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Imagine a place entirely free of schedules, crowds or phones. One where you're surrounded by the bounty of nature and everything you need for the perfect adventure. Since 1989, Baja AirVentures has been the intrepid traveler's best choice for experiencing the pristine beauty and daily magic of Baja, Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.
Imagine a place….
This is the Las Animas Wilderness Retreat, isolated, surrounded by sea and desert mountains, and the only "boat-in" lodge on the Sea of Cortez. Offshore is the Midriff Island region, one of the most nutrient-rich marine environments in the world, often referred to as the "Galapagos of Mexico."
Fly-to, Boat-in Secluded Beachside Encampment Just Named the Number One Specialty Lodging in Baja California, Mexico by TripAdvisor®
SAN DIEGO, CA, Feb. 8, 2016– While it may be true that few mainstream adventurous travelers have heard about Las Animas Eco Lodge, an hour's boat ride south of Bahia de Los Angeles along the Sea of Cortez, all who do come for a visit just can't seem to stop talking about it. So much so that this isolated, off-road retreat was just named the #1 Specialty Lodge in all of Northern Baja by the reviewers and editors of TripAdvisor®.
Comfortably accommodating on the average only a dozen visitors per week, guests sleep in well-appointed beachside yurts with the sound of the gentle surf lapping a private beach just yards from the door. Here nature takes full stage and it isn't uncommon to see rays, sea lions and dolphins cavorting just off-shore, or a sea turtle scurrying back to the water after depositing a nest full of eggs.
One might think access to such an off-the-grid ecolodge destination might take hours (or even days) of arduous travel time. Not so. The lodge, owned and operated by Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/), maintains a private fleet of modern aircraft to fly guests from San Diego, CA, to the sleepy fishing village of Bahia de Los Angles (population 500). After the two hour flight, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent white sand beach.
The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a spacious covered deck which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area featuring a new state-of-the-artsatellite system with fairly dependable Internetand phone connection.
Las Animas is a year-round, mosquito-free (and Zika-free) destination ideally suited for anyone seeking total immersion in nature and a desert to sea environment. Dubbed the "Galapagos of Mexico" by writer John Steinbeck, this section of the Sea of Cortez offers the highest concentration of whales and rare seabirds in Baja. Each season brings something different to see and do. Here's a quick breakdown of some of the highlights to expect:
Winter– Perfect time for whale watching both in the Sea of Cortez and in nature's whale nursery "Ojos de Libre" on the Pacific coast. Baja Airventures' "Best of Baja" offers air-supported whale encounters on two coasts. This is also a great time for desert hiking, sea kayaking and sailing.
Spring– This is the season for rare and exotic bird watching. Located a short boat ride away is Isla Raza, Mexico's very first bird sanctuary, established in 1964. This is the best place on Earth to view the Elegant Tern (over 90% of the world's population breed and nest here). Over 55,000 nests are typical on this small protected island where vast populations of Caspian Terns and 'Watch Listed' Heermann's Gulls also reside. In all, over 170 species of sea birdspopulate the area. Families on spring break also are popular visitors at this time of year.
Summer– Sea breezes and occasional summer showers keep temperatures enjoyable during this season which is known for snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and its salt water sport fishing. The Midriff Islands region where Las Animas is situated is considered to be a world class angling location. You can expect to see leopard group and spotted gulf, cabrilla, yellowtail, bay bass, halibut, corvina, white sea bass, barracuda, skipjack, roosterfish, giant squid and dorado.
Fall– From August into November the main attraction is snorkeling with the Whale Sharks that congregate annually to feast on algae, plankton and krill. Swimming alongside these 40-foot docile creatures as they slowly feed can be a life-changing experience. This time of year water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.Whale watching, swimming with sea lions and hiking also take place.
All-inclusive rates for eco lodge stays start at $2,295 per person, double (plus tax) for a six day/five night stay. Price includes double occupancy yurt accommodations, roundtrip air carriage from San Diego, naturalist guided outings, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and optional free activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching, swimming, fishing, sailing and hiking.
For more information on year-round activities and tours, reservations or questions, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit:http://www.bajaairventures.com/.
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Best of Baja Tour Features Marine Encounters in the Pacific as well as the Sea of Cortez with Convenient Access via San Diego, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA, Nov. 3, 2014– San Diego-based Baja AirVentures has developed a travel program completely unique to their company. No other tour operator today combines the best opportunities for marine mammal encounters on both sides of the Baja peninsula in one all-inclusive six day air-supported package.
The 6-day/5-night Best of Baja's Whales, Dolphins & Sea Lions Tour departs every Monday and on several Tuesdays throughout February and March 2015. The all-inclusive per person rate, including private air carriage from San Diego, across the peninsula and back, is $2,795 (exclusive of 13% IVA Mexican tax and 3% Marine Park entrance fee).
The package includes private roundtrip air from San Diego with ample opportunity for aerial flightseeing, Pacific whale watching in Scammons Lagoon by motorized panga, two nights at a B&B in the Mexican hamlet of Guerro Negro and three nights of total seclusion at Baja AirVenture's Las Animas beachside eco-lodge a scenic hour's boat trip south of Bahia de Los Angeles on the pristine shores of the Sea of Cortez.
"The unique combination of both aerial and sea viewing on both coasts of the peninsula is something no other whale watching operator in Baja is able to offer," says Kevin Warren, founder and owner of Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/). "In fact, the opportunity to view these magnificent creatures from a bird's eye perspective is a thrill and rarity in itself."
Guests this year are in for a special treat. According to Warren, through conservation efforts, the Grey whale population in the Pacific continues to rebound and grow. Last year saw a new record with nearly 2,000 breeding adults and babies sited at Ojo de Libre (Scammons Lagoon). This prime location has the largest concentration of the Grey whales on the planet.
After departing from San Diego in a private plane for Scammons Lagoon, participants spend the better part of three days scanning and interacting with migrating California Gray whales by boat and from the air. This is where guests often get to actually "pet friendly whales" in their natural environment. Two nights are enjoyed at a cozy B&B in the small village of Guerro Negro. Prior to boat transfer to Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge on Day Three, there's more whale watching and an aerial tour of Laguna Ojo de Libre and the Midriff Island chain in the Sea of Cortez. Days Four and Five are spent desert hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and snorkeling with sea lions and dolphins. Boat excursions from Las Animas provide an added opportunity to view several types of whales, including Blue and Fin whales (the two largest species in the world).
A recent guest had this to say on Trip Advisor about their intimate encounters with the Grey whales, "The small-plane flights alone, with one pilot and five passengers, were a treat. Once on the water of Scammons Lagoon, we did not merely 'watch' wales! Instead, our skiff was at times surrounded by these magnificent creatures. Playful and seemingly curious calves met out-stretched hands, allowing themselves to be stroked and patted, while their enormous mothers swam watchfully close by."
After crossing the peninsula to the Sea of Cortez, guests stay at Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge. The only boat-in lodge along the entire coast, Las Animas is a remote, eco-friendly property that accommodates up to 14 guests in seven romantic, private beach-side yurts equipped with bathroom, solar shower, composting toilets, comfortable Queen and King sized beds, covered decks and skylight roofs. The yurts are built around the spacious main palapa which offers an expansive deck that serves as a central dining area, game area and communal lounge space.
The all-inclusive tour price of $2,795 includes double occupancy B&B and yurt accommodations, roundtrip air from San Diego, naturalist guided outings and lectures, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and such activities as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and hiking.
For details on the Best of Baja tour call 1-800-221-9283 or visit online: http://www.bajaairventures.com/WhaleWatching.html
For information on other adventure packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please go to: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.
# # #
Media Contact:
For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:
Follow Baja AirVentures:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures
Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2014 – Attention travel agents with active, adventure-seeking clients!
Imagine a secluded yet sophisticated beachside lodge just 468 air miles southwest of San Diego along Baja's Sea of Cortez that's modeled after a high-end safari experience with wildlife encounters rivaling those found in the Galapagos. Welcome to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge http://www.bajaairventures.com/WildernessRetreat.html, eco and travel agent friendly and the only "boat-in" lodge on Baja, Mexico's eastern coast.
What makes Las Animas so special?
"For starters, it's so remote and roadless you won't see any neighboring lights at night. It's environmentally-friendly, self-sustaining and all-inclusive from round-trip air transport from San Diego to the tequila in your margarita," explains Kevin Warren, Baja AirVentures founder and president. "Plus, it can be a real money-maker for the right travel agent!"
"New policies for the travel trade that we just announced make us quite attractive and should hopefully capture the attention of travel agents and group travel planners looking for the next great thing in soft eco-adventure travel," states Warren.
New Commissions
Agents will now enjoy commissions that increase with the number of bookings made. On Las Animas lodge and whale encounter packages, one to three bookings per trip departure earn a 12 percent commission. Four or more reservations per trip earn a 14 percent commission.
Group Incentives
A group organizer will earn a 12% commission when booking 10 or more people into Las Animas packages. Plus, exclusive with 10 paid guests, one additional free space is offered for the organizer. Make an exclusive booking of the entire property and a second free space is earned with 14 paid guests (maximum number the resort will accommodate is 16).
FAM Trip Policies
For first-time visitors to Las Animas, a 50% discount is offered to qualified travel professionals. Travel companions will receive 20% off (non-commissionable). However, agents may recoup that original 50% charge through future bookings made with the company. An additional 5% commission will be earned up to the point the 50% FAM charge has been covered.
For all the new policies please see http://www.bajaairventures.com/baja-adventure-travel-agent.html
Las Animas eco-lodge sits on a private, isolated bay, a one-hour by boat ride from Bahia de Los Angeles after a two-hour private flight from San Diego. Offshore are the Midriff Islands, one of the most nutrient-rich marine environments in the world, often referred to as "Mexico's Galapagos"
During small boat excursions guests can view whale sharks (in season), dolphins, sea lions, a myriad of birds and over a dozen species of whales (including Blue whales – Earth's largest mammal).
The property features eight romantic beachside yurts each equipped with bathroom, solar shower, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread count linens, covered decks and skylight roofs. Lodging is built around a large centrally located cabana with a spacious covered patio. This serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.
A variety of packages are available – all fully commissionable to travel agents and group planners. Open year-round, lodge stays are four or six days starting at just $1,695 per person inclusive of accommodations, personal guides, meals, beer & margaritas, sightseeing activities and roundtrip air via San Diego plus tax. From mid-August to late October guests can swim and snorkel with whale sharks that annually congregate in rich feeding grounds nearby. Six day packages begin at $2,495 plus tax. For 2014
Best of Baja Whale Watching Trips operate February to March and offer viewing and intimate encounters on both coasts of Baja; the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. Six day packages begin at $2,795 plus tax for 2015
For more information, space availability and reservations call 1.800.221.9283 or visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.
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Media Contact:
Widness & Wiggins PR
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On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures
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San Diego, CA, July 7, 2014 – The whale shark which is not a whale at all and only technically a shark is the largest fish on Earth. This gentle giant can grow up to 60-feet in length all on a diet of algae, plankton, and krill. There are only a handful of places on the planet where they make predictable appearances during certain times of the year and luckily for North Americans, one of the best is but a two and a half hour plane ride from San Diego, CA with Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/).
Observing and, yes, swimming alongside these docile creatures as they slowly feed can for some, be a life-changing experience. Like clockwork each year from August into October, whale sharks averaging 25–40 feet long migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of the Midriff Island region in the Sea of Cortez, home to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge.
Baja AirVentures flies its guests by private air from Brown Field in San Diego to the remote Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles, population 500. From there, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent beach.
The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a large attached patio which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.
Guests spend up to five hours daily observing and swimming with whale sharks. While the focus is on snorkeling with these creatures that naturally feed close to the surface, there are also afternoon outings to isolated islands and coves frequented by up to 10 species of whales (including fin and blue whales), as well as dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and manta rays. Hiking, kayaking, sailing and fishing round out the remainder of the time at Las Animas.
But it is the spectacle of the migrating whale sharks that is the main attraction in the late summer and fall when water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.
"There are people who travel the world over looking to snorkel with whale sharks," says Baja AirVentures founder and president Kevin Warren. "We've had folks who've gone on our trips who also have been to Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and other known places they congregate but had yet the good fortune to swim with them. But here they accomplished that goal. Over the last five consecutive years, every one of our trips had successful encounters."
Bahia de los Angeles, just 300 air miles from San Diego offers the closest whale shark experience to North American shores and is one of the most dependable locations in the world where they make regular, predictable appearances.
Whale sharks can also be encountered during specific times of the year in the waters of Mexico's Yucatan (Isla Holbox), Honduras (Utila), Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), Belize (Gladden Spit), Philippines (Donsol Bay), Mozambique (Tofo Beach), Seychelles (South Mahé), Thailand (Koh Tao), Maldives (South Ari Atoll), and Galapagos, Ecuador (Puerto Ayora).
Whale sharks live in all tropical and warm temperate seas but roam the oceans generally alone. However, large numbers will gather in areas with abundant plankton making them prime tourist attractions. The distribution of whale sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans. Whale shark numbers, however, are dwindling. The animal is currently listed asvulnerable on the IUCN Red Listprimarily due to over hunting (its fins can be valuable in the shark finning trade). The naturalist guides of Las Animas are careful to follow certain rules of conduct to minimize any impact on the animals during their interactions in and above water.
Operating year-round as an all-inclusive eco-adventure lodge, Las Animas offers six-day whale shark programs from August into October, departing San Diego on Monday and returning the following Saturday. All-inclusive programs run $2,495 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). The rate includes round-trip flight from San Diego, accommodations, all meals, beverages, guides, equipment and land and boat transportation.
Weeks during the 2014 season that still have good availability include; August 11–16, 25–30, September 1–6, 8–13, 15–20, 22–27, October 6–11, 13–18 and 20–25. For more reservations or details on the whale shark program and tour itineraries, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/BajaWhaleShark.html.For information on any of the other vacation packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.
Enjoy this video on whale shark encounters with Baja AirVentures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkYxEjDZlss#t=24
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Media Contact:
For media inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:
Follow Baja AirVentures:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures
Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html


