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Oct 24, 2011
Macha Choc Swirl Bread
28 comments:
Swirls again! It reminds me of your other "swirly" culinary achievements. This bread must taste fantastic: cocoa/chocolate are such a wonderful company for matcha and the swirls look enticing (I would even say hypnotising!). I love making experiments with matcha and until now everything has had a perfect taste (not always a perfect look), but I can understand other members of the family are not so crazy about matcha. Compromises in the kitchen sound familiar too ;-)ReplyDelete
I am thinking that with those great colors, that bread would make a great Halloween themed sandwich. I LOVE those swirls!!ReplyDelete
This is amazing, you share a great bread recipe, marriage advice and meaning of life all in one post, and its absolutely free of charge:). I have a theory. People like the "boring ol' loaf shapes" because thats what is available regularly and it becomes normal. Crazy shaped or swirl breads come and go and seldom reappear so we don't get used to them. I wonder what would happen if the swirl bread became a regular feature, if it was offered freshly baked every morning. I guess there is only one way to find out:)ReplyDelete
the swirl is breathtaking!ReplyDelete
Sissi: Haha! Yes, more swirls. I might have hypnotized myself into making more of them since the last couple of posts. :DReplyDelete
Kristen: Hey yeah! Why didn't I realise that? Here I was cracking my head for a halloween something-or-other. Thanks for the idea Kristen! Big HUG!!!
3Cookies: Haha! Didn't realize that at all! I must have missed my calling in life. Your theory's a good one. So once it's become a regular feature and people get used to it, you think they'll come up with a toaster made for crazy shaped bread? I'd be the happiest person ... for awhile anyway.
Amanda: Thanks, Amanda! :D
Haha, what a beautiful bread! I've heard of Macha from Sissi's posts before - I've never tried it myself though. I bet you could make so many variations for this! Loving the idea - thanks for sharing :DReplyDelete
I'm so jealous of your bread! It looks just perfect! I hope your hubby didn't like it to much…so there's more for you hihihi.ReplyDelete
Beautiful swirl ! Frankly, I have not tried chocolate and matcha combo, I only know matcha and red bean, hahaha..ok, must give this combo a try next time.ReplyDelete
Wow, your bread looks so pretty, and I love the matcha with chocolate.ReplyDelete
Hope you are having a great week Ping :-)
Such toasters already exist, they look like mini ovens. I used to have one at uni, they are great. It has a broiler function also (which is lacking in your oven). So you are willing to make crazy shaped or swirl breads everyday. It seems to be a non-issue - good news for your household:)ReplyDelete
That bread looks beautiful! Love the macha swirls!ReplyDelete
Ping-I just love the color, texture, and the delicious tasting bread! Very unique and different idea. I would love that for the holidays, especially!ReplyDelete
Charles: Thanks! You really should give macha a try. The powdered form has got this beautiful smokey, chocolatey aroma even without the chocolate!ReplyDelete
Lilly: Haha! Don't be, make some! :D Yeah, he didn't but he ate it anyway. Luckily I had a 2 loaf yield.
Sonia: Thanks! Chocolate and matcha goes very well. Give it a try!
Juliana: Thank you! Have a lovely week too!ReplyDelete
3Cookies: Really? You mean the toaster ovens? I have too many gadgets and too small a kitchen and storage space, I'll pass. But thanks for the suggestion.
Tina: Hey, Tina! Thanks!
Elisabeth: Thanks very much! Hugs back!
Yes, toaster ovens, I could not think of the name earlier.ReplyDelete
Ping, this is BEAUTIFUL!!! Just a fabulous bread...and your swirls are perfect! You did it again, my friend!!!!ReplyDelete
what a pretty swirl there Ping!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 26, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Ooooh, more squigglies!!! that is utterly gorgeous - way to go, Ping! You are so... so neat with the food you make, I am totally envious!ReplyDelete
The recipe calls for eggs - do you think I could get away with just yolks? (egg-white allergic boyfriend, so compromises galore here!)
Lizzy: Thank you very much, Lizzy. xxReplyDelete
babe_kl: Thanks much.
eattheroses: Haha! I like that ... squigglies! Allergic to the whites but not the yolks? How strange. You could try substituting 1/4 cup of cream for each egg. I can't guarantee the texture to be as rich and dense but that's what I did once before when I ran out of eggs and it seemed to work. Or you could just use a basic focaccia recipe instead. Let me know if it turns out ok.
wow Ping.. I envy you can make such beautiful bread... congratulation and thx for sharing it to us.. Must try this one soon ..xoxoReplyDelete
Ping, you sure know how to fabulous swirls to hypnotise your readers. I think that's the reason why I am back here again and again! hehe.. I have yet to make anything with swirls. The color combination and the texture look perfect but I am big fan of macha but not chocolate so if I try to make this, I will swirl it with something else. Any suggestion?ReplyDelete
My Home Diary in Turkey: Thanks, Citra. I was bored with plain bread ... playing around with my food! :DReplyDelete
QPC: Haha! I wish that were true but thanks for visiting often. I love your witty comments. The chocolate flavor isn't prominent at all here but I guess you could also substitute it with coffee or just plain and matcha (green and white) or whatever combination you like. Have fun!
I love that this is your 'normal bread for the toaster' and that its still knock your socks off stunning. Only you ;) I hope your hubby loved it because I am certainly impressed!ReplyDelete
Kita: Hiya! Hehe, thank you. No, my hubby didn't like it, not a matcha fan. All the more for me!ReplyDelete
LOVE the flavors in this bread and the swirl is so whimsical!ReplyDelete
Thanks Tiffany!ReplyDelete
I get bored really easily too :) that's why I usually make buns of different shapes and flavours! haha.... I could imagine how funny it would be to try and place those other shaped breads into your toaster!! Luckily we have a toaster oven at home, so i can bake any shape I want and not have that problem ;) Your bread looks really pretty (and delicious too!)- I love macha flavour, so this one would definitely go well with me!!ReplyDelete
Thank you, Von. Yeah, the suggestion of getting a toaster oven was given to me but that'll be one gadget too many in my tiny storage. Will wait til the trusty toaster breaks down :DReplyDelete


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Stewart Eve Kerry Jacket
Price: $299.00
Code: YJK-STEV
Stewart Eve Kerry Jacket
This is a high quality Kerry Jacket, made from our 100% pure lambswool blankets. These Kerry Jackets should be worn over the shoulder like a cape. They are very soft and cozy, perfect for a cooler evening or spectating at outdoor sports events. Could wear with casual or formal dress. Please note that these are specially made to order for you and it may take 2 - 3 weeks for delivery. Dry clean only.
In stock orders ship within 48 hours from time order is placed. Please allow 7 - 14 days for delivery
For items that are out of stock, please allow 2 - 3 weeks for delivery. Made in Scotland

subset: commoncrawl


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This is my most current project from BFA. It's set in the 1920's board track racing world. My team name was called the Iron Dragon, hence the winged bike. This is by far the most challenging project I've worked on. I made countless mistakes and had to revise many times. When I look back on it now, there's so much more I need to work on. As I learn more in vis dev, I've come to realize how much I really don't know.
In the midst of all nighters and absolute stress, Courtney Granner reminded me that it's a constant struggle to become a successful artist even though it always seems easier from the outside. It's worth all the sacrifice when I remember that I'm doing what I love.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Board Track Racing
Posted by Priscilla Wong
6 comments:
- KATIA WISH said...
Absolutely beautiful work. Love the colors!
- November 8, 2010 at 10:17 AM
- Nikki Lukas said...
Seriously GREAT work! You put a lot of hard work into this project and it shows!
- November 11, 2010 at 4:18 PM
- Priscilla Wong said...
Thanks Nikki & Katia! :)
- November 16, 2010 at 8:40 AM
- gem2niki said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 18, 2010 at 1:29 AM
- C.Deboda said...
Looks like all the hard work is paying off. Really great stuff here. :)
- December 12, 2010 at 12:12 AM
- Saddle Bums said...
I'm stunned. I'm a boardtrack racing enthusiast and I can't tell you what a treat it was to stumble across these images.
- March 29, 2012 at 12:02 PM
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Over the weekend I ended up at the Vintage Expo here in San Francisco. This show features about 80 sellers, hawking everything from serious couture to simple little day dresses. Everything I saw was in exquisite condition, but usually had the pricetag to match. Still - if you are looking for a really nice, unique dress or suit for some sort of special occasion, this would be a good place to find it.
Vintage Expo
Santa Monica in February, April, October
San Francisco in March and September


