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Graffiti, street art, and music have always been a part of society. But what happens when they become more than just an afterthought? When they take center stage and become the driving force behind social change? Urban arts have had a profound impact on the world, and in this article we're going to explore how they've changed everything from politics to fashion. Keep reading to learn more!
Graffiti has been around for centuries, and while the style and subject matter have changed over time, the underlying message has always been the same: graffiti is a form of protest. And it's one of the most powerful tools at an artist's disposal.
Take Banksy, for example. He's become one of the most well-known graffiti artists in the world, and his work has been featured in galleries and museums all over the globe. But Banksy doesn't just create art for the sake of art; a large majority of his pieces are political statements, designed to provoke thought and discussion. In one famous example, he installed a life-sized replica of a Guantanamo Bay detainee inside Disneyland, complete with orange jumpsuit and black hood over his head. The piece was meant to be a critique on America's treatment of detainees at the infamous prison camp; it sparked controversy but also led many people to question their own beliefs about what happens there.
Street Art:
Not all street art is political, though. Some of it can be purely aesthetic, designed to beautify an otherwise dull neighborhood or building facade. Like graffiti, street art has been around for centuries and will continue existing in some capacity well into the future.
The most popular form of street art today is murals—large paintings on public buildings that depict anything from cityscapes to portraits of famous people. And while some murals are commissioned by the government or private businesses, many are created illegally and without permission. This is what makes street art so unique: it's a form of expression that exists outside the boundaries of traditional art galleries and museums.
Music has always been a part of society, but it wasn't until the 20th century that it truly became an art form. Today, musicians have more freedom to express themselves than ever before, and there are a variety of styles and genres for people to choose from. The music industry is constantly evolving as new sounds become popular (and old ones go out of style).
One of the most interesting aspects of modern music is its connection to street art. Many musicians are inspired by graffiti and street art, and their songs often reflect that influence. Take The Streets, for example. His music is a blend of hip-hop and electronic beats, and his lyrics are filled with references to graffiti culture and urban life. His song "Blinded by the Lights" is a perfect example:
"I'm blinded by the lights, all I see are colors and shapes. It's like graffiti in my mind, every time I close my eyes."
The lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of being inspired by street art: it's chaotic, vibrant, and always changing.
Urban arts have come a long way since they first emerged centuries ago. They've evolved into powerful tools for social change, and there's no telling what they'll achieve in the future. So whatever your opinion on graffiti, street art, or music may be, it's important to remember that they're more than just entertainment—they're an expression of freedom and creativity.
Bill Hiltz is an artist and architect who has been working in the field for over 25 years. He specializes in creating unique and innovative designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. His work has been featured in numerous publications, and he has received several awards for his contributions to the art world.


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Living in a place surrounded by greenery gives happiness to everyone. Families wish to have the green area around them to spend time leisurely without any stress. Some houses or residential places might have unattractive walls without appealing hangings or decorations. And, it can also ruin the privacy of living in that environment. Having an attractive outdoor area or covering up dull fences comes with installing artificial ivy screening rolls. There are potential benefits of installing them that home and commercial building owners should understand.
Requires minimal maintenance
People demand a product that requires minimal care and attention, along with an aesthetic look. It comes with the installation of artificial hedges as they surround the area into a greener one. Comparing the natural screening with an artificial one, the latter demand less maintenance which is lucrative for everyone.
The necessity to hire people for taking care of these screening rolls reduces to a great extent which saves money for the people. The brown patches can be the result of improper maintenance of natural hedges, but with artificial ones, it isn't the situation. The comfortable installation offers the best look ever to amaze with its decorative appearance.
Instant beauty with privacy
Planning to install the artificial ivy screening rolls is the best choice to include privacy for your places. To grow natural hedges consumes many years to achieve the best growth and appealing look. When installing artificial ones, they give the best look within few hours of installation. Without any waiting time, one can have privacy with the greener effect in their places by spending some bucks.
Highly customizable
Personalized installation experience comes with hiring a service to have a greener hedge of artificial ones. People can put over the hedges according to their requirements, either taller or shorter ones to cover up for privacy issues. This customizable service adds more value to the place and gives a uniquely appealing look than anything else. Many services are offering these screening rolls from which one has to make a suitable and affordable choice.
This product installation is highly versatile which suits any place or walls for adding a decorative look. Are you in love with the colour green and require having it on your fence or walls? Then do not step back from picking an artificial hedge installation service or product that is the best investment that one can make. Enjoy living in a safe and attractive environment with privacy as the priority.

subset: commoncrawl


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Winter 2012 Fellowship Focus
Happy 2012
We've launched into the new year celebrating a very successful 2011, and looking forward to planning and implementing exciting new initiatives. Below are a few highlights from the past year. All were made possible by the energy and engagement of the AAAS Fellowship network: Fellows, host federal agencies and congressional offices, partner societies, selection committee members, trainers, funders, sponsors, AAAS staff, and many other friends of the fellowships.
The 38th class of Fellows wrapped up in August 2011. The Fellows contributed significantly in many and diverse ways to the goal of supporting evidence-based policy, despite a tumultuous year -- they survived three near-shutdowns of the government to expand the ranks of S&T Policy Fellowship alumni to more than 2,400!
The 2010-11 class also marked the milestone of the 30th anniversary of the executive branch fellowships, which began at the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency with the first executive branch Fellows in the 1980-81 class.
The 39th class launched in September 2011; it is the largest in our history, with more than 250 Fellows.
We welcomed six new staff members to the AAAS Fellowship team, expanding our capacity in programs, communications and marketing, recruitment, alumni relations, professional development, and finance and administration. You can learn about the entire Fellowships staff on the Fellowships website.
We conducted outreach at nearly 50 conferences, career fairs, campus events and information sessions, and received more than 750 applications by the December 5th deadline for the 2013-14 fellowships.
We responded to inquiries from several countries as well as academic organizations, foundations, and NGOs exploring development of policy fellowships and programs. We were pleased to share our model and to connect with others interested in engaging at the intersection of science and policy.
We launched a process to create a new image and marketing campaign that will begin in mid-2012.
Reaching the second year in our five-year strategic plan, we established a new Advisory Committee that will engage in crafting a vision and mission statement for the S&T Policy Fellowships to guide us into our fourth decade of operation.
Yes, we're now looking ahead to the 40th anniversary! A kick-off event is being planned for January 2013.
We thank you for your support and for your ongoing ideas and input to enhance our activities. Here's to another successful year of enhancing public policy while advancing science careers!
Fellow Features
A Unique Voice for Climate Change
It all began when Sabrina was asked to write a guest blog about her experience working on the IPCC, on Sheril Kirshenbaum's Culture of Science blog. Sabrina is a sociologist and filmmaker, and Sheril thought that brought a unique voice to the climate change debate. After reading Sabrina's engaging blog post, Sheril contacted some colleagues, and Sabrina's work was mentioned in The New York Times DOT Earth blog and Time magazine.
Raising the Profile of Social Science at the Department of Energy
Last fall, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, met with several AAAS S&T Policy Fellows who have worked on projects at the Department of Energy (DOE) during the past two years. He expressed that AAAS Fellows are key to raising the level of scientific knowledge and awareness of industry trends at the DOE. Since 1998, the DOE has hosted more than 40 AAAS Science & Technology Fellows. The Secretary thanked the Fellows for the work completed in their host offices at the DOE and reached out for their feedback.
In the roundtable discussion, Christa McDermott, 2009-11 Fellow in the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, noted the advantages of integrating social science. "Bringing in more social scientists and focusing on the people-side of things could help achieve more of DOE's technological goals." Click here to read more.
Exploring a New Career Path in Policy, Mary Thomas PhD, 2010-12 S&T Executive Branch Fellow
During her postdoc at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Mary Thomas, a current Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, recognized that she had some qualities that distinguished her from other scientists. She was very comfortable speaking to
groups, enjoyed giving talks and communicating science to all types of audiences - from her scientific colleagues to members of the media. Because of her communication skills, colleagues selected her to be the liaison between her research department and the public for several projects at the hospital. She also realized that this skill could lead her to an exciting new career path.
Mary was first exposed to careers in the policy realm when she used professional development funds from her postdoc at St. Jude's to attend a National Academies' Women in Science meeting, where she learned about many career opportunities outside academia. After her postdoc, she participated in a three-month Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship at the National Academies. Working on policy issues gave her more insight on the significance of her research. Click here to read more.
In the News
Fellows Featured on National Public Radio
Francesca Grifo, 1990-91 S&T Policy Fellow at U.S. Agency for International Development, was a guest on NPR on November 30, 2011. Dr. Grifo, senior scientist and director of the Scientific Integrity Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, discussed the challenges and opportunities of new federal agency scientific integrity policies. Read more on NPR's website.
DJ Patil Contributes to a Two Part NPR Series
DJ Patil, 2004-05 S&T Policy Fellow at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, was featured in a two-part NPR story on mining "big data" to ascertain critical trends that could support innovation and solutions to societal challenges. Dr. Patil, now a data scientist at Greylock Partners, was also highlighted in the January 9 edition of Fast Company. Read more about this on Fast Company's website and NPR's website.
Former Fellow Highlighted in LiveScience
Nicole Garbarini, 2009-11 S&T Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation (NSF), was featured in a LiveScience article about her work at the NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. During her fellowship she contributed to the agency's science communication outreach efforts including working on social media. Dr. Garbarini is currently working as a writer-editor at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Read this Q&A article with Dr. Garbarini.
Apps4Africa Addresses Climate Change
Jeff Fox, 2010-12 S&T Policy Fellow at the State Department, is working on the Apps4Africa contest, a creative way for local innovators in African countries to address climate change adaptation. In the contest, participants develop mobile applications that help communities adjust to the local impacts of climate change. Dr. Fox helps coordinate communication between State Department offices and the private partners implementing the program, and evaluates the effectiveness of the program through participant surveys and data collected from social and online media.
The Center for American Progress recognized the Apps4Africa program for being "innovative and collaborative." Read more here.


