text:
For me, Dean Duffy is the quintessential young adult novel from the 1990s. Published in 1995, it followed another tone perfect book by the same author, Is Kissing A Girl Who Smoes Like Licking an Ashtray? from 1992. Both books are set in and around Seattle and feature an 18 year old male character in limbo. Post high school. Before college. Trying to make decisions about their lives, about their future, their purpose in life, their self worth. Driving around, sometimes aimlessly, Powell's stories are set on these quiet moments when his characters are at a crossroads. He is not afraid to introduce characters who are broken or jaded by life. His characters waver on the edge - will they become great or disappointments to themselves?
Dean Duffy, as the title (the character's name) implies is a character study. Dean is an athlete and the story is focused on his decision whether or not to continue with a career in baseball. Randy Powell writes eloquently and his books, like previous sports writers for Young Adults like John R. Tunis, his books are easy to read and immediately inviting. What makes Powell's book different is there is little play by play action. Actually, not a single game takes place in Dean Duffy even though this could be considered a baseball themed book. I'm not so much interested in baseball, in general, so it takes the skill of a great writer to immediately get me hooked on a character who finds baseball to be an obsession. Randy Powell is such a writer. He writes without irony and every character he writes is one that he seems to have some sincere affection for.
How to describe the events of this book? Dean meets an old friend, who has become a stoner. Dean falls in love with a barista who turns out to be a high school dropout and a single mother. Dean tries to recover from a two year baseball slump and tries to decide if he has what it takes. Any brief description certainly seems too simple for what Powell had in mind.
The book provides more questions than it does answers and in doing so, it is one of the most honest examples of YA fiction that I have ever read. I love this book. Read it.


text:
Woody Spice Petite Soap Bar Gift Box
Containing four petite bars, our Woody Spice Gift Box Soap selection evokes exotic landscapes and a rich tapestry of scent!
Cinnamon, Clove, Patchouli, Australian Sandalwood & Asian Citrus combine to wrap your skin in a delicious velvet lather.
Our soap are handmade, hand wrapped, palm oil free and made with pure essential oils. A perfectly practical gift!
*please note that the soap selections pictured may vary

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Arthritis is a topic people want to learn more about, which is why the Providence Little Company of Mary's Center for Health Education held a public forum on arthritis education. Dr. Albert Reff was asked to be a guest presenter during the forum and was able to provide people with answers to their osteoarthritis concerns.
Many people who attended the forum suffer from arthritis, symptoms of which include:
- Swelling in the joint
- Stiffness, particularly in the morning
- Inability to move a joint normally or walk a reasonable distance
- Recurring pain or tenderness
- Warmth and redness in the joint
And, there are a variety of questions patients have when it comes to arthritis pain and the options available to them to alleviate this pain, including surgery for joint replacement. For those who couldn't attend the forum, we've compiled a list of questions that were asked of Dr. Reff by the audience:
Q: "Will gel injections help my bone on bone knees, or am I just buying time for a knee replacement?"
Dr. Reff: "If you have a bone on bone knee you are destined to get a knee replacement, and gel injections may buy you some time but it won't solve the problem. Similarly, steroid injections might buy you some pain free time but it will not solve the problem."
Q: "How long does it take to perform a hip replacement surgery, and how long will the recovery time be?"
Dr. Reff: "In general, depending upon the surgeon and his or her particular preferences, it can take anywhere from an hour to two hours for a total hip. And the same is true for a total knee, it is in that time frame. As for recovery, it relates to how quickly you can manage exercises and gain control over your muscles. In general, patients are back to doing normal functions by three months whether it's a hip or knee."
Q: "What options are available for one's hip if there is no cartilage?"
Dr. Reff: "If there is truly no cartilage, you are essentially looking at a hip replacement. Other than that, it's a struggle to keep you functional and pain free, if at all possible."
Q: "What happens to the bone when you are drilling it to attach the prosthetic device?"
Dr. Reff: Bone is very tolerant of mechanical alteration; whether you drill it or file it, you don't affect the remaining bone and it retains its living properties and it's ability to grow.
Q: "What medication would you use to treat sore muscles that aren't caused by joint pain?"
Dr. Reff: "If you have a sore muscle and the joint itself is good, I think that mild analgesics (over the counter medications like Tylenol and Aleve) are adequate to manage that type of problem, in addition to stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and a good physical therapy approach. Note: Check with your physician before taking any medication.
Q: "I've had a total knee replacement for ten years now, and it's the best thing I could've ever done. How do I know when the plastic baring surface is due for revision or replacement?"
Dr. Reff: "You can see it on an X-ray and it will be pretty obvious to your doctor if that's happening. If this happens it can be associated with symptoms or not. You might feel pain or unusual looseness of the joint, but by picking up on this early you should be able to avoid this. I see patients back once a year to make certain everything is on track."
To have your questions answered about any arthritic pain you might be feeling, contact Dr. Reff's office and schedule an appointment.


text:
Founded in 1982, as a single 300 sq ft clinic in Mumbai, Dr. Batra's is today one of the largest homeopathy set ups in the world, with its presence across India, the UK and Dubai. An initiative by the visionary Padma Shri Dr Mukesh Batra, the group's Founder-Chairman, Dr. Batra's today caters to different healthcare verticals, including homeopathy clinics, wellness products and aesthetics.
Blaze to Brilliance
Dr. Batra's is a chain of 109 clinics spread across 49 cities in India and abroad with over 300 doctors, including 40 MDs. It also has specialists like trichologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, paediatricians and nutritionists – making it the most unparalleled collective knowledge expertise group within a single institution. The company also has its presence internationally in the form of its clinics in the UK and the UAE. The firstever homeopathic corporate as well as the first Indian healthcare company to open a clinic at the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), Dr. Batra's also added another feather to its 'first-ever cap' with the launch of its homeopathic clinic on Harley Street, London — the renowned hub of medical excellence — barely six months later. Dr. Batra's is today a veritable authority in prophylactic as well as therapeutic homeopathic treatment, owing to its distinctive practices and competencies. It is at the forefront of modernising homeopathy by harnessing contemporary medical practices and technological advances to maximise the benefits of this holistic science to its patients. Dr. Batra's, the world's first ISO 9001:2000 homeopathic institution, is also ISO 9001:2008 certified as it follows international protocols and exemplary clinical practices.
Faith Factor
The USP of the brand Dr. Batra's exemplifies quality services and enriching experiences to its patients. All the clinics at Dr. Batra's are up-to-date with modern facilities and amenities to ensure the utmost comfort of patients. A lot of thought goes into carefully planning out the location of each clinic so that it provides easy access to all patients. The high-tech software used, combined with cutting-edge network systems, ensures that they successfully provide treatment to patients even in circumstances where they cannot report to their home branch and visit any other branch of the clinic anywhere in the country.
Enhanced video conferencing facilities enable patients living in far-away, remote locations to experience the personal healing touch during their consultation with doctors. The Cyber Clinic at Dr. Batra's helps patients to break all barriers of time and space and get in touch with the treating physician. Whether it is providing superior diagnostic techniques such as Trichoscan, Spirometry, Wood's lamp, or offering advanced treatment modalities, such as Low Level Laser Treatment, or Piler Light, for the treatment of hair loss, Dr. Batra's is ever ready to provide the best solutions.
Engagement that Enthralls
Creating a brand in a field like medicine is never easy. Yet, to its credit, Dr Batra's has managed to do that with the technology it uses and the services it provides. It has ensured that it creates awareness in homeopathy. It has also been pragmatically responsible for changing peoples' perceptions about homeopathy across the nation. The brand Dr. Batra's today is synonymous with homeopathy. Not surprisingly, it has the highest recall value in segments related to homeopathy. In fact, it is the only trusted brand for homeopathy in India. The marketing is highly driven by focused advertising and PR activities. A lot of ground activation work includes organising corporate health camps. The company also organises the Annual Positive Health Awards [PHA], photo exhibitions, singing concerts and book launches.
Dr Batra's is always at the forefront of innovation. While many other homeopaths still practice giving medicines in traditional glass bottles, at Dr. Batra's blister packaging is used to ensure that the medicine remains in its purest form till the time it is consumed. The medicines prescribed and dispensed to patients are obtained from leading suppliers with test certificates as per national or international homeopathic pharmacopoeia standards. The launch of Dr. Batras' Tele- Homeopathy Clinic, the first of its kind in the world, has employed the power of technology to provide medical consultation on request. Tele- Homeopathy connects patients, the consulting doctor and the specialist through interactive video-conferencing with critical information/ reports of the patient being available online. mHealth, the first-of-its kind launch to be initiated by a homeopathic organisation in India, highlights the innovative application of technology to make healthcare solutions available to multitudes at the touch of a button. One of the leading features of this WAP-enabled service is free consultation to any mobile user, irrespective of whether he/she is a patient of Dr. Batra's.
Brand Promise
Dr. Batra's is a centre for excellence in homeopathic treatment — symbolic of a modern clinic with a mission to promote preventative and remedial treatment with world-class practices and competencies. People from all over the world visit Dr. Batra's to experience the benefits of homeopathic treatment for any and all kinds of ailments, either by personal or online consultation.