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The long awaited book "Rocks: My Life in and out of Aerosmith" by none other than Mister Joe Fucking Perry has finally been released and the wait was well worth it. Joe pens a tale of the band that conveys some surprising (and some not so surprising) moments in the life of Aerosmith. Many rumors are confirmed while others are dispelled all from a perspective that is uniquely Joe's. This book is a great addition to the library of any Aerosmith fan and is pretty much a must read. A word of caution though, as is true with any story being told by two different people, we get a number of differences between "Rock" and
Steven Tyler's Book
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It all may be old hat to the long time Aerosmith Fans out there, but we found an article on CouncertTour.org about the boys that we thought was interesting.
"Egos have never been a subtlety for Aerosmith. They are one of the most successful bands ever, selling over 150 million albums - and plenty more once lead singer Steven Tyler became a judge on American Idol in 2010. Much of the Aerosmith's past conflicts have been between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, nicknamed the "Toxic Twins" for their collaborative party habits."
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- This November will be a busy one for Steven Tyler but not in the usual way. He will be rehabing from knee replacement surgery that is long over due. Normal down time for this procedure is anywhere from three to four months. All of us at AerosmithFans.com wish Steven the best and speediest return to doing what he does best.
Music From Another Dimension
- Well folks we have finally had a chance to let the latest release from Aerosmith sink in. We spun the CD so many times it is almost worn out and the conclusion is unanimous for us and quite honestly we have given the whole CD a complete rethink. Music From Another Dimension fist came off to us as yet another sad attempt by the band to fit into the pop world and leave their rock and roll roots behind them for good. However after giving it a few extra listens, we hear some of the old school Aerosmith that we all love. While there are still too many sappy "professionally written" throw away songs (can you say Dianne Warren), there are a substantial number of tracks that just plain rocks. We really hope that they guys release one last REAL rock and roll CD before they retire. Specifically one with no pop tracks written to grab chart spots and nothing more. For now, Music From Another Dimension is a big step in the right direction.
Tour dates for Aerosmith in 2015 are starting to trickle in. So far only one date is confirmed. Check here frequently for news and updates.
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Instead of holding protests, taking casual leave or going on a strike again, the staff has decided to draw inspiration from the movie Munnabhai MBBS and send a mail to the HRD ministry every day, outlining the work it does, including research, teaching and industry work. Occasional videos will also be part of this exercise.
"We have decided not to accept the latest amendments. We are asking for small things which are minimum for an education institution. We will write again to the HRD ministy to reiterate our needs," said M Thenmozhi, president, IIT-M Faculty Association. She added that once other institutes held their internal discussions, a joint meeting comprising IITs, IIMs and other institutes would be held over the next few days to decide the course of action.
"We have to establish the fact that the faculty has exemplary capabilities," said B K Chakravarthy, professor at IIT-Bombay, adding that there is a communication gap between the institutes and the HRD ministry which needs to be bridged to reach a consensus. "We are, in all of our intellectual capabilities, ahead of most scientists in the country. And the HRD ministry does not realise that the faculty at these institututions does not just teach, but also does work on a variety of platforms, including research and other avenues," said Chakravarthy.
Chakravarthy reiterates that the fight is not about money, but about losing integrity by being at par with the faculty of local universities under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
"It was a real shock to us when our salaries were expected to be as low as that of faculty from local colleges, when we are no less than any professor teaching in the universities of US. There are many like me who have left leading companies to work as a faculty at IIT because of the value attached to the institute,"he says.
Chakravarthy added that the IITs also do a lot of research work for the government without charging money. The demand is not money here, but prestige, which the hit rock bottom with the HRD's directive.
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have expressed similar sentiments but are yet to decide on a course of action.
"The only issue that has been sorted has been of the assistant professors who will be allowed a pay increase after they complete three years of service. Other than that, the ministry has done nothing about the requirements raised by IIM-A, IIM-Calcutta and other IIMs. We are yet to take a view on what to do about it now," said IIM Ahmedabad, Director Samir Barua.
Meanwhile, the HRD ministry has issued a directive asking all the IITs, central universities and IIMs to generate additional revenue by increasing fees. Central universities and institutes have been asked to revise the fee structure, reduce costs related to infrastructure, seminars, travel and even purchase of chemicals for labs and books for the library, advertising and publicity, to name a few.
The ministry's directive also asks universities to make a 10 per cent cut in plan expenditure in current financial year. The remaining portion of non-plan expenditure excluding salary and pension will be subjected to a mandatory 5 per cent cut.


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Home › magazine › product features › 2012
Moerman hygienic squeegeee good for HACCP9th of March 2012
The patented Hygienic Squeegee from Moerman is designed for HACCP-compliant floor cleaning and features rubber that can be replaced thanks to its locking cassette system.
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Plum's CombiPlum is touch-free9th of March 2012
The CombiPlum electronic is a new touch-free dispenser that can be used for hand disinfection and liquid hand soap. Made by Plum it can be mounted on a wall or on a decorative floor stand.
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Surewash for mobile hand hygiene training and monitoring9th of March 2012
SureWash is a mobile hand hygiene training and assessment unit for use on hospital wards. Designed to improve hand hygiene compliance, it uses a camera, video and graphics to offer engaging instruction and feedback in line with WHO hand hygiene protocol.
The training gives an overview of the importance of hand hygiene, pose by pose instruction
Vermop offers Shopster and Twix trolleys9th of March 2012
For cleaning of floors in hospitals and healthcare applications, Vermop says its Shopster and Twix trolley systems are the most suitable.
Shopster is a compact cleaning trolley with the footprint of a double bucket trolley, which can be used with all floor cleaning methods - in a hospital it could be the Shopster Pre-Wash I Model that offers
Vectair promotes healthy air with Prozone9th of March 2012
The Prozone automatic ozone generator from Vectair is said to mimic nature by creating a natural freshness often associated with electrified air after a thunderstorm to tackle airborne viruses and bacteria.
The company says ozone can have a sanitising effect and kill up to 99.5 per cent of airborne viruses and bacteria.
Tel: +44 1256 319 500.
Ophardt system monitors hand hygiene9th of March 2012
Hand hygiene compliance in healthcare establishments can be monitored using the Ophardt Hygiene Monitoring System (HMS), a hand sanitiser dispenser that records every operation and measures the amount of disinfectant used.
Each hand hygiene event is measured without recording individuals' identities. The data is then transmitted securely via a


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The future may appear challenging from some chip makers – some, but not all.
Qualcomm said on Thursday that it expects a compound annual growth rate of at least 10 percent for its revenue and earnings per share over the next five years.
And that's despite a global economy that's lackluster at best.
According to CEO Paul Jacobs, because demand for gadgets that Qualcomm supplies remains strong, the weak economy has had a "somewhat muted" effect on Qualcomm, he said.
The same can't be said of Qualcomm rivals.


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This Frozen Chocolate Desert Recipe is a chocolate lovers dream. It is smooth and creamy with a rich chocolate flavor. This is another simple and good recipe that doesn't require a lot of prep time, but does require a significant amount of time in the freezer to set. With summer time coming this is a chocolate lover's perfect desert. It is cool like ice cream, and has the smooth texture of a rich chocolate pudding.
Give this Frozen Chocolate Desert Recipe a try; it's delicious.
Frozen Chocolate Desert Recipe
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Patricia
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 4
- 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate (shaved into pieces)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- Whipped cream for topping
- Place the chocolate pieces into a blender.
- In a small sauce pan mix the sugar and water together. Bring to a full boil, and boil for 3 minutes.
- Pour the hot water over the chocolate in the blender, and blend for 6 seconds on high speed. Add egg yolks and blend for another 5 seconds or until smooth. Add heavy cream and blend for another 10 seconds.
- Pour the chocolate mixture into 4 Ramekin dishes. Set the dishes on a tray and cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm.
- Remove from the freezer 20 to 30 minutes before serving to soften up a little bit. Top with whipped cream.


