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Formats and tools
- Unit Description
- Reconstruct the unit from the xml and display it as an HTML page.
- Assessment Tool
- an assessor resource that builds a framework for writing an assessment tool
- Assessment Template
- generate a spreadsheet for marking this unit in a classroom environment. Put student names in the top row and check them off as they demonstrate competenece for each of the unit's elements and performance criteria.
- Assessment Matrix
- a slightly different format than the assessment template. A spreadsheet with unit names, elements and performance criteria in separate columns. Put assessment names in column headings to track which performance criteria each one covers. Good for ensuring that you've covered every one of the performance criteria with your assessment instrument (all assessement tools together).
- Wiki Markup
- mark up the unit in a wiki markup codes, ready to copy and paste into a wiki page. The output will work in most wikis but is designed to work particularly well as a Wikiversity learning project.
- Evidence Guide
- create an evidence guide for workplace assessment and RPL applicants
- Competency Mapping Template
- Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners. A template for developing assessments for a unit, which will help you to create valid, fair and reliable assessments for the unit, ready to give to trainers and students
- Observation Checklist
- create an observation checklist for workplace assessment and RPL applicants. This is similar to the evidence guide above, but a little shorter and friendlier on your printer. You will also need to create a seperate Assessor Marking Guide for guidelines on gathering evidence and a list of key points for each activity observed using the unit's range statement, required skills and evidence required (see the unit's html page for details)
- Self Assessment Survey
- A form for students to assess thier current skill levels against each of the unit's performance criteria. Cut and paste into a web document or print and distribute in hard copy.
- Moodle Outcomes
- Create a csv file of the unit's performance criteria to import into a moodle course as outcomes, ready to associate with each of your assignments. Here's a quick 'how to' for importing these into moodle 2.x
- Registered Training Organisations
- Trying to find someone to train or assess you? This link lists all the RTOs that are currently registered to deliver WRHCS206A, 'Perform head, neck and shoulder massage'.
- Google Links
- links to google searches, with filtering in place to maximise the usefulness of the returned results
- Books
- Reference books for 'Perform head, neck and shoulder massage' on fishpond.com.au. This online store has a huge range of books, pretty reasonable prices, free delivery in Australia *and* they give a small commission to ntisthis.com for every purchase, so go nuts :)
Elements and Performance Criteria
Prepare client for massage.
Client is questioned regarding any pre-existing conditions or injuries and these are recorded on client history.
Client's head, neck and shoulder areas are examined and any notable observations are recorded on client history.
Service area, operator and client are prepared for the massage treatment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
Perform massage techniques.
Massage product is selected from workplace range as directed by senior operator.
Massage techniques are applied to head, neck and shoulder areas as prescribed by senior operator.
Minimum length of massage routine is varied to suit client requirements.
Maximum length of massage routine is in accordance with workplace designated timeframes.
Client response is monitored throughout the service and massage routine is adapted as required.
Client relaxation time is allocated to conclude the massage routine in accordance with workplace timeframes.


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The Genesis of a Non-Story
The other day I received an email from the Comms Unit at Church House. A journalist from the Mail on Sunday had been to church (at All Souls, Langham Place for a family event) and was intrigued to see the church used projector screens and also had flat screens on pillars. She wanted to write an article about its use in church.
The journalist spoke to the Comms Unit. The Comms Unit spoke to Publishing. Spotting the chance for a bit of free promotion, the staff at CHP talked about the days of Visual Liturgy, their current work and the (relatively less complex) development of a couple of new iPad apps to help clergy with the lectionary. Finally, they said, if she wanted to know about projection, she really needed to talk to me. Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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How can I make the IM alerts more prominent so I don't miss incoming IM requests?
Unless you have set notifications so alerts will not display when you are in Do not Disturb mode, Lync will by default always send you both a visual alert (in the lower right corner of your display) and a sound alert whenever someone tries to reach you via IM. Just the same, you may occasionally fail to notice an IM request. This is especially likely when you are using multiple screens or when your alert volume is too low or off.
To help ensure that your IM alerts are noticeable, try the following:
- Set your display so Lync is always in the foreground when it starts. To do this, click the drop-down next to the Options button, click Personal, and then click Show Lync in the Foreground...
- If you use multiple screens, make a practice of moving your Lync Main window onto the display monitor you are working on.
- Confirm that the volume is turned up on your computer speakers and other audio device(s).
- Confirm that Lync is set to send audible alerts. To do this, click the Options button, click Ringtones and Sounds, select Play sounds in Lync (including ringtones for incoming calls and IM alerts), and confirm that the other check boxes in the panel are not selected.
- Consider choosing a more distinctive or more prominent alert sound than the default to notify you of an incoming message. To do this:
- Click the Options button, click Ringtones and Sounds, click the Sounds Settings button, and then click the Sounds tab.
- Drag the slider on the Program Events display panel down to the Microsoft Lync 2013 listings.
- Click Incoming Instant Message. The Sounds display at bottom of the window should read COMMUNICATOR_iminvite.
- Now click the drop-down arrow next to it and sample some of the other sounds on the list.
- Once you find a sound you want to use for incoming IM alerts, click Apply. (The Program Events display panel should now read Incoming Instant Message and the Sounds panel should display the name of whatever .wav file you've selected.)
- Click OK. (You can also record your own .wav file for this purpose, and then browse to that file to select it as your IM alert.)
How do I change fonts in my IMs?
To change the font, style, size or color for a specific IM you are writing:
- Type your message, highlight the text you want to change, click the Font button in the IM composing area, and then make your selections in the Font window.
To change the default font details for all the IMs you send:
- From the Lync main window, click Tools, then Options. Click IM, click Change Font, and then select a default font, font style, font size, and font color. Make sure to check the box "Apple settings to incoming messages". Then click OK. These selections will apply only to IM messages you send, not to those you receive.
How do I set an alert to notify me as soon as a particular contact becomes available?
In the Lync main window, in your Contacts list, right-click a contact, and then click Tag for Status Change Alerts.
How do I disable IM alert sounds?
You can instruct Lync not to play your audible IM and/or phone alerts whenever your presence says Do not Disturb, and you can further instruct Lync to notify you only if the person trying to contact you is a member of your workgroup with that privacy relationship.
To view and adjust these settings:
- Click the Options button in the Lync main window, and then click Alerts.
To turn the audible alerts off altogether:
- Click the Options button in the Lync main window, click Ringtones and Sounds, and then clear the Play sounds in Lync (including ringtones for incoming alerts and IM alerts) check box.
Can I recall (block the delivery of) an IM?
No, an instant message can't be recalled once you hit the Enter key to send it.


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$35,000Parrot Tree Plantation, Lot 113
1 / 13
Property Description
The lot is located on the hillside, very easy to build with underground utilities and paved road. Amenities include: 320ft resort pool, backup generator, restaurant, nature trails, diving plus other services on site.
Contract Information
Current Price: $35,000
Status: Active
Begin Date: 2017-11-15
List Price: $35,000
General Property Features
Access Type: Paved
Area: Parrot Tree
Property Type: Residential Lots
Lot Acres: 0.07
Topography: Hillside
Waterfront: No
Beach Access: Yes
General Views: Great ocean views, sunrises and in clear days the mountains in the mainland Honduras.
Roadfront: No
Property Name: Lot 113
Subdivision: Parrot Tree Plantation
Street Name: Parrot Tree Plantation
Island: Roatan
Country: Honduras
Remarks and Directions
Directions: After entering main gate stay on the right go all the way and make a left on the first paved road. Lots above the marina
Hot Sheet Comment: price
Property Features
Last Updated: November - 28 - 2018
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Sunday 16th of June 2019 11:25 PM


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Like many of us – I use Twitter as a good filter for all the stuff that I should read about but would never, ever find on my own.
Anyway, one little bit caught my eye; "How to make a splash in social media". It was one of those hyper fast – 4 minutes presentations presented at TED/ India, featuring Alexis Ohanian of Reddit with a clever bit about how Greenpeace used social media to halt whaling. Good cause. Great message. http://www.ted.com/talks/alexis_ohanian_how_to_make_a_splash_in_social_media.html
His opening, "Lots of consultants make a lot of money talking about this stuff.. I'm going to try and save you all the time and money and explain it 3 minutes" was the beginning of a clever and catchy presentation on the power of social media.
I was hooked, that is until he revealed the story's main theme. Somewhat stunned I heard him conclude that social media was largely free. I was disappointed to hear yet another digi-rati so in love with technology that he failed to be objective. I was surprised that Reddit's CEO, Alexis, clearly a thoughtful man, fell into the trap so easily.
It seems, therefore, left to us real world practitioners to set the record straight. My message is very simple. Social media is not free – but the myth is perpetuated because capturing its costs is harder than traditional media.
So let me repeat – social media is NOT free and I will use Alexis' case study of Mr. Splashy Pants to introduce reality to his ever sunny and youthful telling of the story.
The presentation itself condenses the uplifting real world experience of a Greenpeace program that wanted to stop whaling. They introduced a grass roots promotion to name this initiative to garner attention. One quirky name, Mr. Splashy Pants created a groundswell, among the community; including the Reddit team which helped Greenpeace achieve its noble goals. The whales win, Greenpeace wins, social media wins and Reddit too.
His quotable quotes reinforce the "social media is free" theme and included a wealth of digital "truisms" such as:
- "It costs nothing to get your content out there"
- "The content distribution platforms are free so it only takes a few minutes of your time to distribute…
- "All links are equal …"
- "And the cost of iteration is so cheap…"
- "We {at Reddit} got behind it ourselves,.. we changed the logo …
Now all these "ism's" sound great until you actually think about each one critically. So let's do just that and you'll see why Alexis, earnest though he was, succumbed to the myth like so many before him.
"It costs nothing to get your content out there" . Who does he think is writing all this content that; "costs nothing to distribute"- content fairies with some pixie dust?
"The content distribution platforms are free so it only takes a few minutes of your time to distribute…" And since when is time, even "a little time", free? And what if you are not as tech savvy as Alexis? Would it in fact be "just a few minutes" for most people?
"All links are equal …" How can he say this with a straight face unless he means all links are, quite literally, created equal? But anyone in the real world knows that even a 1,000 links with little traffic has very little value versus one site with lots of traffic. Getting quality links is the point and that is not really free to get.
"And the cost of iteration is so cheap…" This principle has caused more money to be wasted than perhaps any other ill conceived corporate mantra. Take it from real world experience – iteration borne of a lack of preparation (e.g. research) is rarely profitable. The ideal is to get it roughly right … but that takes upfront planning time which is definitely not free.
"We {at Reddit} got behind it ourselves,.. we changed the logo …" This little point sounds innocent enough and it is. They felt it was a worthwhile cause to get behind by creating a logo and giving it support. Well done. But tell me how many companies can count on that type of support which surely helped? Would that cost nothing too?
Time is money – even in the social media world. Maybe the reason this myth is a hard one to beat is because no single social media activity takes a lot of time. But when you add all the pieces together, you have a "content campaign" which is a time investment that most definitely is not free – but it does seem invisible.
That's why Alexis fell victim to the "social media is free" trap. Don't you fall for it too.
Judy Shapiro
Filed under: Communications, Greenpeace, judy shapiro, Mr. Splashy Pants, Reddit, social networks, TED Talks, viral marketing | Tagged: blogging, Content campaign, digital marketing, internet marketing, social media, viral marketing |


