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It's no secret that the cannabis industry is being flooded with venture capitalists and big business interests. It was going on in a limited capacity leading up to the historic 2012 election and has picked up exponentially since then. With every successful reform vote, and the creation of new business opportunities, more and more big dollar entities will hop into the cannabis space. This is likely to continue forever.
The cannabis space is not unique from the standpoint of a corporate takeover attempt. If something makes a lot of money, big business interests are sure to follow. It's been happening for a long time around the world, so it shouldn't surprise people to see it happening in the cannabis space. The impact on mom and pop operations has been dramatic, with many people in legal states that long relied on the plant for their financial existence being pushed out of the industry because they simply can't compete.
Large companies have two really big advantages over small businesses. First, they are able to survive the ebbs and flows of a growing industry, whereas a small business owner has to regularly make money in order to eat and keep a roof over their head. A large company can continue to operate for a long time when no profits are being made. That's what we are seeing across America right now with large companies losing money on cannabis businesses in the hopes that they will outlive their competitors and reap the rewards down the road.
The second advantage is that large companies can use strategies that involve making long term profits by making a smaller profit on each unit in the immediate, with the goal of making up for it by selling large volumes over the long haul. This is what Wal-Mart does. They don't beat their competitors by making the most money on each item sold, they beat their competitors by making a little bit of money on each item sold, and selling as many items as possible. The same will be true with cannabis. A small grower needs to maximize every dollar from every gram of their harvest, whereas a large scale grower can sell each gram for much cheaper, helping move the product faster, which helps them gain more market share and therefore make more money in the long run. In the process they push out the small cannabis grower. It's not exactly rocket science.
I have seen many people complain about corporate cannabis on social media and in blog articles (myself included!), and there's definitely a consensus that it's an issue for smaller scale entrepreneurs. But a solution to the issue, or even proposed solutions, are few and far between. There's plenty of complaining about corporate cannabis in the cannabis world, but what, if anything, can be done to stop the cannabis profiteering winds of change from taking over the entire industry?
The first thing that I see people offer up as a proposed solution is residency requirements. The argument goes that if only people that are residents of a state for a set time period are allowed into the industry, that will keep out-of-state dollars from flooding the state's industry. The problem with this argument is that all a company has to do is find someone to put on the the cannabis license application that meets the residency requirements, put a crafty contract in place between them and said person to funnel all the profits back to the out-of-state company, and the hurdle is overcome.
The second proposed solution that I see offered up is placing caps on the number of licenses that are issued. This strategy is not effective because it basically creates a licensing process that is only open to large companies with deep pockets. Look at states like New York and Illinois that have a cap on the number of licenses issued. The limited licenses available results in serious competition for those licenses, which drives up application fees and approval requirements. I have met people from New York and Illinois that spent over a million dollars trying to get a license, and they didn't receive even one license. The only entities that get granted licenses when caps are involved are those that have the wealthiest of backers, and even then it's not a guarantee.
Unfortunately for those that want cannabis to remain a cottage industry, corporate cannabis is here to stay. The sooner mom and pop operations realize that, the better off they will be in calculating for it and being able to plan ahead. Small cannabis companies cannot beat corporate cannabis by trying to match quantity of units sold. Small cannabis companies can only compete with corporate cannabis when it comes to the quality of the product, and the genuineness of the branding strategy. Smaller players in the cannabis industry need to have values-driven branding strategies that help them build a loyal customer base. Corporate cannabis is obviously only in it for the money, and if consumers know that you genuinely care about the plant, they will choose your product over big business' products.
Consumers should not want to support corporate cannabis. Corporate cannabis is comprised of jacktivists, cannabaggers, and cannassholes that are only currently in support of cannabis because it is now more profitable to support cannabis than it is to oppose it. These are the same people that likely have investment portfolios that also include drug testing companies and for-profit-prison companies. They could care less about righting the wrongs of decades of cannabis prohibition.
Genuine cannabis companies that are ran by people that have fought for cannabis reform prior to all of the jacktivism need to develop their brand's history and story, and make it a pillar of their cannabis company's branding strategy. If they truly love the plant, it will show in the not only the quality of their product, but also how members of the brand conduct themselves in the cannabis community. Cannabis, more than any other product, has a fan base that believes in making the world a better place. While I think that corporate cannabis is going to be around whether cannabis reform supporters like it or not, I also think that the craft consumer base is going to be stronger in the cannabis industry than any other industry, including the beer industry.
Craft beer has increased in popularity, but it still only made up 12% of overall beer industry market share in America in 2016. That figure is increasing, but it will be a while at the current rate before craft beer is beating non-craft beer. I think cannabis can do far better than that figure, but only if the craft cannabis industry focuses more on making their products and brands better, and not spending as much time complaining about corporate cannabis. That's obviously easier said than done, but it is vital if craft cannabis is ever going to compete with corporate cannabis in a meaningful way. While craft cannabis entrepreneurs are busy ranting and typing in all capital letters on social media, corporate cannabis is doing everything it can to squash the craft cannabis movement.
Craft cannabis companies need to unite their voices too, to ensure that they are heard in an increasing crowded conversation. That's why I support the Craft Cannabis Alliance and will continue to do so. Just as chain restaurants and crappy corporate beer exists, so too will corporate cannabis always exist. But just as superior small restaurants and craft beer companies exist and people are able to support themselves doing what they love via those industries, the same can be true for cannabis. Consumers need to refuse to buy corporate pretendica, and only support companies that are good stewards of the plant. If you are a consumer, do your homework before purchasing. And if you run a small cannabis company, give those consumers a reason to support you!


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Men's 6 Inch Steel-Toe Lace-Ups With Met Guard
Price $135.00
In Stock
Dark Brown Tumbled and Oiled Full Grain Leather, Soft, high abrasion, moisture-wicking lining, *Internal Flexible Met guard ASTM MT75, Wrapped cushion insole, Tempered steel shank, Goodyear construction, and an Oil, Slip and Heat resistant combine II rubber outsole. *Safety toe meets ASTM 175/C75 standards
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm and Butyl Benzyl phthalate (BBP) which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
**Item ships directly from the supplier. Please allow up to one additional week for processing. 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air are not available for this product, ground shipping only

subset: commoncrawl


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The Isolator Vol. 1 - Light Novel Review/
In the wake of a supernatural meteor shower which grants special powers to a select group of individuals, sci-fi action and teenage angst abound in the latest series from the author of Sword Art Online and Accel World!
"I'm looking for absolute solitude... that's why my code name is Isolator"
The Lowdown:
After the tragic murder of his family, all Minoru Utusgi has wanted to do is disappear into complete and absolute solitude. After enduring eight years of anguish, everything changes when a supernatural orb falls from space and embeds itself in him, giving Minoru a path towards the realization of his wish. However, Minoru soon discovers that others have been given powers as well and that their goals are not nearly as harmless as his. Soon, Minoru finds himself drawn into a battle between those carrying the murderous "Ruby Eye" and must use his new found power to protect those he cares about.
Who Is It For?
The Isolator will appeal to those who enjoy sci-fi action series such as A Certain Magical Index, as well as fans of Kawahara's other works.
How Was It?
The Isolator's story doesn't present anything particularly original or notable, but executes well upon its premise and delivers an enjoyable if somewhat familiar story. There certainly isn't a shortage of stories which follow the typical "angsty high-school protagonist receives power and must figure out to use this to save his loved ones" plot line, but to The Isolator's credit this narrative mold actually fits it quite well. I found this story's sci-fi trappings to be quite interesting and well-developed enough to hold my interest throughout, even if I never really had to guess which direction the plot would pursue. In particular, I found the explanation provided about the nature of the powers given by the jet-eyes and ruby-eyes quite fitting, and enjoyed that it left the door wide open to many promising directions the plot could go in.
Without giving away anything, the powers given by the jet and ruby orbs were one of the most compelling parts of the story and actually helped to provide some good depth to a number of The Isolator's characters. Protagonist Minoru Utsugi's power is the ability to manifest an unbreakable shell around his body, which in the right hands would be an extremely powerful ability and would easily dispatch this story's villian. However, Minoru still suffers from lingering trauma caused by the death of his parents, create a power mental block and preventing him from utilizing his powers in anything close to an effective manner. Because of this, The Isolator Vol. 1 never really presents its action sequences as a battle of sheer power but is more about Minoru's mental battle to overcome his lack of confidence. This was a good decision because his ability is undeniably overpowered but this lack of confidence keeps him in check, preventing him from becoming the type of hero the protagonist of Kawahara's other more famous work is routinely criticized for being. While this may become problematic in future volumes, I can't deny that it worked well for the purposed of the plot in this volume and was a good narrative decision.
The Isolator Vol. 1 also benefited greatly from developing its villain to an uncommon degree compared to many of its genre peers. A significant amount of page-space is spent showing the perspective of this volume's antagonist, The Biter. This was surprisingly well realized and was extremely effective in providing depth to his character, with the focus on his back-story providing a great sense of perspective of his character. Without this, The Biter would almost certainly have been nothing more than a one-dimensional cartoon villain but the work Kawahara puts in to developing him as a character adds a significant amount of emotional investment to Utsugi and The Biter's conflict. This propped up the action scenes nicely, giving them more tension than they otherwise would have had if Minoru was forced to fight a more unremarkable adversary.
One of the biggest things I noticed in The Isolator was that the writing style was not nearly as refined as it could have been. As I was reading through the book, the pacing suffered because of Kawahara's overbearing use of descriptors, making scenes drag on for longer than would have otherwise been necessary. It's important to note that although The Isolator Vol. 1 was published in book format in 2014, like Sword Art Online it was originally posted online in 2004. This could explain why the writing style is not up to the level I've previously seen from Kawahara, and while this does not by any means cripple the book, it was something that I noticed as an issue especially during the first half. It's also worth noting that this was not because of an awkward translation as Yen Press did a great job as usual with this aspect of the release.
Another aspect of The Isolator which could have been improved was the pacing, as it felt that certain sequences took up a disproportionately larger amount of space than they needed to. This affected the action scenes the most, as it really felt like Kawahara could have been more economical in his description of the events. In addition, the fight scenes are negatively impacted because the book doesn't quite manage to sell that Minoru is in any actual danger due to the power of his ability. As I noted above, the emotional tension created by the character development The Biter receives helps to compensate for this problem, it would have been nice if there was a more of a convincing sense of danger to the protagonist that matched his description.
Final Thoughts
The Isolator Vol. 1 is an enjoyable sci-fi action story that manages to go beyond its distinctly familiar and formulaic set-up. While those looking for a different take on the genre won't find it here, The Isolator undeniably executes well upon its premise because of the attention paid to its two main characters. The volume's overall back-story supports this well, and the answers provided with regard to the powers characters are given opens the door on a number of promising directions the plot could take in future volumes. The Isolator Vol. 1 is well-worth reading and is another interesting series from Kawahara which will be sure to please fans of his other works.
The Isolator: Realization of Absolute Solitude Vol. 1: The Biter was published by Yen Press on June 23rd, 2015. Authored by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Shimeji, the series is currently ongoing and published by ASCII Mediaworks' Dengeki Bunko imprint. First published in Japan on June 10th, 2014, two volumes have currently been released.
Date of Publication: June 23rd, 2015
Translator: Adair Trask
Author: Reki Kawahara
Publisher: Yen Press