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In case you were unaware, London (that place where about 90% of South Africans go to live before realising that their home country is actually pretty awesome) is experiencing some civil unrest. On the 6th and 7th of August, mobs of people began rioting and looting in various suburbs of London following the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old civilian by the Metropolitan Police Services.
Now, because the non-gaming media seem to be incapable of resisting things like this, newspapers in London are blaming the riots and violence on Grand Theft Auto. I know right, who'd have guessed?
According to a front page banner headline in the London Evening Standard, "children as young as ten, inspired by videogame, among the looters". The article then elaborates and says: "Children aged between 10 and 14, said to have been inspired by video game Grand Theft Auto, were seen rampaging through Enfield and Brixton as riots and looting also spread to Dalston and Fulham." Who exactly said that, however, is never referenced, but MCV claims that the link was made by a police officer.
Source: MCV


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Thoughtly Thoughts
A place where I write stuff down and see if the Internet notices
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Microsoft and Apple
I think Microsoft is Apple's way of growing and Apple is Microsoft's way of showing off its stuff. They both build off each other and have different strengths/focuses. Seems like Microsoft pushes the, "get everyone involved in awesomeness" concept, and Apple pushes the "get everyone to benefit from our awesomeness" concept.
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Starting the parade. Mount Aqua oil rig in background. They drilled for oil in early teens and hit hot health waterquite a health center was built. After the Montana earthquake, the water failed and so did the resort.
Oscar O. Cooke, the man who started and runs Oscar's Dreamland at Billings, Montana, is a man of superlatives, and a visit to his show is an unforgettable event.
Oscar is one of the most active men over 80 we have ever seen. When he operates his 1906 Best steam traction engine, standing at the controls 15 or more feet above the ground, he is an artist at work. He handles it as if it were a choice riding horse.
When we visited Oscar's Dreamland in 1981, the first hint we got as we approached his grounds was the sight of three small gliders rising and dipping above a lot of steam and smoke.
That was only the beginning. Once we were inside the gate, roaming the multi-acre field, we were surrounded by Oscar's collection, which he calls the biggest private collection of farm artifacts in the world.
Oscar was being interviewed for TV when we first found him. Later we talked to him in the cook shack, a real vehicle from olden days in which he was eating a speedy lunch.
He not only claims the biggest one-man collection of steam and gas engines, but also the biggest one-man show. He also has the tallest revolving clock in the world.
How many engines does he own?
He has about 45 steam traction engines, slightly more than 300 gasoline tractors, dozens of stationary gas engines, and over 100 threshing machines.
He is seeking three tractors, each a 30-60, to round out his collection. One is a Fairbanks Morse'only one is known in the U.S., and one in Canada'; a Case'I missed three or four,' and a Mogul. If he had those he would possess all the 30-60s that were ever in production. If you can help him, let him know fast.
He owns a lot of other antique items alsothe tallest air motor windmill, a biplane, antique cars, covered wagons, horsedrawn equipment and a list that could go on and on. He's got handsome Belgian draft horses that draw carefully restored wagons.
And he's got a lot of friends. The day we were there, all kinds of buddies were running the engines. His family also works with him.
Marcella, his wife, is 'right in there pitching' all the time. She handles public relations, answers telephones, greets arrivals, keeps the records and maintains watch on the finances.
Marcie Ann, his daughter whom we met, was home for the summer from Stephens College, in between studies for a prelaw degree. She acts as 'unofficial promotion chairperson' for the Midwest. Marcie has her own Rumely and runs a threshing machine.
This 1/3 scale Gaar-Scott was built by Bill Billings of Wellington, Kansas. He brought it to Oscar's since he had been to all the towns named Billings, except Billings, Montana!
Wiley, Oscar's son, has a small collection of motorcycles which he is gearing up for traveling exhibitions.
My wife, Margaret, and I visited Oscar's Dreamland for his show last September with our cousins, Jean and John Baucus of Helena and Sieben. To all of us, this was a delightful occasion. While there we ran into Bill Mackay, who has a ranch at Roscoe, and who has restored a number of choice antique cars. Bill is the new president of the board of trustees of the Montana Historical Society.
The parade at Oscar's was stupendous, in line with everything else that he does. It was a phantasmagoria of steam and gas, with engines sometimes moving in circles clockwise and counter clockwise, other times cutting straight through with never a traffic tieup or a fender bender.
Oscar seemed to be everywhere on his big Best, standing up there high above the other participants and piloting the heavy machine with ease, while keeping an eye on the way the whole thing proceeded.
Oscar is a man of many parts and experiences. He started out on a farm, and as a teenager bought a farm of 160 acres in eastern Kansas. He was 14, and he put $400 down on it.
'I broke sod with a team of Molly mules,' he recalls. He grew watermelons on part of the land 'most beautiful vines you ever saw.' He did threshing, then went into the machinery business at Emporia, Kansas. Next he went to work for Allis-Chalmers and was Omaha branch manager.
'I helped develop the round baler,' he states with pride. 'I have the No. 1 round baler.' He also flew his own plane.
In more recent years, he became a Montana rancher in the 1960s. Now he devotes a lot of time to his collection and preparing for the next show. The 1982 extravaganza is set for the third week in September.
Oscar is not only a collector of engine she also collects buildings.
He has established the village of Cookeville, made up of restored buildings which he brought in from various near and distant places.
Second oldest church steeple in Billings, Montana-still original. The small log school house to the right was the first school in Yellowstone County at Coulsonbefore there was a Billings!
Smoke box door of 18 HP 1915 Rumely. Smoke box door of Reeves 20 HP, about 1911. This engine was shipped to Wyoming and only plowed two daysthe owners thought that it burned too much coal.
The main building is a general store, complete with wooden canopy to protect shoppers from the sun. Another used to be the post office at Pompley's Pillar, a Montana name that goes back to the days when Lewis and Clark were exploring.
There's a church, too a log cabin with a steeple that Oscar says is the oldest in Billings. Inside it is a log pulpit, with the top sawed off at a slant. A small ledge was allowed to remain, 'so the preacher's Bible would not slide off,' Oscar relates. There is a small old time pedal organ to accompany the singing of hymns.
Latest accomplishment in Cookeville is the completion of the barbershop. We don't know if Oscar will take time to do the shaving or sit still long enough to get one.
Whatever happens at Oscar's Dreamland, no matter how happy a time any visitor has, it can't outdo Oscar's. He has found his true calling making Oscar's Dreamland a dream come true.


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Future growth of Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore assured14-Aug-2012 Future Growth of Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore Assured as Quadrant joins Ironbridge as Investor in Both Businesses
• Rollout of 30 stores around Australia over the next five years
• Approximately 1000 new retail jobs to be created
Sydney, 14 August 2012: Leading Australian private equity groups, Quadrant Private Equity and Ironbridge Capital have established a new entity for the common ownership of two complementary and specialised retail businesses, Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore.
Quadrant is acquiring shares in both businesses and Ironbridge is rolling its existing investments into the new combined entity. Quadrant will be the majority shareholder in the new entity.
A new five year debt package has been executed with funding provided by a combination of seven existing and new lenders which will enable new growth in the businesses. The new group has raised facilities of around $250m, showing strong support for the group and its strategy.
Super-A Mart and Barbeques Galore both occupy leading positions in their respective markets with substantial new store rollout potential. The combined group will generate sales approaching $0.75bn. While Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore will continue to trade as separate businesses, this venture will enable the businesses to share resources and retail knowledge and take advantage of any synergies that arise.
Managing Director of Quadrant, Chris Hadley said: "We have looked at a lot of retail opportunities and consider this to be one of the most exciting. This is a scale business with both Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore leaders in their categories with significant growth opportunities."
Greg Ruddock, Co-Chief Executive of Ironbridge welcomed the new venture. "We are very pleased to partner up with Quadrant to continue to develop these two great retailers with a balance sheet that better supports our growth plans."
Director of Quadrant Marcus Darville said: "Super A-Mart has a demonstrated and proven track record of opening new stores both in its home state of Queensland and in other states. We intend to continue and accelerate this rollout."
Furniture retailing in Australia is highly fragmented, with independent operators accounting for 75%. This presents good opportunities for scale operators to consolidate.
The transaction represents a significant vote of confidence in the market position and future of both businesses. Ironbridge acquired Barbeques Galore in 2005 and Super A-Mart in 2006 and in that time has overseen significant growth and expansion of the businesses with Super A-Mart particularly rolling out 12 new "big box" stores over the last 3 years, taking what was a Queensland business to be a leading national retailer.
Quadrant brings significant experience to the combined group with its successful investment track record in the Australian retail sector including Pumpkin Patch, Kathmandu and Red Rooster/Oporto Group.
Super A-Mart has generated growth of 13% per annum over the past 25 years and is enjoying strong growth in the post-GFC environment. Super A-Mart recorded 4% like-for-like sales growth in 2012, attesting to its strong and differentiated customer value proposition.
Over the past 3 years, Supe A-Mart has successfully rolled out 12 new "big box" stores averaging around 6,000sqm in size, taking what was a QLD business to being a leading national retailer.
Quadrant and Ironbridge plan to continue the rollout-led growth by opening a further 30 stores over the next five years. This will create 1,000 new retail jobs. Super A-Mart has a strong pipeline of attractive sites to enable this, and will continue working closely with landlords and developers to secure prime sites.
From an industry perspective, Super A-Mart and Barbeques Galore are well positioned. The Australian furniture retail market is a $12.1bn sector (source: ABS) which has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 5% over the last decade. Furniture retail is one of the few retail sectors in Australia which is experiencing growth and also one of the few that is defensive against the the threat of on-line international retailers, as furniture is a high touch purchase.