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Based in Cape Town and now with an office in Australia, Expert Retail Systems supply specialized solutions, support, project management, custom design and consultancy services to a number of leading retailers in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our clients include household names such as, Shoprite/Checkers, Heinz foods, John West, Gourmet Fresh, IGA, TM Supermarkets, Meikles and Interfresh Ltd.
ERS started in 1989 and began to develop and implement Windows based solutions during 1995. At the same time ERS became Microsoft Solution Providers further committing to the technology we had adopted. Using Microsoft SQL Server as our database server has proven beyond doubt that data integrity and optimal performance is not a nice to have feature but a standard feature of SQL Server. One of features we liked most about using SQL Server was its ability to scale to meet the most demanding of requirements when required. The user interface was developed in record time using an in-house rapid application development tool, Business Retail Management suite - (BRM), which allowed the rapid generation of code and also provided the user with a clean uniform look and feel within the application.
If you control a chain of Supermarkets or run your own store and need a simple to use reliable Windows based Back office system, ERS's RetailManager is bound to improve your bottom line.
|*** PRESS RELEASE - 3 August 2009 ***
| ERS today announced the appointment of Trade Link Retail Systems (Pty)Ltd as their strategic partner and Master Franchise holder for the African Continent.
"I am delighted that this appointment has been made. This is an important milestone in our 20 year history and re-enforces ERS's commitment to the continued development of our products and support of our customers," Lance Wallis, ERS's CEO commented on the announcement.
"Guided by our Product Development Director, Paul Gwynne, Trade Link Retail Systems will be responsible for the continued development and support of our products. Trade Link have secured additional personal to take on this task. One of the most compelling reasons in deciding to appoint Trade Link as our partner has been our successful relationship with them over the past six years installing Retail solutions in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The two Companies software solutions have complimented each other and this now gives us the opportunity of providing a more unified product portfolio and support infrastructure to service our growing number of clients." Wallis said.
At the same time, it was announced that Expert Retail Systems (Pty) Australia had been established to focus on supplying support and RetailManager to customers in the Pacific Rim and Australian markets.
Further announcements from Tradelink Retail Systems and ERS are expected to be made regarding this appointment and development.


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Double Exposure
- $4.99
- $4.99
Publisher Description
An exposé
or just exposed?
Anything for the sake of the story. That explains why journalist Emma Gideon is participating in a large-scale nude photo shoot. Yeah, it's a stretch for a girl with an old-fashioned side. Worse, sporting only green body paint, she's on display for Kyle Hadleythe office flirt and her rival at the paper. These unique circumstances are creating a sizzling complication to their rivalry .
Despite her boss's rule of "no hanky-panky," Emma ends up in Kyle's shower with him! And that's hotter than she ever imagined. When he suggests a continuation, how can she refuse? But has Emma risked her career for a sexy new development or is this a severe case of overexposure?


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Is fracking moving the United States toward energy independence?
The answer is an undisputed, yes. According to Bloomberg, "Taking into account all energy sources, including natural gas, petroleum, nuclear and renewables, the U.S. met 86 percent of its needs in the first eight months of 2013, on pace to be the highest annual rate since 1986, EIA data show." Read more here.


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Apple eBooks Antitrust Settlement – Check Your Amazon Account for FREE Credit!
In November 2014, a federal court approved a Settlement of antitrust lawsuits brought against Apple, Inc.
Do you want a lot more freebies? Stay updated with this newsletter and stay in touch. You will see tons more coming into your email every single day, so watch out for more freebies.
Just follow this link to get the freebie:


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Everything you need to know about wedding stationery. Stationery items – i.e., paper goods and anything related – show up at a lot of different places in your wedding, from your first foray into Save the Dates, to your actual Wedding Invitations, to Day-of Details, and finally for your Thank You notes. Here's an overview of the most common stationery you'll need for your wedding, from start to finish!
5 Stunning Photo Save the Date Cards from Stacey Meacham
I'm happy to introduce a new designer – Stacey Meacham! I noticed Stacey had several gorgeous Save the Date cards with photos and I couldn't help wanting to feature them on my blog! So without further ado, here they are:
Keep Reading
Gorgeous Modern & Vintage Floral Wedding Invitations from Phrosné Ras
I'm so excited to feature a new-to-us artist on Zazzle, Phrosné Ras. Pretty Wedding Paper is featuring 4 of her designs: a modern floral Save the Date card with matching envelopes, a shabby chic blue rose and kraft wedding invitation suite, rich and dramatic vintage floral wedding invitations, and finally, a fresh and pretty wedding invite design with pink watercolor flowers.
Dramatic Vintage Floral Wedding Invitations
Top 8 Geometric Wedding Invitations: Pretty & Modern
Geometric wedding invitations are having such a moment right now! Triangles and diamonds and bold geometric shapes are all over. Super fresh and modern, they'll add an unforgettable touch to your wedding stationery. And as a math major (yes really!), I'm particularly partial to the elegance of lines and angles. That's why I've collected my favorite geometry-inspired wedding invites from all over the internet to share with you!
Keep Reading
Chic & Modern Tropical Wedding Invitations
I'm loving these vibrant, botanical, green & black palm frond tropical wedding invitations with a hint of faux gold foil! They're designed by Elly of Dulcet Contemporary for Zazzle Invitations. Featuring an abundance of painted green palm leaves, accented with a modern chic black and gold frame. I just love these for a classy destination or beach wedding. It works no matter what your tropical destination is, but I think they'd be especially gorgeous for a Hawaiian wedding! Or any place with an abundance of lush botanicals.
Palm Frond Tropical Wedding Invitations + Collection
Dandelions, winter florals and chic wedding invites, oh my! Introducing JujuLili
I'm excited to introduce a designer new to us, JujuLili! I just love her style and I think you will too. I'm featuring two collections: one bold, modern suite with chic dandelions, and another oh so elegant, enchanting winter invitation!


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Formerly of Highland Falls, NY
Nina R. Daniel, a former longtime resident of Highland Falls, and a three-year resident of Castaic, California, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2008 in Newhall, California. She was 78.
The daughter of the late Mark D. Risk and Rosella Hawver Risk, she was born on September 16, 1929 in Highland Falls. She was the widow of Robert E. Daniel, Sr.
Nina was a retired Accountant at the United States Military Academy Cadet Mess Hall in West Point. She was also a member of the Highlanders.
Survivors include her sons, Robert E. Daniel, Jr. of Lancaster, California and John D. Daniel of St. Mary's, Georgia; daughter, Debra A. Williams of Castaic, California; twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September — from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls. Funeral services will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home, with Rev. Jack Arlotta officiating. Interment will follow in Peacedale Cemetery in Highland Falls.
Funeral arrangements were made by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, Highland Falls; 845-446-2868. MASTRIANNI
Frank, of Sparrrowbush, NY, passed away on August 30, 2008 at his home. He was 94. VISITATION: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. FUNERAL SERVICES: 12 p.m., also at the funeral home. BURIAL: will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. ARRANGEMENTS BY: Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; 845-856-3312 or www.knight-auchmoody.com.
Nina R. Daniel 78
Formerly of Highland Falls, NY


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The highs and lows of Golden Gate Park's odyssey of music, comedy, art, and food.
Album Reviews
Outside Lands 2015 Festival Review: From Worst to Best
on August 10, 2015, 6:30pm
Album Review: Alex Bleeker and the Freaks – How Far Away
Real Estate sideman deals with heartbreak.
on May 29, 2013, 12:00am
Ducktails announce first-ever headlining tour
The month-long jaunt kicks off in March.
by Chris Coplan
on February 08, 2013, 11:55am


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There's so much to do at the Feathers
There's so much happening in Woodstock, from our own events at the Feathers Hotel, to grand days out planned by Blenheim Palace, plus special events in Oxford and beyond.
We're extremely proud to be located near the gates of Blenheim palace, and we hope for our guests to squeeze in a visit as part of their stay.
Whether you want to make the most of your visit by taking part in some local activities, or you are staying with us due to something happening in the area, we hope you have a brilliant time (and join us for a G&T whilst you're here!)
Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough, the only non-royal 'Palace' in England and a World Heritage Site.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Encounter Anteaters, peer at Giraffes, roar at the Lions or waddle like a Penguin, in over 160 acres of beautiful parklands
Rousham House & Gardens
Rousham Gardens are open every day of the year from 10am. Last admission is at 4.30pm and the gardens close at dusk.
Waddesdon Manor
This astonishing Renaissance-style palace was designed by French architect Destailleur in 1874 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his vast collection of 18th century art treasures.
Bicester Shopping Village
Bicester Village is home to over 120 luxury outlet boutiques set around delightful open-air pedestrianised streets.