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Wild Card Fantasy Football is a simplified, yet satisfying spin on fantasy sports
Football season is upon us once again, and we all know what that means: it's time to start up the league. Not the National Football League, mind you, but the Ted's Garage and Eatery 2011 League. That's right, folks – we're talking fantasy football. For some people, it's a much beloved past time. For the rest of us, it's a terribly intimidating concept that we steer clear of, for fear of feeling completely lost and utterly confused. But fear not! Publisher 6 waves has released Wild Card Fantasy Football on Facebook – a new game that simplifies the experience so much that even folks who don't know football can enjoy.
Wild Card Fantasy Football takes the basic idea of a fantasy league – creating your own team of players made up of real players from different teams in the NFL – and turns it into an ultra-simple collectible card game (or CCG). Rather than getting involved in a complicated player draft, you'll simply open packs of cards that will feature different players on them, and you can choose which of these players you want to start on your offensive and defensive lines each week.
The cards themselves are clean and try to showcase some basic info to help those not familiar with individual players to make the best choices. In addition to obvious things like a player's name, team, and position, each card gives a rating and a rank. The rating is a five star score you can glimpse at the top of each card, and the rank is where they sit in terms of effectiveness as either a defensive or offensive player. So if you're not sure if you want to start Derek Anderson or Matt Cassel as your quarterback, you can see that Cassel sits at an offensive rank of 36 while Anderson sits at a rank of 93.
Of course, if sorting through you cards and picking each and every position isn't your thing, you can always click "Set Best Lineup!" to pick the top ranked players automatically. It's something of a cheat, but even if you're into picking your own players individually, this can give you a great starting block to work from before tweaking.
In addition to player cards, much of the Wild Card experience revolves around power cards. This is where the casual-friendly train starts to fall off the tracks a little. You can attach a power card to any player, and these will give point modifiers for this week's games, such as "x2 Rushing Touchdowns" or "+2 Sacks." Simple enough in theory, but if you don't know the game of football too well, you may not realize which power cards apply to which positions. You could attach a "x3 Field Goals" to a defensive linemen, rendering it completely unattainable. I love how the "Best Lineup" feature works for players, and can't begin to imagine why a "Best Power Cards" option wasn't also added into the mix.
The freemium elements here are surprisingly gentle. You're given the opportunity to purchase new packs of cards at reasonable prices, but at the same time, the game is more than happy to give you new packs at regular intervals. You'll get to pick one as a daily reward each day you log in, and you'll also get to participate in a game of pick'em, where each correctly picked game could give you a booster pack featuring cards of players from that winning team (though there's a limit in place). Play your cards right, and you could be walking away with upwards of 10 free packs a week. Should you want to buy some packs instead, there are even some neat limited time packs available in the store.
With the simplicity also comes a painful lack of information. For example, while I can see how everyone in the league is doing in terms of points, I can't see what players they used to get there. Likewise, while I can gift a card to another player, without being able to see their rosters it's pretty much impossible to use this gifting feature to make an amicable trade. In fact, a lack of social interactions like this really end up being Wild Card Fantasy Football's Achilles Heel.
Not only is the game lacking in a trading aspect, but there's really no head-to-head league play to speak of. My team doesn't go up against your team in a virtual season – instead this is a game that's just about the points. It's hard to see the leagues as anything more than a high score leader board due to the total lack of significant player interaction. As a result, the fantasy football experience in Wild Card feels more like a solo game than a real virtual league.
Finally though, we found a hiccup in the game that might have been an isolated incident, but could easily turn players off if it were to creep up with any regularity. On Saturday, we had a Matt Cassel card that said he was injured. As it turns out, that was bogus – he came out to play on Sunday and had a dismal performance against the Buffalo Bills. Worse yet though, on Monday our Matt Cassel card was gone. Vanished, like the Lindbergh baby. There was no rhyme or reason to it – the card simply disappeared, and was seemingly replaced by a card for the rather mediocre David Carr.
There's a lot to like in Wild Card Fantasy Football. It's wonderfully accessible, doesn't intimidate, and offers a great CCG-based spin on the whole formula. The trade off, though, is that it's also a game with limited social interaction – something that the fantasy football experience thrives on. This lack of a true competitive spirit robs Wild Card of a place in my starting line up, and the strange card-related hiccup is definitely a 15 yard penalty, but thanks to the rest of the fun and friendly elements, it's still a player I'll want to keep on my team.

subset: commoncrawl


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The pleco is a Goldspot (so i was told) and no idea what the cory is, but they are both sweet and the wife has named them Goldie (pleco) and catty (corydora). If any one can tell me what type of cory i have i would be grateful.
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SOS Toastmasters is dedicated to improving our public speaking and leadership skills. Diverse backgrounds and varied careers make for lively and engaging meetings.
We meet each Wednesday 12:00 – 1:00 pm in the Beckman BCC2 Conference Room, The Scripps Research Institute, 10650 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037 email@example.com
Please join us!