text:
Affordable Hamilton Tree Surgeon
Got urgent tree surgery jobs that needs attending to in Hamilton, Scotland, UK?
On a limited budget and keen to locate a trustworthy but cheap tree surgeon in the Hamilton area?
You need to choose rated, reviewed and reliable Hamilton tree surgeons, recommended by local people.
|Find a Recommended Tree Surgeon in Hamilton Here
Describe your Hamilton tree surgery job and your budget, and obtain several estimates from expert local tree surgeons in Hamilton.
Find the most reasonably priced and recommended tree surgeon in Hamilton.
Read customer reviews to identify the cheapest, best rated Hamilton tree surgeon for your task.
Get a local Hamilton tree surgeon for your tree removal, pruning, crown thinning, stump grinding, hedge trimming, pollarding, tree felling, crown lifting and much more.
Cheap local tree surgeons cover Hamilton and these locations: Bellshill, Quarter, Cambuslang, Wishaw, Ferniegair, Birkenshaw, Blantyre, Bothwell, Motherwell, Overtown, Uddingston, Cleland, Carfin, East Kilbride, Holytown, Larkhall, Stonehouse and more.
Also Locate a Cheap Tree Surgeon in These Towns and Areas:
- Affordable Tree Surgeon Kirkcaldy
- Affordable Tree Surgeon Paisley
- Affordable Tree Surgeon East Kilbride
- Affordable Tree Surgeon Cumbernauld
- Affordable Tree Surgeon Livingston
TOP - Hamilton Tree Surgeons - Hamilton Gardeners - Hamilton Fencing Contractor
Cut-Price Hamilton Tree Surgeon - Budget Hamilton Tree Surgeons - Low-Cost Hamilton Tree Surgeons - Inexpensive Hamilton Tree Surgeon


text:
I know there had been such a clambering for another article. Sadly my many jobs have taken up a lot of time.
As I write this piece, I am actually working a college softball game. As I sit here I am thinking about something to eat and thought I would share another great long time local Jacksonville spot.
My next savory spot is Blue Boy Sandwich Shop. I like to frequent the Northside location, down the street from the Gateway Mall. I have been going to this location since I was a young child. They do have another spot in Arlington, but to me there is always something better about the original. Maybe it is nostalgia or that they still remember my order (been the same for years), but either way it is good. In the dining room at the Norwood location there is a signed picture of Guy Fieri from Food Network after he had a visit.
I get a roast beef sub with cheese, mustard and double meat, hot. Usually this sandwich would be cold, but by asking for it hot they will put the meat on the grill with the cheese and also lightly toast the bread. What makes the sandwich is the bread. Sandwiches are offered on a sub (large) or on the round (smaller size but still large in most people's view).
Blue Boy Sandwich Shop offers a variety of hot and cold subs, as well as breakfast sandwiches and more. Great for a lunch stop if you are in Arlington, or, if you and your family are going to the zoo, Blue Boy is likely on your way and a great stop for lunch on your way.
Blue Boy's slogan is "One Sandwich, One Meal" and you truly get what you pay for.
Let me know where the next spot I should go…reach me on twitter @craigshoup.
Blue Boy Sandwich Shop has locations on the Northside and Arlington. The Northside location is located at 6514 Norwood Avenue, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday.


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Rural Opportunities Initiative (ROI)
Learn about the initiative goals, definitions, funding, etc.
About the Rural Opportunities Initiative (ROI)
ROI values entrepreneurship-based economic development, which emphasizes the creation and support of entrepreneurs and small businesses. ROI is a strategy to build rural prosperity by unifying and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural communities across the state.
ROI supports and funds collaborative work in rural communities across Oregon. Recipients of this funding, or "Communities," are chosen based on (1) their ability to demonstrate broad commitment and meaningful support from existing local economic development and small business support organizations, and (2) their ability to build the capacity of existing local economic development and small business support organizations.
How does Business Oregon define rural?
Business Oregon's defines rural as it is defined by ORS 285A.010 (14), which states: "'Rural area' means an area located entirely outside of the acknowledged Portland Metropolitan Area Regional Urban Growth Boundary and the acknowledged growth boundaries of cities with populations of 30,000 or more."
To be eligible for funding, the proposed Lead Agency must be based in a geographic area with a population of 30,000 or less and proposed activities must benefit residents of a geographic area with a population of 30,000 or less.
What is an entrepreneurial ecosystem?
An entrepreneurial ecosystem is often defined as the array of services that support business development (e.g., capital, networking, and technical assistance providers). The term entrepreneurial ecosystem is also used to describe a larger set of factors that interact to create an environment that favors (or does not favor) development of entrepreneurs and small businesses. These factors are commonly referred to as the "Five Cs: Culture, Climate, Capacity, Connectivity, and Capital." ROI works to strengthen these factors locally as well as throughout the state.
What is the source of ROI funding?
Initial funding for the ROI came from Business Oregon with additional funding leveraged from The Ford Family Foundation and Craft3. For this current funding cycle (2017-2019 biennium), the Oregon Legislature awarded Business Oregon funding for the ROI. Business Oregon then distributes funding to collaborative efforts strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural communities.
What communities and projects have received ROI funding in the past?
In ROI's inaugural year it funded four communities. Their respective projects and lead agencies are listed below:
- La Grande's "IGNITE E-Center" (City of La Grande; Northeastern Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD))
- Coos Bay's "The REEF: Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Framework" (South Coast Development Council; Oregon State University Extension; Southwestern Oregon Community College, Small Business Development Center)
- Baker City's "HatchLab Baker" (Hatch Innovation)
- Klamath Falls' "Klamath IDEA: Inspire Development, Energize Acceleration" (Klamath Community College, Small Business Development Center)
Application Process
Learn about the application form, timelines, categories, etc.
Application Process
Submitting a Letter of Intent application is the first step in ROI's three-part application stage. The Letter of Intent application consists of a PDF form along with an optional attachment. Before applying, an applicant must choose a funding category. See more information on categories by reviewing the Overview of ROI Categories and below in Eligible Applicants.
Among the pool of applicants who submit a Letter of Intent, several will be invited to submit a response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Then, among the pool of applicants who submit a Request for Proposals response, several will be invited to participate in a site visit to determine the final recipients of funding.
Existing ROI communities will not have to submit a Letter of Intent. Instead, they will respond to a formal RFP and submit a proposal in the form of a work plan, a project budget, and after review and award decision by the formal selection committee, they will then will work with Business Oregon to finalize a funding agreement.
What is a Letter of Intent?
The purpose of a Letter of Intent is to reduce initial barriers to participation. The Letter of Intent is shorter than a full response to an RFP, reducing the time burden on potential applicants. It also helps the selection committee determine the level of interest and adjust resources accordingly. ROI's Letter of Intent application focuses more on readiness and alignment (with ROI's goals), whereas the full RFP response will require more specific information about activities, outcomes, partner engagement, anticipated expenses, and more.
When is the Letter of Intent application due?
December 1, 2017, at 12:00 pm (noon) PST.
How are Letter of Intent applications submitted?
Letter of Intent applications (a completed PDF form) are submitted via email. Please use the subject line: "LOI Application, [Agency Name]." If choosing to submit the optional attachment, it should be no more than two-pages and in PDF format.
Do you accept late Letter of Intent applications?
No. Applications submitted after 12:00 pm (noon) PST on December 1, 2017, will not be reviewed or considered for funding.
Do we have to select one of the three funding categories?
Will our proposal be rejected if we select the wrong funding category for our request?
No. If a selection is made for a category that Business Oregon feels is incorrect or inaccurate, the applicant may be offered funding at a different amount than requested and through a different category than originally indicated.
How much should we request?
Applicants must first determine which funding category best aligns with their request. See more information on the characteristics of each category by reviewing the Overview of ROI Categories .
|Minimum Award
|Maximum Award
Determining how much to request within each category's minimum and maximum award amount is up to the applicant. It is important that the requested amount aligns with the proposed activities. There is not a competitive advantage to asking for either the maximum or minimum; ask for what is reasonable given the scope of an applicant's proposed activities and goals.
Will partial funding be awarded?
Yes. Depending on the quantity and quality of applications, the selection committee may, at their discretion, offer awards to applicants that are less than the amount originally requested.
Is there a match required?
What time period does ROI funding cover?
ROI funding is to be utilized between April 2018 and January 2020.
Can we apply for more than one ROI grant at a time?
Do current ROI communities need to submit a Letter of Intent?
No. Existing communities will not have to submit a Letter of Intent. Instead, they will submit a proposal in the form of a work plan, a project budget, and, following approval from the selection committee, they will then work with Business Oregon to finalize a funding agreement.
Is there an opportunity to move from one "category" to another during this funding period?
Yes. Throughout the duration of the funding cycle, communities may "graduate" out of one group and move into the next. In doing so, they would be eligible for additional funding, if available, through a secondary application process.
Will there be opportunities for additional funding through ROI?
Yes. ROI communities that are selected for funding will have an opportunity to move from one category to another, making them eligible for additional funding, if available. Additionally, Business Oregon is working to leverage matched funding which would also be distributed to ROI communities.
Are letters of support required for the Letter of Intent application?
What attachments are required?
The only requirement is the completed PDF application form. No additional attachments are required. There is an option, however, to submit a document providing additional information about your community and/or your request. This attachment cannot exceed two pages and must be submitted in PDF format. This attachment is optional.
When will we be alerted if we are invited to submit a full proposal?
Applicants will be notified about the status of their proposal by January 5, 2018.
When will the full proposal (response to an RFP) be due?
If invited, a completed response to an issued RFP will be due by January 29, 2018.
When will final decisions be announced and when will funding be distributed?
Final decisions will be announced in mid-March 2018 with funding distributed in early April 2018.
Eligible Applicants, Projects & Expenses
Learn about who is eligible, Lead Agencies, partners, activities, and time period.
Eligible Applicants
- This is a fund to support collaborative work. Applicants must be applying on behalf of three or more total partners (including the applicant).
- Groups must then identify a "Lead Agency" to serve as the applicant. Applicants are responsible for receiving and managing funding, if selected.
- To be eligible for funding, the proposed Lead Agency must be based in a geographic area with a population of 30,000 or less and proposed activities must benefit residents of a geographic area with a population of 30,000 or less.
- In addition to working collaboratively (or having a plan to work collaboratively), eligible applicants must be focused on improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem in support of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
What types of entities are eligible to apply as the Lead Agency?
It is required that Lead Agencies must be either a tribal government, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government agency (city, county, economic development district, etc.), or educational institution. For profit business and individuals are not eligible to apply. Additionally, the Lead Agency must be based in a geographic area with a population of 30,000 or less.
Must our named partners also be government or nonprofit entities?
No. Named partners must be local to your community but do not need to be a government or nonprofit entity.
Must our named partners also be located in rural areas?
No. Partners do not have to be located in rural areas.
Are Lead Agencies that are fiscally-sponsored eligible to apply?
No. Lead Agencies must be a government entity or have their own 501(c)(3) status.
Are we eligible to apply if our 501(c)(3) status is pending?
How does Business Oregon define "partner" or "collaboration"?
For the purpose of ROI funding, a collaboration is a shared effort between three or more entities (aka partners).
Must our collaboration have a history of working together to be eligible for funding?
The required depth of the collaboration (i.e., history of shared work together, length of partnerships, etc.) is dependent on the category under which you are applying. For example, there is a lower threshold for Concept communities who are just beginning their work compared with Scale or Launch communities who are applying to build on their successful collaborative accomplishments.
Will more than one award be granted per rural community?
It is highly unlikely that an award would be granted to two applicants serving the same rural community. Collaboration is encouraged.
Eligible Projects & Expenses
Examples of eligible projects are listed per funding category. Please read Overview of ROI Categories to learn more about allowable expenses, sample projects, and the characteristics of each ROI category.
During what period of time must activities be conducted?
ROI funding must be exhausted between April 2018 and January 2020.
What types of activities or expense are eligible for ROI funding?
Eligible activities vary per funding category but overall range from project-based support to staff and contractors to capital expense.
Can ROI funding be used for activities already underway?
Yes, activities can already be underway but ROI funding cannot be used retroactively to offset expenses already incurred.
Can ROI funding be used retroactively to offset expenses already incurred?
What Makes a Competitive Proposal
Learn about proposals, proposal review, proposal scoring.
What makes a competitive proposal?
A competitive proposal is one that aligns with ROI's goals. The overarching goal of ROI's funding is to position rural communities for success as they strengthen entrepreneurship-based economic development in their communities. Objectives to meet goals include: building longevity through strengthened partnerships; connecting local resources to one another and to a statewide network; proactively ensuring equitable participation for entrepreneurs and service providers of all backgrounds and demographics; and increasing entrepreneurism by elevating and making existing resources more accessible, and by filling gaps in local resources through available statewide resource partners.
Who will be reviewing and scoring applications?
Letter of Intent applications are reviewed and scored by a selection committee comprised of entrepreneurs and representatives from rural-based development organizations, foundation grant-makers, capital lenders, and higher education.
How will applications be scored?
Applications are scored against the below criteria:
|Application Selection
|Scoring Criteria
|Partners & Collaboration
|Challenges & Opportunity
|Alignment with ROI's Goals