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A fun little map, this is The Temple of Notch, the famous creator of Minecraft. Created by Disco, the maker of the oCd Texture Pack (which is also recommended for this map, but not necessary) to hail the great creator Markus 'Notch' Persson, this map features a temple in his likeness, and in it you may approach the statue of Notch in order to either be rewarded or punished.
The path leading up to the temple, with the well into which you must cast your offering.
To access the temple, you need to throw an offering down the well before it, you may then proceed. But beware, if your offer is found wanting, Notch will plunge you into the abyss below, and there you will surely perish. Is the offer satisfactory however, the great and mighty Notch will shower you in treasure, so perhaps the risk of ultimate doom is worth it?
The glorious temple of the great Notch in all of its majesty.
It us up to you to decide whether you dare risk it or not (you do, admit it), just make sure your offer is satisfactory. Or try to enter the temple without any offer, see what happens.
This little map is actually quite impressive, featuring tons of redstone machinery in order to power the mighty Notch statue, anyone should at least try it once, despite the relative short length of the map. You may even expand upon it, building your own little cult dedicated to Notch around the great temple of him.
The great creator did not find your offering acceptable.
It is highly recommended that you set your difficulty to Peaceful when playing this map though, as Enderman may mess with the redstone and ruin the statue, or at least, make it non-functional.
Another view of the temple itself.
The Temple of Notch is despite being quite old, an impressive piece of work, especially considering its size, and is one of the most popular Minecraft maps available.
A little behind the scenes look at the impressive redstone contraption powering this temple.
How to install The Temple of Notch Map:
- Download the map.
- Go to your %appdata%/.minecraft folder.
- Open the "saves" folder.
- Unzip the map you downloaded, and put the unzipped folder into the saves folder.
- You should now be set to enjoy the glory of the great statue of Notch, but beware! You may either find glory or danger past its gates.
Here is a video showcasing the map, but if you do not want it to be spoiled, do not watch it:


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Last month, we looked at dystopian novels on this column, and with the summer heat wave coming, looking at Ray Bradbury's landmark novel Fahrenheit 451 seems appropriate. This has long been one of my favorite novels, introduced to me by the appropriately named Mrs. Page, my 10th grade English teacher. Of all the books that I read for class, this was the one that stood out the most: Bradbury's vivid, crisp prose and thunderbolt of a message electrified every synapse in my brain, and I read it several times after that, outside of class. As the years have gone on, it's become increasingly apparent that Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most important literary contributions to the genre, combining an important metaphor regarding free expression with a cynical counter to the optimistic science fiction that had preceded it.
"The book-burning bigot, hearing this, realizes that the whole town has hidden books by memorizing them. There are books everywhere, hidden in people's heads!" So wrote Bradbury in the 1993 forward to his landmark novel. The genesis of Fahrenheit 451 is an interesting one, built from real incidents and other short stories, beginning in 1951.
Bradbury was born on August 22nd, 1920, where he grew up reading everything he could get his hands on, from L. Frank Baum's Oz novels to science fiction pulp magazines. By the age of 12, he had decided that he wanted to be a writer, and upon his graduation from high school, turned to his local public library when he couldn't afford to attend college—something which he would claim was the best education that he ever could have asked for. Immersed in the Los Angeles science fiction fan scene, he began writing story after story, selling his first in 1941 to the magazine Super Science Stories.
Bradbury kept writing, and toward the end of the 1940s, he wrote short story titled "Bonfire," which he would eventually publish in the Torquasian Times fanzine. The story outlines a conversation between two people while the world is ending, and their concern for the fate of humanity's artwork. Shortly after writing it, Bradbury sat down to write Bright Phoenix in 1947, where a community's chief censor starts using a library as a place to burn questionable books, but is infuriated by the librarian's behavior. The story was a taut metaphor for free expression and ideas: Books transcended their physical properties of paper and ink and glue, and became something far more important when locked up in the minds of a person. Upon realizing that he can't burn out the questionable ideas, the censor goes insane.
Bright Phoenix wasn't published immediately: It wasn't until the May 1963 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in which the original story was printed. However, it became an important stepping stone to another work, a novella titled The Fireman. While walking one night in Los Angeles in 1950, Bradbury was stopped by a police officer, who questioned him about his actions, to which Bradbury replied: "Putting one foot in front of the other." The officer, irritated, questioned him further before admonishing him to "don't do that again." Bradbury, furious, turned to the page, writing a short story titled "The Pedestrian," where people were forbidden from walking by law. He later noted that had he not written that story, he wouldn't have had the drive to write The Fireman, which he came up with during a midnight walk around Los Angeles.
The story ignited a passion inside of Bradbury, and he went to the University of California at Los Angeles campus, where he rented a typewriter for 10 cents an hour. He sat down and began to write, leaving only reluctantly at the end of the day to return to his family. He returned each day for the next eight days, until the story was completed at 25,000 words. He noted later that he had an incredibly difficult time selling the story, as the Un-American Activities Committee had been stood up in the early 1950s, worrying publishers across the country about their content. One editor decided to purchase the story: H.L. Gold, who published the story in the February 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. Bradbury described Gold as "braver than most at the time."
Bradbury noted that the inspiration for the story came only in part from his encounter with the police officer in 1950. He later recounted that there were other instances that concerned him: the actions of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party in 1934 and as well as that of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. Looking further back in time, he pointed to the burning of the great library of Alexandria, and the collective impacts that these actions had on the world's knowledge base. Libraries and books had an important place in Bradbury's heart, and their destruction greatly concerned him. The Fireman addressed those concerns, and he turned to other writings.
In 1953, Bradbury was approached by Ian Ballantine, who was launching a new publishing business. In Bradbury's The Fireman, he saw the kernels of a larger story, and asked him if the story could be expanded with another 25,000 words. Tasked with a deadline, Bradbury returned to the UCLA Library where he revisited the story, completing it in August. By the beginnings of the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy had begun his work in the Senate, launching accusations against a number of individuals, and adding to the anti-communism hysteria in the nation. Bradbury's book gained new relevance in those times when books were removed from libraries and schools and few people were brave enough to question it. The story, now titled Fahrenheit 451, was published in October of 1953 and followed Guy Montag, a fireman who operated in a world where ideas and free thinking were considered dangerous. His task was to burn the books that were discovered—sometimes along with their owners. Montag, however, had begun to collect the banned items, and eventually he flees from the city. A year later, the book was purchased by Hugh Hefner, the editor of Playboy Magazine, who published the story in three parts in the March, April and May 1954 issues.
The book remained popular and controversial following its publication. In 1966, French director François Truffaut co-wrote and directed an adaptation of the novel, which was well-received by Bradbury. In 1967, Ballantine began to change the text, eliminating profanity after they received complaints. When Bradbury found out in 1979, he demanded that the original text be restored, which happened in 1980. Over the years, the book has been frequently and ironically challenged, more recently in 2006, when Texas parents demanded the removal of the book from their daughter's English reading list, after learning that a Bible was burned early in the book.
In 1984, the Bradbury earned the Prometheus Award Hall of Fame award for the novel, and in 1989, he was named the 10th Science Fiction Grandmaster. In 2000, he was honored by the National Book Foundation with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for his lifetime of writing. On November 17th, 2004, he was the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the same year in which the book received a retro Hugo Award, 50 years after it was first eligible. On April 16th, 2007, he received a special citation from the Pulitzer board "for his distinguished, prolific, and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy". In 2010, a collection, A Pleasure to Burn, which contained related stories, was published.
Bradbury, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 91, has long been considered one of the greatest presences in the speculative genres, not only for his incredible written output, but for his tireless defense of free thought and of public libraries and books. Fahrenheit 451 is more than a shrill defense against the banning and destruction of books; it is a celebration of the importance of ideas and the impossibility of their suppression.
Andrew Liptak is a freelance writer and historian from Vermont. He can be found online at his site and on Twitter @andrewliptak.


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Funeral services for Maribel Ortiz, 22, of San Saba, will be held at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary�s Catholic Church with Father Gregory McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow at San Saba Cemetery under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Home.
Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home
She died Monday, May 28, 2007, in San Saba.
She was born June 17, 1984 in San Saba to Antonio and Geneva Perez Ortiz.
Survivors include her mother, Geneva Ortiz of San Saba; maternal grandparents, Julia and Joe C. Perez of San Saba; paternal grandparents, Emilano Ortiz and Conception Maria Salazar of Mexico; sisters, Lesa Perez, Ariana Ortiz and Lilia Ortiz, all of San Saba; two nephews; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.