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A southern Colorado county with two recreational marijuana stores has become the first in the state to announce tax totals from the new industry.
Pueblo County finance authorities announced Monday that its two shops had about $1 million in total sales in January, producing about $56,000 in local sales taxes.
Pueblo County is the only place between Denver and the New Mexico state line that currently allows recreational pot stores. Its two shops were joined by three more that opened in February.
(Watch: The Martha Stewart of pot)
"We recognize that the eyes of the world are watching us, and we are proud to have erected a robust regulatory environment in Pueblo County," County Commissioner Sal Pace said in a statement Tuesday.
Pueblo County Clerk Gilbert "Bo" Ortiz projected the marijuana industry will generate roughly $670,000 in new tax revenue for his county this year. The money is a combination of a 3.5 percent pot sales tax approved by county voters last year, as well as "share-backs" from the state on general and pot-specific sales taxes.


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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I always find it strange how, whenever I get into writing a new story, time completely disappears. I look at the clock, turn to the screen, start to write; stop. Look at the clock, again, and see that 4 1/2 hours have past. I continue to stare at the clock and wonder, What the hell just happened there?
Posted by Colin Frizzell at 6:24 PM
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Sunday, March 13, 2011
Miss Lily's the Musical is Here!
Posted by Colin Frizzell at 12:57 PM
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Facebook: allowing people to check in to see what condition their condition is in.
Posted by Colin Frizzell at 2:39 PM
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Labels: Life, The Writing Life
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I just wanted to take a moment to say how happy I am to be back for another year as writer-in-residence at James Cardinal McGuigan, with all new students except for two. Those two will probably be bored out of their minds; and once out of their minds they'll really know what it's like to be a writer. :-)
Posted by Colin Frizzell at 5:44 PM
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Today play computer can even be fun kids, and because 7 years online games are perfect for this. For this age provided a huge selection of free themes and directions of the race to its logical toys. Cartoon characters and come from the series for a long time comfortably settled on virtual spaces and offer to put puzzles, color illustrations, play cook and nanny, to build cities, to become a detective and search for lost things, take care of the little animals, put a chain of figures and many more interesting things.
7 years by Category:
Our age of advanced computer technology leaves no one indifferent to the virtual innovation and exciting entertainment. No exception, and a children's audience, who happily and enthusiastically accept any gaming news. Of course, children's entertainment on the Internet – a category that must be strictly controlled by parents, it's not always possible to meet a bona fide gaming products for children. But with our site Your kids will be happy to play only in good quality and interesting games. And how much time this pastime will occupy in the life of every child, it's up to parents only.
We offer to your attention the game for 7 years for girls for free and without registration. The travel time of each tour is not long, so long sit at your computer, go to this or that game, is not necessary. This category of games designed specifically for the child's perception and understanding of the subject of children's interests and preferences. Along with the entertainment oriented these games carry the developmental and cognitive and grain. Here you can find entertainment, able to develop and shape
All this is done so that the process of training and development can not repel the child, and vice versa – and carries interest the.
These extremely colorful fun and visually pleasing, dynamic and quiet, with a pleasant musical accompaniment. So kids can easily master the complex for their math, language and other issues, and science, for example, biology and geography. Recent – This game, the task of which is to disperse the animals in certain parts of the planet, exactly where they live. Linguistic games – it's fun to help learn languages and the rules of grammar. It is also bright enough developmental effects have games mazes, puzzles, search for items, music and many others. Active games of a series brodilok and racing for this age helps develop reaction speed, agility, determination – All that is very important for everyone, including small. All of these games use the favorite cartoon and fairy-tale characters, which the kids just love them and enjoy spending time in the virtual space. Thus, we have to dispel the rumors that computer games for children are harmful and useless, just everything should be in moderation and without cruelty, and the entertainment is completely covered by these criteria.


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- The Disney Princess franchise doesn't have a history that celebrates diversity.
- Tiana is Disney's first and only black princess, but she spent most of her movie being green. Also she wasn't African enough.
- Children films reinforce stereotypes and this can have a measurable, negative effect on children.
The Diversity of Disney PrincessesThe Disney princesses include a Bavarian, four Frenchies, a Dane, an Arabian, a Native American, a Chinese, an African-American and a Scot. This does not however do for stringent diversity requirements, since there's clearly only one token Scot.
With an overwhelming majority of four out of eleven French princesses, this indisputable evidence indicates a hidden Hollywood agenda of classically conditioning our poor children into being French.
Tiana is the only black princessIn another troubling diversity window-dressing attempt, Tiana is black but she's not African. She's only African-American, like nearly 13% of the American population. America being Disney's home country. She should rather have been black and African, which would evidently go a long way towards not portraying African people as stereotypes.
To boot, she was forced into portraying a typical garden variety bi-racial relationship because Disney couldn't stomach the idea of an African-American girl bringing an African-American boyfriend home to meet the folks. Such a revolutionary idea is just much too far ahead of its time to appeal to African-Americans.
Instead, she spends most of the film in your typical garden variety interspecies romance. Duly note that along with Ariel and Belle, Tiana is one of only three Disney princesses who portray an interspecies romance. Even more problematic, along with Pocahontas, Tiana is one of only two princesses who portray an inter-racial romance. Truth be told, this shocking lack of diversity just shakes me to my core.
Research shows that media exposure influences the body image of our kidsThe first empirical study conducted into this area clearly found how "exposure did not affect body dissatisfaction or engagement in appearance-related play behaviours".
Regardless, it is imperative to note how roughly 6,6% (N=8 out of 121 participants) of the test subjects indicated they would have to change their hair colour or their skin colour in order to be a princess.
Be careful to notice how even though 32,3% of the correspondents agreed that looks don't make one a princess, and 53,3% agreed that their accessories alone make them a princess, that lonely 6,6% exception is the exception that proves the rule.
I'm glad that I found this article, which is bolstered so undeniably by empirical research. Clearly, more should be done occupy that 6,6%'s minds so they can be more like the majority of girls who see things our way.


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Snowpiercer 2013
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Based on book: no
Cast: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer, Kang-ho Song, Ah-Sung Ko, Alison Pill
Personal "oh yeah him/her" reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
Based on book: no
Cast: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer, Kang-ho Song, Ah-Sung Ko, Alison Pill
Personal "oh yeah him/her" reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
- Chris Evans – Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Sunshine
- Jamie Bell – Filth, Jane Eyre, The Eagle, Defiance, Hallam Foe, King Kong, Dear Wendy, Undertow, Billy Elliot
- John Hurt – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Merlin, Harry Potter, Melancholia, Brighton Rock,V for Vendetta, Manderlay, Dogville, Dead Man, Rob Roy, King Lear, The Elephant Man, Alien, I Claudius, A Man for All Seasons
- Tilda Swinton – Moonrise Kingdom, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Burn after Reading, Michael Clayton, Broken Flowers, Young Adam, Adaption, The Beach, Orlando
- Ed Harris – Gone Baby Gone, Copying Beethoven, A History of Violence, The Human Stain, The Hours, A Beautiful Mind, Pollack, Glengarry Glen Ross
- Octavia Spencer – The Help, The Soloist, The Big Bang Theory, Dharma and Greg, Roswell, Being John Malkovich
- Alison Pill – Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Milk, Dan in Real Life, Dear Wendy
Seen: 10 June 2016
Another frozen world sci-fi film. We've seen some good. We've seen some very bad. With Jamie Bell and John Hurt and Tilda Swinton one expects quality.
To lower global warming an artificial substance is introduced into the atmosphere. Oops. They should have just stopped using fossil fuels. The whole world freezes. A few survive by boarding a train that never stops.
Seventeen years pass. Most of the passengers are kept in concentration-camp like conditions, the guards are like Nazis. A rebellion is being planned by Curtis and young Edgar.
There is a Kafkaesque atmosphere to this film, an eerie absurdity and awfulness. It's hard to get into, not least because it's dark and it's hard to see what's happening. Hal's comment about an hour in: 'This is really weird.'
It comes off as just slightly pretentious but it's a strong concept and artistically filmed. Often visually exciting it also becomes very gripping.
It's a serious attempt at intellectual humane sci-fi and it's quite successful.
4 * of 5