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I'll Dance on Your Grave: Leadville, Colorado's Boomtown. A Western.
"America's Richest and Wildest Boomtown"
In 1860 gold is discovered in Colorado; then in 1876, silver. By the year 1878 the frontier settlement of Leadville, Colorado, is becoming the richest and wildest of America 's boomtowns. Newspapers across the nation spread the word of the new gold and silver discoveries. Soon the town grows from five hundred inhabitants to thirty thousand. New mines are discovered and hundreds of tons of carbonate ore are being hauled to smelters. Cabins and stores are built as merchants come with their goods looking to capitalize on this new free-spending market. Investors from back East build smelting factories and buy shares in the mines. Over a hundred saloons, gambling houses, variety theatres, and dance halls spring up. They 're all catering to the miners, roughs, and tourists with an abundance of beer, liquor, and whores. Leadville is known for its instant wealth, gambling, depravity, and Marshal Martin Duggan.
The mayor and town council need a firm marshal. A man to tame their out-of-control town, that 's in the hands of the bad element. Thieves, conmen, claim jumpers, footpads, and murderers are infesting this fast-growing boomtown. Lawmen unable to stand up to the lawless are being shot or run out of town. Mayor Horace Tabor selects Deputy Martin Duggan, a mean, tough, no-nonsense man, who 's equally good with his fists and a gun, as the new marshal. Duggan proves to be a match for the roughs and unruly miners. In a short time, Marshal Duggan with an iron hand and loyal deputies begins to gain ground against the culprits.
Men like Horace Tabor, Marshall Field, David May, Meyer Guggenheim, and others are becoming millionaires. But many men and women are dying in the mines, on the streets or in Stillborn Alley of starvation, drunkenness, pneumonia, childbirth or murder.
Destiny McCue and her brother Quint arrive in Leadville to put on a rope and shooting exhibitions. They 're also looking for the three Curlou brothers, who years earlier had murdered their parents. Marshal Duggan is smitten with the beautiful Destiny, as she is with him. They become lovers. The marshal aids Quint and Destiny in finding the Curlous. There 's a showdown. Destiny and Quint 's fast draw is the demise of the Curlou brothers.
Later Destiny learns that Duggan is married and ends their relationship. The marshal takes to heavy drinking and disorderly behavior. The new town council no longer appreciates Marshal Duggan 's tough methods and his conduct. They suspend him from duty and he leaves town. Within three months Leadville 's bad element takes over the town with the aid of the unscrupulous new marshal and his crooked deputies. Vigilantes are formed; men are hung. The town is reverting to its old ways. The new mayor contacts Duggan and offers him back his position as marshal. He returns with his wife and is reinstated as Leadville 's marshal. He rehires his past deputies and once again they restore order. Six months later Marshal Duggan decides to give up being a marshal and opens a livery stable.
Destiny falls in love with and marries John Johnson, the manager of the Texas House Saloon. Duggan is devastated as he still loves her. He watches the wedding from across the street. Duggan again begins drinking. He makes snide comments about Destiny and her new husband. John Johnson, hearing about the remarks, becomes incensed and goes to the livery stable. The two men argue and Johnson attacks Duggan they fight. Johnson gets knocked to the ground and pulls a gun. But Duggan is fast on the draw; he shoots and kills Johnson. Duggan is arrested. An angry Destiny goes to the jailhouse to face him. She tells him she is going to kill him, stand in his blood, and dance on his grave. Duggan is released as the shooting is ruled self-defense.
Two years pass. Leadville is becoming a somewhat civilized town but still has its wild side. Famous gunslingers, lawmen, and gamblers start to arrive in Leadville on the newly built Denver & Rio Grande railroad. Doc Holliday comes for his health and to gamble. He likes this wild town and decides to stay. Doc is befriended by ex-marshal Duggan who is now working as a part-time bartender and deputy. While there, Holliday is goaded into a gunfight. Doc shoots and kills the last man he 'll ever face. Duggan convinces Holliday to get out of town.
Late one night Duggan and two of his friends are making the rounds drinking and gambling. When they enter the Texas House saloon, Duggan sees Destiny working the roulette table. This adds to his already foul mood. While gambling, he gets into an argument with the table's croupier and the Saloon's owner. They ask him to leave. He resists, becomes belligerent and challenges them to a gunfight. Duggan 's friends convince him to back off and to leave. As he is walking home, someone steps from the darkness and shoots him in the back of the head. He falls forward, his blood seeping into the planked walkway. People rush out from the saloons. Destiny walks over and stands in his blood. Two days later the townspeople are at the cemetery for his funeral. Late that moonlit night, Destiny, in a long flowing dress, stands on his grave and begins to dance.
The Cemetery Plots: A Comedy
Three elderly ladies each purchase two cemetery plots with the intention of finding a man to bury in the second plot. Three successful men die in an airplane crash in the mountains of Alaska. Their bodies are never found. Years later their elderly widows are still living in South Laguna Beach, California. The three women are good friends and have made an interesting and important decision. When their time comes they don 't wish to be buried alone. They want a man in the grave, next to them, to share the everlasting. They invite a salesman to their home. The man is selling cemetery plots to the new Sunny View Cemetery that is located near South Laguna Beach. Later while visiting the cemetery, they each decide to purchase two expensive cemetery plots.
Then the three ladies begin their quest to find a man, without any family, to accept burial in their second cemetery plot. Over the next few weeks, they attend conventions, socials, and festivals looking for the right men. One by one the ladies are successful in finding eligible men that agree to their proposal. However, problems arise after the men sign the agreement papers. The men mysteriously die. The police become suspicious as they feel this isn't a coincidence. The soon-to-retire eccentric Lieutenant Sleuthhammer begins an investigation into the men 's deaths. The three ladies profess their innocence. The lieutenant relentlessly proceeds to find them guilty of a crime.
Spawn of Evil: Adult Horror / Abjection Thriller
In 1942 two eleven-year-old German boys live at the Auschwitz concentration camp, with their SS Nazi guard mothers, who are in charge of female prisoners. They watch the atrocities of Mengele and the other doctors. They see the SS Nazi male guards march Jewish children and adults to the gas chambers. Ignatz and Ansaldo become instilled with Nazi pride and superiority. They become amoral and psychopathic, and they develop a cold-heartedness toward Jews. Over the next two years, as young boys, they rape the Jew girls and beat and kill Jewish prisoners. Shortly after World War II ends, they and their mothers are captured by the Russians. Their mothers are convicted of being war criminals. The two boys are made to watch their mothers die by hanging.
Fourteen-year-old Ignatz and Ansaldo are taken in by a well-to-do couple in Bingen, Germany. They own a fine restaurant where Ignatz and Ansaldo learn to wait tables and bartend a craft they will use in their future depraved endeavors. Shortly before going to college in Cologne, Germany, the dormant, evil minds of the two young men begin to surface. They kidnap and brutally rape and murder two teenage Jewish girls. Imbued by the extremism of Hitler 's hatred of Jews, they become rapists and murderers. Ignatz and Ansaldo begin a spree of kidnappings, rapes, torture, and brutal killings of Jews, which continues over a twelve-year period in Western Germany, Paris, France and Miami, Florida. The police, in all of the countries, who are looking for them are joined by the Mossad, the Israeli Secret Service.