text:
Late Spring
Oregon, USA
Oregon, USA
A rainy and cloudy spring day brings out the incredible saturated colors of the Japanese Maple Tree. Click here to view the story of Late Spring. © Copyright 2015 by Bommarito Fine Art Photography.
Print Information & Availability
Mediums & Styles: Lustre Print, Mat & Frame, Acrylic face-mount, Canvas, Metal (brushed aluminum).
Availability: Limited Edition and Open Edition. Please inquire for sizing.
Request A Quote


text:
NCBC Bible College - Spring 2019 "Genesis"
Every Tuesday, from 04/16/2019 to 07/02/2019, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Did you know you can earn college credit right here at GateWay? Northern California Bible College meets in Room 201 on Tuesday nights.
Northern California Bible College exists to provide state accredited undergraduate local and distance biblical education.
Students can receive an A.A. in Biblical Studies, a B.A. in Biblical Studies, or attend to increase their personal knowledge of the Bible and spiritual growth.
To learn more visit the NCBC website at: http://ncbc.net/home
Join Pastor David for the SPRING Semester of Northern California Bible College, located in Room 201 at Gateway City Church. This is a great opportunity for you to further your biblical knowledge in a classroom setting. Registration is now open and classes fill up fast.
Taught by Pastor David Sell
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Gateway City Church
Room 201, South San Jose
Begins Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Course Description:
Pastor David Sell will teach a 12-week course on the Book of Genesis. Special emphasis will be given to the creation story, the flood, and the life of the patriarchs. Impact graduates can transfer credits into a fully accredited college to earn their B.A. degree. For more information call 925 846-6464 or
**Students may check out the first session with no obligation to enroll; students also have three months to pay their tuition.
Tuition price:
- Full college credit: $460 per course (Student does all assignments; 3 units credit toward an accredited college degree in Biblical Studies)
- Certificate: $300 per course
(Student does all assignments and receives 3 units credit toward a Certificate in Biblical Studies; this is not a college degree)
- Audit: $160 per course
(Student takes the class for their own personal enrichment; no assignments due or college credit granted)
- There is a one-time $35 application fee.
**Students may check out the first session with no obligation to enroll; students also have three months to pay their tuition.
Live, Distance, Online Classes:
Above prices apply for either "live," "distance," or "online" classes.
Students taking distance or online classes must prepay tuition and textbooks before receiving course materials. Students taking live classes have the duration of the quarter to pay their tuition and fees. All textbooks must be paid in full before taking them home.
Additional Fees:
- $35: One-time registration to enter the college.
- Textbooks are in addition to tuition; most books range from $15 to $30 each.
- $20: transcript charge
- $300: graduation charge
**Credit earned through completion of IMPACT! School of Ministry courses can be applied towards a degree through NCBC which provides both live campus and distance learning programs.
For more information, please call 925 846-6464 or email us at


text:
During lunch today, I went flyfishing to the same place I fished yesterday (where I caught the Freshwater Drums, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass). I was hoping for more of the same...or at LEAST more Freshwater Drum.
Didn't happen. Similar weather conditions, same spot, same time of day, ...just ONE day later. And it was seemingly deadsville.
I just managed to avoid getting skunked by catching this one nice 12" White Crappie on a weedless Black Ops fly pattern.


text:
President Rodrigo Duterte
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 24, defended his recent remarks against women that drew flak from several rights groups.
In a speech in Davao City, the Chief Executive said he believes in the competence and capabilities of women but their excellence does not apply to all aspects of life.
The President mentioned this while he was asking female soldiers to leave Paquibato District in Davao due to the presence of the high presence of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in the area.
Duterte also went on to explain why he preferred men over women on some government positions.
"Kaya ang mga babae kong sundalo pati pulis ayaw ko iyan sa bukid. You know kagaya ng — unlike men, kami, maliit pa lang suntukan, bakbakan, barilan diyan. And we grew up with a sort of a mindset na sometimes prone to violence," the President said.
(I don't like female soldiers and police in the jungle. You know, unlike men, even as kids, we're used to rough play, hitting each other. And we grew up with a sort of a mindset that is sometimes prone to violence.)
This month, pro women groups accused Duterte of discrimination after he said in public that the next ombudsman should not be a woman.
"Mag-nominate sila pero (They may nominate, but) I choose — Gusto ko 'yung bilib ang tao sa integrity niya (I want people to be impressed by that person's integrity). Of course, it could not be [a politician]. Lalo na hindi babae (especially not a woman)," Duterte said in an interview in Malacañang on May 16.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) explained that based on the Magna Carta for Women, men and women should be given equal rights and opportunities, even in political aspect.
"The Magna Carta for Women says that in the bureaucracy government, there should be 50:50 gender balance incremented, increase in women being appointed to managerial positions," said Emmerline Verzosa, the Executive Director of PCW.
But for law expert Atty. George Erwin Garcia, the emphasis on the issue should be placed on the qualification of the person appointed to a certain post.
"Sa bandang huli ang mas papasok diyan ay iyong diskresyon ng mag a-appoint whether ang piliin niya ay isang lalake o isang babae o kaya ay iyong tinatawag na 3rd sex. Wala tayong magagawa doon diskresyon yun lalong lalo na ng ating pangulo," Garcia concluded.
(In the end it depends on the discretion of the one who will appoint: whether he will choose a man, woman or the so-called third sex. We cannot do anything about it, that is the discretion of the president.) – Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue
The post Duterte: 'I believe in women's competence' appeared first on UNTV News.


