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Sweet sweet mother of God. This looks amazing. I am picking up some bacon on the way home tomorrow. Kind of thinking I really should have some bacon on hand at all times anyway. Beer-Candied Bacon
Wow. This almost sounds better than chocolate-covered bacon.
Quote from: erockrph on March 21, 2013, 01:31:11 PMWow. This almost sounds better than chocolate-covered bacon.I had chocolate covered bacon last weekend, made with unsweetened chocolate - I thought it was terrible. What a way to ruin bacon.
Looks delicious Nice directions though Time: 5 minutes...Place in oven and cook for 10 minutes.Return to oven and cook for 10 minutes.
"Cool on wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving."How does one wait for one hour before eating such a delicious treat???


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Jason Segel writing young adult book series
The Muppets star reveals he came up with the story when he was 21 and sold the plotline for "super cheap" as an aspiring actor, but he recently tracked down the material and bought back the rights - and he has since decided to rework it into a collection of novels.
He says, "As I got more successful I kept hoping they (film developers) wouldn't realise I was the same Jason Segel as the Jason Segel they bought the script from (before he became famous)."
Segel is keeping the title of the literary project under wraps for the time being and he's not yet ready to open up about the series itself, simply explaining, "It's about kids facing their biggest fears, that's about all I can tell you."
News of the books, which the actor hopes to release later this year (13), was revealed during a special question and answer session on Thursday (04Apr13) after a New York screening of his 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Korean Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Ibook G4, 1.33, 750ram, cd burner, DVD player, isight, Speak Korean Now! Korean Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Ibook G4, 1.33, 750ram, cd burner, DVD player, isight, Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Buy/Sell/Trade Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message maniitokJoined: 17 Nov 2005Location: suwon, south korea Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:33 am Post subject: Ibook G4, 1.33, 750ram, cd burner, DVD player, isight, Selling total package 8 month old Ibook G4 1.33, 750ram, cd burner, DVD player (only), isight, mightymouse, 3 year warrenty, OS Tiger.. everything in perfect working order. Without OS Tiger Disk. Asking $1100 (including isight and mightymouse) Back to top skconquerorJoined: 31 Jul 2005 Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:09 am Post subject: What was wrong with this thread? Too many contradictions? http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=50295 Back to top maniitokJoined: 17 Nov 2005Location: suwon, south korea Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:35 am Post subject: contradition a contradiction means saying or doing opposite views or actions. I've said the same thing from the beginning, minus some technical errors. In return, I've been labelled just about everything from a fraud to a deceiver. The initial outcry was when i raised the price of my computer. I sold it for $1000 and then increased it after I received more than one interested parties. This is totally legit under the freedom of contract (verbal or written), negotiation and fair trade rules. It happens in auctions and legit business negotiations every single day. But the buyer felt I had deceived him with a bait and switch routine (although, the definition of bait-and-switch doesn't fit). The second outcry came when I listed, incorrectly, my computers stats. For this I was labelled a fraud. I wrote "ibook g4, 3.33, dvd player, cd burner, 1gig ram...." Later I found my machine only had 750ram and I clarified this. Then the name calling started as a reaction. I told them I had made an honest mistake but they said it was impossible. Afterwards, I explained that apple doesn't even make a 3.33 ibook so I either was trying to deceive buyers into believing I'm selling a stacked ibook that apple doesn't even make, or I'm a computer user that knows little about computers. After I pointed out the ridicuousness of their argument - deceiving people by inventing my own processor -3.33 - I never received a reply (for obvious reasons). So the biggest controversial move was raising the price of my computer - like I'd broken a buyer/seller trust. Freedom of contract, negotiation and fair trade stiupations renegotiational of new terms, prices within a fair range. I get low bids all the time. ell Back to top elricJoined: 24 Aug 2005 Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject: With the new intel laptops and the new imac being almost triple the processing power, this isn't worth more than $500-600. You really can't do anything with this laptop except surf and word process. Back to top maniitokJoined: 17 Nov 2005Location: suwon, south korea Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: attempt to attack me - further this is another attack to discredit my listing. If you want to witness what ibook g4s are going for, go to Ebay.com. Also, keep in mind that we are in korea.. so ibooks are worth more here (and cost more!) than in USA because they are considered "import" items. For example, ibook g4s sold for $700 more here than in USA. (apple.com sold ibook g4 with superdrive for $1000. ibook g4 with only cd burner sold for $1500 - 9 months ago) I play many shooter games on this ibook g4 and it performs perfect. I play halo which requires accerlated graphic interplay - no problem. Dave, if you are listening - please end this harrassment. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Buy/Sell/Trade Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Forums:----------------FAQJob-related Discussion ForumGeneral Discussion ForumOff-Topic ForumTravel ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumBuy/Sell/Trade Forum You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe


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Is Heinz Buffett's Last Big Deal?
WSJ's Dennis Berman joins The News Hub with a look at the strategy behind the Heinz deal, which may reveal the lengths to which Warren Buffett is willing to go to deploy spare cash. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... Heinz be the last a deal that Warren Buffett is hungry or when to get an answer right now Dennis Berman ... is our hope is that he is right beside me ... besides all up I there and when I did a year an increase yet I mean I get confused today in our Simon Hughes of the dreaded she went on sick is that we ... bring constitution wasn't a fight ... with a billion dollar deal not profits alone this deal with it that that other question a minute but ... how embarrassing for him to have a partnership to you has a cheesy as it has happened before with the briefly the earth ... that's no fun a big acquisition ... he's made all sorts of kind of special one off you'll see a ... better deal with an Israeli family to buy the company of this ... goes back to the two thousandsix two thousandseven so ... of but that it can be creative and up ... to the question whether this is the last EU ... now ... I gotta say now that I in each of the baby is teething about warm Buffett is ... yes he's obviously economically motivated ... and yes he's not ... keen to to make money for shareholders was so much of the really I think when you close down is about ... ego ... legacy and presents and ... the snow it's no mistake that Warren Buffett ... loves the movie and TV must be interviewed ... by the people in the press he he what he loves the attention he craves the attention of these ... is a very good job of what he does but ... I have a hard time believing that ... as long as he's alive he's not to be doing some sort this out about what's going happen with Hines in a mix of Pittsburgh institution Allen's written in the big deal here that it's gonna stay in Pittsburgh right so what are we you know now that it's going to go private when he thinks can happen well I think it's um in most other legal private it's gonna be accepted not about Addison to await any company ... I think that does the Pittsburgh thing as ... some ways the fig leaf ... of the discovery of the patients all of the world to have a headquarters and it's very good ... at it doesn't matter where that is that I think the key thing about the change intensive company is ... resilient management the same of managers to ... have to reformat it Burger King ... and ... modesty people involved the Budweiser was well ... archived in the hands of this company though the stock has done very well the last five years it's appreciated ... greater than most of the other up with stocks ... but still you have to think the Brazilian way of doing things and in this industry is can be different than they were use to invest in and take some ... so the names I shall not not not not well Bill Johnson who was the ... current CEO of ... says that some ... of Mr. Johnson son who says that ... it's unclear whether he will remain ... as the CEO I think ill probably go so they will probably be running the show ... and you were good signs in Pittsburgh ... this could be different language ... Portuguese sense that if a different business languages as well I write ... this from an MA from his team


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Firefighter injured while battling West End blaze
At least one firefighter was injured after a home at 3935 Eloise St. in Beaumont caught fire Friday, March 1.
Firefighters arrived at the West End home about 10:14 a.m. to find the attic ablaze. The fire was quickly contained, but the home sustained major damage to the roof and attic, as well as water damage to some rooms of the house, according to a press release.
"Nobody was at home," said the owner of the home, who refused to be identified. "It was actually the neighbors that called."
The fire displaced the man and three other family members and might have been caused by an electrical short, according to the press release.
One firefighter sustained a knee injury while fighting the blaze and was taken to Baptist Hospital for treatment.
No other injuries were reported.


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Oracle Migration Factory helps you migrate or upgrade to the latest Oracle technologies from older versions of Oracle or non-Oracle software and hardware with a proven factory approach and best-practices.
Oracle Migration Factory accelerates migrations and technology upgrades while reducing risk and cost through dedicated experts, standardized methodology and tools, and automation. Oracle migration experts plan, architect, implement, and project manage a solution based on your unique environment.
Key Benefits
Based on more than 25 years of hands-on experience, Oracle Migration Factory offers:
Oracle Migration Factory is an Oracle Consulting offering that helps you quickly scope the time and effort needed to properly migrate desired technology. Then, using templates, automated tools, and dedicated technology migration specialists, Oracle helps you successfully migrate legacy data, applications, and technology onto your new end-state Oracle technology.
Oracle Migration Factory identifies all the required tasks and best practice guidance needed for a successful asset migration.
Using automation and a proven factory approach, Oracle Migration Factory reduces traditional risks and costs associated with migration and technology upgrade projects to deliver a faster time to market.
Oracle has the resources and expertise to work with your IT staff on migrating legacy hardware and software environments to the latest Oracle technologies.
Typical technology profiles:


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Some extracts from the latest www.sciencedaily.com/
Paleontologists of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich are currently studying a new specimen of Archaeopteryx, which reveals previously unknown features of the plumage. The initial findings shed light on the original function of feathers and their recruitment for flight.
. . . The eleventh specimen of the iconic "basal bird" so far discovered turns out to have the best preserved plumage of all, permitting detailed comparisons to be made with other feathered dinosaurs. . . . The new data make a significant contribution to the ongoing debate over the evolution of feathers and its relationship to avian flight.
"For the first time, it has become possible to examine the detailed structure of the feathers on the body, the tail and, above all, on the legs," says Oliver Rauhut. . . . "Comparisons with other feathered predatory dinosaurs indicate that the plumage in the different regions of the body varied widely between these species. That suggests that primordial feathers did not evolve in connection with flight-related roles, but originated in other functional contexts," says Dr. Christian Foth of LMU and the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Munich, first author on the new paper.
Predatory dinosaurs (theropods) with body plumage are now known to predate Archaeopteryx, and their feathers probably provided thermal insulation. Advanced species of predatory dinosaurs and primitive birds with feathered forelimbs may have used them as balance organs when running, like ostriches do today. Moreover, feathers could have served useful functions in brooding, camouflage and display.
. . . These observations imply that feathers acquired their aerodynamic functions secondarily: Once feathers had been invented, they could be co-opted for flight. "It is even possible that the ability to fly evolved more than once within the theropods," says Rauhut. "Since the feathers were already present, different groups of predatory dinosaurs and their descendants, the birds, could have exploited these structures in different ways." The new results also contradict the theory that powered avian flight evolved from earlier four-winged species that were able to glide.
Archaeopteryx represents a transitional form between reptiles and birds and is the best-known, and possibly the earliest, bird fossil. It proves that modern birds are directly descended from predatory dinosaurs, and are themselves essentially modern-day dinosaurs. . . .
Views: 587
What a magnificent specimen! A geologist's dream find. They must have had an evolutionary advantage of being above the ground watching for movement of prey.
God put those "fossils" in the earth to fool Darwinists.
Yeah, I can't decide which approach is worse. There are those creationists who insist that every single find that we make is fully bird or fully dinosaur. And each one of our probable recent ancestors are either fully human or fully ape (ignoring the fact that modern humans are fully ape).
Then, there are people who go completely bat-shit conspiracy-nut, where anything can be dismissed with a quick invocation of the Devil. Your version of it is a little inaccurate, since they would never accuse God of something like that. I see why you took the step back to God, though, since omnipotence means that, ultimately, He put them there, just through his proxy, Satan. Most Devil-believing Christians are incapable of making that logical leap, for some reason, though.
Apparently the birds are the ONLY dinosaurs that survived the meteor impact that ended the Cretaceous.
A couple of years ago I tried to get a photo of a hummingbird in my Monarda patch and couldn't find it through the viewer. I looked over the top of my camera and the little bird was inches from my face inspecting my activity. It looked exactly like I would imagine a dinosaur would look, face to face. That convinced me of what I had been told in a geology class, that birds came from those huge critters that went extinct. Hummingbirds are feisty little demons.
I had not seen the "Science Daily" site before, thanks for the link to a really interesting site!
Thank you for posting this story.
I think it's really interesting that feathers could have evolved for one purpose, insulation, and then be so useful for something completely different and transformative, like flight. Then again, there are lots of flightless birds. That must come up a lot, that a structure of function is coopted, so to speak, for an entirely different purpose. Like the development of toxins and biologically active components in plants and animals. Even milk must not have started as food for baby mammals.
. . . and it is interesting to think that if the later dinosaurs had never developed feathers, then we would probably never had birds at all.
Bats don't have feathers but they nonetheless fly. As such, at least in some cases it cannot be ruled out that feathers evolved after flight. Bats seem to have been gliders before they were flyers (in that they don't have feathers and have claws on their wings). Evolution from gliding to flying is logical (would supplement survival techniques without imposing consequences) and feathers might have been selected after flight to improve the ability to fly. On the other hand the development of feathers for purposes other than flying without a gliding period thereafter would have left the species for an extended period clumsily trading off one type of front limb usage (legs) for another (wings) with little or no associated natural advantages in the interim. The species would have of course been more vulnerable to predators during this time. Accordingly, it seems likely that if feathers developed before flight there was a pre-flight evolutionary gliding period all the same.
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What is it about guys named Morgan turning into serial killers?
First there was Dexter Morgan and now Johnny Morgan, the modern-day Bloody Face, played by Dylan McDermott. At least Dexter saves his dark passenger for deserving victims.
As Johnny tells a psychiatrist about his experience skinning cats and his compulsions to hurt woman, we learn that Johnny Morgan isn't who he said he was.
"You see, my name isn't Morgan," he tells the psychiatrist. "My name is Thredson. I'm the son of Bloody Face."
Child of mine
So who is the lucky victim knocked up by Thredson? It's Lana Winters and she's not too happy about...


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cladden wrote:TMC wrote:coltraning wrote:sfsfsfgiants wrote:Okay, here's a good question... rank these guys in order of who you would want, and take into consideration the amount of money they would get:
1) Gary Payton
2) Sarunas Jasikevicious
3) Earl Boykins
4) Will Bynum
5) Pierre Pierce
talking back-up point guard and taking money into account, I say payton, boykins, pierce, cabbage, bynum - I see no evidence that Bynum is a PG.
Yeah, I don't understand the infatuation with Will Bynum. I saw him play last year for Maccabi and he looked like a backup. A backup at euro level. GP on one leg is still able to help more than him.
Didn't we have this pass-first point guard third-string dude for a couple of games last year? Aaron something? I am too drunk and stoned to look it up
Good Saturday night buddy.
Payton would be a bit of a dream come true for Oakland Warriors fans as he is a playground legend there


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Home Topics Export Improvement Initiative
Export Improvement Initiative
Nigeria exports 1,983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico
Following the drive for high non-oil exports the country has exported 1, 983 containers of hibiscus (Zobo) to Mexico alone, thereby generating $35 million within a short time in 2017.
Recent Stories
Muhammadu Buhari: National migration policy to be adopted soon
President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that a national policy on internal displacement is in the process of adoption, adding that it will help regulate the internal displacement crisis and complement the fight against the Islamist insurgency in the north east.
Kano government proposes N500 million to establish public service institute
The Kano State Government says it will establish a Public Service Institute for the constant training of its workers.
Qatar Airways: We were never interested in Nigeria Air
Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive officer of Qatar Airways, says his company was not looking to be a core investor in the national carrier project, Nigeria Air.
Recruitment: Police commission receives 158,773 applications 18 days after
The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it has received 158,773 applications in the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
Ashley Young: Manchester United disappointed, deflated after Liverpool loss
Ashley Young concedes that Manchester United have been left feeling disappointed and deflated after suffering a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.
Most Popular
Nigerian, Chinese miners set to strengthen economic relations
The Miners Association of Nigeria and China Miners Association have reached an agreement to strengthen the existing bilateral economic relationship between the two bodies.
NBA bars members from defending kidnap suspects
Concerned by the incessant cases of kidnapping of citizens in Owo and environs, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owo branch, Ondo State Tuesday declared that no lawyer from its branch shall henceforth defend anybody that is accused of kidnapping a fellow citizen.
Kayode Fayemi: Lack of funds delaying appointments
Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has explained why he has yet to appoint political office holders more than two months after being sworn-in.
Police: One dead, 44 injured in bus crash
One person died and 44 were injured when a bus crashed into a wall on a Swiss motorway early Sunday, police said.
Aliyu Wamakko trains 400 youths on business plans
The senator representing Sokoto North senatorial district, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Tuesday commenced the training of 400 unemployed youths from across Sokoto State on how to effectively prepare profitable and acceptable feasibility studies and business plans.


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iiNet has announced bundled business plans for the National Broadband Network (NBN), starting at $79.95 per month on 25Mbps.
The ISP is offering four bundled business plans on three speeds – 25Mbps, 50Mbps and 100Mbps.
Data for its plans include 50GB, 250GB, 500GB and 1TB.
Bundled NBN plans for businesses start at $79.95 for 50GB on 25Mbs and go up to $154.95 for 1TB on 100Mbs.
The plans include a VoIP phone connection.
iiNet said the bundled fixed phone line and NBN plans were developed following customer consultation.
"Customer feedback was crucial in developing these plans. Overwhelmingly customers wanted simplicity and predictability of spend," Greg Bader, iiNet's chief business officer, said in a statement.
Follow Stephanie McDonald on Twitter: @stephmcdonald0
Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.