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The time has come to push the middle school concept substantially beyond structural concerns and school climate issues and establish a balance among the academic, physical, and social needs of middle level students. To achieve this balance, NMSA emphasizes the crucial need to change the way we currently think about curriculum and to redefine the middle level curriculum in forms that:
- are academically challenging and exploratory.
- are relevant to students' concerns.
- hold high expectations for all students to succeed.
- meet the developmental needs of young adolescents.
NMSA recognizes that to achieve this vision of curriculum, we must encourage middle level educators to push themselves beyond the conventional, separate subject format and to expand their use of integrated curriculum formats. Ranging from intra-team planning of interdisciplinary units at a basic level to more advanced implementation of full-scale, integrative programs in democratic classrooms (Beane, 1992, 1997). Such formats offer a correspondingly wide range of benefits for students and the potential to vitalize the tenets of middle level education philosophy, as presented both by NMSA (This We Believe) and the Carnegie Corporation (Turning Points 2000). These benefits include and exceed national, state, and local standards.
This philosophy-backed by significant research into neurological function, learning theory, social development, and curriculum design-underscores the importance of four types of relationships that affect how young adolescents learn:
- relationships between the learner and the content.
- relationships between the learner and the teacher.
- relationships among the learners.
- and relationships within the content itself.
As the quality of these relationships improves-individually and collectively-students' success in mastering skills and concepts and more complex levels of thinking also improves. NMSA recognizes that integrated curriculum formats, particularly in the more sophisticated forms, address and promote these four types of relationships more effectively than does the conventional, separate-subject curriculum.
Because integrated curriculum strategies focus directly and purposefully on all four of these crucial relationships simultaneously, such strategies foster student success on many levels. The greater the degree of integration, the greater the benefits. Students participating in fully integrative programs tend to exhibit high levels of commitment, energy and performance, while assuming greater responsibility for their learning and their actions.
These positive traits become apparent because, in addition to the important relationships that are fostered, integrated learning strategies require the use of a wide range of assessment tools. Performance on standardized tests is, of course, one indicator of student achievement; and students in integrated curricula generally do as well or better on standardized tests than students in conventional curricula. Thus, NMSA sees no inherent conflict between the mastery of standards and integrated curriculum practices. We reject the assertion that high-stakes testing requires a standardized, traditional curriculum based on discrete subject areas. In fact, we maintain that properly constructed and implemented integrated curricula can improve test scores because the emphasis on the four sets of relationships increases students' motivation to learn. This, in turn, enhances their abilities to master concepts, including those that may appear on standardized tests.
However, equally valid measures of achievement are the many products and presentations created by students engaged in the integrated exploration of real-world issues. For example, student solutions to real-world problems and answers to real-world questions often include service projects that benefit people well beyond the classroom.
Furthermore, such projects regularly involve speaking to adult audiences. Neither the projects created to help others nor the public speaking skills developed by the students are assessed on any standardized test; yet, most would agree that these are valid and valuable aspects of everyone's preparation for adulthood. At the very least, because the students' work in integrated curricula is grounded in real-world presentations and applications, those students face a level of expectation for achievement commensurate with that of the adult world. Such expectations encourage students to rise to higher levels of achievement and provide them with a greater sense of satisfaction and pride when they accomplish their goals. This pride in accomplishment and sense of ownership are most apparent in the reflective, self-assessment documentation that is imperative to integrative curricula. Students do not merely meet standards, they surpass those standards while gaining confidence and life-skills that no standardized test can ever measure.
Getting Started
How, then, can educators and parents initiate the implementation of integrated curriculum strategies? Again, NMSA recognizes that no single strategy fits the needs of all; that schools and local communities each have their own unique sets of goals and requirements as well as different circumstances with respect to resources and facilities. NMSA recommends that schools adopt and adapt the philosophy of integrated curriculum to suit their own situations. Consequently, there can be no single prescribed method for implementing the philosophy of integrated curricula.
However, the process often begins with developing understanding and support for integrated curriculum, without which, substantive change is unlikely. This understanding and support is best garnered through materials such as those recommended here, coupled with visits to schools successfully implementing various levels of integrated curriculum strategies. As the advantages of integrated curricula are readily apparent in their application, educators and parents who study this philosophy will undoubtedly want these benefits for their students. Such interest will motivate discussions concerning the level of implementation that might best suit the particular school.
Forms of Integrated Curricula
At the most basic level of implementation, this might involve a few individual teachers or a small team of teachers who begin to collaborate. Examining their respective curricular requirements, these teachers select those concepts they teach that complement those being taught by other teachers. Together, they design new units of instruction that encourage students to see connections and to apply learning in one subject area to that learning in other subject areas.
On a more sophisticated level, teams of teachers actively plan to teach simultaneous classes centered around a common interdisciplinary concept-the American Civil War, for example. Language arts classes can investigate that era of our history through explorations of its own literature, through subsequent literature about the time period, and through its popular culture. Art and music classes can research the arts of that time, while social studies classes can examine the economics and politics of the era, as well as its famous people and battles. At the same time, science classes can focus on scientific exploration and discoveries of that period, along with its technological achievements and their impact. Linked to, and examined through all of these areas, the Civil War and its causes will be more fully and richly understood as students with different interests and talents make personal connections through these varied avenues.
On a still more integrated level, a partnered team of teachers could team-teach a common, unified course. (see Springer, 1994) Given a single space and a larger block of time, these teachers and their students could examine the Civil War from all the perspectives listed above, but do so without the constraint of changing classes periodically. Removing time restrictions allows more flexibility for the teachers to plan and execute their teaching strategies. For the students, this approach also removes the conceptual separations created within the content by the delineation of subject areas. Students see the Civil War as a cohesive topic, not as a fragmented conglomeration of subtopics, or worse, as merely a set of events and dates that have little or nothing to do with their world.
At the most intensive degree of integration, this same partnered team of teachers works collaboratively with the students to plan the curriculum. Their focus of study would most likely shift to a larger theme with real-world implications; a theme determined through a questioning process (see Beane, 1992, 1997; Alexander, 1995; Pate et al., 1997) that relates students' concerns about themselves to those about their world within a democratic environment, emphasizing consensus building. The students might be exploring conflict, for example, and an examination of the Civil War then becomes one avenue to answering their larger questions about the causes of war or the results of conflict.
Clearly, there are countless intermediate degrees of implementation within the broad spectrum outlined here. Each, according to the intensity of its implementation, will achieve varying degrees of success fostering the four types of relationships-again, with the greatest degree of overall success occurring at the fully integrative level.
Just as clearly, teachers and students often range back and forth along this spectrum, sometimes employing more interdisciplinary strategies, other times using more fully integrative methods. The recommended strategy is to progress as far as possible along the continuum, as often, and for as long as possible. This, however, requires the support of administrators, teachers, and parents. NMSA strongly urges educators and parents to examine further the concept of integrated curriculum strategies. A list of recommended sources is appended here, though many more exist and are available along with help and advice from NMSA.
We further challenge these stakeholders to initiate the following specific actions.
- Reconsider the notion that skills and concepts on standardized tests can be mastered only through conventional curricula.
- Begin curriculum conversations across disciplines to identify common standards and goals that can lead to a more coherent curriculum for your students.
- Discuss ways to involve students in various phases of their education, from planning to classroom implementation to assessment.
- From these first actions, begin to develop curriculum concepts or integrated themes that students and teachers could explore, not as an add-on, but as replacements for conventional separate-subject-area units.
- Discuss and design new assessment strategies that reflect students' accomplishments and performance beyond those measured by standardized tests.
- Discuss and design new assessment strategies that reflect the goals and accomplishments of the integrated curriculum methods used, and that explore ways to improve and extend these integrative strategies.
- Share the results of your work with your local community and with the world.
Principals and Policymakers:
- First and foremost, encourage teachers to begin the process outlined above by providing them with the same safe learning environment we seek for students: an environment in which experimentation and exploration are valued.
- Provide professional development training in integrated curriculum for teachers.
- Provide discussion and planning time for teachers to design new integrated curriculum plans.
- Look for ways to modify conventional schedules and facilities to allow greater flexibility to facilitate integrative plans developed with your staff.
- Discuss and design staff and curriculum assessment strategies that reflect a new emphasis on integrated teaching and learning, and that encourage ongoing development of increasingly sophisticated integrative strategies.
- Community outreach and education: Inform your community; provide opportunities for parents and interested community members to learn about curriculum integration; invite them to sit in on planning meetings, staff development sessions, and classrooms where curriculum integration is implemented.
NMSA is committed to the concept of integrated curricula as sound teaching practice for meeting the special needs of middle level students. The association encourages all middle level educators to explore the avenues and opportunities outlined here as ways to improve the implementation of the middle school philosophy described in This We Believe.
Alexander, W., Carr, D., & McAvoy, K. (1995). Student oriented curriculum: Asking the right questions. Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association.
Arhar, J. M. (1997). The effects of interdisciplinary teaming on students and teachers. In J. L. Irvin (Ed.), What current research says to the middle level practitioner (pp. 49-56). Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association. ED 427 847.
Beane, J. A. (1993). A middle school curriculum: From rhetoric to reality (2nd ed.). Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association.
Beane, J. A (Ed.). (1995). Toward a coherent curriculum: 1995 Yearbook of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Alexandria, VA: The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Beane, J. A. (1997). Curriculum integration: Designing the core of democratic education. New York: Teachers College Press.
Brazee, E. N., & Capelluti, J. (1995). Dissolving boundaries: Toward an integrative curriculum. Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association.
Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development. (1989). Turning points: Preparing American youth for the 21st century. New York: Carnegie Corporation.
Hopkins, L. T. & et al. (1937). Integration: Its meaning and application. New York: D. Appleton-Century.
Jackson, A. W., & Davis, G. A. (2000), Turning Points 2000: Educating adolescents in the 21st century. New York: Teachers College Press.
National Association for Core Curriculum. (2000). A bibliography of research on the effectiveness of block-time, core, and interdisciplinary team teaching programs. Kent, OH: National Association for Core Curriculum.
National Middle School Association. (1995). This we believe: Developmentally responsive middle level schools. Columbus, OH: author.
Pate, P. E., Homestead, E. R., & McGinnis, K.L. (1997). Making integrated curriculum work: Teachers, students, and the quest for coherent curriculum. New York: Teachers College Press.
Smith, C., Kenney, M., & O'Donnell, M. (1996). Student-directed theme planning. in integrated thematic teaching. Washington, DC: National Education Association.
Springer, M. (1994). Watershed: A successful voyage into integrative learning. Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association.
Stevenson, C., & Carr, J. (Eds.). (1993). Integrative studies in the middle grades: Dancing through walls. New York: Teachers College Press.
Vars, G. F. (1996). Effects of interdisciplinary curriculum and instruction. In P. S. Hlebowitsh & W. G. Wraga (Eds.), Annual review of research for school leaders (pp. 147-164). Reston, VA: National Association of Secondary School Principals and Scholastic Publishing.
Vars, G. F. (1997). Effects of integrative curriculum and instruction. In J. L. Irvin (Ed.), What current research says to the middle level practitioner (pp. 179-186). Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association. ED 427 847.
Adopted by Board of Trustees
September 2002
4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300
Westerville, OH 43081
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fax: 614-895-4750
© COPYRIGHT 2004 by NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


