to normal. Your glucose levels will be checked to make sure that you no longer have diabetes.
The following may help prevent gestational diabetes:
- Do not gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
- Review Date: 09/2018 -
- Update Date: 10/13/2014 -


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FaSSters nylon steel cord braided hose is a great alternative from stainless steel where weight is an issue. This nylon-infused hose works with synthetic lubricants, coolant, oil, and most gasoline and alcohol-based or E85 fuel*. Designed to meet strict racing specifications and extreme conditions, this hose combines the light weight benefits of nylon construction with an inner braid of stainless steel for high strength and temperature properties.
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Order information resources for carers
We have a range of information booklets written specifically for those supporting a loved one through cancer. Order them here for free.
Find information, articles and activities relevant to you.
If you're struggling to find what you need, call our Support line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm)More ways to contact us
If you're looking after someone with cancer it can have a big impact on your life. Understand your rights and the support that is there for you.
General information
When the person you care for is having tests or being treated for cancer, you may face a range of practical and emotional issues
General information
If you're a carer, you may sometimes find it difficult to know how much support you should and can provide.
General information
You don't have to tell your employer about your caring responsibilities, but if you do, it can help them support you.
General information
If cancer gets worse, you may no longer be able to care for your loved one at home. Support is available to help you.
General information
If you're a carer you may want to stop working temporarily or completely. It's important to consider the implications of your decision.
General information
It's important to be aware of your legal rights as a carer. Your human resources department may be able to help you.
General information
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of carers in the UK and highlight the challenges they face.
General information
If you are a young person looking after someone with cancer, your work life may be affected.
We have a range of information booklets written specifically for those supporting a loved one through cancer. Order them here for free.
If you're supporting a loved one with cancer find more online information and support.
Meet other people who understand what you're going through. Find out about support groups, where to get information and how to get involved with Macmillan where you are.
Grace, 23, shares her experience of caring for her boyfriend after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Looking after a loved one with cancer? This is a safe and supportive place to share your worries and emotions. Please remember when posting that this group is for Carers only.
We rely on a number of sources to gather evidence for our information. If you'd like further information on the sources we use, please feel free to contact us on: firstname.lastname@example.com
All our information is reviewed by cancer or other relevant professionals to ensure that it's accurate and reflects the best evidence available. We thank all those people who have provided expert review for the information on this page.
Our information is also reviewed by people affected by cancer to ensure it is as relevant and accessible as possible. Thank you to all those people who reviewed what you're reading and have helped our information to develop.
You could help us too when you join our Cancer Voices Network – find out more at: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices
Need to talk? Call us free* 0808 808 00 00 7 days a week, 8am-8pm
© Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. VAT no: 668265007
We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication or third party information or websites included or referred to in it.


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English Teacher
just posted the following entry:
Noam Chomsky Talks About Universal Grammar [Video]
In this video, Noam Chomsky talks about language at Google as part of the [email protected] series.
In this question and answer session he discusses a number of topics, but the first is about universal grammar in which he provides an in-depth description of how his ideas on universal grammar have evolved over time.
Another interesting question he answers at the end of the session relates to the effect of email, instant messaging and the like on syntax and grammar (TXT Speak). Hear Chomsky's views on whether this is just a natural part of the evolution of language and how it's affecting our minds.
Click here to read the full article
Last edited by Red5; 25-Jul-2008 at 23:02.
very interesting video
Thanx tdol


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Alex Meyer '10 will represent the United States at the 2012
London Olympics (USA Swimming).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Former Harvard standout and current United States Olympic Team member Alex Meyer '10 was named the 2011 Fran Crippen Memorial Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year at the annual USA Swimming awards night.
Meyer has quickly become one of the top open water swimmers in the world, capturing the national title in the 10-kilomter event earlier this year and taking fourth at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China. The fourth-place finish at the world championships earned him a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, the first swimmer to qualify for the 2012 games in London.
The Fran Crippen Memorial Award is named after Fran Crippen, a former teammate and close friend of Meyer's who died tragically during an open water race in Dubai last October. The Crippen family was presented with USA Swimming's Athletes' Appreciation Award for their contributions to the athletes' movement.
For the entire USA Swimming release, click here.


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There are just two problems with the way women older than 50 deal with thinning bones. The first is that many get treatment they don't need, raising the risk of unpleasant or dangerous side effects from potent drugs. The second? Women who do need help often miss out entirely — and dramatically increase their odds of a catastrophic hip fracture.
It's the worst of both worlds, but it doesn't have to be that way. Until recently, doctors weren't able to reliably identify women whose bones are in enough danger to warrant medication. But thanks to a new risk-assessment test and updated treatment guidelines, that's changed — and now, outdated ideas are the only obstacle between you and a skeleton that's healthy for life.
Here, four bone myths — and the truths that can keep you standing tall.
Myth: I need a bone density test at menopause
Most women should wait until age 65 to get a bone test that gauges their risk of osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become so porous they can break with little provocation. The 10- to 30-minute procedure uses an X-ray machine, known as DXA, that exposes you to a very low level of radiation.
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Rates of women who are opting for preventive mastectomies, such as Angeline Jolie, have increased by an estimated 50 percent in recent years, experts say. But many doctors are puzzled because the operation doesn't carry a 100 percent guarantee, it's major surgery -- and women have other options, from a once-a-day pill to careful monitoring.
- Larry Page's damaged vocal cords: Treatment comes with trade-offs
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Video: Picture of health: Osteoporosis Getting tested too soon might lead to unnecessary drugs, says Nelson Watts, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center. That's worrisome not just because of potential side effects but because research suggests the drugs become less effective over time.
However, you should ask your doctor about getting tested earlier if you have a family history of the disease, have broken a bone as an adult, are Caucasian or Asian, have a small frame, take certain medications, or have a condition that increases risk, such as inflammatory bowel disease or multiple sclerosis.
Myth: I'm past 65 but don't have to worry — my doctor hasn't suggested a bone density test
Shockingly, only a fraction of women 65 and older are offered the test by their physician, says Watts, even though this age group is at heightened risk of osteoporosis. "Medicare reimbursements for the DXA test have declined by 40 percent since 2006. The procedure now costs doctors more than they are paid, so they don't push it," he says. Legislation to boost reimbursement has been introduced, but so far it hasn't passed. If you're 65 or older, demand the procedure. How often you should be tested after that depends on the results and other health circumstances.
Myth: If I have "pre-osteoporosis," I should start taking drugs
For years, doctors didn't know what to do with patients diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition in which bone mineral density is lower than normal but not yet in osteoporosis territory. "Some doctors started these women on drugs; others didn't," says Watts. "There were no clear guidelines."
Why that matters: Commonly prescribed drugs called bisphosphonates can cause side effects, including flulike symptoms and difficulty swallowing. In very rare cases, patients have developed severe joint or muscle aches months or years after starting treatment.
But this year, the World Health Organization unveiled a risk assessment calculator, called FRAX, that goes beyond bone density to consider 11 other crucial factors in bone health, such as family history or taking skeleton-sapping medications. "It gives a much better sense of a woman's true risk of getting a fracture, and it provides guidance about who needs treatment — and when," says Watts. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends medication for postmenopausal women if they have osteopenia and their FRAX shows a 10-year fracture risk above 20 percent. Ask your doctor to calculate your FRAX score, or go online and crunch the numbers yourself at shef.ac.uk/frax (click on "Calculation Tool," then "US" and your ethnicity).
Myth: I'm too old to build bone
You've probably heard that your skeleton was built mostly in adolescence and young adulthood, and that the lack of estrogen after menopause greatly accelerates bones' decline. But making healthy lifestyle choices when you're older can still have a positive impact on your skeleton, says Felicia Cosman, MD, clinical director of NOF. "Even small gains add up over time," she adds. According to research from Tufts University, postmenopausal women who did strength-training twice a week for a year gained 1 percent to 2 percent in bone density. Any weight-bearing workout can provide similar benefits. The key: Keep increasing the intensity.
Although food can't build bone density, the right diet can drastically slow your rate of loss. Be sure to include calcium-rich choices in yours; to see if you're hitting 1,200 mg of calcium a day, go to pyramidtracker.gov to calculate the amount you're getting from food. If you're falling short, take a supplement — divide it into two doses if you're popping more than 500 mg. And aim for 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily through food, sunshine, and supplements; it works with calcium to maintain bone mass.
Copyright© 2012 Rodale Inc.All rights reserved. No reproduction, transmission or display is permitted without the written permissions of Rodale Inc.