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Katharine McPhee
Latest Release
Top SongsSee All
Over ItKatharine McPhee 2007
Over ItKatharine McPhee 2007
O Come All Ye FaithfulO Come All Ye Faithful - Single 2007
AlbumsSee All
Music VideosSee All
Singles & EPsSee All
Live AlbumsSee All
Appears OnSee All
MoviesSee All
BooksSee All
About Katharine McPhee
Though Taylor Hicks' quirky soulfulness made him 2006's American Idol, runner-up Katharine McPhee's classic good looks and voice, and her affinity for traditional pop, made her a strong contender throughout the season. In fact, she was one of the first semifinalists to make it to the final 12. A native of Sherman Oaks, California, McPhee began singing at age two. Her mother, Patricia McPhee, is an established singer in her own right, performing and recording as Peisha McPhee. She helped Katharine develop as a vocalist and gave her more formal training than many American Idol hopefuls receive. Though McPhee sang and acted throughout her childhood and high-school years, she began taking singing more seriously in college, attending Boston Conservatory as a musical theater major. After three semesters, however, she left for Los Angeles to audition for film and television work. McPhee scored roles in the film Crazy, a musical about Hank Garland, and an MTV series, You Are Here, which didn't make it to the air. She also appeared in productions of Annie Get Your Gun and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir before auditioning for American Idol in 2005.
Once McPhee made the final 12, her performances of songs such as "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" made her one of the favorites of American Idol judges and viewers. After the American Idol season ended, McPhee was signed by show creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited label and released her first single, Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny; it became the second best-selling single of 2006. That summer, after bouts with bronchitis and laryngitis, she joined the rest of the finalists and Hicks on the American Idols LIVE! tour and also toured with Andrea Bocelli, who appeared on American Idol as a guest judge. McPhee began recording her self-titled debut album in the fall, working with collaborators such as Timbaland's production partner, Nate "Danja Hand" Hills, Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, and songwriter Kara DioGuardi. "Over It," which was written by the songwriting team of Billy Steinberg, Josh Alexander, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham, arrived a few weeks before Katharine McPhee was released in early 2007. In 2010, McPhee returned with the holiday-themed album Christmas Is a Time...To Say I Love You.
McPhee turned her attention to acting in 2011, landing a pivotal role on NBC's Smash. The music-based soap ran for two seasons and, additionally, McPhee appeared in the 2011 indie films You May Not Kiss the Bride and Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. In 2014, she landed the lead role in the CBS drama Scorpion. As the show was leading up to its second season in 2015, McPhee returned to music, releasing the single "Lick My Lips" that April. It was a teaser for a full-length record called Hysteria, which was her first pop album in five years. Following its release, McPhee returned to acting in Scorpion. She resumed her music career in 2017 with I Fall in Love Too Easily, a standards collection produced by Don Was. ~ Heather Phares
- Los Angeles, CA
- Pop
- Mar 25, 1984
Similar ArtistsSee All


text: Eye Opener AA Meeting August 6, 2018 • Betsy Moran Loading Map.... First Church UU15 West St - LeominsterEvents 42.5268365 -71.760152 Date/Time Date(s) - 08/06/20188:00 am - 9:00 am Location First Church UU Categories Community Meeting Related Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


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Whole Wheat "Runza" need a dough recipe
I remember from when I was a young Missile Launch Officer, stationed at FE Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wy, one of my favorite foods was a tasty cabbage pocket from a gas station that we would buy on our way back from one of the missile sites. It wasn't officially called a "Runza" because it wasn't from the Runza restaurant. Perhaps it was really more of a "bierock", although that's a Kansas food. I really don't remember the shape to officially identify it's name, but since it was from Western Nebraska, most people would call it a Runza. The one I remember was actually baked by an older German woman who owned the gas station with her husband, I believe. So, it may not have been the Americanized "Runza" that most think of from the Runza restaurant fast food chain or frozen in the stores.
I hadn't thought of this in years and the other day it just popped into my head for no particular reason. I don't do much cooking with white flour and most of the recipes I'm finding for Runzas are not only white flour but also include lots of sugar and very high amounts of yeast. I don't think I would like the taste of these dough recipes. I don't even think I would have liked the taste back then, before I knew anything about bread, since I've never liked sweet stuff much, especially with my meat. I suspect the German lady who baked this wonderful cabbage pocket had her own recipe from the old country.
I'd like a good WW dough recipe that would work to make my own " Runzas". They don't have to be perfectly traditional, since obviously whole wheat won't be traditional anyway.
Thanks, Midwesterners!


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National Sasquatch Hunt Lottery
About Us
Sasquatch News
2013 Hunting Stamp Unveiled
May, 2012
2013 sasquatch stamp
Learn More
With a nod to the exuberant support of northern hunters, the 2013 stamp features a white yeti.
Due to the legal expenses of 2012, stamp prices had to be raised a small amount, but the stamps are ready and the lottery is now open.
State Departments Hurt By Closure
March 15, 2012
no 2012 sasquatch revenue
Learn More
Many wildlife programs are put on hold without funding based on sasquatch hunting revenue.
Millions of dollars were being counted on for habitat restoration and other environmental projects, but those dollars won't be available this year.
2012 Season Suspended
February 7, 2012
For the past 9 months, our web server has been under constant denial of service attacks by the Sasquatch Free League and other anti-hunting organizations with deep pockets. We've finally hardened our website enough to foil their continuing attempts, but response may continue to be sporadic in the months to come.
These groups were also, through dubious back-room dealings, successful in placing a legal barricade against the 2012 Sasquatch hunting season. This was a tremendous blow to the American Sasquatch Society, but we've weathered the storm. Thanks to many volunteers that value the freedom to hunt, that legal barricade has been overturned and there
a 2013 Sasquatch season across the country!
We will soon have the 2013 hunting stamp and lottery applicatons ready, so please be a bit patient and check back in May.
Previous Sasquatch News


text:
To see adult content (Parental Act), confirm you are over 18 years old
Dana Post
Hello there,
Here's a quick little description of me.
My name is Dana Post, i'm currently 19 years old and living in London with my boyfriend. I was born in the Netherlands and at the age of around 15/16 i met my boyfriend online and since then i had a crush on him. I've recently met him and we decided to move in together, which for a while made me neglect my creative urges, but at some point i started getting a interest in Digital art. I decided to see how these 'graphic tablets' are and bought a cheap trust tablet. I really enjoyed it and the current works that are in my gallery are actually made with that tablet. I have now bought a Aiptek 14000u and i am yet to make something new with that. I hope you like my things!
All works by Dana Post


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Remember Lotus Notes? It's Still a $1 Billion IBM Business
International Business Machines Corp.'s IBM 0.22% vaunted software portfolio includes applications to help companies crunch huge amounts of data and manage their online storefronts. It also includes programs like Lotus Notes.
"I go to a party, and I almost immediately get insulted," says Eugen Tarnow, a director of the consultancy Avalon Business Systems, which sells the aging email software to businesses. "They say, 'Lotus Notes, that's still around?' It's no fun."
Remember Lotus? When IBM paid $3.5 billion for the email pioneer in 1995, the deal was seen as a game-changer that plunged the hardware company more deeply into the higher-margin software market.
Now, it's a symbol of the challenges facing new Chief Executive Virginia "Ginni" Rometty as she tries to spur growth in a software division that accounted for nearly a quarter of IBM's revenue and more than 43% of its pretax profit in 2011.
IBM has spent billions of dollars on dozens of software acquisitions in recent years, which have helped the company deliver a flow of steady earnings. Still, much of its software revenue flows from technologies like Lotus that it acquired or developed at least a decade ago. The company needs to modernize its portfolio for a new technology era by selling more software aimed at fast growing areas like social media, cloud computing and mobile.
Investors will be watching IBM's software results closely when the company reports earnings Tuesday.
IBM software revenue grew 1.4% in the first nine months of the year compared with a year earlier.
The company's chief rivals reported better results. In the fiscal year ended June 30, Microsoft Corp.'s software sales grew 5%, and Oracle ' Corp.'s software sales grew 9% in the fiscal year that ended in May.
IBM'S third-quarter software revenue shrank 1% to $5.8 billion. The company says it didn't close a handful of deals it expected to finalize in September. Analysts are expecting the company to report about $29 billion in overall revenue for the fourth quarter, down about 1% from a year earlier.
For IBM, Lotus is too lucrative to ignore but very hard to grow. While the company doesn't break out how much revenue the Lotus franchise generates, tech-research firm IDC estimates the software accounted for about $1.2 billion of revenue in 2011, the most recently available number.
Meanwhile, that franchise is being eroded. The Federal Aviation Administration, which began using Lotus Notes as its main email program in 2001, announced in June a $91 million contract to switch its 60,000 FAA employees and contractors to a new Microsoft email and communications system that it says would allow it to work more efficiently.
Over the past few years, similar moves have been made by customers including J.P. Morgan Chase and the city and county of San Francisco, which dropped Lotus in favor of cheaper programs from Microsoft and Google Inc.
In the first nine months of 2012, Lotus's sales fell 6.4%, according to IBM filings. During the three previous years, Lotus was the weakest performer in IBM's software portfolio, which includes a range of software for forming the technology backbone of a business, such as database programs and software that runs computer servers and networks.
IBM's second slowest growing software business is based on Rational Software Corp., a software-tools company it bought in 2003 for $2.1 billion.
In the past, IBM has had some success in reviving these businesses by acquiring newer technologies and incorporating them into the older brands. Performance in its Websphere and DB2 database brands has been aided recently by the acquisition of companies such as Netezza, which speeds up data crunching; Coremetrics, which lets companies mine social media for customer feedback; and Unica Corp., which helps manage digital-marketing campaigns.
IBM is trying to do the same thing with Lotus by folding it in with social-media tools that address more current needs. Those tools, grouped under its Connections software, let companies create corporate versions of Facebook Inc., with user profiles, blogs and streams of news updates that co-workers can follow and learn from.
The challenge for IBM is that revenue from the business is puny compared with the revenue from Lotus. In the first half of 2012, IBM made $55 million selling social-business software, giving the company more than 11% of the market, according to IDC.
The market is also competitive, with rivals including startups Jive Software and Lithium Technologies Inc., as well as Yammer, which Microsoft bought last June for $1.2 billion in cash.
Over the next few years, though, IBM hopes that such software will become a billion-dollar business. IDC believes the market value will rise to $4.5 billion in 2016 from 2011's $767 million.
For now, the technology giant continues to milk its Lotus client base to win customers for its social-media software. For instance, the annual IBM Lotus conference to be held later this month was renamed Connect2013.
IBM also continues to update and sell the aging program. IBM General Manager Alistair Rennie says the company is absolutely committed to Lotus Notes and related programs and is preparing to release new versions of them in this year's first quarter.
The challenge, though, is finding new customers beyond those who previously bought Lotus.
"It is important to not think about Lotus as the master brand," Mr. Rennie says. "It is time to think about focusing on the new buyer."
Write to Spencer E. Ante at email@example.com