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Future Zahir, son of pop singer Ciara and stepson to her NFL quarterback husband Russell Wilson, celebrated his sixth birthday on May 19. Ciara and Russell went all out in celebrating Future Zahir's special day, transforming their backyard into an obstacle course.
Ciara, Russell Wilson and even Future Zahir's biological father, rapper Future, all sent Future Zahir birthday wishes through social media, but those were just the beginning of Future Zahir's fun-filled birthday celebration. Despite being home quarantined, Ciara and Russell spared no expense in throwing Future Zahir an extraordinary birthday party and shared photos and videos of the event on their Instagram Stories.
In addition to the obstacle course, their backyard contained plenty of balloons and even large white letters that spelled "Future." Ciara and Russell didn't stop with the decorations; they also had a variety of games and activities to keep Future Zahir entertained on his sixth birthday.
Future Zahir, who rocked a birthday crown and a gold chain, first defeated his parents in Beyblade battles, a spinning tops game. He then showed off his skills in the bottle-flipping game Bottle Bullseye. Future Zahir, along with Ciara, Russell and their 3-year-old daughter Sienna Wilson then played dodgeball, which they took to the next level by wearing bubble suits.
The party continued indoors, where Future Zahir and his family enjoyed plenty of snacks and refreshments which included hamburgers, corn dogs and virgin Strawberry Daiquiris. For dessert, they dined on s'mores, which paired well with the indoor camping setup in their living room, which was complete with tents, a fake fire and string lights that resembled stars. Such an extravagant birthday party wouldn't be complete without a cake, so Ciara and Russell presented Future Zahir with a two-tier Nerf and Beyblade-themed cake.
Ciara, who is pregnant with a baby boy and expecting him this summer, recently shared a photo of the family posing together in front of Future Zahir's white letters on Instagram. She captioned the post: "Counting The Blessings. Grateful for Joy. Good ol Quarantine Obstacle Course and Indoor Camping Birthday for The Birthday Boy. 🎂 🎁 #Grateful."


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Warren Hern is one of the last abortionists who openly performs late-term abortions on viable babies in the U.S.
Abortion activists have painted Hern as a hero for doing late-term abortions when few others will, but they ignore Hern's reputation for injuring women and lying to them about their unborn babies.
The latest evidence of his lies was revealed in a recent interview on the pro-abortion blog Jezebel. A woman, "Elizabeth," shared the troubling story about how she aborted her unborn son at 32 weeks of pregnancy after doctors predicted that he would not live outside the womb.
Elizabeth said she went to Hern's Boulder, Colorado abortion facility and paid him $10,000 cash. He charges most late-term abortion patients $25,000 cash up front, she said.
Elizabeth described Hern and his staff as kind and caring, but if she had done her research, she quickly would have learned that Hern lied to her about her unborn son. She told Jezebel:
I asked him if he thought the baby would feel the shot, and he said no. I mentioned an article I'd read about tests where they prick a baby in utero, and the baby jumps. I asked him, "Doesn't that mean that the baby can feel pain?"
He said, "No. If you prick a frog, it jumps because it has reflexes. A fetus does have reflexes, but doesn't mean that they can feel and contemplate pain." He told me that whatever that fetus feels is not like the pain they would feel on the outside.
"That's real pain," he said. "And whatever he might feel, it doesn't touch the pain you are feeling as a grown, thinking, feeling woman."
It was interesting to me, as a liberal, non-religious person, to see how much of that anti-choice rhetoric I had internalized. I can already hear the other side saying, "Well of course he's going to say that. He's a f—- abortion doctor." But I think he's really honest. He's a brilliant doctor with 40 years of information, and he was giving us really no-nonsense information the whole time.
But what Hern told her is a lie. Abortion activists contest evidence that unborn babies feel pain at the 20-week mark, but even they cite studies showing that unborn babies likely feel pain by 30 weeks. Elizabeth's baby was 32 weeks along, meaning he probably felt extreme pain during the abortion.
Keep up with the latest pro-life news and information on Twitter. Follow @LifeNewsHQ
Some research suggests that unborn babies can feel pain even earlier. Dr. Steven Zielinski, an internal medicine physician from Oregon, is one of the leading researchers into fetal pain. He first published reports in the 1980s to validate research showing evidence for unborn pain. He has testified before Congress in the past that an unborn child could feel pain at "eight-and-a-half weeks and possibly earlier." Researchers also have found that unborn babies respond to touch as early as six weeks.
Also, there is Maureen Condic, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Utah and obtained her Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley. She is a widely-published scientist whose works have appeared in a wide variety of peer-reviewed journals.
"The earliest "rudiment" of the human nervous system forms by 28 days (four weeks) after sperm – egg fusion. At this stage, the primitive brain is already "patterned"; i.e. cells in different regions are specified to produce structures appropriate to their location in the nervous system as a whole," she told lawmakers in Congress in 2013.
Dr. Condic explained, "Over the next several weeks, the brain will grow enormously and generate many complex connections, but the overall organization of the nervous system is established by four weeks. This is significant because it shows that even at this early stage, the brain is not anything like a mere collection of cells or a "blank slate" to be written upon by later developmental processes. Like all embryonic organs, the structure of the early brain "anticipates" the function of the mature system."
Some of Hern's other patients said he also lied to them about the risks of late-term abortions. Hern currently is facing a lawsuit from a Nebraska woman who alleges that he botched her abortion and left part of her unborn son's head inside her womb. As a result, the woman said she no longer is able to have children.
In the lawsuit, the woman also said Hern and his staff never informed her of any possible risks of having a late-term abortion.
But that isn't the only deception that Hern is caught up in. Live Action News writer Sarah Terzo said Hern wrote a textbook about performing abortions, which unintentionally reveals how the abortion industry lies about the reasons women have late-term abortions.
Abortion activists want the public to believe that women only have late-term abortions in the most extreme circumstances, such as when their life is in danger or their unborn baby has a fatal condition. But in his textbook "Abortion Practice," Hern explains the truth.
"At times, medical considerations enter into the picture, but decisions are usually made on the basis of such factors as desire or lack of desire for parenthood, stability of relationships, educational status, emotional status, or economic status, among others," according to the textbook.
Terzo wrote:
Hern is referring to abortions throughout pregnancy here. He is a late-term abortionist, committing abortions all the way up until the day of birth, even advertising to do third trimester abortions right on his website. His clinic is in Boulder, Colorado.
Are these reasons good enough reasons to kill a baby at any time? See what an 8-week-old baby looks like after being ripped apart in an abortion, then ask yourself whether these are good reasons for abortion.
Hern claims on his website that third trimester abortions are done for "catastrophic fetal anomaly or genetic disorder that guarantees death, suffering, or serious disability." Yet there is a discrepancy between what Hern says to the "public" on the internet and what he says in a book exclusively meant for abortionists and would-be abortionists.
Even when abortions are done for "catastrophic fetal anomaly," they are often on babies with illnesses like Down syndrome — a common reason why abortions are done this late.
Hern is not alone. Numerous reports from women, undercover investigators and others have revealed how the abortion industry repeatedly and intentionally lies to women about their unborn babies and the risks of abortion on their own health.


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Yibir a clear-cut winner of the Bahrain Trophy @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/bXyCQ6YuFB— PA Racing (@PAracing) July 8, 2021
As a retained trainer to powerful global owners Godolphin, Newmarket handler Charlie Appleby has had and continues to have some very special horses. For evidence of that, look no further than the fact that his stable sent out the winners of both the Epsom Derby and its Irish equivalent in Adayar and Hurricane Lane this year.
Yibir is a gelding, so isn't eligible to run in the final Classic of the British Flat season, the St Leger at Doncaster, and can't further the pursuit of thoroughbred excellence. However, a breakthrough win for the son of Dubawi in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy over a mile and five furlongs on the opening day of the July Festival has opened new horizons for yet another promising Appleby three-year-old.
Victory in a prestigious conditions contest at Newbury on his final start as a juvenile set Yibir up as a horse to follow. The second, Megallan, went on fill the same spot in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York behind Hurricane Lane, Godolphin's aforementioned Irish Derby hero.In a tight finish to the Sandown Classic Trial on his return to action, only subsequent Royal Ascot winner Alenquer and the 2021 Epsom Derby hero Adayar finished ahead of Yibir. Although a beaten favourite on his next two starts at Listed level around Chester and Goodwood, he simply wasn't getting the test of stamina needed.
💫 YIBIR ( @DarleyEurope's DUBAWI- pictured) storms to victory in the Gr.3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes for Charlie Appleby and owner/breeder @godolphin 💫— EBN (@bloodstocknews) July 8, 2021
Don't miss the 3yo gelding's pedigree review in tonight's issue of EBN🗞 #readallaboutit pic.twitter.com/cK412b6Rfu
On the dam side of his pedigree, Yibir is out of Monsun mare Rumh who won two-mile handicaps. That makes him a full sister to dual Group 1 winning middle-distance filly Wild Illusion. Such regal breeding should give Yibir a touch of class, and he proved it with that major success at Newmarket.
Appleby enjoyed his first win in the Bahrain Trophy, but thoughts turn to what next for his improving gelding. Yibir may go for the Gordon Stakes and, if so looks sure to be among Glorious Goodwood day 3 betting tips provided by experts who know all the form.
That race over a mile-and-a-half helped launched the career of Godolphin's global star Cross Counter back in the summer of 2018. Appleby has two wins in the Gordon Stakes in the last eight years with Cap O'Rushes also carrying his employers' famous all-blue silks to victory in 2013.
The classy Yibir relishes the step-up in trip to land the £150,000 Bahrain Trophy for Charlie Appleby, @the_doyler and @godolphin @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/yuEJXCw0Yz— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 8, 2021
The only downside to Yibir going for that race at Goodwood is dropping back in trip and he'll carry a penalty for his previous Group 3 win. Defying that doesn't look beyond him, however, based on the way that those in-behind finished strung out.
A tilt at the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York on the opening day of the Ebor Festival in August is also another option, if Appleby wishes to give Yibir more of a rest between assignments. Cross Counter took that in before heading overseas for his ground-breaking raid on the Melbourne Cup. He also won the 2019 Dubai Gold Cup in Meydan where Godolphin supremo Sheikh Mohammed put up the prize money.
Appleby was keen to stress that Yibir would need to learn to travel better before launching another ambitious raid Down Under, but these international assignments are a huge part of what the wider operation is about. It could be well worth following whatever future plans they make for him.