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A No-Kill, Non-Profit Animal Shelter. Questions? Contact Us
Read More..
Click the link to purchase tickets: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FF7VKQ6FJMR5N
A Journey from Feral to Foster
Two and a half years ago, the Fire Department, Police Department, and volunteers from Yucaipa Animal Placement Society teamed...
11937 13th StreetYucaipa, CA 92399Phone (909) 790-1440
Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 4pm
Closed Sunday and Monday Contact Form
When you shop online, go to http://igive.com and become a registered member. List Yucaipa Animal Placement Society as your charity and we begin receiving donations generated from your everday online shopping and Internet activities! Just by clicking through iGive, YAPS will earn a few cents for each click. (You can click up to 5 times a day). Start today!


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Serving Clients in Southern West Virginia Since 1901
The law firm of File Payne Scherer & File has been providing sound advice and skilled legal representation since the turn of the 19th century. Although the firm's name has changed over the years to reflect the departure and addition of new partners, we have practiced in Beckley since the founding of the firm. Located in the Beckley Law Building since 1915, our roots in the community are well-established.
To learn more about our firm, our experienced lawyers and our civil and business law practice, contact our firm. Call us toll free at 877-248-0278.
In addition to the extensive involvement in the Beckley community, our lawyers have held many leadership positions in local and state legal organizations. They have been members of the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors as well as serving as officers in groups such as the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia.
We offer clients a general civil law practice and have developed an important focus on real estate law, drawing upon the knowledge and experience of partners who are also licensed brokers. We also represent individuals in matters involving personal injury, estate planning and probate. Our clients include numerous business and corporate clients, including banks, contractors and other organizations requiring commercial law services.
Throughout our long history, our firm has been committed to serving the community in which our attorneys live and practice. Our lawyers have held local government positions and provided leadership to community organizations, such as the Beckley Little League and Beckley Rotary Club. Several have helped the larger community through military service in the US Navy and Army reserves.
The numerous referrals we receive from both individuals and businesses reflect the high regard in which our firm and its lawyers are held. Our corporate clients have included coal companies, land companies, real estate brokers and agencies as well as banks such as the Bank of Raleigh.
Contact a West Virginia Attorney
For more information about File Payne Scherer & File, contact our Beckley office. Call us toll free at 877-248-0278 for legal representation in any civil law matter.


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Robert W. Bosworth, Jr.,
Living Your "Happily Ever After:" Practical Steps to Enhance and Even Save Christian...
Phone: (859) 475-4475
Email: email@example.com
Counselors often integrate modern psychological thought and method with traditional religious training in an effort...
Robert W. Bosworth Jr. ,M.Div, Ph.D.
Licensed Certified Professional Pastoral Counseling
Call Us: (859) 475-4475
M.Div, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Professional Pastoral Counseling
Call us for any further assistance
Phone : (859) 475-4475
This book is also available at Benedictus Bookstore in Lexington, Kentuckyand will be available...
We'd love to hear from you...when you're ready.
This website is designed to introduce you to Pastoral Counseling and to me. I hope you find the information here helpful in discovering if Pastoral Counseling with me would benefit you and your situation. Whether in Marriage , Family or Individual Counseling, know that I am ready to help you explore how you can live life to its abundance and, as a popular current author would say, "the best version of yourself." When you're ready, get in touch. Until then, remember the words of Jesus, who said, "I came that you may have life, and have it in its abundance!" (John 10.10, Revised Standard Version)
Dr. Robert Bosworth
Individual, Marriage & Family Counseling is available and has been very successful for people of all faith groups.


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Friday, June 10, 2011
3 comments:
Hello there! Have you tried (or heard of) the love me swaddle (www.lovemebaby.com.au I'm not sure if you can get them in the US but I've heard they are WONDERFUL as babies get to settle themselves with their arms up by their heads if they want. they even have transition ones (50/50) where you leave one arm out to get them used to having their arms out and transition to a sleeping bag. good luck! LeeReplyDelete
Glad it's getting better. I'd try anything and everything for sleeping at this age, don't worry about unusual methods! My daughter is still using white noise at 16 months but at least it's in her own room now and I actually come to find it relaxing - not only has baby been sleep trained it seems I have too :)ReplyDelete
Awesome that the dance party is working for you! I'll definitely be adding that Roots tune to my "Soothing Sounds of Neglect" playlist for the next kid :) Another popular song on our list was "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons. Thank goodness they don't start developing language skills until they're past the dance-to-sleep stage...ReplyDelete


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We have started a crowdfunding campaign to hire an animation studio to create the first episode of The Adventures of Kimi Clock. For a small contribution of just €40 to the campaign, you'll receive the amazing Kimi Clock toothbrush holder, and all previous non-limited perks! Go now to the crowfunding page to help bringing Kimi …
Tag Archive: beaver
Feb 14
The Toothbrush Holder
Feb 14
Meet Madrigal
Madrigal the wise: He is the wise man of the village, the Grand Patron. He is very old, nobody knows his real age and he would not tell anyone. By the porch of his house there is a bench where he is most of the time seen reading a book. Inside his house looks like …
Dec 03
Meet Kimi's cousins
They are Kimi's cousins and there are two of them. These guys know only one thing, having fun! When they are not in the water they would try some prank to mock the female cousins. They are less concerned about work or other activities in the village. Playing and having fun is all they are …
Dec 03
Meet the ladies
These girls spend most of their time gossiping! They're nice though, but they don't do much in the village. Getting dressed to the latest fashion, shopping and looking trendy is very important to them. They are pretty beavers as well and they know they are. They also like to have fun. Their intelligence is always …
Dec 03
Meet Marcy
Marcy is a magpie, best friend of Kimi and Rigobert. When they are on their way to discover the world, Marcy is the one keeping a sharp eye from above to keep her friend from running into danger. Her feathers are black and white and she has deep blue eyes. She is seen among tree …
Dec 03
Meet Gulo
Nov 22
Kimi's village by the river
Nov 22
Kimi's village by the river
Oct 12
Meet Doctor Vadot
Doctor Vadot is the village's GP, he takes care of everyone. The sick and ailing are brought to him for treatment and he does his best to take care of them. He is elderly and has grey hairs and also wears a grey moustache. He is always dressed in nice suit with necktie and pants. …
Oct 11
Meet Rigobert
Rigobert is Kimi's best friend with Marcy. He, Kimi and Marcy are all friends and whenever you see one, the other two are not far away. Rigobert likes adventures just like Kimi but he is more cautious. He is the one who reminds Kimi they must be careful out there because everyone is not nice. …


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Hello friends!
I hope everyone has enjoyed the weeks since convention playing with all your "holiday" treats!
I can't help but feel that time has passed too quickly -- one day I'm excitedly planning a holiday gala for friends, then before you know it, the holiday fun is over and I'm left missing everyone --happy with beautiful memories but longing to make more!
Aside from a few brief moments of post "holiday melancholy", I've been too busy still playing "Santa Sandra" -shipping absentee packages, filling orders and answering emails -- to feel lonesome for long!
Thinking back on the festivities it all seems a bit surreal, so it's great to be able to relive our wonderful weekend through your many emails, posts and photos!
My blessings come to mind often since convention and, before continuing, I would like to take a moment to share my thoughts on some that added to the "Every Day's A Holiday" feeling for me this year...
I'm always thrilled when new friends attend and those who've missed convention are with us again. This year I was especially delighted, as not only did we have the opportunity to welcome several new friends but some that we've missed dearly joined us once more!
To add to my happiness about the event, after 30 years (or longer), I very recently reconnected with one of my closest childhood friends, Carla, who drove to Kansas City to help out with all the pre convention work! (My "elves" have officially adopted Carla, and are hoping we can talk her into coming NEXT year for the whole convention!)
Though not normally considered a holiday, something that made this occasion even more meaningful to me is the fact it marked the 10th anniversary of meeting my dear friend and "right hand", Michael -- a blessing that has enriched my life in so many ways!
Thank you, Michael Basala, for your immeasurable friendship, support, help and understanding these past 10 years! The "holidays" would not have been so wonderful without you by my side!
"Every Day's A Holiday" was a theme that I dreamed of for years, and I couldn't be more proud of how that dream unfolded into reality! I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many friends who were instrumental in making that happen...
An event such as "Every Day's A Holiday" takes a lot of "elves" working behind the scenes to make happen! It's impossible to give thanks enough to my volunteer staff of "elves" who worked tirelessly, cheerfully and selflessly to make my "holiday" dreams come true! Sherlyn Lovell, Sherry Wisdom, Barb Koffman, Linda Farnsworth, Michael Zepeda, Kate Watson, Cathy Roach, Gary Reeves --and Michael B, too -- Your support and dedication is what makes the "magic" happen! I love and appreciate you guys more than you'll ever know -- and feel truly blessed to have each of you in my life! You are a joy to work with and I am so very thankful for your friendships!!
Besides my core staff, we were blessed to have several 'part time elves" pitch in at convention to make sure holiday goodies were ready for on time "holiday" delivery! Sue Connor, Rose Gillis, Terri Gold, Linda Kreigbaum, Judy Richardson, Kelly Ryan, Terri Sansoucy, Kathy Spoon and Cheryl Stillman -- thank you! We couldn't have made it without your assistance!
Our fabulous holiday table gifts this year were due, in large part, to the generosity, talent, hard work and donations of several friends I want to recognize, as their contributions were the "stars" on top of the Christmas tree...
Cathy Roach -- Many thanks for the amazing wrapping paper set, miniature cards and valentines, mini Halloween and shopping bags, record albums, lobby cards and 4th of July fan. I know how much work went into each piece -- your creativity and talent boggles my mind!
Annie Sattler -- A new friend and first timer to convention -- thanks SO much for your hours of work on my "Sandra Stillwell Presents" logo hatbox artwork, 4th of July sheet music, both the Modes Royal magazine and Kansas City poster photoshop work, and last, but certainly not least -- the wonderful miniature "Every Day's A Holiday" calendar! Thank you for jumping in to help without knowing exactly what you were getting into!
Kathy Spoon -- For the great TWA minis and much, much more -- thank you for always being there for me.
Nikki Colbert -- For the Modes Royal magazine and mini lobby cards, not to mention your hard work putting together the power point programs -- I am so appreciative!
And, for indulging me with the festive holiday purses, felt skirts and so much more --
Kim Hayes, Linda Kreigbaum and Judy Richardson -- Thanks to each of you ladies for the hours of work, great company and fun while putting those together!!
Others whose important contributions I'd like to recognize are:
Jeff Lega -- For your invaluable work on the "Every Day's A Holiday" convention collection photos and "Sandra Stillwell Presents" blog updates! You were an outstanding reporter, and our friends at home thank you as much as I do!
Terri Gold -- Thanks, too, for sharing your fabulous photography skills and for the convention coverage! Your multitude of photos help bring convention to life for those who can't be with us and enable those of us who were there to relive the fun over and over again!!
Gary Reeves -- Quite simply -- I can't thank you enough for being our "go to" guy -- ready to do whatever we need! What a huge help you are!
George Sarofeen -- Thank you for presenting the fascinating Charles James program (and for being a great tablecloth steamer!) I am in awe of your knowledge and abilities!
Special thanks goes to "Santa" Michael Zepeda -- You were SUCH a great sport and SO much fun -- the holidays wouldn't have been the same without you!! You can be our Santa any time!
Much appreciation also goes to Joan Greene for her generosity in sending the lovely Greene Lam designs Cordelia doll for centerpieces! She couldn't have been more perfect!! Joan -- your support and kindness was much appreciated. You were with us in spirit!
Especially to Dorinda Balenecki and Ken Young from Horsman, Ltd -- Thank you very much for being a special part of convention again this year -- and for hosting our "Trick N Treat" Halloween dessert reception with the fabulous Vita centerpieces! Your invaluable support and participation is always greatly appreciated! It was an honor to have you with us again this year and we look forward to your joining us for years to come!
In addition to our convention "elves", there were still others who couldn't be with us but created magic from home -- so I'd like to thank Alana Bennett for her help with petticoats, Kathy Johnson for the beautiful hairstyles , and Tommy Bennefield for his fabulous jewelry! Thanks, guys, for the perfect "finishing touches".
And to our manufacturers across the miles -- THANK YOU for working so hard to get everything to us in time for the "holiday openings" and so beautifully bringing my visions to life -- I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished.
Most importantly -- to all of our "Every Day's A Holiday " attendees:
For me, personally, nothing compares to the joy of spending holidays with friends. No words can sufficiently express my thanks to those of you who made the trip to Kansas City to make that possible! Your being there truly made every day of convention a special "holiday" for me!
I know it takes sacrifices to attend an event -- and your participation meant the world to me! I am forever grateful for your support.
I'd also like to extend sincere thanks to the absentees and others who support convention through purchases, as well as to our generous "convention helper" donors and each of you who purchased tickets - your support helps make convention possible each year!
And finally, much appreciation to everyone for your overwhelming enthusiasm for this years "Every Day's A Holiday" fashion collection. I put my heart --and a few childhood memories and fantasies -- into this collection, and the fact that you love it so much means more than I can express.
I have some exciting ideas to explore for our 2014 "Sandra Stillwell Presents" convention -- so please watch for news about this not to be missed event
I hope to see you all next year!