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Here we are, day eight, and I've got the second regiment finished. Okay, so there are only twenty Storm Vermin (accordning to GW's prices, this is $83 worth, a figure which shocks and amazes me since all I did was paint some chaos warriors to get them). I am considering painting runes on the banner, but I am not very good free hand...
|The mighty storm vermin in all their verminous glory!
|What the enemies of Clan Skitterklaw see just before they become the ex-enemies of Clan Skitterklaw
|What the enemies just to the left of the ex-enemies of Clan Skitterklaw see just before their comrades become ex-commerades.
|Everything that is currently complete (the warlock engineer's base is not done). 490.5 points worth.
And my plans for the Rat Tank. I've decided it'll be a doom wheel. I've also decided it'll be my only doom wheel. I intend to use parts from the actual doom wheel kit to adorn the tank and make it's warp-lightning generators etc. I also plan to use the engineer from the Doom Wheel, and his seat etc. for the core of a Doom Flayer. And, if there are enough parts of warp-lightning-y looking things left, I'll see about making a warplightning cannon. This is known as stretching your hobby dollar. One Doom Wheel (received in part exchange for the painting of the Benite Hordes), plus one 1/35 tank, and a few odds and ends equals One Doom Wheel, One Doom Flayer, and One Warp Lightning Cannon (presumably of doom). That's $151 at GW's current shall we say... ambitious prices. We shall see what the tank costs, but I expect no more than $40 or so. So a saving of about $110.
And it goes without saying that I shall be sharing the sinister secrets of assembling these Clan Skryre creations with you. Or at least some of them. The tank might be a bit too big and involved, but I certainly plan to do an MFH on the Doom Flayer, plus my plans for a Doom Rocket (sensing a pattern to these skaven names...)


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Ashish Kapoor, an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in the Entertainment Industry announced the new venture ADDABOOKING.COM, One Stop shop for all Event related services.
Having already strengthened its foothold in the Delhi NCR market, Addabooking.com is now a marketplace with more than 600 Banquets and 250 restaurants including some marquee names like Hotel Taj, Le Merdian, Vivanta, Flyp@MTV, Lords of drinks etc
The renowned TV Actor, Ashish Kapoor who has received his fame through daily soaps like PUNAR VIVAH, BEENDH BANUNGA GHODI CHADHUNGA, CHAND CHUPA BADAL MEIN was also dabbling in event industry. Through his journey, he realized that there is no single platform where one could get the best booking rates for bars, restaurants and Banquets and it was becoming quite difficult for the customer to call each venue separately. To address these issues, Ashish thought of introducing the concept like ADDABOOKING.
USPs of the Platform
It's a single platform for venue and party booking, where people can instantly browse, compare, select and book the best Venue on the basis of various factors such as Amenities, Services, Price, Location, Availability, Ratings and other such preferences. The platform also facilitates price comparison for the selected venues which makes the selection process even easier.
A customer can even book from an array of services required to organize a full-fledged event. These Allied Services include Decorators, Caterers, Event Planners, Singers, Celebrities, Photographers, Cakes n Pastries, Gifts and Favours, Dj and Music etc. Now you can even see your favourite celebrity in your own event with the help of Addabooking.com.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Ashish Kapoor, ADDABOOKING.COM said, "I am very excited about my new venture. With the launch of ADDABOOKING, our aim is to reduce the long cycle of searching Venues and Services. We have also partnered with several service providers and our vision is to make the booking process of venues and services easy and rewarding for our customers"
"Our strategy is to focus on premium venues and services including niche services like Celebrity Hosting. Also, we would be targeting corporate segment for organizing event/ conferences", he further added.


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Member Favorites: 0
Levin Brenton"The dashing hero makes his move!"
A scion of one of the more powerful noble families of Elesius and one of Labyrinthia's students. As his magic skill isn't very strong, he has developed a unique fighting style which takes full advantage of his speed and agility. A firm believer in justice and loves being the hero.
Source: Wild Arms XF Game Manual
Voice ActorsNo voice actors have been added to this character. Help improve our database by searching for a voice actor, and adding this character to their roles here.


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Introducing GameStick, the game-changing portable TV gaming system. Created by PlayJam, the GameStick console can be housed within a controller and it eliminates the need for wiring. What sets it apart is in its ability to be transferred to any available television, whether it be your prized 50 inch LED or the old reliable tube TV in your parent's basement.
As for gaming, the GameStick console uses an open platform system with Android which will allow access to games from a variety of sources and will be welcoming for independent developers to easily add their own games.
This nomadic gaming device is also very affordable and promises access to free and very inexpensive games.
Portable TV Gaming Consoles
More Stats +/-
Space-Responsive Gadgets
Personalized Gaming Keyboards
Smartphone Gaming Add-Ons
Wireless Game Controllers
Universal Gaming Gadgets
The GameStick Console Fits in Your Pocket
- By: Kyle TowersJan 5, 2013
References: kickstarter & bitrebels
References: kickstarter & bitrebels


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See how you can achieve growth, advance performance, and enhance the guest experience.