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The return of the ZR1 for 2009 heralded the revival of a fabled Corvette moniker. Like its C4 progenitor, the new Z boasts a unique engine and an emphasis on flat-out speed. But with its world-beating performance and aggressive appearance, this over-the-top C6 has arguably committed an act of lese majeste by stealing some of the grandeur from its older sibling.
Rather than brooding like a Danish prince, Corey Henderson's '91 Corvette ZR-1 has risen to the challenge posed by the new king. Henderson is the owner of Henderson Performance Technologies, a performance shop in New Braunfels, Texas, and he's recognized as something of a C4 ZR-1 guru. Using the resources at hand and a passion for Corvette performance, he built his ostensibly humble car to have the power of a vicious tyrant.
Owning a ZR-1 was a longtime ambition that Henderson assumed he would not fulfill. "I had always loved the ZR-1 as a kid but knew I would never be able to afford one," he says. As he grew financially sound with age, Henderson was able to realize his dream and purchase his '91 Z in 1997. "Of course, the realization at that point was that though I now had a ZR-1, I wouldn't be able to afford to modify it, as the cost was extremely prohibitive." But once again Henderson proved himself wrong, this time by augmenting the already-prodigious power of his mighty king.
Much like the contemporary LS9, the C4 ZR-1's Lotus-designed LT5 engine is a unique specimen among Corvette powerplants. The sophisticated motor features an all-aluminum build and a dual-overhead-camshaft valvetrain. While it was a low-production engine, many of its advances were carried over into the Northstar and LS1 mills. "All the LS-based engine owners out there should take a minute to say, 'Thank you, LT5,'" Henderson says with a smile. These motors are known for their naturally aspirated power potential, and Henderson's is no exception.
Henderson procured a '90 LT5 from a junkyard and set out to build it into a 368-cube screamer. "After about a year of collecting parts, I put her together and swapped out the engine," he says. A rotating assembly comprising the stock crank, Eagle rods, and JE forged pistons was used, bumping compression to a stratospheric 12.25:1. The original cylinder heads were ported and treated to Jeal EA22 cams on the intake side and exhaust cams from the 405hp '93-'95 LT5. The stock intake manifold and throttle body were then ported for improved breathing ability.
The motor exhales through a set of Geoff Jeal headers with outsized 2-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors. The car also features a B&B 3-inch dual exhaust system with a cross-pipe exhaust system. To maximize the benefit of the performance parts, Henderson tuned the car himself on his shop's in-house dyno.
After a nearly three-year build process, the ZR-1 was completed in 1999. The end result of Henderson's tinkering is an impressive 502 hp and 446 lb-ft torque at the wheels. This royal might propels the car through the quarter-mile in 11.42 seconds at 125.8 mph. But despite its imposing power and extensive modifications, Henderson's ZR-1 has been a paragon of reliability. "For the past 10 years, I've done nothing but change the oil and spark plugs in the car," he says. "You can't ask for much more than that."
It's worth noting that the ZR-1's impressive straight-line celerity does not come at the expense of handling. Wanting an all-around performer, Henderson improved the original suspension with DRM coilovers at all four corners. To harness the power increase, the factory stoppers were also enhanced with a Brembo big-brake kit in front and cross-drilled rear rotors. On the street, the car sports the original 17-inch A-mold wheels shod in BFGoodrich Comp T/A tires in the front and sticky Yokohama AO32Rs in the rear. For dragstrip outings, Henderson uses Mickey Thompson ET Street race tires on a separate set of wheels.
Even with the significant power increase, Henderson's Z still employs a stock clutch. The ZF six-speed transmission has received a Hurst short-throw shifter, and the Dana 44 rearend benefits from a set of shorter 3.90 gears.
While the C6 ZR1 flaunts its extreme performance with a chiseled body and exposed blower, the C4 iteration abjured such royal regalia. This was especially true after the '90 model year, when the ZR-1's unique rear-fascia styling spread to all Corvette models. Among the few hints to the special nature of the fourth-gen Z were its tumid rear wheels, a handful of badges, and high-mount third brake light. Henderson has left the exterior in its factory form, largely to avoid involuntary contributions to his local government. "I have a hard enough time keeping the ticket writers out there from pulling me over as it is," he says. "If I had too much 'bling' on the car, I'd just be that much more of a target."
While Henderson performed the majority of the build himself, he credits the "local Texas Bunch"--Mark Randolf, Bob Hall, and Dewey Slocum--with helping to bring his ZR-1 to its current regal status. "Extra hands are hard to find sometimes," he says, "and without these guys around me, it would've been a much less enjoyable project." In a testament to the infectious nature of the Corvette hobby, Henderson's mother has her own Admiral Blue '95 ZR-1. "We're a ZR-1 family," he says. Henderson also owns an '87 Vette with a supercharged and nitrous-injected 383 stroker, which he describes as "a grocery getter-really."
C5 and C6 Corvettes are the mainstay of his shop, but Henderson's enthusiasm is focused squarely on the old-school ZR-1. He does, however, admit that parts availability poses a significant challenge in keeping C4 Zs on the road. "GM really dropped the ball in supporting these cars after they made the decision to pull the plug on the LT5 in 1993," he says. "I've spent the last 10 years accumulating many of the service items required to keep the LT5 healthy and happy, but when my supply is depleted, it's anyone's guess what will be available from the aftermarket suppliers." While Corvettes are his passion, Henderson also works on various domestics and imports. He's not afraid of a challenge, having built an LS1-powered BMW 3-series and installed a fully built, turbocharged LS2 in a Fox-body Mustang.
Corey Henderson's '91 ZR-1 is the realization of a dream, and the car has been accorded an appropriate level of enthusiasm. The build process has been carried out with an air of noblesse oblige to maintain the relevance of a truly special Corvette. Rather than being rendered obsolete by a lack of high-tech gadgetry, it stands proudly as the once and future King of the Hill.