text:
Updated 13 December 2012, 23:58 AEST
Peter Lloyd
Amnesty International says the military regime in Fiji has been torturing prisoners.
The human rights organisation has provided the ABC with a statement that contains credible and specific details about an incident involving the beating and mistreatment of five inmates in September.
As a result of one prisoner's injuries, he underwent an emergency amputation.
Andrew Beswick of from Amnesty is calling on the military government to abide by international norms of justice and stop tolerating the culture of impunity.
"Our concern is that we've received reports about five men who had escaped from prison and were recaptured and subsequent to that they were taken to barracks and repeatedly beaten by military officers," he said.
"We're talking about them being repeatedly beaten, one man was damaged so badly that his leg had an open fracture on it, and that leg later had to be amputated.
"Another man was attacked with a gun and was in fact anally raped and that caused severe internal injuries."
The ABC's PM program has two documents that Amnesty says verify the torture allegation.
One describes a litany of ailments suffered by the victim with the most serious injuries.
He's a 30-year-old man who was beaten and left without medical treatment until it was too late to save his right leg.
It had been badly fractured - and when he was finally admitted to hospital, doctors identified necrosis, or infected and dead skin.
They had to amputate to save his life.
His lower jaw was fractured and needed to be wired shut.
Amnesty's Andrew Beswick says the assault against all five men lasted over two days.
"It's fairly shocking when you go into the detail of it," he said.
"We know that they were taken into a room, they were forced to take their clothes off and left naked in the dark."
"They were hit with the butt of guns, they were sworn at, they were spat on. They had hot water poured on them and, as I said, one of the men was assaulted with a gun."
Amnesty is calling on the Australian and other international governments to pressure Fiji to address the culture of impunity in the military, and the broader culture of fear operating in other parts of Fiji's justice system.
"I think there's definitely a climate of intimidation generally," he said.
"Press is extremely restricted in Fiji. There's concerns about interference in matters before the court.
"I think, you know, people are generally reluctant to speak out on these issues and so it's important that when we do have that information that it is brought to the attention of the government."
The ABC contacted the office of the Attorney-General of Fiji in Suva with a series of questions, but has yet to receive a reply.
Fiji issued a statement responding to the allegations made by Amnesty. Significantly, the regime neither explicitly denies the assault, nor that the perpetrators were soldiers.
It read, in part: "The matters raised are before the courts. The judicial process is independent and it is not appropriate for the government or any other party to comment or conduct a 'trial' outside this process.
"If these prisoners have complaints about the way in which they were treated in custody, it is for their legal representatives to raise these complaints.
"The Fijian government does not condone the use of excessive or disproportionate force in the apprehension of escaped prisoners."


text:
Henry is having a panicky moment. A clueless Vienna presses him about what's going on. "You're broke," he tells her. Vienna brushes it off, refusing to believe it's true and thinking Henry is blowing things out of proportion. But Henry tells her it's true – that the blown up penthouse was the last straw – and even her jewelry isn't worth any money anymore. His panic rising, he tells her to go find another, richer, man if she wants to. Vienna tells him that she'll never go anywhere else. She says not to worry – "as long as we have each other we'll be fine."
Broke and Busted!
Vienna and Henry are broke; Alison busts Gwen and Maddie talking about her; Luke and Noah go for broke after a late-night swim; Carly's rescue attempt is a bust!
At Gwen and Will's party, Noah and Luke are joking about being guys at a baby shower, the two of them being friendly and relaxed with one another. But not everyone's feeling friendly, as in Gwen's bedroom, Alison has walked in on Gwen and Maddie talking about her. She's just confronted them about it, challenging them to say whatever they have to say to her face rather than behind her back. Maddie and Gwen try to pass it off, as Will comes in and tries to smooth things over. But, not one to be brushed off, Alison is persistent, wanting details about what was said. Dusty walks in behind Alison, to rescue her, and ultimately suggesting that everyone just let it go. "This is supposed to be a party," he says. Everyone agrees and Gwen and Maddie apologize to Alison for talking about her. They all go back into the living room, leaving Alison and Dusty alone. Alison tells Dusty that he shouldn't have come to her aid, saying she just wants the whispering to stop – to get it out in the open and let it go. Dusty suggests that instead, Alison might want to try to become friends with Maddie and Gwen.
Getting back into the party spirit, Gwen and Maddie bustle about the living room, talking about Casey and Maddie's current love life. They do the girly heart-to-heart thing, with Maddie telling Gwen that she and Noah are going to go out and have fun, but that it's nothing fairy tales are made of.
Meanwhile, Silas and Ava are trying to get settled in the new place, a dark and dingy hole in the wall, with a tied and gagged JJ looking on in the background. Silas calls them "one big happy family" and takes the tape off of JJ's mouth. Immediately, JJ makes it clear that he's not playing with this whole "big happy family" idea and refuses to go by the name Jacob. Silas's nasty temper flares and he comes within inches of hitting JJ. Ava stops the fight by screaming that she's not going to stay in this dump, especially once she realizes that the stove is broken. Ava tells Silas to call Kit to have someone come out and fix the stove. Silas doesn't want to do that because whoever comes will see JJ, but Ava reminds Silas that they should have ditched JJ long ago. She says they could be living large right now if it weren't for JJ, and gives Silas an ultimatum – get the stove fixed or she'll walk and turn him in for kidnapping.
Carly is working at the bar, taking on drunk rough-types under Jack's watchful eye in the background. It's driving Carly crazy that they're surrounded by people who probably know where JJ is, but Jack tells her not to be the hero, not to do something stupid. Kit bursts in, upset with Jack ("Ned") and telling Carly that he "has been lying his damn fool head off ever since he showed up here." Carly tells Kit that she trusts Jack ("Ned") now, but Kit says she overheard him on his cell phone out back talking to "some bimbo." Carly gets back to work, while Kit sends Jack off to make a delivery. But before Kit lets him go, she threatens him with a tire iron, saying if she hears him cheating again, she'll do "a little marriage counseling, Kit-style." Alone again at the bar, Carly is disgusted at Jack for getting caught talking on the phone to Katie. He tells her not to worry about him and Katie, but to be careful while he's gone making this delivery and not do anything stupid or reckless. Carly tells Jack not to worry, they both want the same thing – to get JJ back. Jack leaves.
At the party, a toast. Will gets honest about how hard the year has been and how much Gwen has helped him get his life back. Everyone is touched – Alison giving Dusty a sidelong look, Noah reaching down to give Maddie a peck on the cheek, Luke jealous, looking at his shoes.
An exhausted Carly's taking a break. But just as she's heading back to the bedroom, she overhears Kit on the phone with Silas, who's called to get someone to come out and fix the stove. Kit says she'll come and immediately heads out. Carly tries calling Jack, who's on the road, but his phone's not getting reception. Unable to raise Jack on the cell, Carly decides to follow Kit herself. "I have to," she tells herself, "It's for JJ."
The party is wrapping up and everyone's leaving, starting with Dusty and then Alison, who's been watching Dusty like a hawk all evening. Alison takes Dusty's advice about befriending Gwen and tells Will and Gwen that she'd like to hang out together sometime and then scurries out the door.
Maddie, Noah, and Luke are getting ready to leave, too, and make plans to go swimming tonight. But just as the plans are made, Maddie gets a phone call from Vienna, who asks Maddie to come be with Henry, to hold his hand while he's having this little money crisis going on. Maddie tells the boys that they're on their own for swimming and leaves. The boys reluctantly follow her out. Luke offers to nix the swimming idea, but Noah wants to go, so they head out for a swim.
At the diner, Alison finally shows up for her late-night shift, only to find Dusty there. He offers to leave, since she's done nothing but resist him for days. She tells him to stay, to give her company. She thanks him for all he's done lately for her family and for coming to her rescue at the party. They have a talk about kids and lots of other personal and sentimental things, clearly getting closer to one another.
The party over, Gwen and Will are alone, cuddled on the couch together. They're musing about parenthood, and going over possible names for the baby. They pick out some silly "temporary" names and fall into the couch, kissing.
Maddie joins Vienna at dinner, where Vienna's sparing no expense, ordering champagne. Henry rushes in and, in panicky Henry-style, stops the waiter from opening the bottle. Henry and Vienna bicker a little about money, Vienna obviously not getting this poverty thing, but Maddie is annoyed by their fighting. She offers to do what she can to help. They tell her that they don't need any help, but ultimately they decide to let her leave so she can go swimming with Noah. Alone, they decide not to have dinner after all – they pay for the champagne and head upstairs.
Kit shows up at Silas' house, where Silas has ordered Ava to take JJ into the other room. Carly, who has followed Kit, is prowling around outside, trying to be invisible and look into the windows of the house. After Kit leaves, Silas lets Ava bring JJ back out into the kitchen. JJ sees Carly's face out the window. Silas follows JJ's gaze, but Carly has ducked and Silas doesn't see her. Instead, he tells Ava to close the shades. Cold air is coming down off the mountains tonight, according to Silas, and they need firewood. He has Ava go outside and collect firewood with him, leaving JJ alone. Carly sees her opportunity and makes a move – coming in to save JJ. She manages to rip the tape off his mouth and begins untying him, but that's all the further she gets before Silas bursts in on them.
At the farm, Noah and Luke are alone. In their swimsuits, they talk and joke together. Noah opens up about his family, but Luke is giving Noah's half-dressed body a once-over with his eyes. They move outside where they talk and joke some more. "Could it be any hotter out here?" Noah asks, and they plunge into the pool. Back inside, wet from their swim, they begin slapping each other with towels, horsing around, and end playing tug of war. Luke wins, bringing Noah flying on top of him against the counter, right into his arms, their faces just inches from one another.
On the next As the World Turns:
Maddie busts in on Noah's and Luke's compromising position.
Faith grills Lily about the fate of her marriage.
Brad needs Katie's help.
Jack is searching for Carly.
Carly and JJ are in big trouble with Silas!