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State : All State
City : Bangalore
Rs. 20 Lacs
State : All State,
City : Bangalore
Details :
We have a wonderful business proposal at hand. We will discuss about the same more in detail. Briefly, it is a healthcare IT project which will span for over a life span. Healthcare is always improving and so we would be moving along with the trends available in the market.
Contact Details
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Today I have a secret recipe for a quick and easy Chinese noodle dish served at P.F. Chang's. P.F. Chang's garlic noodles are the base of some of their more popular dishes like Dan Dan noodles and are a really popular side dish that offers a milder flavor.
You can find more secret recipes from P.F. Chang's on our forum: Go Here
Controversial Fat-Burning Breakfast Recipe (Soooo good!)
Brand new cookbook is packed with insanely delicious allergy-friendly recipes that help you burn fat twice as fast using simple ingredients: Go Here
New Secret Recipe
P.F. Chang's(™) Garlic Noodles
Like this recipe? Get our secret recipe cookbooks on sale – Go Here
1 pound fresh Chinese noodle
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon garlic minced
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons white vinegar
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon red chile flakes
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons shaohsing wine
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 Japanese cucumber julienned on an angle
chopped cilantro optional
Cook the noodles a minute shy of the directions on the bag, drain and keep on a plate while you make the sauce.
In a large skillet heat the canola oil on medium high and cook the garlic until fragrant but not browning, about 20-30 seconds.
Add in the sugar and vinegar and stir to combine.
Toss the noodles in the pan with the canola oil mixture and and remove again while you make the sauce.
You're going to make the stir fry sauce before adding the noodles back in.
Add in the chicken broth, chile flakes, sugar, shaohsing wine, oyster sauce, salt, cornstarch and sesame oil.
Turn the heat on the pan up to high heat.
Stir to combine the sauce ingredients and let it thicken in the pan for 20-30 seconds.
Add in the noodles and stir fry the noodles until the sauce is completely absorbed.
To julienne the cucumbers cut them (unpeeled into 1/4 inch slices on an angle, then slice them into matchsticks about a 1/4 inch thick.
Have a comment or question about this recipe? Post it here
Until Next Time… Be Well!
Kind Regards,
PS- Join us on Facebook and get more recipes and freebies: Go Here
PPS- Forward this email to a friend or tell them to sign up here.


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Dentures in Atlanta, GA
Why Would I Need Dentures?
If you've lost a substantial number of your natural teeth, if your natural teeth have deteriorated and no longer function well, or if you're tired of the upkeep of natural teeth, then a denture set may be the answer for you. Teeth serve multiple functions, such as chewing and helping to partially digest food, maintain proper jaw structure, and more, so a lack of teeth can adversely affect your overall health.
A denture set can last for many years if it's properly maintained, so it can be a great investment in your overall health.
What Denture Options Are Available?
After a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums, your dentist will make recommendations that are determined by your preferences and needs.
What Are Full Dentures?
Full—also called complete—dentures replace all of your natural teeth and are available for both the lower and upper jaws. With this option, all of your existing teeth will be removed, impressions and measurements taken, and you'll be provided with a temporary dental appliance that you can wear until your gums heal. At that time, your new set of dentures will be installed and fitted for comfort and function.
If you've selected a removable denture, it will rest on your gums, while a fixed denture will be anchored by dental implants.
What Are Partial Dentures?
If you've selected a partial denture, you'll keep your healthy teeth and those that are missing will be replaced with a partial denture set, which the dentist will attach to adjacent teeth by use of clasps. You'll need to remove the partial every day and clean it.
Flexible partial dentures don't use clasps or a rigid base. Instead, they're made from flexible material that is more comfortable and bends as your mouth moves. The clasps are also flexible and both the clasps and the base are realistically gum-colored.
What Is an Implant-Supported Denture?
This type of denture is secured by dental implants, usually two or four, and is installed in the lower jaw only. The lower jaw requires more stability than the upper jaw, so usually this type of appliance isn't used for the upper jaw. An implant-supported denture needs to be removed and cleaned on a daily basis.
What Are All-on-Four Dentures?
All-on-Four dentures are artificial teeth that are permanently attached to implants in the lower jaw, which provides additional biting power along with the convenience of a fixed denture.
Is It Time-Consuming to Get Dentures?
There are several steps involved in getting a new denture set and the process will vary according to the individual. Usually, the dentist takes impressions and measurements so that the new denture set will be an accurate replication of your natural teeth. Teeth will be extracted as necessary and implants, if applicable, will be installed. You'll be provided with a temporary denture to wear until your jaw heals and your new dentures are ready for installation.
When your new dentures are ready, the dentist will install them and adjust them for maximum comfort and function.
How Much Will Dentures Cost Me?
Cost is a variable, and it depends on several factors. The type of denture desired, the prep work that will need to be done, and the cost of the materials used will factor into the overall cost of your new denture set.
Our dentists can help you decide on the best affordable quality dentures that will satisfy your unique situation. If you need to get new dentures in Atlanta, contact our offices today and let us help you.
What is a Soft Reline?
A soft denture reline uses a pliable material to line the dentures rather than the hard acrylic that is normally used. The soft reline can eliminate the pain and soreness that can sometimes accompany a denture set.
If it's time for you to get new dentures in Atlanta, then give us a call today. We can help you with affordable quality dentures that will restore your glorious smile and improve your oral health.


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Please be aware that the specification of the vehicle above can sometimes differ as a result of the use of third party data.
PORSCHE 911 (996) 3.6 TURBO CONVERTIBLE MANUAL, Finished in Cobalt Blue with metropole blue heated leather interior, Only 49,000 miles from new, This car is my pride and joy and I have had a lot of fun with the car in the last 3 years of owning it, This is the 4th 996 turbo I have had and I traveled the length of the country to buy it. The car comes with a Full service history and 3 Keys. Extras include: Hardtop, Red Seat belts, Parking sensors, Special order colour and Aluminium Pack. VIEWING THIS CAR IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY SO PLEASE CALL BEFORE TURNING UP. Features include: Central Locking, Hard Top, Spare Key, Aluminium Trim, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, ABS, CD Player, Full Service History, Six Speed Gearbox, Alloy Wheels, Digital Climate Control, Metallic Paint, 3 Month Warranty, CD Autochanger, Four Wheel Drive, SatNav, Alarm, Cruise Control, Leather Interior, V5 Reg Doc, Bose Sound System, Electric Windows, Rear Parking Sensors, Air Conditioning, Colour Coded, HPI Clear, Spoiler, Bi Xenon Headlights, Electric Mirrors, Power Assisted Steering, Adjustable Steering Wheel.