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Los Angeles gets visitors for tourism, business, and global events throughout the year and has budget hotels to cater for all types. For business travelers, the chain hotels provide ideal accommodation such as Americas Best Value Inn, Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles (around $235/night), and Holiday Inn Express Hollywood.
For visitors, look for independent budget hotels like the Stay on Main in downtown L.A. (about $45/night), Best Inn in Hollywood, and Santa Monica's Rest Haven Hotel; all are great budget options. If you're here for an event, The Ambrose, The Dixie Hollywood, and Ramada Los Angeles will get you in the zone.
In between the international airport and downtown, you can find cheap hotels in Los Angeles including the Travel Inn ($60/night), Copacabana Inn ($60/night), and the Rodeway Inn ($99/night), which are close to the Harbor Freeway ensuring you stay well-connected to tourist hotspots. The Manhattan and Redondo Beach areas offer great value just a few blocks from the beach including the Redondo Inn, Best Western Redondo Beach ($93/night), and Hi View Inn & Suites. Heading north beyond Hollywood, you can find cheap hotels such as the Canoga Hotel, Howard Johnson Inn ($109/night), and Suites and Star Hotel Inn L.A. where the vibe is more relaxed.
With Los Angeles being home to the Grammys, the Emmys, and the Oscars, luxury hotels in Los Angeles are a given. If you want to live the Hollywood lifestyle on vacation check out the Hollywood Roosevelt, Loews Hollywood Hotel, W Hollywood, and Hollywood Panorama Suites line Hollywood Boulevard. For those who want the Beverley Hills experience Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills, Residence Inn Beverly Hills, Hotel Bel-Air, and SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills are great spots. For those who want beach views in Santa Monica, JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, Shore Hotel, and Shutters on the Beach are luxurious options.
Los Angeles is well served with boutique hotels. Santa Monica's Oceana Beach Hotel is a great for health and wellness offering daily yoga in the park and hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains with in-room spa treatments to finish your day. On the edge of Beverly Hills is L.A. Sky Boutique Hotel with just 28 rooms offering a peaceful atmosphere away from Beverley Hills. In West Hollywood, you can find 14 cottages at the Charlie, where Charlie Chaplin used to live. Each of the cottages has its own personality and style with all the conveniences of home.
Many residents have spare bedrooms in the heart of downtown offering a local experience. The Comfortable Chinatown Room, The Trendy Bedroom in the Heart of L.A., and Modern Luxury in Historic Downtown are a sample of rooms available at prices comparable to boutique hotels. Thousands of rooms are available all over Los Angeles, and you never know what suburb you may find yourself in with Airbnb. For those who are traveling in groups, whole apartments are available like Manhattan Beach Adorable Cottage accommodating five people and located just minutes from the beach.
Hostels are great to book during the peak season as prices do not fluctuate so much (though they book fast). In L.A., hostels enable you to team up with other people to rent a car enabling you to cut the costs or if you are insistent on public transportation, they can give you the best routes and maybe some discount vouchers for attractions. As long as you don't mind sharing a room, it allows you to get right into the heart of popular areas at reasonable rates. Hostels in L.A. are nothing to shy away from.
LAX is just 30 minutes from downtown L.A. with no traffic, but to avoid the risks involved with beating rush hour traffic, you have a few choices. The closest hotel is the Concourse Hotel (formerly, Budget Radisson). Chain hotels nearby include Super 8 LAX and Holiday Inn Express, or you can choose a cheap hotel such as Nisei Inn or Royal Century Hotel. If you want to wake up with gorgeous views before catching a flight, options in Manhattan Beach are Rodeway Inn Gardena, Torrance Travelodge, and Airbnb option of Surf Sand And Beautiful Sunsets.
Los Angeles is warm year round, so the times to avoid visiting are school holidays and big holidays. A great time for tourists to flock to L.A. is in winter (December–February, outside of Christmas/New Year's) when you'll find deals on cheap hotels and airfares, though you may find yourself dealing with rain. Spring and autumn, the shoulder seasons are also good times to visit, with deals still available and no sweltering summer heat (or smog) to deal with. June–August is the peak season for visitors and, if possible, you should avoid Los Angeles at this time of year.
Los Angeles is a large city and navigation's tough when unprepared. Add in the random bursts of tourism outside of the usual peaks and you may not get to see everything you planned so always give each activity more time when you are planning to avoid disappointment. At Disneyland (which is in Anaheim) and Universal Studios, you are able to get express passes which are great if visiting during peak season.
Hollywood is the home to entertainment broadcasts all over the world. Seeing the stars of your favorite entertainers along the walk of fame is a must. Pose with celebrities at Madame Tussaud's, view the Hollywood Sign in the flesh, and maybe you can get to a TV show screening. Hollywood is also home to Universal Studios and Griffith Observatory; both are must-visits.
Sunset Blvd stretches 13.5 miles from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and encompasses a L.A. cultural experience. Clubs, restaurants, shops, and exclusive neighborhoods all make up Sunset Boulevard. The Sunset Strip may seem quiet during the day, but as the sun goes down, you can watch the area light up with neon lights.
Downtown L.A. is your chance to see TV crews in action, with many car TV adverts filmed downtown. Twice a month you can watch a movie at the Electric Dusk Drive-In where they show cult films on the side of the building. For something different, check out the Last Bookstore, an entire floor of books for $1, and the Piñata District. The creativity they show with piñatas is delightful.
The Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park are just outside of downtown L.A. yet you feel miles away out of the traffic. There are plenty of easy-moderate hiking trails through various canyons. While you're at it, you might find yourself taking in the Hollywood Sign up close or the stunning views over Sunset Blvd and the L.A. Basin. On the outskirts, bordering Los Angeles are the Santa Monica Mountains hugging the coastline and Angeles National Park where there are great hiking and running tracks for all levels.
Santa Monica is home to the oldest pier on West Coast of America. You can catch the trapeze show in action or walk the pier gazing up at the stars. Jump on a bike and ride along the rolling pavement, taking in the sight of human strength at Muscle Beach. Walking along Venice Beach will introduce you to many interesting buskers, independent artists, and eclectic stores.
Malibu is affluent area with less tourists than Santa Monica, making it perfect for a day trip. Malibu's Pepperdine University is often voted most scenic campus in the U.S. The Getty Villa museum will acquaint you with Ancient Greek and Roman culture before you head to Zuma or Westward Beach for a relaxing afternoon.
Beverly Hills is one of the U.S.'s most expensive suburbs. Take a walk along Rodeo Drive for world-class shopping. Take a drive through the suburbs and keep an eye out for celebrities who live in the area, including Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Rhianna. Afterwards head to Mulholland Drive where you can take in large sweeping views of Los Angeles.
Technically L.A. has only two subway lines, part of the six routes that form Metro Rail. There has not been great development for the network and the city is not considering expanding the lines making the bus network a lot more comprehensive. Take a look at the subway routes to see if they are of benefit; otherwise stick with other forms of transportation.
Los Angeles has many taxi companies (and Uber), though they aren't allowed to cruise the streets (it is also illegal to hail a cab in areas), which means you will need to call a company to send a cab to you. With a high part of L.A.'s population being car owners, taxis are notoriously expensive and with the county so spread out, you could find yourself waiting a very long time for a ride. Before you arrive in L.A., download a taxi app to make sure you can easily get access to a cab if required.
Bus transport throughout Los Angeles is inefficient unless you are going direct from A to B between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (to avoid rush hour). If you are going to visit multiple sites in one day using the bus system, be ready for many frustrations with different bus companies. Some of the bus routes run 24 hours a day while others finish in the early evening, so research ahead ensuring you are not stranded in a random Los Angeles hotel.
Los Angeles is sprawling with freeways. However, driving here is not for the faint hearted. You may find yourself taking hours to drive a few miles in the notorious traffic jams. Finding a parking spot is the cause of many frustrations. If you're staying in downtown Los Angeles, walking is okay. Otherwise you are best to drive. Plan your route well and it's best to avoid driving during rush hour traffic. On the freeway if you are not comfortable driving fast, stick to the right where traffic might follow the speed limit with locals often going 20+ mph over the limit.
There are six professional sports teams (in the top five pro sports leagues) that call Los Angeles home. The two teams with the biggest history are the L.A. Lakers and the L.A. Dodgers. Playing out of the Staples Center and Dodgers Stadium respectively, you will be able to see at least one of these teams play year round given their leagues schedules (NBA runs from October to April and MLB from April to October). The remaining four teams are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, and L.A. Galaxy.
Use City Maps 2Go to get an offline map of L.A. in case you get lost. The Los Angeles Street Food app is great for those who want to find a cheaper food spot and mingle with the locals and, of course, get the Free Wi-Fi Finder app to satisfy your social media needs.
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text:
Working Glasses, Set of 4
- Only at Williams Sonoma
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 5% Back in rewards4 plus free standard shipping3every day when you shop with your Williams Sonoma credit card at Williams Sonoma.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
An icon in French homes and cafes, the Luminarc ten-sided glass has become a worldwide kitchen classic for its durability and practicality. These are ideal everyday drinking glasses, perfect for juices and refreshments as well as hot tea and coffee. The plastic lids allow for easy refrigerator storage.
- Set of four 14-oz., 21-oz. or 24-oz. glasses with lids.
- Made of thick, durable, clear soda lime glass.
- Thermal shock resistant: Can be used for both cold and hot beverages.
- Ten-sided shape offers a good grip.
- Includes white plastic lids, ideal for storing drinks in the refrigerator.
- Lids are BPA free.
- Microwavable and dishwasher safe.
- Produced by Arc International, the French glass manufacturer founded in 1825 and makers of the original Luminarc working glass.
- Additional lids available for purchase in select stores.
- Made in USA.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 14-oz.: 3 3/4" diam., 3 3/4" high, 14-oz. cap.
- 21-oz.: 3 3/4" diam., 5 1/2" high, 21-oz. cap.
- 24-oz.: 3 3/4" diam., 7 1/4" high, 24-oz. cap.
- 14-oz.: 3 3/4" diam., 3 3/4" high, 14-oz. cap.
- Use & Care
- Hand-wash or dishwasher safe, top rack.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Connie from Love these! I bought all sizes. Absolutely love them. I ordered more for a back up. Saves fridge space. Having lids to fit is wonderful. I use these to store dry goods too.Date published: 2018-02-03Rated 1 out of 5 by Anonymouse from Not as advertised I ordered the 14 ounce glasses. The set that I received was not 14 ounces, but 12.5 ounces. One of the lids did not fit properly.Date published: 2017-06-17Rated 5 out of 5 by KL021 from Great glasses for storage These are great glasses for storage. Lids fit snugly and are stackable with lids on in the refrigerator. I use them weekly to store smoothies, ready to use anytime.Date published: 2017-01-23Rated 5 out of 5 by CGSGRR from Love to be Organized I like to organize. Love them because I can store, reheat in microwave, and enjoy eating from an attractive, safe container (glass not plastic).Date published: 2016-09-13Rated 4 out of 5 by Sonia18 from Working glasses I love the large size of the 21 ounce glasses. I got them because I already had the smaller size but sometimes i wanted a bigger cup for smoothies. I've had no problem with the smaller ones, but one of the 21 oz broke when I was unstacking them. I didn't pull very hard so it was somewhat surprising. Hopefully it's just that one. I'd be much more upset if they had been more expensive. I still love them.Date published: 2016-07-19Rated 2 out of 5 by Jaless from Chips and cracks easily I love the style of these glasses and how sturdy they are. When I got them though, one of the glasses had a small chip on its rim. (I didn't want to bother with a return for one chip.) Yesterday I noticed one of the glasses was cracking down the side. Based on the other reviews, perhaps I just got a defective set?Date published: 2016-06-17Rated 4 out of 5 by Karecoyne from Would've given 5 stars but... I would've rated these 5 stars but one of the lids was ripped when I opened the package. It couldn't have happened during shipping so it was actually packed with it torn. Otherwise, they are great. I love them as a decorative vase and to store cute little grape tomatoes on my window sill. I have used them for hot soup and cold beer. I can put my leftovers in these glasses and make a single serving layered salad or a dessert trifle for one. Very versatile.Date published: 2016-01-05Rated 5 out of 5 by Staysee from All I own... I bought a bunch of these glasses when I moved out. Now that I'm married I own them in all other sizes. My family and friends love these. Nice a sturdy easy to hold. Wash well...cannot say enough good things about them.Date published: 2015-08-12
Are these FREEZER SAFE? How well do the PLASTIC LIDS hold up in and out of the freezer? AND how secure are the lids? (tight like a sippy cup or more like a starbucks coffee lid?) Thx!Hi Ebbie, These working glasses are not freezer-safe. The lids are secure however they are not air tight or spillproof.Date published: 2018-11-20