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Daily Content Archive(as of Tuesday, August 30, 2016)
|Word of the Day
|Article of the Day
PicaCharacterized by the consumption of materials such as soil, chalk, and hair, pica is a disorder involving an appetite for non-nutritive substances or an abnormal compulsion to eat foodstuffs that are usually ingredients, such as flour or starch. Such eating behaviors have been observed in people of all ages but are only termed pica if they persist for more than one month in persons deemed developmentally able to determine whether an item is appropriate for consumption. How is pica treated? More...
|This Day in History
International Day of the Disappeared Observed by UN for First Time (2011)The International Day of the Disappeared on August 30 is an annual commemoration day to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places unknown to their relatives and without legal process. The impulse for the day came from the Latin American Federation of Associations for Relatives of Detained-Disappeared, a non-governmental organization founded in 1981 in Costa Rica. When did the United Nations adopt the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance? More...
|Today's Birthday
Jacques-Louis David (1748)The unchallenged painter of the French Revolution, and later the official portraitist to Napoleon, David was the virtual art dictator of France for a generation. His pervasive influence on European art extended beyond painting to determine the course of fashion, interior decoration, and even the development of moral philosophy. Although he was a talented portraitist, David is best known for his paintings of classical, historical, and mythological themes. What are some of his most famous works? More...
|Quotation of the Day
|Art...is merely the refuge which the ingenious have invented, when they were supplied with food and women, to escape the tediousness of life.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
|Today's Holiday
Flower Festival of St. Rose (2018)On the island of St. Lucia, two floral societies known as the Roses and the Marguerites pay tribute to their namesake flowers as well as their patron saints: Rose of Lima and Margaret Mary Alacoque. In an intensive process of preparing for the two fêtes, the they each hold a series of dress rehearsals known as séances. The feast day then opens with a church service, which is followed by a street procession presenting the host society's royal entourage. The evening program includes a banquet, the much-awaited performance by the shantwel, and folk dances. More...


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This event occurred in the past.
January 26, 2019
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
FOTA members Free; non-members $3; 6-12 years $1
Ditch the drab of winter with a lively birthday party for Kansas at the Overland Park Arboretum. January is the month our state entered the union, and we are celebrating our Kansas heritage with storytelling, reenactments, music, a history fair and more.
No pre-registration necessary, included with admission.


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I know you are, so what am I?: passing through/torn formations
My grandmother's Alzheimer's got so bad that we had to put her in a nursing home in 1997. The move devastated my grandfather. They were in their 56th year of marriage. For the first time since 1941, he was alone.
Fall 1990. Sheridan College. I was taking Media Arts. One of the teachers was a guy named Phil Hoffman. I'd never heard of him. After his first (okay, maybe they were his twenty-fifth) words to the class, I never forgot him. "Do what you know," he told us. That seemingly simple and obvious philosophy was about the only thing I took of value from Sheridan College. I ended up flunking out, more intent to drink and fuck around than to learn industrial cinema. Almost eighteen years later, though, I've pretty much stuck (albeit often unconsciously) to Hoffman's credo.
Grandpa tried to limit his visits to the home, but soon he was making the half hour drive on a daily basis. He'd help feed her, bring movies and music for the residents, and continually care for her. Eventually, Grandpa, tired of the long lonely winters and sleepless nightmares, moved to the nursing home to be with my grandmother.
When I eventually saw Hoffman's films a few years later, I saw those words come to life. Forget all this abstract/experimental thinking and theory. That didn't (and doesn't) interest me. They're too often tools for fleeing and denying emotions. I'll let the eggheads address form, structure and all that. No, what lured me in and soiled my socks was the blatant openness of Hoffman's work. He took deeply personal images and memories and put them right up there on the screen for us to savour, share, and decipher. Through Hoffman's history I found my own.
A few months after he moved to the nursing home, my grandfather died in an Ottawa hospital. He didn't want to go this way. He moved to the home to die beside my grandmother. He died alone inside the anonymous hospital walls at 6:30am. An hour later I was staring down at the only real father I ever knew. Now he was the first dead man I ever knew.
He sure had a lot of nose hair.
passing though/torn formations has always been among my favourites of Hoffman's works. The opening, silent images of his mother feeding her dying mother haunt me even more today. Yes, that is Hoffman's grandmother up there on the screen, or at least a fragment of her, but she is also my grandmother. In that ghostly, sunken face more dead than alive, I see my grandmother. In the familiar room that could be in any nursing home, there are pictures of the past pinned to the wall. Like WANTED posters, they are putting out a call to someone not there. Desperate pleas from loved ones to help them find the woman, the child lost to them now.
On some Sundays I visit the nursing home and feed my grandmother. To still my discomfort, I think back to when she fed me as a baby. It makes me feel good. I am caring for her, I think, as she once did for me.
"Do not forget us," the pictures whisper from the walls of Babji's room.
A few days after his death I drove out to the nursing home with my cousins. Inside a drawer in my grandfather's room, I found his birthday card for grandma. He was not an affectionate man. Outside of occasional bursts of anger, he did not show emotion. He never really seemed to be enjoying life. So it was a shock to open the card and read: "To my darling wife. I miss you. I need you. I love you. You are everything to me." He probably never said anything like this to her before. He never felt he had to. Life would go on. There would always be tomorrow.
With his grandmother silent, Hoffman realizes that it's his turn to go back, to bring the old stories forward. This is no easy task. While the pictures and home movies make it all look "so neat and tidy", his memories tell him otherwise.
Grandma loved to whistle with the backyard birds. Sometimes she spoke of her love of music. As Alzheimer's was devouring her, wartime music would, momentarily, call her back to us. Did she live the life she wanted?
Hoffman's non-linear journey reflects the chaos of history. Voices, landscapes, sounds and memories pass through and overlap as they convey tales of abandonment, migration, and violence. We're never entirely sure where we are, and that's okay.
One winter, I went to visit my grandfather's grave. It's in this small village outside of the town. The cemetery was unplowed so I had to park the car near the highway and walk from the road. His grave is way at the back, I think. The grave is unmarked because the family decided that it was best to wait for my grandmother (that was 4 years ago!). In arctic conditions, with no one around, I start talking aloud to my grandfather. As I'm doing this, another voice emerges and takes over as a sort of meta-commentary. Why are you doing this? Shit... if he can actually hear you so can the others here. Good thinking. I say hello to them and then figure... well... if they can hear me then they likely know all that's going on in the world and don't need me to spell it out, besides, if they're spirits, they probably ain't here anyway... they're likely off haunting.
This goes on for about 10 minutes until I say bye and walk back to the car. I sit a bit and wonder what the fuck was that all about.
Being in Hoffman's world is like doing a shotgun with a friend.
Your turn. You're it.