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The Spangler Candy Company has officially purchased and begun plans to renovate space to manufacture Sweethearts and Necco Wafers.
This comes after Spangler bought the 20-acre campus owned by New Era Ohio LLC which now allows the company the space to produce the famous candies.
"The combination of Dum-Dums, candy canes, Sweethearts, and NECCO Wafers will make Spangler a stronger company within the global confectionery market and will be a catalyst for growth," said Spangler Chairman and CEO Kirk Vashaw in a news release. "Our new brands and our campus expansion will have direct benefits to our consumers, customers, suppliers, employees and the communities where we do business."
Sweethearts and Necco Wafers have both been around since 1901, with Necco being released back in 1847, making them some of the oldest surviving candies to still be in production.
"Sweethearts and Necco Wafers are iconic brands with rich hundred-year-plus histories. These are perfect additions to our portfolio of traditional candies," Vashaw added. "We are particularly excited about the Sweethearts brand. Many people have memories of sorting through their box of Sweethearts to find just the right message to share."
In addition to Sweethearts and Necco Wafers, Spangler also will manufacture Canada Mints, a lesser known but still popular brand that is made on the same equipment.


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#Giving Tuesday
The Center for Family Services staff are heroes
We'd like to recognize the dedicated staff and say thank you to our heroes at the Center for Family Services. They were able to develop a pandemic policy with directives in record time. The Center applied and were granted approval for teletherapy in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Well done! Sincerely, Tammy & Charlie Pompea
#Giving Tuesday.


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10 Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
What is Playa del Carmen Most Famous For?
The best things to do in Playa del Carmen include the resort town's expansive palm-lined beaches with its year-long party vibe. This coastal town runs along the Riviera Maya, where divers and snorkelers can explore one of the world's largest coral reef systems. The central part of Playa del Carmen is a vibrant avenue filled with quirky shops and restaurants, as well as a beachfront park that hosts traditional Mayan performances in the evenings.
Many consider Playa del Carmen to be Cancun's laidback sister, with most activities revolving around the beach. However, if excitement is what you're seeking during your holiday, ancient Mayan ruins, adventure parks, and lush jungles are just a short drive away from the town centre. Check out our guide of things to do in Playa del Carmen.
What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen Beach
Enjoy kitesurfing on the Caribbean Sea
- Budget
- Photo
- Adventure
Playa del Carmen Beach is a long expanse of sand that's cut into sections by the town's many beach resorts and clubs. The widest beach here is located in front of Parque Fundadores, which is marked by the whimsical Playa del Carmen Arch. It's often packed with tourists, thanks to its close proximity to Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), and the beach is lined with plenty of beach clubs that rent out sun loungers for a few pesos. You can enjoy some fun on the full-sized volleyball court or try your hand at kitesurfing and paddleboarding on the Caribbean Sea.
Location: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa Xcalacoco
Explore a relatively quiet beach
- Couples
- Families
- Food
- Adventure
Playa Xcalacoco tends to be one of the less-visited beaches, allowing you to enjoy its natural splendour, local restaurants, and watersports without worrying about crowds. As a local favourite, this beach is typically only occupied by residents of the area. You won't even find a substantial car park, and many visitors walk here from Playa del Carmen.
On the beach itself, you'll find plenty of space to open up a chair and relax, but swimming and snorkelling are available as well. Don't forget to check out the local restaurants, too. They may be small, but they offer incredible fresh seafood. It's all available just north of Playa del Carmen.
Location: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
photo by Alfonzo Buscemi (CC BY 3.0) modified
Parque Fundadores
Watch traditional Mayan performances in the evening
- Families
- Budget
- History
- Photo
Parque Fundadores is a recreational park overlooking Playa del Carmen's main beach. It's one of the town's most photographed locations thanks to its 16-metre-tall bronze arch, which has a whimsical design consisting of a man and a women holding hands. There's a playground built in the shape of a pirate ship, and a stage that hosts live shows all year round. A must-see is the the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers), which is a Mayan performance featuring acrobatic skills and traditional music.
Location: Av. Benito Juárez, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
photo by Falco Ermert (CC BY 2.0) modified
Xel-Ha Park
Cycle along the jungle path at this theme park
- Families
- Photo
- Group
Xel-Ha Park is an all-inclusive aquatic theme park that sits around a natural inlet that's home to many marine animals. You can enjoy a variety of nature activities throughout your visit, including bike rides, zip-lining, and encounters with manatees and stingrays. The Children's World features a wading pool with waterslides and a playground with rope climbing. For expansive views of Xel-Ha Bay and the Caribbean Sea, climb to the top of Scenic Lighthouse, which is 40 metres tall.
Location: Carretera Chetumal Puerto Juárez Km 240, locales 1 & 2, módulo B, 77780 Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm
Phone: +52 800 009 3542
photo by Kyttzy (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Rio Secreto
Swim amid stalactites and stalagmites
- Budget
- Photo
- Adventure
- Unusual
Rio Secreto is a series of semi-sunken caves interconnected with Quintana Roo's longest underground river. This unique cenote attracts swimmers and snorkelers with its bright turquoise waters, and it's large enough to feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. As you swim in the 600-metre-long river, you're bound to see thousands of stalactites and stalagmites above you. Accessible within a 20-minute drive from Playa del Carmen, you can make your way to Rio Secreto on your own or join a guided tour. Admission is free.
Location: Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal- Puerto Juárez Km. 283.5 Ejido Sur, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
photo by PriceTravel pictures (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
Cenote Chaak Tun
Beautiful hideaway pools for a magical dip
- Couples
- Families
- Adventure
Cenote Chaak Tun is a pristine underground cavern located around 8 km northeast of Playa del Carmen. The cenote features 2 pools of fresh water surrounded by sparkling stalagmites and stalactites, offering a magical setting for a refreshing dip. To reach the site, there's a long boardwalk to navigate through the jungle. Once inside, you can swim or explore the depths of crystal-clear water with a snorkel.
Cenote Chaak Tun can be explored independently or on a guided tour. You're required to pay an entry fee at the entrance, which includes the cost of renting a snorkel, flashlight, and locker.
Location: Av. Benito Juarez 7-km 4, Ejidal, 77723 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 3 pm
Phone: +52 984 218 0992
Xplor Park
Thrill to the attractions at an outdoor adventure park
- Families
- Adventure
Xplor Park in Playa del Carmen is an outdoor adventure park offering a wide range of exciting, thrilling, and pulse-pounding adventures for adults and kids of every age. Here you can race along high above the ground on a lightning-fast zipline. You can head for an underground spelunking expedition and go swimming in a cave among the stalactites. You can enjoy a hammock splash water attraction, go on vehicle safaris, and enjoy the ultimate bonding with the family.
The park has an age limit of 5, so it's good for families with kids older than toddlers. It's located just 7 minutes to the north of central Riviera Maya.
Location: Carretera Chetumal, Puerto Juarez Km 282, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Ddaily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +52 998 883 3143
photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin (CC BY 2.0) modified
Xaman-Ha ruins
See iguanas lounging on this Mayan site
- Budget
- History
- Photo
The Xaman-Ha ruins (or Playacar ruins) are a complex of 3 stone structures dating back to AD 1200. This ancient fishing village is where Mayan women departed for Cozumel Island to honour the Goddess Ixchel. Compared to the iconic Chichen Itza and El Rey, Xaman-Ha may seem miniscule, but it's one of the few Mayan sites that's free to explore. This archaeological site is just a 10-minute walk from Playa del Carmen Beach, but it's relatively quiet thanks to its jungle surroundings. Look out for iguanas lounging on the stone structures.
Location: Playacar, 77717 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
photo by Bill McChesney (CC BY 2.0) modified
Xcaret Park
Take part in the local ecotourism
- Photo
- Adventure
Xcaret Park is a resort and eco-oriented development offering nature-based attractions that are as fun as they are photogenic. You'll find a river that goes through a Mayan village as well as a concrete sluice underground that you're welcome to swim and snorkel in.
When you visit this destination, you'll have easy access to nearby reefs and even opportunities to swim alongside dolphins. Make sure you waterproof your camera, and you can easily capture it all. You'll find it all available just a few miles south of Playa del Carmen.
Location: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm
Phone: +52 998 883 3143
photo by Miguel Discart (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
Quinta Avenida
Check out the souvenir shops along the beach strip
- Couples
- Families
- Photo
- Single
Quinta Avenida is a trendy avenue that runs parallel to the main beach of Playa del Carmen. This touristy street has plenty of souvenir stalls, grocery stores, and shops selling beachwear, Cuban cigars and handicrafts. It's also a good place for checking out street performances, such as celebrity impersonators, dancers, and musicians. Come sundown, Quinta Avenida becomes a lively hub of nightclubs and mescal bars with views of the ocean.
Location: Centro, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
photo by Giorgio Galeotti (CC BY 4.0) modified