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For four swine veterinary practitioners speaking at World Pork Expo last month in Des Moines, PRRS virus has been a consuming interest.
In a packed seminar sponsored by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), Paul Ruen, DVM, the association's president, recalls PRRS came on the scene in the late 1980s as Mystery Swine Disease when he was in veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. It has continued to perplex producers and veterinarians alike since then.
"PRRS has affected everything we do on farms, and it is the number one concern all the time," says Ruen, staff veterinarian at the Fairmont (MN) Veterinary Clinic. Identified in the early 1990s, it can cause reproductive problems such as abortions, stillborns and mummies.
But Ruen says most of the problems his clinic sees come in the grow-finish period. "The immune system is compromised with respiratory problems, causing pneumonia, and affected pigs look like they will just fall apart and won't eat.
"We are doing a lot better job of stabilizing farms more quickly than we used to, using tools to handle pig flow and get the break knocked down more quickly. The sooner you do that, the faster you can get to weaning (PRRS) negative pigs, and the less likely you are to contaminate the neighborhood," he continues.
Yet you can be doing everything right on the farm and still become infected due to aerosol spread of the virus, Ruen says.
Attacking Aerosol Spread
Aerosol spread of PRRS virus has become the primary research focus of Scott Dee, DVM, who has spent over 20 years immersed in the disease, working at a Minnesota veterinary clinic and for the last 5-7 years focusing on transmission and biosecurity studies at the University of Minnesota.
His new research data confirms that PRRS virus can travel 5.7 miles through the air, plotted from 300 infected pigs in a continuous-flow production system at the University of Minnesota's swine research farm in west central Minnesota.
Since work started there in 2006, there has been no infection of any pigs in the buildings where air filtration systems have been installed, he says, whereas non-filtered control barns have experienced airborne spread of either PRRS virus or Mycoplasmal pneumonia about 40-50% of the time.
In five years studying 25 boar studs in southern Minnesota that are filtered all year, all have remained negative for PRRS, mycoplasma and swine influenza virus, Dee confirms.
Granted, boar studs are easier to manage with air filtration than sow farms, which are a lot bigger, often older, involve more people and have more turnover, and therefore create more challenges to filtration systems, Dee says.
"In regards to sow farms, research is ongoing to test the filtration technology in large sow farms in swine-dense regions," Dee says. "While preliminary data looks promising, more time is needed before any conclusions can be drawn."
The cost to filter a sow farm has dropped from around $250/sow to an average of $141/sow. Therefore, the cost of air filtration can be paid for by preventing one PRRS break, Dee points out. He says producers shouldn't give up just because they don't think they can afford to install an air filtration system.
"Doing something is better than doing nothing, because you can still reduce your risk of becoming infected," he assures.
Quest for PRRS Elimination
In 2001, the 116,000-sow Cargill Pork system attempted a PRRS elimination program in approximately 150 contract sow farms in Missouri and Arkansas.
"The goal was to be PRRS-free by 2003, and we succeeded," remarks David Nolan, company veterinarian based in Russellville, AR.
"We threw everything we could at PRRS during that eradication effort, and the result was a phenomenal success," he reports. Sow herds were stabilized by closure, positives were rolled out and negative gilts were brought in. Pigs/sow/year (p/s/y) blossomed by more than two p/s/y for the system to a respectable 22 p/s/y by 2004, and continues to improve. Nursery culls and mortality rates that had been 10% or higher were cut in half.
"It is important to stop the flow of gilts and boars into the herd during cleanup. Do your testing and know where you are at," Nolan advises.
By 2008, the system had been humming along PRRS-free for about five years when a small break occurred in two sow farms that share a composter. Tornadoes and the accompanying winds were blamed for the spread from a local PRRS-positive farm 1.8 miles away. The herds were depopulated and repopulated and have remained PRRS-negative.
However, in early May, a new Cargill contract sow farm in Missouri and two other farms broke with PRRS. The outbreak appeared to start in some finishers that have since suffered extreme clinical disease. The virus quickly spread to a farm four miles away. Then the third farm 6.8 miles away broke with a very hot strain of PRRS, which has been killing every baby pig in the farrowing house for the first three weeks, Nolan says.
There has been no connection between the three farms except for suspected aerosol spread of the virus. "You never know what you are going to get with a PRRS break — a mild or a severe strain," he says.
Importance of Biosecurity
Rodney "Butch" Baker, DVM, senior clinician in Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University, has worked on numerous PRRS eradication efforts while at PIC and at Premium Standard Farms, plus consulted in Cargill Pork's efforts.
There are three biosecurity components necessary for PRRS cleanup:
1. Bio-management — controlling the diseases that are present. For PRRS, these measures may include vaccines, live virus inoculation, herd closure, etc. Limit crossfostering and introduction of new stock.
2. Bio-exclusion — keeping new viral disease agents out of farms through truck washes, trailer baking, downtime rules, showers and air filtration.
3. Bio-containment — stopping disease spread. "As producers, it is our ethical responsibility to practice bio-containment. Those are the things that we try to do to avoid tracking the virus to our neighbors," Baker says.
"We can't stop aerosol spread of the virus, but there are a lot of other things we can do to slow this virus down. We can shower out of a facility, take off our farm clothes and shoes and put on clean clothes and shoes before we go to the coffee shop in town or visit our neighbors," he says.
Breaking Down Biosecurity Risks
Biosecurity risks break down into two categories, says John Waddell, DVM, Sutton (NE) Vet Clinic, speaking at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) media seminar on PRRS at World Pork Expo.
Direct biosecurity risks include live animals and semen, which 10-20 years ago were frequent causes of disease introduction, but are now rare occurrences because of advances in testing and monitoring, he says.
The indirect causes of disease transmission, such as aerosol, transport and personnel, are still areas of concern.
Strict sanitation is needed in barns and in transport vehicles to block potential virus spread. Gating, fencing and loadout mechanisms must exclude visitors, truckers and trailers from reaching the inner sanctum of high-health status farms, Waddell explains.
Downtime only needs to be one night. Changing boots and coveralls and washing hands are more important than showering. This Danish system creates a line/barrier from dirty to clean in the barn that can work well to stop disease spread, he says.
The AASV PRRS Risk Assessment tool developed by BIVI has been a tremendous benefit in educating producers on risk factors for introduction of PRRS virus, Waddell says. Several areas need to be addressed to assure successful elimination of PRRS:
- Determining true persistence of the PRRS virus in a herd. Small studies have shown the virus can persist in pigs for months, but persistence in larger herds needs to be studied.
- Identifying safe separation distance to prevent aerosol spread, including the risk to pig farms near roadways where PRRS-positive pigs are traveling.
- Assessing the risk of PRRS virus in effluent and the risk when manure is being pumped out of a building or onto fields.
- Improving the accuracy of polymerase chain reaction tests in detecting the PRRS virus, and reducing the cost and turnaround time of PRRS virus genetic sequencing.
Area Control Projects
Also at the BIVI seminar, Dee briefly outlined PRRS area regional control and elimination projects. From their successful start in Stevens County, MN, projects have cropped up in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada. A project is in the early planning stages for Iowa County, IA.
The projects take a "big picture" approach to disease control by calling for collaboration of producers and veterinarians. This process calls for understanding disease status across farms, as well as the risk factors that promote virus spread, to improve disease control within an area or region.
The projects start by eliminating PRRS virus on farms in low-prevalence and low-density swine areas, and progress to control of PRRS in high-prevalence, high-density areas. The goal is to improve pig performance by reducing incidence of field virus in control areas and reducing the long-term risk of those viruses returning to PRRS elimination areas, Dee says.
Jean Paul Cano, professional services veterinarian with BIVI, says PRRS vaccine can play a critical role in reduction of PRRS infections as part of area regional control.
"Research shows the use of vaccine has direct benefit when used to mitigate the clinical consequences of infection, and improves the health and performance of pigs," he says. "In addition, we've learned vaccinations have indirect benefits in reducing the level of virus and virus transmission within vaccinated populations."
Mass vaccination can be a complementary tool in an area regional control program, along with a herd closure strategy, a gilt acclimation program and appropriate pig flow and biosecurity protocols, he says. "Vaccine can provide protection and biologic and economic benefits when PRRS-naïve pigs are placed into high-prevalence areas for finishing," Cano comments.
Dee concludes that thanks to advances in PRRS research and industry tools, there is enough information to make a dent in controlling this devastating disease.
"The most effective and successful PRRS control and prevention within an area requires a high degree of cooperation, coordination and collaboration within and among production systems in a region," he says.


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August 30, 2012
Snakeskin Blouses and Blazers
18 comments
Oh wow, those are similar! I have a hard time going over that price too. And, go with the pink. You're so great at putting outfits together you'll find a million different ways to wear it and get your money's worth :)ReplyDelete
Love both snakeskins!! Can't wait to see you in it!! Love. I could see it with a leather pencil skirt. And come on. Hot pink is always a staple. Duh.ReplyDelete
Love the blazer! It's gorgeous and I think I like the BR top even better than the J.Crew one!ReplyDelete
Girl that pink blazer is calling my name!ReplyDelete
Love it!! And I've been completely obsessed with the snakeskin covered shelves. I'm absolutely stealing the idea!ReplyDelete
If you are ever going by Lynchburg VA there is a Jcrew clearance center - ask people around richmond - they will know about it. Its small, but has great stuff for super cheap - much better than the factory stores! I bet they would have blazers there in a month or two!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 30, 2012
I bought a blazer sooo similar to that one from Zara about a year and a half ago...I wish they still had it so you could get it there. That color is so pretty! And I just love that snakeskin J. Crew shirt. Snakeskin can get cheesy so easily but both of these are really pretty! xoxoReplyDelete
PS thanks for tweeting about the giveaway, woman :)
I love the Banana top just as much!ReplyDelete
I love J. Crew but it's just so pricey! I'd wait for it to go on sale or get the Banana Republic top, just as pretty!ReplyDelete
Get the pink. Like you, I always pick my pink boots over black. I'm sure the blazer will be no different!ReplyDelete
got the blue one for 40% in store so thanks for the tip. they didnt have my size in the nude color which I think I like better but oh well!ReplyDelete
I like the Banana version better! Also second what someone else already said about the J.Crew clearance stores in Lynchburg. They often have things currently selling in the store for like $20.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 30, 2012
I love that blazer too! It'll probably go on sale at some point and then you can justify it to yourself easier :) Plus it is a staple!ReplyDelete
Love love your new blouse! That pink blazer is pretty fabulous. I would like to add that to my wardrobe but think I will watch and see if it ever goes on sale. I adore almost everything in JCrew but my pocketbook doesn't. Oh, your pink boots sound fun! Where did you find them?ReplyDelete
I actually like the BR version better..I think it's much more chic!ReplyDelete
gah -- that blazer!!!! hope your vacation is grand!ReplyDelete
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text: Hi. I'm trying to make a simple photo listing app for my intranet using php. My photos are in an external HD mounted as a Volume, so no permission issues, I can even read those files using simple php file_get_contents function, however, can't obtain a file listing and subdirectories. I'm using my own library to read directories basically using opendir and a pointer and it works fine INSIDE apache's root. Outside, it returns a big nothing, I mean, not even an error, just nothing! Any ideas?