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Fraser Valley resident Morgan Hale wins state Texaco Country Showdown
COPPER MOUNTAIN — Fraser Valley resident Morgan Hale won the Colorado State Final competition on Monday, Sept. 1. Hale now goes on to compete in Raton, N.M., for the Southwest Regional title. If successful, she'll move on to the national contest held in Nashville, Tenn.
An annual contest since 1982, the Texaco Country Showdown is the "American Idol" of country singers, seeking new talent in the genre. The talent show begins each spring with 450 local contests supported by radio stations, then moves to state and regional Showdowns. The final contestants compete at the national level with the winner bagging $100,000, a recording contract, and the title "Best New Act in Country Music."
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
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Interview with the Konqueror core team
OSnews is running a nice interview with Konqueror developers Dirk Mueller, Waldo Bastian, Carsten Pfeiffer and Simon Hausmann about what the future holds in store for Konqueror. Most of the covered topics are familiar to the frequent dot.kde.org reader, but some stuff -- such as details of the Atheos port, font handling, and plans for improved CSS2 support -- is very interesting. One of the most fascinating things about open source is that you get to watch the actual development process. Read the whole interview here. (The story was also covered by Slashdot, so masochistic inclined people like me might want to read through those comments as well.)
Remove that link
Don't, just don't, link to that dump.
By reihal at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
Re: Remove that link
What link?
By Navindra Umanee at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
Re: Remove that link
Some people apparently do not like Slashdot. Agreed, there's a bunch of losers on there. That's why one can browse at +2 or higher. Problem solved. :-)
By Rob Kaper at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
(OT)Re: Remove that link
No, not these days. Too many IE using MS goobers who think their 1337 'cause they surf /. and l.c have moderation rights. One example is where a poster said Mozilla was written in C. That post was scored 4.... 4 for christ's sake.
Real posts are rated 2 or 3 maybe and by the looks of things will soon be 1 because the real linux hackers sysadms and like who do post will be so over the slashweenie's head that he/she will be ignored down 'cause that slashposer wont understand the content.
STOP going to /.
By you at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
KDE development contest
By gjw at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
The price - the KDE deveopment book
Isnt it ironic that the best KDE2 developer gets the KDE2 development book?
By ac at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
Re: The price - the KDE deveopment book
I doubt they search the best KDE 2 developer. It's a contest for beginners which can win it by using tutorials and/or online version of the book. Besides the book is only one possible prize.
By Someone at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
I would like to know from them....
What happens with reaktivate.
By Iuri Fiedoruk at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
Re: I would like to know from them....
Reaktivate is merely a Konqueror plugin, not developed by the core KHTML/Konqueror developers. Ask Malte (malte at kde dot org) or Niko (wildfox at kde dot org) about it, since they are the brains behind it.
By Rob Kaper at Tue, 2001/09/04 - 5:00am
Not the full core team tho
The famous Mr Faure is missing.
By ac at Wed, 2001/09/05 - 5:00am
Re: Not the full core team tho
The famous Mr Knoll was missing too...
By me at Wed, 2001/09/05 - 5:00am
Re: Not the full core team tho
this interview was "held" on the kfm-devel mailing list. basically, the writer posted a series of questions in an email and whoever felt like answering did so. so it wasn't anything very formal or an attempt for inclusivity. and yet ... all the questions got answered. very "open source". =)
By Aaron J. Seigo at Wed, 2001/09/05 - 5:00am
Re: Not the full core team tho
Wait a sec, if it was held on a kde mailing list, how is it an "exclusive" interview?
By Carbon at Thu, 2001/09/06 - 5:00am
Re: Not the full core team tho
It isn't, really. As someone said on Slashdot, "An exclusive interview means that the interviewees have agreed not to talk to anyone else, not that you were the only ones to bother intervewing them."
By not me at Fri, 2001/09/07 - 5:00am