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Tron Price Prediction 2021 – Is TRON (TRX) a Good Investment?
If you're thinking of investing in digital currencies, TRON might be the best option for you. The coin can be a profitable investment in the long run. And it is expected to reach $1 in the coming years.
Sent from my phone with Blog This WOW


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Product Details:
Payment & Shipping Terms:
|Item Name:
|FPC/FFC Connector
|Current Rating:
|R/A SMT Under Contact
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|-55° ~ +85°
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flex pcb connector,
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2.0mm high R/A SMT under contact 0.5mm pitch wire to board fpc connector for camera
Housing : thermoplastic high temp. UL94V-0 ; Color : natural.
Latch : thermoplastic high temp. UL94V-0 ; Color :black.
Terminal : Copper alloy
Fitting Nail : Copper alloy
Product Description :
|Product name:
|DALEE FPC connectors
|0.5mm Pitch
|R/A SMT Under contact
|ISO9001,UL,ROHS and the latest REACH
|Free for 1-30 pcs
communications technology, medical equipment, industrial automation, instrumentation,
network monitoring equipment and so on
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|T/T, Paypal, L/C
Dalee company's production process and raw materials are in line with the EU ROHS environmental protection directive requirements. At the same time, it is also a long-term partner of the world's top 500 companies such as Skyworth ,Samsung, TCL, Asus, Jianxing, BYD, and Huawei.
Payment term and delivery
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5. Samples: Samples is avaliable to check the quanltiy & specification,and it is free for 1-30 pcs.
6. Delivery Time: 3-15 working days after order confirmed and the payment received.
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Tel: 86-13425187581
Fax: 86-0755-29593110


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February's coming in with a bang this weekend with so much fun for families, we can hardly pack it all in!
Here's our weekly scoop of things to do with kids in London from Chinese New Year to family theatre to kids disco parties that are cool for grown-ups too. Enjoy!
Thu-Sun: Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
It's the last weekend to experience the Hogwarts castle model covered in a blanket of snow. Explore the Great Hall bedecked for winter, see the jumpers worn by the Weasleys and check out Harry's gifts like the Invisibility Cloak up close! 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour) ;adult £29/child £21.50/family £85/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Feb 2)
Fri-Sat: The Wind in the Willows at The Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Choreographer/director Will Tuckett brings Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger to the stage in a spectacular production of song, dance and puppetry based on Kenneth Grahame's much-loved tale. For ages 5+. 7pm (Mon-Tue, Thu & Sun); 2.30pm & 7pm (Wed, Fri & Sat); £15-£50 (Dec 11-Feb 1)
Sat: Cavatina Family Concert: Peter & the Wolf at Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP (Bond St tube)
The young and dynamic Camarilla wind quintet present a fun and interactive hour with music from Prokofiev. Best for ages 5+. 11am-12pm, adult £7/child £5 (Feb 1)
Sat: LOCO London Comedy Film Festival: Matilda at Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Rd, Greenwich,SE10 8NN (Greenwich DLR)
We ADORE the brilliant West End version of Roald Dahl's book and now you can catch the original film adaptation starring Danny de Vito, Rhea Perlman and Mara Wilson. An enchanting comedy of a girl with magical powers and a love of books. 11am, adult £10/child £6.60 (Feb 1)
Sat: Chinese New Year at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Come and celebrate the Lunar Year of the Horse in an afternoon of martial arts demos, Chinese classical and pop music, lively stalls, delicious food, and workshops including sand painting and paper cutting. 12-4pm, FREE entry (Feb 1)
Sat: How to Catch a Star at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford E15 1BX (Stratford overground/tube)
The wonderful Oliver Jeffers has another bewitching picture book adapted for the stage by Blunderbus, acclaimed kids theatre company. Watch a little boy reach for the heavens in a show blending music, puppetry and storytelling for starry-eyed kids ages 3-7. 11.30am & 3pm, £7.50-£10/family of four £30 (Feb 1)
Sat-Sun: Once Upon a Time at Discover Children's Story Centre, 383-387 High St, Stratford E15, 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground)
Join in with National Storytelling Week at the centre's interactive expedition led by a Story Builder. Make up your own story as a group and then draw your favourite moments on the larger-than-life story board. 12.30pm, 1.30pm & 3pm, adult £5/child £5/family of 4 £18 (Feb 1-2)
Sun: Little Howard's Big Show for Kids at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Catch a classic kids comedy double act with Big Howard joined by his animated double, Little Howard in their attempt to put on the show of their lives, despite hilarious obstacles. For ages 6+. 1pm & 3pm, £7 (Feb 2)
Sun: Chinese New Year in London, across Chinatown and Trafalgar Square
The Year of the Horse officially kicks off on Fri Jan 31, but the big celebrations in Soho and Chinatown, including festivities in Trafalgar Square are all happening on Sunday. Come down for food, live entertainment, music and the colourful dragon parade. (Feb 2)
Sun: Disco Loco at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 42-46 Pollard Row, E2 6NB (Bethnal Green tube)
East London's coolest clubbing event for families is back for its monthly party. Enjoy music from DJs Earl Gateshead, Emilia Harmony, Rev Milo Speedwagon and host MC Chu-i keeping the crowd bubbling. There's also booze, snacks and a happy crowd. 3-6pm, £4, babes-in-arms FREE (Feb 2)
We also like
Look out! It's getting Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 at Barbican Centre Framed Family Film Club (Sat, 11am, £2); enjoy character performances at National Storytelling Week at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich (Sat, hourly 12-3pm, FREE); see miniature wonders at the City of London Dolls House Festival near Tower Bridge (Sun, 11am-5.30pm, £3-£8)


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STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Knowing when to get pregnant may be one of the most important pieces of personal health information. Yet, a recent study conducted on 3,000 men and women across the US, UK and Sweden, reveals that less than 30% are aware of how the female body works1.
Natural Cycles, the clinically-tested fertility app, aims to change that and today announced the launch of their Apple Watch app. Women will now be able to access the key features of the Natural Cycles app on their Apple Watch, such as seeing their current fertility status (red and green circles), receiving personalized messages and even add today's data using the digital crown.
'One's fertility is something really intimate. We are humbled and proud that Natural Cycles is the preferred fertility monitor of so many women across the globe. With Apple Watch we have the missing piece of the puzzle, bringing our app closer to women, making it a natural part of her everyday routine and ensuring that she is always informed about her fertility status,' says Natural Cycles' CTO & co-founder Elina Berglund Scherwitzl.
This is how Natural Cycles works: a woman wakes up in the morning, measures her temperature in her mouth and enters it into the app. A proprietary algorithm analyzes the data and returns to the user a red or a green day depending on whether she is fertile. A green day is to 99.9% not fertile according to clinical studies.2 During red days, the woman may be fertile. A year after launching the app, Natural Cycles already has 100,000 users, also called Cyclers, in 90 countries, with the majority living in the Nordics, Brazil, US and Germany. On average, Cyclers use the app five out of seven days per week and it appeals to women who want to take control over their fertility by understanding how their unique cycles work.
'This is probably one of the smartest decisions I've made in my life! I'm now starting my sixth month with Natural Cycles. I take my temperature every morning and add the data to the app. I'm so happy with it, and I love how it natural is! I actually look forward to the personal in-app messages. They're full of information and always put a smile on my face', says My Annika, a 29-year-old Cycler from Sweden. Julia, a 22 year old Cycler from California writes: 'I'm using Natural Cycles to avoid getting pregnant. In the future, I'll switch to plan a pregnancy. After 3 months, I've already learned so much about my body!'
Natural Cycles is available to download from the App Store, requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and now Apple Watch.
About Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles was founded by husband and wife, Elina Berglund and Raoul Scherwitzl. With PhD's in physics, they applied their mathematical techniques to developing the Natural Cycles algorithm. Elina was a researcher at CERN and was one of the physicists that discovered the Higgs Boson, which lead to the Nobel Prize in 2013. The Natural Cycles app was launched in August 2014 with a mission to educate and empower women to take control of their fertility and future around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted. Beyond the app offerings, the company advances scientific research in the field of contraception.
1 Survey with 1000 respondents in each of the countries; UK, US, Sweden. Conducted in July 2015 by Natural Cycles.
2 Berglund Scherwitzl, E. et al (2014). Identification and Prediction of the Fertile Window by Natural Cycles. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 2015