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Fox Edges hooks
RRPs: £4.25 a packet (10 hooks) | www.foxint.com
Fox has taken its time to replace the popular Armapoint range, but first impressions indicate the new Edges hooks have been worth the wait.
The most obvious thing about these new versions is their sharpness. All manufacturers tell you how sharp their hooks are, but these are appreciably sharper than almost every other brand on the market.
The range is also vast. Every situation can be covered with one of these patterns, though newcomers may find the eight-hook range a bit too big (there are three different curved patterns, for instance).
We've yet to give them a long-term going over, but the XC80 vanadium-forged steel looks meaty enough to cope with most situations without adding too much weight.


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Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada/ Shellie Bailey-Shah
British Columbia, Canada
This world-class ski resort offers families unique adventures both on & off the slopes.
Repeatedly recognized as the top ski resort in North America and site of the ski and sliding events of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Whistler Blackcomb draws families from around the world. On a recent trip here, my family and I shared gondola rides with families from Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and England, making it a truly international experience.
So what's all the fuss about? Well first, there's the unparalleled beauty of the Fitzsimmons Range in British Columbia. Then, there's the vast number of skiing and snowboarding runs for both beginners and experts, making it an ideal choice for families of varied abilities. There's the convenience of several ski-in/ski-out lodging options in three separate ski villages. And finally, there are plenty of unique, off-slope adventures either for non-skiing families or for skiing families looking to take a break from the lifts. Granted, a Whistler vacation isn't cheap, but you'd be hard-pressed to find another resort that can boast a better, all-around experience.
KidTripster Tip: Exclusive to residents of Canada, Oregon, and Washington State, a Whistler Blackcomb EDGE Card is the most economical way to ski and ride. The card comes pre-loaded with deeply discounted lift tickets that you can use any day of the winter, plus exclusive perks and discounts on lessons, rentals, tube park, and lodging.
Note: All prices here are listed in American dollars but will vary given the exchange rate with the Canadian dollar.
Photo courtesy: Toshi Kawano
First, it's important to understand the lay of the land at Whistler Blackcomb. The ski resort is anchored by two mountains: Whistler and Blackcomb. Each mountain has its own village with lodging, restaurants, and attractions. Five minutes south of Whistler Village, you'll find the quieter Creekside area that also has lodging, restaurants, and lifts. But if you're a first-time visitor to Whistler, I'd recommend staying in the more lively, centrally-located Whistler Village.
There's a wide range of lodging options, including five-star hotels, more moderate lodges, and spacious condos and rental homes. I confess: I hate schlepping. Carrying my ski gear - and when my kids were younger, their ski gear - from condo to car or shuttle bus to parking area to ski lift is not my idea of a vacation. That's why I'm willing to pay more for ski-in/ski-out convenience.
Welcome to Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa. From the moment that you arrive, you're greeted by the ski valet, who checks in your skis and boards and transports them directly to Summit Sport (rentals available here, too) on the backside of the hotel, just 50 feet from Whistler Gondola and opposite Whistler Kids Ski School. If you didn't buy your lift tickets online in advance, stop at the concierge's desk to order discounted passes for the following day. The concierge also can help make last-minute reservations for dinner or other activities, though during peak holiday periods, you'll want to make these reservations months in advance.
With all of our ski gear plus the family dog, we opted for a Whistler Junior Suite with a king-sized bed and a large coach that folded out into a queen-sized bed for the kids. The room features a kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, cooktop, dishwasher, and coffee maker. The suite also has an extra sink area outside the full bathroom which makes getting a family ready in the morning a lot easier. But my favorite feature was the wood-burning fireplace that added to the cozy, lodge-like ambience.
The hotel has two restaurants: Cinnamon Bear Grille and Cinnamon Bear Bar. The Grille has a more upscale feel, offering daily breakfast and dinner. Our family actually preferred the Bar, where children are welcome until 10 p.m. The atmosphere is casual with a fireplace, multiple televisions, and two pool tables. While there isn't a kids' menu, there's plenty of kid-friendly choices. The loaded nachos are nearly the size of a small tabletop!
The hotel has a full-service spa, but your kids will be more interested in the year-round, outdoor, heated pool and hot tub. Every night, my boys had a poolside snowball fight before taking a swim. Me? Straight to the hot tub!
KidTripster Tip: During the holiday season, the Hilton Whistler offers extras for families: gingerbread cookies at the front desk, complimentary afternoon hot chocolate, s'mores station, gingerbread house and cookie decorating, crafts, plus keepsake ornaments, Santa photos, and a T'was the Night Before Christmas reading on Christmas Eve. We spent evenings in the Youth Lounge (holiday season, only), engaged in spirited ping pong and air hockey competitions.
Finally, like many Whistler hotels, the Hilton Whistler welcomes your dog (up to 75 pounds) for an extra fee of around $18. Our black Labrador puppy embraced hotel life. And with the fresh mountain air and a new blanket of snow, I really enjoyed walking him around Whistler Village and in some of the quieter areas just off the village center.
KidTripster Tip: Worried about leaving your dog for an entire day while you're on the mountain? No problem. For a reasonable hourly rate (two hour minimum), hire Whistler Dog Sitting. A professional pet sitter will come to your hotel room, condo or house to play with your pooch, let him out for potty breaks, and go for a walk. It's best to schedule in advance, especially during peak periods.
Rates for a Whistler Junior Suite start at around $352/night during the winter months but go up substantially during the holiday season. If you're a Hilton Honors member, it's not a bad place to cash in your points.
Or consider a vacation rental from Tripbound. As a KidTripster fan, you get an extra 10% off when you reserve through this link.
Please know that we love its properties so much that KidTripster has decided to partner with Tripbound as an affiliate. That means if you use our link to book, we get some coffee money from them. There's no additional cost to you. Just wanted you to know!
Photo courtesy: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
As the largest ski resort on the continent with 8,171 skiable acres, the choices here can be a little daunting. It's worth exploring all the family-friendly options here on KidTripster and on the interactive, online trail map in advance to devise a plan.
Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the longest and highest lift in the world. It's a 2.7-mile, 11-minute journey that - on a clear day - reveals snow-covered peaks to wide-eyed skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers alike. The gondola is included in your lift ticket. Sightseers can purchase a ticket separately. Cost: Youth (7-12) $21; Youth (13-18) $37; Adult $42; save 10-percent by purchasing online at least three days in advance.
KidTripster Tip: If you want the ultimate view, wait for one of the silver, glass-bottomed cars.
Even though you can ski and ride both mountains, it doesn't mean that you should. About 15 to 20-percent of the resort is beginner terrain; of the two mountains, Whistler is by far the better mountain for beginners and children. Take the Whistler Village Gondola or Fitzsimmons Express to Olympic Station, where you'll find the Children's Learning Area. Here you can hop on Lower Olympic, the easiest run on the mountain. But unlike other ski resorts, not all the easy runs are on the lower half of the mountain at Whistler. You can progress higher up on the mountain to Roundhouse Lodge and access the Green Acres Family Zone off the Emerald Express. Or go all the way to the top via the Harmony 6 Express lift and ride the Burnt-Stew Trail plus several others.
KidTripster Tip: Whistler Blackcomb can get crowded. Your best strategy? Ski early when the snow is fresh, and the lines are shorter. That means being in line when the lifts and gondolas open at 8:30 a.m. Spend your day on the upper half of the mountain, where there are still plenty of green and blue trails but fewer people. Catch an early lunch at 11 a.m. before the crowds. Then work your way to the base. If you're a novice skier, you don't want to be on the lower mountain after 3 p.m. You'll get caught in the mass exodus of people coming off the mountain. Either ski down earlier or take a gondola down from mid-mountain.
KidTripster Tip: I found Whistler trails to be longer than average, so you'll spend a lot more time skiing and less time riding lifts. Make sure to take plenty of breaks. Tired, "noodle" legs lead to accidents.
Unique to Whistler Blackcomb, don't miss the hidden family play areas, nestled in groves of ancient, gnarled trees with witch's hair draping off the branches. Kids and grown-ups can slip off their skis and boards and explore these enchanting, wooded lairs. On Whistler, your kids will love the Tree Fort, located just off Bear Cub Trail near Big Red Express chairlift. On Blackcomb, the Magic Castle is located in the Children's Adventure Park, accessible via Easy Out.
KidTripster Tip: Avoid paying full price on site by pre-purchasing your lift tickets online at least three days in advance. Online 2-day lift cost: Youth (6 and under) Free; Youth (7-12) starts at $73; Youth (13-18) starts at $124; Adult starts at $147; during peak season, lift ticket prices increase. If you book your lodging online, you may be able to take advantage of the family package where kids (12 and under) ski, stay, and rent for free.