text: Turkish prime minister prays at the tomb of Suleyman Shah [Getty] On February 22, the world woke up to the news that 600 soldiers, 57 armoured vehicles, and 39 tanks of the Turkish military rolled through a still-smouldering Kobane in order to evacuate and relocate the 700-year-old tomb of Suleyman Shah. The tomb, and the small patch of land surrounding, is Turkish territory inside Syria based on the 1921 Treaty of Ankara, which ended the brief Franco-Turkish war. It had been besieged for months before it was moved with much fanfare to a new location in the Syrian village of Eshme, a mere 180m from the Turkish border. Many commentators were interpreting Turkey's decision to relocate the tomb as the beginning of a new and robust policy dealing with ISIL. Others thought it was an electoral ploy. Turkish troops pass smouldering Kobane to save shrine Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political opponents pointed out that the tomb's removal was the first time since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire that Turkey had surrendered sovereign territory without a shot being fired in its defence. No major change One hundred days after the operation there has not been a significant change in Turkish policy. Instead, the operation marked a continuation of Turkey's policy of fence-sitting and reluctance when it comes to dealing with the threat ISIL poses to Ankara and the region. What little Turkey has been willing to contribute to the international coalition to confront ISIL has been petty when compared to what it is capable of doing. Yes, Turkey has agreed to host a mission to train 15,000 Syrian opposition fighters, but in the eyes of Ankara, the main goal of this force will be to take on Assad's regime - not to confront ISIL. Yes, Ankara has agreed to allow American UAVs to fly from bases in Turkey, but this was agreed to months before the operation to relocate the tomb took place. All of this allows the Turkish government to do the bare minimum required to give the impression that it is doing something, when it reality, it is doing next to nothing. Yes, Turkey has agreed to host a mission to train 15,000 Syrian opposition fighters, but in the eyes of Ankara, the main goal of this force will be to take on Assad's regime - not to confront ISIL. Different view of the threat In a way that is almost completely inconceivable to policymakers in the West, the Turkish government still does not see ISIL as serious threat, or at least not as its number one threat. While many in the West saw Kurdish "heroic fighters" defending Kobane, many in Turkey saw Kurdish "terrorists" that have been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 Turkish citizens over the past two decades. After a brief honeymoon period in their relationship (do not forget the Assads and Erdogans use to holiday together) Erdogan sees his secular and embattled counterpart in Damascus as a bigger threat to regional stability. Consequently, Turkey does not share the same sense of urgency to confront ISIL as many of its NATO partners do. Don't forget the politics Another factor explaining Turkey's reluctance to confront ISIL is the upcoming elections on June 7. Erdogan's legacy is riding on this election, the outcome of which is far from certain. If the Kurdish dominated Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) passes the 10 percent electoral threshold - and some polls are indicting it will - then it is likely that Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) will not be able to form a government without first building a coalition. This would seriously dampen Erdogan's plans to consolidate even more power. Every decision taken by his government in the past year has been decided through the lens of this election. Erdogan knows that if he confronts ISIL and fails, there could be electoral consequences. If ISIL would have attacked and occupied the tomb, Erdogan would have had no other choice but to respond militarily. By removing the tomb of Suleyman Shah, Erdogan removed the main catalyst that could force Turkey into a military confrontation with ISIL. Turkish prime minister visits tomb of Suleyman Shah [Reuters] Turkey has the most to lose It is clear that Turkey is no more willing to confront ISIL now than it was before the tomb was relocated. In fact, there is growing evidence that Turkey continues to turn a blind eye to the cross border traffic that is helping ISIL. Even if Erdogan does not see it, Turkey has more to lose than the US or any other NATO member if ISIL is successful. Erdogan is sitting on the fence, but someday ISIL will jump over that fence. ISIL's English language magazine, Dabiq, recently stated that it believes the area in northern Syria "will play a historical role in the battles leading up to the conquests of Constantinople, then Rome". Turkey is already in ISIL's crosshairs whether Erdogan believes this or not. As Winston Churchill once said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Luke Coffey is a research fellow specialising in transatlantic and Eurasian security at a Washington DC based think-tank. He previously served as a special adviser to the British defence secretary and was a commissioned officer in the United States army. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy. SOURCE: Al Jazeera ABOUT THE AUTHOR Luke CoffeyLuke Coffey is a research fellow specialising in transatlantic and Eurasian security at a Washington DC based think tank. He previously served as a special adviser to the British defence secretary and was a commissioned officer in the United States army. @ lukedcoffey War & Conflict Politics Middle East Turkey Turkey-Syria border


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Before we get to the food, I need a shameless little vote from my readers. I am up for the best family/kids food blog from the Well Fed Network and would love to see little ol' Picky Palate get some votes. Thanks to all of you who have supported me! Click HERE to vote, just takes a second. Thanks!
So, we just got back from a great weekend in AZ. It was so nice to see our family and friends. What about those AZ Cardinals huh? I'm pretending to be a sports fan here. I just know how excited my hubby and other male family members are for this crazy win!
I've got a great weeknight dinner here. These little meatloaves are great individual servings for everyone and taste incredible. It's best to free form them and place them on top of a baking rack that is placed over a baking sheet, so the juices have somewhere to go. I found these cutest little dutch potatoes at the grocery store here in
The cookies below speak for themselves. Crisp around the edges, soft inside with butterscotch and Toffee bits. They are heavenly I tell you! Take a peek…
Petite Meatloaves and Garlic Herbed Dutch Potatoes
Petite Meatloaf
1 lb lean ground beef
2 eggs, beaten
3 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon mustard
3 cloves fresh garlic
½ Cup grated parmesan cheese
½ Cup fresh bread crumbs (you can use the ones you get at the grocery store too)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
½ teaspoon
¼ Cup ketchup
6 strips ready bacon (that kind you get at Costco and you just have to microwave it)
1. Gently combine all ingredients with hands into a large bowl until just combined. Form into 6 mini loaves and place onto a baking rack lined baking sheet. Lightly brush tops with ketchup and top each with 2 bacon halves. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Garlic Herbed Dutch Potatoes
1 lb Dutch Potatoes, left whole, or any potato of choice cut into same size ½ inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place all ingredients into a large bowl. Toss to combine. Place onto a large baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes or until fork tender.
4 servings
Oatmeal Butterscotch Toffee Chip Cookies
2 sticks softened butter
¾ Cup sugar
¾ Cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ½ Cups flour
½ Cup quick oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ Cups butterscotch chips
1 Cup toffee chip pieces
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with the butterscotch chips and toffee bits just until combined.
2. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop onto a silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing.
Have a great week ya'll. Thanks again for voting. I'll be back soon with more dinner ideas and probably some treats too!!
FOLLOW PICKY PALATE ON INSTAGRAM! Show me what recipes you're making from Picky Palate by using #pickypalate.
Other recipes you may enjoy...
34 Responses | Comments RSS
- 1
Congrats! I will go vote. So much yummy food here! I especially love the cookies. All my favorite flavors are there!
- 2
I voted once, can you vote more than once?
Great looking M & T dinner! And yum to the cookie. I just posted a similar one, with cinnamon chips and white choc. chips.
How fun that you got to go home!
- 3
those potatos and cookies look great!
i will make sure to vote!
- 4
Congratulations on the nomination! Loving those cookies. Those could do some serious damage to my diet. 🙂
- 5
Those potatos look soo good! Very earthy…remind me of summer backyard bbq's…and you got my vote 🙂
- 6
What a great meal! Congrats, you got my vote! Looks like you are way ahead. Goodluck!
- 7
These all look great! Cute potatoes!! I'll definately vote for you!
- 8
Looks delicious! Off to bookmark those cookies for future use.
And I voted 🙂
- 9
You are well ahead right now. I'll vote again if it lets me. 😉 Those cookies look wicked good, I'm going to have to try them out.
- 10
Good luck Jenny, you allready have my vote. Yummy meal and cookies!
- 11
Those cookies sound lovely. Buttercotch chips are a fav of my husbands. I will so have to try them. Congrats on your nomination. I have to go vote now!
- 12
Congrats, and I definitely will be putting in a vote. Oh wow, the meatloaf and potatoes looks so comforting.
- 13
What great comfort food.I hope your blog wins.
- 14
I voted already! 🙂
Those cookies look like another winner! Love the mini meatloaves, too… great idea to do individual servings.
- 15
Meatloaf is the perfect comfort food on cold days! Good luck with the contest.
- 16
Meatloaf, potatoes and cookies…can't get much better than that combo! Those are sweet little potatoes….I've never seen them around here-so will use the recipe with cut up potatoes.
I just went and voted for ya…hope your blog wins! 🙂
- 17
All three of these recipes look wonderful! I went and voted and it looks like you have the award in the bag-over 74% of the votes! Woohoo!
- 18
Of course I voted for you!! You're doing awesome. Congrats!
- 19
Voted for you – good luck!
- 20
Congratulations on your nomination!
- 21
Your cookies look amazing! I just made ice cream with toffee bits and it was delish. I'm sure the kids will be head over heels in love with the cookies too.
- 22
Those potatoes are so cute and it looks like a meal my husband would love. I'll have to try the cookies, too- yum!
- 23
I voted for you before I even read this!
- 24
I made the meatloaf last night and it was fabulous! The fresh garlic was perfect in it. My picky eaters loved it. Thank you.
- 25
Hi, congratulations on your nomination!
- 26
It all looks so delicious! I will try those mini meatloaves for sure. I'm always looking for dinner ideas and you always have some awesome ones!
BTW, I did vote for you! I think I left you a message on FB about it..
- 27
Those potatoes look beautiful! And I voted for you – you're blowing away he competition.
- 28
They whole meal looks delicious! And of course I had to vote for you since your blog is the best!
- 29
You are so going to win. Count wait to see you on food network. How do you think your mini meat loaves would do with ground turkey?
- 30
That meatloaf looks so yummy. One question – do you mix the 1/4 cup ketchup with the meatloaf, and then put additional ketchup on top? Or do you use the 1/4 cup ketchup to top them? Thanks!
- 31
Hi Brooke,
The ketchup gets brushed on top, not mixed inside with the meat. Hope you enjoy!!
- 32
I made these last night with my daughter- they were a big hit! Fun to make, too.
- 33
Hello Jenny! 🙂 Thanks for another great recipe! My 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year olds ate it up quickly and asked for more! Woo hoo! 🙂 One question, what temperature for the meatloaf? I made it tonight but had to cook it forever (I guessed 375)! Oh, and I accidentally mixed ketchup IN the meatloaf since I didn't see the only brush it on top comment until now! Oh well!
- 34
I made the cookies last night…my family LOVED them! Thanks for the recipe!!