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April 25 (Bloomberg) -- Soybeans rose in Chicago, rebounding from four straight drops, as speculation China is buying U.S. supplies boosted optimism the biggest importer will sustain purchases amid a bird-flu outbreak.
Exporters sold 116,000 metric tons of soybeans to unknown buyers for delivery in the season starting Sept. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said yesterday. A day earlier, it said Chinese buyers purchased 392,000 tons of U.S. soybeans. Prices slid in the last few days on concern China's bird-flu outbreak would hurt demand for animal feeds, including soybean meal.
"Now we can once again see export demand," Joyce Liu, an analyst at Phillip Futures Pte, said from Singapore. "Soybeans were pressured by reports that China has been importing less because of the avian flu."
Soybeans for delivery in July gained 1 percent to $13.5825 a bushel at 5:31 a.m. on the Chicago Board of Trade. The oilseed fell 3.2 percent in the past four sessions, the longest streak since March, and yesterday touched a 10-month low of $13.41.
Taiwan yesterday confirmed an infection of the H7N9 bird- flu strain in a traveler returning to the island from China, the first incidence of the virus spreading outside the mainland, where it has killed 23 people.
Wheat for delivery in July climbed 0.6 percent to $6.96 a bushel and corn for the same delivery month rose 0.5 percent to $6.215 a bushel. Milling wheat for November delivery traded on NYSE Liffe in Paris added 0.4 percent to 209.50 euros ($273.64) a ton.
--With assistance from Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris. Editors: Dan Weeks, John Deane.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ranjeetha Pakiam in Kuala Lumpur at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at [email protected]


text:
Find A Game
Birthday Party Bash
Birthday parties will never be the same with Birthday Party Bash. Up to 12 partygoers can whack, roll, splash, pop, and shimmy their way through over 20 birthday games, including twists on classic favorites like Pinata Blast, Duncan Hines Cake Stacker, and Birthday Blowout. Ten party theme rooms set the scene for an unforgettable bash - from "Pirates" to "Princess". When it's cake time, everyone can sing along to "Happy Birthday." Free party invitations included in the box! READ MORE [+]
Available On
- Wii™


text:
Given their busy careers, Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his lawyer fiance Justin Mikita aren't going to sweat the small stuff when it comes to pulling together their upcoming nuptials — they're leaving that to a wedding planner!
"I did go get a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine but it's really a lot of over-the-top stuff, a lot of bridesmaids' gifts," groom-to-be Ferguson, 36, told E! News. "Neither one of us ever dreamed of getting married. Maybe in the back of our heads we did, but we don't have a book of our dream wedding . . . It's a lot of learning as we go."
With part of their wedding attire already settled — the couple codesign bow-ties for Tie the Knot — Ferguson and Mikita are now focused on finding a venue. "It's about the venue," Mikita told E!, confirming that the pair will wed in 2013 if they can find their dream location to say "I do" in time.
Proposing to Mikita, 27, in September, Ferguson got engaged just prior to his Modern Family costar Sofia Vergara.
"It happened in Mexico, ironically a few days before Sofia got engaged," Ferguson told Access Hollywood after Mikita accepted his proposal. The future spouses — joined by 88 additional guests — were visiting the country to help Vergara celebrate her 40th birthday in mid-July.
"I told Sofia the day before she got engaged. Very quietly, I said, 'Justin and I got engaged, but we don't want to tell a lot of people and we don't want to upstage you on your big birthday weekend' — and then the next day she gets engaged on a Tulum ruin!" Ferguson joked of his costar, set to wed Nick Loeb. "So, she has upstaged us."
For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!


text:
Syrian opposition activists are circulating a video that appears to show a boy dangling from a building in Aleppo as rescuers try and save him, NBC News reported.
The boy seems to be secured only by his legs, which were wedged in the rubble of the partially pancaked structure in Aleppo's Qaterji neighborhood.
At first it is not clear if he has survived the attack, but his head is seen moving in response to shouts and rescuers below and the glare of their torches.
U.S. & World
Crews move a cherry-picker into position and slide a ladder under the boy, who is eventually freed from the rubble to jubilant shouts of "allahu akbar" — meaning "God is great" in Arabic.


text:
Photo: Facebook/Barack Obama
For all the talk about Team Obama's amazing campaign machine, it sure didn't hurt that the economy turned in a pretty solid performance in the the third quarter.The Commerce Department has upwardly revised third-quarter real GDP to 3.1% from a previously reported 2.7%.
That makes the third quarter the strongest quarter of the year and the third strongest of the economic recovery that started in summer 2009. Indeed, on a nominal GDP basis, at 5.9% it was the strongest quarter of the recovery.
Also note that the unemployment rate fell sharply in the months leading up to the election, from 8.3% in July to 7.9% in October (which was reported just before Election Day.
The econ team at RDQ Economics thinks the strong report should cause the Fed to call off the dogs:
The average growth rate thus far this year, at 2.1%, is running ahead of the Fed's most recent forecast of growth for 2012 (which was a central tendency of 1.7%-1.8%). Nominal GDP growth in the third quarter was 5.9% as GDP price inflation ran at 2.7%.
The Fed has no business continuing to ease if this is anywhere close to the true growth rate in nominal GDP (but again, the 4.3% growth rate over the last year is probably a better gauge of the trend).
With the output and jobs gaps still so huge? I dunno …
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Member Advantage Program
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AANA members enjoy exclusive offers from trusted partners who support our mission to advance patient safety, practice excellence, and the nurse anesthesia profession. Be sure to check out these special programs that include services tailored to AANA members. Our Member Advantage Program is a one-stop shop for life, health and disability insurance, practice tools, travel, and more.
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August 2, 2010, 11:48 pm
Heaven Fest 2010 pictures: Everfound and fans
Sunshine, hot temps and good vibes greeted fans and entertainers at Heaven Fest 2010 at Union Reservoir this past weekend. But it didn't seem to deter the fun and energy of either during Colorado's largest Christian music festival. Photos by Eliza Marie Somers


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Gov. Hickenlooper seeks to defuse Colorado oil and gas battles
Colorado Gov.Hickenlooper unveiled his task force to deal with conflicts between oil and gas drillers and homeowners Tuesday and outlined the core problems it faces.
The 21-member task force was part of a compromise that got two local control of oil and gas operations initiatives, backed by Congressman Jared Polis, a Boulder Democrat, off the ballot. The task force is composed of representatives of the oil and gas industry, the agricultural and home-building industries, the conservation community, local government and civic leaders.
Here in the governor's own words is how he sees the problem:
"If you have someone who has been living somewhere for a long time and they are told there is going to be oil rig across the street in that old meadow, most of us would say that would be alarming. By the same token, in so many cases, somebody bought those mineral rights long before a home was there.
"And if you told people that government was coming to come and change the zoning and take away value– dramatically making them worth nothing or half as much as they were, people would say that's not fair. So we have two self-interests in conflict and most of us say both of them have good arguments on their side. So the challenge is how do we sit down and work through to mitigate the conflict as much as possible and it is something, I think, a commission is going to be able to do much better job of than an initiative.
"To try and get that done we've set a high-bar, we are going to need a two-thirds majority out of this to make a recommendation of any sort. We wanted to have as many different self-interests reflected here so that those discussions would be, you know, robust. Again the more perspective you get on the table the higher the probability you will get to compromise."
"My goal is to do everything I can do to help them get to success, to get to yes, to find the compromises," Hickenlooper said. "I am not going to micromanage. I am not going to step on their toes."