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16 Apr 2015
Australia led the way in 2012, lawmakers in Ireland and the UK followed in March and earlier this month the French National Assembly adopted the packs, which are free of colours and all other branding, except for the manufacturers' name written in a uniform plain style.
Australia's announcement provoked swift reaction from the tobacco industry. Ultimately, it lost a lawsuit in the country's highest court but the industry's challenge of this public health measure using an international trade agreement is pending.
Big Tobacco has already announced challenges to the Irish and UK law and we can expect the same in France.
Fund to defend public health
In March, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced a new fund that will be available for low and middle income countries whose tobacco control measures are similarly attacked by the tobacco industry.
So which country will be next with plain packaging? Possibly Norway, which launched public consultations on the measure in February, 2015. Or New Zealand, whose legislation has already been approved by the legislature's Health Committee.
Singapore has announced it will hold public consultations at the end of 2015, Sweden and Finland have also taken steps to adopt plain packaging, and the European Union's new Tobacco Products Directive gives the 28 EU states the option to implement the measure.
Get Involved:
- Read an overview from the Canadian Cancer Society
- Resources about Australia's experience, from Cancer Council Victoria
- Details about the Gates/Bloomberg Fund.
- Plain packs said to be under discussion in: Panama, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Turkey


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United Kingdom
- The Basics
- Currency
- Useful Contacts
- Visa & Passport
What to see in Northern Wales
Northern Wales Attractions
North Wales is blessed with a glorious combination of cultural and natural attractions, which lure active nature lovers and culture vultures alike. The most popular attraction is Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales and the jewel in the crown of the Snowdonia National Park. Made famous by many poets and artists, hiking Mount Snowdon is the highlight of a trip to the UK for many active travellers.
The historic towns of Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech all offer worthwhile sightseeing opportunities, and the Edwardian castles and fortifications of these old towns have collectively been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The north of Wales also offers seaside charm, with Llandudno and Holyhead attracting many visitors. Llandudno boasts a wonderful promenade and some glorious coastal walking trails.
A glorious way to experience some of the Welsh countryside is to take a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway, said to be the oldest operational railway in the world, which runs from the harbour at Porthmadog to the old village of Blaenau Ffestiniog, traversing some beautiful landscapes. A regional rail pass for northern Wales is a good option for travellers as the area is lovely to explore by rail.
The tiny seaside town of Aberystwyth in the north of the country is the historical heart of Wales and the birthplace…
Situated in North Wales, across the Menai Strait from the Isle of Anglesey, is Caernarfon, dominated by the walls of…
Holyhead, located on the northwest side of tiny Holy Island near Anglesey, is a picturesque town with wonderful rugged…
The pretty village of Portmeirion in Northern Wales is as charming as they come. Portmeirion was designed by the architect…
Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia is Britain's second-biggest national park, after the Lake District, and the biggest in Wales, boasting rugged…
Become our Northern Wales Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Northern Wales travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Northern Wales or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.


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My arms are aching today! I stained, painted, dry brushed, waxed, sanded, waxed and buffed this piece inside and out. I thought this one was a good candidate for a lot of distressing. Shades of Versailles, Old White and a little Graphite finished with clear and dark wax. Will be selling this one. Wish I had a little corner for it but I can't keep them all!
Pine cones and white pumpkins - simple fall decor.
Linking this post up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday


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Posted Jan 31, 2018 - Requisition No. 64858
In this "Player /Coach" role, you are responsible for leading, motivating and developing a regional APAC team who provide the primary technical interface into Bloomberg for some of our largest clients.
You'll be hands-on in driving the team to execute support to help our clients make major technology & data decisions. On a daily basis, under your guidance and support, the team services our clients through taking complex inquiries with the expectation that you are a point of escalation for clients and colleagues.
Based in Singapore, as part of the leadership of our Enterprise Solutions team in the region, you'll enable our customers to gain maximum benefit from their partnership with Bloomberg by helping them gain a detailed understanding of how our products and services can solve real problems for their business.
We'll trust you to concentrate on the below 4 core focus areas;
Bloomberg is committed to diversity. It drives our innovation. At Bloomberg, you'll have the opportunity to go above and beyond and to take risks. You'll be a part of an organization that is entering new markets, launching new ventures, and pushing boundaries. Our ever-expanding array of technology, data, news, and media services fosters innovation and empowers clients -- and offers nearly limitless opportunities for career growth.
Apply if you think we're a good match! We'll get in touch to let you know what the next steps are, but in the meantime feel free to have a look at this: http://www.bloomberg.com/enterprise/?utm_source=bloomberg-menu&bbgsum=DG-WS-09-13-ES-bbgmenu
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.


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I don't even want to say it out loud.
we are only a month away from our first killing frost.
Where in the world did the Summer go?
I haven't done half of what I have wanted to do this season.
But we really have had a beautiful gardening season here.
The daylilies are so pretty right now.
The daylily below is Carolyn Criswell.
So pretty!
They pop up everywhere in this garden...
mostly where I don't want them.
I just dig up the ones I don't want and let the others grow.
The Adelaide Hoodless rose.
The clematis are beautiful right now.
The one below is Cometessa de Boucharde.
(I think I spelled it right)
It was my favorite...
...until this one took over the wire arbor.
I will need to look up it's name and put one on the new pole trellis Dale built
earlier this Summer
It is so showy.
The jury is still out about this hydrangea.
I planted it last year. I only got one because I wanted to test it out first to
see if it would thrive in our cold.
It's called Invincibelle. I think I really do like it.
You can't compare it to the Annabelle, because if you do, it comes up short.
But if you look at it for it's color and form, it really is quite pretty.
It really is a beauty!
This one is Limelight and I love it as well.
It is just starting to bloom.
It is a little late this year.
It is just starting to bloom.
It is a little late this year.
A little white asiatic lily.
Please let the frost be delayed this year...just like our Spring was.


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The Daily Briefs are a comprehensive update of current affairs for the day. To know more about them, read this. If you'd like to receive updates for current affairs every day, you'll need to subscribe by entering your email address at the right side of this page. The previous Briefs can be accessed at the archives here. Also, check out our mock tests!
- Bharti Airtel has launched a pilot of India's first payment bank in Rajasthan with 7.25% interest on deposits in savings accounts. Airtel subscribers' mobile numbers will act as a bank account number and transfer from Airtel to Airtel phone numbers will be free. Payments bank can accept deposits of up to ₹1 Lakh per account, but cannot issue loans.
- Pankaj Patel (Chairman and managing director of Cadila Healthcare), has been elected as the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI) for 2017. Apart from this, Pankaj Patel is also on the advisory committees and academic councils of several educational institutions. He will be succeeding Harshvardhan Neotia.
- RBI has doubled the balance limit for digital wallets (eg- Paytm) to ₹20,000. This is done in the wake of government's demonetization move and increased efforts towards cashless economy.
- India became an associate member of CERN, which is the world's largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory. As a member nation, CERN requires India to make an annual contribution of approx ₹77 crore.
- India signed a 'Joint Declaration' for the implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information with Switzerland which will allow India to receive financial information of accounts held by Indian residents in Switzerland starting 2018.
- SpaceX has been selected by NASA to launch satellites aimed at surveying all of Earth's surface water for the first time ever. The satellite will survey at least 90% of the Earth's surface waters and that too twice in the span of every 21 days.
- Indian Journalist, Malini Subramaniam has been conferred with the International Press Freedom Award for her reporting from Bastar area situated in Chhattisgarh, which was Naxal infested.
- In the outlined policy plans for the first 100 days in office, the US president elect, Donald Trump has vowed to withdraw the Trans Pacific Partnership on his first day as President. TPP is a trade between the US, Japan and 10 other Pacific Rim countries, notably excluding China.
- The government of Syria has rejected the UN's proposal to end the ongoing fight which is happening in the city of Aleppo. This was said by the Foreign Minister, Walid-al-Muallem, according to whom the proposal is in contravention to "national sovereignty".
Today's Quiz


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This is an issue that has been bothering me for some time.
In the age of technology, commentators and spectators have the privilege to watch a moment in sports frame-by-frame, inch-by-inch, in order to see if the officials on the field made the "right" call.
If so, the ref is given credit for getting it "right". If not, the referee, or group of officials, are blamed for missing it.
Stop it.
This issue came to a head for me during (at this time) tonight's Seahawks/49'ers game. A Seahawks player ran into the planted leg of the 49'ers' punter. The flag came out, and the officials declared it "running into the kicker" rather than "roughing the kicker." A substantial difference- "running" is a five yard penalty, while "roughing" is a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first-down.
Fox (which I hate watching sports on anyway) brings a former director of officiating and lambastes the group of officials for the five-yard penalty because it was the planted leg. A player going into the planted leg is- according to Fox's in-house guru- always considered roughing the kicker.
When you look at the series the 49'ers played, and you look at the penalty, as a sports official myself, I think I came to the conclusion the refs did on the field- the team didn't deserve the "roughing" call.
The cool thing about being a sports official is that penalties and fouls are at the discretion of the sports official. It's not a foul/penalty unless its called.
So for networks like Fox (don't get me wrong, I'm picking on Fox but broadcasters like NBC Sports, CBS, and those covering Premier League are just as guilty) to bring in experts and go according to the book, are simplifying and not giving due respect to the position of the official.
Another example: as a soccer referee, I have seen plays "worthy" to be called fouls in the penalty area. Coaches yell, players throw their hands in the air, but I- with common sentiment of other referees- leave the tic-tacky fouls alone. In a situation where the goal keeper has an 18% chance of saving the goal, something game-changing has to happen for me to award a penalty kick.
Officials can't win. On the flip side, if the referees were calling every single thing- everything in the book that's a foul- Fox sports would have their guy on it explaining why officials need to cater the game and let the players play. He'd explain why rules are in place and the highest responsibility of a game official is game management.
But that's not a sexy story. Officials coming to the "wrong" call, therefore creating a missed opportunity is the story.
And lastly, yes- sometimes officials don't make the right calls.
Think you can do it better?
Shut up and enjoy the game.