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Straight Talk for Startups: 100 Insider Rules for Beating the Odds--From Mastering the Fundamentals to Selecting Investors, Fundraising, Managing Boards, and Achieving Liquidity
Entrepreneurs are someone who designs, launch, and run a new business. He is an innovator who plays a great role in the economy and is a source of new ideas, goods, services, and business procedures. If you want to build a Startup you should research your target market, find a mentor, take a business plan, deciding where you work, and have an extra hand.
Following is the book of the Straight Talk for Startups: 100 Insider Rules for Beating the Odds--From Mastering the Fundamentals to Selecting Investors, Fundraising, Managing Boards, and Achieving Liquidity.
Straight Talk for Startups book is a modern primer for today's start-up world where the topics are broken down into digestible chapters. It provides a great advice for entrepreneurship and also a great way to gain invaluable business insight that applies to anyone. This book can be your start-up if you are a novice, or experienced in business. In this book, Randy Komisar and Jantoon Reigersman share the knowledge, tips, and tricks they have gleaned from years of being on both sides of the table.
This book provides
- Epilogue
- The cardinal rule
- Useful examples to find specific information
- Tangible and fact-based tools
- Actionable advice
Straight Talk for Startups covers many vital rules including
- The best ideas originate from founders who are users
- Create two business plans: an execution plan and an aspirational plan
- Net income is an option, but cash flow is a fact
- Don't accept money from strangers
- Personal wealth doesn't equal good investing
- Small boards are better than big ones
- Add independent board members for expertise and objectivity
- Too many unanimous board decisions are a sign of trouble
- Choose an acquirer, don't wait to be chosen
- Learn the rules by heart so you know when to break them
All the rules are organized under broad topics from
- Mastering the Fundamentals and Selecting the Right Investors to The Ideal Fundraise
- Building and Managing Effective Boards and
- Achieving Liquidity.
Straight Talk for Startups is a must-read for
- All PE
- Home office
- Corporate investors
- Entrepreneurs
- People who want to start a company or wants to better run one
- Anyone running, working for, or thinking about creating a startup
- Those who are curious about what makes high-potential ventures tick.
This book is filled with helpful real-life examples, specific, actionable advice, tangible and fact-based tools needed for survival in the competitive world of startups. Nowadays everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. This book covers a list of 100 rules which will give insight into every part of the process that will necessary for everyone to be an entrepreneurship.


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Movie Details
In Theaters: March 27, 2015
On Video: June 30, 2015
Director(s): Etan Cohen
Actor(s): Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie, Edwina Findley
Genre(s): Comedy
Production Co.: Gary Sanchez Productions
Distributor(s): Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating: R
Website(s): Official Site
Our Review: N/A
Running Time: 100 minutes
Credits Running Time: 4 minutes
During the Credits
There are no extras during the credits of Get Hard.
After the Credits
There are no extras after the credits of Get Hard.
Stinger information added and verified by Paul Curtin and Vinnie Leduc


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"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle,
set apart for the gospel of God" – Romans 1:1
Introductions are important. A first impression can make or break an interview, a potential friendship, or the chance at a first date. But more important than impressions, which certainly do change over time (even the worst first impression can be smoothed over), introductions are an opportunity to start from a blank slate and let someone know what you are all about. What defines your identity and makes you, you? What are the most important things that the person you are meeting should know about you? What do you want to be defined by?
Depending on the context, what you want people to know about you may change. For instance, if you were being interviewed for a job as an electrician, you want to leave the interview having made it clear that you are a competent electrician. Likewise, if you are meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time and they happen to love cats, you aren't going to tell them about how much you despise felines. You are going to make sure that you do not leave that dinner as, "the cat hater who is no longer allowed to date their daughter."
However, regardless of the context, there are certain indelible aspects of our person that we may not mention in every situation but are nevertheless a core part of our identity. With the pressure on, with only thirty seconds on the clock to let the world know who we are, these are the elements of our personhood that shape how we would give an answer to the question, "Who are you?" These foundational components of our identity shape our thought processes, our reactions, our personality, our speech, and actions. Once people know these things about us, they know us: How we will act in certain situations, whether we can be trusted, what our worldview is, and who we serve (whether God or our bellies).
If I were to say, "I'm Justin, and I am a coward," you now know that you probably shouldn't rely on me to back you up in a fight and also that I'm not likely to be particularly aggressive on any topic. But, what about if I introduced myself this way, "I'm Justin, a slave of Christ Jesus!"? What does that reveal and how would you view me?
This is how Paul introduces himself in his letter to the Roman church. He's never been there, he knows a few members of the church, but it's likely they couldn't pick him out of a lineup, and he wouldn't know them from the members of the Roman mason's guild. He has heard about them, though. By word-of-mouth he's learned of their faith (1:8), and he has desperately desired to fellowship with them for quite a while (1:10-13). Though he had been unsuccessful in the past, it seemed as if he was finally going to be able to make it to them, at least for a little while until he was refreshed and equipped enough to continue his planned missionary journey to Spain.
Paul also knows that they are a congregation made up of both Hebrews and Gentiles, and so recognizes that there are some theological tensions within the church. With these two things in mind he writes to this church not only to let them know of his desire and plan to be with them, but also to help them live in unity as the body of Christ. His method to securing this unity is by providing them with a thorough exposition of the gospel. Why exposit the gospel and not just talk about the importance of unity? It is precisely because the gospel is the message of Christ who, through His flesh, tore down the dividing wall of hostility creating in Himself one new man in the place of two, thereby making peace between Hebrew and Gentile and reconciling them to God (Eph 2:14-16).
But why should the Roman church listen to Paul? Before he could get to that immensely important message and instruction, the Roman church had to first know who exactly is writing to them, and Paul tells them masterfully. He distills his identity down into a clear phrase: he is a servant of Christ Jesus. This is Paul, and from how he describes himself we also learn about what our identity should be based upon if we would also claim Christ Jesus as our Lord.
Paul, Slave of Christ Jesus
Following his name, the first thing Paul tells the Roman church is that he is, "a servant of Christ Jesus." While servant can be an apt translation of the Greek, it does not carry the full force of the word that Paul uses here. The word doulos literally means "slave."
A slave, by definition, is someone who belongs to another person. This is a word that, at least in America, people have mixed feelings about due to the issue of slavery in our nation's history. But even if we were to remove our historical context from the word's American connotations, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who proudly describes and introduces themselves as a slave. Being a slave is typically something you would be ashamed of. "I am not my own, I am another's." It would be akin to announcing that you are a prisoner. And yet Paul proudly proclaims here, "I am a slave!" Who would be proud of such a state?
The one who is proud of their master would boast in their status as a slave, and one who is proud to be a prisoner would gladly boast of their residence in a penitentiary. Paul is immensely—if not unusually—proud to be a slave of Jesus Christ. Similarly, in Ephesians he is proud to be a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He is so proud of his station as a slave that he begins a number of his personal letters with this fact about himself (Phil 1:1; Titus 1:1; Gal 1:10).
To be a servant of Christ is not a pauper's prize but a grand station in life. By the word of his power Christ upholds all of creation (Heb 1:3). Christ died so that we may live, not for ourselves, but for him (2 Cor. 5:15). Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). He became sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). And He is the one who died, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, and who indeed is interceding for us (Rom 8:34). If Paul was a slave of the emperor, he would have been ashamed, but how can Paul not boast in being a slave of Christ?
This statement is more than a simple boast, however; it is also a declaration of the deity of Christ. In the Old Testament there was a similar title given to men of faith: "the servant of the Lord." Moses was called this, for example, in Joshua 1:1: "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord." At the end of that book Joshua himself was honored with this title in 24:29: "After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being 110 years old." David, likewise, identifies himself to God as, "your servant" all over the book of 1 Samuel. Thus, by saying that he is a servant of Christ Jesus, Paul is placing Christ in the same position as the Lord of the Old Testament. Christ is Lord!
What does this boast and declaration tell the Roman church about Paul? It shows them a bit of his humility, but more importantly it tells them that he is one of them. "Jesus is Lord" is the common refrain and confession of the body of Christ shared among all its members. All believers are Christ's slaves, as Paul will tell them later in the book: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life" (Rom 6:22). Or as he told the Corinthians, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body"(1 Cor 6:19-20).
Paul's first and primary identification is as a fellow Christian. A humble worker for the Lord. He is telling them in effect, "I am not writing to you as a stranger, nor to lord my authority over you from on high, but as a fellow servant and brother in Christ our master." How gracious and illuminating as to the character of Paul while at the same time magnifying the name of Christ!
Our Identity
As we identify ourselves to others, or even as we self-reflect on our identity, how do we describe ourselves? Is it in a way that magnifies the name of Christ? Does it reflect Christ at all?
Now, should every Christian introduce himself or herself as, "I am a slave of Christ!"? Not necessarily. However, we must give careful consideration about how we do present and introduce ourselves. It should be in a way that reflects our status as fellow slaves of Christ, our calling to serve him, and our being separated for his gospel. We may not say everything we want to say about ourselves in our opening statements, but these aspects of our identity should make their way to the surface as close to the beginning as possible.
If, like Paul, we truly count all things as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, his person is going to be the defining aspect of our identity. From him will spring our desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. Jesus and his saving work on behalf of all men will be what we want to introduce to others over and above ourselves. "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." Let us follow the examples set before us as we seek to serve the One who purchased us with His blood:
Paul: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." (Rom 1:1)
Peter: "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ."(2 Pet 1:1)
James: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." (James 1:1)
Jude: "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James." (Jude 1:1)
John: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John." (Rev 1:1)