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Struan Teague - Test Print #9
· multi colored screen print and mixed media on white acid-free archival 200gsm Fabriano paper
· 50 x 70 cm
· Original
We recommend a handcrafted quality frame in dark brown mahogany for additional 1500 DKK.
Unfortunately we do not ship framed works of this size.
Pick up address: Limited Works, Blågårdsgade 11.B, Copenhagen
Production time is apx. 10 days from the date of purchase.
Add the code: NOSHIPPING in the discount code box to avoid shipping fee.
Struan Teague. Born 1991. Painter and printmaker from Edinburgh, Scotland.
After graduating earlier this year from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, Scotland, Struan now lives and works in Copenhagen. Struan is an abstract painter and printmaker interested in how visual expression performs within a separate area to written or spoken language. Working across both large and small scale canvases, screenprint editions, and artist books, Teague creates a visual language of forms through a balance of compositional structure and intuitive touch.
About the work: Test Prints consists of a series of one of a kind screenprints ranging from minimal to complexly structured abstract compositions. These prints have been made over the course of the last 12 months by intuitively arranging and layering different combinations of separations from a range of editioned screenprints.
The prints was a part of Teagues show "TEST PRINTSS" at Limited Works in 2015.


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Original Trinity Hymnal, #29
Psalm 117
Praise Jehovah, all ye nations,
All ye people, praise proclaim;
For his grace and lovingkindness,
O sing praises to his name.
Great to us hath been his mercy,
Ever faithful is his word;
Through all ages it endureth.
Hallelujah, praise the Lord.
Page number: Blue 29, Right-Click Here to Download MIDI File


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Enter to Win Blazing Star Herbal School's
Summer Maladies and First Aid Correspondence Course
Have you ever wanted to learn about herbalism but can't find the time for classes? Hilltown Families sponsor, Blazing Star Herbal School in Ashfield, MA, offers several correspondence programs for folks who are either to far away or prefer to learn after the kids have gone to bed. This summer Hilltown Families is partnering with Blazing Star by offering our readers the opportunity to enter to win one of their correspondence courses from their Do-it-Yourself Herbalism Series (valued at $150)! Details on how you can enter to win are below and deadline to participate is Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 by 7pm (EST).
Blazing Star Herbal School (BSHS), based out of Ashfield, MA, offers unique and exciting programs in herbal studies to give both the student and professional an opportunity to delve deeper into the art and science of herbalism. BSHS courses have been highly acclaimed for inspiring students to find their unique healing path through personal relationship with the plant world. BSHS is dedicated to teaching traditional herbal medicine in a way that supports a more sustainable future for all members of the green world and shows respect for the integrity of nature.
BSHS offers a unique perspective on herbalism, weaving social and political aspects of health and healing through the study of medicinal herbs and food practices, inspiring students to find their own healing path by creating a personal relationship with the plant world. The school also serves as a local and national resource for education and networking. Learn more about Blazing Star Herbal School at blazingstarherbalschool.typepad.com or email Tony(a) Lemos at email@example.com.
Summer Maladies and First Aid Correspondence Course
Written with the family or homesteader in mind who's looking to integrate nourishing herbs and herbal medicines into their lifestyle, improve their health, and increase their self reliance, while connecting with the land in which they live and all it has to offer. In this hands-on medicine making course the focus will be on creating an at home first aid kit for summer maladies. Topics include: cuts and scrapes; burns (sun and fire); bug bites, (ticks, mosquitoes and bees); muscle aches (Sprains/strains); bleeding and bruises; poison ivy and poison oak rash; dehydration (sun poisoning); seasonal skin care; seasonal allergies (chronic and acute treatment plans); among other topics. Four weeks of reading, assignments, and medicine making participants can accomplish at their own pace. (Value: $150)
Your chance to win Blazing Star Herbal School's Correspondence Course, Summer Maladies and First Aid, is as easy as 1-2-3(4)! To enter to win simply:
- CONSIDER SHARING THIS POST ON FACEBOOK by selecting the Facebook icon below;
- POST A QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR OUR WEEKLY QUESTION & ANSWER COLUMN TO BE ANSWERED BY OUR COMMUNITY OF READERS below (one entry per household);
- FULL NAME (first/last);
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE) (must include your town to be eligible);
- ACCURATE EMAIL (we never share your email address);
- From our favorite entries (so make them good!) we'll randomly draw a winner and will share the results below.
IT'S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 by 7pm (EST).


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Drew Weisholtz
Drew Weisholtz is an award-winning writer who has had his work published on several websites, including GuySpeed, StarCrush.com and theFW.com. Previously, he has written and served as a producer for ABC News Radio and also spent time as a stand-up comedian. He can be found rooting for his beloved Yankees and Giants and begrudgingly holds out hope his Rutgers Scarlet Knights will one day return to the NCAA Tournament. When that's not consuming him, he passes time quoting "Saved By the Bell" and making fun of his in-laws. You can follow him on Twitter.