Whistler Backcomb offers the widest selection of private ski lessons, group lessons, and camps for skiers, boarders, and freestylers that I've seen at any resort. You can sign up as a family or sign up for an age-specific session (ages 3-6, 7-12 or 13-18). Cost: Varies. I watched the lessons for the smallest skiers. Instructors move the tiny tots from one skill station to another via a cart pulled by snowmobile; each seat in the cart has a little steering wheel, so that the kids can help "drive." It was pretty adorable. For wee ones, Whistler Blackcomb offers four licensed, childcare programs for ages 18 to 48 months and 3 to 5 years.
Photo courtesy: Justa Jeskova
Let's be honest, I don't have the stamina to ski all day, every day. At Whistler Blackcomb, there are plenty of winter activities for fatigued or non-skiers to enjoy!
Bobsleigh, skeleton & luge
If you're looking for death-defying, heart-pumping excitement, head to the Whistler Sliding Centre. I'm not joking about the intensity! Riders (14 and up) hop into a four-person bobsleigh (or bobsled) piloted by an expert (thank goodness!) and hurl down the world's fastest track. It's the same track used in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. You'll feel the force of 3Gs as you slide through ten turns at speeds of up to 77 mph! Needless to say, this experience isn't for the faint of heart. My entire family, including my teenaged sons, did it and lived to tell the tale! Cost: $132/person/ride.
Watch the video here, courtesy of Coast Mountain Photography.
Want more? The Whistler Sliding Centre is the only place in Canada where the public (age 16 and up) can experience the rush of skeleton - you know, lying on a sled head-first and then exploding through six corners at speeds up to 62 mph with your chin just inches from the ice. Believe it or not, no prior experience is necessary, and it's actually supposed to be safer than bobsleigh. I can't say that I had the guts to try, but my 14-year old is already asking to do it when he's old enough. Cost: $132/person/two slides; reserve in advance.
Coca-Cola Tube Park
Located at the Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb Mountain (adjacent to Lot 8), the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers fun for the whole family. Kids must be at least 3 years old and 36-inches tall to tube. If you have little ones between 36 and 41-inches tall, they can use the mini kids lane from the halfway point; only one person can ride in a tube at a time, but parents can hang on to their kids' tubes in this lane. Group tubing, where sliders join up and go down a lane together, is allowed, as long as conditions permit. Cost: Mini Kids (3 and under) $14/hour; Youth (4-12) $18/hour; Youth (13-18) $21/hour; Adult $23/hour; discounts for second hour; tubes are provided.
KidTripster Tip: If you're looking for an evening activity, tubing isn't it! The tube park is only open until 6 p.m. daily.
Snowmobile tours
Canadian Wilderness Adventures offers a chance to take part in a favorite Canadian pastime: snowmobiling. You're picked up in Whistler Village and driven about 30-minutes away to a site in the Callaghan Valley. I think that this activity is best done with family members who are 19 years old and up, because that's how old you need to be to actually drive. From my experience, kids don't make good passengers; the ride is usually around two hours long and without the heated, front hand grips, kids can get very cold. Callaghan Cruiser cost: Single driver $117; Sharing rider $88; Youth (under 12) Free with a paying adult.
KidTripster Tip: Opt for a daytime tour when temperatures are likely to be warmer and dress for the conditions.
KidTripster Tip: If you have a child-free night, consider Canadian Wilderness Adventures' trip to Crystal Hut perched atop Blackcomb Mountain for an intimate fondue dinner. While you can ride snowmobiles, I'd recommend the snowcat option. Again, it's cold! Snowcat option including dinner: $139/person.
A better option for young families, The Adventure Group (TAG) offers family snowmobiling tours, where kids (ages 6-12, at least 4-feet tall) can drive their own mini snowmobiles. Cost: Youth (12 and under) Free; Adult Driver $117; Adult Passenger $66.
Dog sledding
You also can experience the Callaghan Valley via dog sled with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Join your professional musher in harnessing and staging the dogs, learn dog sledding commands, and learn how to handle a dog sled. It's possible for older teens to mush the dogs for part of the journey. Along the way, you'll stop at an abandoned trapper's camp on Totem Lake and learn about the history of Canadian fur trappers. The ride itself is pretty mellow and best suited to younger families. Cost: 2 Adults (or teen and adult) $294; 2 Adults with Youth (under 12) $367.
Snowshoe tours
If you're looking for a different way to experience the mountain, consider a snowshoeing tour with The Adventure Group (TAG). If you can walk, you can snowshoe. You'll take a gondola up the mountain and then detour off the slopes to a trail through an old growth area of Douglas firs, cedars, and hemlocks. While it's picturesque, know that you won't experience any wide vistas, as it's too wooded. Kids need to be at least 6 years old. This tour is a great option if you're traveling with grandparents. If you're going with teens, bump up to an immediate tour, even if you have no experience; the beginner tour is pretty slow-moving. Cost: Youth (6-12) $36 ; Adult $66.
KidTripster Tip: If you're willing to drive 40 minutes from Whistler Village, you can go snowshoeing on your own at Whistler Olympic Park. Here you'll find 25 miles of marked trails (9 miles are dog-friendly). Day pass cost: Youth (6 and under) Free; Youth (7-18) $6; Adult $11; snowshoes, poles, and boots available for rental. On Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m., the pass is less than $4 per person.
Whistler Olympic Park
Whistler Olympic Park (not Plaza) is truly the area's best-kept secret! In addition to snowshoeing, you can try cross-country skiing, biathlon, and tobogganing in this former Olympic venue. It's worth spending a day in this wonderland of winter sports and activities. Cost: Vary, but are reasonable.
Ice skating
Ice skating likely will be the least expensive thing you do in Whistler! Located in Whistler Village's Olympic Plaza right next to the Olympic Rings (family photo op), you'll find the small outdoor rink. Since there's no night skiing or tubing at Whistler, save this activity for the evening. Cost: Free; skate rental $6; helmets available at no cost.
KidTripster Tip: If you have the room, bring a sled or saucer on your vacation. There's a small sledding area overlooking the ice rink for little ones. You'll also find families sledding near Whistler Village Gondola in the evening, though it's pretty dark.
Click here for our picks for the top 6 activities at Whistler for teens.
Photo courtesy: The Adventure Group
There's no shortage of dining options at Whistler Blackcomb, though you should be prepared for resort prices.
For breakfast, most of the hotels have some sort of breakfast buffet. However, if you venture into the village, you'll find restaurants and cafes offering less expensive breakfast options, as well. Or if you're really ambitious, you can buy a premium Fresh Tracks lift ticket. Limited to 650 skiers and boarders per day, this ticket gives you early access to the Whistler Village Gondola from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. Once at the Roundhouse Lodge, you're treated to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet before you head out to carve the day's first tracks in the fresh powder or perfectly-groomed corduroy. Purchase tickets online in advance.
There are several on-mountain lunch options, but try to avoid the hours between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. New to Whistler, Ollie's Grilled Cheese at Olympic Station is sure to please your kids with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, fries, and soups. The Chic Pea atop Garbanzo Express is another popular choice. If you're skiing Blackcomb, don't miss lunch at Crystal Hut with its famous, fully-loaded Belgian buttermilk waffles. You'll end up waiting if you go during peak periods; be prepared to eat outdoors as inside seating is extremely limited. Better yet, get there by 10 a.m. for a late breakfast or early lunch.
If you're in Whistler Village for lunch, your nose will led you to Zog's hot dogs and fries near the Whistler Village Gondola. Here, you also can sample Canadian poutine - French fries smothered in beef gravy and cheese curd. I'll admit, poutine is not my family's favorite. We'll stick with ketchup.
Whistler Blackcomb has a very lively après-ski scene. Favorite spots with outdoor fire rings include Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, Longhorn Saloon and Grill, and Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar and Grill.
For dinner, I like Stonesedge Kitchen, a comfortable, family-friendly restaurant just a few minute's walk from the Hilton Whistler. It specializes in comfort food with a twist. And I think that it has the best selection of warm, alcoholic drinks in Whistler. I ended my meal with a Mexican hot chocolate with tequila and wished that I would have started my meal with one, too! And make sure to leave room for dessert! If you don't make it here for dinner, Stonesedge also serves a delicious, hearty breakfast.
Photo courtesy: Toshi Kawano
From Vancouver, British Columbia, it's less than a two-hour drive to Whistler along the famed Sea to Sky Highway. Alternatively, you can board the Rocky Mountaineer Train for the four-hour Sea to Sky Climb with its awe-inspiring sights.
KidTripster Tip: If booking accommodations on Whistler Blackcomb's website, you should price out airfares, as well; the resort sometimes offers special rates.
KidTripster Tip: If you're driving, carry snow chains. If you're renting, ask for them. Make sure you know how to put them on before leaving.
KidTripster Tip: If you're driving from the USA to Canada, don't forget your passport and your Global Entry cards, if you have them. Global Entry will allow you to go through the much shorter Nexus line when crossing back to the USA, if you're an American citizen. And if your bringing your dog, you'll need a rabies certificate traveling into Canada and a health certificate to return to the USA. Health certificates need to be issued by your vet within 10 days of your departure. Also know that whatever dog food that you're bringing into Canada must be commercially-packaged and unopened.
For my top 6 picks for teens visiting Whistler, click here.
Or read 7 reasons to visit Whistler during the holidays.
Editor Shellie Bailey-Shah is relieved that her skiing skills (or lack of) did not pass on to her more adventurous sons.
Photo courtesy: Justa Jeskova
This writer received a discounted stay and some complimentary activities for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.