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In order to view this object you need Flash Player 9+ support!Powered by RS Web Solutions
In order to view this object you need Flash Player 9+ support!
Powered by RS Web Solutions
CAMPE submits Civil Society Response on Education Act 2013 (draft) to the Hon'ble Minister of Education
A delegation from CAMPE comprising stakeholders from NGOs (including INGOs), Teacher Unions, Education Watch and other concerned groups met the Hon'ble Minister of Education Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP and his team in his office this morning and submitted the compiled and edited version of Civil Society recommendations on the Education Act (draft) 2013. Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary of MoE and the DG/Chairman of concerned government agencies including NCTB, NAEM, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka, DTE, DSHE were present.
During the meeting the Hon'ble Minister in his response to the Civil Society comments on punitive measures against teachers and the frequent use of the word "Punishment" assured everyone that they would consider replacing the word, since most people have expressed their reservation and consider it humiliating for teachers. He also mentioned that the government is going to place in the next parliament session, scheduled for September 12, a bill with provisions making it mandatory for educational institutions to get registered with the authorities concerned as per existing laws.
Draft Education Act 2013 shared among stakeholders for quick feedback
A national level consultation on 'Draft Education Act 2013' was held on 31st August 2013 at the PKSF Conference room in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Rasheda K Choudhury while Dr. Quazi Kholiquzzoman Ahmad, Chairman, PKSF and Adviser, Education Act 2013 Formulation Committee, was present as the Guest of Honor . Diverse group of stakeholders including members of the Education Watch Group , researchers, academics, representatives from national and international NGOs, Development Partners, Teacher Unions and legal practitioners participated in the meeting and shared their view on the Draft. Before the open discussion, Professor Shafi Ahmed presented the views collected from the local level stakeholders through 10 sub-national consultations. Dr. Manzoor Ahmed presented the feedbacks received from National NGOs, INGOs, teacher associations, research groups and other stakeholders at the national level. CAMPE, a national coalition of NGOs working towards access, quality and equity in the basic education sub- sector has been collecting feedbacks from different parts of the country through consultations /meetings on the draft Education Act 2013. The feedbacks collected from the local and national level will be compiled by a task team and submitted to the Education Ministry next week.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission Receive UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy 2013 for its "Ganokendra" (People's Centre) Programme
Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been awarded UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy 2013 for its "Ganokendra" (People's Centre) Programme. In a letter dated 1 August 2013, Ms. Mmantsetsa Marope, Director, Division for Basic Learning and Skills Development Education Sector (The Literacy Prizes Secretariat), UNESCO mentioned that "the Jury highly appreciated the determination of the programme to empower women and girls to cultivate their minds and create an enabling environment so that they can use their latent social energy and forge ahead to achieve sustainable development."
Ganokendra meaning peoples centre functions as multi-purpose community learning centre and serves as a platform to empower women and girls through literacy promotion integrated with livelihood skills training. DAM has been implementing Ganokendra in hard-to-reach poverty stricken areas in 84 sub-districts of 26 districts in Bangladesh since 1992.
For more information log in to www.ahsaniamission.org.bd
CAMPE links TVET graduates with
employers through Job Fair
A Job Fair was organized by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) and its partner organizations on 7th July, 2013 at the Harmony Hall of Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) under the supervision and guidance of National Skill Development Council (NSDC) Secretariat. About 1800 people including 1300 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, 20 employers and 30 service providers participated in this fair. 500 graduates got job offers right away following brief interview by employers.
The major objective of the Job Fair was to establish linkage among job seekers, potential employers and Training institutions focusing on Non-formal Education (NFE) sub-sector in Bangladesh. A placement seminar titled "Technical and Vocational Education in Bangladesh: Situation and Prospects" was also held at the Carnival Hall of BICC on the same day.


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Viggle, a TV check-in app that's already seen popularity on iOS, has just seen its first beta release for Android. Viggle, for those who don't know, allows users to check in to their favorite TV shows. The app accomplishes this by "listening" to audio and comparing the sounds it hears to a database, matching them with a certain television show.
What makes Viggle more interesting than many check-in apps is that users can earn tangible rewards.Read More


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Chiropractic Adjustments - A solution for infertility
Chiropractic adjustments may not seem to be the first choice for a solution to infertility, however several studies have shown that females under Chiropractic care have been able to conceive after years of struggling with infertility.
Chiropractic adjustments ensure your nerve system is working at 100% and that your body is working at it's full potential. Click here to see how Subluxations (spinal restrictions) can affect your nerves, and ultimately decrease your health.
You can read the the CBS news report on research showing how Chiropractic Adjustments can help infertility or you can watch the news report.
More information can be seen at International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association's web site. Here's a great link to an article from iParenting Media.


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Q: Dear Bryn:
Ed, Julianna and I were at the Autism Treatment Center of America for our Son-Rise Program Intensive in late January of this year and we were so pleased with the progress Julianna made in one short week. As her last session in the playroom came to an end, I sat there in tears because I was so touched by the staff's commitment to her and her delight in being in the playroom. I was totally up for the challenge of coming home and creating the same opportunity for her at home.
Ed is a stay-at-home dad, and I work outside the home. We pulled her out of her Special Education Pre-School because we felt that she would be seen as a behavioral challenge after having had free run of the playroom. We had most of the essentials of our playroom together and quickly moved on getting the remaining pieces in place.
Shortly after we returned home, we put together a flyer that we posted in lots of places, including the local colleges, and e-mailed it to everyone we know, asking them to pass it on to their friends, etc. I also ran an advertisement in the local newspaper for volunteers. The flyer was modeled after several in our Son-Rise Start-Up binder and included a photo of one of us playing with Julianna in the playroom. The end result was zip, nada, not one volunteer. In part this could be due to the low unemployment (approx. 2.5%) in our part of northern California, also known as Telecom Valley, located north of San Francisco in the southern tip of wine country.
So, we went to plan B - pay people. Again, we posted and ran ads. We held an information night at our home where we explained the program, observed Julianna in the playroom, showed the BBC video and had people complete applications. End result, after checking references, etc. we hired 4 people. One participated in the program for 3 weeks and quit because it required more energy than she felt she had. One accepted an afternoon slot and never showed up and didn't return phone calls (after receiving glowing references!). One participated for a couple of weeks and bowed out due to demands of her college courses and the fourth, who is a jewel, just tonight told us she is moving back to San Francisco and would like to be involved but can only do so one day a week on a rotating schedule.
We ran a second ad a couple of weeks ago, had a second informational night, etc. and are in the process of trying to work out the schedules of additional facilitators to work with Julianna. However, we are starting to get gun shy - we clearly explain the time commitment we are looking for (minimum of 7 hours a week) and the duration (minimum of 6 months) and yet we are not being successful.
The good news is that Julianna is benefiting from the playroom time she is getting and is now saying a couple of four-word sentences (I need more juice. I need more bubbles). The less-than-good news is we are getting discouraged. Ed cannot do the playroom time full time and I can't quit my job and stay home. Any suggestions on what we can do differently regarding recruiting people would be greatly appreciated! What I would really like to do is move into Unit Two [a housing facility at The Son-Rise House in Sheffield, MA.] or minimally recruit a few of the wonderful staff there. I truly cannot express how much I admire, appreciate and love everyone that worked with us in January.
Thank you and please give my best to William and the rest of the Son-Rise staff.
Name: Victoria and Ed P. State: CA Child: Julianna, 4.5 years Diagnosis: PDD and ataxic CP
A: Dear Victoria,
I see that life has offered you some additional challenges...so the question is, how do we face them? We cannot control the actions of others, (volunteers leaving, not responding etc) but we can control our response to them. So...how do we want to respond?
If you remember our idea on "Becoming a Force of Nature" - one paramount aspect is PERSISTENCE. The willingness to ask again and again and again for what we want. The willingness to say, "I cannot be stopped", "I am going for what I want". I know it can feel challenging when you have put so much into something and it doesn't work out. I know that there must have been a tremendous amount of energy that went into each attempt to recruit. Firstly...let's celebrate this! You are trying! You are doing everything you can for your beautiful daughter - this is wonderful! The reward for our actions is the love with which we do them...and then the outcome is our bonus. Hurrah for your efforts! Hurrah for your attempts!
We want Julianna to continue to try, to continue to put out her best effort, even if we have asked her 100 times to look into our eyes or have a longer conversation. Now, we must be willing to do the same ourselves.
My suggestion to you is two-fold:
I know you can attain your dream of creating this program that you want - you simply have to dare to continue - and dare to make it so.
With much warmth to you,
Click Here To Learn More About Our Program & Services