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These last few months have opened my eyes to how engrained I have been to certain mindsets and things I have simply taken for granted. As the times are changing, I am being challenged to make shifts in my thinking, beliefs and how I will make decisions moving forward.
What challenges have these last few months of experiencing the effects of Covid-19 had on you and your family?
As we look ahead to the coming months, we are facing a lot of unknowns and this can open the door to different levels of anxiety. One of those key areas for our family is the impact Covid-19 is going to have on education this year. We all experienced major changes this spring when we were required to educate our kids from home. Based on the converstaions I have had, this created frustration, relational challenges and questions of effective education.
Due to a homeschooling background in our household, the transition for us was not that difficult, but I know it created a whole new experience for most families. I want to use my experience in this area to offer support, encouragement and hope as we tackle this next school year.
Were you one of those families that felt the stress and anxiety of learning how to navigate the technology of zoom classes and online education? How well did you manage the new relational dynamics in your home? Did you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or even inadequate for the task at hand?
As a Life Coach, my heart is to come along side people and encourage them to create a strategic plan for tackling the challenges they are facing. Through the coaching partnership, our goal is to refocus your mind and emotions, to keep your eyes set on your goal and taking approriate steps that produce the positive outcomes you are seeking.
As we all head into this school year, what are your biggest concerns? What are your deepest fears? Are your kids going back to school or have you decided to educate from home through your schools' vitual platform or a homeschool program?
If this is your first time to bring education into your home, I know first hand the level of axiety this can produce. Let me first encourage you that you can do this!! Hands down, this can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will have with your kids. I also know this can open the door to some challenges you've never faced before. I feel one of the biggest keys to settling the swirling emotions, the questions, the doubts and fears, is to hear how other families have succeeded and tackled the challenges you may face. I want to address those internal battles you feel, as well as the new tactical and relational dynamics of educating from home.
My kids are now in the 10th and 11th grade and I set out on my first homebased educational adventure in the first grade. Through the years our family has experienced, learning challenges, severe anxiety, dyslexia, and mutliple educational environments. I have gained a ton of resources and a community of support that I now get to share with you.
My blog this month is about letting you know that you are not alone if you are stepping into homebased education. I want to offer my experience, my network of homebased educational resources, and my passion for coaching people to positive outcomes. Together, our goal is to help you find peace, confidence and solutions for this journey.
If you are interested in getting more information about our upcoming coaching program or would like to get some feedback on your biggest concerns facing you this school year, please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text: Crime / wire fraud Drummer to Stars Charged With Swiping Kids Charity's $750K Ex-UN music director Robin DiMaggio bought house for ex-wife, cars: prosecutors By Arden Dier, Newser Staff Posted Dec 12, 2018 7:43 AM CST Copied Robin DiMaggio speaks as United Nations musical director at a press conference in June 2015. (United Nations) A former United Nations musical director allegedly embezzled $750,000 from a charity concert for homeless and displaced children, spending some of the funds on a home for his ex-wife. Robin DiMaggio—a professional drummer who's worked with artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, Tupac, and Johnny Cash—was arrested Friday on a felony wire fraud charge after a promise to help a nonprofit put on a star-studded charity concert in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, inspired by the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert, per KTLA and NBC News. Per CBS Los Angeles, DiMaggio, 47, was wired $750,000 in August 2016 to pay artists he agreed to recruit. But prosecutors say "he took the money, deposited it into his own account, never put it in an escrow account," then spent it on cars, living expenses, and a $250,000 home in Calabasas, Calif. story continues below DiMaggio is also accused of paying off credit card debt and wiring $150,000 to his company, DiMagic Entertainment. The Peace for You Peace for Me Foundation demanded its money back when he suggested the concert scheduled for Oct. 1, 2016 be postponed, but DiMaggio said the artists had already been paid, reports Fox News. While battling a lawsuit from the concert sponsor in December 2016, DiMaggio instead claimed someone used his email to contact the foundation and withdraw funds, though he acknowledged buying the home as a partial settlement of his spousal support, per KTLA. The foundation was awarded a $1.2 million summary judgment when DiMaggio later filed for bankruptcy, per NBC. Released on $40,000 bond, the drummer must now wear a tracking device. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. (This rocker is accused of defrauding 100,000.)


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Only 4 left!
Rhodium Plated Sideways Cross Bolo Bracelet with Diamond
Adjustable rhodium plated sterling silver bolo bracelet with sideways crosst on 1.5mm cable chain. Cross measures 12.3mm x 27.5mm and features one I1-I2 single cut diamond weighing .01ctw. Bracelet adjusts up to 9.5" with a 6.6mm stopper bead.
.925 Sterling Silver
Free Shipping in the US on orders over $35 USD
Free Worldwide Shipping on orders over $60 USD
Please visit our FAQs for detailed pricing information dependent on preferred mail delivery service provider and your location.


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Phone Review: Xiaomi MI A1
Back in August of last year, my contract was up, and my phone (a Samsung Galaxy S5) was pretty long in the tooth.
My daily device is now a Xiaomi MI A1. It runs AndroidOne which basically means stock (Android 8.0 as of this writing). Ars did a review of it not too far back.
- Was inexpensive, shipped free/quick on Amazon.ca (Prime)
- No bloat, normal Android OS (quickly upgraded to 8.0)
- Good amount of space (64GB)
- Doesn't have the LTE band of Bell in Canada. Not a huge loss, as I get both 4G and 3G depending on city/rural travel. And my heavy data usage normally occurs on WiFi
- Processor (Snap 625) can be a hair slow, in heavy games. Normal app performance is excellent.
Overall a fantastic value for the money (~$320 CAD), and I didn't have to sign a new contract or anything.


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Product Details
- Manufacturer - Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation
- Series: B
- Revision: L
- Firmware: 4.41
- Manufacturer's Description: PanelView Standard Terminal,600,Standard,Keypad and Touch Screen,Color,120V/240V AC,Remote I/O - RS232,Standard
Included in the Package
- 1x - Allen-Bradley 2711-B6C1/B
- 1x - Installation Manual / Instructions
Condition Details
- NEW / Unused
- No Cosmetic Damage / No Missing Parts / 10/10 Condition
- Comes with box as shown
- Rockwell Automation Condition Disclaimer: Rockwell Automation does not allow us to list their product as FACTORY NEW for import from Canada. We are not an authorized Rockwell Automation Distributer. We are a surplus company. That being said, this item was never installed. If the package is sealed, we will say this in the title. If the seal is open, it was for inspection only.
Terms & Conditions
- In Stock & Ready to Ship
- Ships Same-Day, for orders placed before 5pm (EST)
- FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping
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Static Load Vs. Dynamic Load in Springs
Springs are made to react based on the load applied. Compression springs compress when a load is placed on them. Extension springs expand when a load pulls on them and torsion springs torque when a load is applied to them. Normally, we go through explaining the spring itself. However, today we want to focus on explaining the actual load and the difference between a dynamic load and static load, along with the role that the spring rate plays, as these are important factors when designing the spring you want.
A spring's working load determines a specific amount of force at a desired loaded height or distance traveled. The load is what causes the deflection to take place and how far your spring compresses, extends or torques are based on the rate. The load can be either dynamic or static, and in some cases, springs may experience one or the other, or both!
A static load is a fixed load or a force applied gradually. For example, a spring that is simply holding something would be considered a static load. However, once the spring starts moving, it would be considered a dynamic load for it fluctuates and has cyclic repetitions.
Spring rate determines the amount of force required for a spring to travel one inch of distance from its free length to a loaded height. It can be used to calculate the amount of static load required for spring to travel a certain amount of distance, or the amount of distance a spring will travel under this static load. For example, if you have a compression spring with a 5-inch free length that you need to compress down to a 3-inch loaded height under a constant load, the distance traveled would be 2 inches. If that spring has a spring rate of 7.5 pounds per inch, it would take 15 pounds for it to travel 2 inches. On the other hand, if you know you will be putting a load of 50 pounds on a spring with a rate of 40 pounds per inch, the distance traveled would only be 1.25 inches.
A Dynamic load is a changing load, pressure or force that can be applied varyingly. When talking about springs, we can use the following example: If a cart had wheels with a suspension system that contained springs in them, those springs would be under a static load when the cart is not in motion. However, once the cart is in movement, the springs would undergo a dynamic load as the force and travel will vary through different pavement and road conditions. In springs, the dynamic load is not something that can be specifically calculated but can be averaged out. You would need to consider this as another factor and consider the range of the dynamic load.
Understanding loads, rate and spring design is not always easy, but we try to explain and simplify as best as we can. However, if you need further assistance do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]
We make purchasing stock and custom springs easy and provide spring rate and other spring analysis information immediately in our spring creator calculator. CLICK HERE
Should you need to order a custom spring you can get an instant quote and purchase online. Get a Instant Spring Quote.
Looking for a stock spring? Use our spring finder. CLICK HERE