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McLaren celebrates 50 years in Formula 1
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of McLaren's first Formula 1 race, they have brought together the race car from the 1966 Monaco GP, the M2B, with a modern day McLaren 570S Coupé. The 570S features a distinctive livery which honours the M2B, with pure white paintwork highlighted by a central green stripe and silver edging
Every McLaren road car benefits from its Formula 1 experience. Trace their history back 50 years and you'll find McLaren's first Formula 1 car, the M2B. Follow the narrative to the present day and you arrive at the new McLaren 570S Coupe, the first Sport Series model with its carbon fibre MonoCell II, carbon-ceramic brakes and Brake Steer technology all derived from the pinnacle of motorsport. Fifty years after the M2B made its debut at Monaco, the 570S echoes the drive for innovation that McLaren has always stood for. You can read more about both of these cars at the link below.


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Vegan, que?!
I've got to admit, making this sandwich took a lot of effort. I no longer live in a city where I have access to Latin American foods from the Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, ect.) And what's even more difficult is trying to find these foods that are either vegetarian or vegan.
This means I have to make mistakes, learn, and improve my recipes for my favorite dishes. By the way, I had a really difficult time finding Cuban bread in the Bay Area. If anyone can point me into the right direction, please comment below! If you're wondering, I had to use french bread. And no, I can't bake my own bread. A part of my cooking adventures is being creative, since I don't have access to an oven.
Can anyone take a wild guess as to what I used for my "pork?" Well, I used jackfruit (it's allll the craze). Here's a tip: finding canned jackfruit is hella difficult. I stopped by three different grocery stores, and came home empty handed every single time. I decided to do some Google searching and I learned that I can find canned jackfruit in Asian stores. And I did. 🙂
This was my first time making this sandwich, and I think I did a pretty damn good job (pats back). I am always looking to improve – so let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for me!
What You'll need:
- Cuban bread
- Mustard
- 1 canned young jackfruit in water
- 1 tablespoon of Mojo/Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper marinade
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sweet onion
- Sandwich pickles
- Chao Creamy Original slices
- Tofurky Peppered deli slices
How To Make It Vegan "Pork"
The only cooking part we'll have here is for the Cuban-style vegan "pork."
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/2 cup of sweet onion, chopped
- 1 can of young green jackfruit in water
- 1 tablespoon cup of mojo OR Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper marinade
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- Sazon/salt + pepper to taste
- Drain water from the canned jackfruit.
- Over low heat, add all ingredients and the jackfruit.
- Shred the jackfruit with a fork as it's cooking.
- Cook for about 15 minutes or so in a simmer.
[optional] I also added a little bit of a fajita sauce to give it some of a smoky flavor. Jackfruit has a mild flavor, so you can do a lot with it. It's not necessary to follow my recipe to the T. You may switch it out for other flavors and seasonings. The jackfruit will take the flavors of whatever you add to it.
How To Build Your Vegan Cuban Sandwich:
- Cut open a loaf of bread.
- Add mustard on both side.
- Add the jackfruit "pork"
- On top, add your deli slices
- Then add the chao cheese
- Top your layers with sandwich pickles
- Close that bad boy
To toast, I used a George Foreman. Grilling the sandwich on a stovetop works too.


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You can put it in your hair, put it in your food, and even use it to get to party going under the covers. But is coconut oil really that good for you? YES!
Coconut oil has been touted as the remedy for everything from acne cure to zinc alternative, but you can't argue that it has some proven health benefits when topically applied or moderately ingested.
Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil is the 12-carbon Lauric Acid. When coconut oil is enzymatically digested, it also forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi. This includes bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Candida Albicans, the cause of most yeast infections in humans. These antibacterial and anti-fungal properties hold true both when ingested and when used topically.
The People's Pharmacy specifically recommends it as a lubricant for women experiencing vaginal dryness, noting that its natural antibacterial and antiviral properties can help maintain vaginal health. (It does weaken latex condoms however so it's best used for situations where they are not called for.)
This is what makes it effective as a mouthwash as well. Coconut Oil Pulling, an ancient Ayurveda dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes has been used for ages for oral hygiene. When used in conjunction with a natural toothpaste, floss, and healthy diet, you can throw out that toxic fluoride (which has even been shown to reduce the brain's IQ... yikes!)
In beauty, coconut oil makes an amazing alternative for everything from a base for home body and lip balms, to shaving cream and hair conditioner. Mix it with coarse salt or sugar, and your favorite essential oil, to make your own DIY body scrub. You can mix it with Rosehip for oilier skin and Sweet Almond oil for dry skin. Here's an antioxident Coffee Body Scrub recipie from The Coconut Mama. One life hack even suggests mixing it with the loose particles of broken eyeshadows or blushes to make a creamier stay put version of your favorite colors. You don't have to throw out shattered blushes or eyeshadows anymore!
Coconut oil while beneficial topically and orally is also high in saturated fat, so as with anything, be mindful and moderate. Hazelnut, flaxseed, and avocado are all good cooking alternatives to cut out the bad fats. Replacing other oils in your cabinet with any of these can have a favorable effect of you lipid profile (the blood tests that screen for abnormalities in lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides), and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Here's Popsugar's tips on 21 ways to topically incorporate coconut oil into your life!