text:
Tagged: Alain Resnais
Night and Fog
Ok, so three days before Christmas is probably an unlikely sort of time to be reviewing a Holocaust documentary. I really ought to be munching on mince pies and offering my views on The Hobbit or something. However, I've been meaning to watch Night and Fog for ages (since September) and I thought as I've already mentioned Alain Resnais this week I might as well run with that.
The Holocaust has loomed quite large in my sphere of consciousness this year. I spent a month in Berlin during which time I visited a concentration camp and wrote up the experience for a travel guide, as well as writing up both the Jewish Museum and Peter Eisenman's Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. I was morbidly fascinated with the Holocaust when I was younger (I read the Diary of Anne Frank when I was 11 and it snowballed from there) but it didn't occur to me until this year that even though I might have learnt a lot about the Holocaust I still didn't 'get it'. I still don't 'get it', and I believe that unless you've been through it then you never will.
But boy, since wandering around Sachsenhausen concentration camp on my own do I have a better idea, and I have to tell you I'm not really pushed to dig a lot deeper. I always wanted to visit Auschwitz, but hey, now I'm really not sure about that, I think I've done my concentration tourism – and it was certainly enough. Anyhow, I got into conversation with one of my friends about this whilst in Berlin and he recommended Night and Fog, so here I am.
I already like Alain Resnais, but how would did he deal with such a sensitive subject?
Bearing in mind what sort of thing Resnais would go on to produce it is interesting that images in this film appear so surreal. Surely with that box full of human heads and bulldozer clearing away bodies we are looking a work of fantasy, something from a different world? But no, not this time.
Night and Fog was produced in 1955, a ridiculously short amount of time after the war. I think this might actually be the earliest documentary about the Holocaust I've ever seen, and it's certainly the most shocking, no surprise that it ran into censorship problems. The film switches between archive footage and contemporary views of Auschwitz, faint of heart beware – this is graphic, and it's absolutely brutal.
'Night and Fog' is a poignant title, drawing attention to the shady handling of prisoners by the German military. Millions of ordinary people were plucked out of their lives, sent off to the camps and 'disappeared'. I'm not sure how I feel about this, so the mechanics of the camps were kept secret – but what did the people really think happened to those prisoners? In Oranienburg (the sleepy suburb where Sachsenhausen is located) residential houses run almost up to the front gate. Thousands of people go in, no one comes out, and still more people keep coming. It's pretty obvious what's happening. Or is it? That section of life between arriving at the camp and death is where the real cloak and dagger horror is; the starvation, the miserable conditions, death leering at every corner. So giving the film this title is like a attaching a billboard to the whole thing, calling out the Nazi's on their great cover up.
The script was written by camp survivor Jean Cayrol, no doubt an almost impossible task. The narrative is measured and poetic without being bitter or condemning, there is a sense that Cayrol and Resnais are just presenting the facts and it is up to the viewer to draw their own conclusion about who is responsible. As the camera spans over the tumbledown, now peaceful ruins of Auschwitz there is a plea not to forget, not to let it happen again.
2011, Directed by Lars Von Trier starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård and Kiefer Sutherland.
Let me start by saying that I have never seen a film by Lars von Trier before, and I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into.
The open seven minutes or so are a series of slow moving and surrealist snapshots; a woman stares on unblinking while dead birds fall from the sky, two planetary bodies are shown colliding with the smallest being obliterated, a shot of Breugel's is shown slowly disintegrating. If this sounds too avant-garde for you, then back away now; this isn't going to be your thing.
The film is split into two parts following the lives of two sisters, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainbourg). It begins with the chaotic wedding reception of Micheal (Alexander Skarsgård) and Justine. The couple arrives two hours late to the reception, and it's clear from the outset that things aren't going to improve. Justine begins to feel alienated, sinking into depression and gradually becoming more hostile towards her husband and guests. It's tense to watch, and fine acting from Dunst who manages to pull off the balance between being brink of tears while trying to smile through her emotional pain. Ultimately she fails, and things quickly begin to break down.
Following the disintegration of Justine's marriage and subsequent break down in mental health Claire encourages her sister to come and stay with her family. While this is happening it is revealed that a planet called Melancholia is heading towards earth on a possible collision path. While struggling to care for her deeply depressed sister Claire becomes nervous about the approach of the planet, and is wary of her husband's insistence that it narrowly avoid hitting earth.
As Melancholia begins to loom large in the sky Claire begins to panic, fearing for the safety of her husband and young son. In contrast Justine displays an almost zen like calm, viewing the oncoming apocalypse or narrow miss with indifference and equal measures of hostility. Apparently Lars von Trier derived the idea for the film from the observation that severely depressed people often remain calm in stressful situations. Justine is wrapped up in a 'Melancholia' that of course has nothing to do with planet, and is totally indifferent to the outcome of her fate.
Melancholia deals with some serious themes; family relations, love, depression, death – human beings under pressure. The colours are muted and moody, and there's plenty in here to get and art lover excited. I was reminded of Alain Resnais 1961 film Last Year at Marienbad, because of the similarity of the grounds, although perhaps there's also something in there about the way people can filter their own reality.
All things considered, Melancholia meets my approval and I'll be exploring what else Lars von Trier has to offer. This certainly seems like an appropriate movie in wake of the looming 21/12/12 apocalypse suspicions. Happy pre-apocalpytic viewing everyone!


text:
Date: 2nd of August 2014
Venue: Mount Stuart House, Bute
Chris and Mary came all the way over from Ireland to for their beautiful Mount Stuart House Wedding. Mary got ready at a local hotel and I joined her in the morning to photograph her dress and accessories. It was raining most of the day but Mount Stuart is such a stunning venue inside, I wasn't too worried.
We travelled to Mount Stuart where they were due to get married in the Marble Chapel, which is attached onto the side of the house. The Chapel is one of the most stunning buildings in the UK as you can see from the middle photos.
After the ceremony we went into the drawing room to do group photos and then I took Mary and Chris around Mount Stuart House to get photos in different rooms.
The drawing room at Mount Stuart House.
The Marble staircase.
The couple had a small, intimate dinner with their family followed by speeches.
After dinner, the couple invited local highland dancers to entertain their guests as none of them were Scottish, so Im sure it was a lovely suprise for them. Chris and Mary had their first dance together in the drawing room. I finished my day but they mentioned they were having fireworks at midnight, so I had to come back. I knew that it would make a stunning photo and I wasn't wrong. Im totally in love with this photo of them cuddled together watching the fireworks! I hope Chris, Mary and their guests had a great time at Mount Stuart House.


text:
Job fairs are not really job fairs. Ask a savvy recruiter about the objective and tangible effectiveness of a job fair. "Are job fairs a reliable and effective method by which to hire large numbers of people for your company?" The answer is almost always a resounding, "No!"
So why have your company set up a booth at a job fair? A well-organized job fair is an outstanding marketing event. Even companies that are not actively hiring at this minute should attend. (If your company is not hiring, they will be - very, very soon).
Making great hiring decisions is a process. It's a process that requires time, attention and talent in building trust and relationships. The real benefit in attending a job fair is to build relationships and to interact with 3 distinct groups: job fair attendees, other vendors and trade show organizers.
Here's why your company should have a booth and participate as a vendor/employer at a job fair:
Some other concepts that will guarantee that the job fair is successful for you:
So a job fair is not a job fair. It's a smart networking event. The wisest hiring professionals understand that the best new employees come to them from referrals. Referrals are the cornerstone to success in any industry. (Think about the referrals you have given to friends about how great your doctor, mechanic or web designer is). The same is true in hiring. Employee referrals are based solely on a relationship of trust. Learn to develop a reputation in your community as a great place to work. So next the time a well-organized job fair is about to occur in your community, staff a booth, represent your employer in a winning manner and get to know everyone!


text:
I get this question constantly. What should I eat post-WOD. The short answer is some protein and carbs as soon as you can with a full meal within an hour if possible. Watch the video for what I eat.
Karen is a certified nutrition consultant working to help her clients uncover their innate health.


text:
Living paycheck-to-paycheck is an uncomfortable spot to occupy. With nothing in reserve, the slightest bump in the road can cripple you. Unfortunately, too many people can relate to the financial burden of barely scraping by each month. While the phrase obviously connotes one's financial situation, it can also apply to an emotional state.
When someone is living emotionally paycheck-to-paycheck, it means their mental wellness is always on tilt, ever so close to tipping over the edge from the adversities of life. While no one can avoid challenges, what they can do is manage their emotional bank account to get them through until it passes. Here are seven ways to stay off that emotional roller coaster.
1. Think long-term.
Over the course of time, everyone will experience both victories and defeats. Despite the ups and downs, true champions stay grounded when they win and steadfast during adversity. A long-range outlook forces one to realize that nothing—not our current emotion or situation—is permanent.
If you took a loss today, know that, in the big picture, it likely would not matter. How many frivolous frustrations have you had in the past that at the time felt like you where carrying the weight of the world?
2. Learn something from the pain.
The lingering twinge from defeat can be made worthwhile by learning something from it. One component all great success stories share is a great "overcoming adversity" tale. The sooner you can identify a positive takeaway from the situation, the quicker you can accelerate in the right direction.
3. Surround yourself with the right people.
When you are in an emotionally bad place, the last people you should be around are the "I told you so" or the "woe is me" types. Mature adults acknowledge that everyone will experience the downs but are strong enough not to let bad stuff sink them too long. Hang around with people who will be both supportive and encouraging, and you will find yourself bouncing back quickly.
4. Keep things in perspective.
Ask yourself—has anyone ever recovered from something like this before? No matter the low you are going through right now, chances are that somewhere, someone has faced worse and conquered it. Framing your situation in the right perspective can give you the confidence you need to carry on.
5. Alter your surroundings.
Snapping out of a funk can sometimes be as simple as getting a change of scenery. While we do not all necessarily have the luxury to jet off to an exotic locale to "clear" our heads, anyone can make a quick escape. Reverse your outlook by listening to your favorite upbeat music, going for a run or taking a drive to clear your head.
6. Move forward.
The operative word here is "move." When down, people often have the tendency to become paralyzed by emotion, literally staying in one place. Nothing is ever accomplished by hiding. Get moving—create action and forward momentum.
7. Laugh it off.
Laughter can sometimes be the cure for what ails all. Take care to laugh at yourself, the situation or quite frankly—anything. It is amazing what a good belly laugh can do for the soul.
Related: What to do when a colleague needs emotional support in the office
How you react to the world and the situations it presents is going to be the story of your life. Living emotionally paycheck-to-paycheck is a mind-taxing existence. Redirect your focus accurately to stay off the roller coaster.
Copyright © 2016 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article originally appeared on Entrepreneur.com. Minor edits have been done by the Entrepreneur.com.ph editors.
Photo fromMy Finance


text:
NICOSIA – Cyprus' Finance Minister Harris Georgiades said an economic slide caused by bad decisions by banks is slowing and an improvement is showing.
"The long recession seems to have run its course," Harris Georgiades told a conference in Nicosia.
Cyprus was rescued in March of 2013 with a 10-billion euro bailout from the Troika of the European Union-International Monetary Fund-European Central Bank (EU-IMF-ECB) that came with attached austerity measures and bank account confiscations.
Quarterly data for the past four quarters showed the depth of recession was losing steam, Georgiades said. "There has been stronger than expected resilience of main productive sectors of the economy and confidence has been re-established," he said, according to Reuters.
Georgiades said the bailed-out island expected to achieve a marginal primary fiscal surplus and would exit an excessive deficit procedure two years earlier than scheduled.
Cyprus has previously said it expects a recession this year to be narrower than 3 percent, revised substantially downwards from a contraction close to 4 earlier in the year. The island and the Troika expect it to return to modest growth of 0.5 percent in 2015.
Unlike other bailout nations, aid to Cyprus was contingent on the island shutting down a major loss-making bank and forcing depositors in another bank to shoulder the cost of recapitalizing the lender by seizing deposits.
Despite promises by President Nicos Anastasiades to hold them accountable, no banker has been disciplined for management decisions to buy huge amounts of Greek bonds that were devalued, and bad loans to Greek businesses which failed, costing the institutions 4.5 billion euros in losses.
The post Cyprus Says Recession Ending appeared first on The National Herald.Source: The National Herald


text:
How NOT To Buy A Used Miata
Buying a used Mazda Miata? Meet Joel, our new employee for the summer. This is his Miata that he loves. Yeah we ribbed him a bit but he's been working hard on this for the last several months, his progress has been impressive so we thought we'd show it off.