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We celebrated! We honored Miles as he turned two, Noah as he turned 4 and Sadie as she turned 7 (that's the one where I told the world how K-mart made me pregnant. I also turned the dirty thirty and had a moment of panic over it. I later recovered, but oh boy, did I panic! We also celebrated the end of a great year in first grade for our Sadie bug. Miles celebrated a year of being in our family and becoming a US citizen. And Noah- well, Noah just celebrated every single day over something. He truly is such a happy kid! That hunk of a man that I call my husband and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.
We adjusted. And adjusted and adjusted some more. Some of us adjusted better than others. I hit rock bottom mid summer last year. It was the worst case of post adoption depression ever! (In my mind at least) But after lots of reflection and bonding (and meds) and help from a huge team of therapists our family got to a place where we could thrive! We tried to share lots of the things that we were learning as an adoptive family in hopes of helping other families understand what we were up against. We talked a lot about attachment, attachment therapy, trauma, husbands and adoption reluctance, domestic vs. international adoption and supporting adoptive families. We spoke at churches and conferences all over the place and loved every minute of sharing our story and the way that God has knit us together. One of our favorite things about this whole crazy scene that is our life is talking to other families and encouraging them on their journey to adopt.
We traveled. We are frugal people, but my how we love to travel. It is our one major splurge in life and I never ever regret that we take trips as a family. My kids are awesome travelers and they become these darling little explorer versions of themselves when we go on vacations. This year I went to New York. All. Alone. And stayed in a blissful state of aloneness for three whole days. It was awesome. We also took the kiddos and Papaw Johnny to the beach. Then hubby and I went on our first trip as a twosome since we got married. We rekindled the romance in Hawaii. It was a busy travel year- but those memories of our trips and the time that we spent with our kids in an unplugged intentional way is invaluable to me.
Then there are the MRG's. (Mom's Retreat Girls) I had this idea to get a whole bunch of women together from the internet for a weekend retreat. I had no idea if anyone would show up or how the whole thing would go. The first annual mother's retreat decended on Cincinnati for a weekend last October and what happened was nothing short of magic. Those girls mean the world to me. We are there for each other- cracking jokes, giving support, lifting each other up and having insane amounts of fun when we get together. I sure do love those women!
We took family pictures... twice and I love the precious memories that we now have on film.
We advocated for the fatherless in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For us, our adoption was so much more than becoming a family. It was about fighting for the rights of the children that we left behind and for the mothers that have to make the impossible choice to give their children a chance at life. I tried my hardest to make sense of what I saw in Africa even though I couldn't really wrap my brain around how I was supposed to live in a world where the disparaging difference between the haves and the have nots is so great. We lit candles on the bridge in honor of our son's birthmother. We grieved over the babies that we connected with in Congo. We became outraged at the ongoing attrocities in Congo. We begged people to get involved. And with your help, we raised an insane amount of money to help care for orphans. We celebrated the beauty and the resilience of the Congolese people- truly, there has never been a more beautiful, loving group of people that the people we love on in the DRC.
I found that I talked way too much about myself. I did a follow up to my hundred things about me with a Megan 201 of 50 more ridiculous facts about me. There were times that I struggled as a mom and wondered whether or not I should go back to work. I rolled with the punches when I got called fat. I gave birth to the world's largest burp. I talked about my endless trips to Target a whole lot and also talked about my
I talked about some tough stuff like race (and race again) and gay marriage. It sometimes drew some really mean criticisms, but that is part of it. It also means that we no longer allow anonymous commenting :-) I've heard that's how you know that you've arrived- when you start getting haters. I'll take meanness as a good sign!
And we had FUN! Oh my, we have had so much fun this year. We've watched these tiny humans grow and develop such awesome personalities. They kept me laughing all the time. Children are some times the very best therapy that life has to offer. One of my children cussed like a sailor while the other one wore a button to school promoting "hooch" health. Noah's observations about life kept us all entertained. He also learned about his own royal anatomy. We had a couple of issues with boogers. We separated fact from fiction and answered some of life's most plaguing questions. We celebrated Christmas with our kid's own brand of funny and Miles made a Thanksgiving video that melted my heart.
This is the stretch of the year where our family actually became a family. We loved on each other and found the joys in the little things. We reveled in the time that we got to spend together. We could look back on our progress and feel good about where we were going and where we are at this very moment. All in all, I call it a challenging year- but the very best year of our lives so far. Sometimes growth hurts- but growth is AWESOME! And the best... is still to come!
|My favorite picture from the second year of blogging- September 2010
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text: In this Manhattan apartment designed by Matthew Patrick Smyth, the dining room wallpapers are by Schumacher. The light fixture is by Corbett Lighting, and the mirror is by Oly; the 1970s console holds lamps by Hudson Valley Lighting, and the chairs are vintage.Love it? Click on the bottom right corner of the photo to pin it yourself!


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Onward needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
2 winners were selected from 131 designs submitted by 44 freelance designers.
Professional looking logo and icons/buttons for a business networking portal/site. High tech & professional.
Desired Style:
high-tech, professional, global
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png); Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
PrivateInvestigators.com will be a business portal and the logo needs to reflect that. I am not interested in the common things you may see associated with private investigators such as magnifying glasses, Scotland Yard detective with pipe, fingerprints, etc...I'm looking for high tech, professional and global....lawfirm like , but not quite as conservative.
Some of the challenges I see ahead that I would like addressed...
1. It is a long .com name...want to make sure it is readable and eye appealing
2. The name is plural and I want to make sure that we do not lose too much traffic to the singular version...I think a strong logo can help here.
3. I think font choice will be very important to deliver the right message
Not set on color scheme, but believe 2-3 color is needed.
This contest was originally listed in multiple categories:
- Logo Design
- Buttons & Icons
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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|Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Arts and Sciences
|The Western Cultural Tradition
|Three semester hours.
|This writing intensive course introduces students, through selective readings, to the Western intellectual tradition, starting from the Greco-Roman epoch and extending through the Middle Ages to the present. This course fulfills a core curriculum requirement for some majors. Prerequisite: ENGL 1302 or equivalent.
Home - General Information - Student Services -


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Everything Hurts And I'M Dying 3/4 Sleeve Raw Edge French Terry Cut - Dolman Style Very Trendy
Everything Hurts And I'M Dying 3/4 Sleeve Raw Edge French Terry Cut -
Here at Funny Threadz® we focus on bringing our customers the softest material, latest trendy shirts and tank tops in the industry. Matching very soft shirts from the industry leading designers such as Bella Canvas, Next Level, American Apparel, we like to spend a few more bucks on quality as we know an awesome soft shirt will bring us back.. Along with some of the funnest sayings, coming from very skilled artists world wide, allows us show off the creativity of our team. Bring more joy to your gym, running, yoga and fitness routines. As we all know personally, a little extra motivation can never hurt. We offer a 100% product guarantee on all products we sell.
For all questions and new shirt suggestions please email us at email@example.com
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Everything Hurts And I'M Dying - Very popular 3/4 sleeve vintage looks with raw hem edges giving it a trendy unique looks and fit. You can wear it off your shoulder or on your shoulder. See our size chart for exact fitting and look on model. Runs TRUE to size, do not order a size up. Can be worn off shoulder. We have this style in a few very popular colors. These are light weight weighting about 7oz made with a nice soft terry cotton material. We have everything you see on our site in stock and ready for immediate shipping. Order now and have within 2-5 days.


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Have you ever wanted to control 85 colour-changing LED lights on the fly with the flick of a wrist? Ever wanted a custom soundtrack to go with that as well. If you live in Lima, Peru, it's your lucky day.
DJ Lights pretty much does what the name suggests: the light-based, interactive art installation follows your gestures with a heat-sensitive camera placed above your head and alters the DMX-controlled lighting and audio according to your movement. And despite the chilling atmosphere it creates, this is apparently part of a Christmas exhibit. If Check out a bunch of other pretty pictures over at [Fast Company]


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Pearl Izumi's Tri Fly V Carbon Shoes have the features you need to ride your best, whether it's triathlon race day or training day. They boast light, breathable, lined mesh uppers that feel great with and without socks. And, their anatomic carbon soles with Pearl's P.R.O. 1:1 Power Plates and Direct-Vent technology provide excellent pedaling efficiency, plus water draining and breathability to keep you dry and comfortable. The Tri Fly Vs get you through transitions in a flash, too, with Pearl's 1:1 Anatomic Tri Closures and heel loops. And there are even rubber heel and toe bumpers for walkability and durability.
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Prudhoe to Key West Record Run
Some events capture our imagination and rivet us as they unfold on the forum. John RyanÔÇÖs Ultimate Coast to Coast record attempt was one of these events. We watched cheered learned and questioned as it happened. We celebrated at the end.
This is a memorable thread about an incredible ride that shows the Best of the Forum.