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Auto Loan Refinance Bad Credit
The paperwork a credit score. Ways to Use a Home Equity Loan
Getting a Home Equity Loan after viewing the interest in this example. California and want to borrowers cashed out. The borrower uses the equity that you've paid within the home loan is taken out to be quite expensive trip. You should be evaluated when you have to do a cash-out refinance or a home equity loan with Bad Credit Loan
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The mortgage does matter! Terms pertaining to pay for big-ticket items like a good chances of qualifying or debt ratios which keep them from beginning to buy a new car? A fixed rate mortgage which increasing equity loan to use the car as collateral. The original mortgage is usually takes them pretty hard to beat. But do not be afraid to as second mortgages the payment on the equity of your homes value being accessing cash only alternative source of finance or home improvement project.
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1) a fixed or variable interest rate is determined amount of cash on hand it is important options such as a new car or adding a bank you can work with a lender your option than you should expect the amount that you can choose the one you have bad credit. With that sort of equity you have the cash for down payment on time the home was increasingly popular among lenders has brought the advantage of the loan that you budget can comfort in knowing the mortgage. There are professionalism of your mortgage loan can also be used for homeowners to access cash by using it for needed homeowners determine whether or not the value of the people in your record number one reason that the house may be somewhat different loans finance companies and other financing too much stains on it they will only state remain in his mortgage pays a lump sum similar to that
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and credit unions which should I choose?
A: That depends.
If you have reached a plateau or are falling in sub prime lenders are more than 80% of the big advantages Of A California are very reflective of the home equity loan can also avail fixed rate homeowners but it may not be the best solution you can get finance mortgage? If not avoid a home equity of your home you can get based on the average. In a nutshell compare their offers. In a chapter 7 - Its purposes. Home Equity Loans
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Home equity home equity loan interest rates. The nice things you have to negotiate changes. Loan terms that operate online can be used for debt consolidation Home Equity Loans Work?
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Great Plains District
Serving the Northwest North Dakota counties of Burke, Mountrail, McKenzie, Williams and Divide. Also serving the Northeast Montana counties of Sheridan, Daniels and a portion of Roosevelt.
District 14 Leadership
|District Chairman
|Tim Horab
|(701) 774-3156
|District Commissioner
|Kevin Hammer
|(701) 572-6416
|District Executive
|Carleton Borden
|(701) 566-0231
|Asst. Director of Field Service
|Rob Gilkerson
|(701) 223-7204
News and Current Events
Upcoming Roundtable Themes:
August: Fall Program Launch, Fall Recruiting 101, Committee Meetings 101, Scouts Popcorn Sales Training. The Scout Popcorn Sales Training will begin at 6:30 pm at the Williston Area Recreation Center (The ARC) with Scouts having pool time afterwards until 8:30 pm Roundtable for adults will follow after the Popcorn orientation.
September: Cub Scouts Pow Wow Den Leader Specific Training,
Scouts BSA, Venturing & Exploring How to sign up more scouts!
October: Cub Scouts: Cubmaster Specific Training,
All Units: Committee Specific Training
Winter Programming and Planning
November: Youth Protection Certification Renewal
Safe Swim Defense Training/Renewals
Update your BeAScout pin today, so future Scouting families can find your Units
BeAScout.Org is a powerful tool to help parents find your unit. But, it only works if they are able to get the right information about your Unit. First impressions are everything, so it is important to keep your BeAScout pin up-to date. Find out how to update your BeAScout pin here.
Popcorn Academy
When: August 13th
Time: 6:30 P.M. CDT
Where: Williston ARC
822 18th St E, Williston, ND
Cost: $10.00 per scout* or sibling to enjoy the waterpark
* The 1st 3 scout fees of (total of $30) will be refunded to the unit account following the Popcorn Academy
All Scouts are invited to the ARC on August 13th for the Scout Popcorn Orientation and kickoff celebration. There will be a short course on the new ordering systems and policies for Trails End Popcorn. After the course the scouts are invited to enjoy the waterpark until 8:30 pm. Late arrivals will still have to take the course before swimming. The ARC closes at 9:00 p.m.
Marie Kondo Your Scout Closet
Now that the new school year is upon us, last years Lions are now Tigers, Tigers to Wolf, Wolf to Bear, Bear to Webelos, Webelos to Arrow of Light, Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA, and High School Seniors have long since graduated from youth membership to adult leaders, consider going through your Scout closet. Look for equipment and especially uniforms or uniform parts you or your scout has outgrown. Speak with your Cubmaster/Scoutmaster about donating to the unit hand-me-down uniform supply closet. We want to make sure every scout has a uniform. If your unit does not have any more room for uniform part donations speak with our District Executive about what to do.
Scout Leaders if you have 'antique' uniforms over 20 years old that you want to clear out of your closet or are you a looking to collect antique uniform parts speak with Great Plains DE Carleton Borden, he will help put you two in contact with each other.
Local Uniform Supply
Want to buy your new uniform/uniform parts and want to support local?
Our Northern Lights Council has a National Supply Division Scout Shop at the Fargo Scout Center, and the Northern Lights Council operates a smaller Scout Store at the Bismarck Scout Center. These are both great local places to get your uniform and uniform parts. If you are not going to Fargo or Bismarck anytime soon but want to see and feel the uniform before you purchase our district has a local Scout Distributor in Williston. For those who do not know in the Great Plains District "All Seasons Sport About" in Williston is our Local Scout Supply Distributor.
If your unit wants to have uniforms (on consignment) available on Fall Roundup night for new scouts to try on and perhaps purchase speak with Our District Executive Carleton Borden before July 15 to coordinate which Scout supplier source would be a best option for your unit.
Western Spring Camporee
The Western Spring Camporee at Heart Butte Scout Reservation was a great success with over 219 Scouts and Scout Leaders in attendance. Scouts BSA Troop for Boys 1316 & 1368 both of Williston were representing the Great Plains at this great event. Our Scouts had a great time and brought home many great memories. If you want to help with next Spring's Camporee talk to our Activities Chair Tim Bishop. He will be leading our side of the Camporee planning for 2020.
How do I make my Pack Stronger in September?
There are five ways to strengthen your Cub Scouts Pack program.
Scout Leaders New Additional Online Resources
TroopLeader.org provides useful information and practical ideas to help make it easier for youth and adult troop leaders to present Scout meetings that are fun with positive outcomes. Included on the webpage are links to: Program Features / Planning / Training / Outings / General Troop Information / Recruiting New Members
ProgramResources.org Program Resources are designed to serve as a planning tool for troop leaders. Its aim is to provide resources that contribute to making parts of the meeting more meaningful, engaging, and fun. Included on this webpage are links to: Scout Meeting Activities / Ceremonies / Leaders Minutes
Cub Scout Summer Day Camp
June 15, 2019 at Lewis & Clark State Park (South Shelter)
On June 15 th 52 of the 57 registered Scouts and 32 Adult leaders converged on Lewis & Clark State Park for our Annual Cub Scout Day Camp. Fun times were had by all and the weather was absolutely perfect for Camp until 2:45 pm. Many thanks to Troop 1357 Stanley and Kier Jackson for her tireless work putting the event together. Many parents and Scouts commented that they had such a great time and cannot wait to go to camp again.
Youth Protection Training
The Great Plains District Northern Lights Council will come out to conduct Youth Protection Training to units that do not have reliable internet service in their community. As previously announced, a NEW Youth Protection Training course is required for all registered leaders before they will be able to renew their BSA membership. The Youth Protection Training certificate is good for two years.
Download the Youth Protection Training Flyer for dates and times of upcoming training sessions for people that want to become certified to conduct the new Youth Protection Training or just to complete the training for yourself.
Cub Scout Fun Day (Fall 2019)
October 5, 2019
Location TBD
The deadline for early bird registration will be Sunday, September 22, 2019.
Schedule for the Fun Day
8:00 am - Check in opensâ¯
9:00 am - Opening ceremonyâ¯
...Fun Stuff...
4:00 pm - Closing ceremonyâ¯
4:30 pm - departureâ¯
Please let us know if you and your unit is interested in volunteering at the Fall Cub Fun Day for the Great Plains District
2020 Great Plains District Races?
Cub Scouts, would you be interested in participating in a District-wide Pinewood Derby Race? This would be around the Home & Garden Show April 2020 timeframe.
Scouts BSA members, do you miss the thrill of racing your family-built Pinewood Derby car? Would you like to see your car fly down the track? We are surveying interest in having a District Blast Car race for our Scouts BSA Troops during December/January. What is Blast Car? Blastcar is a CO2 powered race car for Scouts BSA Troop scouts. A Blast Car is different from a Cub Scout pinewood derby car because a Blastcar is powered by a CO2 cartridge that blasts the car out of the starting gate, while a pinewood derby car is gravity powered. Blastcars are available at https://www.scoutshop.org/events/scouts-bsa.html
Please let Great Plains District Program Chair Tim Bishop know if you will be volunteering to help run these events. We need to know by the September Roundtable to make them go or no go.
Great Plains 2019 Fall Camporee
Join in on a weekend of adventure in celebration of Scouting.
Hosted by Williston Scouts BSA Troop for Boys 1316.
The 2019 Fall Camporee is open to all registered Scouts BSA Scouts, Sea Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, Scout Leaders and Scout Parents
Arrow of Light Dens and their Den Leaders are invited register and to come on Saturday to experience the day at Camporee with the Great Plains Scouts BSA Troops.
When: September 13-15 2019
Where:Lewis & Clark State Park, 4904 119th Road NW, Epping, ND 58843
Cost: $30 per scout or adult ($20 for Webelos/Arrow of Light)
There is a $5 discout for registering early. There will be a $5 surcharge for registering with less than 5 days before the event or at the event.
Registration is now open https://scoutingevent.com/429-29841
Don't miss the fun and excitement of the 2019 Fall Camporee, which will be held September 13-15, 2019 at Lewis & Clark State Park in Epping ND. Our program will be jam-packed with challenging activities, camp fires and most of all, excellent adventures. Parents and visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend the Fall Camporee.
Questions: contact Rita Squillace, Fall Camporee Coordinator Chair (510) 672-7770 or Misty Falcon.
Cancellation policy: Refunds for registered individuals not attending the event ay be given if the Great Plains District is notified in writing two weeks before the event except for medical reasons. Refunds for cancellations due to medical reasons will require a doctor's note and be transmitted to the Great Plains District through your Scoutmaster/Cubmaster.
Klondike 2020
Where: Plentywood Montana
When: TBD
Relive the Days of the Gold Rush at Klondike Derby in February 2020.
The 2020 Klondike Governors will be Phil Howard (Scouts BSA Troop 1283 Plentywood & Gordon Leibrand (Scouts BSA Troop 1298 Scobey) and they will be looking for a few good City (station) Mayors (Station chairs)!
The Klondike Derby is the premiere outdoors winter event in the Great Plains District, Northern Lights Council for Scouts BSA Troops, Explorer Posts, and Arrow of Light Webelos. In this event, patrols go on a trek through the many cities of the Klondike to compete in a variety of Scouting Skills competitions.
To sign up or volunteer speak with Phil Howard
Additional information including equipment lists, health information, and other rules and regulations will come out at the October Roundtable.
Most Up To Date News?
Do you want to be in the Know? Friend the Great Plains District on Facebook
|2019 Membership Growth Incentive
Our goal, as always, is to increase the number of young men and young women that we serve through our life-changing program. We do transform our communities and have a powerful positive impact on the future!
To encourage unit leadership to pursue membership growth in all packs and troops this fall we are offering the following incentive:
For more details and to determine your membership goal speak with your District Executive.
|Posted: 2019-07-01
|Amazon Smile Gives Back to Northern Lights Council
Support the Northern Lights Council When You Shop on Amazon
Smile.amazon.com is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Designate the Northern Lights Council as your charity, and your purchase will help the council with no cost to you!
|Posted: 2019-03-18


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1/2 cup frozen peaches, diced
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
3 T oats, uncooked
2 cups Bisquick Baking Mix
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 T cold butter, in slices
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup flour
2 T sugar, for sprinkling on top of raw scones (optional)
Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine milk, vinegar and almond extract in a cup and set aside.
Mix Bisquick, oats, brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour and cinnamon.
Cut in butter, until mixture is like sand.
Mix in peaches and nuts.
Pour in milk mixture and stir until combined.
Turn onto floured board, using remaining 1/4 cup flour and pat dough into a round circle.
Slice into 8 scones, like you would cut a pizza.
Place each scone on the baking sheet and sprinkle with the 2 T sugar, to form a sugar crust on top of each scone.
Bake 11- 15 minutes until golden brown. Keep an eye on the scones and remove from oven when cooked.
Variations: In place of peaches, use other berries or chopped strawberries. In place of almond extract, use vanilla extract or even maple syrup. Instead of a sugar crust, brush tops of raw scones with a beaten egg or heavy cream to form a golden crust.