text:
Terry was enjoying a dream return to action after his domestic four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand when he headed the European champions into the lead from a corner after 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
However, 15 minutes later, having given the ball away, he made a recovery tackle on Luis Suarez only to see the Liverpool striker land awkwardly on top of his right leg. That left Terry in agony and he immediately signalled to the bench.
After around five minutes' treatment on his right knee, the defender was carried off on a stretcher. The 31-year-old had his head in his hands and was consoled by manager Roberto Di Matteo before disappearing down the tunnel.
Source: PA
Source: PA


text:
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text:
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
(Difference between revisions)
(add intro, HB ref, related, links)
(fix redirect)
|Line 55:
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*[http://www.fws.gov U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
*[http://www.fws.gov U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
{{Webelos Activity Badges}}
{{Webelos Activity Badges }}
Revision as of 20:57, April 2, 2008
| Webelos
Activity Badge
The Webelos Naturalist Activity Badge is one of 20 different Activity Badges that can be earned in the Webelos Scout Program. The requirements are typically worked on during den meetings or den activities while the skills are practiced at home, with the help of the Webelos Scout's family. The requirements are either completed with the den or at home with the den leader's approval. Projects are brought to meetings to share with the den and for Webelos Den Leader or Activity Badge Counselor approval.
Do these:
- 1. With your parent, guardian, or Webelos den leader, complete the Respect Character Connection.
- a. Know: Tell what interested you most when completing the requirements for this activity badge. Tell what you learned about how you can show appreciation and respect for wildlife.
- b. Commit: Tell things that some people have done that show a lack of respect for wildlife. Name ways you will show respect for and protect wildlife.
- c. Practice: Explain how completing the requirements for this activity badge gives you the opportunity to show respect.
And do five of these:
- 2. Keep an "insect zoo" that you have collected. You might have crickets, ants, or grasshoppers. Study them for a while then release them. Share your experience with your Webelos den.
- 3. Set up an aquarium or terrarium. Keep it for at least a month. Share your experience with your Webelos den by showing them photos or drawings of your project, or having them visit to see your project.
- 4. Visit a museum of natural history, a nature center, or a zoo with your family, Webelos den, or pack. Tell what you saw.
- 5. Watch for birds in your yard, neighborhood, or town for one week. Identify the birds you see and write down where and when you saw them.
- 6. Learn about the bird flyways closest to your home. Find out which birds use these flyways.
- 7. Learn to identify poisonous plants and venomous reptiles found in your area.
- 8. Watch six wild animals (snakes, turtles, fish, birds, or mammals) in the wild. Describe the kind of place (forest, field, marsh, yard, or park) where you saw them. Tell what they were doing.
- 9. Give examples of:
- A producer, a consumer, and a decomposer in the food chain of an ecosystem
- One way humans have changed the balance of nature
- How you can help protect the balance of nature
- 10. Identify a plant, bird, or wild animal that is found only in your area of the country. Tell why it survives only in your area.
- 11. Learn about aquatic ecosystems and wetlands in your area. Discuss with your Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor the important role aquatic ecosystems and wetlands play in supporting lifecycles of wildlife and humans.
- 12. Look around your neighborhood and identify how litter might be dangerous to the birds and other animals. Clean up the litter. Identify what else you might do to make your neighborhood safer for animals.
- 13. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Wildlife Conservation.
| The official source for the information shown in this article or section is:
Webelos Cub Scout Handbook, 2007 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #646430)
Help with these requirements
| A FREE workbook for Naturalist is available here!
with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need!
Or click here to print just the Naturalist requirements.
|meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of
Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks,
Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.
Related awards
- Cub Scout Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop and Pin
- Nature, Bird Study, and Mammal Study Merit Badge
- Boy Scout Ranks
- Requirement 7 is similar to Tenderfoot Rank Requirement 11.
- Requirement 8 is similar to Second Class Rank Requirement 5.
External links
- National Geographic Society
- National Park Service
- National Wildlife Federation
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Webelos Activity Badges (Worksheets)
These Activity Badges were replaced with Adventure Pins in 2015.
These Activity Badges were replaced with Adventure Pins in 2015.
Physical Skills group: Aquanaut | Athlete | Fitness | Sportsman
Mental Skills group: Artist | Scholar | Showman | Traveler
Community group: Citizen | Communicator | Family Member | Readyman
Technology group: Craftsman | Engineer | Handyman | Scientist
Outdoor group: Forester | Geologist | Naturalist | Outdoorsman


text: Procurement Pulse - September 2016 Procurement Pulse Series Procurement Update Share this 26 SEP 2016 By: Dr Sharon Fitzgerald Gavin Deeprose Louise Huson "… meetings of contract procurement evaluation panels are something considerably greater than merely formal events. They are solemn exercises of critical importance to economic operators and the public and must be designed, constructed and transacted in such a manner to ensure that full effect is given to the overarching procurement rules and principles." (McCloskey J in Resource NI v Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service) However, although procurement legislation sets out broad structures for public sector purchases of works, goods and services (competitive dialogue, competitive procedure with negotiation, open, restricted procedures, and more recently the innovation partnership); issues such as governance structures, marking schemes, approaches to bidder clarification are left to the discretion of individual contracting authorities, who must work within the EU Treaty principles of transparency, equal treatment and proportionality. Very little guidance exists on how to apply those principles in practice. This month's Procurement Pulse therefore looks at evolving case law, in particular the Energy Solutions case published on 29 July 2016, which provides guidance in the context of a high capital value and complex procurement process. Where a bidder challenges the outcome of a procurement, the Lion Apparel line of case law makes it clear that there are only grounds for contesting the decisions and final scoring of a contracting authority, where it has made an obvious or "manifest" error. Where no obvious error has been made, the courts will not question the way in which an authority has chosen to run its procurement. This broad discretion does not however extend to the transparency or equal treatment principles, or to the rules the contracting authority itself designed for the procurement process. To determine whether a manifest error has been made, the courts look very closely at the facts surrounding the process. There are a number of lessons to be taken away from the courts' deliberations in these areas: Calibrate the scoring system (numbers and explanatory wording) before it is published to bidders As a procurement progresses, it may become clear to the evaluation team that the scoring mechanism is producing adverse outcomes. The points thresholds for "pass/fail" criteria developed to measure fundamental bidder attributes, may with hindsight appear overly harsh, and mandate elimination of certain bidders, thereby diminishing the competitive process. There is no discretion for an authority to adjust certain aspects of the rules of its own competition, and an argument that it is proportionate to bring a bidder's score within threshold, when the facts do not support the requirements of the relevant evaluation criteria, was not supported by the court in the Energy Solutions case. Manifest error relates to the process of reasoning, not just the final score In a complex procurement that requires bidders to indicate how they would respond to a particular scenario/case study, it might be argued that such an "evaluative" process is not capable of manifest error. Courts will, however, look to objective guidance and standards applying in the particular industry sector involved, which may indicate that the evaluation team's reasoning was obviously wrong - which in turn led to them allocating the wrong score. The Energy Solutions case held that the test of manifest error is not confined to consideration of the score but also that evaluation criteria have been interpreted correctly, and that the reasons given for the score can be justified. All three must be correct for the decision to have been reached without manifest error. Diverging from the evaluation methodology may prejudice transparency and equal treatment A competitive dialogue procedure, designed in phases to cumulatively produce the desired outcome, may lead to the evaluation team wishing to revisit scores already finalised pursuant to the rules of the evaluation methodology. New issues which arise may be pertinent to some bids but not to others. Opening up scores originally agreed through a formal consensus process, on an ad hoc basis, risks prejudicing a transparent process. Keeping records is fundamental to a transparent process Record keeping is key to any procurement and the Public Contracts Regulations of 2015 make it clear that contracting authorities should "document the progress of all procurement procedures, whether or not they are conducted by electronic means" and "ustify decisions taken at all stages of the procurement procedure". Seeking to argue that keeping records, particularly in a competitive dialogue process, is too logistically demanding will therefore not wash in terms of a court's interpretation of the transparency obligation, or the legislative background. It is the duty of a contracting authority to keep comprehensive records. If it fails to do so, it only has the memories of individual members of its evaluation team to rely upon - which may be inconsistent. As the judge said in the Energy Solutions case - "inconsistency in treatment of bidders can amount to unequal treatment." Electronic note taking may not be the best way to ensure transparency When using procurement evaluation software some behaviours, such as "cut and pasting" evaluation criteria wording from the procurement documents into the software's notes function, and restricting note taking to electronic input to the software system, may impair transparency. In Energy Solutions, the court noted that copy and pasting may introduce errors of the original wording into the scoring system. The judge also felt that "it is not necessarily easy to keep sensible or comprehensive notes on such a system" and considered that any evaluation team should be allowed to make manuscript comments on the bid documents, as well as in notebooks - all of which should be made available to the court. Witness bonus payments contingent on a successful challenge are contrary to public policy Commercial organisations may justifiably award bonuses to their personnel as a result of winning a bid. But what if another bidder wins, and there are strong grounds to believe that there were manifest errors in the scoring of its bid? There is no basis for awarding the original bonus, but it is not an unreasonable line of thinking to offer bonuses if a challenge to the authority's decision is successful. Care needs to be taken here - monetary reward may introduce temptation for a witness to give untruthful evidence - to ensure a successful outcome. Reimbursement of time spent in preparation of the case and appearing as a witness is enforceable, but otherwise take advice on the drafting of this type of arrangement and always disclose it to the court. Third party involvement in scoring process may cause gaps in the court's analysis The courts have a role to determine whether or not an aggrieved bidder is correct in its analysis that a public contract has been wrongly awarded. It is frustrating to the court if the evidence which would enable proper consideration of the case is not available. This can happen where lawyers are appointed to assist in the evaluation process, and the client contracting authority claims legal professional privilege over communications between itself and its legal team. In interim proceedings before the Energy Solutions case went to full trial, Akenhead J approved NDA's decision to claim privilege over communications with its lawyers. At full trial Mr Justice Fraser stated "I am not asked by Energy Solutions to consider whether the assertion of privilege amounts to a breach of the … obligation of transparency," indicating that there could be further developments in the law on transparency, should an economic operator choose to raise the issue in future proceedings.