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By MIKE HUFFMAN
Managing Editor
While it's not expected to be a cure-all, Spokane Valley City Council members hoped to give some relief to those plagued by the noise and smell of idling semis in the wee hours of the night.
At the Dec. 11 council meeting, an ordinance designed to regulate commercial vehicles in residential zones was passed 5-2, with Council Members Dean Grafos and Chuck Hafner voting no.
For months, city staff members have been crafting a new law that is designed to address concerns of city residents awaked by the sound of diesel engines warming up in the dead of night. While the new law won't outright ban large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods, it will hopefully curtail truck noise by allowing only a 15-minute idle time between 10 a.m. and 7 a.m.
That's still too much, according to Hafner.
"So you can still be awaked at 2, 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning?" Hafner asked. "I just don't understand that. I don't know what the answer is."
Language was also included regarding the operation of refrigeration units for commercial trucks and trailers.
Marilyn Cline, a former candidate for City Council, said that she has had trouble with a neighbor who drives and repairs large trucks for years. She said that there are engine warmers that can reduce the start-up times on diesel engines to two minutes. She also added that children and pets are in danger when semis are allowed to park in residential areas.
"I ask you to reconsider this ordinance," she said. "Please think about what I've said."
Tony Lazanis, a Spokane Valley resident who worked for years to quiet train whistles near his Trent Avenue business, said trucks are a nuisance.
"It's a big problem," he said.
Deputy Mayor Gary Schimmels said the ordinance was probably the best one available.
Council Member Brenda Grassel agreed.
"What we trying to do is not punish those who follow the law," she said. "I think we're trying to find the right balance."


text:
Mom Shot 3 Kids, Started Fire, Before Killing HerselfJanuary 25, 2011
AUSTIN, Ind. -- A southern Indiana woman shot her three children and the family dog before setting fire to her home and fatally shooting herself, investigators said Monday as somber classmates of the slain children returned to school three days after the bodies were found.
Indiana State Police said they believe Amanda Bennett, 30, carried out the triple murder-suicide at the family's home in the Scott County town of Austin, shooting her three children and herself in the head.
Her body and those of 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett were found Friday in the partially burned home after worried relatives asked police to check on the family.
State police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said Monday in a statement that the killings were "a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives" along with that of the youngsters' mother, the alleged assailant.
"After shooting the children, indications are Amanda Bennett started a fire in the home and then took her own life," Goodin said Monday in a statement.
Friends and neighbors told The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., that Amanda Bennett was a factory worker along with her husband, who had been laid off since last spring and moved out about a month ago from the home about 35 miles north of Louisville, Ky.
Family friend Karen Barrett told WDRB-TV in Louisville that Amanda Bennett was in the midst of a divorce from her husband but that the family had seemed close.
"He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch `em play. You'd never know there was any family trouble, never," Barrett said.
Goodin would not comment on any possible domestic problems. Police are looking into an Internet posting that may have been from Amanda that read, in part, "Time to take away the pain. This is what you wanted, no wife and no kids."
"That is part of our investigation, so there are some things that we don't want to release," he said.
Trooper Mark LaMaster said investigators are looking into whether Amanda Bennett may have posted comments on the Internet prior to the shootings that alluded to her intention to kill her children.
Preliminary death findings showed that Amanda and Katelynn Bennett died from a combination of gunshot wound to the head and smoke inhalation. The two other siblings died from a gunshot wound to the head, Goodin said.
The family dog was shot but was recovering Monday at a veterinary clinic in Scott County, police said.
A makeshift memorial set up on the front steps of the family's modular home included a flickering candle set surrounded by teddy bears and other animals left by relatives and neighbors. Two roses also were left on the windshield of a car parked in the driveway, WAVE-TV of Louisville reported.
Betty Hensley, who lives near the family, told the station that she's at a loss to understand the killings.
"Why, why -- I'm asking why? Why did this happen to these people? I mean these were good people, why did this happen? And I don't know. I couldn't tell you. I sure don't know," Hensley said.
Extra counselors were on hand Monday as students returned to school for the first time since word of the shootings was announced Friday evening. Jasmine Abbott was a freshman at Austin High School, Katelynn was a fourth-grader and Ryan was a preschool student.
Kenneth Kidd, the assistant superintendent of the Scott County School District, said the mood was generally somber Monday at the district schools where the siblings had attended classes.
Mother, pregnant with Ryan, with two sisters
"We still have a few rambunctious ones over there today, but mostly it's somber," Kidd told WDRB.
Austin High School Principal Sherman Smith told WAVE that counselors at the school worked Monday to try to comfort mourning students but obviously could not explain for them why the tragedy occurred.
"It's a grief we don't know how to prepare for," Smith said. "We deal with it the best we can. We know what we know and that's all we know. We don't have the answers for our kids."
See post for dear siblings Jasmine Abbott and Katelynn Bennett.


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"TurboTax ate my kicker check"
Here in Oregon, lots of folks are discovering that they didn't receive their "kicker" refund checks from the state because their tax return preparation software, TurboTax, donated them back to the state without their realizing it. One reader wrote us this morning, copying us on an e-mail message sent to the Department of Revenue:
When I did not receive a kicker check in the mail, but instead a letter from the state thanking me for my donation to the State School Fund, I opened up my 2006 return in the TurboTax software, clicked on "State", and then on "view forms". The electronic form within TurboTax does NOT have an X in the box for "donate any kicker". However, I looked at the paper form that I printed and mailed to the state, and it did indeed have an X in that box, as did the PDF file TurboTax generates that I used to print the paper forms. I had not noticed this before I mailed the forms to the state, because I assumed TurboTax filled them in consistent with my answers and I did not review the printed forms in much detail. It is clear in the software, however, that I had specified I did NOT want to donate my kicker. It is clear that this was a problem with the TurboTax software. The kicker calculater shows my wife and I should be receiving $533. What process do I need to go through to claim that amount?And he's not alone. Can you say "class action"?
I wonder if the state will let them all file amended returns, withdrawing their elections to donate.
UPDATE, 12/19, 12:55 a.m.: We have more on this story -- maybe more than you want to read, even -- here.


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text:
As part of our WASP working groups we were asked to provide updates to airports on UAS developments. Here is one that may be helpful to the WAMA and WACAA membership; please feel free to disseminate.
Robert Hodgman | Senior Aviation Planner
Washington State Department of Transportation
"Innovative leadership in state aeronautics"
7702 Terminal Street SW | Tumwater, WA 98501
(Work) 360-596-8910
(Cell) 360-529-6551


text:
You've probably noticed that by blogging schedule has been all over the place these past few weeks, and for that I apologize. However, I was up to some good stuff. In July I announced that I'd signed a contract for the second book in the Carrier Series. Well guess what? I've just finished it. AGHH! It took a lot of hard work, which isn't easy with four kids pulling me in different directions while they suffered from chronic cases of summer holiday boredom. But I managed to pull through with (most) of my hair intact.
Now, I've got a week or so of some super intense editing ahead of me and some head to heads with my fabulous critique partners, Wendy Higgins (Sweet Evil), Jennifer L Armerntrout (Half-Blood), Morgan Shamy (goddess and future star), and my sister Jennifer Conroy (super-duper photographer).
But here's the good bit!! September is going to be an epic month for this blog. I'm going to be doing fantastic giveaways EVERY week from September 1st to the launch of Carrier of the Mark on the 4th of Oct. I'm also going to announcing my big Pre-order or Buy Carrier comp. The prize is awesome and way bigger than my normal offerings. Eeeek! I'll be dishing the dirt on all the amazing things that I'll be doing with HarperTeen and inkpop over the next few weeks. There will be so much, it deserves its own blog post, but I'm just giving you heads up to brace yourself for a fun filled exciting couple of weeks where I will be emptying my choc-a-block swag drawers of all the fabulous goodies I've been hoarding.
So stay posted guys. This will be epic. Oh and you can get a running head start to win big if you pre-order Carrier NOW. Check out the sidebar=> for loads of options