text:
Vancouver, Canada: Renew life cleanse are herbal cleansing product. they help in elimination of waste and toxins from our body. Usage of renew life cleanse products help us feel lighter, more energized and better. All types of body cleansings can be performed using multiple variety of these products. Visit vitasave.ca to learn more about Renew Life Cleanse.What does renew life cleanse products do in our body?These products are known to contain fibers and organic compounds. They are also observed to enhance our digestive and excretory pathways. Liver detoxification is also one of the major functions performed by these products. These products are made for the sole purpose of making us healthier. Routine life style can be enhanced using these products. Not only they enhance metabolism and eliminate wastes from body, but they also help in losing weight.Renew life products:Renew life ensures that all the products which are produced by it have a high quality and are highly potent. These are gluten free compounds which do not possess any toxic effects. They may cause allergenecity in certain scenarios but overall they are safe to use. However patients and people with different ailments must consult a doctor or health care professional before their usage.Different products have different requirements which need to be followed to get best results out of them. A schedule is needed to be followed with periodicity to gain maximum benefits from these products. Some of the most famous products of renew life include critical liver support, cleanse smart, daily liver support, paraGONE, candigone, cleanse more, liver detox, first cleanse, diet start cleanse, heavy metal cleanse and daily multi detox.About VitasaveAll of the renew life cleanse products can be purchased on low prices from www.vitasave.ca. This is an online retailer of herbal non toxic products. You just need to mention your ailments and needs on website and it will provide you with all the proper products which can be taken for this condition. You can buy any of these products.
Due to extra work required to remove the press-releases we have started charging $1.99 for press release removal.
Your press release will be removed in 24 hours, once the payment has been received.


text:
Air Monitoring
Metering Grease Lubrication Flow in a Wind Turbine
Oct 13 2017 Read 1170 Times
Used in hundreds of wind turbine installations, the Titan Enterprises OG2-700 flowmeter is a well-established monitoring device that provides valuable data helping to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Although China leads the world in the amount of power generated from wind, Denmark has the highest generation rate per capita by a long way. In 2015, this small country was generating over 2 megawatt hours per person well ahead of China's 0.26. This relatively high generation rate has resulted in a local industry which produces large numbers of wind turbines for the rest of the world. One of the fundamental requirements of ensuring reliable and efficient wind turbine operation is to keep the heavily loaded main bearings fully lubricated in all operating conditions.
Titan Enterprises were approached to supply a small flowmeter to monitor the grease being supplied into a wind turbine main bearing mechanism. For simplicity the grease mechanism is mechanically driven from the blade rotation and therefore the flow rate is potentially very low if the blades are barely rotating. This grease flow is crucial and an alarm must be tripped and the rotation stopped should the grease flow be insufficient. In addition, if the lubricant supply line became blocked the flowmeter should be able to withstand pressure that could potentially rise to several hundred Bar. An extra requirement for the required flow measurement device was for a low power system as the backup system was battery powered.
Drawing upon its proven OG2 flowmeter that fulfilled the low flow measurement specifications on lubricating viscous fluids, Titan Enterprises redesigned this meter to operate at 700 Bar in a small body and fitted a miniature reed switch detector to keep the power requirements to a minimum.
Fully IP67 / NEMA 4 compliant, the OG2-700 flowmeter is optimised for measuring the flow of viscous fluids and liquids at pressures of up to 700 bar and temperatures up to 150°C. With a standard flow range from 0.03 to 4.0 litres / minute on 30Cstk oil the OG2-700 can routinely achieve outstanding accuracy (0.5%) and repeatability (0.1%). Combining robust 316 stainless steel construction and proven technology ensures that OG2-700 flowmeter provides reliable, accurate operation over an extended product lifetime. At the heart of the OG2-700 flowmeter are a pair of toothed oval gears one of which contains chemically resistant magnets, the gears rotate freely on robust bearings. Rotation is detected through the chamber wall by a Hall effect detector or a reed switch giving approximately 1100 pulses per litre passed. The output is an NPN pulse or a voltage free contact closure either of which is readily interfaced with most electronic display or recording devices. This combination of materials and technology ensures a long-life product with reliable, accurate operation throughout.
Reader comments
Do you like or dislike what you have read? Why not post a comment to tell others / the manufacturer and our Editor what you think. To leave comments please complete the form below. Providing the content is approved, your comment will be on screen in less than 24 hours. Leaving comments on product information and articles can assist with future editorial and article content. Post questions, thoughts or simply whether you like the content.
Digital Edition
International Environmental Technology Buyers Directory 2019
August 2019
A Comprehensive Bibliography of Who's Who in Environmental Analysis & Monitoring This guide has been produced as a reference of manufacturers and suppliers with their full contact details. The c...
View all digital editions
Aug 25 2019 Stockholm, Sweden
Sep 02 2019 Shanghai, China
Sep 03 2019 Mexico City, Mexico
Sep 04 2019 Gwangju, South Korea
Sep 06 2019 San Diego, CA, USA


text: The warm sunny weather is producing lot of colour in the forms of flowers. In this case it's the wild sunflower, beautiful yellow colour standing out in the sunlight. With the very warm weather we are having, it's hard to imagine it will start changing as we get closer to the end go August.


text:
by Yara Zgheib
Yara Zgheib's poetic and poignant debut novel is a haunting portrait of a young woman's struggle with anorexia on an intimate journey to reclaim her life.
The chocolate went first, then the cheese, the fries, the ice cream. The bread was more difficult, but if she could just lose a little more weight, perhaps she would make the soloists' list. Perhaps if she were lighter, danced better, tried harder, she would be good enough. Perhaps if she just ran for one more mile, lost just one more pound.
Anna Roux was a professional dancer who followed the man of her dreams from Paris to Missouri. There, alone with her biggest fears – imperfection, failure, loneliness – she spirals down anorexia and depression till she weighs a mere eighty-eight pounds. Forced to seek treatment, she is admitted as a patient at 17 Swann Street Continue reading "The Girls at 17 Swann Street (Review)"


text:
About Me
Hi my name is Danielle Gardner. At heart I'm a Francophile, foodie, philosopher, word alchemist, sci-fi enthusiast, Human Design Generator, INFJ and lover of slow living.
I help holistically minded solopreneurs articulate their message, stand out in the marketplace, and grow business without having to be online all the time.
A little background story …
After spending years slaving away in the recruitment industry I decided to draw a line in the sand, leave my job and start my own business. I made a conscious choice to live life at a slower pace.
I wanted to travel, experience other cultures, speak other languages, and make a difference in the world by using my talents and gifts.
My entrepreneurial journey began with kinesiology and intuitive coaching. Within a few years this evolved into helping others grow their holistic business.
I'm currently living a location independent lifestyle between Australia and Europe.
My mentors:
I feel it's important to name the teachers and mentors who have helped us on our path. The following people have supported and guided me in my business journey since 2012:
George Kao
Jason Stein
Natalie Kent
Nathalie Martinek
Liz Melville
Caroline Southwell
Tash Corbin
Nisha Moodley
Melanie Midegs
Andrea Hess
Amanda Daley
Gina DeVee
Melissa Pharr


text: 2⃣5⃣ DAYS TO GO! Former West Germany coach Helmut Schon led his side at 25 FIFA #WorldCup matches – a record that no other coach has yet equalled. Do you know how many World Cup matches Joachim Low has coached in with Germany Football Team - Die Mannschaft football SHARE VIA Fifa World Cup


text:
On-Campus Counseling Support
The Counseling Center offers an array of academic, psycho-educational, and mental health workshops throughout the year to help students. In addition, several ongoing support groups which are aligned with student organizations are held regularly during the academic year.
Support Groups
See the FAQ below for more information on these support groups.
Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
See the FAQ below for more information on these support groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
The workshops are psycho-educational, interactive experiences that are designed to help students learn and overcome some of college's most challenging obstacles. Examples of workshops include: time management, study skills, conflict resolution, test anxiety, depression, addictions, etc.
Workshops are 100% FREE and some faculty members give extra credit to students who attend!
The Counseling Center currently provides support groups for LGBTQ students, students in Recovery from addiction, and single parents.
Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) is a Student Organization that seeks to provide awareness of various LGBTQ issues on campus. SAGA meets bi-weekly throughout the academic year and is open to anyone who is interested!
Unlike SAGA, The LGBTQ Support Group is a confidential counseling group that is limited to students who identify as LGBTQ. Topics addressed are related to group members and include, but are not limited to, gender identity development, education and spiritual issues, family and relationship issues, and academic impacts.
The Single Parents Support Group is a group of single parents that come together with a counselor to receive support in overcoming the unique set of challenges that single parents face while attending college. This group meets weekly during the academic year.
Simply say you'd like to be involved! For SAGA, LGBTQ Support Group, or Titan Recovery, please contact Chris Chafin at email@example.com or 336-334-4822 ext. 50323. For the Single Parent Support Group, please contact Ednalyn Hurley at firstname.lastname@example.com or 336-334-4822 ext. 50272.