text:
Ugly Truth, The (UK - DVD R2)
Marcus wishes Butler had kicked Heigl down a hole in this rom com, 300 style...
Control freak Abby (Katherine Heigl), a morning TV show producer who's been a little too long without a boyfriend, battles to keep control of new employee Mike (Gerald Butler), a tell it like it is relationship adviser who enjoys the ladies and has no intention of getting into anything meaningful.
Overcoming their differences, Abby enlists the help of Mike and he soon proves his theories on the battle of sexes are sound and gets her the man of her dreams (cue the record scratch sound effect), but sometimes the very thing you're looking for could be closer than you think.
The first third of this rom-com was worse than anticipated. Heigl is immediately unlikable, all of the dialogue is horrific, and everything comes off as a bad sitcom with bad characters and something I would want to turn off, just because I knew I'd be wasting ninety minutes of my life.
Around about the half way mark and when Butler's utterly unrealistic but still likable Mike takes the reins and starts leading the movie, everything gets a little more enjoyable. The dialogue is still hammy, forced and everything you'd expect from the genre, but it gets a little dirtier. And when I say dirtier, I mean perfectly safe filthy gags as opposed to effective laughter bombs. I mean, you mention masturbation in a Judd Apatow or Kevin Smith movie, the mood and style of comedy (as well as the talent) delivers a laugh, here it feels like your Mum and Dad talking about it, and I don't know about you, but that's just uncomfortable.
Treading the line between typical date night friendly and the muckier R rated comedies out there, we get underdeveloped comedic set pieces revolving around Heigl battling her vibrating panties in a crowded restaurant, her getting embarrassed by a baseball stadium big screen that mistakenly shows her giving her date head and of course non discreet conversations about how often she 'flicks her bean'. All of this on paper should be hilarious (and I'm sure there are groups out there it works for), but everything felt so flaccid and fake and meticulously planned as not to offend the market it's aimed at that I just didn't buy it.
Hit and miss filthy gags aside, and despite the totally unbelievable route this story takes, I once again get lured in and I can't deny I wanted these two to get together (even if it's just to have Mike sleep with someone a week later and say 'Now that's the Ugly Truth!!'). The chemistry is just about there and although the end is mind blowingly typical, it's the pretty bow the story really needs to get the job done.
Every single shot of this movie looks pretty much the same. Other than the odd darker scenes, every moment is bathed in a golden glow that makes The Ugly Truth seem more like a cartoon (set in the Cities of Gold) than it does live action movie.
As for the transfer itself, it's hard to work out whether I'm a little too used to Blu-ray or if Sony aren't putting much effort into standard definition DVD anymore. The image is super soft, comes with almost zero in the way of any real detail and the colours are so bold it blasts any sort of sharpness into oblivion. Of course, there's always the fall back that this is rom-com and all it needs to do is look glossy and bright but I can't imagine that the HD upgrade is as washy as this.
The best word to sum this up is 'dull'. It's just dialogue with the odd punchy pop tunes or phone ringing in office atmospherics. The most dynamic it gets is at the baseball game where the crowd sit safely in the rear speakers and do little to enthral.
Once again, the genre dictates all of the above, so it's not like I was expecting much more but hey sometimes these things can surprise you. Not this time though.
Only ten of the scenes come with commentary from director Robert Luketic and producer Gary Lucchesi and every instalment has the same chirpy mood that talks about how fun the scenes are and how the 'vibrating panties" scene will be referred to in years to come (deluded).
There are six deleted and extended scenes (15:49), two alternative endings (04:57) (one in which Mike is faking it and another in which they seem to be married with a goofy speech to show what they have learned) and a typical gag reel (09:58).
'The Truth is Ugly: Capturing the Male and Female Point of Views' (12:18) is a small featurette with cast and director discussing how different men and women are and what the movie aimed to do. 'The Art of Laughter: A making of Hilarious Proportions' (15:16) is a bog standard making of with casting stories and tales of all the fun they had.
Lastly, there are trailers for Blu-ray is High Definition, District 9, 2012, Ice Castles, Angels and Demons and Julie and Julia.
The Ugly Truth is typical stuff with a slice of dirt. It doesn't all work and anyone looking for an honest look at relationships should look elsewhere. Heigl plays her usual unlikable self and Butler coasts through relatively unscathed but this is only this humble reviewers opinion and I'm not the target audience for this sort of affair.
The disc is thoroughly underwhelming across the board but matches the specs of many of the titles in the rom-com catalogue, so all in all, it's a release that isn't out to impress but just wants to fit the bill as an option for a date night or a girly sleepover.
Review by Marcus Doidge
Worst Nightmare Senior Member Join Date: July 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,716
Heigl needs to do porn - look at the third screen shot...
Butler should only do Action....
Butler should only do Action....
Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 8th February 2010
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Audio Descriptive Service English
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Danish, Finnish, Hindi, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish
Extras: Select Scene Commentary, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Alternative Endings, Gag Reel, Featurettes, Trailers
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Robert Luketic
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler
Genre: Comedy and Romance
Length: 92 minutes
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Prepare to alter alot of baby diapers!
Your bundle of joy will certainly need around 6000 nappy adjustments before finishing to underwears. That's a lot of unclean nappies and also, relying on which ones you make use of, either a great deal of waste or a great deal of washing!
There's the poo element– that nappy has obtained ta be up to the work. Things we do for love.
A stitch in time saves 9 … mins of rest
Obtaining a nappy strategy in position prior to child occurs will save you time, cash and also power, as well as will certainly have a huge effect on your environmental footprint. Having claimed that, it's never far too late to change nappy groups or blend it up a little bit relying on your issue for the environment versus your worry for your sanity … and also your demand for sleep.
Allow's obtain to understand nappies.
Good ol' disposables. With really only one style, they absorb wetness promptly to prevent leakages and 'secure it in' to maintain your bub relatively dry; are very easy as well as quick to secure; remain shut during usage; as well as fit numerous shapes and sizes. And they're really convenient, particularly when out as well as about– specifically so because they're available in every supermarket and also corner store. They don't call them convenience stores for no factor!
Reusable contemporary cloth nappies
Modern fabric nappies (MCNs) are ending up being extra preferred and also, to be clear, we're not speaking the old terry-towelling squares. MCNs are the brand-new whiz-bang version including a water-resistant cover, watertight elasticised leg openings and also absorptive cushioning and also lining.
The different designs
There are greater than 200 brands– a lot of which are made by work-at-home mums that offer them online on shops like Etsy.
All-in-ones have a moisture-resistant external layer sewn together with an absorptive inner to create the nappy– they can take a bit to dry.
All-in-twos, likewise called snap-in-ones, contain a lined waterproof outer layer as well as absorbent internal layers, which "break in" with press studs. They could be taken apart for laundering, so they dry out faster than all-in-ones.
Pocket nappies have a waterproof external layer sewn together with a soft internal lining, which forms the covering. Between these two layers there's a pocket for the absorbent inserts. These are eliminated for washing then replaced, which could be a little bit fiddly but on the plus side they dry out rapidly.
Antique terry-towelling square nappies are additionally still available. They can take a little practice to fold up and fit right, yet they are a less expensive multiple-use choice compared to MCNs, as well as modern-day fasteners imply you do not also should make use of security pins.
I can see there are advantages to both– just how do I select in Saint Lucas Iowa?
There are a number of factors to consider, so let's take a look at them.
The upfront cost of multiple-use nappies is quite high, but in the future it's possibly more affordable compared to disposables– decreasing in price significantly with every child.
Towel nappies do require a little bit a lot more work, and might be a pain when you're out. Just like an exhausted bub.
High quality, well-fitting nappies– whether fabric or non reusable– will maintain child completely dry, and won't trigger nappy rash.
Environmental impact
Disposable nappies truly don't have the most effective eco-friendly track record, yet there are alternatives to minimize their influence:
Some brands are naturally degradable, though conditions in landfill make this destruction challenging to take place.
Some have compostable or recyclable packaging.
Acquiring locally-made nappies, rather than imported, saves on transportation carbon expense.
In spite of the ecological costs of textile production and also nappy laundering, cloth nappies that are dry-pailed and also primarily line-dried still come out in advance of disposables.
Disposables come in different sizes to suit your expanding bundle-that's- now-turning-into-a-handful, as well as ultimately you could relocate into pull-up pants from a few of the same brand names.
MCNs are readily available in dealt with sizes, or a one-size-fits-most (OSFM), which has extra attachments for readjusting the nappy as your infant expands.
Fixed-size nappies implies buying new sets as your child grows bigger, so it could cost more. On the various other hand, if you're having more than one child, you'll utilize the grown out of ones once again.
You'll only require one collection of OSFM nappies, yet their longer usage indicates even more wear and tear, and they could only last via one kid's early stage.
Diaper Products
The type of fabric used affects drying out time. Natural fibers normally take longer to dry compared to synthetics, and you'll wish to make sure you have enough nappies to obtain with a couple of days of damp climate if you do not have a clothes dryer.
Paper or material nappy linings make your laundry life less complicated by maintaining solids off the nappy. Flushable ones make clean-up a cinch!
The absorbent products (shell liners, pads and also boosters) consist of bamboo, cotton, hemp or fleece, with breathable polyurethane laminated fabric (PUL) or lanolised woollen frequently utilized for covers– if you have an interest in that sort of thing.
I want a judgment– which nappy is finest?
For environmental and financial factors, you cannot transcend MCNs.
For ease-of-use and benefit, disposables are the means to go.
Of course it does not need to be one or the various other: you could utilize cloth nappies in the house throughout the day, and also disposables when out and around, disappearing, at nights, at daycare, and also throughout long periods of rain when you 'd rather not make use of the clothes dryer.
If you're uncertain:
Acquire a solitary nappy of each type that stimulates your rate of interest.
Some MCN business offer test loads with samples of the various designs.
Employ a test pack from a nappy library, a service provided by nappy business and also neighborhood teams: browse the web for 'contemporary fabric nappy library' to find one near you.
How do I know I've chosen the ideal nappy?
Whatever you have actually selected, below's the checklist for an excellent nappy:
No dripping around the legs.
No fluid leaking with the cover.
Not also limited or also loose around hips and legs.
No rubbing or chafing from the nappy or fasteners around the legs or hips.
Infant's skin really feels sensibly completely dry when the wet nappy is eliminated.
The nappy holds sufficient fluid to be sensible (ie you don't have to alter too often).
Infant can removal legs openly and also, at later stages, crawl and also stroll without being troubled by the nappy.
One last thing, are multiple-use nappies as much dirty work as they seem?
There's an easy five-step strategy called completely dry pailing, which followers say make easy work of hefty dirts.
To start with, make use of flushable linings to catch solids.
Different the elements (cover and padding) of the wet nappies, or if they're all-in-ones avoid ahead to tip 3.
Rinse in cold water if needed.
Put them right into a container with a cover.
Toss the load right into the washering each day.
Ideally you currently have a satisfied, completely dry infant and the only point you need to bother with is just how you'll find time to Instagram every minute!