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AUBURN, Ala. – The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va., will open a branch campus in the Auburn Research Park in Auburn, Ala., officials announced today.
The chairman and president of both the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, or VCOM, and the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, or ARTF, signed an agreement establishing a branch campus and collaboration on biomedical research and healthcare projects. VCOM will build a new facility featuring classrooms, small-group learning rooms, laboratories and a technology center. The first class of 150 students is proposed for fall 2015.
"Our goals for a new branch campus are to provide state-of-the-art medical education and research and train students to practice medicine in areas with the most need," said VCOM Chairman John Rocovich.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reports 60 of Alabama's 67 counties do not have enough primary care providers, such as general practitioners, family doctors or pediatricians, and that rural parts of the state are the most medically underserved. Alabama ranks 43rd out of 50 states in the U.S. for physicians per 100,000 population, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
"We're excited to welcome the college to the Auburn Research Park," said Jimmy Sanford, chair of ARTF. "VCOM is a well-respected institution that will provide opportunities for students to receive a medical education, support economic development and open the door for more health science advancements by Auburn University faculty."
The Auburn Research Park is operated by ARTF as a partnership among the state of Alabama, Auburn University and the city of Auburn.
VCOM was established in 2003 as a private, nonprofit college affiliated with Virginia Tech University. In 2011, it opened a campus near Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., a state also with a shortage of primary care physicians.
The campus in Auburn will be VCOM's third. In addition to serving as a pipeline of primary care physicians for rural and medically underserved areas, VCOM supports programs that result in a large number of graduates commissioned as officers to serve in the U.S. military and to work in Veterans Administration hospitals around the country.
VCOM will cover costs for construction and operation of the Auburn branch. In addition to the VCOM campus, the faculty will have access to Auburn facilities such as the MRI Research Center that houses a 7 Tesla, or 7T, research scanner, which is one of fewer than 35 in the world, and a 3T scanner, the most powerful certified for clinical use. They will have opportunities to collaborate with Auburn scientists and researchers in pharmacy, nursing, veterinary medicine, rural medicine, kinesiology, chemistry, biochemistry and other health-related fields. Students will also have access to university facilities and activities.
"Our collaboration with Auburn and other universities is important because of their outstanding commitment to science, research and education," said Rocovich. "Having opened two other campuses, VCOM brings with it the experience to build and operate a successful medical school."
There are 26 colleges of osteopathic medicine and four branch campuses in the U.S. that produce approximately 4,600 graduates each year. Some are affiliated with universities, such as Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Oklahoma State.
Graduates earn the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., degree rather than the Doctor of Medicine degree, or M.D. The basic curriculum for both degrees is essentially the same, however osteopathic medicine focuses more on a whole patient approach through therapeutic techniques, emphasizes the prevention of illness through healthier lifestyles and adds osteopathic manipulation to standard medical care. Osteopathic manipulation involves hands-on techniques to alleviate pain and restore function associated with muscle and skeletal injuries.
"We're pleased to have the chance to work with VCOM and other universities to advance healthcare in Alabama and the Southeast," said Auburn University President Jay Gogue.
Contact: Mike Clardy, Auburn University, (334) 844-9999, (email@example.com), or
Cindy Rawlins, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, (540) 231-5419 (firstname.lastname@example.com)


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Offers selected features of alternative Asian TV segments, news stories, editorials, photos and more from Japan, Korea, India, China and many other Asian countries. Also includes some WTF Japanese, North Korean online videos, entertainment news, beautiful Chinese and Japanese models, and much more.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Chinese Corp Buys Hollywood Sign & Christian Bale
BEFORE: AFTER: (NOW) The sign is displaying traditional Chinese characters that, according to the Bing translator, mean "Smiling after indiscriminately loving". Via Hollywood and Swine September 15, 2012 The near-bankrupt City of Los Angeles announced today that it sold the iconic Hollywood sign for $650,000 to Hung Xia, Inc., a Beijing-based energy company. In addition to the sign, the Chinese company also purchased actor Christian Bale, the star of "The Flowers of War" film that was made in China last year. Continued... Related: New Trailer for "The Flowers of War" Batman vs Chinese Security Guards
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Plaid suits have been extremely popular recently but if you're looking for an edge, go with windowpane. The minimalism of the windowpane check (made of large square "panes" caused by criss-crossing horizontal and vertical lines) is worlds away from the complexity of Glen plaid or the multi-colored nature of many tartans. This is precisely what makes it so … [Read more...]
This Week's Top 5 Suits
In this week's top 5 suits, summery tones and fabrics predominate. A cream suit, a light gray suit, two shades of blue, and a brown, cotton suit all made a strong impression this week. There was some excellent color-coordinating going on, too. Let's take a closer look. … [Read more...]
Staying cool in a suit this summer
I don't know about the rest of the country but here in Boston it's getting hot. The midday sun is already fierce and the humidity isn't any better. If you're used to wearing a suit and tie to work everyday, the heat can become tiresome fairly quickly. … [Read more...]
Get the Look: Leonardo DiCaprio, charcoal gray
When you're about to make a speech at an important conference, as Leonardo DiCaprio did this week at the "Our Ocean" conference alongside John Kerry, it pays to wear a charcoal gray suit. Above all other colors, charcoal gray is serious and chic, perfect for the kind of smart-but-not-flashy appearance sometimes required in politics and business. DiCaprio's suit, on this … [Read more...]
Get the Look: Brad Pitt's checked suit
Angelina Jolie worked her magic with the women's tuxedo again this week when she attended the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. Promptly thereafter, she was made a Dame by the British government in recognition of her humanitarian efforts. Surely one of the most fashionable Dames going, no? Jolie invited husband Brad Pitt along on … [Read more...]


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Applied Server Based Computing dba Applied SBC and Applied POS
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Purchase a gift card for you or someone else. Be sure and specify the amount you prefer and either a physical Gift Card, or an eGift Card, in the form of an email.
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Your purchase is refundable within 24 hours of your purchase. After 24 hours from time of purchase your purchase is non-refundable. Charges will appear on your statement as Applied SBC. Treat the purchase of gift cards and egift cards as cash. Neither The Alehouse nor Applied SBC, Inc. can be held responsible for lost, stolen, misused, or damaged gift and egift cards. Purchases can only be sent to the name and address or email address provided at time of purchase. No substitutions or alterations can be made after purchase. Physical gift cards will be sent to you via US Mail return receipt or registered mail. No APO/FPO/DPO addresses accepted. Additional terms and conditions will be listed on the back of the gift card or in your egift card email.


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Ordering repeat prescriptions
We recommend ordering your repeat medications 7-10 days before supply is due to run out.
There are four ways to order your medication:
- Using the internet (you can register for internet access at the surgery.)
- Bring in your order in person. Tick the items you require on the list you received with your previous prescription. Leave the request slip in the box in the foyer or in the post box when the surgery is closed, no need to join the queue for the desk.
- Fax a copy of your order to 01226 759307 – Garland House or 01709 872899 – Woodgrove Surgery
- Post your request, again marking your list clearly. Allow a week for first class post, longer for second class.
Why don't we take requests by telephone?
We process over 1000 medication items every day. If we took all these orders over the telephone it would block the phone lines and patients would not be able to get through to make appointments or for other queries.
It is also difficult for the receptionists to accurately identify which medicines you need over the phone. This is because many people don't know the name of their medication. Ticking the items on the most up to date medication list that was issued with your last repeat prescription improves accuracy.
Why does it take up to two working days to prepare your medication?
- Firstly, administrative staff review your medical records to see if you are overdue any check ups
- If you are, the Doctor has to decide if another repeat prescription can be given safely before your check up.
- Only when these checks are complete can the prescription be processed.
- The doctor then makes a final check and signs the prescription.
Pre-payment certificates
If you have to pay for your prescriptions and get more than 4 items in 3 months, or 14 in 12 months, you could save money by buying a pre-payment certificate.
Ring 0845 850 0030 to buy one over the phone using your credit/debit card.
Where to get your medicine
You can obtain your medication at your local pharmacy - please click on the link below which allows you to find your nearest chemist and gives details on opening times during the year including Christmas and bank holidays.