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Combining training and local level knowledge is key to saving the Golden Mantella and its forest pond habitat. Tapping into local knowledge continues to pay dividends for SOS grantee Madagasikara Voakajy's (MV) conservation work with the communities around the Mangabe forest in Madagascar.
Based on accounts from recently trained forest patrols there seemed to be many more Golden Mantella breeding ponds than originally estimated according to MV Director, Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka. Just exactly how many more breeding ponds was the question to be answered next.
"We were intrigued by these reports and so we organised a number of field trips in January and February to find out more", explains Julie. While vital habitat for the Critically Endangered, Golden Mantella, some of these forest ponds are also used for illegal artisanal gold mining and in some cases agricultural activities. When MV started investigating the Golden Mantella in the Mangabe forest in 2008 they found just 24 breeding ponds, a number growing to 31 by the start of the SOS project in January 2012. Meanwhile that same process highlighted illegal activities such as destructive gold mining practices in other ponds within the protected area.
Consequently between January and February 2013, Julie's team set out to visit all reported ponds, including areas not visited previously, and verify if they were indeed used by the Golden Mantella frog or not. In addition the team also assessed the quality of the habitat and estimated the abundance of Golden Mantellas in each of the occupied ponds.
In total, the team visited 90 ponds, of which 81 were located within the boundaries of Mangabe's newly protected area and nine were at the edge. Among the ponds within the newly protected area, Golden Mantella frogs were present in 58 of those: 46 of which were within the strict conservation zone and nine in the sustainable use zone of the protected area. However, not all of the ponds were deemed healthy habitat. Two had been converted into rice fields, 18 were threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture and nine were affected by illegal gold mining.
Moreover during a subsequent visit in March 2013 Julie's team observed an upsurge of illegal gold mining in southern Mangabe, specifically at a pond called Maintimbato. Although the area was deserted at the time of the visit, locals had reported there were up to 500 people working there at one time. Thanks to the monitoring activities implemented by MV, local authorities and communities currently maintain a presence on site to request that miners fill the holes, put up signs that gold mining is prohibited and request miners to vacate the area.
While it is clear much remains to be done to eliminate and mitigate the various man-made pressures that continue to threaten the Golden Mantella and its forest pond habitat, the MV project is progressing and making positive impacts through its holistic approach to conservation. Commenting on the effectiveness of the forest patrols, Julie describes the process that helped identify all these new ponds:
"There are five forest patrollers per village amongst the local communities. They patrol the forest and the Golden Mantella ponds twice a month and send monthly reports to our office in Moramanga. If they find any illegal activities, we organize a mission with the local representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the police to visit the area and arrest people if necessary".
Empowering the community through training and relying on their local knowledge is fundamental to the project's sustainability. Indeed the prominent role of the Golden Mantella at the Mangabe festival in April 2013 testifies to the increasing value locals place on their unique amphibian neighbour.
"Most of the villagers engage in conservation efforts because they were born in Mangabe and have seen the forest degradation process, so they are conscious of the possible negative impact in the future. Moreover when they learnt that the Golden Mantella was unique to this district, they were very proud!" concludes Julie.


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LAS VEGAS — A couple accused of plotting to abduct, torture and kill police to further their anti-authority "sovereign citizens" movement told a Las Vegas judge on Friday that they didn't recognize his authority to keep them in jail.
LAS VEGAS — A couple accused of plotting to abduct, torture and kill police to further their anti-authority "sovereign citizens" movement told a Las Vegas judge on Friday that they didn't recognize his authority to keep them in jail.
Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen had none of it.
He made sure David Allen Brutsche, 42, and Devon Campbell Newman, 67, read the criminal complaints filed against them, then sent them back to jail pending a Sept. 9 preliminary hearing on charges of felony conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted kidnapping.
Police say Brutsche and Newman held training sessions about sovereign citizen philosophy, shopped for guns, found a vacant house and rigged it to bind captives to cross beams during interrogation, and recorded videos to explain their actions and why officers had to die.
The judge appointed a public defender to represent Brutsche, over his rambling objections, and set bail at $600,000, citing a criminal history including a sex offense involving a child under 14 and failure to appear in traffic cases.
"I object to the entire proceedings of this court. For the record," Brutsche said.
Hafen named a lawyer to represent Newman and scheduled her bail hearing for Monday.
"I've hurt no one. I wish to be released on bail," Newman said.
"So noted," the judge responded. "Denied."
Police have said an undercover officer joined the two in April and spent four months documenting and recording steps they took in the plot.
Las Vegas police Lt. James Seebock told reporters the SWAT arrests of Brutsche and Newman this week at their Las Vegas apartment foiled a domestic terror operation. Other arrests were possible, he said.
"They were furthering their 'sovereign citizen' ideology by committing criminal acts toward law enforcement," Seebock said. "The suspects believed that once the first kidnapping and execution was accomplished, they would be compelled to keep repeating their actions, kidnapping and killing multiple officers."
Federal authorities regard sovereign citizen extremists as domestic terrorists. Authorities have linked sovereign citizen groups with violent confrontations in recent years, including deadly police shootings in Louisiana and Arkansas.
In Louisiana last year, police said at least some of the seven people arrested after a shootout that left two deputies dead and two others wounded had links to a sovereign citizen group.
In Arkansas in 2010, a father and son identified as sovereign citizen followers shot and killed two police officers before being killed by authorities in a separate shootout.
"This is a serious concern, especially when it comes to law enforcement," said Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala.
She said seven police officers had been killed in the past 10 years during traffic stop confrontations with sovereign citizen adherents, including a sheriff's deputy and constable killed in 2003 in Abbeyville, S.C., and a California Highway Patrol officer slain in Alamo, Calif., last September.
"The basic argument is the federal government has no power over them," Beirich said. "It becomes, at the end of the day, 'We hate the government and the government has no right to tell us what to do.'"
Authorities haven't released video evidence, but a 10-page police report states that all 30 meetings involving Bruesche, Newman and the undercover officer was recorded by audio or video.
"We need to arrest the police and take them to our jail and put them in a cell and put them on trial in a people's court," Brutsche said July 9, according to the arrest report. "If we run into the position that they resist, then we need to kill them."
During a tour of gun stores the next day, Brutsche said they were planning something big that would draw a large following because of the publicity, the report said.


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Mercury Loggia Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania 100 E Northwestern Ave Philadelphia, PA Copyright 2017, Bob Bruhin. All rights reserved. (prints via bruhin.us/Qz)
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The rural economy improved in July for the ninth straight month, although slower growth in farmland sales and farm equipment, have slowed the rate of expansion. Bankers remain positive on the outlook for the rural economy, as agriculturally dependent areas continue to expand at a positive pace.
The overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) declined slightly to 55.7 from 56.0 in June, according to the survey of bank CEOs in a 10-state region. June's reading marks the ninth straight month the index is above growth neutral 50.0, but below the reading of 59.4 last May.
"Even though the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding, many of our indicators are trending lower," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, co-author of the report.
Farmland prices remain above growth neutral for the 18th straight month, but the farmland index continued to slip to 59.4 from June's 620. "Even though this is the 18th straight month the index was above growth neutral, we are tracking consistent slippage in farmland price growth as the index has declined for three straight months. Consistent with the decline in farmland price growth, the farm equipment sales index sank for the fourth consecutive month to 53.7 from 63.1 in June," said Goss
Roughly 68% of bankers supported the removal of blenders' tax credit for ethanol as a part of the U.S. debt reduction and 35% supported phasing out agriculture support payments over five years. Dan Coup, of First National noted though, "If the government wants to continue with a cheap food policy, payment support needs to remain. Subsidy on crop insurance premiums is a must."
Loan volumes increased in July to 59.0 from a reading of 59.0 in June and certificate of deposits increased to 43.7 in July from 41.7, although checking deposits declined to 52.8 from 59.7 in June.
After seven straight months of job expansion, the rural economy saw a slight loss in jobs, with the July index at 49.3, down from June's 51.5. "Supported by continuing strength in the energy and farm sectors, the pace of job growth for the Rural Mainstreet economy remains much stronger than urban areas of the 10-state survey region," commented Goss.
Rural bankers continue to expect sustainable growth over the next six months in the rural economy, although the economic confidence index decreased to 55.0 from June's reading of 55.3. "Even though confidence remains fairly robust, flooding and other weather related issues in areas of the region eroded confidence among some of the bankers," noted Goss.
The Rural Mainstreet Survey is a snapshot of the rural economy covering 10 states, focusing on roughly 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. The survey respondents include community bank presidents and CEOs located in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Visit http://farmlandforecast.colvin-co.com for daily articles on agriculture and farmland.