text:
Whatcha got cookin'?
So tonight we had South Asian food and we made it ourselves! Well, sorta...we haven't found a good place around here to order from yet (good=tasty and cheap), so we've gotten this prepackaged stuff at the grocery store a couple times, just to see how it was. Tonight we had yellow dal and vegetable pulau (bean dish and veggie rice) and it was pretty good--definitely the best store bought stuff we've tried so far. (that's it in the silver packages--we boil them to heat them up since we don't have a microwave).
But what I was really in the mood for was the bread. I mean, that's the best part of eating food here--delicious hot buttery nan or roti...mmm...But you can't really buy that in the store, so I decided to try to make some roti. I'd seen our friend make it last week at her house, and it didn't look to hard. You're supposed to use wheat flour, water, oil and salt, but all we had was white flour, and I had no idea how much of each thing, so I just mixed it up and rolled it out as best as I could.
After you have the roti real flat, you cook it in a hot skillet for a few minutes. Then comes the fun part--you take it out of the skillet, turn up the fire and put the partially cook roti ON THE FLAME! When our friend first did it, I was in shock, but it gets the roti slightly brown and makes it bubble up. Very cool! So I tried it and it worked pretty well--I will definitely have to get tongs before I try it again though!
So overall our dinner was pretty tasty, and I was pretty proud of myself for making roti, actually for the 2nd time (see my earlier post about the Sikh temple where I got to help roll out the roti).
Whatcha got cookin'?
1 shout outs!:
- Deanna said...
How fun! The Germans are not nearly so risk-taking. A spicy meal for them is to use a little too much salt. I'm enjoying your blog very much - thanks for all the updates. Deanna
- 28 October, 2005 10:31


text: Humidity: Obtaining the Perfect Moisture Level Humidity can be a nuisance, but even more importantly, humidity can have a big impact on the quality of the air within your house and your home comfort levels. The United States Environmental Protection Agency urges families to sustain proper humidity levels, saying it is one of the most important ways your home can achieve improved indoor air quality. As it turns out, you can control it. The best thing to do is to intergrate a whole-house humidifier and dehumidifier system. Humidity levels in the range of 35% and 50% are the best for comfort, experts say. But if you want an environment without microbes and that won't damage wood, the humidity levels should be kept between 45% and 50%. Humidity should be maintained correctly to make sure your home has the right amount. Higher Levels of Moisture – Air may feel stuffy and warmer than the actual temperature in your house and can provide the ideal groundwork for the growth of bacteria and other pollutants. Lower Levels of Moisture – Your body may react by suffering from dry skin, sore throats and respiratory issues. Dry air can also harm your wooden home furnishings, such as floors, paneling and furniture. We have a complete offering of quality equipment, and combined with our expert advice and knowledge, will help you maintain proper humidity levels, relax comfortably in your home and breathe easier. Give us a call now at Knochelmann Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in Sharonville at 859-905-0834 to set up a free appointment. We'll wring out that wet blanket and hang it up to dry. Not literally, but you know what we mean.


text:
Have you ever needed to add a voice-over to your beautifully shot video? Sure, you have, and I bet you may have even thought of completing the voice-over yourself. If you're anything like me, that thought soon went out the window. You may have a good voice, but to tell you the truth, you'll need a great voice with great talent. What do I mean? I mean voice-over work is an art form. It takes speaking to a totally different level. A voice-over talent needs to emphasize certain words, use inflection, and know what they are doing. You want your audio to be just as good as your images, right? There is nothing worse than an inexperienced voice-over that deflates well shot footage.
I would like to share a voice-over company with you that has yielded great results for me and my clients…. Speedy Spots. Speedy Spots is an online company that has been around for several years. This is how it works. They have several different talents to choose from. You may be interested in using a male voice for your PSA, no problem they have that covered. They also have several female voices to choose from as well. You may ask, "How about Spanish voice-overs," they have that too, both male and female. Speedy Spots is a one stop shop for all your voice-over needs. They can do characters, children, even urban voice-overs. The best thing is that they live up to their name. You can easily get your script to them and have it completed in the same day.
First you choose the talent you want to read your script. You then submit your script online and explain how long you want the script to read for. I usually read the script before that way I know how much I will be charged. A :30 spot goes for $35. That is amazing, if you ask me. I am no getting paid by Speedy Spots, I am just very happy I have found this company and wanted to share it with others.
Speedy Spots has really made my life that much easier. I can rely on several different talented people who can deliver the goods within a day. This means I do not have to invest in voice-over microphones and I do not need to train myself to do voice-over work. If they have a question regarding the script, they will call you to confirm and I think that is great.
Your clients will definitely be impressed, and the work will be that much better. Check them out at www.speedyspots.com
Leave a Reply.
Jeff Cook


text:
After seeing pictures of the new X5 and day dreaming about Range Rover ownership, my mind has continued to wander towards a car that remains just outside the realms of possibility car-wise…the current (second) generation of BMW's talented X5. I see enough of these machines on the road that my attention is drawn to them, in fact apart from the downright common Range Rover Sport (which appears to be everywhere I look in my neck of the woods) the X5 appears to be the vehicle of choice for the well-heeled. Given a pay rise or another year or so's saving I would be able to think about joining these ranks, but for now I shall just have to settle with over-analysing the car on my blog.
I've already covered the original sexy X-y (sorry!) in a number of posts and my enthusiasm about it are pretty obvious, but how did BMW go about replacing a car which was still incredibly popular even in it's last year of sale? Well given that the X5 was so far ahead of the competition already the company clearly decided to play it safe and merely evolve the model into a more honed version of it's predecessor. This is most evident on the outside where the E70 X5 looks like a slightly stretched and pumped up version of the E53…at a time when BMW was in the midst of it's controversial Bangle-styling era they clearly decided to take a less risky strategy with cars such as the 3 Series and X5, which were crucially important in the global marketplace. A few more creases here and there and a more sculpted front end kept the X5 looking fresh, whilst retaining it's aggressive looks. I was not a massive fan when the car first launched as I thought that from certain angles the car did not seem cohesive, and to be honest the very first SE models do look a bit doughy with their 18-inch wheels and black plastic bumpers. But the E70 has really grown on me in recent years, and its squat shape and chunky detailing have not dated much at all in my opinion, especially the M Sport models which have large wheels and side sills. In 2010 the X5 was facelifted, but aside from a few interior changes and a different air diffuser there is not very much to distinguish the facelift models. BMW have barely updated the design of the new car, and again I am unsure about how the car looks outside…this of course might change, but their decision to do little apart from make the car longer and taller does not sit quite right-but of course it's hard to improve on perfection.
Inside the cabin is where BMW made most progress with the second gen X5. Not that there was a huge amount wrong with the original's cabin, but the updated model ushered in a host of changes which had been filtering in to BMW's cars since 2001. Most notable was the inclusion of the iDrive system; all E70 X5's come with a version of the infotainment system and for better or for worse it marks the car out from its peers. The vast majority also come with navigation and a widescreen display, but some of the original cars made do with a pokier screen which looks abit rubbish. 2010 saw the latest version of iDrive with things like internet connectivity and app support and makes it class leading in that respect-only Audi can really come close with their MMI interface but the version in the Q7 is old. Another big change was with the gear selector; the previously available manual gearbox was not offered in the second generation car, and a quirky little lever replaced the traditional lever. This is something which has subsequently been adapted on most of BMW's automatic cars and in fact most luxury manufacturers have moved away from the traditional design of gear selectors (and manuals too!). The rest of the cabin is pretty similar to other contemporary BMW's in that it is excellent in terms or ergonomics and quality with a slight emphasis on the driver, although it could be said that it lacks distinction…having the same cabin as a 3 series costing half the price is nothing to boast about. Equipment levels are also good, with items such as leather, climate control and the aforementioned iDrive being standard. Most buyers also will have opted for heated seats but the more interesting options like radar cruise-control and a head-up display are a little rarer when looking at used cars. The bigger dimensions of the E70 allowed BMW to fit a pair of extra seats in the boot (as an option of course). They were pretty popular, but are often called useless for children over the age of 12 by owners; a 7 seat car does appeal but it would not be a deal breaker for me personally.
On the road the X5 again excels at offering owners car-like handling and performance in a larger body. Interestingly rather than use the 5 Series platform again, the E70 got it's own purpose built underpinnings (shared with the X6 once it was launched). It did not have the impact of the original car's because of the raft of talented rivals already on the market, but the E70 is still held in high regard, probably second only to the latest Porsche Cayenne in handling stakes. Adaptive suspensions offer a reasonable ride, but the 20 inch wheels of M Sport models can make it quite harsh. In terms of performance the car was given more engine choices;originally just a 4.8i V8 petrol and the stalwart 3.0L diesel 6, but a more powerful version of the diesel was launched a few months after. All engines were updated at various points, and a range-topping '50d' diesel was sold in LHD markets from 2010. Actually the top of the range X5 is the M version, which gets the engine from the M5 saloon…apparently it defies the laws of physics and gets to 60 in under 5 seconds; sure it drinks fuel but owners will be able to afford it.
I guess it was always going to be hard to replace the second generation X5, which is probably why the new car looks so similar inside and out. My money would definately go on an M Sport model, maybe the 30d or 40d, both of which can top 35mpg and offer perfectly reasonble performance, now if only I could find the money!


text:
via Joystiq + [Xbox] by David Hinkle on 3/20/09
Gears of War 2 set to receive a big update that adds the Snowblind map pack and the experience-based ranking system later this month, many have been anxious for Epic to flip the switch already. Well, one of our more sly readers turned us on to the game's listing at Xbox.com (we've linked to Xbox360Achievements.org, because it's easier), which shows off several new achievements dealing with the new ranking system and maps. Head past the break to get the full breakdown.[Thanks, Nick!]
Continue reading Xbox.com reveals more Gears of War 2 Achievements
Xbox.com reveals more Gears of War 2 Achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments


text:
Logan, who came through the Manchester City youth ranks with former Dons loanee Javan Vidal, will be out of contract with Brentford in summer.
The 26-year-old joined the Bees from City in 2011 after loan spells at Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Stockport and Tranmere.
Logan was a team-mate of Dons striker Niall McGinn two seasons ago when McGinn was on loan from Celtic.