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Inspired by John Scalzi's awesome The Big Idea, The Spark is a guest space on my blog, where African novelists can promote their new novels by writing a short personal essay about the inspiration (or the spark) for the story.
It's a side project I run in my spare time because there's incredible writing talent on the continent (and the diaspora) and I want to shine a blazing light on it.
Authors have previously written about how their novels were inspired by wondering what if the crazy tabloid headlines were true or by a popular Soweto ghost story, or because you were clawing your way out of depression, or trying to live down the embarrassment of being a black student mugged by a white guy, or because Rihanna saved your life or you wrote this story because you wanted to look fancy reading alone in bars.
Maggie Cloete is a crime reporter on a daily paper in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. When an AIDS activist is murdered in broad daylight outside his place of work and the cops are quick to dismiss it as a robbery gone wrong, her instincts are on red alert. If she had taken the activist's call seriously two weeks before when he had asked her to cover the case of a quack selling fraudulent AIDS cures, would he still be alive? Against the express wishes of her editor, Maggie investigates and soon finds herself the target of local gangsters – as are a houseful of AIDS orphans whom the activist was sheltering. Maggie uncovers the secrets of Balthasar's life and death, and finds herself facing down his killer.
After fourteen drafts and six years of blood (not really), sweat (genuine) and tears (yes), Balthasar's Gift found a home with Ariadne in Hamburg and later Modjaji Books in Cape Town. I am currently working on book two of the Maggie series, called Karkloof Blue.
The Spark for Balthasar's Gift by Charlotte Otter
From Mucus to Blood, Sweat and Tears
The spark for Balthasar's Gift was lit when I flew home to South Africa from London in July 2000 with a plane full of AIDS activists heading for the international AIDS conference in Durban. They – and millions in South Africa – were full of hope that Thabo Mbeki would stand up at the conference and say that HIV caused AIDS. And then start to roll out antiretrovirals to those with the virus. Of course, he didn't.
I had a six-month-old baby in my arms, and the guy next to me held her so that I could go to the bathroom. Instead of complaining or freezing me out when she cried, as babies are known to do on planes, he smiled, laughed and jiggled her. On the flight, I caught pink eye from my daughter and by the time I touched down in SA, my eyes were a running red mess of pus and mucus. Still he smiled and jiggled my baby.
That guy showed me compassion. He could have turned his back on me, been disgusted by my gross eyes or enraged by my baby's wails, but he was not. He treated us both like human beings.
Something that unites us all – all cultures, all nations – is intolerance of the other. And nothing was more othering in South Africa in the late twentieth century than HIV/AIDS; so much so that our newly elected democratic government refused to acknowledge that HIV led to AIDS and so refused to provide the much-needed anti-retrovirals that would give people with HIV at least a chance at a normal life. Hundreds of thousands of economically active people contracted HIV and then died of AIDS-related illnesses, leaving behind nearly two million AIDS orphans. Many of these children were themselves othered – turned out of their communities, robbed and driven onto the streets.
It seemed necessary to me to construct a story around a nation that had so recently driven racial intolerance out of its statutes, but which was diving headlong, arms wide out in a vast embrace, into a new kind of intolerance – against people with HIV and the activists who tried to help them.
I started writing Balthasar's Gift many years after that plane flight. To ensure it was readable, I created a badass, motorcycle-riding, hard-drinking female journalist with impulse control issues as the protagonist. I worked very hard to disguise my tub-thumping urges in a stonking good story.
Follow Charlotte on Twitter
Charlotte's website
Balthasar's Gift on Amazon


text: Welcome to the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course store. We are operated by Sterling Golf Management. Please bookmark this page, since we plan to offer a number of special products during the season. Since we will not have our full assortment of items listed, if you're interested in any other items please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on the course this year!


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As 2017 begins, many of us are thinking about our new years' resolutions. If one of your resolutions was 'learning to dance', look no further – Let's Dance Studios offers premium, personalised instruction to help you hit the dance floor with confidence. Read on to discover the benefits of private dance lessons with the Let's Dance team.
Customised to Your Needs and Interests – Once your instructor has identified your goals, they will teach the techniques most appropriate to your needs. For instance, if your goal is mastering social dances for parties, your instructor won't waste time on formal techniques. Your lessons will be tailored specifically to your needs and learning style.
Faster Progress – Private dance lessons are taught on a one-to-one basis, so your instructor has much more time to work with you individually, leading to faster progress. The level of detail you and your instructor can get into is much greater in a private class environment. Your instructor will have plenty of time to assess your skill level and give you specific techniques to practice.
If you're having difficulty mastering the Cha Cha or Rumba, for instance, you can spend the entire lesson working on it. During your lessons, you'll have time to analyse every foot position, hip action, pivot and more.
Improve Your Technique – In group classes, the instructor is constantly dividing their time between numerous dancers. Whereas, in a private setting, the instructor focuses entirely on you. So, you'll gain specific and dedicated instruction on how to improve your dance technique. This will help to illuminate strengths and weaknesses and customise lessons accordingly.
Progress at Your Own Pace – As we all know; everyone learns at a different pace. For instance, in a classroom setting, the instructor aims to challenge the highest performing students, while not leaving anyone else behind. In a private setting, the pace is set to your ability and skill level.
If you are working on a specific technique and have not yet mastered it, there is no need to move on with the rest of the class. Private dance lessons allow you to progress more slowly to ensure you master each skill at your own pace.
Personalised Structure – A personalised class structure is essential for the novice dancer, through to the advanced. Whether you are struggling or excelling, personalised classes enable you to catch up your technique, or learn more advanced moves to challenge yourself. Most importantly, a one-on-one setting allows you to work on your specific goals with your instructor for maximum benefit.
Consistency – Whether you are a beginner or more advanced, private dance lessons will help you achieve your goals. The structure of consistent, private lessons will increase your confidence and ensure great personal growth, both physically and mentally.
For private dance lessons in our fully equipped Brisbane or Gold Coast studios, please
call 1300 LET SSS (1300 538 777) or email@example.com l the team at Let's Dance today.


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St. James' were crowned senior John Dunne cup winners last Saturday. The Jimmies defeated Carraroe on a score line 1-10 to 1-6. This game was played in Oughterard G.A.A. grounds and weather conditions were very poor for Gaelic football. In addition, it was the city outfit that took the lead early on with points coming from Fintan Cooney, Alan Murphy and Johnny Duane. Furthermore, James' could have extended their lead in the opening 10 minutes but Alan Murphy was denied by the upright. Carraroe were finding it difficult to find a pattern of play and they eventually managed to score a couple of consecutive points in the final quarter of the opening half. Among the scorers were Oisin O Griofa and Niall O Briain. James' missed a lot of scoring chances before the interval and the margin could have been a lot more than the scoreboard read at half-time. The return of Aaron Connolly boosted the James' midfield line and Connolly fielded most excellent plays and he played a pivotal role in the first half of the game. The final was in the balance at halftime, with James' only leading by five scores to three. Terry O'Regan's side were sluggish to capitalize early in the second half and James' missed two goal opportunities which would have made it very difficult for Carraroe to continue on. Furthermore, Carraroe managed to add a tally of scores which brought the sides level with 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Midfielders Maitiu O Domhnaill and Peadar O Conghaile worked very hard for the Connemara outfit and their influence on the game helped Carraroe a lot. Nevertheless, Eoin Concannon of St. James' scored an exceptional point from play to put his side into the lead with 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Neil Lydon raised the umpire's white flag to extend the Jimmies lead and several minutes later Concannon sealed the win when he popped up with the winning goal. James' pushed on and Owen Teagle, Aaron Connolly and substitute Robert Carroll all scored to secure the win for James'. Carraroe managed to score a consolation goal in the final minute to narrow the deficit to four points. However, it was too late for the men in red and black and referee Anthony Coyne blew the final whistle and it was James' who emerged winners from this tie. James' had a lot of good players on the day and one would have to look at their defense. In goals David Curran had a very good game and his defenders also were on top form. Among these were Daniel Lenihan, Alan Deacy, Johnny Duane, Oisin O'Malley and Cathal O'Regan. Aaron Connolly was very good in the middle of the park and in the forward line players like Fintan Cooney, Robert Carroll, Tommy Walsh and Neil Lydon all stood out.Eoin Concannon scored crucial scores in the game and his side were rewarded for his efforts. In contrast Carraroe had good players in Iarlath O Conchunhar, Jeaic O Gaoithin, Martiu O Domhnaill, Peadar O Conghaile, Oisin O Griofa and Niall Briain. This is the first title captured by the Jimmies at senior level since 2012. One can be of the opinion that Terry O'Regan and his management team of Seamus Burke, Peter Mulrooney and Neil O'Toole can be happy with the this title, after all they defeated good teams along the way, notably Corofin and Tuam Stars. Championship awaits the Jimmies in August and it will be interesting to see if they can push on and compete in the later stages of the competition.
St. James' team: 1. D.Curran 2. D. Lenihan for P.Conlan 3. A. Deacy 4. O.O'Malley 5. C.O'Regan 6. J.Duane 7. O.Teagle 8. A.Connolly for M.Elwood 50mins 9. C.Walsh for R.Kavanagh 55mins 10.T.Walsh 11. F.Cooney 12. N.Lydon 13. A.Murphy 14. E.Concannon 15.D.O'Connell for R.Carroll 50mins.
Carraroe team: 1. C.MacDonnacha 2. I.Seoighe 3. I. O Conchubhar 4. S. E O Flatharta 5. J.O Gaoithin 6. C. O Domhnaill 7. E. O Gionnain 8. M. O Briain 9. M. O Domhnaill 10. P. O Loideain 11. P. O Conghaile 12. M. O Tuathail 13. A. O Cadhain 14. O. O Griofa 15. N. O Briain.