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The Bright Lights of Genealogy - Learning to Focus
June 11, 2021
Do you chase bright lights and shiny objects as you research genealogy or slip down the proverbial rabbit hole? It's easy to do, and I think most of us have been guilty of chasing a bright light or two.
When I was researching papers for my college degrees before the Internet, it was a pretty simple process. I used microfilm, books, periodicals, and the occasional database. I wrote down what I found on index cards with the source citation and then organized them to write a paper. When I began researching genealogy, I used a similar system.
But fast forward to today, I can go online to search for a female ancestor in a census, and the next thing I know, I'm researching 19th-century conchology and women collectors, which then, of course, leads me to wonder what books exist on the topic. And then, of course, I need to do some newspaper search. Surely there is a YouTube lecture done by a marine biologist on the subject of 19th-century women collectors of shells and seaweeds.
Well, you get the point. Often the simple genealogy question leads us in all kinds of directions. The value of the Internet is all of the information you can find. The drawback of the Internet is all the information you can find.
I'm not saying all bright lights are bad. It's important to ask questions as we research. And those bright lights can help us find sources we need to learn and tell our ancestors stories. But they can also distract us from our original research question.
So how do you avoid getting distracted as you search for your ancestors? During the height of the COVID pandemic, countless online articles excused our inability to focus on the stress, anxiety, and uncertainness. It was hard to focus when we were living amid a pandemic. There's no doubt about that. However, now that things are getting better will our focus also improve? My guess is even in the absence of the stress of a pandemic with all of the great information at our fingertips, the answer is no.
As we search for our family history, how do we focus so we can find what we are looking for and plan additional research?
How do you focus on the task at hand? I have a few suggestions that help me though I can tell you that I definitely have my moments where I am not as disciplined as I would like.
Have a Research Question
I can't emphasize enough the importance of having a research question and not just aimlessly researching. If you have a written research question and a plan, when those distractions happen, and they will, you can ask yourself, "what was my research question?" That might help you to go back to the matter at hand.
Keep a Research Log
I'm a huge fan of research logs. A research log provides an opportunity for you to document your research. But over time, it also helps you to see where you left off should you need to stop researching or chase a bright light. It doesn't matter what kind of research log you keep (a pre-printed form, spreadsheet, table, etc.). What's important is that you keep it, keep it updated, and refer back to it.
Stick a Pin In It
I can sympathize with everyone who has trouble focusing. I can go from looking for information on my World War I ancestor to wondering what it was like to be on a World War-era naval ship in less than 2 minutes. When you have those bright lights that call out to you, but you don't have the time to deal with it, what can you do? Stick a pin in it.
What I mean by "stick a pin in it" is that I write down that great idea/distraction and come back to it when I can. I keep a list of notes in my iPhone Note app. That way, I know I won't forget (otherwise I will), and I know I can look it up later, whether that is tomorrow or next month. Once I have revisited it, I delete that note from the app (and add it to my research log or genealogy software, if appropriate). You might want to use a to-do list, a reminder app, or a notepad. But whatever you use, write down those great ideas and revisit them when you have time.
Give In To It
Yes, of course, there are times where I can't resist that bright light, and I go ahead and chase it. Sometimes that stops the ongoing temptation and distraction to just meet it head-on. Take a break and spend 30 minutes to an hour. Set a timer so that you can go back to what you were doing when the time is up. Otherwise, you might find yourself still awake at 1 am pondering your latest distraction.
I will admit that I set several alarms on my phone for my day to remind myself when to end/start tasks I need to complete. I find that by not having to worry about the time, I can get more done.
How Do You Dim the Bright Lights?
I'm interested in how you address the bright lights that invariably shine as you research your family history. Do you have a tip, app, or process that helps you focus? How do you keep focused on your family history? Let me know in the comments!
Gena Philibert-Ortega is an author, instructor, and researcher. She blogs at Gena's Genealogy and Food.Family.Ephemera. You can find her presentations on the Legacy Family Tree Webinars website.


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Free of Preservatives, Cornstarch, Sugar, Trans-fats and Artificial Flavors and Colors
Just Add Hot Water and Enjoy in less than 1 minute
No elaborate cooking or ingredient-sourcing required
VEGAN | Free of Preservatives, Cornstarch, Sugar, Trans-fats and Artificial Flavors and Colors
Just Add Hot Water and Enjoy in less than 1 minute | No elaborate cooking or ingredient-sourcing required
Vegan, Protein-rich, heartwarming Mung lentil soup with Ayurvedic Ashwagandha for added energy
SO filling that you won't believe it has only 70 calories!
So wholesome that you won't believe it takes less than 1 minute to make!
Vegan | No Trans Fat | No Preservatives | No Artificial Colors | 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Vegan | No Trans Fat |
No Preservatives | No Artificial Colors | 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Replace fast food with the fastest healthy food
What makes this a power-packed potion?
A vegetarian superfood, Mung Dal is an epitome of taste and nutrition. Apart from being loved for its deliciousness, it is also a reliable source of plant-based protein. Being rich in dietary fibers, high-quality proteins, and other essential nutrients, it helps build muscles, boost skin's health.
Interestingly, Mung dal is also rich in Vitamins C, E and K, super easy to digest and the least in carbohydrates in comparison to other lentils. Its high nutrient content lends this lentil several health benefits that include better circulation and digestion, weight management and improved heart health and blood glucose levels.
This superfood is also packed with essential amino acids that our body cannot produce on its own.
Ashwagandha is one of the most potent and most important herbs in Ayurveda. It is said to be the herb that carries the "strength" of a horse. It is best known to strengthen the body and help manage the body's response to stress and anxiety.
Ayurveda calls it a powerful 'Rasayana' or rejuvenator that energizes the body, reduces body fat and helps boost memory, reaction time and the ability to perform tasks.
Experience the strength of Ashwagandha in a wholesome evening snack that fills you up without feeling sluggish!
How to make
Pour contents in a Bowl
Add 5 oz Hot Water
Keep stirring as you have it for rich flavor in every sip
♥ Comforting, Caring, Homely, Heartwarming and Loving Feeling ♥
in under 1 minute! ⏰
No cooking needed!
You could take it to work, or on picnics, camping, or any outdoor adventures you enjoy.
It's comfort, nutrition and satiety on the go!
Lentil Flour (Mung Dal) (62%), Pea Protein Concentrate, lodized Salt, Refined Sunflower Oil, Ashwagandha Extract (Withania Somnifera) (1.84%), Onion Powder, Spices and Condiments (Turmeric, Chilli, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Cumin, Celery), Dehydrated Garlic, Yeast Extract, Flavor (Natural), Dehydrated Fenugreek Leaves, Dehydrated Parsley and Flavor Enhancers (Disodium S-guanylate, Disodium 5-inosinate)
No Preservatives, No Artificial Flavors or Colors
Ayurveda, the age old gem!
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Unlike other powder soups or pre-packaged soups, Ayuttva's Ayurvedic Mung Dal Soup is actually free of Preservatives, Sugar, Trans Fats and the sticky cornstarch most soups have!
Enriched with Ayurvedic herbs such as Ashwagandha and Fenugreek Leaves, Mom's Ayurvedic Soup is made largely of Mung Dal or Yellow Lentil and Pea Protein Concentrate. Despite making a protein-rich meal this soup is light on the stomach, excellent for digestion and surprisingly filling!
What you will taste in this soup are yellow lentils and amazing aromatic Ayurvedic spices that'll warm you up like a cozy blanket on a cold winter day. One of our consumers even said that it reminds them of Mom's yummy Chicken soup that she gave them when they were under the weather - except that this soup is actually Vegan!
Ayuttva, The Ayurveda Experience's very own Ayurvedic Foods, Beverages and Supplements brand, finds its genesis in 2 words:
"Ayu" = Life and "Tattva" = Element, referring to the 5 elements of 'Ayurveda' or the 'Science of Life'
Ayuttva signifies balance of five elements (air, water, fire, wind and space) which directly balances the three doshas (kapha, pitta, vata). According to Ayurveda, it is this balance of doshas that rids the body of ailments. Once this alignment is achieved, the mind body and spirit are able to thrive, optimize and reach their true potential.
Interestingly, "Ayuttva" can also be interpreted as 'Ayurveda-ism' - a way of life where all choices go back to syncing with nature and being in line with the principles of Ayurveda!
Ayuttva presents unique consumables based on ancient, time-tested Ayurvedic principles that bring traditional Ayurvedic recipes of foods, beverages and supplements in convenient, modern, easy to consume formats, helping weave more authentic Ayurveda more deeply into your daily routine!
Ayuttva aims to make Ayurveda an unmissable part of your daily life, where it is not just something you don't want to miss, but is something you look forward to, every day! Be it quick-healthy snacking or comfort-giving foods or warm, nourishing beverages, Ayuttva offers a whole new spectrum of modern but authentic, healthy Ayurvedic foods, beverages and supplements.
Ayuttva's eye-catching packaging is special – each hand-drawn artwork tells a story, makes health a subject of visual and mental engagement and draws one and all into the world of Ayurveda with excitement!
Ayuttva supplements are not like others that make you feel like you're unwell. Yes! Look at some supplement bottles around you – don't you feel like you're ill and need to TAKE those as medicines to become well?! But not so with Ayuttva – Ayuttva supplements celebrate health, celebrate you, celebrate life with their bright colors and engaging, hand-made artwork that make you enjoy the effort one needs to put in to be healthy!
Ayuttva brings forth the element of surprise in Ayurvedic healthcare, bringing together the authenticity of the past and the convenience of the present in a truly artistic way. The bright, colorful, engaging, hand-made artwork on Ayuttva packages appeal to one and all and call out to all generations to embrace Ayurveda evermore readily!