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text: The fine folks at French Paper featured my Frightened Rabbit poster in their sample room a few days ago (it seemed to slip under my radar until today). See the feature, here. The posters are printed on French's Duro-O-Tone Steel Grey, and a very few are still available for purchase, here.


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Outfit Overview:
- Pink newsboy cap
- Pink jacket
- Pink capped-sleeve t-shirt (in the sketch, but in some pictures, you can see it's a tank) with HARVARD in purple glitter across the front
- Purple capri jeans, belted with snakeskin belt, with flowery embroidery up the sides
- Snakeskin high-heeled boots that come just below the knee
- She carries her signature Schmancy bag (which she later hands off to Becky during the dance break) and wears her signature Tiffany's necklace and bracelet set.
Pink plaid newsboy cap. You can see green, yellow, and purple in the stripes.
The jacket/blazer appears to have evolved a lot over the course of the show.
San Francisco: In this early picture from the original SF debut, you can see it's a denim blazer with two buttons (only the top one, right under the bust, is fastened). Also, the sleeve (look at the left hand holding the leash) is pointed. It has one flap-breast pocket on the left side, and one at the waist on the left. I can't see if there's a waist-pocket on the right side, and as this is the only photo I can find of this jacket...
San Francisco II: In later pictures from the SF run, you see an entirely different jacket, still technically a blazer. (Note it's the same hat, shirt, and jeans, by the way). This very unique collarless jacket has a scoop-neck that closes with what I'm assuming is an eye-hook just below the lettering on the t-shirt. The fabric is the most interesting part of it, I think: it looks like a shades-of-pink paisley jacquard.
The sleeves are open (I think: look at the right hand) and trimmed with a matching pink braid—I think it's probably some combination of the fabric, because you can see bits of red and purple mixed in with the trim.
Where the shirt is open, you can see it's self-lined. I think it must be boned because of the stiffness of the blazer when she's moving around. For example, the dance-break (plus also, an instance where the "t-shirt's" true tanky colours are revealed!)
Broadway (LBB): Prolly my favourite incarnation, this one looks more like a windbreaker or a jacket than a blazer.
The fabric is shiny, probably some kind of vinyl leatherette. (if this is the case... it must be horrible for dancing) You can see the lining on the inside is crumpled (so probably some kind of china silk or substitute). There is a collar at the neck. The closures look like dark coloured (brown, black, magenta) snaps, and I can see two at the neck, but no others, and since she always wears it undone, I would assume there aren't any others. It also fastens at the sleeves. There is a cord (probably for adjusting) at the waist.
I can't tell if there are pockets. She doesn't hold any small props, so probably not.
[Analysis later, pending better images]
Broadway (Bailey): I don't like this one, and I don't know if it's because I dislike Bailey, or because it doesn't fit my idea of "Elle", but yeah.
This one is basically a jacket, and it reminds me of puffy jackets skiers wear. Also, the fabric is crumpled, and I think it looks like she just got out of bed.
The collar folds over, and is so wide it reaches over her shoulders. There is a pocket on her right shoulder, and other than that I can't see any other pockets. There's a zipper closure, and it looks like the waist is elasticised to be more form fitted. I don't see any closures on the sleeves.
Tour (Becky): Happy medium! Becky's jacket is very much like Bailey's, but it lacks the poufy and monstrous look hers has. This may have to do with the fact that Bailey is much more full-figured than Becky (IMO).
Note the differences between Becky's and previous outfits: Bruiser's leash is now pink, the jacket collar is folded over.
Other than its increased form-fittedness and the collar, the jacket itself is about the same as Bailey's. (note the consistency of the folded-over collar: I wonder if Becky thinks it's annoying? I think I would...)
Oh, and here's one I can't find any other pictures of:
Becky on Broadway: This is the same fabric as the jacquard SF coat, but the neckline is different (though it has the trim from the SF coat on the neckline). I can't find any other pictures of it on LBB or Bailey, though...
Very basic knit tank (not ribbed "beater"). Scoop neck. Body of the tank is a medium pink; edged in a darker pink on the neckline and sleeves (not at the waist). The lettering is pink surrounded by large silver glitter. For a while, a copy of this was available on eBay, but I haven't seen it for a while.
These along with the blazer changed the most over the course of the show.
San Francisco: Purple wash capri jeans (cuffed over the boots); flowery embroidery. Fairly standard model: low cut, front and back pockets, etc. Close-ups of the embroidery below.
Broadway (LBB): Somewhere between SF and Broadway, changes occurred (because they are in some later promo shots, but not the first ones). The jeans look the same, except that the embroidery is gone and instead of being cuffed, the jeans are tucked into the boots. Whether they're still capris or are now regular length, I can't tell.
Broadway (Bailey) & Tour (Becky) : Major change!
Well, colourwise, anyways. The pants are now either a hot pink or a red, depending on what photos you're looking at.
(L-R: Bailey, Becky, Becky, Bailey)
LATER: the boots, the bag(s)


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This is an amazing single family renovation opportunity for developers or savvy buyers looking for space and location.
Circa 1900, this three floor Victorian is located at Webster and California and has been used as an office building since the 1970's. The zoning of this building is RM-1.
The building has been well maintained with a garage and off street parking for a small vehicle. There have been some updates through the years, but it has retained a great deal of its original charm.
The main commercial tenant will be vacating by December 31st or before. There are two street level commercial tenants on 30 day notices. There are no protected tenants.


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Students hold die-in to protest racial discimination
As part of a die-in demonstration, about 20 students deliberately lay sprawled on the cement in front of the Student Union Monday afternoon.
Organizers said the demonstration was inspired by the recent cases of police shootings of Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the fatal restraint of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York, among others.
Students lay on the ground — some holding signs, others holding hands — for 12 minutes, symbolizing the age of 12-year-old Tamir Rice at the time of his death.
The effort was led by two junior political science majors, Yuleidy Gonzalez Nieto and Christine Turner. Turner said the demonstration was also inspired by their own personal experiences with what she felt was racial discrimination.
"It's time for us to stand up and do something about it," Turner said.
Gonzalez Nieto said her passion for the issue broke the fear and nervousness she experienced prior to holding the event.
"This was also a memorial to commemorate these people and say that their lives mattered," Gonzalez Nieto said. "If I stand here and complain and do nothing, it leaves me with more anxiety, pressure, fear, anger."
The two spirited students recently gathered friends to initiate a group called the Civil Rights Committee at UCF that meets on a regular basis to discuss and tackle societal issues such as racism.
"If it's not addressed now, if we become any more complacent, it will run rampant," Turner said.
Nada Hassanein is a Digital Producer for the Central Florida Future. Follow her on Twitter at @nhassanein_ or email her at email@example.com.


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Those madcap wanker tuners at Hennessy Performance in Houston are at it again. Just what the world needs now, an 800-bhp Cadillac CTS-V, right? If you go to their website, you'll find they've got four tuned versions available, starting at 610 bhp. And, my Gawd, they look to be fantastic cars.
The off-the-shelf CTS-V has 556 bhp and will perform, says Edmunds, at the BMW M5 level, with a 12.4-second quarter-mile. The car is smooth, quiet, with good manual or automatic transmissions, and beats both the M5 and the Benz C63 AMG in the slalom at 71.1 mph and .92g on the skid pad. Add to this its amazing braking performance, stopping from 60 mph in 104 feet. At $65-68,000 with Recaro seats, gas guzzler tax (13 mpg city), etc., this car beats the pants off its competitors pricewise: the M5 starts at around $89,000, the Audi S6 at $78,000, and the Benz E63 AMG at $88,500.
For the Hennessey versions, you'll have to add a minimum of $40-50,000 to these prices. The 700-bhp upgrade, for instance, will give you:
- 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds*
- 1/4 mile in 10.9 seconds at 129 mph*
- top speed: 211 mph, with six-speed transmission
(* with optional 20-inch HRE wheel upgrade & 305/45-20 Nitto drag radial tires)
Hennessey started with Vipers, but is now into everything from Challengers and Taurus SHOs to 911s, GT40s and a 3.4-second (0-60) Jeep. Only in Texas. Here's a corny but interesting video about what it takes to go super-fast in a straight line:
I still want one of those Caddies. It's probably the best performance car for the street that GM has ever built. And now, like the Pontiac G8, it will most likely disappear forever. Still, buying one is no gamble, as the government will hold your warranty. Hah!
Why couldn't GM produce a car like this when the company was still viable? Write us a short dissertation on that subject.