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Editor's note: A toddler was struck by an SUV in front of Otter Creek Child Center in Middlebury on April 1.
There are not enough words to express how loved and supported Otter Creek Child Center is feeling. We are beyond blessed to be part of the Addison County Community. I would like to thank the following people.
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text: 2017 BIO Breakfast Seminar East meets West and beyond: financing in the biotech space in the US and Australia Share this 20 JUN 20178:00 AM - 9:45 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) DLA Piper LLP (US)401 B StreetSuite 1700San Diego, California92101-4297United States of America Come listen to an experienced panel including venture capitalists from the US and Australia, and a US company doing clinical trials in Australia. Learn about alternative options for financing, including Australia R&D tax credit options. SPEAKERS David Kabakoff, Ph.D., Executive Partner, Private Equity, Sofinnova Ventures Dr. Sara Neyeem, MD, Partner, New Enterprise Associates Dr. Goslik Schepers, PhD., Head of Business Development, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Michele Yelmene, Managing Director, Hawaii Biotech Australia Pty Ltd. MODERATORS Lisa A. Haile, J.D., Ph.D., Partner and Co-Chair, Global Life Sciences Sector, DLA Piper Tami J. Howie, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Valerie Brennan with questions.


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Senior RB has best performance in last home game with 127 rushing yards against Wofford on Saturday in Columbia.
COLUMBIA — South Carolina running back Kenny Miles saved his best game at Williams-Brice Stadium for his last.
The senior running back had a career high in yards and attempts, rushing 27 times for 127 yards on Senior Day Saturday afternoon to lead USC to a 24-7 win over Wofford.
Miles also had a season-high four catches for 27 yards as Carolina finished off the season a perfect 7-0 at home.
"This was Kenny's day. He got a game ball," USC coach Steve Spurrier said.
The Senior Day was the second for Miles, who also participated in the ceremony last season as a junior. With a deep running back group returning for the 2012 season, Miles considered transferring after his junior year and decided to go through the Senior Day ceremony a year early, but ultimately elected to return.
His decision to return ended up being big as he's been pushed into the starting running back role after former Byrnes star Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season with a knee injury.
"Before the game when the seniors came through I told him we did this last year, but this is the last time we can do it for you," Spurrier said. "He would probably love to come back and play again. He's a good back. He's always been a good back here. He can catch it and run with it and block."
Miles said with everything that he's been through it felt good to have a big game playing in his last home game.
"It felt really good. I wasn't really thinking too much about Senior Day up until when they call your name and you go out there, but it was a bit emotional," Miles said.
"Looking around and seeing this is the last time you're going to play at Willy B., it was definitely emotional. I'm going to miss it. I'm definitely going to miss playing here."
Miles said he wasn't satisfied with his play in last week's win over Arkansas and said he did a much better job of staying on his feet after contact against the Terriers.
"I got a lot of yards after contact, which I felt like I needed to do better. I've just got to watch film and see what I can do better for next week," he said.
Junior wide receiver Ace Sanders said he wasn't surprised Miles had such a big game in his Williams-Brice finale.
"That's just Kenny for you. He's a hard worker. We have a lot of faith in him, and he knows that," Sanders said.


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Sometimes it's so easy to overlook some of the best nature has to offer, especially when it's in your own local area. Most areas around our country are brimming with wonders of nature, be it a city park, national campground or even a lake or river area. Family fun can be had within a short drive for most of us.
I know our family loves to hike, kayak and picnic whenever we can and the kids love exploring in the great outdoors. It's the perfect opportunity for casual lessons in nature, learning about rock formations, trees and bodies of water and their inhabitants.
Check out your area for geo-caching, a fun experience for the whole family. Another way to experience outdoor fun is to create a scavenger hunt for things that can be found in the woods or fields. Rocks, flowers, twigs and spotting animals in your area. Now that the weather is turning nice, it's the perfect time for a walk on the wild side!