text:
EMERYVILLE — A shooting outside an Emeryville 7-Eleven left one man injured Friday night.
Officers responded to a report of a gunshot at 10:54 p.m. in the store's rear parking lot, according to the Emeryville Police Department. When officers arrived, they found a man lying on the ground and requested emergency medical crews. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Emeryville Police Department at (510) 596-3700.
Earlier in the day Friday, Emeryville Police arrested a man suspected of hitting a woman in the head with an axe at 40th and Hubbard streets.


text:
8 Reasons Why You Should Be Using LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms
Looking for leads that don't suck? LinkedIn may have the perfect answer for you with their new Lead Gen Forms. Ashley Hockney of Zapier shares exactly what this new LinkedIn feature is, and how all marketers and growth hackers can begin using it to their advantage.


text: Philippians 2:5 - It's Time For A Mind Change February 21, 2018 Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus.MIND= noús in the greek and mean the mind, the reason, the reasoning faculty, intellect. The God-given capacity of each person to think (reason); the mind; mental capacity to exercise reflective thinking. For the believer (noús) is the organ of receiving God's thoughts, through faith.Mind in this text is referencing "ATTITUDE".Jesus had the mind of God the Father and we can have the mind of Jesus.God in His infinite wisdom, has given us the privilege of having the mind of Christ through a personal relationship with Him by faith in God's atoning work on behalf of our sins at the Cross.The mind of Christ starts with faith in Christ through hearing the Word of God and believing it by faith. Once this happens, we daily begin to wash our minds anew with the Word of God and in turn our thinking and our attitudes begin to conform to the thinking and attitude of Christ.Yes, we are given the ability through the Holy Spirit within us to humbly submit in obedience to the father's will for our lives when we are born again.When we yield to the spirit of God and the Word of God, we in turn are filled with the wisdom of God which results in a changed mindset to the likeness of God so that we can carry out God's work in the earth.The Word of God is the power that gives us the ability to do those things which are pleasing and acceptable to God.The power of the "GOOD NEWS-Gospel" is found in Romans 1:16-I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.What does the mind of Christ looks like? If we scan the pages of the 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we can clearly see the mind of Christ. Total submission and total obedience is what Christ looks like n the Gospels. Joshua 1:8-Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.How did Jesus demonstrate this mindset of God the Father? He did it in submitting Himself in submission and obedience under the mighty power of God, even unto death on a cross. If we want to have the mind of Christ to dwell richly in us we too must submit and obey to the will of the Father through Christ Jesus.As we stay connected to Christ and abide in His Word and His Word abide in us, we too will see the changes in our lives as a result of a transformed mind.To have the mind of Christ, we must think as He thinks and rebuke and reject any and every thought that is not of God and cannot be confirmed through the word of God.Having the mind of Christ clears up all wrong thinking. If we do not have the mind of Christ, we are operating in our carnal mind apart from Christ.To those of us who are born again, we have the power of God on the inside of us to help us think like Christ. The spirit of God is in us to enable us to think and do according to the will of God for our lives.In need of a mind that is transformed into the likeness of Christ on today? If you answered yes to this question, you MUST repent and receive Christ into your hearts by faith and you too will begin to see the results of a mind that has it's thoughts, intents and action being controlled by God's Holy Spirit.It's time for a mind change which in turns results in a changed attitude.Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.God bless.DebraI do not own any pictures or videos on this site nor do I claim ownership of them.


text:
April 15, 2017 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Starved Rock Lodge
2668 E 875th Rd
Oglesby, IL 61348
2668 E 875th Rd
Oglesby, IL 61348
Waterfall & Canyon Tours
April-May (Monday & Saturday)
Ticket price: $32/adult, $27/children 10 & under
Saturdays, 9am: Tours begin with trolley ride/hike and end with lunch at 12pm
Mondays & Saturdays, 11am: Tours begin with lunch and trolley ride/hike follow
Experience a fun, outdoor adventure at Starved Rock with a guided hike to three spectacular waterfalls and canyons: French, St. Louis and Ottawa. The tour also includes lunch and a relaxing, historic trolley ride. This is a hiking tour and is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility. Call (815) 220-7386 to book tickets. *Late arrivals will not be refunded.


text:
Last week, the FSA set out its ideas for regulating the selling of
stakeholder pensions. We want to hear what the industry, consumer groups
and others think before we consult on formal rules and guidance later in
the summer.
Stakeholder pensions can only be sold if they meet the minimum standards
laid down by the Government. We have taken the view that these minimum
standards significantly reduce risks to consumers.
Now the FSA has to consider how best to design a regulatory regime using
the full "toolkit" it has available to achieve a balanced outcomein terms
of appropriate consumer protection. The FSA plans to take a proactive
approach to mitigate risks and promote good choices by consumers. This is
what lies behind the ideas we have set out in our discussion paper.
Decision trees will play an important part in the selling process. They
need to be easy to understand and use, yet sufficiently comprehensive so
that consumers can have confidence in the outcome.
Decision trees are neither advice nor part of an advisory process. In any
case where the consumer needs advice, then advice should be taken. The
trees are not a substitute for advice. They are designed to provide
information and to help consumers decide for themselves whether or not to
buy a stakeholder.
On first sight, the trees may appear to be rather intimidating and there
may also appear to be more trees – 11 in all – than some may have expected.
In fact, our market research has indicated that consumers are not fazed by
the trees. It is also important to remember that no consumer will have to
face all 11 trees – there are five for the employed, three for the
self-employed and three for those not in employment.
The decision trees are new in concept as well as in their application to a
particular product. It is important that allthose involved let us have
their views about how we have designed them and how we have suggested they
should be used in the selling process.
The results of our market research will be an important contribution. We
have yet to take into account all the results of this research, so the
decision trees we have published in the discussion paper are still not
fully developed even from our point of view.
Because of the pivotal role decision trees are expected to play in the
selling process, we have taken the view that the FSA should prescribe the
trees to be used rather than leave firms and advisers to devise their own.
Decision trees are neither a marketing nor competitive tool. They are a
means of providing facts and information. It would not be in consumers'
best interests to face competing decision trees. The questions asked should
be the same for all.
Given that decision trees are not advice, nor part of the advisory
process, we have asked ourselves whether it is necessary to require only
those competent to give advice to take consumers through them. We have
taken the view that, provided the person taking the consumer through the
decision tree is doing simply that and that the consumer is referred to
advice whenever the need for it becomes clear, he or she does not need an
advice qualification.
Thus, we have suggested that, subject to proper supervision and control
systems being put in place, taking consumers through decision trees does
not require the time of an adviser.
Having been taken through the decision tree (with no advice having been
given) and arrived at an outcome, consumers must have that outcome
confirmed. This should make it clear that no advice has been given, so no
recommendation has been made as to whether or not a stakeholder is
If the consumer is content to take his or her decision on that basis, that
would be the end of the process. In any case where the consumer is not sure
that stakeholder would be the right choice, they should be referred to
advice. Where advice is given and a recommendation is made on the
suitability or otherwise of a stakeholder pension, then existing rules
would apply.
Not surprisingly, there has been lively debate about decision trees among
those who will be selling stakeholder and those whose priority is to ensure
consumers are protected against risk. We all need to be clear about the
role of decision trees and how they will fit into the selling process.
It is with this in mind we decided to set out our own ideas for discussion
before we formally consulted on detailed rules and guidance. The ideas we
have set out demonstrate how the FSA feels it could achieve a sensible
balance between maintaining consumer protection and imposing requirements
on firms and advisers that add to the protections already built into the
We have to keep in mind throughout the need to justify our requirements
against the cost of their implementation. We look forward to hearing
industry views.
Perspective, p24; Decision trees, p36
The FSA's Approach to the Regulation of the Conduct of Stakeholder
Pensions Business, May 1990, is available direct from the FSA or from its
website at www.fsa.gov.uk


text:
What you need:
6 Hot Pink Baroness Roses 12"
3 Gemini Roses (hot pink & white) 8-10.5"
2 Sunset Celebration Roses (orange)10.5"
4 New Zealand Roses (champagne ) 8-10.5"
4 Orange Ranunculus 4.5" - 10.5"
7 Yellow Ranunculus 4.5" - 10.5"
9 Pink Sweet Pea stems 6 - 9"
7 -8 Lemon leaf (three 12" and four 7")
2 Fushia Bougainvillea stems 14"
6 Calamondin Lime stems (tiny oranges)14"
4 Privot berry stems 10 - 12"
1 block wet pack floral foam
1 produce knife
18 gauge floral wire (cut into thirds)
Sea green ceramic pedestal vase (5.5" H with 3.5" inside Diam.)
Steps: 12
Rated: Intermediate Arrangement
The colors in the arrangement are "hot", that is to say it has intense hues of hot pink, bright orange, and yellow. These are the dominant colors in the arrangement, but it also has a few softer pink and yellow pastels in it too.
I ordered the Hot Pink Baroness Roses from the Flower Mart, but the larger roses are garden roses, cuttings from my friend's garden. They are the first roses of the season, and therefore some of them are very large. The Gemini roses (the very large hot pink and white roses,center stage in the arrangement) had a diameter of about 5 or 6 inches. Incredible. You cannot buy these at the Mart, or at any store, so if you would like to have some of these blooms, plant a garden. You will need to remove the thorns off all the roses, Calamondin Lime branches, and bougainvillea. Then wire all of the roses. See 'Flower Prep' under 'My Best Secrets' for instructions.
This time of year, hot pink bougainvillea is growing all over Southern California. If, by the way, anyone asks, I didn't climb on the side of my car door to snip these lovely ladies! Good thing I don't care if I put a little dent in the top of my van. The 'tiny oranges' are Calamondin Limes that ripen in early Spring in Southern California. I cut these from another friend's yard, with permission, of course. The light pink blossoms that look like the Bougainvillea are sweet peas. The purple berries are Privot Berry. They are not in season here. They flew in all the way from Australia.
This arrangement has very horizontal lines, and you have to work at it to achieve this. It is natural to build an arrangement up vertically. In this arrangement, you build the structure horizontally, so that the arrangement goes out quite a ways on both sides, and so that it is fairly level across the top. You have to keep reminding yourself of this as you add the flowers...out, not up. Well enough talk, let's get to work.