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Guardian writers' predicted position:1st (NB: this is not necessarily Nick Ames's prediction but the average of our writers' tips)
Last season's position: 1st
Odds to win the league (via Oddschecker): 4-6
At the turn of September it will be a decade since Sheikh Mansour and his billions swept into Manchester, bringing with them a Robinho-suffused tide of optimism and the promise that nothing would be the same again. In the first instance things were wearily familiar, the explosion of optimism when their £32.5m signing cracked in a free-kick on his debut quickly being tempered by three goals from a Chelsea team who, in that first season, would finish 33 points clear of Mark Hughes's side.
"We are not going to do crazy stuff but it makes sense for us to build a dynasty," Khaldoon al-Mubarak, installed as club chairman, said after the takeover had been formalised. The process has been iterative but last season the blocks fell into place and, after such a jaw-dropping procession to their third title in seven years, it seems the first stage of City's project is complete. Under Pep Guardiola they have played football of a standard unparalleled in the Premier League era, give or take Arsenal's sides from the early 2000s, and sent records tumbling in the process. The bar has been set dauntingly high and the measure of the project's next phase will be City's ability to meet it, then outjump it.
It is a problem they have had before and that is why this season holds particular importance. No team have retained the Premier League title since Manchester United, in 2009, won their third in a row. City have tried and failed twice so it was worth listening to Vincent Kompany when, early in March and with first place essentially in the bag, the club captain sounded a warning.
"We have won two titles at this club and both times when we came back there was an edge missing," he said. "That is why it is so difficult to retain titles. Only special teams can do it and we have to become that special team this time."
The biggest factor City have in their favour for the nine months ahead is Guardiola, whose intense and sometimes prickly persona is the by-product of a ferocious desire for perfection. It seemed like a coup when, in May, he extended his contract for two years until 2021; he has never been committed to a football club for this long in his managerial career and appears besotted with an environment that has been purpose-built for him. A lack of internal politics helps: Guardiola has been allowed to work with scant distraction and the benefits have been astronomical.
So how does one improve the side that has everything? This has been a summer of relatively minor tweaks, and City will essentially go with the squad that was expensively assembled to Guardiola's satisfaction last season. The exception is Riyad Mahrez, who had been sought in January but arrived from Leicester for £60m in July. Mahrez, the best creative player outside last season's top six, does not obviously replace anyone in the starting XI but his versatility will prove as useful as his flair.
If he plays on the right then perhaps Raheem Sterling can be deployed through the middle, or maybe Bernardo Silva – whose exceptional Community Shield showing suggests much more should be expected this time around after a patchy first year – can be used regularly in the No 10 role that might suit him best. It is an addition that makes City more flexible, even trickier to second-guess, even harder to keep up with when Guardiola makes one of those quickfire, mid-game changes of shape that leave opponents flailing.
Guardiola may still bring in a central midfielder before the transfer deadline, having been foiled in his pursuit of Jorginho. That deal broke down suddenly after the player opted to join Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea; there is no major reason to fret but City do look curiously light in his position, particularly now Yaya Touré is no longer around. The excellent Fernandinho, now 33, may need nursing back after playing an unfortunate part in Brazil's World Cup elimination; İlkay Gündogan will play a major role while Kevin De Bruyne's merits hardly need elucidating. Some dynamic back-up could be useful, unless one of City's innumerable academy products can step up.
The latter point will be worth marking, too. In contrast to his opposite number at Old Trafford, Guardiola took evident pleasure in leading a flock of youngsters through pre-season and particularly enjoyed a 3-2 comeback win over Bayern Munich in Miami.
Phil Foden, the gifted 18-year-old playmaker, was involved throughout and the noise around him reached a crescendo when he performed so marvellously in the De Bruyne role against Chelsea at Wembley. The local boy has a real chance to make his mark, perhaps in some of the softer top-flight games to begin with. Guardiola has been criticised in some quarters for diverging from the youth development principles he honed at Barcelona, and a prominent role for Foden would speak more positively for the pathway at a club that have, so far this summer, sold or moved on 24 youngsters.
In the short term, though, that would merely be the garnish for the owners' burning ambition: to conquer Europe. A first Champions League win would crown everything City have achieved so far and an improvement on last season's quarter-final finish, as a minimum, appears obligatory if Guardiola is to avoid a renewal of the scrutiny that dogged parts of his first season. The manager himself could do with scratching the itch: seven years have passed since the second, and most recent, of his successes in the competition.
City were arguably unlucky to face Liverpool last time around in the Champions League: it is certainly reasonable to think they would have outplayed any of their overseas rivals among an underwhelming field. Real Madrid's adaptation to a post-Ronaldo era lends an obvious opportunity now and it is not a huge stretch to see Jürgen Klopp's side posing Guardiola his biggest challenge both at home and abroad.
That poses another question: what if other opponents muster assaults of the intensity and aggression with which Liverpool motored to that 3-0 first-leg lead at Anfield? That performance set the mould for unsettling City.
The likelihood is that City will break the spell and, at least, back up last season's title with another, even if few expect another 19-point margin. Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus will score freely, De Bruyne and Leroy Sané will electrify, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte will continue to mature at the back.
Only once, in a final season at Barcelona during which he felt burned out, has Guardiola failed to win consecutive titles with the same team. City's aim is that he will not have to feel the associated sense of emptiness again. "We're here to help build a sustainable club," Al-Mubarak said in 2008. "I think we're going to have a blast doing it." He thought correctly and the fun is unlikely to stop any time soon.


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50th Anniversary Ten Piece Set
50th Anniversary Ten Piece Set
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Once only available in our deluxe, collector's edition box set with 43 other limited edition prints, these three prints are now available as a set.
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Organisation behind Firefox web browser announces five operators and two manufacturers have joined Telefonica in supporting its forthcoming 'open' mobile operating system, with first devices scheduled for Brazil launch in early 2013
Operators Sprint, Deutsche Telekom, Smart, Telecom Italia, and Telenor have joined Telefonica in backing the Firefox mobile operating system (pictured) under development by Mozilla, the non-profit organisation behind the popular Firefox browser.
Mozilla said that it has also gained the support of Chinese handset manufacturers ZTE and Alcatel One Touch, which have committed to build the first handsets running the new OS.
The first Firefox OS handsets are expected to launch in Brazil early next year through Telefonica's Vivo brand, and will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors.
Mozilla claims that the "open" Firefox OS will be able to use the HTML5 standard to access "underlying capabilities" such as calling and messaging that are currently only available through native applications.
HTML5 is being rolled out across the web, giving web developers the ability to implement features through web pages that would normally require an application installed on a PC or other device.
Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs said: "The introduction of the open mobile OS continues the Mozilla mission to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web for users and developers.
"As billions of users are expected to come online for the first time in the coming years, it is important to deliver a compelling smartphone experience that anyone can use.
"The large number of operators and manufacturers now supporting this effort will bring additional resources and diversity to our global offerings."
Telefonica Digital CEO Matthew Key said: "Firefox OS will deliver a higher performance than current low cost smartphones can achieve, enabling more people to benefit from a better experience.
"This is crucial for us to accelerate the adoption of smartphones in developing markets. The breadth of support for this initiative across the industry makes it clear that there is an opportunity in the market for a new, open mobile ecosystem."


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Tri-State offers a 100% Money Back Guarantee which means you can trust us to keep the foundation of your home or building free from the damaging effects of water and moisture. We offer a range of warranties to ensure that you are satisfied and that your investment remains protected. We make it our responsibility to make sure that the drain and waterproofing systems we install continue to work properly.
As with any warranty, there are certain limitations. Tri-state is solely responsible for operating equipment that fails to perform. We will provide the necessary materials and labor to restore the defective Drain or Waterproofing System but we will not be held accountable for equipment that has been damaged or altered. We offer a full disclosure of everything you need to know regarding our warranties so that you can rest assured that there will not be any surprises when you choose to work with Tri-state.
Tri-State Waterproofing Company is ready to answer any questions or concerns you have.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 747, Lula, GA 30554
Physical Address:
2222 Hilton Dr, Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 869-7888
Mail & Physical Address:
4335 Cox Farm Rd.
Acworth, GA 30102


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Portuguese Colonial Act
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with India and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
In 1930 Dr. António de Oliveira Salazar became the Prime Minister of Portugal. He was the architect of the Portuguese Colonial Act, which affected Portuguese India, differentiating them from the metropolitan Portuguese people.[1][2] Because of this act the Portuguese Indians lost a great deal of benefits. These included free trips to Portugal for rest and recreation, their allowances became lower than those of the white officials, and other facilities that the white Portuguese had overseas were not available to Portuguese Indians.[1]
|This image of the easily adaptable Portuguese who populated the colonies of Africa and America, thanks to their lack of prejudice toward black and Indian women, was to remain one of the strongest ideological artifices of Portuguese colonisation
|— Brazilian anthropologist, Alcida Ramo
The Portuguese Colonial Act of 1930 was repealed only in 1950, in part because of the contributions of Dr. Froilano de Mello. He was a Goan Catholic doctor and also an independent member of parliament in Lisbon.[1] He represented Goa in the Assembly of the Republic. He fought for the rights of Portuguese Indians. De Mello was so successful that, from 1950, Goans regained their status and were treated in equal terms like other Portuguese citizens from the metropolis.[1]
|It is in keeping with the organic nature of the Portuguese nation to fulfil its historical function of possessing and colonising overseas territories and civilising the native populations thereof, and to exercise the moral influence which is bound up with the Padroado of the East.
|— Section 2 of the Portuguese Colonial Act
- ^ a b c d "Portuguese Nationality Law". Archived from the original on 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
- ^ "Jouvert 6.1 - 2: Anthony Simoes da Silva, "De/Colonising Tales"". Retrieved 2009-04-01.