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Opal Fruits
Fruit Rainbow is a modern fruit machine with card suits and straightforward rules. It is inspired by the classic one-armed bandits and has a Caribbean feel to it. There aren't many features but all symbols give you payouts.
Pragmatic Play is the developer of this funky and fresh fruit fiesta. It is simple and a real piece of cake to play. The slot is full of tasty looking fruit symbols and 4 card suits. The wild is the rainbow symbol that appears stacked, while the scatters pay in any position.
Available on:
Game Type:
This is a fruit machine with 5 reels and 4 rows that offers 40 pay-lines. They reward for 3 to 5 matching symbols landed from left to right. You can use wagers in the range of 0.40 to 200 credits per spin.
The volatility of the slot is high and its RTP is 96.53%, which is promising. A full screen of the strawberry or wild results in 2,000 times your stake and the max win per spin is £400,000. The wild is the only symbol that can appear stacked when it lands.
The game is set on a orange, pink and purple flowing colours as a background. Bubbles constantly come from below and float upwards. The grid consists of 5 reels and 4 symbols on each and contains 20 symbols each spin.
The symbols include the 4 card suits styled in different colour each and 5 fruit symbols. They look as good and real as photos. There is a rainbow wild and a light blue diamond scatter. The soundtrack is upbeat and is in a nice Caribbean style that makes you want to move with the beat. The game is lively, precise, very colourful and energising.
The pay-table consists of 4 card suits at the low end, 5 fruit symbols, a wild and a scatter. The golden diamonds pay 0.125, 1.25 and 2.50 times your stake for 3, 4 and 5 symbols on a pay-line. The green clubs returns 0.25x, 1.25x and 3.5x stake for 3, 4 and 5 symbols. The red hearts have a higher value – 3 to 5 in combinations pay 0.25 to 5 times your stake. The purple and pink spades give you 0.375 to 6.25 times your bet.
The lime has a payout of 0.50 to 7.50 times your stake, the banana – 0.75, 2.50 and 10 times your stake for 3, 4 and 5 symbols. The cherries return 1 to 12.50 times your stake for 3 to 5 symbols on a pay-line. Second in value is the mandarin with a payout of 1.25 to 15 times your stake. The most rewarding symbol is the strawberry – land 3, 4 or 5 symbols of it on a pay-line to win 2.25, 12.50 and 50 times your sake.
The rainbow symbol with the word itself on it is the wild. It is the only symbol that appears stacked and can land on all reels. It has a payout of its own. Landing 3, 4 or 5 wilds on a pay-line in a spin gives you 2.50, 25 or 50 times your stake – as much as the best-paying symbol.
The scatter is the light blue diamond and you can see it on all reels. It also has its payout and is the only symbol that doesn't need to land on a pay-line to give you wins. Landing 3 diamond scatters anywhere on the reels gives you is 5x bet. 4 scatters grant 125 times your bet and 5 scatters result in 500x bet.
Fruit Rainbow is pleasant on the eyes and simple to play. Don't let the theme misguide you – this is a highly volatile slot with a max win of 2,000x stake per spin. Give it a try if you like fruit machines and may lady luck be on your side!


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There's something otherworldly about these rendered, organic forms.
We love these abstracted stone sculptures by design group NastPlas, which are entirely digital renders. The level of detail and texture and color is really beautiful, achieving a realistic stone look and feel.
Inspired by the Japanese art of Suiseki, the collection of renderings are pleasing and intriguing, all at once. Via Behance:


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While 'Bigger (sparks) Is Better" has been the guiding axiom behind most of my coiling activities, I've always wanted to build a table-top sized coil that I can just plug and play without breaking my back to move it, set it up, clearing out the garage, disconnecting the garage door openers, etc. There's been nothing preventing me from building such a coil, it's just that working on my big coil has turned out to be a never ending endeavor. Nothing wrong with that, I just needed to get a "round tuit" to start my small coil.
Well, I finally did, and the results are gratifying. To a grounded target, I get continuous 9" streamers, frequent 11" streamers, and most recently, occasional 14" strikes. All much louder than I would have expected!
Model A:
Power supply: A 4kV/20mA Franceformer NST. This is an open frame, one side grounded, un-potted unit, which means that the current limiting shunts are easily removed. With unmodified shunts I got 6" streamers. Removing all shunts I got between 8"-9" streamers, though the NST got warm after about 30 seconds. I compromised and put back half of them. With no power factor correction and the half-removed shunts, the NST pulls 1.75Amps @120V from the wall and delivers 38 mA into a short circuit. Interestingly, I initially got only 5" streamers prior to knocking out the shunts, but this was also before I made everything neat and tidy with short interconnect wires. Keep them wires short!
Spark gap: A single static cylinder gap - Two 1 1/8" diameter x 3" long copper pipes, spaced 0.05". Initial testing showed no benefit to adding forced airflow, but I later found a small fan from a microwave oven which fit nicely. While maximum streamer length did not seem to improve, the streamer brightness and loudness did noticeably improve.
Tank cap, Model A unit: A .012uF/6400VDC MMC cap, made of four .047uF/1600V, BC Components KP/MMKP376 polypropylene caps in series. I found that a significant charge remained on the individual caps after turning off the unit, so I added a 10Meg 1/2W resistor across each one to bleed off residual charges.
Primary coil: A flat spiral of insulated solid 12AWG wire. I.D. = 2.9", O.D. =6.5". Turns were hot melt glued to the Lexan support plate. Fixed taps at turns 6.5 through 14.5 are terminated (soldered, not crimped) to male Fast-On terminals, for secure but easily changed connections. While compact and functional, this proved to be a very labor-intensive construction technique. Best performance with present top load at tap 7.5.
Secondary coil: 1.9" O.D. PVC pipe, 9.5" winding length (~1100 turns) of #32AWG magnet wire, polyurethane coated. Measured inductance is 10.4 mH. No special form preparation or baking.
Top load: I found a plastic shipping skid cushion used for computer equipment that was the perfect shape. The bottom was flat and the top toroid-shaped. 3" high x 6" diameter. Covered it with the usual aluminum tape. System resonance (operating) is about 500 KHz with this top load.
Protection network: Nothing (yet).
Ground system: Inner primary turn, secondary base, and NST core all connect to 3rd wire AC ground. When using NST's, it's generally not a good idea to connect the secondary base to the inner primary turn, as this would make the secondary "hot" and potentially lethal to touch. But since one side of my NST is grounded, I was able to ground the inner primary connection.
Specs, model B:
Tank cap: A .025uF/8000VDC MMC cap, made of four 0.1uF/2kV Cornell Dubilier (Geek Group) caps, also with 10M bleeder resistors. I tried five in series for .020uF, but saw no difference after retuning.
Primary coil: Removed inner (2?) turns to eliminate strikes to secondary. ID is 3.25", best performance in model B configuration is at tap 6.5.
Top load: 3.5" x 10.75" toroid, made from corrugated aluminum duct. With a hastily constructed bare-duct toroid, the corrugations acted as breakout points, resulting in numerous small streamers and poor performance. Covering the duct with aluminum tape did not eliminate the ridges, and I still had multiple streamers. I covered the bare duct with paper mache, using strips of newspaper dipped in a 50% water/Elmer's glue mixture. This did a very nice job in smoothing the corrugations, although it took several iterations of patching the high & low spots. With the glue binder, the surface files nicely with a wood file. After smooth & dry, I covered the toroid with aluminum tape. With the paper mache between the tape strips and the duct, I observed arcing between adjacent tape strips. I added a wood center disk, with a compliant, conductive EMI gasket between the disk and the ID of the toroid. This shorted together all of the tape strips and solved the arcing between the tape strips.
Model A mini coil
Above shows the fan and a Lexan manifold directing the air through the gap.
Here is the NST, showing the half-removed shunts (2 places) between the primary (right) and secondary (left) coils.
Above is something that would have been very difficult to do with my big coil. I took a 26 oz. glass pasta sauce jar, put 1/2" of water in it, boiled for about a minute in a microwave oven, and tightened the cap. This displaces the air with water vapor, and when it cools, creates a water vapor-rich partial vacuum in the jar. I put the jar on top of the toroid, cap-side down, and put a 2 foot-length of threaded rod (anything would do) a couple inches above the top of the jar to arc to. The result is beautiful! The rarified air and water vapor created a stunning pink plasma, which gets less pink and more violet as it cools down.
Above shows something that I rarely see on other coils. When there is a grounded target just out of striking distance, the usually chaotic streamer(s) will occasionally coalesce into a single, sinuous, un-branching, slowly writhing streamer, lasting 1-5 seconds at most. The sound generated is more stable and louder than normal as well. In the photo, there is a basement lally column 10" away from the toroid, and there will be a brief strike to it every 30 seconds or so.
Mini coil, model B
Model B, set up to record a 14" strike
My best spark length from the model B configuration has been 14". There are two very important tricks necessary to extract the longest streamers to a grounded target.
First, the tip of the breakout point on the side of the toroid is critical. It must not be a point, but rather a sphere. A rounded arc of 14 gauge wire was too small, and a 1.75" diameter spherical doorknob was too big. Best results were had with a 1/2" brass sphere.
Second, the strike target is critical. I had been using a basement lally column and a basement foundation wall, but the best I could extract was 12" strikes. I later noticed that using a chicken wire covered faraday cage (of Death) as a target at the RATCBA teslathon, I was able to better my 12" record by 2". And I have since reproduced the results at home, using a small sheet of plywood, covered with chicken wire.
Back to Gary Lau's main Tesla Coil Page


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Textured Oval Jump Rings 16 gauge 9mm x 6mm OD Nunn Design
These Fancy Oval Jump Rings are just perfect for your special jewelry creations. These jump rings measure 6.8mm X 3.8mm ID (inside diameter), 9 x 6mm OD (outside diameter). They are made from 16 gauge fancy patterned brass wire and are Made in the USA! This listing is for 20 jump rings in your choice of silver plate, gold plate, antique silver, antique copper or Buy in Bulk and Save!
16 gauge = 1.2mm
Silver Plate
Antique Gold Plate
Antique Silver
Antique Copper
Did you know that oval jump rings are STRONGER than round jump rings? These make great connectors for charms and small pendants; perfect for links in bracelets and necklaces!
►Questions? Contact us and we will get right back to you with answers.
Materials: made in the USA, does not contain nickel or lead, plated brass oval jump rings.


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13Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table,* took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? 7Jesus answered, You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand. 8Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. 9Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head! 10Jesus said to him, One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,* but is entirely clean. And you* are clean, though not all of you. 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, Not all of you are clean.
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lordand you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants* are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, The one who ate my bread* has lifted his heel against me. 19I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.* 20Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me. 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciplesthe one whom Jesus lovedwas reclining next to him; 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, Lord, who is it? 26Jesus answered, It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.* So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.* 27After he received the piece of bread,* Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, Do quickly what you are going to do. 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, Buy what we need for the festival; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
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30 June 2021