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Plan your family fun with this list of events, plays, concerts and activities north of Boston during the holiday season.
'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' — North Shore Music Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 8-23 at North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly. Tickets are $62-$77. Tickets can be purchased by calling the North Shore Music Theatre Box Office at 978-232-7200, via the website at nsmt.org or in person.
ZOOLIGHTS — Through Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m. (closed Dec. 25), Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. ZooLights is set to once again dazzle visitors of all ages this holiday season. Stroll along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. New this year, guests can visit black bears, Smoky and Bubba in the festively decorated area around their exhibit. Stroll through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see bald eagles, Canada lynx, arctic foxes and reindeer. Information: zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights
MERRY MAIN STREETS — Through Dec. 24. For information: Beverly Main Streets, 978-922-8558, beverlymainstreets.org. Look for the Merry Main Streets candy cane flyer for participating businesses on Cabot and Rantoul streets in Downtown Beverly.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS — Through Dec. 10, Larcom Performing Arts Theatre, 13 Wallis St, Beverly. For tickets or show times, visit bostonchildrenstheatre.org.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS/A CHRISTMAS CAROL — Through Dec. 10, American Legion Post 210, 44 Taylor St., Saugus. Cost: $15-$20. For tickets and information: 781-816-7019; firstname.lastname@example.com; TCSaugus.org. The Theatre Company of Saugus presents its holiday season show for 2017, including two short plays: "A Charlie Brown Christmas," based on the Peanuts television special, and "A Christmas Carol - Readers Theatre," based on the novel by Charles Dickens.
CHRISTMAS REVELS — A Venetian celebration of the winter solstice, Dec. 8-27, Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge. Information: revels.org/shows-events/christmas-revels.
Dec. 8-14
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE CASTLE — Dec. 8 & 15, 5-8 p.m., Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich. The Crane Estate will open Friday evenings for special holiday tours. Guests will enjoy live holiday music, a cash bar, light appetizers, the Castle Hill gift shop, and self-guided tours. Guides will be stationed in each room to receive visitors and answer questions. Trustees members will receive 20 percent off in the shop. On Dec. 8, guests will enjoy holiday music from Boston-area choral ensemble Lyricora form 5:30 – 7:45 p.m. On Dec. 15, choral group and sea chantiers Three Sheets to the Wind will perform holiday favorites. Trustees Member Adult: $10. Trustees Member Child: $5. Adult: $20. Child/Senior: $10. Tickets are available at the door only. Information: thetrustees.org/things-to-do.
"THE NUTCRACKER BALLET" — Saturday, Dec. 9, 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m., Marblehead Veterans Middle School PAC, 217 Pleasant St. New England Ballet Ensemble presents "The Nutcracker." Cost: $18-$25 at newenglandballetensemble.com or at the door.
HOLIDAY HOP SHOP — Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Main Street (downtown), Georgetown. Refreshments, live music, sales and raffles at Georgetown stores all over town, and an appearance by Mrs. Claus, 2 p.m. at Scala Center, 28 W. Main St. Info at facebook.com/localgeobiz.
SANTA BY SEA — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 9, Popes Landing, Danvers. Free. Santa will arrive by boat in this event hosted by Danvers Recreation. In addition to photos with Santa Claus, the event includes pony rides, a horse drawn wagon, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, train rides and plenty of snacks and refreshments.
WEST MEDFORD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING — Dec. 9, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9, East Cambridge Savings, 9 Playstead Road, Medford. The West Medford Business Committee of the Medford Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas Tree Lighting party, featuring music, hot chocolate, treats and dancing around the Christmas tree. Free. For information: medfordchamberma.com.
NCS CHRISTMAS CONCERT — Dec. 9, 8-9:30 p.m.; Dec. 10, 2:30-4 p.m., Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport. Music director Dr. George Case will conduct over 180 singers, soloists and professional orchestra members in a program entitled "The Rose and the Night Star." The program features Camille Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, various musical settings of Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming, and a multicultural piece from South Africa, titled "Hope for Resolution." The Greater Newburyport Children's Chorus will also perform a selection of light-hearted holiday pieces. The audience will be invited to join with the chorus and orchestra in singing familiar carols. Tickets: $22; $20 seniors and students; $25 at the door. For information: 978-462-0650; newburyportchoralsociety.org.
LATKES AND LAUGHS CHANUKAH CELEBRATION — Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.,Temple Agudas Achim-Ezrath Israel, 245 Bryant St., Malden. Full breakfast with entertainment by comedian/magician Johnny Pizzi, latkes, candle lighting ceremony, Chanukah shopping, arts and crafts for kids; sponsored by the Neal Sherman Youth Fund. Make a paid reservation by Dec. 5. Members $15, guests $18, teens $10, children free. Please bring a children's or women's hat, gloves or scarf to be donated to Housing Families. Information: aa-ei.org.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT & CAROL SING — Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., The Meeting House on the Common, Main and Washington streets, Topsfield. The Congregational Church of Topsfield will host a family event featuring selections by G.F. Handel, J.S. Bach, Gustav Holst, Gretchaninoff and a traditional carols sing-along. CCoT Music Director Joel Schwindt will lead the Chancel and Bell Choirs, along with organist Warren Eartle and CCoT soloists. Free; freewill donations accepted. A reception will follow in the Emerson Center Fellowship Hall, 9 E. Common St., across from the Common.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, TOY DRIVE — Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m., Montvale Plaza, 54 Montvale Plaza, Stoneham. The event is part of the Stoneham Firefighters Association's annual holiday toy drive that benefits Toys for Local Children, a Somerville-based organization dedicated to making holiday wishes come true for families in the area. Anyone who brings an unwrapped toy for a child of any age to the event will be provided with a free breakfast and the opportunity to take pictures with Santa (please bring your own camera). Gift cards and monetary donations will also be accepted. Anyone with questions can contact Firefighter Labriola or Firefighter Dan Kelleher at 781-438-0127.
LATKES & VODKA: A SALEM HANUKKAH PARTY — Deacon Giles Speakeasy Lab, 75 Canal St, Salem, on Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m. Free. For information: deacongiles.com. Attendees will have the chance to sample a variety of potato latkes with vodka from Deacon Giles Distillery in celebration of Hanukkah.
Dec. 15-25
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" — Dec. 15, 8-9 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church Salem, 385 Essex St. Storyteller Jonathan Kruk will performs his one-man show of "A Christmas Carol," dramatically portraying over 30 characters in just over an hour. Musician Jim Keyes will open the show with a "Twelve Days of Christmas" sing-along, before accompanying Kruk on harp, organ, bells, violin and the eerie clanking of Marley's ghostly shackles. Cost: $25. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For information: grace-church.ticketleap.com/a-christmas-carol.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE — Dec. 15, 4-8 p.m., Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St., Cambridge. Walk through the decorated house, stroll the illuminated grounds, listen to live harp music in the library, and enjoy refreshments and crafts in the Carriage House. On Dec. 16, we will offer guided tours of the house's first floor starting in the Visitor Center every 30 minutes from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Refreshments and crafts for the whole family will again be offered in the Carriage House from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. All events are free and appropriate for all ages, no reservations required. Call 617-876-4491 for more information or visit nps.gov/long.
THE POLAR EXPRESS — Dec. 16, 6-8:15 p.m., Second Congregational Church of Boxford, 173 Washington St. Kids and parents are invited to don their pajamas and robes for a screening of "The Polar Express." Attendees are encouraged to arrive early at 5:45 p.m. for best seats and photo show. After entry at the ticket booth, staff are in uniform and await the arrival of each passenger. Event will include popcorn, Christmas lights and room decorations. Passenger's "golden tickets" are ready to be punched by the train conductors walking the aisles. After the movie, Santa will drop in with gifts for all. Up to 100 spots are available. Advance ticket registration is required by Dec. 12. Tickets are $12 each (children 3 and under, free). For information and tickets: secondchurchboxford.org.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN — Dec. 16 and 17, 3-6 p.m., Pine Banks Park, 2 Pine Banks Park Road, Melrose. Santa Claus will make his 68th annual trip to his Malden/Melrose headquarters at Pine Banks Park to visit with children, hear what they want for Christmas and pose for keepsake photos. Santa's helpers will be serving hot chocolate and cookies. Information: facebook.com/events/364327077326614.
New Year's Eve
BEVERLY'S NEW YEAR 2018 — 3:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Cabot Street, Downtown Beverly. For information: Beverly Main Streets, 978-922-8558, beverlymainstreets.org/beverlys-new-year-62.html. Join for the Grand Procession parade and Kids' Countdown beach ball drop. Attendees can enjoy performances, Curious Creatures, magic, games, music, arts and crafts and more.


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Embroidery Patterns
SMALL PACK Embroidery Patterns - CHRISTMAS TIME
|Jing-jing-jing-a-ling! Since our Winterland sheet sells year-round we figured it was time for even more holiday motifs for your stitching. Merry Christmas to all and to all an embroidered gift!
Choose iron-on transfer, downloadable PDF with COLOR Guides, or combo of both for a special price!
About our pattern formats.


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT sailing teams picked up right where they left off with another set of strong performances in four regattas. The nationally-ranked No. 15 coed squad was fourth at the Boston University Invitational, sixth at the Hatch Brown Trophy, and seventh at the Boston University FJ Invite. Meanwhile, the No. 11 women's team claimed fifth place at the Mrs. Hurst Bowl.
Junior Chloe Lepert (Belmont, Calif.) and freshman Paige Omura (Honolulu, Hawaii) secured fourth place out of 16 teams in the B Division of the Mrs. Hurst Bowl. The duo entered the top 10 in 11 of 16 races, including a victory in the final outing, a trio of runner-up performances, and a pair of third-place finishes. In the A Division, senior Hanna Vincent (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and sophomore Elizabeth Zhang (Lexington, Mass.) collaborated for 10th place in the standing as they were third in the 13th rotation, fifth in the 11th round, and sixth in the ninth and 12th races.
Seniors David Alfonso (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and Iris Xu (Madison, Wis.) along with junior Kayla Ngan (Sudbury, Mass.) produced a fourth-place ranking out of 18 teams in the A Division of the Hatch Brown Trophy. The trio was the runner-up in the fourth round, fourth in the 10th rotation, and tallied five fifth-place performances. Xu also competed with sophomores Joe Paggi (Bayville, N.J.) and Lisa Sukharev-Chuyan (Temple, N.H.) in the C Division as they won the opening race, captured second on three occasions, and placed third in the 12th round en route to fifth in the standings. In the B Division, sophomore David Larson (La Jolla, Calif.), freshman Jordan Ladd (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), and junior Samantha Albright (Madison, Conn.) used 11 top-10 placements to finish ninth overall as highlights included third place in the eighth round, fourth place in the ninth race, and a pair of fifth-place performances.
At the BU Invitational, freshmen Alec Stewart (Duxbury, Mass.) and Jorlyn Le Garrec (Pittsburgh, Pa.) won the A Division on the strength of four top-three finishes in the nine rounds that were held. The duo captured the top spot in the third race, was the runner-up in the next outing, and claimed third place on two occasions. With both divisions competing simultaneously, freshman Nicole O'Brien (Winthrop, Mass.) and sophomore Scarlett Koller (Geneva, Switzerland) were sixth in the B group as they were sixth in the fifth race, eighth in the eighth round, and ninth in the second outing.
Like the BU Invitational, the BU FJ Invite saw both divisions racing at the same time. O'Brien and Koller made their second appearance of the weekend as they secured fourth place in the B Division. The tandem was the runner-up in the sixth round, claimed fourth in two rotations, and finished seventh in the second outing. In the A Division, sophomores Jamila Smith-Dell (Cambridge, Mass.) and Victoria Stivanello (Douglaston, N.Y.) finished eighth overall as they were third in the opening race and ninth in the finale.
Next up for MIT will be its own Midweek Firefly Invite slated for Thursday, Sept. 26 at 4:00 p.m.