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After E. coli scare, Boise swimming spot reopens — but Fido is no longer welcome
E. coli found in local swimming ponds
More than a week after officials closed two of Boise's most popular swimming spots due to high levels of E. coli bacteria, one of them has been reopened, according to a press release from Boise Parks and Recreation — but your pets are no longer allowed to join you at either park.
Quinn's Pond has reopened for use after daily testing showed bacteria levels consistently below state water quality standards; however, neighboring Esther Simplot ponds still show unsafe levels of E. coli and remain closed until further notice, officials say.
What's more, officials have banned dogs from both parks (except from Nov. 1 through Feb. 28) — DNA testing showed that the main source of the E. coli bacteria was dog feces, according to the release. Goose feces were also a contributing factor.
According to the release, the parks and ponds will be marked with signs informing visitors of the ban on dogs, which extends to an area of Esther Simplot Park that was previously designated for off-leash dog use. (Find information on Boise parks with off-leash areas here.)
Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway in the release acknowledged that the ban on furry family may be discouraging to some pond users.
"These are very popular parks and people understandably love to take their pets when they visit," Holloway said. "However, the high use by people and their pets along with the warm temperatures has created significant public health concerns. Please heed these continued closures for the sake of your own and your loved one's health."
Officials said in particular, the children's beach area of Esther Simplot ponds showed high levels of E. coli. The city will continue to test the water in both ponds daily to be sure that bacteria levels remain safe in Quinn's Pond and to monitor the situation in Esther Simplot Park.
Parks and Recreation is working to "flush" the ponds with clean water via irrigation and groundwater flows. The department is also working on moving geese out of the area.
Officials said animal control officers in the area will cite any pet owners who bring their dogs into either park.


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In an analysis from Consumer Intelligence Research partners (CIRP), we are told that Amazon has sold 51 million Echo devices int he US since it first launched in 2014. Something else that CIRP stated is the level of awareness of the virtual assistant unit has dramatically increased in the past year.
According to CIRP, about 70 percent of all Amazon customers are aware of Echo, and roughly two million of the five million Echo units were purchased during the first nine months of thi year. This could mean that the Echo is in for a very big holiday season.
In a survey that involved 3,500 consumers, CIRP found that Echo is primarily used as a voice-controlled speaker or music-listening device. Even then, there are still those who use Echo/Alexa to get the latest on news and other information.
The following chart shows how consumers use Amazon Echo (multiple responses allowed):
In order to compete with Echo, Google launched Home earlier this year, at a $50 discount. Not only that, there are reviewers who feel Google Home is superior. But becacuse of both the visibility and distributionAm advantage that Amazon has, it won't be a suprise if the Echo will sell better than Home this holiday season.
There was an earlier analysis of Amazon shoppers from CIRP that found 65 million US costomers are now Prime subscribers. Spending about $1,200 per year on average, they'l drive more than $70 billion in sales on Amazon this year.


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Gap has started early on Black Friday deals. Lots of 50% items going on right now:
50% off Men's & Women's Sweaters
50% babyGap & Gapkids Cozy Fleece Styles
50% off babyGap Sleepwear
And get FREE shipping on orders of $50 or more. Go here to check out the deals.
Valid now through 11/29.


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Everyone desires to have a home with the major components that give the assurance of security and comfort. This dream is made a reality by the conscious decisions made about home acquisition as well as the day to day purchases of household goods with which to furnish the house. Among the most important of these goods are mattresses whose comfort makes a bed desirable at the end of the numerous tiring day's activities. This article brings out the key discount mattress buying tips that help buyers make informed choices.
Balance between density and comfort
Apart from the discount amount offered on the mattresses, it is paramount that the buyer considers the density measure of these important items in comparison to the desired comfort. In doing this, the buyer seeks to strike a balance between how compact the mattress is and its ability to provide a comfortable sleeping surface for the intended user.
Referrals on renown brands
A friends recommendation of a known brand whose usefulness has already been tested and proved provides a strong influence towards the said brand.As such it is important to carefully consider the referrals rather than opting to take the risk of testing new unknown brands.
Tastes and preferences
The fact that different people have differing tastes and preferences is undoubtedly a key determinant of what products they end up buying. This could be based on certain known qualities or a mere obsession towards one product type as opposed to another. As far as the purchase of mattresses is concerned it is highly recommended that one follows the preferred option while checking also on other key qualities.
Nobody wishes to go back to the shops every other day to purchase the same product that would otherwise be expected to last for a couple of years. This is mainly because it ends up being costly both in terms of time and the actual cash spent. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to go for more durable mattresses even if it means digging deeper into the pocket.
Quality versus price
Since most people's shopping is usually guided by some budgetary allocation, it becomes extremely important to ensure that one buys the best quality at the allocated monetary value.Better still, one can work at maximizing the quality at the lowest price. However, this must be done with utmost care to avoid compromising on the very quality that one is seeking to maximize in an attempt to secure meagre savings.
Anyone seeking to take advantage of discount mattress buying tips must take into consideration other pertinent issues surrounding the purchase and use of this crucial household commodity. It is particularly important to think about the quality ,tastes and preferences, friends' referrals and the comfort of the ultimate user among other considerations. See more at http://ncmattresswarehouse.com


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|Mercy and Larry, discussing the GPS, which is voiced by Nia
Anyway, "Larry Crowne"'s premise is promising... a guy who has been successful at a U-Mart, a big Costco-like store, gets fired because he doesn't have a college degree, and to better his life, he heads back to school. To do what, I'm not sure, but he heads back there.
The co-stars also leads you to believe this might be a, excuse me Chazz Sheen, "winning" movie. Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji Henson play comical neighbors without being too slapsticky, while Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Wilmer Valderrama lead the group of college friends that Larry meets. Bryan Cranston is the jerkweed hubby of Mercedes (Julia's character), and does a fine job being jerkweedy, and finally, George Takei almost steals the movie as the eccentric, somewhat creepy Dr. Matsutani, one of Larry's professors.
|This looks like a made up pic of Takei... but this is him in the movie,
and he is one part weird and one part hilarious, and wholly
Finally, the fact that Tom Hanks directed it, though only his second directing effort, his first was "That Thing You Do!", one of The Lovely Steph Leann's favorites, and a good, good movie. "Larry Crowne" was also co-written by Nia Vardalos, screenwriter of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", one of my 35 favorite films of all time, and star of another of my new favorites, "My Life in Ruins".
But somehow, like a jigsaw puzzle piece that almost fits, that almost goes into the spot you think it should go into, but it still had to much wiggle room, or the knobby part is a little too big to go into the slot like it should, this movie doesn't quite fit, it doesn't quite get into that slot like you want it to.
I liked the movie well enough... it does have its funny moments, and I did find myself laughing out loud a few times. Tom Hanks is the Tom Hanks we love, sort of goofy, never too serious, just lovable. It doesn't make any sense that he wins the Employee of the Month for like, 8 months in a row, after spending years of high service in the Navy, and he's discarded for not having a college degree. Heck, John Stossel himself tells us in a recent Washington Post article that college might not nearly be as necessary as we make it out to be.
Overlooking that, then there are the neighbors who make a living by having a 24/7 yard sale. Then there is the scooter buddy who leases and opens a consignment shop. Then there is the fact that Julia Roberts' character's name is "Mercedes".
Looking past all of that, however, there is one thing that kinda dulls the movie for me... and that's that Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts have no chemistry. They just... well, they just don't. The Lovely Steph Leann will disagree with me here, but there was just no spark between Tom and Julia, which made it hard to put forth a believable spark between Larry and Mercedes.
Please understand, though, it sounds like I'm doing nothing but telling you the bad stuff about the movie, and maybe that's what I'm doing, but if you can get past all of this, then its not a bad movie at all. Its entertaining, and even if it never hits the goal that the ambition strives for, its easy to laugh at the neighbors and their yard sale set-up, and its easy to like Larry's newfound hipster scooter friends, and watching Mercy kick out her hubby when he really stoops to new lows of scumbuckety is also great.
I would love to tell you that you should go see this, at least in a matinee, because Tom Hanks is one of those guys you just don't want to see fail, but really, I would have to tell you to Netflix or Redbox it.
If you want to see Julia Roberts with some real chemistry, though, then watch her and Clooney in "Ocean's Eleven", or her and Aaron Eckhart in "Erin Brockovich" or her and Hugh Grant in "Notting Hill", my 113th, 91st and 14th favorite films of all time, respectively...
As for Tom Hanks, watch he and Meg Ryan in the 90s. They were like a modern day Hepburn and Tracy, and made wonderful movies together. Oh, and he and Wilson in "Cast Away"... they had a ball together.
The Summer of Blogging Day Thirty Three


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Coal Tar & Coal Tar Epoxy
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Grilling or boiling are the most common ways of cooking corn on the cob. Steaming or baking are other options. Microwaving is another. However you cook it, corn on the cob is quick, easy & yum!
A dab of butter or veggie spread & a sprinkle of salt makes corn on the cob melt-in-your-mouth perfect.
Some like their corn unadorned, but however you eat it, nothing beats biting into those fresh, juicy, sweet kernels!
Total prep & cook time: 15 min
6 - 10 Servings
Nutrition Data, 1/2 cup corn, 82g Serving: 66 cal, 1g fat, 5 cal from fat, 16g carb, 1mg sodium, 3g sugars, 2g fiber, 2g protein, low Cholesterol, good source Folate. Estimated glycemic load 6
The big secret to tender, sweet corn on the cob is getting the freshest corn possible. Buy corn on the cob unhusked and husk it yourself. Get it at the farmers market, or a parking lot vendor, or anybody who picked it fresh this morning.
Another secret: Don't overcook your corn on the cob! And don't add salt to the cooking water - that will make your corn tough! (some people add a bit of sugar). Add salt at the table if you want it.
All you need for this recipe are 1 - 2 ears of corn per person, a big wide pot, an oven or a grill, and plenty of napkins!
Your comments & questions help improve our recipes, so don't be shy! Contact Us