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White House: No Supreme Court Pick This Week
The White House on Tuesday put to rest speculation that President Obama may choose his first Supreme Court nominee as early as this week.
Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said during his Tuesday briefing that Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) was incorrect when he told reporters on Monday that he expected to see a nomination by the end of this week or this weekend.
"It's not going to happen this week," Gibbs said.
Gibbs was less forthcoming, however, on whether a nomination could be made next week--he told reporters he would get back to them about that.
Mr. Obama has indicated that he would like to have a replacement for retiring Justice David Souter in place for the Supreme Court session that begins in October.
In the meantime, the White House has begun reaching out to some senators and other players for input on the nomination--while interest groups and political pundits ratchet up their own positions on the matter.
Hatch gave reporters his prognosis for a quick nomination after speaking to the president on the phone on Monday. Mr. Obama also reached out that day to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), who urged the president to appoint a woman to the bench, according to the Politico, as well as newly-turned Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.).
"The president called me around noon today to begin the consultation process on a new Supreme Court nominee," Specter said in a statement. "He asked for recommendations and I told him I would think it over and get back to him."
The president, though, has yet to seek out the advice of the new ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). The staunch conservative will lead Republicans on the committee through the nominating process. However, in a deal reached with other Republicans, Sessions will relinquish the position in 2010 to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who was also in line to be the committee's top Republican.
Sessions has promised full hearings for Mr. Obama's pick, but he has not ruled out the use of a filibuster to block the nominee on the Senate floor, the Politico reported.
The presumed frontrunners for the position are already coming under close public scrutiny.
Sonia Sotomayor, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit who is considered the top contender for the slot being vacated by David Souter, is the subject of a critical article published Monday by the New Republic called "The Case Against Sotomayor." Right-wing pundits have already taken up the article as ammunition against the case for promoting diversity on the Court, while others on the left are assailing author Jeffrey Rosen for shoddy and biased reporting.
To add fuel to the fire, a video recently surfaced of Sotomayor giving a speech at Duke University in 2005, in which she says courts are the place "where policy is made." She qualifies her statement by saying, "I'm not promoting it and I'm not advocating it."
Meanwhile, a memo from a leading conservative legal group criticizes Sotomayor, along with the two other presumed frontrunners--Solicitor General Elena Kagan and appellate judge Diane Wood. The memo from Wendy Long and Gary Marx of the Judicial Confirmation Network also says the nominating process should be slowed down, according to the Washington Post.
"We need a fair, orderly process to educate Americans about the potential nominees that the Obama-Leahy machine seems determined to rush through the confirmation process," it says.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is applauding the possible nomination of Kathleen Sullivan, the former dean of Stanford Law School who is open about being a lesbian.
"I think the community was hopeful we would see the first openly gay or lesbian Cabinet secretary and that didn't happen, which was a little disappointing," Denis Dison of the Victory Fund told the Politico.
"The same thing is happening now with the Supreme Court vacancy...It's not so much we want to check that box at the Supreme Court level, but that achievement would be breaking the glass ceiling in a huge way."


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Section 13: Re-use and Reversioning
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BBC content is made to the standards in the Editorial Guidelines in force at the time of its original production. With the passage of time, those standards may change. This section outlines the additional steps that should be taken when content is re-used, distributed or otherwise made available, in whole or in part, in ways that may not have been contemplated at the time of production.
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Exciting changes are in store for Macon Speedway!
A new partnership, Macon Speedway LLC, purchased the Macon Speedway venue in December of 2006. Macon Speedway is one of the Midwest's premier dirt racing facilities and it is one of Illinois' oldest racetracks. Macon Speedway hosts many premier events including the "Wayne Webb Memorial" and the U.M.P. Summernationals and the Herald and Review 100. The track consists of a 1/5-mile high-banked dirt oval race track with permanent grandstands that accommodate 3,000 spectators. The new owners bring extensive experience in event promotions and management as well as a thorough, first-hand knowledge of motorsports. In fact, the new owners that formed Macon Speedway LLC will bring unmatched exposure to Macon Speedway, the Midwestern racing scene and dirt racing. The new management at Macon Speedway consists of Bob Sargent, Tony Stewart, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader.
Bob Sargent, the Chief Operating Officer of Track Enterprises, Inc., has decades of successful promotional experience at numerous Midwestern racetracks including both Illinois State Fairgrounds' facilities and is recognized as one of the industry's best track managers. The 1994 USAC Promoter of the Year recipient has strategic relationships with all major racing series from the ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR to dirt racing's premier sanctions including the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and the World of Outlaws' Sprint and Late Model series.
Ken Schrader is renowned as a racer's racer who will compete in anything with wheels. Missouri-born Schrader started his racing career on dirt tracks throughout the Midwest before establishing a successful NASCAR racing career. The NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran also owns his own NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA RE/MAX and dirt late model racing teams. Additionally, Schrader is the co-owner of another dirt track- I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO. Schrader and Sargent have also partnered for numerous racing endeavors in the past including the 2003 purchase of the United Midwestern Promoters' racing series and 2004 acquisition of the Stacker 2® Xtreme DirtCar Series, both of which were subsequently purchased by the parent company of the prominent World of Outlaws' Series—Dirt Motorsports. Schrader and Sargent also have teamed up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in their purchase of the Paducah International Raceway in November of 2005.
Tony Stewart is one of NASCAR's superstars. Stewart will help usher in a new era at Macon Speedway with his ownership experience at the popular Eldora Speedway. Stewart started his career racing go-karts with his father serving as car owner and crew chief. Stewart is the first and only driver to have won championships in stock cars, Indy cars and open-wheel midget, Sprint and Silver Crown cars. Among Stewart's many victories was the acclaimed win in the Brickyard 400 which he had dreamed of since racing go-karts. During that remarkable 1999 rookie season in NASCAR, where Stewart won three races and was crowned Rookie of the Year, he also competed in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Kenny Wallace a fan favorite won the first race he ever entered. It was 1982, and the youngest member of the racing Wallace family, a longtime mechanic and crew member for his brothers Rusty and Mike, had a shot at driving a racecar of his own in the Illinois Street Stock State Championship. Kenny's win in that race would be the first of many in his
racing career.
The management and staff of Macon Speedway look forward to combining the fan-friendly, grassroots racing excitement of dirt racing with the entertaining atmosphere of NASCAR into a unique experience that fans will only be able to obtain at Macon Speedway. We look forward to having you join us this year in our exciting new venture!


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Extra Stars from Novomatic is a very basic online slot. It has no extra features except for a wild symbol, and very standard graphics that are based on old school fruit machines. Back in the day slots used to be called fruit machines, due to them having only a very few symbols which were pretty much all fruits.
These games could be found in pubs, cafe's and gathering places of all kinds all over the world. With no extras the only point to these fruit machines was to spin the reels and try to line up identical symbols in a row from left to right. Extra Stars is a game designed along exactly those lines. The whole point is to line up symbols from left to right on one of the ten paylines.
Players who enjoy the simple things in life should enjoy Extra Stars. However if you are looking for second screen bonus game action and never ending thrills, this is definitely not the game for you. With Extra Stars you can expect solid reel spinning action and that's all. All ten paylines are always active, but coin values range from 0.01 all the way up to 1, which makes the game quite flexible.
Mobile Graphics
The graphics in Extra Stars are not going to change your life. They are very basic, done in typical fruit machine style with bright colours and dark outlines and little detail. The fruits are not realistic but do look god against the black backed reels. Behind the reels is non descript red pattern that may or may not be a carpet. The basic graphics do mean that this slot pays very well on the mobile platform. You can take Extra Stars with you wherever you go, as long as you have a decent Internet connection.
Luscious Fruity Symbols
All the symbols in Extra Stars are theme based, although there are very few of them. At the bottom of the fruit pile we have cherries and lemons worth 200 coins for five of them in a row. On top of those in our fruit salad are plums and oranges, and then melons and grapes. Banana are worth the most with up to 10 000 coins for five of them. Of course this all depends on your real money casino bonus coin values. Right on top we have lucky sevens paying out up to 20 000 coins.
Fruity Features
Extra Stars has no features except for a wild symbol. This is the star of the game, and shows up on the reels as a golden star. Only found on reels two, three and four, this wild does expand to cover the entire reel that can lead to decent wins. Not only does it expand, but it also takes the place of any other symbol in the game. The expanding wild also retriggers the free spins with an extra spin every time that it comes up during your initial free spins round.
Gamble Feature
Extra Stars does have a gamble feature, where you can double or nothing any win that you achieve. This is done by correctly guessing the colour of a playing card, which gives you 50% chance of getting it right. Beware however, should you get it wrong you lose your win completely.


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Financial Counseling services are provided by a team of professional Patient Financial Counselors trained in financial counseling for all medical services. The team is responsible for assisting all patients, staff, and physicians with needs related to insurance, billing, and various programs. Cost estimations for procedures are provided as well as collection of payments as is appropriate.
Unexpected medical expenses can be a financial burden. Do you think you may have difficulty paying your bill? We can help! Financial assistance options are available. Would you like information about financial assistance? If so, contact a Patient Financial Counselor at the below phone number or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Information
Patient Access Financial Counseling
Phone: 402.559.5346
Fax: 402.559.7339
When calling a Patient Financial Counselor for assistance or cost estimates please have the following information available:
- Patient name
- Medical record number (if available)
- Insurance information (if available)
- Detailed explanation of patient's need


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Home /
Together, Let's Build a Better Queensland. /
Labor is soft on crime, which means that the safety and security of families across Queensland – particularly in the regions – is put at risk.
Under Annastacia Palaszczuk, the rights of offenders are put ahead of the right of the community to be safe.
Crime, in particular youth crime, is out of control. Recent QPS crime statistics as at 30 June 2017 indicated that:
Car theft increased by 18.2% in Townsville, 31.9% in the Far North and 26.6% in Wide Bay in the last year and unlawful entry increased by 15.2% on the Gold Coast, 16.1% in Capricornia and 28.4% in the Moreton police districts in the last year.
Labor scrapped the strong laws that were introduced by the LNP in 2014 – without any review. That is remarkable given Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a review into just about everything else.
Our tough laws had not been given the chance to work although the early signs were promising.
It's time to stop Labor's soft on crime, slap on the wrist approach.
The LNP acts and listens to the community, which is why we introduced stronger youth justice laws in 2014 that have since been scrapped by Labor.
We also invested in early intervention, rehabilitation and additional policing resources across the state.
We delivered on our commitment to get tough on crime and tip the scales of justice back in favour of the community.
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will introduce tougher laws to ensure that young offenders who are convicted of a crime are held accountable for their actions.
These measures include:
This is part of our plan to provide safe and liveable communities as we Build a Better Queensland.