text:
Hosea is one of my favorite accounts in the Bible and when the producers said they wanted me to write a Bible movie, I knew I had to write Hosea's story. Dig on the trailer below and scroll down to read what others are saying about the movie. What I am most excited to see is that so many are taking a second look at a wonderful book of the Bible that they might not have paid much attention to before. Hosea's a hero, to me, so I'm especially proud to bring a dramatization of his life to the screen.
Amazing Love - Trailer 1080p from Rich Christiano on Vimeo.
"A powerful story of redemption. This one should not be missed."
--The Dove Foundation (5 STARS)
"This movie was excellent, both theologically and dramatically."
--Paul Reiner, Pastor, Salina Bible Church, Salina, PA
"Amazing Love is amazing! The film captures real life issues of today by reflecting back to yesterday and the life of Hosea. The message of God's amazing love for us, reminds us all, to try and show that kind of love to those we come in contact with. A powerful film with an applicable message for today".
--Mike Drayton, President, Serving Him Ministry, Mocksville, NC
"I just finished watching Amazing Love. Wow! Praise God for such a beautiful presentation of God's amazing love! It was powerful and moving, brought tears to my eyes. Great job!"
--Mark Opseth, Hope Church, Apple Valley, MN
"From my heart I thank you for including our community in a preview of your newest release "Amazing Love". This was such an outstanding movie! It was not only well done, great film quality, great acting, wonderful story, but the message of this movie was inspirational. There was so much discussion around this movie when it concluded; expressions of awe about how God moved in Hosea's life to help him understand God's own heart and how much God suffers when His people turned away from Him. That message alone was "amazing"!"
--Debra Wagamon, Movie Coordinator, Illinois City United Methodist Church
--Debra Wagamon, Movie Coordinator, Illinois City United Methodist Church
"I absolutely loved it. What a great way to learn about the Bible. It was like having a bible study that was exciting and relevant. This movie is a great tool that all churches should use."
--Isaac Hernandez, EVP of Programming/The Parables Network
"The film really brings eyes of understanding to help us imagine and understand the life of Hosea, a prophet who provides a vital picture of God's phenomenal love for His often wayward people. Made us praise God for His faithful, amazing love!"
--Jonathan Stewart, Executive Director, All Tribes Christian Camp, Ontario, Canada
"Wow! I am in tears. Just finished watching Amazing Love and it blew me away. The simplicity and beauty of God's love came through loud and clear. Can't wait to share this with my whole church this summer!"
--Matt Mitchell, Potter's Hand Bible Church, Apex, NC
"My whole family including all 6 of my children watched Amazing Love last night. It is very appropriately named and was great for the whole family. I had only breezed over the book of Hosea before -- what a DEEP love story!!! Church families will LOVE this movie!"
--Chris Beach, Cornerstone Assistance Network Tulsa, OK
"Amazing Love brings the unconditional love of God to the Silver Screen. This movie brings the book of Hosea to life with very practical applications for this generation of how we are to love others like God loves us. Some of the prophecies of Hosea are as relevant to this generation as they were to the nation of Israel back then."
--David Lange, Pastor, Mission Community Church, Pacific, MO
"My wife and I along with two other couples watched this wonderful movie together. It was so good that we could not stop talking about it after the movie was over. We believe it will be inspiring to everyone who has an opportunity to see it. Amazing Love is so relevant to the time in which we live that it will become a tool for all who are wondering about the purpose of their being and give them the true meaning for their faith."
--Thomas Jernigan, Gospel Tabernacle, Dunn, NC
"This is a great movie. I have read the book of Hosea many times, but the telling of the story accompanied by the watching of it unfold really brought it home. I see many parallels between what was happening in Israel in Hosea's day and the USA today. Hosea could have been standing on any street corner in America and the message would be just as true. I hope this movie makes it to many churches and is seen by thousands of people."
--John Jaye, Minister of Education & Outreach, Northside Baptist Church, Jasper, AL
--John Jaye, Minister of Education & Outreach, Northside Baptist Church, Jasper, AL


text:
Great Souwest Tour of 2018
We begins with two months on the road in front of us. Sixty shows or thereabouts….some not yet confirmed.
First off is two weeks in the nations capital, Canberra. When we first toured to Canberra in 2002 we chuckled about "peak hour" traffic. Rush hour lasted fer about five minutes and were focussed on Northbourne Ave.
Now traffic is so heavy if the Captain has to cross town he does so early to avoid the chaos as light rail is built on the main thoroughfare. Allow us a cannon or two and we'll happily take on peak hour traffic.
Sixteen Shows in Canberra in all. Heres the pics that tell some of the story….
After two weeks in Canberra its time fer the Captain to sail south. Next week we'll be coming to you from Geelong.
Happy sailing shipmates


text:
Anastasia Chao will join CIRCA Hong Kong as director of the
company's Asian headquarters.
Chao officially started with CIRCA in Hong Kong April 1, and
began CIRCA training in New York during the summer of 2010.
She began her career as an intern at Harry Winston in New
York, and has over 15 years of experience in the luxury and jewelry industries.
To receive the latest jewelry news and blogs every day in your
inbox, subscribe to JCK's e-newsletter here.
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine


text:
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is located on the pristine shores of Saadiyat and near the sun-kissed sands of the Arabian desert. Abu Dhabi is an amalgamation of old-world charm and new age culture. From trendy nightspots to the brimming cultural districts of the capital, all are in close proximity to this luxury hotel.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas offers 306 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites, and villas that blend understated elegance with regional charm. You can relax in the luxury of an island sanctuary, providing a residential feel with the UAE's cultural touches, and enjoy the stunning views of the Arabian Sea, landscaped garden, and the pool from your private balcony or terrace.
You can spend your day soaking up the tropical sun around the hotel's tranquil swimming pool. The pools is surrounded by lush palm trees and gardens with breathtaking views of the Saadiyat Beach and Arabian Sea. The hotel also has a spectacular Spa featuring nine large spa treatment rooms (three with private outdoor terraces) an outdoor 25 meters (82 feet) lap pool, a fitness room, and a dedicated stretching studio.
The hotel has a delightful selection of cuisine from around the world, sampling grilled meats from the large theatre-style kitchen of The Park Bar & Grill, and Mediterranean cuisine at the Beach House. You can watch the beautiful sunsets over Saadiyat Island as you sip cocktails on the Beach House Rooftop Terrace.
What is included?
- Flights
- Private transfers
- Accommodation with breakfast
- ATOL and ABTA protection for your financial security
- RB Collection 'VIP Experience' service
The Park Hyatt, Abu Dhabi is based in on Saadiyat Island, where the beautiful white sand beach looks out into the ocean. I fondly recall feeling extremely relaxed at this hotel as it is away from the main city whilst close enough to drive in to explore. I also remember the hotel being smaller than many of the other larger UAE resorts, and those who I spoke to around the pool were repeat guests which is a great indication of the quality and service of the hotel.


text:
Council votes down bid by Old Strathcona developer
City council has rejected a bid by a developer to remove a clause in a deal from a year-and-a-half ago that created quite a stir in Old Strathcona. The clause was central to the approval to WestOak Development building a 19-storey high rise apartment building a block south of Whyte Avenue.
The Mezzo at 105th Street would tower above Whyte, and the carrot dangled by WestOak's Mathew McLash then was that 10 per cent of the units would be affordable housing. Normally, the required amount is five per cent.
Kim Clegg, with the Queen Alexandra Community League, wasn't happy then but was willing to live with it because of the affordable housing bonus.
"Even though we opposed it, it was at least some comfort that was going to be in there."
However, partnership after partnership fell through for McLash. That list grew to seven — with Habitat for Humanity, the Social Enterprise Fund, the Capital Region Housing Corporation, Homeward Trust, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Lung Association and even the city itself trying to make the numbers work in varying degrees — but there was no final agreement.
READ MORE: Edmonton city council approves 16-storey development in Old Strathcona
The public hearing was told McLash asked the city to purchase 14 of the 140 units. Senior planner Peter Ohm said they couldn't make the numbers work. That's when the community balked.
"To have that (affordable housing) taken away and have really nothing offered in return is not acceptable to us," Clegg said.
"We do not believe that an affordable housing partner cannot be found," added Maureen Duguay of the Strathcona Community League, "nor do we believe an alternate, equally beneficial affordable housing agreement cannot be worked out."
The council vote was 11-1, with only Coun. Jon Dziadyk voting in favor of it, and Mayor Don Iveson absent from the public hearing. That's a far cry from the three who spoke in opposition when the rezoning was first approved in April 2016.
READ MORE: Proposed 20-storey residential tower being met with opposition in Old Strathcona
"They sent the message — affordable housing (is) incredibly important to them," McLash said. "(It's) equally important to us.
"We need to be able to execute on those commitments and we need partnerships to do it so we're very keen and we'll double down on our efforts to work out a relationship as soon as we can."
The affordable housing issue didn't sit well with Coun. Ben Henderson.
"This seems like a betrayal of the one piece of the deal… that was one of the benefits for the community."
"Because we've already tendered the project, we have the trades ready to go in the spring," McLash said of what comes next. "But that's all subject to permitting.
"Without a permit we can't build. And in order to get that permit we need the affordable housing relationship. So as soon as we can put that relationship together, we will get in the ground."
© 2017 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.