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Tuscany, Italy: Rustic Slow Food
When travel dreams take people to Italy, Tuscany is often their first stop. There's something almost seductively charming about this region and its rustic good living. Today we'll experience two classic examples of "la dolce vita" (the sweet life): joining an early-morning truffle hunt through an oak forest, and tasting the bounty of a small-town artichoke festival. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.


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HIX Graphic Printing Equipment
HIX Corporation is a global leader in innovation, technology, and design of today's top performing heat transfer machines, screen printing equipment, and drying equipment. Engineered and manufactured in the U.S.A., our products are high-performance and energy efficient, and backed by the industry's best warranty.
Our professional grade products are marketed and sold in over 60 countries. As a leading manufacturer of equipment and products for the graphic printing industry, our objective is to provide the highest quality products and services to our end-user customers. HIX products are sold through our vast network of distributors, who in turn are also dedicated to this industry and the people working in it.
HIX Heat Transfer Machines
Renowned for innovation, engineering and quality-driven made in the U.S.A. products, HIX Heat Transfer Machines are called the "workhorses" of the industry, and they are found in more graphic shops than any other heat press. From our Clamshell and Swing Away heat presses, to our heat presses for specialty work, we have the right equipment to service your business. With over 100,000 units serving today, HIX is without a doubt your most reliable heat transfer machine choice.
HIX Screen Printing Equipment
HIX did not invent screen-printing, but once you've worked with HIX Screen Printing Equipment, you'll agree that we helped to make it easier and better. We have a wide range of screen-printing equipment and accessories to help your small, medium or large production business succeed. From printing to washing your screens, HIX equipment is considered to be the most reliable and quality engineered products in the industry.
HIX Drying Equipment
With equipment sales worldwide, HIX dryers are regarded as some of the very best in the printing business. HIX dryers are all designed and engineered to run efficiently using the least amount of energy, helping you to conserve and spend less on energy bills. HIX has several types of ovens (gas and electric) that are readily available to meet most graphic professionals needs. HIX is also capable of producing custom drying equipment to meet your space and production requirements.


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(This post is lovingly subtitled:
Ideas I think are brilliant on 2 hours of sleep. Don't mess with Hannah Tinti during a DANCE-OFF. You can't order a meal in Chicago that doesn't come with curly fries, I'm moving to Chicago. I don't believe anyone knows the difference between a short short and a prose poem so maybe there isn't one. It is impossible to find cigarettes in Chicago, I'm canceling my move to Chicago.)
Chicago's Hilton hosted the 500th annual AWP Conference (that number may not be right) on Valentine's Day weekend. The Hilton was pumped with stale, dry air, no clocks and $15 coffees, so we New Yorkers felt oddly at home. AWP (Associated Writing Programs) is a three-day event held every year at a different locale for Masters programs, editors, writers, literary magazines, publishing houses, former male models and basically anyone who knows how to properly punctuate a parenthetical expression. (Like me.) This year's AWP was heavy on the DANCE, which culminated in a hilarious DANCE-OFF I will explain in bone-chilling detail later in this post.
One Story decided to sell mad-lib Valentines for $1 that would be delivered in one of our issues by One Story "cupids" to any table at the Conference. Which meant before my drive to Chicago I was in Halloween Adventure asking bored sales clerks which wings looked more "Cupid-y."
(Tanya Rey & Karen Friedman get ready to deliver One Story valentines)
Those of you who diligently use my recaps to line your parakeet cages remember my recap from last year, in which I discussed etiquette on approaching a literary magazine's table soley to acquire a handful of chocolate. This year's conference also contained a revelation. In the Hilton's elevator at 4am, I decided the best way to answer the question "what do you write about?" was to perform a spirited Traveling Roger Rabbit. Crossing the floor and returning, finishing with a split and the pronouncement: "THAT'S what I write about." If you can't do the Traveling Roger Rabbit (a hybrid of the popular dance move that allows you to move across the floor using your legs as "pumps": see video), I decided the Regular Roger Rabbit would also be fine. Not only is it inventive, it also proves to the person who asked that the rhythm will, eventually, get you.
We Cupids spent most of the three-day conference consulting maps of the tables, informing people to mind the goddamned wings, and generally delivering sunshine. Our Valentines were printed as such: Dear (blank), (blank) thinks you're (blank). Valentine buyers were able to fill in the blanks with special messages to their honeys. As we could have anticipated at a conference of writers, those blanks were sometimes filled with things that were hilarious and wrong. This created strange situations for We Cupids. For example, I spent five minutes at a lit mag's table asking to speak to Chow-dog. Does Chow-dog work here? Because he thinks Honeypot is SMOKIN'.
Which brings me to my biggest disappointment of AWP: No one, while I was walking by in my wings, said what I thought would be the worst/best line ever: Heaven must be missing an angel. We did however get: Why are you people wearing wings? And, what are you weirdos doing?
One Story had a party on Friday night with the hearts at Open City, BOMB and Post Road. All were welcome and all came. There was little to no breathing room. Paul W. Morris from BOMB took these lovely pictures. We took turns wearing the wings, and at the end of the night, we looked like this. Then, we dragged our sorry selves to the AWP dance party, held every night in The Hilton. My friend Anne told me AWP dance parties in the past have not been well attended, but Chicago's were, probably due to the fact that they opted not to charge for alcohol. Holding our glasses of wine, we air drummed, we running-manned, we played our legs like guitars. Some of us performed the Traveling Roger Rabbit, even though no one had asked what we wrote about.
(AWP Dance Party at the Hilton)
Now, about that DANCE-OFF.
Five minutes before the close of the last day of AWP, when a robotic voice repeatedly informed vendors that AWP was closing and that 5pm wasn't a suggestion, the amiable gentlemen and lady of Barrelhouse came over to our table and challenged us to a DANCE-OFF at that night's AWP dance party. They told us to bring Kleenex because they were going to wipe the floor with us. They cartwheeled and did karate moves to show us how serious they were. They said after they were done making us dead meat we were going to have to change the name of our magazine because we would have way more than one story. We asked: shouldn't they be the ones to bring Kleenex? It didn't seem right we would have to provide what would be used to wipe us up. They said the Kleenex could also be used to dry up our tears which didn't answer our question and we all got confused and backed away. After we left, their editor placed his heel on the edge of their table, flipped it over with one kick and said: Barrelhouse OUT!
Sure enough that night at the dance party, the Barrelhouse gents and lady approached us on the dance floor cheetah-like, pumping their shoulders, making gestures with their hands that signalled they were hot stuff and we were dead meat. We pumped our shoulders, we made similar gestures. One of us was wearing the Cupid wings. Then, the main players advanced; on their side Aaron Pease and on our side editor Hannah Tinti. There were some spirited back and forths, pelvic chops, reiterations on who ruled and who consequently drooled, then in an explosion of awesomeness, Hannah fireworked onto the ground to do a backward flip, yelling how they didn't want any of this but were going to get it anyway, how she had tried to hold back but now it was ON. Arms pumping, epithets streaming, Hannah Tinti brought it home for One Story.
What Barrelhouse and, admittedly, some One Story staffers didn't know was before she wrote her award-winning stories, the illustrious Hannah Tinti worked as a DJ's assistant. Her job was to get people dancing at clubs. So, she was kind of a ringer. And because of her outstanding moves, we do not have to change the name of our magazine. But, maybe Barrelhouse should change its name. To Barrel of People who lose dance contests.
Or, House of People Who Talk About Other People Not Being As Good As Them But When It Comes Down To It Can't Do Back Hand Springs Or Like, Dance Well.
Or, House of Barrels who…I'm tired.
Driving home from AWP, my friends and I reminisced about great moments from AWP panels. At the panel on short shorts with Deb Olin Unferth, Ron Carlson and Robert Olen Butler, I was blown away by the variety of each writer's take on the form. Selected Short's performance on Saturday night, though woefully underattended, contained an outstanding reading of "Cathedral" by SS's veteran B.D. Wong. My friend Dave went to a famous writer's reading attended solely by people who had apparently been told no matter what said famous writer pretends to be interested in, ask nothing but questions about cover letters. In case any of these people still don't know what should be included in a cover letter, here is the short list: publications, felonies, whether you thought the series finale of Will and Grace was a cop-out, and favorite Monkee. Tip: Poetry editors are crackers for Davy Jones.
Before I sign off, allow me to share with you an uncomfortable situation I Cupid encountered whilst delivering happiness to the Southwest Room of AWP. I found myself in conversation with a venerable editor of a magazine that is older than most Ivy League schools. He was wearing a suit. I was wearing Victoria Secret wings, fake heart tattoos and a softball t-shirt emblazoned with my last name in a shade of pink that could kill cattle. If the cattle had extremely fragile nerves and, like, DESPISED pink. I realized the events of my life had added up to me talking to the editor of the magazine I kissed goodnight in my little girl bedroom while dressed as Cupid, annoyed passerby hitting my wings and turning me ever so slightly around with every hit. But, he was a kind, patient man. He asked me how I liked working for One Story and who my favorite Monkee was. Then he smiled and said: What do you write about?
(Marie prepares to fly)
I sighed. Adjusted my wings.
And performed a flawless Roger Rabbit, Travel-Style.
See you next year, in Denver. One Story OUT!